Trip Notes for April May 5-7: Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and more

May 5

Churchill
La Troienne (race 5)

COMMENT: So far speed had dominated the day, and Big World, coming off three straight wins, took advantage. She shot right out to a clear lead on the sloppy track, set slow splits staying on the rail while being chased by Streamline and Impasse, opened up a bit turning for home, and kept her rivals at bay to notch her first Grade 1 win. Nice as this was, none of the big girls – Songbird, Stellar Wind, Terra Promessa, Vale Dori or Curlin’s Approval – were here so this wasn’t the strongest edition of this race. Romantic Vision, coming off a win at Keeneland, bided her time early while wide, moved closer on the far turn, went after the winner in the lane, but couldn’t get to her. Streamline, third in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom, stalked the winner from the start, tried to move closer on a couple occasions, kept to her task well but just wasn’t good enough. Paid Up Subscriber, the even-money favorite after rallying for third in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland April 8, had a miserable trip. She was midpack between horses from the start, checked going into the backstretch, remained midpack between horses going down the backstretch, steadied going to the far turn, looked for room turning for home but was still bottled up, had to steady again, changed lanes a couple times in the stretch to try and find room, but it never materialized. Morning-line favorite Finest City scratched to go in Saturday’s Grade 1 Humana Distaff.

Churchill
Alysheba (race 6)

COMMENT: Just in case you needed more evidence of the power of speed on this main track this day Bird Song led a virtual parade wire to wire. Coming off a third in the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland April 15, Bird Song broke well from his rail slot, was hustled up to take the lead going into the clubhouse turn, took some pressure from American Freedom and Honorable Duty while setting a solid pace, and remained clear despite looking a bit tired as he drifted out in the final furlong. Trainer Ian Wilkes said the next goal is to try and get a Grade 1 win with Bird Song, meaning a race like the Stephen Foster here in June is on the radar, as is the race named for his owner/breeder, the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga this summer. Honorable Duty rallied from well back to win the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds April 1, his third straight win, but changed tactics as his rider was fully evident of the track’s profile. He chased Bird Song from the start but couldn’t get to him. Considering the bias, International Star ran quite well for third. After running eighth to Honorable Duty in the New Orleans, he bided his time early here, was still well back coming into the lane, and stayed on the rail and finished with good energy, showing it’s not impossible to make up ground on this track. American Freedom, making his first start since running second in the Travers last August, stalked the eventual winner staying wide and in the clear, bore out some into the lane and in the stretch, and basically spun his wheels never mustering a run. He’s run big in three other sloppy track outings so the track condition wasn’t the culprit, but his two poorest starts came over this track.

Churchill
Eight Belles (race 8)

COMMENT: Another front-running winner on the main track as Benner Island used her newfound speed and the rail to just prevail over Union Strike. The 3.40-1 favorite coming off a fifth in the Grade 3 Fantasy, Benner Island had never been on the lead in the first two calls, but she broke sharply to be just behind Lovely Bernadette early and soon assumed command from that rival. Benner Island set brisk splits while staying on the fence, took pressure from Lovely Bernadette, looked in deep water when a number of rivals came to her at the top of the lane as she drifted a bit off the rail and then back to it, looked in deeper trouble when seemingly passed by Golden Mischief briefly coming into the lane, but re-took the lead, opened up a bit, and just got to the line before a hard-charging Union Strike. She’s now 2 for 2 here. She may a Grade 1 Acorn/Grade 1 Test filly. The Acorn is on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10. Union Strike was a bit unlucky. Coming off a sprint win in a stakes at Santa Anita April 9, her first start of the year, she got away awkwardly, sat back early while saving ground, steadily advanced while staying on the rail, tried to move up to challenge inside the eventual winner but got shut off, was trapped behind horses there to midstretch, swung out for room, and finished well. Had she not been forced to steady and wait for room she might well have won. Her rider claimed foul against the winner for putting Union Strike in tight turning for home but the objection was denied. Her rally did show it’s at least possible to make up ground in the lane. Laney sat back just in front of Union Strike, came with a nice run, loomed a big threat into the lane, and finished decently. Golden Mischief stalked the pace, loomed a big threat turning for home, seemingly put her head in front, but couldn’t sustain her bid. Florida Fabulous, romping winner of her first two starts, both at Gulfstream, and on paper seemingly the main speed, didn’t break well, was bumped out of the gate, rushed up to get a stalking position, was still in the hunt turning for home, but gave way. Ghalia, unbeaten in her three starts, was midpack early but never made a move, instead retreating to end up well back.

