AQUEDUCT

Irish Blast: Bumped at break, steadied, raced seventh early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 9.

Martha’s Mandate: Raced seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 25; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Double Down Vinman: Bumped after break, raced seventh early, advanced to fourth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to make up more than 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 11; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Kat’s Mystery: Bumped after break, trailed early, advanced from ninth to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch losing ground, closed well to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Jan. 6. (Contested pace from outside, went to lead by a half-length after a half-mile, responded when roused in stretch and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 24.)

Borrowing Base: Bumped after break, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 9. (Trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced from sixth to fourth in stretch and rallied to gain second by 4 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Feb. 9.)

DELTA DOWNS

Honor Jones: Raced 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, went four wide on far turn, closed well to fourth in stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 16 at Sam Houston Race Park. (Trailed by more that seven lengths after a half-mile, moved up from sixth to third around far turn, dueled down the stretch and won by a neck at a mile on Jan. 17.)

FAIR GROUNDS

Bishop Casey: Broke last, raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied wide to make up more than two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Feb. 8.

Iron Works Pike: Brushed on both sides at break, raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside from third in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second by five lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 21.

Rose Medallion: Broke last, trailed in eighth by 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came inside around far turn, closed determinedly from sixth outside to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 6.

Kindling: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last more than 12 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied late from ninth to make up more than 7 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Dec. 6. (Raced inside 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved outside for drive, closed gamely to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished third at about 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Jan. 12.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

Pick Six: Broke slowly 11th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than fourth lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide around far turn, rallied to third in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 8; fan final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.

Porticipation: Broke slowly 13th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on Feb. 8; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Heavenly Answer: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, steadied on far turn to avoid fading rival and rallied to finish third by a neck at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 25; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.

Universe: Stalked pace three wide two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth in stretch, rallied to make up two lengths and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 9.

Lady Byar: Trailed in eighth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch from fifth, finished full of run to make up 5 ½ lengths and ran second beaten a nose at seven furlongs on Jan. 9; ran final three furlongs in 36 3/8. (Chased pace early in second, dropped to third after a half-mile, then fourth 2 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs, caught pacesetter inside eighth pole and won by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Feb. 1)

Identical: Raced fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased outside leaders leaving turn, lost ground, rallied later to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on Jan. 3. (Tracked pace in third more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, took over on far turn and drew off under a vigorous hand ride to win by 6 ½ lengths at a mile on Jan. 25.)

LAUREL PARK

Diller: Trailed by more than 14 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced from eighth to fifth in stretch, made up more than five lengths and finished second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 7.

Coal Valley: Trailed early in seventh, advanced to sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, made up more than 6 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 24; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Imperturbable: Broke last, advanced to ninth more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung very wide in mid-stretch, rallied from seventh to up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final eighth in 12 4/5.

Helen Says: Grabbed lead by a half-length after a half-mile, moved clear leaving the fife-sixteenths pole and drew off by 10 ¾ lengths under a tight right-handed drive at seven furlongs on a sealed muddy track in the rain on Dec. 26; returned $12.60 to win and $8 to place. (Chased pace in third while saving ground, advanced to second in stretch, weakened and finished third at seven furlongs on Jan. 26.)

Baseball Diamond: Raced third early, dropped to fourth three lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied inside to gain second by a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 3. (Raced sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced wide on turn and rallied mildly in stretch to finish third at seven furlongs Feb. 8.)

OAKLAWN PARK

Bugsy McCool: Raced seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second by 10 lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 8.

Chin High: Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 16 lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide into the lane, made up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 21.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Rymar: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, split rivals on turn losing ground, rallied from sixth to make up 6 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 5.

Jorkat Slew: Broke 10th and last, raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing to fourth in stretch, closed with good energy inside to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23.

Casual: Pressed pace early in third, grabbed lead by a half-length by the half-mile pole and drew off by 6 ¼ lengths after being roused sharply at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface at Laurel Park on Jan. 14. (Raced sixth early, advanced to third more than two lengths back after a half-mile and traveled evenly to finish in the same position at six furlongs on Feb. 2)

Frenchburg: Raced fifth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, raced wide on turn into stretch, rallied from second and drew off to win by 3 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on Jan. 23; returned $14.20 on front end. (Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, boxed on heels of top three entering stretch, angled out, finished strong when clear and ran third beaten a neck for second at seven furlongs on Feb. 10.)

Graded by Results: Raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed fast to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at six furlongs on Dec. 4. (Raced fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch and ran down leader to prevail by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23.)

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Fred’s Day: Jostled after start, raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, raced three wide on turn into stretch, rallied between rivals to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and closed well to finish second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 2.

Spending Time: Bumped at break, checked early, advanced from 12th and last to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, raced very wide on turn, rallied to make up 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 20.

Nasheet: Jostled with third-place finisher at start, raced three wide into first turn, was more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed well to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Jan. 6.

