Trip Notes for October 6-8: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Champagne, Shadwell Turf Mile, and more

Oct. 6

Keeneland
Phoenix (race 8)

COMMENT: Whitmore was surely one of the top sprinters the first few months of the season before a couple third-place finishes this spring andsummer. Well, the 4-year-old son of Pleasantly Perfect got back on track with a win here, sending him to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint as a contender. From his outside post he bided his time early, as is his wont, steadied going down the backstretch as he was advancing, got going again, pitched wide for clear sailing on the far turn and into the lane, and finished resolutely to outnod a couple tough rivals. Awesome Banner, fourth in the Grade 3 De Francis at Laurel Sept. 16 (Whitmore was third), broke sharply from the rail, shot out to a clear lead while setting solid splits, looked in troubled as a number rivals challenged him into the lane and to midstretch, but kept on to rebuff all save Whitmore, and even then he only lost by a nostril. No reason he shouldn’t go to Del Mar as well. Limousine Liberal, the favorite having run a sharp second in this last year and coming off a third in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga July 29, didn’t show his usual speed as he was well back early, started to advance going to the far turn, pitched very wide and put in a strong, sustained rally to just miss by a nose and a neck. Threefiveindia, a winner of a tough optional claimer at Saratoga Aug. 26, stalked the pace while inside, loomed a big threat between horses by midstretch, was in tight when in a crowd, and couldn’t recover enough. Favorite Tale, once a top sprinter (ran third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint here in 2015) and making just his second start after over 17 months on the bench, stalked the early pace but couldn’t keep up.

Keeneland
Alcibiades (race 9)

COMMENT: Heavenly Love was facing winners, routing for the first time, and moving back to dirt after a maiden win on turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7, but the wonderfully bred filly was more than up to the task as she punched her ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juveniles. By Malibu Moon (sire of 2013 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Orb) out of Darling My Darling (Grade 1 placed) she showed speed to stalk stablemate pacesetter Dancing through modest splits, roared past that rival coming into the lane, drew off and didn’t have a worry thereafter. This wasn’t the strongest renewal and it is worth noting maiden Gio Game, her stablemate, ran this same distance quite a bit faster earlier on the card (1:44.74/1:45.32). Still, visually this was impressive. Princess Warrior, the favorite after winning her debut at Churchill Downs Sept. 16, bided her time early, came with a run into the lane to pass some rivals but was never a danger to the winner. Dancing, a $425,000 daughter of champion Bernardini but a maiden after three starts, went right to the lead, set modest splits while holding the fence, taking some pressure from the eventual winner, was no match for that foe when she hit the gas coming into the lane, couldn’t rally with the runner-up but kept on decently to hold third. Kelly’s Humor, winner of the Ellis Park Debutante and second in Churchill’s Grade 2 Pocahontas, got bumped at the start, was well back early, behind Princess Warrior, tried to rally with that foe on the far turn, couldn’t keep pace with that rival and plugged along to split the field.

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Oct. 7

Belmont
Champagne (race 8)

COMMENT: Firenze Fire, a son of Poseidon’s Warrior, won his first two starts in smart fashion, including Saratoga’s Grade 3 Sanford, but then he was fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful there Sept. 4. But he had an excuse in the Hopeful as he had been coughing the week prior. He bounced back nicely here, beating a promising bunch and earning a ticket to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. From his outside post he sat well back early as Aveenu Malcainu set a brisk pace under pressure from Honorable Treasure, started to advanced going to the far turn coming through between horses, swung wider still turning for home and into the lane, and sustained his strong run to catch and go past leader Good Magic. Good Magic, a $1 million son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, was second in his debut at Saratoga Aug. 26 and he validated that quality here. He sat a couple lengths off the pace from the start, crept closer on the far turn, swung wide and came with a run into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, and finished clear of the others. He may be a maiden but he surely has talent. Enticed, winner of his debut at Saratoga Sept. 4 and wonderfully bred (by Grade 1 winner and top sire Medaglia d’Oro out of Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky), broke sharply to press the early pace, was content to take back a bit and stalk while inside, angled out into the lane, and kept to his task to get third. Kowboy Karma, winner of his first two starts at Delaware and then second in a stakes at Monmouth Sept. 2, showed he’s not out of his element here as he was well back early and came with a nice run in the lane. Hazit, who beat Good Magic when they met at Saratoga Aug. 26, stalked the pace between horses, got shuffled back into the lane but plugged along to get fifth while no threat. Honorable Treasure pressed the pace, was still there turning for home but then tired. Aveenu Malcainu, the tepid 3-1 favorite off two wins over statebreds at Saratoga this summer, went right out to the lead, set a brisk pace under pressure from Honorable Treasure while saving ground, but weakened in the lane.

