Many moons ago I used to work with a gent who loved to bet the ponies. I was just a kid who ran the parking lot and he was in-charge of valet. When he would go broke which was more often than not, he would sit and smoke cigarettes and keep notes on horses. – This wasn’t a real technical method as he would keep them on small scraps of paper tucked into his pocket. He would keep a watchful eye for these runners and when they came back he would have some knockout scores ! – He liked to call this time his “scouting mission” as he was a legendary high school coach and one heck of a good guy. – So here are some runners from my latest scouting mission. You may want to keep these in a safe place as they may come back and light up the tote board.

 

Arlington Park

 

6/18/16 – Race #3 – 1 1/16 on the all-weather

 

#2 – Leon Robert = Jose Valdivia had the call, and his mount was in tight from the start and forced wide. – He made a solid effort down the lane to finish third.

 

6/18/16 – Race #4 – 1 1/8 on the turf

#8 – Mr. Stein = Cisco Torres was the pilot and his runner stalked all the way and took over the lead. That last 1/8th of a mile may have been his undoing. – Maybe a little shorter distance may be key, and he should bring good tidings next out.

 

6/18/16 – Race #7 – 1 1/16 on the turf

#4 – Peej = Murrill Mitchell was the reinsman and he did everything right but win. He tracked, waited patiently, and moved with a quick burst of speed. – He just came up short as the beaten favorite and deserves a play back next out.

 

 

Monmouth Park

 

6/18/16 – Race #3 – 5 1/2f on the turf

#4 – Tin Whistle = Antonio Gallardo in the irons, and his mount was bumped hard at the start and pinched back. – Once he broke free he put a nice bid showing good interest.

 

6/18/16 – Race #8 – 5 1/2f on turf

#1A – Hunter Grey = Paco Lopez in the irons, and he raced off the pace and rallied four wide and finished up strong.

 

 

Santa Anita

 

6/18/16 – Race #8 – 1 1/16 on the dirt

#2 – Bellamentary = Martin Garcia in the saddle facing an ultra-tough gal in Songbird. – Songbird galloped around in a paid workout mode well in hand for the (G-2) Summertime Oaks. “Bella” set a very salty pace and tried to run the chalk off her feet. Well, it didn’t happen this day and she was a bridesmaid to the winner. But if you catch this same trip against any others it may be lights out in a hurry.

 

6/18/16 – Race #9 – One mile on the turf

 

#11 – Starlite Style = Tyler Baze was the reinsman and was forced to steady off heels in the second turn and forced wide. Into the stretch she was three wide and finished up with an honest effort.