Trip Notes for Feb. 9-10: Sam F. Davis, Las Virgenes, and more

Feb. 9

Gulfstream Park - Suwannee River (race 6)

COMMENT: Rymska, the overwhelming 1-5 favorite, scratched from the Grade 3 Endeavour at Tampa this same day to go here instead. That mattered not to Valedictorian, as the 5-year-old daughter of Temple City continued her good form since returning to turf to post the upset. Coming off a third in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River here Jan. 12, she used her speed here as she went right to the lead, got away with slow splits under modest pressure from Peach of a Gal, shot away into the lane while staying on the fence and had little trouble keeping Rymska at bay to the line. Off this the Grade 3 The Very One here March 2 could be next. Rymska, as noted the heavy favorite after winning a Grade 3 at Belmont on Oct. 21 and then finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar on Dec. 2, stalked the pace, remained there while between horses, seemed poised to strike coming into the lane, made some progress but was never a danger to the winner. Peach of a Gal, coming off a better-than-looked sixth in the Tropical Park Oaks here Dec. 29 when rallying well from far, far back, pressed the winner from the start, though the splits were slow, remained in second to the top of the lane, proved no match for the winner and couldn’t quite finish with the runner-up. Special Event, a rallying third in the Grade 3 My Charmer here Dec. 15, was midpack after the start, made an early run along the rail to reach contention, remained in stalking mode on the inside, cut the corner into the lane when seemingly ready to start a run but the run never came.

Tampa Bay Downs - Tampa Bay (race 8)

COMMENT: Inspector Lynley was quite unlucky in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale at Gulfstream on Dec. 15 when he got away very slowly, then had traffic issues at a crucial time when trying to get involved turning for home. To his credit he ran on well for fourth. Well, with clear sailing here on a course he loves (won this race last year in his only other start here) he successfully defended his title. The 6-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid bided his time early on the inside as Heart to Heart set a solid pace, remained inside as he crept closer into the lane, came with his run while staying on the rail and gamely outfinished three tough rivals. Divisidero, fifth in the Fort Lauderdale and who has knocked heads with the best middle-distance turfers around the past couple seasons, was at the back of the pack from the start, remained there to the far turn, swung wide to make his run, rallied well but couldn’t quite outfinish the winner. Qurbaan, the slight favorite off a rallying third in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 6 and a rallying second in the Fort Lauderdale, sat back just behind the eventual winner while saving ground, moved out for room turning for home, angled out wider still and finished well to just miss getting second. Heart to Heart, a bit unlucky when third in the Grade 3 Tropical Park Turf Handicap at Gulfstream on Jan. 12, used his speed, as usual, to take the early lead, set a brisk pace under some pressure from Cheyenne’s Colonel while saving ground, dispatched him on the turn but was then confronted by Irish Strait, rebuffed that foe inside the furlong pole but then couldn’t quite finish with the top trio. Could be that age (he’s an 8-year-old) and all those furlongs (39 starts) are finally taking a toll on a terrific old warrior who was good enough to win two Grade 1s last year.

Tampa Bay - Endeavour (race 10)

COMMENT: Rymska, who would likely have been a heavy favorite, scratched from this to instead go in Gulfstream’s Grade 3 Suwannee River earlier in day. That left former Grade 1 performer Hawksmoor as the heavy favorite and she validated that confidence with a smart win. Freshened since setting the pace and fading to fourth in the Grade 3 Athenia at Belmont on Oct. 21 (won by Rymska), the 6-year-old was, according to her rider, supposed to be on or near the early lead but when she blew the start those plans had to change. Her class helped her overcome, however, as she instead lagged back early as Bonnie Arch set a solid pace, remained toward the back going to the far turn while waiting for room, found a lane, shot through between horses and finished strongly to get up for the score. She may not be a Grade 1 gal any longer but this shows she can still do damage in the right spot. Such a spot could be the Grade 2 Hillsborough here March 9, according to trainer Arnaud Delacour. Viva Vegas, a sharp third in an optional claimer here Jan. 6 and sixth in this last year, lagged back, just behind the eventual winner, made some headway on the far turn while still toward the back, came wide into the lane and finished with good energy. Conquest Hardcandy, a rallying second in a stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 26, dogged the pacesetter from the start, surged past that tiring rival into the lane, took a clear lead by the furlong pole as if going on to victory but was no match for the top two in the final half-furlong. Goodyearforroses, making her first start since finishing 13th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November 2017, ran well for her first start since as she was well back early with the eventual one-two finishers, pitched wide into the lane and while unable to rally with those two finished decently for fourth. Get Explicit, making her first start since rallying back-to-back seconds in a Grade 3 and Grade 2 in Kentucky in the fall, stalked in third while between horses, loomed a threat into the lane but flattened out.

