Trip Notes for July 7-8: Belmont Derby, Belmont Oaks, and more

July 7

Belmont
Dwyer (race 6)

COMMENT: When Firenze Fire rallied to win the Grade 1 Champagne over eventual juvenile champ Good Magic here last fall, he looked like a potential big player in the division. Save for a win in the ungraded Jerome at Aqueduct Jan. 13, however, things hadn’t really panned out for the son of Poseidon’s Warrior – until today, that is. Freshened since finishing 11th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill May 5, Firenze Fire dominated the proceedings and stamped himself a potential threat to the big boys in the division. He bided his time early as Noble Indy and Mendelssohn contested the early pace while setting fast splits, came with a strong wide run on the far turn to make his play, quickly took over from a tiring Mendelssohn, and blew the race open in the lane. Trainer Jason Servis wants to keep him around one turn, saying the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 25 is his next target. Seven Trumpets, second to Firenze Fire in the Jerome and coming off an optional-claiming win in the slop at Churchill May 31, sat just in front of the eventual winner after bobbling at the start. He also made his move on the far turn, wasn’t nearly as strong as Firenze Fire, but continued on to get second. Mendelssohn, so impressive winning a laugher in the Grade 2 UAE Derby March 31 but 20th in the Kentucky Derby after a very tough first few furlongs, broke sharply to contest the lead with Noble Indy to his inside, got the better of him on the far turn but was immediately confronted by the eventual winner, proved no match for him, and was unable to fend off Seven Trumpets for second. It’s not so much that he lost; it’s more that he wasn’t really a factor in the lane. Rugbyman, second in the Easy Goer here last month after a 14-length maiden win here May 13, got squeezed back at the start, still had the speed to get into third position, continued there to the far turn, but never really made a move. This was his first start with blinkers and just his fourth career start, so it may have been a tad too much too soon. Noble Indy, who stalked the in the Grade 1 Belmont here June 9 before fading to finish last of 10, dueled early inside with Mendelssohn but paid the price by the far turn and ended up last.

Belmont
Belmont Sprint Championship (race 7)

COMMENT: Limousine Liberal, coming off a third in the Grade 1 Met Mile, cut back to a sprint, back to Grade 2 company and got back to the winner’s circle, though he had to overcome some trouble in the lane. He bided his time early as Shaft of Light set a strong pace, remained in fifth to the far turn, came with a wide run, got bumped hard by Shaft of Light (who had been bumped first by Whitmore to his inside), causing him to bump into Lewisfield to his outside, got back into stride, and finished gamely to get the win. Surely something like the Grade 1 Forego at this same 7-furlong trip at Saratoga Aug. 25 figures on Limousine Liberal’s radar. While this win earned him a spot in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, trainer Ben Colebrook said he would also consider the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Whitmore, second in the Grade 2 True North here June 8, showed more speed than usual, sitting third while inside. He tried to make his run along the rail turning for home, but saw that hole tighten, forcing him to hit the rail, then bounce into Shaft of Light. He continued to bull his way through and ran on well but couldn’t fend off the winner. The stewards looked into the incident on the turn but let the result stand. Eye Luv Lulu went right to the lead but was quickly overtaken by Shaft of Light, seemed content to dog that foe in second, moved up to challenge for the lead turning for home while avoiding the bumping that was going on to his inside, had a clear lead by midstretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. Favorable Outcome was slow into stride to be last early, pitched very wide into the lane, and never mustered a run.

Belmont
Belmont Oaks (race 8)

