Trip Notes for November 6-8, 2020: Breeders' Cup

Nov. 6

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (race 6)

COMMENT: Golden Pal used his devastating speed to give trainer Wesley Ward his second straight win in the first three runnings of this race. From post 14, Golden Pal shot out of the gate like a Quarter Horse to take the early lead and moved toward the rail. He threw his head some when his rider took a bit of a hold, was part of a four-horse early battle between but soon reasserted himself to take the lead. He got to the rail heading to the far turn, opened up some on the turn, blew the race open into the lane, and got to the line despite understandably getting a bit tired in the final half-furlong. Cowan sat back between horses, remained wide to the far turn, and finished with good energy between horses to close the gap on the winner. Ubettabelieveit did the best of the Euros. He broke slowly and remained well back to the far turn while well off the rail, and finished well. Lipizzaner was far back (behind Ubettabelieveit) to the far turn while not far off the rail, came with a run along the inside into the lane, and finished decently. Bodenheimer broke well but wasn’t as quick as Golden Pal, moved up to be part of the pace battle early while inside, but couldn’t keep pace with Golden Pal going to the far turn, tried to hold his position on the turn and into the lane, but tired.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (race 7)

COMMENT: Fire At Will won the Grade 2 Pilgrim at Belmont last month on the lead, but his win in the With Anticipation in slop came from off the pace. Well, that versatility was on display again here as he was able to get a great trip and post the big upset. He got a nice position stalking in the wake of Outadore, who set a modest pace, came off the inside into the lane when Gretzky the Great to his outside tired and gave him an opening, surged up outside of Outadore, and easily went past that rival and clear for the win. Battleground, a top European and first offspring of the Grade 1 winner Found, got bounced around between horses into the first turn, finally settled just behind midpack while a few lanes off the rail, started to advance while wide on the far turn, pitched wider into the lane, took a while to get going, but found his best stride late to close for second. Outadore, routing for the first time after two impressive turf sprint wins, went right to the lead, moved to the rail as he set a modest pace under some pressure from Gretzky the Great, rebuffed that foe turning for home, was no match for the winner and only lost second in the final strides. Cadillac, an Irish Group 2 winner, sat midpack in traffic, made some headway turning for home while encountering more traffic issues, and did well to get fourth. Sealiway, a French Group 1 winner, got bumped by rivals to his outside to end up well back, made some headway to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane to be just inside Battleground, brushed with that rival and was in tight turning for home, and was basically one-paced in the lane. The Lir Jet, who beat Golden Pal in a Group 2 in England this summer, broke slowly from his outside post but darted to his left to get to the inside while well back, sat at the back of pack to the far turn, and made some progress in the lane while in traffic. Mutasaabeq, winner of the Grade 2 Bourton here last month, broke well, got bounced around and jostled between horses into the first turn, settled in midpack while wide, started to advance while wide heading to the far turn, was pushed wider still on the turn and into the lane, and flattened out in the lane. He wasn’t going to win but the wide trip kept him from doing better. Public Sector, second to Fire At Will in the Pilgrim, got jostled in traffic soon after the start, settled in midpack on the rail racing inside of Mutasaabeq, was urged to get going into the lane while following the eventual winner, but steadied between horses and gave way.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (race 8)

