Trip Notes for January 26-27, 2019: Pegasus World Cup, Pegasus Turf, and more

Jan. 26

Gulfstream
Hurricane Bertie (race 7)

COMMENT: Overnight and continuing rain during the day have the main track listed as ‘sloppy (sealed)’ and it was raining during this running. Inside speed dominated the main-track races up to this point (first five main-track races were won wire to wire) and while this wasn’t won in front-running fashion, it was still done on the inside with tactical speed. Dream Pauline didn’t need such an edge as the daughter of Tapit and Grade 1 winner Dream Rush was already proven, having won three of her first four including the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl (also on a sloppy track) here last time out Dec. 15. From her inside slot she broke slowly but had the speed to quickly be third, remained there to the top of the lane, came through an opening on the fence into the lane when asked, briefly battled with Pacific Gale to midstretch but had no trouble dispatching with that rival, drawing off in the final half-furlong for the clear win. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland on April 6 is likely next. Should all go well there, then you’d next expect a shot at the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Pacific Gale, third in the Sugar Swirl at 30-1, showed her improvement and affection for wet going legitimate as she stalked while not far behind the eventual winner, bided her time just to the outside of the eventual winner, came with her run in the lane to challenge that foe to midstretch, was then unable to keep pace but stayed on well to be a clear second. Stormy Embrace further flattered the Sugar Swirl as after running second in that sprint she dogged early pacesetter Blamed from the start, was still in the mix into the lane as Blamed fell away, was no match for the winner and then couldn’t keep pace with the runner-up. Shamrock Rose, making her first start since rallying from far back to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill on Nov. 3, resulting in her being named champion female sprinter, lagged back, as is her wont, moved wide on the turn and into the lane but was unable to make a dent. Surely the way the track was playing worked significantly against her. Blamed, second to Shamrock Rose in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland on Oct. 20 and back to a sprint after holding on to win Grade 3 Comely at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on Nov. 23, went right to the lead, took immediate, heavy pressure from Stormy Embrace to her outside, was still in the mix turning for home but then gave way.

Gulfstream
La Prevoyante Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as ‘yielding’ as rain continued. To give an idea on the condition of this course the final time of 2:34.04 for the 1 1/2 miles was more than 11 seconds off the course mark. Si Que Es Buena did lots of good work in Peru before coming here. She hinted at talent when a nice rallying fourth in the Grade 3 Long Island at Aqueduct on Nov. 24, then came here and won the Via Borghese on Dec. 29. Showing she can handle non-firm turf with aplomb the mare sat well back early as longshot Rahway set the pace, came with a smart run on the far turn to reach contention, remained wide for a clear run, edging past favorite and then-leader Santa Monica for the score. The Grade 3 The Very One here March 2 could be next, though trainer Graham Motion might wait until he ships his squad back north, saying she’s had two tough races here. Santa Monica, part of the Chad Brown turf female armada, was dropping after finishing 10th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill on Nov. 3. The Grade 2 winner sat even farther back early than the winner but made an earlier move going to the far turn, continued her run to reel-in then-leader Semper Sententiae inside the eighth pole but couldn’t’ finish with the winner. The Very One may be on her radar as well. Semper Sententiae, third in the Tropical Park Oaks here Dec. 29, sat midpack from the start, came with a smart run to grab the lead on the far turn, moved to the inside into the lane, still had the lead to the eighth pole but then couldn’t finish with the top two. Tricky Escape, a sharp second in the Grade 3 Long Island at Aqueduct Nov. 24, sat midpack, just behind Semper Sententiae, rallied with that rival on the turn to reach contention, was still in the thick of it to the eighth pole but couldn’t sustain her run. Holy Helena, the favorite coming off a troubled second to Si Que Es Buena in the Via Borghese here Dec. 29, was disappointing as she was far back early, advanced nicely going to the far turn but came up empty thereafter. Could be she didn’t care for the non-firm going as one of her weakest prior starts came on non-firm turf at Belmont in the fall.

