Trip Notes for February 22, 2020: World of Trouble and Buena Vista

Gulfstream
Grade 3 World of Trouble Sprint (race 9)

COMMENT: Jackson got away slowly in the Sunshine Millions Sprint here Jan. 18 and was very wide but ran on decently for third. The son of Kantharos made no such mistake at the start here, posting the upset. He broke well this time, sitting second off clear early leader Admiral Lynch, pressed that rival through strong splits, moved closer as the race progressed, challenged that rival by midstretch, got the better of him to hit outside, edging away some in the final half-furlong. This doesn’t mean he’s ready for the big boys but it shows he can do damage in the right spot. Trainer Jose Pinchin said he’d likely show up next vs. Florida-breds at Tampa Bay, maybe in the DRF Bets Sprint on March 29. Admiral Lynch, freshened since a big optional claiming win at Penn National on Nov. 30 and making his first start for new trainer Jason Servis, broke well, went right to the lead, set a brisk pace under modest early pressure from Jackson to his outside, continued to set a solid pace while holding the fence as that rival moved closer, gamely battled back when confronted by Jackson into the lane, still held a narrow lead to the eighth pole but then couldn’t quite finish with the winner while clear of the rest. Epic Dreamer, back to a sprint after dueling and fading badly to end up last of 12 in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper at a mile here on Jan. 25, broke decently from his rail slot, stalked in third as he came off the inside going to the far turn, pitched out into the lane, appeared to have dead aim on the top pair but couldn’t do enough to get on terms with them. Lasting Legacy, the heavy 4-5 favorite off a game second in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector here on Dec. 21, got waylaid at the start as he bumped hard with Sweetontheladies to his outside to get away last, remained well back while moving to the inside into the lane, made some progress but was never a threat. Surely the start cost him any chance.

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

Santa Anita
Grade 2 Buena Vista (race 5)

COMMENT: Carressa, who would have been one of the favorites (was 4-1 second choice on the ML), scratched due to some heat in a leg. Keeper Ofthe Stars won a Grade 3 at this trip here Oct. 26 but her form since had been mixed. She bounced back to her best and posted the big upset over unbeaten heavy favorite Jolie Olimpica. Last time out in the Grade 3 Megahertz on this course at this trip Jan. 20 she dueled early but paid the price, fading to sixth behind a number of these rivals. She used her speed more adroitly here as from her outside post she broke well, got a nice trip stalking a few lengths off Jolie Olimpica who set a strong pace, crept closer going to the far turn while staying a few lanes off the rail, doggedly went after the favorite into the lane to her outside, engaged that foe inside the eighth pole and got the better of her in the final strides. The Grade 2 Royal Heroine at this same trip here April 4 could be next for Keeper Ofthe Stars. Jolie Olimpica, romping winner of her first three starts in Brazil including a Grade 1, then an easy winner in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas (a sprint) in her U.S. debut here Jan. 11, broke sharply from her rail slot, eagerly shot right out to a clear lead, seemed quite eager and pulled as she held a clear lead through strong splits while Brill chased in second, was engaged by that rival on the far turn to her outside, dispatched with her, held a clear lead into the lane but couldn’t quite fend off the winner to her outside. The Royal Heroine figures on her radar as well, though they surely have to get her to relax a bit better. Mucho Unusual sat midpack from the start, bided her time there to the far turn, came out into the lane and finished well, almost catching the runner-up. Lady Prancelot, facing elders for the first time after a smart rallying win in the 1 1/4-mile Grade 1 American Oaks here Dec. 28, sat well back from the start, as expected, remained there to the far turn, came out into the lane and finished well, though she was never really a factor. This trip, at least at this level, could be a tad sharp for her. She could target the Royal Heroine as well, or they could instead point for something longer, like the Grade 3 Santa Ana here March 28 at the same distance as the American Oaks. La Sardane, a proven Group/Graded stakes contender, stalked along the rail in the wake of Jolie Olimpica, moved closer on the far turn to be in just behind that rival but gave way in the lane. A foot injury sustained last March here has prevented her from recapturing her best form and she’s reportedly been retired.