Trip Notes for October 5-6: Frizette, Champagne, Hawthorne Derby, Indiana Derby, Shadwell Turf Mile and more...

Saturday, Oct. 5

Belmont - Jamaica (race 8)

COMMENT: Up With the Birds, a bigshot in Canada (second in Queen’s Plate, won Breeders’), showed he’s the real deal as he shipped here and beat some of the best 3-year-old turf males around. Now first or second in eight straight, the colt sat well back early while Get in Line set the pace. He remained well back to the far turn, began moving closer on the turn, swung out into the lane and put in a strong sustained run to roll past his foes. He’ll reportedly now get some time off and point for 2014. Admiral Kitten was impressive winner of the Grade 1 Secretariat, and he validated that form as he sat well back while saving ground, was in a bit tight, moved off the rail leaving the backstretch, moved further out for room, finished strongly but just couldn’t quite beat the winner. Jack Milton, third in the Secretariat, sat back while saving ground, came with a strong run into the lane while remaining inside but couldn’t fend off the top two. Notacatbutallama, who came here sharp (won three straight then second in the Grade 3 Saranac), was midpack but could make only modest headway. The outside post didn’t help. Stormy Len, second in the Secretariat and a good third vs. elders in Woodbine’s Grade 1 Northern Dancer, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home but flattened out. He’s had a busy past few months and this run may be a sign that his schedule is taking its toll. War Dancer, winner of the Grade 2 Virginia Derby and back to turf after running sixth in the Grade 1 Travers, sat midpack, tried to start a run into the lane but had check when in traffic. He got going again afterward but it was far too late.

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Belmont - Frizette (race 9)

COMMENT: Artemis Agrotera, a smashing winner of her only start, which came at Saratoga Aug. 16, showed she’s the real deal as the daughter of Grade 1 winner Roman Ruler punched her ticket the Grade 1 BC Juvenile Fillies. She chased pacesetter Tea Time, had no trouble taking over from that tiring rival into the lane, and kept to her task well for the win. Sweet Reason may have been defeated but she ran a marvelous race. A romping winner of her first two starts, both in the slop at Saratoga, she blew the start, veering inward to get away poorly. However, she was able to settle into stride and finished with a flourish. The daughter of 2-year-old champ and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense will reportedly go to Santa Anita if she comes out of this race well, and if she shows up there she could be plenty scary. While the trip was tough, she’s not quick early so she was likely to be sitting well back early anyway, troubled start or no. Stopchargingmaria, a well-beaten second to Sweet Reason in the Grade 1 Spinaway, was just behind the winner from the start and didn’t have the needed punch in the lane. Divided Attention, coming off a nice maiden win over this track at this trip Sept. 12, was last going to the far turn, still well back into the lane but kept to her task decently.

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Belmont - Champagne (race 10)

COMMENT: Havana was a monster debut winner at Saratoga Aug. 23 and validated that form and gave trainer Pletcher wins in the two big 2-year-old males races on this day (also sent out We Miss Artie to win Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity). This looked like the strongest 2-year-old male race to date and Havana was more than up to the task. He was just behind early pacesetter Debt Ceiling, quickly assumed the lead after a half-mile, opened up on the turn, surged further clear into the lane and doggedly kept to his task to just get to the line before hard-charging favorite Honor Code. He has loads of talent and is bred to go further. He’ll be awfully tough in the BC Juvenile next month. Honor Code, another super-impressive debut winner at Saratoga Aug. 31, was very slow into stride, just as in his debut. He sat last early, was still last turning for home, pitched very wide into the lane and powered home to just miss by a neck in a super try. He’s not definite for the BC Juvenile as Shug McGaughey mentioned staying home for the Grade 2 Remsen is a possibility. Ride on Curlin, coming off a decent fourth in Churchill Downs’s Grade 3 Iroquois, sat back just in front of Honor Code, closed in tandem with that rival before just being unable to keep pace in the final half-furlong. He may also have earned a trip to Santa Anita. Strong Mandate, smashing winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful, lagged back and never made a move. His rider said he didn’t handle the track (yawn!). Regardless, a trip to Santa Anita is still in the plans for him. These four are bred to run on you could be hearing a lot more from them come the 2014 Derby trail.

