Trip Notes for April 7-8: Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass, Wood Memorial, and more

April 7

Aqueduct
Gazelle (race 6)
COMMENT: My Miss Lilly couldn’t handle Midnight Disguise and Sara Street when third in the mile Busher here March 3 after a rough trip, but that experience and an extra furlong here and clear sailing helped her gain her revenge and possibly earn a shot at the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 4. The $670,000 daughter of top sire Tapit sat fourth in stalking mode as Sara Street set a modest pace, came with a wide run on the far turn, challenged for the lead into the lane and gamely outdueled a tough Sara Street. Sara Street went right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Mo Shopping while holding the rail, battled back gamely when confronted by My Miss Lilly and Virginia Key turning for home and only relented late. Virginia Key, racing here and against winners for the first time after a third in a starter allowance sprint at Gulfstream on March 9, showed speed to stalk the pace, loomed a big threat turning for home and into the lane but then couldn’t sustain her run quite enough while finishing far ahead of the rest. Midnight Disguise, a winner of four of her previous five including the Busanda and Busher in her last two, sat back, made a move into the lane but was already too far back and unable to threaten. Smokinpaddylassie, romping winner of her first three starts at Parx Racing and Laurel, got squeezed back at the start to get away slowly, sat behind a wall of horses while saving ground but then had more traffic trouble turning for home when having to steady off a rival’s heels and call it a day after that.

Aqueduct
Excelsior (race 7)
COMMENT: Forays into graded stakes the past couple seasons had proven too much for Discreet Lover, but he’s continued in good form otherwise and it paid off here as in his second start of the season he posted the upset. He stumbled at the start, sat well back early (in fact was last) as Zanotti, Control Group, and Harlan Punch volleyed up front through slow splits, remained well back to the far turn, pitched widest of all into the lane and finished strongly to overwhelm his rivals. Zanotti, coming off back-to-back seconds in stakes at Laurel this year, prompted the pace, got the better of the other speed types, was no match for the winner but kept on gamely to keep second. Harlan Punch, romping winner of the Stymie here March 10 and then fourth as the 7-10 favorite in the Caixa Eletronica here March 31 at a trip maybe short of his best, broke slowly, rushed up to press the issue, remained in that three-way battle to the top of the lane, couldn’t finish with the winner but stayed on well only narrowly missing second. Control Group, coming off three straight wins, one of those the Grade 3 Discovery here Nov. 25, was disappointing as he volleyed up front with Zanotti and Harlan Punch but then came up empty in the lane. He was coming back quickly, having won the Mr. Sinatra here March 31, and maybe that was too big a hurdle.

Aqueduct
Carter Handicap (race 8)
COMMENT: Army Mule, an $825,000 son of Friesan Fire, romped in his first two starts and was getting the acid test here with a significant class hike. He was up to the challenge and stamped himself a potential big-time sprinter. In just his third career start he stalked the pace while saving ground, remained inside to the far turn behind pacesetters Red Dragon Tattoo and Green Gratto, surged to the lead while staying on the fence into the lane and drew off to win easily. The Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9 may be next, according to trainer Todd Pletcher. Awesome Slew, making his first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 3, ran well in his return as he lagged back, pitched wide on the turn and finished with good energy, even if he was never a danger to the winner as this was basically a one-horse race. The Grade 2 Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5, a race in which he was a sharp second last year, figures next and should all go well there, another shot at the Met Mile at Belmont June 9 (ran fourth last year) is possible. Great Stuff, a rallying third in the Grade 3 Tom Fool here March 10, was at the back of the pack from the start, was still last on the far turn but ran on well to get third, though he was never on the winner’s radar and never really a threat to the runner-up. Skyler’s Scramjet, strong winner of the Tom Fool, stalked the pace, was still in the hunt on the far turn but was basically one-paced in the lane. Could be this longer trip is a bit beyond his reach, at least at this level. Favorable Outcome, third in the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 but then only sixth in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint on March 3, was disappointing again as the $300,000 son of Flatter was midpack early just behind the eventual winner, pitched out a bit turning for home but never really produced a run.