Belmont
Hill Prince (race 9)

COMMENT: Yoshida and Bricks and Mortar have been knocking heads in recent months and Yoshida got the better of his rival here. The son of Heart’s Cry, a son of Horse of the Year Sunday Silence, stalked in third as Secretary At War went out to a clear lead. Yoshida was in a bit tight between horses when making his run into the lane, but bulled through between runners to get up for the score. Yoshida may try the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile or the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar Nov. 25. Lucullan, stepping up after an allowance win here Sept. 10, was just behind the eventual winner, came with a run in the lane to be widest of the four challenging for the lead in deep stretch (and thus the only one of the top four who didn’t have traffic issues in the lane), stayed on well, but just couldn’t quite outdo the winner. Bricks and Mortar, winner of his first four starts before finishing a troubled third in the Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga Sept. 2 (just behind Yoshida in second), bided his time early, saved ground to the far turn, was in tight on the rail when trying to make his move inside Yoshida, got straightened, tried to go through the same seam as Yoshida late, bumped with that foe when things got tightened some by a lugging-in Frostmourne, but stayed on to be a good third. The Hollywood Derby figures on his radar. Frostmourne, winner of the Grade 2 Penn Mile June 3 and Grade 3 Kent July 15, sat second behind pacesetting Secretary At War, moved up into the lane to grab the lead, shied out some from being hit left-handed, moved back inward when being given a right-handed stick correction, forcing Yoshida and Bricks and Mortar to be in tight, continued on, but couldn’t outfinish the top three. Ticonderoga, off since finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby here July 8, brushed the gate to get away last and never made a move.

Belmont
Jockey Club Gold Cup (race 10)

COMMENT: Diversify continued his ascent as the 4-year-old son of Bellamy Road, coming off two wins over statebreds this summer, used his speed to prevail. He set modest splits while under minimal pressure, opened up some on the far turn and into the lane, and while he tired late and a couple rivals closed the gap, he kept them at bay. While he earned a trip to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic his connections weren’t sure yet if they would go. If they opt to skip the Breeders’ Cup, he could instead target the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Dec. 2. Keen Ice, winner of the Grade 2 Suburban here July 8 and second to top-class Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga Aug. 5, bided his time early, as is his custom, came with a smart early run on the far turn, took dead aim on the leader into the lane while having to fight with Pavel to his inside, couldn’t get to the winner, but got the better of Pavel in the final half-furlong to be a clear second. He figures to take another swing at the Breeders’ Cup. Pavel, romping winner of the Grade 3 Smarty Jones at Parx Sept. 4 and making just his fourth start, stalked between horses, moved with Keen Ice while inside that foe on the far turn while travelling very comfortably, was asked for run in the lane, battled with Keen Ice as those two chased Diversify, then weakened in the final half-furlong. The Breeders’ Cup could be in his plans, though he’s still short on seasoning. He figures to be a very nice 4-year-old next year. Good Samaritan lagged back, pitched wide into the lane, and finished decently though he was never a factor. He reportedly will not go for a Breeders’ Cup race. Rally Cry, second to Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Sept. 2, stalked the pace while outside Pavel, got pinched back on the far turn, had to steady losing his action, and never got going again.

