Trip Notes for November 2-3, 2019: Breeders' Cup

Nov. 1

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (race 5)

COMMENT: Four Wheel Drive, a $525,000 colt from the first crop of Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, kept his record unblemished in three starts with an impressive frontrunning win. Coming off an easy win in the Grade 3 Futurity at Belmont Oct. 6, he broke sharply from his outside post, went right to the lead, took pressure from Band Practice to his immediate inside and Chimney Rock further inside on the rail, soon took a clear lead going to the far turn, remained clear on the turn and into the lane while staying a few lanes off the rail as Chimney Rock kept after him toward the outside and stayed on well for the win. The Group 1 Commonwealth at Royal Ascot in June is a target, with a prep first at either Keeneland or Churchill. Chimney Rock, second to the crack filly Kimari in a stakes at Keeneland last time out Oct. 6, broke well from his rail slot, showed considerably more speed to press the early pace with Band Practice to his immediate right and Four Wheel Drive further out, remained on the fence to the far turn as Four Wheel Drive assumed a clear lead, came off the inside on the far turn, doggedly went after ‘Drive to that guy’s outside into the lane, kept after him gamely but just couldn’t get to him. Another Miracle, another son of American Pharoah who was fifth to ‘Drive last time out in the Futurity, lagged back early from his inside slot, remained inside to cut the corner, came with a smart run in the lane between horses, moved back toward the inside in the final furlong to continue his run but was never a danger to the winner. He’ll ship to Florida and reportedly make his next start on dirt, according to trainer Gary Contessa. Kimari, like the winner from the Wesley Ward barn and a winner of three of four including a stakes win over males at Keeneland last time out Oct. 6, didn’t break all that poorly as she’s want to do but after being midpack early took back down the backstretch, remained toward the back of the pack to the far turn, had to check on the turn, pitched wide to start her run, wider still into the lane and finished well though she was never really a factor after leaving herself with so much to do. The Commonwealth at Royal Ascot is a possible target for her as well. A’Ali, considered the best of the Euros coming off a smart Group 2 win in England Sept. 13, broke decently but was slow into stride, was last going into the far turn, moved to the inside to save ground on the turn, swung out into the lane but was unable to make a dent. The sluggish start at a trip this sharp was his undoing.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Chad Brown, for all his turf success, had yet to win this race. Consider that situation remedied as his Structor made it three wins in as many starts with the victory. From his inside slot the $850,000 son of Palace Malice sat midpack while saving ground, remained there as Graceful Kitten set a modest pace, came off the inside some turning for home and into the lane, found a clear lane between horses and finished resolutely for the score. Brown said the horse is done for the year but added that the horse’s pedigree makes him eager to try him on dirt. Billy Batts, third in the Zuma Beach here behind a couple of today’s foes, nearly posted the big upset as racing without blinkers for the first time sat a bit off the pace while saving ground, came off the inside into the lane, finished well but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Gear Jockey, a maiden but who showed quality when third in the Grade 3 Bourbon at Keeneland Oct. 6, showed it again here as he sat a few lengths off the pace not far behind Billy Batts, remained toward the inside into the lane, came off the fence in the stretch to be just inside Structor and outside Billy Batts, finishing well to just miss getting second. Decorated Invader, the second choice off a big win in Woodbine’s Grade 1 Summer, was midpack early, got shuffled back on the first run, shuffled back further into the backstretch to end up at the back of the pack, swung wide on the far turn and finished well but was unable to be a factor. Arizona, the favorite coming off some strong Group 1 placings in Europe, broke a step slow from his outside slot, was urged along early while moving toward the inside, ended up between horses at the back of the pack going into the backstretch, was still there going to the far turn while inside Decorated Invader, remained inside that foe turning for home, swung out from behind ‘Invader and then to his outside into the lane and like that rival finished with good energy but was unable to threaten. Both were doomed by being too far back early. Graceful Kitten, winner of his fist three starts at Gulfstream, set a modest pace, remained on the rail taking pressure from Proven Strategies to his outside, held the lead into the lane when suddenly veering toward the rail, hitting the rail, losing his action and giving way. Hit the Road, well backed after a smashing win over this course are this trip in the Zuma Beach Oct. 6, sat well back, as expected, came with his run between horses on the turn, came out into the lane to continue his run causing Deviant to clip heels and stumble and continued on decently. Hit the Road was disqualified and placed last. Vitalogy was a vet scratch earlier in the day.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (race 7)

