American Turf Magazine
/ December-January 2015-2016
24
Aqueduct
FULL OF SUGAR: Never seems to string races together
always taking some time off, came out running in third last
out behind some sharp splits, moved to the lead into the
lane but tired some late to finish third at 18-1; give extra
credit if she returns quickly.
GOLD JEWEL: Two year old by Speightstown came out
running for the lead early on, battled through sharp
fractions but couldn’t go with the leaders heading into the
lane and tired to finish fifth at 16-1; should move way up
off that effort, tab.
INSPECTOR LYNLEY: Two year old by Lemon Drop Kid
debuted for the Shug McGaughey barn last out, raced in
ninth early on behind moderate splits but did close well to
finish fourth at 26-1; will prove tough right back off that
effort.
METAURUS: Was sent off as the longest shot in the race
at 53-1 last out, was outrun early on but did come running
late to finish a good third just missing second, a slight
drop gets the job done.
MISSISSIPPI DUEL: New York bred returned from a 16
month layoff, came out running in third early on behind
sharp fractions, engaged the leader into the lane and
prevailed by a nose at 11-1; can string a few together at this
$12.5k level.
MRS. BRENNER: Was able to secure Jose Ortiz for her
debut against New York bred $40k maiden claimers over
the turf, was outrun some early on before closing some
ground to finish sixth at 19-1; gained plenty of conditioning
from that effort and dirt is an option as well.
NABEELAH: Two year old filly was sent off at 20-1 in her
debut, this well bred runner was outrun early on racing in
7th, started to move around the turn while racing wide and
checked in 4th late, improves right back.
NATIVE CROSSING: Took some early money for her debut
before drifting up to 12-1 at post time, got away in ninth
early on and only passed one rival late checking in 8th,
needed that race and look for much improvement for top
barn.
NONNA’S BOY: Three year old has now had three starts
over the turf with one win, most recently leading from the
start before tiring to finish 8th and last, a move back to
sprinting over the dirt could be the key.
ORTIGA: Three year old filly had run some solid races in her
three starts in this country but for some reason was sent
to the lead last out and tired into the lane checking in 8th,
will offer some value right back and needs to go back to
her stalking trips.
RAINBOW HEIR: Five year old Jersey bred has some class
to him, came out running on the lead last out, set some
solid splits from the start and into the lane but had to
settle for a solid second, can wire similar right back.
THE BIG DELUXE: Broke a step slow from the rail, chased a
sharp pace from fifth but just couldn’t go with the leaders
tiring to finish sixth at 7-2; likes the Aqueduct course, give
him a shot over there.
BEST BET: BROKEN BORDER: Three year old filly has
shown plenty of ability yet she is now 0 for 10, however
she didn’t get the best of trips, always seemed to be in
between horses without really having a chance to run
checking in fourth late, give her more shot.
LONGSHOT: POP THE HOOD: Ran deceptively good in his
debut back in May over the main track, chased the pace
most recently in a turf sprint and tired to finish 10th and
last, follow this one back on the main track, especially at
a price.
Los Alamitos-Santa Anita
ALWAYS A CHANCE: Started slow when not handling the
rail draw, then could only regroup for third. Can win off the
claim if able to get off the rail post.
ANTHONYSGOTGAME: First starter blew the break to start
last in a 12-horse field, but then ran second behind only an
odds-on winner. Got game and won’t be a maiden for long.
AWESOME LOOKN: Toss out the seventh-place finish last
time after she clipped heels and got wiped out early. Worth
another shot.
CAUTIOUS GIANT: Got shuffled back into the stretch and
then came again to win in a good z-pattern effort. Should
make it two in a row.
COURAGEOUS DAVE: Broke slowly and had to rush up to
press the pace, but never caught the front-running 6-5
winning favorite. In good form and just needs a better
start.
LAST KISS: Foreign invader needed a race but ran well for
second off a 10-month layoff, losing only to a lone speed
runaway winner. Her turn next time.
MIRAGE: Needed a race off a four-month layoff in difficult
return stakes assignment. Finished third, and would have
been closer if she hadn’t steadied sharply when rallying in
the stretch.
MOTUTAPU: First starter broke poorly to begin last in a
12-horse field and lose her best chance, but still managed
to outrun 27-1 odds for third. Won’t be a maiden for long.
OSSETRA: Baffert first starter only debuted in a maiden
claiming race, but he ran his eyeballs out to score
impressively after surviving a four-way, four-length-gap
speed duel. Likely repeater.
PARASAIL: Got hooked in a three-way, four-length-gap
speed duel and drew off to a sharp maiden win. Likely
repeater.
PICO CHICK: Dueled for the lead and held on to just miss by
a head to a perfect-trip favorite while 3 ½ lengths clear of
the third horse.
SO SWEETITIZ: Got caught in a three-way speed duel
down on a slow rail and faded as a result. Can rebound and
graduate shortly.
BEST BET: LILY POD: Shook loose from a three-way, 2
½-length-gap speed duel to graduate. Dangerous speed up
at the next level.
LONGSHOT: ART OF WAR: Didn’t get a great start from
the rail and then had persistent traffic troubles when fifth
once again. Just needs a clean trip.
