Trip Notes for March 11-12: Santa Anita Handicap, San Felipe, Tampa Bay Derby

March 11

Aqueduct
Tom Fool Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Spartiatis apparently has a new lease on life. Sixth as a big longshot in this race last year, his form since had been mixed – until recently. He popped up with an optional-claiming win here Jan. 21 and looked even better in this race. From his rail slot he stalked in fourth as Chief Lion set a solid pace, eased back a bit going to the far turn so he could find room to get off the rail, got back into gear, reeled in Chief Lion and rolled on past for the easy win. The Grade 1 Carter on the big track here April 8 is reportedly next and with the likes of Sharp Azteca and Mind Your Biscuits going to Dubai, up-and-comer Whitmore maybe focused on racing elsewhere, Divining Rod out of action and Connect yet to reappear he could be a big threat there. Chief Lion did everything right but it just wasn’t enough. He outgunned fellow speedster Green Gratto for the lead, was clear going to the far turn, expanded his margin farther into the lane, but couldn’t fend off the winner while finishing well clear of the rest. King Kranz sat back and came with a nice run, though he was no danger to the top two. Sassicaia, the favorite after running second to Chief Lion here Feb. 17, his first start in over 10 months, lagged back and could make only modest headway.

Tampa Bay
Florida Oaks (race 9)

COMMENT: Fifty Five finished full of run to be a sharp third in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Feb. 4. She improved and timed her late run a bit better here. A daughter of Get Stormy, she was last early as longshot Like a Hurricane shot out to a big early lead, was still well back going down the backstretch, swung wide into the lane, and finished strongly to just nail La Coronel in the final strides. A race like the Grade 3 Appalachian on Keeneland turf April 13 could be next. La Coronel, making her much-anticipated return after flashing considerable talent last year, including being a troubled sixth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, bided her time early in sixth. She made a strong, wide run on the far turn to reach contention, grabbed the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off the winner. This was a smart comeback and the Appalachian figures on her radar as well. She romped in the Grade 3 Jessamine on that Keeneland course last fall. Compelled, who finished a nose in front of Fifty Five when second in the Sweetest Chant, stalked in fourth while saving ground, remained inside as she got shuffled back a bit going into the far turn, got going again while staying on the rail, made a run to be threatening by midstretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. Dynatail, winner of her last three (the first two on turf here and the third a stakes on Ocala synthetic last time), had her streak snapped but ran well. She sat second behind pacesetter Like a Hurricane, moved up with La Coronel to take on the tiring pacesetter turning for home, was still right in the thick of it to midstretch, but couldn’t sustain her bid. Daddys Lil Darling, a Grade 2 winner on dirt trying turf for the first time, sat back, made a mild bid between horses coming into the lane, but faded to sixth. This was also her first start in almost four months, so while she didn’t flourish on the footing she may also have needed this race.

Tampa Bay
Hillsborough (race 10)

COMMENT: The turf distaff division is already brutal (Tepin, Lady Eli, Dacita, Sea Calisi, Miss Temple City, Roca Rojo, Avenge, Illuminant, Suffused), but there may be another candidate to try and get into that mix as Dickinson won back-to-back graded stakes and for the fourth time in her last five starts. A winner of the Grade 3 Suwannee River at Gulfstream Feb. 11 (over Elysea’s World in second), she led a repeat of that exacta. She stalked the pace of Isabella Sings whiles saving ground, advanced while staying on the rail to the far turn, came out into the lane for clear sailing, put in a strong run to go past Isabella Sings and then outfinish Elysea’s World. She has speed and has won going shorter so this might tempt her connections to possibly take a swing at the deep end of the pool in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland April 15. Of course, if they don’t desire such a tough task, they could always await something like the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on Kentucky Derby day, or even the Grade 3 Beaugay on turf at Belmont May 13. There are plenty of options. Elysea’s World couldn’t chase down Dickinson in the Suwannee River and had the same issue here, though she again ran well. She bided her time early as usual, advanced while saving ground to the far turn, angled out into the lane, loomed very dangerous by midstretch as she got within a half-length of Dickinson, but could get no closer. Isabella Sings, coming off a romping win in the Grade 3 Endeavour here Feb. 11 and was second to champion Tepin in this race last year, shot right out to a clear lead, as expected, set a solid pace while holding a clear lead to the far turn, fought back when challenged by Dickinson into the lane, but then couldn’t stay with that gal and couldn’t finish with the runner-up, though she ended up far clear of the rest. This might be her swan song as plans have been in place for her to be bred this spring.

Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Tapwrit, a $1.2 million son of all-world sire Tapit, showed talent winning two straight, including the Pulpit at Gulfstream Dec. 10, but seemed to pick up his game when finishing well to be second to highly regarded McCraken in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis here Feb. 11. He picked up his game further, and with no McCraken to worry about found the spotlight. He was well back early as State of Honor, third in the Davis, set a brisk pace. He remained toward the back going down the backstretch, started his run on the turn, moved up strongly, quickly reached contention, and drew off to win easily. The Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland April 8 could be next and that’s shaping up as a doozy as 2-year-old champ Classic Empire and unbeaten McCraken are pointing for that as well. State of Honor went right out to a clear lead, took some pressure from Sonic Mule, dispatched with that foe turning for home, opened up a bit again but then had no answer for the winner. Trainer Mark Casse said he’ll get another chance at a Derby prep but made no commitment as to which one. Wild Shot lagged well back, behind the eventual winner, didn’t get moving as early or as strongly but picked up the pace in the pace in the lane to rally for third. The Blue Grass may be next for him. No Dozing stalked the pace, loomed a big threat into the lane but couldn’t sustain his bid. Trainer Arnaud Delacour said he’d likely target Laurel’s Federico Tesio April 14 as a prep for a possible shot at the Grade 1 Preakness May 20. The top four finishers had run second, third, fourth and sixth in the Davis and were the only ones in here from that race.

Oaklawn
Honeybee (race 8)

COMMENT: It Tiz Well may be no match for her monstrous stablemate Unique Bella, but she showed she’s pretty darn good in her own right as she invaded from Southern California and, routing for the first time, beat a nice bunch. She stalked in fourth as Someday Soon went out to the early lead under pressure from Tapa Tapa Tapa, moved closer as Tapa Tapa Tapa took over going to the far turn, made her run at the lead along with Benner Island, battled with that gal, and got the better of her in the final half-furlong. The Grade 3 Fantasy here April 14 could be next. Her win also indicates the rest of the division better pick up the pace if they’re to have any chance against Unique Bella. Benner Island, getting blinkers for the first time after finishing a dull sixth in the Martha Washington here Feb. 11, sat midpack from the start, made a strong wide run to reach contention on the far turn, had the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t stay with the winner in the final half-furlong. Still, she ended up well clear of the rest and the Fantasy figures on her radar as well. Elate, huge winner of her debut at Aqueduct Nov. 26 and then second in the Suncoast at Tampa Feb. 11, was bothered at the start. She bided her time toward the back, started a run on the far turn, and finished with good energy, though she was no threat to the top pair after her early debacle. She still likely remains on the Kentucky Oaks trail as you can reason she would have been quite a bit closer with a better start. Chanel’s Legacy, winner of the Dixie Belle and Martha Washington here this winter, stalked the pace, was still there to the top of the lane, but then weakened. Maybe she’s hit her ceiling, either in terms of class or distance – or both. Regardless, her connections indicated they make take another shot in the Fantasy.

Santa Anita
San Felipe (race 5)

COMMENT: Losses, disappointing outings and injuries muddled the Triple Crown picture in recent weeks, but Mastery, the unbeaten son of Candy Ride, seemed put a sense of order back into things with a dominant performance here. However, his win was tarnished as he was pulled up after the finish and was vanned off. A post-race exam found he suffered a condylar fracture of his left fore and was scheduled for surgery Monday. In making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 16 and winning for the fourth time in as many starts, the $425,000 colt went right to the lead between horses, took pressure from Gormley and Iliad, dispatched with those two into the lane, and drew off. Sadly, he’s off the Triple Crown trail now. Iliad, a son of Ghostzapper and a former Bob Baffert trainee (Baffert trains Mastery), was routing for the first time for new trainer Doug O’Neill after an easy win in the Grade 2 San Vicente at seven furlongs Feb. 12. He dogged the winner from the start from his outside post, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, proved no match for him, but stayed on to hold second. Term of Art, a longshot having been a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis here Feb. 4, was last from the start, remained well back to the far turn, and put in a steady run to get third. Gormley, the second choice off a win in the Grade 3 Sham here Jan. 7, had enough speed to press Mastery while inside him, tried to move up to challenge Mastery on the turn, but couldn’t keep pace and faded in the lane in a disappointing effort.

Santa Anita
Triple Bend (race 8)

COMMENT: Denman’s Call, still eligible for a first-level allowance race, picked the right day to run the race of his life as he rallied to post a 16-1 upset. He worked a bullet five furlongs here March 3 (58.80), apparently signaling his readiness. From his rail slot he showed a little more speed than usual, stalking the pace of heavy favorite Masochistic while staying on the rail. He moved closer to Masochistic while still on the fence, had to steady some as there was no room, but then found room as Masochistic came off the rail just a bit, and moved through to grab the lead. Off this he figures to target the big sprint stakes on the circuit, the next being the Grade 3 Los Angeles here April 15. Masochistic, the 2015 winner and huge favorite making his first start since finishing second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, shot out to the lead as expected, set solid splits, came off the rail just enough to allow Denman’s Call to push through, and stayed on well for second. He does better with time between starts, so he might not resurface until the Grade 2 Kona Gold here May 20. Conquest Cobra, cutting back to a sprint after a third in an optional-claiming route, chased Masochistic from his outside slot, tried to make a run at that foe into the lane, was no match for the top pair, but kept on decently for third. This was a disappointing day for two other favorites, Silent Bird and Kobe’s Back. Silent Bird, well backed after winning five straight after losing his debut, was well back early and could make only modest headway in the lane while never being a threat. Kobe’s Back, a proven Grade 1 winner at this trip and making his first start in nearly nine months, was last early, showed more early interest than usual to move up to fourth turning for home, but then flattened out.

