Trip Notes for June 8: Belmont Stakes, Met Mile, and more

Belmont Park

Just a Game II (race 4)

COMMENT: Maybe racing’s least well-known superstar, Rushing Fall continued her excellence, winning for the eighth time in nine starts and taking her fourth Grade 1 with a smashing win here. It was again her versatility that proved lethal. With no other speed in here the $320,000 daughter of More Than Ready broke sharply, went right out to a clear lead while moving to the inside, set a solid pace under modest pressure from Daddy Is a Legend with Bellavais just in behind on the rail, came under heavy pressure when Daddy Is a Legend turned up the heat on her on the far turn, held a narrow lead from that foe turning for home, was fully challenged by that foe into the lane, rebuffed that challenge when asked for run and drew clear to actually beat this tough field pretty handily. Despite the modest pace she came home with gusto, only missing the course mark for the mile by .44 seconds. The Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga July 13 may be next. Yes, that race is at 1 1/8 miles but she’s 2 for 2 at that distance as well. The bigger issue may be the company as the Diana could lure her top stablemates Sistercharlie (2018 Diana winner, champion grass distaffer), Homerique (Group 1-placed in France, Grade 2/3 winner here recently) and Competitionofideas (Grade 1 winner). It could also lure Bill Mott’s streaking Mitchell Road (Grade 2 winner). Of course they all have to deal with her as well. Should all go well there the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Aug. 10 could be next, though trainer Chad Brown mentioned possibly taking on boys in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at a mile at Saratoga that same day. Beau Recall, smart rallying winner of the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on Kentucky Derby day May 4, sat well back early (in fact she was last), as is her wont, remained there to the far turn, pitched widest of all into the lane, finished with good energy again and while never really a danger to the winner got up for second. You have to give the connections of Daddy Is a Legend credit – they tried to beat Rushing Fall. After losing to ‘Fall in their other four match-ups, this time the daughter of Scat Daddy was urged along early to stalk Rushing Fall. She sat second, just ahead of Bellavais who was to her inside, edged closer going into the far turn, closer still on the turn, fully engaged Rushing Fall into the lane to her outside but couldn’t keep up and due to that hard early work lost some punch in the lane which may have cost her second. It was still a fine try and you’d know a lot more about her if it wasn’t for Rushing Fall. Environs, stablemate of the winner, sat just behind Daddy Is a Legend, couldn’t quite keep up with that foe when that rival went after Rushing Fall, remained in ‘Legend’s wake, came off the inside to make a run into the lane, finished decently between horses but was never really a danger. This level may be a tad too much for her.

Belmont

Ogden Phipps (race 5)

COMMENT: The main track the prior couple days certainly played tilted toward inside speed, and the early main-track races this day seemed to confirm that was the case again here, at least this early on the card. The track has also played pretty fast. In what was considered a summit of sorts for the distaff division between Midnight Bisou and Come Dancing (as long as Monomoy Girl) remains sidelined, Midnight Bisou left no doubt as to who reigns. Coming off three straight wins this year, including a game tally in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn last time out April 14, the daughter of Midnight Lute broke a tad slow, but was content to bide her time sitting in the wake of Come Dancing who set a solid pace. She remained inside, behind that rival throughout, moved closer while seemingly well in hand going into the far turn, continued to be patient on the turn, again seemingly with a ton of gas in the tank, moved in just behind her main rival coming into the lane, came off the rail as a lane opened up between Come Dancing and Pacific Wind, surged through, blew right past Come Dancing to her inside and drew off while under wraps as much the best. Monomoy Girl better come back even better than she was in 2018 if she’s to handle this beast. The Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga July 21 could be next, or they could await the Grade 1 Personal Ensign there Aug. 24. Trainer Steve Asmussen said she’d return to her Churchill base, have a couple works and then they’d make a decision as to what’s next. Come Dancing, coming off two monster wins this year including taking the Grade 2 Ruffian here May 5 and the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct April 5 (in which she earned the highest Beyer of any horse this year, 114), stumbled at the start from the rail but rushed up to grab the lead, set a solid pace seemingly well within herself while holding the rail, remained up front taking some pressure from Escape Clause to her outside and Mopotism further out, looked very comfortable on the lead turning for home, braced for the coming challenge of Midnight Bisou to her outside into the lane but proved no match for that foe, staying on well to hold second. She’s good to be sure but she was exposed a bit here. She’ll reportedly get a bit of a freshening and possibly target the shorter (7 furlongs) Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga Aug. 24. Mopotism, fourth in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill May 3, stalked while outside Escape Clause, remained outside that rival to the top of the lane, was no match for the winner but kept to her task to get third. Escape Clause, an ultra-game second to Midnight Bisou in the Apple Blossom when beaten by a nose, chased the pacesetter from the start, remained there outside that foe with Mopotism to her outside, tried to make a run on the turn, came out just a bit into the lane as she seemed to be tiring, giving Midnight Bisou a path, and gave way thereafter.

