AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – April 3rd

April 3, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Free Horses to Watch & Trip Notes for visitors to AGameofSkill.com.

GULFSTREAM PARK

MASTER G (race 4 at Gulfstream Park, April 2, 2022) – This second starter was much the best in his 2nd career race.  He was boxed in from the far turn until the top of the stretch. When he got clear, he easily ran down two runners who had perfect trips.  The margin of victory was deceptive for this regally bred colt.

SANTA ANITA

KANT BEAT THE ROCK (race 5 at Santa Anita, April 1, 2022) – This maiden was claimed last summer by sharp handicapper Dylan Donnelly, and unfortunately he had to be put on the shelf for the remainder of the year.  He returned, working sharp in the mornings for new barn, and then was pointed to this down the hill turf sprint.  Making his first grass start, the Rock stalked from just off the pace.  Made a bold move turning for home but was a tad green.  When Tyler Baze got him straightened out and asked for run, the colt exploded.  Pulled away from the field and galloped out very strong.  This grandson of Raven’s Pass has a future on the sod, both short and long.

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – Oct. 12

October 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Belmont Park horse racingFree Horses to Watch & Trip Notes for visitors to AGameofSkill.com.

BELMONT PARK

BLUE ATLAS (race 4 at Belmont Park, Sept. 30, 2021) – This Belmont turf horse for the course made a monster move in mid stretch under Kendrick Carmouche but had absolutely no where to go.  Jock switched the runner out multiple paths in deep stretch and came on again to be narrowly defeated in fourth.  Big effort in only her second start since Aug. 2020.

MO DONEGAL (race 6 at Belmont Park, Sept. 30, 2021) – Uncle Mo two year old broke from the rail in his debut and was far back in the running.  The Pletcher trainee got rolling late and made up a ton of ground, nearly getting the place spot.  The race was won by his stablemater, another firster.  Mo Donegal galloped out big past the wire.

KEENELAND

WATCH THE MUSIC (Race 2 at Keeneland, Oct. 8, 2021) – First time starter going two turns on the turf and breaking from a far outside post for a 7% debut barn.  Not a recipe for winning, but this two year old gelding unleashed a powerful late run down the stretch on opening day to get up for a non-threatening third place finish.  The grandson of English Channel has talent.

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AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Aug 29

August 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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GULFSTREAM PARK

CHROME RACER (Race 6 at GP, August 13, 2021) – 2nd time starter from the hot Louie Roussel barn finished well to get up for 2nd behind the gate to wire winner.  Rallied against the grain of the speed favoring track.

BULLET ON TAP (Race 2 at GP, August 6, 2021) – first time starter going 7 furlongs showed good early speed and chased the winner home in the lane.  Was green in the stretch and would probably benefit from blinkers.

SARATOGA

PRICE TALK (Race 2 at SAR, August 13, 2021) – This guy overcame a wide trip and some trouble, including the rider nearly losing the whip in the stretch.  Royally-bred turf runner should be able to handle a slight class rise next out.

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AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Aug 8

August 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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DEL MAR

WARREN’S CANDY GIRL (Race 1 at Del Mar, July 30) – Turf runner made a powerful late run to take over at the top of the lane and draw off to an impressive win.

SARATOGA

FULL COURT PRESS (Race 13 at Saratoga, August 1) – bumped hard start and then raced wide throughout most of the running.  Drew off strongly in the lane and won this race despite wide trip.  Tom Morley runner could win back in the right spot.

CREATE AGAIN (Race 6 at Saratoga, July 29) – Peter Walder runner was boxed in during most of this race despite the short, four-horse field.  When he finally got clear he couldn’t run down the horse who dictated the pace.  Solid effort for potent new barn and should prove tough in similar spot.

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AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – July 27

July 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Horse Racing Fans at the Saratoga Clubhouse Rail

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SARATOGA

WAR SMOKE (Race 1 at Saratoga, July 17, 2021) – Trip notes saw this first timer run huge. Squeezed badly at the start, and then unleashed a big late run.  The son of War Dancer got bumped and knocked off stride by the winner when both were rallying in the final 1/16th of a mile.  He is a half to 3 turf winners.

