Trip Notes for April 8-9: Wood Memorial, Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby

April 8

Aqueduct
Bay Shore (race 6)
COMMENT: Long Haul Bay, a maiden winner in a fast time on Aqueduct’s inner track Feb. 18 in his debut, handled a big step up in class and may have stamped himself a potential Grade 2 Woody Stephens/Grade 1 King’s Bishop type. He bided his time early as Even Thunder set the pace under pressure first from Caledonian and then from Theory, came with a sharp wide run into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, and drew off to win easily. Even Thunder, second beaten a nose by Caledonian in the Jimmy Winkfield on Aqueduct’s inner track Feb. 20, took pressure while setting modest splits, dispatched with those who pressured him but was no match for the winner in the lane. You’re to Blame, like the winner trained by Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown and coming off an optional-claiming win at Parx Feb. 11, sat last early, was still well back coming into the lane, finished with good energy, nearly caught the runner-up. Theory, the favorite who was making his first start of the year after showing much potential last year, pressed the pace while wide, was still there turning for home, but couldn’t keep up in the lane. Caledonian, winner of 3 of his last 4, two of those stakes on Aqueduct’s inner track, pressed the early pace between horses, was still in stalking position turning for home, but gave way.

Aqueduct
Excelsior (race 8)
COMMENT: Send It In posted two stakes wins over New York-breds on Aqueduct’s inner track this winter but then stumbled badly at the start before running on well to be third in the Stymie there March 12. He showed here he’s not just some inner-track specialist, as a better start helped him notch his first graded stakes win. He sat third early as well-regarded Chilean invader Tu Brutus shot out to a clear lead, remained in stalking mode to the top of the lane, went after Tu Brutus when asked, had to work hard but finally got abreast of that rival while on his outside, and edged ahead late. Tu Brutus, who came here having romped in 5 of his last 6 in Chile, maintained a clear advantage while setting modest splits, and kept to his task nicely to keep Sent It In at bay to deep stretch. He finished 14 lengths clear of the rest. It looks as though he’s adapted well to his new surroundings. Doyouknowsomething, second in the Stymie, got a nice stalking trip not far behind Sent It In, and plugged along well to be a clear third. Bellamy Way, stepping up in class after blasting allowance foes by eight lengths on the inner track Feb. 26, chased Tu Brutus while saving ground but gave way readily turning for home. This level may be a tad beyond him.

Aqueduct
Carter Handicap (race 9)
COMMENT: Green Gratto has been a hard-knocking sprinter for some time, and today the 7-year-old posted 54-1 upset to notch his first Grade 1 win. Coming off a seventh in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap on the inner track here March 11, he broke sharply to be alongside heavy favorite Unified, moved to the lead with Unified stalking him, opened up a clear lead coming into the lane, and held off the hard-charging favorite. Off this you couldn’t blame his connections for taking a shot at the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10. Unified, favored off a comeback win in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint, dueled early with Green Gratto, was content to allow that foe to assume the pacesetting duties, bided his time to the top of the lane, was then asked to go after Green Gratto, was a bit slow to change lead,s but finally got on his correct lead and finished well. This surely figures to set him up well for the Met Mile. Tommy Macho, third in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, lagged back, came with a strong run along the inside turning for home, ran out of room as Unified kept him bottled up on the fence, and got going again late once clear. He surely could have been closer without that trouble and looms a danger come the Met Mile. Of course, powerful types such as Connect, Sharp Azteca and Mind Your Biscuits are also eyeing the Met Mile. Ocean Knight stalked the pace just behind Unified, came wide into the lane, but weakened.

