Trip Notes for April 12-14: Arkansas Derby, Jenny Wiley, Apple Blossom, and more

April 12

Keeneland

Maker’s 46 Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Rains Thursday evening and earlier this day resulted in the turf course being listed as good. That didn’t matter in the least to Delta Prince, who benefitted from a sharp contested pace and a clean trip. He sat last early as defending champ Heart to Heart dueled with fellow speedster Great Wide Open to his outside. The two volleyed up front through solid splits, Delta Prince remained at the back tracking favorite Raging Bull, started his run on the far turn swept widest of all, was still last into the lane but came with a strong run, outkicked Raging Bull and the others while widest of all in the lane and finished well for the win. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 would probably be coming back too quickly, and that Delta Prince’s long-term goals might be the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga Aug. 10 and the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile Sept. 14. This effort looks even better when you remember he shipped to Santa Anita for the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile last month only to have that race postponed, meaning he had to ship back across the country. Clyde’s Image ran the race of his life as the 46-1 shot, who was trying top-class company for the first time after a smart optional claiming win at Gulfstream Feb. 24, stalked in fourth from the start, just behind Qurbaan, bided his time there, moved with that rival to his outside into the lane, actually put his head in front before the eighth pole and while unable to counter the winner’s charge gamely stayed on for second. The Old Forester Turf Classic may be next. Qurbaan, a rallying third in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay last time out Feb. 9, got a dream trip sitting a few lengths off the dueling leaders, came with a smart run on the turn and into the lane, battled with Clyde’s Image to his outside, went past the two tiring leaders, moving to the rail with Clyde’s Image right alongside to his outside, battled on gamely, had no answer for when the winner blew past further out and just got outnodded by the runner-up in a game try. Like the runner-up he could return in the Old Forester Turf Classic. Raging Bull, favored in his first start since easily winning the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in the fall, broke well from his rail slot, got off the rail and moved a few lanes out for clear sailing on the first turn, bided his time there toward the back, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as he’s shown before, finally got going into the lane, loomed a threat by midstretch when just inside Delta Prince who was moving past him and ran on decently to just miss third. Could be he needed the race and maybe more ground. Trainer Chad Brown said he was disappointed the horse didn’t win but now with a race under the belt he could join top-rated turf horse and stablemate Bricks and Mortar in the Old Forester Turf Classic. If he does indeed want longer or more time a race like the Grade 1 Man o’ War at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont May 11 or the Grade 2 Dixie May 18 at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard could work. The Dixie is reportedly to be the comeback target of top-class Catholic Boy. Heart to Heart, the defending champ and terrific old warrior, went right to the lead as expected, was quickly confronted with fellow speedster Great Wide Open to his outside going into the first turn, volleyed up front with that rival, remained locked in battle with that foe into the stretch before both got overwhelmed by the closers.

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April 13

Keeneland

Ben Ali (race 7)

COMMENT: Bourbon Resolution was no match for Flameaway when third to that foe in the Challenger at Tampa Bay last time out March 9, but the son of New Year’s Day took his game up a level to post the 18-1 upset. From his outside post he got a dream strip stalking in third behind a couple dueling leaders, remained there to the top of the lane, surged past those rivals, quickly clearing off to win easily. The Grade 2 Alysheba on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill May 3 is reportedly next. Nun the Less, game winner of the Kentucky Cup Classic on Turfway’s synthetic track March 9, showed he’s as adept on dirt as the gelded son of Candy Ride, who was claimed for $40,000 last June, lagged well back from start, came with his run on the far turn, swung wider into the lane and finished well to be a clear second, though he was never a danger to the winner. Third Day, fourth in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at the Fair Grounds last time out Feb. 16, added blinkers, was jostled at the start, was still able to establish a stalking position in fourth, made a threatening move into the lane while veering inward putting Noble Commander in a bit tight (though that rival was already giving way at that point), got straightened but then couldn’t finish with the top two. Solomini, a Grade 1 winner at 2 and coming off a resurgent optional claiming win at Santa Anita March 3, had a brutal trip. He bided his time midpack while saving ground, remained there to the far turn, started his on the turn while staying on the fence, came out to try and find room for his rally, had to steady behind horses, veered back to the inside but had to steady sharply again behind the tiring Flameaway, finally found room and kept on well but the damage was done. That isn’t to say he would have won but the trouble in the lane almost surely cost him second. Flameaway was the main disappointment. Coming off that aforementioned stakes win at Tampa Bay March 9, a Grade 3 winner and Grade 2 placed on this track earlier in his career, he went right to the lead, as expected, took pressure from Noble Commander to his right, set a modest pace under pressure with that foe, remained engaged with that rival to the top of the stretch, but soon got overwhelmed by a some closers to his outside and gave way.

