Aug. 24 Saratoga Forego (race 5) COMMENT: Mitole had been a dynamo all year until he dueled and faded to be a well-beaten third to Imperial Hint in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt here July 27. That duel and an inside post may have contributed to the degree of the loss, though Imperial Hint wasn’t going to be beaten that day. However, Mitole came out of the race well enough to return here and got back on track with smart win. He broke very sharply, going right to the lead, relinquished pacesetting duties to Promises Fulfilled to his inside, dogged that rival into the backstretch, continued to hound him through slow splits, engaged ‘Fulfilled on the far turn, took over from that tiring rival into the lane, looked as though he might get challenged to his outside by a couple rivals but quickly dispatched with those foes, opened up and won easily, setting a stakes mark. Early reports are that he’ll train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2. That could mean a mouthwatering rematch with Imperial Hint. Firenze Fire, fourth in the Vanderbilt, sat a few lengths off the slow pace from his outside post, crept closer going to the far turn, started a wide run on the turn, loomed a threat into the lane while outside Mitole, proved no match for that foe but kept on well for second while remaining wide in the lane. Bon Raison, stepping up after a smart win in a restricted stakes here Aug. 9, sat third just behind the two pacesetters, moved closer going to the far turn while remaining a few lanes off the rail but inside Firenze Fire, moved in tandem with Firenze Fire to loom a threat into the lane just outside Mitole, was no match for that rival in the lane and then couldn’t quite keep pace with the runner-up. Promises Fulfilled broke a bit behind Mitole from his rail slot but moved up easily to take the lead into the backstretch, set a slow pace with Mitole breathing down his neck to his outside, battled back briefly on the far turn when fully hooked by Mitole but was done at the quarter pole, giving way readily to end up last. Considering the fractions he set weren’t all that fast this was disappointing and may be a sign he’s in need of a break. Saratoga Ballerina (race 6) COMMENT: Come Dancing’s first two starts of the year, both graded stakes wins, were monstrous. Then she tried longer and the deepest end of the pool in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps only to run into the nation’s top distaffer Midnight Bisou, who blasted past her in the lane that day. Still, this girl kept on well for second. After a freshening she’s worked in smashing fashion of late, moved back to her best type of distance here and got back on track with a smashing win. It wasn’t without a nervous moment to begin with as from her inside post she blew the start, getting away behind the field and getting pinched back as Special Relativity to her inside came over in front of her. However, she settled behind the field, quickly swerved off the inside to the outside coming out of the chute, eagerly moved up to press the pace of Separationofpowers and Mia Mischief to their outside, remained there to the top of the lane, took over from those two tiring rivals, opened up and had no worries thereafter. She’s proven fresh so she may train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2 and the way she’s going she has to be the early favorite for that, despite some heady 3-year-old fillies and top West Coast gal Marley’s Freedom. That said, she can’t afford a start like this in the Breeders’ Cup. Dawn the Destroyer, third to Separationofpowers in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses at Belmont June 7 last time out, bided her time from her outside post, though she wasn’t far off the modest pace, remained there to the far turn, stayed wide into the lane, came with a nice run, moved toward the rail in midstretch, gamely chased the winner and while no match for that foe kept on for second. Special Relativity, stepping well up in class but 4 for 4 over this track including two recent wins including the Shine Again July 31, broke well from the rail, took back to sit just behind pacesetters Separationofpowers and Mia Mischief, remained there as Come Dancing surged into contention to the far outside, went around the two tiring speedsters in the lane, was no match for the winner but gamely chased the runner-up while moving back toward the inside. Separationofpowers, winner of the Bed o’ Roses, dueled along the rail inside Mia Mischief through modest splits, took more pressure as Come Dancing ranged up further out to press the issue, started to tire into the lane, checked in midstretch when Mia Mischief came over in front of her, though she was already done. Mia Mischief, fourth in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss here July 24, went right up to duel for the early lead with Separationofpowers to her inside, volleyed with that rival as Come Dancing surged up to her outside into the far turn, came under a ride on the turn for home between ‘Dancing and Separationofpowers but faltered once headed, coming in some in midstretch as she got pushed inward a bit by two rallying past her to her outside. Saratoga H. Allen Jerkens (race 7) COMMENT: Mind Control won the Grade 1 Hopeful here a year ago and was dismissed here after finishing a close-up third in a stakes at Laurel July 14. Lost in that third, however, was a much-troubled trip and that it set up the son of Stay Thirsty perfectly for this, and it showed. He stalked in third toward the outside a couple lengths off the modest pace set by heavy favorite Shancelot, remained there between horses to