Trip Notes for Jan. 17: Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap, Lecomte, La Canada...

Saturday, Jan. 17

Fair Grounds - Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: String King had made the bulk of his noise vs. statebreds, but showed he fit with these when he finished fourth in this race last year, beaten a length. The 7-year-old may be even better this year as he parlayed a smart win in the Louisiana Turf last month into a graded stakes win here. He chased pacesetter Gentleman’s Kitten, allowed that foe to clear off to a big lead early, steadily reeled him in, and edged away late. Gentleman’s Kitten bounced right out to a four-length lead, battled back when hooked by the eventual winner, and clung gamely to second. Highball lagged back and finished well to just miss getting second. Villandry, the favorite, seemed in a great spot stalking the pace in third, loomed a threat turning for home, but then quickly backed out of it.

Fair Grounds - Lecomte (race 11)

COMMENT: The results here likely leave more questions than answers. International Star finished fourth behind third-place finisher Eagle in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club last fall, but he turned the tables here. From his rail slot he sat midpack while saving ground. He started to advance going to the far turn, seemed in trouble when he has to steady behind horses, but shifted out, found a lane, swung out further and closed fast to grab the lead and win going away. The Grade 2 Risen Star here Feb. 21 figures next. War Story, easy winner of his first two starts and taking a step up in class here, got knocked around at the start but was near the winner from the start. He got first run on that foe with a wide rally to grab the lead by midstretch, but had no answer for the winner’s charge. Nothing about this says the Risen Star shouldn’t be on his radar as well. Tiznow R J showed his romping 13 1/4-length winner over maidens here Dec. 11 was no fluke. He stalked the pace, moved up to challenge turning for home, and continued on gamely. Eagle got hung out wide from post 11 at the start and was bumped hard, but seemed in a good spot ready to pounce turning for home before coming up empty. Runhappy, monster winner at Turfway Dec. 28 of his only start, got banged around hard at the start and was bumped more on the first turn. He became very eager and made a wide run to take the lead down the backstretch but gave way once headed on the far turn.

Santa Anita - La Canada (race 8)

COMMENT: Thegirlinthatsong seemed a bit of an outsider coming off a string of losses, but she perked up with a career-best effort to post an upset here. She chased pacesetter Jojo Warrior, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, and drew off to win easily. The Grade 2 Santa Maria on dirt here Feb. 14 figures next. Lexie Lou, trying dirt for the first time after so much success on synthetic and turf, never seemed quite in her comfort zone. She had to check and steady soon after the start when in tight, was able to establish position, but didn’t fire late the way she normally does on turf and synthetic. Jojo Warrior, a Grade 2 winner routing on dirt here last summer, was able to set a comfortable pace but came up empty when it mattered. With Lexie Lou’s less-than-stellar first dirt try and Jojo Warrior’s flat finish, the West Coast distaff division looks a mess – at least until Beholder gets back into action.