Trip Notes for August 25-26: Travers, Sword Dancer, and more

Aug. 25

Saratoga
H. Allen Jerkens (race 6)

COMMENT: After fizzling on the Kentucky Derby trail it looks as though Promises Fulfilled has found his calling as a one-turn specialist as the son of Shackleford easily won the Grade 3 Amsterdam here last month and parlayed that to another smart victory in this race. From his rail slot he used his speed to go right to the lead, set a brisk pace under pressure from Gidu, a multiple stakes winner on turf who was trying dirt for the first time, rebuffed that foe after a brisk half-mile while staying on the fence only to be confronted by Engage but turned him away, opened up some and held sway. He’s got the speed to handle 6 furlongs and the stamina to carry it a mile, giving them options for his next start and the Breeders’ Cup. Seven Trumpets, second to Firenze Fire in the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont on July 7 but well beaten (nine lengths), made it a one-two finish for trainer Dale Romans as he lagged back early, came up the rail with a smart run on the far turn and kept to his task well though he was unable to get to his winning stablemate. Firenze Fire, smashing winner of the Dwyer, lagged back, swung wide into the lane to make his run, came home decently but was never really a threat to the winner. His best work has come at Belmont so maybe returning there for something like the Grade 2 Kelso on Sept. 22 at a mile might play well for him. Engage, second to Promises Fulfilled in the Amsterdam, stalked from the start, made an early move on the far turn to confront Promises Fulfilled, threatened that rival to the top of the lane but couldn’t keep up the challenge and tired a bit late to lose third in the final strides.

Saratoga
Personal Ensign (race 7)

COMMENT: Abel Tasman and Elate put on a dazzling show when first and second in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks here last year and they put up another terrific display here with reigning 3-year-old filly champion Abel Tasman again narrowly prevailing. From her rail slot she broke well, sitting inside a couple lengths behind longshot pacesetter She Takes Heart with Chilean champion Wow Cat to her outside. She remained inside going into the backstretch, made her customary early move to range up to She Takes Heart outside, had no trouble taking over from that rival, held the lead into the lane when confronted by Elate to her outside, brushed with that foe and battled on gamely to the line to prevail. She did have to withstand a claim of foul from the rider of the runner-up for the brush in the lane but leaving the result stand looked like the right call. Little doubt now she’s the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff but, as this race showed, there isn’t much between her and Elate. Elate lost nothing in defeat as she bided her time early sitting behind the eventual winner, bided her time there, crept closer as Abel Tasman made her move to the lead, ranged up just behind Abel Tasman between horses turning for home, came with her challenge, battled bravely, looked as though she might have put her head in front in midstretch, steadied momentarily when brushing with the winner but then couldn’t quite outfinish the winner while far clear of the others. Interestingly, trainer Bill Mott said he may target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic as he likes the longer distance. First, though, may be the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont on Oct. 6. Wow Cat, the Chilean champion who won her first eight starts there before finishing a good second to Farrell in the Grade 3 Shuvee here July 29, stalked outside Abel Tasman, bided her time a couple lengths off the pace while wide and in the clear, was asked for run turning for home when moving to the inside, came off the inside when straightened away, kept to her task but was no match for the top two. She’s good but at this stage of the game she isn’t on the level of the top two. Of course, no other female is on their level now that Unique Bella has retired. Farrell, front-running winner of the Shuvee, broke alertly but quickly relinquished pacesetting duties to She Takes Heart who was pushed to the lead to her outside, seemed comfortable stalking that rival, remained in the hunt as Abel Tasman came up to her inside, still looked threatening turning for home but then came up empty when it mattered.

Saratoga
Ballerina (race 8)

COMMENT: Highway Star, a sharp second in this last year, scratched after spiking a fever (she’d lost a hind shoe in a work for this earlier in the week as well). She’ll reportedly target the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters on the synthetic track there Sept. 17 or the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont on Sept. 23. Marley’s Freedom always had ability but she’s put it all together for Bob Baffert as, after romping in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer at Santa Anita on May 27, she easily won the Grade 2 Great Lady M at Los Alamitos on July 7 and here notched her first Grade 1 win in convincing fashion. The 4-year-old daughter of Blame bided her time a few lengths off the slow pace set by Grade 2 Honorable Miss winner Finley’sluckycharm, came with a smart wide run on the turn and into the lane, swept past the leaders, drawing off to win easily. She ran .05 seconds faster than Promises Fulfilled in the H. Allen Jerkens earlier on the card. Off this she’s the early favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Trainer Bob Baffert said he might just train her up to that assignment. Still There, stepping well up in class after winning three of her first four including a stakes win at Laurel last time out July 28, stumbled out of the gate, established position midpack racing with the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate as strongly as that foe turning for home but kept to her task well to get second though she was no danger to the winner. Lewis Bay, freshened since a romping win in the Grade 3 Bed O’ Roses at Belmont on June 8, showed more speed than usual to dog early pacesetter Finley’sluckycharm through solid splits, loomed a threat between horses into the lane, but had no answer for when the winner came surging past while staying on decently for third. This was her second modest outing in as many starts over this track so maybe she’s not a fan of this place. Finley’sluckycharm, coming off a big win in the Honorable Miss here last month, went right to the lead, took pressure from Lewis Bay but the splits weren’t fast and she gave way once headed. She loves Churchill, yes, but off this it’s hard to think she still has designs on the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint as 7 furlongs doesn’t seem her best game, at least at this level.

