Trip Notes for November 2-4, 2018: Breeders' Cup

Nov. 2

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 5)

COMMENT: The inaugural running of this race drew plenty of interest and the turf course was listed as ‘Yielding’ on the Equibase charts (toteboard listed the course as ‘Good’) after heavy rains Wednesday into Thursday. The rails were down so the inner lanes of the turf course, which hadn’t been used since June, were available. Bulletin, a son of City Zip, had run just the one time, but oh what a run it was, as he blasted maidens in his turf sprint debut at Gulfstream on Sept. 29. He was a bit reluctant to load, but once the gates opened he popped out of there, going right out to a clear lead. He held that spot a couple lanes off the rail, taking some pressure from Chelsea Cloisters to his outside and a phalanx of runners just in behind, looked in trouble turning for home when ‘Cloisters ranged up to challenge, but he not only rebuffed Cloisters and the others but actually edged clear again late in an impressive performance. Chelsea Cloisters, a filly facing boys, came into this off a sharp second vs. males in the Indian Summer at Keeneland last month and validated that run here as she dogged the winner from the start, moved up menacingly to challenge into the lane, was unable to finish with Bulletin but kept on to hold second, her fourth straight runner-up finish. So Perfect, a top-class filly from Europe (twice Group 1-placed), sat toward the back, bided her time while a few lanes off the inside, moved wider on the turn and wider still into the lane to make her run, finished decently but was never really a danger to the top two. Queen of Bermuda, another European invader, gave fillies second, third and fourth as she lagged well back, swung wide on the turn, wider into the lane to be widest of all and finished with good energy. Soldier’s Call, the favorite coming off a sharp third against elders in a French Group 1 beaten just a head, hopped at the start and was jostled between horses to get away poorly (last) from his inside slot, quickly got into stride, rushed up to stalk the pace while staying inside sitting just behind the pacesetting eventual winner, crept closer on the turn while still inside, came off the inside as if poised to make a run in the lane but flattened out. Sergei Prokofiev, a highly regarded European (Group 3 winner) and $1.1 million purchase, was away slowly, sat well back while between horses, tried to advance on the turn and into the lane, swung wider out for room and finished with energy but had left himself with far too much to do. The final time hints the course is playing to its ‘Yielding’ designation.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Turf course still listed as ‘Yielding.’ Newspaperofrecord, so impressive winning her first two starts, was backed as if she couldn’t lose despite facing high-class competition. Not only did she prove her backers right, the manner of her win suggests this may be trainer Chad Brown’s next superstar as she just laughed at her top-class rivals. She went right out to a clear lead, staying a few lanes off the rail, didn’t receive any real pressure as she bounded along on the lead while traveling very comfortably, then opened up turning for home without being asked, making a shambles of the field while completely geared down in the final yards. This gives Brown his fifth win in this race (third straight) and considering he won this with Lady Eli and Rushing Fall this might have been his most impressive winner yet. Her winning time was more than a second faster than the boys ran later. East, winner of her two starts in Europe including a French Group 3, broke slowly from her disadvantageous far outside post, was allowed to take her time getting into stride as she moved left in behind the field and avoided getting hung out to dry on the first run, was last on the first turn, started to advance down the backstretch to the far turn, remained wide and in the clear, swung wider still into the lane and finished well to get up for second, though she was never a danger to the big winner. Stellar Agent, third to Newpaperofrecord in Belmont’s Grade 2 Ms. Grillo, ran third to that rival again here as she sat midpack from the start while toward the inside, remained there to the top of the lane, came with a nice run to be a clear second by midstretch but just couldn’t quite outfinish East for second. Interestingly, her trainer Jorge Abreu is a former assistant to trainer Chad Brown, so he learned his lessons well. Just Wonderful, another heady European who was a Group 2/Group 3 winner, lagged back while saving ground, remained toward the back while in traffic on the far turn, found a lane into the stretch and finished well between horses to just miss getting third. The Mackem Bullet, Group 1/Group 2-placed in Europe, sat a few lengths off the lead while saving ground, remained inside most of her rivals though was still a couple lanes off the fence, advanced on the far turn and into the lane, came off the inside to loom a threat for a better placing but flattened out in the final half-furlong.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (race 7)

