Trip Notes for March 29: Florida Derby, Louisiana Derby, New Orleans Handicap and more...

Saturday, March 29

Gulfstream - Rampart (race 4)

COMMENT: It was no surprise trainer Marty Wolfson won this. It was a surprise, however, as to whom he greeted in the winner’s circle. He sent out heavy 1-2 favorite Devil’s Cave but it was 49-1 stablemate Gamay Noir who got the money. Gamay Noir lagged back while Devil’s Cave set a brisk early pace, as expected, while being hounded by Unlimited Budget. Gamay Noir started her run turning for home, continued on resolutely despite lugging in through midstretch and edged past the tiring favorites. She did have to survive an inquiry for lugging in. Unlimited Budget hounded Devil’s Cave from the start through brisk splits, looked poised to go on to victory as she was ready to go past Devil’s Cave into the lane, but her early toils left her a bit tired late and she couldn’t fend off the winner. Still, it was a nice move forward after a dull sprint return here a few weeks ago. Devil’s Cave set a brisk pace while taking heavy pressure from Unlimited Budget and weakened a bit late. Private Ensign was making a move into the lane when she got shut off as the 3 leaders bunched up as a tiring Devil’s Cave came out some and Gamay Noir lugged in. She lost all her momentum and it was too late to recover.

Gulfstream - Gulfstream Oaks (race 6)

COMMENT: In Tune stamped herself a candidate for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks as the daughter of Unbridled’s Song made it a perfect 3 for 3 despite a class hike. She dogged pacesetter Whomping Willow from the start, appeared in a bit of trouble when that gal edged away some turning for home but kept on resolutely, easily went past that tiring foe and gamely kept House Rules at bay to the line. House Rules, 2nd in the Grade 2 Davona Dale to the ill-fated Onlyforyou, stalked in 4th, went eagerly after the eventual winner coming into the lane, fought gamely but just couldn’t get past while well clear of the rest. She never came off her left lead, however, and that may have cost her. She does continue to move forward. These 2 ran well but both likely need to improve further if they’re to be players in the Kentucky Oaks. America bounced back with a better effort. After over 3 months off she ran fifth in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride on turf here March 2 but returned to dirt here, broke slowly, was just behind House Rules from the start, was still just behind that foe turning for home, couldn’t accelerate with the top 2 but kept to her task decently to be a clear 3rd. Penwith, a royally bred daughter of Bernardini and Composure, was a well-beaten 4th (14 lengths) in the Grade 2 Davona Dale and here she was well back early and never mustered a run. She may need a class drop at this stage of the game.

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Gulfstream - Orchid (race 10)

COMMENT: Anjaz was 4th in this last year, her first start in the U.S., and in her first start since a troubled 2nd in the Waya last summer at Saratoga she took another step forward to beat some nice turf distance distaffers. She did it using a different style, too. Whereas she’d come from off the pace in all her starts, this time she took control from the start. She went right to the lead, set modest splits while being hounded by Viva Rafaela, and had enough left in the tank to slowly gets away from that rival and the others. Super ride by Maragh. Viva Rafaela, 3rd behind Inimitable Romanee and Aigue Marine in the Grade 3 The Very One here Feb. 14, chased the winner from the start, got closer going to the far turn but then just couldn’t keep pace. Clearbrook, stepping up after a smart optional claiming win at about this trip here Feb. 15, showed distance is her game as she lagged back early and progressed steadily, though she was never really a threat to the top 2. Aigue Marine, 2nd in the The Very One in her first start after over 3 months off, was last early and was unable to make a dent. She really had no chance with the race shape as the leaders pretty much stayed put all the way around. Inimitable Romanee, winner of the Grade 3 The Very One here Feb. 15, likewise was well back from the start and never got involved.

Gulfstream - Appleton (race 11)

COMMENT: Hey Leroy cost a mere $2K at auction in October 2011 and was claimed for $20K at Saratoga last summer. Well, he has now made over $170K and continued his ascent as he notched his first stakes win. He broke slowly and sat far back early as Mr. Online set a brisk pace. He swung out into the lane and powered home to just get up in the final strides. Talk about rugged – this was already his 7th start of the year. He absolutely loves this course, too, and you could have claimed him for a mere $25K as recently as Nov. 11. This was also a nice last-minute audible by his connections to go here as he wasn’t being pointed for this. Mr. Online did everything right but just missed. He used his speed to duel early with Midnight Cello before taking over going to the backstretch. He held a clear lead, opened up into the lane looking like the winner but just couldn’t quite fend off Hey Leroy. That’s 10 straight top two finishes for Mr. Online. Salto got a dream trip stalking while saving ground, tried to make a run into the lane but couldn’t get to Mr. Online and was unable to rally with the winner. Tetradrachm, usually a speed type, broke poorly to be well back early and while unable to threaten kept to his task well to be 4th in an effort that was better than it looks at first.

