Trip Notes for October 30-31: Breeders' Cup Classic, Breeders' Cup Distaff, and more...

Friday, October 30

Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Europeans won for the sixth time in nine editions of this race, as Hit It a Bomb overcame post 14, a sluggish start, traffic and relative inexperience to win. His slow break may have been a benefit as it allowed him to veer toward the inside and not get hung out to dry on the first turn. Still, he was well back as Hollywood Dan set a solid pace on the yielding course, started his run once straightened away, came through between horses, moved out for clear sailing in the final furlong and powered home to get up in the final strides. Airoforce, the favorite off two wins in Kentucky, got a nice trip stalking the pace, appeared in trouble turning for home as leader Manhattan Dan and Dressed in Hermes opened up into the lane, but got going well and finished strongly to just miss. Birchwood, another Euro, was in midpack to the top of the lane and came with a strong run to make it a three-horse photo. These three finished well clear of the rest. Conquest Daddyo got squeezed back at the start to be last early, was still far back turning for home, and was able to get fourth. He and Airoforce are trained by Mark Casse. Cymric was wide going into the first turn from post 13. He stalked the pace, seemed to be carrying his head to the side going down the backstretch (maybe he didn’t care for the ground), was asked to make his run on the far turn, but it never came.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (race 7)

COMMENT: Liam’s Map was an overwhelming favorite but he got away a tad slowly and was taken out of his normal game plan of going right to the lead. He was a bit rank, was trapped inside, had to steady, then had to wait for room – and none of that made a difference as he still proved an easy winner. He sat in fourth early behind pacesetters Bradester and Mr. Z with Lea to his outside keeping him hemmed in, seemed a bit unsettled there going into the backstretch, tried to move through between horses going to the far turn but had that hole closed, had to wait again, was able to finally get out and clear and rolled past Lea to win. Lea got a great trip stalking while also keeping Liam’s Map boxed in, made his run to the lead coming into the lane, quickly opened up but just as quickly saw his lead evaporate as Liam’s Map rolled past. Red Vine sat back while saving ground, moved up on the rail, got up alongside Liam’s Map going to the far turn, had to wait for room, and finished well inside once it materialized. Wicked Strong, making the final start of his career, lagged well back and finished decently to get fourth.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Catch a Glimpse struck a blow for the North American turf juveniles as she made it three wins in as many grass starts. Off since a romping win in the Grade 2 Natalma at Woodbine Sept. 12, she darted to the front but was immediately joined by Ruby Notion to her outside, fought her rider a bit as he attempted to pull her back out of the speed duel, was then taken to the outside of Ruby Notion, took command into the lane, and opened up. Alice Springs, a top Euro who was the favorite, sat midpack while saving ground to the top of the lane, tried to make a run while inside but was in tight, finally got a bit of room late and closed well but ran out of ground. Nemoralia won a stakes on turf in Europe and then finished second in the Grade 1 Frizette on dirt at Belmont Oct. 3. She was a bit slow into stride here, steadily advanced and finished strongly between horses. Sapphire Kitten, second in the Grade 3 Jessamine here Oct. 7, stalked in third, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane but couldn’t keep pace with the top three. Illuminate, a highly regarded Euro, raced alongside Alice Springs from the start, pitched out coming into the lane to look briefly menacing, but never produced the needed rally. Harmonize, winner of the Jessamine, sat midpack early while wide, move closer turning for home but never mustered the necessary rally. Last Waltz was away slowly from post 14, started to advance going to the far turn, was very wide into the lane and could make only modest headway.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Distaff

COMMENT: Stopchargingmaria had not raced since being beaten by Sheer Drama in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 29. She got her revenge and her third Grade 1 win, though she did have to survive a claim of foul from the rider of the runner-up. She wasn’t too wide on the first turn, but shifted out about five or six wide going down the backstretch, stalking the pace with favored Wedding Toast to her inside as My Sweet Addiction, Yahilwa and Calamity Kate set a strong pace. Stopchargingmaria moved closer while staying very wide as part of a six-horse phalanx coming into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, was challenged by 3-year-old Stellar Wind, and rebuffed that rival though she did drift out some in the lane and brushed with her. Stellar Wind lagged well back early, moved up to be just behind Stopchargingmaria on the far turn, came up alongside Stopchargingmaria, but couldn’t get past. Curalina gave trainer Todd Pletcher a win and a third here. She sat midpack early, moved closer going to the far turn to be just behind the pacesetters, was part of the cavalry charge coming into the lane, couldn’t keep up with the top two but finished well. Sheer Drama was well back early, came with a wide run into the lane, ducked toward the inside in midstretch and couldn’t maintain her run. Wedding Toast seemed quite eager early, got into a good spot sitting just off the two pacesetters, was part of the brigade challenging for the lead turning for home while between horses, but gave way.

