Trip Notes for May 2-4: Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and more...

Friday, May 2

Churchill - La Troienne (race 5)

COMMENT: On Fire Baby, coming off a sharp second in defense of her Grade 1 Apple Blossom title, became a millionaire with a super performance. A sharp second in this race last year (beaten a head by Authenticity) she left no doubt to the result here. She dogged pacesetter Devil’s Cave from the start through modest splits, moved closer to that rival on the turn, took command from that stubborn foe into the lane and drew clear to win easily. In a division that already boasts of considerable power (Beholder, Princess of Sylmar, Close Hatches, Dreaming of Julia) her presence adds to the luster. Molly Morgan lagged back, steadily advanced, pitched wide into the lane, finished well but was never really a danger to the winner. She appears to be an improving mare. Devil’s Cave set the pace from the start, took pressure from the winner, tried to battle back when that foe challenged her into the lane, couldn’t keep pace and tired a bit late. Unlimited Budget sat a few lengths the pace seemingly in a good spot but never mustered any sort of run. She’s just not the same gal she was last year.

Churchill - Alysheba (race 10)

COMMENT: Moonshine Mullin continued his ascent as he posted a game upset. The 6-year-old son of Albert the Great was claimed for $40K at Remington Nov. 30 and came into this off 3 straight big wins at Oaklawn. He broke sharply here from the rail and went right to the lead, but was hounded immediately by Appealing Tale. The pair dueled early but the splits weren’t that brisk. Moonshine Mullin dispatched with Appealing Tale into the lane, looked beaten when Golden Ticket surged past but re-rallied along the rail to gamely get the win. Off this he deserves a shot at some bigger game. Golden Ticket bided his time, and came with what appeared to be the winning run into the lane to grab the lead, but couldn’t counter the winner’s rally. Coin Broker, freshened since winning two straight at Gulfstream this winter, sat off the pace and came with a decent run to be third, though he was never a threat to the top two. Will Take Charge, the overwhelming favorite, lagged back while saving ground, came off the rail going down the backstretch, was urged to move closer there and really urged on the far turn and into the lane while moving back to the rail, but never mustered any sort of run. Could be some hard recent races and coming back quickly (3 weeks) proved his undoing. It’s one thing for him to get beaten but he never got involved at any point.

Churchill - Kentucky Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: Start delayed as Empress of Midway threw a fit in the gate and flipped (she was scratched). After the reload Fashion Plate was fractious and when the gates opened she got away horribly to basically be eliminated at the start. It wasn’t going to affect who won the race, though, as Untapable proved beyond a doubt – though we didn’t really require such validation – that she’s miles the best 3-year-old filly. She was eager in the warm-up and broke alertly from the outside post to get a nice stalking trip. She moved closer going to the far turn, moved up alongside leader My Miss Sophia into the lane, had no trouble dispatching with that foe and drew off to win for fun. To add to her luster she posted the second fastest time ever for this race. My Miss Sophia ran splendidly. She dogged early pacesetter Sugar Shock from the start, took over from that tiring foe turning for home but was immediately tackled by the winner, couldn’t keep up with that beast but ran on well to be a clear second. Unbridled Forever sat just behind Untapable from the start, bided her time, moved up threateningly turning for home but was no match for the top two. Rosalind, usually reluctant to load, had no gate issues. She sat back, made a nice run going to the far turn to be within reach but couldn’t make the necessary impact. Her next start may be in England on turf, either in the Group 1 English Oaks or Group 1 Coronation Cup. Ria Antonia sat midpack, moved up wide outside the leaders to look menacing turning for home but flattened out. Fashion Plate had no chance after her miserable start. Empress of Midway suffered superficial cuts on her hind legs in her gate mishap but was otherwise none the worse for wear.

Saturday, May 3

Belmont - Beaugay (race 8)

COMMENT: Waterway Run, freshened a bit since two heartbreaking losses in Florida, this time came up on the right side of a photo. A Group 3 winner in England in 2012 but no factor in 3 starts in Europe last year, she looks rejuvenated in her new surroundings. Here she bided her time early, was still toward the back while between rivals on the far turn, was asked for run, came through between horses to grab the lead and gamely held off a game Orion Moon. That foe saved ground while stalking the pace, moved up with a few others to challenge into the lane and fought doggedly but just couldn’t quite outdo the winner. Byrama lagged back while saving ground, had to wait for room, swung out into the lane and finished well but it was too late.