COMMENT: While things didn’t go well for trainer Aidan O’Brien and rider Ryan Moore with Mendelssohn in the Dwyer, the filly Athena more than made up for that disappointment as she got her Grade 1 win here. Coming off a third in the Group 1 Pretty Polly in Ireland just six days ago, the daughter of Camelot lagged back early as La Signare set a decent pace. Athena remained toward the back to the far turn, swung very wide into the lane, and blasted home to grab the lead by midstretch and draw clear in the final furlong. Thewayiam was coming off a couple seconds and ended up in the two spot again. She sat midpack while saving ground, came off the inside into the lane to make a run, and finished well. Chipolata, coming off back-to-back stakes placings in France, lagged back just behind the eventual winner while saving ground, pitched out into the lane, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as the winner but got going well in the final furlong to just miss getting second. Significant Form, second to La Signare in the Grade 3 Wonder Again here June 7, got bumped at the start but was still able to establish a nice stalking position while saving ground, remained inside to the top of the lane, came off the rail to find a clear lane, loomed a big threat by midstretch, but couldn’t sustain her run. This may be proof she doesn’t want to go this far, at least not against this caliber. In fact, trainer Chad Brown said the 1 1/8-mile Lake Placid at Saratoga Aug. 18 might be next. Capla Temptress, coming off a fourth in a French Group 1, sat back just ahead of the eventual winner while inside, had to steady into the lane, and got going in the stretch. Paved, impressive winner of the Grade 2 Honeymoon at Santa Anita June 9, broke slowly to be last, remained at the back while saving ground, pitched very wide into the lane, and was unable to make a dent. Toinette, winner of her last three including the Grade 3 Edgewood at Churchill May 4, dogged early pacesetter La Signare, was still there to the top of the lane but then came up empty. La Signare, winner of the Wonder Again, set a solid pace while holding the lead into the lane, was still in with a chance before midstretch, but then hit a wall.

Belmont
Suburban (race 9)

COMMENT: You had to be worried about Diversify after he set the pace and gave way badly in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic April 21. However, the 5-year-old bounced back to win a New York-bred stakes here May 28 and here looked like his old self in this Grade 2. Diversify set a strong pace while clear and basically ran his foes into the ground, as he was never in any danger. The Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Sept. 1 could be next, as trainer Rick Violette said the Grade 1 Whitney Aug. 4 may be coming back too quickly. The Lieutenant was coming off a win in the Grade 3 All American on Golden Gate’s synthetic track May 28, and he showed he’s just as good on dirt. He lagged back, came with a run into the lane, and was a clear second. Discreet Lover, fourth in the Grade 1 Met Mile here June 9, was just behind The Lieutenant from the start, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly or as strongly, but ran on well for third. Hoppertunity, winner of the Grade 2 Brooklyn here June 9, lagged well back early, was still far back into the lane, and could pass only tiring rivals. Tapwrit, last year’s Grade 1 Belmont winner and coming off a third here June 3 in his first start in over nine months, sat in midpack to the far turn, pitched extremely wide into the lane, and was never a danger to the top three. Dr. Dorr, winner of the Grade 2 Californian at Santa Anita April 28 and second in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 26, stalked in fourth, swung wide into the lane, and gave way.

Belmont
Belmont Derby (race 10)

COMMENT: When Catholic Boy and Analyze It met in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge here June 2, it looked as though Analyze It had the race won until Catholic Boy came back at him to take away the victory. It was déjà vu all over again here as once again Analyze It seemed on his way to victory, only to be foiled by the ultra-game Catholic Boy. Catholic Boy set a slow pace (much slower than what the 3-year-old fillies did in the Oaks on this course about an hour earlier) while racing well off the rail, and took some pressure from Analyze It. Catholic Boy remained on the lead to the far turn, looked in trouble when Analyze It came up to grab the lead to his outside, was still just behind Analyze It in midstretch, but rallied on the inside to edge his rival again. Analyze It did nothing wrong in defeat and showed he can indeed handle this 1 ¼-mile trip. He sat second, crept closer to Catholic Boy going to the far turn, ranged up to the outside of that foe into the lane, grabbed the lead looking as though ready to go on to victory, but couldn’t rebuff the winner. While a Catholic Boy/Analyze It III would be fun, it appears they’re headed in different directions, with Catholic Boy eyeing either the Grade 1 Travers on dirt at Saratoga Aug. 25 or Grade 3 Saranac on turf there Sept. 1, and Analyze It targeting the Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington Aug. 11. Trainer Chad Brown said he might add blinkers to see if that helps Analyze It finish off his races better. Hunting Horn, a European invader coming off a win in Group 3 in England June 21, sat a few lengths off the lead, moved closer going down the backstretch, looked poised to strike on the far turn while moving out for room, but couldn’t get to the top two. Since trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the Secretariat before that is a logical next spot for Hunting Horn. Hawkish, winner of the Grade 2 Penn Mile, sat midpack while a bit wide, seemed to be travelling well while wide and in the clear, was just outside Hunting Horn turning for home, and came up empty. This was his first time he’d raced farther than 1 1/16 miles and all three of his wins have come at a mile, so today’s distance may have been his undoing. My Boy Jack, a stakes winner on turf and fifth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby May 5, sat last to the far turn and never made a move. The top three finishers held those positions from the start so the slow pace surely didn’t help closers like My Boy Jack.