COMMENT: In a race that featured four unbeaten fillies, it was twice-beaten Vequist who prevailed and almost certainly earned herself an Eclipse Award. Second to Dayoutoftheoffice in the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Oct. 10, she sat inside, a couple lengths off pacesetter Dayoutoftheoffice. She remained in that rival’s wake, crept closer on the far turn, stayed on the fence into the lane, and came with a run to go past Dayoutoftheoffice and edge clear. Dayoutoftheoffice went right to the lead and set a modest pace. She seemed to be traveling very well on the far turn and rebuffed a brief bid by Princess Noor. Dayoutoftheoffice held the lead into the lane as she came off the rail some, but started to tire and was unable to fend off Vequist. She might be better suited to the one-turn game. Girl Daddy, winner of the Grade 3 Pocahontas, bided her time a few lengths off the lead while remaining off the rail, advanced on the far turn, pitched out into the lane and looked a threat, and just failed to get up for second. Simply Ravishing, wire-to-wire romping winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades here Oct. 2, stumbled at the start and ended up a few lengths off the lead going to the first turn. She came off the rail on the first run, bided her time between horses down the backstretch, advanced into the far turn between rivals while in Princess Noor’s wake, moved toward the inside into the lane, came off the inside in the final furlong, and kept to her task well to end up just two noses out of second. Crazy Beautiful was reluctant to load, settled toward the back after the break while staying on the rail, but never mustered a run. Princess Noor was coming off three romping wins in Southern California, though the Beyers from those left her a ways behind some of her rivals here. She got a dream trip stalking Dayoutoftheoffice outside that rival, moved closer into the far turn, came under a ride, but couldn’t keep pace. She steadied between horses in midstretch and gave way.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 9)

COMMENT: Aunt Pearl dominated in her first two starts, leading at every margin call. The daughter of Lope de Vega used her speed again here to make like Newspaperofrecord a couple years ago as she ran her rivals off their feet. She shot out of the gate to go right out to a clear lead and set a strong pace. Aunt Pearl started to extend her margin into the lane and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Mother Earth, third in a Group 1 in England last time out Oct. 9, sat far back to the far turn, pitched wide turning for home, and finished with good energy to outdo Miss Amulet for the place. Miss Amulet, coming off a Group 2 win and Group 1 second in England, sat midpack, crept closer between horses, came out from between horses in the lane, made some headway in the stretch, but couldn’t outfinish Mother Earth to her outside for second. Plum Ali, favored after easily winning her first three starts, broke a tad slowly, and ended up in midpack while saving ground. She stayed on the fence into the lane and made some headway, but was never a threat. Campanelle, an American-based filly won her first three starts, including a Group 2 in England and a Group 1 in France, was trying a route for the first time. She made an early challenge at Aunt Pearl into the first turn, but was content to pull back a bit and sit second while a few lanes off the rail. Campanelle was urged to get closer turning for home, loomed a threat into the lane, but tired in the final furlong. Spanish Loveaffair, second to Aunt Pearl in the Grade 2 Jessamine here Oct. 7, stalked the pace not far behind Campanelle and a couple lanes off the fence, crept closer down the backstretch, was urged to go after the eventual winner in the lane, but couldn’t produce the needed run.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (race 10)

COMMENT: Essential Quality had shown greenness but no small amount of ability in his two starts, easily winning both, including the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity here Oct. 3. He was more professional here as he took advantage of the race shape to easily win and surely earn championship honors. Essential Quality settled in eighth as Dreamer’s Disease, Likeable, Classier, and Jackie’s Warrior pushed a solid pace, started to advance into the far turn, swung wide to keep clear sailing into the lane, and took the lead late. He’s certainly bred to run on being by Tapit. Hot Rod Charlie, a half-brother to last year’s champion sprinter Mitole and sent off at 94-1, sat midpack, just ahead of the eventual winner. He made a run earlier than that foe into the far turn to reach contention, came abreast of leader Jackie’s Warrior into the lane, got the better of him, but couldn’t fend off the winner. Keepmeinmind, a maiden facing winners but who was a solid second to ‘Quality in the Breeders’ Futurity here Oct. 3, was away slowly to be last early, started to advance on the far turn after stablemate Dreamer’s Disease helped ensure a good pace, swung wide into the lane, and finished well for third. Jackie’s Warrior, the overwhelming favorite after four monstrous wins to start his career, was trying longer and two turns for the first time. He was joined by three others on the lead out of the gate, and was pulled back a bit to get a stalking trip. Jackie’s Warrior came off the inside down the backstretch, moved up nicely to be second into the far turn, just outside pacesetter Dreamer’s Disease, took over from that tiring rival turning for home, but got a bit weary in the lane. Classier, facing winners and routing for the first time, prompted the pace while saving ground, crept closer into the far turn, and gave way in the lane. All things considered this wasn’t a bad run. Sittin On Go, easy winner of his two starts, including the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Sept. 5, was slow into stride to be far back early. He swung wide into the lane but could pass only tired horses. Reinvestment Risk, second to Jackie’s Warrior in both the Grade 1 Hopeful and Grade 1 Champagne in New York, sat just behind the eventual winner to his inside, was urged to get more involved into the far turn, briefly looked as though he might get involved only to come up empty.