Gulfstream
Fred W. Hooper (race 9)

COMMENT: Main track remains ‘sloppy (sealed)’ as rain continued. One of the favorites, Coal Front, scratched earlier in the day. Aztec Sense continued white hot as the 6-year-old gelded son of 2-year-old male champion and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense relished the footing to get the win. Notching his ninth straight win (and 11th of his last 12) he was coming off a game tally in the Claiming Crown Jewel here Dec. 1. He broke sharply to go right to the lead, soon relinquished pacesetter duties to an eager Conquest Big E but remained up close, reassumed command on the far turn, grabbed a clear lead and stayed on to maintain his advantage. This shows the gelding, claimed for a mere $12,500 in August 2017, belongs in these graded stakes waters. He’s now 4 for 5 here, and 4 for 7 on wet going. The bad news is he was unable to return to the winner’s circle and was vanned off. It was later reported he took a bad step, injuring his left ankle. Breaking Lucky, back into graded stakes waters after a romping optional-claiming win here at this trip Dec. 7, was right there with the eventual winner from the start, took back on the far turn as if throwing in the towel but then moved out for room and got going again to finish well for second. Fellowship, freshened and cutting back in distance after a dull eighth in the 1 1/8-mile Richard Small at Laurel Nov. 10, bided his time early though he wasn’t that far off the pace, made an early move to threaten the eventual winner on the far turn, doggedly kept after him, couldn’t get to him and then just lost second in the final strides. Copper Town, who posted two huge wins in 2017, was then gone over a year and came back to romp again at Keeneland last Oct. 13 but was then a dull eighth in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 1, was disappointing again as the son of Speightstown was fractious in the gate (at one point even dislodged his rider), finally settled and broke well when the barrier opened, raced outside rivals while seemingly in a good stalking position, briefly loomed a threat on the far turn but then fell away.

Gulfstream
W. L. McKnight Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: Course remains ‘yielding’ as rain continues. Zulu Alpha was good enough to win the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland on Oct. 18 but after a couple months off didn’t show the same spark when only seventh in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale here Dec. 15. However, non-firm turf and three more furlongs played well for him as he posted a deceptively easy win, leading the way for trainer Mike Maker to have the exacta. He stalked as longshot All Go set a modest early pace, sitting just behind that foe, bided his time just behind the leader while holding the fence going to the far turn, came out for room into the lane, moved up easily between horses to move past the tiring leaders and kept to his task without seemingly being asked for everything, while drifting out, to turn back the challenge of stablemate Soglio. A race like the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida at 1 3/8 miles here March 2 could be next. Soglio, coming off narrow-miss seconds in the Red Smith at Aqueduct on Nov. 17 and H. Allen Jerkens here Dec. 29, suffered another tough beat as he sat midpack while saving ground, remained inside as he moved up to be just behind the eventual winner on the far turn, came off the inside to make his run, loomed a big threat when he came up alongside Zulu Alpha in the lane but then couldn’t get to that rival while well clear of the rest. The Mac Diarmida is a logical next spot for him as well. Hunting Horn, a globetrotter who was Group 2-placed in France this summer and came here after being unable to threaten in the lane in the Group 1 Arc de Troimphe and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, bided his time midpack between horses, got shuffled back a bit going to the far turn to lose some position, remained between horses as he was asked for run on the turn, pitched wide into the lane to make his run, moved back between horses and finished well, though he was never really a danger to the top two. He did run well and it’s hardly inconceivable to think we’ll see him make the trip to the U.S. from Ireland again. Canessar, the slight favorite off a freshening after back-to-back seconds in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup on June 8 and Grade 3 Stars N Stripes at Arlington on July 7, was a bit slow into stride, advanced while wide first time under the wire and on the clubhouse turn, remained wide as he bided his time down the backstretch, came with a run while still wide on the turn and into the lane, kept to his task but wasn’t ever really able to threaten the top two.

