Trip Notes for November 24-27: Clark, Kentucky Jockey Club, Matriarch, Hollywood Derby, and more

Nov. 24

Aqueduct
Comely (race 9)

COMMENT: Actress, a daughter of top sire Tapit, broke her maiden in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan. After chasing the best of her division such as Elate, It Tiz Well and Abel Tasman in her last two, she was freshened, returned here with a drop and blinkers for the first time, and it all came together as she posted an impressive win and stamped herself a filly to watch next year. She showed more speed with the addition of blinkers to sit third, just behind and outside Miss Sky Warrior, moved up onto that gal’s flank on the turn, had no trouble going pasty that foe, opening up and winning handily. Parade, another daughter of Tapit, was trying stakes for the first time after finishing third in an optional claimer here Nov. 9. She sat well back and put in a sustained run to gamely edge Miss Sky Warrior for second in the final stride, but was never a threat to the winner. Miss Sky Warrior, favored after some dazzling work here a year ago but who was gone nearly six months before setting a fast pace and fading to fourth in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm at Belmont Oct. 28, broke well, got a dream trip sitting second behind longshot pacesetter Run and Go, remained there to the far turn, easily went past the tiring pacesetter to grab the lead on the turn but was immediately confronted by Actress, couldn’t go with that rival in the lane, plugged away and just lost second in the final stride. She was pretty much a beaten filly by the quarter pole and doesn’t look quite the same since her duel-and-fizzle in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks last spring. Tapella, yet another daughter of Tapit who cost $750,000, was stepping up in to stakes ranks after a game maiden win at Belmont Sept. 28 and smart allowance win there Oct. 27. She broke slowly from her far outside slot, got hung out very wide on the first turn, remained wide into and down the backstretch, bided her time a few lengths off the lead, tried to make a run and follow the eventual winner with a wide move on the far turn, chased the top two into the lane but couldn’t sustain her run and was no factor in the lane.

Churchill
Mrs. Revere (race 9)

COMMENT: Lovely Bernadette, winner of her last two including a turf stakes at Indiana Downs and the Grade 3 Valley View at Keeneland Oct. 20, showed she’s the real deal as she made it three straight with another game tally here. The daughter of Wilburn stalked in second as longshot Marina’s Legacy set a slow pace, remained there to the end of the backstretch, took over from that tiring rival on the turn, opened up a bit of a lead into the lane and kept on gamely to keep a couple hard-charging rivals at bay in the final half-furlong. With the likes of La Coronel, Uni, Sistercharlie, New Money Honey, Rubilinda, Rymska, Madam Dancealot, Proctor’s Ledge and a few of her rivals here this division looks pretty salty come next year. Journey Home, second in the Valley View to Lovely Bernardette, filled that role again as she bided her time early, came with a smart run between horses in the lane, closed resolutely but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Daddys Lil Darling, the heavy favorite off a nice second in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland Oct. 14, was away slowly, lagged well back from the start, steadily advanced, was still well back coming into the lane, closed smartly but ran out of room while well clear of the rest. Westit, who did good work in France before finishing a respectable seventh against elders in Belmont’s Grade 3 Athenia Oct. 28, sat midpack while saving ground, seemed well positioned to make a run on the far turn while continuing to save ground but the run never came.

Churchill
Clark (race 11)

