Trip Notes for Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Go for Wand, Citation, Cigar Mile, Golden Rod and more...

Friday, November 29

Aqueduct - Go for Wand (race 9)

COMMENT: Royal Lahaina couldn’t handle Centring and Fantasy of Flight in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm when fourth behind those gals, who were second and third, but that was her first race after a couple months off. With that race under her belt and a change of venue, she was able to post the 13-1 upset here. She stalked in third while Fantasy of Flight set a modest pace, moved closer on the turn while staying in the clear, grabbed the lead into the lane as Fantasy of Flight weakened, opened up and held sway. The way she romped in a pair of inner-track races here last fall and winter makes you believe that it could be a productive winter. The favored Centring lagged back and finished well, though she never really appeared a threat to the winner. My Pal Chrisy, winner of three straight at Gulfstream this summer and fall, was just behind the winner early, did not accelerate as quickly but stayed on decently for third. Willet, second in this last year and coming off four straight strong sprints in NY-bred stakes, was fairly one-paced throughout.

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Churchill - Clark (race 11)

COMMENT: There was an impending big debate over champion 3-year-old honors, but Will Take Charge’s game victory over some top elders may have sealed the deal for the emergent colt. Coming off a superb second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, he showed no ill effects from that big run as he showed a bit more early speed to stalk in fourth while Our Double Play set the pace, pressured by Game on Dude. Will Take Charge doggedly went after Game On Dude into the lane and got up in the final strides to nip that foe by a head. Taking down Game on Dude, who ran his race, is no small feat. Game on Dude, coming off an inexplicably dull run (9th) in the BC Classic on his home track, bounced back nicely as he stalked the pace of Our Double Play, moved to the lead into the lane and looked like the winner in midstretch when establishing a clear lead. He’s a gelding so he figures to come back in 2013 and shoot for all the big West Coast races, particularly with the BC to again be held at Santa Anita. Easter Gift sat back and finished well though this was pretty much just a two-horse race in the final furlong. Bourbon Courage sat well back and finished decently. Golden Ticket, second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, was midpack early but never made a move and in fact faded to eighth.

Betfair Hollywood Park - Citation (race 7)

COMMENT: Turf was wet after a day of steady rain but favorite Silentio, off a superb third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, validated his strong form with a game victory. He sat well back early, in sixth, steadily advanced going to the far turn while staying in clear, moved to the rail on the turn and finished strongly between horses to just get up in the final stride. He’ll reportedly be freshened and point for a return in the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile March 8, a race in which he was beaten a nose this year. Summer Front did nothing wrong and lost a heartbreaker. He was last early, still behind the eventual winner turning for home, went past that foe into the lane to reel in then-leader Winning Prize while on the outside, but got nailed in the final stride by the determined winner. Winning Prize went right to the lead, set brisk splits considering the course condition, battled back gamely when hooked by Summer Front in midstretch, but couldn’t quite fend off that rival and the winner in the final yards. This was a nice bounce-back from his fourth in the off-the-turf Grade 1 Shadwell Mile. Bright Thought stalked the pace, was still a threat turning for home but then gave way badly in the lane.

Saturday, November 30

Aqueduct - Demoiselle (race 6)

COMMENT: Stopchargingmaria gave trainer Todd Pletcher a third straight win in this race (4th overall) as the heavy favorite – but it wasn’t easy. Coming off a romping 10 3/4-length win in the Grade 3 Tempted here Nov. 3, the daughter of Tale of the Cat dogged pacesetter Penwith from the start, got the better of that foe by midstretch, but had to battle hard to fend off a game stablemate Got Lucky. Got Lucky bided her time early, steadily advanced to the top of the lane, doggedly went after the winner through the last furlong, but just couldn’t quite get past the winner. Both will go to Gulfstream for the winter. Penwith set a slow pace, leaving her the energy to battle back courageously through the final furlong.

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Aqueduct - Comely (race 7)

COMMENT: Wedding Toast made it four straight, continuing her ascent for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The daughter of Street Sense again used her speed, going right to the lead. She set modest fractions and rebuffed the challenge of longshot Toasting in a long stretch drive. She’ll target the Grade 2 Top Flight at Aqueduct and Grade 1 Ruffian at Belmont, as they try to keep her and elder stablemate Dance Card apart. Toasting was well back early, came with a strong run into the lane, looked as though she might go right past Wedding Toast. She was much the best of the rest (5 1/4 lengths clear of 3rd). Teen Pauline stalked the pace while saving ground and stayed on evenly. My Happy Face chased Wedding Toast from the start, was asked for run going into the far turn but actually lost ground, only to get going again in the lane.

