Trip Notes for June 10-11: Belmont Stakes, Met Mile, and more

June 9

Belmont
Ogden Phipps (race 3)

COMMENT: Abel Tasman, last year’s 3-year-old filly champion, was a bit disappointing in her 2018 debut when a modest fourth in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 4, leaving some to wonder if she could come back with the same force. No questions now, as the daughter of Quality Road blasted some quality rivals. She was a bit slow out of the gate as Ivy Bell and Unchained Melody set the early pace, but quickly got into a nice stalking mode not far off those two, showed eagerness to move into contention early, something she’s done before, taking the lead after just a half-mile with a strong wide move. She held her advantage to the turn, rebuffed a brief challenge from Pacific Wind and then drew clear once straightened away without really being asked. Obviously all the top distaff races are open to her, and there’s the mouth-watering prospect of her taking on Unique Bella some time down the road. Ivy Bell, scratched from Friday’s Grade 3 Bed O’ Roses, a sprint, to go in this Grade 1 route instead, broke alertly to take the early lead while saving ground, remained inside as she took back a bit behind Abel Tasman, looked poised to try to make a run at the winner but was never able to threaten Abel Tasman while finishing decently for second. Her stablemate, Unbridled Mo, winner of the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn last time out April 13, lagged back, pitched wide on the far turn and finished decently though she was never really a factor. Pacific Wind, smart winner of the Grade 2 Ruffian here last month, stalked the early pace, remained up close as the eventual winner moved to take the lead going down the backstretch, tried to make a run at ‘Tasman on the turn but was turned back and tired a bit in the lane.

Belmont
Acorn (race 4)

COMMENT: This was a summit of sorts, pitting Monomoy Girl, the current leader of the 3-year-old filly division, last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Caledonia Road, and the filly who was rated as the top juvenile filly prior to last fall’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Moonshine Memories. Well, it was again Monomoy Girl who firmly entrenched herself at the top of the division as the winner of the Grade 1 Ashland and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in her last two starts notched another top-level win in smart fashion. She broke well, got a dream trip sitting third behind dueling leaders Talk Veuve to Me and Moonshine Memories who set solid splits, remained in third to the far turn, was urged to advance on the two leaders, pitched wide turning for home to make her run, ranged up alongside Talk Veuve to Me, took over and drew clear. She’s now 7 for 8, just a neck shy of being undefeated. Trainer Brad Cox said the likely plan was to go in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 22 and then the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 22 as a bridge to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and a shot at elders in November. Talk Veuve to Me, second in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 4, broke smartly, dueled with Moonshine Memories while on that rival’s outside, got the better of Moonshine turning for home, briefly battled with the winner, couldn’t keep pace with her in the final furlong but kept on well for second. She looks like a logical candidate for the Grade 1 Test at 7 furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 4. Gio Game sat fourth a few lengths off the dueling leaders and a bit behind the eventual winner, was asked for run on the turn, got a bit closer and while she kept to her task to get third wasn’t really a danger to the top two. Moonshine Memories dueled with Talk Veuve to Me from the start from her rail draw, set brisk splits with that foe to her outside, was still there to the top of the lane but then gave way. Caledonia Road was slow into stride, lagged back while staying well off the fence, made some headway on the far turn to get up on Gio Game’s hip, but then came up empty, drifting wider out into the lane. She reportedly was to undergo diagnostic tests to see if there are any physical issues.

Belmont
Brooklyn (race 5)