Belmont

Jaipur (race 6)

COMMENT: As with Midnight Bisou in the Ogden Phipps, this race left no doubt as to the leader of the turf sprint division as World of Trouble won for the fifth straight time and now stamps himself a Grade 1 winner on dirt and turf. From his outside post the son of Kantharos broke sharply, went right to the lead, cleared off from main speed rival, the mare Belvoir Bay, set a strong pace in front of that rival while a couple lanes off the fence, came into the lane with a clear lead, rebuffed a challenge from that mare by midstretch and remained clear. He runs on anything so they have all sorts of options with him, including a return to dirt for the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga July 27 (where he could run into Mitole) or could stay on turf for the Troy there Aug. 3. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at 5 furlongs at Santa Anita in early November remains his long-term goal. Om, back to sprinting after going a mile the past 16 months or so, stalked a few lengths off the lead while saving ground, moved up inside stablemate Belvoir Bay to get closer to the leader on the far turn, came with his run in the lane while staying on the fence to get second, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Disco Partner, the two-time defending champ, bided his time, as usual, swung wide on the turn and into the finished well to just edge the mare for third, though he was never really a threat to the winner. Belvoir Bay broke well, was content to sit second as World of Trouble cleared off in front of her, moved outside that rival as she dogged him to the far turn, came with a serious challenge into the lane but tired a bit and couldn’t maintain her run in the final furlong. Belmont

Acorn (race 7)

COMMENT: Guarana was a monstrous winner of her debut in slop at Keeneland April 19. Here the daughter of Horse of the Year Ghostzapper was facing much, much tougher, a new distance and dry land. None of that mattered as she proved a smashing winner. She broke alertly to press a sizzling pace set by Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Princess on the rail and Cookie Dough to her outside, took back a bit and moved toward the inside, followed Serengeti Empress to the far turn, came off the inside when Cookie Dough weakened, moved up alongside Serengeti Empress, blew on past and drew clear to win easily. Certainly a race like the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga Aug. 3 figures a target, and wouldn’t that race be something with the likes of Bellafina, Break Even and Covfefe also targeting that? Her trainer Chad Brown did mention the possibility of stretching her out for the Grade 1 CCA Oaks at Saratoga July 20, as well. Serengeti Empress ran well in defeat. The Kentucky Oaks winner broke inward from her rail slot but was pushed along eagerly to make the lead on the rail, dueled with Cookie Dough to her outside through sizzling splits, started to dispatch with that rival and the other pace pressers turning for home only to be immediately confronted by Guarana to her outside, proved no match for that foe into the lane but kept to her task well to hold second, well clear of the rest. Surely the Grade 2 Mother Goose here June 29 comes up too quickly but the CCA Oaks at 1 1/8 miles (the same distance as the Kentucky Oaks which she won) may be next. Jeltrin, winner of the Grade 2 Davona Dale at 51-1 at this distance at Gulfstream March 2 and back to this trip after being a non-factor 10th in the Kentucky Oaks, sat midpack while saving ground, seemed to be traveling well going into the far turn, switched out for room into the lane and finished decently, though she was never really a danger to the top two. Ce Ce, a talented daughter of Elusive Quality from southern California, stalked while wide from her outside slot, remained wide throughout, loomed a mild threat into the lane but was one-paced to the line. Fancy Dress Party, winner of her first four starts including the Grade 3 Beaumont at Keeneland April 7, stalked the pace a few lanes off the fence, was still there turning for home but then gave way.