COMMENT: Seeking the Soul may be a brand new horse. He’d always shown ability but he broke through with a monster optional-claiming win at Keeneland last time out Oct. 21. The son of Perfect Soul showed that big effort no fluke as he notched his first graded stakes win in game fashion. He bided his time early, ahead of only Hoppertunity and Good Samaritan, as Diversify set a modest pace, remained well back as he saved ground, edged closer going to the far turn while still saving ground, found a seam turning for home while fellow closers Good Samaritan and Hoppertunity made wide rallies, came off the rail some into the lane for clear sailing, surged between horses, moved past then-leader Diversify inside the final furlong, drifted out some in the final furlong but kept on gamely to get to the line before a hard-charging Good Samaritan. There was an objection lodged against him by the rider of third-place finisher Hoppertunity, but the stewards allowed the result to stand. The $16 million Pegasus at Gulfstream Jan. 27 is now on his radar, as it is with stablemate and top distaffer Forever Unbridled. Good Samaritan, who was good enough to win the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on Saratoga dirt after being a proven commodity on turf earlier in his career, sat back not far behind the eventual winner, didn’t move as early as he was still last on the far turn, swept widest of all into the lane to make his run, closed strongly but just couldn’t quite get to the winner before the wire. He’s now proven top-class on dirt and turf so there are all sorts of options for him in 2018 as a 4-year-old. He’ll reportedly head to Florida with trainer Bill Mott’s string. Hoppertunity, the venerable old pro who was second in this in 2015 and fourth in this last year and was coming off a nice second in a stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 28, his first start in seven months, was away slowly to be last from the start, was still last going to the far turn while saving ground, made a smart run between horses into the lane, pitched out wider still for clear sailing, came with a good run but had to steady when in tight late between the top two when the winner came off the rail some and kept on well to be third. His rider lodged foul against the winner for drifting out in the lane and forcing him to steady but the objections was disallowed. Diversify, the favorite after three straight wins including the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Oct. 7, went right to the lead, as expected, set modest splits while pulling some and well clear of longshot Goats Town who chased him early, was still clear turning for home while looking strong, remained in the thick of it to midstretch, was overwhelmed by the three closers, kept on well but was no danger to the trio in the final furlong. The Player, winner of the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland Oct. 28, chased the pace while very wide, remained wide to the far turn, had to steady when bothered some turning for home and was unable to get involved thereafter. Destin, fifth to Diversify in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, winner of the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Marathon at Del Mar Nov. 3 (and if you remember a super second in the Grade 1 Belmont in June 2016), got a nice trip stalking in third but had no ammunition when it mattered. Honorable Duty, who’s had a super career but was coming off a dull sixth in the Fayette on sloppy going at Keeneland Oct. 28 behind The Player, stalked the pace, remained there to the far turn but then started to lose his action turning for home, backed out of the race and was pulled up so something apparently went amiss.

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Del Mar
Hollywood Turf Cup (race 7)

COMMENT: This result may be an indictment of the male turf stayer situation out West as Manitoulin, last seen a well-beaten seventh in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Sycamore, invaded and proved victorious. The son of Awesome Again showed the speed to dog early pacesetter Tequila Joe through slow splits, soon volleyed for the lead with that foe while still going slow, got the better of that foe into the lane when assuming a narrow lead and kept on gamely to get to the line before a hard-charging Chicago Style. Chicago Style, last seen finishing fifth in the Grade 2 John Henry at Santa Anita Oct. 1 but previously 2 for 2 on this course, bided his time early off the slow pace, remained well back to the top of the lane, pitched wide and finished strongly only to come up a bit short in a big try. Flamboyant, third in this last year and coming off a third in Woodbine’s Grade 1 Canadian International, stalked the pace, got shuffled back a bit turning for home, came out into the lane to make a threatening move but couldn’t sustain his bid. Tequila Joe, a sharp second (beaten just a neck), in the mile Lure here Nov. 2, went right out to the early lead, took immediate pressure from Manitoulin, volleyed up front with that foe, was still in the thick of it to just inside the eighth pole but then tired some in the final furlong. Apparently this trip is a bit out of his range. Inordinate, fifth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap here Aug. 19 and fourth in the John Henry last time out Oct. 1, stalked in fourth, loomed a threat going to the far turn but then fell apart. He was pulled up on the clubhouse turn of the main track and vanned off so something obviously went awry.

