Trip Notes for February 15-16, 2020: Risen Star, Rachel Alexandra, and more

Feb. 15

Gulfstream
Royal Delta (race 11)

COMMENT: Rain during the day left the main track listed as sloppy (sealed). Cookie Dough set a strong pace in the Grade 3 Rampart here Dec. 14, opened up into the lane but then couldn’t fend off Pink Sands late. Pink Sands flattered that run by coming back to romp in the Grade 2 Inside Information here and Cookie Dough did her part as well, proving a smart winner. From her outside slot she showed the speed to press early pacesetter Tweeting as the 8-5 favorite, moved up to challenge that foe on the far turn, got the better of that foe turning for home, drifted out some into the lane and gamely rebuffed challenges from Golden Award to her outside and Queen Nekia to her inside. Golden Award, smart winner of the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm at Aqueduct Nov. 2, stalked while outside the eventual winner, moved up to challenge that rival to her outside on the far turn, got pushed wider out as Cookie Dough drifted out some into the lane, kept to her task well but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Her rider lodged an objection for interference into the lane but it was disallowed as the stewards let the result stand. Queen Nekia, smart winner of her last two vs. optional claimers here this meet, banged the gate at the start from her rail draw to get away poorly, bided her time toward the back, steadily advanced, loomed a big threat turning for home just inside the eventual winner, continued to hound that rival to the line and only lost second in the final strides. Restless Rider was the disappointing. Making her first start since finishing thirteenth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks last May 3 after her first seven strong outings and coming off a vacation (quarter crack), she was slow out of the gate to be last early and never made a move as she stayed at the back of the pack throughout.

Laurel
Barbara Fritchie (race 7)

COMMENT: Majestic Reason couldn’t handle Anna’s Bandit the last couple times they met and couldn’t handle Saguaro Row when she went to Aqueduct for a stakes in the fall. However, she moved forward to win the Willa On The Move here Dec. 28 and as the highest-priced horse in the race posted the upset while notching her first graded stakes win. She stalked an ample pace, remained to the top of the lane just a couple lanes off the rail, swung out for room in the stretch, powered past leader Victim of Love near the sixteenth pole, drawing off to win well. This shows she can do damage in the right spot, but she’ll have to hunt for such a spot as the distaff sprint division is brutal (Covfefe, Come Dancing, Hard Not to Love, Spiced Perfection, Bellafina, Guarana, Indian Pride, Pink Sands, Mother Mother, etc.). Victim of Love, a romping winner of the What a Summer here Jan. 18, confirmed that form as she pressured early pacesetter Blue Eyed Girl to her inside through brisk splits, got the better of that foe turning for home, opened up some into the lane, was no match for the winner in the final half-furlong but kept on gamely to hold second. Anna’s Bandit, winner of six straight before finishing second going a mile in a stakes here last time out Jan. 18, was away slowly to be at the back of the pack early with 4-5 favorite Saguaro Row, remained toward the back to the far turn while saving ground, came off the inside into the lane and made some headway though she was never a danger to the big winner. Needs Supervision, second to Victim of Love as the heavy 3-5 favorite in the What a Summer, stalked from her outside post, crept closer going to the far turn, stayed wide to loom a threat but flattened out. Saguaro Row, the favorite after winning two of her last in New York, all stakes, got bumped at the start to get away slowly, sat at the back of the pack while wide throughout and never mustered a run.

Laurel
General George (race 8)