Churchill
Kentucky Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: Even though the track favored speed all day, this was a good lesson as to how pace makes the race, in this case a hot pace killing the speed horses and setting it up for a group of closers, the best of whom was Abel Tasman, who got her second Grade 1 win. Winner of the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos Dec. 10 but beaten a city block by Paradise Woods in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, she added blinkers here and got the hot, contested pace she needed. Favorite Paradise Woods and third choice Miss Sky Warrior went toe to toe from the start. Abel Tasman got away slowly and was last going into the backstretch. She bided her time, started to move forward midway down the backstretch, steadily advanced, came with a wide run through the lane, and outfinished three other closers. Daddys Lil Darling, who rallied for second in the Grade 1 Ashland last month, was behind the eventual winner going into the far turn, swung very wide into the lane and finished well. Lockdown, beaten 13 lengths by Miss Sky Warrior when second in the Grade 2 Gazelle, was in tight and steadied hard early on, resulting in her being midpack, moved closer going to the far turn when she was blocked and again had to steady, veered inward to bump hard with Salty, got going again, came through between horses, moved to the rail, and finished well, despite her rider also losing his whip. Vexatious sat back, came with a strong wide run into the lane to loom a big threat but couldn’t sustain her run. Miss Sky Warrior broke well, was urged to get involved from the start, sat on Paradise Woods’s hip, got the better of that foe into the lane to take the lead between calls, but then came up empty. Paradise Woods, the heavy favorite off her monstrous Santa Anita Oaks win, shot right out to the lead but was immediately joined by Miss Sky Warrior, set fast splits on the rail, and buckled into the lane. Farrell seemed in a dream spot in third, just a few lengths behind the dueling leaders, was asked for run on the far turn, but fell apart and was eased.

May 6

Belmont
Sheepshead Bay (race 4)

COMMENT: Sea Calisi was no secret when she came here a year ago, having been multiple Group 1-placed in Europe. Then she dazzled when she won her U.S. debut in this race last year before going on to eventually win the Grade 1 Beverly D. Well, it’s a year later but the song remains the same as powered home to defend her title over a yielding course. She got to the rail from her outside post before reaching the first turn, sat back early as Zipessa set a slow pace, started to advance going to the far turn while still a couple lengths behind main rival Suffused, came with an explosive move to circle the field on the turn while widest of all, grabbed and cruised home to win easily. Last year after winning this she went to the Grade 2 New York, where she was a troubled second to top-class stablemate Dacita, so another shot at the New York, run on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10, figures next. Suffused, coming off two graded stakes wins at Gulfstream, sat fourth, a few lengths off the lead while traveling well and in front of Sea Calisi, looked poised to strike as she moved closer going to the far turn, but was stuck behind horses when Sea Calisi blew past to her outside. She was able to find a lane and finished far clear of the others. The New York could be on her radar as well. April Betty, making her first start since she was second in her U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Dowager at Keeneland last October, sat second stalking Zipessa, moved up to challenge into the lane, and plugged along to get third. Zipessa, multiple Grade 1 placed and making her first start since running fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf last fall, went out to a clear lead, had a couple rivals come to her going into the far turn, battled back but gave way once headed.

Belmont
Westchester (race 10)
COMMENT: Connect, last year’s Cigar Mile winner, made his first start of the year here and proved a handy winner, stamping himself the horse to beat in the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard here June 10. Connect bided his time early as Greenpointcrusader and Virtual Machine dueled through solid splits, came with a wide run while in hand to easily roll past those two and take command on the turn, opened up into the lane, and had no worries thereafter. His trainer, Chad Brown, also won the Grade 1 Humana Distaff, Grade 2 Churchill Turf Distaff Mile, Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay and ran second in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy and Grade 1 Woodford Reserve – not a bad day’s work. Virtual Machine, stepping well up in class after two wins on the inner track, dueled outside Greenpointcrusader, suddenly had Connected blow past, chased him, and was much the best of the others. Frammento, coming off a ninth in the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland last month, tossed his head at the start to get away last, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, and ran on decently to get third. Mohaymen, making his much-anticipated return after last fading to 11th in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop at Saratoga last summer, broke sharply but was content to take back, was a tad rank early, seemed poised to make a run turning for home, got up to third by midstretch, but then flattened out.