Nov. 7

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (race 4)

COMMENT: The highly anticipated duel between Gamine and Serengeti Empress took place as expected. Trouble is, it only really lasted for 5 of the 7 furlongs as Gamine ended up dominating in a track-record performance. She broke sharply from her inside post, was immediately engaged by Serengeti Empress to her outside, and took back a bit coming out of the chute to relinquish pacesetting duties to Serengeti Empress. Gamine moved out and got onto Serengeti Empress’s hip, pressed her through sizzling splits on a day the track was playing extremely fast, dispatched with ‘Empress into the lane, and opened up. She’s absolutely spectacular around one turn, and while she ran third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, maybe as she matures she’ll be able to play the longer game better as well. Serengeti Empress did exactly what she wanted but it wasn’t enough. She was sent hard to the lead with Gamine to her inside coming out of the chute, set a strong pace, battled back gamely along the rail when fully challenged by Gamine turning for home, and kept on to hold second. This is reportedly her final career start and what a wonderful career it’s been. Bell’s the One sat back a few lanes off the rail, advanced while wide on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished decently. Sconsin lagged back, came with a run along the rail in the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Come Dancing sat a few lengths off the lead while a few lanes off the rail, moved up comfortably on the far turn, but then came up empty in her final career start. Speech sat a few lengths off the lead while saving ground, was urged to go after the leaders on the far turn, made a bit of headway but then gave way. She may be better going long.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 5)

COMMENT: It was an absolute cavalry charge in the lane, but a brilliant ride and some luck in terms of finding room helped Glass Slippers prevail, making her the first European winner of this race. The filly, coming off a Group 1 win in Ireland and a Group 1 second in France, sat in midpack early while saving ground as a number of horses battled up front. Glass Slippers advanced inside on the turn, came with her run into the lane, shot through a seam to grab the lead, and fended off a bunch of hard-charging rivals. Wet Your Whistle, coming off a romping win in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint Oct. 4 and a Grade 1 winner on Woodbine turf in June 2019, ran splendidly. He blew the start to get away last, was still far back going to the far turn while wide, pitched out very wide and finished full of run to get second. Leinster, the 4-1 favorite off two Grade 2 wins on this course at this trip, sat fourth, just off dueling leaders Into Mystic, Wildman Jack and Texas Wedge. He came off the inside turning for home, went wider still once straightened, loomed a big threat by midstretch, but couldn’t finish with the top two. Got Stormy, coming off two straight Grade 3 turf sprint wins, stalked while toward the outside, crept closer into the far turn, loomed a big threat while wide turning for home, but just wasn’t quite good enough. She sold for $2.7 million the following day and will reportedly remain in training. Oleksandra, making her first start since she won the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont and then suffering an injury, sat well back, as is her custom. She was asked to get going into the far turn, got pushed wide on the turn, and made up ground in the. Imprimis, well backed at 5-1 off two straight Grade 3 wins and a troubled sixth in this last year, got a nice position sitting not far off the pace while between horses. He started to make his run into the lane, was moving well when the hole in front of him closed, forcing him to check severely, and lose all chance.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (race 6)

