Trip Notes for July 8-9: Belmont Derby, Belmont Oaks, Suburban

July 8

Belmont
Dwyer (race 6)

COMMENT: Practical Joke’s fifth in the Kentucky Derby was deceptively good as he kept to his task well at a trip surely beyond his best. After a freshening, he showed his mettle here, as with a cutback in distance and a class drop, he dominated the proceedings. He bided his time in fourth as Battalion Runner set a solid pace under pressure from True Timber, remained there to the top of the lane, was still fourth by midstretch, though he’d moved closer and powered home to take command and edge clear. The Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on July 30 may be next, and that nine-furlong trip should be no issue. Regardless of that result, trainer Chad Brown said the son of Into Mischief would be pointed for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens (formerly the King’s Bishop) at Saratoga on Aug. 26. Tale of Silence, last seen a dull fifth in the Easy Goer here June 10, was last from the start, came with a nice run into the lane, loomed a big threat by midstretch when challenging then-leader Battalion Runner, was getting the better of that foe, but was no match for the charging winner. Battalion Runner, freshened since a nice second in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8 (when beating Cloud Computing, who came back to win the Preakness), went right to the lead, took pressure from True Timber, set solid splits under pressure from that foe, dispatched with that rival into the lane, was no match for the winner, and got outdueled for the place by Tale of Silence. It wasn’t a bad comeback, though it makes you wonder whether he’s up for the challenge of the division’s best.

Belmont
Belmont Sprint Championship (race 7)

COMMENT: Mind Your Biscuits made it clear that despite a strong male sprint division, he may be the measuring stick. Freshened since a smashing win in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 25, he stalked as Green Gratto shot off to a clear lead, came with a strong run into the lane, and had little trouble taking command before drawing off to win easily. The Grade 1 Forego on Aug. 26 is his next target. It was interesting that the next day, his trainer, Chad Summers, said that while his star has made his name sprinting, he could point for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 4 instead of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Awesome Slew, a non-factor fourth in the Grade 1 Met Mile, returned to his best distance, and it helped, as he bided his time early behind the eventual winner, came with a strong run into the lane to loom a big threat, but then couldn’t finish with the winner. The Forego could be on his radar as well. Tommy Macho, a well-beaten third in the Met Mile, made this a race for the late runners as he sat last from the start as Green Gratto set a brisk pace, still had lots to do turning for home, came with a strong run and, while no match for the big winner, kept on well for third. Green Gratto shot out to a clear lead while holding the fence, was still in it coming into the lane, but was no match for the closer. Unified, who beat Mind Your Biscuits in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint on Feb. 25 before finishing a game second to Green Gratto in the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct on April 8, was disappointing. He was second from the start, chasing pacesetter Green Gatto, but gave way and was done before straightening away, eventually finishing last.

Belmont
Belmont Oaks (race 8)

COMMENT: New Money Honey showed that she’s truly back on track as she led a Chad Brown 1-2-3 finish. After her big win in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, she was disappointing when sixth in her seasonal debut in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Appalachian on April 13. However, she bounced back to wire the Grade 3 Wonder Again on June 8 and validated her quality here as she stalked in fourth as Key To My Heart and Dynatail dueled up front through solid splits, moved closer as those two fell away and Grizzel took the lead into the lane, took over from that foe by midstretch and stayed on gamely to fend off new stablemate and favorite Sistercharlie for the narrow win. Brown said he hadn’t really mapped out a summer campaign for his strong-running trio, but that they’d likely go in different directions. He added that Sistercharlie likely would get a break and point to a fall campaign. His 1-2-3 finish was all the more impressive as it came from his only three starters. Another runner, Fifty Five, was scratched. Sistercharlie, making her first start in the U.S. after a superb second in the Group 1 Prix de Diane in France on June 18, was away slowly to be last early, was still well back going to the far turn, started her run, pitched wide into the lane and finished strongly but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Uni, making her first start in the U.S. after a stakes win in France over males May 11, was likewise well back from the start, just in front of stablemate Sistercharlie, made her move with that rival into the lane, couldn’t keep pace with that foe but stayed on well to get third. Daddys Lil Darling, second in the Kentucky Oaks and making her first start since a trip last month to England, where she had to be scratched after throwing a fit during a storm in the post parade, showed that she can turf as she sat in midpack and ran on decently, though she was never really a threat to the top two. Beau Recall, coming off a good work in Southern California, lagged back and was quite wide into the lane before finishing evenly. This company may be a tad beyond her.

