HORSES TO WATCH

• Horses to Watch - August 25th, 2009.

  Posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  ARLINGTON PARK
   
  Best Actor: Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 21.
   
  Last Wompas: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied through traffic in stretch and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 8
   
  Crater Maker: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung widest on far turn, lost ground in stretch, closed with a rush to make up 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on a good turf course July 24. (Raced third early, dropped to fifth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses on far turn, closed gap in stretch to make up four lengths and finished second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 14.)
   
  Link to My Heart: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth entering stretch and ran third by a nose at a mile on the turf Aug. 1. (Raced eighth early, dropped to ninth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fifth between horses to gain third by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course Aug. 23.)
   
  Pure Clan: Raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs, steadily advanced to take lead by a head in stretch and drew off to win by 2 ½ lengths at 1 3/16 miles on the turf July 11. (Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 6 ½ lengths after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten 1 ¼ lengths and a neck at 1 ¼ miles on a good turf course Aug. 8.)
   
  CALDER
   
  Comprise: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 1 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Aug.15.
   
  DELAWARE PARK
   
  Don’t Push It: Raced sixth early, roughed up in tight quarters, advanced to third 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide losing ground into stretch, made up four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Aug. 19. 
   
  Burrowing Owl: Raced 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going four wide in stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on June 16. (Raced four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile and gained second by a head at 5 ½ furlongs on July 25.) 
   
  DEL MAR
   
  Action in May: Raced 11 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than three lengths and finished well in second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 20. 
   
  Stunningly: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came three deep into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 8.
   
  Seminole Native: Raced 10th and last more than 13 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, spilt rivals in stretch from sixth to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 23 1/5. (Raced ninth and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out wide into stretch, closed fast to make up more than five lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 16,)
   
  Tallahsocean: Broke a bit slowly, raced 11th early, advanced to ninth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up outside on turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 23; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
   
  Itsnotjustagame: Stalked pace two lengths back in third after a half-mile, lost ground swinging wide on far turn, closed willingly from fifth to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 3/8 miles on the turf July 23.  (Stalked pace inside 2 1/2 lengths behind in second after a half-mile, launched bid leaving far turn, gained lead by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and inched away under left hand urging to win by 2 ½ lengths at 1 3/8 miles on the turf Aug. 12.)
   
  ELLIS PARK
   
  Q the Music: Broke on top, led by 1 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off under steady urging to win by 8 ¾ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 16.
   
  Zipper Zapper: Raced more than two lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground going four wide out of turn, made up 1 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 8.
   
  My Rocket Man: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground moving five wide on turn, closed well late from fifth to make up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on soft turf July 24. (Stalked pace in second from start, could not catch winner and finished in that position at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 16.)
   
  EVANGELINE DOWNS
   
  Gulch’s Belle: Broke 12th and last, moved to seventh nearing turn, steadied in tight, split horses at three-eighths pole seven lengths behind in fifth, rallied inside making up more than 6 ¼ lengths in stretch and ran second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 15.
   
  Money Haven: Broke 11th and last, advanced to seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up fourth lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Aug. 5.
   
  Feelthelightening: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied wide from sixth in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on July 4.
   
  Fiber Core: Broke 14th and last, moved to 12th early, advanced to seventh more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch and gained second by a neck at seven furlongs on June 19.
   
  GOLDEN GATE
   
  Welken: Broke on top, led by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 ½ lengths after six furlongs, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on July 12 at Pleasanton. (Chased pace four lengths behind in third after a half-mile, advanced two wide from far turn to gain second in stretch and weakened to finish third at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 16.)
   
  LAUREL PARK
   
  Perfect Pet: Chased pace inside more than 3 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eights of a mile, angled out four wide for the drive, closed gamely to make up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Aug. 22.
   
  Theda’s Smile: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, worked way between rivals leaving far turn and closed gamely from fourth in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 5 at Delaware. (Raced 11th and last early, advanced to ninth more than 16 lengths behind after a half-mile, came very wide into stretch to fourth and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 16.)   
   
  LOUISIANA DOWNS
   
  Miss Alice Nell: Stalked pace in third a head and 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to grab lead in stretch and drew clear under token encouragement to win by 9 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 20.
   
  Go Morgan Go: Raced two lengths back in fifth after a half-mile, bumped with rival, steadied late on the turn, lost ground, recovered, slipped through along rail in upper stretch, angled out late to make up 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on a good surface Aug. 2.
   
