Trip Notes for January 2-3: Jerome, Hutcheson, San Gabriel, and more...

Saturday, January 2nd

Aqueduct - Jerome (race 8)

COMMENT: Flexibility got away from the highly rated sophomore Mohaymen, who beat him in the Grade 2 Nashua and Grade 2 Remsen, and not only flattered that guy but joined everyone’s Derby watch list with a smart victory. He got a dream trip stalking in fourth as Vorticity set a decent pace, moved wide to launch his run going into the far turn, and had little trouble taking command and drawing off for the easy win. Trainer Chad Brown wasn’t sure of his next assignment. If he remains at Aqueduct, the Grade 3 Withers at 1 1/16 miles might be coming back too quickly, but if they skip that, then they’ll have to wait for the Grade 3 Gotham at 1 1/16 miles here March 5. Vorticity set a modest pace, holding the rail while under constant pressure, first from Bird of Trey and then from the winner, and while unable to stay with Flexibility in the lane, he kept to his task nicely to be a clear second. In Equality sat back, just behind the eventual winner, couldn’t accelerate with that foe on the far turn, but stayed on decently for third. Bird of Trey dogged Vorticity early while between rivals and was unable to keep pace when it mattered.

Gulfstream - Hutcheson (race 3)

COMMENT: Awesome Banner was a dazzling 9 3/4-length, track-record-setting winner of his debut here June 5 but hadn’t been seen since, as he sustained a knee chip in his first subsequent breeze. Well, his return was worth the wait, as he stamped himself as a 3-year-old to watch with an easy win. He set the pace under pressure from his inside spot, was asked for run on the far turn, dispatched with the challenge of Noholdingback Bear coming into the lane, and drew off to win easily. Trainer Stanley Gold said he doesn’t think longer distances will be an issue, so they’ll likely stretch him out. He did not rule out trying him in a major Kentucky Derby prep later at this meet. Noholdingback Bear broke a step slowly but rushed up to press the winner through strong splits, couldn’t keep pace with that foe in the lane, but stayed on well for second. Sheikh of Sheikhs bided his time early, steadily advanced, pitched wide on the far turn, and finished decently, though he was never really a danger to the top two.

Gulfstream - Old Hat (race 4)

COMMENT: Lucy N Ethel, the 9-10 favorite after winning her first two starts at Parx, including a 13 1/4-length win over N1X foes Dec. 8, did not disappoint her many backers as she again won easily. She went right to the lead, took pressure from longshot My Dear Venezuela through modest splits, then kicked clear into the lane and drew off to win comfortably. The Grade 2 Forward Gal at seven furlongs here Jan. 30 could be next, though the water figures to be much deeper there, as it might lure the likes of Cathryn Sophia and other toughies. My Dear Venezuela, a smart maiden winner during the Gulfstream Park West meet Nov. 8, continued her progress as she pressed the winner from the start, couldn’t keep pace when it mattered, but stayed on well to be a clear second. Ballet Diva, the second choice after winning four of her first six starts, didn’t show her customary speed, instead lagging back early before making some headway in the lane, though she was never a threat to the top two.

Gulfstream - Dania Beach (race 7)

COMMENT: Life Imitates Art had not finished first in four starts (got his diploma via disqualification Oct. 18), but strong performances in those outings showed his talent, and he gamely got to the wire first here. He bided his time early as longshot Copingaway set a modest early pace, moved closer as Isotherm came to grab the lead into the lane, doggedly went after the rival, and just edged past in the final strides. The Kitten’s Joy here Jan. 30 could be next. Isotherm, back to turf after fading to 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt at Keeneland on Oct. 31, bounced back to form with the move back to grass, as he stalked the pace, came with a smart run to grab the lead at the top of the stretch, but just couldn’t quite outduel the winner late. Urban Bourbon lagged back, came wide on the far turn, and finished decently, though he was never a danger to the top two. Ray’s The Bar, the favorite after running 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and, like the winner, trained by Chad Brown, was well back early, got no help from the modest pace, was wide and unable to get involved. He’s better than this.

Santa Anita - Santa Ynez (race 3)

COMMENT: Forever Darling was overmatched in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies when eighth to presumptive champ Songbird at 55-1, but she dropped, returned to sprinting, returned to Santa Anita, and returned to the winner’s circle for hot trainer Richard Baltas. She dogged pacesetting favorite Pretty N Cool, looked to be in trouble when that gal extended her lead a bit into the lane, but doggedly went after her and not only reeled her in but outdueled a hard-trying Code Warrior as well. Baltas said she felt the effects of the race and would be given some time off before her next start, likely in the Santa Ysabel routing here (she’s bred to route) March 5. Code Warrior, an easy winner of her first three starts, all on Golden Gate’s synthetic track, showed that she can handle this footing and this company and was sharp in defeat. She stalked while just behind Forever Darling, made her run with that rival through the lane, but just couldn’t quite outfinish her. She’ll reportedly go back to Golden Gate and point for the California Oaks on Feb. 6. Should all go well there, she could be back for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in March. Pretty N Cool, the favorite after sprint wins in the Grade 2 Matron and Grade 2 Sorrento as well as a second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, bounced right out to the lead, set solid splits as the eventual winner pressed her, looked as though she might go on to win as she extended her lead by midstretch, but then got a bit weary in the final furlong and couldn’t fend off the top two late. Treasuring, a highly regarded daughter of Smart Strike who was fifth in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos on Dec. 12, didn’t show her customary speed as she sat toward the back of the pack early and could make only marginal headway in the lane. She might not quite be ready for this kind of company.