Belmont

Woody Stephens (race 8)

COMMENT: The idea of a bias in terms of path or style was likely dispatched with here as you had some deep wide closers and a longshot inside speed horse all in the mix. In the end, it was Hog Creek Hustle who prevailed. Coming off a well-beaten second to Mr. Money in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile at Churchill May 4, the son of Overanalyze bided his time at the back of the pack, not far off the inside, remained there down the backstretch, moved out some into the far turn, angled out further on the turn to start his run, pitched wider still into the lane to start his strong run, veered inward forcing Mind Control to steady, got straightened and finished resolutely for the win. Obviously a race like the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga Aug. 24 is a prime summer target. Nitrous, coming off a rallying stakes win at Oaklawn April 27, sat last from the start while saving ground, pitched wide on the far turn, started to advance, pitched wider still into the lane and finished with a flurry outside the winner to get second. Borracho, a rallying winner of an optional claimer at Churchill early on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4, lagged back, came with a run in the lane while maneuvering through traffic and finished well for third. Strike Silver went right to the lead, took pressure from Wendell Fong and Complexity, dispatched with those rivals into the lane, was soon confronted by Honest Mischief but rebuffed that foe, stayed on gamely but couldn’t fend off the three closers late. Honest Mischief, the favorite, broke a tad slowly from the rail, moved up eagerly while inside, moved off the fence as he crept closer to the solid pace, came with a smart run into the lane to loom a big threat but flattened out a bit in the final half-furlong. Mind Control, one of the favorites coming off a win in the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct April 6, lagged back while staying wide, remained wide throughout, was asked to get more involved on the turn and into the lane, made little headway and was seemingly going nowhere when the eventual winner came over from the outside into his path in the lane in midstretch, forcing him to check hard. As noted, though, Mind Control was already beaten. Complexity, making his first start since fading to 10th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Nov. 2 and then suffering a couple setbacks, showed good speed to press the pace while inside, raced just behind Strike Silver to the far turn while staying on the fence, was asked for run into the lane, briefly moved closer but then gave way badly and was eased. The stewards conducted an inquiry incident between Hog Creek Hustle and Mind Control in the stretch but allowed the result to stand. A number of these figure to target the aforementioned H. Allen Jerkens.

Belmont

Met Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: When Mitole won the Grade 1 Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 he proved he wasn’t a need-the-lead type. Well, here he proved he’s not just a sprinter as the son of Eskendereya notched his seventh straight win, beating maybe the best field put together this year. He broke well, pressing the pace set by Coal Front on the rail with Promises Fulfilled to his outside, dogged Coal Front through strong splits, took command from that tiring foe into the lane, opened up some and stayed on gamely to get to the line before an unlucky McKinzie. He’ll reportedly return to his Churchill base, then possibly target the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga at 6 furlongs July 27 and/or the Grade 1 Forego there at 7 furlong Aug. 24. McKinzie, smashing winner of the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill May 3 around two turns, cut back in distance and back to one turn and was quite unlucky. He broke a bit flatfooted to be toward the back of the pack, remained inside down the backstretch, crept closer on the far turn, desperately looked for room into the lane, tried to go between horses but was shut off by Thunder Snow, had to steady, regrouped, ducked back to the inside and surged late but was too late. He lost nothing in defeat. The Grade 1 Whitney at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga Aug. 3 is reportedly next. Thunder Snow, the two-time Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner, stalked the fast pace while staying inside, moved into contention with a strong threatening move between horses into the lane following Mitole, beat McKinzie to a path in midstretch, but couldn’t sustain his bid enough to scare the winner. His connections had said this was to be the start of an American campaign. Like McKinzie, the Whitney is reportedly his next target. Firenze Fire, romping winner of the Runhappy here May 11 and 3 for 3 on this track, stalked the pace, loomed a big threat with a wide run into the lane but flattened out. Coal Front, winner of his last three including the Group 2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai March 30, shot right to the lead from his rail slot, set a brisk pace under pressure from Mitole and Promises Fulfilled to his outside, held the lead to the top of the lane but relented once headed.