  Walkinpicture: Raced 11 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied belatedly to make up nearly 8 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck by dead-heated winners at six furlongs on Aug. 14. (Chased pace in seventh more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide late on the turn, roused for drive advancing to second in stretch and finished full of run to win by 4 ¾ lengths going away at seven furlongs on Aug. 22.)
   
  MONMOUTH PARK
   
  Leather: Broke ninth and last, steadied in tight early due to spill, raced last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 21; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
   
  Prime Delivery: Raced ninth and last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room on far turn, and eight wide into stretch and closed steadily from seventh to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 18; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 2/5 at Philadelphia Park. (Bumped at break, raced ninth and last more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into the lane from fifth and finished well in third beaten three-quarters of a length by dead-heated rivals at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 19.)
   
  Brotherly Love: Bumped at break, tracked pace in second a length behind after a half-mile, angled inside for drive and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on July 31. (Set pace from start leading by a length after a half-mile, weakened to second and finished third by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 20; returned $6 to show.)
   
  Whats Up Cuge: Chased pace more than four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in upper stretch, made up 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a head at five furlongs on July 5. (Broke alertly, went right to the front, led by two lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin in stretch and drew off ridden out to win by 7 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on July 26.)
   
  PENN NATIONAL
   
  Cuvee Rouge: Bumped, bobbled soon after break in brutal trip, steadied again in tight quarters during opening quarter-mile, raced sixth more than two behind after a half-mile, blocked between rivals trying to find opening in upper stretch, steered out wider and closed well late to gain second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on July 18 at Philadelphia Park; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 3/5. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost several lengths entering stretch, closed willingly to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 11.)
   
  PHILADELPHIA PARK
   
  Pinfree: Off slow, raced seventh and last more than eight lengths behind after three-eights of a mile, launched rally on turn going widest into stretch, closed fast from fourth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished second by 2 ¾ lengths at five furlongs on Aug. 1.
   
  Minor Issues: Broke slowly, raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came very wide into stretch and rallied from second to win by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on July 21. (Raced 3 ½ lengths in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground near quarter pole and finished second by 2 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 1)
   
  SARATOGA
   
  Speechifying: Racing more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch, steadied, altered course toward rail and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 19; placed first when winner was disqualified for interference and dropped to second.
   
  Smart Seattle: Stalked pace in fourth two heads and 1 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, raced greenly a bit in stretch, boxed, steadied, traveled sideways several strides, went outside for room, unleashed powerful late kick and won going away by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 2/5.
   
  Bella Attrice: Raced 17 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed gamely to 11 ½ lengths between rivals on far turn, steadied inside at three-sixteenths pole, angled out in mid-stretch, made up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 7; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 28 3/5.
   
  A. P. Light: Raced more than seventh lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, circled rivals entering stretch and rallied from fourth to finish second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 7; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 29 seconds. 
   
  Diamond Song: Pinched back after breaking 11th and last, raced 5 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, caught in traffic between rivals on turn, circled five wide entering stretch, made up two lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface July 31.
   
  Try Your Best: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, saved ground on turn, rallied inside into stretch, took an awkward step in upper stretch, steadied sharply at eighth pole awaiting room in fifth, angled outward and rallied late to gain second by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 16 at Belmont. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled three wide between horses enter stretch, finished strongly from third and won by 1 ¼ lengths full of run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 17.) 
   
  Mustang Fever: Broke slowly 12th and last, steadied in traffic early, raced ninth more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside while awaiting room nearing quarter pole and finished well to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on the turf July 8; ran final quarter in 23 1/5 at Belmont Park.
   
  Hurricane Heat: Dueled for lead shortly after break, pressed pace in second a head back after a half-mile, took lead on turn, kept to task in stretch and won by a half-length at a mile on July 1; returned $10.20 on front end at Belmont. (Pressed pace outside in fourth less than three-quarters of a length behind after a half-mile, launched rally entering stretch and won by two lengths under left hand urging at seven furlongs on Aug. 15.)
   
  WOODBINE
   
  Wiseher: Raced more than eight lengths behind in 13th after a half-mile, hustled six wide on far turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds. 
   
  Lucky Lulu: Broke 11th, dropped to 12th and last 13 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, closed fast from 10th to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by a half-length at seven furlongs on the turf July 15; ran final three quarters in 33 2/5.