Keeneland

Lexington (race 9)

COMMENT: Owendale looked like a comer when a smart optional claiming winner at the Fair Grounds Jan. 17 but a dull eighth in the Grade 2 Risen Star there Feb. 16 seemed to take him off the Derby trail. However, the freshening apparently did the trick as the $200,000 son of Into Mischief got back in track. He sat toward the back early while very wide as Hawaiian Noises and Knicks Go set a solid pace, remained there while well off the rail going down the backstretch, launched a sudden, strong wide run which carried him into contention on the turn and into the lane, continued on to take over from Knicks Go, surged to a clear lead and kept to his task to keep favored Anothertwistafate at bay in the final half-furlong. The Kentucky Derby may not work as he might not have enough points but a shot at the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico May 17 could be in the cards Anothertwistafate, the heavy favorite after three romping wins on Golden Gate’s synthetic track and then a sharp rallying second in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby on dirt last time out March 24, broke well, sat just behind the dueling leaders with Zenden to his immediate right, remained just behind the leaders to the far turn, found himself boxed in with nowhere to go as the field bunched, moved to the rail into the lane for a clear path, came with a smart run on the fence to briefly look threatening but couldn’t get to the winner. A shot at the Kentucky Derby wouldn’t seem unreasonable after this, though points-wise he figures as a bubble horse. If he doesn’t get into the Derby he’s already has a free entry into the Preakness. Sueno, coming off a third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, got bumped and jostled out of the gate, was able to get position sitting just behind Anothertwistafate, remained there to the far turn, like that foe found himself with boxed in while a few lanes off the rail, moved further out for room into the lane and finished decently though he was never really a threat while well clear of the rest. Knicks Go bounced back some as the winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity over this track in the fall and runner-up in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile had run three poor races since. He went right out to challenge for the lead, dueled with Hawaiian Noises to his inside, was still locked in battle with that foe on the far turn, was dispatching with that rival as the closers came at him but stayed on well for fourth. Harvey Wallbanger, winner of the Grade 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Feb. 2 but a dull eighth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby there March 30, lagged well back from the start, as expected, saved ground to the far turn, but never mustered a run.

Keeneland

Jenny Wiley (race 10)

COMMENT: Rushing Fall confirmed she is, at worst, the second best turf distaffer in the land behind only stablemate champion Sistercharlie as she made it four wins in as many starts on this course while starting her 2019 campaign. She went right to the lead when no one else seemed to want the lead, set a soft pace under minimal pressure from Princess Warrior, dispatched with that foe on the far turn, kicked clear into the lane as if ready to go on to a big win, but then had to first rebuff a challenge from longshot Got Stormy to her outside and then from stablemate Rymska to her inside in the final half-furlong. Despite those challenges, she won clear. The Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 may be next, then likely the Grade 1 Just a Game II on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8 may be next. Rymska, smashing winner of the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay last month, gave her more vaunted stablemate a scare as she broke well, was content to pull back a bit, came with a strong run in the lane, veered down to the rail for the final furlong, loomed a big danger to Rushing Fall but then had that rival find more and was unable to really challenge her late. When on her game like this she shows she belongs in the top tier. Something like the Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont May 11 or Grade 3 Gallorette at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard May 18 could be an option as well. Got Stormy, coming off a big optional claiming win at Gulfstream March 7, sat a few lengths off the lead, came with a strong run into the lane outside Rushing Fall to look dangerous but got rebuffed that the winner and then couldn’t finish with Rymska to her inside. Onthemoonagain, the third Chad Brown entrant and coming off a third to stablemate Rymska in the Hillsborough, lagged at the back of the field from the start, swung wide on the far turn to make a run and finished with interest in the lane while widest of the top four but was never really a danger. She probably wants more ground than she got here. After the race Brown said his three distaffers would probably go their separate ways.

