Trip Notes for August 17-18, 2019: Pacific Classic, Alabama, and more

Aug. 17

Saratoga
Lake Placid (race 9)

COMMENT: Steady rain resulted in the inner course being listed as good and the race was run as a lightning and rainstorm hit the track. On paper it was hard to separate Varenka and Regal Glory. After the race it was impossible to separate them on film, according to the stewards who after examining the photo said it was “inconclusive,” so they opted to call it a dead heat. Varenka, coming off a game optional claiming win on this course July 14, bided her time, saving ground as Blowout set a modest pace, remained toward the inside to the far turn, swung out into the stretch for clear sailing and finished resolutely to hit the wire on even terms with Regal Glory. Regal Glory, first or second in all six starts including a win in the Grade 3 Lake George on this course July 19, stalked the pace, to the far turn, came out some into the lane and rallied gamely inside Varenka, hitting the wire simultaneously with that rival. These two could renew acquaintances in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland on Oct. 12. Blowout, a sharp second to stablemate Regal Glory in the aforementioned Lake George, again finished close to that rival but again finished behind her. She went right out to a clear early lead, set modest splits while a clear leader and well in hand, battled back gamely when hooked into the lane first by Amandrea, was rebuffing that foe only to have the dead heat winners just edge past to her outside. Her trainer Chad Brown said he’d look to cut her back in distance. Amandrea sat second from the start, moved up to engage Blowout into the lane while between horses, battled on gamely but just wasn’t quite good enough.

Saratoga
Alabama (race 10)

COMMENT: Heavy rain resulted in the main track being listed as sloppy (sealed). This was a competitive renewal on paper, but Dunbar Road took care of that notion with a smashing win, putting herself into the 3-year-old filly title debate along with unbeaten stablemate Guarana, Grade 1 winner/placed Serengeti Empress and the best 3-year-old filly turfer Concrete Rose. As the favorite coming off an easy win in the Grade 2 Mother Goose, Dunbar Road broke well from her rail slot, looked as though she might go to the lead but comfortably took back before the first turn, remained on the fence as Champagne Anyone and Ulele volleyed up front on the lead through modest splits, looked in a bit of trouble when still hemmed in along the fence as the field bunched, was still there as rival Point of Honor stayed to her right keeping her on the rail, waited for that rival to go on with it, came off the rail behind her on the far turn, pitched widest of all into the lane and blasted home to win easily. The Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21 might be on her radar, though cutting back to 1 1/16 miles after this 1 1/4-mile trip might not be what her connections want. That could mean her bridge to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff might mean a shot at elders in the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont on Sept. 28 or the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 6. Point of Honor, the second choice off a good second to Guarana in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks here on July 21, lagged back while a couple lanes off the rail, raced alongside the eventual winner down the backstretch, keeping that rival locked on along the fence, made her move first with a smart rally on the far turn to reach contention, had no answer when the winner blew by to her outside but kept on gamely to nip Street Band for second. Street Band, smart winner of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks at Indiana Grand on July 13, stalked the slow pace under a hold, remained there to the far turn, came with a nice run between horses into the lane, moved to the fence, was no match for the winner who was a few lanes outside of her but battled on gamely with Point of Honor just losing second by a nostril. Champagne Anyone dueled up front with Ulele, though the splits were slow, had the lead turning for home but gave way once headed. Lady Apple, winner of the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows July 5, pressed the early pace, took back a bit going down the backstretch while saving ground but never mustered a run thereafter.

Monmouth
Monmouth Oaks (race 5)

COMMENT: This looked like the spot where reigning 2-year-old filly champ Jaywalk would reestablish herself near the top of the division coming off a nine-length laugher in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks after a balky winter/spring where she lost three straight. Well, longshot Horologist didn’t get the memo as the daughter of Gemologist, stepping back into graded stakes ranks after three straight wins posted the upset. From her rail slot she broke alertly, was content to pull back a bit as Jaywalk set a solid pace, remained in stalk mode while holding the fence, came with a nice run into the lane still on the rail, engaged Jaywalk in the stretch and got the better of that rival, edging away in the final half-furlong. This affirms her love affair with this track as she’s now perfect in four starts here. The Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21 is a possibility, though waiting there could be the likes of unbeaten Guarana, Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Princess, possibly Grade 1 Alabama winner Dunbar Road as well as Jaywalk, whose stated summer goal before this was the Cotillion. Jaywalk went right to the lead, set a solid pace under pressure first from Horologist and then from Sweet Sami D while wide on the first turn, held a clear lead down the backstretch and into the far turn, was confronted by the eventual winner to her inside turning for home, battled gamely with that rival but couldn’t outfinish her. While the loss is a bit disappointing this might still set her up well for the Cotillion. Sweet Sami D stalked Jaywalk from the start, continued to chase to the far turn but could never got on terms with the top pair in the stretch while staying on decently for third.

