Trip Notes for August 3-4, 2019: Whitney, Test, Yellow Ribbon, and more

Aug. 3

Saratoga
Troy (race 5)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed dramatically when heavy 3-5 morning line favorite World of Trouble scratched (foot bruise). He’ll reportedly instead target the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx Sept. 2. There have been a string of track/course records here lately and that was the case again here as Leinster posted the upset in his stakes debut. Stepping up in class after two big allowance wins in Kentucky, the son of Majestic Warrior stalked from his outside post as Rocket Heat set a dizzying pace (:20.82, :43.01), bided his time there to the far turn, swung wide into the lane to launch his bid and finished resolutely to pass leader Disco Partner in the final half-furlong. His time of 1:00.23 bettered the old mark of 1:00.46 set by Lady Shipman in 2015. The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Sept. 7 is his next target. That’s a Win and You’re In race for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which certainly figures a long-term goal the way he’s going. Disco Partner, a multiple stakes winner who was third in this last year and was coming off a third to World of Trouble in the Grade 1 Jaipur on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8, raced in tandem with the eventual winner while inside that foe, moved earlier than that rival into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch but couldn’t quite finish with the winner. The Turf Monster and another shot at World of Trouble is possible, though the Belmont Turf Sprint Championship Oct. 5 also figures on his radar. Pure Sensation, favored after the scratch of World of Trouble off a romping win in the Grade 3 Parx Dash July 6, his third straight win, was urged out of the gate, chased pacesetter Rocket Heat through those sizzling splits, loomed a threat into the lane but flattened out a bit, likely the result of chasing those hot fractions. Wet Your Whistle, well backed off four straight wins including the Grade 1 Highlander at Woodbine last time out June 29, bided his time at the back of the compact field while staying wide and in the clear, angled wider still into the lane but never mustered a run.

Saratoga
Test (race 8)

COMMENT: Covfefe was monstrous winning the Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico May 17 over fellow 3-year-old fillies and was then a good close-up third to top elder and Grade 1 winner Mia Mischief in the Roxelana at Churchill June 22. That race set her up well for this as she returned to 3-year-old fillies-only company and gamely prevailed. She broke sharply, pressing early pacesetter Serengeti Empress to her inside, continued to dog that rival through strong splits, moved up to challenge that foe to her outside into the lane and gamely prevailed in a long, hard battle. Trainer Brad Cox wasn’t sure as to what would be next, though the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita in November is her long-term target. Serengeti Empress, big winner of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and then second in the Grade 1 Acorn to freakish winner Guarana at Belmont June 8, was asked for run right out of the gate from her rail slot, made the lead on the rail with Covfefe dogging her to her outside, set strong splits under heavy pressure from that foe and Trenchtown Cat further outside, battled back gamely when fully challenged by Covfefe into the lane and only gave way grudgingly in the final yards in a super try in what was basically a two-horse race. Trainer Tom Amoss said she might stretch out again for the 1 1/16-mile, Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Sept. 21, though that’s also the target of Guarana, who beat her easily in the Grade 1 Acorn and then won the Grade 1 CCA Oaks. Bellafina, the slight favorite off her superb 7-furlong form (two big wins) and freshened since finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, broke slowly to get away a couple lengths behind the field, moved up eagerly along the rail down the backstretch to get into a contending position just behind Serengeti Empress but came under a ride turning for home, came off the rail into the lane, kept to her task but was no danger to the top two in the stretch. Surely the poor start and having to use so much fuel to get back into the race cost her, though whether that was enough to keep her from being with the top two in the lane is another matter. Trenchtown Cat, coming off a second to top elder Stormy Embrace in the Grade 2 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream June 29, pressed the issue from the start outside the top two, continued to stalk them to the far turn, was asked to try and get closer to those rivals and make a run turning for home but was unable to do so, plugging along for fourth though well behind Bellafina. Royal Charlotte, unbeaten in her first four starts including the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont July 5, sat a few lengths off the lead, was just outside Bellafina going to the far turn, was asked for run while between horses on the turn, moved to the rail into the lane but came up empty.

