Trip Notes for September 26-27: Beldame, Joe Hirsch Turf, Awesome Again, and more...

Saturday, September 26

Belmont - Beldame (race 5)

COMMENT: Despite being gone for 112 days and missing the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga due to a foot problem, Wedding Toast looked super beating up on this field, punching her ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland. Coming off romping wins in the Grade 2 Ruffian here May 9 and Grade 1 Ogden Phipps here June 6, she went right out to the early lead, set moderate splits while well in hand, opened up into the lane without being asked and had no trouble keeping a clear lead while certainly not asked for her best. Things figure quite a bit tougher in the Distaff with Sheer Drama, Untapable, Stopchargingmaria, I’m a Chatterbox expected to run. But Wedding Toast may still be the one to beat. Curalina, the lone 3-year-old in the field, stumbled at the start, was still able to get into a nice stalking position in third, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, was no match for that foe but finished well clear of the others. Catch My Drift, coming off a romping win in the Summer Colony at Saratoga Aug. 24, lagged back early but could make only modest headway to get third.

Belmont - Gallant Bloom (race 7)

COMMENT: La Verdard may have earned her shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint with another easy win here, her fifth straight tally. She romped in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga July 29, and after a freshening again used her speed here, going right out to the lead. She was pressured immediately by Room for Me through brisk splits, dispatched with that foe into the lane, opened up a clear lead, then held off hard-charging Wavell Avenue. Of course the Filly & Mare Sprint, with the likes of defending champ Judy the Beauty and top-class gals Taris and Unbridled Forever figures much tougher. Wavell Avenue, coming off a win at Saratoga Aug. 26, stumbled at the start, gathered herself while sitting well back, commenced her run turning for home and finished well. Dame Dorothy stalked the pace, made a threatening move into the lane but couldn’t sustain it, and while able to get third wasn’t a danger in the final furlong. Room for Me dogged the winner from the start, tried to make a run at her into the lane, and weakened in the final furlong.

Belmont - Pilgrim (race 8)

COMMENT: Isotherm, a winner of his first turf start at Saratoga Aug. 22, took the big step up in class here and possibly earned a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. Isotherm sat well back early as Next Shares set the pace, commenced his run on the far turn while wide, swung further wide into the lane, found clear sailing, surged into the contention and finished gamely for the win. Azar, winner of the Grade 2 With Anticipation at Saratoga Sept. 2, stalked the pace, came with a run into the lane, grabbed the lead in midstretch but couldn’t fend off the winner. Ray’s the Bar, winner of his debut in England and making his first start in the U.S., was well back early, still well back turning for home but finished strongly. Forever in Love, who romped by 8 1/4 lengths in his debut on turf at Saratoga Aug. 28, bided his time, came wide into the lane, had to alter course after brushing with Eidmilaad and had no run thereafter. Eidmilaad, favored off an easy debut win on turf at Saratoga Aug. 30, saved room while midpack, started a mild move into the lane but brushed with Forever in Love and came up empty. Next Shares, a maiden but who was second to Azar in the With Anticipation, set the pace but gave way readily in the lane.

Belmont - Vosburgh (race 9)

COMMENT: Rock Fall made it seven wins in eight starts and may have stamped himself the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, though this wasn’t easy by any means. Off since a win in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga Aug. 1, Rock Fall was sent off the 2-5 favorite. He stalked in third as Wildcat Red and Weekend Hideaway dueled early, moved up with Stallwalkin’ Dude to challenge into the lane, got the better of that rival but had to battle hard to fend off hard-trying Salutos Amigos. Salutos Amigos bounced back to form. He’d fallen off form a bit, running fourth in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt and fifth in the Grade 1 Forego, but he found his nice late kick again here, despite losing his right front shoe. This might have earned him a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (he was seventh last year). Stallwalkin’ Dude, winner of the Tale of the Cat at Saratoga Aug. 23, was just behind Rock Fall from the start, moved with that rival into the lane, had the lead in midstretch and lost by only a neck and a head. He gave trainer David Jacobson a 2-3 finish. The Sprint is a possibility for him as well. Palace, third in this last year, stalked the pace and stayed on decently to be beaten by only a length.

