Saratoga Trip Notes (8/22-9/3)

[ateamstupid]

Saturday, August 25

8-25-01
Break OK. Brigand showed speed, settled in a good spot a neck back outside the leader, edged past that one willingly on the turn, almost immediately took on a challenge from his outside, saw off that bid when put to a drive inside the 3/16, drew away strongly in the final 1/8, winning eased up in the final yards as much the best. Jeter sat in a good position in the 2nd flight, was asked to go after the top pair 3-wide on the turn, drew on even terms with the winner turning for home, could not keep pace with that one past midstretch, held the place in a good effort behind a classier 3-year-old dropping back into statebred company. Sky Music and Overextended pulled similar trips, saving ground at the back of the pack and getting clear run in the stretch to grab the minors.

8-25-02
Delhomme and Honorable Dillon each off about a length slow. Honorable Dillon was taken to the outside after the hesitant start and urged to get into a tracking 2nd, shadowed the frontrunner from there around the turn, attempted to drift in early stretch when asked to collar the leader, forged to the front past the 1/8 pole, drew away from the pacesetter and comfortably held off a late bid by the favorite to his outside. Good ride by Lezcano on a nice 2-year-old who still appears capable of better. Delhomme stayed towards the back despite urging while the winner was able to creep up on the pace, made a 3-wide bid to get into 3rd on the turn, drifted out several times from a lefty whip in midstretch, still closed decently to get the clear place in a sneaky good run. Howie's Tiz was outsprinted early, was eased back into the race 2-wide on the turn, was taken wide top lane, began to pick off horses inside the 3/16, really got cooking past the 1/8 pole, nailed the tiring pacesetter for the show in the last jump. Promising stretch run on debut from well off a modest pace. Watch top three going forward.

8-25-03
Cumberland Chief and Mo Jo each off a beat slow, break mostly OK though. Slamarama made the lead from the inside on his own power, ran a sharp 1st 1/4, was able to slow down the pace down the backstretch, repelled a challenge from the chalk turning for home, scooted away inside the final furlong and held sway late to score with a good trip and ride. Saint Vigeur dropped over to the hedge and saved ground in midpack 1st turn, was steered to the outside on the backstretch, came 3-4 wide around the far turn, closed OK in the stretch to get the place with a clean trip. Secretive had a ground-saving trip in the 3rd flight, had to be held up in traffic nearing the turn for home, remained stuck in behind horses into the lane, found space in midstretch and split horses and closed to get in a place photo, galloped out past the winner. Good debut to build on for Shug. Mo Jo was taken to the hedge near the back of the pack, taken 2-wide on the far turn, came to the outside in the stretch and closed decently to get fourth while drifting out, then in. Clean trip, OK debut. His Honour, who finished 9th, may be worth a look going forward, as he made a big middle move in a race where positions were otherwise largely unchanged until the stretch, flattened out for a barn whose firsters typically need a race. Price will definitely be right.

8-25-04
Milkyyourway was away 1-2 lengths late, One Pretty Cat broke 2-3 lengths slow while Bank On Basta got completely left at the start. Cinematize was taken to the inside in the 2nd flight, saved ground most of the turn before making a 4-wide sweep nearing the stretch, forged past Divadora at the 1/8 pole, pulled away late to win as best of a mediocre group with a good trip. Dominguez again gets a horse with an outside post a ground-saving, clean run just in behind the speed. This stuff is not easy. Bonita Sonata was guided over to the rail in midpack going into the turn, saved ground from there before following the winner's move, was yanked outward at the 3/16 for a clear shot at the winner, could not get to that one but came on to get the place with a good trip and ride. Milkyyourway raced in the 3rd flight after the hesitant start, was asked to pick it up going into the turn while 2-wide, allowed the place horse to slip through to her inside, had to wait for room into the stretch, altered course at the 1/8 pole and came with a decent late bid to get in a photo for the place. Has some ability, needs to get out of the gate. Divadora was widest of a 3-way pace battle from which the other two actors finished 9th and 11th and got passed for the place and show late. Not bad.

8-25-05
Break OK. Rigby broke alertly, was eased into midpack off an early pace scramble, was 4-wide on the turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch and drew off to score as much the best, showcasing that unorthodox stride of his. Another big effort for this one under Asmussen, this time outside of claiming waters. Reload dropped back early, started the turn 2-wide and gradually came 4-wide to try to follow the winner's move, couldn't make a significant dent in that one's lead and settled for 2nd with a good trip. Sage Valley was allowed to settle in midpack on the inside, saved ground on the turn, had to be held up midturn behind a tiring frontrunner, altered course to the outside at the 1/8 pole and stayed on well to get the show. Good step forward this 3-year-old.

