Trip Notes for April 4: Wood, Ashland, Blue Grass, Fantasy, Santa Anita Derby and more...

Saturday, April 4

Aqueduct - Gazelle (race 8)

COMMENT: Condo Commando again used her speed to prove she’s the best 3-year-old filly in New York as she notched her fifth win in six starts and punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill May 1. She went right out to the lead, took mild pressure first from Puca and then Jacaranda, put them away turning for home, opened up a clear lead and held it to the line. Puca pressed the winner early, took back just a bit to sit third, tried to make a run at the winner turning for home, and stayed on to finish a clear second. Money’soncharlotte lagged back early, started a run on the far turn while moving to the rail, ducked in and bounced into the fence in the upper stretch, but recovered and finished third. Wonder Gal, who had missed what was to be her 2015 debut a week or so ago when that card was canceled, bided her time early, made a threatening run into the lane but flattened out. She surely needed this race.

Aqueduct - Bay Shore (race 9)

COMMENT: March cut back to a sprint and finished well to post the upset. Off since running fifth in the Grade 3 Withers here Feb. 7, he was slow into stride as Papa Upa set the pace. March swung wide turning for home and came with a strong run to grab the lead inside the eighth pole and fend off Lord Nelson while brushing that foe late. He did have to survive an inquiry, which looked into the rough trip of the runner-up, including when they brushed late. Maybe sprinting is what March wants, and if so, a race like the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 6 may be a target. Lord Nelson was climbing early while inside, seemingly resenting the kickback, took back to just in front of the eventual winner, was then behind that rival going to the far turn, started his run, didn’t accelerate as quickly as March but finished well to give that foe a scare while well clear of the rest. Ready for Rye, the 6-5 favorite after a smart win in the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream March 7, stalked the pace, moved to the lead into the lane as if ready to go on to victory, but was no match for the top two in the final furlong.

Aqueduct - Wood Memorial (race 10)

COMMENT: Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s Derby hopes had taken a big hit with the defection of Imperia, the subpar Tampa Bay Derby run of Ocean Knight, and Frosted’s fade in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, but things brightened as Frosted moved forward to capture this big Derby prep. He lagged back as longshot Toasting Master set a slow pace, began to move forward going to the far turn, and doggedly kept to his task to reel in a stubborn Tencendur and edge away late. This wasn’t the strongest renewal and he’s probably still considered a bit of an outsider as far as his Kentucky Derby chances go but could be he’s peaking at the right time. Tencendur, coming off a fifth in the Grade 3 Gotham here March 7, stalked the pace, took over into the lane, opened up a bit of a lead and ended up well clear of the others. El Kabeir sat well back, was asked for run on the far turn, swung wide into the lane and made some headway. His Derby chances took a hit as he’s always seemed a tad distance-limited. Daredevil, the 2-1 favorite, dogged Toasting Master from the start but was no factor once the field straightened away. His two big wins last year both came on wet tracks.

[bc_video_id:352401:]

Aqueduct - Carter Handicap (race 11)

COMMENT: Dads Cap had to love the fact his main nemesis Salutos Amigos went to Dubai as that gave him a chance to shine and he did so, successfully defending his title. Coming off three straight defeats at the hands of Salutos Amigos on the inner track, he didn’t break like his usual sharp self from his rail draw which left him in stalk mode instead of on the pace. It didn’t matter. He sat inside as Green Gratto set the pace, got bumped by Palace coming into the lane, challenged Green Gratto and Dream Saturday, and got the better of those two while staying inside. Green Gratto took advantage of Dads Caps’s slow start to bounce out to a clear lead, was still there to midstretch, and stayed on well for second. Dream Saturday, another longshot, sat back, came with a threatening wide run to contend for the lead in midstretch, but couldn’t keep pace with the top two late. The Big Beast, the 9-5 favorite, had an odd trip. He stalked the pace, got shuffled back going to the far turn, angled very wide into the lane and got going to make up some ground but was never really a threat. Palace broke well to chase Green Gratto, loomed a threat into the lane as he leaned in and bumped Dads Cap, but then weakened.

