Sept. 21 Belmont Noble Damsel (race 8) COMMENT: It obviously shouldn’t surprise anyone that Chad Brown dominated yet another graded turf stakes in New York, running one-two here with Significant Form and Stella di Camelot. Significant Form, coming off a game win in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga Aug. 24, ran one of her best races here to dominate as the daughter of Creative Cause stalked while Valedictorian set a solid pace, moved closer heading to the far turn, moved up easily to get on Valedictorian’s hip on the far turn, took over from that foe into the lane, opened up and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. She’s likely a cut or two below the likes of stable stars Rushing Fall and Uni but showed here she can still do damage in the right spot. Such a spot could be the Grade 3 Athenia at this same trip here Oct. 20. Stella di Camelot could try her stablemate again in the Athenia as well. A close third to Significant Form in the Grade 3 Intercontinental here June 6 and coming off a third in the De La Rose at Saratoga Aug. 3, her first two starts of the year, she was devoid of speed, as is her custom, to be last early, remained well back to the far turn, came off the inside on the turn to start her run, pitched wider still into the lane and finished well but was no match for her winning stablemate. Valedictorian, back from Southern California where she ran fourth in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 3, went right to the lead, set a strong pace under minimal pressure, battled back when confronted by Significant Form on the far turn, was unable to stay with that rival in the lane and then weakened some when passed by the runner-up in the final half-furlong. Bellavais was at the back of the pack from the start, saved ground from her rail slot as she remained at the back, made a bit of headway in the lane but wasn’t able to be a factor. Belmont Kelso (race 10) COMMENT: Pat On the Back’s last try vs. open company came when a respectable fifth in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct last Dec. 1. He may well target that race again this year as the son of Congrats, coming off a third in a restricted sprint stakes at Saratoga Aug. 9, showed he can more than hold his own vs. open company. Winning for the sixth time in 11 starts here (that accounts for all but three of his wins), the 5-year-old stalked as True Timber, Monongahela and Prince Lucky volleyed up front through strong splits, moved closer to those battling leaders into the far turn, challenged Prince Lucky and True Timber turning for home as Monongahela fell away, battled gamely outside favorite Prince Lucky to gain a short lead by midstretch and battled on for the narrow win. Off this they could be tempted to ship West for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2. If they don’t want to ship, they could instead stay here for the Grade 3 Bold Ruler at 7 furlongs Oct. 26. Prince Lucky, freshened since a smart win in the State Dinner here July 7, broke well, went right up to press the pace with Monongahela and True Timber to his inside, put his head in front on the far turn, was immediately confronted by Pat On the Back to his outside into the lane, battled back gamely but couldn’t quite outduel the winner while finishing well clear of third. True Timber, making his first start since running ninth in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai March 30, was eager from the start, going out to immediately duel with Monongahela to his inside and Prince Lucky to his outside, was still in the hunt turning for home as Monongahela fell away but couldn’t keep pace with the top two in the lane. Charles Town Charles Town Oaks (race 11) COMMENT: It’s never a bad thing to get reminded about what is important in handicapping and Lady T N T provided such a reminder here as to the importance of speed and pace as the filly led her rivals on a merry chase to post a big upset. Coming off a well-beaten second (six lengths) in an optional claiming sprint at Ellis Park Aug. 24, the daughter of Justin Phillip, with blinkers removed, broke sharply to go right out to a clear lead, set a solid pace under modest pressure from Fashion Faux Pas while saving ground, rebuffed challenge from Taylor’s Sprit into the lane, opened up again and held sway to the tune of 37-1. Irish Mischief, the 6-5 favorite off a big allowance win at Ellis Park July 27, didn’t show her usual tactical speed, instead sitting well back early, had to steady on the first turn which kept her toward the back, started a run going to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane and finished well and while she was gaining on the winner it never appeared as if she was going to get there. Taylor’s Spirit stalked the pace, advanced going to the far turn, loomed a threat on the turn and into the lane but flattened out some while staying on for third. La Chancla, the 5-2 second choice off two straight wins including a big victory over allowance foes at Saratoga Aug. 10, was midpack early, found herself trapped along the inside on the first turn to further lose position and never mustered a run thereafter. Laurel Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (race 7) COMMENT: Caribou Club was a Grade 2/3 winner on the West Coast last fall/winter and did well enough to earn a shot at the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai March 30. Alas, that didn’t go well (finished 13th) but after some time off he’s rounded back to form, posting a stakes win on Mountaineer turf Aug. 3 and then proving best here. The 5-year-old City Zip gelding bided his time early as Macagone set a strong pace, remained toward the back to the far turn, swung out on the turn and into the lane to make his run and finished strongly to edge a couple other big closers for the score, setting a course record in the process. