great idea- one of my favorite trouble lines a horse gets into is what i like to call "the shuffler." that's my shorthand for describing what happens when a horse is asked to run leaving the backstretch and basically runs up on heels in a tight spot and shuffles himself back to lose position. this happens most often in turf races where jockeys like to gamble that the leaders will tire and send their horse right up into "the shuffler" position. they go from third to seventh in three strides. here's a few horses to watch from this weekend's races:
1. Zoning ran in the 5th at belmont on july 6th. normally reliable john velazquez had this one in the shuffler around the entire turf course and totally boxed behind a wall of horses in the stretch. never got a chance to run at all and should romp against middle level turf claimers.
2. In Secure ran in the G1 Prioress at belmont on july 4th. chop chop put this one in the shuffler and she hit the rail and almost clipped heels turning for home while displaying a fine turn of foot. truly believe she would have won the race but for the awful ride by chavez.
3. Relicon ran in the 9th on july 4 at arlington. first timer by prized showed no early speed but galloped out like a wild horse while a distant 6th vs. runaway winner drumlin in a maiden sp wt. think this one has some talent and will love going a flat mile or a two-turn 1 1/8 M. tab next time.
4. Requette ran in the G1 United Nations july 5th at monmouth. never had a chance to run the entire race and was caught in the shuffler nearly the entire length of the stretch. no great price on this frankel trainee, but he's the best turfer in the frankel barn right now, and that's saying something.
1. Zoning ran in the 5th at belmont on july 6th. normally reliable john velazquez had this one in the shuffler around the entire turf course and totally boxed behind a wall of horses in the stretch. never got a chance to run at all and should romp against middle level turf claimers.
2. In Secure ran in the G1 Prioress at belmont on july 4th. chop chop put this one in the shuffler and she hit the rail and almost clipped heels turning for home while displaying a fine turn of foot. truly believe she would have won the race but for the awful ride by chavez.
3. Relicon ran in the 9th on july 4 at arlington. first timer by prized showed no early speed but galloped out like a wild horse while a distant 6th vs. runaway winner drumlin in a maiden sp wt. think this one has some talent and will love going a flat mile or a two-turn 1 1/8 M. tab next time.
4. Requette ran in the G1 United Nations july 5th at monmouth. never had a chance to run the entire race and was caught in the shuffler nearly the entire length of the stretch. no great price on this frankel trainee, but he's the best turfer in the frankel barn right now, and that's saying something.
adding one to this list.
American Liberty- ran in the fourth at del mar on saturday aug. 8th. pval, who usually keeps his horses out of trouble, put this one in the shuffler in the mile turf event for maidens. the horse was a little tentative and was sort of running in spots on the backstretch. when given his head, he hesitated, got squeezed into the shuffler and dropped back to last. seems like a colt who would benefit from a rally-wide trip running a mile and an eigth and beyond.
American Liberty- ran in the fourth at del mar on saturday aug. 8th. pval, who usually keeps his horses out of trouble, put this one in the shuffler in the mile turf event for maidens. the horse was a little tentative and was sort of running in spots on the backstretch. when given his head, he hesitated, got squeezed into the shuffler and dropped back to last. seems like a colt who would benefit from a rally-wide trip running a mile and an eigth and beyond.