Belmont

Manhattan (race 10)

COMMENT: Trainer Chad Brown didn’t just win his fifth Manhattan, he swept the trifecta with three beasts, led by Bricks and Mortar, surely the top turf horse in the land. After being sidelined by injury for over 14 months, the son of Giant’s Causeway has now won his five starts since, three of them Grade 1’s. This was his first time going 1 1/4 miles but he handled it perfectly. He bided his time early as longshot Bandua set the early pace, remained toward the back while wide and in the clear as Qurbaan took over the pacesetting duties down the backstretch, steadily advanced while wide with talented stablemate Robert Bruce to his inside and stablemate Raging Bull just in behind on the rail, went after the trio of leaders into the lane while widest, surged to a clear lead and kept on smartly to win well. The Grade 1 Arlington Million Aug. 10 is reportedly his next target, though there remains a question about after that. After all, he’s been going hard since before Christmas and trainer Brown has already said this guy doesn’t strike him as a 1 1/2-mile horse, so the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf might be out. He has won all three starts at a mile so the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile could be an option as a long-term goal. But first things first, it’s on to Arlington. He may be joined on the trip to Arlington by stablemates Robert Bruce, the runner-up, and third-finisher Raging Bull. Robert Bruce finally got firm ground and got back to form. He raced just ahead of Bricks and Mortar while inside that rival, raced with him all the way to the top of the lane, didn’t have a clear path into the stretch as he had to wait for room as Bricks and Mortar surged to the lead, moved in behind Bricks and Mortar and ran on well for second. He won last year’s Arlington Million so that surely figures next. Raging Bull, with blinkers added after a couple modest fourths in Grade 1 events this spring, lagged back while saving ground, not far behind his two stablemates, remained inside to the far turn, didn’t accelerate as quickly as his two stablemates on the turn, got going turning for home, had to wait for room in the lane, came off the inside, pitched out and finished well for third just outside of Robert Bruce, though he wasn’t really a danger to his winning stablemate. The Arlington Million is reportedly next for him as well. Channel Maker, shortening up after winning the 1 3/8-mile, Grade 1 Man o’ War here May 11, got a dream trip stalking the pace, moved up easily outside a couple rivals to challenge for the lead turning for home, took a brief lead into the lane but was soon overwhelmed by the winner and then couldn’t finish with Robert Bruce and Raging Bull. He’s likely better going longer and trainer Bill Mott has said previously the longer Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga July 27 and longer Grade 1 Sword Dancer there Aug. 24 were his summer targets. Olympico, a fourth Brown runner who won his U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Ft. Marcy here May 4 on soft ground, sat last from the start, pitched very wide into the lane but never mustered a run. Could be he’s better on non-firm turf, or maybe this level is just a tad beyond him.

Belmont

Belmont Stakes (race 11)