Aqueduct
Wood Memorial (race 10)
COMMENT: Irish War Cry, winner of his first three before finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, put himself back in the Derby picture. Trainer Graham Motion reasoned his Fountain of Youth dud may have been the result of coming back too quickly after his huge effort to win the Grade 2 Holy Bull. Not only did he win big today, he proved he’s no need-the-lead type. He stalked the pace of Battalion Runner, remained on that rival’s hip to the top of the lane, battled hard with that runner to inside the eighth pole, got the better of him, and drew away. Battalion Runner, winner at Gulfstream Park of his last two and taking a big step up in class here, likely punched his ticket to Louisville as well. He went right to the lead, took early pressure from True Timber, remained on the lead with Irish War Cry at his throat, battled with that rival to inside the eighth pole, and ended up well clear of the others. Cloud Computing, second to J Boys Echo in the Grade 3 Gotham on the inner track March 4 in just his second start, was a bit slow into stride while wide on the first turn, moved closer and toward the inside going into the backstretch, came out on the far turn to try and make a run, kept to his task well, but was never really a danger to the top two. He can benefit from this, though he’ll be giving away a lot of seasoning should he go in the Derby. Mo Town, romping winner of the Grade 2 Remsen here Nov. 26 but fifth in the Grade 2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds Feb. 25, was close to the pace early, settled well midpack, but never mustered a run. Could be he simply hasn’t developed since his 2-year-old season.

Aqueduct
Gazelle (race 11)
COMMENT: Miss Sky Warrior may have yet to run fast, but the daughter of First Samurai notched her fifth straight victory here in dominant fashion and punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks May 5, where she figures no worse third choice behind Paradise Woods and Farrell. Coming off a Grade 3 and two Grade 2 wins, she went right out to the lead, set comfortable splits while under modest pressure from Lockdown, then blew the race open coming into the lane. Good as she looked, she won’t get the same easy-on-the-lead trip in the Oaks that she got here. Lockdown, easy winner of her last two, including the Busanda Jan. 15, dogged the winner from the start, was asked to go with that runner into the lane, but was no match and plugged along to hold second. Full House, second to Yorkiepoo Princess in the Busher on the inner track Feb. 25, sat third, saved ground, and was basically one-paced throughout. Yorkiepoo Princess, winner of 4 of her previous 5, with three of those wins being stakes and the lone loss in that stretch coming on turf, got away awkwardly to be in midpack early, moved a bit closer going to the far turn, but then gave way. These graded stakes waters may be a tad too deep for her.

Keeneland
Commonwealth (race 6)
COMMENT: Awesome Slew was second to runaway winner Sharp Azteca in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap at a mile, and today showed he may actually be at his best playing this slightly shorter game. From his outside post he sat well back early as first Yockey’s Warrior and then Limousine Liberal set a solid pace, started his run going to the far turn, powered past his rivals, and drew clear late. Trainer Mark Casse said the goal with him is the Grade 1 Met Mile on Belmont Stakes Day June 10, and he said they could get there via either the Grade 2 Alysheba at 1 1/16 miles on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 5 or the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap at seven furlongs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 6. A. P. Indian, one of the nation’s top sprinters last year when he won 6 of 7, including two Grade 1’s at Saratoga, was making his first start since finishing fourth to Drefong in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 5. He pressed the pace while wide, took command on the far turn while still wide, opened up a bit of a lead, but had no answer for the winner’s charge. Limousine Liberal, last seen finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, dueled early with Yockey’s Warrior and then Redesdale while on the fence, battled back when hooked on the far turn by A. P. Indian, and couldn’t stay with that foe in the lane. Ami’s Flatter, romping winner of this race last year but winless since, lagged back early and came with a decent run to get fourth. Redesdale, winner of his three previous starts but stepping well up in class, stalked in third while wide and couldn’t keep up when the real racing began.

