Trip Notes for August 8-9, 2020: Travers and more

Aug. 8

Saratoga
Ballerina (race 7)

COMMENT: Serengeti Empress ran one of her best races going 7 furlongs here last year, finishing a game second in the Grade 1 Test to eventual distaff sprint champion Covfefe. Well, she returned to Saratoga, returned to 7 furlongs and ran maybe her best race, using her speed and courage to prevail. From her rail slot she broke a step slow but was rushed up the rail to get the lead, took a brief lead from Letruska to her outside, set sizzling splits under pressure from that foe and Cookie Dough, dispatched with those rivals turning for home, drifted off the rail into the lane, looked in trouble as Bellafina came at her to her outside, but dug in gamely, rebuffing that foe’s challenge to the line. This earns her a spot in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland in November, and trainer Tom Amoss said they’d keep her at this shorter trip. How they get there is up in the air, as he said he wasn’t sure if she’d run once before that or train up to the Breeders’ Cup. The Grade 1 Derby Day Distaff (formerly Humana Distaff) at 7 furlongs at Churchill Sept. 5 could be an option. Bellafina, the slight favorite off a good second in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. at Los Alamitos July 4, broke well, got a dream trip stalking while a few lanes off the rail, crept closer into the far turn, loomed a big threat into the stretch a few lanes outside Serengeti Empress, but couldn’t get past that rival. She ran well but she’s still winless in five starts outside of Southern California. Trainer Simon Callaghan said she’d likely take another swing at ‘Empress in the Breeders’ Cup, possibly prepping in the Grade 3 Chilllingworth (formerly the L. A. Woman) at Santa Anita Sept. 19. Victim of Love, 27-1 winner of the Grade 3 Vagrancy at Belmont June 27, validated that win with another good effort here. She bided her time a few lengths off the pace while saving ground, advanced nicely along the rail on the far turn in Serengeti Empress’s wake, briefly loomed a threat into the lane while still inside before flattening out a bit in the final furlong. Come Dancing, the defending champ looking to bounce back after running second to Victim of Love in the Vagrancy, broke well from her outside post, got a nice trip just in behind and outside of Bellafina, moved closer on the far turn, started to advance while still just in behind and outside Bellafina into the lane, appeared to start to move to Bellafina’s inside but had to steady when that hole vanished and was unable to get going well enough thereafter. She didn’t run badly but it’s apparent she’s just not the same gal we saw a year ago. Letruska, winner of nine of 11 including an easy stakes win going a mile at Gulfstream last time out June 27, broke sharply, went right out to the lead, relinquished pacesetting duties to the eventual winner to her inside, continued to hound that rival to the far turn, seemed to be traveling very well turning for home, but gave way when things got serious in the stretch. These waters might be a tad deep for her.

Saratoga
Troy (race 8)

COMMENT: Imprimis was last seen finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last Nov. 2. That was followed by throat surgery, but that didn’t take so they had to operate again. Finally back to action here the 6-year-old gelding came back firing to finish first here. Trouble is, he came in during the stretch run, causing a couple horses to bunch up and steady, primarily original third-place finisher Shekky Shebaz, and was disqualified and placed third behind Shekky Shebaz. That led to American Sailor getting the win. Imprimis, coming off a good second in a turf sprint stakes at Monmouth July 18 (beat Shekky Shebaz, who ran third) broke well, caught a break when his seemingly main early speed rival Pure Sensation broke poorly, went right out to a clear lead, was able to dictate tempo through a slow pace while maintaining that clear advantage, drifted off the rail a bit into the lane, couldn’t counter Imprimis’s charge a few lanes out but stayed on gamely to finish second. Shekky Shebaz, third in that aforementioned turf stakes at Monmouth July 18, had the speed to stalk the pace, remained there a few lanes off the rail, came out into the lane to start his run, was in Imprimis’s wake, swerved to the inside to go for a hole between Imprimis and American Sailor but had Imprimis veer inward from a right-handed whip, steadied hard, pulled back to the outside and ran on well to just miss getting second. The fact he nearly got second is what likely cost Imprimis the win. Imprimis broke well from his rail slot, soon maneuvered off the inside to get a nice stalking trip a few lanes off the rail, came with a smart run to challenge into the lane, drifted inward in midstretch which hindered Shekky Shebaz, who was trying to make a move to his inside, got straightened and drew off. He was likely the best horse, but since his antics in the stretch may well have cost Shekky Shebaz second, the disqualification could be seen as justified. Chewing Gum, the slight favorite after three straight good turf sprints but stepping well up in class, broke poorly to be last early, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, started to advance while inside, came off the rail into the lane and finished well between horses, though it was too late. Pure Sensation, the terrific 9-year-old gelding and multiple graded stakes winner, had a troubled start, dueled and gave way readily in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont June 20. He again blew the start here to be well back early, then steadied behind a couple horses and never got involved. Could be time and all those furlongs have finally caught up to the ol’ boy. In fact, it was announced Sunday that the ol’ boy had been given a well-deserved retirement.