Nov. 25

Aqueduct
Discovery (race 9)

COMMENT: Control Group used his speed to rattle off three straight wins as he blossomed this summer and then dueled and ran second in the Empire Classic at Belmont Oct. 21. Stepping up into graded stakes ranks it was again his speed which proved lethal as he dominated the proceedings from start to finish. The son of Posse bounced right out to a clear lead, maintained a clear advantage while setting modest splits, opened up further turning for home and into the lane and while runner-up Senior Investment closed the gap in the final furlong the issue had already been put to bed. He may go back in vs. statebreds for his next start, according to trainer Rudy Rodriguez, as the Alex M. Robb on the inner track here Dec. 31 is on his radar. Senior Investment, coming off a fourth in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby on Woodbine synthetic Oct. 15, his first start in three months, lagged back, as is his custom, remained toward the back to the far run, pitched wide into the lane and finished well, though he was never really a danger to the big winner. He did finish far clear of the others. Bonus Points was last from the start, sitting behind Senior Investment, tried to rally with that foe into the lane, couldn’t keep up with him but plugged along to get third. Can You Diggit, who ran third just behind Control Group in the Empire Classic before running second in an optional claimer here Nov. 15, sat fourth from the start, made a mild move turning for home which quickly dissipated and he lost third in the final strides.

Churchill
Golden Rod (race 9)

COMMENT: Road to Victory easily won her debut but the hurdles here were significant as the $500,000 daughter of Quality Road was stepping up into graded stakes, was routing for the first time and racing on dirt for the first time. None of that stood in her way as she won gamely, giving trainer Mark Casse a bevy of high quality 2-year-old fillies (Wonder Gadot, Heavenly Love, Gio Game, Win the War). While this was her first start on dirt she’d been working strongly over this main track the past month, showing an affinity for the footing. She broke alertly and immediately moved up and out to hound favorite and pacesetter Monomoy Girl through solid splits while to that rival’s outside, continued to dog that rival throughout as the two moved well out front of the rest, appeared to take a brief lead turning for home, looked in trouble when Monomoy Girl reassumed command and opened up on her into the lane but doggedly kept to her task to again go after that rival, reel her in and edge past. She’ll reportedly winter in Florida with Casse’s outfit. Monomoy Girl, the favorite after winning her first three starts including a romp in the Rags to Riches here Oct. 29, lost nothing in defeat. She went right out to the lead but took constant, heavy pressure from the winner who had moved to her outside from the start, held a narrow advantage while continually harassed by the eventual winner, seemed to briefly lose the lead turning for home but then looked as though she might be on her way to victory when reassuming command and putting some daylight between them into the lane but then lugged in and out in the lane as she was tired from all her early work and couldn’t quite fend off the winner while finishing far clear of the others. Cash Out, moving to dirt after a decent third in the Grade 3 Jessamine on Keeneland turf Oct. 11 (the winner of that, Rushing Fall, came back to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), sat a few lengths off the lead, steadily advanced, tried to make a run at the top pair turning for home but was never able to get involved while clear best of the others. Dessert Honeys, a big maiden winner here Nov. 1, sat midpack and finished decently while wide. Sultry, a $400,000 daughter of Malibu Moon who was well fancied after two straight wins including taking a stakes here Oct. 29, was just behind Dessert Honeys from the start to be midpack but was never able to get involved. Stronger Than Ever, a $310,000 daughter of Congrats who won her first two starts, was just behind Sultry from the start and basically stayed there throughout while very wide. Foxtrot Sally, who chased Monomoy Girl from the start in the Rags to Riches before ending up a well-beaten third by that rival, stalked the early pace but backed out of it by the time they’d gone a half-mile.

