Trip Notes for May 4-6: Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and more

May 4

Churchill
Eight Belles (race 5)

COMMENT: Mia Mischief, favored off a monster stakes win at Oaklawn on March 24, used her speed to put away ample other speed and notch her first graded stakes win in her first attempt. The $300,000 daughter of Into Mischief went right to the lead, got heavy pressure from Amy’s Challenge to her inside with Talk Veuve to Me just to the outside, saw Amy’s Challenge take a narrow lead on the turn, regained a narrow lead into the lane, stayed off the fence and gradually extended her lead through the lane for the smart win. She certainly looks like a potential Grade 1 Acorn/Grade 1 Test filly and in fact trainer Steve Asmussen said after the race that the Test at Saratoga would be her main summer target. Talk Veuve to Me, monster maiden winner at the Fair Grounds March 25, pressed the pace from the outside, doggedly kept after the winner throughout, gamely chased her in the lane and while unable to keep up finished well clear of the others. Gas Station Sushi, the second choice after winning her first two starts including the Grade 3 Beaumont at Keeneland on April 8, her first start in eight months, bided her time, came with a smart wide run turning for home to loom a threat but couldn’t sustain her rally and was unable to threaten the top pair while finishing third. Amy’s Challenge, back to sprinting after a frontrunning third in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn on April 13, battled inside the eventual winner from the start through strong splits, dueled with that rival to the far turn, where she put her head in front but then relinquished the lead to the eventual winner and felt the effects of that hard early work as she gave way readily in the lane.

Churchill
La Troienne (race 6)

COMMENT: Salty was also entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Humana Distaff (listed at just 4-1 on the ML) at 7 furlongs, which made sense after she was a good fifth in the Grade 1 Madison at 7 furlongs at Keeneland on April 7, but her connections opted to move back to a route here and it paid off as she finished gamely to get her first Grade 1 win. She sat second while saving ground, a few lengths behind clear leader Farrell, crept closer going to the far turn, had to remain inside as Martini Glass was to her immediate outside but kept to her task gamely while staying inside to finally reel in the game pacesetter and edge clear. Her emergence makes the older distaff division that much tougher (Unique Bella, Paradise Woods, Elate, Abel Tasman, Unbridled Mo, Martini Glass, Fault, Vale Dori). Farrell showed again the importance of speed. She went right out to a clear lead before the field hit the clubhouse turn but did so while setting very slow splits (:24.70), :47.86). She remained a clear leader to the far turn despite those slow splits (1:12.82 for the 6 furlongs), had Martini Glass range up on her hip turning for home but rebuffed that gal, opened up again into the stretch while drifting out a few lanes, kept to her task but couldn’t quite fend off the winner, who came up the inside to her left. Martini Glass put up a bit of a fight early, tossing her head as her rider attempted to keep her back on the first turn, finally settled in fourth while wide, crept closer going down the backstretch, moved up to the pacesetter’s hip turning for home to loom a big threat, had her bid repelled but kept on decently to just hold third from heavy favorite Abel Tasman. The favorite, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, winner of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks here a year ago and making her first start since running second to champion older distaffer Forever Unbridled in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 3, settled early between horses, bided her time behind a couple rivals, moved wider out for room going to the far turn to try and follow Martini Glass, made a mild move into the lane but never really was a threat to the top two. While the fact she didn’t show any real oomph at any point was disappointing, she ran like a horse who needed the race and surely the slow pace didn’t help her cause. Ivy Bell scratched to go instead in Saturday’s Humana Distaff.

Churchill
Alysheba (race 8)