8-25-06
Break clean. This 2-year-old turf race has the look of quality. Summer of Fun stalked in the 2nd flight off leader Worthwhilepursuit down the backstretch, was asked to go after that one 2-wide on the far turn, collared the leader turning for home, disposed of that one, spurted away past the 1/8 pole, held off a big kick from the place horse to score with a good trip and ride. Final 5/16 in :29.42. Wave Theory was away better of the Chad pair, saved ground on the 1st turn and settled in 4th down the backside, inched closer to the lead on the far turn, dropped back a bit in traffic while the winner was making her move, was set down in the clear past the 3/16, began to eat up ground inside the 1/8 and produced a good punch to fall a neck short. Strong debut. Flashy Gal was held up 2-wide and got shuffled back when Scat Scan came over on the 1st turn, dropped to last behind a moderate pace on the backside, began a 3-wide advance midway on the far turn, came 4 and then 5-wide late turn, was in a little bit tight inside the 1/8 pole, continued on well to be a clear 3rd. Great try, gave up a lot of ground and still closed into a quick late split. Scat Scan also ran better than it reads, as she was checked in behind the erratic, tiring pacesetter around the 1/8 pole and still closed decently to get fourth. Cloture, Tap Twenty One and Flash Forward all were taken very wide into the 1st turn, while She's Not Lazy was checked several times in behind horses while rank, then checked another time into the far turn for good measure. Toss race. Top three all worth watching going forward, particularly the Chad pair.

8-25-07
Mad Bomber was unprepared for the start and lost 3-4 lengths. Alarmed Ndangerous saved ground in a good spot, 3rd behind two pace players going at it, moved with Gossip Column on the hedge while that one went wide, was put into the 3-path in midstretch, was briefly boxed in around the 1/8 pole, soon got through between horses and narrowly beat the favorite home with a good trip. Gossip Column tracked 2-wide in the 2nd flight, was given his cue 3-wide on the far turn, lost a lot of ground to the winner on the hedge, kept that one penned in briefly, was beaten home once the winner was let clear. Likely ran the best race. Pace held together, 1-2-3-4 runners down the backside finished 4-3-2-1.

8-25-08
Break OK. Optimizer cleared from the outside nicely into the 1st turn, set a progressively faster pace, shook off his one pace opponent turning for home and comfortably held off all bids to make all as clearly best. Sharp effort from a versatile runner who's likely best on the green. Film Making and Arc Above each had great ground-saving trips but couldn't gain ground on the good winner. Villandry chased the winner's legitimate pace while 2-wide around both turns, couldn't keep up with that one in the stretch and was passed late for the minors, still a positive run shipping up from Ellis for Lopresti.

8-25-09
Break OK. Zagora was 2-wide in a distant 3rd flight, was asked nearing the 1/4 pole, blew past the gassed frontrunner inside the final 1/8 and held off the last move from Hungry Island to score in razor sharp time with a perfect trip. Hungry Island settled towards the rear 2-wide 1st turn, ran just in behind the eventual winner on the backstretch, let that one get away from her a bit far turn, kicked on nicely in the lane to make up some ground on a fast winner. Summer Soiree tugged her way up to the lead, set a reasonable 1/4, strung out the field through an insane 2nd 1/4 (:22.65), pulling Tapitsfly out of her race in doing so, had nothing left at the 1/8 pole and faded to be a sneaky good 3rd. This was her 1st start off a long layoff, she did some very heavy lifting and still easily bested the only other two (Tapitsfly 6th, 7th) to get near her scorching pace. Top three were clearly best of these.

8-25-10
Book Review was bumped hard at the start and checked back early. Contested was away flat-footed, recovered with enough speed to sit in 3rd behind a suicidal leader, was asked to keep pace from 5 lengths back at the 1/2 pole, moved into contention at the 3/16, wore down the two pace players nearing the 1/8, inched away while drifting out a bit late to win as best with an OK trip in slow time. Gypsy Robin ran a very good race, chasing an insane pace, taking over before immediately having to battle the winner, just succumbed to that one but held 2nd. Daughter of Daaher may have turned the corner. Jazzy Idea dropped well off the leader down the backstretch, was given a premature 4-wide move on the far turn, was interfered with by the bearing out Beautiful but Blue in deep stretch, ran better than it looks. Amie's Dini was bumped hard by Aubby K on the backstretch, was checked while moving 3-wide on the turn, switched back to the inside, was carried out by Well Kept in deep stretch and put together an OK race to get 6th with a rough trip. Top two were easily best.