MISSPELL (Race 3 at Saratoga, July 17) – Got hit hard at the start of the race.  She recovered with a huge late and just got nosed out.  It was the first start since September for the Chad Brown filly who showed a lot of talent last year.  She was getting Lasix for the first time here.   Figures to break through her conditions very soon.

DANCE CODE (Race 9 at Saratoga, July 17) – Lost all chance at the start of the G3 Sanford Stakes but came on late to finish a very game third, despite being well beaten by winner Wit.  Showed a lot of talent in this loss.

TOO SEXY (Race 6 at Saratoga, July 16) – Clement runner looked like one that had trouble finding the winner’s circle but now she has won two of her last four races.  She was much the best in this entry level allowance race, overcoming trouble in the stretch to win going away in this turf sprint.

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – July 15

July 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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ELLIS PARK

ORCHESTRATION (Race 5 at Ellis Park, June 2, 2021) – Bounced around at the start and then unleashed a huge late run to get up for 2nd and blow past the winner just past the wire.  Big gallop out from the Chad Brown first time starter by Flatter.

SARATOGA

MAINSTAY (Race 9 at Saratoga, July 15, 2021) – In watching the head-on replay you will see that 2yo filly from the Robert Reid, Jr. barn stumbled badly from her two post.  However, she recovered like a real pro and ran a huge race to be 2nd to the second choice and wire-to-wire winner Pretty Birdie.  She was about 4 lengths clear of the show horse.

OMAHA CITY (Race 8 at Saratoga, July 15, 2021) – This talented turf runner finished extremely well to get up for 2nd in the Quick Call Stakes.  Trained by a 3% barn, this son of Temple City had not been out since mid April at Gulfstream.  Super honest and looks primed for top efforts at 6 1/2 furlongs or less.

EKHTIBAAR (Race 1 at Saratoga, opening day July 15, 2021) – The 8yo shipper from Parx showed a new dimension by rallying from off the pace.  Broke from a tough outside post in this 9 furlong dirt opener and was gained furiously on the leader in the lane, and that rival was drifting in and out in the final 1 1/16th.  This old timer loves Saratoga and could surprise at the same or similar level next out.

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – Feb. 1

February 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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GULFSTREAM PARK

PARTNER’S HOPE (Race 2 at Gulfstream Park, Jan. 23, 2021) – This was a live longshot tabbed by my buddy Justin Dew over at LoneSpeed.com.  Unfortunately, the 11-1 shot was ridden by Corey Lanerie, who gives more bad rides than a 10lb bug boy.  The maiden runner began to make a huge move heading into the far turn when Lanerie rode him up on the heels of a horse, causing a hard steady and loss of 2-3 lengths in precious momentum.  He re-rallied on the inside down the lane was only beaten over  a length for all the money.  Look for this More Than Ready colt on the dirt or turf with – hopefully – a different rider up next time.

TWICE TOO MANY (Race 6 at Gulfstream Park, Jan. 28, 2021) – This well bred first time starter from the Bryan Lynch barn was bet down to 4/5 after the late scratch of the favorite.  The 3yo son of the speedy The Big Beast is bred to win early.  He’s a half a millionaire Patternrecognition, along with several other early winners.  In his debut here he broke in 4th and then moved up between horses on the far turn but the winner for Mark Casse ran away from the field.  He’ll move forward off this start and win soon for Lynch.

