HORSES TO WATCH

• Horses to Watch - September 21st, 2009.

  Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  Al Nasr Dream: Broke 8th and last from inside post, stumbled, saved ground trailing by more than five lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch from seventh to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 7. 
   
  Fire Cloud: Broke sixth and last, trailed by 12 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 3.
   
  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. (Pressed pace in third a head and a half-length behind after a half-mile, dueled late in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Sept. 3.)
   
  Crater Maker: 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. (Went right to the front, led by a length after a half-mile and prevailed by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 10.)
   
  BELMONT
   
  Bawana Jake: Pressed pace a head behind after a quarter-mile, surged to front by a half-length after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to increase margin to 3 ½ lengths and drew off to win by 10 ¾ lengths under mild urging in 1:09 3/5 for six furlongs on Sept, 11; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.
   
  CALDER
   
  Paizano: Sprinted to a clear lead of five lengths after the first quarter mile, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and drew off to win under wraps by 11 ¼ lengths at six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 on Sept. 17.
   
  Qureall: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 6 ½ furlongs after three-eighths of a mile, steadied soon after entering turn, checked again when trapped behind rivals at the quarter pole, angled out for room in stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and gained second by 3 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 6. (Grabbed lead by a head after a quarter mile, increased margin to a length after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by 5 ¼ lengths under urging at seven furlongs on Sept. 18.)  
   
  Whatta Light: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for the drive losing ground, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on Sept. 3
   
  Sea Birdie: Raced eight a length behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, steadied in traffic at top of the stretch, eased out, closed well from fourth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second by 2 ¾ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 20.
   
  DELAWARE PARK
   
  Saucon Meadow: Raced more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost a bit of ground entering stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths and gained second by a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 9.
   
  Tiger At Nite: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a half-mile, angled six wide for the drive, closed well from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 2.
   
  ELLIS PARK
   
  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.  (Stalked pace in fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, trapped behind a wall of rivals dropping back to sixth after six furlongs, slipped through along rail to gain lead by a head in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 30; returned $27.40 on the front end and $10.40 for place.)
   
  FAIRPLEX
   
  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 at Del Mar. (Raced more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied outside the runner-up to second in stretch, gained advantage past eighth pole and won by 1 ¾ lengths under a moderate hand ride at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 13.)
   
  Changing Vista: Raced fifth early, dropped to seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, lost a ton of ground swinging wide in upper stretch, rallied to make up more than 5 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on the turf Sept. 17; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
   
  Palace Wizard: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, eased out between horses in upper stretch, altered course five wide past eighth pole and closed willingly to make up more than 6 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at a mile on Sept. 17.
   
  LOUISIANA DOWNS
   
  Anna’s Glory: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch making up 3 ½ lengths and gained second by 2 ½ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 13.
   
  Thruthewindow: Broke ninth and last, raced more than 6 ¾ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied five wide out of the turn to make up 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 27.
   
  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. (Raced seventh and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch three lengths behind in fourth and finished full of run to win by two lengths at seventh furlongs on Sept. 17; returned $17.20 on the front end and $8.40 to place.
   
  Walkinpicture: 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. (Broke a bit slowly, raced more than 11 ½ behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide out of the turn, made up more than two lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Sept. 10; returned $7.60 for place.)   
   
  MONMOUTH PARK
   
  Wekiva Wachee: Broke slowly sixth and last, raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, saved ground to the lane, made up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished a game second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 28.
   
  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. (Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, launched rally midway on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and won by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 7.)
   
  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.)
   
  PHILADELPHIA PARK
   
  Digital Dreams: Raced ninth and last more than nine lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out leaving quarter pole, rallied from sixth to make up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 9. 
   
  Reflected Way: Raced third early, eased back to sixth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on Sept. 1.
   
  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 at Saratoga; advanced to first when winner was disqualified for interference and placed second. (Shuffled back at break, raced seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and rallied to gain third by 1 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 19.)
   
  Minor Issues: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in sixth and last, angled out into the lane, closed fast in stretch, couldn’t catch winner and finished second by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 29. (Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide in stretch and finished third at 6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 14.)
   
  Cuvee Rouge:  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. (Raced fourth early, gained lead five wide near quarter pole, dueled a bit before drawing clear in stretch and won by two lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 2.) 
   
  RETAMA PARK
   
  Gentleman Volponi: Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Sept. 10.
   
  Littlebitofhope: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last more than 15 lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground on both turns, closed fast from fifth in stretch to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on Sept. 4; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
   
  Jeff Kentucky: Broke from the outside 14th post, raced 10th early, moved to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Aug. 28. (Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, eased out to pass rival approaching quarter pole, moved inside of third-place finisher in upper stretch, rallied from third to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and caught leader at wide to win by a head at a mile on Sept. 17.)
   
  SARATOGA
   
  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 the turf Aug. 13; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 2/5. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made sharp move on turn to draw even with winner, battled outside to mid-stretch and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 3.)
   
  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.) 
   
  TURFWAY PARK
   
  Kessem Gold: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground for the drive, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a head at a mile on Sept. 9.
   
  WOODBINE
   
  Becky’s Kitten: Broke sharply, but raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide on far turn, advanced to fifth in stretch, rallied between rivals to make up four lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on the turf Sept. 19; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.
   
  Beaujelais Nouveau: Raced more than four lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, rallied six wide through the turn to fifth in the stretch, rallied gamely to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Sept. 2.
   
  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.