Trip Notes for July 13-14, 2019: Diana, Sanford, Los Alamitos Derby, and more

July 13

Saratoga
Sanford (race 3)

COMMENT: By Your Side, a $240,000 son of Grade 1 winner Constitution, flashed ability when a game winner of his debut at Churchill last month, earning a smart Beyer. He was well backed for his first start here and first start vs. winners and validated that confidence, proving a handy winner. From his outside post he broke well, moved up to pressure pacesetter Tomato Bill while to that rival’s outside, remained there to the far turn, moved up to engage Bill into the lane, got the better of that rival while toward the outside and drew clear. He’s bred top and bottom to go long, too. The Grade 1 Hopeful here Sept. 2 is his target. Tomato Bill, a $500,000 son of More Than Ready, broke alertly, went right to the lead and moved to the fence, took pressure from By Your Side to his outside while holding a narrow lead, battled back gamely when confronted by Side into the lane, couldn’t keep pace in the final furlong and veered inward from a right-handed whip in the final strides, forcing Raging Whiskey to steady. Southern California juveniles Fore Left, Comical and Phantom Boss have already shipped east and won stakes. Raging Whiskey was trying to make it four but the son of Bourbon Courage, an easy winner over maidens at Santa Anita June 2, ran well but couldn’t quite do it as he broke well, stalked while saving ground, moved up nicely on the rail just behind the pacesetter, was asked for run in the lane while staying on the rail but couldn’t do enough to challenge the winner and steadied in the final strides when runner-up Tomato Bill came over in front of him, though that didn’t alter the order of finish. There was an inquiry into the incident after the rider of Raging Whiskey lodged a claim of foul against Tomato Bill for the incident in deep stretch but the stewards allowed the order of finish to stand. Cucina stalked the pace while a couple lanes off the rail, loomed a threat toward the outside turning for home while just behind the eventual winner but was unable to do enough to threaten.

Saratoga
Diana (race 9)

COMMENT: Sistercharlie showed why she’s the champ. Despite having not raced since clinching her turf distaff champion title in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf last Nov. 3, despite having a few setbacks which postponed her return to action until today and despite facing a couple stablemate beasts also sent out by Chad Brown and who might be the second- and third-best turf distaffers in the land, she successfully defended her title, winning her fourth straight Grade 1. She showed enough speed to stalk in fourth as stablemate Thais set the early pace under pressure from Mitchell Road, remained there as Thais opened up a big lead down the backstretch while Mitchell Road remained a clear second, came with her run into the lane as Thais gave way and Rushing Fall surged to the lead and powered past that top-class rival to win clear. Defense of her title in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Aug. 10 figures next. Should all go well there, a shot at the Grade 1 Flower Bowl in October and then defense of her Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf title at Santa Anita would be on tap This was Brown’s fifth win in this race and his fourth straight. Rushing Fall, losing for just the second time in 10 starts, lost nothing in defeat. Coming off a romping win in the shorter (mile) Grade 1 Just a Game on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8, she stalked while just ahead of the eventual, winner, came with her run into the lane, surged past the tiring Thais and Mitchell Road to take the lead into the lane, battled back when hooked by Sistercharlie in midstretch but couldn’t quite stay with her. She certainly handled this 1 1/8-mile trip – it took a champion to beat her. That said, the Beverly D. is another half-furlong which may be pushing it. But Brown said the plan at this point is for her to go to Chicago as well. But if they opt to skip that there’s always the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at a shorter trip (1 1/16 miles) at Saratoga Aug. 24. That could then lead her into the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland in October. Homerique, impressive winner of a Grade 3 and Grade 2 at Belmont in her first two starts in the U.S., was already proven at the upper level in Europe having been twice Group 1 placed. From her outside post here she was away slowly to be last early, moved to the rail to save ground, moved closer going to the far turn while still last, far behind the field, moved closer on the far turn, swung wide into the lane, commenced her run in Sistercharlie’s wake, shied toward the inside from the whip in midstretch but got straightened and finished smartly, just failing to catch Rushing Fall. If anything this distance might be a bit short for her so the slightly longer trip of the Beverly D. figures to hit her right between the eyes. Mitchell Road, first or second in her seven career starts leading up to this, broke well, was seemingly asked for early run only to get outrun by Thais to her inside, was content to let that distaffer assume pacesetting duties, took back a bit as Thais moved off to a clear lead through fast splits, advanced on the turn as the pacesetter tired but was then no match for the Brown trio.