Aqueduct
Bay Shore (race 9)
COMMENT: National Flag, fifth in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga last summer but a smart winner of his optional-claiming comeback at Gulfstream on March 2, showed he may have the makings of a top sprinter as the $600,000 son of champion sprinter Speightstown won in impressive fashion. He lagged back from the start, remained there to the top of the lane, still had just one horse beaten at that point but then blasted down the stretch to roar past his rivals and draw clear for the impressive win. He could be a Grade 2 Woody Stephens/Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens horse. Engage, making his first start since easily taking the Grade 3 Futurity at Belmont last fall, bided his time early, not far in front of the eventual winner, came with a smart run up the rail but was unable to finish with the winner. The $550,000 son of Into Mischief has a bright future. Aveenu Malcainu, making his first start since running third as the favorite in the Grade 2 Nashua here Nov. 5, pressed pacesetter A Different Style through solid split, got the better of that foe while wide into the lane, was then no match for the winner and couldn’t quite fend off the runner-up.

Aqueduct
Wood Memorial (race 10)
COMMENT: An already big day for trainer Todd Pletcher got even bigger when Vino Rosso powered home for the victory, putting his name in with Audible, Noble Indy, and Malibu Moon to carry the barn’s banner come Grade 1 Kentucky Derby day May 5 – but there were some anxious moments as he had to survive an inquiry. Bouncing back after a so-so fourth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 10, the $410,000 son of Curlin got bumped out of the gate but established position toward the back as Old Time Revival shot out to a big lead. He steadily advanced while staying wide, came with a smart run into the lane to reel in that tiring rival, was abreast of Enticed coming into the lane, bumped with that rival a couple times, got straightened and drew off. There was an inquiry regarding the bumping but the stewards let the result stand. On to Louisville. Enticed, big winner of the Grade 3 Gotham here March 10, likely earned a trip to Louisville as well as he sat second well behind runaway leader Old Time Revival, moved up with the eventual winner to challenge for the lead into the lane, got bumped a couple times by Vino Rosso and couldn’t keep up in the final furlong. Restored Hope, part of the Bob Baffert armada and stepping well up in class here off a maiden win at Santa Anita on Feb. 2, sat just behind Enticed from the start and plugged along well to hold third, though he was never really a threat to the top two in the lane. Firenze Fire, fourth in the Goltham, lagged back and came with a modest run to pass a few rivals but was never a factor. He just doesn’t seem to have progressed as a 3-year-old.

Keeneland
Commonwealth (race 6)
COMMENT: Despite some snow earlier in the day, the main track was listed as fast. Warrior’s Club was coming off a dull run when sixth in a stakes at Oaklawn on March 10 but the colt rebounded to top form here, posting the upset. He showed enough speed to stalk in third as Westwood set a solid pace under pressure from Conquest Windycity, was blocked by traffic turning for home, found a seam in the lane and came with a game run to get to the line before hard-trying favorite Limousine Liberal. This could lead to a start in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs at this same 7-furlong trip on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5 – though the water will surely be quite a bit deeper there. Limousine Liberal, who easily beat Warrior’s Club when last seen winning a stakes at Churchill on Nov. 18 and third in this last year, went a spot better as the veteran lagged back from the start while racing inside, came out on the far turn and into the lane to make his run and finished resolutely to just miss by a neck. The Churchill Downs, a race he won last year, is likely on his radar. Awesome Saturday, stepping up and moving back to dirt after a dull seventh in a turf route at the Fair Grounds on March 4, lagged back with Limousine Liberal from the start while remaining wide, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly or as strongly as that rival in the lane but got going well late to be a good third. Behavioral Bias, stepping up after five strong outings, ran well again as he stalked the pace, loomed a big threat into the lane but couldn’t sustain it enough. Westwood, a regally bred son of champions Bernardini and Ashado stepping up in class after some strong form in New York, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Conquest Windycity, got the better of that rival into the lane but was quickly confronted by others, battled back to still have the lead at the eighth pole but then relented.

