Trip Notes for September 1-2: Woodward, Spinaway, Del Mar Derby, and more

Sept. 1

Saratoga
Saranac (race 9)

COMMENT: Raging Bull was a narrow winner of the Grade 2 Hall of Fame here Aug. 3, his third win in his first four starts. But the son of Dark Angel picked up his game further as he finished strongly to win well, stamping himself among the elite 3-year-old turfers with the likes of Catholic Boy, Analyze It, and River Boyne. He stalked while saving ground as Up the Ante (who provided ‘Bull with his lone loss) shot out to the lead, remained midpack while continuing inside, was urged to get involved on the far turn, started to advance, swung out for a clear lane and powered home to roll past Up the Ante and clear. The Grade 2 Hill Prince at Belmont on Oct. 6 figures next, though there he might run into Catholic Boy and maybe even stablemate Analyze It. Should all go well there he could go to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Dec. 1. Up the Ante, big winner of the Manila at Belmont last time out July 4, in which he beat Raging Bull, again shot out to a clear lead, set a modest pace under minimal pressure while saving ground, saw the field creep closer to him turning for home, opened up again a few lanes off the rail, fought on bravely but couldn’t match the winner in the final half-furlong. The Hill Prince figures on his radar as well. March to the Arch steadied at the start to get away poorly, was last early, remained well back to the far turn, came with a smart run in the lane while veering toward the rail inside Up the Ante to loom a threat but couldn’t sustain it enough to go with the winner while nearly catching the runner-up. Free Drop Billy, proven on dirt but trying turf, stalked the pace, crept closer going to the far turn while a few lanes out, got pushed farther out into the lane and failed to muster a run. Maraud, a game second to ‘Bull in the Hall of Fame a month ago, was away slowly and never really picked up a hoof in a disappointing outing. He’s certainly capable of better, though the fact he showed nothing at any point makes you worry something might have gone amiss.

Saratoga
Spinaway (race 10)

COMMENT: When Sippican Harbor blasted maidens by 17 lengths in a race washed off the turf here Aug. 12 many considered that result track-influenced. Well, another big win here comes with no such caveat. She got pinched back at the start to get away poorly, seemed content to remain at the back as Guacamole and Nonna Madeline dueled up front through solid splits, swung out turning for home and into the lane and finished with gusto to roll to a clear win. She’ll reportedly likely train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill. Restless Rider, who somehow won the Debutante at Churchill on June 30 by 11 1/4 lengths despite having to check sharply going into the far turn, sat midpack early, stayed wide and in the clear, pitched wider still into the lane, came with a smart run to loom a big threat but couldn’t finish with the winner. Considering this was her first start since that big Debutante win, she could improve next time out, though whether that’s the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont or Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland, both in early October, remains to be seen. Cassies Dreamer, smart debut winner over $50,000 maiden claimers in mud here Aug. 3, and claimed that day by trainer Barclay Tagg, validated his eye as the daughter of Flatter was away poorly to be last early, remained at the back racing with the eventual winner, rallied with that foe on the turn, swung out into the lane and finished decently but couldn’t keep pace with the winner and just failed to catch the runner-up. Chasing Yesterday, half-sister to Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah, favored off an impressive debut win at Del Mar on July 28 and who shipped here to avoid knocking heads with talented stablemate Mother Mother in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on this same day, got bumped a bit early, resulting in her being toward the back, remained there to the far turn, pitched wider still but never mustered a run. Virginia Eloise, big debut winner at Belmont on July 4 and a sharp rallying second in the Grade 2 Adirondack here Aug. 11, raced at the back just behind Chasing Yesterday but never really made a move of any sort. Catherinethegreat, a romping maiden winner in slop at Gulfstream on June 23 and a big winner of the Grade 3 Schuylerville here July 20, stalked in third, was still there turning for home, got pinched back when in traffic into the lane and backed out of it thereafter.