COMMENT: The only other time Hoppertunity raced here was when he won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in October 2016. The old boy enjoyed his return to this track as his old class continued to come through, carrying him to victory in this Grade 2. He romped in Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Tokyo City at this distance April 8 before being a non-threatening fourth in the shorter Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5. Moved back to this longer trip and getting away from the likes of Backyard Heaven, the 7-year-old son of Any Given Saturday saved ground as he bided his time well off a modest pace set by Outplay, improved his position to the far turn while saving ground, came off the inside to go around Hard Study and make his run, had to steady when Hard Study shifted out in front of him in midstretch but gathered himself and got going again, coming home smartly to roll past the leaders and edge clear. It was revealed earlier in the day that he’d been the workmate of top filly Abel Tasman, who romped in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps earlier on the card. This longer game seems what he wants now, meaning something like the Grade 3 Cougar II at this same 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on July 25 could be next. War Story, the favorite off a game second in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, pressed the modest pace of Outplay from the start, dispatched with the other speed turning for home, battled back gamely to rebuff Hard Study through the lane but couldn’t finish with Hoppertunity in the final furlong. Hard Study, stepping up after winning five of his last six including the Flat Out at 1 3/8 miles here May 4, bided his time midpack early, steadily improved his position, moved closer to challenge on the turn, was trying to get to then-leader War Story in midstretch when he shifted out into Hoppertunity’s path, got straightened away and kept on well for the show. Take Your Guns, stepping up off two smart optional claiming wins, lagged back, stayed wide and in the clear, pitched wider turning for home to make a run, got shifted out farther by the drifting-out Hard Study, but stayed on gamely.

Belmont
Jaipur (race 6)

COMMENT: Disco Partner won this last year and affirmed he still loves Belmont and hasn’t lost a step as he powered home again, proving he remains among the turf sprint elite. The veteran, coming off a modest third in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland April 7, his first start since a strong third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last fall, sat fifth as Pure Sensation set a strong pace under pressure from Conquest Tsunami, pitched wider out into the lane and powered home to pass the two pacesetters. Conquest Tsunami, making his first start since a good third in the Grade 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on March 31, was superb in defeat as he dogged Pure Sensation through a strong early quarter, crept closer to challenge that foe into the lane, battled gamely with ‘Sensation, was seemingly just getting the better of that rival but couldn’t match the winner late. Pure Sensation, fourth in this last year, went one spot better as he shot out to the lead, set a strong pace under constant heavy pressure from Conquest Tsunami, battled on gamely inside that rival but just couldn’t quite outdo that foe for second as the winner stormed past. Holding Gold, seventh in the Al Quoz Sprint and third in this last year, got back to form with the return to his homebase as he lagged back, swung very wide into the lane, was still well back by midstretch but surged late to get fourth. Stormy Liberal, winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and coming off a smart second in the Al Quoz Sprint, was a bit disappointing as he lagged back from the start while saving ground, came off the inside into the lane but didn’t have the needed punch to get involved.

Belmont
Woody Stephens (race 7)

COMMENT: Kanthaka, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, scratched on race morning (foot bruise). Still Having Fun was second but no match for big winner Mitole in the Chick Lang at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard May 19, but got fast going and a dream pace scenario and took advantage, posting his first graded stakes win in his first opportunity. He sat back as Promises Fulfilled and World of Trouble set a sizzling pace, remained well off those fractions, stayed wide and clear on the far turn, remained wide into the lane and rallied strongly to go past the pacesetters and outfinish Engage. This obviously stamps him a potential Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens type (Saratoga, Aug. 25). Engage, winner of the Gold Fever here May 13, stalked just behind the two pacesetters, bided his time there, came with his run along the inside on the turn and into the lane, shifted out to go around the two pacesetters to take the lead, finished strongly but just couldn’t outdo the winner. An effort like this means the Jerkens is likely on his radar as well. Promises Fulfilled, back to sprinting after being the pacesetter in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby before giving way badly to end up 15th, was urged out of the gate to get the lead, did so but was immediately taken on by World of Trouble to his outside, set a sizzling pace under constant pressure from that foe, volleyed for the lead with that rival while remaining on the fence, was no match for the top two but to his credit kept on gamely to edge ‘Trouble for third. World of Trouble, back to sprinting after running third in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 10, broke alertly, went right up alongside Promises Fulfilled to duel on the lead, dogged that rival through sizzling splits, looked as though he might get the better of that foe into the lane, was no match for the top two in the final furlong and then relented a bit in the final yards, losing third to ‘Fulfilled. Beautiful Shot, second in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera at Santa Anita last month, bided his time early, pitched wide into the lane, came with a nice run to loom a threat just behind the leaders but couldn’t sustain it enough to be a factor late.