Keeneland
Shakertown (race 7)
COMMENT: Earlier snow and rain caused the turf course to be listed as soft. Bound for Nowhere, who finished out of the money in two Group 1s in Europe last summer but came back with a smart win on Turfway’s synthetic track March 3, was reluctant to load but once he got in the gate he was all business as the $310,000 son of The Factor was an impressive winner. He broke alertly, sat second traveling nicely to sit just behind a sharp pace set by Latent Revenge, was asked for run into the lane, surged to the lead and drew clear for the easy win. Bucchero, winner of the Grade 2 Woodford here last fall and coming off a third in his first stat of the year in a stakes at Gulfstream last month, sat midpack from the start, crept closer turning for home, loomed a threat into the lane but was unable to keep pace with the winner but running on nicely to be a clear second. Disco Partner, making his first start since finishing a super rallying third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4, sat well back, as is his wont, had to steady on the turn when trying to start his run, got going again and finished well between horses though he was never a danger to the top two. He can likely move forward off this outing. Big Handsome, making his first start in over five months, was well back after getting jostled in traffic soon after the start, pitched wide on the far turn and finished with some decent energy, though he was never a factor. Tombelaine, fourth in Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Daytona on the hillside course Feb. 24, was away slowly to be at the back of the pack and never made a move.

Keeneland
Madison (race 8)
COMMENT: Finley’sluckycharm remained unbeaten in Kentucky (8 for 8) as she gamely won a thrilling renewal of this where the top six finishers were separated by a little more than a length. Coming off a second in her first turf try in a stakes at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 13, she showed good speed to dog pacesetting American Gal through hot splits, continued to hound that rival into the lane, grabbed the lead by the eighth pole and then stayed on resolutely for the game, narrow win. The Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill (where’s she’s 6 for 6) on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5 is likely next. Miss Sunset, winner of the Grade 2 Raven Run in her only other invasion here from the West Coast last fall and coming off a romping win in a stakes at Santa Anita on March 17, continued her strong form as she stalked the pace from the start, sitting just behind the eventual winner, doggedly went after that foe into the lane and finished well but came up on the wrong side of the photo in a big try. Lewis Bay, the tepid favorite off a sharp second in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at a mile at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 19, sat midpack from the start, remained there to the top of the lane, had to wait for room to make her run, found a lane and finished smartly to end up just two noses short. American Gal, making her first start since romping wins in the Grade 3 Victory Ride and Grade 1 Test last summer, set a sizzling pace under constant heavy pressure from the eventual winner while holding the fence and stuck to her guns all the way in a fine effort. Salty, a smart rallying winner of her first start of the year at Gulfstream on March 1, got bumped at the start to be well back early, was still well back turning for home but finished with good energy. Ami’s Mesa, making her first start since a sharp second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar last fall, lagged back, pitched wide into the lane and closed the gap in a race she likely needed. Surely the wide trip cost her a bit. All of these could renew acquaintances in the Humana Distaff next month.

Keeneland
Ashland (race 9)
COMMENT: Monomoy Girl went into this as the overwhelming favorite having won four of her first five (the lone loss was by just a neck) and coming off a big win in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 17. She had little trouble keeping that status, stamping herself one of the favorites – if not THE favorite – for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill on May 4. From her rail slot the daughter of Tapizar was hustled right out to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from C. S. Incharge, dispatched with that foe turning for home and then opened up and won as the rider pleased. This wasn’t the strongest renewal but she sure did it the way you like to see a heavy favorite do it. Eskimo Kisses, back quickly after finishing a sharp rallying second in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks on March 24, was slow into stride – she was in fact last from the start – remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, came with a nice run to pass all her rivals save the winner, whom she never really threatened. Patrona Margarita, fourth to ‘Girl in the Rachel Alexandra, stalked fourth, made a threatening move on the far turn to get up just behind Monomoy Girl but was unable to maintain her bid and was no challenge for the runner-up as well. C. S. Incharge, winner of the Suncoast at Tampa last time out Feb. 10, pressed the favorite from the start but gave way on the far turn once rebuffed.

