Trip Notes for November 30-December 1, 2019: Hollywood Derby, Kentucky Jockey Club, and more

Nov. 29

Aqueduct
Comely (race 8)

COMMENT: Bellera showed talent this summer/fall, enough to earn a shot at the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm here Nov. 2. However, she got squeezed back hard at the start, losing her rider. Obviously none the worse for wear she came back here and validated her prior talent, notching her first graded stakes win. The daughter of 3-year-old male champ Bernardini broke well, got a dream trip stalking Gold Standard through slow splits while to that foe’s outside, crept closer going to the far turn, went after that leading rival into the lane, engaged her by midstretch, got the better of her and edged clear giving her enough of a buffer to get to the line before hard-trying favorite Arrifana. Arrifana, favored after winning her first four starts, sat midpack from the start while between horses, crept closer going down the backstretch as she moved to the inside, bided her time there just in behind pacesetter Gold Standard, traveled very easily while just behind the leaders, seemingly poised to pounce, came off the inside into the lane for room, finished decently but couldn’t get to the winner. Gold Standard, a $1.2 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who won three straight in Kentucky before finishing a sharp second in the Grade 3 Remington Park Oaks Sept. 29, went right to the lead, held the fence as she set a slow pace under some pressure from Bellera, continued to lead into the lane, battled back gamely when hooked by the eventual winner in the stretch but weakened a bit in the final half-furlong, losing second in the final yards. Classic Fit, third in the Remington Park Oaks and who had run second to top-class Dunbar Road in the Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont in June, lagged back while a few lanes off the rail, moved closer down the backstretch while wide, seemed well positioned a few lanes out from Arrifana on the far turn but remained wide and flattened out in the lane.

Churchill
Mrs. Revere (race 9)

COMMENT: Turf course was listed as yielding. Trainer Chad Brown sent out New and Improved, the 2-1 favorite off a rallying win in the Grade 2 Sands Point at Belmont Oct. 12, but it was his other runner, Nay Lady Nay, who took down the top prize in game fashion. Coming off a big win despite trouble in a stakes at Parx Oct. 7, the $210,000 daughter of No Nay Never ended up midpack after getting jostled early on, remained there as Hard Legacy set a slow pace under pressure from She’sonthewarpath and Amandrea, continued there to the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane and bulled her way through between leaders The Mackem Bullet to her inside and Dalika to her outside in deep stretch to get the win. The way she finished could mean something like the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita Dec. 28 could be in the cards, though she would be diving into uncharted waters distance-wise (1 1/4 miles). Dalika, fifth in the Grade 3 Valley View at Keeneland Oct. 18, raced just in front of the eventual winner from the start after also being jostled in traffic early, settled nicely midpack, pitched wide into the lane, came with a smart run to challenge into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch but couldn’t fend off the winner, who bulled past to her inside. The Mackem Bullet, third in the Valley View, stalked the pace while side, came with her run into the lane, challenged for the lead while inside but then couldn’t quite finish with the top two. New and Improved, a $320,000 daughter of Cairo Prince, sat well back while a few lanes off the fence, was still well back turning for home, pitched wider out into the lane, but could make only modest headway as she moved slightly back toward the inside after leaving herself with far too much to do. She didn’t appear to relish the non-firm going as well, as her only other loss also came on non-firm footing. Like her winning stablemate the American Oaks could be on her radar despite the loss.

Churchill
Clark Handicap (race 11)