Arlington
American Derby (race 5)

COMMENT: Apparently Real Story has found a home as the son of Fast Bullet made it two straight easy wins on this course, and may have punched his ticket to the Grade 1 Secretariat here next month. He banged the side of the gate on the break but quickly shot out to a clear lead. He continued uncontested through modest splits racing off the rail, moved further off the rail going down the backstretch, furthered his lead into the lane, and while favorite Captivating Moon cut into his margin in the final furlong, the issue had already been put to bed. Captivating Moon, second in the Grade 2 American Turf on yielding turf at Churchill Downs May 5 and a third in the Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury June 2, lagged back, started to advance going into the far turn, and closed the gap on the winner. Dubby Dubbie stalked the pace, moved to the rail going into the far turn, and came with a run for third. Ezmosh, well backed off a win in the Grade 3 Arlington Classic here May 26, seemed in a good spot stalking in third while inside, but came up empty.

Arlington
Modesty Handicap (race 6)

COMMENT: Class showed as Daddys Lil Darling, the only Grade 1 winner in the field, overcame a tough outside draw to get the job done and likely earned a crack at the Grade 1 Beverly D. here next month. Coming off a third to in the Grade 2 New York at Belmont June 8, she showed good speed to sit third as longshots Go Baby Run and Sully’s Dream dueled up front through modest splits. Daddys Lil Darling took command turning for home, opened up, and won geared down. Prado’s Sweet Ride lagged well back while saving ground, came off the inside turning for home, and finished decently for second. Hallie Belle sat back while saving ground, came with a decent run into the lane and stayed on well for third. Celestial Insight sat in midpack to the far turn, came out into the lane, and never mustered a run. Sully’s Dream was in contention to the far turn when she went wrong and was pulled up.

Arlington
Stars and Stripes (race 8)

COMMENT: Catcho En Die found the Grade 1 Manhattan waters far too deep last time out, but the 6-year-old gelding, claimed for $40,000 less than three months ago, found this spot thoroughly to his liking. He went right out to the lead, took modest pressure from Harlan Strong while setting slow splits and holding the fence, dispatched with that foe turning for home, but was immediately taken on by Soglio. Catcho En Die rebuffed that foe but then had to fend off Canessar in the final strides. Canessar, second in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at two miles June 8, lagged back while saving ground, was still well back turning for home, but finished strongly to just miss. Soglio, stepping up off a 10 1/4-length romp over optional claimers at Churchill May 18, stalked the pace while saving ground, came off the fence to go after the eventual winner on the turn, but couldn’t edge past him and finished third, beaten by just two necks. Arklow, dropping off a fourth in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 5, lagged back, came with a run, but was never a threat. Nessy, winner of the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita April 22 and sixth in the Belmont Gold Cup, banged into the gate at the start to be away slowly, got to the inside to save ground, and got going to make some headway in the lane. Harlan Strong, second in the Grade 3 Louisville at Churchill May 19, pressed the winner but gave way turning for home.

Arlington
Arlington Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Divisidero, coming off a fourth in the Wise Dan at Churchill June 16, lagged back as longshot Roman Approval set a modest pace with a clear lead. Divisidero came with a strong wide run into the lane to grab the lead, and kept Revved Up at arm’s length through the final furlong. A shot at the Arlington Million figures next. Revved Up, fourth in an optional claimer at Churchill May 28, stalked the pace, came with a nice run into the lane, but couldn’t outfinish the winner. Synchrony, third in the Old Forester Turf Classic, was closer to the front than usual early on but got shuffled back a bit going down the backstretch. He moved closer on the turn, came with a run into the lane, and stayed on well for third. Twenty Four Seven, stepping up in class off three straight wins, lagged back while saving ground and stayed on well to be sixth, beaten only a little more than two lengths. Compass Zone stalked the pace while saving ground, loomed a threat into the lane, but came up empty when it mattered. Western Elegance, a strong winner when moved back to turf for an optional claimer here June 2, lagged back and never mustered a run.