Saratoga
Whitney (race 9)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed significantly when Thunder Snow, one of the top contenders, scratched due to a cough and a fever. He’ll reportedly point for the Grade 1 Woodward Aug. 31. It’s well known McKinzie prefers racing on the outside, a trip he was unable to get when a sharp second in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont June 8. However, this time rider Mike Smith got McKinzie to the outside and it paid off as the son of Street Sense proved a handy winner. Earlier this year trainer Bob Baffert said he thought McKinzie was the best horse in the country and it’s tough to argue the point. He broke alertly, showing more speed than usual to be up close to the lead going into the first turn, actually took the lead there, took back a bit when Preservationist came up to his outside, relinquished pacesetting duties to Preservationist, took back further so he could move further off the inside, ending up outside Preservationist while well off the rail, stalked that foe through modest splits, moved closer to challenge for the lead turning for home, seemed possibly in trouble when a couple rivals made a bid there, but once straightened away into the lane was asked for run and delivered, pulling away to win clear. Baffert said he was thinking about one prep as a link to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, that likely the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita Sept. 28. The Breeders’ Cup is at Santa Anita as well. Yoshida, disappointing this year with three straight sixths, ran much better here. He lacked speed, as usual, to be at the back of the pack, but wasn’t that far off the slow pace. He came with an eager run on the far turn when pitched wide, moved wider out still into the lane, loomed a big threat by midstretch but then couldn’t stay with the winner. Considering he looks back on track and obviously likes it here the Woodward later this month is a distinct possibility, particularly as he won that race last year. Vino Rosso, game winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27, sat a couple lengths off the pace, was asked for run on the far turn, moved up between horses to loom a threat but couldn’t do enough to stay with the top two. Preservationist, sweaty in the preliminaries (though that’s his norm), broke well from his far outside post, moved up to grab the lead going into the backstretch from McKinzie to his inside, took over pacesetting duties while a few lanes off the rail, set a modest pace as McKinzie stalked him to his outside, still had the lead turning for home but relented once passed.

Mountaineer
West Virginia Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: Mr. Money continued his ascent as he notched his fourth straight Grade 3 win. Coming off an easy tally in the Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand July 13, the son of Goldencents absolutely dominated here. He broke well, pulled early as he sat off pacesetter Plus Que Parfait as that rival set a slow pace, remained well held down the backstretch, pulled his way alongside the pacesetter on the turn, grabbed the lead, opened up with ease and cruised home to win as much the best. At some point he’ll take a shot at the deeper end of the pool, maybe in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 21. Chess Chief, fourth to Mr. Money in the Indiana Derby, chased that rival home again here as he was just in behind the eventual winner, remained on the stalk to the far turn, was asked for run in the lane, reeled in Plus Que Parfait to get second in the final strides but was never a danger to the big winner. Plus Que Parfait, back to dirt after a respectable sixth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby July 6, took a clear early lead as no one else appeared to want to set the pace. He set slow fractions with the heavy favorite hounding him, battled back when hooked by Mr. Money on the turn, proved no match for that foe and kept to his task decently, only losing second in the final strides. Top Line Growth, winner of the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows July 5 via disqualification, lagged back while wide, pitched wider still into the lane and made some headway but was never a factor.