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Sunday, October 31

Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (race 3)

COMMENT: It was supposed to be the best of the West (Songbird) against the best of the East (Rachel’s Valentina, Tap to It) but it was really never a contest as Songbird confirmed she’s far and away the top 2-year-old filly in the land. She went right out to the lead, set a modest pace, and just cruised to victory. Rachel’s Valentina chased the winner from the start but couldn’t keep up, though she held well for second. Dothraki Queen was last early, made a run turning for home to be not far behind Rachel’s Valentina, but couldn’t sustain her run and got third. Tap to It, second to Rachel’s Valentina in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, broke slowly to be toward the back early, was a bit rank and unsettled, moved wide on the far turn and never mustered a run.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (race 4)

COMMENT: Mongolian Saturday had run first or second in six straight, though he’d been facing softer than he was meeting here, but he picked right day to run the race of his life to get the big win. He stalked the sharp pace of Ready for Rye while staying to his outside. He shot to the lead turning for home, opened up a sizable advantage and held off Lady Shipman. Lady Shipman, a 3-year-old filly facing males, broke very sharply to grab the early lead, quickly had it taken away by Ready for Rye but remained close by, didn’t accelerate as quickly as Mongolian Saturday when that rival moved to the lead but found another gear and doggedly went after the winner only to run out of ground late. Green Mask, winless since May 2014 but coming off a strong run in a turf sprint stakes at Kentucky Downs, was far back early, steadily advanced, and finished well. Bobby’s Kitten, the defending champ, was midpack early, moved closer turning for home, and made a mild run. Undrafted, third in this race last year, was far back early after a slow start, made steady headway but wasn’t good enough. No Silent, coming off three straight turf sprint wins in Southern California, was last until the far turn, and got going in the final furlong.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (race 5)

COMMENT: Wavell Avenue couldn’t quite get to La Verdad when second to that gal in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Sept. 26, but an extra half-furlong and another step forward helped her gain her revenge and notch the biggest win of her life. Wavell Avenue sat midpack as La Verdad set a reasonable pace while pressured by Stonetastic and Taris. Wavell Avenue started her move on the far turn, swung very wide into the lane and powered past her rivals to win going away. La Verdad, who won a stakes at Belmont just a week ago, dispatched with Stonetastic, kept Taris boxed in and trapped along the rail, and looked like the winner until Wavell Avenue came on the scene. It was a super effort. Taris ran splendidly as well. She prompted the pace from the inside, tried to move up to challenge on the rail into the lane and then move off the rail, but couldn’t find room. She went back to the rail, finally found room but by then it was too late. Her rider lodged a claim of foul against La Verdad, but it was dismissed. Cavorting, a bit rambunctious in the gate, bided her time early, started to advance on the turn, swung wide and finished well. Judy the Beauty, the defending champ, sat midpack, tried to make a run into the lane but ran into traffic, moved to the rail and finished decently.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (race 6)

COMMENT: Stephanie’s Kitten showed that when on her game and gets her type of course and the right trip, she can run with any turf gal. She sat last early as Secret Gesture set a slow pace, remained inside, cut the corner into the lane, caught a break when a lane opened up between horses, burst through, opened up, and held heavily favored Legatissimo at bay. She bore out sharply at the end (likely shying from the whip), forcing Legatissimo to steady, but the issue had already been determined. Legatissimo went to her nose when the gates opened. She recovered but was probably farther back early than desired. She saved ground, edged closer, moved out for room turning for home, had to swerve out further for clear sailing, didn’t immediately get going but finally found her gear and finished second. Queen’s Jewel, a Group 1 winner in France, had a troubled start, was forced in and had to steady going into the clubhouse turn, finally settled a few lengths off the pace and came with a nice run in the lane. Secret Gesture, disqualified from a win in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington this summer, was lathered up with sweat prior to the start. She went out to the lead when no one else seemed to want it, set a comfortable pace, battled back when hooked into the lane but then weakened once headed in the final furlong. Miss France raced alongside Legatissimo much of the way, tried to accelerate with that gal turning for home and weakened in the lane. Dacita was a multiple Group 1 winner in Chile and winner of the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga Aug. 29 in her first U.S. start. She got squeezed back after the break, lagged back early not far in front of stablemate Stephanie’s Kitten while racing widest of all, and never mustered a run.

Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Sprint (race 7)

COMMENT: The speed dominated all the way around and 3-year-old Runhappy stamped himself the land’s top sprinter. He broke a step slowly, as is his custom, and that left him behind very fast horses Holy Boss and Private Zone. Those two set a hot pace with Runhappy just in behind. He was asked to go after the leaders into the lane, kept grinding away and was able to subdue the ever-tough Private Zone, setting a track record. Private Zone got the better of Holy Boss into the lane, opened up a bit as if he might go on to victory, but was softened up just enough by the pace battle and finally succumbed to Runhappy in the final half-furlong. Favorite Tale, another speed horse, stalked from the outside and chased the leaders all the way around. Holy Boss shot up to take the early lead, was immediately tackled by Private Zone, couldn’t keep pace with him in the lane, but stayed on gamely. Salutos Amigos and Wild Dude did the best of the closers, although they were never factors.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: The Euros brought a much-ballyhooed group for this including the defending champ Karakontie, but as in the Filly & Mare Turf it was an American, Tepin, who dominated the proceedings. Coming off a romp over fellow distaffers in the Grade 1 First Lady here Oct. 3, she went right to the lead, but was taken back when speedster Obviously surged up alongside. She dogged him to the top of the lane, had no trouble going past, opened up, and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Mondialiste was the only Euro to really show up. Coming off a win in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, he sat well back early, swung wide into the lane and blasted home to get second. Grand Arch bided his time while saving ground, and came with a nice run to get third. Make Believe sat back, started a run into the lane but the winner was already long gone. Karakontie was sweaty going to the gate. He broke slowly, sat last as he did last year, and never got involved.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (race 9)

COMMENT: When Nyquist won the Grade 2 Best Pal, Swipe was second. When he won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, Swipe was second. When he won the Grade 1 FrontRunner, Swipe was second. Nyquist and Swipe ran one-two again here, flattering the West Coast juvenile form. Nyquist had used his speed for his first four wins, but here he was a few lengths off the pace after breaking from post 13. Nyquist was pushed out wide on the first turn, remained wide as he moved closer down the backstretch, dispatched with leaders Riker and Cocked and Loaded, and opened up. He ran a full second slower than Songbird did winning the Juvenile Fillies. Swipe lagged back, launched his run on the far turn while wide, and closed the gap on Nyquist. Being by Birdstone, winner of the Grade 1 Belmont and Grade 1 Travers, he may be able to overcome the gap between he and Nyquist as the furlongs add up. Brody’s Cause, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity here Oct. 3, lagged well back, as is his custom, came with a strong run in the lane, had to weave through traffic, but continued on well for third. Exaggerator, second in the Breeders’ Futurity, stalked the pace while saving ground while a bit headstrong, moved closer on the far turn, had to wait a bit for room, eased out for clear sailing and finished decently. Greenpointcrusader, the favorite off a win in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Oct. 3, was far back early, got pushed out very wide coming into the lane, and was able to pass a few rivals.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Turf (race 10)

COMMENT: The 3-year-old filly Found, a Group 1 winner, got ground that she preferred, whereas Arc winner Golden Horn apparently found the turf too soft. Found sat just behind Golden Horn as pacesetter Shining Copper ran off to a huge lead. The field reeled in the pacesetter on the far turn, with Golden Horn taking the lead, but Found was right on his heels, moved out from behind him, and was able to outgame Golden Horn in the final strides. Golden Horn bided his time well off the pacemaker, led the field to close the gap on that foe, looked poised to go on to victory when he took the lead into the lane, but was unable to kick clear. Big Blue Kitten lagged well back, came with a strong run, but wasn’t good enough. Slumber sat back and finished well to end up just behind stablemate Big Blue Kitten. The Pizza Man showed a bit more speed than usual, placed just off Golden Horn and Found, looked poised to try and make a run into the lane, but flattened out.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Cup Classic (race 11)

COMMENT: The race lost some luster when Beholder was scratched. American Pharoah was probably already the best horse in the race, and he was allowed an easy lead. He set solid splits while being hounded by Effinex, saw that rival, Tonalist and Frosted come up close behind turning for home, but was then was asked for run, shot clear, and ran his way to a track record and into the history books. Effinex got closer to American Pharoah turning for home, and finished well clear of the rest. Honor Code was well back early, started his run on the far turn, stayed wide for clear sailing and finished decently. Keen Ice lagged back and made some headway in the lane but was no factor. Tonalist was eager and a bit rank early while inside, but then settled. He continued to save ground, moved up on the far turn as if ready to be a big threat, but gave way. The European shipper Gleaneagles never seemed comfortable trying dirt for the first time. He was well back early, with Honor Code, was asked to try to get involved going into the far turn but floundered and basically wasn’t persevered with in the lane.

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