Trips October 13

Gulfstream

CATFIGHT COWGIRL (Race 5 @GP, October 4, 2014, 5 furlongs turf, MSW) The favorite was squeezed and compromised at the start with the rider having to balance himself before proceeding. The two year old filly gradually moved forward in a professional manner, was behind a big wall about one pole before the stretch, was then moved extremely wide when entering the stretch to get a clear run, and after doing so proceeded to win. It could have been much worse for her foes.

Keeneland

PEACE AND WAR (Race 9@ KEE, October 3, 2014, 1 1/16 miles, Stakes) The eighth choice faced an immediate problem by drawing a far outside post, was then off slow and last to begin, held up slightly going into the turn then went to the rail. She followed along on the inside for the entire backstretch run far behind the leaders. She began to rally with apparent ease in the turn and was widest of all throughout the turn before moving to the middle of the pack where she had to slow down because of traffic. She was then bumped and steadied near the furlong marker, eventually swung out and had room, even though in tight quarters, to make a run. She displayed a great turn of foot and professionally ran down the leader to win at big odds. This was a great effort for a juvenile filly.

Laurel

SUBPOENA (Race 9 @LRL, October 4, 2014, 1 1/16 miles turf, Allowance 1X) The sixth choice was forced to take up with a few others when those on the outside part of the gate all moved inward when the starter sent them away. The mugging at the start forced her and one more to start last and remain far back early which cost her at least a dozen lengths. She gradually made progress on the rail and was in mid-pack when entering the turn, shifted to the center of the course midway in turn and began to bid for the front of the pack a the top of the stretch, unfortunately holes closed everywhere and she was steadied off heels around the furlong marker, eventually got free and ran a terrific race to finish second by only a length.

PARX

IMAGE (Race 4 @PRX, October 4, 2014, 5 furlongs, Claiming $10,000) The odds on favorite and the top candidate for controlling the pace was shut off at the start and began last. She was rushed to get close to the lead and was steadied near the half mile pole when on heels of a foe, was forced to hesitate for a while, began to rally in the turn and swung very wide in stretch. She finished third with a good effort after being significantly compromised.

Suffolk

DANCE FOR ZACK (Race 4 @SUF, October 4, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $4,000) The odds on favorite was lucky to finish the race much less win convincingly. She was squeezed hard at the start and clipped heels of the only other slow starter in the race, was then take out wide while regrouping, then proceed to make progress, came from well off the pace and was at least six wide entering the stretch before winning by five lengths.

Woodbine

GLENVILLE GARDENS (Race 5 @WO, October 4, 2014, 7 furlongs, MSW) The odds on choice hopped a bit at the start and was last to get going. Gradually advanced under tight restraint, had to wait in the turn, was going to move wide into the stretch but the rider moved back to the middle. He was in perfect position to go between rivals and win with ease but the hole closed and he had to pull up and wait before swinging outside. Rallied well once free to run but lost the race in a photo. Unquestionably the best horse in the race.