Trip Notes for March 12-13: Tom Fool, Tampa Bay Derby, Santa Anita Handicap, San Luis Rey, and more...

Saturday, March 12

Aqueduct - Tom Fool Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Salutos Amigos shipped west for a couple outings and did quite well, running second in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute and Grade 2 Palos Verdes. He returned home for this, a race he won easily last year, and had no trouble defending his title. He sat well back early, as is often his tact, remained well back going into the far turn, swung very, very wide into the lane, and powered home to roll past his rivals and clear late. Last year after winning this, he went to Dubai. There are no such plans this year as he instead is eyeing the Grade 1 Carter on April 9 at Aqeuduct. Always Sunshine, winner of a stakes at Laurel last time out Dec. 26, showed he can compete with graded stakes company as he sat midpack early, moved closer turning for home, was in the thick of it by midstretch, and was no match for the winner but kept on well to be a clear second. Stallwalkin’ Dude, was just behind Always Sunshine early, moved earlier to stalk the pace of Dads Cap, advanced to contend for the lead into the lane, had the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t sustain his run. Dads Cap, second in this last year, set the pace under some pressure from Mewannarose and faded once headed. After his outing here last year, he went on to win the Grade 1 Carter. They may try to defend that title, though he’s not nearly as sharp now as he was then.

Tampa Bay - Florida Oaks (race 8)

COMMENT: A couple European expatriates took command of the proceedings, with Baciami Piccola getting the win in her first U.S. start. Baciami Piccola, bred in England, raced in Italy and France last year, was making her first start in almost eight months and routing for the first time. She lagged well back as longshot Valueable Charmer set a modest pace, remained well back to the far turn, angled out to start her run, still had work to do by midstretch, but finished strongly to get the win. This doesn’t mean she’s ready for Catch a Glimpse, but it shows she has talent and is thriving in her new surroundings. She can improve, too. Enjoy Yourself was the winner of her debut in Ireland last summer, third in a stakes at Belmont last fall, and an easy winner over optional claimers here Feb. 17. She sat midpack from the start, remained there to the top of the lane, came with a smart run, but just couldn’t quite outdo the winner. Family Meeting, winner of a Grade 3 turf stakes Nov. 28 at Del Mar and second in another turf stakes Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, sat back early, steadily improved her position, and came with a strong rally to just miss getting second by a neck. Ava’s Kitten, the 9-5 favorite while making her first start since two straight turf wins at Belmont last October (including the Chelsey Flower in which Enjoy Yourself ran third), seemed in a great spot stalking the pace while saving ground after being bumped at the start, had to wait for room coming into the lane, and finished decently along the inside but it wasn’t enough. Apparently, Chad Brown doesn’t win every turf race he enters.

Tampa Bay - Hillsborough (race 10)

COMMENT: Tepin continued her dominance among turf females as the reigning champ notched her seventh win in her last nine starts, setting her up for a shot at males again in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile on April 15. As usual, her tactical speed and handiness proved lethal as she sat third as Isabella Sings ran off to a huge lead (as much as 18 lengths down the backstretch and 13 1/2 lengths turning for home). Tepin was asked for run, quickly cut into that rival, still had five lengths to make up by midstretch, but finished strongly to reel in that rival and roll past, setting a course record in the process. Should all go well at Keeneland, she may then ship across the Atlantic to England in June to try a Group 1 at Royal Ascot, and that would be quite interesting. Isabella Sings, making her first start since a game win in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere on Nov. 14 at Churchill, surged out to a huge early lead, made it look like a runaway when still far in front turning for home, ran on well as Tepin started her run, and while unable to fend off the champ, she finished far clear of the rest. Lovely Loyree, third to Tepin in the Grade 3 Endeavour here Feb. 13, sat second as Isabella Sings blasted off to a huge lead, tried to rally with Tepin turning for home, but couldn’t stay with that gal. While able to hold third, Lovely Loyree was no factor in the lane. Ball Dancing, second in this last year and making her first start since fading to eighth in the Grade 1 Just a Game on Belmont Day last June 6, lagged back early and never mustered a run in a disappointing return. Considering trainer Chad Brown’s runners do so well off the bench, it’s tough to assume she wasn’t ready. Maybe whatever sent her away for so long has taken away a few lengths.

Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Trainer Todd Pletcher may have a couple more Kentucky Derby hopefuls to go along with Zulu, as Destin, a $400,000 son of Giant’s Causeway and Grade 1 mare Dream of Summer; and Outwork ran one-two here, dominating the race. Destin, winner of the traditional prep for this, the Sam F. Davis, stalked the modest pace set by Outwork, moved closer turning for home, went up to challenge that rival into the lane, got the better of him, and was edging away at the wire while setting a new course record. Nice as this was, he surely has to do better to get mentioned in the same breath as Mohaymen and the top Derby threats, though he’s headed the right way. Outwork gave Pletcher the exacta as he went right out to the lead, took some pressure from Riker and Destin while setting modest splits, was set down into the lane while still on the fence, and battled back gamely when hooked by Destin. While unable to finish with that foe, Outwork ended up far clear of the rest (seven lengths). Pletcher said each would have one more start before the Kentucky Derby. Star Hill lagged back early, improved his position as the race wore on, loomed a threat turning for home, but couldn’t keep pace with the top two when it mattered. Rafting lagged back and made a mild rally, though he was never a danger. The disappointment was Brody’s Cause as the 2-1 favorite, making his first start since running third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31. Brody’s Cause got bumped at the start, sat last early, remained there while saving ground to the far turn, and never mustered a run.

[bc_video_id:379070:]

Oaklawn - Honeybee (race 8)

COMMENT: Terra Promessa, a daughter of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, made it three straight wins and showed she could handle slop as she dominating the proceedings. She stalked early as Cosmic Evolution set a modest pace, moved closer turning for home, was asked for run into the lane, quickly took command, and drew off to win easily. This likely doesn’t scare Songbird and Cathryn Sophia, but with the news Polar River is skipping the Kentucky Oaks, no sign yet of Carina Mia, questions surrounding Stageplay and Street Fancy, and as yet no appearance from Rachel’s Valentina or Gomo, there’s room toward the top of the division. Nickname, second as the 1-2 favorite in the Martha Washington here Feb. 6 to Marquee Miss, sat second behind Cosmic Evolution, and moved up with the winner to challenge that foe into the lane. While no match for the winner, Nickname finished well clear of the rest. Cosmic Evolution set the pace while inside, battled back briefly when challenged into the lane, but then gave way. Marquee Miss, winner of the Martha Washington, stalked the pace but then gave way badly in the lane and was eased as if something may have gone awry.

Santa Anita - Kilroe Mile (race 6)

COMMENT: The seemingly strong turf-miler division out West got turned on its head as the streaking What a View stepped way up in class and showed he more than belongs by beating many of the West’s top turf milers. The division was basically seen as a stronghold of Obviously, Bolo, Bal a Bali, Midnight Storm, and Om. However, What a View, a romping winner of his last two by using his speed, was more than up to the task to include his name as he led these on a merry chase. What a View proved quickest, going right out to a clear lead. He set some strong splits while keeping his foes at arm’s reach, was still able to kick clear into the lane, and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. He could target the Grade 3 Thunder Road on April 8 or await the Grade 3 American on May 6 – unless they opt to go out of town. Bolo, previously unbeaten in three starts here and smart winner of his return in the Grade 2 Arcadia here Feb. 13, was last early, which was odd after he showed plenty of speed to stalk in the Arcadia. He started to advance on the far turn and finished gamely to just nip Bal a Bali for second, though he was never a danger to the winner. His ability to handle turf and dirt, as well as varying distances, gives him options for what’s next. Bal a Bali, freshened since a third in the Grade 2 San Gabriel on Jan. 2, lagged back, just in front of Bolo, from the start, remained just in front of that foe to the turn, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, and was no match for that foe while drifting out and bumping Midnight Storm before losing second in the final stride. There was in inquiry, but the stewards ruled there would be no change. He ran well, but trainer Richard Mandella said prior that he was as good as he could be for this and he still couldn’t crack the exacta. Midnight Storm, making his first start since winning the Grade 2 Seabiscuit on Nov. 27 at Del Mar, stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane, got bumped by Bal a Bali, and weakened. Om, winner of three Grade 2s last year and third in the Arcadia, seemed in a good spot stalking the pace but was done before he got into the stretch. He came out of the race with a foot issue and will be sidelined until it’s resolved. Maybe this isn’t the strongest group of milers – maybe they’re just going to take turns. De Treville flipped in the post parade and was scratched.

Santa Anita - San Felipe (race 7)

COMMENT: Danzing Candy stamped himself a legitimate Kentucky Derby candidate as he notched his third straight easy win, this time over some proven Derby prospects. Again using his speed, he went right out to a clear lead, set a solid pace, and basically maintained his margin all the way around. The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 9 figures next, and he’ll likely run into a few of these again there. Mor Spirit, favored after winning the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity and Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis in his last two starts, had some traffic issues early to be further back than expected, started a run on the far turn, finished decently, but it never looked as though he was going to scare the winner. Certainly, trainer Bob Baffert isn’t averse to shipping his 3-year-olds, though he said the Santa Anita Derby figures the next logical spot as well. Exaggerator, second to champion Nyquist in the Grade 2 San Vicente (a sprint) here Feb. 15, was last early, came with a strong run on the far turn to look threatening, but couldn’t maintain his bid. This effort and that his sprints seem better than his routes make you wonder if he’s not best playing a shorter game. Uncle Lino, second to Mor Spirit in the Lewis, chased the winner from the start but tired from the chase. Smokey Image, previously unbeaten in six starts while facing softer, found this change of altitude too much to handle as he stalked in fourth while seemingly in a good spot but never mustered a run. It’s probably back to statebreds for him.

