Trip Notes for April 1-2: Florida Derby, Louisiana Derby, and more

April 1

Gulfstream
Appleton (race 4)

COMMENT: All Included seemed on the verge of a graded stakes win in 2015 and into 2016 with a number of good efforts. After a dull eighth in this last year, however, he was gone nine months but came back sharp, including finishing third (awarded second via disqualification) in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Today’s class drop and getting away from the Chad Brown armada did the trick as the 6-year-old son of Include got his graded stakes win. He sat last early as Siding Spring set a solid pace under pressure from Diamond Bachelor, and remained last turning for home as Delta Prince took command and opened up a healthy lead. All Included came out for room and powered home to edge Delta Prince. The Grade 3 Miami Mile here April 29 might reportedly be next. Delta Prince, a half-brother to champion Royal Delta and unbeaten in his first two turf starts, stalked the pace, took command into the lane, and looked like the winner inside the eighth pole. Our Way, winner of the Sunshine Millions Turf here Jan. 21, sat just behind Delta Prince, didn’t accelerate as quickly as that foe, angled in toward the rail into the lane, was in the thick of it in midstretch, but couldn’t match the top two in the final furlong.

Gulfstream
Orchid (race 5)

COMMENT: Summersault made it three straight wins and earned her first stakes win. She bided her time early as Maquette bounced out to a clear lead. Summersault saved ground, came a couple lanes off the rail moving into the stretch, lugged in some in midstretch, but got straightened out and caught leader Olorda. Since she handled this longer trip so well a race such as the Grade 3 Bewitch at Keeneland at 1 1/2 miles April 28 could be in store. Or, since she’s done much of her work in New York they could await the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont May 6. Olorda, a two-time Grade 3 winner last year but coming off a sixth in the Grade 3 The Very One here March 4, sat second behind clear pacesetter Maquette while saving ground, had no trouble going around that tiring rival into the lane, moved back to the rail, and battled back when confronted by Summersault. She won the Bewitch last year so that figures on her radar again this year. Quiet Kitten, second to top-class Suffused in the Grade 3 The Very One here March 4 and eighth in this race last year, sat third, a couple lengths behind Olorda, moved closer to that foe on the turn, and came out into the lane. She didn’t get going right away and was actually last of the small group at the eighth pole, but finally got going to get up for third while no danger to the top two. Maquette, a French raider from the Juddmonte-Bill Mott team, was eager from the start, shot out to a clear lead while setting a fast pace, still had a clear lead turning for home, but then faltered to end up last. This was her first start in almost five months as well as her first in the U.S. so maybe she’ll move forward off this outing.

Gulfstream
Honey Fox (race 10)

COMMENT: Celestine continued her love affair with this course (now 5 for 7) as she backed up her romping comeback win here March 4 with another strong effort. She went right out to the lead, was able to set dawdling splits while taking some pressure from Josdesanimaux, and put the race away when she burst clear into the lane, although runner-up Mississippi Delta cut into her margin in the final half-furlong. New trainer Christophe Clement had said he’d prefer to keep her at a mile so something like the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile May 6 on the Kentucky Derby undercard could be next, though he said his main target with her is to defend her title in the Grade 1 Just a Game II on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10. Mississippi Delta, who beat a few of today’s foes in an optional claimer here Feb. 24 and who was second to Celestine in this race last year, stalked the winner from the start, had to wait for room while inside turning for home, found a lane and finished well. Linda, making her first start since an easy win over fellow 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill Nov. 25, stalked in fourth, came with a run into the lane and could not fend off Mississippi Delta for the place.

Gulfstream
Gulfstream Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: Salty was facing winners for the first time (stakes runners no less) and routing for the first time but that made no difference to the daughter of Quality Road as she punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill May 5 with a smart win here. Coming off a maiden sprint win, she was still hammered down the even-money favoritism. She was away quite slowly as Nonna Bella went out to set a solid pace, steadily advanced while wide, came with a strong wide run into the lane, grabbed the lead, and drew off to win easily. Off this she has to be considered the second or at worst third choice behind Farrell in the Kentucky Oaks. She does have to be supplemented but her connections have said they’ll do just that. Tequilita, winner of her previous three including the Grade 2 Forward Gal, moved back to a route here, stalked the pace, made her run into the lane, and kept on nicely to get second. She’s run second in her only two routes, but she may be better suited around one turn. Jordan’s Henny, second in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at a mile here March 4, lagged back early, got the lead on the far turn, but was no match for the winner and couldn’t outfinish Tequilita. The Kentucky Oaks could be in her plans. Nonna Bella won her first two starts, both sprints, including beating Salty when both debuted here Feb. 4. She set a solid pace, battled back when Jordan’s Henny passed her on the turn, and kept to her task. She’s bred to go long but the Kentucky Oaks may be a tad too much too soon.