Belmont
Suburban Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Keen Ice hasn’t been known for his consistency (just two wins and two seconds in 21 starts), but his lone win over winners had come in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga in August 2015 over Triple Crown winner and eventual Horse of the Year American Pharoah. That was his last win, but making his first start since finishing a dull seventh to Arrogate and Gun Runner in the Dubai World Cup on March 25, he showed a bit more speed than usual to stalk as Matt King Coal set a modest pace, came with a nice run into the lane while very wide, challenged heavy favorite Shaman Ghost, got the better of that rival and drew off to win easily. His big goal is reportedly the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at this same 10-furlong trip at Belmont on Oct. 7, but he could take on Gun Runner in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Whitney at a nine-furlong trip Aug. 5. Shaman Ghost, the heavy favorite off wins in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and Grade 3 Pimlico Special, sat second as Matt King Coal had a clear lead while setting slow splits, remained there to the top of the lane, took over when Matt King Coal tired, but couldn’t finish with the winner. He’ll reportedly target the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga on Sept. 2, a race he won last year. Follow Me Crev, an invader from Southern California who last ran second in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27, was away slowly, sat at the back of the small field, remained there to midstretch, finally got going and plugged along to get third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Matt King Coal went right out to the early lead, as expected, was able to dictate the tempo while setting a slow pace, but wilted in the lane once challenge by Shaman Ghost, eventually fading to last. Despite setting slow splits, he just wasn’t able to stay the trip.

Belmont
Belmont Derby (race 10)

COMMENT: Oscar Performance was very disappointing when he set the pace in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby card May 6 and faded to last, but he then got to set a dawdling pace when leading all the way to win the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge on June 3. Surprisingly, he got another easy lead here as he beat a strong field, including America’s best 3-year-old male turfers and some quality European invaders. He went right out to contest the early lead with Big Score, but the splits were slow. He quickly assumed command from that rival, held a clear lead while still setting slow splits, kicked clear into the lane and had little trouble keeping his rivals at bay to the line. The Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington on Aug. 12 or the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3 may be next. Called To The Bar, a French invader who was a sharp winner of a Group 3 there May 23, stalked the pace while saving ground, came with a run into the lane, closed some ground on the winner, but could never really get close enough to scare him. Homesman, one of two runners sent out by all-world trainer Aidan O’Brien (the winner of this last year with Deauville), sat in midpack, swung out into the lane and came with a solid run, but the winner had pretty much already put the race to bed. Good Samaritan, a rallying second to Oscar Performance in the Pennine Ridge, was well back early, still back coming into the lane and finished well, though he was no real danger. Yoshida, so impressive in winning his last two, including a stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness card May 20, stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane, but flattened out. This was just his fourth start, so this may have been biting off a tad too much too soon. Ticonderoga, a rallying third in the Pennine Ridge, was last from the start and never really made a move. Arklow, the game winner of the American Turf over a few of these May 6, sat in midpack from the start but gave way readily in the lane. As nice as this was, it doesn’t necessarily mean these guys are ready to take on the top elders.

Delaware
Robert G. Dick Memorial (race 8)

COMMENT: Guilty Twelve, a game winner over allowance foes at Belmont on May 19 and trying graded-stakes foes for the first time, successfully handled the class hike as trainer Graham Motion continued his strong meet. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway was at the back of the pack early but wasn’t that far off the pace in a tightly bunched field as Bishop’s Pond set the early pace, remained toward the back as favorite Zipessa took command down the backstretch, came with her run in the lane, reeled in the favorite and just got up in the final stride. Zipessa, third in Monmouth’s Grade 3 Eatontown on June 3, stalked the early pacesetter, volleyed with that rival down the backstretch, took over from that rival into the lane, opened up as if going on to victory, but just couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Gone Away, coming off a romping win over optional claimers at Laurel on June 10, was well back from the start, sitting with the eventual winner, and was still last turning for home before putting in a strong run to miss by just a nose and a head. Based on this and her last run, she’s apparently found her game. Tricky Escape, who rallied from far back to be a good fourth, just a nose behind Zipessa, in the Eatontown, showed more speed here stalking in third, loomed a threat into the lane as she gamely chased Zipessa, couldn’t reach that foe and couldn’t quite finish with the winner and show horse.

Delaware
Delaware Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: After facing the division’s best (Unique Bella, Paradise Woods, Abel Tasman, Faypien), It Tiz Well benefitted from a slight drop as she got away from such rivals and took advantage. The daughter of Arch, last seen finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 17 (awarded fourth via disqualification as she was hindered), sat second as Proud and Fearless shot out to a clear early lead, crept closer to that foe, was up to challenge her coming into the lane, had to work hard, but was finally able to get the better of that rival and edge away a bit in the final strides. Proud and Fearless, stepping up in class after three straight wins, including a nine-length romp here June 3, showed that she fits as she set a modest pace, battled back gamely when hooked by It Tiz Well and only succumbed in the final yard. Actress, the winner of the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico on May 19 as a maiden, was last early, finally got going into the lane, didn’t appear to be making much headway, but surged late to be a good third, beaten less than a length. Berned, an easy winner over optional claimers at Monmouth on May 20, her first start of the year, was a bit slow into stride, kept to her task well and finished decently, even if she wasn’t able to improve her position. She wasn’t beaten all that far and could move forward off this outing.