COMMENT: Backyard Heaven was so impressive winning his last two starts at Aqueduct but was diving into much deeper water here. He more than proved up to the task. Trainer Chad Brown had touted him highly as a 2-year-old but various problems delayed the start of his career. Here he broke alertly, dogged pacesetting favorite Always Dreaming, last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner, through moderate splits while to his outside, kept after that foe to the far turn, got the better of him turning for home, opened up and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. He looks like a coming player in the older male division. Brown said he likes the horse’s distance potential and that the Grade 1 Stephen Foster here June 16 could be next, though the Grade 1 Whitney ‘in his backyard’ at Saratoga is also surely on the radar. Hawaakom, coming off a dull seventh in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, lagged well back, came with a nice, steady run up the rail to get up for second, though he was never a threat to the winner. Good Samaritan, smart winner of the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds on March 24, sat third well behind the two pacesetters and well ahead of the rest of the field, crept closer on the far turn, was asked for run into the lane but didn’t pack his usual punch. The fact he showed a bit more early speed to sit third may have dulled his late kick, but with the race shape it was a tactic they almost had to employ. This should set him up well for a shot at the Foster, though he might have to tangle with the winner again there. Hoppertunity, that terrific veteran who has won more than $4.4 million and showed he still has gas in the tank with a big win in Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Tokyo City on April 8, lagged well back, as is his custom, remained wide down the backstretch and into the far turn when asked for run, made some headway but was never a threat. At this stage of the game he is likely more effective going longer. Always Dreaming went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Backyard Heaven to his outside, maintained a narrow edge to the far turn, battled back briefly when Backyard Heaven made a significant challenge but then gave way in a disappointing effort. Awesome Slew scratched to instead go in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Saturday.

Churchill
Kentucky Oaks (race 11)

COMMENT: Despite a bad draw, Monomoy Girl, romping winner of the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland last time out April 7, proved more than up to the task, posting a game win. She broke alertly from her far outside post and was urged to be up close early. She stalked as Take Charge Paula set a decent pace under pressure from Sassy Sienna, continued to dog the pacesetter to the far turn, took command on the turn, opened up some as if ready to go on to a big win but then had to meet the challenge of Wonder Gadot, drifted out a bit into that filly but was able to rebuff that gal through the final furlong. The Grade 1 Acorn on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9 may be next. Wonder Gadot again got close but someone proved just a bit better. Coming off a game second in the Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn on April 13, she ran likely the best race of her life. She sat midpack early, steadily advanced to the far turn, came with a smart wide run in the lane, appeared to have dead aim on the eventual winner as she roared up alongside that rival by midstretch, switched leads when the winner shifted out a bit from a left-handed whip to bump her, kept to her task but couldn’t edge past, staying on well for second well clear of the rest. Her rider lodged a claim of foul against the winner but the claim was disallowed. The Woodbine Oaks at Woodbine on June 9 may be next as a prep for the Queen’s Plate there June 30. Midnight Bisou, the favorite off an easy win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, was well back early, started a run going into the far turn, got knocked around a couple times between horses, pitched very wide but was one-paced in the lane to finish third, never really a threat to the top two. The slow start left her with too much to do in the lane. She was to return to her Southern California base. Eskimo Kisses, second in the Ashland, was far back early, started a run on the far turn, had to check briefly but got going again to finish decently, though she was never a danger to the top two. She’ll reportedly get some time off now. Rayya, well regarded after beating the boys in Dubai in early March and then running second to freaky winner Mendelssohn in the Grade 1 UAE Derby March 31, hopped at the start to get away poorly (she was, in fact, last) and remained toward the back throughout, never really picking up her feet in a disappointing outing.

May 5

Belmont
Sheepshead Bay (race 6)

COMMENT: Holy Helena, who last year defeated the boys in Woodbine’s Queen’s Plate, may actually be better on grass as a smart win here made her a perfect 3 for 3 on turf and stamped her a player in the distaff turf distance arena. As the 7-5 second choice she bided her time early as longshot Palinodie set a dawdling pace, remained toward the back (fifth) going to the far turn, moved out some for room to make her run into the lane and came with a strong rally to grab the lead in the final half-furlong. The Grade 2 New York at Belmont on June 8 could be in play. Lottie, freshened and back in against fellow females after running fifth against males in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 24, dogged the pacesetter from the start, remained there while coming off the rail some going down the backstretch, moved back to the inside to continue to hound the pacesetter, came with her run between horses but couldn’t quite outfinish the winner. Santa Monica, the 6-5 favorite after romping in her U.S. debut on turf at Keeneland last month and part of the Chad Brown armada of turf females, was away slowly to be last early, remained there while saving ground, was still last turning for home, came off the inside once straightened away to start her run, moved back to the rail and finished well but just ran out of ground. Palinodie, third in Gulfstream’s Grade 3 The Very One in early March, set a modest pace under some pressure throughout from Lottie, gamely rebuffed a challenge from that foe to almost the sixteenth pole when she finally relented to the top two. Summersault, a multiple graded stakes winner who looked back on track with a handy win in a stakes at Gulfstream March 30, was disappointing as she settled toward the back while just outside Santa Monica, was asked for run going into the far turn but the run never came.