COMMENT: Tom’s d’Etat was favored off form that has been the best of his life, including a romping win in the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland last time out Oct. 26. He fully validated his recent work by easily notching his first Grade 1 win here. The 6-year-old son of Smart Strike bided his time early from his inside post as Mr. Buff set a solid pace under pressure first from Fact Finding and then Mr Freeze, steadily advanced to the far turn, came off the inside for room into the lane, quickly moved into contention, had no trouble going past then leader Mr Freeze, drawing off to win in hand. Heady stuff. Off this trainer Al Stall said all the huge-race options are there including the $9 million, Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 25, the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 29 and $12 million, Group 1 Dubai World Cup March 28. He added, though, retirement to stud is a possibility as well. Owendale, the lone 3-year-old in the field who was last seen fading badly to end up tenth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2, was away slowly to be last early, remained there to the far turn, commenced a smart run into the lane between horses, swerved toward the inside in the final half-furlong to continue his run, finishing well inside Mr Freeze to get second, though he was never a danger to the winner. This was still a nice try and could bode well for 2020. Mr Freeze dogged early pacesetter Mr. Buff from the start, continued to hound that rival to the far turn, came with a smart run a few lanes off the inside to take over from that tiring rival, was no match for the winner but kept on well, only losing second in the final strides. Draft Pick, fifth in the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita last time out Sept. 28, lagged back early from his inside post, came off the inside down the backstretch, pitched out wider still on the far turn and into the lane and made some headway, though he was never really a factor. Major Cabbie, coming off two big optional-claiming wins at Keeneland, stalked the pace from the start, loomed a threat while wide on the turn and into the lane but flattened out. Seeking the Soul, third in this last year but who has done much of his best work here (won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster here June 15) and who last finished a well-beaten sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was slow into stride to be well back early, was very wide on the far turn and into the lane, made some progress to pass a few but was no factor. Bravazo, making his first start since finishing a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream last Jan. 26, was midpack from the start while a few lanes off the rail, remained wide to the far turn but came up empty. He surely needed this race, though the fact he was unable to get involved at any point was a bit disconcerting.

Nov. 30

Aqueduct
Discovery (race 8)

COMMENT: After three straight wins, Performer, a son of champion sprinter Speightstown, got his shot at stakes waters and proved up to the task, posting a game victory. The colt, freshened since easily winning his first route at Belmont Sept. 29, got a dream trip sitting off Carlos L. who set a solid pace, moved closer to get to that rival’s hip going down the backstretch with Grumps Little Tots pressing to his outside, moved up to challenge Carlos L. on the turn, quickly assumed command turning for home, moved to the rail as Carlos L. fell away, was confronted by Tax to his outside into the lane and battled gamely inside that foe to rebuff his challenge and edge away again at the line. He could give trainer Shug McGaughey a nice one-two punch in the handicap ranks next year with Code of Honor. He’ll reportedly be freshened and target such spring races as the Grade 1 Carter and Grade 1 Met Mile. Tax, winner of the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga July 27 and freshened since fading to seventh in the Grade 1 Travers there Aug. 24, bided his time in fifth while saving ground, started to advance nicely into the far turn, was soon just in behind Performer on the turn, moved out for room into the lane, loomed a big threat outside Performer into the lane but couldn’t get to him and was actually losing ground to that foe late. He still finished far clear of the others in what was basically a two-horse race. Trainer Danny Gargan reported the horse suffered a slight grabbed quarter of his right fore but could still target the $9 million, Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 25. Grumps Little Tots, second to Performer in that aforementioned optional claimer at Belmont Sept. 29, stalked in third just outside Performer, moved up to challenge on the turn but then couldn’t stay with the top two in the lane while moving to the rail and was just able to hold third. Carlos L., a multiple Grade 1 winner in Panama and fourth in his U.S. debut in a stakes at Parx Oct. 12 (to Spun to Run, who came back to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile), set a solid pace on the rail, took some pressure from Performer, was confronted by that foe on the turn and gave way once headed, remaining inside to the line.

Aqueduct
Long Island (race 9)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as good. Si Que Es Buena, getting some class relief after finishing sixth in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor at Woodbine Oct. 12, took advantage of that class drop and a pace breakdown to prove a prompt pick. It also didn’t hurt she got some help when rival My Sister Nat had ample trouble in the lane. Si Que Es Buena was away slowly, sitting well back ahead of only My Sister Nat while saving ground, remained inside as she bided her time at the back of the pack, started to advance while staying on the fence, cut the corner into the lane as she started a strong run and finished gamely to just get up and win a cavalry charge to the wire as the top eight were separated by just over a length. My Sister Nat, half-sister to champion Sistercharlie and French Group 1 winner Sottsass, had been a bit disappointing in her first three U.S. starts. Maybe it just took her longer to acclimate as the filly ran her best race in the U.S. here. Coming off a third vs. optional claimers at Belmont Oct. 20 she was slow into stride, sat well back from the start. In fact, she was last, just behind the eventual winner, saved ground as she was content to trail the field, moved off the inside into the far turn, had to wait behind a few rivals, finally pitched wider out for clear sailing, found her top gear once straightened away and finished strongly to just miss. The difference in trips, with the winner saving ground and My Sister Nat going wide and having to wait was surely the difference. Decorating, third in the Grade 3 Dowager at Keeneland last time out Oct. 20, went right to the lead, set a slow pace under some pressure from Romantic Pursuit, dispatched with that foe into the lane as she opened up a clear lead by midstretch, looked on her way to victory but just couldn’t quite fend off the top two. Empressof the Nile, seventh in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Oct. 6 but then winner of a stakes here Nov. 3, sat back in eight early, moved closer going to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane, took a while to get going but finally leveled off and finished well to be beaten by three necks and a nose. Entropia, a Grade 1 winner in Argentina making her first start in the U.S. and first start in seven months, sat midpack from the start, was still there headed to the far turn but then gave way. She surely needed this outing.