8-25-11
Spin Out was completely steadied out of the race in the first few strides. Willy Beamin settled near the back behind a reasonable pace, moved 2-wide on the far turn, swung out top stretch, rallied nicely in the last 1/8 to win a blanket finish off two days' rest. Five-star quarter claim for Riccio. Fort Loudon was sent after the top pair 3-4 wide on the far turn, continued a sustained wide bid to eventually reach contention in the final 1/8, appeared spent but rallied well to just get nipped by the tripped-out winner. Big run. Unbridled's Note was away in the 2nd flight, got shuffled back in traffic going into the turn, continued to be held up into the stretch, was driven to the inside, then altered course when that lane didn't open, came back out and was briefly bottled up, pushed through between horses to fall a half-length short. Good and unlucky effort. Doctor Chit pressed a fast horse in Trinniberg, put that one away by midstretch, took a brief lead before being run down by the top three. Has proven his quality. Laurie's Rocket also put in a progressively wider run from the back of the pace to be an in-touch fifth. Backed up his good close in the Amsterdam. Gun Boat was checked hard when Currency Swap came over in the early stages, fought his rider on the rail going into the turn and had nothing in the stretch. Toss race. No excuses for either Currency Swap or Trinniberg.

8-25-12
Five Sixteen was shuffled back at the start, Nonios and Liaison were each off a beat slowly. Neck 'n Neck and Atigun each went 5-wide on the 1st turn, the latter strangely being guided off the inside to do so. Liaison lost a lot of ground onto the backstretch as well. Neck n' Neck and Atigun each went 4-wide on the far turn too, Alpha also moved 4-deep while Golden Ticket snuck through inside from the pocket. Golden Ticket kicked clear nearing the 1/8 pole, began to get weary at the 1/16, dead-heated with Alpha for the win with the best trip. Fast Falcon was smartly dropped to the inside at the back 1st turn while others were going wide, saved ground unhurried far turn, produced a big kick when swung out top stretch, picked off all but the top pair late. Good step forward with a great trip. Atigun, despite going impossibly wide on both turns, was charging home with the top three and had to be steadied late in behind the dead-heating winners. An absolutely ridiculous ride and a big hidden effort. He ran a winning race and will break out against similar with a better trip.

8-25-13
Viva Litalia was off slowly. Kris Royal coasted into a good spot in midpack, was 2-wide and unhurried on both turns, remained on hold until the 3/16, given his cue and responded from there, reeling in two good maidens to win going away through a fast final 5/16 (:28.85). Great trip. Rollingwiththetide was 2-wide 1st turn, settled in the 2nd flight down the backstretch, made a 3-wide challenge for the front far turn, wrested the lead in deep stretch only to be run down by the tripped-out winner. Positive debut for Stall. Night Site was bumped by Amber Coast and checked several times in traffic going into the 1st turn, continued to be shuffled back on the turn, began to advance outside when the pace slowed down the backstretch, came into contention 3-wide on the near side of the turn, closed strongly to miss the place with a lousy trip. He's become a bit of a money burner, but was not put in a position to succeed here.

[ateamstupid]

Sunday, August 26

8-26-01
Cindy's Joy off several lengths slow, then bumped by Kittylicious, leaving those two at the back. Speedy's Gal relaxed in midpack down the backstretch, was aggressively sent through on the inside nearing the far turn, came 2-wide on the far turn, reeled in the spent frontrunner in midstretch and drew off to score unchallenged. Great ride, saving ground and getting first run on the closers. Didn't see any meaningful trips behind the winner.

8-26-02
Apologize hopped at the start, losing about 2 lengths. Sign was off second-last, had enough speed to put herself in a good spot 3rd at the rail, was kept unhurried on the turn while the top three locked horns, asked and shifted off the rail into the stretch, quickly caught up to the leading trio while drifting in at the 3/16 pole, surged to the front nearing the 1/8 and absolutely exploded away from there to win as tons the best. Very impressive debut and the needs to be watched going forward.

