Trip Notes for November 4-6: Breeders' Cup Classic, Breeders' Cup Distaff

Nov. 4

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Europeans had dominated this race but Oscar Performance struck a blow for the home team, using his speed to overcome post 13. He got over into three path as Wellabled set the pace, dogged that rival through hot splits, put him away with ease in the stretch and opened up a big enough lead to last. Lancaster Bomber, trying to give European trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth win in this race, sat midpack while saving ground from his rail slot, had to steady going into the backstretch and then again down the backstretch, waited there for room, angled out into the lane, and finished well for second. Good Samaritan, favored off a win in the Grade 3 Summer on turf at Woodbine, was a bit slow away from the gate, bided his time toward the back, angled out on the turn to start his run, got pushed out farther into the lane, and came home strongly. Ticonderoga broke quite slowly from post 14, dove to the rail while last going into the first turn, steadily advanced, came out into the lane, and finished decently though. Big Score was outside Lancaster Bomber, tried to accelerate with that foe into the lane, and stayed on decently. Favorable Outcome, racing on turf for the first time, chased the pace between horses while sixth, seemed in a good spot as he moved closer on the far turn, but then came under a ride and fell away.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: Tamarkuz, a bit reluctant to load, got away decently and sat back as Runhappy set a strong pace under pressure from favored Dortmund and Gun Runner. Tamarkuz started to advance while wide on the far turn and came home strongly to roll past the leaders and win going away. Gun Runner stalked in third outside Runhappy and Dortmund, moved up with Dortmund to challenge for the lead on the far turn, took command, but was no match for the winner. Accelerate, taking a hefty step up in class after a couple stakes wins over 3-year-olds, stalked in fourth while saving ground, and came with a run while staying on the rail to edge Dortmund for third. Dortmund was urged early to go up with the speedy Runhappy, relinquished the lead to that foe, then moved up to challenge him on the turn and easily went past. Dortmund was immediately taken on by Gun Runner to his outside, couldn’t go with that foe, and weakened a bit late. Runhappy, last year’s sprint champion, set fast splits under pressure from Dortmund but gave way readily when challenged on the far turn.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: New Money Honey, making just her third start, gave trainer Chad Brown his third win in this race. Second in her turf debut at Saratoga and then a winner of the Grade 3 Miss Grillo at Belmont last time out, she sat midpack as Lull shot out to a clear lead while setting sizzling splits. New Money Honey improved her position on the turn while staying wide and in the clear, came with a rush to grab the lead, and got to the line before a hard-charging Coasted. Coasted, third in the Miss Grillo, was well back turning for home, came with a run into the lane, had to weave through traffic, moved to the rail, then came off the rail to go past a tiring Lull and just failed to catch the winner. Cavale Doree was the best of the Euros. She still had work to do turning for home but came with a nice rally to get third. Lull opened up a significant advantage, had the field come to her turning for home, but showed courage to stay in the fight until the final stages. La Coronel, the 4-1 favorite off a win in the Grade 3 Jessamine at Keeneland last month, moved in behind the rest of the field after breaking from post 13. She was wide on the first turn and commenced a run while wide on the far turn, got pushed wider into the lane, and couldn’t make the needed impact. Roly Poly, a top-class Euro from the Aidan O’Brien barn, held the rail while just behind Lull, loomed ominously turning for home, but faded to ninth. Victory to Victory was scratched.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Distaff (race 9)

COMMENT: This widely anticipated race that featured three champions – Songbird, Beholder, and Stellar Wind – lived up to the hype. Beholder broke well from her outside post and was allowed to relax, sitting a few lengths off pacesetter Songbird while wide and in the clear. She edged closer and moved up alongside Songbird once straightened away for the stretch run, and the two locked into battle with Beholder just prevailing on the line. Songbird lost for the first time in 12 starts. She went right to the lead, took modest pressure from I’m a Chatterbox while setting comfortable splits, was challenged by Beholder once straightened away, and put up a gallant fight. Lost in the duel of the top two was a super performance by Forever Unbridled, who who lagged back early and came with a run for third. Stellar Wind reared at the start to get away poorly, was then asked to advance up the inside going into the first turn, moved to the outside going down the backstretch, and tried to make a run on the far turn and into the lane. Argentine invader Corona Del Inca was pulled up on the far turn and vanned off. She suffered significant injuries to her right fore and had to be euthanized.