Saratoga
Waya (race 9)

COMMENT: My Sister Nat, kin to U.S. champion turf mare Sistercharlie and European champion 3-year-old male Sottsass, had been knocking on the door since coming to the U.S., and finally broke through and got her first win Stateside. The 5-year-old, coming off a second to the streaking Mean Mary in the Grade 2 New York at Belmont June 27, her first start in five months, bided her time early, as is her want, as stablemate and defending champ Fool’s Gold set a slow pace, remained toward the back while saving ground, though not too far off the lead, continued there in favorite Mrs. Sippy’s wake, came off the inside on the far turn, swung wider out turning for home, challenged for the lead into the lane, and gamely outfought Mrs. Sippy, who was to her immediate inside for the win. Mrs. Sippy, favored despite making her first start since finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita last Nov. 2, ran very well in defeat. She stalked in third while saving ground, pulled closer to be just in behind pacesetter Fool’s Gold with pace-presser Quiet Dignity to her outside, continued there to the far turn, remained boxed in on the turn, had to look for room turning for home, found a seam, came off the inside into the lane to make her run while My Sister Nat charged up to her outside, battled gamely inside that foe with Fool’s Gold to her inside but couldn’t quite outfinish ‘Nat. Those two could go at it again in the Grade 2 Glens Falls here Sept. 5. Fool’s Gold, the defending champ but only fifth in the New York, her first start in almost eight months, went right out to the lead from her outside post, moved over to the rail, was able to set a very slow pace despite some pressure from Quiet Dignity to her outside, continued on the lead to the far turn, saw Quiet Dignity fall away, stayed on the fence as she held the lead into the lane, was challenged by My Sister Nat a few lanes out and then by Mrs. Sippy to her immediate right, but couldn’t quite stay with those two in the final half-furlong.

Saratoga
Test (race 10)

COMMENT: Gamine had not been headed at any point in her first three starts, topped off by a breathtaking 18 3/4-length romp in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont June 20 (though she lost her Oaklawn allowance win due to a positive test). She kept her record intact here with another scintillating display. The $1.8 million daughter of Into Mischief broke sharply, was immediately taken on by high-class Venetian Harbor to her outside, set a solid pace under constant pressure from ‘Harbor while staying many lanes off the rail, moved to the rail into the far turn, continued to be dogged by Venetian Harbor on the turn and into the lane, but under modest urging quickly stormed clear to win easily again. No telling what we may have here. They changed her bit as she had a tendency to lug out in her prior starts, but she was straight and true here, more bad news for her prospective rivals. Her final time (1:20.83) was quite a bit faster than what elder Serengeti Empress did her 7 furlongs in the Grade 1 Ballerina (1:21.63), though they had different pace structures. Her time wasn’t far off the track record set way back in 1978 by male Darby Creek Road (1:20.40). The Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Sept. 4 is reportedly next. Venetian Harbor, cutting back after a second to Swiss Skydiver in the Grade 3 Fantasy and second to Speech in the Grade 1 Ashland, broke well outside of Gamine, immediately applied pressure just outside that rival, kept after Gamine to the far turn, was urged to go with that rival into the lane but couldn’t keep up, remaining well clear of the rest as this was for all intents and purposes a two-horse race. The Kentucky Oaks is a possibility, though this type of game seems to suit her better. Up in Smoke broke well from her rail slot, couldn’t keep up with the top two early, bided her time toward the back, came off the inside on the far turn, made a decent move to go around Mrs. Danvers into the lane and stayed on for third, though she was never a danger to the top two. Mrs. Danvers, second to elders in back-to-back allowance races at Belmont after a long layoff, showed enough speed to sit third, not far behind the top two who dueled up front, moved closer while holding the fence into the far turn but then came up empty as Up in Smoke went past to her outside turning for home.