Belmont
Just a Game II (race 8)

COMMENT: A Raving Beauty made quite a splash for trainer Chad Brown in her first start in the U.S. after racing in France, blasting home to win the Grade 3 Beaugay here May 12. She validated that run here with another impressive performance, notching her first Grade 1 win. She was a bit reluctant to load but settled once in the gate. She broke alertly, was content to sit a couple lengths off the pace, set by Lull who took pressure from La Coronel, bided her time midpack while fighting her rider a bit, advanced between horses and settled going to the far turn, surged to the lead in the lane and stayed on gamely to keep her rivals at bay. It looks like this type of distance is her best, though the distance of the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 21 might be within her reach (1 1/8 miles). There she could be joined Brown’s two other top turf distaffers, Sistercharlie and Fourstar Crook, two-one finishers of the Grade 2 New York Friday, though one or both could also be pointed to the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington on Aug. 11. Proctor’s Ledge, winner of the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5, showed her quality again with another fine effort as she bided her time just behind the eventual winner, advanced along the inside into the lane to challenge Lull for the lead, was getting the better of that rival while between horses but couldn’t finish with the winner to her outside. Lull, wire-to-wire winner of the Grade 3 Honey Fox at a mile at Gulfstream on March 31, went right to the lead, set a solid pace under some pressure from La Coronel, rebuffed that foe into the lane, soon had Proctor’s Ledge challenge to her outside, fought gamely with that rival, was no match for when the winner shot pace and stayed on gamely for third. On Leave, the favorite off superb local form (had won four of five here going into this) and coming off a nice third in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on April 14 to stablemates Sistercharlie and Fourstar Crook, sat at the back of the pack, as is her wont, remained there to the far turn, pitched wide to make her run, moved wider still into the lane, made a threatening move into the lane but seemed to flatten out a bit as she lost her punch in the final half-furlong. On Leave, second to ‘Ledge in the Distaff Turf Mile, sat midpack from her rail slot, moved to the inside going to the far turn, seemed in a bit tight between horses there, was asked for run on the turn, came off the inside, pitched out for room, briefly loomed a threat but couldn’t sustain a run.

Belmont
Met Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: This race was a classic reminder of how pace makes the race as Bee Jersey, who had already shown ample talent coming off three straight big wins, was able to dictate the tempo and it likely proved the difference as he won by just a lip. He broke alertly and went right to the lead, and while he was joined by a few others he was still able to set slow splits. He remained on the lead setting a slow pace with a phalanx of runners sitting behind including Bolt d’Oro and One Liner who were applying minimal pressure, kicked away from those rivals turning for home and then dug in and needed every bit of his heart to just get to the line before a hard-charging Mind Your Biscuits. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill in the fall is his primary goal, though trainer Steve Asmussen said the Grade 1 Forego at 7 furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 25 is in his plans. Mind Your Biscuits, making his first start since taking the Group 1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai on March 31, broke well from the rail to be midpack, was able to inch his way off the inside by the time the field reached the far turn, loomed ominously while wide coming into the lane, doggedly went after Bee Jersey only to come up just short in a super try in what was basically a two-horse race in the lane. He didn’t win but he surely put to bed any notion that he can’t compete at the highest level at a mile. The Grade 2 Belmont Sprint Championship on July 7 could be next and trainer Chad Summers also tossed out the idea of a stretch-out, possibly in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 4 or the Grade 1 Woodward there Sept. 1, both at 1 1/8 miles. Limousine Liberal, winner of the Grade 2 Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5, sat fourth from the start, while between rivals, went after the leader turning for home, couldn’t get to him and couldn’t finish with the runner-up but kept to his task well to hold third. Discreet Lover, shortening up after a series of longer races including a fourth in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special on May 18, lagged well back, was asked for run on the turn, was still well back but finished well once straightened away to get up for fourth, even if he was no threat to the top two. He did have to be vanned off after the race (reportedly lame in right fore) but did walk into the van under his own power. Good Samaritan, shortening up after a second in the Grade 2 Alysheba on the Kentucky Derby undercard, was very slow into stride, sitting last. He remained there to the far turn, advanced to get into touch with the field, pitched very wide into the lane, just outside of Awesome Slew as widest of all, made some headway but was never a factor. While he did well at a mile on turf apparently a mile on dirt is too sharp for him, at least if he’s going to stick to this style. Awesome Slew, third in the Churchill Downs, was reluctant to load, was content to sit well back early, as is his custom, remained well back while wide, started to advance on the far turn, pitched very wide into the lane but couldn’t really get involved. Bolt d’Oro, the 3-year-old facing elders after fading to 12th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, broke well, had enough speed to sit just behind Bee Jersey while holding the fence, remained inside to the far turn, was asked for run but the run never came. In fact, he gave way readily to finish last. He’s been busy the past couple months so this could be a sign he’s due for a break.