Nov. 5

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (race 4)

COMMENT: Champagne Room, third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and fourth in the Grade 1 Chandelier, got a nice stalking trip just behind pacesetter Noted and Quoted, while behind them a group of horses steadied and jostled going into the first turn. Champagne Room moved out and went up to challenge Noted and Quoted into the lane, easily went past, opened up, and kept Valadorna at bay. Valadorna, coming off a maiden win at Keeneland last month, was bumped and jostled early, then able to establish position midpack. She was crowded again on the far turn while losing ground, but found a lane and finished smartly. American Gal, the tepid favorite off two sprint wins to start her career, blew the start from her outside post to be far back early. She stayed wide and in the clear as she steadily advanced, loomed a threat turning for home, but couldn’t go on with it. Noted and Quoted bounced right out to the lead, was able to set modest splits, but didn’t put up much of a fight when Champagne Room and the others came to her in the lane. Yellow Agate was bumped and jostled significantly going into the first turn, got shuffled farther back, and was unable to overcome all that trouble. Sweet Loretta, who won the Grade 1 Spinaway in a dead heat, stumbled going into the first turn after being bumped and jostled, was able to get back in stride, but gave way.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (race 5)

COMMENT: Queen’s Trust, who had been holding her own with Europe’s best, lagged well back as Avenge set a strong pace under pressure from Catch a Glimpse. Queen’s Trust started her run while following Lady Eli on the turn, swung out from behind that gal in the lane, and ran her down in the final strides. Lady Eli was farther back than usual, but the pace was sharp. She saved ground, steadily advanced to the far turn, and was just behind stablemate Sea Calisi as the two mounted their charge into the lane. Lady Eli got the better of Sea Calisi, reeled in stubborn leader Avenge to grab the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off Queen’s Trust. Avenge was just behind Catch a Glimpse out of the gate but grabbed the lead soon after the dirt crossing. She held a clear lead through strong splits, was still clear coming into the lane, but couldn’t finish with the top two in a fine try. Seventh Heaven, a highly regarded European, sat midpack while saving ground, moved a bit closer going to the far turn, had to steady and lost position. Seventh Heaven found room and her top gear into the lane and closed well. Sea Calisi sat closer than expected while saving ground, moved off the rail for the run down the backstretch, loomed menacingly into the lane alongside stablemate Lady Eli, and weakened a bit late. Being closer to the pace than usual may have cost her her usual strong punch. Catch a Glimpse chased Avenge to the far turn, tried to make a run into the lane, but flattened out.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (race 6)

COMMENT: Drefong was on the inside as part of a three-way duel through sizzling splits with Masochistic on the outside and Delta Bluesman between horses. He remained inside dueling with Masochistic going to the far turn as Delta Bluesman fell away, was still toe-to-toe with that foe until midstretch, when he edged away for the win. Masochistic, favored off a win in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar in late August, had his head in front during that three-way duel to the far turn, was even with Drefong on the turn and into the lane, battled on gamely, but got a little weary and just held second. Mind Your Biscuits was last early, swung wide on the turn to launch his run, and closed well to just miss catching Masochistic for second. A. P. Indian, the East’s top sprinter off six straight wins, sat a few lengths off the lead, moved to the rail and advanced nicely on the far turn, crept closer to look a threat into the lane, but then came under a ride and could make no further headway. Lord Nelson was scratched.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 7)

COMMENT: Obviously, an 8-year-old gelding making his fifth Breeders’ Cup start, broke a step slowly but was quick enough to bolt up between fellow speedsters Pure Sensation and defending champ Mongolian Saturday to quickly grab the lead. He held a clear lead through fast splits, opened up after the dirt crossing, and just hung on. Om, cutting back to a sprint after a series of routes, was last coming across the dirt, commenced his run once back on grass, got clear sailing between horses, and blasted home to just miss. Pure Sensation dogged the winner from the start, tried to cling to him coming across the dirt, but was unable to stay with him and finished third. Calgary Cat, coming off a Grade 2 turf sprint win at Woodbine, was well back early, pitched out very wide into the lane, and closed well. Green Mask was well back and put in a rally in the lane while weaving through traffic. Washington DC did best of the Euros. He stalked the pace, stayed on the rail coming across the dirt and into the lane, and unable to make an impact. Mongolian Saturday stalked the pace, was still in the hunt coming across the dirt, but gave way.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (race 8)

