Trip Notes for Nov. 15: Red Smith, Commonwealth, Mrs. Revere and Bob Hope

Saturday, Nov. 15

Aqueduct - Red Smith (race 7)

COMMENT: Dynamic Sky finished third behind second-place Big Blue Kitten when they met in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine Oct. 19. A better trip and better racing luck helped Dynamic Sky turn the tables on his rival. He rallied from far back in the Woodbine race but showed more of his speed here. He sat midpack, not far off Micromanage’s slow pace, found room along the rail into the lane, moved through nicely to grab the lead from Legendary and gave himself enough of a buffer to keep Big Blue Kitten at arm’s length. Big Blue Kitten, the 4-5 favorite, always needs all the breaks in terms of pace and traffic with his deep-closing style but got no help here. He was last early, bided his time early while saving ground, moved closer on the final turn but then ran into traffic. He finally found room, got going and finished well but it was just too late. The multiple Grade 1 winner will reportedly remain in training next year. Margano, best known as younger full brother to the late Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, stalked the pace and kept on evenly. Legendary, coming into this off four wins in his last five starts, seemed in a great spot stalking the pacesetter, took command from that tiring rival into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Could be after a busy few months this is a sign he’s over the top. Micromanage was third in the Bowl Game at Belmont last month, his first turf start, after setting a slow pace. He set another slow pace here but then gave way badly, ending up last. It’s likely back to dirt for the 4-year-old.

Churchill Downs - Commonwealth Turf (race 7)

COMMENT: Heart to Heart showed he may be a turf mile force to reckon with as he posted a third straight front-running victory. He broke slowly but had the speed to still grab the early lead. He set a solid pace under pressure from Other Cheek, but then kicked away into the lane with a decisive move and won geared down. The Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile at a mile on turf at Santa Anita Dec. 26 is his next target. Other Cheek chased the winner from the start, tried to get closer going to the far turn, was no match for that rival but stayed on gamely to hold the place. Bashart stalked in fourth and kept to his task decently. Highball was far back early and made gradual progress throughout.

Churchill Downs - Mrs. Revere (race 9)

COMMENT: Sparkling Review looks like a potential bigshot in the older turf distaff division for 2014 as she posted a fourth straight win, all on turf. She is unbeaten on the surface, including a win in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Valley View last month. She bided her time early in this race while in midpack, swung wide on the far turn, came through between horses and powered home to win going away. Lady Lara was well back early, swung very wide on the far turn to start her rally, had to steady when bothered by traffic but got going again and finished nicely. Kiss the Moon set the pace under pressure from Spring Included, kicked clear into the lane but was no match for the winner and was edged late for second. Personal Diary, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and third in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II, was last early, swung very wide into the lane and finished well. Testa Rossi, the favorite despite this being her first start in over seven months, lagged well back, made some headway into the lane but flattened out.

Del Mar - Bob Hope (race 8)

COMMENT: No Problem, a smart maiden winner at Santa Anita Oct. 26, had all sorts of challenges in front of him here as he was facing winners for the first time, stepping way up in to graded stakes company and trying synthetic for the first time. None of that mattered as the son of Munnings posted the upset. He sat just off the solid early pace of All Indians and came with a smart run into the lane to challenge for the lead, looked in trouble when Alright Alright put his head in front at the eighth pole, but battled on to outfight that foe. Alright Alright lagged well back early, came with a strong wide run that carried him to the lead at the eighth pole, but then couldn’t outfinish No Problem. St. Joe Bay sat back, moved closer on the far turn, made a wide move to challenge the top two for the lead by midstretch but couldn’t quite keep pace late. All Indians shot out to a clear lead, was still clear turning for home but gave way once headed.