Trip Notes for October 3-4: Kelso, JC Gold Cup, Shadwell, Eddie D, and more...

Saturday, October 3

Belmont - Kelso Handicap (race 5)

COMMENT: Overnight rains left a sloppy (sealed) track. Last seen winning the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at seven furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 22, Appealing Tale today gave more proof of how dangerous lone speed can be. He bounced right out to a clear lead from his rail slot and set brisk splits, saw Tamarkuz moved closer turning for home, rebuffed that rival, opened up again, and kept Red Vine at bay through the final furlong. Red Vine, cutting back in distance after finishing a distant third to Beholder in the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic at Del Mar, stumbled and got squeezed back at the start. He bided his time in fifth, and came with a nice run to close the gap on the winner. Honor Code, the heavy favorite off wins in the Grade 1 Met Mile and Grade 1 Whitney, was using this as a prep for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and it showed. He wasn’t as far back as usual (just behind Red Vine), swung wide turning for home, and while able to close ground didn’t produce the huge burst we’ve seen from him before. Maybe this race will serve its purpose and he’s now on edge for the Classic . . . maybe.

Belmont - Flower Bowl (race 6)

COMMENT: The inner course was listed as soft. Stephanie’s Kitten, 6, looks as good as ever, winning this for a second straight year. She wasn’t as far back as usual, stalking stablemate Danza Cavallo, who set a modest pace. Stephanie’s Kitten moved closer turning for home, engaged Danza Cavallo in the lane, and edged clear late. Danza Cavallo was coming off an eighth in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga Aug. 19, and she enjoyed the softer footing and change of tactics. She went right out to the lead, battled back when hooked by her stablemate in midstretch, and finished far clear of the others. Mutatis Mutandis, an English invader, sat midpack early, was right there with the top two going down the backstretch, couldn’t finish with them. Watsdachances, awarded the win in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Aug. 15, lagged back early, made some headway in the lane, but was never a threat. Curvy, the 3-2 favorite off Group 1 races in Europe, raced in tandem with Stephanie’s Kitten early while wide but was basically one-paced throughout.

Belmont - Frizette (race 7)

COMMENT: Main track was still as sloppy (sealed). Nickname, coming off a maiden win at Saratoga Sept. 2, handled the step up in class and likely punched her ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She chased pacesetting favorite She’s All Ready, moved closer turning for home, and had no trouble going past that tiring rival in the lane. Nemoralia, racing on dirt for the first time after showing talent on turf and on synthetic in England, bided her time early, remained inside as she moved closer, angled out into the lane, shied a bit, possibly from the whip, but got straightened and stayed on for second. She’s All Ready, favored after two easy wins at Saratoga to start her career, set a solid pace and had no answer for when Nickname went past. Width, a debut winner at Saratoga Aug. 23, stalked the pace in third, seemed poised to pounce turning for home, but then gave way.

Belmont - Champagne (race 8)

COMMENT: Main track was still as sloppy (sealed). Greenpointcrusader cost a $575,000 at auction last year, and after a maiden win at Saratoga Sept. 5, showed what the fuss was all about today. The son of champion Bernardini stumbled at the start and got bumped on both sides, but was able to gather himself. He settled toward the back, began to move wider as he edged closer, swung widest on the far turn to start his run, and surged past the leaders and clear. Sunny Ridge, easy winner of the Sapling at Monmouth Sept. 6, stalked the pace, moved up to contend into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, and kept on well to be a clear second. Portfolio Manager sat just in front of the eventual winner, moved in tandem with that rival, but then couldn’t sustain his run. Ralis, the heavy favorite off a win in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga Sept. 7, pressed pacesetter Tale of S’avall through solid splits but gave way when the real racing began.

Belmont - Hill Prince (race 9)

COMMENT: Inner turf course was listed as soft. Takeover Target has been something of an all-or-nothing lately, running fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, winning the Grade 2 Hall of Fame but then running sixth in the Grade 3 Saranac. This was one of his “all” days as he gave trainer Chad Brown a sweep of today’s graded turf stakes here. He sat back early as Vision Perfect set a modest pace, moved closer going down the backstretch and turning for home, collared Vision Perfect inside the eighth pole and edged clear late. Vision Perfect, a longshot after finishing seventh in the Saranac, went right to the lead, took pressure from Winter Springs, dispatched that rival turning for home but was quickly taken on by Takeover Target. He tried to battle back and finished a clear second. Great Dancer got bumped at the start and lagged well back before coming with a nice run in the lane. Tale of Life, the favorite after crossing the wire first but being disqualified to fourth in his U.S. debut at Saratoga, broke slowly and was last until turning for home. He pitched very wide into the lane and was only able to pass a couple tired runners.

