Trip Notes for Nov. 29-30: Cigar Mile, Kentucky Jockey Club, Hollywood Derby, and more...

Saturday, November 29

Aqueduct - Comely (race 4)

COMMENT: More proof of the danger of lone speed and how it was even enhanced by a main track that played heavily to inside speed. Snowbell, wisely scratched from the Grade 3 Go for Wand the day prior, was coming off a romping 8 1/2-length optional-claiming win at Belmont Oct. 5 when she went wire to wire, as she’d also done in her maiden win. She was able to take command early and keep it, this despite setting dawdling splits (25.02 seconds, 50.97, 1:16.22), took modest pressure from Dame Dorothy, but had more than enough left in the tank to rebuff that foe into the lane, kick clear, and win comfortably. Obviously she does her best on the front end and can be dangerous in the right spots next year. Shayjolie stalked the pace in third while saving ground and plugged along, though she wasn’t really a threat to the winner in the lane. Dame Dorothy, previously unbeaten in four starts including the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm at Belmont Oct. 26, stalked the winner from the start, tried to mount a challenge turning for home, but could never get on terms and was no match in the lane. House Rules sat midpack but gave way in a disappointing follow-up to her six-length romp in the slop here Nov. 6.

Aqueduct - Demoiselle (race 8)

COMMENT: Condo Commando romped by 13 1/4 lengths in the slop in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga Aug. 31 but then disappointed when fourth as the 9-10 favorite in the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Oct. 4. She was freshened, given a longer task, and took full advantage of the fairly significant speed bias as she broke on top and led her foes on a merry chase to win a laugher. Unlike Comely winner Snowbell, she showed you didn’t have to go slow early to keep going as she set a brisk pace (her six furlongs in 1:12.63; Snowbell’s six-furlong split was 1:16.22) while establishing a clear lead and expanded her margin throughout to win in a romp. They may have found the key to her: that she’s a free-running type who just has to be allowed to roll. Early plans for her include the Aqueduct path to try and get to the Kentucky Oaks next year: Busher, Busanda, and Gazelle. Calamity Kate, last ninth in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Alcibiades, stalked in third, got the better of Angela Renee for the place, but could never get close to the winner. Angela Renee, smart winner of the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita Sept. 27 before finishing 10th as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, was in closest pursuit of the winner but lacked the punch to challenge. Quezon, romping winner of her only two starts, both versus New York-breds, sat fourth early and stayed there in what was basically a parade. Not only did the race shape likely play against her, but it could be that open graded waters are a tad too deep.

Aqueduct - Remsen (race 9)

COMMENT: The conveyor belt continued as Leave the Light On took advantage of the demonstrable inside speed bias to notch his first win over winners. An easy wire-to-wire winner over maidens in the slop at Belmont Oct. 16, his speed again came into play as he broke alertly, got up over to the rail without really being asked, set a modest pace, and gamely kept hard-trying Frosted at bay in the final furlong. His time was 0.66 seconds slower than what filly Condo Commando did 20 minutes earlier. Frosted, the favorite off a big maiden win here Oct. 30 but mired with the far outside post, still had the speed to get into stalking position early in third, doggedly kept after the winner in the lane, and while he closed the gap just couldn’t quite get to him while finishing far clear of the rest (eight lengths). Considering his draw and the track profile, he ran quite well in defeat. Keen Ice, who made some decent headway late to be fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland Oct. 4, was well back early, came with a nice steady run on the far turn, cut the corner into the lane, and stayed on decently though this was basically a two-horse race. Considering the track profile, his run may make him one to watch. Classy Class, impressive debut winner at Belmont Oct. 25, was in closest pursuit of the winner from the start, made a mild run at that foe turning for home, but couldn’t sustain his bid and weakened in the lane. This may have all been a tad too much too soon as it was just his second start, his first time versus winners, and he was stretching out from six to nine furlongs. Ostrolenka, romping winner against New York-breds in his last two at Belmont, broke a tad slow and got hung out to dry very wide on the first turn, was asked to try and get closer going to the far turn, but was spinning his wheels out wide losing ground and was not persevered with in the lane once it was hopeless.

