Trip Notes for August 22-23, 2020: Pacific Classic, Fourstardave, and more

Aug. 22

Saratoga
Fourstardave (race 9)

COMMENT: Another prime example as to the importance of controlling speed. Halladay, who didn’t make the lead in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch here July 26, ending up fourth, went back to front-running tactics here, and it paid off as he notched his first Grade 1 win. The son of War Front broke a half-step slow but was quickly pushed to the lead by his rider, gained a clear lead into the first turn, taking some pressure from Emmaus and Got Stormy, maintained a clear lead to the far turn while setting a solid pace, looked in trouble into the lane when Got Stormy got to his right flank, but rebuffed that rival edging away again late. This can put him on track for a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. A bridge to that race may be the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile on Oct. 3 at Keeneland. Got Stormy, the defending champ who hadn’t been as sharp this year, got back to top form. Coming off a fading fourth in the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont on July 4, she broke well, was content to sit a couple lengths off the pacesetter while saving ground, came with a run into the lane, moved off the fence, loomed a big threat by midstretch, but couldn’t get to the winner. Trainer Mark Casse said he’s not that keen about another shot at the Breeders’ Cup Mile since the Keeneland course at that time of year might not be firm. Also, he’s said that she may be even more effective going shorter and may instead target the Grade 3 Ladies Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12. Casa Creed, whose top moment, winning the Grade 2 Hall of Fame, came on this inner course a year ago but coming off a modest seventh in the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill June 20, sat midpack from the start while saving ground, started to advance on the far turn, came out some into the lane, and finished well for third. In fact, he was really the only horse in the field making up ground in the lane. The Chad Brown quartet was inexplicably dull. Without Parole broke well, was soon taken back to sit a few lengths off the lead while a few lanes off the rail, but was basically one-paced throughout. Raging Bull and Uni, the two favorites, had similar trips as both sat well back, swung wide on the far turn as if poised to make a run, but were unable to get involved. Valid Point was a bit rank early, sat a few lengths off the pace, moved to the inside turning for home and into the lane, but came up empty.

Monmouth
Philip S. Iselin (race 5)

COMMENT: Scratches of Wait for It and Mind Control reduced the field to four. Warrior’s Charge, an excellent fourth in the brutally tough Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont last time out July 4, was the heavy 1-2 favorite here and got the top prize, though it took an assist from the stewards as original winner Pirate’s Punch was disqualified. Warrior’s Charge broke sharply to go right to the lead, took pressure from Pirate’s Punch to his outside, was engaged by that rival into the far turn, battled gamely inside down the stretch, was still just behind and inside Pirate’s Punch when he checked hard as Pirate’s Punch crowded him some in deep stretch, losing his action. Trainer Brad Cox has said he’d like to get this guy to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. A bridge to that could be the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at a mile at Belmont on Oct. 3. Pirate’s Punch, last seen setting the pace before fading to seventh in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Churchill on June 27, showed speed to dog pacesetter Warrior’s Reward from the start, pressed that rival to his outside, moved up to challenge that foe into the far turn, took a narrow lead into the lane, continued to battle before drifting in nearing the finish, seemingly from the right-handed whip, forcing Warrior’s Reward to check. He was disqualified from the win and placed second. This seemed a shaky call. Yes, Pirate’s Punch came over, and yes, Warrior’s Charge had to steady hard, but it certainly seemed Pirate’s Punch was going to win regardless, and his drifting inward didn’t deprive Warrior’s Charge of a better placing, and the severe check by Warrior’s Charge could have been an overreaction by Warrior’s Charge’s rider. The Kelso could be on Pirate Punch’s radar as well. Bal Harbour, second in this last year and coming off a third in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup here July 28, his first start of the year, stalked in third while saving ground, remained inside chasing the top two, came off the inside a bit into the lane, kept to his task, but couldn’t quite get to the top pair.

