HORSES TO WATCH

• Horses to Watch - June 23rd, 2009.

  Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  ARLINGTON PARK
  
  Iron Vow: Broke sixth and last, trailed by more than 3 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced along inside to fourth in stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 6 ½ furlongs June 19; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 4/5.
  
  Nan Ann Rocks: Broke slowly 10th and last, trailed by 10 ½ lengths after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a nose at a mile on the turf June 6; ran final half in 47 1/5,
  
  The Foundry: Broke 12th and last, trailed by more than 11 lengths after a half-mile, saved ground advancing to eighth in stretch, closed fast to make up more than six lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on May 22; ran final quarter in 24 3/5. (Raced seventh and last more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out widest for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch and gain third by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 14.)
  
  Jilly From Philly: Broke seventh and last, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, closed with a rush from fifth in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on May 3; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half mile, lost ground turning for home and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third beaten less than three-quarters of a length at a mile on June 7.)
  
  Opportune Moment: Raced nine lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied wide to second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner while securing place by 8 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on May 22. (Raced fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, slipped through on the turn to take lead in stretch and won by a length at a mile on June 13.)
  
  BELMONT
  
  Hurricane Heat: Gained lead soon after break, was two lengths in front after a half-mile, discouraged pair of pursuers increasing margin to six lengths in stretch and won by 8 ½ lengths ridden out at 7 ½ furlongs on June 19.
  
  Kitty Nip: Raced ninth in traffic early, advanced to eighth seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide for the drive, closed from sixth in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on the turf June 3; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
  
  Lisa B: Raced 10th and last more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked behind a wall of rivals on far turn, angled out in mid-stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on May 21.
  
  Half Metal Jacket: Raced 11 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, taken outside in stretch and closed fast to win by 2 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on April 18; returned $15.20 on front end. (Led by a half-length after six furlongs, fought gamely through stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on May 20.)
  
  CALDER
  
  Rock a Tong: Broke slowly, raced more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled outside leaders in stretch, steadied behind winner, dropped to fifth, recovered and rallied to gain second by a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on June 18.
  
  Straight Thunder: Raced 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung out for the drive, made up nearly 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a head and three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface June 5.
  
  Dancer by Night: Raced eighth and last more than 7 ½ furlongs after a half-mile, angled from three wide for drive, closed well in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished fourth beaten two necks and three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface May 23. (Trailed in sixth more that 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and finished in that position by 3 ½ lengths a mile on a sealed sloppy surface June 6.)
  
  Peruano Smoke: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on May 8. (Chased pacesetter five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, took command on far turn, led by seven lengths in stretch and won easily by 14 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken of the turf June 12.)
  
  CANTERBURY PARK
  
  Justa Streak: Tracked pace in second 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled three wide for the drive, couldn’t close gap, but held place by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on May 29. (Raced third more than 5 ½ lengths after a half-mile, shifted outside in stretch, closed gap and finished in same position beaten a head and 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on June 13.)

  CHURCHILL DOWNS
  
  Zone Buster: Raced four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, waited behind rivals on turn and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third beaten a nose for second at seven furlongs on June 19; ran final three furlongs in 36 2/5.
  
  Pure Clan: Raced sixth and last 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide on far turn, rallied between horses in stretch from fourth to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 6.
  
  DELAWARE PARK
  
  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.
  
  Evonne: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 5 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a wet fast surface June 3.
  
  Gray Might: Chased pace in second 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, failed to close gap in stretch and finished in that position at six furlongs on a wet fast surface June 14. (Raced fourth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface June 20.)
  
  EVANGELINE DOWNS
  
  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.
  
  Bust a Groove: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in ninth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in the lane, closed fast from fifth in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second by a neck at five furlongs on the turf June 5.
  
  Nine Free: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, steadied leaving the turn, recovered to rally from fourth making up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on April 24. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide to gain a half-length advantage in stretch and finished second edged by a neck at six furlongs on May 20.)
  
  GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
  
  Welken: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out three deep in stretch and closed willingly to finish second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf May 21 at Hollywood Park. (Tracked pace in fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up in tight quarters behind a wall of horses, gained command in stretch and won by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 14.)
  
  HOLLYWOOD PARK
  
  Trevor’s Clever: Broke slowly ninth and last, trailed by more than 13 ½ lengths after a half-mile, came out in stretch, closed fast to make up more than five lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on June 21.
  
  Scofield Barracks: Broke 12th and last, squeezed at start, raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than five lengths and finished second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs June 6; ran final quarter in 23 seconds.
  
  Warren’s Tony R.: Raced more than three lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, closed willingly from fourth in stretch to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on May 22. (Stalked pace 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch, gained narrow lead in mid-stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at mile on June 18.)
  
  Reba Is Tops: Pressed pace less than a length behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, gained advantage in stretch by a half-length and won by a length at five furlongs on the turf May 15. (Duel for lead a head in front after a half-mile, edged away in mid-stretch to lead by 1 ½ lengths, but was nipped at the wire by a nose to finish dead-heated for second at six furlongs on the turf June 19.)
  
  LONE STAR PARK
  
  Dance Till Six: Raced fourth early, dropped to sixth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost much ground after six furlongs, roused on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up four lengths and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 19.
  
  Dakota Gypsy: Raced seventh and last more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from third between rivals in upper stretch to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on May 16; ran final quarter in 24 2/5. (Raced seventh and last more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and drew off to win by six lengths under strong urging at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 21.)
  
  Our Story: Raced more than six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung out in fourth at top of the stretch, closed fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs on a muddy surface May 3.
  
  LOUISIANA DOWNS
  
  Dance Till Six: Raced fourth early, dropped to sixth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost much ground after six furlongs, roused on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up four lengths and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 19.
  
  Belfast: Broke slowly 10th and last, trailed by more than 13 ½ lengths after a half-mile, swung five wide into the stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 23 at Lone Star Park. (Broke slowly, steadied, raced more than seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, came five wide out of far turn and rallied in stretch to gain third by 2 ¼ lengths at a mile on the turf June 20.)
  
  MONMOUTH
  
  Celestial Flight: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed well outside in stretch from fifth to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on June 19.
  
  Ridin Shotgun: Bumped leaving gate, rider lost left rein briefly, raced nine and last more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on June 3; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
  
  MOUNTAINEER
  
  Farleyshelonwheels: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced very wide to sixth in stretch and finished strongly to gain third by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on April 5 at Charles Town. (Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch and finished second by 2 ¼ lengths at a mile on May 16.)
  
  PENN NATIONAL
  
  Stay Safe: Raced 1 ½ lengths behind on third after a half-mile, grabbed lead in mid-stretch and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths ridden out at a mile and 70 yards on March 16 at Philadelphia Park. (Stalked pace in second through turn, grabbed lead by a head in upper stretch and drew clear to win by 5 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 13.)
  
  PHILADELPHIA PARK
  
  Minor Issues: Hesitated at start before breaking eighth and last, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on June 16.
  
  Jaunty Gale: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed strongly to make up nearly four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf June 2; ran final half in 47 1/5.
  
  Mr. Congeniality: Grabbed lead early, led by a length after a half-mile, gradually edged clear in stretch and won by 1 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 30. (Raced third more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch and edged ahead to win by a half-length at seven furlongs on June 7.)