Belmont
Fort Marcy (race 10)

COMMENT: While the spotlight was on Churchill Downs a budding star from the Chad Brown barn may have emerged here. Actually, Robert Bruce was already a star as he was an unbeaten champion in Chile prior to coming to Brown’s care. Making his U.S. debut here he broke well from his rail slot, stalked in third as Blacktype set a modest pace, remained there while staying on the fence, briefly looked in trouble on the far turn when still boxed in behind Blacktype and Spring Quality with his stablemate Silverwave on his outside, but found a seam, shot through when asked to surge past then-leader Spring Quality, finishing with good energy for the score. This was not only his first U.S. start, it was his first action of any kind since last October, so he can improve. The Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard here June 9 could be next, though Brown’s plethora of turf talent means he could also look elsewhere to avoid pitting too many of his runners against one another. Spring Quality, making his first start since winning the Grade 2 Red Smith at Aqueduct last fall, showed speed to sit second just off the pacesetter’s hip, remained there to the far turn, crept closer on the turn, moved up to grab the lead into the lane, got the better of Blacktype but couldn’t finish with Robert Bruce, who came up his inside. The Manhattan would figure on his radar as well. Lucullan, a troubled sixth in the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz at the Fair Grounds on March 24, bounced back with a good run. He sat just behind the eventual winner from the start while just to his outside, remained there to the far turn while between Robert Bruce and Silverwave, moved out from that spot to the outside to make his run, finished decently to edge past Silverwave but was unable to get to the top two. Silverwave, another making his U.S. debut for Brown after being a Group 1 winner in France and having last finished 18th in the Group 1 Arc de Triomphe in France last October, stalked the pace from the start, sitting just outside his winning stablemate, remained just outside Robert Bruce to the far turn, advanced to loom a threat into the lane but flattened out a bit. It had been reported Brown said Silverwave might be a work or two short but that he wanted to run him to see what he had and to see if he could next go in the Manhattan. The way he looked here the Manhattan figures very much in play.

Belmont
Westchester (race 11)

COMMENT: Tale of Silence was only third in an optional claimer at Gulfstream last time out two months ago but a freshening and return to the site of his only two other wins did the trick as he posted the upset, prevailing in a desperate four-horse photo finish. From his rail slot he bided his time as Conquest Big E shot out to a clear lead, remained in fourth as the field move closer to the pacesetter, who established strong splits, came just off the rail on the far turn, moved outside farther to make his run at the leaders, dove back to the rail for the stretch drive and finished resolutely to get the win. The Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard here June 9 could be next, though that spot figures to be brutally tough. Vulcan’s Forge, freshened since a dull sixth in the Stymie at Aqueduct on March 10, broke slow to get away last, was content to remain there while well behind the field, came with a smart run turning for home, swung widest of all into the lane and finished strongly to just miss. Tommy Macho, third to Conquest Big E in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Hardacre Mile on March 31, was third early but quickly moved up to second closing the gap on pacesetter Conquest Big E, made a smart run to the lead turning for home, battled gamely with Cloud Computing while exchanging a couple bumps with that foe and couldn’t quite fend off the top two in the final strides. He was third in last year’s Met Mile so he could give another go. Cloud Computing, last year’s Grade 1 Preakness winner and making his first start since surgery to remove an ankle chip last fall, ran in close attendance to Tommy Macho from the start, moved up to challenge that foe on the far turn, poked his head in front of that foe in midstretch while exchanging a couple bumps, stayed on gamely between horses but came up just two noses and a head shy. Off this the Met Mile could be next for the son of Maclean’s Music. Conquest Big E, smashing winner of the Gulfstream Hardacre Mile and who had seemingly figured things out, was very disappointing as from his far outside post he shot out to a clear lead, set a solid pace, battled back when confronted by Tommy Macho and Cloud Computing turning for home but then gave way readily in the lane.