the top of the lane, started his run with a few others while between horses just inside of Rowayton and Hog Creek Hustle and finished resolutely to just get up in the final strides to win a three-horse blanket finish with Shancelot to his inside. His connections consider him a 7-furlong horse so he might be stuck in between distance-wise when considering the Breeders’ Cup, either the Sprint or the Mile. In fact, trainer Greg Sacco said the only real target he has right now for his runner is the Grade 1 Malibu at 7 furlongs at Santa Anita Dec. 26. Hog Creek Hustle, freshened since winning the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at this same 7-furlong trip on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8, lagged back, as is his custom, started a wide run on the far turn, pitched wider into the lane and finished resolutely to just miss. The Grade 2 Phoenix at 6 furlongs at Keeneland Oct. 4 might be next. Shancelot, monstrous winner of the Grade 2 Amsterdam here July 28 when running the top Beyer of the year (121) but did so under a hard ride throughout despite a huge lead, broke well from his rail slot going right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Call Paul to his immediate right, opened up a bit on the far turn and into the lane while holding the fence as if poised to run off and hide again only to come under a ride inside the eighth pole, tiring just a bit to lose the win by two noses. The fractions weren’t that arduous so maybe the huge Amsterdam effort took its toll come furlong No. 7 here. It also didn’t help the inside was not the place to be this day and that he acted up in the gate. Trainer Jorge Navarro said the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint remains his primary target. Rowayton, cutting back to a sprint after fading to fourth in the Curlin here July 26, bided his time early midpack, made a smart wide run on the far turn, was part of the cavalry charge in the lane between horses, was actually ahead of the one-two finishers at the eighth pole, finished gamely with those two, couldn’t quite keep pace with them while in a bit tight at the finish just outside the winner and inside Hog Creek Hustle. That late trouble didn’t cost him a placing but he might have been part of the photo for the win at least with a clean final half-furlong. Nitrous, second in the Woody Stephens and Amsterdam, was well back from the start, as has become his style, started a run between horses on the far turn into the lane, pitched wider in the stretch and finished with good energy but wasn’t really a factor as he’d been left with too much to do. Saratoga Ballston Spa (race 8) COMMENT: Significant Form has been a bit of a forgotten filly, which is what can happen when you’re in the Chad Brown barn stabled with all those turf distaff beasts. But the daughter of Creative Cause, a multiple Grade 3 winner, got a bigger slice of the pie here as she gamely prevailed to capture her first Grade 2. She broke well, stalking the pace set by longshot Conquest Hardcandy who was pressed by Scottish Jig, remained just behind those two while holding the fence, came off the inside on the far turn, moved up between horses and finished resolutely to nip Indian Blessing who was rallying up the fence to her inside. A race like the Grade 3 Noble Damsel at Belmont Sept. 21 could be on her radar. All that being said, nice as this win was you get the impression that if you ran this race five times you might get four different winners. Indian Blessing was a bit unlucky. Returning to the U.S. after some good European form including a second in a German Group 2 vs. males last time out and third in this last year, she bided her time midpack while saving ground, moved up very comfortably just behind the eventual winner on the far turn, started to come off the rail looking for room, was trapped behind horses, moved back to the rail into the lane, came through with a strong run but just missed. Last year after this she ran third in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland in early October so they may have the same plan for her again. Starship Jubilee, coming off back-to-back seconds in Grade 2s at Woodbine, was a bit rank and pulling from the start, finally settled some in fourth a couple lanes off the rail, started to advance on the turn, angled out into the lane, rallied smartly with Fifty Five just to her outside, came out some in the lane to push that rival out a bit and kept on well to get third, only missing the win by two necks. Fifty Five, another from the Chad Brown barn and coming off four wins in her last five starts, sat back racing with favored stablemate Mascha to her outside, moved wide on the turn, wider still into the lane, was making a run when pushed out some by a moving-out Starship Jubilee to her inside and finished well. Secret Message, winner of a Grade 2 at Woodbine May 26 and dropping after running fourth in the Grade 1 Diana here July 13, was disappointing as she was last from the start, remained at the back to the far turn, swung very wide into the lane but made no headway. Mascha, another from the Chad Brown barn and who was actually favored off a smart rallying win in her U.S. debut here July 31, lagged back with stablemate Fifty Five, sat outside that rival much of the way, was asked for run on the far turn, advanced while remaining wide all the way and came up empty in the lane. Saratoga Personal Ensign (race 9) COMMENT: Well, there’s no more questioning whether Midnight Bisou can get 1 1/8 miles. After losing her first three tries at this trip (all to eventual champion Monomoy Girl, by the way), she got every bit of it