Trip Notes: Bold Ruler, Fayette, and more

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Belmont
Bold Ruler (race 3)

Salutos Amigos, a respectable fourth in the Grade 1 Vosburgh (beaten just two lengths), validated his strong recent form here, and in doing so may make the very fast turnaround and shoot for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He seemed in a dream spot at first, sitting behind pacesetter River Rocks. However, he appeared in trouble when both Romansh and Confrontation moved past him on the outside, taking the lane he was going for, leaving him trapped behind horses. After they went past, he was asked for run, swung very wide into the stretch, and came home resolutely to grab command in midstretch and draw off to win pretty easily. Confrontation, coming off a dull ninth in the Grade 1 Vosburgh, was away slowly, bided his time, came with a strong wide run that carried him to the lead, but had no answer for the winner’s charge. Romansh, shortening up after some disappointing Grade 1 routes, likewise sat back, just in front of Confrontation, moved in tandem with that rival turning for home, was no match for the winner, and just couldn’t quite out-finish Confrontation for second. Still, it wasn’t a bad run and could mean a shot at the Grade 1 Cigar Mile later next month. River Rocks, the heavy even-money favorite after his fine second in the Grade 2 Kelso and three sprint wins prior, went right out to a clear lead, set a modest pace while staying inside, but was no match for the top three when the real racing began.

Keeneland
Fayette (race 9)

Pick of the Litter couldn’t quite get to runner-up Departing and third-finisher Call Me George when fourth just behind those guys in a stakes at Churchill last month. But the son of Kitten’s Joy turned the tables on those two, posting the mild upset here. From his rail slot, he bided his time early while saving ground as Long River and Call Me George dueled early, was asked for his run coming into the lane, found room to move out and off the rail, found room between horses to continue his run, came through, and got up in the final strides. Not bad for a horse who missed his 2-year-old season after having to undergo colic surgery. Off this he may deserve a crack at the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill late next month, though that would be biting off quite a bit as surely some big boys figure to show up there. Departing, the favorite, stalked the pace in third, moved to the lead in midstretch looking very much like the winner, but just couldn’t quite fend off Pick of the Litter’s charge. Long River volleyed on the early lead with Call Me George while wide, battled on gamely to deep stretch, but flattened out a bit in the final yards. Stephanoatsee got bumped at the start and never made a move.

Santa Anita
Autumn Miss (race 8)

Lexie Lou, so impressive whipping males in the Queen’s Plate earlier this year but disappointing when she faded badly to finish 10th in the Grade 2 Canadian at Woodbine last month, shipped to Southern California and found the new surroundings to her liking as she bounced back to beat a strong field. She bided her time early as Zindaya set a strong pace, moved closer turning for home, and powered home late to take command and draw clear. A race like the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar late next month, at this same mile distance, could be an option, though trainer Mark Casse said after the race they would leave her to winter in SoCal and return to Woodbine in April. Diversy Harbor, a proven commodity as she’s Grade 1-placed, was well back early, still had a lot to do turning for home, but finished strongly to be second, even if she never really appeared a danger to the winner. Zindaya, who shipped in from New York off two big grass sprints wins, showed she’s the real deal as she bounced right out to a clear lead, set fast splits, was still clear in midstretch, had no answer for the winner’s charge, and couldn’t fend off Diversy Harbor in the final strides. Alexis Tangier, winner of two straight including the Unzip Me down the hill here, seemed in a good spot midpack but never mustered a run.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Belmont
Turnback the Alarm (race 9)

Dame Dorothy stayed perfect, taking her mark to four wins in as many starts as she stamped herself the real deal by stepping up in class and prevailing here. The 3-year-old daughter of Bernardini, coming off a route stakes win over Pennsylvania-breds at Presque Isle Downs, stumbled at the start but quickly gathered herself, stalked in third as Flores Island set the pace under pressure from Teen Pauline, moved closer to challenge Teen Pauline who had taken the lead turning for home, took command into the lane, opened up some by midstretch, and gamely kept hard-trying Catch My Drift at bay through the final yards. The Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct Nov. 29 is her next target. Catch My Drift lagged back, came with a smart run through the lane, closed the gap on the winner, but just couldn’t quite get to her. Toasting was just behind Catch My Drift early, moved closer going down the backside, loomed a threat into the lane, but finished evenly. Tapit’s World, the tepid 3-1 favorite, made a mild move inside turning for home, swung out for the drive, but then had nothing. Teen Pauline pressed the pace, took command on the turn, but gave way in the lane once headed.