Trip Notes for March 10-11: San Felipe, Gotham, Tampa Bay Derby, and more

March 10

Aqueduct
Tom Fool (race 9)

COMMENT: Skyler’s Scramjet stepped into graded-stakes ranks for the first time after two big wins here this meet and proved up to the task. As the 5-2 favorite, the son of Creative Cause broke alertly, dogged early pacesetter Green Gratto through solid splits, remained off the rail in the clear, had no trouble taking over from that tiring rival turning for home, blew the race open with a strong fifth furlong and while eventual runner-up Do Share closed the gap in the final furlong the issue had already been put to bed. Off this he might be ready to take a swing at something like the Grade 1 Carter here April 7, though obviously the water there will be quite a bit deeper. Do Share was slow into stride to sit last early, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, swung very wide into the stretch, finished strongly and while able to close the gap significantly on the eventual winner never really looked as though he was going to catch him. Great Stuff lagged back as well, finished decently to pass a few rivals but was never really a factor. Threefiveindia broke inward to be toward the back early and never mustered a run.

Aqueduct
Gotham (race 10)

COMMENT: Enticed won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill on Nov. 25 but was a non-factor fourth in the Grade 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream on Feb. 3. However, the son of top sire Medaglia d’Oro and champion filly It’s Tricky got back on track and bolstered his Kentucky Derby stock with an easy win. He broke slowly to be toward the back early, bided his time there as Cove Blue and Old Time Revival volleyed up front, came with a smart wide run on turn, took dead aim at then-leader Old Time Revival, had no trouble reeling in that rival just inside the eighth pole, drawing clear to win easily while under wraps. The Grade 2 Wood Memorial here April 7 may be his bridge to the Kentucky Derby. Old Time Revival, a longshot after running second in a mile stakes at Laurel last month, volleyed up front with fellow longshot Cove Blue through solid splits, dispatched that foe by the far turn, opened up into the lane to look scary at 35-1 but couldn’t finish with the winner while ending up well clear of the others in a fine try. The Wood would certainly seem a logical next step. Free Drop Billy, the favorite after scratching from last week’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth to go here after running second in the Holy Bull, got bumped at the start to get away poorly, steadily improved his position throughout but was never really a factor. Trainer Dale Romans said the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 7 is likely next; he may well run into reigning juvenile champ Good Magic and possibly the Irish invader Gronkowski. Firenze Fire, second in the Grade 3 Withers here Feb. 3, lagged back, made a threatening move on the far turn but couldn’t sustain it and weakened a bit in the final furlong. He reportedly is targeting the Wood Memorial as well.

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Oaklawn
Honeybee (race 8)

COMMENT: Cosmic Burst was a bit disappointing when a well-beaten third in the Martha Washington here Feb. 10, finishing well behind Saturday rivals Red Ruby and Sassy Sienna. However, that was her first start in a couple months and having that run apparently served her well as she vaulted forward to prove an easy winner. The daughter of Violence sat second as previously unbeaten Amy’s Challenge shot out to a clear lead, remained there as Amy’s Challenge opened up a huge lead going down the backstretch and to the far turn, was asked for run on the turn, started to close the gap with a wide rally and continued on smartly to whiz past Amy’s Challenge and draw clear. The Grade 2 Fantasy here next month figures next and should all go well there, it’s on to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. Amy’s Challenge, winner of her first three starts, broke sharply to go right out to a clear lead, was full of herself as she sprinted clear of her rivals going down the backstretch, still held a commanding lead on the turn and into the lane but tired from using so much fuel early and while no match for the surging winner stayed on gamely to hold second well clear of the others. The Fantasy is reportedly her next target as well. Sassy Sienna lagged back from the start, began to advance going to the far turn, kept to her task decently to get up for third but was never really a factor. Red Ruby, the heavy favorite off a big win over some of these in the Martha Washington here Feb. 10, was a bit slow into stride, made a nice move going to the far turn to get up for second, looking as though she might be a serious threat, but then couldn’t sustain her run, ending up a non-factor fourth.

Tampa
Hillsborough (race 9)

COMMENT: Many expected trainer Chad Brown to be posing in the winner’s circle after this race. What many did not expect was that it wouldn’t be with favorite Off Limits, that instead it would be his Fourstar Crook who would get the job done. Making her first start since finishing a good third in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor on soft turf at Woodbine on Oct. 15, the daughter of Freud sat well back early as longshot Dynatail set a modest pace, remained well back to the far turn, came with her run in the lane, surging late to get up for the narrow win. Proctor’s Ledge, making her first start since finishing a dull eighth in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 14 (in which today’s foes La Coronel and Daddys Lil Darling ran one-two), stalked the pace, came with her run into the lane, swept to a clear lead in the stretch as if going on to victory but ducked out sharply a couple lanes, losing her momentum and then couldn’t quite fend off the surging winner. She managed to survive a claim of foul from fourth finisher Daddys Lil Darling, who had to steady behind her when she veered out. La Coronel, a well-beaten second to top-class Dona Bruja in the Grade 3 Endeavour here Feb. 10, stalked the pace, moved closer while saving ground, doggedly kept to her task and was beaten by just two heads. Daddys Lil Darling, last seen winning Santa Anita’s Grade 1 American Oaks on Dec. 30, sat midpack from the start, came with a run into the lane but had to steady late when Proctor’s Ledge veered into her path, was able to get going again but it was too late. Her rider lodged a claim of foul against runner-up Proctor’s Ledge but the claim was disallowed. Off Limits, favored off a smashing win in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar on Nov. 26, lagged back while saving ground, came with a run between horses into the lane, finished well as she moved to the inside but just couldn’t quite get to the leaders. It was still a solid try. Many of these could knock heads again in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland April 7, though Dona Bruja and Hawksmoor figure to target that as well.

