Trip Notes for November 23: River City Handicap, Delta Downs Princess, Delta Downs Jackpot
Saturday, November 23
Churchill Downs - River City Handicap (race 9)
COMMENT: Being disregarded at the windows and having a slow start couldn’t keep down Potomac River, as the son of grass champ English Channel notched his first stakes in style with a strong finish. After winning 3 of 4 this spring and summer he found a couple stakes outings too tough. He perked up when second against some tough optional claimers here Nov. 8 and took another big step forward in this spot. He hopped at the start and got squeezed back to get away slowly – typical for him. He bided his time toward the back, commenced a strong wide move on the far turn, reached contention coming into the lane, took command, and drew off to win fairly comfortably. Set the Sail, another outsider at 16-1, got a dream trip stalking the pace, moved up to challenge into the lane, couldn’t match the winner late, but stayed on gamely for second. Grand Arch was just behind Set the Sail pretty much throughout and ran on well. Villandry was very slow into stride, still last turning for home while very wide, and finished strong, but it was too late. He might have been best. Coalport, the favorite, got bumped hard at the start, lagged back and never made a run. Skyring and Ol Army volleyed on the lead early to the top of the lane before both gave way badly.
Delta Downs - Delta Downs Princess (race 6)
COMMENT: Tepin, a winner on Keeneland’s synthetic and third in a stakes on dirt at Churchill, continued her development, proving a smart winner here. She broke a bit slowly from her rail slot but was able to sit fourth. From there she bided her time, went after the leader, Bahnah, into the lane, collared that gal and edged away. Not sure this race will produce anyone of power in the division, but with no real 2-year-old filly standout there’s no reason she shouldn’t take a swing at a tougher spot down the road. She'll reportedly get a break and resurface either at Gulfstream or Oaklawn. Bahnah, favored after winning a Grade 3 at Saratoga this summer and coming off being disqualified from first to fifth in a stakes here last, chased pacesetter Zip On through modest splits, took over from that rival turning for home, battled gamely when hooked by the winner into the lane, and finished 5 ¼ lengths clear of the rest. Concave, a Grade 2 winner in Southern California and ninth in the Grade 1 BC Juvenile Fillies, sat back just behind the eventual winner, tried to accelerate with that gal on the far turn, and then finished evenly. Miss Behaviour, winner of her first three before running second in a stakes at Belmont last time out, seemed in a good spot stalking in third but then gave way.
Delta Downs - Delta Downs Jackpot (race 7)
COMMENT: Rise Up did the locals proud. Made the 2-1 second choice off a smashing win in a stakes here last month, he used his speed to flee the outside post. He set modest splits while under pressure first from Mighty Brown and then Rum Point, rebuffed a challenge from Casiguapo on the turn and bounded away to win in a romp, setting a stakes record. He'll get a freshening and return with his trainer's contingent at Fair Grounds this winter. Casiguapo, second in the Grade 1 Hopeful and fourth in the Grade 1 Champagne, sat midpack early. He made a threatening run at the winner turning for home and stayed on well for second. Rankhasprivileges, a smart winner at Keeneland last month in his only start, sat well back early and finished smartly, though he was never really on the winner’s radar. Coastline, favored off impressive wins of his last two, including a stakes at Churchill last month, lost all chance when he stumbled badly at the start, going to his knees. He tried to get involved going to the far turn but then came up empty. You can draw a line through this run. Rum Point, 12th in the Grade 1 BC Juvenile after stalking the pace, pressured the winner early but fell apart to end up last.