COMMENT: British Idiom continued the theme of the day, becoming the third winner of the day who is now a perfect three for three. Coming off a romping win in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland Oct. 4, she sat a few lengths off a blistering pace set by Two Sixty who took pressure from Bast and Wicked Whisper further out, remained there to the far turn while staying wide and in the clear, was asked to go after leader Donna Veloce into the lane, engaged that rival to her outside and battled gamely to the line for the win, though it looked as though all the fillies were gasping for air in the lane and the final time was brutally slow (over two seconds slower than the boys ran this distance an hour later). Donna Veloce, favored off a smashing debut sprint win and now being asked to face winners for the first time and route for the first time, broke well from the rail, got a dream trip sitting just behind the three eager pacesetters while saving ground, moved off the inside going to the far turn, pitched out and came up abreast of then-leaders Bast and Wicked Whisper to her inside after Two Sixty gave way on the far turn, moved to the lead, moved back to the rail once clear of those two, battled back gamely when confronted by British Idiom to her outside and showed a ton of heart staying in it to the wire to just miss. Bast, a $500,000 daughter of Uncle Mo and winner of the two Southern California Grade 1s in preparation for this (Del Mar Debutante, Chandelier), showed speed to press Two Sixty to her inside, continued to press that rival through strong splits with Wicked Whisper to her outside, took over on the turn when Two Sixty hit the brakes, moved to the rail, was unable to go first with Donna Veloce into the lane and then with British Idiom to her outside once straightened away, gamely chased those two, came off the inside in deep stretch and showed some heart as she kept to her task well. Perfect Alibi, second to British Idiom in the Alcibiades, lagged back off the strong pace, was urged to get going on the far turn while well off the rail, swung wide into the lane, plugged along for fourth but was never really a danger. Wicked Whisper, a $500,000 daughter of Liam’s Map and a big winner of her first two starts including the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Oct. 6, pressed the issue from the start while outside Bast and Two Sixty, continued to press as Two Sixty held a narrow advantage, tried to go with Bast to her inside turning for home once Two Sixty fell away, but came up empty once Donna Veloce moved past to her outside into the lane.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Sharing struck a blow for U.S. turf racing as her win here means all three turf races this day were taken by U.S.-based runner. On top of that, she did the family proud as she’s a $350,000 daughter of Speightstown (won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint) and Shared Account (won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf) in notching her third straight win. From her outside post she broke decently, sat a few lengths off a modest pace set by Abscond under pressure from Living In The Past and Sweet Melania while getting over some and avoid getting hung out to dry, moved closer down the backstretch and into the far turn, came out some for room turning for home, came with a strong run in the lane to go past leader Sweet Melania in the final half-furlong, drawing clear to win fairly comfortably. Daahyeh, the favorite off a Group 1 second and Group 2 win in Europe, got a nice trip sitting a few lengths off the lead while saving ground, moved closer between horses turning for home, came with her run in the lane in Sharing’s wake, moved wider out in the stretch, closed well but was never really a danger to the winner while edging Sweet Melania for second in the final strides. Sweet Melania, smashing winner of the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland Oct. 9, got a dream trip as she dogged pacesetter Abscond who was on the rail, stayed on that gal’s hip through modest fractions, took over from that foe turning for home, opened up some into the lane as if ready to go on to victory but then couldn’t finish with the top two. Albigna, coming off a romping win in a French Group 1, had a tough trip. She was away slowly, got shuffled back to last, remained there to the far turn, searched for a lane to go through the field instead of going around, moved to the rail on the turn, started a run, came off the inside when she found a seam into the stretch and finished full of run between horses but it was too late. Selflessly, winner of the Grade 2 Miss Grillo, sat midpack from the start while able to get over and avoid getting hung out to dry, crept closer going to the far turn while between horses, came out in the lane for clear sailing and finished decently. Crystalle, second to Selflessly in the Miss Grillo, was away slowly, as expected, to be at the back of the pack, remained there down the backstretch, started to advance going to the far turn, opted to try go wide to avoid getting stopped on her run, pitched wider still into the lane but could make only minimal headway and was no factor.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (race 9)