Del Mar
Sorrento (race 5)

COMMENT: Amalfi Sunrise, a $185,000 daughter of Grade 1 winner Constitution, stamped herself the top 2-year-old filly out West with a second straight dominant victory. She blasted maidens in her debut at Santa Anita June 23, and here, facing winners including unbeaten Grade 3 winner Comical, she again had no troubles. Her natural speed carried her up to press early pacesetter Comical who was on the rail with Princess Mo pressing the issue to her outside, took command going into the far turn, quickly opened up, extended her margin from there and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. This sets up a mouthwatering clash with Immediate Impact, Bob Baffert’s promising filly who easily won her debut and is little sister to the great Arrogate, in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante here Aug. 31. Powerfulattraction, a smart debut winner at Los Alamitos June 29, broke a bit slowly to be last early, was content to stay there to the far turn, came out into the lane and finished well to just get up for second in the final strides, though she was never a danger to the winner. Shedaresthedevil, impressive winner of her debut at Churchill June 13 and now a stablemate of Amalfi Sunrise, lagged back in fifth early, made a sudden move going into the far turn to reach second chasing her stablemate, tried to get after that rival but proved no match and weakened just enough late to lose second in the final strides. Comical, the second choice after winning her debut at Santa Anita May 26 and gamely winning the Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga July 11, broke alertly from her rail slot, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Amalfi Sunrise, held the rail while chasing that gal to the far turn but gave way in the lane. Maybe the quick turnaround after crossing the country twice was too much for her as she’s surely better than her last-place finish here. Trainer Doug O’Neill blamed the rail slot and the early pressure and said the Debutante was still in her plans.

Del Mar
Yellow Ribbon (race 8)

COMMENT: Beau Recall shipped here a couple years ago for the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks only to come up a nose short. Well, in her return here the mare made amends as she notched another Grade 2 win. After running into such East Coast beasts as Rushing Fall last time out when second in the Grade 1 Just a Game II on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8 she was freshened and shipped here. It worked. From her rail slot she sat fourth as first Valedictorian set the pace and then Storm the Hill made the running, bided her time there while saving ground, remained inside turning for home, briefly went off stride and steadied as Lemoona came up to her inside and steadied as well, got back on stride into the lane and finished resolutely to just get up in the final strides to nip Storm the Hill with 9-10 favorite Vasilika just a half-length away further outside. She did have to survive a claim of foul from the rider of Lemoona who claimed interference turning for home by the winner when she was put in tight quarters along the rail losing position but the claim of foul was not allowed. Storm the Hill, third in the Grade 3 Wilshire at Santa Anita June 22, her first start in seven months, did everything right, only to come up a nose short. She pressed early pacesetter Valedictorian, assumed pacesetting duties from that foe into the backstretch, held a narrow lead to the far turn, opened up into the lane as if primed to go on to victory only to have the winner shoot up the rail to nip her on the line. Vasilika, the heavy favorite off amazing form which includes 11 wins in her last 12 starts including the Grade 1 Gamely last time out at Santa Anita May 27, seemed in a dream spot stalking in third outside the two pacesetters, moved closer on the turn, was in position into the lane, made her run once straightened away but just couldn’t quite outfinish the top two. Valedictorian, who invaded off a big win in the Grade 3 Eatontown at Monmouth June 22, broke smartly, moved inward to the rail to take the early lead with Storm the Hill right alongside, soon relented pacesetting duties to that foe while content to stalk her, loomed a threat on the far turn as she moved closer but couldn’t sustain her bid.

Aug. 4

Saratoga
Waya (race 5)

COMMENT: It’s no surprise Chad Brown with his armada of turf talent won this, though it was a bit surprising it was with Fools Gold instead of favored Santa Monica. Fools Gold, a $425,000 daughter of Medaglia d’Oro coming off three straight stakes placings, showed speed to sit just off pacesetter Sky Full of Start who set a modest pace, remained in stalk mode to the far turn, moved up easily to take the lead from that tiring rival, opened up into the lane which gave her enough of a buffer to get to the line before hard-trying Get Explicit and stablemate Santa Monica. The Grade 2 Glens Falls here Aug. 31 could be next, though the water there will be deeper. Get Explicit, sixth in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly at Woodbine last time out June 29, was slow into stride to be last early, started to advance down the backstretch, moved in behind the leaders on the far turn, pitched out to make her run and finished with good energy but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Santa Monica, the favorite wins in the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream March 29 and in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay at Belmont May 4 but who hadn’t run since due to a minor setback, banged the gate at the start to get away a bit slowly, bided her time off the pace, steadied going down the backstretch, losing position getting shuffled back to least, moved toward the outside once back in stride going into the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane and finished well. Gentle Ruler, coming off four straight wins including the Grade 3 Robert Dick Memorial at Delaware last time out July 6, bided her time toward the back while wide, remained there much of the way under a hold, moved toward the inside on the far turn to start her run, moved out a couple lanes to find clear sailing, finished well between horses but just wasn’t quite good enough.