8-26-03
Break OK. Favored Thescreenisred was even with the leader in the first furlong, dropped back to the 2nd flight, was in tight while saving ground in the pocket into and around the turn, got clear top lane, caught up to the leader past the 1/8 pole, gradually pulled away from that one and maintained a safe margin over a good firster to the line to win as best. Talmadge Hill was away in midpack, saved ground on the turn, continued on the hedge through the stretch and closed nicely inside of the tiring pacesetter to get the place. Good debut with a good trip. White Sangria fended off the challenge of a longshot pace player through a sharp 1st 1/4, spurted clear past the 3/16, battled the winner gamely when she approached at the 1/8, began to get leg-weary at the 1/16 and was passed by the quality top pair. Decent turf debut. Desert Bliss dropped to the rear as usual, was 2-wide on the turn, swung widest turning for home and closed into a :17.30 final 3/16 to get fourth. Always was up against it in these speed-dominated Saratoga turf sprints. Anticipate her finally getting through this condition back at Belmont.

8-26-04
Break OK. Fiddlers Afleet was widest in the 2nd flight behind a leader setting a slow 1st 1/4, sidled up to the pacesetter approaching the turn for home as the pace quickened, poked a nose in front inside the 1/8 pole, gradually battled that one into defeat and held to win narrowly over a closing Sailmate. Not flashy, but had to wear down a leader with a lot of horse and then hold off closing bids to get home. Good to see him bounce back from his poor Morrissey run. Sailmate was in fifth behind a slow pace, made a 4-5 wide bid on the far turn, emerged as a threat past the 1/8 pole, couldn't quite get up but nailed the pacesetter for the place. Sneaky good race from off dawdling fractions with a lot of ground loss. Obviously better at these long sprints/one-turn miles than two-turn routes. Mine Over Matter can't buy a stalking midpack trip. He was gunned to the lead through suicidal fractions in the Chasin Wimmin and came back to trail behind an average pace in the Morrissey. Well, yet again, he fell back to last, was 2-wide on the turn and had to come over the top to get a closing 4th in here behind the crawl up front. Keeps running his race without getting any kind of setup. Be Bullish didn't appreciate being rated, fought his rider down the backstretch and came up empty in the stretch. Would've been better off on the lead.

8-26-05
Break OK. Mr Cowboy saved ground on hold in midpack off a hot pace, kept the hedge while sneaking up to the 2nd flight on the far turn, came a path off the inside to collar the sputtering leader turning for home, scooted away in midstretch and was never seriously threatened, winning in good time for the level with a dream trip. Hope Still Springs was shuffled back early, saved ground well off the legitimate pace, followed the winner's bid inside on the far turn, was cut loose past the 3/16 and whittled away at the winner's margin slowly, fell short but was well clear of 3rd. Big step forward for this guy with a good trip. Pace collapsed in here.

8-26-06
Break OK. A scorching pace duel developed between Red Hook and With Honorandgrace, while Daisysgonnamakeit was for some reason sent 3-wide after those two going into the turn instead of sitting chilly and waiting for them to retreat. Fractions fried all three runners, setting the table for Heidi's Holiday, who was outsprinted early, began to advance 2-wide on the turn, emerged as a danger near the 3/16, inhaled the tired pace players past the 1/8 and ran away to win by open lengths with a great setup.

8-26-07
Troubleinrivercity broke several lengths slow. A speed duel materialized between Paci Di Notte and War Hitch. Mr E Philip sat in a great spot 2-wide in the 2nd flight behind the sparring leaders, made it into a four-way share of the lead at the 1/8 pole, kicked on strongest to score going away with a good trip. War Hitch dueled Paci Di Notte into defeat, took on a 3-pronged challenged at the 1/8, just succumbed to the winner but held the place in a strong effort. Did all the heavy lifting and backed up his big fig maiden win. Alternative was outsprinted early, saved ground on the far turn, eased back into the race, produced a good rally in the stretch, drifted out from in behind the winner, carrying the fourth horse with him to get the show. Useful turf debut, will benefit from the longer turf sprints at Belmont. Tiny Predicament was away near the back, guided to the inside on the turn, advanced into contention turning for home, had to alter course several times in midstretch, allowing the winner to go by, started to close once clear and was carried out by the show horse in deep stretch, likely costing him 3rd. This is his 2nd consecutive hidden good turf race. Sitting on a win.