COMMENT: This was supposed to be a big confrontation between highly promising juveniles Dennis’s Moment and Eight Rings. Instead, neither was in the mix at all in the lane as it was Storm the Court who posted the big upset. Storm the Court, a well-beaten third behind Eight Rings in the Grade 1 American Pharoah here Sept. 27, with blinkers on for the first time, went right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Eight Rings, clung to the rail while maintaining a narrow lead, looked in trouble when Eight Rings came up alongside turning for home, rebuffed that challenge, looked in trouble again when Anneau d’Oro came to him on the outside in the lane and showed a ton of grit to outfight that guy to the line. He’ll reportedly get a freshening before starting on the Derby trail here in the winter. Anneau d’Oro, a $480,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro who romped by eight in his turf mile debut at Golden Gate Sept. 29, originally tried to get into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf but when unable to get into that field, opted for this and nearly pulled it off. He bided his time early a few lengths off the pace, advanced nicely while wide on the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane outside Eight Rings and Storm the Court on the rail with Wrecking Crew to his outside, engaged Storm the Court to his inside by midstretch, fought hard to the line but just missed. He’ll return to his Northern California base and target a winter return. Wrecking Crew, a $875,000 son of Sky Kingdom who was routing for the first time after last finishing second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity Sept. 2, sat just off the pace, crept closer going to the far turn, was widest of a four-horse phalanx coming into the lane to loom a big threat but couldn’t sustain his run and was unable to stay with the top two. Scabbard, second to Dennis’s Moment in the Grade 3 Iroquois a Churchill Sept. 14, sat a few lengths off the pace, moved up some on the far turn but then came up empty. Eight Rings, a $520,000 son of Empire Maker coming off a romping win in the American Pharoah, broke well, stalked Storm the Court to his outside from the start, moved up to get even with that rival turning for home, was still part of the fight with him and Anneau d’Oro to his right and Wrecking Crew wider out but then had nothing in the lane. Dennis’s Moment, a $400,000 son of Tiznow and the heavy favorite off an easy Grade 3 win at Churchill, stumbled badly at the start to lose all chance as he got away well behind the field, was urged to try to get involved going to the far turn but was unable to do so and was wrapped up with in the lane once all was lost. Early reports are that he suffered no injury from the bad stumble. Maxfield, who would have been one of the favorites after a smashing win in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, scratched Thursday with an apparent foot bruise.

Nov. 2

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (race 4)

COMMENT: Covfefe proved she’s indeed the top sprinting distaffer in the land as a 3-year-old and didn’t need the lead to do it. Coming off a smashing stakes win at Churchill Sept. 21 she broke a step slow from her rail slot but had to speed to get position just off dueling pacesetters Danuska’s My Girl and Heavenhasmynikki who set a strong pace, sat just behind those two while off the rail a bit, came further off the inside going to the far turn and crept closer, moved abreast of those two turning for home, surged to the lead, was challenged briefly by Spiced Perfection to her outside, rebuffed that foe and kept on gamely to get to the line before a hard-trying Bellafina. Bellafina made it an exacta sweep for the 3-year-old fillies as she was a bit slow into stride, moved to the inside and advanced to be just inside and behind Covfefe down the backstretch, remained behind horses to the far turn, came out for room turning for home, pitched wider still into the lane, finished gamely but just ran out of ground. Dawn the Destroyer lagged well back from the start, as is her custom, started to advance on the far turn while on the rail, cutting the corner, continued well along the rail into the lane, switched to the outside a number of lanes in midstretch and ran on well, though she was no danger to the top two. Spiced Perfection broke sharply, was content to take back just off the pace outside Covfefe, tried to move with that gal while wider out on the far turn, loomed a threat into the lane but flattened out. Come Dancing, the second choice off a sterling New York season, was a bit slow into stride, sat a few lengths off the pace while between horses, seemed to climb a bit as she took dirt in her face, was urged to get closer into the far turn, made a bit of progress but then came up empty.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 5)