COMMENT: Wicked Trick, winner of six straight and the 6-1 second choice on the morning line, scratched (showing signs of colic). Trainer Linda Rice, who claimed him for just $16,000 last summer, reported he was doing well the following day and if all goes well could resurface at Aqueduct March 7 either for the Grade 3 Tom Fool or the Stymie. Outsider Wonderful Light also scratched. Efforts against the likes of champion Mitole and world-class sprinters Shancelot, Whitmore, Imperial Hint and others and a win in a stakes at Aqueduct last time out Dec. 22 sent Firenze Fire off as the overwhelming 1-2 favorite and the son of Poseidon’s Warrior had little trouble validating that confidence. He wasted no time either, as he broke well, went right to the front, relented pacesetting duties to Factor It In and Honor the Fleet as those two surged up to his inside to duel for the lead, was still very comfortable as he was content to stalk those two rivals to their outside through strong splits, took the lead into the lane without really being pressed, opened up while well off the rail and drew off to win easily. This could sent him to something like the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct April 4, particularly with Mitole off to the breeding shed and other big boys Shancelot and Imperial Hint targeting other races. Threes Over Deuces, a sharp second in the Fire Plug here Jan. 18, bided his time early just off the pace, steadily advanced between horses, started a run on the far turn to be just in behind the eventual winner, chased that rival in vain while in his wake, finished well though he was never a danger to the winner. Still Having Fun, who dueled before fading to fifth in the Grade 3 Toboggan at Aqueduct Jan. 18, was last from the start, but just a few lengths off the lead, remained there to the far turn while under a hold and traveling well, crept closer on the far turn, pitched widest of all turning for home, came with a run to loom a threat into the lane while very wide but flattened out a bit in the final half-furlong to lose second. The wide trip may have cost him the place. Tiz He the One stalked not far behind the eventual winner while wide, moved closer to be just behind the eventual winner on the far turn while still wide but came up empty when it mattered.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Fair Grounds
Mineshaft (race 9)

COMMENT: Silver Dust easily won this last year, and coming off a smashing win in the Grade 3 Louisiana here Jan. 18 successfully defended his title. The 6-year-old gelded son of Tapit sat fourth as Pirate’s Punch moved out to a clear early lead, crept closer going to the far turn to challenge that rival to his inside, took over into the lane and stayed on gamely to fend off hard-trying longshot Gun It. The Grade 2 New Orleans Classic here March 21, a race in which he was a sharp second last year, figures next. Gun It, who set the pace in the Louisiana Jan. 18 before fading to third, tried different tactics this time as the $2.6 million son of Tapit bided his time from the start, steadily advanced down the backstretch, came with a serious run into the lane, doggedly kept after the winner but couldn’t quite get to him. Pirate’s Punch, a monster 11 1/2-length optional claiming winner here Jan. 16, went right out to a clear lead from his far outside post, getting to the rail, set a solid pace under pressure from Sleepy Eyes Todd, was then challenged by Silver Dust turning for home, battled back gamely but was unable to keep pace with that rival or the runner-up in the lane. Hofburg, once very highly regarded but making his first start since a big optional claiming win at Saratoga last July 18, was in tight early ending up toward the back of the pack, raced wide throughout and never mustered a run necessary to get involved.

Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds (race 10)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when the two of the main speed horses Wound Tight and Sailing scratched. Factor This took full advantage not only of the absence of those two speedsters, but a day with the rails down that the inside was fresh sod as he led his rivals on a merry chase. Coming off a third in the Col. Bradley here Jan. 18 the son of The Factor broke sharply, went right to the rail on a day where inside was the place to be on the turf, had a narrow early lead over Spectacular Gem, soon expanded that margin into the backstretch, continued with a clear lead through modest splits, blew the race open into the lane with a clear lead and held on gamely as hard-charging favorite Synchrony cut into his margin. Off this a shot at the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Memorial here March 21 figures next. Synchrony, the 7-5 favorite as he was eyeing his third straight win in this race and who was making his first start since a troubled eighth in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita Oct. 5, sat midpack from the start while saving ground, came off the inside on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, finished resolutely but couldn’t get to the winner while well clear of the rest. Coming off the inside on this day might not have helped but it may not have mattered. The Muniz figures on his radar as well. Botswana stalked the pace while saving ground, loomed a threat turning for home, was no match for the top two but kept to his task gamely to hold third. Dontblamerocket, romping winner of the Col. Bradley here Jan. 18, his first start in over four months as well, stalked the pace while wide, remained wide throughout, was still in the hunt turning for home but flattened in the lane while remaining very wide. The wide trip surely cost him, particularly on day where the inside seemed much the best on this course. The Muniz could be in his plans as well. Classic Covey, well back from the start, went wrong into the backstretch and was pulled up. Sadly, he had to be euthanized.