8-26-08
Break OK. Screenplay made a clear lead going into the 1st turn, was rated from there, allowed Ronin Dax to take a narrow edge at the 9/16, engaged that one going into the far turn, poked a head in front turning for home and disposed of the other pace player at the 1/8 pole, opened up past the 1/16 and stayed clear to the wire with a good trip and ride as best. Recharged, sent off at a ridiculous 32-1, was wrangled back into midpack to get the hedge 1st turn, was unhurried on the inside far turn, came off the hedge past the 1/8 pole, rallied to get the place in the last few strides. Ground-saving ride and a good effort. Gelding is plenty capable going two turns. Sr Henry bumped with Pleasant Run at the start, was rank on the 1st turn, eventually settled in a comfortable 3rd behind the two pace players down the backside, let the winner get away a bit while saving ground nearing the turn for home, was set down at the 3/16, tried to reel in the winner but couldn't make a dent in that one's lead, was caught late for the place.

8-26-09
Clean break. Bombaguia stalked an easy tempo in 2nd, glued to the leader's neck in no hurry to go by, stayed in that spot as the pace started to quicken significantly on the far turn, drew on even terms into the lane, edged away from the leader nearing the 1/8 pole, kicked clear and held off a late bid from the tripped-out, overbet favorite. Grey gelding has turned into a quality 9-10 furlong turf horse for Kimmel. Barocci had a great trip, saving ground in the 2nd flight behind the two leaders, came out in the stretch with a clear shot at the winner but was never a serious threat. No excuse. Share Out and Westside Corral each saved ground near the back of the field and produced good late bids to get 3rd and 4th, respectively, in a race that otherwise held together. Good move forward for both.

8-26-10
It's Tricky went to her face at the start, somehow didn't lose the rider, lost 5+ lengths. Love and Pride tracked Brushed by a Star in a close 2nd through reasonable but progressively faster fractions, moved into the lead midway on the far turn, dueled with It's Tricky into midstretch, opened a clear lead at the 1/8 pole and had just enough to hold off the favorite. Good effort and trip with the blinkers off. Royal Delta got into a good position 2-wide in the 2nd flight, stayed in that spot until being asked 3-wide to go after the top pair into the far turn, was drifted wider turning for home, struggled to make an impact in the stretch, kept trying though and managed to whittle away at the winner's lead late, didn't have enough to get up. Disappointing effort from the presumptive queen of the Distaff division. It's Tricky ran a huge race, tugging her way up into a joint 3rd with Royal Delta after the disastrous start, was rated back to 4th down the backstretch, had a hole open on the rail far turn, briefly challenged the winner in the stretch before understandably fading, still was only beaten 1.5 lengths on the line. Clearly should've won this.

8-26-11
Saguaro Blossom was pinched back and checked coming out of the gate, affecting Patti's Zip as well. Owen Rico shook off the bid of a one-way speed to make a clear lead from the outside, scooted away turning for home and dominated this mediocre group in a big first-turf effort. Watch going forward. Shy Humor was very rank while drifting out in behind horses on the backstretch, came through an opening inside into the stretch and won a 3-way photo for the place. OK recovery to get a piece. No excuse for favored Verde Mont who was in a good position in the 2nd flight, asked to go after the winner turning for home and mustered no response, was beaten late for the minors. Saguaro Blossom might be worth a shot next out, as he made a decent 2-3 wide bid through traffic into the stretch after that poor beginning, flattened out from there. Has some turf breeding, would want a rider change though.

[Calzone Lord]

I've seen the way several different handicappers watch and analyze races and do trip notes -- and a lot of people have very different approaches.

The right approach is the one you find out works best for you through trial and error. Doing this kind of work like Ateam is doing will give you an edge...and especially a lot more so over time.

This is good effort Ateam. I haven't studied a lot of those races and appreciate your write-ups.

Ultimately for me, the best way that I found that I could maximize an edge doing trip notes was not to do a circuit like you are. Even though you are detailed and do a good job, you are going to watch quite a few races where, for the most part, nothing really important to note happens.

Over the years, I went from initially trying to make something out of nothing with those type of races -- to eventually just writing stuff like "Fairly enough run race" for my entire analysis of it. It looked like it screamed of laziness -- but I learned over time that some races simply aren't even worth the effort.

They are typically fairly paced races, where all paths and running styles have a chance, and no major trips happen...and when they do, chart callers do a decent job noting it.