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Aqueduct - Cigar Mile (race 10)

COMMENT: Hard to believe with the seemingly heavy inside bias and a horse drawn on the rail with proven top-class miler form that Private Zone would be let go at 9-2. Well, he made nonbelievers pay as he rode the prevailing bias and used his class to keep going and notch the last Grade 1 in New York in 2014. Coming off a good third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, he broke alertly, which hasn’t always been his habit, and from his rail slot moved up quickly to take the early command, set a very strong pace, and ran his foes into the ground. The bias was obviously in his favor, but he won like very much the best horse regardless. He’ll get some time off and then be based in New York. His racing manager, Rene Douglas, said his main goal would be the Grade 1 Met Mile on Belmont Stakes Day in early June, and that he’d also like to try Private Zone around two turns at some point. Secret Circle, coming off a good second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and proven at a mile, stumbled a bit at the start, recovered quickly, had the speed to chase the winner from the start, was unable to keep up with that foe, but stayed on gamely to just hold second. His trainer, Bob Baffert, said he would run in 2015 and could be a candidate for Dubai in late March. Bourbon Courage continued to flatter the form of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as after rallying strongly from far back to get fourth there (just behind the two who beat him again here), he again bided his time and finished with good energy while running into the teeth of the bias. Transparent, easy winner of a strong optional claimer at Belmont Sept. 18, his first start in eight months, stumbled at the start to be well back early and never made a move. The class hike may be have been a tad too much for him, but surely the start and being wide on this track this day did him no favors. Itsmyluckyday, making the final start of his career, was away slowly, seemed sluggish from there, and never got involved, eventually fading to last as if confirming he’s indeed ready for retirement after a fine career.

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Churchill Downs - Golden Rod (race 9)

COMMENT: West Coast Belle, romping winner of the Rags to Riches here Oct. 26, showed that for now she’s the top 2-year-old filly in Kentucky as she got a perfect trip and had little trouble proving best. The daughter of Tapit stalked in fifth as Simply Confection and Cristina’s Journey set a solid pace, pitched wide to go past those rivals turning for home, and had little trouble kicking away from No Fault of Mine for the win. Trainer Wayne Catalano reported she may take the Fair Grounds route to the Kentucky Oaks here (Rachel Alexandra, Fair Grounds Oaks). No Fault of Mine ran quite well in defeat as this was just her second start. The daughter of Blame (who won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic over Zenyatta here a few years ago) was trying dirt, winners, and a route all for the first time. She broke poorly, was content to lag back early, came with a smart run up the inside, briefly looked dangerous to the winner, but couldn’t sustain her rally. While the brisk pace flattered her closing style, she showed talent. Heart’s Song bided her time early and plugged along to get third though she was never a danger to the top pair. Cristina’s Journey, easy winner of the Grade 2 Pocahontas here Sept. 6 before fading to 11th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1, dueled early with Simply Confection though a brisk pace while pressured by Ancient Goddess but paid the price, fading in the lane.

Churchill - Kentucky Jockey Club (race 11)

COMMENT: El Kabeir looked like a real comer with a romping maiden win at Saratoga Aug. 30 but then came a no-threat fourth in the Grade 1 Champagne and a well-beaten second in the Grade 2 Nashua. However, both those came on wet tracks. Back to dry land here, he flourished and stamped himself a potential Derby type, but not by much. He broke alertly going right out to the lead, set a brisk pace while clear of chasers Sky Hero and Lucky Player, saw those two move closer on the far turn, dispatched with those foes to open up a clear lead into the lane, and gamely fought to just get to the line before hard-trying Imperia. Imperia, making his first start on dirt but regally bred for it being by dirt Grade 1 winners Medaglia d’Oro and Cocoa Beach, lagged back early, came with a strong wide run on the far turn and into the lane that looked as if it might carry him to victory, but then just couldn’t quite get to the winner. The way he ran here would indicate it’s dirt and the Derby trail that lies ahead. He’ll reportedly winter in Florida. Eagle, coming off a nice allowance win here in October, sat midpack early, started his run going to the far turn, had to steady at a crucial juncture there, but got going again to finish very nicely. Off this promising run he’ll winter at Fair Grounds. Lord Nelson, a highly regarded son of Pulpit from the Bob Baffert barn and the favorite off an easy win in a stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 13, was the main disappointment, but it wasn’t really his fault. He stumbled badly at the start to be well back, made a decent move on the far turn and into the lane to try and reach contention, but couldn’t sustain his run. Lucky Player, winner of the Grade 3 Iroquois here Sept. 6 and then eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, chased the pace from the start but weakened.

