Trip Notes for July 10-12, 2020: Blue Grass and more

July 10

Keeneland
Beaumont (race 7)

COMMENT: Speech, the 7-5 morning-line favorite, scratched to go instead in Saturday’s Grade 1 Ashland here. Four Graces made it four wins in as many sprints and did so impressively, romping despite an early duel. With her only loss coming the one time she routed, she came into this off a smart win in the Grade 3 Dogwood at Churchill June 6 and appeared to step up her game further as she set a track mark for the distance. She broke sharply, dueled early with Slam Dunk to her inside and main rival Wicked Whisper to her outside, soon took over pacesetting duties, established a strong pace under pressure from “Whisper” to her outside as Slam Dunk took back, held a narrow lead to the far turn while under heavy pressure still from “Whisper,” dispatched with that rival into the lane, opened up in the stretch, and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. Surely the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga Aug. 8 figures a target. Sconsin, fourth to Four Graces in an optional claimer at Churchill May 16 and then a big winner at that class level there June 13, bided her time a few lengths off the lead toward the inside, started to run on the far turn, went around a tiring Slam Dunk, swung out turning for home, briefly looked a threat to the winner into the lane, proved no match for that rival but kept on well to be a clear second. Turtle Trax, second to Frank’s Rockette in an optional claimer at Churchill May 25 (“Rockette” came back to win the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont) was last early just outside of Sconsin, remained there to the far turn, couldn’t rally with Sconsin on the turn and into the lane but kept to her task to easily take third over two tiring rivals. Wicked Whisper, the second choice who won the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont last fall and was making her first start since fading to fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Nov. 1, broke sharply to be alongside Four Graces to that gal’s right from the start, dogged Four Graces throughout, continued to apply pressure on the turn, tried to challenge Four Graces turning for home, but couldn’t keep up when that gal went for home, giving way in the stretch. Surely she needed the race and dueling a fast horse didn’t help, but the severity of her fade was a bit disconcerting. Still, if she exits this in good shape a rematch in the Test could be on her radar.

Keeneland
Maker’s Mark Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: War of Will showed his class last year when he won the Grade 1 Preakness on dirt, but is also known for dramatics (nearly fell in last year’s Kentucky Derby, was disqualified from fifth to sixth in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita May 25). The dramatics here were of the good kind as he added to his glowing resume with a Grade 1 turf win here, winning a strong renewal. From the outside post he broke well, was content to stalk just off a strong pace set by High Crime with Parlor in second, remained there while under a hold to the far turn, stayed wide and in the clear into the lane, and finished resolutely to edge a game Parlor to his inside and favorites Raging Bull and Without Parole just to his outside. The Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga could be next if they opt to stay on turf, though of course his dirt ability gives them all sorts of options. Parlor, third in the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill June 20, showed speed to sit second just behind and outside pacesetter High Crime, pressed that rival through strong splits, moved up to challenge for the lead on the turn, took the lead into the lane, battled gamely inside War of Will, but just got nipped on the wire. The Fourstardave or something longer like the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day Sept. 5 could be next. Raging Bull, favored off a smashing win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita May 25, got a dream trip sitting midpack in the clear from the start, remained there to the far turn, moved out some for room on the turn as he started to advance, pitched wider still into the lane, finished well, but wasn’t quite good enough. His stablemate Without Parole, third in the Shoemaker, sat just behind and wider out from the start, got to Raging Bull’s hip going to the far turn, didn’t accelerate as quickly as Raging Bull, pitched wide into the lane, was urged to get going, finally found his best stride in the final furlong, closed well, but it was too late, and he ended up just behind and outside Raging Bull. Both Raging Bull and Without Parole could target the Fourstardave, though their trainer, Chad Brown, already has turf distaff champion Uni pointing for that as well. Brown has already shown a willingness to ship Raging Bull and Without Parole west, so the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Aug. 23 could be an option if he wants to keep his charges separated. Next Shares, second between Raging Bull and Without Parole in the Shoemaker Mile and winner of the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile here in 2018, broke slowly from his outside post, as is his norm, sat well back off the strong pace to trail the field, started to advance while wide on the far turn and into the lane just behind Without Parole, but came up empty in the lane.

