Tracker Horses to Watch from Europe

track announcer with binocularsRacehorses to note, including a promising William Haggas filly

Dusky Prince
Fifth, Redcar, May 16

Returning after a 77-day pause, he didn’t have much room when needed and it was all too late by the time he got in the clear. He would have gone closer otherwise.

El Bello
Sixth, Wolverhampton, May 19

Was sent off favourite to complete a hat-trick, after a two-month breather, but he started slowly, was hampered more than once on the home bend and didn’t get a clear run inside the last furlong, doing well to miss out by only three lengths.

Nuvolari
Fourth, Goodwood, May 20

Was up against it given the way things worked out and wasn’t disgraced in the circumstances. A lack of pace led him to be a little keen and he was too far back in a race in which the leaders weren’t coming back…

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – July 15

Saratoga canopy walk throughComplimentary horses to watch and trip notes for visitors of AGameofSkill.com

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.

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – May 21

AGOS Free Horses to Watch & Trip Notes, compliments of Agameofskill.com.  Put these runners in your stable mail service.

 

Golden gate turf breakGOLDEN GATE FIELDS

LIVE IT WELL (Race 7 @Golden Gate, May 14, 2020) – strange ride from one of the top local jockeys, Frankie Alvarado.  She was blocked inside and never really given the chance to run her best. Alvarado gave her a 10lb bug boy ride.   Vronsky filly loves the grass and can win back in a similar spot.

FRENCH TUDOR (Race 8 @Golden Gate, May 14, 2020) – this debut runner was looking to make it three firsters in a row for  trainer Sherrie Monroe and DP Racing.  She made a strong, steady run after breaking from the far outside 10 post and just missed getting up for third in a sneaky good performance.   This was a pretty competitive field won by a Ron Ellis firster.

Art Parker’s look at what horse racing can do during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

GULFSTREAM PARK

CHARMAINE’S MIA (Race 10 at GP, May 8, 2020) – The Factor filly ran a really strong 2nd to R Happy Ending, the logical winner of this race for Baxter.  Edgar Zayas, who rode her to her last win at 12-1, was aboard.  Fits at optional 2x, $50,000 claiming level sprinting.  Prefers 5f.

 

SANTA ANITA

OH MARVELOUS ME (Race 6 @Santa Anita, May 15, 2020) – Finished strong in first start for Mark Glatt barn to get up and defeat a competitive field of $25,000 claimers.  Emerald Downs stakes winner has some back class.

 

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

PREPARE FOR GLORY (Race 7 @Tampa, May 9, 2020).  This first time starter from a 0% debut barn drew the rail to boot, which is very tough on a debut runner in general.  The 3yo gelding closed sneaky well for third behind the top 2 betting choices that laid over this field.  Can move forward off this for sharp Jordan Blair outfit.

LIL B QUICK (Race 5 @Tampa, May 9, 2020) – 5yo mare figured to be tough in this $6,250 open claimer but she suffered a trip with multiple excuses.  Managed to get 4th in a sneaky good performance.  Watch back.

Handicapping Tip #52 – Prepare for the 2yos

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – March 31

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GULFSTREAM PARK

PROJECTED (Race 3, GP 3/18/2020) – Veteran 8yo gelding was boxed in throughout the running of this turf race and never really had a chance under Tyler Gaff.  Fits well at the $30,000 claimer level so give another chance next out vs. similar.

JUNGLE WARRIOR (Race 6, GP 3/18/2020) – This Sid Attard runner went to his nose badly at the start of this dirt sprint but somehow managed to recover and get up for third is a sneaky great performance.  Note that lone win is on turf.   He had been working really well on dirt leading up to his first start in 3 months.

MISS AURAMET (Race 9 @GP, 3/6/2020) – This race was loaded with early speed but this turf sprinter outran them all early en route to a gate to wire victory.  She’s now 8-3-2-2 on the turf, all in 5 furlong dashes.

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – March 16

Horses to Watch & Trip Notes for AGOS visitors. Agameofskill.com is an educational website for handicappers.  Thank you for visiting.

GULFSTREAM PARK

ROMAN EMPIRE (Race 5, GP 2/28/2020) – Empire Maker colt moved to the dirt for his second career start and looked like he may have a nice future for trainer Todd Pletcher.  Crushed a decent field and should handle class rise next out.

AS SEEN ON TV (Race 14, Fountain of Youth, GP 2/29/2020) – Lookin At Lucky colt didn’t have the best of trips here as he was stuck racing inside of horses for most of the running.  That’s a tough spot for a young colt but he never gave up and was just bobbed out of the place spot at the wire.   Kelly Breen runner has talent and can improve in the right spot.

Read what Graham Motion and Terry Finley had to say about the FBI  indictments of the slimey Navarro and Servis.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

POINT OF HONOR (Race 2 at TAM, 3/7/2020) – This was clearly a prep race for the Grade 1 placed runner from last year.  She ran well to be a non-threatening 2nd behind a quality stakes winner and should move forward off this public workout  (Weaver is only 11% with layoff runners).

GOGO SHOES (Race 6 at TAM, 3/7/2020) – This filly ran sneaky well in her debut when 4th and then came back here to improve further as many second time starters do.  She crushed a good looking maiden special weights field on the Derby undercard.

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Feb 5

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AQUEDUCT

MR. FIDGET  (Race 3 @AQU, Jan. 30,2020) – 2nd time starter rallied well against the prevailing speed bias to finish 2nd to a very strong winner.  Shouldn’t be a maiden long for Linda Rice.

