Trip Notes for November 9-10: Long Island, Cardinal Handicap, Hollywood Prevue

Saturday, November 9

Aqueduct - Long Island (race 8)

COMMENT: Inimitable Romanee hadn’t won in 16 months and was coming off a bunch of close calls vs. NY-breds, but the step up to face Grade 3 company wasn’t too big a hurdle for the 5-year-old mare as she posted the upset at 28-1 - longest price in the race. Showing again the importance of speed, she went right to the lead from her rail slot, was able to set incredibly slow fractions (53.62 for the half, 1:20.65 for six furlongs, 1:46.29 for the mile), which left her more than enough fuel in the tank to keep the closers at bay. Tabreed lagged well back despite the very slow pace, saved ground throughout, doggedly went after the eventual winner in the lane but couldn’t get to her. Left a Message stalked the winner, came out for the stretch run, made some headway but wasn’t able to threaten the winner. Strathnaver chased in second but then came up empty. Aigue Marine, the favorite while making her first start in over seven months, bided her time, made a mild move on the far turn, but then had nothing to offer in the final furlongs.

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Churchill - Cardinal Handicap (race 8)

COMMENT: Abaco had been knocking on the door and finally got her first graded stakes win with her patented late run. Coming off a fine second in the Grade 3 Athenia at Belmont last month, she was away slowly after a troubled start. She usually does lag back, however, so that wasn’t a real worry. She commenced her run on the far turn, angled out for the stretch drive, and continued on resolutely to get past her rivals. She’ll reportedly go to Gulfstream for Shug McGaughey and point for the Grade 3 Suwannee River Feb. 8. Miz Ida sat midpack, came with a nice run along the inside to grab the lead between calls in midstretch but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Solid Appeal stalked in 2nd, moved to the lead in midstretch, stayed on gamely but just wasn’t quite good enough. Starstruck, the favorite, was well back with the winner in the first few furlongs, made an early move to get into contention by the far turn, but couldn’t sustain her run. Somali Lemonade seemed in a good spot stalking in third, but lacked the needed oomph when it mattered.

Sunday, November 10

Betfair Hollywood Park - Hollywood Prevue (race 3)

COMMENT: When Shared Belief whipped a Hollendorfer firster in his debut Oct. 19 (a horse Hollendorfer didn’t think could lose), Hollendorfer promptly bought him. Well, that move looks even better now as the son of Candy Ride again blitzed his rivals, easily winning this Grade 3 sprint and stamping himself a potential player for next month’s Grade 1 CashCall Futurity. He dogged pacesetter Papa Turf from the start, surged past that rival into the lane to quickly assume command, and drew off to win very easily while geared down. Being by Candy Ride out of a Storm Cat mare there’s no reason he shouldn’t handle the 1 1/16 miles of the CashCall. Kobe’s Back, making his first start since winning the Willard Proctor in his debut here June 15, was away slowly yet again, came with a strong run into the lane, was no match for the winner but stayed on nicely to be a clear second. If he can improve out of the gate this guy can make some noise in the division. Off this there’s no reason the CashCall Futurity shouldn’t be on his radar as well. Brother Soldier stalked in third and ran evenly to hold that spot. Papa Turf set a solid pace while hounded by the winner and weakened once headed.

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