07/30/23 Race 8
#10 Lord of War 7/2
3rd beaten 0.75 Lengths
Great effort from this gelding considering the trip. He was three wide on both turns, made the first move into the hot pace nearing the far turn and was the leader turning for home. He just got a little tired late and probably moved a tad too early in hindsight but did well to be defeated by less than a length. The pace completely fell apart as the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th place finishers all came from the back of the pack so he deserves bonus points for making the premature move into the fast pace and for the ground loss. Look for him next time at a similar level, maybe a cutback to a one-turn mile?
07/30/23 Race 5
#1 Paintthetownsilver 15-1
1st by a neck
First time starter was dead on the board drifting up to 15-1 off a 6-1 Morning Line. But he ran like a gelding with stakes potential and is one to watch moving forward. He broke slowly from the rail and tried to rush up into contention, but couldn’t find a seam and was forced to tap on the brakes and settle mid-pack. Shortly after it appeared the saddle may have slipped or the rider’s foot came out of the irons because you see him grab at something on his left side. Not sure if that’s what caused it but he lost a couple lengths of position at this point in the race and was reminded to get going. He raced greenly off the turn swinging very wide, but as soon as he switched leads he took off and closed several lengths in the final furlong to get up at the wire. Very encouraging debut for a horse that’s definitely still figuring it out, and he’s more tactical than it will show in the running line. The second and third place finishers also look like they can run a bit and are worth following against maidens.
07/23/23 Race 8
#2 Churchtown 2-1
4th beaten 1.25 Lengths
Favored in stakes race a couple of weekends ago and was very unlucky to finish fourth. He sat off the pace and tried to make a move once they hit the stretch. He was shut off at 3/16 pole, but persevered and re-rallied before getting bumped on both sides and getting in tight again with just a furlong left to run. He showed a ton of heart to recover AGAIN and battled to the finish line where the eventual winner drifted into his path and he was forced to take up yet again in the final 100 yards. Just a brutal stretch-run for Churchtown, he was probably best and I love the tenacity he showed in this start. He’ll probably be overbet next time, but he’s definitely one to keep an eye on moving forward if you can get a favorable price.
07/23/23 Race 6
#5 Western Whirl 5-1
3rd beaten 4 Lengths
Twirling Candy colt took some money and showed sharp early speed out of the gate and sat second throughout. He moved up in the far turn to challenge for the lead but was in between horses and looked dead in the water as they turned for home. He dropped back to 5th or 6th with 3/16 to go but battled gamely to the wire to re-really for third. He actually defeated the two horses that were up front with him early and surrounded him on the turn, and both were logical contenders (4/5 and 7-1). In the end he ran pretty evenly, but that was an encouraging debut at a tricky distance and I think he’ll enjoy stretching out in the future.