My entire M.O. for my trip notes eventually changed to where I developed a profiling system for finding the kind of races that are likely going to create big edge situations. And filtering out the kind of races that appear to be unlikely to create much advantage going forward.

Before I ever watch the race, I especially want to analyze trips on days where I believe racing surfaces are biased. I want to analyze races where I know extreme pace scenarios happen. I want to analyze races that I believe are unusually strong (or weak for finding bet-against if you do exchange betting) I don't care where these races take place. They can take place at Canterbury Park for all I care.

The real trick to this approach of mine is figuring out where the bias days are, where the crazy paces are, where the strong and weak races for the level are.

The type of horse who raced against both a track bias, and unfavorable pace dynamics, in an unusually strong race for the level -- is going to do a hell of a lot more for you than one who legitimately had a few lengths worth of trouble in a fairly paced race over a fair racetrack...especially if the chart caller caught the trouble.

The type of horse who was aided by a track bias, as well as highly favorable pace dynamics, in a below par for the level type of race is going to be a much better bet against than a horse who got a nice ride and had a perfect trip in an avg paced and quality race over a fair track.

The big drawback to my newer approach VS your current approach (which is very close to my old approach) is that what you are doing now will help you a lot more with multi-race wagers like the Pick 3 and Pick 4. Those are the best value wagers on the standard betting menu in America right now -- and a lot of times I'm stuck not playing them.

Anyway. Good work. I appreciate the effort and look forward to reading more. If you start to feel burn-out from this at some point -- don't give up on it, just put less emphasis and fewer words into the races that don't merit as much effort on your part.

If you watch a race just once -- and write "fairly enough run race" and quickly move on -- that is nothing to feel bad about.

[ateamstupid]

Good insight, Doug. I agree that there are a lot of races where not much is to be said, and I do use a succinct 'no major trips' comment occasionally, but I still usually include a few sentences if I think something can be gleaned from a fairly-run race (i.e. favorite loses with no excuse, horse looks like it needs more/less distance, first-time starter runs better than anticipated, etc.)

I prefer to focus on one track at a time, not just in doing trip notes, but my wagering as well. Obviously this is limiting in the ways you pointed out, but I generally do better when I can handicap a particular meet card-by-card. It helps to figure out owner/trainer/jockey tendencies, and more importantly, it allows me to gauge whether a race came up strong/weak for its level and how to view the horses coming out of that race going forward.

I've been busy with work the past week, so that's why I haven't been posting as much, but now that the US Open is coming to a close, I'll be putting up some cards this week.

[Gate Dancer]

Like what you've done so far and will be following along as the Fall progresses. Will be adding a few more horses to my Stable Mail based on some of the comments. Thanks much!!

[ateamstupid]

Monday, August 27

8-27-01
Spinit to Winit stumbled badly at the start. True Fortune was engaged in a pace duel with Carla Sweetrevenge from the bell, began to get away from that one at the 3/16, dug in to meet and repel the challenge of Polan while drifting out in deep stretch. OK effort. Polan sat just off the dueling pair in 3rd, went 3-4 wide around the turn, launched a bid into contention in midstretch but flattened out and couldn't get to the winner while being affected slightly by that one drifting out. Ran better than the winner considering ground loss. Bit Bustin was devoid of early speed, began to drop back even further when resenting the dirt in her face going into the turn, saved ground before coming widest top lane, made up a ton of ground from there to get a fast-closing 3rd. Looks to have the most upside from this group. Watch going longer and/or on turf.

8-27-02
No major trips. Federation was much the best with a good trip. Prize Catch was the only horse to make up ground in the stretch. No excuse for Counterparty.

8-27-03
Golden Fire was bumped coming out of the gate. Effie Trinket stalked a slow pace 2-wide, made the lead in midstretch and narrowly held off two good closing bids to score not particularly impressively with the best of it. Agilion was unhurried early, putting her up against it coming from off a slow pace, was produced 3-wide on the turn and came with a good rally to just miss the win. Not bad considering the quick late pace she had to close into. Zekes Surprise was in the 2nd flight going into the turn, was pushed along 2-wide at the 5/16 pole, kicked on with the place horse and finished a close 3rd while in a bit tight late. Top three clearly best in this phony stake.