COMMENT: Main track listed as ‘Fast’ despite heavy rains Wednesday into Thursday and playing quickly as well. Jaywalk was so impressive in the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont last month, going right to the lead, taking pressure but drawing off to win easily. Well, it was déjà vu all over again as the daughter of Cross Traffic made her case to be champion 2-year-old filly. She was hustled out of the gate to the lead, took pressure from favorite Bellafina and Serengeti Empress, set a solid pace as those two dogged her, was asked for run in the lane when Restless Rider came up to challenge to her outside as Bellafina and Serengeti Empress couldn’t keep pace, and kicked clear to win smartly. She’ll reportedly winter in Florida. Restless Rider, big winner of Keeneland’s Grade 1 Alcibiades, got a dream trip pressing the pace, moved up outside Bellafina turning for home, loomed a big threat as she went past Bellafina and up to challenge Jaywalk but then couldn’t stay with that gal in the final furlong. The Grade 2 Golden Rod here Nov. 24 is reportedly next before also wintering in Florida. Vibrance, a well-beaten second to Bellafina in Santa Anita’s Grade 1 Chandelier, stalked the pace while inside, remained there throughout, moved closer turning for home to try and challenge Jaywalk, was unsuccessful but fought on only losing second to ‘Rider in the final strides. The Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos on Dec. 6 is on her docket. Bellafina, favored off two straight Grade 1 wins in California, got a dream trip as she used her speed to dog Jaywalk from the start, moved closer going into the far turn while to her outside, suddenly came under a rider turning for home but couldn’t keep pace with the top three in the lane. Sippican Harbor, who closed strongly to win the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga last time out Sept. 1, was slow into stride to sit last, remained there going to the far turn, swung wide on the turn, was pushed out extremely wide into the lane as she tried to get going, made a mild run but was unable to make a dent having left herself with far too much to do. Serengeti Empress, romping winner of three of her four starts including the Grade 2 Pocahontas here Sept. 15, pressed the eventual winner from the start along with Bellafina, seemed in a good position going to the far turn, moved wide as if poised to make a run only to come up empty.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Turf course remains listed as ‘Yielding.’ Line of Duty, coming off two straight wins in Europe including a Group 3 in France, made it three straight, but he had to sweat out an inquiry after a couple incidents involving runner-up Uncle Benny. The son of Galileo bided his time early as Somelikeithotbrown set a modest pace, remained midpack toward the inside, started to move toward the outside coming into the lane looking for room, found a lane but then moved well out to the middle of the track in midstretch, started his charge but under a right-handed whip veered in late, bumping with Uncle Benny right on the wire while just ahead of that rival and Somelikeithotbrown to ‘Benny’s inside. In Line of Duty’s defense, when ‘Benny steadied inside of ‘Duty turning for home that seemed more a case of Uncle Benny being intimidated, not interference caused by Line of Duty (who at the time appeared to be moving off the inside at the time). The bump between the two came in the shadow of the wire and Uncle Benny did come out some. So while Line of Duty bumped him it seemed he did so as he was going past Uncle Benny, who never steadied or lost his momentum. Letting the result stand seemed the right call. Uncle Benny lagged back while inside, was just behind the eventual winner turning for home with still a lot to do, appeared poised to start a rally inside that rival along the rail but then steadied, got going again between horses, surged through to grab a narrow lead (he actually passed Line of Duty in midstretch) from Somelikeithotbrown, came out a bit as Somelikeithotbrown to his inside came out some into him, bumped with Line of Duty and just missed in a big try. Somelikeithotbrown went right to the lead, set a modest pace under modest pressure from Forty Under and Arthur Kitt, extended his lead on those rivals into the lane, battled back when Uncle Benny surged up alongside in midstretch, came off the inside some as he battled back, couldn’t re-rally against ‘Benny and saw Line of Duty surge past farther out. Anthony Van Dyck, the highly regarded European (twice Group 1-placed) and tepid 3-1 favorite, broke well from his miserable far-outside post, established position midpack while not too wide on the first turn, didn’t seem comfortable, though, as he lost position going into the backstretch, came under a ride going to the far turn, moved to the inside, didn’t seem to be going anywhere, had to steady as he tried to move back out for clear sailing, finally started a modest rally while behind rivals to pass a few but was never really a factor.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (race 9)

