PHOTO CREDIT: NYRA/Vanessa Ng
Not only is Benny back, this time he’s here for a while–he’s agreed to write up notes for every 2yo MSW at the SAR meet. Granted, at the start of things, that’s not going to be very many notes, but as we progress, it’s really going to be something. And by the time we get to the meet’s signature Grade 1s for 2 yos at the meet’s end, this project ought to pay dividends.
At some point this meet, I promise I’ll tell you the fully story of how Benny and I met and how he end up in stir downtown. But there is A LOT of work I have to do between now and the first race so that will be a tale for another day. Meanwhile, a few notes. Benny, do that voodoo that you do so well (and I ain’t talking about Voodoo Song).
THURSDAY
R5
Love Me Tomorrow
5-30-19
Race Note: Considering this one was 9-5 ML and there were 2 scratches in the race this one wasn’t bet all that hard for a Wesley Ward FTS. Winner was 9-2 ML and paid $6.20.
Trip Note: Was clear just over a length 10 jumps from the gate. Two outside foes caught up quickly and race became a 3-prong duel while 3 lengths clear of fourth runner. At rail. Some mild nudging through the turn but in between runner clearly going better. Was fighting to hold the lead at the top of the stretch but couldn’t match strides with the top 2 which were both apart of the early pace. Switched leads well. Will need to improve but most of Ward’s runners are ready to go at first ask, so I’d tread lightly here.
Rewarded
6-23-19: Was 20-1 ML and off at 12-1.
Trip note: Away fine. Clean. Showing decent speed from the gate. Slightest of pauses entering turn. No big deal. Held rail with a ‘lapped on’ foe to her outside and a neck in front of this one. When the outside runner got about 1 length ahead of this one her stride changed. She hates it down there. Running OK nearing top of stretch and rider looked to switch her out but she’d have had to eat some throwback. Rider changed his mind and stayed at rail, sticking her right handed and demanding a rail rally which never materialized. This one hates rail and gets an outside draw today. Might be a huge number and think she can outrun her odds and maybe get to an underneath spot in some verticals.
5-30-19
Race Note: Was dead on the board from 20-1 ML.
Trip Note: Away fine. Clean. Was showing improved speed and then two outside foes who were a bit quicker began their decent on the leader. This caused a pretty decent pause which resulted in a few lengths lost to momentum alone. Outside foe blew past this one right after the steady. Nudging through the turn while at the fence and was making up some ground nearing the top of the stretch. Looked to slingshot off the turn but ran into the throwback of the place horse and hated it. Flat from there in. Should move up for sure. Subtle trouble.
FRIDAY
R5
Good Shabbos
6-1-19
Race Note: Was bet hard from 7-2 ML and right into a 6-5* Pletcher trainee.
Trip Note: Broke a touch outward and slightest of bumps. No big deal. Was in a good spot entering the far turn, stalking the top two while a clear third. Foe that was in 4th made a 4W move for the lead at the midway point of the turn and forced this one’s hand. Asked and held spot well. 4 across for lead late in turn. This one and the early mover went past the Pletcher and fought hard down the lane. Was bested late but galloped out well enough. Was a good trip and a good run.
Mylastfirstkiss
Race Note: Was 4-1 ML. Mott FTS gets hammered from 8-1 ML to 5-2* and wins by a pole with little ask. Might be a nice one.
Trip Note: Only 3 horses in this race broke well when the doors opened. Weird. This one broke worst & was left by 2-3 lengths. Strait to the rail. Recovered OK and was keeping pace with the field but was well back. Seemed to handle the throwback well enough but I was expecting to see a rider that had given up and that wasn’t the case here. Was ridden pretty hard in the lane. Eh.
