Trip Notes for August 15, 2020: Alabama Stakes

Aug. 15

Saratoga
Alabama (race 9)

COMMENT: Swiss Skydiver was a respectable second against boys in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland on July 11. Now, moving back in against 3-year-old fillies only - despite moving to a new, longer game - got her back on track as she was an easy winner, notching her first Grade 1 triumph and stamping herself a solid second choice (to Gamine) in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Sept. 4. The daughter of Daredevil broke well, dogged pacesetter Crystal Ball from the start while outside her, continued to pressure Crystal Ball through modest splits to the far turn, had no trouble taking over, quickly opened up turning for home, then blew the race open into the lane and won geared down. While Bonny South closed the gap on her in the final furlong the issue had already been put to bed and it was a good move to save something for her mouth-watering clash with Gamine at Churchill. Bonny South, a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on July 11, her first start in four months, moved forward nicely as she bided her time early at the back of the pack, racing with Harvey’s Lil Goil while saving ground, started to advance going to the far turn while remaining inside, came off the rail into the lane and finished with good energy, though she was never really a danger to the winner. This still sets her up well for another try at ‘Skydiver in the Kentucky Oaks. Harvey’s Lil Goil, back to dirt after a game win in the Grade 3 Regret on Churchill turf June 27, ran well but stumbled at the start to get away poorly, sat at the back of the pack into the first run, was still there into the backstretch, came with a smart run on the far turn to pass a few rivals and reach contention but then couldn’t stay with the winner and flattened out in the final furlong to lose second. The Kentucky Oaks is an option, though they may prefer staying at this longer trip, maybe for something like the Jockey Club Oaks at Belmont next month. Should all go well there, the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland in October may beckon. Envoutante, stablemate to the winner, stalked the pace from the start while saving ground from her rail draw, was still in the hunt to the far turn but came up empty when it mattered. She’s got talent but appears a notch below her stablemate and the division’s best. Crystal Ball, a game second in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks here July 18, went right out to a clear lead while saving ground, set a solid pace under modest pressure from Swiss Skydiver, tried to battle back when hooked by that foe into the far turn, couldn’t keep pace with Swiss Skydiver and gave way once headed. The way she faltered hints she may not be ready for something like the Kentucky Oaks as of now. Spice Is Nice was the disappointment. The $1 million daughter of two-time horse of year Curlin, coming off a super optional claiming win at Belmont on July 3, seemed in a good spot stalking in fourth from the start while between horses, moved closer going to the far turn but came up empty thereafter when asked to get more involved and gave way readily through the lane. She apparently isn’t ready for these deep waters.