Santa Anita - Midnight Lute (race 6)

COMMENT: San Onofre benefitted from a vacation of six-plus months as he got his first graded stakes win after a number of close calls last spring and summer. He was a sharp second in the Grade 2 Kona Gold and Grade 3 Los Angeles here last spring and was last seen dueling and fading to fourth in the Grade 1 Triple Bend here June 27. He worked strongly for this return, and it showed, as he got a great trip, sitting just off pacesetter Distinctiv Passion. That rival set hot splits, as is his custom, but San Onofre stayed within reach, moved up to challenge that foe turning for home, took command into the lane, and stayed on gamely to keep hard-trying 9-5 favorite Salutos Amigos at arm’s length in the final furlong. The Grade 2 Palos Verdes here Feb. 7 figures to be next. Salutos Amigos, who had been so strong back East for the past year and a half, showed more speed than usual, sitting just behind the eventual winner, doggedly kept after him, but just couldn’t quite get to him. If trainer David Jacobson keeps his string out here, then the Palos Verdes figures to be on this guy’s radar as well. Pulling G’s, a close-up fourth in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight on Nov. 26 and a winner here last March, was well back from the start, remained there to the top of the lane, and came home with good energy. All Run, stepping up in class after three straight big wins last summer and fall, found this level a tad beyond him as he sat back, made a mild move into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it enough to be a factor. Distinctiv Passion, quite possibly the quickest horse on the West Coast for the first four furlongs or so and the winner of this race last year, blasted out to a clear early lead, setting fast splits, but gave way once headed to end up last. That’s a second straight dull outing, so you wonder if he’s lost a step or three.

Santa Anita - San Gabriel (race 8)

COMMENT: Flamboyant made a smart impression in 2014 after coming from France but then fell on hard times. He perked up with a sharp optional-claiming third here Oct. 22 and took another step forward to post the big upset here. He sat well back early as the favored Obviously ran off to a clear lead, setting fast splits. Flamboyant remained inside as he steadily advanced, came off the rail in midstretch, and finished strongly to get up in the final strides. Now that he seems back on track, the middle-distance turf stakes at Santa Anita figure to be on his docket. He’ll reportedly target the Grade 2 San Marcos at 1 1/4 miles Feb. 6. Obviously, last seen fading to ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, looked to be back on his game here, setting a fast pace, opening up into the lane, and gamely fighting to the line, only to get nipped at the wire. This was his best outing in some time. Unlike Flamboyant, though, he figures to cut back in distance, likely targeting the Grade 2 Arcadia at a mile here Feb. 13. Bal a Bali seemed in a good spot stalking the pace while saving ground, came out into the lane, seemingly ready to make a bid, but instead finished somewhat evenly. Maybe being that close to the fast fractions dulled his late run. He has versatility in terms of distance, so next-race options are open for him, including the two aforementioned February stakes here. Chiropractor, the winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby over 3-year-olds Nov. 28, lagged back and never mustered a run. These elders presented a tougher task, and maybe he’d prefer more ground. Big John B was last early and never got involved. This distance might be a tad too sharp for him, at least at this level. He figures to return to longer distances after this, possibly in the San Marcos.

Sunday, January 3rd

Santa Anita - Monrovia (race 7)

COMMENT: Prize Exhibit dropped out of Grade 1 company and shortened up to a sprint, and it worked as she got the win, but barely. She showed more speed than usual, sitting fourth as Heavens Stairway set a blistering pace, came up the inside to grab the lead by midstretch, and stayed on gamely to just get to the line before the hard-trying Shrinking Violet. She certainly can handle longer races, so a race like the Grade 2 Buena Vista at a mile here Feb. 20 figures to be on her radar. Shrinking Violet, the smart winner of this race last year, bided her time early, came with a strong run on the inside, and just failed to catch the winner in a fine try. Ageless, coming off three wins in her last four starts and good enough to be a close-up fourth vs. males in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here last year (beaten less than a length), sat back with Shrinking Violet, but whereas that gal saved ground, she pitched wide for her rally and, while closing strongly, ran out of ground. Illuminant, stepping up in class after two romping grass wins lasts fall, sat in midpack, came wide into the lane, and finished well but just wasn’t quite good enough. Velvet Mesquite, long considered the queen of the hill, with numerous wins and strong showings on it (was third in this race last year), dogged pacesetter Heavens Stairway through fast splits and weakened in the lane. She now hasn’t won since October 2014 (when capturing a statebred stakes on this course), so it could be that she’s lost a step or two.