Churchill
Kentucky Jockey Club (race 11)

COMMENT: Enticed further flattered the form of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic as after finishing third just behind that rival in second in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Oct. 7, this regally bred colt (by top sire and multiple Grade 1 winner Medaglia d’Oro out of multiple Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky) notched his own graded stakes win and stamped himself one to watch on the Kentucky Derby trail. In a roughly run race he was bumped and jostled going into the first turn but was able to establish a stalking position, remained there to the far turn, got shoved out very wide while making his bid but kept to his task resolutely to get up for the narrow win. He likely goes to Florida for the winter and gives his owner/trainer a potent duo along with graded stakes winner Avery Island). That said, it’s worth noting the fillies ran quite a bit faster (1:43.36/1:44.42) about an hour earlier. Tiz Mischief, a rallying maiden winner at Keeneland Oct. 7, bided his time early well back, steadily advanced to the far turn, came with a smart run in the lane and just missed in a good try. Promises Fulfilled, winner of his first two starts, both sprints, showed he could route as well as he went right to the lead, looked in trouble when a couple rivals closed in on him turning for home but managed to rebuff those foes before finding the top two a bit too tough to handle in the final half-furlong. High North, game maiden winner routing at Keeneland Oct. 26, was well back early after being steadied and bothered by a loose horse, remained well back to the top of the lane, moved to the rail and finished with good energy. Quip, winner of his first two starts including a romping win over allowance foes routing at Keeneland Oct. 19, sat midpack from the start, had to steady going into the far turn and was unable to get involved as he was one-paced to the line. Givemeaminit, a maiden who ran fourth to Good Magic in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, got bumped and jostled going into the first turn while midpack, remained there to the far turn when fanned wide and was unable to get involved. Arrival, an $800,000 son of Tapit who easily beat maidens here Nov. 8, was steadied and bothered when in tight going into the first turn, established position midpack, came with a threatening move while very wide on the far turn but then fell apart. Diamond King clipped heels and lost his rider going into the clubhouse turn.

Hawthorne
Hawthorne Gold Cup (race 6)

COMMENT: Scuba had a super 2016, winning 3 of 8 including the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Marathon. However, 2017 hasn’t gone so well with just one second from six starts. Freshened since a couple dull outings he showed signs of life as he got back to form to prove victorious. From his outside post the son of Tapit stalked as Side Pocket set a slow pace, remained stalking in third to the top of the lane, still had plenty of ground to make up but found his top gear in the final half-furlong, surging home to get up for the win. Futile, who has blossomed of late with two romping wins over claimers in his most recent, the first at Keeneland Oct. 21 and then at Churchill Nov. 9 when claimed for $32,000, continued his ascent as he sat second behind Side Pocket, moved up to engage that rival into the lane, got the better of that foe inside the eighth pole and looked like the winner until Scuba surged past late. Side Pocket, winner of 3 of his last 4 and who has done much of his best work here (4 for 8 here), went out to a clear lead while holding the fence, set modest splits while maintaining his advantage, battled back when hooked by Futile into the lane but gave way to that foe and the winner in the final furlong. Eagle, the slight favorite over Scuba as he last ran fifth in the Grade 3 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs Sept. 30, ducked in at the start to get away poorly, remained well back going down the backstretch, started to advance going to the far turn but was fairly one-paced thereafter and unable to get involved. That makes for a second straight modest effort for a horse who was once good enough to compete in Grade 1s.

Golden Gate
Berkeley (race 7)

COMMENT: Editore might finally be fully acclimated to the U.S. as the one-time Brazilian Grade 1 winner hadn’t done much in his first seven U.S. starts. However, then came a rallying turf win at Santa Anita Oct. 15 and he followed that up with another smart rally here to post the upset. He sat midpack as Black Tie Event ran off to a clear early lead, remained midpack to the far turn, came through nicely between horses, grabbed the lead by midstretch and drew clear to win fairly easily. Force, the favorite after winning three of his last four and winner of both career starts on this track, lagged well back from the start, pitched wide on the far turn and into the lane, closed smartly but was no match for the winner. Camino Del Paraiso, a sharp second in an optional claimer on turf here Oct. 28 and a two-time winner on this track last year, sat well back early from his tough far-outside post, came with a strong wide run on the turn and into the lane to loom a big threat but couldn’t sustain his bid. Seattle Serenade, coming off a game win in the Bull Dog Handicap on dirt at Fresno Oct. 15, was midpack early, got shuffled back going down the backstretch but found room on the far turn, got going again and finished decently. G. G. Ryder, a sharp second in this last year but coming off a dull seventh in the Bull Dog, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home, was still a threat to midstretch but weakened thereafter. Hard Aces, coming out of strong races such as the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 9 (ran fifth) and Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Marathon there Nov. 3 (ran third), was away slowly, sat far back as he showed no speed and never really picked up his feet as he was no factor all the way around. While he’s won at this trip (3 for 14) it’s still surely short of his preferred game.