Gulfstream
Pegasus World Cup Turf (race 11)

COMMENT: Course remains ‘yielding’ though the rain lightened considerably as this was run. The going and level of competition didn’t bother Bricks and Mortar in the least as the 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway, making just his second start after over 14 months on the bench, showed what the fuss over him was all about a couple years ago as he proved a dominant winner. Coming off a smashing return win here Dec. 22 after that long layoff, he broke well but was pliable and able to be taken back a few lengths off early pacesetter Fahan Mura, remained midpack between horses as Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile runner-up Catapult made a strong wide move going into the backstretch to push what was for this course a very fast pace, continued midpack losing a bit of ground as the pace picked up, staying to the outside and on the hip of Magic Wand, started to advance going into the far turn while wide, reached contention at the top of the lane, was asked for top gear and blew past the leaders and clear. It’s obvious he can be a huge player in the division for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown and his versatility gives him all sorts of options. Brown said races like the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 and the Grade 1 Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day June 8 may be his primary targets. Brown also has the Analyze It, Robert Bruce, and Raging Bull to lay waste to the male turf division. Magic Wand, the raiding Irish filly who returned to the U.S. after a good fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill on Nov. 3, showed she belongs with the top boys as she broke well from her rail slot, bided her time midpack just ahead of Bricks and Mortar while saving ground throughout, moved closer going into the far turn, came with her run along the inside on the turn and into the lane, rallied smartly between Catapult on the rail and Delta Prince to her outside, was no match for the winner but kept on to edge Delta Prince for second. Delta Prince, back to turf after being a well-beaten third in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler (a dirt sprint) at Aqueduct on Nov. 2 and with blinkers removed, ran very well as he was toward the back early, moved up nicely while wide into the backstretch following Catapult to be just ahead of and outside Bricks and Mortar, came with a smart run to challenge Catapult to his outside in the lane, was getting the better of that foe when confronted by Bricks and Mortar, proved no match for him and only lost second to Magic Wand who edged past to his inside in the final strides. Catapult, smart runner-up in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile last time out, broke decently but was toward the rear early, made a strong wide move coming off the clubhouse turn into the backstretch to go up to challenge pacesettering female Fahan Mura, assumed command going to the far turn, was travelling well while on the lead turning for home, moved to the rail into the lane, was quickly taken on by Delta Prince but couldn’t keep pace with him and the top two. That strong move into splits that were quite fast considering the course condition likely left him low on fuel for the stretch run. Yoshida, the favorite being a Grade 1 winner on turf and returning to grass off a good fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Nov. 3, was slow into stride from his inside slot, sitting last. He remained there going down the backstretch, though he wasn’t that far off the lead, moved very wide into the far turn to be just behind the eventual winner and seeming poised to make a run, looked briefly dangerous when just behind the eventual winner into the lane but didn’t have the needed oomph thereafter. Trainer Bill Mott said that while he’s a Grade 1 winner on turf he might be better on dirt, so that may be the footing we’ll see him on next. Aerolithe, the highly regarded Group 1-winning mare from Japan, was eager early, pulling her way up between horses to press the pace, continued there between horses to the far turn before caving in.

Gulfstream
Pegasus World Cup (race 12)

COMMENT: Main track remains listed as ‘sloppy (sealed)’ and heavy rain started again for this running. City of Light showed that when on his game he’s as good as it gets as he easily handled Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and champion older horse Accelerate. Coming off a smashing win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill on Nov. 3, City of Light broke alertly, showed good speed to be just behind early pacesetter Patternrecognition, moved off the inside to get to the outside of that rival, chased the runner to the far turn, quickly assumed command turning for home, blasted clear and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. It’s now off to the breeding shed for the son of Quality Road and figures an attractive proposition for breeders what with top-class ability from 7 to 9 furlongs (and could probably have won the right type of 10-furlong race). Seeking the Soul was slow into stride, as is his custom, as Patternrecognition set a solid pace, steadily advanced along the inside going down the backstretch, moved off the rail for room on the turn and into the lane and finished well, though he was never a danger to the winner. How good was the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile? Well, the one/two/three finishers there (City of Light, Seeking the Soul, Bravazo) ran one/two/four here, broken up only by the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner in third. The Grade 1 Dubai World Cup on March 30 could be next for Seeking the Soul. Accelerate broke nicely and got a good position just behind the first flight while between horses, bided his time there, was asked to get closer to the leaders going to the far turn, came up just behind and outside City of Light as if poised to make this an epic showdown but had no answer for the winner’s acceleration into the lane and flattened out a bit to end up a well-beaten third. He’s also off to stud after a brilliant career. Bravazo stalked the pace while saving ground, remained inside to the far turn, moved closer to be in just behind the leaders, couldn’t keep up with the top trio but kept to his task well. Audible, big winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby here last year but coming off a modest second in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday here last time out Dec. 15, lagged back, lost some position on the far turn when pitching wide but got going again decently in the lane to pass a few, though he was never a factor. The Dubai World Cup is a possibility for him. Gunnevera, second in the Breeder’s Cup Classic, was sluggish early, as is his wont, but soon had a decent position sitting midpack, closer than usual and not too far behind the leaders going to the far turn, made a mild move on the far turn to be within reach of the leaders but then came up empty. Kukulkan, the previously undefeated Mexican Triple Crown winner and champion, lacked speed to be well back early, was wide on the first turn and never able to get involved. Patternrecognition, smart winner of the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 1, broke sharply from his far outside post, used his speed to avoid getting hung out to dry on the clubhouse turn, getting over to the rail entering the turn, set a brisk pace under pressure from City of Light, was overwhelmed on the far turn, gave way badly and was basically eased to the wire once all was lost.

