Horses to Watch – Ed Meyer

Tracks begin to wind down in parts of the nation, as others are getting ready to swing open the doors for winter racing in warmer climates. – This time can be used as an introspective look into your wagering habits. – Has it been a good year ? – Could you have spent your handicapping time more wisely ? – Are your money management plans going well ? – Have you tried your hand at contest play ? – All good questions, and as we turn the page on the 2015 racing season. We need to drop back and prepare for the renewal of the sport. It won’t be long until you hear the sounds of Fair Grounds, Gulfstream, and Santa Anita drawing our attention to the hopeful crops making the trek for the Kentucky Derby trail. – Here are a few runners who’ll you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled. They may have had a compromised trip, a bad break from the gate, or experienced a less than smooth trip. Best of luck !

Aqueduct – 11/14/15 – Race #4 – #2 – 1 1/16 on the turf

#2 – Blue Pigeon = Jose Ortiz in the irons for Linda Rice, and their runner was “pocketed up” forcing Ortiz to step on the breaks taking a strong hold of his mount. He was in the “box” for a good portion of the race and had to wrangle back his mount wearing him down. – Once he slipped though late in the lane, he showed good acceleration after being wrangled back most of the race. – A cleaner trip has him right there next out.

Aqueduct – 11/14/15 – Race #7 – #3 – 1 3/8 on the turf

#3 – War Dancer = Jose Lezcano had the call for Bill Mott. – These guys know how to bring a turf runner ready. He hit the stall briskly leaving the starting gate, and still established the lead. He was in hand and not asked for his best in the two path as the skilled efforts of Lezcano slowed down the fractions to his liking. When the real running began, he ran in lock step with a challenger and weakened in the late stages of the race. – When you have a tough exit from the gate, this can be a taxing effort to overcome. Lezcano is one of the best turf riders, and with a little better start, he’ll jump to the lead and put them sleep all the way to the winner’s circle.

Churchill Downs – 11/14/15 – Race #5- #6 – 6f on the dirt

#6 – Walkabout = Brian Hernandez in the irons for Ian Wikes, and their filly was a sweet (37-1) when the gates opened. – She was slow coming away from the gate, and this being her first effort as a two-year-old was a good learning experience. She angled off the rail to be in the seven path, and finished in high gear down the lane to finish third. – There is nothing like “baby” showing a good finish to get you chomping at the bit for her next trip out.

Del Mar – 11/14/15 – Race #4 – #5 – 5f on the turf

#5 – Miss Gifted = Santiago Gonzalez at the controls for John Sadler. – She was squeezed at the start, and had to take up to begin the turf sprint. Going short on the turf is a tricky game in itself, and all it takes is a brief hold up and the race can be all but over. Once she settled out and saved ground along the rail, her rally down the lane caught my eye as she finished with great energy. Talented rider for a top-notch stable. They had a good excuse here, and you’ll be wanting to see her name in the entries very soon !

Aqueduct – 11/15/15 – Race #1 – #2 – 6f on the dirt

#2 – Carella = Javier Castellano was aboard on this day, and she had to take up sharply right after the gate break. She stumbled a quite a bit, and once she found her composure, she set down for a run at the leaders. Down the lane she was carried out by the second place finisher and still continued on well with the guiding hand of Castellano to grab the show money. – Two-year-olds are tough as they sometimes have to learn on the job. She got a pretty good introduction on this day, and if Castellano stays aboard. Bet early and often next time out.

Aqueduct – 11/15/15 – Race #6 – #7 – 6 1/2f on the dirt

#7 – Zababa = Irad Ortiz had the call for Steve Asmussen, and she chased the leaders looking solid and ready. – She was asked by Ortiz and he had to take the overland route going six wide into the stretch. She finished up an honest 4th as the beaten favorite, and dollars to donuts you’ll get a much better price next out.