HORSES TO WATCH

• Horses to Watch - February 23, 2009

  Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  AQUEDUCT
  
  Federal Deposit: Stumbled badly at start, chased leader five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, advanced three wide on turn, made up three lengths in stretch and finished second by 7 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 15.
  
  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
  
  Bust a Groove: Raced fifth early, eased back to sixth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, steered out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 14.
  
  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
  
  Imperial Council: Raced three wide more than a length behind after a half-mile run in 44 4/5, dueled gamely with leader in stretch and edged clear to win by two lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 14.
  
  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.
  
  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 at Laurel Park; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds. (Endured horrible trip after stalking pace inside a length behind in third after a half-mile, steadied soon after entering backstretch, to avoid running up on leader, remained in contention into stretch, checked in tight quarters, squeezed back and tired to sixth at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb, 18.)
  
  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 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. (Broke on top, raced third early, dropped to fourth 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dueled with leader nearing five-sixteenths pole, gained lead in stretch and drew off to win by 5 ¼ lengths at a mile on Feb. 13.)
  
  LAUREL
  
  Seventh Street: Reared at break, rider lost iron briefly, raced seventh and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 14; ran final three furlongs in 35 1/5.
  
  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. (Tracked pace more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, floated five wide entering stretch and closed steadily to win by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 21.)
  
  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 at six furlongs on Jan. 21; ran final quarter in 24 1/5 at Philadelphia Park.
  
  Golden Vision: 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. (Raced second early, dropped to third 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung outside near sixteenth pole, closed fast and won three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Feb. 12.)
  
  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
  
  Northern Vow: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came five wide out of turn, rallied down center of track from sixth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck on Feb. 15; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.
  
  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. (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.
  
  PHILADELPHIA PARK
  
  Cause to Smile: Broke eighth and last, moved to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied along inside on turn, rallied in stretch and finished second by three lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 9.
  
  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.
  
  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. (Raced fifth early, moved to fourth four lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on turn and rallied in stretch to finish second by a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 10.)
  
  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.)
  
  RETAMA PARK
  
  French Uncle: Raced fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked and steadied midway through turn, rallied to second in upper stretch, dueled with winner to wire and was nosed out finishing 6 ¼ lengths ahead of third-place finisher at seven furlongs on Feb. 13.
  
  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.
  
  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
  
  Sensation Score: Raced seventh and last more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up along rail to fourth after six furlongs, dropped to fifth in stretch, rallied to make up three lengths and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Feb. 16.
  
  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: 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 sixth under left handed urging to win by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 28. (Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, bumped with third-place finisher several times in mid-stretch, surged late to make up nearly 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 21.)
  
  TAMPA BAY DOWNS
  
  Don’t Forget Gil: Broke through gate, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, launched middle move on far turn, swung five wide to fourth in stretch, closed to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at a mile and 40 yards on Feb. 14.
  
  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
  
  Savvier: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, closed four wide into the lane making up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 16.
  
  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. (Raced nine lengths behind in seventh and last after a half-mile, went four wide leaving far turn and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third by 2 ¼ lengths at a mile on Feb. 18.)
  
  TURFWAY PARK
  
  Victory Frolic: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, circled field eight wide into stretch, closed fast full of run to make up five lengths and gained second by a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 16.
  
  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.