COMMENT: A third track record falls on a main track playing incredibly fast. Knicks Go, who won his previous start by 10 1/4 lengths, setting a track record here, ran his rivals off their feet for the win. He broke very sharply and went right to the lead, and was soon joined by Complexity to his outside. Knicks Go set sizzling fractions, was challenged in earnest by Complexity turning for home, opened up into the lane, and won geared down. Jesus’ Team, coming off a third in the Grade 1 Preakness, sat in midpack, a few lengths off the lead, moved toward the inside on the far turn, and came with a run in the lane to just get up for second. Sharp Samurai got bumped and jostled after the start and had to steady hard into the first turn, but was able to gather himself and settle into stride a few lengths off the lead while saving ground. He moved off the rail going to the far turn, loomed a threat outside Knicks Go and Complexity on the far turn, and just lost second in the final strides. Complexity went right up to challenge Knicks Go into the first turn while outside that rival, continued to press that rival through fast splits, made his run to challenge for the lead turning for home, and kept on to be a solid fourth. Art Collector, winner of the Grade 2 Blue Grass here July 11 and coming off a fourth in the Preakness, was pushed to be near the lead from the start. He bumped with Sharp Samurai to his left, forcing him to steady significantly on the rail to lose some position, finally settled in midpack while saving ground, made some headway going to the far turn, moved out wide on the turn, but came up empty. War of Will, the 2019 Grade 1 Preakness winner, sat farther back than usual, was urged to try and get involved going to the far turn, but never mustered a run.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (race 7)

COMMENT: Another course record, but this time on turf as Euro raider Audarya managed to outfight a dead game Rushing Fall. Audarya got position in midpack while saving ground, crept closer as Cayenne Pepper set a solid pace under pressure from Mean Mary and Rushing Fall, advanced up the inside to the far turn, pitched out into the lane to go around a tiring Mean Mary, and just edged past Rushing Fall in the final strides. She reportedly stays in training and may well target defense of this title at Del Mar in 2021. Rushing Fall did nothing wrong in defeat, though maybe the distance, the farthest she’s ever gone, was just a smidge beyond her. As usual her tactical speed got her a dream trip. She stalked in third, just behind and outside Cayenne Pepper with Mean Mary to her inside, and moved up easily turning for home to challenge Mean Mary. Rushing Fall was getting the best of Mean Mary as Cayenne Pepper fell away, only to have Audarya come up to her outside in midstretch. She battled gamely inside that rival but just couldn’t quite outdo her. Harvey’s Lil Goil, a Grade 1 winner on turf and Grade 1 placed on dirt, settled a few lengths off the lead between horses, not too far behind Rushing Fall. She came with a nice run in the lane, falling just short of catching the top two. She could be set up for a big 2021. Lady Prancealot, the highest-priced horse in the field (73-1), though she was a Grade 1 winner in 2019, sat well back, as is her custom. She started to advance while wide on the far turn, pitched wider into the lane, and finished with good energy on Harvey’s Lil Goil’s right hip. Sistercharlie, winner of this race in 2018, sat well back while saving ground, came off the rail turning for home, and made some headway in the stretch to pass a number of foes and close the gap. Mean Mary was outrun to the lead by Cayenne Pepper, and fought her rider a bit as he restrained her from dueling with ‘Pepper. She moved outside that rival to apply pressure with Rushing Fall to her outside, got the better of ‘Pepper turning for home, only to immediately be confronted by Rushing Fall. Mean Mary battled with that gal but couldn’t keep pace. She might be more effective using her speed at a longer trip. Starship Jubilee, an amazing claim who’s since become a multiple Grade 1 winner, broke very awkwardly out of her rail stall, stumbling and losing her rider.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (race 8)

