Trips, Week of August 5

Arlington Park

NO TIME TO KID (Race 7@AP, August 8, 2013, 1 1/16 miles, Maiden Claiming $12,500) Second choice was roughed up bad at the start and forced into the rail by trio of runners to his right. After being shuffled far back the gelding settled on the rail and gradually came back into contention when entering the final turn. Advanced well in turn and was making a winning move at the 3/16 pole. He was going to split horses with the winner to his outside but that foe came inward, shutting him off and forcing him to check and alter course. The rider claimed foul after the second place finish but the stewards disagreed. A decent start and a clean run in the stretch and this one wins with ease.

Del Mar

ISMENE (Race 6@DMR, August 7, 2013, 6 furlongs, AOC $62,500) The favorite lady in a field of ten was squeezed after she bobbled slightly from the gate. The poor stat left her far back along the rail. She made some progress and was then in tight when entering the far turn and drifted back to last. She decided to run again once in the stretch and, showing interest, ran between rivals to avoid finishing last.

Louisiana Downs

JOVE JOVE DIVE (Race 1 @Lad, August 8, 2013, 7 ½ furlongs turf, Claiming $15,000) Favorite in a short field dropped all the way back and eventually closed furiously to be in good position entering the stretch. Came between rivals near the eighth pole and was moving easily to victory outside of the unofficial winner when that foe came out and forced JOVE JOVE DIVE to check abruptly with about 100 yards to go and finishing third. The rider objected and the violator was taken down with JOVE JOVE DIVE elevated to second.

Presque Isle

BREAK THE RECORD (Race 7@PID, August 6, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000) Third choice in the race was trapped on the rail all the way down the backstretch and was constantly under tight restraint due to her position. This obviously cost her quite a bit but then she was taken up midway in the turn and then taken up more sharply just before the quarter pole. She then lost interest and ran without conviction.

Suffolk

FORMAL PRINCESS (Race 3@SUF, August 7, 2013, 7 ½ furlongs turf, Claiming $12,500) Longshot mare probably went back to the barn after this race thinking she had been in a rodeo. A good start was lost when she was steadied into the first turn and then taken up slightly before leaving the first turn, wide down the backstretch where she eventually bumped with the favorite and was blocked around the five-eighths 5/8 pole, then was checked again around the half mile marker. She made it through the turn and then entered the stretch wide and remained wide running down all foes except the winner and was gaining on that one. This mare refused to quit after a nightmare trip.

Woodbine

BET ON JACK (Race 7@WO, August 9, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $8,000) The fourth choice in the wagering was a beat slow from the gate and was forced to go to the rear before moving to the center of the track. Before entering the turn he was behind a wall of opponents with nowhere to go. Swung wide to go around them entering the turn and was forced 9-10 wide throughout the entire turn. He was near last when entering the stretch and closed very well to finish sixth just a few lengths from the winner. The excessive real estate covered cost this guy a great deal.