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Hawthorne - Hawthorne Derby (race 5)

COMMENT: Heavy rains turned the course into a bog but that didn’t faze Kid Dreams in the least as the son of Lemon Drop Kid relished the footing and won in a laugher. He sat midpack early while Mongolian Saturday set the pace, moved up comfortably going to the far turn, took command and drew off to win in a romp. Trouble is, he might never see this type of turf condition again. Charming Kitten stalked in fourth early and plugged along for second, though he was no threat to the winner. Five Iron, the favorite, pressured Mongolian Saturday early, had no answer to the winner’s big move into the lane and stayed on evenly. Dorsett sat back and made modest headway.

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Indiana - Indiana Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: Pure Fun, so impressive winning last fall’s Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet but who hadn’t done much this year, got back on track in her first start since running sixth in the Kentucky Oaks May 3. The sloppy/sealed track didn’t bother her at all. She was last early as first Run Forestry Run and then 2-5 fave Fiftyshadesofhay set the pace. She started her run on the turn, stayed out and in the clear and powered home to win going away. Oscar Party, making just her second start on dirt, lagged back early, made an early move to press the issue down the backside, engaged Fiftyshadesofhay on the turn, couldn’t finish with the winner but got the better of the favorite for second. Fiftyshadesofhay, the 2-5 favorite off a strong campaign (Grade 2 winner, multiple Grade 1-placed), dogged Run Forestry Run early, quickly took command, was hounded by Oscar Party, battled with that rival, was no match for the winner’s charge and weakened just a bit in the final strides.

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Indiana - Indiana Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Power Broker appeared to have a class edge and was 2 for 2 on wet tracks going into this, and those factors were likely the difference as he proved a prompt favorite. He stalked while in the clear on the outside, moved up to take command, and stayed on nicely, drawing away in the final furlong. This may not mean he’s ready for the BC Classic but he can surely do some damage in the right spots. Bradester dogged pacesetter Ruler of Love early, moved in tandem with Power Broker to challenge into the lane but couldn’t quite finish with that rival. Holy Lute sat midpack, swung very, very wide on the far turn to commence his run, had to steady into the lane, which hurt his momentum, and he couldn’t get it back. Micromanage got shoved out very wide into the first turn, remained wide throughout and finished decently. While the best horses won the Indiana Oaks and Indiana Derby, the finishes of their rivals indicates the outside lanes were surely the place to be.

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Keeneland - Woodford (race 5)

COMMENT: Havelock came back firing as he roared home in the middle of the stretch to win this race for the second time in the last three years and may have earned another crack at the Grade 1 BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita next month (14th in 2011). As is his custom he showed no speed, sitting last. He bided his time as favorite Great Mills dueled early with a few others. Havelock swung out for clear sailing turning for home and powered home to win smartly. He loves this place, too (4 for 5). Expecting Cash likewise sat back, not far in front of the eventual winner, came with a nice run into the lane, was no match for Havelock but stayed on well for second. Spring to the Sky stalked the pace, moved to the lead into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Great Mills was pushed through fast splits early and gave way badly to finish last.

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Keeneland - TCA (race 6)

COMMENT: Groupie Doll’s attempt to repeat in this race and repeat as champion sprinting distaffer took a hit as Judy the Beauty, who was third to Groupie Doll in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters last month, turned the tables. Judy the Beauty, now 3 for 3 here, bided her time early as Gypsy Robin set the pace, moved closer turning for home, came with a smart wide run to grab the lead into the lane and edged away late. This may earn her a shot at the Grade 1 BC F&M Sprint and she’s three-time Grade 1-placed sprinting on dirt, so that surface isn’t an issue. Gypsy Robin, previously 3 for 3 here, bounced out to the lead, set a solid pace, battled back gamely when confronted by Judy the Beauty but couldn’t quite keep pace late. Groupie Doll, the heavy favorite, seemed in a great spot stalking in third, moved closer to be ominous turning for home but never unleashed her customary strong late run. A date at Santa Anita for a repeat shot at the BC F&M Sprint still figures in the cards, though you worry now that she’s just not as good as she was last year.