Belmont
Fort Marcy (race 11)

COMMENT: Smooth Daddy, a longshot coming off a dull run in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream in March, went right up to contest the lead with Farz, dueled with that rival on the yielding course through modest spits, dispatched with that foe, was confronted by Messi turning for home, looked beaten when heavy favorite Time Test stormed up on the outside and took the lead, but wouldn’t stop and got the nose decision. Time Test ran against some of the best Europe had to offer and he made his first start here for trainer Chad Brown. He didn’t quite run to his press notices but still stamped himself a potential big player in the male turf distance division. Making his first start since winning an English Group 2 last summer, he broke well and was content to take back to last in the small field while staying wide. He seemed to pull a bit going into and down the backstretch, was still last going to the far turn, but moved much closer. He continued to pull to the far turn, swung widest of all, moved up easily to challenge leaders Smooth Daddy and Messi, took the lead looking as if he were going to storm away but then idled and got nipped on the wire by a resurging Smooth Daddy. He may not be Flintshire but he still holds much promise if Brown can get him to relax. Messi stalked the pace, came up alongside Smooth Daddy on the turn to challenge for the lead, was in a battle with that foe when Time Test came up to his outside and passed him and then couldn’t keep pace with the top two.

Churchill
Humana Distaff (race 6)

COMMENT: Results from the earlier races seem to indicate the sealed, sloppy track was playing fair. Paulassilverlining won the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland in her first start for Juddmonte Farms and trainer Chad Brown, and she made it back-to-back Grade 1’s by winning this in gutty fashion. She took position just behind pacesetter Super Humor, crept closer through modest splits, had champion Finest City on her right hip and top-class Carina Mia just to that mare’s outside, took command turning for home, and rebuffed challenges from Finest City and Carina Mia. Finest City, last year’s distaff sprint champ after beating both Paulassilverlining and Carina Mia in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, was just to the outside of Paulassilverlining from the start, and basically stayed there throughout. Carina Mia was ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint but she was found to have a breathing problem that day. Making her first start since, she sat just outside the top two, loomed a big threat into the lane, but couldn’t quite get to the top two, who both had a recency edge on her. It was still a fine comeback run and shows she’s back to top form. The top three finished in nearly the same positions in relation to one another that they held at the half-mile pole. Sweetgrass sat last to the top of the lane, moved to the inside, and finished decently.

Churchill
Churchill Turf Distaff Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: The turf course was rated good but it seemed to be playing much softer than that. Roca Rojo just failed to catch Miss Temple City – who was scratched from this race - in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar Dec. 4, her last start. That made her the class of this race and she proved best – but it wasn’t easy. She pulled a bit and sat second as Believe in Bertie set a slow pace, remained on that rival’s hip, moved up to challenge for the lead into the lane, and then had to battle hard to prevail in the final strides. Trainer Chad Brown said the Grade 1 Just a Game II on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10 is likely next, and that will be much tougher as it will likely have Grade 1 winners Celestine and Dickinson on hand. Believe in Bertie, coming four straight wins at the Fair Grounds, was stepping well up in class here but proved up to the task. She went right to the lead while a few lanes off the rail, set a slow pace under some pressure from Roca Rojo, drifted off the fence coming into the lane when challenged by Roca Rojo, drifted out and back in again in deep stretch, but showed a ton of heart to just miss. Linda sat well back, came with a decent run but the with the pace being so slow she was up against it as this was basically a two-horse race all the way around.