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Belmont - Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: Big Blue Kitten and Slumber ran one-two for trainer Chad Brown in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth July 5 and they repeated that feat here. Big Blue Kitten, coming off a second in the Grade 1 Arlington Million, remains good as ever at age 7. He sat back as Shining Copper ran off to a huge early lead (11 lengths at one point), remained toward the back while saving ground, came with a run on the far turn, had no trouble going past the tiring pacesetter, surged to a clear lead in midstretch and had enough of a buffer to keep his stablemate at bay in the final yards. Big Blue Kitten set a course record for the 1 ½ miles. Slumber, a troubled eighth in the Million, bided his time, moved closer going down the backstretch, didn’t accelerate as quickly as his stablemate turning for home but got going well late to close the gap. Twilight Eclipse was third to the top two in the United Nations and third behind them again here. He sat with Slumber early while inside, got shuffled back turning for home when stuck behind the tiring pacesetter, was finally able to get clear sailing and finished smartly. Red Rifle was the disappointment. Favored off a win in the Grade 2 Bowling Green and a second to top Euro and likely Breeders’ Cup Turf favorite Flintshire in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer, he sat second behind Shining Copper, tried to kick on with the top three turning for home but didn’t have the needed oomph to stay with them. His rider lost his whip in midstretch but that mattered little.

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Churchill - Ack Ack (race 8)

COMMENT: Tapiture was second in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and may have earned another shot at that race with a bounce-back victory here. He stalked the pace, made a run to grab the lead turning for home and rebuffed a challenge from favored Viva Majorca to prevail. This was a nice run considering he was 0 for 4 this year and was coming off one of his poorest races in the Grade 3 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows June 27. Viva Majorca, a rallying third in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga Aug. 29, bided his time early as usual, came with a nice run to challenge Tapiture, but couldn’t get past that rival. Hat of Jacks chased pacesetter Roman Unbridled through solid splits, moved up with Tapiture to challenge into the lane but couldn’t stay with the top two.

Churchill - Jefferson Cup (race 9)

COMMENT: Saham, coming off a fourth in a turf stakes at Indiana, got back on track. He broke last, was content to stay there early, began to advance going to the far turn, sustained his run while wide to grab the lead into the lane, and was edging clear in the final yards. Trainer Brendan Walsh said he could go in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf here in November and that the Bryan Station at Keeneland Oct. 30 before that is a possibility. Watchyourownbobber, last seen winning a $50,000 claimer at Saratoga Aug. 9, went right out to the lead, set modest splits, and battled back when confronted by the eventual winner into the lane. Wayward Kitten stalked the pace, looked done into the lane but got going again to get third. Nun the Less, favored off a stakes win at Canterbury Aug. 29, was slow into stride and never mustered a run.

Laurel - Commonwealth Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: Onus scored her third win a row, all on the Laurel turf. She was in tight early but managed to get a nice spot stalking in third early while Heart of Midway went out to a clear lead. Onus moved up easily to contend turning for home, surged to a clear lead into the lane and won without really being asked. It’s no shock she’s good as she’s kin to injured Grade 2 winner Ironicus. Lola Beaux, coming off a near-miss third in the Riskaverse at Saratoga Aug. 27 (beaten a neck by today’s foe Stormy Regatta), sat midpack early while saving ground, moved closer as the race progressed, came out for room into the lane and finished well for second. Stormy Regatta, winner of four of her previous five on turf, including a couple stakes wins, sat back while saving ground, came with a run into the lane while staying on the rail, then angled out for room, but couldn’t sustain her run. Her rider lost the whip in midstretch. It’s possible that cost her second, though she was never going to catch the winner. Rainha Da Bateria was well back early after being jostled at the start, was still well back turning for home, came with a strong run in the lane, had to steady at the eighth pole but got going again to miss second by a nose and a neck in a fine try. Zvarkhova, favored after invading from Europe and winning her U.S. debut at Saratoga Aug. 7, was away slowly to be well back from the start and was never able to get involved.

