Trip Notes for June 6-7: Belmont Stakes, Manhattan, Met Mile, and more

June 6

Belmont

Woody Stephens (race 3)
COMMENT: On paper this looked like a chance for Competitive Edge to show he was ready to take the next step up and join the division’s elite as he was bet that way (2-5). However, things didn’t go anywhere close to as planned. Instead, March, freshened since a game win in the Grade 3 Bay Shore April 4, stalked in fourth as Ready for Rye set the pace, moved closer while saving ground, went after then-leader Cinco Charlie into the lane, battled gamely to the wire, and just prevailed. He looks like a potential Grade 1 King’s Bishop type. Same can be said for Cinco Charlie, who ran splendidly in defeat. He dogged the pacesetter, took over into the lane, battled gamely to the wire with the winner, and just missed by a nostril while far clear of the rest. Ready for Rye set the pace, tried to battle back when hooked first by Cinco Charlie into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace with that foe and the winner in the lane. Competitive Edge seemed in a good spot stalking the pace, loomed a threat turning for home, but then came up completely empty to finish last. The barn has had numerous runners get ill, so this performance, the colt’s first loss in five starts, makes you wonder if he was feeling some effects of that bug. Todd Pletcher’s other runner in the race, Two Weeks Off, ran poorly, too, finishing fifth while never a threat, beating only his stablemate.

Belmont

Jaipur (race 4)

COMMENT: Channel Marker got going too late in the Grade 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 1 to end up well behind a few of these in sixth. However, five weeks off, a change of venue, and a better trip got him his revenge. He stalked a solid pace of Something Extra and power Alert, came wide into the lane, doggedly kept to his task, grabbed the lead late, and was edging away at the line. Something Extra, third in the aforementioned Turf Sprint, went right to the lead, was hounded early by Power Alert, moved off to a clear lead turning for home, battled back gamely when hooked in midstretch again by Power Alert, rebuffed that foe again, but couldn’t fend off the winner. Ageless, a mare facing males who was a superb fourth (beaten less than a length) in last fall’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint against males, lagged back, swung very wide into the lane, and finished well. Power Alert, winner of the May 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill, hounded the pacesetter Something Extra from the start while inside, looked done when that foe extended his advantage on the turn, but came back on again to challenge in midstretch only to falter a bit late. Mosler, the tepid favorite off a big win in the Elusive Quality over this course April 29, sat midpack from the start but never really mustered a run. Helwan, a dangerous French raider, stalked the early pace but took a bad step with less than a half-mile to go and broke down. Sadly, he had to be euthanized.

[bc_video_id:357968:]Belmont

Ogden Phipps (race 5)

COMMENT: Even a champion can’t let a real good horse completely dominate things up front and still expect to win. That’s what happened here as Wedding Toast upended heavy favorite Untapable by controlling the pace. But this was more than that as Wedding Toast firmly put herself into the debate as to who is the top older female along with Untapable and Beholder. Coming off a romping win in the Grade 2 Ruffian here last month, Wedding Toast broke decently, cruised up along the rail to take command early when it seemed no one wanted it, held a narrow advantage while pushed a bit (she set some fast splits), still had the lead turning for home when a couple rivals tried to come at her, but then bounded away to win in a romp. Despite some fast internal splits, she powered home her last quarter as well. She’s now 4 for 5 here, too, so you know she loves it here. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said no decision had yet been made about her next start, but the Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga Aug. 2 is a logical next step, and should all go well there, the Grade 1 Personal Ensign there Aug. 29. Being a daughter of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, there’s no reason to think she can’t continue to excel with more ground. Untapable broke just a bit slow, was content to then bide her time early toward the back while staying wide and in the clear, started what appeared a menacing wide run on the far turn to reach contention, but couldn’t sustain it, never once looked a threat to the winner in the lane, and just managed to hold second. Even with her ‘A’ game, she might not have defeated the winner, but this now makes for two so-so outings in three starts this year, so you wonder if she’s quite as good now as she was last year. House Rules sat back just in front of Untapable, didn’t accelerate as quickly as that foe coming into the lane, but got going and kept grinding away to just miss getting second. Princess Violet dogged the winner from the start, loomed a threat on the far turn, but then gave way. It’s probably back to sprinting for her, and she can still be a big threat for something like the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga later this summer.