Belmont - Fort Marcy (race 10)

COMMENT: Five Iron, coming off a ninth in the Grade 3 Appleton at Gulfstream March 29, his first start in nearly 6 months, apparently got what he needed out of that race as he jumped up here and showed the danger of a lone speed horse to post the 19-1 upset. He blasted out to a long early lead, was still well clear turning for home and he never once looked in danger of losing. This shouldn’t be viewed as a total shocker. After all, he won the Grade 3 Saranac on turf at Saratoga last summer so he had shown some quality. But off that Appleton run it was tough to predict this kind of effort. Summer Front, freshened since a 7th in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap Feb. 9, lagged well back, swung wide into the lane to commence his run and finished well but simply had too much to do. He looks back on track. Tetradrachm, who beat the winner in the Appleton when a troubled fourth, stalked in 4th, made a run at the winner into the lane as if he might be the main danger but couldn’t sustain it. Speaking of Which, game winner of the Grade 3 Tropical Park Turf Handicap at Calder Dec. 7 and making his first start since he was a sharp third in the Grade 3 Col. E. R. Bradley at Fair Grounds Jan. 18, sat midpack and was basically one-paced. He may prefer longer and may also have needed this.

Churchill - Distaff Turf Mile (race 6)

COMMENT: Gutsy win by Coffee Clique may mean she’s ready to try even deeper water. Coming off a game allowance win at Gulfstream March 25, her first start in 7 months, she stalked the pace, came through between horses into the lane, looked beaten when Dame Marie moved past in the stretch but kept to her task gamely along the hedge to get the win. The Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont June 7 could be next. Dame Marie lagged back, came with a strong run into the lane, grabbed the lead in midstretch but couldn’t counter Coffee Clique’s inside rally. Effie Trinket stalked the pace, moved up to challenge turning for home, was still right there at midstretch but couldn’t quite keep pace with the top 2 late. Centre Court, the favorite, sat well back from the start, was still last on the far turn, swung very wide into the lane and while able to make up some ground and pass a few was never a factor. This was her third race in about 7 weeks so maybe that was her undoing. Tapicat pressed the pace, seemingly in a great spot, but fell away in the lane in a disappointing run.

Churchill - Humana Distaff (race 7)

COMMENT: Midnight Lucky made her much-anticipated return and it was worth the wait. She hadn’t been seen since she was a romping winner of the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont last May 27, and looked good as ever. From her outside slot she broke sharply, went right up to grab the lead, cleared the field and was able to get to the fence by time they got out of the chute. She set a solid pace while taking some pressure from Judy the Beauty and Iotapa, dispatched with those foes turning for home as she scooted away, opened up a clear lead and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. This stamps her the game’s top distaff sprinter. Her next main goal is the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga this summer. Street Girl sat well back and put in a solid, sustained move up the rail to get up for second, though she was never on the winner’s radar. Scherzinger likewise sat back, swung wide into the lane and finished decently to get up for third. Judy the Beauty, so impressive this year winning the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita and the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland, may have had her bubble burst. She got a great trip pressing Midnight Lucky from the start, tried to make a run at that gal on the turn but couldn’t keep up and then weakened from her efforts. Coming back in 3 weeks may have been too much. Her main summer goal is also the Grade 1 Ballerina.

Churchill - American Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Global View made it 3 wins in 4 turf tries after a picture-perfect ride by jockey Gary Stevens. He bided his time toward the back while racing in the clear. He steadily moved closer going to the far turn, swung out very wide into the lane and finished resolutely to just get up in the final strides. Being by one of the world’s elite sires, Galileo, this guy could be a big player in the 3-year-old turf races this season. Storming Inti broke sharply to duel early with Craftsman, volleyed on the lead with that rival, put that guy away and opened up into the lane but then just couldn’t quite fend off Global View in a fine try. Quotient sat a couple lengths off the pace, was stuck behind leaders into the lane, found a seam and moved through to be threatening but couldn’t quite sustain his run. Picozza, the favorite, seemed in a great spot stalking the dueling leaders in third but came up empty when asked for run into the lane.

Churchill - Churchill Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Central Banker, who nearly won the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita this past winter but was then a non-threatening 6th in the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct April 6, bounced back to form to post the upset. The 4-year-old colt broke well and prompted the pace. He moved up to challenge turn, got the better of leader Delauney into the lane to take command and stayed on gamely to just fend off a hard-trying Shakin It Up, who was on his hip all the way down the lane. He’s now 2 for 2 here. The Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont June 7 could be next. Shakin It Up, who won the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita but was coming off a 5th in the Grade 2 San Carlos, wasn’t far behind the winner from the start, made his run into the lane while on the winner’s hip but just couldn’t quite to past him. Clearly Now, third in the Grade 1 Carter, got squeezed back at the start to get away poorly, lagged well back, swung very wide into the lane and finished well. Delauney, easy winner of this race last year, dueled early with Falling Sky, had the lead on the turn but couldn’t keep up with the closers. Sahara Sky, the favorite after winning the Grade 2 San Carlos March 8 and running second in the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct April 5, lagged well back as is his custom but didn’t pack his usual strong punch, a very disappointing run particular since closers did so nicely in this race. His rider said he never felt comfortable over the track. He may still be slated to defend his Grade 1 Met Mile crown at Belmont June 7.

