Trip Notes for March 15-16: Honey Fox, Azeri, Razorback, Rebel, Santa Margarita and Santa Ana

Saturday, March 15

Gulfstream Park - Honey Fox (race 10)

COMMENT: After a long layoff, Centre Court came came back to defend her title in this race. She broke through the gate prior to the start, but once the real racing began she bided her time toward the back, remained there to the top of the lane, swung out for room and finished resolutely to get the narrow decision. The Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland April 12 is her next target. Kitten’s Point was last early, still well behind the eventual winner turning for home, swung out for the stretch drive and finished strongly to just miss in a big try. This was just her 2nd start back after a 10-month hiatus and she looks to be as good or better than ever. The Jenny Wiley may be on her radar as well. Effie Trinket dueled early with Triple Arch for the lead, put that rival away into the lane, still had the lead by midstretch but couldn’t quite finish with the top 2. Tapicat, the favorite off a good 3rd in the Grade 2 Buena Vista at Santa Anita last month, sat back with the top finishers, came with a threatening run while saving ground, but flattened out.

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Oaklawn Park - Azeri (race 8)

COMMENT: Close Hatches, winner of the Grade 1 Mother Goose and Grade 1 Cotillion last year before ending her campaign with a good 2nd to champion Beholder in the Grade 1 BC Distaff, broke sharply and went right to the lead from her rail post. She set modest splits while getting only mild pressure, first from Magic Union and then On Fire Baby, and had plenty left in reserve to edge away in the lane. Her next target is the Grade 1 Apple Blossom here April 11, for which she surely figures to be favored. Magic Union was just behind the winner from the start while also saving ground, looked in trouble when passed by On Fire Baby into the lane, but kept on resolutely to be a game 2nd as the longest-priced gal in the race. Don’t Tell Sophia, winner of her first 2 starts this year, both here, and 2nd in this last year, broke poorly, bided her time, came with a big threatening run into the lane but couldn’t sustain it. On Fire Baby, prepping for a defense of her Apple Blossom crown, stalked the pace, made a move at the winner turning for home but flattened out. She’ll have to do a lot better if she’s to turn the tables on Close Hatches, much less deal with any other big girls who show up for that.

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Oaklawn Park - Razorback Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Golden Lad continued his ascent as he notched his 4th straight win and proved best in his first stakes attempt. He dogged pacesetter Right to Vote through solid splits, moved closer to that foe on the turn, took over and drew off to win very impressively. The Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap April 12 may be next, though that’s also earmarked for top-class elder and last year’s champ 3-year-old Will Take Charge. Majestic City sat midpack and finished decently, though he was never on the winner’s radar. Taptowne stalked the pace, made a run at the winner into the lane but was no match for that foe and couldn’t quite sustain his run, losing 2nd in the final strides. Govenor Charlie, the favorite, lagged back but never mustered a run. Same with comebacking Called to Serve, who was making his first start after over a year on the bench.

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Oaklawn Park - Rebel (race 10)

COMMENT: Hoppertunity’s 4th in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds Feb. 22 was deceptively good. There was nothing deceptive this time as the son of Any Given Saturday was a smart winner and validated his spot on the Derby trail. He stalked in 3rd as Strong Mandate set the pace under pressure from Ride on Curlin, moved up to be part of a four-horse phalanx in midstretch, bumped with Tapiture (there was an inquiry) but kept on doggedly to get the better of the other 3. The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby here April 12 may be next, though trainer Bob Baffert also mentioned the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 5. Tapiture, the favorite off his big Grade 3 Southwest win here last month, stalked the pace, was in tight turning for home, pushed his way through for room, bumped with the winner, was part of the four-horse charge to the wire, kept on gamely but couldn’t quite stay with the winner. The stewards ruled he was the one who instigated the bumping. Ride on Curlin dueled with Strong Mandate from the start, had a narrow lead by midstretch and stayed on gamely for 3rd. Strong Mandate, aggressive as usual, dueled with Ride on Curlin, switched leads a few times, was still in the thick of it in midstretch when in a bit tight before weakening in the final furlong. The trouble didn’t help to be sure, but he already looked beaten at that point. Those three are all pointing for the Arkansas Derby. Kobe’s Back lagged back and never made a move. Apparently he’s much better as a late-running sprinter at this stage of the game.

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Santa Anita - Santa Margarita (race 7)

COMMENT: Another race for older distaffers out West and yet another different winner as the West Coast gals take turns while champion Beholder remains on the sidelined. This time it was Let Faith Arise. Runner-up in the La Canada here Jan. 19 and in the Grade 2 Santa Maria here Feb. 15, she volleyed up front with Fiftyshadesofhay, got the better of that rival into the lane, was immediately tackled by favorite Iotapa (winner of the Santa Maria), but had more than enough in the tank to edge away in the final furlong. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer wasn’t sure where she might go next. Iotapa stalked the pace in 3rd, made a threatening run into the lane but couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Stanwyck lagged back and finished decently. Fiftyshadesofhay dueled early with the winner while saving ground but paid the price and gave way readily into the lane in a disappointing run.

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Sunday, March 16

Santa Anita Park - Santa Ana (race 7)

COMMENT: Stormy Lucy got what she deserved – a graded stakes win. The 5-year-old mare has been knocking heads with the region’s best the past couple seasons and tried mightily every time but always seemed to find someone just a bit too tough for her. Well, that changed here. Under new pilot, leading rider Rafael Bejarano, she bided her time early while Nickels Wild set a modest pace under pressure from heavy fave Emollient. She was content to lag back, commenced her run along the inside coming into the lane to grab the lead inside the final furlong and stayed on well to keep hard-trying Emotional Kitten at bay. Off this the logical next stop is the Grade 3 Santa Barbara here at 1 1/4 miles April 13. Emotional Kitten raced with the winner early, accelerated a bit quicker than that rival to loom a threat into the lane but then couldn’t finish with Stormy Lucy in the final furlong. Miss Serendipity stalked the pace and stayed on gamely between horses. Emollient, the heavy favorite, was a bit disappointing. She seemed to be in a great spot dogging pacesetter Nickels Wild. She loomed ominously into the lane and put her head in front in midstretch only to flatten out. Maybe after the layoff (hadn’t run since Nov. 16) she needed the race.