Keeneland - Madison (race 6)

COMMENT: Princess Violet just missed getting a Grade 3 win at Aqueduct Nov. 28 when second in the Go for Wand, and was also second in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Feb. 14. She picked the right day to up her game as the daughter of Officer notched her first Grade 1 win in smart fashion. She bided her time early as favored Lady Sabelia set a brisk pace, stayed wide and in the clear, surged to grab the lead in midstretch and then kept Stopchargingmaria at bay in the final half-furlong. This could send her into the Grade 1 Humana Distaff on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 2. Stopchargingmaria, making her first start since a second in the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont Sept. 27, stalked the pace and made a smart run at the winner. She’s a proven router, so she has plenty of options. Clearly confused was last turning for home and finished decently. Sam’s Sister chased pacesetter Lady Sabelia but gave way. After a strong winter out West is looks as though she might be over the top. Lady Sabelia, favored off her Barbara Fritchie win, bounced out to a clear early lead but wilted in the lane.

Keeneland - Commonwealth (race 7)

COMMENT: Kobe’s Back was devoid of speed, as is his custom, sitting last after an awkward start. He remained there to the far turn, pitched wide to start his run, and powered home to win going away. C. Zee stalked as Rocket Time was pushed through a decent pace by Jessica’s Star, took over from those two into the lane, couldn’t fend off the winner but kept on well to be a clear second. Rocket Time responded when challenged and showed heart by continuing on well after being passed by the top two. Bourbon Courage, the favorite, lagged back, as is his custom, but never mustered a run. That’s a second straight dull outing and now you have to wonder if he’s gone the wrong way.

Keeneland - Shakertown (race 8)

COMMENT: Something Extra missed by a nose when a strong second in this race in 2013 and was third in this race last year. He finally got the money. Making his first start since running 10th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Something Extra bounced right out to the lead, taking some pressure from longshot Berlino Di Tiger, dispatched with that foe, opened up into the lane and got to the line before hard-charging longshot Channel Marker. Channel Marker was last early at 44-1, swung wide into the lane and finished full of run. Undrafted, making his first start since running third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, lagged back, swung wide into the lane and finished decently. Power Alert, the favorite coming off two nice wins on the Gulfstream Park, loomed a threat into the lane and flattened out.

Keeneland - Ashland (race 9)

COMMENT: Lovely Maria, second to I’m a Chatterbox in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds Feb. 21, punched her ticket for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill May 1. She got a dream trip stalking in third as Temper Mint Patty set the pace under pressure from Angela Renee (who’d run fourth in the Rachel Alexandra). Lovely Maria moved closer as Angela Renee took the lead on the far turn. Lovely Maria had little trouble wresting command from that gal and drew off to win easily. Angela Renee pressed the pace from the start, took the lead turning for home, and finished a clear third. These two certainly flattered I’m a Chatterbox, the likely Oaks chalk. Silverpocketsfull lagged back, made a smart wide run into the lane but couldn’t sustain it. West Coast Belle was slow into stride and unable to make a dent. Peace and War, making her much-anticipated return from injury after her win in the Grade 1 Alcibiades here last fall. She lagged back and gave way.

Keeneland - Blue Grass (race 10)

COMMENT: Carpe Diem made it four wins in five starts and will be among the Kentucky Derby favorites. He romped in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on this track last fall and showed he affection for it again. He chased pacemaker Ocho Ocho Ocho, stayed wide, took over fairly easily in midstretch and drew off. This was nice but the time was modest and the competition here a tad suspect. He’ll have to do better at Churchill, though he may well be capable of such a forward move. Danzig Moon, fourth to Carpe Diem in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, sat fifth early, was very wide turning for home and closed steadily for second. Ocho Ocho Ocho went right out to the lead, took pressure from the winner, tried to battle back into the lane, and ended third. He’s a nice horse but this run may point to distance limitations. Gorgeous Bird stalked the pace but weakened. A class drop would seem in the making to get this promising runner back on the right track.

