Fairgrounds
BETSY’S BOY (Race 4@FG, January 1, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $20,000) Next to the longest shot on the board bumped with a foe leaving the gate and moved to the rail, raced down the backstretch without incident. Just when he entered the turn he was forced to steady and take up, losing valuable position and ground. He rallied and stayed to the inside, made progress until mid-stretch when he swung out wide for room and then closed very well to get third and miss victory by less than a length.
Gulfstream
IRONICUS (Race 7@GP, January 1, 2104, 1 1/16th miles turf, MSW) Third choice hit gate and was gathered back to last far from the lead. Remained last until the field entered the far turn and then rallied and swung very wide into the stretch, ran down leaders and won going away.
Parx
STRIKE DOWN (Race 1@PRX, December 30, 2013, one mile, Claiming 4L) Third choice in the wagering was away in good order and forwardly placed. He participated in a 4-horse battle from midway in the turn. In mid-stretch the eventual winner came in and forced difficulties upon STRIKE DOWN and others. STRIKE DOWN took up and was steadied hard, rallied again and got second in a very determined effort. The winner was disqualified and STRIKE DOWN was made the official winner.
Santa Anita
BLUEGRASS REWARD (Race 3@SA, January 1, 2014, 1 1/16th miles, Claiming $16,000) The second choice dueled for the lead once out of the first turn. When he was passed by the eventual winner and was about to be passed by the odds-on favorite, he found another gear and came back with great courage and lost a photo for the win. A very impressive and gutsy effort.
Turfway
DANCE IDOL (Race 3@TP, December 30, 2013, one mile, Claiming $15,000 3L) Third choice in the wagering was off a beat slow and clung to rail throughout turn, which eventually led to him being boxed in. He dropped back to last when the field ran down the backstretch. Began to rally, while very wide, into the far turn and remained very wide into the stretch. Closed well but lost way too much ground to win and finished clear second a couple of lengths behind the winner.
JUDSONSPRETTYGIRL (Race 4@TP, December 31, 2013, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $7,500) Second choice in the wagering was in tight down the backstretch along the rail. Shortly before the turn she was bumped twice and with the last bump slammed against the rail. The incident caused her to drop all the way to sixth. She didn’t give up and rallied to gain fourth.