Belmont
Manhattan (race 10)

COMMENT: This was about as wild a finish as you’ll see as the first nine horses ended up less than two lengths of each other at the wire. The one who got a clear run, however, Spring Quality, got the money. From his far outside post he broke slowly and tucked in behind the field, moving to the inside to save ground. There he bided his time, steadily advanced, pitched widest of all into the lane and finished resolutely to win the wild finish. Not to take anything away from the winner, but you get the feeling if you ran this race 10 times you might get six different winners. Sadler’s Joy, a rallying second in the Grade 1 Man o’ War here last month, found that slot again as the veteran ran splendidly. He lagged back, as usual, staying wide and in the clear, moved earlier than usual to reach contention by the top of the lane, actually took the lead in midstretch but just couldn’t quite fend off the winner who surged past on his outside. They could have a rematch in the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga on July 28, though Spring Quality’s trainer Graham Motion also said the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 11 is a possibility. Hi Happy, winner of the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream and the aforementioned Man o’ War here May 12, was right up on the pace from the start, was joined by a few others, remained there through modest splits while holding the fence, narrowly maintained his edge over the other speed types, had Sadler’s Joy go past in midstretch, gamely battled back but couldn’t quite get to him and was unable to counter the charge of the winner who was out wider. Robert Bruce, previously undefeated winning his first six starts in Chile and named champion there, then impressively winning his U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Ft. Marcy here May 5, had a brutal trip. He broke well from his rail slot, was content to remain there midpack while saving ground, was asked to advance on the far turn but soon found himself in a logjam, had to check and steady into the lane, had to steady again when jostled between horses in midstretch, found a lane and surged but it was too late. Beach Patrol, the favorite, was prompted the pace while wide, remained wide throughout, loomed a big threat into the lane but was crowded between horses in midstetch, got jostled and backed out of it, ending up last. He’s surely better than this, though trainer Chad Brown said he was disappointed in his effort and wanted to get a good ‘look at the horse’ to see if anything is amiss. The Bowling Green and Arlington Million figure as options for many of the also-rans as well as the top two.

Belmont
Belmont Stakes (race 11)

COMMENT: The club now has 13 as Justify became a Triple Crown winner with another sterling performance. From his rail slot he broke very sharply, went right to the lead with a brisk first quarter, was then able to relax and slow down the pace, taking minimal pressure from stablemate Restoring Hope and Grade 1 Preakness second Bravazo, stayed on cruise control going to the far turn, had the field creep closer, kicked into another gear into the lane opening up again and stayed on well to keep hard-trying Gronkowski at bay in the final furlong on his way to history. He joins Seattle Slew (1977) as the only other undefeated Triple Crown winner. It’s an amazing ascent for a horse who didn’t make his debut until Feb. 18. Gronkowski ran a fantastic race. Now in the Chad Brown barn after campaigning in England, the son of Lonhro was making not only his first start in the U.S., but his first start on dirt after missing the Kentucky Derby with a mild setback. He broke poorly to be well behind the field early, remained well behind the field going down the backstretch looking as if he would never get involved, but started to pick up the pace, stayed to the inside as he advanced, loomed a threat with a strong run along the rail inside on the turn, continued to advance up the rail just inside Vino Rosso into the lane to be right behind Justify, had dead aim on the leader but couldn’t get to him while running on well to be a clear second. He’s obviously legitimate on dirt, and Brown said a logical summer target is the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 25, though he also noted a first try on turf in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby here July 7 might be on the radar. Hofburg lagged back while seemingly well in hand, crept closer going to the far turn, swung out to start his run, got bumped soundly by Tenfold to his inside who was shifting out for room, briefly losing his footing, regathered himself, pushed wider out into the lane to make a run and finished well. He just wasn’t good enough, but certainly did damage in the right spots. Vino Rosso sat a couple lengths off the lead from the start, moved up to nearly Justify’s hip on the far turn but then couldn’t keep up when it mattered. Tenfold, a good third in the Preakness, lagged back just ahead of Hofburg while closer to the rail, came out on the far turn looking for room, bumped with Hofburg who was to his outside, remained toward the inside but never really mustered a run as he did in the Preakness. Bravazo stalked the pace from the start, moved closer going to the far turn while in behind Justify but came up empty thereafter. Like Justify this was his third start in five weeks and it may have taken its toll.