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Aqueduct - Cigar Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: Flat Out nearly won the Grade 1 Met Mile but he made no mistakes here, using his big late kick to post the upset. Flat Out bided his time, as is his custom, came with a strong wide run and surged past longshot pacesetter Private Zone to get the win. What a terrific way for this old warrior to go out (he’s reportedly to retire). Private Zone used his sprint speed to outrun Goldencents and Verrazano early, had his heels clipped by Clearly Now, kept his momentum, but couldn’t withstand the winner’s charge. He’ll target a repeat of his early 2013 season: the Grade 2 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita Feb. 2, Group 1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai March 29. Verrazano, likely making his final career start, bounced back nicely from a dull run in the Grade 1 BC Dirt Mile as he chased Private Zone early and stayed on decently for third. Groupie Doll, a superb second in this last year and smart winner of the Grade 1 BC F&M Sprint last time out, was quite unlucky. She sat back with Flat Out, was making a move inside when Clearly Now, in front of her, clipped the heels of pacesetter Private Zone and stumbled, forcing Groupie Doll to steady and alter course. She kept to her task but the damage was done. Her new owners hinted they may want to run her again, maybe in the Grade 2 Santa Monica at Santa Anita Jan. 25. Clearly Now was making a move while just behind Private Zone, appeared to clip that rival’s heels turning for home to stumble badly and lose all chance. There was an inquiry into the incident but no change in the order of finish. Still, this 3-year-old hinted he could be a big player in the sprint/mile division next year. Goldencents, favored off his win in the Grade 1 BC Dirt Mile, got smacked hard at the start, chased Private Zone through fast splits and weakened. Laugh Track, a sharp second in the Grade 1 BC Sprint, stalked the pace but gave way in a disappointing run.

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Aqueduct - Remsen (race 9)

COMMENT: Honor Code kept his lofty reputation intact, but only just, as he proved a narrow victor here and stamped himself among the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. The son of A. P. Indy, coming off a tough-beat nose loss when second in the Grade 1 Champagne Oct. 5, broke much better here than he did in his first two starts, allowing him to sit fourth early and move up to second pressing Master Lightning, who set a snail-like pace. He bided his time, looked in trouble when Cairo Prince shot past in the lane to grab the lead, but gamely persevered to get up for the win. This win showed he has courage, but wouldn’t call this a show of speed as the main reason he was much closer early on was the very, very slow pace. And while the pace was slow they flew home (final furlong in 11.79). He was to have an undescended testicle removed, then off to Florida to likely to follow the Orb path to the Kentucky Derby. First stop may be the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, Feb. 22. Cairo Prince did everything right but just missed. A winner of his first two starts, including an easy tally in the Grade 2 Nashua here Nov. 3, he was just behind Honor Code much of the way, and looked like the winner when he shot past that rival to grab the lead in midstretch. He may reappear in Gulfstream’s Grade 3 Holy Bull Jan. 25. Grade 1 Champagne winner and Grade 1 BC Juvenile second Havana is also targeting that race. Wicked Strong stalked the pace with the top two and kept to his task nicely in a good try. He’s also headed to Florida. The final time was slower than what the gals did in the Demoiselle but that was likely a function of this molasses-like pace.

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Churchill - Golden Rod (race 9)

COMMENT: Vexed was a sharp second in the Rags to Riches going a mile here Oct. 27 and showed she might be even better going longer as on the stretchout she proved a smart winner and stamped herself a filly to watch. She seemed very comfortable stalking the pace, dueled with leader Stonetastic into the lane, got the better of that miss, and held tepid favorite Bird Maker at bay through the final yards. Vexed is by Arch, same sire as top-class route winner Blame, so surely longer trips would be just fine for her. She’ll reportedly winter at Fair Grounds. Bird Maker, the lukewarm 3-1 favorite off a big maiden win here Nov. 3, was just behind the winner much of the way and doggedly kept after her to the line. Stonetastic, second in the Grade 2 Pocahontas here Sept. 7 and fourth in the Grade 3 Tempted at Aqueduct last month, dogged early pacesetter Daddy’s Memory, took over the lead going into the far turn, was still there by midstretch but couldn’t quite stay with the top two in the final furlong. Naive Enough, invading off two straight wins at Laurel, sat midpack and finished decently.

Churchill - KJC (race 11)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when heavy morning-line favorite Almost Famous scratched with a sore foot. Tapiture was a maiden coming into this but had shown quality when third in the Grade 3 Iroquois here Sept. 7 and was coming off a third in a maiden race here Oct. 27 behind today’s foes Culprit and Notability. He turned the tables on those two and notched his first win. He was midpack very early but had moved up to second by the time the field moved to the backstretch. He pressured pacesetter Laddie Boy, took the lead from that for on the turn and opened up from there to win fairly easily. He’ll reportedly winter at Fair Grounds. Laddie Boy set the pace under pressure from the winner, was no match for that rival when the heat was turned up coming into the lane but stayed on gamely to hold second. Awesome Sky was in tight after the start, made an early move to be threatening turning for home, but couldn’t quite sustain it though he stayed on decently to be a clear third. Dobra Historia, the favorite after running second to Almost Famous in a fast optional claimer here Nov. 9, sat back and never made a move. Culprit, who beat the winner in their Oct. 27 maiden match-up, was well back early and never mustered any sort of run.