SANTA ANITA

Sure Thing Eva: Raced seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside from fifth to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Feb. 2; ran final three furlongs in 36 2/5.

Smart Hit: Raced eighth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out on turn, rallied from sixth to second in stretch, made up three lengths and gained second by a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 21.

Mostacolli Mort: Stalked pace inside four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished willingly to run second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 11.

Adarlyn Cat: Broke from outside 12 post, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in ninth after three-eighth of a mile, steadied in tight entering turn, came three deep to eighth in stretch, angled out, closed gamely to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs Jan. 10.

Unbidable: Raced outside between rivals early in eighth, moved closer to rail in fifth six lengths behind after a half-mile, forced out some into turn, came three deep into stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at six furlongs on Jan. 4; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

TURFWAY PARK

En El Fuego: Raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to 10th on fare turn, caught in traffic advancing to fifth in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 7 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at a mile on Feb. 8.

Clearly Best: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth three wide on far turn to third in stretch, made up 4 ½ lengths and closed willingly to finish second beaten two lengths at a mile on Jan. 10.

Budge Man: Broke last, raced eighth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals late on far turn to reach sixth, angled out for drive, closed fast from fourth to make up seven lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Jan. 5. (Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last after a half-mile, advanced five wide from sixth on far turn and closed well to win by two lengths at 11 1/16 miles on Jan. 26.)

TURF PARADISE

Miss Dow Jones: Broke seventh and last, raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 8.

Moody Rythum: Broke next to last, raced 10th more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into the lane, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished well to gain second by four lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 27. (Jostled repeatedly at start, raced seventh more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by 1 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 12.)

Skycloud: Broke outward, bumped at start, gained late in stretch and finished dead-heated for second beaten 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 15. (Raced sixth more than seven lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, moved out for clear sailing in upper stretch and rallied from third to win by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 25.)

Mo Jo Annie: Broke outward, bumped, raced fifth more than 9 ½ lengths back after a half-mile, advanced to fourth in stretch and finished gamely to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 7. (Bumped at break, trailed early, raced sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and finished third at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23; was advanced to second after rival was disqualified and placed fifth for interference in drive.)

Crazy Girl: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, moved out on turn, but lacked needed response and finished in same spot at six furlongs on Dec. 23. (Led by a head after a half-mile, battled winner into stretch and gave ground grudgingly late and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Feb. 4.)

By BookMaker Racebook

If It’s Gulfstream Park – It’s the Speed, Buster

Gulfstream Park has always had the reputation of being a speed track. Before the 1999 Breeders’ Cup, which I covered for a chain of Central Florida newspapers, there were complaints the track was too speed favoring.

During the second of three BC spectaculars at the South Florida track in ’92, four of five winners on the main track were within two lengths of the lead after a half-mile. Only the Classic was captured from off the pace.

In ’99, three horses had the lead at the half-mile pole and went on to victory. In the Sprint, Artax defeated Kona Gold by a half-length to equal the track record of 1:07 4/5 set in ’73 by Mr. Prospector. Only the Juvenile champ rallied from off the pace.

In ’04 at Gulfstream, 36 percent of winners in 209 races at six furlongs led at every call. After Gulfstream was renovated in time for the ’05 season, the figure increased to 38 percent.

Through Jan. 31 this year, 35 percent of 49 races were wire jobs equaling the same percentage in 164 contests last year.

In 173 one-turn mile races on the dirt in ’05, front-runners were victorious 27 percent. Last year, 30 percent of 176 contests went to pacesetters. So far, wire-to-wire winners also have captured 30 percent of 60 contests in January.

Longer dirt races over the years have usually gone to runners coming off the pace. In ’05, front-runners at 1 1/8 miles won 29 percent of 65 races.

However, only 14 percent of 42 winners wired fields last year. Pacesetters in January were victorious 20 percent in 10 contests.

The turf has played about the same for years. Sprinters do fairly well on the lead — 28 percent triumphed in 39 races in ’07. Not so for routers – only 14 percent of 222 winners led all the way last year compared to 13 percent of 222 winners in ’05.

Through Jan. 31, only 13 sprints were held, but about 50 percent of the winners led from the start. In 55 routes, less than 12 percent were wire jobs.

According to the Brisnet.com daily diary, Gulfstream’s main track played fair twice as many afternoons than the turf. During the first 23 days of racing from opening day Jan. 3 through Jan. 23, the dirt surface was fair 10 days when noted.

It rained a half-dozen times resulting in a sloppy main track, forcing one or all races off the turf nine times.

When it has been wet and drying out, the dirt track has played somewhat slower in terms of pace fractions and final times.

On opening day, according to Brisnet.com, “the track and turf both played rather fair. The better horses ran a little faster than the slower ones, which is the mark of a fair track. Horses were able to win from up front or the back if good enough.”

The main track was fair for the first three days. The longest stretch was five days, Brisnet.com noted, from Jan. 14 through Jan. 19. Another three-day period was Jan. 25-27.

By BookMaker Racebook