Santa Anita
Honeymoon (race 8)

COMMENT: Paved beat the boys in the El Camino Real Derby on Golden Gate’s synthetic track Feb. 17. They were thinking about the Kentucky Oaks with her but opted to stay home so they could put her on turf here in the Grade 3 Providencia on April 7, but she found Fatale Bere too tough, ending up third to that filly. Well, she got her revenge here, with a little help from an equipment problem for Fatale Bere. From her outside post Paved lagged back from the start (in fact was last) after angling in to save ground, steadily improved her position to the far turn, came with a strong run between horses coming into the lane to grab the lead and draw off to win comfortably. Even if Fatale Bere had not suffered the equipment issue she would have had a tough time dealing with Paved today. The Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 7 is reportedly her next target. After that, the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 18 would likely be next. Animosity, making just her third start after winning her first two including a main-track route at Golden Gate last time out, shot right out to a clear lead while setting a modest pace, still held the lead into the lane while racing a bit off the rail, had no answer for when the winner came on the scene but kept on well to be a clear second. Ms. Peintour, trying stakes for the first time after a big win over optional claimers here April 21, sat second behind the pacemaker early, took back a bit to get a nice stalking trip, came with a decent run in the lane but was never really a danger to the top two in the final furlong. Fatale Bere, the favorite off a big win over Paved in the Providencia here April 7, was compromised when her saddle slipped early. She was chasing the pacesetter when it happened going into the first turn and she was hard to manage thereafter, pulling her way forward before her rider was able to manage her, then opting to not persevere with her. This race was basically a throw-out. The Grade 2 San Clemente at Del Mar on July 21 figures next and should all go well there, the Del Mar Oaks and maybe another shot at Paved.

June 10

Santa Anita
Affirmed (race 8)

COMMENT: Justify and the other big 3-year-olds aren’t quaking in their boots over this result but Draft Pick, a $450,000 son of Candy Ride, appears to have turned the corner. After a couple months off, he romped over maidens here May 12. Asked to step well up in class to not only face winners for the first time but graded stakes company, he flourished still, posting the easy win. He sat third early, staying a bit off the rail as Afleet Ascent set a modest pace under minimal pressure from longshot Axelrod, remained in third to the top of lane, swung a bit wider into the stretch to make his run, moved up to challenge for the lead by midstretch and then drew clear to win fairly handily. Another step up in class figures in the offing with something like Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby on July 14 as a logical next step. Axelrod, coming off a couple near-misses in turf sprints vs. optional claimers, appreciated the return to dirt (his two career wins came on dirt) and to routing (those two wins came routing) as he dogged early pacesetter Afleet Ascent, got the better of that foe into the lane, grabbed the lead between calls but then couldn’t finish with the winner. Solomini, the heavy 3-10 favorite after running 10th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 5, was last early after a slow start, remained there going down the backstretch, was asked to advance on the far turn, improved his position but while keeping to his task in the lane was never really a danger to the winner. Run Away, routing for the first time after sprint success and back to his home base after being a dull sixth in the slop in a stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard May 19, oddly enough didn’t go for the lead, instead sitting fourth from the start, was still there going down the backstretch but got shuffled back to last and never made a move. Off this he almost surely goes back to sprinting, so long as his finish wasn’t the result of something having gone awry.