Trip Notes for May 6 - May 8: Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks
May 6
Churchill
La Troienne (race 6)
COMMENT: Curalina, making her first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff last Oct. 30, came back smokin’, whipping a field that included top-class Sheer Drama. She pressed the pace of Angela Renee while inside that foe, took back some and moved off the rail going into the backstretch, took over eagerly into the lane, and drew off to win with complete authority. Engaginglee sat last on the rail, remained inside when asked for run into the lane, and ran on well to edge Sheer Drama for the place. Sheer Drama, the heavy choice off a win in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland April 9, bided her time in fourth while saving ground, came out into the lane, loomed a threat but then had no punch. The track was still a little wet from rain and it’s possible she didn’t care for the footing, according to her trainer, David Fawkes. Penwith stalked in third, was asked for run turning for home, but bid a hasty retreat. She doesn’t look like the same gal who won the Grade 2 Royal Delta at Gulfstream a few months ago.
Churchill
Eight Belles (race 7)
COMMENT: Judging by her dominance in this race it’s a pity Carina Mia didn’t get into the Kentucky Oaks. Coming off a fourth in the Grade 1 Ashland and using Lasix for the first time, she was off a touch slowly and was last at one point. She was eager and pulling but rider Julien Leparoux kept her well back. She finally settled, was asked for run turning for home while wide and in the clear, and blew the doors off her rivals. Blip n’ Th Bye stalked while wide in third as Marquee Miss and Summer Reading dueled up front, tried to go with the winner into the lane, and stayed on well for second. Nickname lagged back behind Carina Mia, swung very wide into the lane, made headway but was no threat. Stageplay stalked the pace, was still in the hunt coming into the lane, but gave way. She was once considered a potential Oaks player but now has put up three straight dull performances.
Churchill
Alysheba (race 9)
COMMENT: Majestic Harbor showed that even at age 8 there’s still plenty of gas in the tank. He stalked pacesetter Cat Burglar, moved up with Majestic Affair to challenge turning for home, got the better of that foe, and drew away late. Eagle lagged well back, steadily advanced to the far turn, swung wide into the lane for a clear run, and finished decently for second. Majestic Affair raced in close attendance with Majestic Harbor, battled with him to about midstretch, but then couldn’t keep pace and lost second in the final strides. Noble Bird broke slowly, and was rank and wide throughout.
Churchill
Kentucky Oaks (race 11)
COMMENT: Cathryn Sophia proved easily best and stamped herself the second-best 3-year-old filly in the land behind Songbird. She broke well from her outside slot and was able to get a nice stalking position outside, just off favorite Rachel’s Valentina’s hip. She waited to the top of the lane to pounce, surged to the lead, and won easily. Land Over Sea, who chased Songbird in five straight races nbefore easily winning the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, lagged back as Terra Promessa set a decent pace under pressure from Rachel’s Valentina and Lewis Bay, started to advance going down the backstretch, came with a smart run through the lane between horses, and just edged Lewis Bay for second. Lewis Bay stalked the pace while staying on the rail just inside of Rachel’s Valentina, came with her run up the rail when pacesetter Terra Promessa came off the fence, grabbed the lead, but was no match for the winner and lost second in the final strides. Go Maggie Go, winner of her only two starts including the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Oaks, sat back and finished with good energy. Rachel’s Valentina broke very sharply, got a dream trip pressing Terra Promessa while outside and in the clear, came under a ride turning for home, and weakened in the final furlong. Weep No More, who won the Grade 1 Ashland over Rachel’s Valentina and Cathryn Sophia, sat well back, was in tight and hit the rail going down the backstretch, got back in stride and made headway to split the field.
May 7
Belmont
Westchester (race 4)
COMMENT: Anchor Down was fourth in the seven-furlong Carter last time, but another furlong and a muddy (sealed) track proved to his liking, and the son of Tapit notched his first graded stakes win. He took pressure from Stormin Monarcho while setting brisk splits, dispatched with that foe into the lane, and drew off to win under a hand ride. Samraat stalked in third, loomed a threat turning for home, and stayed on to be a clear second. Mylute sat back while inside, made a mild move into the lane, and finished evenly to be third, well clear of the rest. Red Vine, the 4-5 favorite making his first start since running second in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last fall, made a mild move turning for home but came up empty.
Belmont
Fort Marcy (race 10)
COMMENT: Ironicus, making his first start since winning the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga last summer, came back firing. He stalked the pace over the yielding turf in fourth as Smooth Daddy set a modest pace, moved closer while staying wide and in the clear, and took command by midstretch. Smooth Daddy took some pressure from Blacktype, dispatched with that foe, tried to go with the winner in the lane while staying inside, and stayed on well to be a clear second. Messi, making his first start running fifth in the Grade 3 River City at Churchill last fall when he was hit by a dirt clod and nearly lost an eye, was just behind Ironicus. He didn’t move as early or as quickly and plugged along to get fourth. He likely would prefer more ground. Red Rifle sat back early and never made a move. Could be he didn’t care for the footing. Likely favorite Force the Pass was scratched.