COMMENT: While there will be plenty of debate regarding the champion 2-year-old filly, the 2-year-old male situation appears in no doubt as favorite and unbeaten Game Winner was true to his name, overcoming a tough trip, stamping himself the early 2019 Kentucky Derby favorite and likely 2018 2-year-old male champ. Coming off three straight wins to start his career in Southern California including two Grade 1s, the son of Candy Ride (sire of such top-class routers as Horse of the Year Gun Runner, champion Shared Belief), broke a tad slowly and ended up farther back early than he’d been in his Southern California races. He bided his time toward the back while staying wide and in the clear as second-choice Complexity set a fast pace under pressure from Knicks Go, steadily advanced while remaining wide, was asked to get more involved on the far turn, pushing out wider still to make his run, came with his rally in the lane, was bumped by a lugging-out Knicks Go in midstretch but got back into stride, overcame that rival and drew clear late. He’ll reportedly ship back to California, where trainer Bob Baffert, mentioning the horse will have at least two starts going into the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby here next spring, will come up with a schedule to best get him to the Derby. Knicks Go, upset winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last month, dogged pacesetter Complexity from the start, crept closer to that foe going into the far turn, moved up to outright challenge him for the lead, got the better of that tiring rival into the lane, opened up some, fought back gamely when Game Winner came up to his outside, lugged out under a left-handed whip to bump firmly with Game Winner, couldn’t keep pace with that rival thereafter but stayed on well for second. He’ll reportedly winter at Tampa Bay Downs, though he could go in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club here later this month. Signalman further flattered the Breeders’ Futurity as, after running second in that race, he lagged well back here, came with a strong run between horses in the lane to be a good third, though he was never really a danger to the winner. The Kentucky Jockey Club is reportedly also on his radar. Mr. Money, a son of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents, stepped way up in class here coming off a maiden win, sat midpack from the start, moved up to be in the leading pack turning for home, couldn’t finish with the top three but kept to his task well for fourth. Complexity, the second choice off two romping wins including the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont last month, went right to the lead, took pressure throughout from Knicks Go, was challenged by that foe, who came up alongside on the far turn, was unable to keep pace and gave way. Trainer Chad Brown had mentioned before this guy has a world of talent but may have distance limitations and that may have been proven here. Code of Honor, who would likely have been the third choice, scratched (illness).

Nov. 3

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (race 3)

COMMENT: Main track listed as ‘Fast.’ Shamrock Rose continued her ascent as, after two big route wins on synthetic and then a powerful victory in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland last month, all against 3-year-olds, she stepped up to face elders and proved the real deal with another sterling performance. From her far outside slot she was slow into stride, bided her time at the back of the pack as Selcourt set a fast pace, was still last on the far turn, started her run into the lane, continued it as she found clear sailing between horses, finishing strongly to get up in the final strides. The Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 – and a shot at an Eclipse Award – could be next. Chalon, a game second in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland last month, was midpack early, had to check when in tight going down the backstretch, moved up nicely to reach contention turning for home, grabbed the lead from tiring pacesetter Selcourt, opened up by midstretch as if ready to go on to victory but couldn’t withstand the winner’s charge. Anonymity, second in back-to-back Grade 3s in Southern California, lagged back early, steadily improved her position, came out into the lane to make her run and finished well, missing by just a head and a neck. Marley’s Freedom, the heavy favorite off four straight big wins including the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug. 25, was far back early, ahead of only the eventual winner after a quarter mile, improved some going to the far turn while wide, remained wide into the lane, put in a decent rally but wasn’t quite good enough. Finley’sluckycharm, winner of six of seven starts here going into this but a disappointing seventh in the Ballerina last time out, sat midpack from the start but was basically one-paced throughout. Selcourt, the dominant sprinting distaffer in Southern California before a setback this spring and making her first start in more than seven months, shot right out to a clear early lead through fast splits, was then pressured by Happy Like a Fool and Chalon and gave way once headed into the lane.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 4)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as ‘Yielding.’ Course condition didn’t matter to Stormy Liberal, who won this last year on a firm Del Mar course and successfully defended his title on this much-softer layout. Coming here sharp off three straight narrow turf sprint wins in Southern California, he sat fourth early as 2-1 favorite World of Trouble set a strong pace under pressure from Havana Grey and Richard’s Boy, started to advance on the far turn, gamely went after World of Trouble in the lane, came up alongside to challenge that stubborn foe and just edged past at the line. Another shot at Dubai and the Al Quoz, a race in which he was a sharp second this past March, could be in the cards. World of Trouble, a 3-year-old who was favored after easily winning his first two starts on turf, both sprints in New York, broke sharply, raced a few lanes off the inside as he dueled early with European Havana Grey to his inside and Richard’s Boy to his outside, got the better of those two on the far turn, cut the corner and assumed a clear lead turning for home, battled back gamely when taken on by the eventual winner and only succumbed in the final yards, finishing far ahead of the rest as this was basically a two-horse race. Disco Partner, third in this last year, filled that spot again as the hard-hitting veteran lagged far back early, pitched wide into the lane and ran on decently to get third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Ruby Notion, a mare facing males after two straight turf sprint stakes wins at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs, sat back just in front of Disco Partner while staying inside, rallied with that rival into the lane but couldn’t quite finish with ‘Partner in the final half-furlong. Havana Grey, a Group 1/Group 2 winner in Ireland, showed good speed from the start to duel with World of Trouble, was still in contention on the far turn but paid the price for his early work as he then gave way.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (race 5)