[bc_video_id:352402:]

Oaklawn - Fantasy (race 9)

COMMENT: Include Betty moved back to dirt and that seemed to do the trick as she likely earned a shot at the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. She was very slow into stride, as is her custom, sitting last early. She was still well back turning for home, swung very wide into the lane, and came with a strong run while drifting in, brushing with runner-up Oceanwave. Oceanwave likewise was well back from the start, though she was in front of the winner. She launched her run into the lane alongside that foe, got brushed by the winner some, drifted in herself to brush with Achiever’s Legacy, and just got second. She had to withstand a claim of foul from the connections of third finisher Achiever’s Legacy for brushing her in the lane. Achiever’s Legacy was far back early, made her run with them while wide, moved toward the rail in the lane, got brushed by Oceanwave, and just lost the place. Feathered, the favorite, sat midpack but never made a move.

Santa Anita - Santa Anita Oaks (race 7)

COMMENT: Stellar Wind confirmed herself the best 3-year-old dirt filly out as she easily handled her rivals here and earned a trip to Churchill for the Kentucky Oaks. Coming off an easy win in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel, she sat last early as Glory and Luminance volleyed on the lead. Stellar Wind started her run as Luminance took control on the turn, surged past that rival and drew off to win easily. She looks like a legitimate threat to I’m a Chatterbox in the Kentucky Oaks. Luminance dueled early with Glory, took a clear lead on the far turn, and stayed on well to be a clear second. Wild At Heart stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home and was unable to sustain her run. Curlin’s Fox, much ballyhooed off a smashing debut turf win here in February and then second in a turf stakes here March 7, stalked the pace while inside but failed to muster a run. This was her first dirt try.

Santa Anita - Santa Anita Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: Unless American Pharoah does something spectacular in next week’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby then Dortmund is your Kentucky Derby favorite, as he romped here to stay unbeaten in six starts. He coasted to the lead, set a decent pace but wasn’t really pressured, and that left him more than enough fuel to kick clear into the lane. He won’t get that kind of trip at Churchill. Of course, he may not need it. He won despite losing his right front shoe when he stumbled a bit at the start. One Lucky Dane, Dortmund’s stablemate, got a great trip chasing Dortmund, and while no match for that guy in the lane stayed on well for the place. He’s progressing well and looks like he deserves to be on the plane to Kentucky with Dortmund. Bolo broke nicely, settled a couple lengths off the pace while wide, remained wide down the backstretch , commenced his run, and plugged along to get third. He did get some key Derby qualifying points, although he seems better suited to turf. Prospect Park sat back with Bolo while inside that foe, made his move with Bolo on the turn, had to wait for room, veered to the inside for clear sailing but didn’t really ignite when he found room. Trainer Cliff Sise reported later that the horse was “quiet” earlier on race day and “wasn’t right.”

[bc_video_id:352407:]

Santa Anita - Providencia (race 9)

COMMENT: This looked like a highly contentious event, but Spirit of Xian, third in her U.S. debut in the Sweet Life here Feb. 14, showed what can happen when you let a good horse control things up front. Spirit of Xian went right to the lead, set modest splits while under only mild pressure from Lady Zuzu, opened up into the lane and held off Spanish Queen. Spanish Queen, coming off a smashing debut win, stalked the pace in third and kept after the winner, only to run out of ground. Entrechat, another smashing maiden winner, hopped at the start but still got a decent position midpack, swung out into the lane, and finished well. She appears to have a bright future. Prize Exhibit, winner of an optional claimer on this course at this trip here Jan. 25, had a terrible trip. She broke last, was still well back going to the far turn, had to steady a couple times but finally got clear and finished well. With better luck she might have been right there. Havanna Belle, sixth in the Sweet Life, lagged back and could make only modest headway in the lane.