COMMENT: Apparently the fourth time was the charm as that terrific ol’ warrior Whitmore came up big to get the victory. A bit reluctant to load, he settled in midpack once the gates sprung, as Japanese raider Jasper Prince set a solid pace. Whitmore remained on the rail as he started to advance into the far turn, came with a run into the lane, came off the fence to go around the tiring Jasper Prince, blasted through between horses, and surged clear to win pretty comfortably. He’s a gelding, so as long as he’s doing well there’s no reason to not think about a fifth shot at this next year. C Z Rocket, claimed for $50,000 April 30 and a winner of five straight since, including two Grade 2’s, stalked just behind the leaders toward the outside. He remained wide on the turn and into the lane, tried to rally with Whitmore, was no match for that rival but stayed on well to hold second. Firenze Fire sat back early, raced just outside of Whitmore to the far turn, rallied outside Whitmore, moved toward the inside to try and follow Whitmore turning for home, and stayed on well to get up for third. Diamond Oops, who beat Whitmore when winning the Grade 2 Phoenix here Oct. 2, sat midpack while wide, made some headway on the far turn but was one-paced through the lane. Yaupon, the favorite after winning his first four starts,, including a Grade 2 and Grade 3 in his last two, showed speed to press the issue from the outside, was three wide on the turn, came under a ride turning for home, was unable to produce the needed run and steadied hard in midstretch when jostled between horses. Frank’s Rockette, a filly facing males, showed speed to stalk the pace a few lanes off the rail, just behind C Z Rocket, was asked to get more involved on the far turn between horses but was unable to make a dent in the lane.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Trainer Aiden O’Brien, who has had so much success in the Breeders’ Cup with his European string, hadn’t won this race yet. Well, he remedied that in a big way, not only getting the top prize with huge longshot Order of Australia, but filling the trifecta with Circus Maximus and Lope Y Fernandez. Order of Australia wasn’t even part of the original field, only getting in with the scratch of One Master. Well, at 73-1 the son of Australia, coming off a 47 3/4-length defeat in an Irish Group 3, ran the race of his life. From his outside post he actually missed the break, but still had the speed to get position early in fourth while not getting hung out to dry. He came with his run into the lane a few lanes off the rail and outfinished his stablemates. Circus Maximus, fourth in this last year but coming off a 10th in an English Group 1 Oct. 17, sat just inside and behind his winning stablemate from the start, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly or as strongly but came off the rail and finished well to just miss. Lope Y Fernandez, who was multiple Group 1-placed in Europe but came into this off back-to-back Group 1 sevenths sprinting in England, sat back while wide and rallied smartly in the final furlong. Ivar, winner of the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile here Oct. 3, sat in midpack, just ahead of Lope Y Fernandez, and finished strongly between horses. Uni, the defending champ who got back on track with a win in the Grade 1 First Lady here Oct. 3, ran quite well. She got bumped at the start to be far back early, made some headway while staying wide and in the clear heading to the far turn, was widest of all once straightened away, and finished with good energy just outside of Ivar. Kameko, a proven Group 1 performer from Europe sent off the tepid 5-1 favorite, sat just behind pacesetter Halladay with Factor This pressing the issue to his outside. Kameko made menacing move inside to challenge for the lead turning for home, and it seemed he would get the better of the two pacesetters, but couldn’t sustain his run. Digital Age sat back just inside and behind stablemate Uni, tried to rally with Uni on the far turn, but couldn’t keep pace.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (race 10)

COMMENT: Monomoy Girl, who won this in 2018 in her 3-year-old filly championship season but missed all of 2019, capped off an unbeaten 2020 and surely another championship. The daughter of Tapizar got position stalking while wide as Harvest Moon and Lady Kate set a good pace. Monomoy Girl seemed farther than usual off the pace while staying wide down the backstretch, which may have been a function of the fast splits. She moved up easily into the far turn and pounced on the leaders into the while still wide, and kept a couple hard-trying rivals at bay. This win may have been even more impressive when you note she was quite wide throughout on a day where the inside seemed a bit better. She sold for $9.6 million the next day and will reportedly remain in training. Valiance, winner of the Grade 1 Spinster here Oct. 4, basically followed Monomoy Girl throughout. She started her run on the far turn while outside that rival, and did well enough to get second. Dunbar Road was a bit slow into stride and was positioned well back. She got blocked and had to move off the inside, then settled toward the back. She started to make progress on the far turn while wide, pitched wider still into the lane, made up ground with every stride. Harvest Moon, a Southern California 3-year-old who won her last four, including a Grade 2 and Grade 3, went right up to duel early with Lady Kate, assumed pacesetting duties from that rival into the backstretch, took pressure from Lady Kate to her outside, and rebuffed a bid from Swiss Skydiver to her inside into the lane. She tried to go with Monomoy Girl to her outside in the lane, and was overtaken late by Valiance and Dunbar Road for second and third. Swiss Skydiver, who won the Grade 1 Preakness over males Oct. 3, went to her knees at the start, but gathered herself while well back and steadily advanced up the rail. She looked threatening on the far turn and was just behind the leaders into the lane, briefly looked as though she might come through along the rail, but was unable to produce the needed run. The terrible start prevented her from her normal prominently placed position early. She might not have beaten Monomoy Girl, but she surely could be have been in the mix.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Turf (race 11)