COMMENT: Much attention was placed on Mark Casse’s Grade 1 Preakness winner War of Will, and deservedly so, but it was Casse’s other horse Sir Winston who took down this big prize. Coming off a nice rallying second in the Grade 3 Peter Pan here May 11, the son of Awesome Again lagged back, but with the slower splits wasn’t that far back, saved ground, made a sudden move on the far turn hugging the rail to move in just behind pacesetters Joevia and Tax, shifted out from behind those two, causing stablemate War or Will to steady some, moved to the lead, drifted back toward the inside but got straightened and got to the line on top. Tacitus, the favorite after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (moved up to third via disqualification), sat midpack just behind main rival War of Will while wide, remained wide throughout, came with his run outside War of Will turning for home, got bumped by War of Will when that rival steadied due to Sir Winston coming out in front of him, straightened and got going again and finished well but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Surely being very wide throughout cost him. Joevia, a longshot coming off a wire-to-wire win in a stakes at Monmouth May 12, went right to the lead from the rail, was soon joined by Tax to his outside, raced with that rival through modest splits, stayed on the fence, rebuffed Tax into the lane but couldn’t counter the winner’s charge and tired just a bit late to lose second to Tacitus. The Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth July 20. Tax pressed the issue from the start just outside of Joevia and kept to his task nicely all the way around. Master Fencer, the Japanese raider who rallied for seventh in the Kentucky Derby, was last early here, remained last to the far turn, pitched very wide and finished with good energy, though he was never really a threat. War of Will stalked the pace while wide, seemed content to remain there to the far turn, moved closer to the leaders on the turn, loomed a big threat into the lane but was under pressure to do better and then steadied and stumbled when winning stablemate Sir Winston came over in front of him in the stretch and gave way thereafter. A third race in five weeks may have been a tad too much for him. Sir Winston, Tacitus and War of Will reportedly have their eye on the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Aug. 24. If Maximum Security, Omaha Beach, Game Winner, Improbable, Code of Honor, Roadster and Country House can all show up there as well we can settle this top 3-year-old male issue.

Belmont

Brooklyn (race 13)

COMMENT: Marconi, a $2 million son of Tapit, continued his ascent as he won for the third straight time and notched his first graded stakes win. Coming off game wins in a stakes at Gulfstream March 29 and here May 9, he went right to the lead from his rail slot, got away with soft splits under modest pressure from stablemate and 5-2 favorite You’re to Blame, maintained a narrow edge while holding the fence, gamely rebuffed a challenge first from Realm into the lane and then held off a number of closers in the final half-furlong to prevail in a six-horse blanket finish. The Grade 2 Suburban at 1 1/4 miles here July 6 may be next, where he could run into top-class foes Catholic Boy and Diversify. Rocketry, second to Marconi in both those last two at Gulfstream and here, sat well back early, swung wide on the far turn and into the lane, came with a smart run but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Realm stalked the pace, loomed a big threat into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run, though he stayed on decently to only lose second in the final strides. Campaign, the second choice off a big win in the Grade 3 Tokyo City at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita April 14, was unlucky. He lagged back, came with a threatening run into the lane but was blocked much of the way and unable to continue with his bid. You’re to Blame, the favorite chased the winner from the start, went after him into the lane, couldn’t quite get to him but kept on well to be part of the blanket finish.

Churchill Downs

Mint Julep (race 10)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as good. Mom’s On Strike dropped for her first start since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill last fall and came back firing as the 6-year-old daughter of First Dude proved best. She stalked in fourth as Coco Channel set a modest pace under some pressure from Vagabond Princess, saved ground as she bided her time, came off the rail into the lane to launch her run and finished gamely to edge hard-charging longshot Smart Shot. She’s likely better with more ground than this and having this race under her belt should set her up well for next time, which could come in something like the Grade 3 Waya at 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga Aug. 4, a race in which she ran second last year when it was 1 1/4 miles and washed off the turf. Smart Shot, stepping up off a smart rallying win over optional claimers here April 30, again sat well back from the start after getting away slowly, remained there to the far turn while saving ground, advanced between horses on the turn, moved out into the lane for clear sailing and finished well to just miss. Limari, the heavy favorite who was stepping up in class after four straight wins, missed the break to get away slowly, ending up at the back of the pack with Smart Shot, angled out on the far turn for room, took a while to get into stride but finished strongly late, just too late. Vagabond Princess dogged pacesetter Coco Channel from the start, got the better of that rival into the lane to take the lead, but then couldn’t finish with the top three.