Trip Notes for November 18: Cardinal
Nov. 18
Churchill
Cardinal (race 10)
COMMENT: The race was moved off the turf onto the main track, which was listed as sloppy (sealed), resulting in the scratches of favorites Dona Bruja, Res Ipsa, and Beauly. That change of footing proved fortuitous for Tricky Escape, who notched her second Grade 3 win after having won Monmouth’s Violet in August. Coming off a third in a strong optional claimer at Belmont Oct. 6, she stalked in fourth while saving ground as Coco Chanel set a modest pace under pressure from B Rockett. Tricky Escape found room between horses at the top of the lane and finished resolutely just inside Fair Point and won the photo. Fair Point, trying two turns for the first time, stalked the pace, sitting just in front of and outside the eventual winner. She got first run on that foe into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t hold on. Coco Chanel, shortening up after a fifth in the Grade 3 Dowager at 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland Oct. 22, went right out to the lead, was hounded by B Rockett and Fair Point turning for home, and couldn’t stay with the top two while racing between them in the final furlong. Linda, romping winner of this race last year but winless in six starts this year, was sent off the favorite. She lagged back, made a threatening move while very wide on the turn and into the lane, but was unable to sustain her bid.