COMMENT: Belvoir Bay hadn’t run since chasing the best American turf sprinter World of Trouble when fourth in the Grade 1 Jaipur. But trainer Peter Miller did a masterful job getting her to peak on the right day, winning his third straight Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. This mare, who was stabled at San Luis Rey Downs almost two years ago when the terrible fires tore through that area and the training center, got out of her stable and was missing for two days. Here she broke sharply from her outside post, caught a bit of a break when fellow speedster Pure Sensation down inside did not break well, quickly assumed a clear lead, took a bit of pressure from Shekky Shebaz to her inside, rebuffed a challenge from him turning for home and stayed on gamely to keep the chasers at bay in the stretch. Om, freshened since winning a turf sprint at Churchill June 29 after running second to World of Trouble in the aforementioned Jaipur and like the winner sent out by Miller to give him a one-two finish, stalked the pace toward the outside, came with a nice run between horses turning for home to loom a threat, couldn’t sustain his bid enough to threaten the winner but kept on gamely to get second. Shekky Shebaz, coming off a stakes win at Saratoga Aug. 30 and a sharp second in a turf sprint stakes at Belmont Oct. 5, chased the winner from the start while inside, tried to make a run at her turning for home while in her wake, came off the inside in the lane, was unable to get to her, ran on well and just missed second. Pure Sensation, the tepid favorite, was unlucky. He broke a step slow meaning his main weapon, his speed, couldn’t be used. He was urged to try to get up on the pace, moved up along the inside, soon found no room as Shekky Shebaz held that spot, checked to lose some position while still inside, came off the fence on the far turn and kept to his task well in the lane though he was unable to threaten. Imprimis was a bit slow into stride, sat a few lengths off the lead while in traffic, moved toward the inside turning for home and into the lane, made some headway along the inside but was no threat. Stormy Liberal, the defending champ, stalked the pace between horses, remained there to the top of the lane but then gave way. The 7-year-old warrior is now winless in seven starts this year so it seems he’s lost a step or two. Eddie Haskell, coming off back-to-back seconds in a Grade 3 and Grade 2 in Southern California, was toward the back from the start, still well back turning for home, had to check and steady coming into the lane, made a bit of progress between horses but was no factor.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (race 6)

COMMENT: Spun to Run came into this off a dazzling stakes win at Parx at this trip Oct. 12 but there were questions about the level of competition he beat and that his Beyer was so much better than anything he’d done before. Well, the son of Hard Spun completely validated that run and them some as he ran some highly regarded runners off their feet. He broke sharply and went right to the lead, set a solid pace under some pressure from South Korean hotshot Blue Chipper to his outside, held the lead through solid splits, started to edge away on the turn, dispatched with Blue Chipper into the lane while drifting out numerous lanes, but had more than enough of a buffer to get to the line before heavy favorite Omaha Beach. Like Omaha Beach he had surgery to correct a breathing problem in the spring. Omaha Beach, the overwhelming favorite off his smart comeback win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, stumbled at the start to get away poorly (rider Mike Smith said his hind end went out from under him), was able to establish position midpack early a couple lanes off the rail on the first turn, then lost some position down the backstretch as he fell further back, was urged to get going into the far turn while wide, remained very wide on the far turn as he started his run, made smart progress to the top of the lane and through the stretch but was never really a danger to the winner. The Grade 1 Malibu at 7 furlongs here Dec. 26 may be next, then the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup before retirement. Blue Chipper, so highly regarded in South Korea where he won seven of eight including a Grade 1 last time out, showed speed to dog the eventual winner from the start, kept after him to his outside while a couple lanes off the rail, tried to make a run at Spun to Run turning for home, was no match for him though he’d put some distance between himself and the others, moved toward the rail in the lane, tired some and couldn’t fend off Omaha Beach for second. Improbable, the second choice after running fourth in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, broke well, something he doesn’t always do, stalked the pace from his inside slot, was just a couple lengths behind the eventual winner as he stalked going down the backstretch, came under a ride on the far turn to try to get involved but never produced the needed punch. Mr. Money, coming off four straight Grade 3 wins and a second in the aforementioned Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, stalked toward the outside, remained in stalking position down the backstretch, was urged to get involved on the turn but came up empty.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (race 7)