Churchill
Pat Day Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: The main track now listed as wet-fast (sealed). Wild Shot tried the Kentucky Derby trail, and cut back in distance here and proved an easy winner. He stalked early pacesetter Uncontested while just to his outside, moved up to challenge that rival into the lane, opened up and won easily. The Grade 2 Woody Stephens at seven furlongs on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10 is his next target, according to his trainer. No Dozing, also at one point considered a potential Derby horse, lagged well back, swung very wide into the lane, and finished well for second. Uncontested went out to the lead while holding the rail, took pressure from the eventual winner while setting a decent pace, was no match for that rival when straightened away, but held third. You’re to Blame sat far back, just behind No Dozing much of the way, pitched wide into the lane, and finished decently. Local Hero, once considered a Derby possibility, sat midpack from the start, had to check going to the far turn, made a mild move into the lane, but flattened out.

Churchill
American Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: Arklow moved to turf for the first time last month and he whipped maidens at Keeneland. Now, just a few weeks later, he’s a Grade 2 winner and 2 for 2 on turf. He bided his time early as Oscar Performance set a solid pace on “good” turf under pressure from Conquest Fahrenheit. Arklow steadily advanced, came out turning for home, got the better of Conquest Farenheit, battled briefly with Big Score, and edged clear to post the upset. He’s bred to go even longer so a race like the Grade 1 Belmont Derby at 1 1/4 miles on turf July 8 could be in his future. Good Samaritan was away slowly, lagged well back, still had only one horse beaten by the far turn, pitched extremely wide into the lane, finished well, and was just able to get up for second. Big Score raced in close attendance to Arklow, moved with that foe while just behind on his outside coming into the lane, threatened to take the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t go with the winner and got edged on the line for second. Conquest Farenheit dogged pacesetter Oscar Performance, moved up to challenge that foe turning for home, got the better of him into the lane to grab the lead, but couldn’t finish with the top three. Oscar Performance broke slowly but rushed up between horses to grab the lead under the wire the first time, set a solid pace under pressure from Conquest Farenheit, but gave way badly once headed into the lane.

Churchill
Churchill Downs (race 10)

COMMENT: Limousine Liberal ran third to Awesome Slew in the Grade 2 Commonwealth at Keeneland but he got his revenge here. On the wet-fast (sealed) track, he stalked favorite Masochistic on the rail and longshot Bluegrass Singer to his outside, moved closer to those two on the far turn, took over from those tired pacesetters into the lane while a few lanes off the rail, opened up, and held off a number of closers. Awesome Slew bided his time well back from his rail slot, moved closer on the far turn, came with a strong run into the lane between horses, had to weave through traffic, ducked to the inside to find clear sailing in the final half-furlong, and finished strongly to just miss. Tom’s Ready lagged back, came with a strong run into the lane to loom a big threat by midstretch, but couldn’t sustain his bid. It was a fine effort considering this was his first start in six months. Solid Wager came wide into the lane and finished strongly on his wrong lead to the outside of the top three, just failing to get third. Masochistic dueled with Bluegrass Singer through fast splits and gave way once headed into the lane.

Churchill
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (race 11)

COMMENT: Divisidero won this race for the second straight year, and won a stakes on this course on Kentucky Derby Day for the third straight year. Coming off a troubled second at Keeneland last month, he was last early here as Beach Patrol set a slow pace on a course listed as good. Divisidero remained well back going to the far turn, got closer as the field bunched, looked for a lane between horses, swung widest of all once straightened away, and wore down Beach Patrol. The question now is, Can he take this top-class form to other venues? Beach Patrol moved up between horses without being urged to take the early lead, galloped along up front through slow splits taking some pressure from Enterprising and Can’thelpbelieving, picked up the pace on the far turn as the field came to him, rebuffed a number of challenges, opened up some as if he were going on to victory, but couldn’t fend off Divisidero for his third straight Grade 1 second. He and Divisidero could renew acquaintances in the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 10. Oscar Nominated lagged well back with the winner, moved earlier on the far turn with a strong wide run, and couldn’t get to the runner-up. Kasaqui, from his rail slot, lagged back while inside, advanced between horses on the turn, loomed a threat but was stuck inside behind Beach Patrol, ran on well, but just wasn’t good enough. Bal a Bali, coming off a win in the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March, stalked the pace not far behind Beach Patrol, tried to make a run in the lane while between horse, was still in with a chance by midstretch, but didn’t have the needed punch.

