“Problem Ponies” – Horses to Watch 6n382
by Ed Meyer 2q161j
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We see runners who get shut off and have to take up during the course of a race. Handicappers try to document as many as possible and some even subscribe to a “horse watch” service where runners are emailed to you allowing you to make plans to follow them back. – Winning Ponies would like to offer you a few runners who need to be on the watch list the next time they hit the track. – Once you see them in the entries, be sure to see where they measure up on the E-Z Win Forms before pulling the trigger.
Belmont Park
5/14/16 – Race #3 – 1 1/16 on the main
#3 -Miles of Humor = John Velasquez aboard and his mount was bumped soundly at the start and pinched between foes.
5/14/16 – Race #8 – 1 1/16 on the turf
#1 – Recepta = Johnny V aboard for James Toner, and his mare was in tight after the break and clipped heels shortly after. Once the smoke cleared, she put it all together to run a solid third place effort.
Churchill Downs
5/14/16 – Race #3 – 1 1/16 on the turf
#7 – Daddy’s Boo = She broke through the gate prior to the race, and this can take a bit of the edge right off a runner. Robby Albarado did an excellent job sending her to the front and was the bridesmaid on this day. A clean trip may be the answer.
5/14/16 – Race #7 – One mile on the main
#5 – Conspired = Robby A in the irons and his mount broke through the gate prior to the start. She chased the pace setter and finished a dismal 5th.
Gulfstream Park
5/14/16 – Race #4 – 6f on the main
#3 – Poda = She was bumped repeatedly at the start and still managed to shake free and set the pace down the backstretch. – Let her catch a clean start and it may be lights out !
5/14/16 – Race #6 – 6 1/2f on the main
#2 – Cat’s Warrior = He was forced to steady all the way down the lane and never had a shot to uncork a rally. A better trip may be just what the doctor ordered.
That should get you started compiling a list of runners who need a good look next time to the races. – In my opinion, there is no substitute for going back and watching the races. Trip handicapping has been around since binoculars were invented, and for this handicapper there is no substitute in spending a little time going back and taking a closer look. – Keep and open mind and you may be surprised what you’ll see.