Churchill
Golden Rod (race 9)

COMMENT: Heavy rain resulted in the main track being listed as sloppy (sealed). Finite’s smashing win in the Rags to Riches here Oct. 27 stamped her a heavy favorite for this and the $200,000 daughter of Munnings didn’t disappoint, though she didn’t exactly overpower this field. From her rail slot she had the speed to stalk as Bean set a modest pace, remained in stalking mode as she came off the inside going down the backstretch, moved closer on the far turn while a couple lanes off the rail, took the lead from a tiring Bean, opened up some into the lane and battled gamely to fend off a hard-trying Motu. The good news is Motu came to her and she not only rebuffed that challenge but appeared to be edging away again at the line. Her winning time was only slightly slower than what males did about an hour later. Motu, a $110,000 daughter of Paynter coming off a second in an optional claimer here Oct. 27, lagged back, started a smart wide turn on the far turn, came up to challenge the winner in the stretch but couldn’t quite stay with her, weakening a bit in the final strides, though she ended up far clear of the others. She looks headed the right way. Lady Glamour, second to Finite in the Rags to Riches, sat second behind pacesetter Bean from the start, moved up to take the lead when that rival began to tire on the far turn, was immediately confronted by Finite but couldn’t stay with that foe or Motu in the lane while plugging along to hold third. Turtle Trax, a big winner of her last two sprints, hopped at the start to get away last, remained at the back of the back into the backstretch, was still well back turning for home, pitched wide and made a bit of headway but was never a factor.

Churchill
Kentucky Jockey Club (race 11)

COMMENT: Heavy rain resulted in the main track being listed as sloppy (sealed). This was thought by many to be a race where heavy favorite Tiz the Law made his case for champion juvenile honors, but he didn’t really fire his best shot and Silver Prospector apparently didn’t get the memo as the son of Declaration of War posted the upset. With a final time just a bit faster than what fillies did about an hour earlier, Silver Prospector, third to Saturday rivals South Bend and Fighting Seabee in the Street Sense here Oct. 27, moved forward with the extra ground and added turn. He bided his time early after checking between rivals on the first turn as longshot New Eagle set a modest pace, moved toward the inside as remained toward the back to the far turn, moved off the inside for room on the turn to start his run, lodged his bid while wide into the lane and sustained his run to go past the leaders and edge clear with Finnick the Fierce to his outside and Tiz the Law to his inside. Finnick the Fierce, fourth in a sprint here Nov. 9, his first start against winners, sat even further back, remained behind the eventual winner to the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane and gamely rallied behind the winner to that foe’s outside though he couldn’t get to him. Tiz the Law, the 3-5 favorite off two romping wins to start his career including an easy win despite trouble in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont last time out Oct. 5, sat just behind pacesetter New Eagle while bottled up behind horses, remained stuck there to the far turn while seemingly eager to go on with it, finally found a clear lane into the stretch between a tiring New Eagle and South Bend, was asked for run while staying inside, made some headway but didn’t have the necessary oomph to be a factor in the final yards as he switched to the wrong lead and in fact lost second to Finnick the Fierce. Enforceable, a well-beaten third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last time out Oct. 5, was slow into stride to be last early, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, came out into the lane and finished with good energy though he was never really a factor. South Bend, winner of his first three starts including the Street Sense here Oct. 27, sat second chasing pacesetter New Eagle, moved up to challenge that foe turning for home but then gave way. Could be he’s better going shorter.