Santa Anita - Frontrunner (race 4)

COMMENT: Nyquist confirmed what we pretty much already knew – that he’s the best in the West among juvenile males as he made it four wins in as many starts. He stalked early pacesetter Go Long, moved up nicely between horses on the far turn, took the lead into the lane and kept to Swipe at bay through the final furlong, though he did brush with that foe in deep stretch and had to survive an inquiry. Swipe was second to Nyquist in the Best Pal and Del Mar Futurity, and again played second fiddle to that rival. He bided his time early, came through between horses on the far turn, moved to the inside for the stretch, and stayed on the fence while ending up far clear of the rest. Being a son of Blame, he may get better with more ground. He’s getting closer to Nyquist as the furlongs add up and he’ll get this same distance at Keeneland. Hollywood Don, making his first start on dirt after winning two turf routes at Del Mar, including a stakes, was just behind Swipe at the start. He didn’t accelerate as quickly as that foe but got going into the lane to get third. Mt Veeder, impressive winner of his first two starts, including a stakes win at Los Alamitos Sept. 13, stalked in third, was seemingly in contention into the lane but then fell away.

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Santa Anita - Zenyatta (race 7)

COMMENT: As expected this was little more than a glorified workout for Beholder, who won this race for a third straight year and now looks firmly on the path to take on boys again in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The two-time champion never even drew a deep breath here as she stalked in fifth while staying wide and clear, moved up easily on the far turn to engage pacesetter My Sweet Addiction, took over from that rival, opened up without being asked and cruised home. My Sweet Addiction, last seen finishing fourth to Beholder in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar Aug. 1, set a solid pace, tried to go with the winner when challenged, and stayed on well to be a clear second. Savings Account broke slowly to be last early, remained there to midway down the backstretch, started a mild run and stayed on decently to get third. Warren’s Veneda lagged back, as is her custom, and produced no kick. She has now lost five straight.

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Santa Anita - Chandelier (race 8)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed some when likely second choice Pretty N Cool scratched. Even had Pretty N Cool gone, on paper Songbird dominated this race and that’s the way it worked out on the track. A romping winner in her debut at Del Mar and in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, she confirmed she’s easily the top 2-year-old filly out West. She went right out to a clear lead, setting solid splits, opened up into the lane, seemed to then idle a bit, was given a couple reminders with the whip, and pulled away again in the final furlong without being asked further. Her final time (1:43.79) was much faster than what top male Nyquist ran a couple hours earlier (1:44.89). Land Over Sea, a well-beaten third to Songbird in the Del Mar Debutante, was fourth early, moved closer going to the far turn, tried to make a run at the winner turning for home, and finished 9 3/4 lengths clear of third. Right There, fourth in the Debutante, was away slowly to be last early, was still last going to the far turn, started a run and stayed on decently. Jade Princess, a $775,000 daughter of Tapit who romped over maidens at Del Mar Aug. 27, chased the winner from the start but weakened.

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Santa Anita - Rodeo Drive (race 9)

COMMENT: Another turf distance race in Southern California and yet another different winner as Photo Call posted the upset. Invading off a win in the Grade 3 Violet at Monmouth Aug. 29, she exposed the Southern California turf distance distaff group as a modest bunch. She stalked early while saving ground, came through between horses into the lane, surged to the lead and drew clear to win fairly easily. Elektrum, winner of the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar Aug. 8, bided her time as usual while saving ground, weaved through traffic while making her run, had to wait for room in midstretch, found a lane, and finished well. Stormy Lucy, a longshot, lagged back and finished well for third. Fanticola made the lead, as expected, set a modest pace but weakened a bit in the lane. She came into this off a seven-week layoff. The 3-year-old Sharla Rae, upset winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, faced elders here. She stalked in third but was unable to launch the necessary bid in the lane, ending up midpack. Hard Not to Like, favored off wins in the Grade 1 Gamely here May 25 and Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga July 25, seemed eager early, stalked the pace while wide, loomed a threat on the far turn but flattened out in the lane. Both the Gamely and Diana were at 1 1/8 miles so could be this 1 1/4-mile trip is beyond her best.