COMMENT: City of Light had been ambitiously campaigned this year but this, the long one-term game, appears his forte as he easily beat a strong group and burst the bubble of the much-ballyhooed and previously unbeaten and unchallenged favorite Catalina Cruiser. From his rail slot City of Light broke sharply and went right to the lead, taking some pressure from Seven Trumpets and Firenze Fire with Catalina Cruiser stalking wider out. City of Light held the rail and held a clear lead through solid splits with those three just behind, had Firenze Fire and Catalina Cruiser come up to his outside turning for home but had little trouble flicking them away into the lane, kicking clear and maintaining a clear lead to the wire. Runner-up Seeking the Soul closed the gap, yes, but the issue had already been put to bed. City of Light is scheduled to stand stud next year but his connections said the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in a few weeks and Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January are possibilities. Seeking the Soul affirmed his affinity for this track with another good run. Winner of last year’s Grade 1 Clark here and coming off a nice win in the Grade 3 Ack Ack at this same mile trip here Sept. 29, he lagged back from the start, but wasn’t that far off the pace. He started to advance on the far turn, had to steady some into the lane but got going again, came with a smart run between horses and closed the gap on the winner but was never really a threat to catch him. The Pegasus is also on his radar. Bravazo stalked the pace a few lanes off the fence, came under a ride on the far turn, swung wider out into the lane and finished decently for third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Firenze Fire stalked the pace, loomed a threat on the turn when between City of Light to his inside and Catalina Cruiser to his outside, but then couldn’t keep pace once straightened away. Catalina Cruiser, the heavy favorite off four romping wins to start his career in Southern California, broke outward from his outside post, but still appeared to get a dream trip stalking the pace while widest of the first flight, loomed ominously on the far turn, suddenly came under a ride and had nothing left in the lane. Trainer John Sadler said he’d get a thorough going-over and so long as everything is fine after that he’ll campaign next year. Sadler had said earlier he hoped Catalina Cruiser would have a 2019 campaign similar to what Accelerate had this year.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Turf course now listed as ‘Good.’ Sistercharlie cemented her claim as champion turf female with a game win and overcoming other obstacles in her life. After nearly winning her U.S. debut in summer 2017 she got so ill she nearly died. Then, her preparation for this was interrupted as, after her win in the Grade 1 Beverly D., she suffered a foot bruise, forcing her to miss the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont, which would have been her springboard into this. Then, when the gates opened, her proverbial ‘rabbit,’ Thais, missed the break and the solid pace that was hoped for didn’t occur. Well, all’s well that ends well, as she overcame all those obstacles. She broke decently, established position midpack after being jostled a bit in the field bunched up early by a crawling early pace. The field stretched out a bit behind pacesetter A Raving Beauty going first time under the wire and into the clubhouse turn as Sistercharlie settled decently midpack while outside her rivals, remained there going down the backstretch, started to advance into the very slow pace, following favorite Wild Illusion on the far turn and into the lane, pitched widest of the leaders in the stretch and finished doggedly to edge past a stubborn Wild Illusion. She might race again in 2019. Wild Illusion, favored off superb European form including two Group 1 wins coming into this, threw a fit behind the gate as they tried to load her and held up the start. She finally got in the gate, then broke slowly, got bumped and was in tight but was able to establish a stalking position behind the very slow pace while outside of another rival, remained there to the far turn, crept closer to A Raving Beauty, swung out for clear sailing in the lane to make her bid, finished gamely to overtake A Raving Beauty to her inside but just couldn’t quite outfinish the winner to her outside. A Raving Beauty, trying uncharted waters in terms of distance after winning the Grade 1 First Lady at a mile at Keeneland last month, ended up on the lead, set an incredibly slow pace, even with the turf condition, while staying inside (though not quite on the fence), had plenty of gas left in the tank from setting such a slow pace, enabling her to battle gamely inside the eventual top two, only succumbing to them in the final yards. Magic Wand, another top-class European (twice Group 1-placed), stalked inside of Wild Illusion, made her run at the lead into the lane between horses, was still there with a big chance to midstretch but then couldn’t keep pace with the top three in the final furlong. Athena, stablemate of Magic Wand, lagged back early, steadily advanced between horses on the turn, swung very wide into the lane and finished with good energy. Eziyra, Group 1-placed and a Group 2/Group 3 winner in Europe, had a brutal far outside post. She was slow into stride, had to steady when in tight going into the clubhouse turn while wide, remained toward the back, pitched wide on the turn, wider still into the lane and finished decently, even if unable to threaten.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (race 7)