Saratoga
Forego (race 9)

COMMENT: Whitmore has had a number of close calls including coming into this off two tough-beat seconds in Grade 2 but off a freshening and benefitting from a terrific ride he got his time in the spotlight, notching his first Grade 1 win. He bided his time early as Heartwood set a decent pace under pressure from a number of foes, remained behind that leading bunch to the far turn, moved to the inside, remained there as a big hole materialized as Heartwood came off the rail turning for home, surged through the opening, got the better of heavy favorite City of Light and prevailed. This earned him a spot in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, though they could opt for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, a race in which he ran eighth at Del Mar last fall. The Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland on Oct. 5 at 6 furlongs is reportedly next, and that will likely determine his Breeders’ Cup fate. It’s worth noting, though, that his final time was slightly slower than what 3-year-olds did in the Jerkens and what females did in the Ballerina. City of Light, the 4-5 favorite off wins in the Grade 1 Malibu and Grade 1 Triple Bend (both at this distance) at Santa Anita and then came a winner routing in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap (beating now three-time Grade 1 winner Accelerate before finishing third to that foe in the 1 1/4-mile Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita), broke a bit awkwardly from his outside post, had the speed to prompt the pace while widest of all, remained widest of all as he advanced to be abreast of the leaders on the far turn, seemed to be traveling well but got pushed farther out as a result of a domino effect when pacesetter Heartwood came well off the rail turning for home, pushing those to his right farther out, still grabbed the lead into the lane but couldn’t counter the charge of the winner who came up the rail unscathed. It wasn’t his best but he still ran well and still likely leaves him on the path to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill in November. This was also his first start after a foot bruise kept him from the Grade 1 Whitney here a few weeks ago. Limousine Liberal, who narrowly defeated Whitmore in the Grade 2 Belmont Sprint on July 7, bided his time early from his rail slot, soon moved off the rail, established position between horses while racing with the eventual winner, swung wide on the turn, wider still into the lane, finished decently though he was no threat to the winner while nearly catching the runner-up.

Saratoga
Sword Dancer (race 10)

COMMENT: More evidence of how pace makes the race, even at the highest level. Glorious Empire led every step in the Grade 2 Bowling Green here July 28 until the last one when Channel Maker caught him on the line as the two dead-heated for the win. There was no such problem this time as Glorious Empire again went right to the lead from his rail draw, set a brisk early quarter while Channel Maker again chased in second, slowed things down thereafter, maintained a clear lead to the far turn, kicked clear and had more than enough of a buffer to get to the line for the win. Not sure this can really work vs. the real beasts who will show up for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, but they’ve figured out what makes this guy tick and a horse claimed for $62,500 in May 2017 is now a Grade 1 winner. The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf at Belmont on Sept. 29 figures next and should all go well there, a shot at the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill in November would be in play. Channel Maker, who finished on even terms with Glorious Empire for the win in the Bowling Green, broke well, was content to sit second from the start while in the clear, bided his time there, was asked for run on the turn and into the lane, kept to his task well but couldn’t get to the winner. Spring Quality, winner of the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9 but who then scratched from the Grade 1 Arlington Million a couple weeks ago when he didn’t ship well, bided his time midpack while inside, remained there to the far turn, started to advance between horses and while he kept to his task to get up for third he was no danger to the top two. This may mean he’s not as effective at this longer trip, which he was trying for the first time. Hi Happy, winner of the Grade 1 Man O’ War at Belmont earlier this year, got a great trip stalking the pace, looked poised to make a run turning for home but was one-paced and unable to threaten. Sadler’s Joy, multiple Grade 1-placed this year and coming off a sharp rallying third in the Bowling Green, sat last early as the favorite, remained there going to the far turn, swung out to make a run but was unable to make a dent. Surely the pace played against him, as it did for the other laterunners. Funtastic, 23-1 winner of the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth on June 30, stalked alongside Hi Happy while inside that rival, remained there to the top of the lane, was asked for a run but it never came.

