Trip Notes for April 30 - May 1: Miami Mile, San Francisco Mile
Gulfstream
Miami Mile Handicap (race 7)
COMMENT: Smokem Kitten took a significant step up in class after setting a course record March 20. He shot out of the gate and went right to the lead, set fast splits while taking only modest pressure by Conquest Tsunami, extended his lead into the lane as that rival fell away, was obviously tiring in the final furlong, but got to the line before a couple hard-charging rivals. Middleburg, the slight favorite making his first start since running sixth in the Grade 3 Knickerbocker at Belmont Oct. 1, lagged back, came with a strong run, but just ran out of ground. Hothersal, moving to a route after a fourth in a turf sprint stakes here March12, sat midpack early, moved closer going to the far turn, was in closest pursuit of the winner turning for home, ran on well, and was narrowly outkicked by Middleburg. Quiet Force, stepping well up in class after two straight claiming wins, sat back with Middleburg, moved earlier than that foe to loom a threat into the lane, and finished evenly.
Golden Gate
San Francisco Mile (race 8)
COMMENT: Class told as the most accomplished runners in the race finished one-two-three, with local stalwart Alert Bay breaking a five-race losing skein. Winner of the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita last fall, he showed more speed than usual to flee his outside post and get position stalking pacesetter G. G. Ryder. He dogged that rival to the far turn, got the better of him inside the eighth pole, and had enough to withstand the challenge of two classy Southern California raiders. Gabriel Charles won the Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar last July and then had a serious bout of colic and had to undergo surgery. He looked good as ever in his first start since. He was well back early after a slow start, was able to move over and save ground, steadily improved his position, and came home strongly to miss by a neck. Bal a Bali, a multiple Grade 1 winner in his native Brazil and a Grade 3 winner in the U.S., sat midpack early, moved closer turning for home, came with a smart run, but just wasn’t quite good enough and was beaten a neck and a head. G. G. Ryder set a modest pace under pressure from Alert Bay, and relented in the final half-furlong to finish fourth.