Saratoga
Adirondack (race 10)

COMMENT: While Amalfi Sunrise has established herself atop the 2-year-old filly pecking order out West, there’s been no such determination in the East, but a smart win here by Perfect Alibi tossed her hat into the ring. The $220,000 daughter of Sky Mesa, a game second in the Astoria at Belmont June 6 after a monster maiden win at Churchill May 16, sat midpack from the start as Integral set a solid pace under pressure from Just Fly, bided her time there while behind a wall of horses turning for home, came through between horses when a lane materialized, challenged for the lead into the lane and battling on gamely to beat the two favorites. It didn’t hurt she got some help as the two favorites Frank’s Rockette and Magic Dance had issues but she was good enough to take advantage. Off this a shot at the Grade 1 Spinaway here Sept. 1 figures next. Frank’s Rockette, a monster winner of her debut at Churchill June 21, stalked in third, was in good position going to the far turn, got bumped and pinched off when rival Just Fly came into her, bumped with a tiring Integral, came through a seam into the lane to challenge for the lead but then couldn’t finish with the winner. The Spinaway figures on her radar as well. Magic Dance, kin to multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana and winner of her first two starts at Churchill including the Debutante June 29, stumbled badly at the start to get away poorly, came with a smart wide run turning for home to reach contention, took the lead into the lane and held it to just inside the eighth pole but then couldn’t quite finish with the top two. Surely the early trouble and rushing into contention took their toll. Miss Peppina, a daughter of Grade 1 Breeder’s Cup Classic winner Bayern who rallied smartly to easily win her debut at Belmont July 3, bided her time early while wide down the backstretch, remained wide on the far turn when asked for run, pitched wider still into the lane and made some headway, though she wasn’t really a threat to the top three.

Del Mar
La Jolla (race 7)

COMMENT: Kingly had long been considered among trainer Bob Baffert’s second or third tier among 3-year-olds, doing some good work including a third, albeit well beaten (9 lengths) in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby July 3. But Baffert moved the son of Tapit to turf for the first time, added blinkers and voila! The colt jumped up with a big effort to win. He broke sharply, shooting out to a clear early lead, was well clear of his rivals into the backstretch through strong splits, looked in trouble when 9-5 favorite Neptune’s Storm came to him turning for home getting within a head, but pushed clear again, giving himself enough of a buffer to keep a resurgent Neptune’s Storm at bay in the final yards. Off this, a shot at the Grade 1 Del Mar Derby Sept. 1 figures next. Neptune’s Storm, favored off two straight stakes wins at Santa Anita this spring, sat second from the start from his rail slot, saved ground as he stalked the eventual winner, moved up smartly on the far turn as if ready to take command, saw that rival kick away from him again into the lane but the finished resolutely only to run out of ground in what was basically a two-horse race in the lane. The Del Mar Derby figures next for him as well. Jasikan, game winner of the Oceanside here July 17, was away slowly, bided his time at the back of the pack, was still at the back turning for home but split rivals into the lane while finishing well, though he was never really a danger to the top two. Stubbins, well backed after finishing a good third behind two of the top older turf sprinters on the grounds (Eddie Haskell, Tribalist), stalked in third, crept closer going into the far turn, loomed a threat but flattened out. Could be he’s better at a shorter trip.