Trip Notes for September 26-27, 2020: Awesome Again, Vosburgh, and more

Sept. 26

Belmont
Noble Damsel (race 8)

COMMENT: Viadera gave trainer Chad Brown his fifth straight win in this race, doing so at the expense of another Brown runner, Blowout. Coming off a rallying win in the De La Rose at Saratoga July 17, Viadera employed similar tactics here. She bided her time well back as Blowout set a strong pace. Viadera started to advance between horses, moved to the rail to make her run in the stretch, and finished strongly to just get up. Blowout, second vs. optional claimers at Saratoga Aug. 26, her first start in 10 months, went right to the lead. She set a strong pace under pressure from Sweet Bye and Bye, looked in trouble into the lane when Sweet Bye and Bye ranged up to her outside, but battled back while drifting off the rail. She rebuffed Sweet Bye and Bye but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Viadera and Blowout will both reportedly target the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar Nov. 29. Sweet Bye and Bye, winner of that Aug. 26 optional claimers at Saratoga, pressed Blowout from the start, crept closer on the far turn, looked ready to pass Blowout in the stretch, but just couldn’t do it. Noor Sahara, a third Brown runner, bided her time toward the back, swung wide on the far turn and into the lane, finished well but was just too late.

Belmont
Vosburgh (race 9)

COMMENT: Firenze Fire returned to the track he loves and it paid off as the 5-year-old recorded his fifth win in eight starts at Belmont. He stalked Share the Ride, who was on the rail, with Engage to his outside. Firenze Fire moved up to challenge Share the Ride turning for home as Engage was pushed along to keep up and Funny Guy ranged up wider out. Firenze Fire took command from Share the Ride between horses, and rebuffed a challenge from Funny Guy. This could earn Firenze Fire another shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 7. He ran fifth in that race last year. Funny Guy, the favorite off two stakes wins over New York-breds and a fourth in the Grade 1 Forego, sat last early in the small field, though he wasn’t far off the lead, moved outside going to the far turn, came with a smart in-hand run while widest of all turning for home, but flattened out just a bit. Share the Ride, back quickly off a romping stakes win at Monmouth Sept. 12, held a narrow advantage into the lane, tried to battle back when hooked by Firenze Fire a few lanes to his outside, but couldn’t keep pace and finished third. Engage, making his first start since finishing fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, moved up with Firenze Fire on the far turn, came under a ride turning for home, and was unable to keep up. He surely needed this race.

Churchill
Ack Ack (race 9)

COMMENT: Mr. Money had a smashing 3-year-old season last year but things haven’t gone too well in 2020. Well, the son of Goldencents turned things around here with a win that may have punched his ticket for a second shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Nov. 7. He got a nice trip, saving ground while sitting a couple lengths off a solid pace set by favorite Warrior’s Charge. Mr. Money steadily advanced along the rail to be just behind the leaders into the lane, hugged the fence to move past Warrior’s Charge, quickly opened up, and held off a bevy of runners. Bourbon Calling, a rallying winner of a stakes at Charles Town Aug. 28, sat far back while saving ground, moved toward the outside on the far turn, wider out into the lane, and finished well to get second in a tussle among several rivals. Thirstforlife, second in this race last year and coming off a well-beaten third in an optional claimer here Sept. 2, was just behind Bourbon Calling early and remained well back to the top of the lane. He started a wide run once straightened away and finished strongly while very wide to just miss second. Warrior’s Charge, the favorite off a second (awarded the win via disqualification) in the Grade 3 Iselin at Monmouth Aug. 22 and a fourth in the brutally tough Grade 1 Met Mile, went right to the lead from his rail slot and set a solid pace under pressure from American Anthem. Warrior’s Charge got more pressure as Ebben turned up the heat wider out on the far turn, rebuffed those rivals into the lane, but couldn’t fend off the winner and tired. Everfast, sixth in the Grade 1 Forego in slop at Saratoga Aug. 29, remained in mid-pack to the top of the lane between horses, seemingly in a good spot, but was unable to get involved.