Del Mar
Green Flash (race 3)

COMMENT: Looks as though trainer John Sadler made a heckuva a claim with Chaos Theory as he now has a Grade 3 winner in his ranks and a horse who with another move forward could potentially make the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Sadler claimed the 5-year-old gelded son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin for $62,500 when the horse rallied to win a tough optional claimer at Churchill on June 14. Freshened since with a string of strong works, Chaos Theory bided his time in fourth a few lanes off the rail as Mikes Tiznow set a strong pace, came with a strong run, moving past then-leaders Mikes Tiznow to his inside while outfinishing a couple rivals coming up the inside. The Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita on Sept. 25 could be his bridge to the Breeders’ Cup. Baja Sur is now winless in three starts on turf, but all three have been excellent. Off a second in a turf stakes at Golden Gate on June 6 and a sharp third when beaten just a head in a strong optional claimer in a turf sprint here July 26, the son of Smiling Tiger stalked in third while saving ground, tried to rally with Chaos Theory a few lanes to his outside, couldn’t quite finish with that rival, but finished gamely to just get up for second along the inside, nipping Torosay. The Eddie D figures on his radar as well. Torosay, coming off a string of good turf sprints including a third in the Siren Lure at Santa Anita on June 21, sat second, chasing pacesetter Mikes Tiznow through solid splits, angled out into the lane to start his run, moved back inside when Mikes Tiznow drifted out some in the lane, couldn’t rally with the winner who was wider out, but finished gamely to just miss second by a nose. Mikes Tiznow, winner of four of his last five, the last three wins coming in turf sprints at Golden Gate, shot out to a clear lead, as expected, set a strong pace, opened up some into the stretch, drifted out a couple lanes, had no answer when the winner came to him to his outside, but battled on, only losing second in the final strides by a couple noses to two rivals rallying to his inside.

Del Mar
Torrey Pines (race 4)

COMMENT: Harvest Moon made it three straight wins, notching her first graded stakes win and stamping herself a filly to watch in the division. The daughter of Uncle Mo, coming off a romping optional-claiming win here July 27, bided her time as Secret Keeper set a solid pace taking pressure from Provocation, moved closer on the far turn, came out a bit into the lane to make her run at Secret Keeper as Provocation fell away, put her head down and drove straight, going past Secret Keeper to her inside and edging clear. This doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ready for the big girls just yet, but there’s every reason to believe she can move forward with more ground and experience. With no Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Racing this year, she has limited options. Trainer Simon Callaghan said she could try elders in the Grade 2 Zenyatta at Santa Anita on Sept. 27 or move to turf in the Belmont Oaks on Sept. 19. She is at least bred for turf as she ran third in her debut in a turf route at Santa Anita on June 12. This 3-year-old filly crop is turning into a doozy (Gamine, Swiss Skydiver, Bonny South, Donna Veloce, Venetian Harbor, Speech, Shedaresthedevil, Harvey’s Lil Goil, Tonalist’s Shape, etc.). Secret Keeper, easy winner of her first two starts, both sprints, went right to the lead, moved to the inside to save ground, took pressure from Provocation to her outside, continued on the lead while dogged by that rival, dispatched with Provocation on the far turn only to immediately confronted by Harvest Moon to her outside, battled gamely, and while unable to keep pace with the winner late finished well clear of the rest. Paige Ann chased the pace while saving ground, remained inside throughout staying on for third, though she was no danger to the top two in the lane. Provocation, a $350,000 daughter of Into Mischief who was third to Secret Keeper in a sprint here July 25, broke well, used her speed to press Secret Keeper to her inside from the start, kept after that gal to the far turn, but had emptied her gas tank by then and gave way.

Del Mar
Del Mar Handicap (race 7)

COMMENT: Red King was claimed for a paltry $35,000 at Santa Anita in February 2019. Well, the 6-year-old son of turf champion English Channel posted his third straight win here and second straight graded stakes win, putting him near the top of the turf distance division out West. Freshened since a romping win in the longer Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita on June 21, he sat back early as Big Buzz, Ward ’n Jerry and North County Guy volleyed up front through dawdling splits, made a strong midrace move to reach contention by the far turn, grabbed the lead into the lane from then-leader North County Guy, edged clear, and gamely got to the line before hard-charging 7-10 favorite United. This earns him a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November. He might target the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12, or await the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 26, though that trip (1 1/4 miles) might be a tad short of his preferred distance. This was trainer Phil D’Amato’s fourth straight win in this race, his sixth in the last seven runnings. United, the heavy favorite off three straight Grade 2 wins coming into this including the shorter Eddie Read here last time out July 26, sat midpack from the start, bided his time there to the far turn, didn’t accelerate as strongly as Red King turning for home but pitched out for room into the stretch, found his top gear, and closed well, though just a tad too late. He really lost nothing in defeat. The John Henry figures. Originaire, a strong third to United in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita on May 23 (moved up to second via disqualification of original runner-up Rockemperor) but then not as sharp when fifth to United in the aforementioned Eddie Read, lagged well back from the start, remained well back to the far turn, got jostled in traffic when starting his run into the lane, moved wider out for room, got going again, and finished well outside the top two, but was just too late. The John Henry may be on his docket as well. Oscar Dominguez, second in this last year but coming off a modest seventh in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland on July 12, was completely devoid of speed to be last early, saved ground while remaining at the back of the pack, angled out into the lane, and finished well but had left himself with far too much to do. He ran fourth in the John Henry last year and could give it another go next month.

