Trip Notes: Breeders' Cup 2013

Friday, November 1

Santa Anita - BC Marathon (race 6)

COMMENT: London Bridge became the first New York-bred to grace the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle as the son of Arch (sire of Blame) proved the top stayer. He came to the United States for this after campaigning in England and France. He bided his time early while Commander and then Suns Out Guns Out set the early pace. He steadily advanced, moved closer while staying wide and out in the clear, and doggedly kept to his task to wear down a couple stubborn rivals. Blueskiesnrainbows stalked in third early, took command on the far turn, gamely rebuffed Worldly through the lane, but couldn’t fend off London Bridge in the final furlong. Worldly sat back early, but soon was pressing the pace. He then settled in third, made a run at the lead into the lane, but just wasn’t quite good enough. Ever Rider, the tepid 4.80-1 favorite, pressed the pace but gave way badly and was pulled up. He reportedly had no injury, but was simply exhausted.

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Santa Anita - BC Juvenile Turf (race 7)

COMMENT: The Europeans prove too much, though Bobby’s Kitten, third as the favorite, ran huge but was his own worst enemy. Outstrip, coming off a Group 2 win and Group 1 third in England, validated his quality. He sat back while Bobby’s Kitten sizzled early. He steadily advanced, doggedly kept after the two leaders in the lane, and proved best. Rider Smith wins the first two Breeders’ Cup events. Giovanni Boldini, winner of 2 of 3 in Italy, with the lone loss being a third in a Group 1, ran splendidly. He sat a few lengths off the pace while saving ground, was asked to go after pacesetter Bobby’s Kitten turning for home, engaged that rival, finally was getting the better of him, but then couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Bobby’s Kitten ran huge in defeat. Favored off a romping win in the Grade 3 Pilgrim at Belmont Park last month, he broke very sharply and went right to the lead. He set very fast splits, battled back gamely when hooked by Giovanni Boldini into the lane, but those fractions took their toll and he weakened just a bit in the final furlong. Still, if he can settle, he’s got a bright future. Connections were reportedly quite unhappy with rider Castellano for tapping him out of the gate, which inadvertently propelled him to the lead, where they didn’t want to be early. Bon Accord, previously unbeaten in four starts, sat midpack, came with a nice run, but wasn’t really a threat to the top three who were clear of the field. Still, this validated his good prior work.

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Santa Anita - BC Dirt Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: Goldencents’s sprint speed proved lethal as he ran away from this field to post an impressive win. After some close calls in some graded sprints, his connections opted for this longer game, and it was the right call. He broke very sharply and outran the other speed. He was hounded into sizzling splits by Broadway Empire, dispatched with that foe turning for home, opened up a commanding lead, and while he tired in the final furlong, the issue had already been put to bed. There are those decrying the “speed bias,” but that had nothing to do with this outcome – the winner is simply the best two-turn miler around. Golden Ticket lagged back, came with a strong run along the inside into the lane, did close the gap on the winner, but never really was a threat to him. He could come back in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 30 at Aqueduct or the Grade 1 Clark on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs, according to trainer McPeek. Brujo de Olleros, likewise, sat back and came on nicely through the lane but was never on the winner’s radar. Verrazano, the favorite, broke well but wasn’t quick enough to contest the early lead. He stalked but got bounced around some between horses. He kept to his task but wasn’t good enough. His speed was more effective going longer. Centralinteligence stalked while inside Verrazano but steadied sharply on the clubhouse turn to lose position and never recovered, fading to last as he was pulled up. Initial reports were that he suffered a fractured cannon bone in his right fore.

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Santa Anita - BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: Another turf race, another Euro winner. Chriselliam, coming off a Group 1 win in England, was tons the best – though it sure helped that she got a dream trip. She stalked an ample pace while saving ground, bided her time behind the pacesetters, came off the rail into the lane, found a seam, surged through, grabbed the lead, and drew off to win impressively. Euros won three of first four Breeders’ Cup races. Testa Rossi ran splendidly in defeat. Mired with a terrible post (No. 12) she was well back early, still back turning for home, but found a lane between horses and finished full of run, though the winner was already long gone. She has a bright future. Colonel Joan, a maiden but stakes placed on turf, sat back and finished decently. My Conquestadory broke well from her far outside post (No. 14), was able to get over so she didn’t get hung out to dry while stalking the pace, moved to the lead into the lane, but all that early work to get over and the speed she used to stalk took its toll as she weakened some in the final furlong. Vorda, the favorite off some superb Euro form (Group 1/Group 2 winner), broke decently but ended up well back early, was very wide on the clubhouse turn, made some nice headway to appear a threat going to the far turn, but then came up empty, finishing midpack. Street Sailing was fractious in the post parade (saddle slipped), fractious in the gate, unruly on the clubhouse turn, tossing her head, and gave way.

