Trip Notes for January 14: Marshua's River, Hal's Hope, and more

Jan. 14

Gulfstream

Marshua’s River (race 6)

COMMENT: Sandiva ran one of the best races of her life to easily win this race last year, and while she was winless since, she showed her love for this course by successfully defending her title. Coming off a second in the South Beach here Dec. 17, her first start in five months, she sat midpack early as the 7-5 favorite as stablemate Isabella Sings shot out to a clear lead. Sandiva came with her run into the lane, got the better of her stablemate in midstretch, and kept Sea Coast at bay. Sea Coast, second to Isabella Sings in the Grade 3 My Charmer at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 26, sat second, had Sandiva move past her into the lane, but kept to her task to be second. Isabella Sings, like the winner trained by Todd Pletcher, was still clear on the far turn, battled back when hooked in midstretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. Dickinson, up in class since two wins over optional claimers in the summer and fall, stalked in third, had to steady on far turn when in tight between horses, got back into stride, and was coming on again in the final strides in a promising try.

Gulfstream

Fort Lauderdale (race 10)

COMMENT: Flatlined, second to multiple graded stakes winner Heart to Heart in the El Prado here Dec. 17, ran the best race of his life and notched his first graded stakes win. The son of Flatter was away slowly and sat well back while saving ground, angled sharply off the rail coming into the lane, and powered home to get up in the final strides. Almanaar sat well back, came with his run between horse into the lane, and got past the leaders only to be foiled by the winner late. This was just his third start after over a year on the bench so there’s reason to believe he can improve. Divisidero, a Grade 1 winner making his first start in seven months after being sidelined with bone bruising, was washy going to the post. He sat last early while staying off the fence, pitched wider into the lane, finished strongly, but ran out of ground while drifting out. He surely needed this race, and trainer Buff Bradley mentioned before that the Gulfstream Park Turf Championship was his primary goal. Heart to Heart shot right out to the lead from his rail slot, as expected, took pressure first from Rose Brier and then from Diamond Bachelor, kept Rose Brier at bay in the lane while staying on the fence, but couldn’t fend off three closers. Lukes Alley, second in this last year and then winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, sat midpack, and was making a run into the lane when forced to steady and alter course.

Gulfstream

Hal’s Hope (race 11)

COMMENT: A big day for trainer Todd Pletcher, as he ran one-three in the Marshua’s River and then sees his Tommy Macho romp here. After being sidelined eight months due to a knee injury, Tommy Macho ran fifth in the Grade 2 Kelso at Belmont Oct. 8 and then fifth in a stakes at Laurel Nov. 19. Those outings apparently set him up well for this. He was in the first flight chasing pacesetter Dolphus through solid splits, appeared to clip heels on the far turn causing him to stumble and lose position, got back into gear, angled out into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, and drew away for the easy win. Bird Song, coming off a nice win in an optional claimer at Churchill Nov. 24, dogged Dolphus in second, took command into the lane, but had no answer for the winner’s charge. Realm, a well-beaten third in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Nov. 26, sat midpack, loomed a threat turning for home, but flattened out a bit late. Mr. Jordan, winner of his last two, including a stakes at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 12, bided his time early and never made a move in a disappointing outing. Dolphus, little brother to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, romped in the slop here Dec. 11. Today, went right to the lead, took pressure from Bird Song, tried to battle back when hooked into the lane, but came up empty.

Santa Anita

La Canada (race 5)

COMMENT: Vale Dori just easily beat a number of these in the Grade 2 Bayakoa at Del Mar Dec. 3 for her third win in her last four starts, and she had no trouble beating them again. From her rail slot she went right out to the lead as the 3-10 favorite, set modest splits while taking some pressure from Wild At Heart, opened up when asked on the turn, and maintained a clear margin without really being asked. Show Stealer, fourth in the Bayakoa, stalked in fourth while saving ground, made a run into the lane, and was much the best of the others. Autumn Flower was last early and plugged along to pass a couple to get third. Wild At Heart chased the winner and faded in the lane.