Santa Anita
Chandelier (race 3)

COMMENT: Princess Noor, the 1-5 favorite off two smashing wins at Del Mar, left no doubt as to her superiority among the West Coast 2-year-old fillies. Breaking from the rail, the $1.35 million daughter of Not This Time sat third just behind pacesetting stablemate Illumination with Miss Costa Rica. Princess Noor moved off the rail going to the far turn with stablemate Varda on her right hip, moved up easily between horses to challenge for the lead outside Illumination and Miss Costa Rica, had Varda pressing to her outside, but took command turning for home, and won geared down. This was trainer Bob Baffert’s 12th win in this race. This likely sends Princess Noor to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland Nov. 6 as the favorite. Varda, a $700,000 daughter of Distorted Humor who easily won her debut at Del Mar Aug. 30, stalked just outside Princess Noor, tried to move with that rival into the far turn, and proved no match while staying on well to be a clear second. Miss Costa Rica, a $200,000 daughter of Hit It a Bomb who won her debut at Del Mar Aug. 28 on turf, sat behind and outside Illumination with Princess Noor just behind and to her inside. Miss Costa Rica tried to get closer going to the far turn, had Princess Noor move up easily to her outside, and plugged along to get third. Illumination, a $900,000 daughter of Medaglia d’Oro and a maiden who ran third to Princess Noor in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, set a modest pace, tried to battle back when hooked by Princess Noor on the far turn, lost third in the final stride.

Santa Anita
Rodeo Drive (race 7)

COMMENT: Mucho Unusual gave yet another lesson as to how pace makes the race. A Cal-bred coming off a third in a stakes at Del Mar Aug. 15, Mucho Unusual was just behind early pacesetter Tonahutu coming off the hill, and took over pacesetting duties from that rival when the field reached the main turf course. Mucho Unusual set dawdling splits, rebuffed a challenge from Tonahutu going to the far turn, spurted clear on the turn and into the lane, and kept the closers at bay. Maxim Rate, coming off two straight wins at Del Mar including a stakes last time out Aug. 16, got a dream trip. She stalked in third, a couple lengths off the pace while a few lanes off the rail. She was urged to go after Mucho Unusual on the turn, loomed a threat outside that rival into the lane, and closed the gap some. Lady Prancealot, the favorite coming off a second in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar Sept. 5, had won her only prior start at this trip in the Grade 1 American Oaks here last Dec. 28. Lady Prancelot was last into the backstretch, though not far off the lead in a bunched field, and crept closer to be not far behind Maxim Rate going to the far turn. Lady Prancelot pitched wide on the turn to start her run, wider still into the lane, and finished with good energy to narrow the gap on the top two. Surely the slow pace killed her run. Tonahutu, second, beaten a nose, in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 8 and then an optional-claiming winner there Sept. 5, went right to the lead from her rail slot and soon relinquished pacesetting duties to Mucho Unusual. She came off the rail to race on Mucho Unusual’s hip down the backstretch, was urged to get going heading to the far turn, loomed a brief threat, but couldn’t sustain her bid. The distance likely got the better of her as her best work had come going shorter. Bodhicitta, the 5-2 second choice on the morning line, scratched.

Santa Anita
American Pharoah (race 8)

COMMENT: Get Her Number had run only on turf but he had breeding that indicated he could run well on dirt. He did, and he punched his ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a victory here. Get Her Number sat second off Dyn O Mite, who set a modest pace, and continued to press that rival to his outside. Get Her Number took over from that tiring foe on the far turn as Waspirant, Rombauer and favorite Spielberg made their presence felt just behind and to his outside. Get Her Number opened up into the lane and and held off Rombauer. Rombauer, sixth in a turf sprint stakes at Del Mar Sept. 7 in which Get Her Number was fourth, bobbled at the start to get away last and trailed the field heading into the backstretch. Rombauer moved out wider going to the far turn as he launched a sudden run, then doggedly chased Get His Number, closing the gap in the final furlong while finishing well clear of the others. Spielberg, a $1 million son of Union Rags, came into this as a maiden, having run second in both his starts, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity Sept. 7. He was well positioned early in third, sitting just behind the pacesetter, came off the inside to move closer between rivals on the far turn, briefly looked threatening, but was basically one-paced to the line. Waspirant, adding blinkers after a win routing at Del Mar Aug. 29, broke a tad slowly and was wide while a few lengths off the lead on the first turn. Waspirant made a threatening move while wide into the far turn but flattened out. Notable Exception, winner on Arlington’s synthetic track of his debut Sept. 4, blew the start, rushed into contention to be just behind the leaders by the first turn, was still there between horses down the backstretch but came up empty on the far turn. Weston, 6-1 on the morning line, scratched ill with colic. He reportedly will point for the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 19.