Oaklawn

Count Fleet (race 4)

COMMENT: Rains that began overnight continued during this day resulting in the track being listed as sloppy and sealed. Mitole is already a very fast horse and top-class sprinter but you give him this kind of track he loves and no opposing early speed and it’s pretty much all over but the shouting. From his rail slot he went right to the lead, was able to set his type of pace taking some pressure from main rival Whitmore to his outside, dueled with that foe on the turn while a few lanes off the rail, dispatched with that rival into the lane and opened to win comfortably. He’s working his way into the discussion with the likes of Roy H, World of Trouble, X Y Jet, Imperial Hint and the other sprint heavyheads. Trainer Steve Asmussen said his next spot was still under discussion but could be something like the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard May 18 as he won a stakes there last year. Whitmore, a confirmed closer who won this race the past two seasons, was forced to change strategy due to the lack of speed to push main rival Mitole. Coming off a smart win in the Hot Springs here March 9, his first start since a nice second to champion Roy H in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Nov. 3, was asked to show more speed and did so, coming up to Mitole’s flank to his outside from the start, pushed that foe to the top of the lane but then couldn’t keep pace in the stretch while finishing far clear of the three other overmatched foes. He certainly would have a better chance with a more legitimate pace challenge to Mitole. The Grade 1 Churchill Downs at 7 furlongs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4, a race in which he ran fourth last year, figures next. Bourbon Cowboy, a well-beaten second to Mitole in an optional claimer here March 2 and then game winner of an optional claimer here March 24, lagged back while saving ground, made an early move to be just a couple lengths behind the dueling leaders into the far turn and turning for home but proved no match thereafter.

Oaklawn

Oaklawn Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Rain finally ceased but the track remained listed as sloppy and sealed. Quip looked like a comer last year when second in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby here. However, he then gave way badly in the Grade 1 Preakness and went to the bench. He returned in Gulfstream’s Grade 3 Hal’s Hope at a mile Feb. 23 but after dueling ended up a well-beaten third. However, he apparently got what he needed out of that run as moving to this longer trip and a track on which he’s performed well the son of Distorted Humor got his second Grade 2 win in a thrilling renewal, coming out on the top end of a finish that saw the top five finish within a length of one another. Quip established position stalking in fourth as Pioneer Spirit set a modest pace, moved closer on the far turn, came with his bid in earnest into the lane, poked his head in front at the sixteenth pole between horses and gamely held. Off this maybe a shot at the Grade 3 Pimlico Special on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard May 17 is in the cards. Or, if they want to come back sooner the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 3 is an option. Lone Sailor, a rallying third in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds March 23, lagged well back from the start, as is his want, remained there to the far turn, pitched very wide into the lane and finished with gusto widest of the quintet to just miss. Pioneer Spirit, a rallying winner of an optional claimer here March 23, set the pace from the start, took some pressure from Remembering Rita, looked in trouble into the lane when losing the lead but battled on gamely to lose by just two necks. Rated R Superstar, third in the Grade 3 Razorback here Feb. 18 and then a 14-1 upset winner of the Essex here March 16, dogged pacesetting Pioneer Spirit from the start and gamely kept on all the way to the wire. Tenfold, the 2-1 favorite after a good fourth in an optional claimer at the Fair Grounds March 5, his first start in over six months, got blinkers for this but was a bit sluggish early to be toward the back while saving ground, made a mild move on the far turn between horses but came up empty thereafter.

