Trip Notes for June 7-8: Belmont Stakes, Ogden Phipps, Met Mile, Monmouth Stakes and more...

Saturday, June 7

Belmont - Brooklyn (race 3)

COMMENT: Norumbega bombed in the Grade 3 Ben Ali on the Keeneland Polytrack but had prior good dirt staying form and had worked well since, prompting Shug McGaughey to give him a shot in this. Well, McGaughey showed why he’s in the Hall of Fame as he knew his horse, and his judgment was validated as the son of Tiznow posted the upset. He bided his time while Ground Transport, pressed by Cat Burglar, set a solid pace. He moved closer on the far turn and continued on resolutely between horses to get up in the final strides. Too bad for him there’s no longer a Breeders’ Cup Marathon. Micromanage stalked the pace, made his move to grab the lead from Cat Burglar, and kept on gamely, but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Cat Burglar dogged a rank and erratic Ground Transport early, took over from that rival turning for home, and continued on gamely, but couldn’t quite finish with the top two. Still, this showed he can go this far, so it gives them some options. Ever Rider seemed in a good spot stalking, stayed in the clear, and was asked for run turning for home but never produced it. No excuses.

Belmont - Jaipur (race 4)

COMMENT: Undrafted couldn’t get to Marchman in the Grade 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill on the Kentucky Oaks undercard when too far back early, but he remedied that situation as he got his revenge. He again got knocked around after the start to be well back early, but after biding his time came with a strong wide run into the lane and to the wire that swept him past and clear of his rivals. Marchman did nothing wrong again. After two smart Grade 3 turf sprint wins, he again used his speed to stalk the pace of Global Power, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, was getting the better of that rival only to then have the winner surge past. Global Power zipped out of the gate, set a sharp pace, battled back well when challenge into the lane, but wasn’t good enough. Ben’s Cat, a legend in the Mid-Atlantic after so much success in Maryland and Pennsylvania (26 wins), was a bit eager early while stalking the pace, had to steady a couple times, which surely cost him position, and then failed to muster a run once clear. The trouble surely didn’t cost him the win, but with a better trip he might have been in the battle for second.

Belmont - Woody Stephens (race 5)

COMMENT: We all knew Bayern was capable of big things, and he showed it again here. After winning the Grade 3 Derby Trial (only to get DQ’d), he tried the Grade 1 Preakness but that was a disaster. He returned to one turn here, added blinkers and flourished, blitzing a very strong field and stamping himself a potential major player for future sprint/mile stakes, even against elders. From his rail post, he shot right out to press Pure Sensation for the early lead, took over from that foe going down the backstretch, rebuffed a challenge from Social Inclusion turning for home, and bounded clear to win in a romp. It will be interesting to see what Bob Baffert targets for him next. While he’s finished first in all four of his starts at a mile or shorter (was DQ’d from one), Baffert may try longer again, namely the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth later this summer. Top Fortitude helped flatter the West Coast form as Southern California-based runners ran 1-2. The Grade 3 Barrera winner lagged back and came with a steady run and just got up for second, though he was never a threat to the winner. Social Inclusion, the favorite who went here instead of in the Belmont, stalked the pace from the start from his outside post, loomed ominously as he made a run at Bayern turning for home. but then just couldn’t keep up. Making that run at Bayern may have cost him some fuel as he just got edged for second. Still, this guy appears to have a bright future. Kobe’s Back broke very slowly, as usual, sat well back, and came with a smart run to only miss second by a head and a neck, though like Social Inclusion and Top Fortitude was never really a danger to the winner in the lane. Embellishing Bob, who was a sharp second to Bayern in the Derby Trial and got the win via that runner’s DQ, sat fifth early just behind the leaders while in the clear, but never mustered the necessary run. Havana, one of last year’s top 2-year-olds, was never a factor at any point and this, after a so-so third in his return last month – a hint he’s not the same horse.