Golden Gate
Berkeley Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Mugaritz continued his excellent form, affirming his status as the top older horse in Northern California with another smart win, his sixth straight. After winning three on this track last winter he was gone five months but came back to romp in a stakes on Fresno dirt Oct. 13 and then gamely win a turf stakes here Nov. 2. Showing again he loves this synthetic main track (he’s now five for seven here) the 4-year-old gelded son of Grade 1 winner Dialed In stalked in third as longshot My Friend Emma set a strong pace, remained in stalking mode to the far turn while inside, came off the inside on the turn, surged into contention into the lane, took command, quickly opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Ohio, dropping a bit after finishing ninth in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 5 and who was a good third in his only prior synthetic track try in a stakes at PID three months ago, was well back early, started a run on the far turn, got pushed wide on the turn, wider still into the lane and finished well, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Brave Nation, cutting back in distance after running fourth in the Grade 2 Marathon at Santa Anita Nov. 1 and winner of his only prior start on this track in the spring, was away slowly to be last early, remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, moved wide on the turn as he commenced a run, moved wider still into the lane and finished well. Ashleyluvssugar, the terrific veteran and multiple Grade 2 winner, sat well back just behind Ohio and just in front of Brave Nation, remained there to the far turn, made some progress in the lane to pass a few but was never really a factor.

Del Mar
Jimmy Durante (race 2)

COMMENT: Turf course listed asgood. After two big turf sprint wins at Belmont Alms was targeting a Breeders’ Cup race but got sick and was forced to miss that engagement. However, she awaited this race and got her second Grade 3 win, remaining unbeaten in three starts. The daughter of City Zip broke well, established a nice position stalking in third as Laura’s Light set a decent pace, crept closer to that foe going to the far turn, challenged her into the lane to her outside, took command and drew off to win with authority. She’ll return to trainer Mike Stidham’s Fair Grounds base for a freshening, with big 3-year-old filly turf races in New York next spring/summer as her targets. Laura’s Light, trying turf for the first time and facing winners for the first time after easily winning her debut on Golden Gate’s synthetic track Nov. 2, went right to the lead, set a modest pace under pressure first from A G Indy and then Alms, held a narrow lead turning for home as Alms moved closer, tried to battle back when hooked by that foe to her outside into the lane, proved no match but kept to her task gamely along the rail to hold second. Princesa Caroline, half to champion turf mare Lady Eli and the heavy favorite after a romping win in her debut at Belmont Sept. 28, wasn’t able to get into the field for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Going here instead as the 9-10 favorite she sat midpack from the start, moved closer going to the far turn, remained toward the inside on the turn as she advanced, pitched out for room in the stretch and finished well to nearly catch the runner-up though she was never really a danger to the winner. Croughavouke, sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, sat back not too far behind Princesa Caroline, didn’t move as early as that foe, came out into the lane while still midpack and finished well, though she was never really a threat to the top three.

Del Mar
Red Carpet Handicap (race 4)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed some when Siberian Iris, the morning-line favorite, scratched earlier in the day. Turf course still listed as good. Zuzanna, claimed for a mere $8,000 in September 2018, was coming off a fifth going shorter against lesser at Santa Anita Nov. 1 but found Saturday’s non-firm footing and this new, longer trip to her liking as she posted the upset. The daughter of Wilburn bided her time early as Lostintranslation set a modest pace, remained toward the back to the far turn, came with her run on the turn, swung out into the lane and finished well take the lead by midstretch, drawing off for the win. She might now be headed to Gulfstream as part of trainer Bob Hess Jr.’s stable there. Curlin’s Journey, a sharp fourth in a mile stakes here Nov. 8 (beaten just a neck), ran well again as she sat last early, behind the eventual winner, remained there to the far turn, finally got going into the lane, had to steady in midstretch while rallying wide but kept to her task to just get up for second, though she was no danger to the winner. Vibrance, trying this longer trip for the first time after running second in a mile turf race vs. optional claimers at Santa Anita Oct. 4, stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane as she moved to the rail, finished well but just got edged for second. Strike At Dawn, moving to a longer trip after running sixth in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss at a mile at Santa Anita Oct. 26, pressed pacesetter Lostintranslation from the start, overtook that gal into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, couldn’t finish with the winner to her outside and just got edged for second by a couple late runners. Keeper Ofthe Stars, the 6-5 favorite off two straight wins including the Autumn Miss, was disappointing as she stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home but then came up empty.