Churchill
Humana Distaff (race 6)

COMMENT: The card opened to rain with the main track listed as ‘muddy (sealed)’ as showers continued. Salty was also entered but scratched to go in Friday’s Grade 1 La Troienne, which she won. American Gal was a sharp fourth in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland last month, narrowly beaten by a few of today’s rivals. That was, however, her first start in eight months and with that under her belt and an obvious affinity for the footing she was a smart winner. From her outside post she broke outward a bit but had the speed to duel early with 5-2 favorite Finley’sluckycharm to her inside, remained well off the rail, got the better of Finley’sluckycharm turning for home, opened up into the lane and kept hard-trying rival Ivy Bell at bay through the final furlong. She won the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga last year and surely a race like the Grade 1 Ballerina there this summer would seem a primary target. Ivy Bell, who scratched from Friday’s Grade 1 La Troienne to go here instead after winning the Grade 2 Inside Information at Gulfstream in March, stalked the pace, steadily advanced while wide, remained a few lanes off the rail, came with a decent run and while unable to really scare the winner finished clear of the rest. Lewis Bay, a sharp third in the Madison just in front of American Gal, got bumped at the start, stalked the pace while well off the rail, made a mildly threatening move into the lane but flattened out and was unable to be a real threat in the final furlong. Finley’sluckycharm, the tepid favorite off her game win in the Madison and previously being unbeaten in six starts over this track, broke a bit slowly from her rail slot, rushed up to duel with American Gal while a couple lanes off the fence, had her head in front on the far turn but then weakened. Skye Diamonds, the California invader who last ran second in the Grade 2 Santa Monica at Santa Anita in March, lagged back while wide, remained wide on the turn and into the lane but never mustered a run.

Churchill
Distaff Turf Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: Rain seemed to lighten a bit for this race and the turf course listed as “good.” Proctor’s Ledge found Sistercharlie and the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley waters a bit too deep last time out (ran eighth) but a better trip and company a smidge softer resulted in victory. She sat midpack as Psycho Sister set a solid pace under some pressure from Madame Stripes who was just behind and On Leave to her outside, remained midpack between horses as the field bunched turning for home, found a seam between horses into the lane, came with her run to reel-in then-leader On Leave and edge past. Trainer Brendan Walsh said the Grade 1 Just a Game II at a mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9 could be next, or the 1 1/4-mile Grade 2 New York there the day prior. Her main summer target is the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga. On Leave got a dream trip as she stalked the pacesetter from the start, moved up smartly turning for home to the outside of the pacesetter, had little trouble going past Psycho Sister to grab the lead into the lane, looked like the winner but then couldn’t fend off Proctor’s Ledge. Dream Awhile, the tepid favorite after being freshened since a sharp second in the Grade 3 Suwannee River at Gulfstream in February, sat a couple lengths behind the leaders while between horses, remained there to the top of the lane, came with a run and while unable to threaten the top two did snatch third. Dream Dancing lagged back, swung wide into the lane and finished decently. La Coronel, fourth in the Jenny Wiley, broke slowly from her far outside post to be at the back of the pack, was a bit rank on the first turn while wide, remained toward the back to the far turn, started to advance while remaining wide and in the clear, pitched wider for her run, got pushed wider still by others shifting out for room and was unable to get involved in the lane.

Churchill
Churchill Downs Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Continuing rain made the main track “sloppy (sealed).” It was nearly déjà vu all over again. Last year Limousine Liberal edged Awesome Slew for the exacta in this race. Well, ‘Liberal edged ‘Slew again, though this time Warrior’s Reward split the two on the line. Limousine Liberal, now 6 for 8 on this track (and 3 for 3 on a wet track), was a sharp second to Warrior’s Reward beaten by just a neck in the Grade 2 Commonwealth at Keeneland last month and turned the tables here. He had enough speed to stalk as heavy favorite Imperial Hint set a strong pace under some pressure from Unbridled Outlaw, remained between horses to the top of the lane, came with his run once straightened away, looked in trouble when Awesome Slew roared past but kept to his task doggedly inside that rival to grab the lead late and just get to the line before a hard-charging Warrior’s Reward. After winning this last year he went on to win the Grade 3 Aristides here so that figures to be his target again (June 2), though trainer Ben Coleman also mentioned the possibility of the Grade 2 True North at Belmont on June 8. Warrior’s Reward lagged back, swept wide on the far turn to start his run, moved wider still into the lane and finished gamely to just miss. Awesome Slew broke slowly, breaking outward and awkwardly, gathered himself, moved down to the rail at the back of the field, started to advance up the rail on the far turn, came off the inside into the stretch, found a seam between horses to move to the outside while continuing his run, surged to the lead and looked like the winner in midstretch but wasn’t quite able to sustain his rally. Last year after this he went to the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard (ran fourth) so that may be the plan again, particularly as trainer Mark Casse has said this runner is likely best at a mile. Whitmore, winner of two stakes at Oaklawn coming into this, was a bit unlucky. He lagged back with Awesome Slew, went wide while that rival stayed on the fence, came with a nice run in tandem with that rival but had to steady between horses while Awesome Slew found a clear lane. He was able to get going again but the damage was done. Imperial Hint, the heavy favorite off a romping return win at Tampa last month, went right to the lead, as expected, took some pressure from a couple rivals while setting strong splits, still had the lead into the lane and was seemingly traveling well but gave way once headed. At this point the main track seems to be playing fair both in terms of path and style.