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Belmont - Acorn (race 6)

COMMENT: Not quite sure why everyone was so worked up over My Miss Sophia, as she was hammered at the windows and then got hammered by her rivals. Sweet Reason, who was so promising last year, looks back on track, and the key may be this mile trip. Despite being by Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, her best work now has come at a mile or shorter. Here she sat well back off a solid pace while saving ground, moved into contention on the far turn, remained behind a wall of horses coming into the lane, found room to shift out to commence her run, and wore down a stubborn Sweet Whiskey. That rival was in midpack early, moved up to challenge on the turn, got the better of the other speed, battled back gamely when hooked by Sweet Reason, but couldn’t quite outduel her. Still a very nice try. Unbridled Forever was away slowly to be well back early, remained there to the far turn, and started a smart sustained run that carried her to third, though she was no threat to the top two. Still a nice run, and she could have a say in the longer races like the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and Grade 1 Alabama – though she may well run into Untapable there. Fiftyshadesofgold was quickest early but was hounded by a phalanx of runners from the start, kept the lead while saving ground, couldn’t go with the top two in the lane, but stayed on decently, only losing third in the final strides. My Miss Sophia, the heavy favorite off her second to Untapable in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, broke alertly, was part of the crowded pace picture, but backed out of it turning for home without any visible excuse.

Belmont - Ogden Phipps (race 7)

COMMENT: A terrific renewal as Close Hatches stated her case to be the top distaffer. Coming off her big Grade 1 Apple Blossom win at OP, she bided her time early as Classic Point shot out to set a brisk pace, saving ground while seemingly in a perilous spot to the inside of favorite Beholder. However, she crept a bit closer going down the backstretch while Beholder bided her time, giving Close Hatches a lane. She took it, moved to the outside of the leader, braced for the coming onslaught of Beholder and then Princess of Sylmar, and gamely prevailed in a super effort. Can’t wait to see these gals hook up again, and you get the feeling they would take turns. Princess of Sylmar bided her time at the back of the pack, as is her custom, commenced her run on the far turn, moved up strongly while widest of all, and kept on resolutely to just miss. Antipathy ran the race of her life in defeat. She was just in front of Close Hatches and Beholder early, looked done when those two gals made their move, but clung to the fence and stayed on very gamely to finish third. Beholder sat back to the outside of Close Hatches, didn’t advance as early as that foe, was asked to move closer on the turn, loomed ominously, battled briefly between horses, but couldn’t quite finish with the others. It was a good try but surely not her best. This may be a true case of her not handling the sandy going. Close Hatches had worked smashingly over this track last week and showed she loved it here. Beholder’s lone work here wasn’t viewed as optimistically, and her lack of affection for this track may have shown here, too. Surely the long-range goal for Close Hatches and Beholder is the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but since it is again at Santa Anita that makes it questionable for Princess of Sylmar, who did not thrive there last fall.

Belmont - Just a Game (race 8)

COMMENT: Coffee Clique validated her game win in the Grade 3 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill last month with another very gutty performance to win here by a scant nostril. Showing her versatility, she stalked the pace in fourth, was content to remain there, swung wide into the lane, was part of a wall of horses battling for the lead, pushed through between to get the advantage, and just got her head down on the wire in time. Good as she’s going, you still get the feeling that if you ran this race 10 times, you’d get six different winners. Strathnaver, a longshot, enjoyed being back on turf after a synthetic track dud at Keeneland as she sat well back, came wide into the lane, had to move wider in midstretch, and closed with a rush to just miss. Somali Lemonade made the pace under pressure from Unlimited Budget and Discreet Marq and battled gamely every step of the way. Discreet Marq, the favorite, stalked the pace of Somali Lemonade, moved up as if she might take command and go on with it into the lane, but didn’t sustain her bid. Stephanie’s Kitten was away slowly to be far, far behind the field. She remained far back while saving ground to the top of the lane when she finally got going and closed strongly, though she was never a factor as she attempted to defend her title. Unlimited Budget, making her first start on turf, pressed the pace but gave way badly. She’s not close to the same gal she was early last year, and apparently this turf experiment failed to break her out of her doldrums. Not really sure where they can go from here except maybe the breeding shed, as she has a wonderful pedigree and was a quality runner on her day.