Del Mar
Del Mar Oaks (race 9)

COMMENT: Red Lark rallied well for third behind a couple of today’s rivals (Carpe Vinum, California Kook) in an optional claimer here July 12 but got a bit more ground and a clean trip, and that made the difference as she posted the 19-1 upset. She sat midpack from the start as Aqua Seaform Shame set the early pace, remained there as 3-2 favorite Laura’s Light took over pacesetting duties into the backstretch, was content to remain there to the far turn, came out for room into the lane, and finished strongly to overtake then-leader Warren’s Showtime and get to the line before hard-charging longshot California Kook. Not sure she’s ready to take on elders, though winning a race like this could mean a shot at something like the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland on Oct. 10 is an option. Nice as this was, you do kind of get the feeling that if you ran this race six times you might get five different winners. California Kook, second just ahead of Red Lark in that aforementioned July 12 optional claimer here, sat well back from the start (in fact, was last), remained at the back of the going to the far turn, swung very wide on the turn and into the lane as she commenced a nice run, and finished with good energy to close the gap on the winner, though she ultimately couldn’t get to her. Warren’s Showtime, a rallying third to today’s foes Laura’s Light and Guitty in the Grade 2 San Clemente at a mile here July 12, was just in front of Red Lark early, steadily advanced to the far turn, came with a smart run on the turn and into the lane, grabbed the lead in the stretch, but couldn’t quite finish with the top two. She ran well though this trip may be a tad beyond her, at least at this level. Neige Blanche, a French raider, sat back from the start, got shuffled back further going to the far turn, advanced some on the turn, and kept to her task well in the lane though she was never really a danger to the top two. Laura’s Light, favored after winning four of her last five including the shorter San Clemente here July 25, pressed early pacesetter Aqua Seaform Shame, soon took over pacesetting duties into the backstretch, took pressure from Parkour to the far turn, held a clear lead turning for home, but gave way once overwhelmed into the lane. This longer trip may be beyond her scope. Miss Extra, a scary French invader who came here off a ninth in a French Group 1 on July 5, sat well back while saving ground and never made a move in a disappointing effort. Of course, you can always be a bit forgiving about a horse’s first run in the United States.

Del Mar
Pacific Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: Maximum Security confirmed that if he’s not the best dirt horse in the world he’s awfully close. Coming off a workmanlike win in the Grade 2 San Diego here July 25, his first start for trainer Bob Baffert, the 4-year-old went right to the lead, set a modest pace, had Sharp Samurai move closer to challenge him turning for home, but brushed back that rival with ease, opening up again in the lane to win comfortably. Baffert, winning this for the sixth time, has all sorts of options as a bridge to get this guy to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in November. Baffert said the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Sept. 26 or Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on Oct. 10 is likely next as he wants to keep him, Improbable, and McKinzie separated until they have to meet in the Breeders’ Cup. Baffert said it’s even possible he could train him up to the Classic. Maximum Security, a son of New Year’s Day, has now finished first in 11 of his 12 career starts. Sharp Samurai, coming off a second in the Grade 2 Eddie Read on turf here July 26 and also entered in Sunday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile but opting to stay here and try dirt for the first time, ran well as he stalked Maximum Security from the start, made a run at him turning for home, couldn’t keep pace, but stayed on well to be a clear second. His versatility gives him options and in fact he could target either the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile (turf) or the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Midcourt, a sharp second to Maximum Security in the San Diego when beaten by just a nose, stalked while saving ground, was urged to try and get involved turning for home, proved no match for the top two, but kept to his task to get third. The Awesome Again is on his radar as well. Higher Power, the defending champ who was a well-beaten third in the San Diego, stalked just outside of Midcourt, raced with that rival on the turn and into the lane, like that foe was no match for the top two in the stretch, but battled on outside Midcourt through the lane to narrowly miss third.