Hawthorne - Hawthorne Gold Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Red Rifle continued his strong form and after four sharp turf races showed he was just as good on dirt as he led all the way for the victory. He went right out to take the lead, took pressure from Abraham through modest splits, dispatched with that rival turning for home, opened up a clear lead into the lane, and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter despite switching leads a few times in the stretch. He’ll reportedly be freshened. Mister Marti Gras, second in this race last year, was slow into stride, as is his custom, lagged far back early, was still well back turning for home, swung very wide into the lane, and finished well, though while he closed the gap on the winner the issue never seemed in doubt. Call Me George sat midpack and came with a steady run while no threat to the winner. Effinex got bumped at the start, lagged back, and could make only modest headway. Cary Street, the favorite off his monster 9 1/4-length win in the Grade 2 Las Vegas Marathon at Santa Anita Oct. 31, was fractious in the gate, actually delaying the start when requiring an equipment repair, broke very slowly to be far back from the start, and never made a move.

Del Mar - Native Diver Handicap (race 3)

COMMENT: Big Cazanova is one horse who will hate to see this Polytrack surface go as he made it three wins in as many starts (set track records in the first two) by leading his rivals here on a merry chase. From his rail slot he broke alertly, set a solid pace, got a bit of a breather going to the far turn, had his rivals close in on him, but then had little trouble drawing away again in the final furlong. He’s no one-trick pony, however. He won his maiden easily on Santa Anita dirt and was Group 1-placed on turf in South America. His main winter target is the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap March 7. He may use the Grade 2 San Antonio there Feb. 7 as a steppingstone. Blue Tone, previously 3 for 4 here and coming off a good fourth in a stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 30 (beaten just a length), sat fourth early, made a threatening run at the winner into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace with that rival to the line. Avanzare was just behind Blue Tone early, didn’t accelerate as quickly, but got going into the lane to outduel Fleet Eagle for third, though neither was a threat to the top two. Blueskiesnrainbows, making his second start off a layoff and a Grade 3 winner in 2013, stalked the pace but gave way. He may not be the horse he once was. Tamarando, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity here in September 2013 and coming off a nice second in a turf sprint stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 30, his first start in six months, was slow into stride to be well back early and never really got involved in a disappointing effort.

Del Mar - Jimmy Durante (race 6)

COMMENT: Ol’ Fashion Gal has apparently found a home on sod. She rallied past maidens in her first grass try here Nov. 13. Wheeled back quickly for this, she stalked in third while saving ground as Backstreet Lisa set a modest pace, came with her run into the lane, grabbed a narrow lead by midstretch, and gamely held off hard-charging favorite Rainha Da Bateria. The latter was well back early, still well back turning for home, swung wide into the lane, and put in a strong rally but just couldn’t quite get there in time. Don’t Blame Me likewise sat back, came with a nice run, but couldn’t quite finish with Rainha Da Bateria. Bobbi Grace had a brutal trip. She was midpack early, moved out for room turning for home, had to angle back to the inside to try and find a lane, was blocked and steadied to lose her momentum, got going again inside the final sixteenth, but it was far too late.