Churchill
Kentucky Derby (race 12)

COMMENT: A brilliant ride by Hall of Famer John Velazquez gave fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher his second Derby, as Always Dreaming was much the best and was the only horse in the field to come back without any mud on him from the wet-fast (sealed) track. He went right up to challenge for the lead while inside State of Honor, was content to let that rival go up to set the pace going into the backstretch, relaxed wonderfully just behind that rival, moved up easily inside and cut the corner into the lane, opened up, and won comfortably. He’s the fifth straight favorite to win the Derby and he looks tough again two weeks hence at Pimlico for the Grade 1 Preakness. Lookin At Lee was well back early, as usual, while saving ground, steadily advanced to the far turn, came through between horses, rallied well up the rail in the lane, and was much the best of the rest. Battle of Midway stalked the pace not far behind Always Dreaming, challenged Always Dreaming turning for home, and stayed on well for third. Classic Empire got waylaid at the start as a few horses from the auxiliary gate broke over into him, forcing him to check and steady and fall well back. He steadily advanced and finished decently, but was left with too much to do. Practical Joke sat midpack, made a mild move turning for home, but was unable to sustain his run. Tapwrit was in tight early to be well back, steadily advanced, and finished well. Gunnevera got jammed up at the start and was well back early, was then in tight when in traffic, and finished decently. McCraken was pushed inward by horses at the start, impeding Classic Empire, came with a threatening run into the lane, but flattened out. Gormley sat a few lengths off the early lead, moved closer going to the far turn while staying wide and in the clear, loomed a threat into the lane, but flattened out. Irish War Cry was part of a chain reaction as the horses to his right in the auxiliary gate bore in after the start. He stalked the pace, came up alongside the leaders while seemingly traveling well, but came up empty. Could be he simply can’t go this far. Thunder Snow came out of the gate bucking and was pulled up immediately. Santa Anita
Senorita (race 5)

COMMENT: Sircat Sally, the 2-5 favorite, improved her record to 6 for 6 (4 for 4 on turf), backing up her Grade 3 Providencia win here last month with another smart tally. She went right out to the lead, took some pressure from Spy Ring while setting modest splits on the rail, dispatched with Spy Ring, and had enough of a lead to keep hard-charging Beau Recall at bay. The Grade 2 Honeymoon here June 17 figures next. Beau Recall, second to Sircat Sally in the China Doll here March 11, was away slowly and last to the top of the lane, pitched out for room, and finished well. Pacific Wind stalked in third, loomed a threat between horses, and lost second in the final strides. Spy Ring kept after the winner to midstretch before finally succumbing.

May 7

Lone Star
Steve Sexton Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: On paper Mor Spirit dominated this race, and that’s the way it played out on the track. The Grade 1 winner, coming off a win in a stakes at Oaklawn March 18, went right to the lead, took some pressure from American Dubai while a couple lanes off the rail, started to extend his advantage turning for home, was asked for run, and quickly put this race to bed with an easy win. Texas Chrome, who was 3 for 3 here, got back on track after a sixth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap last month. He bided his time early, angled out turning for home, made a run, but was unable to close the gap on the winner. Iron Fist stalked the pace while staying inside from his rail draw, was asked for run on the far turn, but was unable to catch the runner-up.

Santa Anita
Adoration (race 5)

COMMENT: Vale Dori continued her domination of the distaff ranks out West, winning for the sixth straight time, the last five in graded stakes. She sat second on the wet-fast (sealed) track as Sensitively, who was stretching out from sprints, shot out to a clear lead. Vale Dori moved closer to the pacesetter on the far turn, took over from that rival into the lane, opened up, but then had to work to fend off a hard-trying Skye Diamonds. The Grade 1 Beholder Mile here June 3 may be next, though the water will be much deeper there as champions Songbird, Stellar Wind and Finest City could all be there. Skye Diamonds showed her recent surge in form was no fluke as she ran splendidly in defeat. Stepping up after three straight wins, including a restricted stakes last time out, she stalked the pace a length or so behind the eventual winner, swung out into the lane, ran after Vale Dori, and closed the gap while much the best of the rest. She has four wins and two seconds since being claimed for $40,000 last August. Sensitively set a decent pace on the rail and couldn’t go with the top two when it mattered.