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Santa Anita - BC Distaff (race 10)

COMMENT: The track may have been speed-biased, but that didn’t matter here as the top two finishers, 3-year-old fillies Beholder and Close Hatches, came from off the pace, showing you could indeed win without being on the lead (so the speed bias was NOT as strong as some would have you believe). Beholder stated her case as top 3-year-old filly, though it sure didn’t hurt she had the home-court advantage as she’s now 6 for 7 here. She trained lights-out for this and ran to those works. Surprisingly, she wasn’t on the lead. Even more surprisingly was who was on the lead. Authenticity broke alertly and went out to carve the pace. Beholder bided her time in third (a surprise), was always traveling well, took command without being asked going into the far turn, opened up, and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. She’ll get a freshening and point to a spring return and title defense of this next fall. Close Hatches stalked in fourth, just behind Beholder, followed that filly going to the far turn, tried to make a run at her, but just couldn’t keep up. Authenticity surprisingly set the pace and kept to her task decently while staying on the rail to hold third. Royal Delta seemed in a perfect stalking position in second, was asked for run going to the far turn, but actually lost ground and never mustered a run as she went for a three-peat. After losing the Beldame and this performance, it might be a sign that she’s done. Princess of Sylmar, who was likely up against it the way the track played, still didn’t pick up a foot in a disappointing run. Still awfully game for her connections to ship west and give this race a shot, and she may still win (and would be a deserving winner) the Eclipse as top 3-year-old filly, despite Beholder’s championship-type campaign. It’s a tough call, to be sure. Close Hatches and Princess of Sylmar are expected back in 2014.

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Saturday, November 2

Santa Anita - BC Juvenile Fillies (race 4)

COMMENT: The race was marred by the breakdown of Secret Compass on the far turn. It wasn’t the prettiest renewal, but She’s a Tiger showed the courage that seemed to earn her the Eclipse Award only to get DQ’d in a very questionable call, awarding the win to Ria Antonia. She’s a Tiger broke very sharply from her outside post, but rider Stevens seemed reluctant to let her go to the lead. However, he had no choice and soon she was clear going to the backstretch. She set solid splits, opened up on the far turn, obviously tired in the stretch as she lugged out and did bump with Ria Antonia, but doggedly kept to her task to get the narrow decision. Ria Antonia, a longshot, lagged back, came wide into the lane, looked as though she might blow by She’s a Tiger, but just couldn’t not get past. There was some contact between the two in midstretch when She’s a Tiger lugged out, but it seemed incidental and not enough to warrant the DQ as Ria Antonia never had to break stride. Ria Antonia’s owner has big ideas for her: the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby is on his mind. She’ll likely follow Princess of Sylmar’s New York map of getting to Kentucky. She’s a Tiger will get a freshening. Rosalind lagged back and came with a nice run along the inside and might have won in another couple jumps. Sweet Reason, the tepid favorite, sat far back as usual, came with a menacing run into the lane, but didn’t sustain it. Artemis Agrotera chased She’s a Tiger early, was asked for run going to the far turn, but finished fairly one-paced. Untapable stalked while wide, moved inside going to the far turn, had to steady hard to avoid the fallen rival, lost all chance and was eased. Secret Compass was just behind She’s a Tiger stalking on the far turn along the rail when she took a bad step, broke down (condylar fracture), and sadly had to be euthanized.

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Santa Anita - BC Filly and Mare Turf (race 5)

COMMENT: More Euro turf dominance as they ran 1-2 (and third finisher is a former Euro), with favored Dank getting the job done, despite a seemingly tough situation. With the rail draw, her connections knew they needed to keep her closer early so as not to get trapped, but through the lane the first time she was headstrong and rank. She finally settled in second behind pacemaker Emollient going down the backside, bided her time there, pounced on that rival into the lane, looked as though she might just draw off, but then had to keep to it to fend off a couple closers. She may stay in training in 2014. Romantica, the other highly fancied Euro, sat a couple lengths off the pace, doggedly went after Dank in the lane, was inching closer, but just couldn’t get to her. Alterite, a Euro transplant, sat midpack and came with a nice run. Emollient set the pace, tried to battle back when hooked into the lane, but wasn’t good enough. Marketing Mix stalked in third, loomed a threat turning for home, but flattened out. Tiz Flirtatious sat back but could make little headway. Laughing, expected to be on the lead, wasn’t quick enough, was instead midpack early, and never got involved.