COMMENT: Iridessa had run 1 1/4 miles just once in her career and that was a Group 1 win in Ireland in June. She brought all that quality with her here – and needed every bit of it – as she gamely prevailed. From her rail slot she broke well, was pushed along early to get position while holding the fence, bided her time in third far behind runaway pacesetter Mirth, who set sizzling splits, remained well back to the far turn, started her run while staying on the fence, came off the rail into the lane to challenge for the lead as Mirth fell away, looked as though she was going to just blast past Vasilika who was to her inside but then had to fight tooth and nail to subdue that gal in the final strides. Worth noting her granddam Starine won this race in 2002. She’ll reportedly stay in training. Vasilika remains one of the best claims in history. A multiple graded stakes winner, and 11 for 12 on this course coming into this, she showed why as she ran huge in defeat. She had the speed to sit second, though was well behind runaway pacesetter Mirth, remained there to the far turn, was asked for run turning for home, went around a tiring Mirth, looked in trouble when Iridessa surged up to her outside looking as if she was going to go right on by but fought valiantly to just miss. Sistercharlie, the defending champ, broke decently, sat a couple lengths behind Vasilika and Iridessa while a couple lanes off the rail, bided her time while in the clear, came with her run while wide on the turf, swung wider still into the lane, finished decently but just wasn’t good enough. She’s still almost certainly champion turf distaffer of the year. Fanny Logan bided her time early from her far outside post, steadily advanced to the far turn, swung wide into the lane and finished well just behind and outside Sistercharlie. Just Wonderful likewise lagged back, advanced along the inside on the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane while staying inside to be just behind Sistercharlie but flattened out a bit in the final half-furlong. Villa Marina, coming off a Group 1 win in France Oct. 6, bided her time not far behind Sistercharlie and Fanny Logan, tried to rally with those foes on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, made some headway but was unable to threaten. Thais was a vet scratch Friday. Fleeting was a vet scratch race morning.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (race 8)

COMMENT: Mitole capped off an amazing – and championship – season with a game win, his sixth victory in seven starts this year. He broke well, as usual, but when Shancelot and Matera Sky to his outside surged to the lead, his rider deftly took him back some, moved him off the rail so he could stalk those dueling leaders through sizzling splits, moved closer on the turn, came into the lane a few lanes off the rail, took dead aim on leader Shancelot to his inside on the rail, was asked for all and finally edged past that stubborn rival and drew clear in the final half-furlong. Shancelot, coming off a super second to Omaha Beach in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint here Oct. 5, ran big again only to get foiled. He broke sharply, as usual, went right to the lead but was immediately joined by Japanese raider Matera Sky to his outside, set a sizzling pace under pressure from that foe, dispatched with that rival into the lane, opened up some as if ready to go on to victory while holding the rail but then couldn’t finish with the winner. Whitmore, a rallying second in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland Oct. 4, his first start in four months, lagged back, as is his custom, pitched wide on the far turn and into the lane and finished well for third, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Engage, winner of that aforementioned Phoenix, likewise lagged back, came with a nice run between horses in the lane to make up ground but was never really a factor. Firenze Fire stalked the pace while inside, moved closer to the two early leaders going to the far turn while staying on the fence, was just in behind Shancelot into the lane but tired in the final furlong. Catalina Cruiser, whose only prior defeat in eight starts came in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland and coming into this off a game win in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien (a sprint) at Del Mar Aug. 24, was a bit slow into stride, bided his time while saving ground, crept closer on the far turn, was asked for run in the lane while still inside but was unable to make a dent. Imperial Hint, who would have been one of the favorites, scratched race morning (foot issue; tender around the coronet band). Landeskog also scratched.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Uni couldn’t catch Got Stormy when third to her in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga Aug. 10 but her powerful late burst got her revenge here as the two girls beat the boys. She bided her time early, as usual, as Hey Gaman and El Tormento set a strong pace, didn’t have to go wide from her outside post as the field strung out, moved earlier than usual, advancing on the far turn while wide, came abreast of the four leaders into the lane while widest of the group, engaged Got Stormy to her inside and outfinished that rival for the win. They supplemented here for $100,000, a pretty darn game and good move. She’ll reportedly stay in training and could target the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar Dec. 1, a race she won last year. Got Stormy broke well but was content to pull back some when Hey Gaman and El Tormento were more eager, going for the lead. She sat a stalking trip, had to steady when jostled in traffic on the first run, got clear and a couple lanes off the rail, bided her time, came with a nice run on the far turn, kicked for home while outside the two tiring pacesetters with Bowies Hero to her immediate left as Uni came up to her outside, battled gamely inside Uni as Bowies Hero couldn’t keep up but just couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Trainer Mark Casse said she might stay in training next year. Without Parole, a Group 1 winner in Europe in 2018 but dull there this year and like the winner trained by Chad Brown, sat back from his outside post while a toward the inside, continued to save ground as he lagged back, started to advance up the rail on the far turn, swung out into the lane and finished well but couldn’t quite get to the top two. Circus Maximus, coming off a Group 1 win going a mile in France Sept. 8, had enough speed to be just behind Got Stormy while between horses, followed that rival on the far turn and into the lane, tried to make a run in the stretch but had some traffic issues when stuck behind Got Stormy and Uni and was unable to overcome that. Bowies Hero, back to his backyard after a smart win in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland Oct. 5, broke well from his brutal outside post, showed some early handiness to get over toward the rail while sitting third, remained there a few lanes off the rail just in front of Got Stormy in the clear, moved up to challenge with Got Stormy to his outside and Uni further out, then couldn’t finish with the top four. Lucullan stalked from his rail slot while saving ground, moved closer on the far turn while staying on the fence, started a run into the lane while still on the rail only to run up on a rival’s heels, killing his run as he had no room to extend in the final furlong. He wasn’t going to win but he surely could have been closer with clear sailing. Suedois scratched race morning (foot infection). Bolo scratched race morning (sick).