Tampa Bay - Sam F. Davis (race 11)

COMMENT: Well Defined was no factor in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (12th) or in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream last time out Jan. 5 (fifth, beaten by 12 lengths). However, with that race under his belt and the addition of blinkers the gelding found the form that saw him do so well at Gulfstream as he posted the mild upset. He used his speed out of the gate, shooting out to a clear early lead. He remained clear up front while setting a decent pace a few lanes off the rail (the inside did not seem the place to be on the main track all day), saw the field creep a bit closer on the far turn but had plenty left, kicked clear again and remained clear to the wire, again staying a few lanes off the inside. The Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby here March 9 figures next, though the fact he wasn’t competitive in his two prior start makes you wonder as to the strength of this race. Kentucky Wildcat, a regally bred son of Tapit out of Better Lucky coming off a smart maiden win at Aqueduct on Dec. 1, handled the step up in class and new surroundings well as he lagged well back early, pitched very wide on the far turn, came with a smart run in the lane and while no threat to the winner finished far clear of the rest (8 3/4 lengths). Unfortunately he had to be vanned off (condylar fracture of the right fore). So Alive, a smart optional-claiming winner here Jan. 6 with the addition of blinkers, was away slowly to be last early, remained far back to the far turn, made good headway in the lane to pass a few for third but was never a danger to the top two. Knicks Go, 70-1 winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 6 and second at 40-1 in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill on Nov. 2, was then dull in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club there Nov. 24 when fading badly to 11th as the 3-1 favorite. He didn’t do much to inspire the notion he was ready to get back to his prior form here as he chased the eventual winner from the start, tried to make a run at him on the turn, but fell away. Trainer Ben Colebrook said the Tampa Bay Derby may still be the plan.

Santa Anita - Las Virgenes (race 5)

COMMENT: Main track listed as ‘good’ after rain earlier in the day. On paper Bellafina dominated this and that’s how it worked out on the track as the $800,000 daughter of Quality Road, a romping winner of the Grade 2 Santa Ynez here Jan. 6, affirmed her dominance of the division out West, though this wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. She was eager early, going right to the lead. She set a solid pace under pressure from Mother Mother, had that pressure turned up on the far turn when Mother Mother came up nearly alongside, rebuffed Mother Mother, opened some as if ready to go on to another big win but then had to fight to keep a hard-trying Enaya Alrabb at bay in the final half-furlong. The Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks here April 6 is likely next and whatever led to her dullish fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill on Nov. 2 is apparently well in the rearview mirror. Trainer Simon Callaghan said the Santa Anita Oaks will determine whether they then pursue the longer Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks or shorter Grade 1 Acorn. Enaya Alrabb, making her first start since a sharp second when beaten a head at 30-1 in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos on Dec. 8, validated that quality as she stalked in third, came with a nice run turning for home, doggedly went after the winner and gave her a bit of a scare while finishing clear of the rest. Calf Moon Bay, a game winner over optional claimers at this trip here Jan. 11, was last from the start, remained toward the back going to the far turn, came with a steady run in the lane to get third though she was never a danger to the top two. Mother Mother, a sharp third beaten a neck in the aforementioned Starlet (with blinkers) and then a well-beaten second to Bellafina (8 1/2 lengths) in the Santa Ynez (without blinkers), had blinkers reapplied here, pressed the winner from the star, loomed a big threat on the turn when coming nearly abreast of Bellafina but couldn’t maintain her bid. This is the third time she’s faced Bellafina and hasn’t really been competitive with her in any of them so she may need some class relief.

Santa Anita - Thunder Road (race 7)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as ‘good’ after earlier rain. True Valour did plenty of good work in Europe (Group 2 winner, Group 2/3 placed) before coming to the U.S. In his first two starts, both Grade 2s at Del Mar last summer, he found Catapult, eventual runner-up in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, too much to handle. He was freshened, came back here Jan. 13 in an optional claimer and fared better, finishing third. Well, he took another step forward as he posted an upset here. Trained by Simon Callaghan, who earlier saddled Bellafina to win the Grade 2 Las Virgenes, he lagged well back early as Blackjackcat set a decent pace, remained in firth to the far turn, started a smart run toward the outside, rallying resolutely to get up for the score. The Grade 1 Kilroe Mile here March 9 could be next, though that may also lead to another confrontation with Catapult, not to mention other top milers. Ohio, back to graded stakes ranks after a smashing stakes win at Turf Paradise on Jan.12, improved considerably on his sixth-place finish in this last year as the 8-year-old stalked the pace, came with a smart run into the lane to grab the lead by midstretch but then couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Le Ken, who finished second just ahead of True Valour in that Jan. 13 race here, sat second behind early pacesetter Blackjackcat, took the lead on the turn, battled back gamely when confronted by Ohio into the lane but couldn’t quite finish with that foe and the winner. River Boyne, the favorite having won all six prior starts here including the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile here last time out Dec. 26, was a bit unlucky. He bided his time early, angled to the inside to save ground, came out some turning for home, moved up between horses into the lane, was trying to continue that run when forced to steady in tight just past the eighth pole, got going again but it was too late. The Kilroe figures on his radar as well. Santa Anita - San Marcos (race 9)

