Trip Notes for April 12-13: Jenny Wiley, Blue Grass, Oaklawn Handicap, Arkansas Derby and more...

Saturday, April 12

Keeneland - Commonwealth (race 7)

COMMENT: Occasional View, a $100,000 claim here last fall, made that purchase look good by storming home to notch his first graded stakes win. Freshened since finishing a dull ninth in a route stakes at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 11, the 6-year-old gelding sat well back early while Dimension set a smart pace. He advanced while staying wide and in the clear, stayed wide into the lane, and continued this long, sustained run that took him to the lead inside the eighth pole and carried him clear. He’s posted five of his six wins on synthetic, so he may well stay on this type of footing. Dimension, who set a brisk pace under pressure from Gunderson, dispatched with that rival into the lane but was immediately tackled by the winner, gamely fought on, and, while unable to keep pace with View, stayed on well to be a clear second. Laugh Track, the favorite, sat midpack, came with a decent run into the lane and to the line, but was never really a threat. Longhunter got squeezed back at the start to be well back, swung very wide into the lane, but couldn’t make an impact while passing a couple rivals.

Keeneland - Shakertown (race 8)

COMMENT: Marchman couldn’t handle Gantry and Positive Side when third to them in a grass stakes at Fair Grounds on March 15 but picked the right day for a forward move, as he posted the 23-1 upset for his first graded stakes win. Showing again that speed is his forte, he went right to the lead, took pressure from Go Blue Or Go Home, spurted clear of that rival and the field into the lane, which gave him enough of a buffer to just get to the line before hard-charging longshot Positive Side. That rival bided his time, came with a smart run through the lane, but just fell a stride or two short. Something Extra stalked the winner from the start but never mustered enough of a run to get on even terms. Havelock won this race last year and was 4 for 5 on this course coming into this race. He was the tepid 3.20-1 favorite in his first start since running 10th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but after being slow into stride, which is his custom, made minimal headway. Tough to blame the layoff, as he won this race last year off a similar layoff.

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Keeneland - Madison (race 9)

COMMENT: No doubt now who sits atop the heap in the distaff sprint division, as Judy the Beauty was impressive in notching her first Grade 1 win. She was already 3 for 3 here coming into this and was coming off a terrific win in the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita on dirt last month. She again showed her versatility. While she won the Las Flores pressing the pace, here she bided her time early in fifth while Eden Prairie and Wildcat Lily dueled through strong splits, moved closer going to the far turn, surged into contention with a strong wide run coming into the lane, took command, and drew off to win easily. Again, with Groupie Doll retired, this gal’s the measuring stick for sprinting distaffers. Better Lucky, a two-time Grade 1 winner on turf, settled last early, bided her time there, came with a strong wide run, and while no match for the big winner, was much the best of the rest. This was her first start since she was a game third in the Grade 1 Matriarch on turf at Hollywood Park on Dec. 1 and her first try on synthetic, so this opens up options. Apropos stalked the pace and ran on decently. Heir Kitty, second to Judy the Beauty in Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Las Flores, was away slowly, saved ground as she steadily advanced, passed a few rivals but was never able to get involved.

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Keeneland - Jenny Wiley (race 10)

COMMENT: Hard Not to Like may have turned the corner, as the mare was a romping winner at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28, her first start of the year, and backed it up despite the big step up in class to win a blanket five-horse finish. She was ninth in this race last year but appears to be a much better horse now. She sat midpack after getting jostled at the start, came with a smart run between horses in the lane, and stayed on gamely to win. Discreet Marq dogged pacesetter Cloud Scapes from the start, moved up to challenge with Centre Court into the lane, couldn’t quite fend off the winner, but won a four-horse photo for second. Abaco was last early, still last turning for home when she pitched out very wide, and finished strongly. Emotional Kitten sat back, came with a threatening run into the lane, and kept to her task well. Centre Court, the impressive winner of this last year and the game winner in her comeback this year in the Grade 2 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park last month, stalked the pace, grabbed the lead in midstretch as if she might go on to win, but flattened out some. Stephanie’s Kitten, favored off a strong 2013 campaign, prompted the pace, seemed in a bit tight throughout, and never really got involved. You can be somewhat forgiving about her result, as not only did she have some traffic issues, but this was her first start in more than eight months.