Belmont
Sheepshead Bay (race 11)
COMMENT: The race was moved from the inner course to the Widener course and run on yielding turf. European raider Sea Calisi loved the footing and benefited from this race being run in the European style - slow early, fast late. She sat last to the far turn, moved up strongly to reach contention, took over under her own power, and was eased back once the issue had been determined. She basically ran hard for about an eighth of a mile. Guapaza, like the winner trained by Chad Brown, sat back just in front of her stablemate while saving ground, was asked for run on the far turn, cut the corner into the lane, then veered to the outside for clear sailing. She had to steady when a tiring Selenite shifted out in front of her, got going again, and finished well for second. Robillard, making her first start of the year, set a very slow pace and kept on to be a clear third.
Churchill
Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (race 6)
COMMENT: In what was little more than a paid workout, Tepin again dominated her rivals. She was content to let Isabella Sings take command, moved closer without being asked going to the far turn, took over under her own power into the lane, and maintained a clear lead while under an easy hand ride. Rainha Da Bateria lagged well back early and came with a smart rally to get second. Cash Control stalked in fourth, made a mild move into the lane, and stayed on for third. Isabella Sings, second to Tepin in the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa March 17, shot clear early, tried to battle back when hooked by the winner turning for home, then bid a hasty retreat in the lane.
Churchill
Churchill Downs (race 7)
COMMENT: Catalina Red, coming off a win over statebreds in Florida, posted the 14-1 upset over several graded stakes winners. He stalked the fast pace of Limousine Liberal, took over into the lane, and held off three closers. He was just .35 second shy of Groupie Doll’s track mark for the seven furlongs. Calculator bided his time early and came with a solid run into the lane for second. Kobe’s Back got away very slowly and was well back early, swung very wide into the lane, and finished strongly. Salutos Amigos lagged back, pitched very wide into the lane, and finished well. Speightster, making his first start since winning the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont last July 4, was rank early as he pressed the pace, and gave way in the lane. He surely needed the race.
Churchill
Humana Distaff (race 8)
COMMENT: Taris got a dream trip stalking in third as Stonetastic set a fast pace, pressed by Super Saks. Taris moved closer on the far turn, came abreast of leader Stonetastic and challenger Enchanting Lady, was asked for run once straightened away, and powered away to win in a romp. Stonetastic shot out to the lead, as is her custom, dispatched with Super Saks coming into the lane, but was immediately tackled by Taris to her outside and Enchanting Lady on the rail. She was no match for Taris but stayed on to hold second in a fine try. Enchanting Lady stumbled at the start and got squeezed back, steadily advanced down the backside, came with an inside run into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Wavell Avenue, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, sat closer than usual while staying wide in the clear, moved up to the outside of Taris coming into the lane to loom a threat, but didn’t pack of her usual punch.
Churchill
American Turf (race 9)
COMMENT: The addition of blinkers and a ground-saving ride helped Camelot Kitten get his first stakes win. He bided his time midpack early while favored Airoforce set a solid pace under pressure from Shakhimat. Camelot Kitten moved to the rail going to the backstretch, steadily advanced, was just behind the leaders turning for home, squeezed through inside Airoforce to challenge for the lead with Beach Patrol, and got up for the narrow win. Beach Patrol did nothing wrong in defeat. He sat a few lengths behind the pacesetters, moved closer while saving ground, pitched out to go around them, came with his run at the same time as Camelot Kitten, and just missed. Surgical Strike sat well back and finished well. Airoforce showed more speed than usual from his rail slot. He was dogged by Shakhimat while setting solid splits, and was getting the better of that foe into the lane when Camelot Kitten and Beach Patrol moved up. He raced between those two and steadied when in tight in the final half-furlong, but the outcome had pretty much been determined. Shakhimat dogged Airoforce, was still right there coming into the lane, but fell away. Frank Conversation, who last ran seventh in the Group 2 UAE Derby, stalked the pace but gave way badly in the lane.
Churchill
Pat Day Mile (race 10)
COMMENT: Sharp Azteca, stepping up in class after two wins at Gulfstream, got right into a duel with Imperial Hint. The two went at it strong, covering the first six furlongs of the one-mile race in 1:08.32. Sharp Azteca dispatched with Imperial Hint into the lane, and while he understandably tired a little was well clear at the wire. Forevamo, shortened up off a fifth in the 1 1/16-mile Louisiana Derby, lagged well back, came with a strong run in the lane, had to weave through traffic, and finally got through to run second. Star Hill sat midpack and came with a steady run to get third. American Freedom, the heavy favorite despite having run just once, seemed in a good spot stalking a few lengths off the lead while outside and in the clear, moved closer on the turn, was asked for run, but was unable to get involved.