July 11

Belmont
Ruffian (race 4)

COMMENT: Monomoy Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 making her second start after a year and a half on the bench, took a nice step forward to easily win this. Yes, on paper she dominated these, but you still wanted to see that step forward. She stalked pacesetter Mother Mother to her outside through solid splits, moved closer into the far turn, took over from that rival into the lane while still well in hand, kicked clear into the lane and kept to her task well to keep a hard-trying Vexatious at bay. She galloped out strongly. The Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard Sept. 4 appears her chance to dive back into the deepest end of the pool, because that could lure champion older female Midnight Bisou as well as Grade 1 winners Dunbar Road and She’s a Julie. Vexatious, who scratched from the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap as she returned to dirt after a third in a longer optional claimer on Churchill grass June 6, sat not far off the pace, came up just behind and outside Mononoy Girl turning for home, gamely chased the winner to the line and while not really a big threat to her finished far clear of the others. Piedi Bianchi, stretching out after a sixth in a stakes here June 5, lagged back after breaking from the rail, came off the inside into the far turn, swung wider out into the lane, and plugged along to get third while never a factor. Mother Mother, a Grade 1-placed filly, set a solid pace under pressure from Monomoy Girl, battled back briefly on the turn when challenged by that foe, but gave way once headed, fading to end up a well-beaten fourth. She doesn’t appear to be the same filly we saw even earlier this year when she won a stakes and placed in a Grade 2 at Santa Anita.

Delaware
Delaware Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Dunbar Road was an overwhelming favorite based on her Grade 1-winning form last year as a 3-year-old and a solid return win in a stakes at Churchill May 23. From her inside slot she broke well, pressed the early pace set by Bellara as she held her ground on the rail, bided her time there in third just behind pacesetters Bellara and Lucky Move, came off the inside into the far turn, came off further to find a lane, was urged to go through between horses, took the lead into the stretch, quickly put the race to bed opening up a clear lead, and was geared down to the wire. The Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 8 may be coming back too quickly so she could instead eye the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Sept. 4 – though that could also mean running into the likes of champions Midnight Bisou and Monomoy Girl as well as Grade 1 winner She’s a Julie. Saracosa, fifth in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom and second in a tough optional claimer at Churchill May 31, bided her time early a bit behind and outside of Dunbar Road, remained wide through, rallied with Dunbar Road to her inside turning for home, proved no match for the winner but kept to her task well to be a clear second. Bellara had an odd trip. She broke well to set the pace inside under pressure from Lucky Move, got passed by a number of rivals on the far turn as if she was done, but got going again between horses in midstretch to get third.

Keeneland
Appalachian (race 4)

COMMENT: Enola Gay, making her first start since a fourth in a stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 10, came back firing to edge two of the top 3-year-old turf fillies in the land, stamping herself a player in the division. She bided her time a couple lengths off a solid pace set by Evil Lyn, was still a few lengths behind turning for home as Evil Lyn, Alms and Walk In Marrakesh battled into the lane, stayed wide in the stretch, and came home resolutely to get up in the final stride to nip Walk In Marrakesh to her inside and Alms on the rail. A likely summer goal figures to be the Saratoga Oaks Aug. 16. Walk in Marrakesh, much troubled when seventh in the Tepin at Churchill May 23, sat just outside the eventual winner, following Alms, who pressed pacesetter Evil Lyn, stayed in Alms’s wake to the far turn, moved up outside that rival into the lane to challenge for the lead, battled gamely just outside of Alms, and appeared to be getting a narrow edge only to have the winner lunge past to her outside in the final stride. Alms dogged the pacesetter from the start just behind and to her outside, moved up easily to challenge that foe turning for home, battled hard with that foe as Walk In Marrakesh challenged to her outside, and continued on gamely to the wire to just miss. The runner-up and third finisher figure to target the Saratoga Oaks as well, and with the likes of Sharing and Harvey’s Lil Goil likely targeting that race, it could be a pip. Evil Lyn, a perfect 3 for 3 on turf coming into this, including romp over $40K claimers at Churchill May 25 when claimed by Mike Maker, went right out to the lead, set a solid pace under a hold, looked in trouble when hooked by Alms to her outside on the far turn, but battled back gamely inside only to succumb in the final furlong. It was still a good first stakes attempt.