Hawthorne - Hawthorne Gold Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Last Gunfighter was a fine fifth in the Grade 1 BC Classic, and further flattered that form (Will Take Charge, Game on Dude and Flat Out had already done their part) as he took the drop and made it work. As the heavy favorite he bided his time early well off the very slow pace, came with a strong wide run into the lane, grabbed the lead late and was edging away at the wire. Mister Marti Gras, fourth in this last year, was just behind the winner early, was moving in tandem with that foe into the lane but couldn’t quite accelerate with Last Gunfighter through the last furlong. Street Spice stalked the pace, moved to the lead in midstretch but couldn’t finish with the top two. Alpha, the 5-2 second choice, went right to the lead, was able to set a very slow pace, kicked clear for home but just as quickly gave way in the lane.

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Betfair Hollywood Park - Generous (race 2)

COMMENT: Global View, a $500K son of Galileo, helped validate his purchase price as he proved a smart winner and stamped himself a youngster to watch on the turf. An easy winner over maidens on Santa Anita’s hillside course Oct. 27, he moved well up in class while being asked to route for the first time. He stalked the pace in fourth, moved up under his own power turning for home, cruised past the leaders and had more than enough to keep hard-charging Aotearoa safe. He’ll be freshened and point for a spring return, maybe at Keeneland in April. Aotearoa, coming off a seventh in the Grade 1 BC Juvenile Turf, lagged back early while Ontology set a solid pace, was still last coming into the lane but finished strongly to be second, even if he was no real threat to the winner. Royal Banker was back with Aotearoa early, moved a little early to reach contention coming into the lane, was no match for the winner and couldn’t outfinish Aotearoa for second. Pablo Del Monte, the heavy favorite off two romping wins on Keeneland’s Polytrack and a turf pedigree, didn’t really use his speed as he sat third off pacemaker Ontology, made a mild bid turning for home, but then came up empty. He might have been better served to have gone out there guns blazing, making them catch him.

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Betfair Hollywood Park - Miesque (race 4)

COMMENT: Full Ransom really moved forward when moved to turf and a route in her second start as she wired maidens at Santa Anita Oct. 17. Well, she showed that no fluke and that she does indeed love grass and this mile trip as she took the big step up in class and still flourished. Unlike that maiden win when she led all the way, this time she showed the versatility to come from well off the pace. She sat at the back with 4-5 fave Clenor, was still fifth into the lane, and surged home to get up in the final strides. She’ll point for the Blue Norther at Santa Anita. Savings Account, another coming off a maiden win routing on turf, stalked in the fourth while saving ground, had to wait for room into the lane, finally moved through when it materialized but just couldn’t quite beat the winner home. Sushi Empire stalked the pace, grabbed the lead in midstretch but couldn’t fend off the top two. Clenor, the heavy favorite, sat at the back of the pack with the eventual winner but and failed to muster any sort of run.

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Sunday, December 1

Betfair Hollywood Park - Hollywood Derby (race 6)

COMMENT: Invaders took it to the West Coast 3-year-old turf contingent, led by Euro raider Seek Again, who took advantage of a dream trip. Coming off a stakes win in England, the son of champion sprinter Speightstown bided his time while hugging the rail, remained there throughout, found a seam into the lane, surged through to grab the lead inside the final furlong and drew off. Visually it looked more impressive than the two-length margin suggests. Admiral Kitten, winner of the Grade 1 Secretariat and the narrow 3-1 choice, was behind the winner early, didn’t accelerate as quickly and whereas that rival saved ground he had to go around rivals. He finished well for second. Amen Kitten was last early, remained there top the top of the lane and finished strongly, giving sire and grass champion Kitten’s Joy a two-three finish. Gervinho stalked the pace, made a threatening move into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Rookie Sensation, smashing winner of the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita last month from off the pace, ended up on the lead here. He set a modest pace, tried to battle back when hooked into the lane, but weakened in the final furlong. Those tactics didn’t help but 10 furlongs may be a bit beyond his best trip as well.

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Betfair Hollywood Park - Matriarch (race 8)

COMMENT: The buzz was about Tiz Flirtatious, Dayatthespa and Better Lucky, but someone forgot to tell Egg Drop and Discreet Marq, who upset the big trio in a thrilling renewal that saw the first five separated by just a length. Egg Drop, sent off at 10-1 despite 3 wins in her last 4 starts, including taking the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar and Grade 2 Goldikova at Santa Anita, went right to the lead. She looked beat when Discreet Marq grabbed the lead from her in midstretch, but Egg Drop rallied to just nip Discreet Marq on the wire. Discreet Marq, facing elders for the first time having won 4 of her last 5, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, stalked Egg Drop in second, and went past that rival in midstretch looking like the winner. Better Lucky, the defending champ, sat midpack and finished nicely. Dayatthespa sat just behind the top two from the start, kept on doggedly, but just couldn’t make up the needed ground. Tiz Flirtatious, the favorite, was slow into stride to be last early, started to advance on the turn and finished full of run, but it was just too late.

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