Trip Notes for December 17-18: Harlan's Holiday, Rampart
Dec. 17
Gulfstream
Sugar Swirl (race 4)
COMMENT: Dearest returned to her favorite track for her first start since she was second in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga Sept. 4, and ran her Gulfstream record to 4 for 5 by notching her first graded stakes win. From her rail slot she chased speedster and heavy favorite Stonetastic, moved up aggressively to be alongside of Stonetastic going into the far turn, got the better of her coming into the lane, and opened up a clear lead by midstretch. You Bought Her sat fourth early, started her run on the far turn, and finished smartly to close the gap and at least give the winner a scare. Stonetastic, the favorite off a career full of speed and good form, shot right out to the lead, battled back when confronted by Dearest, but relented into the lane.
Gulfstream
Rampart (race 5)
COMMENT: Eskenformoney had done her best work at Gulfstream, having posted two of her three wins here. Coming off a well-beaten third in Belmont’s Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm, she got a great trip today, stalking as the two favorites Curlin’s Approval and Genre dueled for the lead. Eskenformoney moved closer on the turn and challenged Curlin’s Approval into the lane as Genre fell away. Eskenformoney finally got the better of Curlin’s Approval inside the final half-furlong and edged away for the win. Curlin’s Approval, fourth to Lightstream in Keeneland’s Grade 2 Raven Run Oct. 22, is another who loves it at Gulfstream. She was 3 for 4 there coming into this race and ran well again. She dueled with Genre through solid splits while on the inside, got the better of that rival into the lane, and only relented late to Eskenformoney. Genre, who’s been knocking heads with the winner the past two seasons, was dropping after being a well-beaten third in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland Oct. 9. She remained in the battle to the top of the lane and stayed on for the show, giving trainer Todd Pletcher a one-three finish.
Gulfstream
Harlan’s Holiday (race 7)
COMMENT: Stanford, second in both the Grade 3 Hooper and Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap here last winter, won his first start since he faded to eighth in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont June 11. From his rail slot he set a very slow pace under token pressure from a couple rivals, was challenged by stablemate Madefromlucky on the turn, dispatched with that rival when asked into the lane, and opened up. Keen Ice came into this off a third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was well back early, moved a bit closer than usual going down the backstretch, made a run on the turn and into the lane, and plugged along to just get second. Like the winner he’s trained by Todd Pletcher. Awesome Slew, last seen setting the pace before finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 24, stalked in third, moved closer going to the far turn, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, and lost second in the final strides. Madefromlucky was second in this race last year and was making his first start since finishing second in the Grade 3 Excelsior at Aqueduct April 9. He pressed Stanford while traveling easily and staying inside, challenged him on the far turn, and weakened in the lane.