Aug. 23

Saratoga
Diana (race 8)

COMMENT: Rushing Fall continued what is looking more and more like a Hall of Fame career as the daughter of More Than Ready gamely prevailed. The race was delayed a bit when Secret Message threw a fit in the gate, reared, and tossed her rider, thus ending up scratched. Once reloaded, Rushing Fall, favored off two straight wins this year including the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on Oct. 11 and second to turf distaff champion and stablemate Sistercharlie in this race last year, broke very sharply, was content to tuck back and allow Mean Mary to her outside to take over pacesetting duties into the first run, moved off the inside to get a couple lanes off the rail as she stalked Mean Mary, bided her time in second as Mean Mary got away with very slow splits (48.38, 1:11.90), closed the gap a bit on the leader heading to the far turn, engaged that rival turning for home to her outside, battled gamely to gain a narrow edge by midstretch, and stayed on with heart to prevail. She’s now 4-3-1-0 at this distance, so she obviously handles it. While the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland in the fall is a half-furlong farther, the way she finished here hints she can handle it. And of course we all know she loves Keeneland. First things first, though, which may mean either the Grade 1 Flower Bowl (at 1 1/2 miles) at Belmont on Oct. 10 or the Grade 1 First Lady at a mile at Keeneland on Oct. 3. The win gives trainer Chad Brown five straight in this race and six overall. Mean Mary, facing her toughest assignment, showed she’s absolutely genuine. Coming off four straight wins, the last three being Grade 2s and a Grade 3, she broke sharply from her outside slot, went right to the lead, cleared and got over to the inside into the first run, was able to dictate the pace through modest splits with Rushing Fall a couple lengths behind and to her outside, battled back gamely when confronted by Rushing Fall turning for home, continued to battle that rival while holding the fence throughout, and only succumbed in the final furlong. The Flower Bowl seems a logical next spot. Sistercharlie, the two-time defending champ coming off a so-so third in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa here July 25, a trip shorter than her preference, ran very well in defeat. She was last early in the small field, advanced some between horses going to the far turn, got pinched back a bit between rivals, came again with another run into the lane, was well behind the two leaders who got to set slow splits, and closed the gap well with good energy to end up third. There are those who might say she lost a step, but with the fractions and race shape she really had no chance. It’s to her credit she closed the gap well on the first two to end up third. The Flower Bowl certainly figures on her radar. Starship Jubilee, winner of six of her last seven including the aforementioned Ballston Spa here July 27, skipped last week’s Grade 2 Dance Smartly at her Woodbine home base to go here instead but found these waters a tad too deep. She stalked in third not too far behind Rushing Fall while a couple lanes off the rail, closed up the hole some on Sistercharlie going to the far turn, then tried to rally while outside that rival on the far turn and into the lane but couldn’t keep pace. She’s a great story and hard-hitter, but these waters may be a tad too deep.

Del Mar
Del Mar Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Sharp Samurai scratched (ran well to be second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Saturday). Mo Forza started his ascent here a year ago, rattling off four straight wins, including a Grade 1 and two Grade 2s. He then had a very wide trip in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream on Jan. 25, ending up ninth. After that, which came after a busy campaign, they opted to put him away for a while and point to a summer return. It was worth the wait. The son of juvenile male champ Uncle Mo may have established himself the leading American hope for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland in November with a smashing return win here. He sat midpack early as longshots Dreams of Valor and Kiwi’s Dream volleyed up front through fast splits, moved closer on the far turn, found a seam between horses into the lane, surged into contention, blew past the leaders, and opened up to win in a romp. With the East Coast turf mile contingent taking turns (Halladay, War of Will, Raging Bull, Uni, Got Stormy, etc.) this powerful win stamped him one to fear. He could prep for the Breeders’ Cup in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 3. Restrainedvengence continued his good form. Coming off a fourth in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate on June 14, he sat midpack from the start, just ahead of the eventual winner, came with a wide run on the far turn while the winner saved ground, finished smartly while wide in the lane, and while no threat to the big winner ran on well for second. Royal Ship, the much-ballyhooed Brazilian raider who was making his U.S. debut here after five straight big turf wins including a Grade 1 in his native land, was away slowly to be last early, remained at the back of the pack while inside into the backstretch, moved out for room on the far turn as he started his run, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished smartly widest of all to just miss second by a head. He’s certainly one to watch. The second- and third-place finishers might both target the City of Hope Mile as well. Galilean, like the winner of son of Uncle Mo (cost $600,000) and a game victor of a California-bred stakes here July 26 in his first start on turf, stalked in fourth, was still there turning for home, got carried wider out into the lane, bumped while in traffic, moved back toward the inside late, and finished decently, though he was never a danger to the winner.