Del Mar - Hollywood Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: A rousing win for Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome as he tried turf for the first time and flourished. Not only did he win well, but this may help garner votes for top 3-year-old male after his strong third (beaten just a neck) in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He broke very sharply to take the early lead, relinquished pacesetting duties to Sawyer’s Hill going into the first turn, looking quite comfortable on the new footing. He let that rival open up a clear lead, easily reeled him in and went past coming into the lane, opened up under his own power, and won geared down. This may have clinched his 3-year-old male Eclipse Award. His handling of turf opens up all sorts of options for him for 2015 as he’s to stay in training. Lexie Lou, a top-class female who beat males in the Queen’s Plate in Canada this summer, lagged back, came with a smart run on the inside to reach contention, finished well, but was no match for the impressive winner. She’s the real deal and could be lined up for a big 2015. Talco sat well back, came with a nice run on the inside into the lane but couldn’t get to Lexie Lou for the place much less threaten the winner. Sawyer’s Hill, second in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here Aug. 31 and a sharp second in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita Oct. 31 (beaten just a neck), was behind California Chrome coming out of the chute onto the main turf course, moved outside to take command from that foe going into the clubhouse turn, opened up a clear lead, tried to battle back when hooked by California Chrome on the far turn, was no match for that rival, and weakened once headed.

Sunday, November 30

Del Mar - Cecil B. Demille (race 6)

COMMENT: The race complexion changed with the scratch of morning-line favorite Daddy D T (ill). But that doesn’t take anything away from the smart performance by Conquest Typhoon. Coming off a smart rallying fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (just behind Daddy D T, who was third), he broke well from his far outside post but was content to sit last. He was still well back turning for home but ignited late and finished strongly to get up in the final strides. He’ll winter at Santa Anita. Real nice week for trainer Mark Casse, who won the Seabiscuit Friday with Kaigun, won the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Saturday with Ol’ Fashion Gal, and ran second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby Saturday with Lexie Lou. Stormy Liberal, smart maiden winner in his first turf try down the hill at Santa Anita Oct. 10, dogged pacesetter St. Joe Bay from the start, got the better of that rival into the lane, and looked like the winner with a sixteenth to go, but then couldn’t counter the winner’s big late surge. Rock Shandy, game maiden winner in his only turf try, which came on this course at this trip Nov. 7, stalked the pace and kept to his task well for third, though he was never really a threat to the top pair. Papacoolpapacool, a close third to Daddy D T in the Oak Tree Juvenile on this course at this trip Sept. 3 before easily beating maidens on turf at Santa Anita Sept. 27, lagged back but could make only modest headway when it mattered.

Del Mar - Matriarch (race 8)

COMMENT: More proof of the danger of speed as La Tia, winner of the Grade 3 Athenia at Belmont on Oct. 12, broke sharply here, went right out to set a modest pace and left herself with enough fuel to keep Queen of The Sand at bay through the lane. Queen of The Sand, coming off a romping win in the Katherine Crosby on this course at this trip Nov. 7, was last early, steadily advanced, and came with a nice run for second. While she was unable to scare the winner, her effort was very smart considering the race shape. Discreet Marq, the favorite who romped in her only prior local try, the 2013 Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, and then was a sharp second (beaten just a nose) in this race at Hollywood Park a year ago, seemed in a good spot stalking the pace, made a threatening move into the lane but couldn’t sustain it when it mattered. Strathnaver, making her final career start after finishing a troubled third (awarded second via DQ) in the Grade 2 Goldikova at Santa Anita Nov. 2, was off a bit slow, lagged back, as is her custom, but with the winner setting a slow pace and a race shape that worked against her, she was unable to mount a charge in the lane. She now goes off to be a mommy.

Golden Gate - Berkeley Handicap (race 7)

COMMENT: Pepper Crown finished third just behind G. G. Ryder and Mr. Bowling in a tough allowance race here Nov. 13 but got his revenge here despite closing into a very slow pace. He lagged well back early as Everton and Marino’s Wild Cat volleyed up front through slow splits. He stayed wide and in the clear while biding his time, swung very wide into the lane, and closed strongly to win going away. G. G. Ryder sat midpack, launched his bid turning for home before the eventual winner, but then couldn’t finish with that rival. Stryker Phd was last early, still last down the backside, put in a strong rally but was too late. Everton dueled early with Marino’s Wild Cat but paid the price as he weakened badly to finish last.