Gulfstream

Pan American (race 13)
COMMENT: Sadler’s Joy just failed to catch Taghleeb when second to that guy in the Grade 3 W. L. McKnight here Jan. 28, but he got his revenge today as he notched his first graded stakes win. He remained well back as Reporting Star set a modest pace, moved closer on the turn, angled wide into the lane, and finished strongly to edge Designed for War. Trainer Tom Albertrani said he’d go back to New York and target the Grade 1 Man o’ War at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont May 13. Designed for War, claimed for $75,000 off a fourth in an optional claimer here March 10, stalked the pace of Reporting Star, went past that foe into the lane, had a clear lead at the eighth pole but couldn’t fend off the winner. Patterson Cross, second in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida here March 4 after finishing third just behind Taghleeb and Sadler’s Joy in the McKnight, sat midpack while wide, swung farther out into the lane, and finished well for third. Taghleeb, coming off two straight wins including the McKnight, was just behind Patterson Cross while saving ground, tried to rally inside but didn’t show the same burst as in his prior start. Mr Maybe, 10th and fifth with troubled trips in his last pair, was always last in a disappointing run.

Gulfstream

Florida Derby (race 14)
COMMENT: Always Dreaming had flashed ability, and the $350,000 son of Bodemeister put it all together to win for the third straight time and jumble the Kentucky Derby picture. He stalked outside pacesetter Three Rules, crept closer to that foe going to the far turn, took over into the lane, and won in a romp. It’s on to Louisville for Always Dreaming, where he’ll be one of the favorites, and where trainer Todd Pletcher looks loaded as he also might also have Tapwrit, One Liner, Malagacy, Patch and Battalion Runner. State of Honor, third in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Feb. 11 and second in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby March 11, raced with the winner while saving ground, didn’t move as quickly but got going in the lane while staying inside a tiring Three Rules and plugged along well to be a clear second. He’s reportedly headed to Louisville. Gunnevera, favored off his win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, broke slowly to get away last and immediately moved to the rail, started a wide run on the far turn and carried it through the lane, but could only got up for third in the final strides. He’s still due ample respect at Churchill come the first Saturday in May. The outside post did him no favors but he again showed he may be pace dependent and the pace did not collapse here. He reminds me of Exaggerator. Three Rules, who set the pace before finishing third in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, set a brisk pace, tried to battle back when challenged into the lane, but was no match for the winner and then tired in the final sixteenth. He may best-suited as a Grade 2 Woody Stephen/Grade 1 King’s Bishop-type.

Fair Grounds

New Orleans Handicap (race 8)
COMMENT: Honorable Duty added this race to victories earlier in the meet in the Tenacious and Grade 3 Mineshaft. He sat midpack, saving ground as Breaking Lucky set a fast pace under pressure from Iron Fist. Honorable Duty stayed inside to the far turn, came out into the lane, and edged Breaking Lucky on the line. This could earn him a shot at deeper water and maybe a race like the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 6. Breaking Lucky, off since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup behind Arrogate Jan. 28, ran splendidly in defeat. He went right to the lead, took early pressure from Iron Fist, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up to look like a clear winner by midstretch, and finished five lengths clear of third. The Alysheba could be on his radar as well. After all, he showed quality when second to Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Clark there Nov. 25 before his Pegasus try. Iron Fist, easy winner of the Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston Feb. 25, dogged Breaking Lucky but couldn’t keep pace in the lane while ending up well clear of the rest. Noble Bird, who set the early pace in the Pegasus World Cup before fading to sixth, stalked the pace as the 9-5 favorite but never mustered a run, and in fact lost ground in the final furlong. He’s at his best when he can make the early lead and he couldn’t do so here. International Star, coming off a rallying second to Honorable Duty in the Grade 3 Mineshaft Feb. 25, his first start in over eight months, was away slowly to be last early, saved ground to the far turn, swung out into the lane, but never made a run.

Fair Grounds
Mervin Muniz Jr. (race 9)

