Trip Notes for January 7-8: Sham, Santa Ynez

Jan. 7

Gulfstream

Dania Beach (race 4)

COMMENT: Made You Look, a stakes winner on turf at Saratoga this summer and then sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 4, bided his time midpack while saving ground as his stablemate Squadron set a solid early pace. Made You Look pitched wide to make his run, surged to grab the lead by midstretch, and won going away as the 6-5 favorite. The Grade 3 Palm Beach here March 4 may be his next target. Clyde’s Image, coming off a rallying maiden win on Aqueduct turf Nov. 23, stalked the pace, tried to make a run with the winner into the lane, and stayed on well to get second. Shiraz, stepping up after a fifth vs. New York-bred optional claimers at Aqueduct Nov. 25, sat just behind the eventual winner and got going in the lane to get up for third. Kitten’s Cat, winner of the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 5, was the 9-5 second choice. He stalked the pace, seemed in a good spot turning for home, but came up empty. Maybe he prefers a shorter trip. Minister’s Strike was last from the start, still well back turning for home, and was unable to get involved. Squadron, winner of his first two starts, including a romping win in the Juvenile Turf at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 12, was hustled to make the lead and gave way once headed.

Santa Anita

Sham (race 7)

COMMENT: Gormley, a well-backed seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after winning the Grade 1 FrontRunner here, bounced back to form over the sloppy track. He put immediate pressure on even-money favorite and pacesetter American Anthem, kept after that rival, and finally got the better of him in the final strides. He’ll reportedly target the Grade 2 San Felipe here March 11. American Anthem, who won his debut at Del Mar Dec. 3 in a sprint, went right out to the lead from his rail draw, battled with Gormley, and finished 13 lengths clear of third. Big Hit stalked the pace, tried to make a move turning for home, and stayed on decently for third. Bird Is the Word lagged back and made modest headway.

Santa Anita

San Gabriel (race 9)

COMMENT: Blue Tone was entered solely in case the race was washed off the turf, and it was. He went right to the lead, took pressure from A Red Tie Day, dispatched with that foe into the lane, was immediately taken on by Itsinthepost, and edged clear in the final half-furlong. Itsinthepost stalked in third, made a run at the winner into the lane, and stayed on well for second. Twentytwentyvision was last until turning for home, came with a strong run to challenge for the lead, and finished third. Ring Weekend, the favorite after last winning the Grade 2 Citation at Del Mar Nov. 26, didn’t handle the surface switch all that well. He stalked in fifth early, made a mild run into the lane, but flattened out.

Jan. 8

Santa Anita

Santa Ynez (race 8) COMMENT: Unique Bella, a $400,000 daughter of Tapit, romped by 10 1/4 lengths over maidens at Del Mar Nov. 26 and had no trouble with the big class hike here. She got a nice stalking position in fourth, not far off leaders Shane’s Girlfriend and Resilient Humor, and seemed eager and pulling a bit. Unique Bella took command on the outside under her own power, opened up into the lane, and drew off to win by 7 1/2 lengths. She looks like a possible successor to champion stablemate Songbird. Unique Bella’s stablemate It Tiz Well was last going to the far turn, swung out, and finished well for second. Shane’s Girlfriend, the favorite after a romping win in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess, went right to the lead, soon relinquished pacesetting duties to Resilient Humor, dogged that rival throughout, but was no match for the winner or the runner-up. Princess Karen and Resilient Humor both gave way in the lane. Grade 1 winner Noted and Quoted was scratched.