Belmont - Met Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: There should be no doubt now as to the best horse in America. Palace Malice, last year’s Grade 1 Belmont winner and this year a Grade 2/3 winner, shortened up, faced likely the toughest field of his life, and prevailed in smashing fashion. From his rail draw, he broke alertly, was content to sit midpack while staying inside as Broadway Empire set the pace, pushed through fast splits by Goldencents. Palace Malice steadily advanced while staying inside, was still behind the leaders coming into the lane, looked in trouble when Goldencents shot clear, but found a seam, surged through while moving to the rail, and edged past that top-class foe. Heady stuff. Goldencents ran wonderfully in his first start since last November. He dogged Broadway Empire from the start, took over and looked like the winner when he grabbed the lead into the lane, and surged clear but then couldn’t fend off Palace Malice. Romansh was just behind Goldencents early, stalking from his outside post, moved closer turning for home, and kept to his task gamely to be a sharp third and prove he’s not out of his element versus this kind. Shakin It Up lagged back and finished with good energy, though he was never a factor. He was in some distress after the race and had to be vanned off. Normandy Invasion sat well back, started what appeared the beginning of a run down the backside, but it went nowhere. He’s officially a disappointment.

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Belmont - Manhattan (race 10)

COMMENT: Real Solution, third in this last year before finishing second in the Grade 1 Arlington Million (awarded the win via DQ), is back in top form. Coming off a nice second to Imagining in the Grade 1 Man o’ War here last month, he bided his time midpack as Five Iron opened up a huge lead. Real Solution moved in tandem with favorite Seek Again and Kaigun to reel in that spent rival turning for home and continued on resolutely on the outside to outfinish the others. Defense of his Arlington Million crown would seem in the cards. Kaigun was with Seek Again early, though far behind runaway leader Five Iron. He moved with the winner and Seek Again to collar that rival and stayed on gamely. Seek Again, favored off his fine second to two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill on the Derby undercard, sat with Kaigun well behind the runaway pacemaker, made a strong move to quickly close the gap on Five Iron, and looked as though he might take control, but didn’t sustain his run as he couldn’t quite outfinish Real Solution and Kaigun. Grandeur was far back early, still well back turning for home before producing a strong run only to run out of ground. Longer races like the Grade 2 Bowling Green (1 1/2 miles) here July 12 and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer (1 1/2 miles) at Saratoga in August will suit him better. Imagining, the Grade 1 Man o’ War winner, had to steady fairly sharply first time under the wire while on the rail, moved outside going down the backstretch, came with the others to negate the lead of Five Iron while wide into the lane, but flattened out thereafter.

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Belmont - Belmont (race 11)

COMMENT: We’ll have to wait for Triple Crown winner No. 12 as California Chrome was gallant in defeat but found the 1 1/2 miles and some tough, fresh foes too much to handle. Tonalist, impressive winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan, showed he’s the real deal. He wasn’t far off the modest pace of Commissioner, bided his time just to the outside, moved up wide to challenge, had California Chrome come up to his right flank, was able to rebuff that rival and then had to dig deep to just get up and nip a gallant Commissioner on the line. The Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 23 is his main summer target. Commissioner, ideally bred for a race like this, went right up to wrest the early lead from California Chrome on the clubhouse turn, was able to set modest splits while taking some pressure, rebuffed challenges into the lane, and stayed on courageously to just miss. Medal Count was midpack early, moved closer along the inside going to the far turn, stayed to the inside, and finished gamely. This run helps validate his trainer Dale Romans’s stated high opinion of this horse last fall. Races like the Grade 1 Haskell, Grade 2 Jim Dandy, and Grade 1 Travers figure to be the calling for these two as well. Toss in Bayern and a few others into the mix and it makes for a fun summer. California Chrome broke alertly and appeared primed to make the running, but was immediately tackled by Commissioner. He relented the lead to that foe, eased back a bit to sit fourth on the rail, appeared to be traveling well as he found room to get off the fence and move to the outside going to the far turn, eased closer to be abreast of the leaders into the lane, and for a second looked as if he might be on his way to history. However, just as quickly you could see he was low on fuel and wasn’t going to get there. Still a tremendous three-race series for him. It was reported later that he did grab a quarter, probably at the start when he had a slight stumble. He’ll reportedly won’t eye races like the Haskell and Travers but instead will stay in California and target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Wicked Strong sat closer to the pace than usual, was still behind the leaders into the lane, tried to make a run, couldn’t get involved, but snatched part of fourth in the final strides as he finished in a dead heat with California Chrome.