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Gulfstream - Skip Away (race 12)

COMMENT: Micromanage was no factor when 7th in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds Feb. 22, his first start of the year. But with that under his belt and the addition of blinkers he bounced forward to notch his first graded win in what was probably his career-best effort. He stalked the pace of Nevada Kid and Sr. Quisqueyano, roared past them on the outside on the far turn and drew off to win easily. Would have to think the blinkers are staying on. He can do some damage in the right spots, provided they can keep him away from the likes of Lea, Game on Dude, Mucho Macho Man, Will Take Charge, Palace Malice, Normandy Invasion and the other handicap division heavyheads. Norumbega, 2nd to runaway winner Romansh in the Grade 3 Discovery at Aqueduct when last seen Nov. 2, lagged well back, came with a smart run turning for home and while no match for the winner stayed on well to be a clear 2nd in a promising run. Sr. Quisqueyano volleyed for the early lead with Nevada Kid, was getting the better of that foe turning for home when the winner blew on past. He then stayed on decently for 3rd though he wasn’t a threat to the runner-up either. War Dancer, favored despite finishing off the board in his only 2 dirt starts and coming off a dull 6th on turf here March 1, broke poorly to be well back from the start and never mustered a run.

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Gulfstream - Pan American (race 13)

COMMENT: Newsdad can jump up with a big effort at times. Well, this was one of those times as he showed he’s still got it as he won this race for the 2nd straight year. He was away slowly to be far back – in fact, he was last of 10. He remained there down the backstretch, started his run going to the far turn, stayed wide and in the clear to rally past the leaders and then just got to the line before the hard-charging Vertiformer. He figures to next go to Keeneland but could run on either surface as he’s proven on both turf and Polytrack. Vertiformer, coming off a good 3rd to Admiral Kitten in the Grade 3 Connally at Houston Jan. 25, his first start in over a year, sat midpack while saving ground, came with his run into the lane after already being passed by Newsday but ran on gamely to just miss. Slumber, coming off a troubled 3rd in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida here Feb. 15, lagged back with the winner early, started his run much earlier to loom a big threat into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Admiral Kitten, who had been a gem of consistency with 10 top-2 finishes in 11 career starts, sat back and never mustered a rally.

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Gulfstream - Florida Derby (race 14)

COMMENT: Just when you thought maybe Cairo Prince was ready to take control of the division or help provide some clarity he instead finishes off the board as Constitution helps make this a huge day for the Pletcher barn. Constitution was a little rank early but settled enough to bide his time while saving ground. He came with his run along the inside to grab the lead and then gamely outdueled a very stubborn Wildcat Red. On to Kentucky for this $400K son of Tapit who is now a perfect 3 for 3. Of course, he goes there trying to do something that hasn’t been done since 1882 – win the Ky. Derby without racing as a 2-year-old. Wildcat Red did nothing wrong. While there seemed to be a lot of speed in here he actually made the lead fairly easily and was able to set slow splits. That left him with plenty of gas in the tank and he battled back gamely when taken on by Constitution but just couldn’t quite fend off that rival in a fine try. That being said, he won’t get such a cozy pace scenario at Churchill. The final time (1:49.16) was faster than the 3-year-old girls ran in the Oaks (1:50.19) and faster than older distaffers ran in the Rampart (1:49.84). General a Rod dogged Wildcat Red from the start, looked poised to pounce but couldn’t finish with the winner and could never got on terms with Wildcat Red. Still, it was another good run and he’s going to Churchill. Cairo Prince sat midpack, came with a threatening run into the lane but flattened out. It was his first start since he looked so good romping in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Jan. 25 so he may well have needed the race.

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Fair Grounds - Fair Grounds Oaks (race 7)

COMMENT: Untapable made her case to be the clear favorite for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. After a romping win in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra here Feb. 22 she did it again here. She dogged pacesetter Untapable through very slow splits, took over from that rival turning for home and drew off to win easy as you please. You can’t just say she’s a Fair Grounds horse-for-course, either. Remember, she’s 2 for 2 at Churchill. That being said, she likely won’t get such a soft trip at Churchill. Fiftyshadesofgold, a smart winner of a stakes at Houston Feb. 15, set a slow pace while under pressure from the winner, had fuel left in the tank but was no match for the winner while staying on well for 2nd. Unbridled Forever, freshened since an easy win in the Silverbulletday here Jan. 18, sat 3rd early a couple lengths behind the leaders, made a run on the far turn and into the lane but couldn’t sustain her bid as she flattened out very much like a horse who needed the race. She could be a lot tougher in the Kentucky Oaks.