Churchill
Woodford Reserve (race 11)
COMMENT: Divisidero, who won the Grade 2 American Turf on this course a year ago, sat a few lengths off pacesetter Midnight Storm, who was pressured by Bolo. Divisidero moved up while staying outside and in the clear, and came with his run in the lane to outfinish a stubborn World Appeal. World Appeal stalked in third, moved up to take the lead by midstretch, and stayed on to just miss. Slumber lagged back and weaved through traffic through the lane in an encouraging first run of the year. Tourist seemed in a great spot sitting midpack while in the clear, moved up to loom a threat turning for home, but could do better than fourth. Could be the Grade 1 level is just a smidge beyond him. Big Blue Kitten, last year’s turf champ making his first start of the year, was last until turning for home. He finished decently, though he wasn’t a threat. He likely needed this race and would prefer more distance. Reporting Star stalked the pace, steadied when in tight coming into the lane, and was no factor afterward. This level may be a tad beyond him. Bolo dogged Midnight Storm on the lead, was still in contention into the lane, but then gave way. He hasn’t been the same horse when shipping out of Southern California. Kasaqui appeared to clip heels turning for home. He fell, losing his rider, and then Triple Threat ran into him, stayed on his feet but lost his rider. The incident did not affect the outcome and both riders and horses were reportedly fine. Grand Tito was scratched after falling in the paddock.
Churchill
Kentucky Derby (race 12)
COMMENT: Nyquist answered the 1 1/4-mile with authority with another thoroughly professional performance. He broke sharply and his rider, Mario Gutierrez, held him up just enough to allow Danzing Candy to go past him and set the pace. Nyquist settled just off Danzing Candy, was moved off the inside so he wouldn’t get trapped, moved up to challenge for the lead on the outside, took command, and got to the line before the hard-charging Exaggerator. Nyquist was fairly close to a very fast pace so he had the right to get a little tired late. He’s a perfect 8 for 8 and it’s on to the Preakness. Exaggerator was well back early and had to check in traffic. He started to advance going down the backstretch, moved to the inside while passing horses, had to steady behind a tiring rival, got going again, switched out to continue his run, and finished strongly. Gun Runner stalked the pace, came with a run along the rail turning for home to go past a tiring Danzing Candy, briefly looked as though he might go on to victory, but then couldn’t keep pace with Nyquist the top two. Mohaymen bounced back nicely from his dull Florida Derby. He sat a few lengths off the pace while saving ground and finished fourth. Suddenbreakingnews got jammed up at the start to be well back early, though that’s where he was going to be even with a good start, saved ground into the lane, then angled out sharply and finished well. Lani, the Japanese raider, broke very slowly and bumped with Destin to be last early, steadily advanced, pitched very wide into the lane, and ran on decently. Mor Spirit, who had never finished out of the top two, chased the leaders while wide, was carried further wide turning for home, and weakened. Outwork, winner of the Grade 1 Wood, seemed in a good spot stalking the pace, but gave way when it mattered. Those who criticized the Wood for its slow time may have been spot on. Danzing Candy broke a step slowly but his natural speed carried him to the lead. He set a strong pace to the far turn but gave way once headed.
Santa Anita
Senorita (race 9)
COMMENT: Stays in Vegas made it a perfect 3 for 3 on turf despite making her first start in five months. Breaking from the outside post, she sat third as Fourth Watch ran off to an early lead, moved closer as Be Mine took command from Fourth Watch turning for home, engaged Be Mine into the lane, and narrowly prevailed. Be Mine, favored after easily winning her first two starts, both on turf, sat second early behind pacesetter Fourth Watch, moved past that rival on the far turn, battled back when challenged by Stays in Vegas, and came up a head short. Sheeza Milky Way was last early, remained well back turning for home, pitched out and finished strongly. Decked Out, coming off a romping win in the Grade 3 Providencia here April 9, sat back with Sheeza Milky Way, moved earlier than that gal to be in contention by midstretch, but flattened out.
May 8
Santa Anita
Adoration (race 5)
COMMENT: Making her first start since easily winning the Grade 1 Zenyatta Sept. 26, Beholder she had no trouble dominating her overmatched rivals. She sat just off the early pace while wide into the first turn, moved closer to leader Sheer Pleasure down the backstretch while staying wide and in the clear, and crept up to Sheer Pleasure’s hip after a half-mile. She remained there to the far turn, was given encouragement at the quarter pole, quickly assumed command, and cruised home. Sheer Pleasure was just behind early pacesetter Moyo Honey, assumed command leaving the first turn, and stayed on well to be a clear second. All Star Bub stalked early, got shuffled back on the far turn, but got going again to come on for third. - Comments by Michael Hammersly