COMMENT: Tarnawa invaded from France off three straight wins, the last two being Group 1’s, and showed that quality here, giving trainer Dermot Weld his first Breeders’ Cup winner. The filly bided her time early as Channel Maker set a dawdling pace. She started to advance while wide into the far turn, pitched widest of all into the lane, and rolled past favorite Magical to her left and Channel Maker further to the inside. Magical, second in this race to the great Enable in 2018, ran decently to be second but never looked like the winner. She was able to sit fairly close in stalking position since Channel Maker set such a slow pace, remained between horses to the far turn, was asked for run turning for home, didn’t get going immediately, but was able to get up and nip Channel Maker for second. Channel Maker, coming off two Grade 1 wins in New York, shot out to a clear lead into the lane but couldn’t fend off the two European distaffers. Lord North was fractious in the gate, sat back racing with Mogul while outside that rival and just ahead of Tarnawa, rallied with those two on the far turn, and edged Mogul. Mogul, coming off a a Group 1 win in France, was last heading into the backstretch, made a midrace move to advance between horses, ending up in stablemate Magical’s wake, remained just behind the leaders turning for home, and finished decently. United, the top turf distance horse in California the past couple seasons, prompted the pace just outside of Channel Maker while under a snug hold to the far turn, but took a bad step turning for home and gave way.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Classic (race 12)

COMMENT: Authentic used his speed to win the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and it was again his lethal speed that took him to the top here, certainly clinching champion 3-year-old male honors and Horse of the Year. The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief went right out to a clear lead from his outside post, and took some pressure from Maximum Security to his outside and Tiz the Law in his wake. Maximum Security, Global Campaign and Improbable moved closer to him going to the far turn. Authentic rebuffed a challenge from Global Campaign to his outside, then rebuffed a challenge from Improbable as he again moved clear late to win handily. Improbable settled into a nice stalking trip while wide, crept closer down the backstretch, got to Authentic’s right hip into the lane, and ended up clear of the others. He ends his career as the likely older male champion. Global Campaign stalked the pace, moved up menacingly between horses on the far turn to try and challenge Authentic, moved to the rail in the lane and kept on gamely for third. Tacitus was well back early, a couple lanes off the rail, crept closer heading to the far turn while staying toward the inside, moved to the rail on the far turn, came off the rail some into the lane, and finished decently. Maximum Security sat second, just behind and outside Authentic, advanced going to the far turn as Global Campaign and Improbable came up alongside, and moved to the rail turning for home. It looked as though he might get going but had to steady when Global Campaign took his path, and he was unable to get involved afterward. Tiz the Law, sent off the favorite, broke sharply from his inside post but was quickly taken back. He sat in Authentic’s wake, didn’t seem all that comfortable inside down the backstretch when just behind and inside Maximum Security, came off the rail on the far turn, looked poised to make a run when he came out behind Improbable turning for home, but was unable to muster the necessary run. Tom’s d’Etat took position a few lengths behind the leading group while saving ground, started to advance heading to the far turn, was pushed to get closer on the far turn, pitched widest of all, but came up empty.