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Churchill - Mint Julep (race 8)

COMMENT: Honey Hues fizzled badly to ninth after setting the pace in the 1 3/8-mile Keertana here last month. However, shortened up today, and with her speed intact and the rail, she was able to post the upset. While some of her potential rivals were in New York instead, she made hay. She used her speed, yes, but wasn’t speed-crazy as she instead chased pacesetter Maid On a Mission. She dogged that gal, moved closer going to the far turn, took command, opened up, and held I’m Already Sexy safe through the lane. After this she’ll probably be kept to a similar trip from now on. I’m Already Sexy, sixth to Coffee Clique in the Grade 3 Distaff Turf Mile here last month (and that gal won today’s Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont), was just behind the eventual winner early, didn’t accelerate as early as that gal, doggedly went after her when the real racing began in the lane, closed the gap some, but could never get to her. Maid On a Mission, wire-to-wire winner over some tough optional claimers in her first start here last month, bounced right out to a clear early lead, took some pressure from Honey Hues turning for home, couldn’t go with that gal or the runner-up, but kept to her task decently to keep third. Miz Ida, the favorite as she was back to defend her title, broke poorly, was content to sit last early, was still there turning for home, and could make only modest headway without threatening.

Santa Anita - Affirmed (race 9)

COMMENT: Can the Man, despite being off since last fall and returning at a route, took advantage of the absence of the circuit’s best 3-year-olds to notch his first graded stakes win. He nearly won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity (seven furlongs) last summer and then faded to fourth in the Grade 1 FrontRunner (1 1/16 miles) here before going to the sidelines. Despite questions about the distance and the layoff, he dueled early with Frensham, got the better of that rival going down the backstretch, took pressure then from Arkenstone, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up a clear lead, and held Friendswith K Mill safe in the final half-furlong. This sets him up for the Los Alamitos Derby July 5, which replaces the Grade 2 Swaps formerly run at Hollywood on the racing calendar. Friendswith K Mill, who was not disgraced at all when fifth in the Grade 3 Derby Trial just two lengths behind DQ’d winner Bayern (who romped in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont earlier today), lagged back and came with a smart run through the lane, though the issue had pretty much already been determined. The Los Alamitos Derby is a logical next stop for him. Forever Juanito, trying dirt and a route both for the first time after a turf sprint stakes win, sat back, made a threatening move into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Big Tire lagged back and made only minimal headway.

Sunday, June 8

Monmouth - Monmouth (race 11)

COMMENT: Speaking of Which has shown glimpses of big-time ability. Well, he showed it again here and made for a big weekend for trainer Christophe Clement, who also sent out Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont winner, Tonalist. Speaking of Which, coming of a so-so fourth in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont on May 3, broke decently, established position midpack, was content to stay there while Hard Enough set a solid pace, swung into the far turn to commence his run, swept past the leaders, opened up, and didn’t really have a nervous moment thereafter. Hangover Kid was far back early, remained there to the top of the lane, and finished strongly up the rail in a fine run to be second. Winning Cause was fifth early, moved closer to challenge into the lane, but couldn’t quite sustain his run. Admiral Kitten was well back early and never mustered a run. Lochte, the favorite after winning a Grade 1 at Gulfstream this winter and then posting a couple sharp Grade 1 stakes-placings at Santa Anita and Keeneland, stalked the pace while wide but gave way badly in a very disappointing run. As hard as he hit the brakes something may have gone awry.