Tampa
Florida Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: Andina del Sur won her debut on Belmont turf in the fall, was freshened and came back with a couple nice thirds in stakes at Gulfstream this winter, the last coming in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant. She picked up her game a bit here to notch her first graded stakes win. She sat well back early as first Jehozacat and then Closer Still set the pace, remained well back to the far turn, came wide into the lane and rallied gamely between horses to get the narrow decision. Goodthingstaketime, Group 3-placed on turf in Ireland last summer and last seen gamely beating maidens on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2, sat back as well, not far in front of the eventual winner, pitched wider than that rival into the lane, got first run to grab the lead by midstretch but just got nailed by the winner in the final strides. Altea was last early, remained well back to the far turn, came wide into the lane and finished full of run but just ran out of ground. Cash Out was far back from the start and was still well back into the lane before finding her best stride in the final furlong to get up for fourth, even if she was no threat to the top three. Salsa Bella, favored off a smart rallying second in the Sweetest Chant in her U.S. debut at Gulfstream (finishing ahead of Andina del Sur in third), had enough speed to be midpack from the start from her far outside post, was able to get to the inside to save ground, made a mild move into the lane but couldn’t sustain it.

Tampa
Tampa Bay Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Quip flashed ability last summer/fall, winning his first two starts before finishing a non-threatening seventh in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25. However, the son of Distorted Humor got back on track in his first start since, beating a nice group and putting himself back on the Kentucky Derby trail. He showed speed to dog pacesetting favorite World of Trouble of the start, kept after that foe to the top of the lane, moved up to challenge that rival by midstretch, got the better of him, edged clear and had enough to get to the line before a hard-trying Flameaway. His trainer, Rodolphe Brisset, is a former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He apparently learned his lessons well. The Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct or Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, both April 7, could be next as a bridge to the Kentucky Derby. Flameaway, let go at over 6-1 despite being a game winner of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis here last month, got knocked around at the start, was still able to establish position stalking the pace not far behind the eventual winner, was asked for run into the lane, was making minimal progress while racing erratically but straightened and found his best stride late to surge and scare the winner. The Blue Grass is reportedly next. World of Trouble, favored off a 13 3/4-length romp in the Pasco here Jan. 20, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from the eventual winner, was hounded by that rival through modest splits, battled back gamely when confronted by that foe into the lane, couldn’t keep pace with Quip and then lost second in the final strides. Vino Rosso, third in the Sam F. Davis and adding blinkers for the first time, appeared in a great spot stalking the pace racing with Flameaway, didn’t have the needed rally when asked. Tiz Mischief, a well-beaten third by Audible in the Grade 2 Holy Bull (13 1/4 lengths) at Gulfstream Feb. 3, lagged back while saving ground but never mustered a run. Untamed Domain, racing on dirt for the first time after a third in the Grade 3 Dania Beach on turf at Gulfstream Feb. 3, raced midpack from the start while wide but never produced a run. This likely means he’s off the Kentucky Derby trail and going back to grass with the Grade 2 American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5 his likely target.

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Santa Anita
Triple Bend (race 4)

COMMENT: There were some showers but the track was listed as ‘fast’. There may be a legitimate challenger to the sprint crown currently sitting atop the head of Roy H as City of Light made it two straight Grade 1 wins in impressive fashion. Last seen dueling and drawing off to easily win the Grade 1 Malibu here Dec. 26, the $710,000 son of Quality Road used his speed to sit just behind early pacesetter Bobby Abu Dhabi as that foe set a brisk pace, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, got the better of him inside the eighth pole and edged clear. Trainer Michael McCarthy said the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard in June is his long-term goal, though they could use the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 5 as a bridge to it. Bobby Abu Dhabi, a smart winner of an optional claimer here Dec. 31, his first start in over seven months, shot right out to the lead, set a brisk pace under some pressure from the eventual winner, battled back when challenged by that foe into the lane, still held the lead at the eighth pole but then couldn’t keep up with ‘Light while finishing far clear of the others. Edwards Going Left, second to ‘Light in the Malibu and then a romping winner of the Cal Cup Sprint here Jan. 27, broke a bit slowly to get away last, advanced to the far turn while staying outside, moved toward the rail to continue his run and finished decently, but couldn’t get to the top two. Captain Scotty, stepping well up in class after two romping wins to start his career, stalked in third from the start, remained in fairly close attendance to the far turn but then came up empty.

