December-January 2015-2016 /
American Turf Magazine
25
Laurel
CHAPEL GAP: Was coming off a two month layoff last out,
got away in sixth against $7.5k maiden claimers and closed
well to finish third at 53-1 behind the 1-2 favorite, stay
close.
CHRISTMAS BARN: Speedy three year old filly came out
running for the lead, set the pace from the start and into
the lane but tired again checking to finish third at 9-1; is
going to finish it off one of these days and the price will be
right, tab.
CORDOVA: Three year old gelding shipped in from
Woodbine for his last start, got away in fourth early on,
made a good move to take over the lead past the half mile
mark, was still there in the lane but just got a bit tired to
finish third against NW2L $10k claimers, very tough right
back.
CRACKER JACK DAD: Seven year old gelding stalked the
moderate pace from third, moved to a clear lead into
the lane but just didn’t have enough left to hold on late
checking in third at 17-1; could be a handful with similar.
KOPPER WIRED: Three year old came out running for the
lead over the turf against maiden special weights, was
still right there into the lane but tired late to finish a good
fourth; fits with similar right back.
MARKET LOVER: Made her debut for a barn that was 0
for their last 15 first time starters and a small work tab,
chased the sharp pace against maiden special weights
sprinting over the turf and stayed on well for fourth at
22-1; respect.
MOONSHINE MISTRESS: Was making her second start
over the turf last out when stretching out to a 1 and 1/16th
miles against $25k maiden claimers, was outrun early on
but did put in a nice run to finish fourth at 34-1; give her
another shot over the turf.
NOT A SECRET: Two year old filly got away in third early
on from post 11, moved to take over the lead into the lane
but tired to finish third at 20-1; can lead all the way with
similar at a square price.
RAPID REPAIR: Four year old filly has really put it together,
a big maiden win two back and then another dominating
effort against NW1X allowance runners at 7-1; follow right
back with better.
SO SERENE: Nine year old mare broke from post 12 last out
racing in fifth, made a good move to get into second before
tiring to finish a close-up fifth at 27-1; stay close.
TEMPT ME TWICE: Three year old gelding showed some
moderate works in the morning leading up to his debut
which came at 1 and 1/16th miles over the turf, sent off at
11-1 he got away in 7th, moved up into fifth into the lane
and checked in fourth late, should be very tough right
back.
WHISKY ROCK: Blasted out of the gate last out against
$5k NW2L claimers, heled a clear lead into the lane but
got run down late missing by just a head; keys your exotics
right back with similar.
BEST BET: VASTEN: Six year old gelding got away in third
early on, moved up to press the leaders through a solid
half mile in 47 flat, was still in the lead into the lane but
had to settle for second late at 6-1; must follow right back
with similar.
LONGSHOT: SUMMER’S HERE: Was in against a tough
starter allowance optional claiming field, was outrun
racing in ninth early on going six furlongs over the turf, but
did close well to finish a solid fourth at 30-1; is eligible for
NW2L claimers, follow.
Hawthorne
AUGUST DAY: Battled for the lead and finished off the
board, but just by only a length while nearly 10 lengths
ahead of his early challenger.
BRONCO DAVE: Canterbury invader nearly survived a
four-length-gap speed duel, missing by less than a length
behind the odds on perfect-trip favorite while four lengths
clear of the third-place horse. His turn next time.
BYLIA: Fairmount invader ran a solid second after a slow
start and the rider losing the whip in the stretch. Don’t
overlook.
CONGRATS HONEY: Kentucky Downs invader can handle
the dirt, too, overcoming a bad start to surge late and win
anyway. Likely repeater in any surface.
DARK HUMORISTA: Got caught in a nine-length-gap
battle up front and held on well for second after his early
challenger faded. Difficult to catch in next.
DRILL SERGEANT: Just missed by a neck after an inside
trip on a dead rail outside-biased day. Can make amends.
KOOL KAT KARA: First starter closed in career debut 5
1/2F turf sprint prep race, and may have even won if not
interfered with in deep stretch. Better luck next time.
LUV BANDIT: Tried to come from too far back behind a
slow pace when needing a race off a four-month layoff. Try
again in return from the layoff.
MELODY LIN: Totally toss out the distant last-place finish
when the saddle slipped and she was basically pulled up.
Live overlay in next.
PLAINS WARRIOR: Finished second behind a runaway
winner after a z-pattern trip in return from nearly a three-
month layoff. Ready to win.
PRECIOUS BETH: Pressed and set a fast pace and lost only
to a perfect-trip 3-5 favorite while seven lengths clear of
the third horse. Her turn again next time.
STOCKHOLDER: Broke slowly, got shuffled far back, but
still recovered and closed to win easily. Likely repeater.
BEST BET: BAD BEHAVIOR: Set a pressured pace in live
6 1/2F splits and held on to just miss by a head while far
ahead of his three early challengers.
LONGSHOT: MISTER MCGEHEE: Pressed a fast pace and
held on by far the best of the speeds for third in a race
where deep closers finished 1-2-4. Finished just a neck out
of second behind a winning even-money favorite.
