Trip Notes for May 1-3: Kentucky Oaks, Kentucky Derby, and more...

Friday, May 1

Churchill Downs - La Troienne (race 7)

COMMENT: Molly Morgan was second in this race last year but a clever move by rider Corey Lanerie may have been the difference this year as she went one spot better to post the win. She bided her time early while saving ground, came with a smart run on the far turn, cutting the corner, surged to the lead and rebuffed some challengers to prevail. The Grade 2 Fleur de Lis here June 13 figures next. Sheer Drama, the favorite after a romping win in the Grade 2 Royal Delta at Gulfstream March 21, stalked in fourth, moved closer on the turn while staying wide, had the winner surge past her to the lead on the inside, doggedly kept after that rival but just couldn’t quite get to her. The Fleur de Lis may be on her radar as well. Gold Medal Dancer, third to champ Untapable in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn April 10, sat second behind clear early leader Sweet Whiskey, moved up to grab the lead from that tiring rival turning for home, was quickly passed on her left by the eventual winner but kept on and only missed holding second in the final strides. My Miss Sophia seemed in a good spot stalking in third but never mustered a run.

Churchill Downs - Alysheba (race 8)

COMMENT: Protonico proved he may well deserve to be considered among the handicap elite while Honor Code, who appeared to already have such status, was disappointing. Protonico, coming off a romping win in the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland April 15, was quite antsy in the post parade. He sat second just behind pacesetter Den’s Legacy, moved closer to that foe by the far turn, took over from that rival on the turn, was immediately confronted by Noble Bird into the lane, looked beaten when that foe took the lead but battled back to prevail. That gives him 4 strong outings in his last 5 starts, the only dull run coming when he was eased in the Grade 1 Donn at Gulfstream Feb. 7. The Grade 1 Stephen Foster here June 13 figures next. Noble Bird, coming off optional-claiming wins at Oaklawn and Gulfstream, nearly succeeded in his first graded stakes try. He was just behind the winner from the start, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, and looked like the winner when he took the lead by midstretch. It was a stellar effort and he finished far clear of the others. Neck ‘n Neck, second to Protonico in the Ben Ali last month, chased the top two, loomed a threat into the lane, but lost ground to them in the final furlong. Honor Code, coming off a dazzling comeback win in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap March 7, was well back early, as is his custom, swung wide turning for home and could make only modest headway. His rider later said he didn’t feel as though he handled the track well. If that’s the case you’d think the Foster would be off the table. He has quite a late surge but his lack of speed is a real drawback, particularly against this caliber of opposition.

Churchill Downs - Kentucky Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: Lovely Maria couldn’t handle stablemate I’m a Chatterbox when second to that gal in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra but she came back with a powerful win in the Grade 1 Ashland and continued her progress to the top of the division with a smart win here. She got a great ride by Kerwin Clark, who positioned her just off the pace set by Condo Commando, who was pressured by Angela Renee. Lovely Maria stayed wide and in the clear turning for home as she made her run at leader Angela Renee, took over from that rival, edged clear and stayed on well to keep Shook Up at bay in the final furlong. Shook Up, much ballyhooed after a huge maiden win in the mud at Fair Grounds Jan. 3 but who hadn’t done much since, rewarded the confidence of her connections with a fine effort. She sat just behind pacesetter Condo Commando, moved off the rail on the turn to find clear sailing, kept after Lovely Maria but just couldn’t get to her. I’m a Chatterbox, who dominated the 3-year-old filly rank at the Fair Grounds this winter/spring, was well back early, started to advance going to the far turn, stayed out wide and closed well but had simply left herself with too much to do. She can still be a power player in the division. The top three all campaigned at the Fair Grounds this winter/spring so there’s no doubt where the power of this division was. Stellar Wind, the favorite off two big wins at Santa Anita, sat well back with I’m a Chatterbox and closed well while wide. Condo Commando went right to the lead, as expected, took pressure from Angela Renee, tried to battle back when hooked on the far turn, but gave way once headed.