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Santa Anita - Awesome Again (race 10)

COMMENT: Smooth Roller, a rapidly improving son of Hard Spun, may have earned a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Coming off a fourth in the Harry F. Brubaker at Del Mar Aug. 26, he chased pacesetting favorite Bayern through modest splits, took over from that rival into the lane, and drew clear to win easily. While he looked super it must be noted he was beating some guys who may be a bit past their prime here. Hoppertunity, fourth to champion mare Beholder in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic last time out, stalked the pace, made a bid into the lane, and stayed on decently for second. Bayern went right out to the lead, took pressure from Smooth Roller early, tried to battle back when hooked by that foe turning for home, but weakened to end up third. His retirement was announced after the race. Hard Aces, rallying winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup here June 27, bided his time, made a mild move but then had little to offer. That’s two straight dull outings since the Gold Cup.

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Sunday, September 27

Belmont - Miss Grillo (race 8)

COMMENT: Tin Type Gal was impressive beating maidens in her first turf, which came try at Saratoga Aug. 23, and the daughter of top sire Tapit moved forward again here and handled the big step up in class, likely punching her ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She sat midpack as Chinchilla Dust and Look Who’s Talking volleyed on the lead, pitched out into the lane to launch her bid, and battled to the line to just edge Thrilled. Thrilled, second to the impressive Harmonize in the P. G. Johnson on the Saratoga turf Sept. 3 (after edging Harmonize by a nose in her debut there Aug. 9), stalked the pace in third, made her run to grab the lead by midstretch and battled to the wire. Time and Motion, a maiden daughter of Tapit who was fourth in her only start, bided her time inside and finished well. Llanita, the favored French invader despite being a maiden, sat back, angled out very wide turning for home and finished decently.

Remington - Oklahoma Derby (race 9)

COMMENT: Shotgun Kowboy, favored off an 11 1/4-length win here Aug. 29, his first start of the year, notched his fifth win in seven starts. He went right out to duel for the lead with Classy Class to the far turn, finally got the better of that rival into the lane, and then had to dig deep to keep Desert Dynamo at bay through the final furlong. Desert Dynamo, invading off a sharp third in the El Cajon at Del Mar Aug. 29, bided his time early in midpack, came with a wide run into the lane to chase the winner, but just couldn’t get to him. He still finished well clear of the rest. Mobile Bay, winner of the Grade 2 Super Derby Sept. 12, got bumped at the start to get away slowly, sat well back, pitched wide turning for home, and made a briefly threatening run. Bold Conquest, multiple graded stakes placed and once a Kentucky Derby hope, lagged back, made a mild run into the lane, but flattened out. The Truth Or Else, last seen winning at Belmont May 22, sat well back early after a slow start and was unable to get involved. Tale of Verve, second in the Grade 1 Preakness but no factor in three starts since, was very slow into stride and could pass only a few tired foes in the lane.

Santa Anita - City of Hope Mile (race 8)

COMMENT: Alert Bay, coming off a romping stakes win at Golden Gate Sept. 7, sat midpack after breaking from his outside post as longshot Hot Hot Heat set a fast pace. Alet Bay edged closer, moved wide into the lane for clear sailing, and ran down a stubborn Big Cazanova. He’s now four for five on this course. Big Cazanova, trying to get back to the form that saw him win 4 of 10 last year, including a Grade 3 on dirt, showed signs of life to run second. He dueled early with Hot Hot Heat, dispatched with that foe turning for home and couldn’t quite go with the winner. Avanzare, winner of the Grade 2 Arcadia here Jan. 31 and then the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile (over Talco) Aug. 23 after seven months off, seemed in a great spot as he stalked in third. He loomed ominously into the lane as if ready to pounce, but the move never came and he flattened out a bit late. Talco, winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile and a strong second to Avanzare in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile, was devoid of speed, as usual, to be last early, started a run on the far turn to look dangerous but failed to sustain his bid. Twentytwentyvision was scratched after getting his head stuck in the front of the gate and suffering a cut to his mouth.