Saratoga
Travers (race 11)

COMMENT: Tiz the Law’s stellar win in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes last month stamped him the certain favorite for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Sept. 5, but this tour de force stamped him an overwhelming favorite for the Run for the Roses. The son of Constitution broke sharply, settled into a dream spot third just outside and behind pacesetter Uncle Chuck on the rail and Shivaree in between, crept closer while staying wide and in the clear, moved up alongside Uncle Chuck into the far turn as Shivaree fell away, raced with ‘Chuck to the top of the lane while well in hand while Uncle Chuck was under a ride, was briefly asked for some acceleration into the lane, blew the race open, and cruised home under wraps. If this is the guy who shows up at Churchill, it’s going to take a big, big run from the likes of Honor A. P., Authentic or Art Collector to foil him. One horse who could improve and maybe close the gap and then some is Caracaro, as the son of juvenile male champ Uncle Mo ran on well here for second. In just his fourth start after a game second to Country Grammer in the Grade 3 Peter Pan here July 16, he stalked a few lengths off the pace while wide and in the clear, moved closer on the far turn while wide, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished well for second, though he was never really on the winner’s radar. Off this effort there’s every reason for him to go to Louisville. Max Player, third to Tiz the Law in the Belmont, sat midpack while wide and in the clear, raced just behind Caracaro, followed that rival into the far turn, stayed wide and in the clear, and kept to his task to get up for third, though he was never really even a danger to the runner-up. A trip to Churchill may still be in the cards for him. Country Grammer, winner of the Peter Pan, sat inside racing in Uncle Chuck’s wake, seemed to be traveling very comfortably there to the far turn, was urged to get going on the turn when Caracaro came up alongside, but didn’t have the needed oomph to make a dent. Uncle Chuck broke well, went right to the lead while moving to the rail, took immediate pressure from Shivaree to his outside with Tiz the Law just in behind and further out, continued on a narrow lead through modest splits, battled back when hooked by Tiz the Law to his right as Shivaree fell away, was under a ride to try and keep up with Tiz the Law into the lane, but was unable to do so and gave way in the final furlong. This was just his third start and may have been too much too soon. Even trainer Bob Baffert said the assignment was “too much for him.” Baffert added the horse would return to his Southern California base and get a freshening, making it sound as if the Kentucky Derby is no longer on his radar.

Del Mar
Best Pal (race 6)

COMMENT: Weston, a son of first-crop sire Hit It a Bomb, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, came out running to win his debut at Santa Anita June 21. There he used his speed to lead all the way. Here he used his speed and a lot of gumption to get a desperate decision. The gelding broke well, sat third early as heavy 1-2 favorite Roderick and Girther dueled, moved up to pressure Girther outside that foe going down the backstretch with Roderick still pressing, continued to hound Girther outside that rival as Roderick fell away into the lane, keeping to his task throughout and doggedly getting up to edge Girther in the final strides. The Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity here Sept. 7 figures next. Girther ran splendidly in defeat. He was only fifth to Weston after a slow start in that June 21 Santa Anita meeting but came here July 11 and gamely led all the way to edge maidens. He again used his speed as he broke sharply from the outside post, angled toward the inside, dueled first with Roderick and then with Weston, gamely held a narrow lead into the lane on the fence as Weston kept after him, seemed to have that foe rebuffed only to get edged in the final strides. The Futurity figures on his radar as well. Ambivalent, second to Weston in his only start in that June 21 race at Santa Anita, sat fifth early, though not at all far off the pace, remained wide and in the clear, started to advance turning for home, shifted inward in the upper stretch bumping with Sonic Brees, got straightened and stayed for third. He was disqualified and placed fourth behind Sonic Breeze for the bumping at the top of the lane. Sonic Brees sat just inside of Ambivalent, came out a bit into the lane, bumped with that rival and stayed on for fourth (was moved up to third via disqualification). Roderick, the heavy favorite off a smashing debut win at Belmont June 21, dueled for the early lead, was still in the hunt turning for home but suddenly backed out of it.