COMMENT: Classic Empire and Not This Time set the stage for a fun Triple Crown trail next year as the two were much the best. Coming off a professional win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, Classic Empire was abreast of pacesetters Syndergaard and Three Rules early. Syndergaard then took over the pacesetting duties, but Classic Empire remained at his side, moved up to challenge that foe on the far turn, got the better of him, opened up, and rebuffed a strong challenge from favorite Not This Time. Classic Empire is by the same sire as American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) with a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner as his damsire (Cat Thief), so distance should be no sweat. Not This Time sat a few lengths off the pace, steadily advanced between horses, moved up just behind the leaders on the far turn, didn’t accelerate as quickly as Classic Empire into the lane and veered in, but found his stride and finished strongly. He’s bred all over to go long, too. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 2 1/2 seconds faster than what the juvenile fillies ran (1:42.60/1:45.12). Practical Joke, unbeaten in three starts including the Grade 1 Hopeful and Grade 1 Champagne, sat not far behind Not This Time, made a run up the inside on the far turn to loom a big threat, but couldn’t keep up with the top two when they hit the gas. Three Rules, previously unbeaten in five starts, stalked the pace while outside, was asked to move closer on the far turn, but was unable to get involved. Klimt was urged away from the gate, then relaxed toward the back while saving ground and never mustered a run. Theory, unbeaten in two starts and routing for the first time, sat just behind the pacesetters while holding the rail, moved closer down the backstretch, but then hit the brakes, finishing 10th.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: Highland Reel won with the help of two aggressive moves by rider Seamus Heffernan. He strongly urged Highland Reel out of the gate to take the early lead down the hill, and they were able to set modest splits. With about a half-mile to go, Heffernan asked Highland Reel for run, and he quickly opened up a huge lead. His rivals closed the gap, but he never had a nervous moment from the quarter pole home. It was a terrific ride. Flintshire, a multiple Grade 1/Group 1 winner, sat midpack while saving ground, and finished strongly for second. Found, the defending champ and winner of this year’s Arc de Triomphe, stumbled at the start and lagged well back, started to move forward going to the far turn, came with her customary run, but the issue had already been put to bed. Money Multiplier was rank racing just outside his stablemate Flintshire, finally relaxed going through the stretch for the first time, remained alongside Flintshire to the far turn, but then couldn’t finish with him.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (race 10)

COMMENT: Finest City, cutting back from a turf route, pressed the pace set by dueling rivals Paulassilverlining and Gloryzapper, challenged on the turn and into the lane, grabbed the lead from Paulassilverlining, was immediately tackled by defending champ Wavell Avenue, but rebuffed that challenge and was edging away a bit at the end. Wavell Avenue hadn’t been sharp in recent months, but bounced back to form. She bided her time early from her outside post, moved up to reach contention while wide on the far turn, and looked in the stretch as though she might go right on past Finest City. Paulassilverlining got the better of her pace rivals in the lane, couldn’t finish with the top pair, but showed courage to hold on to third. Tara’s Tango sat midpack and loomed a threat turning for home. Carina Mia, the tepid favorite, sat back, seemed in a good spot, but never mustered a run.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Mile (race 11)

COMMENT: Tourist sat midpack as What a View set sizzling splits, moved closer while staying inside, was in a bit tight on the far turn, went around the tiring What a View into the lane, fought past Midnight Storm, and got to the line before Tepin. Tepin, last year’s Mile winner, was farther back than usual because of the fast pace. She moved outside for room down the backstretch, started to advance, stayed wide into the lane and powered home for second. Midnight Storm chased What a View, took over from that tiring rival into the lane, battled back when hooked by Tourist, and couldn’t withstand Tepin’s charge. Ironicus was well back early, as expected, pitched very wide into the lane, and finished strongly. Alice Springs saved ground while racing midpack, started to make a run into the lane, got in a bit tight, and then came up empty. Limato stalked the pace, loomed a big threat coming into the lane, but didn’t have the needed punch. Spectre blew the start to lose all chance.

Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Classic (race 12)

COMMENT: Arrogate, off since his win in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga in late August, sat third while saving ground as California Chrome set modest splits. Arrogate moved closer turning for home and reeled in California Chrome in the final half-furlong. This was trainer Bob Baffert’s third straight Classic win, following victories with Bayern and American Pharoah. California Chrome, North America’s richest horse, went right to the lead while under modest pressure from Melatonin. He dispatched with Melatonin on the turn and opened up a bit as jockey Victor Espinoza looked over his shoulder for to see Arrogate bearing down on him. California Chrome fought on bravely when Arrogate came at him in the lane, but couldn’t fend him off in what was strictly a two-horse race. Keen Ice, the 2015 Travers winner (giving American Pharoah his only loss of that season), lagged well back and kept to his task to get third. Hoppertunity, also trained by Baffert, lagged back and persevered to get fourth. Frosted, winner of the Grade 1 Met Mile and third in the Grade 1 Woodward last time out, stalked in fourth but couldn’t get involved when it mattered. Shaman Ghost was scratched.