Keeneland
Woodford (race 5)

COMMENT: Last year, Bucchero won a statebred stakes at Indiana Downs, came here for this race, but finished a dull 11th. He came into this year’s renewal the same way, off a repeat win in Indiana Downs’s Brickyard, but went so much better here, posting the upset and possibly earning a trip to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He sat second though well behind early leader Latent Revenge, started to advance on that rival turning for home, went past him into the lane, and held his rivals at bay. Hogy, coming off a rallying win in the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint last month, was away slowly, bided his time early, as usual, pitched very wide on the far turn and into the lane, rallied well but couldn’t get to the winner. The Breeders’ Cup might still be on his radar as well. Mongolian Saturday, winner of this last year and coming off a second in the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx Sept. 4, sat fourth from the start, moved outside some on the turn to try and make a run, plugged along well in the lane, but was never really a danger to the winner. Commend, the favorite after running second to Hogy at Kentucky Downs, settled toward the back while between horses but never mustered a run.

Keeneland
Thoroughbred Club of America (race 6)

COMMENT: On paper Finley’sluckycharm appeared to hold all the aces here and that’s the way it worked out on the track as the daughter of Twirling Candy made it nine wins in 12 starts and figures to go on to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. While speed is her primary weapon she showed a little more patience here, sitting fourth early after getting bumped at the start. She bided her time, came with her run in the lane, and had little trouble go past the tiring pacesetters and clear. While she merits much respect in the Breeders’ Cup, that race is coming up brutally tough and she might not be quite as effective at that longer seven-furlong trip. Chalon, a 3-year-old facing elders for the first time after running third in a stakes at Los Alamitos Sept 9, dueled with True Romance from the start, looked in trouble when that foe took a clear lead into the lane, but plugged along well to go past that tiring rival while unable to finish with the winner. True Romance, stepping well up in class after an optional-claiming win at Parx Sept. 17, volleyed up front with Chalon, appeared to get the better of that foe coming into the lane when taking the lead, only to tire in the final furlong. Bendable, a Southern California raider coming off a win in Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Desert Stormer and a third in Del Mar’s Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo, sat back just behind the eventual winner, was still just behind that rival turning for home, and never mustered a run. Vertical Oaks, coming off a romping win in the mud in Saratoga’s Grade 2 Prioress Sept. 3, was third early while on the rail, was in tight and had to steady going down the backstretch, lost her action, and never got back on track.

Keeneland
First Lady (race 7)

COMMENT: Zipessa hadn’t won since July 2016 but was coming off a second to top-class Miss Temple City in the Grade 3 Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9. That apparently signaled a resurgence as the 5-year-old mare picked up her game further, posting the upset here and getting her first Grade 1 win over a very strong field. She stalked early as Hawksmoor ran off to a clear lead, was second well behind that foe going down the backstretch and to the far turn, went after that foe into the lane, got abreast of her by midstretch, and edged past for the upset. This may earn her a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, though that race is coming up brutally tough. Hawksmoor, shortening up after tiring to seventh in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Aug. 12, broke a bit slowly and outwardly but still had the speed to grab the lead by the first turn and moved out to a clear early lead going into the backstretch, though the fractions weren’t all that fast. She remained clear on the far turn and into the stretch, battled back when confronted by the winner by midstretch, couldn’t keep pace with that foe and just held second. The Breeders’ Cup could still be in her plans, though trainer Arnaud Delacour didn’t sound convinced, saying she might instead point for the Grade 1 Matriarch, also at a mile, at Del Mar Nov. 26. Roca Rojo, third in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga Aug. 26, sat back from the start, pitched very wide on the turn to make her run, closed smartly and just failed to get second, though she was never really a danger to the winner. She’ll likely to point to the Matriarch, a race in which she was second last year. Dona Bruja, coming off two Grade 3 wins and a dead-heat second in the Beverly D., was away a bit slowly to be last early, angled very wide into the lane, was still last by midstretch, got going well late, but was never really a factor. She’s not Breeders’ Cup eligible, so she could instead point for the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs Nov. 24 and then go on to Tampa Bay. Dickinson, winner of the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley (over no less a foe than Lady Eli) here in the spring and coming off a second (to Lady Eli) in the Ballston Spa, stalked from the start, not far behind the eventual winner, loomed a threat turning for home, but couldn’t sustain her bid.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Futurity (race 8)

