HORSES TO WATCH

• Horses to Watch - February 9, 2009

  Posted on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  AQUEDUCT
  
  Study Abroad: Raced ninth and last early, moved to eighth 14 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to fourth in stretch, closed fast to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on the inner track Feb. 1.
  
  Chocolate Pop: Steadied in traffic along inside on first turn, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung five wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 10.
  
  More Than a Reason: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch and finished willingly gaining third by four lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 10. (Tracked pace three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, gained in mid-stretch and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 17.)
  
  Heir to the Stone: Stumbled at start, bumped, raced fourth early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied turning for home, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Dec. 14.
  
  The Shaughraun: Broke next to last from the outside 10th post, raced 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, turned for home five wide in fifth, finished willingly to make up 2 ½ lengths and ran second by a neck at a mile on the inner track Dec. 7.
  
  FAIR GROUNDS
  
  Belle City Boy: Raced more than 13 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, closed gamely to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a neck at a mile on Feb. 5.
  
  Song of the Road: Broke eighth and last, moved to seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, circled foes for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 23.

  GULFSTREAM PARK
  
  Prime Delivery: Raced ninth and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, came into stretch three wide, rallied from eighth to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished third by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 5.
  
  Weekend Strike: Raced 10th more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from seventh to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on the turf Jan 18; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.
  
  Museeb: Prompted pace along rail a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dropped back on far turn, steadied, angled outside a wall of rivals at sixteenth pole and finished dead-heated for fourth beaten less than three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 10.
  
  Red Hot Bullet: Steadied early after breaking third, raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a head 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 3; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
  
  Notonthesamepage: Broke seventh from inside post, rushed up to the front, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile and drew off to win by 8 ¼ lengths ridden out at six furlongs on Jan. 3; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
  
  Bruno’s a Biter: Broke alertly from post 12, raced 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground circling rivals on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Dec. 18 at Laurel Park. (Broke on top from the outside 12th post, pressed pace in third after a half-mile, gained second three wide around far turn, weakened in stretch and finished third by a half-length at a mile on Jan. 24.)
  
  LAUREL
  
  Johannesburgaffair: Broke seventh and last, trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 31.
  
  Golden Vision: Raced more than 11 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came wide turning for home, closed fast from fourth in stretch to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final quarter in 23 4/5. (Broke from the 10th and outside post, raced fourth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, went six wide entering stretch, grabbed lead by a head, dueled and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Jan. 24.)
  
  Anjunothat: Raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out four wide approaching quarter pole, closed sharply under steady hand pressure to collar leader nearing sixteenth pole and drew clear to win by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 9. (Raced six more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up 6 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 23.)
  
  OAKLAWN PARK
  
  Levitating: Raced 11 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled in on far turn, blocked repeatedly in upper stretch, moved outside and finished second beaten by a nose at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 6; advanced to first when winner was disqualified for impeding several times nearing furlong marker and placed second.
  
  Stellsie: Bumped at the break, raced more than three lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, lost ground going five wide for drive, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Jan. 23.
  
  Silver Bayer: Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, assumed command entering stretch and drew clear to win by 7 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 7 at Turfway Park. (Forced pace in second a head back after a half-mile, gained lead by a head after six furlongs, battled in stretch and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on Jan. 19; returned $1 0.40 for place.)
  
  PHILADELPHIA PARK
  
  Stay Safe: Went right to the lead just off rail, led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off in handy fashion to win by eight lengths going 1:10 3/5 for six furlongs on Feb. 7.
  
  Wild Scent: Raced more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch to make up 5 ¼ lengths and gained second by 2 ½ lengths on Jan. 21; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
  
  True Values: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, boxed in leaving turn to upper stretch, responded in final furlong and gained second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 2.
  
  Novation: Sprinted clear, led by three lengths after a half-mile, battled gamely in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 13. (Raced eighth early, split rivals on backstretch, moved to fourth less than a length behind after a half-mile, eased to outside for drive and rallied to win by 1 ¼ lengths going away at six furlongs on Feb, 8; returned $19.40 on the front end.)
  