Del Mar
Native Diver (race 5)

COMMENT: Many eyebrows went up when Prime Attraction, coming off a superb second in the Grade 2 John Henry on grass at Santa Anita Oct. 1, opted for this dirt outing instead of staying in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup run on grass here Friday. Well, the connections knew exactly what they were doing as the $335,000 son of Unbridled’s Song proved them right with a smart victory. He again used his speed, sitting just off pacesetter Curlin Rules through modest splits, remained second to the far turn as he crept closer to Curlin Rules, quickly assumed command from that tiring rival into the lane, opened up and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. With his versatility in terms of surface he has all sorts of options, though trainer Jim Cassidy said he’ll likely remain on dirt for now. Cassidy said while races at Santa Anita like the Grade 2 San Antonio and Grade 1 San Anita Handicap are on his radar, the $16 million, Grade 1 Pegasus at Gulfstream Jan. 27 is a possibility. Irish Freedom, third to Top of the Game as the 6-5 favorite in Santa Anita’s Comma to the Top Oct. 28, stalked in fourth, came with a run into the lane to chase the winner, kept on well but couldn’t get to him. Mubtaahij, smart winner of the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita Sept. 30 before finding the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic waters here Nov. 4 too deep (ran eighth), sat just behind the runner-up from the start, remained there to the far turn, came out for room into the lane and finished decently, though he was never really a threat to win. Top of the Game, winner of three straight including easily taking the Comma to the Top last time out, his first start in over eight months, stalked in third from the start, loomed a threat turning for home but had to check and steady when in tight, losing his action, moved out for room but had nothing to offer thereafter. That trouble at a crucial juncture surely didn’t help, but could it be he’s just a much better horse at Santa Anita? After all, he’s done all his best work there, including all four career wins. At least he heads back there soon and will have plenty of chances to run during the six months racing is held there.

Del Mar
Hollywood Derby (race 7)

COMMENT: Mo Town was painted as a Triple Crown player after a big win in last year’s Grade 2 Remsen, but things didn’t work out at all as he was no factor in the Grade 2 Risen Star and Grade 2 Wood Memorial, and then got beat in a couple optional claimers. However, his connections moved him to turf at Belmont Oct. 12 and the light appears to have gone on as he romped that day and followed it up with another impressive run here to make himself a Grade 1 winner. The son of Uncle Mo broke poorly to get away last, sat at the back ahead of only Bowies Hero as Ritzy A. P. set a decent pace, remained there to the far turn, pitched out to make a run and charged home to get the win. Despite his emergence on turf, trainer Tony Dutrow said he might well try dirt again in 2018. This crop of 3-year-old turfers including the top four finishers here along with Oscar Performance, Bricks and Mortar, Yoshida, Frostmourne, Arklow and Good Samaritan could lead to some fun confrontations next year – and of course, here’s also the prospect of running into the likes of top elders World Approval, Beach Patrol, Heart to Heart, etc. Channel Maker, fourth behind Sharp Samurai, Big Score and Bowies Hero in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby, showed why trainer Bill Mott was able to run stablemate Good Samaritan in the Grade 1 Clark on dirt at Churchill Nov. 24 as this guy represented him well here as the son of turf champ English Channel was just in front of Mo Town from the start while saving ground, was then just behind that rival as the two started to advance but whereas Mo Town went outside he stayed inside to make his rally, going inside Sharp Samurai, finished well but just wasn’t quite good enough. Big Score, coming off back-to-back seconds to Sharp Samurai in Grade 2s, was just in front of the top two from the start, moved earlier going into the far turn to reach contention, pitched out and doggedly went after then-leader Sharp Samurai in the lane but couldn’t quite outfinish the top two. Sharp Samurai, a winner of five of his six turf starts including a Grade 3 and two Grade 2s recently, was midpack early, moved up between horses to press the pace going to the far turn, surged to the lead into the lane and looked like the winner at the eighth pole only to have the winner sweep past and the second- and third-place finishers edge him in the final strides. He was 4 for 4 at this distance coming into this so that wasn’t the issue. He has been busy since spring and maybe that told on him in the lane. Bowies Hero, third in his last two, was away slowly to be at the back of the pack, remained last going to the far turn, pitched wide and ran on decently though he was never a factor.