Saratoga
Woodward (race 11)

COMMENT: Trainer Bill Mott said a while back he was tempted to try Yoshida on dirt at some point as the 4-year-old colt was bred for it (grandsire is Horse of the Year Sunday Silence). After a super fifth in the Group 1 Queen Anne in England on June 19 he returned to the U.S., but was a bit dull in the Grade 1 Fourstardave on turf here Aug. 11. However, he came out of that with an eye swollen shut after being hit with a turf clod, so surely that had an effect. He had no such issues here as he won nicely. From his rail slot he lagged well back early while saving ground as Leofric and Rally Cry dueled up front though solid splits, remained well back going to the far turn, came off the inside turning for home, swung very wide into the lane and finished resolutely to grab the lead by the sixteenth pole and edge clear. He had to withstand a claim of foul from runner-up Gunnevera, who claimed Yoshida shoved him out wider when moving out into the lane. The result was allowed to stand, which seemed the right call. Trainer Bill Mott said Yoshida would likely train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, though the water there will be quite a bit deeper. Gunnevera, the tepid favorite off a romping optional-claiming win at Gulfstream on Aug. 10, his first start since an eighth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 31, sat well back, as is his custom, a bit behind the eventual winner, was lapped on that rival on the far turn, pitched wide into the lane, got pushed a bit wider out when that foe moved out into the lane while narrowly behind and finished well, though he did lose ground to Yoshida from the furlong marker to the wire. His rider lodged a claim of foul against the winner but it was not allowed. The Classic is in his plans as well. Leofric, winner of the Grade 3 West Virginia Governor’s at Mountaineer on Aug. 4, went right out to contest the lead with Rally Cry to his outside, dueled with that foe through solid splits while inside, was still locked in battle with that foe to his outside all the way to the eighth pole, couldn’t finish with the eventual winner while gamely keeping to his task to only lose second in the final stride. Rally Cry, second in this last year (though beaten 10 1/4 lengths by eventual Horse of the Year Gun Runner) and a well-beaten fourth in an optional-claiming sprint here July 21, his first start in almost 10 months, moved forward as from his far outside post he went right out to contest the lead with Leofric to that foe’s outside, remained engaged with that rival to midstretch, couldn’t get past and weakened just a bit in the final half-furlong. Discreet Lover, who’s been knocking on the door with a fourth in the Grade 1 Met Mile and thirds in the Grade 2 Suburban and Grade 1 Whitney in his last three starts, sat midpack from the start, pitched very wide into the lane but came up empty. Could be a busy few months have taken their toll. Seeking the Soul, winner of last fall’s Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill and coming off a game second in a stakes at Indiana Downs on July 14, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home just behind and outside the top two, but came up completely empty thereafter.

Saratoga
Glens Falls (race 12)

COMMENT: Lady Montdore, Group 3-placed in France last year and a smashing N1X winner of her U.S. debut here Aug. 6 (also her first start in 11 months and was pulled up in distress after the race due to heat), showed she’s the real deal as the daughter of Grade 1 winners Medaglia d’Oro and Hystericalady stepped up and got her first graded stakes win, a Grade 2 no less. She went right to the lead from her outside post, quickly maneuvered to the rail, remained there while getting away with murder up front, setting a dawdling pace, rebuffed a challenge from 3-2 favorite Santa Monica into the lane, and with more than enough gas in the tank after those slow early splits kicked clear to win easily. The Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont on Oct. 7 could be next, though trainer Tom Albertrani said she’s a ‘light’ filly so she’d have to be doing really well to go there against Sistercharlie. Either way, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf is the plan for her. Santa Monica, from the record-setting Chad Brown barn and favored off a smart win in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly at Woodbine on June 30, sat just behind the eventual winner from the start, crept closer going to the far turn, looked poised to make a run at that gal but then couldn’t keep pace when the winner, with plenty left after setting such a slow pace, kicked away again. The Flower Bowl is a possibility for her, though her trainer Chad Brown is already targeting that with bigshots Sistercharlie and Fourstar Crook. Danceland stalked in third while saving ground, tried to make a run at Lady Montdore with Santa Monica but like that foe was no match for the winner who controlled everything from the start. Homeland Security, game winner of the River Memories at Belmont on July 8, got away slowly to be at the back of the field early, moved wide on the far turn as if ready to make some sort of run but no run ever came.

