Trip Notes for January 6-7: Sham, San Gabriel, and Santa Ynez

Jan. 6

Santa Anita
Sham (race 5)

COMMENT: McKinzie, coming off a win in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity via disqualification, dominated as the 1-5 favorite. With blinkers removed for the first time in three starts, the colt sat fourth early but not far off pacesetter All Out Blitz, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, had little trouble getting the better of him, and drew off to win comfortably. The Grade 2 San Felipe here March 10 could be next, though trainer Bob Baffert has other 3-year-old prospects, (Solomini, Mourinho, Nero, Heck Yeah, Restoring Hope, Ax Man) and isn’t averse to shipping to keep his prospects separated. All Out Blitz, coming off a maiden sprint win at Los Alamitos Dec. 17, set a modest pace under some pressure from Shivermetimbers, battled back when hooked by McKinzie into the lane, proved no match for that foe but stayed on well to finish a clear second. My Boy Jack, back to dirt after running seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Nov. 3, stalked in third while saving ground and kept to his task to get third, though he was no danger to the top two in the lane. Shivermetimbers, the second choice, dogged All Out Blitz early while between horses, had to steady when in tight off heels coming into the lane, got back in stride, angled toward the inside but was unable to make a dent thereafter. Mourinho, the third favorite on the morning line, scratched earlier in the day to instead go in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Jan. 15.

Santa Anita
San Gabriel (race 7)

COMMENT: Itsinthepost found the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf waters at Del Mar Nov. 4 too deep but he got some class relief, cut back in distance and got back on track. The son of American Post sat fourth as longshot Smokey Image went out to a clear lead, bided his time there off modest splits, came with a run into the lane outside the pacesetter, grabbed the lead, and kept a couple rallying rivals at bay in the final furlong. The Grade 2 San Marcos at 1 1/4 miles (which may actually play better for him) here Feb. 3 could be next. He ran second in that last year. Flamboyant, coming off a thirds in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine Oct. 15 and Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar Nov. 24, was well back early while saving ground from his rail slot, came with a run between horses, and finished well, though he never really was a big danger to the winner. The San Marcos figures on his radar as well (ran third in it last year). Editore, back to turf after a big win in the Grade 3 Berkeley on Golden Gate’s synthetic main track Nov. 25, sat midpack, had to wait for room on the far turn when in traffic, found a seam inside and started a run, had to steady when in tight in midstretch but got clear to be a good third. Isotherm, winner of the Grade 2 San Marcos last year but out of action since running fifth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap March 11, raced midpack, came with a threatening run into the lane but couldn’t sustain it. The long layoff may have gotten to him in the final furlong. He can benefit from this outing so defense of his San Marcos title figures in the cards. He Will, a sharp second in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar Nov. 26, sat well off the pace while wide and never mustered a run.

Jan. 7

Santa Anita
Santa Ynez (race 8)

COMMENT: Midnight Bisou had run second in both her starts, beaten a nose both times by Dream Tree, who then came back to win the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Starlet last month. Midnight Bisou got her turn in the spotlight this time. She broke alertly to pressure early pacesetter War Heroine, took back just a bit going to the far turn while staying wide and in the clear, came with a wide run to challenge into the lane, and took over inside the eighth pole. The Grade 2 Las Virgenes at a mile here Feb. 4 is likely next. Steph Being Steph, winner of the Golden Gate Debutante on synthetic but before that stakes-placed on dirt, stalked from her inside post, came with her run along the rail going into the far turn, grabbed the lead on the inside into the lanem, but couldn’t go with the winner and just edged Win the War for second. Win the War, the favorite off a romping win in a stakes on Woodbine synthetic Nov. 19, stalked between horses, loomed a threat turning for home, but couldn’t go with the winner and just got nipped for second. War Heroine, romping winner of her debut at Del Mar Nov. 12, set a solid pace under some pressure, battled back when challenged by Steph Being Steph to her inside on the far turn, but gave way once headed into the lane. Artistic Diva, winner of her only two starts including the Anoakia here in the fall, scratched earlier in the day with a hock infection.