Keeneland
Blue Grass (race 10)
COMMENT: One of the favorites, Quip, scratched to go in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 14 instead. Good Magic, a modest third in his debut in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream March 3, got back on track with a handy victory. The 2-year-old male champ son of Curlin sat midpack from the start as first Arawak and Flameaway dueled up front through a solid pace, came with a smart wide run on the far turn, had to work to get past a stubborn Flameaway who was to his inside but did so and edged away for the win. A forward move off this can make him plenty scary in Louisville. Flameaway went right out to press early pacesetter Arawak, dueled with that foe to his outside going down the backstretch, took a narrow lead going into the far turn as that rival fell away, was soon confronted by Good Magic to his outside, battled back when hooked by that foe and while he tried hard just couldn’t keep up with that foe in the lane. Sporting Chance stalked in third, was still there into the lane, loomed a threat only to lug inward in midstretch and then ducked out sharply in deep stretch, impeding Free Drop Billy who was rallying to his outside and held third. He was disqualified to fourth for the incident in the stretch. Free Drop Billy was well back early, came with a smart run into the lane, was making headway when forced to steady hard when Sporting Chance veered out sharply in front of him but managed to hold fourth. He was moved up to third via the disqualification of Sporting Chance. Kanthaka, third in the Grade 2 San Felipe behind top-class Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie on March 10, stalked in fourth, was wide into the lane but never really made a move. Could be he’s better suited to a shorter, one-turn trip.

Santa Anita
Providencia (race 5)
COMMENT: Fatale Bere has hinted at big ability, winning a stakes in her U.S. debut here last fall and finishing a good fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3. She then disappointed when changing styles for the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante there Nov. 25 as she opened an early lead and tired to eighth. She was freshened, went back to her sit-and-finish tactics for this and that did the trick. She stalked in fourth, remained there to the top of the lane, pitched out for room and surged home to roar past the two favorites and go on to an easy win. The Grade 3 Senorita here May 5 figures next. Ms. Bad Behavior, the 9-5 second choice off a big win in the China Doll here May 10, used her speed as she went right to the lead, took some pressure from favorite Paved, rebuffed that foe on the far turn, opened up a bit into the lane while holding the fence but then couldn’t withstand the winner’s charge. The Senorita figures on her radar as well. Paved, the 7-5 favorite having romped on turf here Jan. 6 and then easily winning the El Camino Real Derby over males at Golden Gate on Feb. 17, pressed Ms. Bad Behavior from the start, crept closer on the far turn to loom a threat but then flattened out a bit in the lane. Her connections had said prior to this that she might well target the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill on May 4. Pulpit Rider, big winner of the California Cup Oaks on turf here Feb. 19, lagged back, came out into the lane and finished decently for fourth, though she was never really a threat to the top two.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Derby (race 9)
COMMENT: Justify is indeed the real deal as the son of Scat Daddy made it three easy wins in as many starts and now goes to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby possibly as the favorite, despite the fact he didn’t run as a juvenile (famously no winner of the Derby was unraced at 2 since Apollo in 1882). Sent off the 9-10 favorite despite rival Bolt d’Oro’s glowing resume, Justify bounced right out to a clear lead, was able to dictate the race tempo through slow splits (though in fairness to him the track did seem to be playing rather slow) under minimal pressure from his main rival while staying a few lanes off the rail, leaving him more than enough fuel in the tank to draw away when it mattered. There’s no telling how good this guy might be, though if a horse like Curlin couldn’t win the Derby having not raced at 2 it’s going to take someone really, really special to break that curse. Bolt d’Oro, winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe here March 10 by virtue of the disqualification of McKinzie, showed more speed than usual in an attempt to keep Justify in his sights. He sat second from the start but didn’t apply too much pressure, remained there to the far turn, tried to make a run at Justify, managed to get closer by midstretch while racing inside but then couldn’t keep pace in the final half-furlong. He still finished far clear of the rest and now has a solid foundation with which to go on to Kentucky. Core Beliefs, a $350,000 son of Quality Road supplemented to this after a smart maiden win in his first route here March 8, stalked the pace, tried to get closer turning for home, angled in for the stretch run but was no match for the top two. Instilled Regard, so impressive winning the Grade 3 LeComte at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 13 but then a modest fourth in the Grade 2 Risen Star there Feb. 17, lagged back from the start, was able to make some headway and pass a couple rivals turning for home but was never a factor. Of course the race-shape doomed him as he was trying to catch two very good horses who had plenty left in the tank after going slow early on. Regardless, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the horse was likely off the Kentucky Derby trail.