Santa Anita
Kilroe Mile (race 5)

COMMENT: Showers continued but the turf course remained listed as ‘firm’. The turf division got quite a jolt here as reigning grass champion and recent Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner World Approval was expected to dominate. Instead, this race shows how they’re not machines as the champion was never a factor, ending up fifth as Bowies Hero posted the upset. Coming off a rallying second in the Grade 3 Thunder Road here Feb. 10, he bided his time early as What a View set a fast pace, moved closer on the far turn, came with a smart run between horses to grab the lead by midstretch and stayed on gamely while shifting toward the inside. His connections said they weren’t sure what could be next, but the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile here May 28 would surely seem a target. Next Shares, a sharp rallying third in the Thunder Road, again ran well as he sat back, just behind the eventual winner, didn’t move as early as that foe, pitched wide into the lane and finished strongly but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. The Shoemaker Mile figures on his radar as well. Channel Maker, invading off a better-than-looked fifth in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf (beaten just two lengths with traffic trouble into the lane) and before that a good second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, sat last after a slow start, remained at the back going to the far turn, swung very wide on the turn and into the lane and finished smartly. World Approval, the champion turf horse of 2017 and heavy favorite off his exploits, seemed in a great spot stalking in fourth but never mustered any sort of run, which is odd as consistency has been his hallmark. Rider Flavien Prat said he never felt at any point as if he was going to catch the leaders. He reportedly came out of the race fine and trainer Mark Casse said they would still ‘look at’ the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland next month. Om, winner of the Thunder Road, sat second pressuring pacesetter What a View (the 2016 winner of this), loomed a big threat into the lane between horses but then gave way.

Santa Anita
San Felipe (race 6)

COMMENT: Showers continued but the main track remained listed as ‘fast’. Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie rank high on many a Kentucky Derby list and the two seemed to fortify their positions on such lists as McKinzie got to the line first but some late-stretch antics got him disqualified with Bolt d’Oro awarded the win. Making his first start since he ran third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and then suffering a pulled muscle this winter, Bolt d’Oro broke alertly to get a nice trip stalking in fourth, not far off pacesetter Lombo who was under pressure from McKinzie. Bolt d’Oro moved closer on the far turn, came up to take a narrow lead into the lane while soundly bumping into McKinzie’s flank, engaged in a stretch-long duel with that foe while to his outside, got bumped soundly by McKinzie late as that rival came out from left-handed whipping and got beat to the line. After an inquiry the stewards ruled McKinzie shifting out late and bumping Bolt d’Oro was decisive and awarded the win to Bolt d’Oro. The stewards could not place blame on who caused the initial bumping coming into the lane. This sets up a mouth-watering second clash in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby next month. McKinzie showed good speed to dog early pacesetter Lombo, bumped hard with Bolt d’Oro coming into the lane, stayed on gamely while inside that rival, shifted out late to bump Bolt d’Oro and just got to the line first, only to be disqualified for that late incident. These two were much the best of these and reportedly came out of the race well. Kanthaka, routing for the first time after an easy win in the 7-furlong Grade 2 San Vicente here Feb. 10, bided his time early, came with a decent run in the lane to get third, though he was never a threat to the top two. The way he finished hinted he might not want anything longer than this. Lombo, winner of the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis here Feb. 3, his first route, went right to the lead while holding the fence, took immediate and constant pressure from McKinzie and gave way readily in the lane.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: Showers continued much of the day and the main-track condition was changed to ‘wet-fast’. One of the favorites, Hoppertunity, scratched due to the changing track condition (will reportedly be rerouted to the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 31). Accelerate was favored here off a sharp win in the Grade 2 San Pasqual here last month. Accelerate left no doubt as to his superiority here, showing speed to sit second as Mubtaahij set a modest pace, moved up between that foe and Giant Expectations going down the backstretch, held a narrow lead on the far turn and then blew the race open in the lane, drawing away to win easily. Trainer John Sadler wasn’t sure what might be next, be it the Grade 2 Californian here April 28, or the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita at this same distance May 26, but did say the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August was the primary summer goal. Mubtaahij, third in the San Pasqual and taking blinkers off for this, went right to the lead, was able to get over to the rail despite his far outside post, set a modest pace under pressure from the eventual winner, proved no match for that foe in the lane but kept on nicely to finish far clear of the others. Fear the Cowboy, invading off a fourth to Horse of the Year Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream on Jan. 27, was away slowly, moved closer going to the far turn and plugged along for third though he was never a danger to the top two in the lane. Giant Expectations, romping winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio here Dec. 26, over Accelerate, was then ninth in the Pegasus and scratched from the Grade 1 Triple Bend earlier on the card to go here instead, hopped at the start to get away poorly, made a nice midrace move to reach contention going to the far turn but flattened out. Prime Attraction, second in the San Pasqual, stalked the pace while saving ground but fell back on the far turn and was not heard from again.