COMMENT: Enterprising beat many of today’s foes in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap here Feb. 25 and he backed it up by winning again. From his rail slot he bided his time and saved ground, steadily advanced to the far turn, came off the rail to find room, moved back to the fence for the stretch run, grabbed the lead, and got to the line before the hard-charging Kasaqui. This may have earned him a shot at the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 6. Kasaqui, second in his first start of the year, the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Feb. 11, ran well again. He lagged well back to the far turn, swung very wide into the lane, and finished smartly to nip Oscar Nominated for the place. Last year he was in the hunt in the Woodford Reserve before he slipped and fell. The Woodford Reserve is again in his plans. Oscar Nominated, second in his last three including to Enterprising in the Fair Grounds Handicap, stalked the pace, surged to the lead between horses by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off the top two. Granny’s Kitten, winner of the Grade 3 Col. E.R. Bradley here Jan. 21 but then fifth the Fair Grounds Handicap, sat midpack, was still there while wide on the far turn, and then fell away. Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: Farrell won her fourth straight, stamping herself the filly to beat in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill May 5. The daughter of Malibu Moon won 2 of 4 at Churchill in the fall, including the Grade 2 Golden Rod. While her previous wins came on the lead, this time she had to settle as Daria’s Angel went out to set the pace. Farrell bided her time off Daria’s Gal and Vexatious, was given the go-ahead on the far turn, moved up easily to challenge those two, took over without much urging, and drew off to win as much the best. She was a bit green in the lane, doing a little stutter step around tracks left by the starting gate. Wicked Luck, second to Farrell in the Silverbulletday here Jan. 21 and fourth to that gal in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra here Feb. 25, wasn’t far behind Farrell from the start while saving ground, remained inside while just behind Farrell, and ran on well while staying inside to nip Vexatious for second. The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico May 19 may be next. Vexatious, a Southern California invader who last ran third to males in an optional claimer at Santa Anita March 9, dogged pacesetter Daria’s Angel, moved up to challenge that rival on the turn, tried to battle back when hooked by the winner, then couldn’t outfinish Wicked Lick for second. Daria’s Angel, the source of much buzz after an eight-length maiden romp here Feb. 18, set a decent pace, took pressure from Vexatious, was still there on the far turn, but then couldn’t keep pace in the lane. This may have been biting off too much too soon.

Fair Grounds
Louisiana Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Girvin validated his Grade 2 Risen Star win here and placed his name as one of the favorites for next month’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. The son of Tale of Ekati stalked as longshot Hotfoot shot out to a clear lead, was content to stay fourth while wide, and was still there as Local Hero opened up a clear lead turning for home. Girvin went after that foe in the lane, edged clear, and kept Patch at bay. It’s on to Louisville, but he’ll still need to do quite a bit better as on paper this appeared one of the weaker renewals of this race. After all, the runner-up, Patch, was coming off just a maiden win. Patch, who beat maidens routing in just his second start, was right alongside the winner throughout, didn’t accelerate quite as strongly into the lane, but was able to outrun Local Hero for the place. Local Hero opened up a big lead before finishing third to Girvin in the Risen Star, but was much more patient this time. The $500,000 son of Hard Spun stalked in third as Hotfoot set the pace, surged past that rival turning for home, but couldn’t finish with the top two. This was a much better run but he still showed distance limitations. Guest Suite, winner of the Grade 3 Lecomte here Jan. 21 and fourth in the Risen Star, bumped with Sorry Erik soon after the start, lagged well back, was asked for run going to the far turn, but never produced it. Monaco, a $1.3 million son of Uncle Mo who came into this off a romping 12-length maiden win at Tampa Bay Feb. 12, sat second early behind Hotfoot, was still in the mix turning for home, but then gave way badly.

April 2

Aqueduct
Top Flight (race 8)

COMMENT: Mo’ Green was no match for top distaffer Curlin’s Approval when a well-beaten second in the Grade 2 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park last time out Feb. 18. Mo’ Green shipped north to get away from that gal and it paid off as she proved an easy winner. She broke well to sit third early while wide and in the clear as 4-5 favorite Isabelle set a modest pace, remained there to the far turn, went after leader Verve’s Tale as Isabella fell away, and drew clear to win easily. Verve’s Tale was fourth in the Royal Delta, about six lengths behind Mo’ Green. Today, she dogged Isabelle from the start, took over from her turning for home, tried to stay with the winner in the lane, and stayed on well to be a clear second. Oasis At Midnight, the longest-priced horse in the race (38-1), was still last turning for home and plugged along well to get third. Isabelle, the heavy favorite off a 12-length win in the Heavenly Prize on the inner track here March 4, went right out to the lead as expected, took pressure from Verve’s Tale while bumping with that foe, tried to battle back on the far turn but gave way readily once headed. This may be a sign graded stakes waters are just too deep for her.

Santa Anita
Tokyo City Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Hard Aces was good enough to be multiple Grade 1-placed early last year. He got a little class relief here and got back on track. The 7-year-old son of Hard Spun sat well back with defending champ Big John B as Hi Happy and Beach View dueled on the lead through a slow pace. Hard Aces started to advance going down the backstretch, moved up wide to contend turning for home with Big John B and Hi Happy to his inside, and just prevailed in a three-horse photo. There are no more opportunities this meet to go this far on the main track, but trainer John Sadler said Hard Aces would be considered for the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont on June 10. Big John B was the 3-2 favorite after running fifth here March 9, his first start since winning this race last year. Today, he was last early, a couple lengths behind Hard Aces, moved with that guy while just in behind going to the far turn, and was stuck inside behind the dueling leaders and inside Hard Aces. He managed to find a lane, came through to challenge, battled between horses, and just missed. Hi Happy, fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap March 11 and a multiple Grade 1 winner in his native Argentina in 2015, bumped hard with Infobedad at the start, dueled on the lead with Beach View to his inside, was joined by Hard Aces and Big John B turning for home, and missed by a neck and a nose. Beach View was still in the thick of it coming into the lane but then weakened.