Fair Grounds
Rachel Alexandra (race 11)

COMMENT: There was no question as to Finite’s heart though there was a question simply as to how fast she was. Well, the $200,000 daughter of Munnings put the latter question to rest with a rousing victory, stamping herself a top Kentucky Oaks contender. Coming off a game win in the Silverbulletday here Jan. 18 she broke well from her outside post to sit third as His Glory set a solid pace while on the rail. She remained in stalking mode while outside pacesetters His Glory and Ursula, pounced on those rivals turning for home to their outside, opened up into the lane and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. The Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks here March 21 figures next. British Idiom, the reigning juvenile filly champ making her first start since taking the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Nov. 1, got bumped at the start, then had to steady off heels into the first turn when a rival veered into her path, ending up well back, she bided her time at the back of the pace, moved up decently while wide on the far turn, briefly loomed a threat while wide into the lane, couldn’t mount a challenge to the winner but kept on decently for second. While Finite beat her easily Finite had the recency edge and a dream trip so we’ll see what happens next time. The Fair Grounds Oaks could provide the rematch, though if trainer Brad Cox keeps her on the same schedule as champion filly Monomoy Girl she might instead await the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland April 4. Swiss Skydiver, a nice rallying fifth (beaten less than a length) in a sprint stakes at Tampa Jan. 18, stalked in fourth while saving ground, came off the inside at the quarter pole, pitched wider still into the lane and ran on decently for third, though she was no threat to the top two. Tempers Rising, a close-up third to Finite in the Silverbulletday, got bumped at the start to get away last, remained at the back early, advanced some going down the backstretch while a few lanes off the rail, shifted wider out turning for home and into the lane, made some headway but was no threat.

Fair Grounds
Risen Star (1st division – race 12)

COMMENT: There was a question as to whether Mr. Monomoy, kin to champion filly Monomoy Girl, wanted this 1 1/8-mile trip after finishing an even third in the shorter Grade 3 Lecomte here Jan. 18. Well, apparently the answer is yes for this son of multiple Grade 1 winner Palace Malice. He went right to the lead from his outside post, cut over to the inside by the first run, set a modest pace under pressure from Blackberry Wine to his outside, held a narrow lead to the far turn, dispatched with ‘Wine into the lane, opened up and stayed on well to maintain his clear lead. He ended up running quite a bit faster than those in the second division (1:50.43/1:51.28). The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby here March 28 could be next, though trainer Brad Cox also mentioned waiting a week for the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland April 4. Enforceable, smart winner of the Lecomte, accorded himself well again here as he lacked speed as usual to be well back early, steadily made progress, pitched wide on the turn and wider still into the lane to continue his run, finishing decently for second though he was no danger to the winner. The Louisiana Derby is reportedly next. Silver State, second in the Lecomte and the tepid 3-1 favorite, sat midpack from the start, continued there while wide and in the clear, started a wide run into the lane, finished decently but was no threat to the winner and got outfinished by Enforceable for second. The Louisiana Derby figures on his radar as well. Scabbard, who loomed before flattening out when fifth in the Lecomte, was very wide into the first turn while toward the back of the pack, remained wide to the far turn when asked for run and continued on evenly while remaining very wide to the line. While the outside post was no help it appears he’s better suited to a shorter trip. Blackberry Wine, smart winner of an optional claimer here Jan. 18 in a race time, pressed the eventual winner from the start to his outside, moved up alongside that rival on the turn to ramp up the heat but came up empty thereafter.

Fair Grounds
Risen Star (2nd division – race 13)