Delaware
Delaware Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Midnight Bisou may be the best distaffer in the land but at this 1 1/4-mile trip Elate is almost certainly the top female. Easy winner of this last year, she took it again in romping fashion and looks every bit on top of her game. After losing twice to Midnight Bisou at Oaklawn she easily won the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill June 15. Moving to what may be an even better distance here the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro sat midpack from the start as Gotham Gala set a modest pace, steadily advanced while wide and in the clear, surged into contention going into the far turn, grabbed the lead from Escape Clause to her inside on the turn, opened into the lane and won in hand. Last year off this she went to the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga only to lose by a neck to Abel Tasman in a controversial decision. That may be her target again this year Aug. 24. The way she handles this distance makes you believe a shot at males in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic is no reach. Escape Clause continued her fine season as the daughter of Going Commando sat second behind pacesetter Gotham Gala, challenged for the lead between that foe and the surging winner to her outside on the far turn, proved no match for the big winner thereafter but kept to her task while moving to the rail to just hold second. Blue Prize, second to Elate in the Fleur de Lis, sat back just behind the eventual winner, didn’t move as early or as strongly as that rival, got going in the lane and finished well to just miss getting second, though she was no danger to the winner. Gotham Gala, big winner of the Obeah here June 15, went right to the lead, set a modest pace, battled back on the far turn when Elate and Escape Clause came to her on her outside but was no match for those two or the third finisher in the lane.

Arlington
Modesty Handicap (race 6)

COMMENT: Julie Foxtrot continued her ascent and may have punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Beverly D. here Aug. 10. She won her U.S. debut at Keeneland April 13 and then blasted some nice optional claimers at Churchill May 27, earning this tougher assignment. The daughter of Dansili showed a new dimension, too. Those previous two wins were from just off the pace and well off the pace but here she led her rivals on a merry chase all the way around. She went right to the lead, took some pressure from 3-2 favorite Simply Breathless, rebuffed that foe on the far turn, opened up into the lane and held her rivals safe. As noted, this could lead to the Beverly D. – though the likes of Sistercharlie and Homerique made the water there much, much deeper. Vexatious, fifth to Homerique in the Grade 2 New York at Belmont June 7, stalked the pace, continued to stalk while staying wide and in the clear, was asked for run into the lane and ran on well, though she couldn’t get to the winner. Simply Breathless, favored off two wins to start her U.S. career after racing in England, including an easy win in the Grade 3 Wilshire at Santa Anita last time out June 22, chased the eventual winner from the start, moved closer to try and challenge that foe on the far turn but got rebuffed and then couldn’t outfinish the runner-up. Could be this distance is a bit beyond her, at least at this level.

Arlington
Arlington Handicap (race 7)

COMMENT: Bandua found the Chad Brown beasts too much to handle when sixth in the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8, but with no such rival in here the of The Factor got his first win in the U.S. and first win in over 14 months. From his rail slot he showed speed to sit just behind El Picaro, who set a solid pace, remained there to the far turn, came with his run into the lane to engage that foe, got the better of him and edged clear for the win. This could lead to a shot at the Grade 1 Arlington Million Aug. 10 though obviously there he’d run into a few of the Chad Brown beasts not to mention whatever Euro hotshots come over. The Great Day, a Grade 1/2 winner in his native Argentina and fifth in his U.S. debut at Laurel, his first start in 11 months, moved forward as he sat midpack from the start, remained there to the top of the lane, came with his run and while unable to really threaten the winner proved a clear second. Captivating Moon was slow into stride, pitched wide turning for home and finished with good energy, though he was never really a danger to the winner. El Picaro, a top-class runner in Chile (multiple Grade 1 winner) and sixth in his first start in the U.S., the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill June 15, showed much more speed this time as he ran out to a clear early lead, set a solid pace under some pressure, battled back when hooked into the lane by eventual winner only to relent in the final furlong, drifting out as he tired. It’s far too early to give up on him though this run likely means any Arlington Million ideas are out the window.

Arlington
American Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: Faraway Kitten was stepping up after a smart turf stakes win at Canterbury Park June 22 and proved up to the task as the son of grass champ Kitten’s Joy posted the upset. He sat midpack from the start as longshot Strong Will set a solid pace under pressure from 7-5 favorite Flying Scotsman, continued to stalk, made his run between horses turning for home, dropped to the rail into the lane and finished doggedly to win the three-horse blanket finish. This could lead to a shot at the Grade 1 Secretariat here Aug. 10. That race has been cut back to a mile this year. Of course, it figures quite a bit tougher than this. The Last Zip, coming off a game maiden win on turf at Belmont June 14, stalked in third, came with his run on the turn outside the eventual winner and stayed on gamely to narrowly miss while finishing on even terms with Crafty Daddy. Crafty Daddy, game winner in an optional claimer at this trip at Churchill June 2, was not far behind the eventual winner from the start, remained there midpack to the far turn, pitched wide to make his run, continued on smartly while wide in the stretch to only narrowly miss while finishing in a dead heat with The Last Zip for second. Flying Scotsman, favored though he hadn’t been seen since a dazzling win in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar last Nov. 25, banged into the gate and then got jostled between a couple rivals at the start, still showed the speed to be second pressing the pace, moved to grab the lea turning for home, still held the lead into the lane to the eighth pole before giving way. The layoff and early trouble may have gotten to him in that final furlong.