Santa Anita
Royal Heroine (race 10)
COMMENT: Beau Recall won her U.S. debut here in January 2017 but was winless in eight starts since. It’s not as if she’s run poorly – it seems they’ve been trying to find her best trip. Well, maybe they’ve found it, that the mile distance is the game at which her late burst proves most effective. Moving back to a route after a fourth in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas, a sprint on the hillside turf course, here Jan. 20, she was well back early (in fact was last of the nine), remained well back to the top of the lane, started a powerful run once straightened away and surged in the final furlong to get up for the win. Thundering Sky, a good second to Fault (who came back to win the Grade 1 Santa Margarita on dirt) in the Grade 2 Buena Vista here Feb. 17, ran well again as she was an unlucky second. She lagged back from the start, had to steady when in tight going into the far turn as she moved closer, came with a run in the lane, again had to steady at the eighth pole, got clear and going again and looked like the winner until Beau Recall came storming past. Madame Stripes, winner of the Grade 3 Megahertz at this trip here Jan. 15 but then a bit dull when seventh in the Buena Vista, popped out to the early lead, soon relinquished pacesetting duties as she stalked in third, saved ground, came with a run into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch but then couldn’t quite finish with the top two. Enola Gray, making her first start since last July 1 after suffering an injury, pressed the early pace, soon took over pacesetting duties going into the backstretch, was under constant heavy pressure from Mongolian Shopper through modest splits and couldn’t quite keep up with the top three in the lane

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Oaks (race 11)
COMMENT: Midnight Bisou punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill on May 4 and figures one of the favorites as she posted an impressive victory here. The daughter of sprint champion Midnight Lute (who was also a Grade 2 route winner), sat farther back than she did in her most recent starts. She remained well back despite a slow pace (though as noted in the Santa Anita Derby review the main track played slow), but started a strong run going into the far turn which she sustained to roll past her rivals and draw away in the final furlong. Spectator, who missed the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in the fall with an injury but who beat elders in her comeback win here March 18, stalked in third, came with a nice run between horses in the lane, proved no match for the winner but kept on well to be a clear second. Thirteen Squared, second to ‘Bisou in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel, went right out to a clear lead, set a slow pace, was still clear turning for home while holding the fence but was unable to keep up with the top two when it mattered. Spring Lily, so impressive beating maidens here but then third in her first route and first try against winners in the Santa Ysabel here March 3, was disappointing as she was slow into stride and never a factor, eventually being eased. It may be time to regroup.