Keeneland
Madison (race 5)

COMMENT: Guarana had shown plenty of brilliance in her career but here she showed worlds of heart to re-rally for the score. A winner of four of five and coming into this off an extremely easy optional-claiming return win at Churchill June 4, she broke sharply, went right to the lead between horses, took pressure from Mia Mischief to her outside through solid splits, looked in deep trouble when losing the lead to Mia Mischief to her outside into the lane, but fought back bravely along the rail, pushing past a tough Mia Mischief in the final half-furlong, and was actually edging away at the wire. She’s capable of going longer, so we’ll see whether they try that or keep her at this type of trip, with options like the Grade 1 Ballerina at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 8 and the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff (formerly the Humana Distaff) also at 7 furlongs on the Kentucky Derby undercard Sept. 5. Mia Mischief, a Grade 1 winner but a so-so third in the Grade 3 Winning Colors last time out at Churchill May 30, bounced back nicely as she broke well, dogged pacesetter Guarana from the start to her outside, continued to hound Guarana to the top of the lane, took the lead outside Guarana as if poised to go on to victory, but was unable to repel Guarana’s re-rally to her inside. The Derby City Distaff certainly figures on her radar as she won that last year. Bell’s the One, easy winner of the Winning Colors and winner of two of her three starts here including the Grade 2 Raven Run last fall, lagged back, as usual, came with a run between horses turning for home, made some headway in Mia Mischief’s wake into the lane and kept to her task to get third, though she was no threat to the top two. Sally’s Curlin, making her first start since a romping win in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream March 14, was well back from the start, began to advance turning for home while wide, pitched wider still into the lane, made some headway but was never really a factor.

Keeneland
Shakertown (race 6)

COMMENT: Leinster ran on decently for second in a tough allowance race at Churchill May 29 but that was also his first start in almost seven months. He moved forward here to just narrowly prevail. He sat just outside and behind Bound for Nowhere and Tiger Blood as they dueled through sizzling splits, moved closer turning for home, continued his run into the lane while a few lanes off the rail, was just getting to leader Bound for Nowhere to his inside as stablemate Totally Boss came charging up to his outside, and got his nose down on the line, setting a course record. The Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga Aug. 8, a race he won last year, could be next, or they could try the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard Sept. 4. Totally Boss was significantly troubled when eighth in that same May 29 Churchill race that Leinster ran second in, but got a better trip here only to just miss. He sat well back early, bided his time well off the fast splits, started to advance while wide on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, and put in a furious rally outside his stablemate to just miss. Bound for Nowhere, winner of this in 2018 and second in this last year, ran huge in defeat. He broke sharply, went right to the lead, dueled with Tiger Blood to his outside through sizzling splits, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up some by midstretch, but got a little weary from that hard early work, relenting a bit late to end up a close third. This certainly shows he’s as good as ever and his connections surely figure to target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here in November. The Troy or Twin Spires Turf Sprint figure on his radar as well. Wildman Jack, the favorite off a game win in the Grade 3 Daytona at Santa Anita May 23, broke a bit slowly but was sluggish to end far back from the start and never got involved in a disappointing run.

Keeneland
Ashland (race 7)

COMMENT: Tonalist’s Shape scratched to go instead in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga July 18. Speech scratched from Friday’s Grade 3 Beaumont to go here instead and it was the right decision. The daughter of Mr. Speaker ran second to Swiss Skydiver and Gamine in her last two starts so she got her chance to shine here. She broke well, went right up to press pacesetting favorite Venetian Harbor, continued to press that rival through solid splits, moved up to challenge outside that foe on the far turn, got the better of her into the lane, and drew clear to win pretty comfortably, setting a track record (both the main track and grass course played extremely fast this day). Surely the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Sept. 4 is her main goal, though whether she’ll have a start in between is a question. Venetian Harbor, the heavy favorite in her first start since running second to Swiss Skydiver in the Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn May 1, broke well, went right to the lead, as expected, set a solid pace while saving ground as Speech applied pressure to her outside, continued to travel well on the lead to the far turn, battled back when challenged by Speech to her outside turning for home, finally relenting once Speech had edged clear, but stayed on for second. This does, however, like the Fantasy, make you wonder if she’s better suited to a slightly shorter trip in say something like the Grade 1 Test at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 8. Envoutante, a smashing allowance winner at Churchill May 29, sat a few lengths off the lead, stalked just behind and inside speed, remained there saving ground, moved closer to be just in behind Venetian Harbor while still inside Speech, was urged to get going on the far turn only to see the top two get away, stayed on the rail and plugged on for third. She didn’t run badly but this makes you wonder if more than a few of her classmates are simply better. Bonny South, making her first start since easily winning the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks March 21, sat just behind and outside of Envoutante from the start, remained there to the far turn, came under a ride to get to Envoutante’s hip but not only couldn’t do enough to get past that foe, and was never really a danger to the top two. She may have needed the race but will surely have to do better if she’s to challenge the best of her division. In defense of Envoutante and Bonny South, the top two dictated everything from the start, so you reason they were at a distinct disadvantage, something that might not happen in the Kentucky Oaks with more runners, more-talented runners and more speed types.