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 is on his radar. Frontier Market, winner of an optional claimer at Saratoga Aug. 24, was last from the start, just behind the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as the eventual winner but found his best stride in the final furlong to blast home just outside Caribou Club only to fall just a head short. Cullum Road likewise sat back, was wide on the far turn, appeared in deep trouble there when shuffled back to last but moved outside, found room and finished strongly in the final furlong. Glorious Empire, the Grade 1/Grade 2 winner who was making his first start after a setback after capturing Gulfstream’s Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale Dec. 15, showed speed to chase early pacesetter Macagone through strong splits, made a smart run to the lead into the lane, was clear of the field by the eighth pole but then ran out of gas, fading to sixth. He surely needed this race and the show of speed was good to see. Laurel Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (race 8) COMMENT: Killybegs Captain got away from the likes of Mitole and Promises Fulfilled and that bit of relief paid dividends as the son of Mizzen Mast notched his first graded stakes win. From his rail slot he broke well, sat fourth as longshot Old Time Revival shot out to a big early lead, moved closer while staying inside, got into the fray turning for home as Old Time Revival fell away, made his bid inside rivals in the stretch, grabbed the lead by the eighth pole and gamely held. Altissimo chased the early pacesetter from the start, had to steady turning for home when Old Time Revival ducked out, made his run for the lead as ‘Revival gave way only to be confronted by Killybegs Captain to his inside, battled on gamely but couldn’t turn back that rival while finishing well clear of the rest. He Hate Me, favored off a second in the Tale of the Cat at Saratoga Aug. 9, stalked the pace from the start, remained in stalk mode toward the outside, had to steady off heels into the lane, angled out for room but was unable to make a dent. Parx Gallant Bob (race 9) COMMENT: A bit of havoc occurred before the start as both Bethlehem Road and Get Hammered threw a fit in the gate, both flipped in the gate and had to be scratched. King Jack looks like a top sprinter in the making as the lightly raced son of Jimmy Creed made it three wins in four starts with a smart effort here. Coming off a good second to top-class Improbable in the mile Shared Belief at Del Mar Aug. 25 after two big sprint wins, he used his tactical speed to get a nice trip, stalking as Strong Will and Landeskog dueled through hot splits, moved closer as Landeskog dispatched with Strong Will going to the far turn, sat on that rival’s hip into the lane, was still just behind that foe in midstretch but got the better of him inside the eighth pole and drew off in what was strictly a two-horse race. It may be too much too soon to ask him to go for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2 and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he might instead target the Grade 1 Malibu at 7 furlongs at Santa Anita Dec. 26. Landeskog, like the winner a raider from Southern California and coming off a romping optional claiming win at Del Mar Aug. 4, broke well, went right out to duel with Strong Will to his inside, soon took over pacesetting duties from that rival, was hounded by King Jack to the top of the lane, gamely kept that rival at bay to midstretch but couldn’t withstand that runner’s charge thereafter while finishing far clear of the rest (12 lengths). Trophy Chaser, a game allowance winner at Gulfstream Aug. 30 in his first start in almost eight months, settled in fourth from the start, moved wide turning for home, kept to his task to get third but was never a threat to the top pair. Bulletin, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner and trying dirt for the first time after finishing third in a restricted turf stakes at Saratoga Aug. 25, broke slowly to be last, was still last turning for home and then could make only modest headway to pass a couple rivals in the lane. It could be back to turf after this. Parx Cotillion (race 10) COMMENT: Street Band has certainly blossomed since moving to a route but so far had found the top level of her division just a tad beyond her. No longer. The daughter of Istan came up with the best effort of her career to get her first top-level win. Coming off a third in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga Aug. 17, she bided her time early as Jaywalk set a strong pace under pressure from Serengeti Empress and Bellafina, steadily advanced going to the far turn, remained wide and in the clear as she moved forward into the lane, continued her strong wide run to catch leader and favorite Guarana by midstretch, drawing away late. This likely earns her a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Nov. 2, though the water there will be much, much deeper what with the likes of elders Midnight Bisou and Elate and fellow 3-year-old filly Dunbar Road all eyeing that as well. Guarana, the favorite after winning her first three starts, the last two being the Grade 1 Acorn and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, got a great trip stalking a trio of rivals who set a brisk pace, moved closer while wide on the far turn, took command into the lane as if poised to go on to victory but had no answer for the winner’s charge while finishing well clear of the rest. As talented as she is and while she did win the CCA Oaks at 1 1/8 miles you wonder if that distance isn’t best for her, particularly at the top level like the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Horologist continued her progress as the winner of the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks raced midpack alongside Guarana from the start, didn’t move as early as that rival, remaining midpack on the turn, commenced a smart run into the lane inside the eventual winner to loom a threat but then flattened out in the final