Saratoga
Travers (race 11)

COMMENT: While Catholic Boy won the Grade 2 Remsen on dirt last fall, back-to-back game wins in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge and Grade 1 Belmont Derby, both on turf, had many thinking that is his best footing. Well, now the argument can heat up as Catholic Boy was dazzling here, on dirt, easily beating the best 3-year-old males still around (Triple Crown winner Justify obviously is retired). He was asked for speed right out of the gate and that got him up alongside pacesetter Mendelssohn. He dogged that rival through solid splits, engaged him turning for home while to his outside, had little trouble supplanting Mendelssohn the lead before blasting clear to win easily. His top-class ability on both surfaces obviously gives them all sorts of options, though you’d think off this the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at this same distance on dirt at Churchill would be at the top of the list. He’ll reportedly prep for that with a return to turf in the Grade 2 Hill Prince at Belmont Oct. 6 – though the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup there Sept. 29 at a 1 1/4 miles on dirt is an option should top elder Diversify not go there. Mendelssohn ran well in defeat as the smashing Grade 2 UAE Derby winner (by 18 1/2 lengths) had disappointed twice since and was also fighting the effects of a bug which had swept through the Aidan O’Brien barn. But the $3 million half-brother to multiple champion Beholder was urged to the lead right out of the gate while staying inside, had Catholic Boy on his hip by the first run, continued to lead through modest splits as Catholic Boy edged closer, was set down turning for home to try and go with Catholic Boy, was unable to do so but stayed on well for second. Not bad for a horse who reportedly wasn’t 100 percent. He’ll reportedly train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bravazo, second to Good Magic in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on July 29, lagged back, swept wide on the far turn to start his run, remained wide into the lane and finished decently for third though he was never a threat to the winner. The Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 22 may be next. Tenfold, winner of the Grade 2 Jim Dandy here July 28, stalked a couple lengths off the pace just outside the filly Wonder Gadot on the rail, got closer going into the far turn as if he might be a threat but was no match for the top two in the lane and but then came up empty. Gronkowski, a smart second in his first dirt try in the Grade 1 Belmont to Triple Crown winner Justify, lagged back while inside, seemed to be climbing as he didn’t appear to enjoy the kickback, was asked to pick it up going to the far turn but could make little headway. The Jockey Club Gold Cup may still be in his radar. Good Magic, reigning juvenile champion male and coming off a smart win in the Haskell, bumped with Tenfold at the start, got shoved out very wide on the first turn, was still able to establish position midpack, followed Tenfold into the far turn but then backed out of it. His Breeders’ Cup prospects come into question as he doesn’t look like he wants the 10 furlongs of the Classic and the Dirt Mile may be too sharp for him. Wonder Gadot, second in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and who trounced males on Woodbine synthetic and Fort Erie dirt in her last two, stalked while inside, remained there to the far turn, was urged to get involved but couldn’t keep pace and gave way as the water was deeper here.

Saratoga
Ballston Spa (race 12)

COMMENT: Quidura had always been a top-class filly, as multiple Grade 1 placings and a Grade 2 win last year would attest. After being sold at auction last fall for a hefty $3.6 million came a long layoff and while she ran second in her optional-claiming comeback at Belmont on July 15 she threw a fit in the paddock, prompting trainer Chad Brown to keep her home instead of shipping. That plan worked out and like the Sword Dancer this result was another example of pace being critical. The 5-year-old daughter of Dubawi went right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Hawksmoor, remained clear turning for home, opened up farther when asked into the lane and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Last September she won the Grade 2 Canadian at Woodbine so maybe a title defense is in her future next month, particularly as Sistercharlie, who races for the same owner and trainer, is already pointing for the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont. Hawksmoor, fourth in the Grade 1 Diana after setting the pace, showed the speed to press Quidura from the start, seemed content to pull back a bit while remaining in second, was asked to go after that gal turning for home, couldn’t keep up but stayed on well for second. So, as in the Sword Dancer, the top two finishers held those spots all the way around. Indian Blessing, a Group 3 winner in Germany and making her first start in the U.S., lagged back while saving ground, remained inside throughout and finished well to just nip two others in a blanket photo for third, though she was never a threat to the top two. A Raving Beauty, the heavy favorite off a big win in the Grade 1 Just a Game II and sharp third in the Diana, stalked while between horses not far behind the leading pair, remained inside and was boxed for a time turning for home, found a lane into the stretch, looked poised to burst through but the burst wasn’t as we’ve seen before, and she just got edged for third in a three-way photo. Off Limits, winner of five of six last year but with just one third in three prior starts this year, lagged well back early (in fact, was last), stayed a few lanes off the rail to remain in the clear, swept wide on the turn to make her run and came home decently to finish just a lip behind A Raving Beauty for fourth. Still, she just hasn’t shown quite the same late burst as she did in 2017.

