Off the Charts Trip Notes – Nov. 5, 2014

This exclusive and free AGameofSkill.com feature, Off the Charts Trip Notes (Nov. 5, 2014), finds horses throughout the country who encountered some type of noteworthy trouble in their most recent start or just gave an extremely impressive performance. Please note that horses spotlighted in Off the Charts Trip Notes are never an automatic bet back, but rather runners to give a serious look at given the trips and the trouble spotted by our expert handicappers at AGameofSkill.com.  Horses below listed in track name order.

Keeneland

Tony B (Race 3 @KEE, October 11, 2014, 6 ½ furlongs, Starter $30,000) The favorite hopped at the start and was bumped which created a slightly tardy beginning. He traveled evenly with the eventual winner down the backstretch while tracking the first flight. He went wide into the turn and stayed wide throughout while the winner took the short route on the rail. He closed well and ran a big race only to be defeated by a short head. The extra real estate traveled cost him several lengths.

Laurel

My T Swift (Race 8 @LRL, October 11, 2014, 6 furlongs, AOC 2x) The fifth choice was bumped from both sides at the start, dropped back to last and then headed to the rail, tried to get through along the rail in the first part of the turn but was checked abruptly and retreated to last again, rallied and came again on the inside, moved to the center of the track once in the stretch and ran down leader in a gutsy effort in the slop.

Hawthorne

American Piasa (Race 6 @HAW, October 11, 2014, one mile 1/16, Claiming $5,000) Longshot went very wide in first turn, traveled very wide down the backstretch, was widest of all throughout the entire turn and entered the stretch about 7-8 wide. Closed very well and got the lead only to lose in the final strides. The lost ground on the turns was very significant, and without that loss this gelding would have won with ease.

Santa Anita

Simply in Awe (Race 10 @SA, October 11, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, Maiden Claiming $30,000) Big longshot was rushed up on the inside and was about to challenge for the lead but was checked about the half mile pole, pulled back and lost position, was then boxed in throughout the entire turn, attempted to make a move at the top of the stretch but was forced to steady, forced to steady again near the furlong marker, and then rallied to run evenly securing fourth only 3 lengths from the winner. An excellent race for a juvenile filly considering her trouble.

Woodbine

Niigon’s Song (Race 2 @WO, October 10, 2014,  one mile 1/16, MSW) Favorite hopped a little, was bumped and steadied at the start, stayed along the rail and was steadied slightly and held up when entering the first turn. Down the backstretch she darted between foes and made a premature move using much energy to eventually wind up vying for the lead and widest of three leaders throughout the entire final turn. Was caught after passing the quarter pole but ran on to finish fourth without much encouragement. The first three-quarters of a mile was costly to this juvenile filly.