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Keeneland - First Lady (race 7)

COMMENT: Race was delayed some as severe weather rolled through. In a race run in rain/fog Better Lucky showed that when on her game she’s capable of big things. Winner of last fall’s Grade 1 Matriarch at Hollywood, she was winless in three starts this year but had run well. She got the money this time, stalking early in fourth as Daisy Devine set the pace. She moved closer, with Dayatthespa, grabbed the lead by midstretch and gamely rebuffed a challenge from Dayatthespa in the final furlong. She seems best from a mile to 1 1/8 miles, meaning she’s a bit of a fish out of water come the BC as there really isn’t a race for her. Maybe a title defense in the Matriarch in late November will be the plan. Dayatthespa, who suffered a gash in that Matriarch when she hit the rail, nearly forcing her retirement, looks fully back on track. Previously 2 for 2 here she stalked in third, just in front of Better Lucky, saw that foe move past on the outside while having to wait a bit for room, but came on smartly in the final furlong to just miss and finish well clear of the rest. Another shot at the Matriarch could be on her radar as well. Daisy Devine, a sharp second in this last year, set a solid pace, tried to battle back when hooked by the top two into the lane, was no match for them but finished well ahead of the rest. Say, a scary Euro raider, sat back and never made a run.

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Keeneland - Breeders’ Futurity (race 8)

COMMENT: We Miss Artie, trying synthetic for the first time after a couple turf starts, found the footing to his liking as the son of Artie Schiller posted the upset. In a race run in a driving rainstorm, We Miss Artie bided his time early as Solitary Ranger and General Jack cut the brisk pace. He had some early traffic issues but moved closer turning for home, stayed in the clear, pounced on the tiring leaders into the lane, grabbed the lead from fellow closer Smarty’s Echo and drew clear. Considering he ran second in his dirt sprint debut at Belmont Park July 4, he may well go in the Grade 1 BC Juvenile. Smarty’s Echo was midpack early, got first run on We Miss Artie into the lane, making a wide move to grab the lead, but couldn’t finish with that rival while clear of the rest. Arctic Slope was last early, still well back turning for home and put in a solid rally while no threat to the winner. Rum Point, ninth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity Sept. 4, added blinkers, sat back, made a run into the lane but couldn’t sustain it. Solitary Ranger, the favorite, dueled with General Jack and was still in it to midstretch before giving way.

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Keeneland - Shadwell Turf Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: The early heavy rains forced this off the turf, though by race time it wasn’t raining nearly as hard. Silver Max relished the going. A winner of 3 of his prior 4 including a Grade 2 and Grade 3 on turf, he used his speed to topple Wise Dan. He bounced right out to a clear lead, set a brisk pace, saw Wise Dan come closer to him turning for home but spurted away again giving himself enough of a buffer to keep Wise Dan at bay in the final furlong. Wise Dan, the reigning Horse of the Year, was 5 for 7 on synthetic so the surface switch didn’t appear to be an issue, but the big horse got beat and this could be a blow to his Horse of the Year chances. He sat midpack early, made a smart move while wide on the far turn as if he was going to take command, but didn’t accelerate quickly when Silver Max opened up again. He kept after that rival but never really looked as if he was going to catch him. Willcox Inn was slow into stride, still last turning for home, and finished decently though he was never a threat to the top two. Winning Prize, a bigshot from Argentina who was impressive winning his U.S. debut on turf at Del Mar Aug. 22, sat midpack and ran evenly. Not a bad first try on synthetic footing, particularly as he had to ship to new surroundings and was making just his second start of the year.