Santa Anita
John Henry Turf Championship (race 9)

COMMENT: United continued his reign as the top turf distance male out West as he used his speed to lord over his rivals. He bumped with Originaire to his inside at the start but recovered quickly and went right out to a clear lead, dictating tempo through modest splits. United extended his lead into the lane and remained clear to the wire. This earns him another shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race in which he was second here last year to eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar. Originaire broke to the outside and bumped with United. He recovered to establish a nice stalking position in fourth, moved closer on the far turn, tried to make a run at the winner through the lane, and held for second. Another Mystery sat just behind Originaire and rallied behind that rival through the lane, nearly catching him. Next Shares, who’s been top-class at shorter distances, raced with Originaire, moved closer to the leader going down the backstretch, but then gave way. Apparently this trip is beyond him, at least at this level.

Santa Anita
Awesome Again (race 10)

COMMENT: Wins by Improbable in the Grade 1 Gold Cup here June 6 and Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga Aug. 1 left no doubt he’s one of the ones in the handicap division. His victory here over stablemate Maximum Security, generally considered the top handicap horse in the country, may have stamped him as The One. Improbable was a bit fractious in the gate but broke well from his inside post, and bided his time at the back of the small field. Improbable moved off the rail on the first turn, still sitting well behind the others as Take the One O One set a strong pace under pressure from the other three in the field. Improbable started to advance while wide on the far turn, surged past his rivals, and drew off to win in a romp. This has to make him the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Maximum Security, coming off two wins at Del Mar including the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, got a nice position stalking the pace. He sat between horses a few lanes off the rail, was asked to go after the leader turning for home, and had no answer when the winner blew past to his outside, but kept to his task to get second. Midcourt raced just outside Maximum Security, and moved with Maximum Security and Sleepy Eyes Todd on the far turn as they made their run at the pacesetter. Midcourt fought on to finish third behind Maximum Security.

Sept. 27

Remington
Remington Park Oaks (race 4)

COMMENT: Envoutante, a $250,000 daughter of Uncle Mo, was coming off a third in the Grade 1 Ashland and a fourth in the Grade 1 Alabama. She didn’t have to deal with anything like that level of competition here and posted the easy win. The 3-10 favorite, she bided her time in fifth as longshot Hotasapistol set a solid early pace under pressure from Paige Anne. Envoutante moved closer going to the far turn as Paige Anne took the lead, went after that rival into the lane, and swept past for the handy win. Paige Anne dogged Hotasapistol, overtook that rival into the far turn while moving to the rail, battled back when hooked by the winner into the lane, and kept on well for hold second. Seattle Slang was last early, steadily advanced down the backstretch, swung very wide into the lane, and finished with good energy to get third.

Remington
Oklahoma Derby (race 10)

COMMENT: Shared Sense, a son of juvenile champion and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, has knocked heads with some of the top sophomores. He didn’t face that kind of power here and reaped the dividends. Shared Sense sat midpack as Liam set a solid pace under pressure from Dean Martini. Shared Sense moved closer while a few lanes off the rail into the far turn, reeled in leader Mo Mosa, and drew away in the final half-furlong. Mo Mosa, a first-level allowance winner at Ellis Park Aug. 22, stalked in third while wide, moved closer on the far turn, challenged for the lead into the lane inside Shared Sense, and kept to his task well for second. Liam, a $450,000 son of Grade 1 winner Liam’s Map, dispatched with Dean Martini into the lane, and kept on for third despite drifting out in the final furlong. Avant Garde, stepping up in class after easily winning four straight at Gulfstream Park, raced outside of Shared Sense, rallied with that rival on the far turn and into the lane, but flattened out in the lane. Salow, a $390,000 son of Distorted Humor who easily won his first two starts, both on turf, was well back early. Salow was pushed to get involved on the far turn, made some headway, but was unable to make a dent in the lane. Dean Martini, upset winner of the Grade 3 Ohio Derby before fading to sixth in the Ellis Park Derby last time out Aug. 9, pressed the pace and gave way when the real racing began.

