Meadowlands: Qualifying Insider and Horses to Watch - 1/31/13

There was a strong wind coming from the paddock turn that was blowing hard into the horses faces from the half mile pole until the top of the stretch during morning qualifying action. Judges were allowing a two second time allowance despite 48-degree temperatures.

COCO LINDY was kept in check for most of the mile along the pylons before edging out into the stretch. Once let loose by driver Tim Tetrick, he charged through the lane full of trot to just miss.

DRIVE ALL NIGHT waited in the pocket and finished fast through the lane to win under only light taps of the whip. He looks ready for action if well-spotted.

COLD BATH pulled from last at three quarters and finished up willingly into a pretty good final quarter. It wasn’t a standout effort but it was worth mentioning.

HUMILITY pulled at the three-eighths and uncorked a serious wide bid to make the front. Once in control he cruised along under only a few light taps of the stick.

STEUBEN PATRIOT made his way to the top past the quarter. He then yielded back into the pocket and wound up third before coming back to the rim on the final turn and finishing up with steady pace.

ALWAYS THERE moved off the cones from last and wound up third over in a bad outer flow. He angled in the stretch and came home willingly into a pretty quick final quarter.

TRANSCENDING left for a seat, came to the rim behind cover on the final turn and tracked that one most of the stretch. Nearing the wire he was asked for a bit of speed and quickly opened up a length to win.

Horses to Watch

Thursday, January 24

RINGSIDE LAURYN (C-1) – Had a bit of traffic in a bulky field and no chance at a top spot. She could be an interesting player from a better post.

CAROLSTERN (C-2) – Had no shot last time but finished well with another sharp mile. He stays at the same level.

Friday, January 25

AUTUMN MAGIC (B-1) – Was stuck on hold in traffic and gained mildly when clear late.

BABY BLAZE (C-1) – Was one of a few wire-to-wire winners on the card in the snow. Gelding stays at the C-1 level.

CIVIC DUTY (B-1) – Was never clear in the stretch. Who knows how much he had in the tank but it is safe to say he would have finished higher with clearance.

CRUISE QUEEN (B-2) – Mare was trapped behind a wall for the entire stretch.

CHILDS PLAY (B-2) – Challenged hard while uncovered and didn’t lose by much.

Saturday, January 26

ABELARD HANOVER (A-1) – Deserves a lot of credit for closing fast on the outside on a night when speed and inside horses were excelling.

SECOND WIND N (PRESIDENTIAL) – Was locked in the three-hole and never had room to stretch his legs in the lane.

BIG TEN CHAMP (B-2) – Attacked while three wide, cleared the front and put in a game mile. He’ll stay at this level next week.

ALBION (15000CLM) – Was last behind a wall of horses at the head of the lane and closed in nicely late.