Belmont - JC Gold Cup (race 10)

COMMENT: Track was still listed as sloppy (sealed), though there was no real evidence of splashing as the horses contested this race. Tonalist let it be known the others better be ready for the Breeders’ Cup Classic as he was thoroughly professional while winning his second straight edition of this race. He was just 1 for 4 this year going into this but had run well in all four starts. He bided his time early while in the clear, moved closer going to the far turn while staying inside, remained there behind pacesetter Constitution, moved off the fence to go around that tiring rival while Wicked Strong to his outside grabbed the lead, and moved past that rival for an easy win that should leave plenty of gas in the tank for the Classic. Wicked Strong may have run himself into the Classic with a perked-up effort. He dueled early with Constitution, sucked back some going down the backstretch allowing Constitution to set the pace, went back after that rival turning for home, grabbed the lead, and kept on well for second. Effinex, who beat Tonalist when winning the Grade 2 Suburban here July 4 but was then fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward, stalked the pace, moved closer turning for home but lacked the needed punch. Ditto Coach Inge.

Keeneland - Thoroughbred Club of America (race 6)

COMMENT: Rain made the track muddy. Fioretti continued her ascent and stamped herself a contender for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint with a game tally here. She bided her time as Desert Valley set a solid pace, moved closer on the far turn while staying wide, moved wider still on the turn and into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch and held off a Heykittykittykitty. Heykittykittykitty sat just behind the eventual winner, swung widest of all into the lane to launch her run, and finished well for second. Judy the Beauty, last year’s champion sprinter and previously 4 for 4 here (all on the old synthetic track), was favored after running third in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga July 29. She stalked the pace while inside, seemed in a good spot poised to make a run into the lane, but could make only modest headway late. She’s now 0 for 3 this year, and this makes you wonder if she’s not quite the same gal we saw last year. Leigh Court, the second choice off a second in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters (run on synthetic) and easy winner of this race last year, pressured Desert Valley up front early but gave way readily in the lane.

Keeneland - First Lady (race 7)

COMMENT: It was still raining and the course was listed as soft. Tepin had already shown she was among the elite female turf milers around, maybe the best, and by virtue of a monster win here she could be headed to take on the boys in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. She dogged pacesetter Cara Marie, had no trouble wresting command from that foe turning for home, and cruised to an easy win without really taking a deep breath. She ran faster than males did an hour or so later in the Shadwell Turf Mile. Crowley’s Law, third in her U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Noble Damsel at Belmont Sept. 19 after having raced in Europe, was just behind the winner from the start and stayed on to keep second. My Miss Sophia bided her time early after a troubled start and finished well for third. Outstanding, an Irish raider from the Aiden O’Brien barn, broke poorly to be last early, steadily advanced and closed decently. She wasn’t going to beat the winner but you could make a case she might have been second best. Easter, another Irish invader from the O’Brien barn, got a much better trip stalking in fourth, was in position to grab a piece of the purse in midstretch, but came up empty.

Keeneland - Breeders' Futurity (race 8)

COMMENT: There was just a light rain at this point and the track was still listed as muddy. When Brody’s Cause broke his maiden at Churchill Sept. 11, he was 33-1. He was overlooked again here, and again outdid expectations to get the win. The $350,000 sales buy was well back going down the backstretch, pitched wide on the far turn to start his run, and sustained it through the lane to roll past his rivals and win going away. He now has a win over the Breeders’ Cup host track at the BC Juvenile distance. Exaggerator, the favorite after being freshened since winning the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Aug. 16, was midpack early, moved closer while saving ground, was just behind leader Sheikh of Sheikhs turning for home, moved around that tiring rival to grab the lead, and looked like the winner only to have Brody’s Cause surge past late. Perhaps he did not see the winner, who was well to his outside. Rated R Superstar dogged Sheikh of Sheikhs early, pulled back a bit as that guy moved off to a clear lead, went after him again turning for home in tandem with Exaggerator, and finished third. Uncle Vinny, third in the Grade 1 Hopeful, lagged back early and could make only modest headway in the lane.

Keeneland - Shadwell Turf Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Light showers continued and the course was listed as yielding. Grand Arch was second in this race last year to champion Wise Dan. With that horse not here, Grand Arch got his first Grade 1 win. He stalked the pace, moved closer turning for home, went around leader Kelinni in midstretch, and got to the line before hard-charging rivals The Pizza Man and Tourist. The Pizza Man, shortening up after winning the 1 ¼-mile Arlington Million, ran splendidly. He was well back early, as is his custom, swung very wide into the lane and powered home, but just needed another jump or two. Tourist was able to establish himself in midpack while wide early from post 12, moved closer on the far turn, moved toward the rail for the final furlong and finished well. He has upset potential for the Breeders’ Cup Mile should he run there. Seek Again broke well from post 13, and allowed much of the field go past so he could move to the rail before reaching the clubhouse turn. He moved off the rail going down the backstretch, was still well back on the far turn when he started his run, and ran on well to finish just behind Tourist. Dutch Connection, coming off a second in a French Group 1 and an English Group 2, was between horses early while not far off the pace. He seemed in a good spot going to the far turn but never mustered a run. You get the impression that if you ran this race 10 times you might get six or seven different winners.

