Trip Notes for January 20: Las Cienegas
Las Cienegas (race 7)
COMMENT: Coniah couldn’t get to Bendable when second to that distaffer in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer on dirt here last June 18. She hadn’t raced since, but that layoff and the move to turf got the daughter of Harlington her revenge as she used her speed to prevail after going right to the early lead. She took pressure from Proper Discretion to behind the trees, came off the rail some at the dirt crossing as she opened up, held a clear lead to midstretch and gamely kept her hard-trying rival at bay in the final furlong. Two of her four wins have come on dirt, so she could come back in the Grade 3 Las Flores on dirt here Feb. 18, or target the Wishing Well on the hillside again Feb. 24. Bendable, making her first start on turf and first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland on Oct. 7, bided her time early, steadily moved closer, came with a run in the lane and, while she closed the gap on the winner, couldn’t get to her. Princess Princess, back to sprinting after running fifth in a turf route here Jan. 7, stalked the pace, loomed a threat coming over the dirt crossing but then finished evenly in the final furlong. Beau Recall, the favorite after four straight Grade 1 route attempts, lagged back and could make only modest headway. The distance cutback may have been too much for her and that may mean she’ll be better when moved back to a mile or longer.