Saturday, May 2

Belmont - Sheepshead Bay (race 4)

COMMENT: Winless in 13 months and coming off a fifth in the Grade 2 Santa Ana at Santa Anita March 15, Rosalind she was trying a longer distance here. She stalked in third as Beauty Parlor set slow splits, moved closer turning for home, engaged that foe into the lane, grabbed the lead and edged clear. Off this Rosalind would figure a likely candidate for the Grade 2 New York at 1 1/4 miles here June 5. Maximova was last to the lane before rallying nicely to get second. Selenite sat back while inside, came with a threatening run into the lane but flattened out. Riposte, the defending champ, seemed in a good spot stalking in second but had nothing to offer when the real racing began. She just doesn’t look like the gal we saw last year. Beauty Parlor, favored off a win in the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream March 28, surrendered meekly in the lane to finish last in a disappointing effort.

Belmont - Westchester (race 6)

COMMENT: With Palace Malice scratched, Tonalist dominated this on paper and had little trouble prevailing in his first start of the year. Last seen running fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, he added blinkers after showing no speed in his last two starts last year. He sat last early, but it was a small field and he wasn’t miles out of it. He came with a strong wide run into the lane, had no trouble taking over and drew off without taking a deep breath. He’s now 4 for 4 here. He reportedly is likely to reappear in the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 6, where he figures to run into Private Zone and Bayern. Confrontation was coming off three straight good stakes tries at Gulfstream, all with triple-digit Beyers. He dogged pacesetter Juba, took command from that tiring rival into the lane but was immediately confronted by Tonalist and was no match for that foe in the lane while staying on for second. Souper Lucky, who invaded from Laurel off some strong form, stalked in third, and tried to make a run into the lane.

Belmont - Ft. Marcy (race 10)

COMMENT: Big Blue Kitten made his first start of the year a successful one. He was slow into stride, as is his custom, to sit last early while saving ground. He remained well back to the far turn, commenced his run there, hit top gear in the lane and powered home to win going away. The Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 6 figures next. Howe Great, coming off some disappointing races in Florida, moved to this longer trip and that perked him up. He went right out to a clear lead through modest splits, still held a clear advantage by the eighth pole, was passed by the winner, and just managed to hold second. Off this, the Manhattan may be in his sights as well. Middleburg, taking a big step up in class after a return win at Gulfstream in March, stalked the pace while saving ground, came off the rail into the lane, was making a run when forced to steady between horses but got going again and just missed getting up for second as the longest-priced horse in the race. Mr. Speaker seemed in a good spot stalking the pace but gave way when the real racing began. He once held much promise but after winning last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby he’s put up four straight not-so-hot races.

Churchill - Pat Day Mile (race 5)

COMMENT: Competitive Edge’s romping win to remain perfect in four starts makes you wonder “what if?” had he stayed healthy and been able to target the Derby. He chased Hillbilly Royalty through modest splits, had no trouble going past that rival and drew off. Pain and Misery, a well-beaten third to Firing Line in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby, bided his time early, steadily advanced while wide and continued on well, though he was never a danger to the winner. Gimme Da Lute steadied right after the start but settled in stalking position, looked poised to make a run on the far turn but then finished one-paced. Lord Nelson settled early, swung wide turning for home, made a mild run but flattened out. Peace and War, the filly who won last year’s Grade 1 Alcibiades and was taking on boys here, broke poorly, was last early and stayed there throughout.

Churchill Downs - American Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Divisidero let it be known he’s a 3-year-old to watch on the turf as the son of champion grass horse Kitten’s Joy put in a late run to win going away. He was well back early as Tuba set a solid pace, remained well back into the lane, swung out very wide and blasted home. Races like the Grade 1 Belmont Derby July 4 and Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington in August would figure to be on his radar. He’s now 2 for 3 and was much-troubled in his lone loss when third in the Grade 3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream. A Lot did nothing wrong in defeat. He stalked the pace, surged past a tiring Juba to take the lead into the lane, and cleared off as if he were going to win. He figures to target the big 3-year-old male turf races as well. World Approval lagged far back, behind the eventual winner, swung very wide into the lane and finished well. Luck of the Kitten, the favorite off six exacta finishes in as many starts, seemed in a great spot as he stalked the pace. He loomed a big threat turning for home, but didn’t have the needed punch to be a factor late.

