Arlington
SUGAR TALK (Race 4 @AP, August 17, 2014, 6 furlongs, 2YO MSW) The third choice hopped at the start and was off well behind the field. She moved out to the center of the track and began to catch the field and passed foes before the turn. Once in the turn she split rivals while still far back. She continued to pursue the front runners and swung out wide at the top of the stretch, and even though she was still 6 lengths behind she rallied professionally and kept to the task and ran down the leader to win. A very impressive effort for a two year old debut runner.
Delaware Park
MARILYNS GUY (Race 8 @DEL, August 23, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000) The favorite was tossing his head in the gate and appeared somewhat unprepared to start, was shuffled back immediately and began last. He traveled widest of all down the backstretch and widest of all throughout the entire turn, while making progress and moving to third. Entered the stretch 4-5 wide and ran determinedly but remained in third to the wire, with the start and the extra real estate covered taking its toll.
Del Mar
BEE BRAVE (Race 2 @DMR, August 24, 2014, 1 1/16 miles turf, Allowance 2X) The second choice traveled in mid pack along the inside and began to move midway in the far turn. Was cut off by the advancing favorite and behind the pacesetter at the top of the stretch, and then checked very hard when squeezed by foes, regained stride and came again only to be squeezed again between foes, came a third time, and with a little room got through and went on to win by nearly a length.
ZIMMER (Race 5@DMR, August 16, 2014, one mile turf, Allowance 2L) The favorite stalked from mid-pack along the rail but was in a waiting mode as the field entered the far turn. He remained on the rail and began to rally at the top of the stretch and tried to swing more toward the center of the course at first, then moved back down the rail looking for space, but was then shut off and almost came to a complete stop. He then had to wait quite a while to get back out, and by that time all hope was lost.
Emerald
I ABSOLUTELY WILL (Race 7 @EMD, August 16, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $20,000) The favorite was away slow and at the back of the field. She began to make progress after the opening furlong and was well placed on the inside but hesitate when directly behind the field at about the half mile marker, she came again and was then pulled up as the field entered the turn. She eventually got in gear and had clear room but the winner had a big jump and the favorite had to settle for second.
Monmouth
BLUEGRASS SINGER (Race 2@ MTH, August 24, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, MSW 2YO) The second choice had a terrible start, was steadied very hard, pulled his head to one side and didn’t take a good step until the field was well on its way. He was then used to reach the back of the pack and ran well until the top of the stretch where he then slowed down. Probably a race to forget especially considering the fact this was his debut.
PARX
CANDY’S LUCK (Race 1@PRX, August 24, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming 10,000) The fourth choice was away a little slow but ran well to reach the field before the turn and began to advance easily in the turn along the rail. Just past the quarter pole the leader came out and blocked her, causing her to drift back to the rail where she was cut off, hit, and forced to check hard and then wait for nearly 50 yards, losing all hope of winning, but still finished just a few lengths form the winner.
Saratoga
GIRLABOUTOWN (Race 1@SAR, August 24, 2014, 7 furlongs, Allowance 1X) The odds-on favorite stumbled so badly her nose went to the ground and then she bumped another horse, started last and far back. She patiently moved forward catching the rear of the field in the turn and along the inside. She then swung wide and traveled 4-5 wide in throughout the entire turn and was widest of all into the stretch. She kept her focus and caught the leaders nearing the wire and won by a length. It could have been much, much worse on her opponents.
SURFING USA (Race 8@SAR, August 16, 2104, 7 furlongs, Allowance 1X) The favorite stumbled so badly her nose hit the ground after which he began last and was then very hard used to make up ground, eventually getting to fifth position in the far turn, but the horrible beginning and expensive use of energy emptied the tank and he faded to tenth.
Suffolk
EAST INDIES (Race 3 @SUF, August 16, 2014, 7 ½ furlongs turf, Claiming $8,000) The third choice was away well and tracked the top pair once into the first turn and remained in that position until midway in the far turn, when he was joined on his outside while gaining on the front runners. He was boxed in at the top of the lane and was waiting for room. He tried to go closer to the hedge but was shut off and swung out after losing ground. He ran hard to come again and was narrowly edged for the place position only a couple of lengths from the winner.
Woodbine
WHERE’S THE WIDGET (Race 1@WO, August 24, 2014, 5 furlongs, 2YO MSW) Before entering the stretch the young gelding steadied slightly and had to wait behind the front runner as he was crowded on the outside by the eventual winner, a well-intended odds on favorite. Once free he made a determined run and was defeated by a narrow nose. One to watch.
ROCKINMEBABY (Race 5@WO, August 16, 2014, 1 1/16 miles, Claiming $8,000) The favorite ran in mid-pack, he was forced to wait when the field raced in the far turn and then was blocked around the quarter pole, was blocked again and squeezed around the furlong marker and then pulled back to avoid clipping heels. He eventually got outside ran with determination to gain third.
JAVA’S BOURBON (Race 6 @WO, August 17, 2014, 7 furlongs turf, 2 YO MSW) The second choice, a debut runner, was tardy from the gate and hopped, which began his journey many lengths behind. He ran well to get involved and began to pass horses before the turn. Once in the turn he was forced to wait on two occasions and was behind a wall of opponents when the field turned for home. He swung 7-8 wide to have a run and he rallied with determination. Although he finished seventh the youngster was only about a half dozen lengths from the winner and showed great interest. A good effort for a debut two year old considering the trouble.