OAKLAWN PARK

HIDDEN SCROLL (Race 7 at Oaklawn Park, Jan. 24, 2021) – This ‘over hyped’ runner who has simply never lived up to the reputation that he garnered early in his career.  However, over the winter he moved into the barn of potent trainer Brad Cox, who as we say ‘has the Midas touch.”  He returned in a 6 furlong allowance race in the mud and had a less than ideal trip.  He was shuffled back early and then steadied briefly on the backstretch, all the time with the jock half standing up in the irons.  His feet were on the dashboard, indicating his mount was loaded for bear.  When asked, Hidden Scroll swept up 5 wide on the turn and then cruised  to an easy score.  Next up a return to stakes company.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

SUCCESSFUL LEGACY (Race 3 at Tampa Bay, Jan. 9, 2021) – 3yo filly making third lifetime start and only 2nd on the dirt looked like a winner in deep stretch but was run down by her stablemate.  Gerald Bennett runner can dirt or turf.

JOE MAN JOE ( (Race 6 at Tampa Bay, Jan. 9, 2021) – The son of Uncle Mo closed like a freight train in his maiden breaking win at Tampa early in the meet, and then came back here to run a very nice 2nd on the turf behind a well meant Michael Trombettea runner that shipped up from Gulfstream Park.    Figures tough at 1x level on dirt or turf next out.

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – Jan. 26

January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Tampa Paddock

Up close and personal at Tampa Bay Downs paddock. Copyright AGOS

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SANTA ANITA

CHARMAINE’S MIA (Race 8 at Santa Anita, Jan. 9, 2021) – Moved into the barn of Phil D’Amato and what do you know – the mare improved by leaps and bounds.  At 16-1 odds she dominated a very strong group here that included multiple stakes winners.  There is no reason she can’t keep running big in turf sprints for her new outfit.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

JUSTLYREWARDED (Race 6 at Tampa Bay Downs, Jan 6, 2021) – Broke from a tough outside post and then raced wide throughout.  Worse yet, the 7yo gelding was racing against the grain of an inside speed bias.  Better-than-it looks 4th place finish for owner/trainer Peter Knoll.

MY BROTHERSLEDGE (Race 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, Jan 6, 2021) – The best closer in this turf race  made a strong early run against the eventual wire to wire winner.  The 6oy was the only horse with a shot down the stretch but had to settle for 2nd.  He ran a ‘winning race’ with new jockey Hector Diaz in the irons.

 

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – June 30

June 30, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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BELMONT PARK

JACK AND NOAH (Race 9 @Belmont, Jne 19, 2020) – This 3yo son of Bated Breath is a very, very fast early.  He utilized that speed to run his rivals off their feet in this $80,000 stakes going 6 furlongs on the grass.  Throw out his 1 mile start on Jan. 26, and this colt’s sprint record is rock solid on the lawn.

INDIANA DOWNS

CIELO AZUL (Race 5 @Indiana, June 23, 2020) – 3yo gelding making first start since 2yo season ran a huge race here.  After not showing much in two starts in 2019, he had been training well and nearly pulled off the 10-1 shocker of a dropper from Tampa.

Did you miss… The attributes of an off-the-turf longshot winner?

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – May 10

May 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

track announcer with binocularsAGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes, compliments of Agameofskill.com

GULFSTREAM PARK

NO NO NINA (Race 1 @GP, May 7, 2020) – Clement major dropped broke a length slow and that cost her in this 5 furlong turf dash.  The More Than Ready filly still ran well and can move forward off this race, only her third career effort.

PRINCESS SECRET (Race 2 @GP, May 7, 2020) – First timer by Khozan broke quickly on top and then was game throughout as she was pressured from the 3/8th pole home.   Extra impressive given that the Pita barn never wins with debut runners.

COUPLE OF NIKKIS (Race 4 @GP, May 7, 2020) – Not one of Tyler G’s best rides as this filly took up sharply at the 3/8th pole and was in traffic, losing her best chance.  She’s had two tough trips in a row now.  I’ll give her another chance at the $16,000 maiden turf level.

Have you read?  Art Parker’s handicapping advice – Risk Evaluation in Horse Racing

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

NEAT STREET (Race 7 at Tampa, May 8, 2020) – Just a poor turf ride from jockey Ademar Santos.  He had this 3yo gelding in traffic throughout and just never had him comfortable or with a clean chance to run.  Also-ran performance from the Bennett barn is not as bad as it looks.

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