Delaware
Robert G. Dick Memorial (race 8)

COMMENT: Tricky Escape was no match for A Raving Beauty in the Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont May 12, and had blinkers removed for this race. She sat back early as Broken Bridle shot out to a clear lead, worked her way closer while saving ground going to the far turn, shifted out to find clear sailing between horses in the lane, and finished well to get the win. Giovanna Blues was last out of the gate, remained at the back to the far turn, and came with a run in the lane for second. Palinodie sat second behind Broken Bridle, crept closer going to the far turn, was in the thick of it into the lane, but didn’t pack the needed punch to finish with the top two. Creative Thinking, the favorite off two wins in Kentucky including a stakes at Churchill May 26, seemed in a good spot stalking the early pace but came up empty.

Delaware
Delaware Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: Perhaps Red Ruby can challenge 3-year-old filly division leaders Monomoy Girl, Midnight Bisou and Wonder Gadot. The 3-5 favorite after an easy win in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan May 18, Red Ruby sat second early behind longshot pacesetter Prospective Lady, took command under her own power going into the far turn, came into the lane with a big lead, drifted out significantly, but continued to extend her margin while winning geared down. The Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga Aug. 16 is reportedly next and there she figures to run into some of the division leaders. The 104 Beyer Speed Figure she earned is the highest by any 3-year-old filly this year. Coach Rocks, second to Red Ruby in the Black-Eyed Susan, sat midpack early, crept closer going to the far turn, made a run at the winner on the turn, and stayed on well to be second, well clear of the rest. Mo Shopping, winner of the Light Hearted here June 6, stalked in, tried to make a run at the winner with Coach Rocks on the far turn, and just held third.

Parx
Parx Dash (race 8)

COMMENT: Vision Perfect, sixth in Churchill’s Grade 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint May 4, stalked in third as Pool Winner set a solid pace, moved up to that rival’s hip by the far turn, and fought on to get the narrow win. Pool Winner ran big in defeat, setting a solid pace and battling all the way to the line. Pure Sensation, the two-time defending champ and 9-10 favorite off a third in the Grade 2 Jaipur at Belmont, pressed the issue from the inside, was still in a good spot turning for home, but could never get up alongside the top two.

Los Alamitos
Great Lady M. (race 8)

COMMENT: Marley’s Freedom came into this the overwhelming favorite off two wins at Santa Anita, including the Grade 3 Desert Stormer May 27. Today, she was a bit slow away from the gate, sitting last early in the small field as Phantom Proton set a sharp pace under pressure from Skye Diamonds Mrley’s Freedom surged into contention with a strong wide move into the lane, took the lead, battled briefly with Skye Diamonds, and edged clear late. She could run next in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Aug. 12 at Del Mar or the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga Aug. 25, trainer Bob Baffert said. Skye Diamonds, the defending champ, was back at her home base after finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs May 5. Today, she showed more speed than usual to dog Phantom Proton, put a head in front into the lane, was quickly confronted by Marley’s Freedom, and couldn’t quite keep pace in the final half-furlong. The Rancho Bernardo, a race she won easily last year, figures on her radar. Phantom Proton fought back on the turn but couldn’t keep up in the lane.

July 8

Belmont
Victory Ride (race 9)

COMMENT: In a race generally considered the New York prep for Grade 1 Test at Saratoga Aug. 4, invader Dixie Serenade, third in a Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Penn last time out, popped up with the race of her life to post the big upset. Sent off at 47-1, Dixie Serenade was the beneficiary of a hot pace and pace collapse. She bided her time early at the back of the field, switched to the inside in the lane, and got up in the final strides. Classy Act, 10th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and an easy winner over optional claimers when back to sprinting at Churchill June 1, pressured favorite Mia Mischief through strong splits along with Sower and Norma’s Charm, took the lead into the lane from a tiring Mia Mischief, but couldn’t fend off the winner. Considering she was part of the very fast pace she ran splendidly. Sower, winner of her first three starts including the Jersey Girl here June 10, lost for the first time. She stalked from the start, made a wide bid at the head of the stretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. Separationofpowers, making her first start since she exited the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last fall with an ankle chip, stumbled badly at the start and nearly lost her rider. She bided her time, gathered herself, swung very wide into the lane, and finished well. Mia Mischief, coming off two stakes wins including the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill on May 4, took a narrow lead while holding the fence but was hounded by Classy Act. Mia Mischief drifted out into the lane, lost the lead to Classy Act, and tired from her early work. Spectator, back to sprinting after running second to top-class Midnight Bisou in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks April 7, was making her first start for new trainer Michelle Nevin after campaigning for Phil D’Amato. She lagged back while saving ground and never mustered a run.