COMMENT: Trainer Peter Miller showed his horsemanship ability by getting Stormy Liberal to repeat as winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Well, Miller’s expertise shone through again here with Roy H, last year’s winner of this race and sprint champion, easily beat a talented field. Coming off a resurgent win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship last month, Roy H broke alertly and showed more speed than usual, stalking the strong pace set by Promises Fulfilled under pressure from Distinctive B. He remained wide as he moved closer to the lead, had no trouble going past the two pacesetters, his rider looking back to see if any threats were coming from behind, opened up with ease and won basically geared down. That’s not usually how you see such top-class races won. He’s a gelding, so there’s every reason to believe he’ll be back in 2019. Miller said another crack at the Grade 1 Golden Shaheen at Dubai, a race in which he was a close-up third last year to Mind Your Biscuits and X Y Jet, could be in the offing. Whitfield, a sharp second to Promises Fulfilled in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland last month, broke slowly (last), lagged back early while saving ground, came with a smart run along the inside into the lane, came off the rail to go around a tiring Promises Fulfilled and finished with good energy to close the gap on the winner, though he was never really a threat to catch him. He’ll reportedly be back in 2019, likely returning to Oaklawn for the Grade 3 Count Fleet, a race he won this year. Imperial Hint, the favorite off two romping Grade 1 wins at Saratoga, didn’t show his customary high speed, instead sitting a couple lengths off the pace while between horses, remained there to the far turn, came under a ride to try and go with Roy H, moved out into the lane and plugged along to edge Promises Fulfilled for third but was never a threat to the big winner. He’ll reportedly return to Tampa Bay to winter, have a couple preps in Florida and then possibly also take a swing at Dubai. Promises Fulfilled went right to the lead, took pressure from Distinctive B through fast splits, remained on the fence, had no answer when Roy H stormed past to his outside into the lane but kept to his task, only losing third in the final strides. Limousine Liberal, a troubled third in the Phoenix and lover of this track (6 for 8) lagged back as usual, moved wide on the turn to seemingly start his run but could make only modest headway in the lane. He’ll reportedly be freshened and return for another campaign in 2019, likely at Keeneland in the spring. Trainer Ben Colebrook said he’d likely keep ‘Liberal at 7 furlongs/mile as he thinks that 6 furlongs is too sharp for ‘Liberal at this stage of his career.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when Polydream, the top-class French filly and morning-line favorite, was a scratch Friday morning after state vets didn’t like how she was moving. Southern California-based Grade 1 winner Hunt also scratched (illness). Turf course remains listed as ‘Good.’ Expert Eye had been knocking heads with the best milers in Europe but had yet to win a top-level race. That changed here when the 3-year-old blasted home late to get up in the final strides. He broke decently but soon found himself well back as Analyze It went to the lead, setting a decent pace under pressure from Mustashry, remained wide as he steadily advanced, moved closer turning for home while staying wide and in the clear, was asked for run but did not immediately respond, only to then find his top gear in the final half-furlong, surging late to win. Catapult, the top miler in Southern California, nearly gave trainer John Sadler his first Breeders’ Cup win only to see it snatched away in the final stride. He sat midpack from the start, pulled his way up to Analyze It’s flank on the turn, doggedly kept after that foe, looked as though he was getting the better of Analyze It and going on to victory only to be edged in the final strides by Expert Eye. The Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream on Jan. 26 is his next target. Analyze It went to the lead when Oscar Performance, who seemed the probable pacesetter, blew the start. He set a solid pace under pressure from Mustashry, looked in trouble when that guy actually took a short lead going to the far turn but had plenty left in the tank as he reassumed the lead while holding the fence, gamely fended off a few challenges and only relented in the final strides to the two horses to his outside. Divisidero returned to his best form with a return to his favorite course, as the veteran bided his time, came with a smart wide run on the turn to get into contention and kept to his task, just missing third by a nose. One Master, coming off a Group 1 win in France, lagged back early while saving ground, maneuvered her way off the rail into the lane for room and finished well in traffic. Almanaar sat back while between horses while a bit rank to place, was stuck in traffic throughout though made some headway in the lane. Next Shares, winner of the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile at Keeneland last month, sat midpack just behind Catapult, was still there turning for home but came up empty thereafter. Oscar Performance, the favorite off his big Grade 1 Woodbine Mile win, was eliminated at the break when he blew the start to get away last, negating any speed edge he might have had. He was far back from the start, was asked to try and advance going to the far turn while staying inside but was never able to get into the race and didn’t look comfortable on the non-firm footing.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (race 9)