Del Mar
Jimmy Durante (race 9)

COMMENT: Daddy Is a Legend whipped maidens on turf at Keeneland last time out Oct. 27 but it may have been her runner-up effort in her prior start Sept. 16 that showed her quality. That day she ran second to a first-timer named Rushing Fall, who came back to not only win the Grade 3 Jessamine at Keeneland but then take the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf here Nov. 3. The daughter of top turf sire, Scat Daddy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, bided her time early while saving ground, pulled her way up the inside, had to then steady when she came up on horses’s heels, had to steady again in traffic on the far turn, found a seam, still had lots of ground to make up, came out of traffic and wide into the lane and finished strongly for the win. Her run was all the more impressive as she reportedly lost her right front shoe during the race. She might remain out West and point for something at Santa Anita’s winter/spring meeting. Off this she may be ready to give the likes of Rushing Fall, Significant Form and Best Performance a fight for trainer George Weaver. Data Dependent, from the ever-dangerous Chad Brown barn, easily beat maidens on turf at Belmont last time out Oct. 22 and showed she fits well with these as she sat back with the eventual winner while wide, came with a nice wide run on the turn and into the lane, surged into contention between horses and looked as though she might go on to victory only to have the eventual winner come storming past. Raucous made is a clean sweep for the East Coast raiders as this girl was coming off romping wins in her first two turf starts at Parx and Aqueduct for Christophe Clement. The $300,000 daughter of Speightstown stalked in fourth, came with a smart run on the turn and into the lane, took command from leader Fatale Bere in midstretch but couldn’t quite finish with the top two. Lexington Grace, an English raider who had won three of her prior four there before coming to the U.S., was last early while saving ground, remained inside throughout, still had lots of work to do coming into the lane but finished with good energy. Not that she was going to win but she surely left herself with too much to do. Fatale Bere, smart winner of the Surfer Girl at Santa Anita Oct. 9 before a very good fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf when making a very strong very wide move into the lane, got the worst of the draw here, assigned the extreme outside post (No. 12), but then breaking a tad slowly she rushed up to press the early pace of Just a Smidge, quickly assumed command on the backstretch, opening up a clear lead with a wide run, moved to the inside, still had a clear lead coming into the lane, was headed by Raucous at the eighth pole and weakened afterward. Sappho, impressive maiden winner here Nov. 2, sat back in traffic and never got involved. Thewayiam, who showed talent in France before beating allowance foes on turf at Keeneland Oct. 22, broke well from her tough draw (No. 11), sat just off the early pace first of Just a Smidge and then Fatale Bere, was still in the hunt into the lane but gave way readily in the final furlong.

Nov. 26

Del Mar
Seabiscuit (race 3)

