Trip Notes for June 14-15: Stephen Foster, Shoemaker Mile, Pegasus and more...

Saturday, June 14

Churchill - Matt Winn (race 6)

COMMENT: Tapiture was no factor in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (finishing 15th) but he was given some time, dropped in class and back in distance here, and that all got him back on track as he proved a smart winner. From his rail draw he stalked the pace in 4th, came with a smart run into the lane to grab the lead, opened up some room and won clear. The Grade 2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Aug. 2 may be next. Ulanbator bided his time, came with a nice run into the lane and while unable to threaten the winner was a clear 2nd. Almost Famous stalked the pace, surged to grab the lead turning for home as if he were going to draw off,but couldn’t sustain his run. Conquest Titan sat back but never made a move.

Churchill - Fleur de Lis (race 7)

COMMENT: Molly Morgan couldn’t deal with On Fire Baby when 2nd to that gal in the Grade 1 La Troienne here on the Ky. Oaks undercard May 2, but she improved and turned the tables on that tough gal. She sat last early while saving ground as Ondine set a modest pace. Molly Morgan began to move closer turning for home, remained on the inside, and blasted through an opening to grab the lead and draw off to win easily. Flashy American sat just in front of the winner early, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly, moved well out into the lane for room, and produced a good run for second. Fiftyshadesofhay stalked the pace, was no match for the top two but plugged along to be a clear 3rd. On Fire Baby, the favorite off her fine 2nd to Close Hatches in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom and big win in the Grade 1 La Troienne, dogged pacesetter Ondine from the start, made what appeared to be the start of her move turning for home, but just as quickly hit the brakes and backed out of it in a disappointing effort.

Churchill - Stephen Foster (race 8)

COMMENT: Apparently Moonshine Mullin is the real deal. After 3 super optional-claiming wins he won the Grade 2 Alysheba here on the Ky. Oaks undercard, May 2. Well, he moved up in class and flourished again, notching his first Grade 1 win. He pressured early pacesetter Jaguar Paw from the start, took over from that rival going down the backstretch, held only a slim lead while being pressured by Departing, rebuffed that foe’s challenge and stayed on well to keep favorite Will Take Charge at bay in the final half-furlong. Not bad for a horse who was claimed for $40,000 Nov. 30. Will Take Charge bided his time early, swung very wide into the lane and put in a solid run, but just couldn’t get to the winner. This was a nice bounce-back run after his dull 6th in the Alysheba – though it also means Moonshine Mullin is 2-0 against him. The Whitney is Will Take Charge’s next target – though there he may run into Moonshine Mullin again as well as top elder Palace Malice. Departing stalked the pace from the start, moved up to challenge the winner into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace with that foe in the final furlong and only lost 2nd in the final strides. Golden Ticket sat midpack, made a threatening run turning for home but flattened out. Revolutionary, last early, as expected, never really mustered a run.

Churchill - Regret (race 9)

COMMENT: Aurelia’s Belle, trying turf for the first time after finishing 9th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, showed she handles this footing as she got back into the winner’s circle – though she required some help from the stewards. She sat back early, came with a smart run into the lane, got bumped and floated out when leader A Little Bit Sassy veered out inside the eighth pole, which caused her to steady. She finished second but was awarded the win after an inquiry. It looked like the right decision. A Little Bit Sassy chased pacesetter Istanford early, moved to the lead into the lane as if she were going to go on to win, but veered out after being hit left-handed, bumping into Kiss Moon, who took the worst of it and who then bumped Aurelia’s Belle. A Little Bit Sassy gamely persevered to finish 1st but was DQ’d to 4th. Personal Diary sat back just in front of Aurelia’s Belle, didn’t accelerate as quickly, but kept to her task nicely to be a good 3rd. Kiss Moon stalked the pace, was making a bid for the lead when hampered significantly by A Little Bit Sassy, forcing her to steady and lose all chance. Tepin was making a move up the rail into the lane but had that hole close.

Delaware - Obeah (race 7)

COMMENT: Gamay Noir, coming off two Grade 3 wins, was devoid of speed, as is her custom, to sit last early. She remained well back to the far turn, swung wide into the lane, surged into the contention to grab the lead by midstretch and outdueled a stubborn Montana Native to the line. Montana Native dogged longshot pacesetter Daydreamin Gracie from the start, was getting the better of that rival into the lane when immediately confronted by Gamay Noir, battled with that foe but couldn’t quite keep pace late and just held on for 2nd. Ambusher lagged back, didn’t accelerate as quickly as Gamay Noir but got going nicely late to just miss getting 2nd. Zucchini Flower, the favorite, stalked the pace, made a threatening run turning for home but flattened out.

Santa Anita - Shoemaker Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: On paper this was a brutally tough, competitive race. On the track Obviously turned it into a laugher. Obviously won this last year at Hollywood Park. This running was the first here and he looked better than ever. He bounded out to a clear lead, set sizzling splits and then blew the race wide open with a dazzling turn of foot into the lane. Yes, they cut into his lead in the final furlong but the race had already been put to bed. This was Lure-like. The Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Aug. 24 (a race he won last year) could be next and should all go well there he'd be freshened for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile here in the fall. Summer Front sat back early in 5th, came with a smart run through the lane and closed the gap nicely on the winner, though he never once looked as though he would get to him. Tom’s Tribute sat last early after a slow start and finished well to share 3rd in a dead heat with Silentio. Silentio stalked the pace, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, proved no match and flattened out a bit late. Jack Milton lagged back, came with a smart run into lane, but flattened out as well. Winning Prize chased the winner from the start, tried to close the gap on that foe going to the far turn but couldn’t keep up and weakened considerably in a disappointing run. He’s better than this.

Santa Anita - Vanity (race 8)

COMMENT: Like the Shoemaker Mile run 20 minutes earlier this race looked competitive on paper but like the Shoemaker it turned into a one-horse show as Iotapa dominated. Coming off a dull 6th in the seven-furlong Humana Distaff May 3, she moved back to a route and it paid off. From her rail draw she went right to the lead, took some pressure from invader Grace Hall while setting solid splits, rebuffed a challenge from that rival going turning for home, opened up and drew off. This gave rider Joe Talamo a sweep of the day’s two Grade 1’s here. Grace Hall, making just her 2nd start after 13 months on the bench, chased the winner from the start, tried to make a run at her going to the far turn, proved no match for that rival but kept to her task well to be a clear 2nd. Scherzinger sat just behind the top 2 all the way and held 3rd. Let Faith Arise, the favorite, bided her time early but never mustered a run in a rare dull effort. She’s had a busy season and may it has taken its toll on her.

Sunday, June 15

Monmouth - Pegasus (race 11)

COMMENT: Much of the early focus was on Ring Weekend and Uncle Sigh but the wagering focus centered on Albano (Uncle Sigh scratched after getting cast in his stall, and the players were right. He was bet down to 6-5 favoritism and dominated the proceedings. Coming off a much-troubled fourth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds March 29, Albano bided his time as Ring Weekend bounced out to a clear lead, moved with Encryption to challenge that foe on the turn, had no trouble putting away Encryption and drew off to win with authority. The Grade 1 Haskell here July 27 is his next goal. Encryption sat back with the winner, moved in tandem with that foe on the far turn, couldn’t keep pace but stayed on well for 2nd, 6 ¼ lengths clear of the others. Lynx plugged along for 3rd, though he was never really a threat. Ring Weekend set a brisk pace, opened up down the backside, but after getting inhaled by others turning for home gave way readily and was pulled up. He did walk off the track.