furlong. Bellafina, third after a miserable start in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga Aug. 3, had a miserable start again but her natural speed carried her up pressing Jaywalk and Serengeti Empress through solid early splits, moved up outside those rival heading to the far turn, took the lead on the turn for home but then couldn’t keep up with the top three. This suggests that while she’s won going this far she may simply be better suited to a shorter, one-turn game. In fact, trainer Simon Callaghan apparently concurs as he said she’ll point for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at 7 furlongs at Santa Anita Nov. 2. Serengeti Empress, a tough-beat second in the Test, broke well, as usual, from her rail slot to go right to the lead, soon lost pacesetting duties to a hustled Jaywalk to was pushed to the front going into the first turn, pressed and stalked that rival to the far turn while saving ground but then came up empty. She simply seems at her best when able to make the running. Jaywalk, the reigning 2-year-old filly champ who ran second to Horologist in the Monmouth Oaks, was hustled to the lead from her outside post, was able to get the lead from Serengeti Empress going into the first turn, set a strong pace under pressure from ‘Empress and Bellafina, tried to battle back on the far turn when Bellafina took a short lead but then tired in the lane. Parx Pennsylvania Derby (race 11) COMMENT: Race complexion changed when earlier in the week Maximum Security came out (colic). Math Wizard was no match for Mr. Money when third to him in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby and sixth to him in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby in his last two starts, but a change of venue and a track that seemed to favor rally-wide types helped him turn the tables. From his rail slot he bided his time as Mr. Money set a slow pace, was still last going to the far turn, angled for room on the turn, started a nice wide run, pitched wider still into the lane to continue his rally and finished gamely to edge Mr. Money. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2 could be next. Mr. Money did nothing wrong in defeat. Favored off four straight romping Grade 3 wins he went right to the lead, moved to the inside once able to clear the field, set a slow pace under pressure from War of Will, edged clear again into the lane as if ready to go on to victory but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Trainer Bret Calhoun said the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 could be next, or they could await the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Nov. 29, depending on how the horse comes out of this race. Calhoun said they might also just freshen him and shoot for big races at Gulfstream, Saudi Arabia and Dubai next year. War of Will, winner of the Grade 1 Preakness before a couple dull outings (ninth in the Grade 1 Belmont, fifth in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy), broke well, showed the speed to press Mr. Money, moved up to challenge that foe and loom a big threat on the turn, got rebuffed by that rival, stayed on well for third but could never get on terms with Mr. Money and couldn’t rally with the eventual winner to his outside. It was still a solid effort and an improved one from his last pair, meaning the Breeders’ Cup Classic could be on his radar. Improbable, favored in both the Kentucky Derby (ran fifth, moved up to fourth) and Preakness (ran sixth) before a layoff and a big win in the mile Shared Belief at Del Mar Aug. 25 (beat King Jack who won the Gallant Bob here earlier this day), was favored again but as had been the case from time to time was his own worst enemy in the gate. He was unruly in the gate and had his head turned when the gates opened, causing him to get away poorly a few lengths behind the field. His natural speed carried him into a decent stalking position while saving ground, loomed a big threat into the lane when coming up to Mr. Money’s hip but couldn’t sustain his bid as he tired some in the final half-furlong. The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile might be the best spot for him. Sept. 22 Belmont Gallant Bloom (race 3) COMMENT: Come Dancing affirmed her status as the top sprinting distaffer in the land and now goes to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2 as the likely favorite, and an intriguing matchup with hotshot 3-year-old Covfefe. She won this in easy fashion, though there were still a couple things to a bit nervous about. Coming off a romping win in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga after a miserable start she again broke slowly here (though not nearly as bad as in the Ballerina or even in her prior start in the Grade 1 Phipps), recovered quickly to get into a nice rhythm stalking in third as Carrera Cat set a strong pace along the inside under pressure from Minit to Stardom to her outside, crept closer going to the far turn, came abreast of the two dueling leaders to their outside turning for home, had little trouble wresting command from those rivals though once clear she lugged in during the stretch run to end up on the rail, though she was still drawing away. Minit to Stardom, winner of her last three including the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga July 24, broke sharply from her outside slot, immediately moved up to pressure Carrera Cat to her inside, dueled with that rival to the far turn, found herself then between horses when the eventual winner rolled up to her outside, got the better of a tiring Carrera Cat in the lane, was no match for the winner but kept on well to be a clear second. Majestic Reason, second in an allowance race at Laurel last time out Aug. 16, was a bit slow into stride from her rail slot, bided her time in fourth well behind the eventual winner while saving ground, angled out into the lane and plugged along to get third, though she was never really a factor.