COMMENT: As with the first division it was speed that carried the day as Modernist, a son of juvenile male champ Uncle Mo who was coming off a maiden win at this trip at Aqueduct last month, led all the way. From his rail slot he showed speed to dog early pacesetter Ny Traffic to his outside, continued to dog that rival through splits slightly faster than the first division, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, got the better of him, edged clear and stayed well to keep a couple rivals at arm’s length to the line. This division was quite a bit slower than the first division, however (1:51.28/1:50.43). The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby here March 28 is reportedly next. Major Fed, a big maiden winner here Jan. 1, stalked a couple lengths off the lead, remained there to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane, finished well to close the gap on the winner though it never looked as though he was going to catch him. He’s also slated for the Louisiana Derby. Ny Traffic, a big optional claiming winner at Gulfstream Park last time out Jan. 11, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from the eventual winner to his inside, dueled with that rival to the top of the lane, couldn’t keep pace with him in the lane but stayed on gamely to only lose second in the final strides. Mailman Money, winner of his first two starts including a romping optional claiming route win here Jan. 12, got bounced around at the start, settled midpack while very wide into the first turn, made a threatening move into the far turn to nearly get abreast of then-leaders Ny Traffic and Modernist but flattened out thereafter. Anneau d’Oro, the heavy even-money favorite off sharp seconds in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in Southern California, bumped with Mailman Money to his outside early, had to check and steady to lose position into the first turn while wide, remained wide after dropping back to be midpack, was urged to get going heading to the far turn while still wide but came up empty. This surely wasn’t what they had in mind for his first run of 2020, though surely the early trouble and wide trip didn’t help. Provided all is well he’ll reportedly return to his California base and target the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 4. Liam’s Lucky Charm and Excession both broke through the gate prior to the start.

Santa Anita
Santa Monica (race 8)

COMMENT: Hard Not to Love has just one eye and some anxiety issues, but those didn’t prevent her from easily winning the Grade 1 La Brea here Dec. 28 and then capturing this. She might have been even more impressive here. She was away slowly to be last early, but not that far off a sharp pace set by Road Rager and Lady Ninja. She bided her time at the back while wide and in the clear, moved up easily on the far turn while widest of all, challenged for the lead into the lane, had no trouble dispatching with leader Mother Mother to her inside before drawing off to win handily. The Grade 1 Beholder Mile here March 14 figures next. With her anxiety issues it’s a question as to whether they would ship. Mother Mother, third in the La Brea before smartly winning the Kalookan Queen here Jan. 12, stalked the pace, came with a smart wide run on the far turn to challenge for the lead, was soon confronted by Hard Not to Love to her outside, proved no match for that gal in the lane but kept on well for second. Zusha dueled inside Lady Ninja through smart splits while staying on the rail, couldn’t keep up with the leaders turning for home, switched off the rail many lanes to the outside and kept to her task well enough to edge a tiring Lady Ninja for third, though she was no threat to the top two. Lady Ninja dueled early with Zusha to her inside, dispatched with that rival on the far turn only to have Mother Mother challenge to her outside and Hard Not to Love wider out, giving way once headed while staying on the rail.

Feb. 16

Santa Anita
Sweet Life (race 7)

COMMENT: Laura’s Light was a dominant winner of the Blue Norther at a mile here Dec. 9. The 3-year-old daughter of Constitution shortened up here to 5 1/2 furlongs but she won her debut going 6 furlongs on Golden Gate synthetic Nov. 2 so the distance cutback didn’t figure to be a big issue. It wasn’t. She broke well, stalked while saving ground as Lighthouse set a brisk pace, came off the inside to move up alongside Lighthouse to her outside turning for home, battled with that rival to midstretch before getting the better of her and edging clear. She’s proven going longer so maybe the China Doll at a mile here March 7 could be next, though if that’s coming back too soon she could instead await the Grade 3 Providencia at 1 1/8 miles here April 4. Lighthouse, smart winner over maidens in a turf sprint at Del Mar Nov. 17, then stalked before fading to seventh in the mile Blue Norther won here by Laura’s Light Dec. 29. The $375,000 daughter of Mizzen Mast moved back to a sprint and bounced back as she broke well from her outside post, went right to the inside to set the early pace, was immediately confronted by longshot Spitefulness to her outside, set a brisk pace under pressure from that rival while holding the fence, dispatched with that foe on the far turn, opening up a clear lead, battled back gamely when confronted by Laura’s Light to her outside turning for home, remained engaged with that foe to midstretch before relenting in the final half-furlong, still finishing far clear of the others. Florentine Diamond broke decently from the rail, was content to sit a few lengths off the lead while saving ground, came off the inside turning for home and kept to her task well for third, though she was no danger to the top two.