Santa Anita
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: It’s a race like this that shows you why trainer Dick Mandella is in the Hall of Fame. His trainee Bal a Bali was top-class in Brazil in 2014, came to Mandella and the U.S., and showed he belonged in top company through 2015. His form tailed off a bit last year, however, and after a dull eighth in the Grade 1 Gold Cup (on dirt) here June 25 the talk started about retiring the then-6-year-old. However, Mandella said that he was doing too well to retire. Well, he was right on the mark as Bal a Bali turned back the clock and beat some top milers. Making his first start since that Gold Cup dud, Bal a Bali stalked as What a View shot out to a clear lead. Bal a Bali started a run into the lane, was still well behind What a View by midstretch, but surged late to get up in the final strides. Off this he figures to target the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile here June 3. Nice as this was, the West Coast milers just seem to be taking turns. What a View, romping winner of this last year and coming off a second to Bolo in the Grade 2 Arcadia here Feb. 11, bounced out to a clear lead, set strong fractions while holding the rail, opened up some into the lane as if he were going to go on to victory, but couldn’t fend off the winner. Bolo, winner of the Arcadia, his first start in seven months and his fourth win in five tries on this course, sat back just behind Bal a Bali, came out for the stretch run, closed some but didn’t finish with the power he showed in the Arcadia. Ring Weekend, winner of this in 2015 and coming off a fourth in the Arcadia, was slow into stride and last until turning for home, got going some late, and nearly got up for third. His form isn’t quite as sharp as before so he may be in need of a break after a busy schedule since last summer. Conquest Enforcer, favored off a third in the Arcadia, chased What a View from the start but tired in the lane. Dortmund, a multiple Grade 1 dirt winner trying grass for the first time and making his first start for new trainer Art Sherman (of California Chrome fame), stalked the pace but gave way to end up last, and reportedly was never comfortable on the new footing. It’s back to dirt, and reportedly that will come in the Santana Mile here April 1.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: With likely the West’s four best handicap horses passing this for one reason or another (Arrogate and Hoppertunity going to Dubai, Mo Spirit pointing for something else, and defending champ Melatonin not yet back in action), this race seemed ripe for the plucking by some invading force. Shaman Ghost fit the bill. Winner of Saratoga’s Grade 1 Woodward last summer and coming off a second to superstar Arrogate in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup, Shaman Ghost sat third as Midnight Storm set a solid pace, moved out for clear sailing at the top of the lane, and wore down Midnight Storm. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said races like the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap April 15 and Belmont’s Grade 2 Brooklyn June 10, a race he won last year, could be on his radar. Midnight Storm, a winner of five of his prior six, including the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Native Diver at Del Mar Nov. 27 and the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 San Pasqual here last time out Jan. 1, was being tested for distance and to a degree passed the test. As is his norm he broke running, going right to the lead from his rail slot, set modest splits while under some pressure by Isotherm, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up some, looked like the winner in midstretch, but couldn’t fend off Shaman Ghost while finishing well clear of the rest. He’s strong from a mile 1/8 miles, effective up to 1 1/4 miles, and can do both turf and dirt, so they have all sorts of options. Follow Me Crev, an optional-claiming winner here Feb. 20, bided his time early while saving ground, steadily advanced going to the far turn, and continued on well to get third. Hard Aces, second in this last year, lagged back and never mustered a run.

March 12

Santa Anita
Santa Ana (race 7)

COMMENT: Goodyearforroses continued her ascent, notching her third win in as many starts since coming here from Canada. The daughter of Azamour, who was a top-class turfer in Europe a few years ago, romped in the off-the-turf Robert Frankel here Dec. 31, then won the Astra II on turf here Feb. 2. Facing tougher foes here, she sat fourth early as Kenriya set a modest pace, surged into the lead by midstretch, and had no real worries from there. Off this a race like the Grade 3 Santa Barbara here April 30 could be next, though trainer Richard Baltas said her main goal is to win a Grade 1, so the primary spring target is the Grade 1 Gamely here May 27. Nice as this was, though, note that the best local turf distaffers (Avenge, Illuminant, Prize Exhibit) were not here. Pretty Girl, a Group 1 winner in Argentina way back in 2014, a stakes winner in France last summer, and a well-beaten second to Goodyearforroses in the Frankel last time out, bided her time early from her rail draw. She was still well back turning for home, moved off the fence for room, and finished well. Sweet Charity sat fifth to the top of the lane, came with a run to threaten the winner by midstretch, but couldn’t sustain her bid. Kenriya, well regarded off an encouraging fourth in her U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Megahertz here Jan. 16, went right out to set the pace while holding the rail, took pressure from Evo Campo, and gave way readily in the lane in a disappointing run.