Monmouth
Violet (race 8)

COMMENT: Another graded stakes for turf females, another win for trainer Chad Brown. Elysea’s World, who while certainly talented is likely part of his ‘B’ squad, made it two straight Grade 3 wins on this course, having rallied to capture the Matchmaker here July 29. The daughter of Champs Elysees, sent off the prohibitive favorite at this same 1 1/8-mile trip as the Matchmaker, proved a prompt choice as she sat last early as Bishop’s Pond set a modest pace under constant pressure from Viva Vegas, remained last to the far turn, swung out for clear sailing and powered home to catch then-leader Viva Vegas inside the eighth pole and draw off. Four of her six wins have come at this distance and while she isn’t ready to take on such top-class stablemates as Sistercharlie, Fourstar Crook, A Raving Beauty, Off Limits, Quidura or a few others, she can surely do damage in the right spots. A race like the Grade 3 Athenia at Belmont on Oct. 21 may be such a spot, though if they wanted to come back quickly the Grade 2 Canadian at Woodbine on Sept. 15 is an option. Viva Vegas, fourth to ‘World in the Matchmaker after setting the pace, ran well again as she dogged pacesetter Bishop’s Pond from the start, hounded that foe through modest splits to the far turn, got the better of that rival coming into the lane to grab the lead, still had the lead at the eighth pole, was then no match for the winner in the final furlong but kept on well to finish well clear of the others. Bishop’s Pond, back to turf after running third in a dirt sprint stakes at Laurel on July 28 which was her first start in four months, went right to the lead, was immediately joined by Viva Vegas to her outside, set a modest pace under constant pressure from that foe, finally relented turning for home but stayed on to hold third. Special Event, second in the Grade 3 Eatontown here June 30 and third in the Matchmaker, stalked while not far behind the two pacesetters, moved closer to loom a threat turning for home but flattened out in the lane and was unable to threaten the top two. Care Lady, a two-time Group 1 winner in her native Argentina last year and fifth in her U.S. debut at Saratoga on Aug. 2, scratched.

Monmouth
Red Bank (race 10)

COMMENT: Synchrony looked super blasting rivals with a strong late run in the Grade 3 Oceanport here July 29 and he affirmed his superiority over this caliber and affection for this course with another impressive victory. The 5-year-old son of top sire Tapit sat back, as is his custom, though he wasn’t as far back as he’s sometimes been, instead sitting fifth as the heavy 3-5 favorite at Abiding Star moved out to a clear early lead through fast splits, remained toward the back going to the far turn while continuing to save ground, came out into the lane and while he still had work to do to get to clear leader Abiding Star, finished strongly to reel-in that rival, blow on by and clear. He’s reportedly going into the deep end of the pool next, the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 6 and should all go well there, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Nov. 3. Abiding Star, seventh in the Wolf Hill (a sprint) here July 29, showed he could carry his speed and be effective at this level as he went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Conquest Enforcer, soon moved off to a clear lead going into the backstretch, was again confronted by ‘Enforcer going down the backstretch, gamely rebuffed that foe, opened up into the lane, still had a clear lead by the eighth pole but was no match for the winner thereafter. Irish Straight, third in the Oceanport, stalked in fourth, made a threatening move on the far turn, couldn’t sustain it but kept on decently to be third well ahead of the rest. Force the Pass, a Grade 1 winner in 2015 and who came back after a year and a half on the bench to win the Cliff Hanger over some of these here May 5 before a couple duds (sixth in Belmont’s Grade 3 Poker June 17, seventh in the Oceanport here July 27), got bumped at the start to get away poorly, lagged well back and never mustered a run. While the troubled start didn’t help, it’s apparent he’s just not the horse he once was.

Del Mar
Del Mar Debutante (race 4)