Parx
Parx Dash (race 9)

COMMENT: Pure Sensation was impressive in winning this last year, but he was doubly so this year as he dominated the proceedings, showing he’s back on track after a couple of modest fourths to start his 2017 season. He went right out to press early pacesetter Bold Thunder from the start, took over from that foe while to his outside into the lane, opened up quickly and drew away to win with ease. If he can maintain this form, he’ll be a big danger come the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar at this trip Nov. 4. Mongolian Saturday, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2015 but just 1 for 9 since then and freshened since a dull sixth in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland on April 8, showed signs of life as the 7-year-old was well back early after taking up after the start, remained well back to the far turn, came with a strong run up the rail and, while no danger to the big winner, got second in a four-horse blanket finish. Bold Thunder set a solid pace under pressure from the eventual winner, proved no match for that foe in the lane, but stayed on gamely, only losing second in the final strides. Richard’s Boy, the winner via disqualification of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup at Penn National on June 3 but subsequently disqualified for a positive test, pressed the pace, had to steady on the far turn, but kept to his task well to still be in the hunt by midstretch before tiring some late.

Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Iron Fist, coming off a game win in the slop in the Evangeline Mile, didn’t mind either the new surroundings or fast going as the son of Tapit posted another strong outing. He sat second, pressing American Dubai through solid splits, moved closer to hound that rival going down the backstretch to the far turn, took over from that rival into the lane and edged clear for the win. He may not be ready for the big boys but continues to do damage in the right spots. Texas Chrome, back in his element after running sixth to the top-class Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill on June 17 and who ran second ahead of Iron Fist in third in the Grade 3 Sexton Mile at Lone Star on May 7, stalked in fourth, came with a wide run on the far turn, stayed on decently, but was unable to close the gap on the winner. American Dubai set the pace under pressure from the winner, relented to that foe into the lane, tired some to lose second, but managed to hold the show. Dolphus, the 7-10 favorite after a strong second to Shaman Ghost in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special on May 19, stalked the pace, was still prominent to the far turn, but then gave way. It was a bit disappointing for the half-brother to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra after his good Pimlico run.

Arlington
American Derby (race 5)

COMMENT: Sonic Boom was so impressive blasting allowance foes at Churchill on May 29, and he showed that he was ready to move back to stakes ranks with a smart tally here. He went right out to a clear lead, set a modest pace, taking some pressure from Hembree, opened up a bit bigger lead as that rival backed up into the lane, saw his advantage cut into some in the lane, but was never really in danger of losing. Gorgeous Kitten stalked in third, came with a run into the lane, closed the gap on the winner, but never really appeared to be a serious threat to catch him. My Bariley stumbled badly at the start to be last early and was still last turning for home before finishing well for third, though he was no danger to the top two.

Arlington
Modesty Handicap (race 6)

COMMENT: Dona Bruja came from Argentina with a gaudy reputation, having won seven of her first nine starts there, including a Grade 1. Well, she’s validated that form as after an easy win in her U.S. debut in Churchill’s Grade 3 Mint Julep, she won easily again here and punched her ticket to next month’s Grade 1 Beverly D. From her rail slot, she bided her time early as One Liz set a slow pace, swung out into the lane and surged to the lead in just a few strides, winning more comfortably than the one-length margin suggests. That said, the water figures to be much deeper next month. Prado’s Sweet Ride stalked the pace, loomed a big threat into the lane as she took the lead by midstretch, but then couldn’t counter the winner’s charge. Time and Motion, a Grade 1 winner last year and coming off an improved run when a game third in Belmont’s Grade 3 Beaugay (to Hawksmoor, who came back to win the Grade 2 New York), stalked in fourth, just in front of the eventual winner, and was still in front of that rival by midstretch, but couldn’t match strides with that foe or the runner-up in the final furlong.