Belmont

Brooklyn (race 6)

COMMENT: Coach Inge, coming off a monster 12 1/2-length win in the mud at Aqueduct April 22, took the step up in class and handled it and the longer trip (1 1/2 miles) with aplomb. He volleyed early for pacesetting duties with Call Me George, got the better of that rival turning for home, but then seemed in deep trouble as V. E. Day came up to challenge and actually took the lead. However, he doggedly kept to his task while staying inside and gamely re-rallied to edge that foe for the win. He may have earned a shot at the Grade 2 Suburban at 1 1/4 miles here July 4. V. E. Day, last year’s Grade 1 Travers winner but no factor in three starts since (though, in his defense, the first two were Grade 1 races, and his last came in a Grade 3 turf stakes), perked up some here and maybe this longer-distance game and this level is more to his liking. He bided his time early, came with a strong, wide run into the lane to challenge, and even grab the lead, looking like the winner, only to succumb to Coach Inge’s re-rally. He still finished far clear of the others. Sky Kingdom, a proven stayer out West and coming off a win in the Grade 3 Tokyo City at this distance at Santa Anita in late March, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home, but finished evenly. Effinex, the second choice off two straight wins including the Grade 3 Excelsior at Aqueduct April 25, was midpack early, bore out some on the first turn, moved closer after a half-mile, but then bore out badly on the far turn and was pulled up as if something went wrong. From the first six races, the track seems to be playing quite fair both in terms of style and path.

[bc_video_id:358079:]Belmont

Acorn (race 7)

COMMENT: This was a bit of a rodeo as a couple horses got eliminated at the break, and prime contender Shook Up got eliminated soon thereafter. Curalina was also significantly hampered at the start but overcame it to get the win. She got squeezed back early and was actually last after the start. She gathered herself and was able to get position midpack, steadily advanced, and continued on gamely to edge past longshot By the Moon in the final strides while outfinishing Wonder Gal. She figures a prime candidate for the Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont June 27, though there she may run into likely the two best 3-year-old fillies in Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Lovely Maria and top-class I’m a Chatterbox. By the Moon stalked the contested pace of Miss Ella and Promise Me Silver, took over from those two tiring rivals in the lane, opened up looking like a winner at a big price while staying on the fence, but was unable to fend of Curalina in the final strides. Wonder Gal, coming off a so-so fourth in the Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct April 4, her only start of the year, moved forward nicely. She sat well back early, moved closer going to the far turn, all while saving ground, moved off the rail to around a couple tiring speed types, came nicely between horses, was inside eventual winner Curalina as they straightened away for the stretch run, finished well but ended up between Curalina and By the Moon late, and seemed in just a bit tight. It probably didn’t affect the result, but without that she might have been even closer. The Mother Goose figures on her radar as well. Bar of Gold got squeezed back significantly at the start but kept to her task well afterward to get sixth. Promise Me Silver, previously unbeaten in eight starts, seemed to lose her footing at the start, getting away poorly. She gathered herself and rushed up to contest the pace with Miss Ella while on the outside, seemed to be traveling well, but gave way readily once headed, as surely using all the fuel early to get involved took its toll. Condo Commando, the tepid favorite, got knocked around at the start, so she was unable to use her main weapon – her speed – and was never able to get involved afterward. Shook Up got squeezed back significantly at the start, was able to recover but then appeared to clip heels and stumble badly soon after, nearly going down. Her rider lost his right stirrup. She was never able to recover and was pulled up on the far turn. She reportedly suffered a laceration on her right front ankle.

Belmont

Just a Game (race 8)

COMMENT: Before her upset in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on the Derby undercard May 2, Tepin’s trainer, Mark Casse, said he thought she could run with any turf distaffer, which seemed a bit of a reach at the time. Well, Casse was spot-on as she more than validated that victory by coming back to beat a strong group in this Grade 1, and she did it employing a different style. Her Churchill win came on the lead. Here she sat third as Discreet Marq and Coffee Clique set a modest pace. She moved closer on the far turn while staying wide and in the clear, was set down for the drive, moved to the lead, and had enough of a buffer to get to the line before the hard-charging Filimbi. Filimbi lagged back, as is her custom, had to wait for room in the lane, came through between horses, moved outside to continue her run, and finished strongly but just ran out of ground. Discreet Marq seemed relaxed while volleying for pacesetting duties with Coffee Clique, who instead seemed a bit rank and was pulling. They set a slow pace, Discreet Marq took command into the lane, was immediately taken on by Tepin, couldn’t go with that rival and then couldn’t quite outfinish Filimbi. Coffee Clique was on the lead with Discreet Marq early but weakened in the lane. Ball Dancing sat a few lengths off the lead while staying quite wide and in the clear, came with a threatening run into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Could be this mile distance is just a bit too sharp for her, and that her grinding style plays better at longer distances. She’s likely to return to more ground after this.

