Trip Notes for February 23-24, 2019: Hal's Hope and Buena Vista

Feb. 23

Gulfstream
Hal’s Hope (race 11)

COMMENT: Prince Lucky hadn’t been seen since gamely winning the Easy Goer on June 9 at Belmont (Belmont Stakes Day), so you had to be a bit worried by that long layoff for the son of Corinthian. Well, any worries were completely dispelled here as the 4-year-old gelding came back firing to post an easy win and stamp himself a potential big player in the handicap ranks. Off some strong works for Todd Pletcher, who of course is well known for having his runners primed off a layoff, Prince Lucky broke well, pressed the issue early while outside dueling leaders Copper Town and Quip, moved up easily to confront then-leader Copper Town turning for home, battled with that foe to midstretch, finally got the better of Copper Town (coincidentally his stablemate), and drew off to win for fun. Off this, a shot at the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile on March 30 (Florida Derby Day) may be next. Copper Town, a disappointing seventh last time out in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper in slop here Jan. 26, bounced back to form as he went right to the lead, was immediately challenged by Quip, put that rival away going into the turn only to immediately be taken on by the eventual winner, battled gamely with that foe to midstretch, proved no match for that foe in the final furlong, but kept to his task well to hold second. Quip, making his first start since being a badly beaten eighth in the Grade 1 Preakness on May 19, pressed the issue from the start while inside but couldn’t keep pace with the top two in the lane. Breaking Lucky, the 9-5 favorite off a big optional-claiming win here Dec. 7 and rallying second in the slop in the aforementioned Fred Hooper, stalked in fourth from his outside post, loomed a threat going to the far turn, but then fell apart, giving way readily to end up last.

Santa Anita
Buena Vista (race 8)

COMMENT: Vasilika made it 10 wins in her last 11 starts, affirming her spot as the top turf distaffer out West. The daughter of Skipshot beat some of these in the Grade 3 Megahertz here Jan. 21 and had little trouble proving best again as the heavy 4-5 favorite. Vasilika bided her time early in the mile contest as Fahan Mura shot out to a clear lead while setting a fast pace, remained toward the back as Fahan Mura continued to lead clear going to the far turn, started her run into the lane while wide, and blasted past her rivals to win going away. She’s top-class from a mile to 10 furlongs, and, considering she won the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar at 1 1/4 miles last Sept. 29, there’s no reason she shouldn’t target the Grade 3 Santa Ana at a 10-furlong trip here March 30. The Grade 1 Gamely at 1 1/8 miles here May 27 figures her long-range target. Streak of Luck, the highest-priced horse in the race (53-1), lagged back just behind the eventual winner from the start, moved wider than Vasilika coming into the lane, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as that foe, but found her best stride late, finishing well to beat all the rest. Ms Bad Behavior sat second chasing pacesetter Fahan Mura, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, got the best of that tiring, but was no match for the top two. Elysea’s World, the 9-2 second choice, sat last early, remained at the back until straightening away into the lane, and was able to only pass a couple rivals. Fahan Mura shot out to clear early lead, as expected, was still clear turning for home, but then fell apart in the lane. This makes for a second straight dull outing (and her third in her last four), making you wonder if, after a busy 13 months, she’s in need of a break.