Keeneland
Jenny Wiley (race 8)

COMMENT: Rushing Fall made some history as this win puts her with Lady Eli and Beholder as the only horses to win Grade 1’s at 2, 3, 4 and 5. The defending champ, she broke well but was content to let Jolie Olimpica to her outside take over pacesetting duties, moved to the outside once “Olimpica” had cleared over in front of her and moved to the rail, moved closer to get on “Olimpica”’s hip on the first turn, pressed the foe through solid splits, moved up easily to challenge that foe to her inside turning for home, had to battle gamely subdue that foe but got the better of her late and was edging away at the wire setting a new course mark. As noted, the main track and turf course played extremely fast today. Off this maybe the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga Aug. 23 is next. That race is a bit longer (1 1/8 miles) but she’s won going that far and was a good second in that race last year, losing to reigning turf distaff champion Sistercharlie. Jolie Olimpica was splendid in defeat. A Grade 1 winner in Brazil and coming off a Grade 2 sprint win at Santa Anita May 25 (beating Oleksandra, who came back to beat males in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont), broke well, went to the lead though she wasn’t really urged to do so, got over to the rail by the first turn, set a solid pace under pressure from Rushing Fall to her outside, continued to lead under constant pressure from that rival, battled back gamely when challenged by “Fall” turning for home, and stayed in the fight for a long time, only relenting in the final half-furlong. This shows she can handle this trip even at this high a level as it took a beast to foil her. That said, she may still be a bit better at a slightly shorter game. Juliet Foxtrot, sixth in the Grade 3 Mint Julep at Churchill May 30, improved here as she used her speed to stalk the pace, sitting just behind Jolie Olimpica, came off the inside into the lane, made a run in the final furlong to close the gap on the top pair, but couldn’t quite get to them. The Diana could be an option for her, though if they want to stay at a mile the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard Sept. 5 is an option. Toinette, who beat Rushing Fall in a Grade 3 at Churchill in May 2018 and came here off a powerful Grade 3 win at Santa Anita June 20, got a dream trip stalking in fourth just outside of Juliet Foxtrot while in the clear, tried to rally with that foe on the far turn and into the lane, but couldn’t quite finish with that rival and was unable to threaten the top two.

Keeneland
Blue Grass (race 9)

COMMENT: Art Collector punched his ticket to Louisville as the son of 3-year-old male champion Bernardini notched his fourth straight win. Coming off a romping optional claiming win at Churchill June 13, he showed the speed to stalk as the filly Swiss Skydiver dueled outside of Shivaree on the early pace, remained just behind those two, moved outside for clear sailing into the far turn, went after leader Swiss Skydiver turning for home as Shivaree fell away, challenged Swiss Skydiver into the lane to her outside, wore down the filly, and drew clear in the final furlong. Swiss Skydiver ran splendidly in defeat. She broke well but couldn’t outrun Shivaree on the rail to make the early lead, instead dueled through solid splits outside that rival, got the better of that foe on the far turn only to be immediately confronted by Art Collector to her outside, but battled back gamely, only relenting in the final furlong while finishing well clear of the others. While she ran well you’d expect that after this she’d be back on the Kentucky Oaks trail. Rushie, third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby June 6, broke well, got position midpack a few lanes off the rail, moved closer down the backstretch, loomed a threat turning for home just outside of Art Collector, didn’t change leads into the lane, was unable to sustain his bid enough to challenge the top two in the stretch, finally changed leads in midstretch, and kept on well enough to hold third. Enforceable, freshened a bit since his fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, lacked speed, per usual, sitting well back early, commenced a nice wide run on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane and continued to grind it out, nearly catching Rushie for third. It’s hard to envision a scenario where he can come from that far back and win the Kentucky Derby, but it’s not hard to envision him to keep running and maybe get a piece of the pie in Louisville. Mr. Big News stumbled badly at the start, recovered, ended up midpack racing just inside of Rushie, had to steady some when in traffic into the backstretch, lost some position, had to wait for room again into the far turn, but couldn’t do enough once clear. This wasn’t a bad run considering the trouble. Basin, second to big winner Charlatan in a division of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn May 2, sat midpack from the start not far behind the leaders while between horses, seemed to be travelling well not far off the pace, but was done when the field hit the far turn. He simply looks better suited to a shorter trip.

