The following horses have been spotted as trip note runners and horses to watch in their subsequent starts. Keep in mind that these horses are never automatic bet-backs.
Arlington Park
THE CUSHMAKER (Race 3@AP, June 19, 2013, 1 1/16 miles, AOC, $40,000) The filly was taken up slightly at start and was allowed to settle toward rear. Ran well down the backstretch and advanced until she was checked entering the turn due to the actions of the eventual runner up , lost several lengths which compromised her chances greatly. Made up ground and was then shut off on the inside about the 3/16th pole. Moving outward she was then able to run and closed well for third. Her rider objected to the incident entering the far turn and THE CUSHMAKER was elevated to second after the stewards’ decision.
DADDYSPENTDAMONEY (Race 5@AP, June 19, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $16,000) Longshot was in tight quarters at start and shuffled to last. He began to advance and was running well along the inside when entering the turn. Moved outward several wide just before the top of the stretch to gain position and began to close resolutely and battled the favorite the final 1/16 of a mile to lose by a narrow margin. No doubt the early trouble prevented a trip to the Winner’s Circle.
Churchill Downs
LUCKY PURSUIT (Race1@CD, June 22, 2013, 1 1/16 miles, Maiden Claiming $10,000) Second choice in the field was slow and stumbled from the gate and was quickly last, then hurried up to the field into contention just before the turn and then jostled with others. The gelding was anxious to get the lead and bulled his way through others to secure the lead midway down the backstretch. Continued to run and held second while defeated by a 36-1 runner. The early activity took its toll on LUCKY PURSUIT and probably caused his defeat.
Lone Star Park
MY IDE (Race 1@LS, June 20, 2013, 5 furlongs, turf, MSW) Remington shipper was disregarded at more than 20-1, broke slowly and was then hustled into contention before entering the turn. Moved more toward middle of the course once in turn, was checked ever so slightly and then was forced to wait until well into the stretch. The colt finally got out enough to run and closed furiously to dead heat for the show position.
PARX
GRANDAD BUD (Race 4@PRX, June 22, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $8,000) Six year old was in the top flight when entering the stretch then was taken up to avoid a collision and lost several lengths. He was forced out much wider than normal when the pacesetter bore out and caused serious bumping that forced most of the field toward the grandstand. GRANDAD BUD rallied again and came back to get third in a tremendous effort.
Presque Isle
SPUNK (Race 7@PID, June 20, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000) The fifth choice in the wagering first encountered difficulties just before the half mile pole where he was checked slightly before accelerating up the inside into contention. He then moved to the middle of the track entering the far turn and advanced to be just behind the leaders at the quarter pole. From the top of the stretch until the 1/16th pole, the 7 year old was held back, waiting, with nowhere to go. The winner got a great trip on the outside without trouble while SPUNK was in jail. About the 1/16th pole he darted through an opening, swung outside and finished full of run losing top spot by less than a pair of lengths.
Woodbine
FOREVER A PEARL (Race 8@WO, June 19, 2013, 1 1/16 miles, Maiden Claiming $12,500) Longshot mare fell forward at start and then was hit hard on one side forcing her to last before she could take a normal stride. Began to show interest immediate and was crowded slightly at the back of the pack in the first turn. Advanced well down the backstretch, had to wait briefly in turn and then found hole at top of stretch. Was doing battle with several horses when the eventual winner from far outside, which would cut off an outlet. Once in third and about 90 yards from the wire she altered course to get room, closed quickly only losing the place position by a half length.
FANTASTIC PROSPECT (Race 3@WO, June 21, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $10,000 3L) Heavily bet colt traveled well down the backstretch and moved out of turn with eventual winner when advancing to tackle a trio of embattled pacesetters. He was about to overtake the leaders when one came out close to the eventual winner and caused FANTASTIC PROSPECT to check very hard at about the 1/16th pole. The colt would have run second but was clearly better than the others.