April 8

Keeneland
Beaumont (race 7)
COMMENT: Gas Station Sushi showed she’s a potential Grade 1 Acorn/Grade 1 Test kind of filly as the $240,000 daughter of Into Mischief overcame a lot of hurdles to win here. She whipped maidens in her debut at Del Mar last August 6 but hadn’t been seen since, so this was her first start in eight months, her first against winners and she had to ship across the country. None of that deterred her, and neither did a troubled start as she was content to sit a few lengths off the lead, was boxed in behind horses going into the far turn, angled to the inside for room, came back out again to launch her run in the lane, where she put in a strong run to roll past the leaders and draw clear. The Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 4 could be next. Kelly’s Humor, cutting back in distance for her first start of the year and having blinkers removed (her best races last year came sans blinkers), was away slowly to be last early, remained last to the far turn where she pitched wide to start a run and carried it through the lane in smart fashion to get second. Uppercut, like the winner a Southern California invader, ran well, too, as the $260,000 daughter of Discreet Cat was, like the winner, coming off a layoff, facing winners for the first time and shipping for the first time. She went right to the lead, dueling with Dream It Is, was head to head with that gal to the eighth pole, finally was getting the better of that rival but had no answer for the rallies of the top two. Happy Like a Fool, romping winner of her debut here a year ago, then Group 2-placed in England before coming to the U.S. to easily win the Grade 3 Matron at Belmont last fall and making her first start since, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home but was one-paced in the lane and couldn’t get involved. Dream It Is, smashing winner of her first three starts last spring/summer and making her first start nine months after winning the Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga and then suffering an injury, went right out to duel with Uppercut on the pace, took a narrow lead into the lane, but couldn’t sustain her run as she tired a bit in the final furlong.

Keeneland
Appalachian (race 8)
COMMENT: Rushing Fall got a lot of support to be champion juvenile filly last year, despite the fact her three super wins all came on turf. And while she didn’t get the award, after some time off she came back better than ever, easily beating a strong field here and stamping herself a potential superstar. The $320,000 daughter of More Than Ready, making her first start since producing a strong rally to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3, had enough speed to stalk in fourth as longshot Lounge Act set a modest pace, moved closer turning for home, shot to the lead into the lane with a burst, repelled a bid from Daddy Is a Legend and then from Thewayiam to win smartly. Trainer Chad Brown said the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks this summer is her primary target. She’s now unbeaten in four starts. It doesn’t seem a reach to think she can be his next Lady Eli. Thewayiam, coming off back-to-back Grade 3 wins at Gulfstream this winter, sat just behind the eventual winner after getting squeezed back at the start, managed to save ground, was asked for run on the far turn, moved out for room and finished well but couldn’t get to the impressive winner. Goodthingstaketime, second in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa last time out March 10, sat back behind the top two, pitched out into the lane and finished well, though she wasn’t really ever a danger to those two. Daddy Is a Legend, a big winner of the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante on Del Mar turf Nov. 25, was last early after a troubled start, steadily advanced to the far turn, came with a strong run into the lane to loom a big threat to the winner but couldn’t sustain her run. Heavenly Love, a Grade 1 winner on dirt but back to turf (the surface of her maiden win at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7) after failing to threaten in three straight dirt routes, got bumped at the start to get away poorly, was actually last going to the far turn and while able to make some headway and pass a couple rivals was never a factor. It’s hard to know where they go with her from here.

Santa Anita
Tokyo City Cup (race 5)
COMMENT: The old warrior Hoppertunity showed there’s still gas in the tank as the winner of over $4.3 million dropped after years of facing the best and dominated the proceedings, despite a first attempt at this 1 1/2-mile trip. There was cause for a little concern as he’s a 7-year-old now and you worried that no trip to Dubai this spring, which had been the norm for him, meant he wasn’t what he once was. That may still be the case but he still had more than enough to dominate these as he stalked a modest pace set by Beaumarchais, moved up easily to wrest the lead from that tiring rival on the far turn, opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. He ran so well here he might have earned a move back to top company for something like the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita at 1 1/4 miles May 26, though trainer Bob Baffert also mentioned they could await the Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9. Twentytwentyvision, back to dirt after primarily a turf career, was last early, started to advance going to the far turn, cut to the inside and ran on decently to be a clear second, though he was never a danger to the winner. Moonman, stepping well up in class after a third against $12,500 N2L claimers here March 1, stalked the early pace, lost position to be last going to the far turn, made a mild move on the turn and into the lane but tired thereafter. Infodebad, second in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Nov. 3 but dull in two outings since, pressured the early pacesetter but gave way readily and was eased.