Trip Notes for Nov. 8: Long Island and River City Handicap

Saturday, Nov. 8

Aqueduct - Long Island (race 7)

COMMENT: Aigue Marine got the money in her third try in this race. Off since a lackluster fifth in the Grade 3 Glens Falls at Saratoga Aug.31, she stalked the pace while saving ground, remained on the fence throughout, moved up to challenge turning for home, came off the rail to go around tiring pacesetter Invading Humor, went back to the fence and kept on gamely to edge past the favorite, Euro raider Danza Cavallo. She’s off to Europe now to be bred. Danza Cavallo, making her first start in the U.S. and first vs. elders, was just behind the winner from the start, made a smart run into the lane to grab the lead, looked on her way to victory, but then couldn’t fend off Aigue Marine. Maximova sat well back, swung wide into the lane and finished well, though she was never a danger to the top two. Hellenistic, another Euro raider, sat well back early while wide and never mustered a run.

Churchill Downs - River City Handicap (race 9)

COMMENT: Villandry shortened up after finishing third in the Grade 3 Sycamore at 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland, and she flourished. Fourth in this race last year, the 5-year-old bided his time early as 9-10 favorite Silver Max set a modest pace, seemed quite comfortable in fourth going down the backstretch and into the far turn, came with a strong run to grab the lead into the lane, opened up and won geared down. Hamp, a 37-1 longshot, got bumped and squeezed back at the start to be well back early, was still well back turning for home, but finished nicely to be a clear second. Under Control sat midpack and came with a steady run. Silver Max set a modest pace, battled back when hooked into the lane, and then weakened in the final furlong.