Arlington
Stars and Stripes (race 8)

COMMENT: Keystoneforvictory continued his ascent. A good third in the Barbados Gold Cup on March 4, he was freshened before easily winning an overnight handicap at Gulfstream on May 29. He stepped up in class here, but from his rail draw, he bided his time early as first Mongol G set the pace and then Belomor shot out to a big lead, bided his time to the top of the lane, came off the rail and finished well to reel in local legend The Pizza Man, scooting clear in the final furlong. This could earn him a shot at the Grade 1 Arlington Million next month, though obviously the going there will be quite a bit tougher. The Pizza Man, still wonderful at age 8 and a multiple Grade 1 winner, sat in fourth , came with a nice run in the lane, got his fans excited when he put his head in front at the eighth pole, but then couldn’t finish with the winner. While he won the Arlington Million in 2015, those waters may be a tad too deep for him at this stage of the game. Applicator, who set the pace before fading to eighth in the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes card June 10, sat just behind The Pizza Man from the start while staying inside, didn’t have the necessary acceleration coming into the lane, but surged late to just miss catching The Pizza Man for second.

Arlington
Arlington Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Ghost Hunter, claimed for $50,000 off a win at Delaware on June 15, validated that claim with the upset here. He stalked in third as longshot Crewman set a modest pace, remained there while holding the fence, found a seam along the inside in midstretch, shot through to grab the lead, drifted out some, brushing with Oak Brook, but gamely held. Oak Brook got jostled around soon after the start but was able to get a nice stalking trip in second, loomed a big threat into the lane, had the lead by midstretch, got bumped some by the drifting-out winner in deep stretch and couldn’t quite finish with that foe. Kasaqui, the heavy favorite, having won this race a year ago before finishing a sharp second in the Grade 1 Arlington Million and coming here off a big win in the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill on June 17, stumbled at the start to be well back early, bided his time, swung out turning for home, looked very dangerous by midstretch, but didn’t pack his usual punch while staying on decently for third despite being bumped by Manitoulin just strides before the line. He ran decently but didn’t necessarily boost his stock for another go at the Million. Manitoulin stalked in fourth, loomed a threat into the lane, got bumped by Oak Brook after that guy got forced out by the winner to be squeezed very late between that rival and Kasaqui, had to take up, and it was too late to recover. Taghleeb, sharp this winter with a Grade 3 win at Gulfstream and second in the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont on May 13 before a dull ninth in the Grade 3 Gold Cup there June 9, was last from the start while saving ground and could make only modest headway in the lane in a second straight disappointing run.

Los Alamitos
Great Lady M. (race 8)

COMMENT: Skye Diamonds continued her ascent, showing that she’s as effective sprinting as she is routing. After three straight wins, she was a strong second to the top-class Vale Dori in the Grade 3 Adoration routing at Santa Anita on May 7. Freshened since then and cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs (she’s now 4 for 5 at this trip), she stalked in third as Constellation was pushed through strong splits by Pretty N Cool, moved up to challenge for the lead into the lane, got the better of Constellation inside the furlong pole and drew off to win fairly easily. She’s proven a wonderful claim (taken for $40,000 last Aug. 27). Constellation, freshened since finishing a good second to multiple Grade 1 winner Paulassilverlining in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland on April 8, went right to the lead, was immediately taken on by Pretty N Cool, set fast splits while being pressed by that foe, was getting the better of that rival in the lane, but then couldn’t counter the winner. The top two might renew acquaintances in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo at this same distance at Del Mar on Aug. 13.Finest City, the defending champ and last year’s champion distaff sprinter who figured to appreciate moving back to a sprint after running third to beasts Stellar Wind and Vale Dori in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on June 3, seemed to be in a good spot stalking in fourth, got pushed out wide on the far turn when making her run, plugged along for third, but was never really a danger to the top two in a somewhat disappointing effort. In her defense, this was her first start in more than a month, and she was shortening up. Trainer Ian Kruljac said she’d be freshened a bit and maybe just trained up to a defense of her Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint title at Del Mar in early November.

July 9

Belmont
Victory Ride (race 7)

COMMENT: American Gal had a big 2-year-old season, including finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and second in the Grade 1 Starlet (to Abel Tasman, the winner of this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Grade 1 Acorn). She hadn’t been seen since then, but it was worth the wait as she came back firing for new trainer Simon Callaghan. She stumbled badly at the start but recovered quickly, only to get bumped on both sides. She forged her way to the front, however, to be part of a four-horse pace battle, finally got the better of her rivals coming into the lane and edged clear, pulling away in the final furlong. This is the traditional New York prep for the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga, and she figures to go in that spot Aug. 5. Vertical Oak, a winner of two straight stakes before being deemed a non-starter in the Jersey Girl last month after trouble in the gate, was fourth early but less than a length off the lead, crept closer going into the far turn, tried to make a run at the winner in the lane, couldn’t keep up, but kept to her task nicely to hold second. Noble Freud dueled with American Gal from the start, couldn’t keep up with that rival in the lane, but kept on gamely to just miss second. Too Much Tip was part of the pace duel while inside and weakened from those efforts.