COMMENT: There was certainly cause for concern regarding Hunt who, after two big Grade 2 wins on this course this summer, was a non-factor seventh in another Grade 2 at Santa Anita and then retreated to end up last of 13 in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf here Nov. 4. However, the veteran apparently was just off his game for those two and still had gas in the tank as he bounced back on a course he likes to get another Grade 2 win. A rallying fourth in this last year he sat fourth here as 3-2 favorite Pee Wee Reese went out to a clear lead while setting modest splits, remained there to the far turn, came with his run into the lane, got the lead in deep stretch and just got to the line before a hard-charging He Will. Trainer Phil D’Amato said he’d be freshened and pointed for a return later in the Santa Anita meet. He Will, coming off a rallying win in the Lure here Nov. 2, sat fifth a few lengths behind the eventual winner, came with his run into the lane, still had lots of work to do but finished strongly only to come up a nostril short in a fine try. Pee Wee Reese, favored despite having not run since winning the Grade 3 American at Santa Anita July 4, went right out a clear lead, set modest splits, gamely rebuffed his rivals to deep stretch despite staying on the wrong lead and only succumbed in the final yards. Om, a respectable eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile here Nov. 4 (beaten by just 2 1/2 lengths), sat second from the start, made a mild bid on the turn to try and go after leader Pee Wee Reese but flattened out thereafter.

Del Mar
Matriarch (race 7)

COMMENT: Off Limits continued her ascent as she won for the fifth time in her last six starts, notching her first Grade 1 win in the process as she beat a very strong field. After some non-descript form to start her U.S. career in 2016 after coming from Ireland she was given a long layoff (nine months) and that did the trick as since then she’s been smashing. Here she bided her time early, sitting last as Miss Julia Star went out to set the pace with solid splits under pressure from Hawksmoor, Belvoir Bay, Kitten’s Roar and Cambodia. She remained at the back while saving ground, remained inside as she started her strong run on the far turn, came through strongly between horses in midstretch and was able to reel in Hawksmoor in the final half-furlong. Hawksmoor, who skipped the Breeders’ Cup to target this instead after a good second in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland Oct. 7, filled that slot again, running very well in defeat as she dogged the pacesetter from the start, took over from that tiring rival on the far turn, opened up into the lane looking as though she was going on to victory but then couldn’t fend off the winner. Insta Erma, stepping way up in class after a game win in the restricted Swingtime at Santa Anita Oct. 7, lagged well back, came wide into the lane and finished smartly. Cambodia, the slight favorite after three straight strong outings over this course (won two Grade 2s before finishing a nice third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf), stalked the pace with a number of other runners, was in tight going into the backstretch as the field bunched behind the pacesetter, remained in stalking position to the top of the lane, kept to her task but just wasn’t good enough. Rubilinda, stepping up in class and facing elders after winning three of her first four in New York, lagged back, came with a strong run into the lane to loom a threat as she was pushed out very wide and flattened out in the final furlong. Kitten’s Roar, impressive winner of the Grade 2 Goldikova on the Breeders’ Cup undercard here Nov. 4, had the worst of the draw with the far outside post, broke well and established a stalking position but was kept wide throughout and paid the price for that, weakening in the lane.

Del Mar
Cecil B. Demille (race 9)

COMMENT: Analyze It capped off a very nice invading weekend for trainer Chad Brown (ran second in the Jimmy Durante, won the Matriarch) as the son of Point of Entry, a dazzling winner of his turf debut at Belmont Oct. 28, validated that form with another scintillating performance here. Whereas he rallied from the back to win his debut, this time he went right to the lead, dueled with King Eddie through modest splits while staying inside, dispatched with that foe turning for home, opened up into the lane with a burst and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Not bad for facing winners for the first time and shipping across the country for just his second start. Pubilius Syrus, a game rallying winner over maidens on turf at Santa Anita Sept. 30, sat midpack early, was forced to steady, remained midpack, came with a nice run outside rivals and finished well, though he was never a danger to the winner. East Rand, a rallying second in optional claiming turf route at Churchill Sept. 29 and making his first start for new trainer Jeff Mullins, got squeezed back at the start to be well back early, angled to the inside on the first turn, came out on the far turn and further out into the lane to make a run and ran on decently. Inscom, an $850,000 son of Distorted Humor who was second just a nose behind Pubilius Syrus in his first turf start at Santa Anita Sept. 30 and then a romping winner on turf there Oct. 27, was midpack from the start, had to steady when in tight going down the backstretch, pitched wide on the far turn and wider still into the lane and kept to his task.