Churchill
American Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: Some of the heaviest rain of the day came down prior to and during this running, with the turf course listed as “yielding.” Trainer Todd Pletcher said they might have to scratch Maraud as he said the colt wasn’t fond of non-firm going, despite having won on non-firm turf this winter at Gulfstream. He was a well-beaten fifth on yielding turf at Keeneland in the Grade 3 Transylvania last time out but handled this non-firm course with aplomb as he bided his time early toward the back of the field as Speed Franco set a solid pace under pressure from Inscom, steadily advanced to the far turn while staying wide and in the clear, came with a strong wide run in the lane to grab the lead inside the eighth pole as the speed fell away and maintained his advantage despite racing on his wrong lead. Trainer Todd Pletcher said the Grade 1 Belmont Derby in July is a target. Untamed Domain, back to turf after failing to threaten in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, was well back from the start, still well back coming into the lane, shifted out for room and finished well to end up in a dead heat for second with Captivating Moon. Captivating Moon, second to monster winner Analyze It in the Transylvania, was even farther back, remained toward the back coming into the lane when fanned out very wide and finished with good energy to end up on even terms with Untamed Domain. He’ll reportedly campaign at Arlington this summer. Arawak sat well back early after having to steady on the first turn, crept closer to the top of the lane when moving out for room, darted back to the inside to continue his rally, actually brushed the hedge in midstretch and then flattened out. River Boyne, the slight favorite after three straight impressive win on the turf at Santa Anita, got bumped and knocked around at the start, was still able to get a stalking trip while wide, shifted wider out into the lane, loomed a threat once straightened away but couldn’t sustain his run. Threeandfourpence, from the ever-dangerous Aidan O’Brien barn from Europe and back to turf after finishing ninth far behind stablemate Mendelssohn in the Grade 1 UAE Derby March 31, was disappointing as he broke slowly to be well back from the start and never mustered a run.

Churchill
Pat Day Mile (race 10)

COMMENT: Heavy rains continued into this race as the track remained “sloppy (sealed).” Funny Duck was making just his second start on dirt and his first on wet going and he took to it, well, like a duck to water, posting the first big upset of the day. Coming off a seventh in the Grade 3 Transylvania on turf at Keeneland April 6, the son of Distorted Humor relished the going. He stumbled significantly at the start to be far back early off a decent pace set by Lombo, pressured by Smart Remark, moved to the inside to save ground while remaining well back, started to advance going down the backstretch, appeared to brush the rail going into the far turn, continued to advanced, came through between horses to grab the lead by midstretch and drew off. This could mean he’s a Grade 2 Woody Stephens/Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens type, though he remains a question mark on dry land. New York Central, a $750,000 son of Tapit who gave way readily to finish 10th in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby, stalked the pace, came with a nice run on the turn to grab the lead but then couldn’t finish with the winner. Givemeaminit, shortening up after a fourth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds on March 24, lagged well back while not far off the rail, came with a nice run on the turn, got through along the rail, came off the fence a bit to continue his run and finished well. Seahenge, back to sprinting after being a well-beaten fifth to stablemate Mendelssohn in the Grade 1 UAE Derby, was a bit slow into stride to be toward the back, raced a bit greenly while getting the kick-back, started to advance on the far turn, kept coming into the lane, had to then wait behind horses, shifted out for room in midstretch but was unable to get going enough to threaten. Mask, romping winner of his first two starts last fall/winter and considered a top Kentucky Derby prospect for the Chad Brown barn before a setback took him off the trail, made his first start in four months here. As the 5-2 favorite he broke decently to stalk the pace, remained in stalking mode to the far turn, crept closer while remaining wide and between horses but came up empty in the lane. Madison’s Luna, easy winner of his first two starts including the Grade 3 Hutcheson at Gulfstream on March 24, seemed in a good spot stalking the pace but came up empty when it mattered.