COMMENT: Free Drop Billy ran second to Firenze Fire in the Grade 3 Sanford (that guy came back to win the Grade 1 Champagne earlier this day) and was an even better second in the Grade 1 Hopeful last time out. Well, the son of Grade 1 Belmont winner Union Rags got his first shot at a route here and moved forward yet again, easily defeating his rivals. He bided his time midpack, moved closer to stalk the pace while between horses, appeared to get jostled and was in tight going down the backstretch and to the far turn, finally got out of that traffic jam on the far turn, swung out for clear sailing, and powered home to grab the lead and win going away. On to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, though Bolt d’Oro is there waiting, as might the aforementioned Firenze Fire. Bravazo, a maiden winner at Churchill Downs Sept. 16, stalked the pace, came with a run into the lane, was no match for the winner, but stayed on well to be a clear second. Lone Sailor, a romping winner over maidens in the slop at Saratoga Sept. 3, was well back early after a slow start, had to check and alter his path going to the far turn, pitched wide for clear sailing, and came home decently, though he was no real danger to the top two. Givemeaminit was third in the Grade 1 Hopeful but just a head behind Free Drop Billy in second. He couldn’t get close to that rival this time as he lagged back, got bounced around when between horses, tried to rally with the eventual winner, proved no match for that rival, but plugged along to get fifth. Ten City took a bad step, was pulled up, and had to be euthanized.

Keeneland
Shadwell Turf Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Suedois has been sprinting primarily in Europe the past couple seasons and had found top-class waters just a bit too deep. However, he moved to a mile for a Group 2 in Ireland last time out Sept. 9 and won, and showed again here that a mile is the game he wants. He bided his time early as favorite Heart to Heart set a solid pace under some pressure from a rank Applicator, remained well back to the far turn, got a dream run between horses to reach contention coming into the lane, didn’t look as though he’d catch Heart to Heart in the final furlong, but surged late to go past that tough rival. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar beckons. Heart to Heart, favored off a win the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga Sept. 4, did everything right only to lose a heartbreaker. He went right to the lead, took some pressure from longshots Applicator and Christian C, dispatched with those two turning for home, rebuffed Miss Temple City into the lane, held a clear lead to deep stretch, only to get nailed late by the winner. He is not Breeders’ Cup eligible, however, and trainer Brian Lynch said the supplemental fee is too much so he likely won’t go to Del Mar. He did say Heart to Heart would race in 2018. Ballagh Rocks, third to top U.S. miler World Approval in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga Aug. 12, stalked the pace while between horses behind the leaders, remained there to the top of the lane, went after Heart to Heart while inside Suedois, and couldn’t quite finish with them. Divisidero, shortening up after finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Arlington Million (though he was beaten by just 2 1/2 lengths), broke slowly, as usual, to be well back early, steadily advanced to the far turn, and finished with good energy but had left himself with too much to do. Mondialiste, fourth in this last year and who rallied for fourth after being far back early in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, remained well back to the far turn, came through between horses, and finished well but couldn’t really get involved. Miss Temple City, the defending champ, got a dream trip stalking the pace, loomed a big threat turning for home, but weakened in the lane. She’s still good but appears to have lost a bit off her game.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Sprint Championship (race 6)

COMMENT: Roy H couldn’t handle Ransom the Moon when second to that foe in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, but he had a bit of excuse as he was carried very wide by a riderless horse. There were no such issues here and he gained his revenge and punched his ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. From his outside post he broke well to get a stalking trip as American Anthem set a solid pace under pressure from Mr. Hinx. Roy H remained in third to the top of the lane, came with his run outside the two fron-trunners, was asked for run with one crack of the whip to get him serious, and then ran down Mr. Hinx and edged clear while basically under a hand ride. He can be a factor in the Breeders’ Cup, though the Sprint is coming up tough. Mr. Hinx, fourth to Giant Expectations in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar Aug. 26, but a big longshot at 41-1, showed speed to dog American Anthem from the start, got the better of that foe into the lane, but couldn’t quite finish with the winner. American Anthem, a 3-year-old facing elders for the first time and coming off a third in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga Aug. 26, set a solid pace under pressure while saving ground, battled back when hooked into the lane, but weakened in the final furlong. Ransom the Moon, winner of the Grade 2 Kona Gold and the Bing Crosby, tossed in a rare dud. He stalked in fourth while saving ground but never mustered a run. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint may still be in his plans. Giant Expectations, winner of three of his prior four, including the Pat O’Brien, unseated his rider while fractious in the gate, broke tardily to be last early, and never made a move. He was using this as a prep for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile so that may still be the plan despite his gate antics and this dull run.