Oaklawn

Arkansas Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Omaha Beach stamped himself one of the favorites, if not the favorite, for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby May 4 with a win that was so much more impressive than the winning margin. Coming off a game tally over reigning 2-year-old male champ Game Winner in a division of the Grade 2 Rebel here March 16, he’d shipped back to Southern California, then shipped again here and was confronted with mud. Surely the footing didn’t matter as he broke his maiden by nine in slop at Santa Anita Feb. 2. He also had to stay in the gate a while as after being loaded the field had to wait as second choice Improbable threw a fit in the gate, backed out of his rail stall and had to be loaded again. None of that mattered to Omaha Beach as the son of War Front broke alertly from his inside slot, maneuvered off the rail toward the outside to be midpack going into the clubhouse turn, made a strong wide run to reach contention into the backstretch, quickly assumed command from leader One Flew South while staying well off the rail, moved toward the rail on the far turn, braced for the oncoming Improbable who stormed up alongside and gamely kept that rival at bay to the line. This shows he handles any footing and has the speed/versatility to give his rider options. And the way he kept to his task indicated another furlong wouldn’t be an issue. On to Louisville. Improbable, second in another division of the Grade 2 Rebel here March 16, was fractious in the gate when loaded into his rail stall, reared and backed out of the gate. He was reloaded and settled and on the break was a bit slow into stride to be midpack from the start, moved off the rail to be behind the eventual winner, bided his time midpack into the backstretch, made a nice wide run to be in just behind Omaha Beach, doggedly went after that rival to his outside on the far turn, loomed a big threat on the turn and into the lane but just couldn’t get to him while finishing far clear of the others as the two Southern Californians dominated. Considering his antics in the gate, the sloppy track and poor post (the rail was not the place to be this day) his second was very good. He’ll take another shot at Omaha Beach in Louisville. Trainer Bob Baffert blamed his pre-race antics on the blinkers and might remove them for the Derby. Country House, fourth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds March 23, lagged back early, bided his time there, pitched wide on the far turn and into the lane and finished with good energy, though he was no danger to the top two. Trainer Bill Mott said no decision has yet been made on whether to go to the Derby or not. Long Range Toddy, winner over Improbable in a division of the Grade 2 Rebel here March 16, stalked the pace in fourth, came with a nice run on the far turn and into the lane to loom a threat but then couldn’t keep pace with the two Southern California raiders.

April 14

Oaklawn

Apple Blossom (race 8)

COMMENT: Track was listed as muddy and sealed to start the day but the sun came out and by post time for this race the track had been upgraded to good. Powerful wins in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 27 and Grade 2 Azeri here last month sent Midnight Bisou as the heavy 4-5 favorite and she rewarded her backers’ confidence – but it wasn’t easy. The daughter of Midnight Lute broke decently from her outside post, relaxed toward the back just to the outside of prime rival Elate, bided her time there while staying a few lanes off the rail and in the clear, came with a smart wide run on the far turn to reach contention, looked as if she might blow right on by leader Escape Clause while to that gal’s outside but then had to fight tooth and nail to subdue that rival – but subdue her she did. She’ll reportedly ship now to Churchill. The Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill on the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks undercard May 3 is possible, though it could be too quick a turnaround. If she skips that then something like the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8 or the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill June 15 could be next. Escape Clause was given her first shot at Grade 1 company here off a track-record stakes win at Sunland Park March 24 and showed she belongs as she broke right on top, soon relinquished pacesetting duties to an eager Wonder Gadot, got a great trip stalking that gal in second, moved up to challenge that foe to her outside on the far turn, was immediately confronted by Midnight Bisou to her outside and fought on bravely only losing in the final strides. She’s run well from 7 furlong to 1 3/8 miles so they have all sorts of options with her. Elate, second to Midnight Bisou in the Azeri, her first start in almost seven months, broke a bit slow from her rail draw, relaxed nicely to sit back while saving ground with Midnight Bisou just behind and just to her outside, moved up nicely going into the far turn, had to steady a bit when coming up behind the tiring Wonder Gadot, came off the rail to go around that rival as Midnight Bisou moved past to her outside, loomed a threat into the lane but flattened out a bit. She finished far clear of the others but wasn’t really a threat to the top two in the lane. Wonder Gadot, coming off a solid second in an optional claimer here March 8, broke well, quickly assumed pacesetting duties from Escape Clause, moved out to a clear lead through solid splits but was overwhelmed on the far turn and gave way readily once headed.

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Santa Anita

Tokyo City (race 6)

COMMENT: Campaign wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap just eight days ago. He got some class relief here, a move to a longer game and it paid off as the $675,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin got his first graded stakes win. From his rail slot he was a bit slow into stride to be last early as Acker set a very slow pace while being hounded by Full of Luck, remained toward the back to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane and came with a smart run to go past then-leader and heavy 9-10 favorite Beach View at the sixteenth pole and draw clear. This might have earned him another shot at big boys Gift Box and McKinzie in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27. Beach View, the heavy favorite having romped in the Grade 3 Cougar II on Del Mar dirt at this trip last summer and coming off a solid second in a Grade 2 on turf here March 29, bided his time in fourth, came with a strong run into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch as if primed to go on to victory but then proved no match for the big winner. Acker, winner of his last four and making his first start for trainer John Sadler after being claimed for $62,500 here Jan. 31, gave Sadler a one-three finish as the gelding, who had raced this far on turf, went right to the lead, set a very slow pace while holding the rail, battled back when hooked by the top two into the lane but was unable to keep up with those rivals in the final furlong.