Del Mar
Seabiscuit (race 6)

COMMENT: Turf course still listed as good. Next Share’s biggest win came in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in October 2018. The 6-year-old gelded son of Archarcharch caught footing here not unlike that day and showed he relishes such going as he rallied gamely to post the upset. Coming off a non-threatening thirteenth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 he showed a bit more early interest here, sitting midpack from the start. He remained there to the far turn, had to wait for room on the turn, found a clear path, came out to start his run, angled back toward the inside into the lane, surged into contention to grab the lead inside the eighth pole when pacesetter Om drifted out creating a clear lane, and kept on gamely along the inside to get to the line before hard-charging favorite Sacred Life. Next Shares will reportedly point for defense of his title in the Grade 2 San Gabriel at Santa Anita Jan. 4. Sacred Life, favored off a big optional-claiming win at Keeneland Oct. 10, sat back not far behind the eventual winner while saving ground, bided his time toward the back, advanced going to the far turn while basically following the eventual winner along the inside, had to wait for room on the far turn when he came off the inside, came out further to try and find room into the lane, was again stuck behind horses, pitched wider out in the stretch, found a clear lane and finished strongly but just couldn’t quite get to the winner as it was too late. The trip surely cost him as he had loads of trouble while the winner got a dream run while saving ground. The way he’s going and the way he finished could mean he’s trainer Chad Brown’s Grade 1 Pegasus Turf Cup horse in January. River Boyne, a good third in the Lure at Santa Anita last time out Oct. 31, chased early pacesetter Om while saving ground from his rail slot, came off the inside turning for home, loomed a threat into the lane and stayed on well though he was unable to catch the winner to his inside and unable to fend off the runner-up who charged up to his outside. Prince Earl, a sharp third in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita Oct. 4 (beaten a head), sat back with the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as that foe, got going late but was unable to get involved.

Del Mar
Hollywood Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: Turf course remained listed as good. Mo Forza looked super beating many of these in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita Nov. 2 at 18-1. You got no such price here as the son of Uncle Mo confirmed that form with another big performance to get the win. From his rail slot he used his tactical speed as he’d done in the Twilight Derby, stalking in third as Neptune’s Storm set a decent pace under some pressure from Uncle Bull, continued on in third to the top of the lane, went after leader Neptune’s Storm into to the lane to his outside, got the better of that foe inside the eighth pole and edged clear in the final half-furlong. He’ll reportedly target the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile at Santa Anita Dec. 26. Neptune’s Storm, winner of the Grade 2 Hill Prince at Belmont Oct. 5 and third to Mo Forza in the Twilight Derby, was splendid in defeat. He went right to the lead, took pressure from Uncle Bull and the eventual winner while setting a modest pace, battled back gamely along the rail when confronted by Mo Forza into the lane, couldn’t quite stay with that foe but kept on well to hold second. Standard Deviation, third in the Hill Prince, sat well back from the start, a few lanes off the rail, moved to the inside on the far turn, cut the corner and finished smartly toward the inside. There’s promise here. Digital Age, a bit troubled when fifth in the Hill Prince, found more trouble here as he sat inside early while midpack, angled toward the inside as he remained midpack, came out on the far turn for room, had to steady when in traffic, pitched wider out still for room and finished well, but the trouble at that crucial juncture killed his chances. He does seem to have a penchant for finding trouble. Succeedandsurpass, second in the Twilight Derby, sat midpack from the start, made a threatening move into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Henley’s Joy, winner of the Grade 1 Belmont Derby earlier this year and a rallying fourth in the Twilight Derby, sat back just behind Digital Age, pitched wide on the far turn but never mustered a run.

Dec. 1

Del Mar
Cecil B. DeMille (race 3)

COMMENT: Turf course was rated as firm despite heavy rain the previous few days. Smooth Like Strait, a son of champion sprinter Midnight Lute, looked super blasting maidens in a turf sprint at Santa Anita Oct. 31 and here, despite facing winners and routing both for the first time flourished, posting the upset. From his outside post he shot right out to a clear early lead, set a brisk pace while still clear, extended his margin a bit into the lane and didn’t really have a nervous moment in the final furlong. Goliad, smart winner of his debut at this trip at Santa Anita Sept. 28 and a sharp second when beaten just a neck at this trip here Nov. 14, showed he’s the real deal as the won of top turf sire War Front stalked in fourth, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, passed a couple rivals and kept to his task well though he was never really a danger to the winner. Last Opportunity, an Irish invader making his first start in the U.S. and first start since Sept. 15, was away slowly to be far back early, remained well back to the far turn, started a run between horses into the lane and finished with good energy for third, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Hit the Road, winner of the Zuma Beach at this trip at Santa Anita Oct. 6 and then who finished well for seventh (later disqualified to fourteenth) in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf there Nov. 1, was away slowly, as is his wont, sat at the rear of the field, in fact was last down the backstretch as he saved ground, remained well back to the far turn, came out on the turn to start his run, finished well but was never really a factor. Encoder, smart winner of his first two starts, both on this course, and moving back to a route after being a respectable sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 1, was midpack from the start, remained there to the far turn, came out into the lane for room as if poised to start a run but the run never came. Could be he’s better going shorter.

