SAM HOUSTON
APPEALING SECRET: Lived up to odds-on role with one-length win in stakes bid; professional 2YO colt a very nice
prospect for trainer Asmussen.
FRONTIER IMAGE: Showed mild stretch interest when fifth in latest MCL dash; worth following off claim by
trainer Pish.
HIGH DOLLAR GAL: Rallied for third when in mix in race taken by blowout winner; stamp diploma past due at
this point.
MASON COUNTY: Speed always puts him in game; liked effort given in pace-pressing third-place finish on Nov. 8.
MIGHTY NATIVE: Chased and dropped back, but did mount middle move to contend before fading; speed a valuable
commodity in MCL ranks.
ORO MOUNTAIN: Pressed pace, took over, and drew out to easy score over 11 foes in MCL route; right back versus
winners in reasonable spot.
PETE’S PANACEA: Rallied when well clear for second at 25-1 price as rank outsider in turf route; keeping on our
tickets.
SHUTTLE SAM: Led throughout latest, should stay sharp; loved sire Shuttleman, and really gaining a great liking for
this guy’s spunk, also.
TRICKY CALLER: Bred to blaze, this mare carried her speed a route of ground for popular win in latest; sharp, she
takes another.
4STARSPECIAL: MISS TESTER: Chased, moved to lead, and finished fourth in claiming route; love her style, so
tab her a keeper versus $7,5K-tag stock.
LONGSHOT: MY MISTY PRINCESS: Pinched at the start and gained late for fourth behind relatively easy pace in last; can’t
leave her off tickets in claiming routes on turf.
HOLLYWOOD PARK
CIGAR PAL: Got bumped at the start and broke last in a nine-horse field from the tough rail post, but still managed
to finish third beaten only a half-length by the odds-on favorite. Ready to graduate.
CRAFTY MADNESS: Lost ground while four wide on the first turn and lost as the favorite on 11/5. Worth another
shot.
DAWSON TRAIL: Prepped in a down-the-hill turf sprint in return from a five-month layoff. Will be ready for the Hollywood
lawn.
GUARDIAN: Got KO’d in a duel for the lead in well-bet return from a brief layoff on 11/5. One more chance.
HELMS DEEP: Temporarily got caught in traffic that may have cost him a better placing in first race back from a three-month
layoff. Try again.
JEFE DE JEFES: Didn’t get rolling until the stretch, but still missed third by just a half length in return from a four-month
layoff. Prepped and ready now.
LENNY FROM DAL RAE: Got hooked and cooked in a speed duel after a :22.4 first quarter-mile in a two-turn maiden
race. Rates another try.
LIKE MAGIC: Popped and stopped after leading the way in return from a 10-month layoff. Can win off the claim by
Nick Canani for Gill.
LITTLE MISS GENERAL: Was the only horse in the race to make up ground and rally from off the pace in her return from
a six-month layoff. Don’t overlook.
MACANEO: Had a bit of a tough trip in return from more than a year layoff. Too early to give up on him.
OUTTABEEROUTTAHERE: Got caught in a duel for the lead and settled for fourth after contesting fast fractions. Still lost
by only four lengths at 17-1 odds.
SEA JEWEL: Needed a race in return from a 10-month layoff in a tough optional claiming race. Don’t ignore in
subsequent races.
TACK ATTACK: Flopped as the favorite after acting up and rearing in the starting gate. Too early to give up.
TRICKINTHEPARK: Lost ground five wide on the first turn and then couldn’t catch the front-runners in a race where the speed
didn’t stop. Can make amends.
4STARSPECIAL: NISTER BERE: Euro invader finished third in the Pinjara Stakes despite a nightmarish trip where he
was steadied and blocked in tight traffic. Better luck next time.
LONGSHOT: MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: First starter slipped under the radar but then outran 14-1 odds for fourth in a decent
effort despite a slow and awkward start. Just needs a clean break.