Santa Anita - Eddie D (race 6)

COMMENT: No Silent won for the third straight time and might have earned a trip to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Coming off a pair of victories in the Del Mar turf, he stalked in fourth, stayed toward the outside for clear sailing, came with a run into the lane to grab the lead, and edged away late. Melatonin, a longshot who was making just his second start on turf, sat back early, fell back to last as he angled out after the dirt crossing, but put in a strong wide rally, despite his rider losing his whip, to get up for second. Jimmy Bouncer, back to sprinting after fading to sixth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Turf Mile, was just behind the winner to the lane, drifted inward in midstretch, likely shying from the whip, and crowded Toowindytohaulrox. He was disqualified and placed fourth. Toowindytohaulrox lagged back, came with a nice run between horses in the lane, had to steady late when Jimmy Bouncer came over into him, and only narrowly lost third. Midnight Storm, the favorite after fading badly in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, dueled for the lead with Chips All In and paid the price, fading in the lane. Majestic City, a graded stakes winner on dirt, broke slowly and never got involved. He’s now 0 for 5 with one third on turf, and this is a fourth straight dull effort. Chips All In, winner of this race in 2013, faded badly to end up last.

Santa Anita - Santa Anita Sprint Championship (race 8)

COMMENT: Wild Dude showed that when at his best and given the right pace scenario he can beat just about any sprinter. This fast early/slow late race played right into his hands. Coming off a win in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar July 26 and second in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien there Aug. 22 (to Kelso winner Appealing Tale), he bided his time early as Distinctiv Passion and favorite Masochistic dueled through hot splits. Wild Dude took advantage of a pace breakdown to finish strongly and edge fellow deep closer Kobe’s Back. He needs to be supplemented if he is to run in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Kobe’s Back was devoid of speed, as is his custom, and like Wild Dude took advantage of the spent leaders. Glacken Too sat third, not far off the early speedsters, and was no match for the closers. The favored Masochistic dueled with Distinctiv Passion through sizzling splits while on the fence, got the better of that foe coming into the lane, still had the lead in midstretch, but tired.

Sunday, October 4

Keeneland - Bourbon (race 8)

COMMENT: Course was still listed as yielding after Saturday’s rain. Airoforce was an impressive debut winner on turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 5 and he validated that run with an easy win in his first route. The son of Grade 1 winner Colonel John was the 5-1 favorite in what seemed a highly competitive race. He stalked early as longshot Argot and California raider Hot Ore dueled early, moved closer as Hot Ore took the lead turning for home, grabbed the lead into the lane, and drew off. Camelot Kitten, winner of his debut on Belmont turf Sept. 12, got away last and remained far back to the top of the lane, then finished well. He wasn’t going to beat the winner but with a better start he would have been right in the mix. Sliding Spring, a romping winner of his grass debut at Kentucky Downs Sept. 14, sat midpack, came with a nice run just behind the winner, and lost second in the final strides. Hot Ore, second in a stakes at Del Mar Sept. 5, took the lead turning for home but weakened from his early work.

Keeneland - Spinster (race 9)

COMMENT: Course was listed as fast despite rain much of the previous day. The main intrigue here was having last year’s champion 3-year-old filly and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable facing this year’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Lovely Maria. But instead it was Got Lucky who stole the show and proved she belongs in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff discussion. After two straight wins at Monmouth she was second in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign to Sheer Drama, who may go favored in the Distaff, while Untapable was third. Here she bided her time early at the back of the pack, started a run going into the far turn, swung wide for clear sailing and finished strong to get the win. Untapable ran well in defeat as she stalked the pace, came with a run on the outside to contend into the lane, but couldn’t outfinish the winner. She’s now just 1 for 6 this year and she’s going to have to find her 2014 form if she’s to successfully defend her BC Distaff crown. Yahilwa, no match for Beholder when second in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar, dueled early with Lovely Maria, had the lead into the lane as that gal began to tire but was immediately tackled by Untapable and couldn’t outfinish the top two. Lovely Maria, the top 3-year-old filly earlier this year when she won the Grade 1 Ashland here and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, dogged Yahilwa to the far turn, looked poised to make a run while on the inside, but it never came.

Santa Anita - L. A. Woman (race 3)

COMMENT: Ben’s Duchess was no match for Uzziel when second to her in the restricted CERF at Del Mar Sept. 6, beaten 4 1/4 lengths. She not only turned the tables here but also beat heavy favorite Taris and may have earned a crack at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She got a dream setup as she was last of the five early while the other four dueled through insane splits. She moved closer turning for home while staying wide, and powered past the others, who were spent from the early battle. Uzziel, part of the four-way early duel, was still right there by midstretch but then couldn’t keep pace late with the winner. Taris, the heavy favorite off an easy win in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo at Del Mar, pressed the pace widest of all, put her head in front in the upper stretch but couldn’t sustain her run. Unforgettable U, coming off a romping win at Del Mar, dueled for the lead while inside and was done early.