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Santa Anita - City of Hope Mile (race 4)

COMMENT: Well, the BC rankings surely took a hit today as top contenders Groupie Doll, Wise Dan, Strong Mandate and here Obviously all went down to defeat. No Jet Lag had a rough time in England this year but came to the U.S. and won his American bow at Del Mar Aug. 11, earning a shot at this. He sat fifth early as first Endorsement and then heavy fave Obviously cut the pace, came out into the lane, and finished strongly to post the upset. Off this and Wise Dan’s defeat there’s no reason in the world he shouldn’t take a swing at the BC Mile. He B Fire N Ice was just behind the winner early, didn’t accelerate as quickly into the lane but got going well late to finish smartly for second. He’s really come into his own and deserves a shot at the BC Mile the way he’s going. Barocci stalked the pace and stayed on well, though he couldn’t finish with the top two. Obviously seemed to relax well while stalking Endorsement early, took over down the backstretch, opened up into the lane as if he were going to post another win, but then got weary late. Despite this setback he likely will still go on to the BC Mile (third in last year’s running).

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Santa Anita - Santa Anita Sprint Championship (race 9)

COMMENT: Points Offthebench may have stamped himself the favorite for the Grade 1 BC Sprint as he notched a fourth straight win and his second straight Grade 1 tally with another gutty performance. He gamely edged Goldencents by a head in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar July 28 and this was a near-repeat of that. He had the tactical speed to sit behind early leader Distinctiv Passion, went after that foe into the lane, caught him inside the eighth pole, and gamely kept Goldencents at bay once again. Goldencents showed his versatility as he bided his time early. He steadily advanced, doggedly went after the eventual winner in the lane, but just couldn’t quite get to him. Distinctiv Passion proved quickest, going right out to a clear lead, opened up a big lead turning for home, but couldn’t fend off the top two late. Centralinteligence, winner of the Grade 1 Triple Bend, was last early and never made a run. Trinniberg, last year’s BC Sprint winner and sprint champion, stalked but gave way badly.

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Sunday, Oct. 6

Belmont - Pilgrim (race 9)

COMMENT: Bobby’s Kitten, another turf-loving son of turf champ Kitten’s Joy who races for the Ramseys, came into this off a monster maiden win at Penn National last month and validated that run with another super-impressive showing. He went right out to the lead, soon relinquished the lead to Marvin’s Miracle while biding his time in second, surged past that tiring rival turning for home, and opened up a commanding lead and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Off to the BC Juvenile Turf. Shadow Boxing was last early and put in a strong rally to get second, though he wasn’t ever on the winner’s radar. Captain’s Affair sat midpack, got shuffled back into the lane, but got going again to get third. Due Diligence stalked the pace but never really mustered a run.

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Belmont - Miss Grillo (race 10)

COMMENT: Testa Rossi gave trainer Chad Brown a sweep of the two 2-year-old turf stakes on the card as the French raider powered home to edge her American counterparts. In notching her fourth straight win while making her U.S. debut, Testa Rossi was last early, still far back turning for home, surged into the lane to grab the lead and just held off hard-charging Sky Painter. The margin may fool you some – it was just a nose but she actually finished somewhat in hand. Off to the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Sky Painter, winner of her turf sprint debut at Saratoga Aug. 22, showed she may be the real deal as she lagged back and finished full of run to just miss. Dancing House, trying turf for the first time after running third in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga Sept. 1, sat back just in front of the eventual winner early and closed decently. Granny’s Mc’s Kitten, the favorite, sat midpack, came with a nice run into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. The top four all will reportedly point for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita next month.

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Keeneland - Spinster (race 8)

COMMENT: Emollient, a romping wire-to-wire winner of the Grade 1 Ashland here in the spring, showed her versatility as she easily handled elders here and did so from well off the pace. The 3-year-old filly was last early, bided her time while Sisterly Love set the pace, commenced her run going to the far turn and put in a strong sustained rally that swept her past her rivals. She obviously loves it here. Despite this smashing win, trainer Bill Mott said he wasn’t sure of her plans, that she might not go for the Grade 1 BC Distaff at Santa Anita Nov. 1. Summer Applause likewise sat well back and rallied nicely, and while unable to finish with the winner ended up well clear of the rest (3 1/2 lengths). Wine Princess sat back and came with a steady rally, though she was no threat to the top two. Byrama was midpack but never mustered a run. On Fire Baby stalked the pace but gave way badly in the lane. She hasn’t looked the same since returning from illness this summer.

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