here, only just prevailing in a smasing renewal over archrival Elate. Coming off an easy win in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth July 20, a race meant to be a bridge to this, Midnight Bisou was inexplicably slow into stride from her rail slot, getting away behind the field as Coach Rocks went out to set the pace. Midnight Bisou kept the rail at the back of the pack through the clubhouse turn, came off the rail, moved to the outside, sitting behind main rival Elate while still well off the lead, remained there to the far turn, was asked for run while wide, looked to be in a bit of trouble as she didn’t immediately get going while Elate had surged to the lead, found her top gear into the lane while wide, was pushed wider out still by Elate but fought on bravely to get alongside Elate and just prevail by a lip in the final stride outside that rival. Worth noting that we’ve seen enough main track races today that the outside surely appears the place to be. Her bridge to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Nov. 2 will reportedly be the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont Sept. 28. Elate lost nothing in defeat as she ran one of her best races. She broke well, sat a couple lengths off pacesetter Coach Rocks while a few lanes off the fence, moved up nicely while wide on the far turn, reached the front into the lane, was quickly confronted by Midnight Bisou to her outside and battled hard all the way to the line to just miss in what was basically a two-horse race That makes for a second straight near-miss for Elate in this race. She could go next in the Beldame for another shot at Midnight Bisou, but trainer Bill Mott left the door open for possibly freshening her and taking a swing at the boys in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2 as she’s thoroughly proven at that 1 1/4-mile trip. She’s a Julie, stablemate of the winner and coming off thirds in a Grade 2 and Grade 3, stalked the pace set by Coach Rocks, moved up with Elate coming up on her outside on the far turn, was unable to stay with rival turning for home, couldn’t finish with her stablemate in the lane but kept to her task to get third, albeit well behind the top two. The Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland Oct. 6 could be next. Wow Cat, second in the Grade 3 Shuvee here July 21, her first start of the year, bided her time while saving ground, moved up nicely along the rail on the turn, loomed a threat into the lane when moving down to the rail but then came up empty. Again, the inside did not appear the place to be on the main track this day, though even if everything had gone according to plan for her she wouldn’t have been better than third. Golden Award, big winner of the Shuvee over a few of these, stalked the early pace while very wide on the first turn, moved in some while fourth just behind Elate in third to that gal’s inside, remained there as Midnight Bisou came up to her outside and Wow Cat came up to her inside, was being pushed along into the far turn but produced no run and was pulled up. She did walk off under her own power. Saratoga Sword Dancer (race 10) COMMENT: Annals of Time looked like a real comer for Chad Brown when he powered home to win the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar in 2016. However, physical issues have meant he’s run just three times since but off a smashing optional-claiming win here July 24 they tried Grade 1 waters again and a new, longer distance and the son 6-year-old son of Temple City flourished. He bided his time from the start as Channel Maker set the early pace before relinquishing pacesetting duties to Ya Primo, remained toward the back while inside, continued one-paced to the far turn, found a room to get out from traffic when Sadler’s Joy, who was to his outside, started his run providing a lane, pitched wide through that seam into the lane and finished resolutely (his head was cocked to the right) to beat Sadler’s Joy. The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont at this same trip Oct. 5 figures next and should all go well there, a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 2. Sadler’s Joy, a rallying in the Grade 2 Bowling Green here July 27, his first start of the year, sat midpack just outside the eventual winner, remained there behind a modest pace, came with a nice wide run on the far turn to reach contention, battled on gamely but just couldn’t outfinish the winner to his outside. The Joe Hirsch and Breeders’ Cup Turf figure on his docket as well. Channel Cat, winner of the Bowling Green, stalked the pace from the start, moved up to challenge leaders Ya Primo and Channel Maker into the lane, got the better of those two but was unable to finish with the top pair. He likely at least deserves a shot at the Joe Hirsch. Ya Primo, the Chilean champ who ran so well to be second in the Bowling Green in his first start in the U.S., was disappointing. He broke well, moved to the rail, raced in tandem with Channel Maker to his outside first time around the far turn, assumed command first time into the stretch, seemed to set a comfortable slow fractions while holding a narrow lead down the backstretch, saw the field move closer going into the far turn, was asked for run while holding the fence into the lane but came up empty, giving way badly. The fractions didn’t seem that arduous so maybe something went amiss. Saratoga Travers (race 11) COMMENT: Code of Honor has always hinted he could be a bigshot, running third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (moved up to second via disqualification) and then proving a rousing winner of