Jan. 27

Sam Houston
John B. Connally Turf Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Bigger Picture came in quest of a third straight win in this race, and the venerable 8-year-old, freshened since a sharp second in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 23, got his hat trick. He bided his time well back early as Markitoff set a slow pace under pressure from Lawless West and then Cooptado, came with a smart wide run going into the far turn, engaged then-leader Some in Tieme turning for home, had little trouble taking command from that foe and opened to win in a romp without really being asked for his best as the heavy favorite. Last year after winning this he went to Gulfstream for the Grade 2 Pan American and that may be the play again this year March 30. Zapperini, coming off a fourth in an optional claimer at the Fair Grounds on Nov. 24 and scratched out of a race there Jan. 26 to go here instead, sat back just in front of the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate as quickly or as strongly but got going in the lane to rally for second, though he was never really a threat to the winner. Some in Tieme was well back early, came with a strong wide run going to the far turn, grabbed the lead on the turn but was immediately confronted by Bigger Picture, couldn’t finish with that rival and tired a bit in the final furlong to end up third. Team Colors stalked the pace but took a bad step on the clubhouse turn, was pulled up and vanned off.

Sam Houston
Houston Ladies Classic (race 9)

COMMENT: On paper Midnight Bisou, a multiple Grade 1 winner and a good third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff when last seen, dominated these. It didn’t exactly play out that way on the track but the 4-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute, a finalist for 2018 champion 3-year-old filly honors, still got the job done. She broke a bit slowly from her far outside post, moved up while very wide into the first turn, moved to the inside on the turn while sitting sixth, bided her time there as longshot Heavenhasmynikki set a modest pace, remained toward the back while between horses, started to advance going to the far turn, moved outside on the turn to make a run at the leaders, still had work to do once straightened away but was asked to get serious in the final furlong and got up in the final few strides while seemingly not being asked for her best. Next could be the Grade 2 Azeri at Oaklawn on March 16 and should all go well there a shot at the Grade 1 Apple Blossom there April 13, where she could run into champion and archrival Monomoy Girl. She’ll obviously need to move forward quite a bit for those assignments but everyone knows she’s capable of much better and this was just a stepping-off point for 2019 so she was asked to do just enough to win but not empty the tank or have a grueling race. Moonlit Garden broke well, dogged the pacesetter from the start, came with her challenge turning for home to the outside of Heavenhasmynikki, was getting the better of that rival to her inside by the furlong pole only to have the heavy favorite move past on her right. Heavenhasmynikki went right to the lead, set a modest pace while staying inside, rebuffed some challenges on the turn, remained on the fence as she battled with Moonlit Garden to her right but then couldn’t finish with the top two in the final half-furlong. Remedy, the second choice after a smart second in the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct on Nov. 23, bided her time toward the back while saving ground, moved up nicely to be just behind the leaders going to the far turn, was stride for stride with Midnight Bisou on the turn, came off the inside to try and finish with that rival, was unable to keep pace but plugged along to get fourth.