July 12

Keeneland
Transylvania (race 7)

COMMENT: Field Pass, a multiple stakes winner on turf and Grade 3 winner on synthetic, notched his first graded stakes win on turf – but just barely. His trainer Mike Maker reportedly was thinking of scratching from this spot to go in the longer Grade 3 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga July 18, but opted to stay and was rewarded. From his rail draw Field Pass sat midpack while saving ground as Juggernaut set a modest pace under pressure from Fancy Liquor, crept closer along the inside to be just behind stalker Street Ready, came off the rail some looking for room into the far turn, had to wait a bit for room, moved up outside Street Ready outside on the turn, found a seam between horses into the lane, came with a smart run to challenge Fancy Liquor to his inside, fought on bravely as Street Ready joined the fight along the rail, and won a desperate three-horse photo. This could lead to a shot at the Saratoga Derby Aug. 15 against the likes of Decorated Invader and Gufo. Street Ready, a dull seventh in a turf stakes at Churchill May 23, moved forward considerably here as he stalked the pace from his outside post, maneuvered his way to the rail by the first turn to sit just behind pacesetter Juggernaut, moved closer into the far turn with the eventual winner to his immediate right, remained inside into the lane, moved inside a tiring Juggernaut who drifted off the rail a bit, finished strongly, and just missed. Fancy Liquor, second to Vintage Print as the 7-5 favorite in an allowance race on Churchill turf June 11, broke well, showed speed to dog pacesetter Juggernaut from the start, moved up to challenge that foe on the far turn, got the better of him, was immediately challenged by Field Pass to his outside, fought on bravely as Street Ready challenged to his inside and stayed on for third in a big effort. City Man, back to routing and turf after a fourth in a dirt sprint stakes at Belmont June 14, stalked while wide, remained toward the outside to the far turn, started to advance while still wide, pitched further out into the lane, and finished gamely outside the top trio for fourth, beaten only a length. The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers may have all earned a shot at the Saratoga Derby as well. Vintage Print, a $1.8 million son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and winner of his first two grass starts, bided his time midpack, moved up a bit to be just behind and outside the eventual winner going to the far turn, traveled in Field Pass’s wake on the turn, was asked for run, remained in just behind Field Pass into the lane, only to flatten out in the stretch.

Keeneland
Elkhorn (race 9)

COMMENT: Zulu Alpha confirmed his status as one of the game’s top distance turfers (along with West Coast-based United) with a handy victory here as the even-money favorite. Making his first start since finishing second to stablemate Bemma’s Boy in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream March 28, the 7-year-old son of Street Cry sat well back early as longshot Postulation set a slow pace, steadily advanced to the far turn, swung out on the turn to start his run in earnest, came wide into the lane, and finished resolutely to reel in that longshot rival, edging clear at the line. The Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Turf at this same distance at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12 will reportedly be next, that way he won’t have to leave the state as the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf is at Keeneland in November. Of course, he’s surely have to do better than this come Breeders’ Cup time. Postulation, making his first start since running fourth in the Grade 3 Red Smith at Aqueduct last Nov. 23, went right out to the lead, set dawdling splits while only narrowly ahead of Ry’s the Guy, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up a bit more of a lead, couldn’t withstand the winner’s run to his outside, but kept on gamely for second. Nakamura, also making his first start since the Nov. 23 Red Smith (ran fifth) bided his time early, moved closer down the backstretch, was in position turning for home to be just in front of Zulu Alpha, tried to rally with that foe in the lane, was unable to do so but kept on well for third. Arklow, the 3-1 second choice who was last a sharp rallying second in the Grade 3 Louisville at Churchill June 13, sat back early, just ahead of the eventual winner while wide, didn’t move as early or as strongly as that foe, was still well back turning for home, finally found his top gear into the lane, and finished with good energy, though he was no threat in the lane.