Keeneland
Shakertown (race 7)
COMMENT: Holding Gold closed well in the Grade 3 Woodford here Oct. 8, his last start, but was still well beaten by today’s rivals Mongolian Saturday and Hogy, who ran first and second. The time off apparently did the trick as he posted the big upset. From his rail slot he bided his time early as Justin Squared set a fast pace. Holding Gold got off the rail, moved further off coming into the lane as he launched his bid, reach contention just inside the eighth pole, and stayed on to just edge Green Mask. Green Mask, second to Hogy in the Colonel Power at the Fair Grounds Feb. 25, stalked the pace, waited for room coming into the lane, came through the inside by midstretch, and battled gamely to the wire. Hogy, the 3-1 favorite, sat just behind Green Mask until turning for home, got going in the lane, but couldn’t sustain his run. Mongolian Saturday, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2015 but no factor in his last three starts, dogged pacesetter Justin Squared, was still in the thick of it to midstretch, but weakened. He’s a 7-year-old now and has run 40 times, so it’s no surprise he’s lost a step or two. Shakhimat, romping winner of the Grade 3 Transylvania routing here a year ago and making his first start since finishing fifth in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine last July 3, stalked in third, was a threat on the far turn, but then gave way readily. The bulk of his work has been routing and this may serve as a stepping-stone to something longer.

Keeneland
Madison (race 8)
COMMENT: Paulassilverlining had shown her quality before as a multiple-graded-stakes-winning distaff sprinter who’d run third in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. She was purchased last month by Juddmonte and sent to Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, but her primary appeal to her new owner was to be a mate next year for its superstar Arrogate when he retires. Well, apparently she’s not done padding her own resume as she notched her first Grade 1 win here. She stalked the pace set by Kathballu under pressure from Constellation, moved inside as leader Constellation drifted out a few lanes coming into the stretch, took command and looked on her way to an easy win, but then had to fight hard while drifting out a bit to rebuff Constellation. The Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 6 is reportedly next, and races like the Grade 2 Princess Rooney and Grade 1 Ballerina this summer also are on her radar. Constellation, winner of the Grade 1 La Brea at this trip at Santa Anita Dec. 26 and then second in the Grade 3 Las Flores there March 5, dueled early with Kathballu who was to her inside, got the better of that foe going into the far turn, had a clear lead as she drifted out a few lanes coming into the stretch, looked done when Paulassilverlining came up her inside to seize command, but got going again to rally and just miss catching the winner. She could target the Humana Distaff as well. Paid Up Subscriber gave trainer Brown a one-three finish. Making her first start since running second in the Grade 1 Spinster at 1 1/8 miles here last Oct. 9, she sat midpack on the rail, moved off the rail for the stretch run, and finished with good energy, though she wasn’t a threat to the top two. While she showed she can sprint, this race probably sets her up to go back to routing, maybe as soon as May 5 in the Grade 1 La Troienne on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. Clothes Fall Off, who beat Paulassilverlining in Aqueduct’s Correction in 2016 and came into this off an easy win in that race March 18, was slow into stride, last going down the backstretch, and never made a move.

Keeneland
Ashland (race 9)
COMMENT: Sailor’s Valentine’s lone win came on this track last fall, and she validated her affinity for this place by posting the upset. She dogged pacesetter Someday Soon, moved closer to challenge that foe turning for home, bumped with that gal, got the better of her, and held on as Daddys Lil Darling closed in. Daddys Lil Darling, second in the Grade 1 Alcibiades here Oct. 7 and coming off a sixth on turf in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay March 11, sat back, swung out into the lane, and finished well for second. Someday Soon, who set the pace before fading to eighth in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn March 11, went right to the lead from her rail slot, took pressure from Sailor’s Valentine and bumped with her while holding the lead to inside the eighth pole, and then tired. Pretty City Dancer, a Grade 1 winner last year but coming off a sixth in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream March 4, bobbled some at the start, sat midpack, moved a bit closer on the turn, but then came up empty. Elate, a much-troubled third in the Honeybee, seemed in a good spot stalking the pace but gave way by the far turn and was pulled up and vanned off. X-rays reportedly came back clean. It’s tough to see any of these being big threats to the likes of Paradise Woods, Farrell, and Miss Sky Warrior in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks May 5.