Parx
Smarty Jones (race 8)

COMMENT: Axelrod showed again you can do damage when put in the proper spot as the 3-year-old son of Warrior’s Reward, winner of the Grade 3 Indiana Derby on July 14, passed on the deeper waters of the Haskell and Travers and it paid off as he got a second Grade 3 win. He broke poorly but recovered to stalk in fourth as Diamond King set a modest pace under pressure from 9-5 favorite Flameaway and Title Ready, was stuck in traffic on the far turn and had to steady and wait for room, found a lane when Wait for It went past, switched out to be widest of all, hit high gear and powered past his rivals to win going away. Diamond King, fifth in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown last time out June 23, went right to the lead but was joined by Flameaway and Title Ready, set a modest pace under pressure from those two, dispatched with them, opened up into the lane as if ready to go on to victory but was then no match for the big winner. First Mondays, a $450,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and winner of his first two starts at Gulfstream, lagged back early while inside, seemed in trouble going down the backstretch when falling farther back but found his best stride in the lane and finished well to almost catch the runner-up, while no threat to the winner. This was his first stakes try, first time going this far and first time away from Gulfstream so he can surely improve. Flameaway was disappointing as after finishing a game second in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 28 the $400,000 son of Scat Daddy dogged pacesetter Diamond King from the start while between horses but gave way coming out of the far turn.

Del Mar
Pat O’Brien (race 7)

COMMENT: What looked like a stirring renewal lost some luster when half the field of eight scratched, including Ransom the Moon, big winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby here July 28, who scratched to instead go for either the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 6 or the Grade 3 De Francis Dash at Laurel Sept. 15 as a bridge to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Roy H, last year’s champion sprinter and second to ‘Moon in the Crosby, may also await the Santa Anita Sprint Championship as his bridge to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Catalina Cruiser was unbeaten and basically untested in his first three starts and was cutting back in distance after a 6 3/4-length romp in the Grade 2 San Diego (1 1/16 miles) here July 21. From his rail slot he showed speed to duel inside early pacesetter Threefiveinidia, soon took command before a half-mile while staying on the fence, was given some free rein on the far turn when he opened up and drew off to win with complete authority. Trainer John Sadler said he’d likely train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile; right now he figures a heavy favorite regardless of who else shows up for that. Battle of Midway, making his first start since winning last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile here and sent back into training after fertility issues at stud, stalked the pace outside, tried to make a run at the winner on the turn, proved no match but kept on well to be a clear second. All in all, this was a solid return run. Vorticity sat last early and plugged along for third. Threefiveindia dueled from the start with the eventual winner while outside that foe, was still in the hunt between ‘Cruiser and ‘Midway on the turn but then gave way.

Aug. 26

Del Mar
Torrey Pines (race 9)

COMMENT: True Royalty was a well-beaten third in an optional-claiming sprint here July 29 but moving to a route with a bullet work in tow for the hottest trainer around (John Sadler) resulted in a rather comfortable victory. The daughter of Yes It’s True stalked in third as Thirteen Squared set a modest pace, came with a smart wide run to grab the lead on the far turn, opened up from there and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. With the 3-year-old filly ranks pretty thin in SoCal she could make some noise. Just Grazed, the 2-1 favorite after easily winning her first two starts, both sprints, showed she could route as the daughter of Grazen sat midpack early, had to steady going on the clubhouse turn but got back into stride, remained in stalking mode, tried to make a run at the eventual winner on the turn and into the lane and while unable to get to her stayed on well to be a clear second. Spring Lily stalked from the start, was in tight and had to steady on the first turn, remained in stalking position and kept to her task to get third, though she was no danger to the top two. Lemoona, easy winner at this trip here July 27, her first start for trainer Richard Baltas, her first start here and first start of 2018, sat back while saving ground, came off the inside on the far turn for clear sailing but never really produced a run. Thirteen Squared, the second choice after a sharp second in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 16, went right to the lead, set a modest pace while staying on the rail while taking pressure from Broome but gave way readily once headed turning for home.