Churchill
Old Forester Turf Classic (race 11)

COMMENT: Rains lightened a bit, but the turf course remained listed as “yielding.” Top-class European invader Deauville was scratched, likely due to the footing. Yoshida, making his first start since winning the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont last fall, came back firing, showed he can be a big player in the division and that he can handle such tough footing as he beat back Beach Patrol, one of the division’s best. He got a great trip stalking a few lengths off Shining Bullet, who had a clear lead while setting slow splits. He steadily advanced, move up to Beach Patrol’s hip going to the far turn as those two closed in on the pacesetter, got abreast of ‘Patrol into the lane, battled gamely with that rival, took a narrow lead by midstretch and stayed on gamely to keep that hard-hitting runner at bay. There’s been talk he could ship to England for a shot at the Group 1 Queen Anne on June 19 at Royal Ascot, following in the footsteps of champion turf mare Tepin. Beach Patrol lost nothing in defeat as he was making his first start since a sharp second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf last fall. He broke well, was content to sit second well behind clear pacesetter Shining Bullet and just ahead of stablemate Kurilov, moved closer to ‘Bullet going to the far turn, made his challenge into the lane with Yoshida to his outside, battled gamely but just wasn’t quite good enough as he ran second in this race for a second straight year. This still shows he’s back and ready to compete at the top level. The Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9 could be next, though Brown has so much strength in the turf division he can pick his spots so he doesn’t have too many horses running against one another as a few of his other runners, such as Robert Bruce, Silverwave, Call Provision, Money Multiplier and Wake Forest, could also eye the Manhattan. Synchrony, coming off two big graded stakes wins at the Fair Grounds, was last early, remained toward the back going down the backstretch, swung wide on the turn to make his run, finished decently but couldn’t get to the top two. Surely the pace didn’t help him. Kurilov, like Beach Patrol from the Chad Brown barn and coming off a superb second in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf when beaten just a neck, stalked the pace in third, just behind and inside his stablemate, was asked for run on the far turn to follow his stablemate, showed a brief spurt but then came up empty.

Churchill
Kentucky Derby (race 12)