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Santa Anita - BC Filly and Mare Sprint (race 6)

COMMENT: Reports of the demise of Groupie Doll were obviously greatly exaggerated as last year’s winner turned back the clock to successfully defend her title. Her form had not been all that sharp this year, but she broke alertly to stalk the brisk pace of Sweet Lulu and Ismene while staying outside. She moved closer on the far turn, grabbed the lead into the lane, opened up a bit of a lead, and gamely persevered to keep hard-trying Judy the Beauty at bay in the final yards. This would be a great way for the champ to go out (she’s set to go through the sales ring Wednesday) but trainer Bradley said he hopes her new owners might still want to take a swing at the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 30 at Aqueduct, a race in which she was beaten a nose by top male Stay Thirsty last year. Also some nice revenge as she’d run third to Judy the Beauty in the Grade 2 TCA at Keeneland last month. Judy the Beauty lagged back, came with a strong sustained run, but just couldn’t get past the winner in a fine try. Dance Card sat well back, made with a strong sweeping move to circle much of the field while very wide on the far turn, loomed ominously into the lane, but the wide trip may have taken a bit of the starch out of her in the final furlong. Sweet Lulu broke sharply, proved quickest, but was hounded by Ismene through fast splits and weakened some late. Dance to Bristol sat back, made a bit of a move going to the far turn, but then came up empty. Those still harping about a speed bias are flat wrong.

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Santa Anita - BC Turf Sprint (race 7)

COMMENT: Another defending champ successfully defends as Mizdirection leaves no doubt she’s queen of the hill. In notching her seventh win in as many tries on this hillside course, she was a bit closer early on than she was last year. She remained wide and in the clear heading to the dirt crossing and still had to work to do to catch clear leader Reneesgotzip, but doggedly kept to her task to get up in the final strides. Her career may be done as she goes through the sales ring this week. Reneesgotzip, third in this last year, ran too good to lose again. She proved quickest down the hill, spurted clear coming across the dirt, and looked long gone but just couldn’t quite fend off Mizdirection and ended up in a dead heat for second with Tightend Touchdown as the girls ran 1-2. Tightend Touchdown continued his superb form as he chased Reneesgotzip early, kept after her gamely, and finished strongly between she and the winner only come up just short, though he got his head down on the line to earn the dead heat for second. It was a super try, considering that – unlike the two females – he had no local knowledge. Unbridled’s Note, second in this last year, lagged back and finished well, but couldn’t quite get into the mix with the top three.

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Santa Anita - BC Juvenile (race 8)

COMMENT: One Baffert got the most attention (Tap It Rich), but it was the other, New Year’s Day, who got the money. The son of Street Cry (sire of Street Sense, Zenyatta . . . so can you say distance?) broke alertly but bided his time as first Conquest Titan and then Strong Mandate set fast, fast splits. He sat midpack, advanced his position while moving between horses, moved to the rail for the stretch drive, and found clear sailing to launch a strong, sustained run that swept him past the leaders. Havana stalked the fast pace and surged to the lead into the lane looking as though he might be long gone, but his proximity to those fast early fractions took its toll as he visibly tired in the lane. To his credit, he kept on for second. If they can get him to relax a bit better, he can certainly be a big 3-year-old. Strong Mandate dueled early with Conquest Titan, took command going to the far turn, battled back gamely when hooked and passed by Havana, and kept to his task well. Bond Holder, winner of the Grade 1 FrontRunner here as a maiden, lagged back and finished decently. We Miss Artie, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on Keeneland’s Polytrack, stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane, but flattened out. Tap It Rich broke a bit slow, was taken very wide on the first turn (to avoid the kickback), remained out wide, moved up menacingly on the far turn, but flattened out. It was probably asking too much too soon for this guy, with just the one race under his belt. And if kickback is a problem, that’s a concern if you’re thinking Kentucky Derby as there’s almost no way to avoid kickback in a field of 20. He did gallop out nicely, and with maturity, the kickback and racing greenly issues could go away. Mexikoma is an interesting prospect. Purchased privately off a monster 14-length win at Delaware Park, the son of Belmont/Travers winner Birdstone was very slow into stride but made a nice run into the lane while having to maneuver through traffic.

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Santa Anita - BC Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: The song remains the same – the Euros dominate the grass events and run 1-2 again here. It was the less fancied runner, Magician, who got the job done. The colt was no slouch overseas – he was a Group 1 winner in Ireland. Making his first start since fading to ninth in another Group 1 on June 18 (bruised his leg kicking a stall wall prior to that race; trainer O’Brien said he shouldn’t have run him) he sat well back early while Teaks North set a solid pace. He bided his time, commenced his run on the far turn, swung out for clear sailing, and blasted home to catch top-class The Fugue in the final strides. The Fugue, one of Europe’s top distaffers, did everything right. She sat midpack while in the clear, moved up nicely going to the far turn to be within reach of the leaders, stayed out in the clear, grabbed the lead into the lane, and looked like the winner until Magician came storming home. Indy Point sat midpack, came up behind the The Fugue into the lane, and kept on very nice. Point of Entry, making his first start since suffering a fracture when winning the Grade 1 Manhattan on June 5, lagged back and came with a threatening run on the far turn, but while he kept on decently, it wasn’t with the usual power. Surely the injury and layoff took a bit of that away. Defending champ Little Mike tracked longshot pacesetter Teaks North, took the lead on the far turn, but couldn’t stay with the leaders in the lane.