COMMENT: On paper this looked like a brutally tough renewal as Brill, a $1 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who was so impressive winning her debut here July 18, Mother Mother, a $450,000 daughter of Pioneerof the Nile who likewise easily won her first start here July 22, and Bellafina, an $800,000 daughter of Quality Road who after a nice debut-second at Los Alamitos on July 4 romped in the Grade 2 Sorrento here Aug. 5. Well, it was Bellafina who took what seemed such a competitive race and turned it into her showcase. From her outside post she broke well to duel from the start with Mother to her inside, was still entangled with that foe on the far turn but quickly dispatched with her, opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter, drawing off to win easily. Obviously the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 is next and should all go well there, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill in November. Mother Mother, so impressive easily winning her debut, shot right out to the lead, was immediately confronted by Bellafina to her outside, dueled with that foe while stuck on the fence, proved no match for the winner in the lane but kept on well to be a clear second. The Chandelier figures on her radar as well. Boujie Girl, easy winner of her debut here July 26 and then third to Bellafina in the Sorrento, stalked from her inside slot, came out into the lane, kept to her task gamely but was no threat to the top two. Brill, smashing winner of her debut here July 18, broke decently, but pulled back some between horses to be behind the leaders, crept closer going the far turn as if ready to get involved but then came up empty. She can surely do better and like the others figures to eye the Chandelier.

Del Mar
John C. Mabee (race 10)

COMMENT: Vasilika was claimed for $40,000 at Santa Anita on Feb. 11 and steady progression (ran second, then posted five straight wins) led to this, her first graded stakes win as she triumphed for the sixth straight race. She sat midpack early as Fahan Mura shot out to a clear early lead, remained midpack to the far turn, moved out some for clear sailing and finished with gusto for the win. Off this she likely deserves a shot at the longer (1 1/4 miles) Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 and who knows, should she succeed there maybe a shot at division leader Sistercharlie and whatever Euro bigshots come over for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill in November. Cambodia, the favorite as she won this last year and came off a big win in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon here Aug. 4, sat farther back than usual from the start, remained there to the far turn, had to steady when in traffic, got clear, swung wider out than the eventual winner and finished well but it was too late. Not that she would have won without that trouble on the turn but she surely would have finished closer to the winner. The Rodeo Drive figures on her radar as well. Fahan Mura, front-running winner of five of her last six including the Osunitas here July 20, bounced out to a clear early lead, as expected, remained clear while setting a solid pace, stayed a few lanes off the rail, put her head down for home, still had a clear lead by midstretch, proved no match for the winner but lost second only in the final strides. She figures to target the Grade 1 Matriarch here in the late fall as she probably doesn’t want to go longer than this and has been strong at a mile. Meal Ticket, trying stakes for the first time after a smashing optional-claiming winner here Aug. 11, her third win in her last four starts, showed more speed this time as she sat second chasing Fahan Mura, tried to make a run at her into the lane, looked threatening to midstretch but flattened out some, couldn’t rally with the top two and couldn’t catch Fahan Mura. Sophie P, winner of the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita on May 26 and third in the Yellow Ribbon last time out, stalked midpack while saving ground, remained inside to the far turn, kept to the rail into the lane but didn’t have the necessary oomph to be a factor late. Madame Stripes, second in the Yellow Ribbon here, was away a bit slowly to be back racing just ahead of Cambodia, pitched wide turning for home but never mustered a run.

Sept. 2

Saratoga
Prioress (race 10)

COMMENT: Race lost a little bit of shine when Dream Pauline, who would have been one of the favorites after easily winning her first two starts including last time out here Aug. 2, scratched (fever). Dream Tree won her first four starts in SoCal (the first two over now-multiple Grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou) but after an easy win in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes at a mile at Santa Anita on Feb. 4 trainer Bob Baffert said he wasn’t happy how she was training and she hadn’t run since. However, the return of the $750,000 daughter of Uncle Mo was worth the wait as she kept her record unblemished with a handy win over many of the best 3-year-old sprinting fillies around. She broke alertly but was content to stalk as Mia Mischief set a strong pace under pressure from Sower, moved up easily outside those rivals going down the backstretch, ranged up alongside Mia Mischief going into the far turn while outside that rival, dueled with that foe to midstretch but then pulled away to win easily. The way she won could mean a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint is in the offing. Baffert said he wasn’t sure if she’d have another race into her before that. Baffert also has likely Filly and Mare Sprint favorite Marley’s Freedom. Mia Mischief, a sharp second in the Grade 1 Test here Aug. 4, shot right out to the lead, took pressure first from Sower while holding the rail, then had Dream Tree range up to her outside to apply heat, battled back gamely to midstretch but then couldn’t stay with the winner and just got to the line before a hard-charging Moonshine Memories. That miss, coming off a game allowance win at Del Mar, broke slowly to be last early, was content to remain at the back of the pack going down the backstretch, started a run going into the far turn, advanced between horses with a nice rally, ducked to the inside in the lane to continue her run and finished smartly, just failing to catch Mia Mischief, though she was never a danger to the winner. Sower, well backed after a game third in the Victory Ride, pressed the early pace but couldn’t keep up with the top two when they cranked up the heat on the far turn, but plugged along to keep fourth. Classy Act, a game second in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont on July 8 before dueling and fading to seventh in the Test here Aug. 4, pressed the issue early between horses, but then couldn’t keep pace with the top two in the lane and weakened thereafter.