COMMENT: Monomoy Girl capped off a brilliant year with another stellar performance, not only confirming herself the best 3-year-old filly in the lane, but the best dirt female in the land, period. From her far outside post she broke alertly, looked poised to take early lead but soon relinquished pacesetting duties to Wonder Gadot, was content to stalk/press that filly to her outside, moved up easily to get alongside that rival on the far turn, easily dispatched with her into the lane, quickly opened up and held sway as Wow Cat closed the gap, though the issue was never in doubt in the lane. She’ll reportedly stay in training and her most immediate goal may be to take on the boys in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January. Wow Cat, a Chilean champ and coming off a resounding win in Belmont’s Grade 1 Beldame last month, was devoid of speed, as is often her wont, sitting last early. She remained at the back to the far turn, started her run into the lane and finished full of energy weaving her way through traffic to close the gap on the winner as she moved toward the inside, though it never looked as if she would catch her. Midnight Bisou lagged back a few lengths off the lead, came with a smart wide run on the turn and into the lane to loom a threat but couldn’t get to the winner and couldn’t quite finish with the runner-up. Blue Prize, winner of her last three, all graded stakes on this track, stalked the pace, came with a nice wide run into the lane to appear a big threat, was still in it to midstretch but then flattened out. Those three are all expected to campaign again in 2019 and take another shot at Monomoy Girl. Wonder Gadot, runner-up in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks to Monomoy Girl here this spring, broke alertly, went right to the lead, set a decent pace under pressure from Monomoy Girl to her outside, battled back briefly when hooked by that rival on the far turn but soon relented and gave way. Abel Tasman broke a bit slowly from her inside post, was immediately urged to get closer, responded by moving up the rail to be just behind Wonder Gadot, seemed to fight her rider a bit on the first turn and into the backstretch, then settled as she remained just behind the pacesetters but started to lose position on the far turn, was asked for run but came up empty, giving way readily with her rider not persevering with her when he saw all was lost. She is to be retired, along with stablemate Vale Dori, who was unable to be a factor in here as well.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Turf (race 10)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as ‘Good’ but you can list winner Enable as ‘Great’ as the two-time Group 1 Arc de Triomphe winner squashed the previous stat that no Arc winner had come to this race, and she did it in style. She bided her time early a few lengths off a modest pace set by Glorious Empire, remained a few lengths off that lead while wide and in the clear, moved wider still going down the backstretch (rider Frankie Dettori said he was looking for better ground), cruised up just behind a phalanx of leaders on the far turn, moved wider still into the lane, looked briefly in trouble when fellow European star filly Magical came up inside of her to make her run, pushed wider out still into the lane and finished resolutely to reel-in Magical and edge away late. Magical was terrific in defeat. Tenth in the Arc, but then a smashing winner of a Group 1 in England a couple weeks ago, she lagged back while saving ground, came with a smart run on the turn into the lane, surging between horses while inside Enable to grab the lead, battled hard all the way to the wire but just wasn’t quite good enough in what was strictly a two-horse race as they finished far ahead of the rest. Sadler’s Joy, the venerable old pro, lagged back, as is his custom, came with a smart wide run on the turn and into the lane, moved toward the inside in the stretch and kept on well for third, though he was never on the radar of the top two. The veteran will reportedly campaign against next year. Waldgeist was away a bit slowly, steadily advanced between horses, came with a nice wide run into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Talismanic, the defending champ, stalked while saving ground, seemed to be traveling well just behind the leaders as he had to wait for room turning for home which caused him to get shuffled back a bit, came off the inside for the stretch run but could make only minimal headway. Robert Bruce broke well, followed Enable throughout, tried to continue to follow that foe into the lane but couldn’t keep up while appearing not quite comfortable on the footing.