[bc_video_id:379071:]

Santa Anita - San Carlos (race 9)

COMMENT: Kobe’s Back proved he’s not only in top form but that he loves seven furlongs as he made it two straight wins with his patented big late run. He added blinkers for the Grade 2 Palos Verdes here Feb. 7, was still far back early but focused well late to rally for the win. It was a similar effort here, and the extra furlong didn’t hurt. Second in this race last year to Wild Dude, he was void of speed, as is his custom, remained well back as Mystery Train pressed by Outside Nashville set a solid pace, swung wide on the far turn, and put in a strong run that circled the field and carried him past all his foes. He won the Grade 3 Commonwealth (seven furlongs) at Keeneland last April, so it may be on the radar to defend his title, but it also was reported that he might target the Grade 2 Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 7. Coastline, coming off a stakes win on turf here Jan. 24, lagged back, came with a smart run along the rail to challenge for the lead by midstretch, but had no answer for the winner’s charge. Calculator, impressive winner here Feb. 13 after injury sidelined him 13 months, was away slowly from his rail draw, bided his time, came off the inside and moved out for room into the lane, and finished well. Wild Dude, the defending champ, was away a bit slowly but after lagging back never made a move. This was his first start since he ran sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 31, so maybe he needed the race. The next dirt sprint for older horses in Southern California is the Grade 3 Los Angeles on April 16 at Los Alamitos. Some of these figure to resurface there.

Santa Anita - Santa Anita Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: The result not only confirmed again the importance of speed, but may also have been an indictment of the strength of this year’s renewal as while the winner came off a big win, he was taking a huge step up in class and had previously run fifth and second in his only two stakes tries. Nonetheless, Melatonin handled the class hike and distance as the son of sprint champ Kodiak Kowboy went right out to the lead, took pressure early from General a Rod, dispatched with that foe down the backstretch, then took pressure from 7-5 favorite Effinex, rebuffed that rival into the lane, and opened up to easily post the upset. He did have to survive an inquiry as he shifted out into the path of Donworth, forcing that rival to steady sharply, but the stewards deemed there would be no change. The Grade 2 Alysheba on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 7 may be next, though trainer Dave Hofmans also mentioned waiting for the Grade 1 Stephen Foster there June 18. Hard Aces, winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup on this track at this trip last June but no factor in five starts since, lagged back and finished well to get second, though he was no threat to the winner. Effinex, the favorite while making his first start of the year and first since winning the Grade 1 Clark on Nov. 27 at Churchill, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home, but was unable to sustain his bid, running very much like a horse who needed the race. Also, he had a case of the hives, which almost got him scratched. Imperative lagged back, came with a threatening run into the lane, but flattened out. While he’s a closer, this trip seems a bit beyond him, at least at this level (0 for 7 at this 10-fulrong trip). Donworth was eager and rank early, pulling while under a hold, tugged his way closer while staying on the rail, steadied and clipped heels with the winner turning for home, remained inside, and finished evenly. He can surely do better if they can get him to relax. Trainer Doug O’Neill, who took the blame (“Bad training job,” he said) may point to the Grade 3 Charles Town Classic on April 23.

Sunday, March 13

Santa Anita - San Luis Rey (race 8)

COMMENT: Generosidade was a Grade 1 winner in Brazil in May 2013, but she hadn’t won since that year, and her first three U.S. starts weren’t very pretty, hence the reason she was sent off at a whopping 71-1. After two months off, she came back a new mare as she beat males and some other girls to post the huge upset. The 7-year-old, last finishing well behind Havanna Belle and Energia Fribby and sixth in the Astra for females only at this trip Jan. 17, sat well back early as Havanna Belle set the pace pressured by Southern Freedom and Highball, steadily advanced, came with a smart run between horses into the lane, grabbed the lead, and drew off. This was nice, but you sure get the feeling with the Southern California turf stayers that if you ran this race six times, you might get six different winners. Quick Casablanca, second in this last year and improving as he rallied well for third in the Grade 2 San Marcos here Feb. 6, showed he’s indeed back on track as the 8-year-old was likewise well back, didn’t move as early as the winner, but got going late to finish strongly and just get up for second, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Energia Fribby gave mares two of the top three spots as she sat back with Quick Casablanca and rallied alongside that rival, only to finish just a neck behind. Gaga A, a game second versus males in the Grade 2 San Marcos here Feb. 6, seemed in a good spot sitting midpack and looked positioned to make a bid coming into the lane, but the run never materialized. Big John B., a multiple Grade 2 winner, was far back early, as is his custom, but then could make only modest headway and was never a factor.