Churchill Downs - Humana Distaff (race 7)

COMMENT: Dame Dorothy gamely prevailed and is now a perfect 3 for 3 at this seven-furlong trip. She stalked while Moonlit Stroll set a modest pace with returning distaff sprint champ Judy the Beauty in second. Dame Dorothy moved up abreast of those two turning for home while on the outside and stayed on to prevail. Races like the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga in August and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland in the fall figure on her radar. Judy the Beauty, second in this last year and making her first start since winning last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, got a great trip stalking Moonlit Stroll, moved up to challenge into the lane while between Moonlit Stroll on the rail and Dame Dorothy on the outside, but just came up a bit short. She can certainly improve off this. Moonlight Stroll broke sharply, zipped right out to a clear early lead while not going all that fast, and battled back along the rail all the way around in a good try. Sweet Reason broke outward from her rail slot, settled nicely a few lengths off the pace, swung out into the lane to launch a run, and briefly looked menacing.

Churchill Downs - Distaff Turf Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: Tepin continued her ascent and stole this race. She hadn’t been a speed type in her other starts, including rallying for second in a Grade 2 at Del Mar last summer, but here she bounced out to the lead. She was able to set modest splits, rebuffed a challenge on the far turn and into the lane, spurted clear again, and stayed on to keep defending champ Coffee Clique at bay. This was the best races of her life and may mean she’s ready for something like the Grade 1 Just a Game on the Belmont Stakes card June 6. Coffee Clique came back from a layoff to be third in the Grade 2 Honey Fox at Gulfstream March 28. Today, she bobbled at the start, was still able to get a nice stalking position just in behind the leaders while saving ground, went after Tepin through the lane but just couldn’t get to her. Defending her Just a Game crown figures on her docket and maybe a rematch with Tepin. Santiva was in tight soon after the start, was still able to establish a good position midpack, started a run into the lane but was never a danger to the top two. Lady Lara sat well back, started to move closer on the far turn, moved inside into the lane and finished decently.

Churchill Downs - Churchill Downs Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: The plan was for Private Zone to take the race right to returning Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and heavy favorite Bayern, and that tactic worked like a charm as Private Zone reaffirmed he’s one of the top two or three one-turn horses in the land. Winner of the Grade 1 Cigar Mile in the fall, he shot out of the gate to go right to the lead, took pressure from Nates Mineshaft to his outside while Bayern was just in behind. Private Zone looked in trouble when Nates Mineshaft moved past him to take the lead into the lane, but he battled back and drew away. The Grade 1 Met Mile on Belmont Stakes Day June 6 is his next target, and he may have a rematch with Bayern as well as face Tonalist. Nates Mineshaft dogged Private Zone from the start, took the lead into the lane, got weary late but managed to hold second. Pants on Fire, coming off a stakes win at Gulfstream in March, was slow into stride, sat well back off the strong pace, pitched wide into the lane and finished decently for third. Bayern broke a tad slowly but seemed in a good spot just behind Private Zone. He was asked for run on the far turn and never produced, eventually fading to finish last. The jockey said he didn’t like the track and the horse reportedly came out of the race fine.

Churchill Downs - Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: Finnegans Wake had been the turf leader out West, with the bulk of his work going longer than this 1 1/8 miles. He was slow into stride and far back as Sky Captain and Umgiyo volleyed up front. He continued to bide his time as Sky Captain took over pacesetting duties. Finnegans Wake started to close in on the field going to the far turn, swung widest of all into the lane, and finished gamely to just get up. He may ship to Belmont for the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 6. Sky Captain dueled early with an eager Umgiyo, took over pacesetter duties down the backstretch while remaining on the rail, battled back when hooked into the lane, drifted out, and just missed. The stewards ruled that when he drifted out late he impeded Seek Again, so he was disqualified and placed fourth behind Seek Again. It was the right call. Jack Milton sat midpack and came with a strong run through the lane to just miss. This showed his Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile win at Keeneland last month was no fluke. Seek Again nearly won this race last year when edged by champion Wise Dan. Making his first start since a troubled ninth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, he lagged well back early, moved up nicely turning for home to be just behind the leaders, found a seam just to the outside of leader Sky Captain but couldn’t get through, and then checked hard nearing the wire when Sky Captain continued to drift out. He was awarded third via the disqualification. Umgiyo, who last ran seventh against some of the world’s best in Dubai, was pulling early, finally seemed to settle going down the backstretch, but then faded badly.