Del Mar
Hollywood Turf Cup (race 5)

COMMENT: Oscar Dominguez, claimed for just $40,000 earlier this year, had been knocking on the door with some good graded stakes efforts in the spring/summer. But after a freshening he came back here and got that elusive graded stakes win. The son of Zoffany sat well back early as Zestful set a solid early pace under pressure from Chosen Vessel, remained well back to the far turn, moved out wide into the lane and finished strongly to outdo heavy even-money favorite United who also finished well to his outside. United, coming off a sterling second to top-class Bricks and Mortar in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 2, bided his time toward the back, raced in close proximity to the eventual winner, however was still last turning for home as his rider opted to try and go around the traffic ahead of him, rallied with Oscar Dominguez into the lane and in the straight while outside that foe only to come up just a neck short in a fine try. Ward ‘n Jerry also lagged back while saving ground, just a bit in front of the top two, came with a smart run into the lane, actually grabbed the lead in deep stretch toward the inside only to just get outfinished by the top two to his outside in the final strides. Cleopatra’s Strike, who scratched from Saturday’s Grade 2 Seabiscuit to go here instead, likewise sat well back early, moved earlier than the top finishers to reach contention by the far turn, was a big threat into the lane but couldn’t quite finish with the top three in the final furlong. Itsinthepost, the veteran moving back to turf off a game win in the Grade 2 Marathon on Santa Anita dirt Nov. 1, was away slowly, lagged back early with the eventual top finishers, moved closer to be midpack while wide to the far turn but came up empty thereafter. He’s now 0 for 13 here so for all his success it appears this just isn’t his favorite place.

Del Mar
Matriarch (race 7)

COMMENT: Got Stormy couldn’t handle Uni in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 but with that foe absent here she took advantage, storming home to notch her second Grade1 win of the year. She bided her time midpack as longshot Painting Corners set a solid pace, remained there just a couple lengths behind main rival Juliet Foxtrot who was to her outside, came up in that rival’s wake on the far turn, moved outside that foe into the lane, surged to the lead outside that foe in midstretch, opened up and had enough of a buffer to get to the line before a hard-charging Daddy Is a Legend. Trainer Mark Casse mentioned earlier this year that there’s the real possibility they take this girl overseas in 2020, as they did with champion Tepin. Daddy Is a Legend was second in this last year to top-class Uni and filled that spot again this year, though she was a bit unlucky. Coming off a big optional-claiming win at Keeneland Oct. 24, her first start in four and a half months, she got squeezed back at the start to get away slowly, ending up well back the back of the field. She bided her time there at the rear of the field, started to advance between horses going to the far turn, continued to move forward on the turn, was stuck behind horses into the lane, found a seam between horses in the stretch and finished smartly but was just too late. Juliet Foxtrot, coming off game seconds to Vasilika in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee here Aug. 31 and to Uni in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland Oct. 5, stalked in fourth while wide from her far outside post, remained there and wide down the backstretch, started to advance down the backstretch, came with a smart wide run on the turn to reach contention, grabbed the lead into the lane but was immediately taken on by Got Stormy to her outside, couldn’t keep pace with that rival in the lane and lost second in the final strides to a rallying Daddy Is a Legend. She still looks poised to make some noise in the division in 2020. Toinette, winner of four of her last five including a big win in the Grade 2 Goldikova at Santa Anita Nov. 3, lagged back to be just behind the eventual winner while saving ground, came off the fence on the turn, pitched wider out still into the lane, finished well but just wasn’t good enough. She can do a lot of damage if she can stay away from the heavies like the top three as well as the likes of Uni and Rushing Fall. Significant Form, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Noble Damsel at Belmont last time out Sept. 21, sat well back from the start, ahead of only Daddy Is a Legend, was content to remain there while a few lanes off the rail, tried to rally with Daddy Is a Legend who was to her immediate inside, was wide on the turn, pitched out wider into the lane and could make only modest progress while never really a threat.