Del Mar
Green Flash Handicap (race 3)

COMMENT: This looked like a duel between reigning turf champ and top-class turf sprinter Stormy Liberal and the razor-sharp Eddie Haskell, who’d won seven of his last 10 and was 6 for 7 on this course. But Mr Vargas, a smashing winner over optional claimers on this course at this trip July 21 had different plans as he handled the class hike and proved a strong winner. In his first stakes try he broke flying from his outside post to take the lead, got over to the rail, then took pressure first from Eddie Haskell and then from Stormy Liberal, but opened up again into the lane and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. The Grade 2 Eddie D. at Santa Anita on Sept. 27 figures next and should all go well there, a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 2 would be on tap. Eddie Haskell broke well, was outrun early by the eventual winner, moved outside that rival, applied pressure going down the backstretch, was content to tuck back a bit as Stormy Liberal moved up to press Mr Vargas, kept to his task nicely to get up for second but was never really a danger to the winner. The Eddie D. and possibly the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint figure on his radar as well. Stormy Liberal, making his first start since running third in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Dubai on March 30, showed the speed to chase Mr Vargas from the start, continued after that rival to the top of the lane but then flattened out a bit. Considering this was his first start in so long, this wasn’t a bad run and he figures to target the Eddie D. and a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint title defense. Undrafted, coming off a couple of fourths in turf sprints at Churchill, lagged back from the start, was still toward the back into the lane, got going late to pass a rival and get fourth but was no danger to the top three.

Del Mar
Del Mar Handicap (race 7)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when United, the 3-1 second choice, scratched (ill). Acclimate won two straight at Santa Anita including the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano on June 23 but then gave way badly to end up last of 11 in the California Dreamin’ here on July 26, so you didn’t know which guy would show up here. Well, it was the good Acclimate as the 5-year-old gelding used his speed to prove best. He broke well, moved right out to a clear early lead, remained clear while setting a modest pace under minimal pressure from Ritzy A. P., blew the race open into the lane when shooting out to a big lead, giving him enough of a buffer to hold the lead to the line despite the fact a rallying Oscar Dominguez closed the gap. This might have earned him a shot at the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 28. Oscar Dominguez, second to Acclimate in the San Juan Capistrano, provided a repeat of that exacta as the son of Zoffany was last from the start while saving ground, remained at the back to the far turn, moved out into the lane and finished with good energy but just couldn’t get to the winner. Ritzy A. P. sat second chasing the eventual winner from the start, was asked to get closer to that foe turning for home, was unable to do so but kept on evenly to just hold third. The Great Day, an invader who was favored off a second in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap July 13, bided his time between horses, remained in stalking position to the far turn but never mustered a run. Marckie’s Water, the second choice off a rallying second in the Grade 2 Eddie Read here on July 21, sat back, made a run on the far turn as if ready to get involved but after pitching wide into the lane came up empty.

Del Mar
Torrey Pines (race 8)

COMMENT: Fighting Mad had shown talent sprinting but here was asked to route for the first time. Well, the daughter of New Year’s Day took to the trip and used her speed to dominate this. She broke sharply, going right out to a clear lead, took some pressure from Into Chocolate into the backstretch but reestablished a clear lead on the far turn and then opened up to win with ease. Off this maybe she deserves a shot at the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21 against such division heavies as Guarana, Serengeti Empress, and Jaywalk. Hollywood Hills, at 30-1 the highest-priced entrant off a game rallying win in the Fleet Treat here on July 18, was away slowly to be last early, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn while saving ground, moved off the inside turning for home and finished well to get up for second, though she was never on the winner’s radar. Into Chocolate stalked in fourth while inside, came off the fence and moved up to press Fighting Mad on the backstretch, continued to chase that rival, proved no match for her in the lane, kept on evenly and only lost second in the final strides. Classic Fit, well backed off a good second in the Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont June 29 to Dunbar Road (who came back earlier this day to romp in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga), was disappointing as she sat back from the start, remained there while saving ground down the backstretch but had nothing to give when the real racing began.

Del Mar
Del Mar Oaks (race 9)

COMMENT: If it’s a Grade 1 on turf Chad Brown must be involved, and that was the case here as his Cambier Parc, a $1.25 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro invaded from New York and had little trouble handling her rivals. Coming off a solid third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 6, she lagged back early while saving ground as Raymundos Secret set a solid pace, was midpack on the far turn while moving to the outside, swung extremely wide into the lane, took a few strides to get going but once she found top gear powered home outside eventual runner-up Hidden Message to win going away. The $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks at Belmont on Sept. 7 is likely coming back too quickly, so they may instead await the Grade 2 Sands Point at Aqueduct on Oct. 12 or go to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II that same day. Hidden Message, a European invader, sat midpack after breaking from her far outside post, remained there while wide, moved toward the inside going to the far turn, moved back outside turning for home and into the lane, came with a smart run just inside Cambier Parc and finished with good energy, though she was no match for the winner in the final half-furlong. Lady Prancealot did the best of the local team. Winner of the Grade 3 Honeymoon at Santa Anita on June 1 she lacked speed, as is her custom, to be well back from the start, remained as she raced toward the inside, came out for room leaving the far turn, moved wider out still into the lane to be widest of all and finished smartly for third. Mucho Unusual, winner of the Grade 2 San Clemente here on July 20, stalked while wide, moved toward the inside on the first turn while continuing in stalk mode, came out turning for home to loom a threat but was one-paced the rest of the way. Could be this distance is a tad beyond her, at least at this level. Dogtag, the less regarded of the two Brown fillies, stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane, was still there to midstretch but then gave way.