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Keeneland - Blue Grass (race 11)

COMMENT: Dance With Fate flattered the form of the West Coast horses with a dazzling win. He was very slow into stride to be well back early, remained there to the far turn when he unleashed a strong wide run in Medal Count’s wake, swooping the field, going past Medal Count, and drawing clear. Still, his trainer, Peter Eurton isn’t sure about the Kentucky Derby, as he’s unsure whether Dance With Fate is as good on dirt. He did run second in the Grade 1 FrontRunner on dirt at Santa Anita last fall. Medal Count, coming off a big win in the Grade 3 Transylvania on grass here just eight days ago and looking for points to get into the Derby, likely saw it as mission accomplished. He sat back just in front of the winner, got first run on that rival when making his move into the lane, couldn’t finish with Dance With Fate, but stayed on nicely to be a clear second. Trainer Dale Romans has insisted that this horse has loads of talent. He may be putting it all together at the right time and is an interesting Kentucky Derby longshot play. Pablo Del Monte, freshened since a third in the Grade 3 Hutcheson (a sprint) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 1, proved the speed of the speed, as he outran the others, was no match for the top two in the lane, but finished well clear of the rest. This probably takes the Derby off his radar. Bobby’s Kitten may a proven commodity on grass and was making his first start on synthetic, but further success will be elusive if he can’t learn to relax. Here, as the favorite, he was pulling and rank while pressing Pablo Del Monte but gave way readily in the lane, beating just two. This surely means he won’t be considered for the Derby, though he could show up that day in the Grade 2 American Turf for 3-year-olds on grass. Vinceremos, second in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby last time and making his first start on synthetic footing, sat midpack, remained there to the far turn, but then gave way badly.

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Oaklawn - Oaklawn Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: Will Take Charge, the overwhelming favorite, proved he’s certainly among the top two or three dirt handicap horses in the land, but it wasn’t a given, as he had to survive an inquiry. He lagged back early, came with a smart wide run on the turn, drifted inward, causing Golden Lad to check, straightened out, but came in yet again in the final furlong to bother Revolutionary, but kept on to prove best. He may have been best, but reviewing his antics in the stretch, he likely should have come down. The Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 14 is his next target. Revolutionary bounced back nicely after a very disappointing run in the Grade 1 Donn (seventh). He was freshened, came back here, bided his time toward the back racing inside of Will Take Charge, had to steady some turning for home when stablemate Golden Lad checked, was making his run when bumped by Will Take Charge in midstretch, and kept on well for second. His rider lodged a claim of foul, to no avail. Carve, the romping winner of an optional claimer here March 9, his first start of the year, handled the step up in class well as he stalked while saving ground, was right in the thick of it in midstretch, but couldn’t quite finish with the top two. He ran third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby last year, so he’s got some quality, and maybe he’s ready to put it all together. Golden Lad, a winner of four straight, including a romping win in the Grade 3 Razorback here March 15 coming into this, stalked the pace, was making a move between horses into the lane when he had to steady when in tight as Will Take Charge came in. The rider lodged a claim of foul, but it went for nothing.

Oaklawn - Arkansas Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Danza put the Derby picture on its ear, posting a 40-1 upset despite the fact he was routing for the first time. From his rail slot, he stalked the pace while saving ground, slipped through along the fence to challenge turning for home, grabbed command, and drew off. He didn’t just win but won easily. While many of trainer Todd Pletcher’s more fancied runners have gone by the wayside, this guy may give him a Derby runner, though this was just his first route and just his second start of the year. Ride On Curlin, a game third in the Grade 2 Rebel last month, got bumped at the start but settled nicely toward the back, got pushed out very wide on the far turn, but kept to his task well to be a clear second, though he was no threat to the winner. He has a foundation and the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby – though whether he has the necessary talent to beat the best remains a question. Bayern, the romping winner of his first two starts at Santa Anita, went right to the lead, set a modest pace while taking pressure from Thundergram, couldn’t keep pace with the top two in the lane, but was clear of the others. He ran decently, but this didn’t really inspire as far as going another full furlong against the best of his division three weeks hence. He likely won’t get in due to lack of points anyway. Tapiture, a sharp second in the Grade 2 Rebel, sat midpack, made a mild move into the lane, but was no factor. The result was a tad disappointing, but his entry for the Kentucky Derby was already assured, so he just needed a good, strong race to set him up for that. This should qualify. Conquest Titan, who ran on well to be second in the Grade 2 Holy bull but was then no threat when fourth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, lagged back, moved up decently along the rail on the turn, but then didn’t sustain his run. This likely takes him off the Derby trail. Commissioner was fractious while being saddled to the point that his bridle broke. Fortunately, he was caught immediately. He was then away slowly and unable to make a dent. Strong Mandate stalked the pace but gave way readily. It may be back to the drawing board.