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (race 10)

COMMENT: Blue Prize always had talent; In fact, she was a decent fourth in this last year. Coming off a second straight win in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland Oct. 6 the 6-year-old mare stepped up her game further, posting the upset. She was well back early as Serengeti Empress set a strong pace under some pressure from Mo See Cal, remained well back racing just outside favored Midnight Bisou who was on the rail, started a smart wide run on the far turn that got her the jump on Midnight Bisou, sending her about four lengths ahead of ‘Bisou, continued her run into the lane, subdued Serengeti Empress, opened up and had enough of a lead to keep hard-trying Midnight Bisou at bay in the final furlong. Midnight Bisou ran splendidly in defeat. She bided her time early while saving ground but found herself shuffled back and stuck inside going down the backstretch, remained there with Blue Prize to her outside, didn’t move as early or as strongly as that rival into the far turn, was asked for more on the far turn, switched off the inside on the turn as she started her run, moved wider still into the lane, loomed a big threat but then couldn’t quite get to the winner. The distaff championship is still surely hers and the wonderful news is she’ll reportedly stay in training. Serengeti Empress shot right out to the lead, was joined by Mo See Cal, took over pacesetting duties by the first turn, took pressure from Mo See Cal, rebuffed a couple challenges into the lane, had no answer for when Blue Prize surged past, couldn’t finish with Midnight Bisou wider out but kept to her task to hold third. This may have won her the 3-year-old filly championship as she beat main rivals Dunbar Road and Street Band. Dunbar Road, third to Blue Prize in the Spinster, was well back early, remained there behind Midnight Bisou while saving ground, started an inside run on the turn, had to steady on the turn, got going again while inside, came off the rail into the lane, made some headway but was unable to threaten after leaving herself with too much to do.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Turf (race 11)