[bc_video_id:358005:]Belmont

Met Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Honor Code has flashed some big-time ability, including rallying past a top-class Private Zone in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap earlier this year. But then he tossed in a clunker in the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill on Derby Day May 2. Trainer Shug McGaughey knew his horse, however, brought him back to New York and to a spot quite a bit tougher than the Alysheba, and this guy dazzled. He was last, far back early, as Private Zone set a hot pace, pressured by Bayern. He remained well back to the far turn, swung wide to commence his run and inhaled his rivals – and these are world-class foes – to win going away. If he runs like this, he can beat anybody – though remember, his two two-turn races since his Grade 2 Remsen win in 2013 haven’t been too hot. Tonalist, the favorite who was 4 for 4 going into this, including winning last year’s Grade 1 Belmont, lagged back off the hot pace, came with a steady run, though it was nothing like the burst provided by the winner, to get up for second. He ran well, as usual, but Honor Code ran huge. It’s mouthwatering to think of those two clashing in the upcoming big longer races. Private Zone broke running, as expected, was immediately dogged by Bay of Plenty and Bayern, continued through fast splits under constant pressure from Bayern, dispatched with that foe into the lane moving to a clear lead, but had no answer when the winner went storming past and tired just a bit late to lose second. Tamarkuz, the Group 2 Godolphin Mile winner, was a bit reluctant to load, but settled midpack after the start, moved closer going to the far turn, came with a threatening run into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Wicked Strong got squeezed back a bit at the start to end up well back, remained there, and could make only modest headway. A mile is likely too sharp for him. He can be more effective in the big longer races this summer. Bay of Plenty rushed up alongside Private Zone at the start to engage in a duel but then steadied hard when Bayern came over to do the same thing. He lost position and was no factor thereafter. He’s fast but was biting off an awful lot regardless. Bayern stumbled at the start but recovered quickly and rushed up next to Private Zone. He pushed that guy through hot splits but paid the price himself as he gave way badly in the lane. He’s a feast-or-famine type, but it surely looks like his best work comes when he can make a clear early lead. That was never going to happen here with Private Zone in the line-up.

[bc_video_id:358007:]Belmont

Manhattan (race 10)

COMMENT: This race was run very Europea- style as it was slow early and fast late, and it was Slumber, a former Euro, who took advantage. Getting blinkers for the first time, he lagged back as War Dancer and Legendary set a slow pace, moved closer on the far turn as the field bunched, found a seam between horses, and finished well. Nice as this was, you get the feeling if this race was run 10 times you’d get seven different winners, but it was his day to shine. It seems, though, the turf distance division is a mad scramble behind Main Sequence, and there was nothing here to indicate his crown should lie uneasy. Big Blue Kitten made it an exacta for trainer Chad Brown as he was last early, still last on the far turn though he was closer as the field bunched, pitched wide, and finished well. But he really had no chance with this race shape. Legendary volleyed up front with War Dancer for the lead, got the better of that rival into the lane as he took command, was no match for the winner, and only lost second in the final strides. Finnegans Wake sat well back with Big Blue Kitten and rallied well with that guy while just a bit behind. Like Big Blue Kitten, though, he really had no chance with this pace scenario. Twilight Agenda seemed in a great spot sitting just behind the two pacesetters, loomed a big threat turning for home, but the run never really materialized.

[bc_video_id:358003:]Belmont

Belmont (race 11)