Del Mar
Yellow Ribbon (race 9)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when original 5-2 morning-line favorite Jolie Olimpica scratched (grabbed a quarter). She’ll reportedly target the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile against males here Aug. 23. Bodhicitta ran on well to be second to Keeper Ofthe Stars in the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita May 25. Freshened since, she came back even better as she notched her first graded stakes win. The 4-year-old daughter of Showcasing stalked as longshot Harmless set a slow pace, crept closer while saving ground, came off the inside turning for home, doggedly went after leaders Harmless and Tonahutu to their outside, wearing down the latter in the final stride. The Grade 2 John C. Mabee here Sept. 5 figures next. Tonahutu, claimed for $32,000 when a winner at Santa Anita May 31 and then a sharp second in a tougher optional claimer here July 10, looks like money well spent as she stepped up her game further. She sat second from the start, not far off pacesetter Harmless, remained there to the far turn, went after that foe to her inside in earnest into the lane, was getting the better of her only to have Bodhicitta charge up to her outside to edge her on the line. The John C. Mabee figures on her radar as well. Harmless, back to the West Coast after a good third in a stakes on Ellis Park turf July 5, went right to the lead, set a modest pace while maintaining her advantage, tried to open up turning for home, had Tonahutu come to her into the lane, was succumbing to that gal when Bodhicitta made her run wider out, but stayed on well for third. Beau Recall, the defending champ and favorite off a solid second in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont June 27, was devoid of speed, as is her custom, as she was last early, remained there to the far turn, angled out turning for home, made some headway in the lane while widest of all but was never really a threat. Surely the slow pace dampened her customary late run. Last year after winning this she stayed out West and ran second in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita. She could follow that same route or she could swing back in the Mabee. Keeper Ofthe Stars, winner of a Grade 1 and Grade 2 at Santa Anita this year but coming off a so-so fifth in the Grade 3 Wilshire there June 20, stalked the early pace, was still in the hunt turning for home trying to rally just inside of Beau Recall, but was unable to keep up and make a dent in the lane and was basically wrapped up on in the final furlong. She’s been going pretty regularly and heavily for a while now so this outing, coupled with that Wilshire run, may be a sign she’s due for a break. Aug. 9

Del Mar
La Jolla Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: Smooth Like Strait showed he’s among the top 3-year-old male turfers on the West Coast. Freshened since a smart stakes win on Churchill turf May 23, the son of Midnight Lute made it four wins in seven turf starts (and 2 for 2 here) as he showed his customary good speed, surprisingly had Indian Peak take the early lead from him into the backstretch, dueled with that rival to his inside, took a narrow lead from that foe into the far turn, opened up on the turn and into the lane, and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. The Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here Sept. 6 figures next. Storm the Court, the reigning juvenile male champ, tried turf for the first time after a so-so third in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown June 27 and handled it well, stalking in third while saving ground. He tried to make a run at the eventual winner into the lane, couldn’t keep pace with that foe, but stayed on well for second. The Del Mar Derby is surely an option, though his connections are reportedly still considering a shot at the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on dirt at Churchill Sept. 5. K P All Systems Go sat well back early while saving ground, indeed was last, remained last to the far turn, came off the inside and swung out for room into the lane, and finished well for third, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Kanderel, a rallying second to sidelined Hit the Road in the Oceanside here July 10, lagged well back from the start, not far in front of K P All Systems Go, remained there to the far turn, came with a nice run into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run and flattened out a bit, staying on for fourth.