COMMENT: Rain continued with the main track listed as “sloppy (sealed).” We saw history made with record rainfall and history made by a horse who may potentially be a great horse as Justify was an impressive winner despite the elements, despite having run just three times prior, despite having never shipped before, despite being on top of a brutal pace and despite having not raced as a 2-year-old, becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to pull off that feat. He did it with his natural speed as he broke well, got into the clear just off early pacesetter Promises Fulfilled, was always traveling comfortably despite pressing the hot fractions, moved up easily to dispatch with Promises Fulfilled turning for home, looked briefly in trouble when last year’s 2-year-old male champ Good Magic came to his throatlatch into the lane to his outside but was asked for run and responded, drawing clear again and really never having an anxious moment in the final 70 yards. The $500,000 son of recently deceased sire Scat Daddy is the sixth straight favorite to win. On to Pimlico. Good Magic was superb in defeat. Like the winner his break was unencumbered, he got a dream trip sitting just behind the leaders, remained there to the far turn, was asked for run coming into the lane, responded well to loom menacingly when coming up alongside of Justify but then couldn’t stay with that rival in the final furlong. Trainer Chad Brown said he might go to for the Grade 1 Preakness as well May 19 but said the Grade 1 Belmont on June 9 is almost certainly out as he doesn’t see Good Magic as a 12-furlong horse. Audible, the Grade 1 Florida Derby winner, completely validated his strong Florida form, doing the best of the four runners from the Todd Pletcher barn. He lagged back after being a bit sluggish early, came with a smart run on the far turn, lost his momentum when forced to steady when he ran into a wall of horses just before the quarter pole, moved to the inside for racing room, found it, got into high gear again and came up the rail smartly in the stretch, almost catching Good Magic. He’ll likely skip the Preakness but the Belmont is very much in play. Instilled Regard, who had disappointed recently after an impressive fall/winter, bounced back to form. He bumped hard into Mendelssohn when forced in by Magnum Moon, who veered inward at the break, gathered himself, lagged far back early, steadily advanced to the far turn, had to wait for room coming into the lane, swung out for clear sailing then back toward the inside and finished smartly, nearly getting up for third. My Boy Jack, the subject of serious action at the windows (opened at 30-1 but was 6-1 after the early betting Friday and stayed at those odds), had a very tough trip. He lagged well back from the start, didn’t appear to be going anywhere, found himself boxed in to the far turn, extricated himself from there, pitched very, very wide into the lane and finished smartly to get up for fifth. He reportedly came back with a few cuts on his front legs and that he’ll likely now get a freshener. Hofburg lagged well back, remained inside going down the backstretch, had to steady a couple times when stuck in traffic on the far turn, remained inside, improved his position going to the far turn, came off the inside on the turn and into the lane and finished decently, but was never really a factor. The Belmont is on his radar. Vino Rosso was far back early after a slow start, was wide throughout, managed to pass a few to improve his position but was never a threat as he never seemed comfortable in the slop. The Belmont is reportedly his target. Solomini was slow into stride to be last early, didn’t appear to be comfortable on the footing and didn’t appear to be going anywhere but kept to his task to pass a number of rivals. He’s another candidate for the Belmont. Bolt d’Oro stalked outside just behind Justify, remained wide and in the clear down the backstretch, was urged to keep pace with Justify going to the far turn, was unable to keep up. He’ll be freshened and target the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August. Magnum Moon, the other unbeaten horse who did not race as a 2-year-old, came in significantly at the start to get away poorly, causing some chain-reaction bumping, was in tight under the wire the first time while well back, finally found some room to extend but got bounced around a couple times again on the far turn and had nothing to offer thereafter. Mendelssohn, the hugely impressive winner of the Group 1 UAE Derby, broke a tad slowly, got hit hard by Instilled Regard who was forced into him by the veering-in Magnum Moon, ended up between horses a few lengths off the lead, got jostled further still, was asked to try and get involved going down the backstretch but came up empty. Trainer Aidan O’Brien said the troubled start and footing worked against him significantly and that the kin to many-time champion Beholder would be freshened and that they would target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic here in the fall with two preps beforehand.

Santa Anita
Senorita (race 7)

COMMENT: Treasuring was a good second in the China Doll at a mile here March 10 but then faded to sixth in the longer Grade 3 Providencia here April 7. She moved back to a mile, had a change of strategy and got back to form as the former European runner used her speed to duel early with May Girl, soon assumed pacesetting duties while taking pressure from that rival and Pursuing the Dream, set a solid pace while ‘Dream kept on her hip, opened up into the lane and gamely kept ‘Dream and the closing Movie Moment at arm’s length. She may not be up to taking on the likes of Rushing Fall or Daddy Is a Legend or Significant Form but she can surely do damage in the right spots – and now it looks like such a spot is at a mile. Pursuing the Dream, fourth in her U.S. debut here March 30, broke a bit slowly, moved up quickly though to dog the eventual winner, kept after that foe to the far turn, didn’t accelerate as strongly or quickly into the lane, got going again late to hold second but couldn’t reel in the winner. Movie Moment, a smart maiden winner here last time out April 6, stalked in fourth, remained there to the stretch and finished well to just miss getting second, but was never a danger to the winner. West Palm Beach, the favorite off an impressive win in her U.S. debut here March 16 after coming here from England where she won her last two starts, sat last early, remained well back to the far turn, found her best stride in the lane to close the gap but had left herself with too much to do. The longer Grade 3 Honeymoon at 1 1/8 miles here June 9 could be next for the second, third and fourth finishers.

