Trip Notes for November 14: Red Smith Handicap, Mrs. Revere, Bob Hope
Saturday, November 14
Aqueduct - Red Smith Handicap (race 7)
COMMENT: Mr Maybe stamped himself a horse to watch come 2016 as the son of Ghostzapper made it three straight romping wins in a row, despite an unfavorable race shape. He sat last early, saving ground as War Dancer set a dawdling pace, swung wide going to the far turn to launch his run, and produced a strong rally that carried him to an easy win. The victory was the third straight for Mr Maybe and second since being transferred to trainer Chad Brown. Kaigun, a proven commodity at the top level, sat back as well, though in front of the eventual winner. He cut the corner to make his run but had to wait for room into the lane, stayed on the fence and finished well for second. Holiday Star, last seen winning the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland Oct. 15, stalked the pace, made a wide turn into the lane, and got going well enough to get third. War Dancer set a snail-like pace, battled back when hooked into the lane, and lost second by just a half-length and a head. Mr Speaker dogged War Dancer early, loomed a big threat into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace when it mattered.
Churchill - Mrs. Revere (race 10)
COMMENT: Isabella Sings was dismissed in the wagering off a fading fourth in the Pebbles behind a few of these at Belmont Oct. 12. This time, she bounced out to a clear lead, was able to get away with modest splits, saw the field edge closer turning for home but then bounded away to open up a clear lead into the lane and held on. Rainha Da Bateria, another longshot, was far back until the stretch, came with a strong run between horses, but just ran out of ground while finishing well clear of the rest. Devine Aida lagged back, came with a strong run into the lane to loom a big threat by midstretch but couldn’t sustain her run. Partisan Politics, winner of the Pebbles, lagged back, swung very wide into the lane and finished decently. Onus, the favorite off three straight wins, sat midpack and never mustered a run.
Del Mar - Bob Hope (race 8)
COMMENT: Toews On Ice made it three straight wins, but he had to show some fight to get the job done. He came into the race off easy wins in the Barretts Juvenile at Los Alamitos in September and the Speakeasy at Santa Anita in October. Today, he dueled early with Mac Daddy Mac, looked in deep water when that rival took the lead in midstretch, but regained the lead and was edging away late. Mac Daddy Mac, making just the second start of his career, ran splendidly in defeat. After winning his debut at Santa Anita Oct. 24 he was purchased privately by the same connections at Mucho Macho Man. He went right out to duel with Toews On Ice and looked like the winner in midstretch. He finished second, well clear of the rest. I’malreadythere chased the top two in third and just held third from Dr. Dorr, who stumbled at the start and then got bumped soundly.