COMMENT: Originally scheduled for Feb. 2 but was postponed until this date due to weather. Turf course was still listed as ‘good.’ Platinum Warrior was good enough to be a Group 3 winner in Ireland last May when beating eventual Group 1 Irish Derby winner Latrobe. He hadn’t been much of a factor in four starts since coming to the U.S. but he returned to a longer 10-furlong game here and it paid off as the son of Galileo posted the upset. He showed the tactical speed to be forwardly placed as longshot Roman Rosso set the early pace, moved closer to dog that rival going into the backstretch, took the lead from that tiring foe on the turn, surged to a clear lead and held gamely as Epical and Beach View closed the gap in the final half-furlong. Trainer John Sadler said they want to keep him going very long and other options include a trip to Dubai for the Group 1 Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles and maybe later something like the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at about 1 3/4 miles here June 23. Epical, stepping into graded stakes ranks off two smashing wins since being gelded, ran well again as the son of Uncle Mo bided his time midpack from the start, edged closer on the turn, doggedly went after the eventual winner in the lane, closed the gap well but couldn’t quite get to him. Beach View, back to turf after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 San Antonio on dirt here Dec. 26, sat well back from the start, swung very wide into the lane and finished with good energy. Chicago Style, the tepid 3-1 favorite off a win in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 23 and a smart-finishing fourth in the Grade 2 San Gabriel here Jan. 5, was far back from the start, still far back coming into the lane before finding his best stride to pass a number of rivals between horses, though he was never a danger to the top three. The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers figure to target the Grade 2 San Luis Rey here March 2. Dabster, a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin trying grass for the first time (Curlin ran second in a Grade 1 in his only turf try), didn’t run badly in his first try on this footing as he sat midpack from the start, came very wide into the lane but was basically one-paced throughout, remaining midpack all the way to the line. This may mean a return to dirt for the time being.

Feb. 10

Santa Anita - San Vicente (race 8)

COMMENT: Main track listed as ‘wet-fast’ after earlier rain. Sparky Ville, a son of top-class runner and sire Candy Ride, had shown ample ability sprinting on dirt and returned to that game after a dull sixth in a turf-route stakes here Dec. 28. The move paid off as the gelding bided his time as Savagery went right to the lead, remained in stalking mode while saving ground as 3-5 favorite Coliseum soon rushed up to engage Savagery with Dessman in hot pursuit, came off the inside on the turn, pitched wider still to make his run and finished outside of Dessman to edge that foe in the final strides. He doesn’t appear to be a Triple Crown type, but instead best playing the one-turn game and there are surely many good races sprinting/miling for 3-year-olds he can target (Grade 3 Pat Day Mile, Grade 1 Woody Stephens, Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, etc.). Dessman, a $750,000 son of multiple Grade 1 winner Union Rags and smashing winner of his debut here Jan. 19, validated that effort as he stalked the early pace, came with a smart run in tandem with stablemate Coliseum to overtake then-pacesetter Savagery turning for home, got the better of his stablemate into the lane opening up as if primed to go on to victory, finished well but just couldn’t quite fend off the winner. It’s possible he stretches out after this, particularly as daddy won the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. The next big route for 3-year-olds here is the Grade 2 San Felipe, but that may be biting off too much too soon as that race may lure juvenile champion and stablemate Game Winner as well as unbeaten and highly regarded Instagrand. Of course, Baffert is not averse to shipping his 3-year-olds around the country. Baffert’s other 3-year-old, the favorite Coliseum, remains a work in progress. The highly promising son of Tapit broke poorly in his first two starts and after another sluggish start he rushed up to press pacesetter Savagery, moved to the lead in tandem with stablemate Dessman but couldn’t keep pace in the lane, ending up a well-beaten third. Baffert said this was going to be a ‘schooling run’ for this guy to try and get his head straight. There’s no doubting there’s talent here but until he learns to break well and be manageable thereafter he can’t be considered a serious Triple Crown candidate. Savagery, big winner of an optional claimer on a wet main track there Jan. 12, set a brisk pace under pressure from Coliseum, was confronted by that rival and Dessman coming into the lane and gave way once headed.