Oct. 8

Belmont
Frizette (race 7)

COMMENT: The track was listed as good from showers earlier. After her 11 3/4-length romp in her debut at Saratoga July 30, Separationofpowers was the 3-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Spinaway there Sept. 2. However, she got into a duel from the start and paid the price, ending up a well-beaten third behind Lady Ivanka. She made no such mistake here as the daughter of Candy Ride punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar last month and stamped herself a major threat. She broke sharply but seemed amenable to rating as she relaxed just off the pace set by Strategic Dreams and Drama Run, moved closer going to the far turn, was asked for run turning for home, found her top gear to go after leader Purrfect Miss, reeled her in, and drew off to win comfortably. Caledonia Road, impressive winner of her debut in the slop at Saratoga Sept. 3, lagged well back early, pitched wide on the far turn, put in a run coming into the lane to briefly look a threat to the winner, but then couldn’t close on that rival, staying on well to finish far clear of the rest. Maya Malibu, who rallied for second in the Spinaway well ahead of Separationofpowers, was just behind the eventual winner from the start while saving ground from her rail post, swung out coming into the lane, and plugged along to get third. Purrfect Miss, impressive maiden winner at Saratoga Aug. 20, pressed the pace, battled for the lead on the turn, put her head in front, but weakened once straightened away. Critique, a 16-length winner over maidens in her second start at Saratoga Sept. 4, was basically one-paced throughout and never really in the ballgame. It’s still far too early to give up on her.

Belmont
Flower Bowl (race 8)

COMMENT: The inner course was still listed as firm despite continuing showers. War Flag had shown ability with a second and a third in her last two, both Grade 3’s, but seemed to be biting off quite a bit here as she stepped into Grade 1 waters. However, trainer Shug McGaughey knew exactly what he was doing as the daughter of War Front stepped up her game and got her first Grade 1 win. She got a great stalking position just behind pacesetters Grand Jete and Zhukova, bided her time there to the far turn, came up outside those two, moved up to challenge Grand Jete into the lane as Zhukova fell away, battled gamely with that rival, got the better of her, but still had to fight to get to the line before a hard-charging Dacita. McGaughey still wasn’t sure about the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf as it would require a distance cutback to 1 1/8 miles, something he didn’t feel confident about just yet. Dacita, coming off a win in the Grade 1 Beverly D., bided her time just behind War Flag, moved inward on the far turn to save ground, swung well off the rail into the lane, and closed resolutely only to come up just short. She ran well though she prefers firmer ground. The Breeders’ Cup might not be on her radar as trainer Chad Brown thought the trip might be too short for her, and that her owners already have top-class Lady Eli slated for that. Grand Jete, who dead-heated for second in the Beverly D. after a troubled trip, broke sharply, went right to the lead with Zhukova, took constant pressure from that rival while setting slow splits, dispatched with that rival into the lane, was immediately taken on by War Flag, still had the lead inside the eighth pole, and succumbed in the final yards to both the winner and her stablemate Dacita. The Breeders’ Cup very much figures on her radar. Zhukova, who invaded from Europe in the spring to blast males in the Grade 1 Man o’ War here, contested the early lead with Grand Jete, relinquished pacesetting duties to that rival, continued to dog her, moved up to challenge that foe on the far turn, but then gave way. In the Man o’ War she loved the bog-like conditions. While there was some cut in the ground here it anything close to those conditions and that, plus the pace pressure she applied, did her in. The Breeders’ Cup doesn’t figure in her plans as she surely won’t get soft turf at Del Mar and this year’s edition is at a distance likely short of her preference.

