Trip Notes for November 9: Commonwealth Turf Cup

Nov. 9

Churchill
Commonwealth Turf (race 10)

COMMENT: Turf course was listed as good. A romping win over N1X foes first time routing on turf here Sept. 27 earned Mr Dumas a shot at this turf route stakes and he passed the test with flying colors. Routing for just the second time, the son of Majesticperfection sat midpack from the start as Spectacular Gem set a decent pace under pressure first from Knicks Go and then Louder Than Bombs, started to advance while wide on the far turn, continued this smart move to challenge for the lead into the lane, got the lead by midstretch and stayed on gamely to keep hard-trying Tracksmith at bay to his outside in the final half-furlong. The only turf stakes remaining this meet is the River City next week and that would surely be coming back too soon, but he’s proven on dirt so that gives him options in the coming months, though at this stage of the game he appears to be better on turf. Tracksmith, a rallying second in the Jefferson Cup here Sept. 28, bided his time early, was crowded a bit while in traffic while inside, came out for room into the lane, finished well and was gaining on the winner to his outside but couldn’t get to him. Marquee Prince stalked the pace, got shoved out wide on the far turn to lose position but kept to his task well, rerallying for third, though he was never a danger to the top pair. Spectacular Gem, winner of the Jefferson Cup, went right to the lead, set a decent pace under pressure first from Knicks Go and then Louder Than Bombs, lost the lead to ‘Bombs turning for home, tired a bit in the final furlong, but showed some gumption to rerally past ‘Bombs in the final furlong.