Churchill
Breeders’ Cup Classic (race 11)

COMMENT: When golfer Phil Mickelson won the Masters they finally stopped asking him when he’d win a major. When trainer Todd Pletcher won the Kentucky Derby they final stopped asking him when he’d win the Derby. And now, with Accelerate’s win here they can stop asking trainer John Sadler when he’ll win a Breeders’ Cup race because he did so here and it was the biggest plum of all. There was no doubt prior to this he was the top older horse in the country, having won five of six going into this, four of those Grade 1s, the lone loss coming by a neck to City of Light in a Grade 2, and you saw how good that horse is as he romped in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile earlier on this card. Accelerate delayed the start a bit as he was reluctant to load. Once in, from his far outside post Accelerate got a nice position stalking as Mendelssohn set a brisk pace. He remained wide and in the clear, steadily advanced down the backstretch, remained wide on the far turn as he moved into contention, grabbed the lead from Mendelssohn, opened up and while visibly a bit tired in the final furlong had little trouble holding his rivals safe. He’s surely the champion older horse, though the Horse of the Year debate was likely put to bed many months ago when Justify won the Triple Crown. Sadler said he might try to copy what Arrogate and Gun Runner did the last two years: win this race and then go win the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January. Gunnevara, fifth in this last year and coming off a nice rallying second to Yoshida in the Grade 1 Woodward, ran well in defeat as he got bumped hard at the start, settled toward the back, as is his custom, remained there to the far turn, then came with a smart run through traffic to close the gap on the winner. While he did finish well, his rally might have been accentuated by the fact Accelerate and the others who were close to the fast pace weren’t exactly powering home. Thunder Snow, second in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, stalked while inside, remained there to the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane going around Mendelssohn while inside Accelerate, threatened Accelerate to midstretch but couldn’t sustain his bid. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said defense of his Grade 1 Dubai World Cup title is his main target. Yoshida, aforementioned winner of the Woodward in his first start on dirt, was far back from the start, still well back going into the far turn, swung wide on the turn to start his run, pitched out wider still in the lane and ran on well, just missing third by a nose. He may target the Pegasus as well. Mendelssohn shot right out to the lead, set a brisk pace under pressure from McKinzie, West Coast, and Thunder Snow while holding the fence, gamely clung to the lead into the lane, battled on gamely as Accelerate and Thunder Snow edged past him, but finally relented inside the final furlong. West Coast, second in this last year, pressed the pace, was still in it to the far turn when between horses but came up empty once straightened away. He will enter stud next year. Mind Your Biscuits lagged back, seemed to be traveling comfortably while widest of all down the backstretch, was asked for his customary run on the far turn but the run never came. He could go to the Grade 1 Cigar Mile before retiring to stud. McKinzie, big winner of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby in his first start after a long layoff, veered inward sharply at the start, moved back off the inside to press the pace between horses, came under a ride on the far turn to get into contention but then gave way readily. Catholic Boy, well regarded after a smashing win in the Grade 1 Travers on dirt at Saratoga this summer, broke slowly and got banged around at the start to end up well back and never made a move, as he was effectively eased. He did walk off under his own power. It’s worth noting he had a slight illness a few weeks ago, making you wonder if his poor outing here was a lingering effect of that. He had a gash on his left front ankle, probably a result of when he got squeezed back and crowded at the break. He’ll reportedly be freshened and point to a return in the spring at Belmont. Roaring Lion, the top-raced European 3-year-old male this year but who was trying dirt for the first time, had the issues many expected as he broke well from his inside slot, was pushed along to be in position just behind the leaders while saving ground, took a lot of kickback, was asked for run going down the backstretch but obviously hated the kickback, gave way on the far turn, basically shutting down and was not persevered with thereafter. He did walk off under his own power. This takes nothing away from his monster year in Europe.