Keeneland
Bourbon (race 8)

COMMENT: Heavy rain forced this race off the turf onto a main track listed as sloppy (sealed). That didn’t bother Flameaway in the least as the $400,000 son of Scat Daddy earned a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, despite the fact he’s never run on turf. A winner of a stakes at Saratoga Aug. 18 that was also washed off the turf onto a muddy track and then sixth in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Sept. 16, he broke well from his outside post to contest the very early lead but soon assumed a stalking trip just off pacesetters Tigers Rule and Tap Daddy to his inside. He stalked in third just off those two, moved closer turning for home while wide, was widest of that trio battling down the stretch, got bumped by Tap Daddy, and outfinished those two foes. Tigers Rule volleyed up front with Tap Daddy while saving ground, battled through the lane while inside, drifted out some in midstretch to bump Tap Daddy, and just missed. He was disqualified and placed third for hindering Tap Daddy. Tap Daddy battled with Tigers Rule, fought between horses, had to steady late when Tigers Rule came out a bit and bumped him, but continued on resolutely to miss by two noses. He was moved up to second via the disqualification of Tigers Rule. Admiralty Pier sat midpack while wide, shifted inward some coming into the lane to make his run, moved further inside to the rail, and finished well. Captivating Moon, a rallying second in the Arlington-Washington Futurity on Arlington’s Polytrack, was very slow into stride to be last early, was still well back going down the backstretch, was very wide on the far turn and in the lane, and basically just passed tired rivals.

Keeneland
Spinster (race 9)

COMMENT: Track was listed as sloppy (sealed). Romantic Vision continued her love affair with this track (now 3 for 4 here) and with sloppy going as she notched her first Grade 1 win. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid sat second as longshot Duchess of Duke went right out to set the pace, was content to dog that foe to the far turn, took over while wide coming into the lane, and edged clear for the win. This earns her a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, though she won’t get this type of track at Del Mar and will be facing the likes of champion Stellar Wind, top-class elder Forever Unbridled, and top-class 3-year-olds Elate and Abel Tasman. Martini Glass stalked in third, just behind the eventual winner, had to steady going to the far turn when in tight, got back into stride, came with a run in the lane, and finished second, much the best of the others. Blue Prize lagged back early, came with a threatening run into the lane, but flattened out a bit for third. Lockdown, among the top 3-year-old fillies and coming off a third in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Sept. 23, broke poorly to get away last, remained there going down the backstretch, started to advance by the far turn, pitched very wide, and passed a few tiring rivals. Bar of Gold, the favorite after running second in Presque Isle Downs’s Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters Sept. 18 (a sprint), sat midpack early and never made a move while racing wide throughout. Considering five of her six wins have come on wet tracks, the Breeders’ Cup likely isn’t on her radar, as she surely won’t get that kind of footing at Del Mar.

Santa Anita
L. A. Woman (race 5)

COMMENT: Unique Bella appeared head and shoulders above these, though she hadn’t run since March, and it played out the way it was expected as she likely established herself the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint with this handy win. After running second in her debut here in June 2016 she rattled off four easy wins, then suffered a shin injury. She got away last here and was rank early. She settled fairly quickly, though, sitting third as Princess Karen went out to the lead, taking pressure from Lunar Empress. Unique Bella moved up to grab the lead under her own power and drew clear without really being asked. While the Breeders’ Cup will pit her against the likes of Paulassilverlining, Skye Diamonds, Finley’sluckycharm, By the Moon, Constellation, American Gal, Faypien, Carina Mia, and defending champ Finest City, she looks like the one to beat. Princess Karen, coming off a win in a stakes at Los Alamitos Sept. 9, went right to the lead while staying inside, took constant pressure from Lunar Empress through strong splits, tried to rebuff Unique Bella into the lane, proved no match for that gal, but stayed on to hold second. Cuddle Alert stalked in fourth, came with a solid run, and held third. Bad Ju Ju bided her time and just failed to get up for third.