Trip Notes for October 19-20, 2019: Raven Run and more

Oct. 19

Keeneland
Raven Run (race 9)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed some when Restless Rider, one of the top contenders who was to make her first start since finishing 13th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks May 3, scratched (foot issue). Bell’s the One was no match for top 3-year-old sprinting filly Covfefe when second to her in a stakes at Churchill Sept. 21, beaten by eight lengths. However, the daughter of Majesticperfection surely flattered that gal as she stormed home for the win. From her inside post she was away slowly, bided her time at the back of the pack as Irish Mischief, favorite Indian Pride and Free Cover volleyed up front through brisk splits, was content to remain last going down the backstretch as she saved ground, started her run into the far turn while still inside, came off the inside on the turn to continue her run, moved wider out still into the lane and finished strongly widest of all to reel in and go past First Star in the final furlong. The Grade 1 La Brea at this same 7-furlong trip at Santa Anita in late December is a possibility. First Star, a Southern California invader who was so impressive winning her first two starts at Del Mar this summer, stalked the pace while wide out from her outside post, continued to stalk while staying wide into the far turn, was urged to go up and challenge on the turn, surged into contention into the lane, grabbed the lead, moved toward the inside and looked on her way to victory but couldn’t withstand the winner’s charge to her outside. This was still a very good run considering she shipped across the country and was facing stakes foes for the first time. Surely the La Brea being in her SoCal backyard figures a target. Indian Pride, favored off a dazzling debut win at Saratoga Aug. 28, broke inward get away last, eagerly pulled her way up into contention between horses ending up in a pace fight with Free Cover to her inside and Irish Mischief to her outside, continued to battle with those two while setting a brisk pace, put her head in front turning for home, couldn’t then finish with the top two who swept past to her outside but showed courage as she moved to the inside in the stretch and rerallied past Irish Mischief to her outside to get third. Considering the bad start, rushing up into a pace duel, that this was just her second start and first vs. winners she ran awfully well. She’ll reportedly be freshened and point for the spring. Irish Mischief, third in the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks Sept. 21, broke well, went right up to contest the pace with Indian Pride to her inside and Free Cover further inside on the rail, continued to battle with those two, was no match for the top pair in the lane but ran on decently to hold fourth. Royal Charlotte, winner of five of six including the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga last time out Aug. 31, broke decently from her rail slot, was content to sit midpack while saving ground just inside of First Star, came off the rail on the far turn, moved wider out still into the lane to loom a threat while on First Star’s tail but flattened out some in the lane, though she missed third by about a half-length. Like her stablemate Indian Pride she’ll reportedly be freshened and target a spring return.

Oct. 20

Belmont
Athenia (race 9)

COMMENT: Rain fell during the running but the course remained listed as firm. Xenobia had done plenty of good work on ground with some moisture in it in Ireland, including winning a Group 3 in July. She then showed talent in her first two starts in the U.S., both on this course, including a sharp second last time out on this course Sept. 15. She moved forward again here to notch her first American victory. From her outside slot she pressed early pacesetter Candy Store, quickly assumed command into the backstretch, shot out to a big lead through strong splits while moving to the rail, and while a few rivals closed the gap on her in the lane she never seemed like losing. The Forever Together at Aqueduct Nov. 29 could be next. Sweet Bye and Bye, coming off a big optional-claiming win and career-top Beyer on the Widener Course here last time out Sept. 22, stalked in third, was content to remain in stalking mode as the eventual spurted out to a big lead, was asked for run turning for home, finished well to close the gap on the winner but couldn’t get to her. Andina Del Sur, rallying winner of the Violet at Monmouth last time out Sept. 28, likewise stalked racing with Sweet Bye and Bye just outside that rival, moved earlier to take up the chase going to the far turn and kept to her task decently though she was unable to outdo Sweet Bye and Bye for second and was never really a danger to the winner. Simply Breathless, the 8-5 favorite after winning a Grade 3 at Santa Anita June 22 and then posting back-to-back Grade 3 thirds at Arlington and Kentucky Downs, settled midpack, just behind Sweet Bye and Bye and Andina Del Sur, was asked to rally with those rivals turning for home but was fairly one-paced and unable to threaten.

Keeneland
Dowager (race 8)

COMMENT: Gentle Ruler continued her excellent form, winning for the sixth time in her last seven starts and showing that while she’s not ready for prime time she can do damage in the right spots, particularly spots where stamina is required. Favored off a stakes win at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12, the daughter of Colonel John bided her time early well off a slow pace set by Beach Flower, remained well back saving ground as Sea Dream assumed pacesetting duties into the backstretch, started to advance into the far turn, came off the inside into the lane to make her run, grabbed the lead by midstretch and drew off to win easily. Elysea’s World, dropping after a good third in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita Sept. 28, sat back with the winner, remained well back while that foe advanced into the far turn, swung very wide on the turn and into the lane to make her run, finished decently but was no match for the winner. Decorating, freshened since running fifth in a stakes at Woodbine Aug. 18, her first start vs. winners, stalked the pace, came with a nice run into the lane to challenge for the lead, was no match for the winner and then flattened out in the final furlong while unable to finish with the runner-up. Touriga, a Grade 1/Grade 2 winner in Brazil last year and third in a Grade 3 at Monmouth July 20 and seventh in a Grade 2 at Woodbine Sept. 14 in her first two starts in North America, sat midpack from the start, moved up to loom a danger turning for home but was one-paced thereafter and unable to sustain her threat.