GULFSTREAM PARK

MAVERICK KITTEN (Race 10 @GP, Jan. 30,2020) – Simply a poor ride from Irad Ortiz cost this maiden claiming turf.  Finished well and just missed late  to the gate to wire winner.

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FAIR GROUNDS

REACH THE MOON (Race 9 @FG, Jan. 9. 2020) – Didn’t have the best of trips from the outside 10 post in this maiden turf affair.  Swung extremely turning for home and finished well behind a gate-to-wire winner.  Regally bred for the grass.

MAGICAL CANDY (Race 11 @FG, Jan. 11. 2020) – 2nd time starter lunged at the start and spotted the field several lengths.  Came storming home late to finish 2nd.  Only horse in the race to close. May benefit from more ground (along with a good start!)

STELLAR AGENT (Race 6 @FG, Jan. 19. 2020) – Off since June and moving into the Brad Cox, this Saratoga shipper lagged behind but finished strong for third.  Winner went gate to wire in this turf dash.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

RICHIES GREAT GIRL (Race 2 @TAM, Jan. 29, 2020) – Larry Rivelli runner got off to a poor start and was in trouble early but recovered to absolutely destroy this field.  This 3yo filly is talented.

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Jan. 27

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AQUEDUCT

ABOUNDING JOY (Race 8 at AQU, Jan 20, 2020) – Bill Mott trainee was coming off a long layoff.  Took the lead turning for home but was unable to hold off the strong late run of the favorite.  Filly ran a great race and should be tighter next time around.

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the Big A race horseWEGOTOLDYOUGOTSOLD (Race 6 at AQU, Jan 20, 2020) – Rudy R. runner was another coming off a layoff but ran into a major class dropper from Servis.  Ran well to be 2nd and will be very tough next time out.

THE IMPORTANT ONE (Race 5 at AQU, Jan 20, 2020) – Not many maiden claiming debut wins are this impressive.  Wesley Ward runner stumbled at the start and then was wide over the Big A oval.  Overcame that trouble to run down the two lukewarm favorites in the lane.  Should be able to step up in class.

SAM HOUSTON

SATURDAY’S HANGOVER (Race 3 at HOU, Jan 22, 2020) – This guy owns a potent late kick and he displayed it in full fashion, storming from off the pace in the slop to get up for the win.   Been a very honest runner of late.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

AWESOME ROMEO (Race 2 at TAM, Jan 8, 2020) – Ran the classic Z pattern under Kevin Mendez.  Was 9th by 4L at the half mile pole, then 6th by 7 1/2 before finishing 3rd, beaten 4 lengths as the lukewarm 5/2 favorite.

 

 

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Jan. 13

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FAIR GROUNDS

HORSE DOCTOR (Race 2 @FG, 12/18/2019) – First time starter had been working lights out prior to debut in this 5.5f turf sprint.  Broke tardily, 1.5 lengths behind, but rallied very well late to be second best behind the logical, gate to wire winner.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

ZIGGY BARCELONA (Race 6 @TAM, 1/11/2020).  This first-time gelding was coming off a long layoff but was well prepared by trainer Robert Dobbs, Jr.   If he hadn’t been pressured by another huge longshot, this 4yo may have lit up the toteboard.  He held well for 4th in a sneaky good effort.

MY COTTON CANDY (Race 6 @TAM, 12/18/2019) – This filly got a new rider and responded with a powerful late finish to just miss catching the favorite at the wire.  She galloped out lengths in front in a good performance.  Loves Tampa and 7 furlongs.

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – Oct 1

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BELMONT PARK

PROMISE ME ROSES (Race 1 @Belmont, Sept.  20, 2019) – Gary Gullo runner rallied from well back and was absolutely flying late under Jose Lezcano.  She just missed catching the 6/5 favorite at the wire.  She is rounding into form for a sharp outfit.

GULFSTREAM PARK

FRERET (Race 3 @GP, Sept.  20, 2019) – Ducked out at start of this maiden claiming turf race and received a questionable ride from low percentage Alvaro Donis.  Came home well but belatedly for third in a better-than-it-looks performance.  Would benefit from a major rider switch.

BION MAGIC (Race 7 @GP, Sept. 19, 2019) – This 2yo filly had worked well prior to her debut.  She got off to a slow start from her rail post, but she rushed up on the backstretch, took command and scored an impressive victory.  Could be a nice one for the Vinson family.

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – Aug. 26

AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes for AGameofskill.com visitors

August 26th Edition

DEL MAR

WARREN’S SHOWTIME (Race 1 @DMR, August 21, 2019) How much was the best was this favorite in the opening race?  The turf runner was blocked badly on the far turn until the top of the stretch, but when an opening finally occurred, the 2yo daughter of Clubhouse Ride exploded with a strong run to draw off.   Has a future on the lawn for trainer Craig Lewis.

SARATOGA

SOMBEYAY (Race 7 @SAR, Aug. 2, 2019) – Pletcher runner relished the switch to firm turf (off yielding in prior) and the stretch out to one mile.  3yo ran huge, looking like a winner in deep stretch before getting nailed by a determined Casa Creed.  This guy should be super tough in 6f to 8f turf stakes on firm ground.

HAPPEN (Race 9 @SAR, Aug. 2, 2019) – Euro import  for O’Brien had no chance facing the likes of Concrete Rose when allowed a ridiculously slow pace up front.  War Front filly showed class overseas and deserves another look in a reasonable spot.