Santa Anita - Las Cienegas (race 5)

COMMENT: Tribal Spy has apparently found a home on the hill. She was third in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint on this course Jan. 25 and the winner of the Irish O’Brien over statebreds on this course March 15. She stepped up into graded stakes ranks to face tougher and showed she was up to the task as she used her speed to chase pacesetting favorite Biorhythm, took over from that tiring rival into the lane, and gamely got to the line before a hard-charging Llandudno. Llandudno, whose two wins have come on this hillside course, lagged back and finished well. Sky High Gal, coming off a game win in a restricted stakes on this course Feb. 9, dueled early with Biorhythm, was then outrun by that foe going down the hill, but stayed within reach, finished decently, but couldn’t quite go with the top two. Biorhythm, favored off a romping win on this course March 13, her first start in seven months, dueled early with Sky High Gal but quickly took control, had a clear lead before the dirt crossing, but after setting hot splits weakened once back on the main turf course.

Santa Anita - Potrero Grande (race 8)

COMMENT: Big Macher’s strong second in the Grade 2 San Carlos last month (to top-class Sahara Sky) saw him narrowly beat Wild Dude (fourth). Well, he was able to outdo that rival again here but only just by a lip, and this time, with no Sahara Sky to worry about, notched his first graded stakes win. He stalked the pace in third, went after leader Cyclometer into the lane, pushed past that foe and just got to the line before a hard-trying Wild Dude. He could go out of town for his next start or await the Grade 3 Los Angeles here May 26. Wild Dude, the game winner of the Grade 2 Palos Verdes here Feb. 2 before that fine fourth just behind Big Macher in the Grade 2 San Carlos, did everything right again as he lagged back and finished strongly to just miss by a nose. Tough loss. These two appear to have a brewing rivalry, and with Sahara Sky back East, the result of that could determine the West’s top sprinter, at least until Secret Circle resurfaces. Cyclometer stalked the pace of Mongolian Saturday and Wine Police, moved past those tiring rivals into the lane, but couldn’t quite finish with the top two. Wine Police, eight in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint here last fall, freshened and then a sharp second (beaten a neck) in a sprint stakes at Sunland Park on March 23, dueled with Mongolian Saturday but paid the price in the lane.

Sunday, April 13

Keeneland - Beaumont (race 8)

COMMENT: Ready to Act, who had raced only on turf, transferred her form to Polytrack here and powered home to notch her first graded stakes win. The 3-year-old filly got knocked around at the start to get away poorly, sat last early, remained there to the far turn, unleashed a big run to swoop to the lead by midstretch, and gamely fended off hard-trying Sweet Whiskey. The latter stalked in fourth, saw the winner surge past into the lane, but gamely chased after her and stayed on well for second. Katie’s Eyes dogged pacesetter Richies Party Girl from the start, couldn’t counter the winner’s move into the lane, but stayed on well to be third, well clear of the others.

Santa Anita - Santa Barbara Handicap (race 4)

COMMENT: Stormy Lucy appears to have come into her own, as the Grade 1-placed mare, coming off a big win in the Grade 2 Santa Ana here last month, parlayed that victory into a smashing tally in this. Under leading rider Rafael Bejarano, she sat back as Phonybooksnrecords set a modest pace, remained well back to the top of the lane, swung wide for the stretch run, and finished resolutely to just get up for the win. Now that she’s established herself as a distance gal, the Grade 1 Gamely here May 26 figures next. Miss Serendipity stalked the pace, looked the winner when she surged to the lead into the lane, but couldn’t quite fend off Stormy Lucy late. She figures to target the Gamely as well. Changethechannel dogged pacesetter Phonybooksnrecords from the start and stayed on decently, though she was no threat to the top two. Customer Base lagged back, came with a strong, threatening run along the rail into the lane, but had to steady sharply behind a tiring rival to lose her action and fall back.

Santa Anita - San Simeon Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Sweet Swap may have proven he’s king of the hill, as the 5-year-old won his fourth race in his last five starts, the last two, including this, stakes wins. He went right out to the lead, took pressure from Handsome Mike, rebuffed that foe into the lane, opened up, and had enough of a lead to get to the line before the hard-trying Lakerville. There are no more stakes on this hillside course for him for the rest of the meet, so he may have to venture out of town or try a longer trip. Lakerville, who beat Sweet Swap when winning the Clocker’s Corner here Jan. 26 after 29 months off, was slow into stride, lagged back, but put in a strong rally after coming over the dirt crossing through the lane, but just ran out of ground in a fine try. Handsome Mike bounced back nicely after a dull run in the Clocker’s Corner (ran ninth). He dogged the winner from the start, couldn’t keep pace when that guy hit the gas into the lane, was no match for a rallying Lakerville for the place, but stayed on well for third. Pure Tactics lagged back, came with a smart, threatening run behind the trees and across the dirt, but couldn’t sustain it.