Churchill Downs - Kentucky Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: He wasn’t quite Seattle Slew, a horse he’d been compared to, but American Pharoah was still pretty terrific. From his outside post he and jockey Victor Espinoza got great position stalking while just a few lanes off the rail. He ran in third as Dortmund set modest splits with Firing Line pressing in second. American Pharoah continued on while staying wide and in the clear, moved closer on the far turn, came abreast of Firing Line and Dortmund into the lane, and got the better of them. The first three ran that way all the way around, setting a surprisingly modest pace for a Derby. American Pharoah joins Street Sense as just the second 2-year-old champ in the last 35 years to win the Derby. On to Pimlico for the Preakness May 16. Firing Line ran splendidly. He sat off pacesetter Dortmund’s hip. He remained there to the far turn, moved up to challenge that rival, was immediately joined by American Pharoah to his outside, battled gamely while on the wrong lead and only succumbed in the final sixteenth. Dortmund jumped right out to the lead, was able to set a modest pace while staying on the rail, had plenty in reserve for when the challenges came, first from Firing Line and then from American Pharoah, but just wasn’t quite good enough. Firing Line and Dortmund will reportedly go to the Preakness as well. Frosted was well back early, commenced a strong run on the far turn and finished smartly. He was easily the best of the closers. Danzig Moon sat in the second flight, came with a threatening run turning for home but couldn’t keep pace with the leaders. Materiality, previously unbeaten, hesitated a bit at the start and was not able to show his usual speed. After being well back and climbing badly going down the backstretch when being hit by all the kickback, he leveled off and ran on well along the inside to finish sixth. With a better start he could be a factor at Pimlico, should he go. Mubtaahij, winner of the UAE Derby, got shuffled back early, made a decent run into the lane while inside but couldn’t sustain it while racing on the wrong lead. Carpe Diem broke nicely from his inside post and got a great position stalking in fourth. He followed the leaders, seemed in a good spot going to the far turn but just came up empty. Bolo was jostled around considerably in traffic going under the wire the first time, raced just a few lengths off the lead early, was in the clear down the backside, but didn’t have the needed oomph and steadied again when in tight late. The Grade 1 Belmont Derby July 4 could be his target. Upstart was well back from the start, got caught wide on the first turn, was never able to get involved and was eased when all was lost. He was reportedly fine the next day.

Santa Anita - Precisionist (race 10)

COMMENT: Catch a Flight validated his third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap to Shared Belief with a smart victory. He bided his time as Mystery Train set a brisk pace, started his run on the far turn, grabbed the lead in midstretch and held his advantage to the line. He stamped himself a potential player for the Grade 1 Californian here May 30 and Grade 1 Gold Cup here June 27. Sammy Mandeville, who finished last in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap last month, was slow into stride, as is his custom, sitting last early. He was still last turning for home but put in a solid rally to give the winner a bit of a scare. Motown Men stalked in fourth, he moved with the winner while wide but was outfinished by the top two. Fury Kapcori, the defending champ, dogged pacesetter Mystery Train from the start but weakened and ended up fading to last. That’s two poor outings for him after a long layoff.

Sunday, May 3

Santa Anita - Honeymoon (race 8)

COMMENT: Spanish Queen romped in her turf route debut here March 5 and was then a sharp second in the Grade 3 Providencia here April 4. She took another step forward here and notched her first graded stakes win. She had enough speed to stalk in, moved to the lead into the lane, edged clear and kept Sharla Rae at bay. The Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles here May 30 figures on her radar. Sharla Rae, eighth in her only prior turf start, sat midpack, pitched wide for the stretch run and finished well. Spirit of Xian, front-running winner of the Grade 3 Providencia, went right to the lead, still was on top turning for home but as no match for the top two. Prize Exhibit, much troubled when fourth in the Providencia, was away slowly, started to advance on the far turn but could make only modest headway.