Del Mar
Pacific Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: On paper this was a competitive renewal, even if it lacked star power. Higher Power continued his ascent, picking the right day for the best race of his life. Coming off an optional claiming win on turf at Santa Anita on June 14 and a second in the Wickerr on turf here July 21, he did it in style, showing he may be a danger to even tougher. He broke well, sat off Quip and War Story first time under the wire, soon assumed second as Quip took over pacesetting duties, remained on that rival’s hip to his outside down the backstretch through modest splits, surged past that tiring foe into the far turn, quickly opened up on the turn and into the lane and drew off further in the final furlong to win with authority. Off this he likely deserves a shot at the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Sept. 28, though the water figures a lot deeper there with the likes of McKinzie and stablemate Gift Box likely eyeing that as well. Of course, judging by this performance, they better look out for him. Draft Pick, a $450,000 son of Candy Ride coming off a third in the Grade 2 San Diego here on July 20 also ran the best race of his career as he stalked not far behind the eventual winner, came with a nice wide run on the far turn, proved no match for the big winner in the lane but kept to his task to just hold second. Mongolian Groom, winner of the aforementioned San Diego, stalked sitting between the top two from the start, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as Draft Pick but got going late, finishing well to almost get up for second. Tenfold, a dull ninth in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Churchill on June 15, bounced back some as the son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin lagged well back while a few lanes off the rail, started a nice run on the far turn and ran on decently, though he was never really a danger to the top trio. Campaign, another son of Curlin, and one who cost $675,000 and was coming off a nice win in the longer Grade 3 Cougar II here on July 24, was away slowly, trailed the field under the wire the first time, was still last on the far turn, got going in the lane and finished decently to pass a few though he was never really a factor. Seeking the Soul, favored off a win in the Stephen Foster, bided his time toward the back, moved up on the far turn some as if ready to make a run but came up empty. Pavel, third in the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont on July 6, was well back early while saving ground and never made a move. Quip, a sharp second to Seeking the Soul in the Foster, broke well, dueled early with War Story to his inside first time under the wire, soon assumed pacesetting duties into the first turn, set a modest pace into the backstretch while holding the fence but gave way readily once headed on the far turn.

Aug. 18

Del Mar
Del Mar Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: Trainer Phil D’Amato already had favorite Bowies Hero in here, so it was interesting he also entered Prince Earl, who hadn’t been seen since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby last Dec. 1. Well, the horse showed why D’Amato entered him as he posted the upset and punched his ticket for a move into deeper water. The son of Grade 1 turf winner Paddy O’Prado bided his time early midpack as What a View set a solid pace, remained midpack to the top of the lane, had to wait for room into the stretch, found a seam, moved out to take advantage, burst through between rivals, grabbed the lead late and was edging away at the line. Off this a shot at the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 5 is in the cards and should all go well there, maybe a swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile there Nov. 2. Sharp Samurai, a good fourth to Bowies Hero in the Grade 2 Eddie Read here on July 21, sat midpack while saving ground, just in front of the eventual winner, came with a nice run into the lane, challenged for the lead by midstretch but couldn’t counter the winner’s charge and just got second ahead of a hard-trying Grecian Fire. The City of Hope Mile, a race he won last year, figures on his radar as well. Grecian Fire, stepping up in class after a big rallying win in the California Dreamin’ here on July 26 in his first start for trainer Keith Desormeaux, sat back just behind the top two while a few lanes off the rail, came out further into the lane to launch his bid, actually got first run on the eventual winner but proved no match for him and jut failed to catch the runner-up. Bowies Hero, who was indeed favored off a smashing win in the aforementioned Eddie Read, was well back from the start, remained well back to the top of the lane, commenced a run between horses in the stretch, had to steady late but kept on decently for fifth, though he was never really a factor. The City of Hope still figures in his plans. Bolo, who seemed to stamp himself among the elite turf milers with a big win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 27, showed speed to dog early pacesetter What a View, moved up to challenge for the lead turning for home but came up empty thereafter. His history has been that he’s not as effective away from Santa Anita. The good news for him is the City of Hope and the Breeders’ Cup Mile are there this fall, so returning there could get him back on track. Bombard scratched due to a foot bruise.