May 6

Belmont
Ruffian Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed some when Holiday Disguise, winner of the Grade 3 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct on April 6, was scratched. Pacific Wind hinted at big ability out west but the $200,000 daughter of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin moved to the barn of Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown in the fall, was freshened, came back to romp in an optional claimer at Keeneland on April 13 and passed this test of being moved back into graded stakes ranks with aplomb. She broke well to stalk the pace while inside as Faypien set a solid pace, remained in fourth to the far turn, moved off the inside to make her run, came with a steady rally in the lane to reel in then-leader Highway Star to her outside and edge past in the final furlong. Surely this division is loaded (Unique Bella, Paradise Woods, Abel Tasman, Salty, Elate, Unbridled Mo, Fault, Vale Dori, and others) but she’s trending the right way and may have earned a shot at deeper water with this run, meaning something like the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps here on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9. Highway Star, the defending champ but a disappointing fifth in the Heavenly Prize at Aqueduct when last seen March 10, bounced back to form as she stalked the pace, racing with the eventual winner, moved earlier than that foe to contest the lead going into the far turn, took command into the lane, opened up some by midstretch, stayed on well but couldn’t quite fend off the winner who went past to her outside. Tequilita sat last early but wasn’t that far off the lead, came with a run on the far turn, pitched out wide into the lane and finished decently but just wasn’t quite good enough. Faypien, winner of the mile Harry Henson at Sunland on March 25 in her only start this year, set a solid pace under pressure from Unchained Melody, rebuffed that rival on the far turn but then couldn’t finish with the top three. She may be better at a shorter trip. Unchained Melody, making her first start since she pressed the pace, was pulled up and vanned off in last summer’s Grade 1 Alabama, after impressively winning the Grade 2 Mother Goose here, dogged Faypien from the start with Highway Star to her outside, was still in the hunt on the far turn while between horses but then gave way in a disappointing effort.

Lone Star
Steve Sexton Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Bee Jersey, a $250,000 son of Grade 1 winner Jersey Town, made it four wins in five starts in the U.S. since coming from Dubai and by virtue of this big win may have earned a ticket into deeper waters, such as the Grade 1 Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 9. The 4-year-old colt used his speed, breaking alertly from his outside slot, shooting out to a clear early lead, was able to maintain that advantage through modest splits and had more than enough fuel left in the tank to draw away in the lane when it mattered. In fact, he won geared down. Girvin, winner of last summer’s Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth and who was making his first start since being freshened after a dull run in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Sept. 24, was slow into stride, sitting last from the start, remained toward the back while traveling wide and in the clear, started to make progress on the far turn, remained very wide into the lane and finished decently, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Trainer Joe Sharp said before this race that a good run here could earn Girvin a trip to Churchill for the Grade 1 Stephen Foster on June 16, though the water there will be much, much deeper. Shotgun Kowboy chased the winner from the start, made a run at that foe on the far turn, proved no match for him in the lane and stayed on decently for third, only losing second in the final strides while finishing far clear of the others.

Santa Anita
Adoration (race 7)

COMMENT: Fault continued her ascent with a game victory here and likely now deserves a shot at the division’s best. Coming off a smart win in the Grade 2 Buena Vista on turf and a romping win in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita on dirt here last time out March 17, the daughter of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame was slow into stride to be last early, remained there going down the backstretch, started to advance on the far turn, came with a strong, steady run in the lane and was able to reel in and edge past then-leader Shenandoah Queen. Off this she may deserve a shot at the Grade 1 Beholder at a mile here June 2, though not only would she be cutting back in distance, she would also likely be taking on the three best females on the grounds (Unique Bella, Paradise Woods, Selcourt). Since she handles turf just as well that gives her other options, too. Shenandoah Queen, who’d been disappointing since last summer, got back to her best form as she showed the speed to dog early pacesetter Mended form the start, moved up inside that foe to challenge for the lead into the lane, finally got the better of that rival in in deep stretch but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Mended, second to Fault in the Santa Margarita, bounced right out to the lead, got away with modest fractions while still clear, was challenged by Shenandoah Queen turning for home, rebuffed that rival, was challenged again by that foe in midstretch, was unable to fend off that challenge to her inside and couldn’t counter the winner’s charge to her outside. Vale Dori, the defending champ and making her first start since a couple sharp seconds to champion Stellar Wind in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile here June 3 and Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar on July 30, bided her time early, came with a modest run turning for home to loom a threat but couldn’t sustain it and was no factor in the lane. Considering her trainer Bob Baffert is so good off the bench this run was a bit disappointing, but you can be a bit forgiving considering the long layoff.