Santa Anita
Zenyatta (race 4)

COMMENT: Harvest Moon, a daughter of hot sire Uncle Mo, came into this having won her last three, including a win over fellow 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines at Del Mar Aug. 22. Despite moving up in class and facing some stalwart elders, she continued her ascent and likely punched her ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland Nov. 7. Harvest Moon sat second in the field of four as 2-5 favorite Fighting Mad moved out to a clear early lead. Harvest Moon came with a run into the lane, engaged Fighting Mad in the stretch, got the better of her by the eighth pole, and got to the line before Hard Not to Love. Hard Not to Love, a $400,000 daughter of Hard Spun with one eye, bounced back after a dull sixth to Fighting Mad in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar Aug. 2. Hard Not to Love sat third while wide early, not far behind the eventual winner. The gap between Hard Not to Love and Harvest Moon increased heading to the far turn. Hard Not to Love remained wide into the lane and finished with good energy outside Harvest Moon. Fighting Mad, coming off front-running wins in the Grade 2 Santa Maria here May 31 and Clement Hirsch, set a solid pace under minimal pressure from Harvest Moon, had that rival creep closer to apply pressure turning for home, battled back along the rail inside that rival into the lane but couldn’t keep pace. It’s tough to see any of these being big threats to the likes of Monomoy Girl, Midnight Bisou, and Dunbar Road in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Hang a Star scratched.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Sprint Championship (race 8)

COMMENT: C Z Rocket won his fifth straight since being claimed for $40,000 at Oaklawn April 30, and now goes to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 7 as one of the favorites. The son of City Zip broke well, and got a dream trip pressing pacesetter Flagstaff, whom he edged last time out in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar Aug. 29. C Z Rocket remained on that rival’s hip to his outside to the top of the lane, challenged Flagstaff into the stretch, put his head in front by midstretch, and outfought that rival for the narrow win. Flagstaff finished a half-length behind C Z Rocket in the Pat O’Brien and ran very well again here in defeat. He moved through between horses and set a solid pace under pressure from C Z Rocket to his outside, with Collusion Illusion chasing in his wake. Flagstaff drifted off the rail into the lane as he battled back against C Z Rocket, but couldn’t outdo him. He certainly wouldn’t be out of place in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Collusion Illusion, a 3-year-old who beat elders in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar Aug. 1, stalked the pace, moved closer on the far turn to be just behind Flagstaff, and didn’t have enough to come through when Flagstaff drifted off the rail. Desert Law was pulled back to sit last until nearing the far turn, moved out for room turning for home, came through between horses, but couldn’t contend with the top three.

Santa Anita
Tokyo City Cup (race 10)

COMMENT: Cupid’s Claws was claimed for the third straight time when third for a $50,000 tag at Del Mar Sept. 5. He moved into this deeper water and to this longer trip, and notched his first stakes win. From his rail slot he showed early speed, and pulled back a bit first time under the wire to sit fourth as Tizamagician set a modest pace. Cupid’s Claws crept closer going to the far turn, came off the rail to make his bid in earnest, surged past Tizamagician into the lane, and blew the race open to win in a romp. Tizamagician, a 3-year-old son of two-time Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow, was coming off a wire-to-wire win going a mile vs. optional claimers at Del Mar Sept. 5. He set a slow pace along the inside while taking pressure from favorite Combatant, rebuffed that foe turning for home, and kept on to hold second. Combatant, the 2-1 favorite, won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap here March 7 but then posted three straight dull Grade 2 outings. He pressed Tizamagician, crept closer outside that rival on the turn and into the lane, and tired a bit in the final furlong. Azul Coast, back to dirt after a fifth in the Grade 3 La Jolla on Del Mar turf Aug. 9 and facing elders for the first time, was well back early, moved a bit closer down the backstretch while a few lanes off the rail, but then gave way readily and was eased in the lane when all was lost.