Louisiana Downs
Super Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Main track was upgraded from ‘Muddy’ to ‘Good’ prior to this race. Limation ran miserably in the Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 12 (ninth) but was still given a chance at these deeper waters and the risk paid off as the $100,000 son of Alternation posted the big 26-1 upset. He showed more of his old speed here as he broke alertly, sat second behind clear-leading 72-1 longshot Charlie’s Schiller through modest splits, took over from that tiring rival turning for home and then blew the race open and cruised home. This doesn’t mean he’s ready for fellow 3-year-olds Catholic Boy, Good Magic, and company, but shows he can do damage in the right spots. Lone Sailor, the 6-5 favorite off a third in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on July 29, sat midpack early, steadily advanced, came with a steady run and while never a danger to the winner kept on well to just get up for second. High North, the 7-5 second choice off a third in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer on Aug. 4 after winning the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on July 6, lagged well back early, came with a smart run into the lane to be second by midstretch but couldn’t quite outdo Lone Sailor for second, though like that rival he was no danger to the big winner. Lionite lagged back, made a bit of a run into the lane to be right there with Lone Sailor and High North but then couldn’t finish with those two while far clear of the rest.

Del Mar
Del Mar Derby (race 8)

COMMENT: Ride a Comet struck a blow for the East Coast 3-year-old male turf contingent as the $375,000 son of Candy Ride shipped West and prevailed. Coming off a good third in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame at Saratoga on Aug. 3 (a race won by Raging Bull, who came back to win Saturday’s Grade 3 Saranac there), Ride a Comet bided his time early, sitting eighth as Take the One O One set modest splits, appeared in trouble when bottled up on the far turn, found room to get out of that box, switched out widest of all and blasted home to get the win. He could return East and shoot for the Grade 2 Hill Prince at Belmont on Oct. 6, though there he might run into such bigshots as Catholic Boy, Analyze It, and the aforementioned Raging Bull, or he could remain out West and target the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Kazan, a $485,000 son of Shanghai Bobby, has been a different horse since being gelded as he beat maidens here July 18, then beat optional claimers here Aug. 12 and ran well again here as he lagged well back early, a couple spots behind the eventual winner, pitched wide on the turn to loom a big threat inside the eighth pole but then couldn’t finish with the winner. He nearly made it a huge weekend for trainer Simon Callaghan (sent out Bellafina to win Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante). River Boyne, the even-money favorite after winning five of his last six including the Grade 3 La Jolla here Aug. 5, was quite eager as he was third early, soon moved up to second behind pacesetting Take the One O One, surged to a clear lead as if ready to go on to victory but couldn’t sustain his run, proving no match for the winner and losing second in the final few strides. He likely used too much energy early, hence the bit of a fade in the final furlong. While he lost, a race such as the Twilight Derby still figures very much on his radar. Majestic Eagle, game winner of an optional claimer here July 19, sat back not far ahead of Ride a Comet, advanced to be a threat turning for home but was basically one-paced from there to the wire. Pubilius Syrus, winner of three of his last four but making his first start since taking the Baffle (a sprint) down the hill at Santa Anita on Feb. 18, sat midpack from the start while between horses, was still there turning for home but weakened in the lane. He likely needed this outing and could move forward and be a danger in something like the Twilight Derby. Andesh, adding blinkers after running fourth behind Majestic Eagle in that July 19 race, his U.S. debut, bobbled at the start, saved ground while lagging back but never made a move. Animosity, a filly facing males, reared at the start and was held by an assistant starter to get away well behind the field and was declared a non-starter.