Fair Grounds - Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: As in the Orchid at Gulfstream earlier in the day we saw more evidence of the lethal power of speed as Skyring led them on a merry chase to post a mild upset. He went right to the lead, was able to set dawdling splits, and kicked clear into the lane, giving himself enough of a buffer to get to the line before the hard-charging Amira’s Prince. Amira’s Prince, the favorite and defending champ, stalked in 3rd, and didn’t appear to be going anywhere until very late when he surged but just couldn’t quite get to Skyring. One troubling aspect to his run, however, was that he stayed on the wrong lead throughout the stretch. Burn the Mortgage, claimed for $62,500 Nov. 9, stepped well up in class and handled himself well as he was the closest pursuer to Skyring from the start, tried to make a run at that foe turning for home but couldn’t keep pace while finishing 3rd well clear of the others. Real Solution, last year’s Grade 1 Arlington Million winner (via DQ) and making his first start of the year since running 9th in the Grade 1 BC Turf, was 4th all the way around as he traveled wide and was unable to get involved really at any point. Not only did he likely need this race but the race shape worked against him.

Fair Grounds - New Orleans Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: Palace Malice, last year’s Grade 1 Belmont winner and winner of the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap March 8 in his first start of the year, stamped himself a potential major player in the handicap division as he was very impressive and turned what looked to be a big battle with Normandy Invasion into his own personal show. Palace Malice stalked while Bradester set a solid pace. He made a quick move to go up to challenge for the lead on the far turn, took control, opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Normandy Invasion, smashing winner of his comeback run at Gulfstream Feb. 22 in his first start since running 4th in last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, was the slight favorite. He lagged back, swung very wide turning for home to commence his run and finished well, but the winner was just far too much. He was still far clear of the others (6 3/4 lengths). Throw these 2 in with Game On Dude, Lea, Will Take Charge, Mucho Macho Man and you have the makings of a heckuva handicap division. Sunbean, king of the Louisiana-beds having won 5 of his last 6, all in stakes, showed he’s not completely out of his element vs. open graded stakes foes as he stalked the pace and stayed on for 3rd. He was well beaten (11 1/2 lengths) but he still finished ahead of 3 nice guys so this opens up some options. Bradester, smart winner of the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds Feb. 22, set a solid pace but gave way readily once headed.

Fair Grounds - Louisiana Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Vicar’s in Trouble looked so good romping in the Grade 3 Lecomte here Jan. 18, then you thought maybe he was just a miler/sprinter after his so-so 3rd in the Grade 2 Risen Star when beaten 5 1/2 lengths. Well, apparently the Risen Star was the aberration as the colt bounced back smartly to win nicely here and punch his ticket to Louisville. Rider Rosie Napravnik recognized how kind the track was to speed so she put this guy right on the lead, rated him through modest splits and had him kick away to win nicely. Of course it didn’t hurt at all that the other main speedster who could have caused him grief up front, Rise Up, broke poorly. Intense Holiday, winner of the Risen Star, showed a bit more speed this time (rallied from well back in the Risen Star). He was midpack early, moved closer going to the far turn, looked threatening but was basically one-paced to the line. He may be best at sitting and gathering himself for one big run. Commanding Curve was last early, still last midway down the backstretch and closed for 3rd, well clear of the others. In Trouble stalked the pace, shifted out going down the backside banging into Albano, forcing that runner to lose his action and position, and then continued on evenly. He was DQ’d from 4th to 5th. Albano sat midpack, got bumped hard by In Trouble doing down the backstretch, was able to get going again but after being wide on the far turn failed to muster a run. He was moved from 5th to 4th with the DQ of In Trouble. Both Commanding Curve and Albano want to go to the Derby but are light on points.

Santa Anita - Tokyo City Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Majestic Harbor showed quality when 2nd in the Grade 2 San Pasqual here Jan. 11 in his first start in 8 months and 4th in the Grade 2 San Antonio here Feb. 8. He was freshened, moved to this much longer game and it all agreed with him as he posted his first stakes win. He was 4th early, moved closer down the backstretch and took the lead on the far turn. That gave him enough of a buffer so that even though Ever Rider rallied to close the gap he was never really a threat. Ever Rider, pulled up as the favorite in the Grade 2 BC Marathon here in the fall and coming off a dull turf outing, moved back to his forte (dirt, distance) and rebounded nicely as he lagged back and finished well, but the issue had already been decided. Segway, proven at this trip on turf made an encouraging first run on dirt as he prompted the pace and kept on evenly to hold 3rd. Blueskiesnrainbows, so sharp a few months ago, came into this after fading to 6th in the Grade 2 San Antonio Feb. 8 and a subsequent layoff. He seemed in a good spot stalking the pace but faded out of contention. He had a busy campaign and could be that’s taken its toll.

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