Keeneland
Blue Grass (race 10)
COMMENT: Southern California-based Irap, winless in his seven starts but good enough to be Grade 1 and Grade 3 placed, helped confuse the Derby picture further with a 31-1 upset win. The $300,000 son of Tiznow pressured early pacesetter Wild Shot, got the better of that foe on the far turn, opened up by midstretch, and kept Practical Joke at bay in the final furlong. Surely it’s on to the Kentucky Derby from here. Practical Joke, second in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth March 4 in his only previous start this year, stalked in fourth, moved closer to Irap turning for home, and was able to cut into the lead. It’s questionable whether he wants more distance, as he seemed to have dead aim on Irap from the top of the lane but couldn’t get to him. McCraken, unbeaten in his four previous starts but coming off a minor ankle injury that forced him to miss the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby last month, stalked the pace, was in a bit snug between horses much of the way, swung wide into the lane to loom a threat, but flattened out. He ran very much like a horse who needed the race. J Boys Echo, romping winner of the Grade 3 Gotham where he earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, bobbled out of the gate and bumped with a rival to be at the back of the pack with Tapwrit, was able to get going into the lane, but was never a factor. His lack of involvement here makes you wonder if that Gotham figure was a function of everything lining up perfectly for him that day. Tapwrit, second to McCraken in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis and then winner of the Tampa Bay Derby, broke poorly to be toward the back, improved his position, but was never a factor. McCraken’s third and Tapwrit’s fifth call into question some of the quality of those Tampa races.

Santa Anita
Royal Heroine (race 5)
COMMENT: Hillhouse High was fourth in the Wishing Well down the hill here March 10, but another couple furlongs helped the daughter of Exchange Rate post the upset. From her outside slot she broke well to sit second as Juno shot out to a clear lead and set fast splits. Hillhouse High went past Juno into the lane and clung doggedly to her lead as stablemate Mokat came roaring up to challenge in the last half-furlong. This may earn her a shot at the Grade 1 Gamely here May 27. Mokat, a Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 placed early last year but off her game in recent months, bounced back to form to give trainer Richard Baltas the exacta. She was devoid of speed, as usual, sitting last, was still last at the eighth pole, and finished strongly. The Gamely figures on her radar as well. Juno, who was winless in four starts since coming to the U.S. from Argentina, set brisk splits, had the field come to her turning for home, battled back when confronted by the winner, but couldn’t go with that gal. Harmonize, favored off a second in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill Nov. 25, got going late to get up for fourth, but was never really a threat to win.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Oaks (race 6)
COMMENT: Recent maiden winner Paradise Woods handled the big step up in class and a new distance, and probably earned a trip to Louisville for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. By Grade 1 Belmont winner Union Rags, she set modest splits while clear and on the fence, blew the race wide open coming into the lane, and was geared down late. She may well go favored over Farrell if she runs in the Kentucky Oaks. Abel Tasman, now in the Bob Baffert barn after running second to Unique Bella in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel here March 4, was away slowly to be last early, was still well back coming into the lane, pitched wide to make her run, and finished well for second. Baffert said the Kentucky Oaks was still in her plans. It Tiz Well, who shipped back here after traveling to Oaklawn to win the Grade 3 Honeybee March 11, stalked the pace, seemed in a good spot, but never mustered a run and just kept third. She will reportedly head to Louisville as well. Majestic Quality, a maiden who ran second to Farrell in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds Feb. 25, lagged back from the start and never got involved.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Derby (race 8)
COMMENT: Gormley was game winning the Grade 3 Sham here Jan. 7, but the way he surrendered to end up fourth in the Grade 2 San Felipe here March 11 had many vacating his bandwagon. Well, his connections didn’t give up and their confidence was validated as he bounced back to get his second Grade 1 win. By Malibu Moon (sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb), he got a dream trip stalking the pace as Battle of Midway, American Anthem, and Royal Mo dueled for the early lead. Gormley remained just behind those dueling leaders to the far turn, battled outside Battle of Midway and Royal Mo, and got the better of those two in the final half-furlong. The Kentucky Derby is next. Battle of Midway, winner of his first route vs. optional claimers here March 9, showed he’s the real deal as he dueled from the start with American Anthem and Royal Mo, kept on battling with Royal Mo into the lane as American Anthem retreated, and tried to battle back when then confronted by Gormley. No reason he shouldn’t go to Louisville as well. Royal Mo, back home after fading to ninth in the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn March 18, gave his owner and trainer a one-three finish. From the outside post, he dueled for the lead while wide, remained in the thick of it to deep stretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. He may give his owner and trainer two shots at the Derby. Reach the World, who just failed to catch Battle of Midway here March 9, was away slowly, lagged well back to the far turn, swung very wide in the stretch, and finished well. His trainer, Bob Baffert, said the Derby was likely not in his plans, that he’d instead point for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes June 10. Iliad, the 3-1 favorite off his second to Mastery in the Grade 2 San Felipe, sat midpack, not far behind Gormley. He swung wide into the lane, looked as though he might make a run, but it never came. American Anthem, second to Gormley in the Sham before shipping to Oaklawn and finishing 10th in the Rebel, was still in the thick of it to the top of the lane but then gave way.