8-27-04
Henny's Hurricane off about 2 lengths slow, Santorini Moon away a length late. Wildcat Aly traveled in the 2nd flight into the turn, made an early 3-wide move nearing the top of the stretch, inhaled the frontrunner while drifting wider turning for home, saw off the challenge of Victoria Lynn in midstretch and kicked clear again in the final 1/16 to win comfortably as best. Magnificent Mia tracked the leader 2-wide in 2nd, was checked back sharply off heels around the 5/16 pole when the winner made her move, dropping back to 4th, began to re-rally at the 1/8 and came on nicely to grab the place. Well done considering the trouble on the turn. Henny's Hurricane recovered from the slow start to produce an OK stretch kick and just nail the chalk for 3rd while never threatening for the win.

8-27-05
Break OK. O' Frederica was in the 2nd flight behind a 3-way pace squabble, put in the 2-path for the first half of the turn before making a sudden, sweeping 4-wide move into contention on near side of the turn, gradually wore down the lone remaining pace player inside the final 1/8 to win going away with a good trip. Let's Have Us One was sandwiched in that pace duel and emerged victorious from the battle entering midstretch, but had no real response when engaged by the winner at the 1/8 pole, stayed on a little better than evenly for the place. One More Cat was 3-wide on that duel, couldn't quite stay with the top two in deep stretch but kept on for a clear 3rd.

8-27-06
Break OK. See Me Proud was under a good hold in last while saving ground, made a looping 4-wide move on the near side of the far turn, inched towards two pace players inside the 1/8 pole and forged by them in the final 1/16, holding off a fellow closer who saved ground to the line. Big step forward. Was best by more than a neck in reality, as place horse Myhorseofcourse had a similar trip until the far turn but slipped through an opening at the hedge while the winner was going wide. Parachute Coney and Imperial Robyn traded the lead multiple times throughout the race, hooked up once and for all at the top of the lane, dueled until midstretch when neither could answer the challenges of the top pair. Not bad for either.

8-27-07
Forever Road missed the break, spotted the field about 4-5 lengths. Indian Splendor caught a flier and shot right out to set a clear and fast pace, stringing out the field down the backstretch, began to drift out at the 7/16 and eventually completely bolted to the outside rail. Has serious speed but racks disciprine at this point. Sensational Appeal was hard ridden going into the turn, saved ground before being put into the 3-path top lane, rallied to collar default leader Neon Moon past the 1/8 and win going away. Speaking Role was away a half-step slowly, dropped back to second-last down the backside, went 2-wide on the far turn, reached contention nearing the 1/8 pole, shied when asked to split horses to the inside, was taken to the outside and closed with interest to get the place while drifting out. Galloped out past the winner while still bearing out. Looks like the only remotely interesting horse from this slow race.

8-27-08
Can't Catch Me Now stumbled at the start, Alcolite broke 2-3 lengths slow. Leap was 3-wide in the 3rd flight around the turn, was put to a hard drive at the 3/8 without making a serious impact, continued to plug away until the 1/16 pole when he finally started to reel in the leader, got up in the last jump to win as best. Bigger colt should improve stretching out. Tough beat for Comandante, who made all the pace and appeared home free at the 1/8 pole but was nailed in the final stride. Pretty good debut for Western Grit, who ran alongside the winner 2-wide, had to be held up a bit in behind horses when that one made his move, was briefly leaned on by the tiring favorite in midstretch, stayed on well to finish an in-touch 3rd. No excuse for favored Shot Rock.

8-27-09
Ginger Snapit hopped at the start, got squeezed back and stumbled a few strides out of the gate. Go Unbridled dropped back towards the back behind average fractions, started to pick it up 2-wide midway on the far turn, slipped through inside a tiring pace player, rallied up to the leaders at the 1/8 pole and powered away from there to score as much the best. The Chief's mare was the only proven nine-furlong horse on paper and that proved out. Ginger Snapit was 2-wide on the first turn after her troubled start, unhurried in last down the backstretch, urged 2-3 wide on the far turn, couldn't quicken with the winner but came on late to get 3rd and was the only other horse still running in the stretch. Good effort, ran the 2nd best race.

8-27-10
Rockefeller missed the kick and was then squeezed back, while Gallant Breeze and Join Forces were off several lengths slow as well. Miss Suwanee made the lead easily, set sharp fractions and drew away in the stretch to score impressively over the boys off the layoff. Loud Pipes chased her all the way around the track and finished a clear place. No major trips behind the top pair.