Churchill - Woodford Reserve (race 10)

COMMENT: It may not have been his most brilliant performance but in many ways Wise Dan was better than ever, posting the thrilling nose win. He broke alertly from the rail and got very rank and eager while between Bright Thought and Skyring. He moved up nicely to be just outside the 2 leaders turning for home, grabbed the lead and was confronted by a hard-charging Seek Again along the rail. But Wise Dan would not relent and after looking in trouble at the sixteenth pole showed a champion’s heart to gamely prevail. He didn’t settle that well in his last race, either – could this be what gets him beat? His connections said he’d likely wait for Saratoga, possibly the Grade 1 Whitney on dirt, though more likely the Grade 2 Fourstardave on the turf. Seek Again, making his first start since a dazzling win in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in the fall, showed he’s the real deal. He sat midpack, not far behind Wise Dan, moved up behind the leaders turning for home, veered to the inside to find racing room, came with a strong run that briefly looked as though it would topple Wise Dan. Boisterous sat back and finished well, though this was basically a two-horse race in the lane. Kaigun likewise sat midpack and finished well. Bright Thought set the pace under pressure but weakened. He’s just not the same horse he was at Santa Anita a year or so ago.

Churchill - Kentucky Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: A sharp break, tactical speed, a great trip, a superb ride and being the best horse added up to California Chrome validating his favoritism in smashing fashion, becoming the first California-bred in 52 years to win the roses. He broke alertly and pressed a surprisingly modest pace. He bided his time just off pacesetters Uncle Sigh and Chitu while staying clear, moved abreast of those two turning for home, made his patented surge-clear move into the lane to open up a commanding lead, which gave him more than enough of a buffer to keep the closers at bay. He was geared down the final 50 yards or so. A super run. Obviously the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico May 17 is next. Commanding Curve was far, far back early, steadily advanced to the far turn when he swung out for clear sailing, and closed well, though he was never really a threat to the winner. Danza broke a bit slowly, had to check and steady early while in traffic but got settled and came with a nice run in the lane. A better trip in the Preakness could make him a player. Wicked Strong stumbled early and got jostled when in tight going under the wire the first time but finally settled, came with a nice run into the lane and had to check significantly in midstretch, which may have cost him a better finish. Dance With Fate lagged back after a rough first few furlongs, finally settled while staying wide throughout, came with a decent wide run on the far turn and briefly looked as though he might have a say but he couldn’t quite sustain it. Medal Count got a great trip for about nine furlongs as he sat midpack, was coming with a run in the lane when he had to check sharply as Danza took his path. It surely cost him a better finish. Samraat stalked the pace, loomed a significant threat turning for home, was still just behind California Chrome coming into the lane but couldn’t finish with that foe and tired just a bit late. Chitu dogged pacesetter Uncle Sigh from the start, was still in the thick of it when California Chrome came to challenge but weakened in the final half-furlong. Candy Boy was slow into stride and took up very sharply on the first turn to lose position and was unable to recover from that.

Santa Anita - Precisionist (race 10)

COMMENT: Fury Kapcori made it four straight wins and notched his first graded win. The 2-5 favorite, he went right to the lead, set brisk splits while pressured by Handsome Mike, kicked clear into the lane and drew off to win with ease. Off this he deserves a chance vs. better, which may mean a shot at the Grade 1 Gold Cup here June 28, where he’d likely run into big boys Game On Dude and Imperative. Handsome Mike chased the winner from the start, gamely kept up the chase but was simply no match for that foe. Majestic City stalked the pace in 4th, made a mild run but was never really a factor. Could be this distance (1 1/16 miles) is a bit beyond his best. Secretsatmidnight was last early and never mustered a run.

Sunday, May 4

Santa Anita - Honeymoon (race 4)

COMMENT: Make it Nashoba’s Gold 2, Diversy Harbor 1 as Nashoba’s Gold won the third meeting in what is turning into a very nice 3-year-old filly turf rivalry. Diversy Harbor won the China Doll here March 8 (Nashoba’s Gold second) while Nashoba’s Gold took the Grade 3 Providencia (Diversy Harbor second). Here Nashoba’s Gold reversed her strategy from the Providencia. Whereas on that occasion she was ahead of Diversy Harbor and got first run, this time she lagged back, well behind her rival. She bided her time, swung wide into the lane and surged through the final furlong to get the win. The Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles here May 31 figures next. Sweet Bliss, whose lone win came on dirt here Jan. 30 before running third in an allowance turf race here March 13, sat last from the start, was still last turning for home and finished well to just get up for second. Diversy Harbor tried a different strategy – getting first run on Nashoba’s Gold, though it may not have been what her connections wanted. She was rank and pulling early, dogging pacesetter One More. She took the lead from that foe into the lane but couldn’t fend off the top two as she used up too much energy early fighting her rider. She still figures to go for the rematch in the American Oaks as well.