COMMENT: There were questions about favorite Bricks and Mortar. Could he handle 1 1/2 miles, which he was trying for the first time? Could he maintain what has been superb form since last December after a tough campaign? And could he be at the top of his game after three months off? The answers were a resounding “yes” as Bricks and Mortar, who missed over 14 months due to surgery before this dazzling season, made likely the strongest case to have his name etched on the Horse of the Year trophy. From his outside post he broke well but down the hill and over the dirt crossing he was tossing his head and pulling. He continued to be rank while setting midpack as Acclimate set a modest pace under pressure from Bandua and Channel Maker, finally seemed to settle some down the backstretch while in a crowd, looked in trouble on the far turn when Anthony Van Dyke moved past him to his inside but he was then asked for run turning for home, had a clear lane in front of him and finished resolutely to run down upstart United. He reportedly goes off to stud in Japan after a fantastic season which included five Grade 1 wins. United, coming off a third in the Grade 2 John Henry on this course Sept. 28 but who had yet to win a stakes, stalked a couple lengths off the pace, advanced going to the far turn, moved up just behind Acclimate and Bandua turning for home, swung out into the lane, moved past those rivals to take the lead, finished gamely but couldn’t fend off the winner. Anthony Van Dyck, the Group 1 English Derby winner in June but winless in three starts since, ran well in defeat. He bided his time early, just inside and behind Bricks and Mortar, remained there to the far turn, started to advance inside Bricks and Mortar into the turn, actually passed that rival on the turn while on the fence, came off the inside into the lane but found himself behind United and Bandua, causing juts a bit of hesitation, got clear when moving back to the inside and finished well for third. Zulu Alpha sat well back early while saving ground, remained well back to the far turn (in fact, was last) after moving toward the outside wide, swung extremely wide into the stretch but finished strongly to get fourth, even if he wasn’t able to threaten the top three. Mount Everest lagged back while saving ground, remained inside to the far turn, didn’t seem to be going anywhere, was in fact last turning for home but found his top gear in the lane, came off the fence in the lane finished with good energy between horses. Old Persian, a multiple Group 2 winner in England and a Group 1 winner in Dubai and Canada, raced with Bricks and Mortar much of the way to his outside, swung out wide on the far turn as if ready to make a run but the run never came.

Santa Anita
Breeders’ Cup Classic (race 12)

COMMENT: There were many who thought Vino Rosso got jobbed when he won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Sept. 28 only to get disqualified for coming out in the lane and bumping Code of Honor, with the victory being awarded to Code of Honor. There was more than a bit of redemption here for the $410,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin as Vino Rosso returned to the site of his big Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita win May 27 and showed his quality. From his outside post he broke well, established a stalking position as War of Will set a modest pace under pressure from Mongolian Groom and McKinzie, remained there to the far turn, started to advance while wide and in the clear, was asked to go after leader McKinzie in the lane, reeled him in and drew past to make his Horse of the Year argument. He certainly wins top older horse honors. McKinzie ran well in defeat, showing he can handle 1 1/4 miles. Coming off a second to Mongolian Groom in the Grade 1 Awesome Again here Sept. 28 he broke sharply, was content to pull back a bit as War of Will assumed pacesetting duties, moved to the rail on the first run, was eager going into the backstretch as he moved up inside and behind War of Will only to have to check, pulled back a bit, moved off the rail, came up outside War of Will going to the far turn, made an early run to the lead between horses, opened up turning for home and into the lane but couldn’t withstand the winner’s charge to his outside. Higher Power, third in the Awesome Again, sat midpack, crept closer down the backstretch while a few lanes off the rail, made a move on the far turn to get in the picture, kept to his task to get up for third but was no danger to the top two. Elate, a mare facing the boys, sat midpack early, lost position down the backstretch as she raced just off the rail, angled back toward the inside turning for home, came off the inside once into the stretch and finished decently to pass a few. Math Wizard did best of the 3-year-olds as he was last from the start, saved ground as he remained at the back of the pack, came off the rail some into the far turn, passed a few but was no threat. Code of Honor, who likely could have clinched 3-year-old title honors with a big run here, was disappointing as he lagged back, started to move closer while wide down the backstretch, came through between horses on the far turn to briefly look as though he was starting a run but then came up empty. War of Will, the Grade 1 Preakness winner but winless in four starts since, broke well with blinkers on for the first time assumed pacesetting duties first time past the stands, set a modest pace under a snug hold, continued to lead heading to the far turn while staying inside, was significantly challenged by McKinzie to his immediate outside, tried to go with that rival on the turn but couldn’t keep pace and gave way thereafter. Mongolian Groom, winner of the aforementioned Awesome Again, stalked pacesetter War of Will from the start, moved closer going to the far turn, couldn’t accelerate with McKinzie on the turn, got the better of War of Will, was still in the fight for a minor award into the stretch when he took a bad step, suffering a serious injury to his left hind leg, was pulled up and vanned off. Sadly, he had to be euthanized.