Santa Anita
Providencia (race 9)
COMMENT: Sircat Sally was the overwhelming favorite here, having won all four of her starts, the last two in turf stakes. She showed she may be ready to move into deeper water after another big win here. She went right out to the lead, was able to get away with a slow pace, extended her advantage a bit on the far turn, and opened up into the lane and to the wire while not really being asked. She’s now proven on turf and she won a stakes by 12 on dirt at Los Alamitos. You Missed It, a maiden who had four seconds in five starts with one of those coming in a turf stakes at Del Mar last summer, stalked in fourth while saving ground, tried to make a run at the winner in the lane, and kept on to get second. Emphatically, who invaded off turf wins at Laurel and the Fair Grounds, stalked in third, rallied with You Missed It, and lost second in the final stride.

April 9

Aqueduct
Distaff (race 5)
COMMENT: Highway Star rattled off three straight stakes wins in the fall before finishing fourth in the Ladies on the inner track here Jan. 13. She got back on track at this shorter trip, posting her second Grade 3 win. She stalked as Kelsocait and Clipthecouponannie dueled on the lead, rallied very wide into the lane, and ran down leader Indulgent inside the eighth pole. Indulgent, winner of three straight before taking this step up in class, stalked with Highway Star, moved earlier to go past the pacesetters into the lane, and battled back when confronted by Highway Star. Clipthecouponannie, previously unbeaten in four starts, got the better of Kelsocait turning for home, but was immediately taken on by Indulgent and Highway Star. She couldn’t finish with those two while finishing far clear of the others. This was Clipthecouponannie’s first start in almost four months and the farthest she’s ever gone, so she could improve. Carrumba, the favorite making her first start since running second to top-class Curalina in the Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga last July 31, was slow into stride, was asked for run, but never produced it. This was the first time she’d finished off the board in 11 starts.

Keeneland
Beaumont (race 8)
COMMENT: Sweet Loretta won her first three starts last year, all sprints, including the Grade 1 Spinaway (in a dead heat with Pretty City Dancer). But after pressing the pace in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, she gave way badly. The $750,000 daughter of Tapit returned to sprinting and her winning ways here. She broke to the outside but got straightened away and sat a nice trip stalking on the inside as Promises Broken set the pace pressured by Sine Wave. Sweet Loretta remained in stalk mode to the far turn, moved closer while staying inside, moved off the rail, and had no trouble going around and past the leaders for the easy win. She has the look of a Grade 1 Acorn/Grade 1 Test filly. Sine Wave, a longshot coming off an optional-claiming win at Parx, pressured pacesetter Promises Broken, stayed wide for the stretch run, and kept on well to be a clear second. Laney lagged well back and finished decently to get third. Dancing Rags won the Grade 1 Alcibiades here last Oct. 7 and then finished eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 5. Making her first start since then, Dancing Rags got bumped and jostled at the start to be well back early, pitched wide into the lane, but never mustered a run.