  Take a Leap: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch, finished fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4 at Philadelphia Park. (Broke a step slow seventh and last, raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, carried wide around turn, rallied to second in stretch, made up 5 ½ lengths and finished full of run beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 2 at Penn National.)
  
  RETAMA PARK
  
  Control Freak: Broke ninth, dropped to 10th and last more than 15 lengths behind after a half-mile, made a middle move to sixth picking up 6 ½ lengths after six furlongs, rallied outside in stretch to make up 4 ¼ lengths and finished third by three lengths at a mile on Feb. 5.
  
  Aunt Adell: Broke a bit slow 10th and last, raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground on turn, blocked, steadied near quarter-pole, rallied in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at five furlongs on the turf Jan. 24. (Steadied off heels of rivals on backstretch, raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, dropped back a bit before rallying in mid-stretch and finished third by a head at five furlongs on the turf Feb. 7.)
  
  Hadi K: Raced six lengths behind in fourth after three-eights of a mile, rallied inside on turn while saving ground, made up more than four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 3. (Pressed pace in second a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, gained lead by a half-length in stretch and drew off to win by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Jan. 22.)
  
  Cowgirl Cool: Fractious in gate, original rider hurt and replaced, stalked pace 2 ½ lengths behind in second, dropped to third after six furlongs, rallied in stretch and gained second by 2 ¾ lengths at a mile on Nov. 21. (Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied on turn to take second, but couldn’t catch winner while securing the place by a dozen lengths at a mile on Dec. 5.)
  
  SANTA ANITA
  
  Haka: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and gained more than 2 ¾ lengths to finish second by a neck at a mile on Feb. 7.
  
  Brought It: Broke in the air eighth and last, moved to seventh more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Jan. 22. (Hopped at start, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 ½ lengths in stretch, weakened and finished third by a length at six furlongs on Feb. 4.)
  
  White Lace Jimmy: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, surged after coming off rail, gained more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 8.
  
  Thelma Rose: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Jan. 1; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Broke slowly ninth and last, moved to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and rallied from six under left handed urging to win by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 28.)
  
  TAMPA BAY DOWNS
  
  Privy Seal: Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, boxed and blocked from far turn to mid-stretch, altered course to find racing room outside and closed fast late to finish second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Feb. 6.
  
  Unbridled Behavior: Stalked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch, duel with leader and edged clear under strong handling to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 26 at Laurel. (Pressed pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, moved to a clear lead after five furlongs and pulled away in stretch to win by three lengths at seven furlongs on Jan. 23.)
  
  Bow Tie Pasta: Broke sideways ninth and last, moved to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly along backstretch losing a couple of lengths, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, made up a length in stretch and finished a game fourth at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 6 at Hawthorne. (Raced third early, took the lead by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by six lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 22.)
  
  TURF PARADISE
  
  Zee Topper: Broke 10th and last, trailed by more than 13 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied from seventh in the four path to make up more than six lengths and finished second nosed out at a mile on Feb. 3.
  
  Miguel H: Chased pace early 3 ½ lengths behind in second after a quarter-mile, took command by two lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to 8 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 11 ¾ lengths ridden out at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 3/5.
  
  His Way: Pressed pace in third more than a length behind after a half-mile, rallied to a narrow advantage between rivals nearing the lane, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second by 6 ½ lengths 1 1/16 miles on a sealed muddy surface on Dec. 23. (Tracked pack in third 3 1/3 lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room on far turn, taken back, angled out for drive, gained lead by a head in stretch and won by a half-length at about a mile on the turf Jan. 26.)
  
  TURFWAY PARK
  
  Senorita’s Secrets: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than five lengths and finished second full of run beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 6.
  
  Southern Squire: Broke in the air, raced seventh early, moved to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses for the drive, gained second in stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 5.