COMMENT: The long wait is over. We finally have a 12th Triple Crown winner, and we didn’t have to wait long after the gates opened. American Pharoah broke just a tad slow but had no trouble grabbing the early lead before the field had gone 100 yards. He cruised into the first turn going easily, going relaxed, and, maybe most importantly, going slowly. He set dawdling early splits while under modest pressure from a couple rivals, was still well within himself while slowly increasing his lead on the far turn and into the lane, was then asked for run in midstretch and bounded into the history books. It’s worth noting that while he’s taken some grief because his Derby and Preakness wins weren’t all that fast, his time here was second only to Secretariat among the Triple Crown winners and was the fastest Belmont since A.P. Indy won in 1992 (2:26.13). It’s amazing, too, to note his last quarter (24.32 seconds) was faster than his first quarter (24.06). It was an amazing training job by Bob Baffert, and was punctuated by a brilliant ride by Victor Espinoza. Heady stuff. Frosted sat close early, sucked back a bit going down the backstretch, moved inside on the far turn and into the lane, briefly looked threatening when he came out from behind American Pharoah to launch his run, but try as he might was no threat to the winner. Keen Ice lagged back and finished well. Mubtaahij sat just behind the eventual winner, seemed in a good spot on the far turn just in behind, shifted out to try and mount a bid, but he then finished evenly, only losing third in the final strides. Materiality wasn’t asked for high speed, was still able to get a nice stalking trip. However, he not only never mounted a charge, he gave way badly to finish last. He’s a talented horse, but it’s likely back to the drawing board.

Churchill

Mint Julep (race 10)

COMMENT: Kiss Moon made her first start of the year in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on the Derby undercard May 2 and ran miserably (11th). However, with that under her belt and the move to this easier spot, she bounced back nicely to post the upset. She stalked as first Maid On a Mission set the pace, though soon tepid favorite I’m Already Sexy took over pacesetting duties. She remained in third to the top of the lane, doggedly went after I’m Already Sexy, and wore down that rival to get up in the final strides. She may not be able to handle the big girls but can surely do some damage in the right spots. I’m Already Sexy, eighth in the aforementioned Distaff Turf Mile, sat just behind Maid On a Mission early, quickly took over pacesetting duties from that foe, set a solid pace, kept a clear lead into the lane, and still had the lead inside the sixteenth pole only to get nailed late by the winner. Strike Charmer, sixth in the Distaff Turf Mile, was just behind Kiss Moon from the start while inside, kept to her task well, though she was never really a threat to the top two in the final furlong. Kitty Wine, ninth in the Distaff Turf Mile, was just behind Strike Charmer, made a threatening wide move into the lane, but flattened out.

June 7

Monmouth

Monmouth Stakes (race 11)

COMMENT: Triple Threat, making his first start in the U.S. and first start since he was a sharp second in a stakes in France last September, showed he was quite comfortable in his new surroundings as he beat the home crew. He bided his time early as Inchcape set a modest pace, moved out for clear sailing while remaining well back, and powered home to get up in the final strides. Remember, this guy was a Group 2 and Group 3 winner in France in 2013 and ran in a Group 1 there last April, so he’s got some quality. And with the U.S. turf middle-distance crew a suspect bunch (at least while Wise Dan is out of the picture), he can do some damage for Mott, who’s had more than a bit of success with imports. Middleburg, coming off a solid third in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont May 2, had a similar trip. He sat back, just behind the eventual winner, moved earlier than that rival to reach contention by midstretch, finished well but just missed in a sharp try. Inchcape set a slow pace, looked like the winner when still a clear leader in midstretch, but then had no answer for when the top two came storming home. Ghurair, the favorite though he was making his first start in 10 months, pressed the pace early while inside, took back some going to the backstretch, but then raced fairly one-paced thereafter.

Santa Anita

Affirmed (race 3)

COMMENT: Gimme Da Lute was a nonthreatening third in a sprint stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard May 16, but he returned to his Santa Anita homebase, moved to routing, and bounced back to form, beating a couple highly regarded rivals. Giving trainer Bob Baffert another reason to celebrate on his history-making weekend, Gimme Da Lute stalked the pace set by Om in the very small field (four after a scratch), moved up with heavy fave Prospect Park to challenge into the lane, got the better of that rival while on the inside, and was edging away in the final strides. The Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby July 4 could be next, though there he could run into the likes of Dortmund and Firing Line. Prospect Park, heavily favored after being competitive with the likes of Dortmund and Bolo and making his first start in two months after a setback, broke a bit slowly, was still able to get into a nice stalking mode in second just behind Om, moved up with the eventual winner to challenge for the lead into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t outgame the winner. In some respects this run was a tad disappointing. After all, the Prospect Park we saw here earlier this meet likely would have gone on for an easy win, but instead this guy lacked some spark. Maybe he needed the race. Om, the horse who won the debut race of American Pharoah here last June and coming off a game win routing on turf, set the pace, tried to battle back when hooked by the top two, but then couldn’t keep pace late. He may go back to turf for the Oceanside on opening day at Del Mar late next month. –Comments by Michael Hammersly