PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK
APRIL 8, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The main track played quite favorably to speed on Monday and Tuesday.
However, when racing resumed on Friday, most winners came from off the pace.
There was no perceivable bias on Saturday. The lone path bias occurred on
Friday, when runners racing toward the outside part of the course fared well.
Not much changed in the jockey standing’s last week. Through Sunday’s races,
Josiah Hampshire Jr. stills owns a seven-win edge over Harry Vega. Jose Flores
follows in third with Victor Molina in fourth.
Jayne Vaders and Scott Lake are dead-locked in the battle for leading
trainer. Robert Seeger is a distant third with Guadalupe Preciado still holding
on to fourth.
HORSES TO WATCH
Saturday (4/2)
1ST – RUNAWAY TWINS (Runaway Groom) had little chance of overhauling a loose
front runner who “freaked” over a speed favoring wet track. Finished well for
second returning from a brief freshening.
5TH – JUSTYBOY (Pulpit) was allowed to lag too far off the pace while
stepping up and stretching out off the claim. Finished with interest for third.
May be better at shorter distances, as he has the look of a late-running
sprinter.
Sunday (4/3)
2ND – ELOQUENT GINETTE (Service Stripe) showed dramatic improvement dropping
down into a conditioned claimer. Exhibited surprise early speed to stalk a
strong pace before tiring around the far turn. Will be dangerous in subsequent
start, especially if she is kept at the $5K, NW4L level.
4TH – MAN OF QUEST (Conquistador Cielo) finished a good third shipping up
from Fair Grounds. Prefers to sit closer to lead. Rallied nicely in the
stretch along the deeper inside in a swiftly run race. Would benefit from a
slight class drop and hustling tactics.
Monday (4/4)
7TH – GREENJAY (Real Quiet) turned in a much improved outing in his second
start over the Philly Park main track. Held well until the far turn chasing a
superior speed before tiring in the stretch in a swiftly run race. May be better
suited to a sprint.
9TH – BARYSHNIKOV’S SONG (Sultry Song) finished a creditable third reverting
to rating tactics. Attempted to rally off a very strong pace but could not
sustain his rally late. Clearly at his best racing on or near the lead.
Tuesday (4/5)
2ND – ICEBERG WAYNE (Fort Wayne) showed subtle improvement cutting back to
six furlongs and returning to a dry track. Dispensed an even effort despite
racing toward the deeper inside. Appears set for a top effort if kept at this
level and distance.
6TH – FRISKY MARK (Miner’s Mark) was a good third stretching out to a flat
mile. Held well setting a fast and pressured pace racing along a dead rail while
reuniting with Vega.