the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont July 6. He put it all together here as the son of Noble Mission notched his first Grade 1 win. He broke decently, bided his time toward the back, moving off the inside as Mucho Gusto and Tacitus set a modest pace, remained well back and well off the rail, started to advance in earnest on the far turn, swung wider still into the lane and powered past Tacitus and Mucho Gusto in the final furlong, drawing clear for the win. There’s no doubt he was the best horse in here but he certainly benefitted from the track bias (outer lanes were good, the inside was not). This may mean a shot at elders for the first time is next in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont at this same 1 1/4-mile trip Sept. 28. Regardless of what happens there, however, his connections intimated there’s no guarantee he’d go to California for the Breeders’ Cup. Tacitus, favored with the addition of blinkers after troubled seconds in the Grade 1 Belmont and Grade 2 Jim Dandy, broke sharply, in fact almost too sharply as he went right to the lead first time under the wire. His rider Jose Ortiz was looking around for someone to go on with it as it was obvious he didn’t want to be there, and that quick break also led to Tacitus being on the inside, which was not the place to be. He relented pacesetting duties to Mucho Gusto to his outside, pressured that rival while remaining stuck inside, moved up to challenge for the lead on the turn and into the lane, was engaged with Mucho Gusto to his immediate outside in the stretch only to have Code of Honor blow past further outside, though he stayed on gamely for second. The Jockey Club Gold Cup seems a logical next step for him as well. Trainer Bill Mott liked that the blinkers helped get him right into the race and said he would leave the blinkers on. Mucho Gusto broke well but wasn’t rushed, soon took over pacesetting duties when moving past Tacitus to his inside turning into the backstretch, set a modest pace under pressure from Tacitus to his inside and Tax just in behind and wider out, battled gamely with Tacitus into the lane, seemed to get jostled a bit when between Tacitus to his inside and Code of Honor to his outside in midstretch but kept to his task gamely for third. He’ll reportedly return to his Southern California base but could ship East again, according to trainer Bob Baffert, for the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 21 could be next, and that’s shaping up as a doozy with the likes of Maximum Security, War of Will and Mr. Money also pointing for that. Endorsed, second to Highest Honor in the Curlin here July 26, was far back early (in fact, was last), remained toward the back going down the backstretch while wide, was asked to get going into the far turn while remaining wide, pitched very wide into the lane and finished decently to pass a few, though he was never really a danger to the top three. Owendale, with a pair of Grade 3 wins in his last three starts; broke well from his rail slot, was just behind Tacitus first time under the wire, took back further on the first turn, bided his time there a couple lanes off the rail, was urged to get more involved going into the far turn while still toward the inside, moved further out for room into the lane, made some headway but flattened out in the final furlong. Tax broke inward, brushing with Endorsed, got straightened, used his natural speed to sit third stalking the two pacesetters while wide on the first turn and down the backstretch, was asked for run on the far turn, moved closer as if poised to make a run but flattened out in the lane. Looking at Bikinis stumbled badly at the start, was able to get his feet back under him, settled midpack but was done after 6 furlongs. Del Mar Pat O’Brien (race 9) COMMENT: On more than one occasion Catalina Cruiser has shown brilliance. Here, however, he needed to show guts and the 5-year-old son of Union Rags did just that, winning this for the second straight year and winning for the seventh time in eight starts. From his far outside post he pressed the pace as a trio inside him dueled through strong splits, remained there while to the far turn, took over from those tiring rivals into the lane, looked in trouble when Giant Expectations surged up to his outside to take the lead by midstretch but battled back gamely inside that rival to regain a narrow lead and hold it to the line. He’ll likely train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 as there aren’t any options for him out West beforehand the Grade 1 Awesome Again there Sept. 28 is too far (1 1/8 miles) and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Oct. 5 too short (6 furlongs). Giant Expectations, freshened since a sharp second in a restricted stakes at Belmont May 27, was slow into stride to be last early, bided his time there just off the rail, pitched out wide turning for home to commence his run, surged into contention to grab the lead just outside Catalina Cruiser into the lane, continued to battle outside that rival but couldn’t quite subdue him. American Anthem, a smart optional claiming winner here July 20 and four for his first six at this 7-furlong trip, dueled from the start with two rivals, was still in the thick of to midstretch as those other two fell away, was no match for the top two in the final furlong but finished far clear of the others in third. Jalen Journey, third in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby here July 27, his first start for trainer Peter Miller, dueled from the start between horses, was still there turning for home but then weakened from that early work up front.