Indiana
Indiana Oaks (race 8)

COMMENT: Street Band looked so good winning the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks March 23 but was then troubled and no factor when seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks May 3. Freshened since, she had no such issues here as the daughter of Istan got back on track with an impressive win. She was eager and under a hold early inside as she sat midpack as Kim K set a solid pace from the rail, came off the fence going down the backstretch, moved closer going to the far turn while moving back to the inside on the turn, came through between horses, pounced into the lane, took command, quickly opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Off this something like the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga Aug. 17 could be in the cards. Sundaysatthebeach, a $300,000 daughter of Medaglia d’Oro coming off a rallying second in an allowance race at Churchill June 13, sat back not far behind the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as that rival but got going into the lane to finish well for second, though she was never a danger to the winner. Chocolate Kisses, eighth in the Kentucky Oaks and back to dirt after finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Wonder Again on turf at Belmont June 6, sat well back, came with a strong run into the lane to briefly look threatening but couldn’t sustain the sharpness of that move while staying on well for third. Kim K, a $335,000 daughter of 3-year-old male champ Will Take Charge and a romping winner over optional claimers at Churchill June 27, went right to the lead from her rail slot, took some pressure from Shacklette and Blessed Again while setting a solid pace, held a narrow lead on the far turn as those two fell away but was immediately confronted by the eventual winner, proved no match for that gal and tired a bit in the lane to end up fifth.

Indiana
Indiana Derby (race 9)

COMMENT: New surroundings, tough foes, a far-outside post and a loose horse couldn’t keep Mr. Money from continuing his ascent he had little trouble handling these and stamping himself a comer in the division. Coming off two big Grade 3 wins at Churchill this spring he broke decently from his outside post to get a nice stalking position early, while rival Eskenforit stumbled badly at the start, losing his rider. Mr. Money ended up a bit wide early but showed his handiness to move up to third going into the backstretch as Alwaysmining set a solid pace. He stalked that rival while to his outside, had the loose horse with him, moved closer as Long Range Toddy took the lead on the far turn, raced with the loose horse, was asked to go after Long Range Toddy, moved up easily to engage that foe and quickly go past, moved toward the inside, opened up into the lane and held a clear lead to the line as his rider kept an eye on the loose horse who finished with him to his outside. The Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Aug. 24 is a possibility. Trainer Bret Calhoun said the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby Aug. 3 may be coming back too quickly but the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 21 is an option. Gray Magician, second in the Group 2 UAE Derby in Dubai but then a dull 19th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby May 4, stalked in fourth, remained there to the top of the lane, tried to make a run at the winner in the stretch, proved no match but kept on to be a solid second. Math Wizard, second in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby June 22, sat midpack not far behind the top two, tried to go after them in the lane, proved no match but kept to his task to finish third well ahead of the rest. Long Range Toddy, third in the Ohio Derby, dogged early pacesetter Alwaysmining, took over from that foe on the far turn, tried to battle back when hooked by the eventual winner turning for home, proved no match and relented once headed. Alwaysmining, 11th in the Grade 1 Preakness and then a troubled fourth as the even-money favorite in the Easy Goer at Belmont June 9 (moved up to third via disqualification), went right to the lead, set a solid pace under pressure from Long Range Toddy, lost the lead to that rival on the far turn and gave way. He’s had a busy year and it may have told here in the stretch. Eskenforit stumbled badly at the start to lose his rider, raced with the field all the way around before being caught by outsiders on the gallop-out and appeared to be OK after his adventure.

Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos Derby (race 6)

COMMENT: On paper, reigning juvenile male champ Game Winner dominated this race and that’s the way it worked out on the track as well. Freshened since a deceptively good sixth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (was miles out of it early, raced very wide but closed well), the son of Candy Ride had been working lights-out for this. He sat third in the small field as stablemate Kingly moved out to a clear early lead, continued to stalk between horses as Kingly set a slow pace, moved closer going to the far turn, took the lead into the lane, battled briefly with Parsimony to his inside but then put away that rival before opening up to win easily. The Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Aug. 24 may be next. Parsimony may be a maiden but the $400,000 son of Dominus is stakes placed on turf. Here he sat second from the start, just ahead and outside of the eventual winner, moved closer down the backstretch, took the lead on the turn, battled back when the winner came to him to his outside but then couldn’t stay with him in the final furlong while finishing well clear of the other two. Kingly went right to the lead, set a modest pace while holding the fence, was still there turning for home but couldn’t keep up once passed.