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Santa Anita - BC Sprint (race 10)

COMMENT: Secret Circle, who came back from injury after a year and a half to post an impressive score here last month, showed he’s the best sprinter around as he backed it up with another super performance. While he’s tremendously quick, he found a few quicker early, so he sat just behind a phalanx of dueling speedsters through sizzling splits. He had to wait to move out from behind, found that room into the lane, was asked for run, grabbed the lead in midstretch, and gamely kept hard-charging Laugh Track at bay. Laugh Track lagged well back as Sum of the Parts, Fast Bullet, Private Zone, and Gentlemen’s Bet set the hot pace. He went around the tiring speed and finished gamely, but just couldn’t quite get to the winner in a fine try. The Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 30 at Aqueduct could be next. Gentlemen’s Bet hugged the rail while dueling/pressing the hot pace, couldn’t quite finish with the top two in the final furlong, but gamely persevered to prove best of the pacesetters. Majestic Stride, usually on the pace, found some of these too quick, but after stalking inside he came through along the inside in the lane to just miss third in a fine try. Justin Philip lagged back, came with a smart run into the lane, and had to check briefly in midstretch. That cost him being closer, though he wasn’t going to crack the top three. Defending champ Trinniberg chased midpack, but found these foes too fast.

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Santa Anita - BC Mile (race 11)

COMMENT: The Horse of the Year keeps the Americans from getting shut out on turf – but it wasn’t easy. Wise Dan stumbled a bit at the break but was still in a good spot sitting back as Obviously set suicidal splits. Wise Dan steadily advanced, keeping Euro hotshot Olympic Glory trapped to his inside, moved closer on the far turn, and was asked for run. At first, he didn’t appear to be delivering, but once straightened away, he leveled off and gamely reeled in a very stubborn Za Approval while outfinishing Silentio. It wasn’t one of his more dazzling performances, but he’s a pro and showed he could still get the job done at the highest level. Being a gelding, he may race again in 2014, though his trainer said maybe not as often as the past couple campaigns. He could point to a three-peat in this. Za Approval, who seems to have a new lease on life now that they’ve found he loves firm turf, did everything right. He sat a few lengths off the torrid pace and got first run on the closers as he surged to the lead into the lane. He battled back gamely as Wise Dan came to him, but just couldn’t quite fend off the reigning champ. The Grade 2 Citation on Nov. 29 at Betfair Hollywood Park may be next. Silentio sat back with Wise Dan while saving ground. He came with a smart run into the lane, had to swerve down to the rail when the lane between Wise Dan and Za Approval vanished, and closed smartly. The Citation could lure him as well. Silver Max was outgunned early by Obviously but was content to stalk and stayed on decently, though he was no factor in what was basically a three-horse race in the lane. Obviously sizzled, and considering those splits, stayed on very well for fifth. Olympic Glory was just to Wise Dan’s inside, was kept bottled up there throughout, and once he got room into the lane had nothing to offer.

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Santa Anita - BC Classic (race 12)

COMMENT: Mucho Macho Man ran too good to lose last year, but he did while running second to Fort Larned. Well, he remedied that this year with a stellar performance that only just got him home in front of crack 3-year-old Will Take Charge and Euro raider Declaration of War while favorite Game On Dude ran poorly (ninth) in a stirring renewal of the Classic. Mucho Macho Man actually broke very sharply but allowed rider Stevens to take him back off dueling leaders Moreno, Fort Larned, and Game On Dude. He bided his time a few lengths off the lead while staying outside, moved into contention turning for home, grabbed the lead, and opened up some daylight into the lane, of which he needed every inch as he gamely got to the line before two hard-charging foes. No determination on his future has been made. Will Take Charge lagged back, commenced his run on the far turn, got floated very wide into the lane, but finished strongly to just miss in a super try. The Grade 1 Clark on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs is possible. Euro Declaration of War was near Mucho Macho Man from the start, didn’t accelerate as quickly, but doggedly charged after that foe into the lane, rallying with Will Take Charge and just missing by a head and a nose. Fort Larned dueled early as he defended his title, couldn’t keep pace with the top three in the lane, but stayed on decently for fourth. Palace Malice lagged back, made a bit of a move while wide turning for home, but flattened out. Paynter made only modest headway late. Still a great comeback story. He goes off to stud. Game On Dude pressed the solid pace but gave way when the real racing began. His only two losses in eight starts over this track came in this race this year and last year. Being a gelding, he may well race again next year.

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