Sept. 27 Santa Anita Chandelier (race 5) COMMENT: Bast was an overwhelming favorite here after demolishing her rivals in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Aug. 31. Well, she got the job done, but only just and the slow time didn’t exactly fortify support for her for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies here Nov. 1. In her defense, the main track played quite slow this day. She may still be the one to beat there but this wasn’t overwhelming. Of course, so far the East Coast hasn’t produced a real bigshot either. The $500,000 daughter of juvenile male champ Uncle Mo pressed the early pace set by Comical, pulled back a bit to stalk as that rival set a modest pace, went after that foe turning for home, moving up to her flank to her outside, engaged that foe into the lane, finally got the better of her by the eighth pole and stayed on gamely for the narrow win. Comical, well beaten by the top pick when third in the Del Mar Debutante, went right to the lead, set slow splits while holding the fence under pressure first from Bast and then from second choice Been Studying Her, held a narrow lead through those slow splits, battled back gamely when hooked by Bast into the lane and succumbed, only narrowly in the final furlong. The Breeders’ Cup figures in her plans as well. K P Dreaming, a daughter of multiple Grade 1 route winner Union Rags and smart winner routing at Del Mar Aug. 29, sat last early but with the slow pace wasn’t that far off the lead, remained at the back of the pack while saving ground, came with her run on the far turn while staying inside, kept to her task well and ran on for third, though she wasn’t really a danger to the top two. Been Studying Her, the second choice after winning her first two starts including a stakes at Del Mar last time out Aug. 28, stalked the early pace inside from her rail slot, moved closer down the backstretch while saving ground, remained between horses to the far turn but never really mustered a run. Leucothea, a 14 1/2-length winner over maidens at Del Mar Aug. 15 but who then dueled and faded to eighth (last) in the Del Mar Debutante, broke outwardly, bobbled and lost her rider. Santa Anita Eddie D. (race 6) COMMENT: Pee Wee Reese has been superb here, winning five of his six starts, but all that came going longer, either on the main course or down the hill. Trying this shorter trip here for the first time the 6-year-old son of Tribal Rule, who hadn’t run since leading all the way to win the Sensational Star down the hill here March 31, showed he could handle this shorter trip and may have punched his ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here Nov. 2. He broke well, stalked the early pace while saving ground from his inside post (no. 2), came through into the lane to grab the narrow lead and kept to his task gamely to keep hard-trying closing favorite Eddie Haskell at bay in the final furlong. He would need to pay another $30,000 to get into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint but at this point that may be money well spent. Eddie Haskell, winner of three straight before finishing second to Mr Vargas in the Grade 3 Green Flash at Del Mar at this trip Aug. 17, broke well from his rail slot but was a bit unlucky to be shuffled to the back of the field, losing position, sat at the rear of the field off the strong pace while saving ground, came out for room into the lane to start his run, moved out further still to continue his rally and closed well but couldn’t quite get to the winner. Stormy Liberal, the defending champ (won this going longer down the hill last year) and reigning turf champion, stalked the pace between horses, was still in the mix turning for home, kept to his task but wasn’t really a factor in the lane. The 7-year-old ran well, yes, but doesn’t appear to be quite the same guy who won the last two Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprints. He could still take a swing at that race but this time he’d be an outsider. Mr Vargas, favored off two big wins at Del Mar at this trip including taking the Green Flash last time out Aug. 17, showed speed to press early pacesetter Boa Nova through strong splits, but gave way in the lane. The severity of his brake job may mean something went awry or that he’s just not as sharp as he was at Del Mar, and his Breeders’ Cup prospects now dim. Suddenly things look a whole lot brighter for any Euros coming for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint as the home team looks decent at best, particularly with the likely absence of top American turf sprinter World of Trouble. Santa Anita American Pharoah (race 8) COMMENT: Eight Rings, a $520,000 son of top-class Empire Maker, was monstrous winning his debut at Del Mar Aug. 4, so much so that he then went into the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity there Sept. 2 as the overwhelming 1-2 favorite. However, he ducked inward at the start, losing his rider. With the addition of blinkers, the move to this longer trip and two turns the route-bred runner got back on track with a demonstrative score. He went right to the lead, took early pressure from American Theorem to his inside, soon opened up a clear lead into the backstretch, moved to the rail while holding a clear lead through solid splits, then blew the race open in to the lane, drawing off to win easily. This sends him into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here Nov. 1 as one of the favorites, and sets up a mouthwatering clash with top East Coast juveniles Dennis’ Moment, Green Light Go, Basin and Gozilla. American Theorem, a son of Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah and an impressive winner of his sprint debut at Del Mar Aug. 31, had blinkers removed, broke well from the rail to press Eight Rings early, took back some into the backstretch while continuing to chase the winner, tried to make a run at that foe on the far turn, proved no match but kept on well to be a clear second. There’s plenty of upside here. Storm the Court, who was significantly interfered with by Eight Rings in the Del Mar Futurity, enough so that he lost his rider as well, stalked the pace, got shuffled back going into the far turn but got going again in the lane to get third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Express Train, a huge maiden winner by 14 1/4 lengths routing at Del Mar Aug. 28 and the second choice in the wagering behind the winner, got squeezed back at the start, lagged back going down the backstretch, made a move going to the far turn as if poised to be a threat but flattened out. Shoplifted, an $800,000 son of Into Mischief who invaded from the East Coast after running second in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga Sept. 2, was away slowly to be last early, remained at the back of the pack while wide on the first turn, angled inward going down the backstretch, made some headway into the lane but was never a factor. Nucky, the 35-1 upset winner of the Del Mar Futurity, was midpack from the start while quite wide on the first turn, moved toward the inside going into the far turn while losing position and never mustered a run. Sept. 28 Belmont Vosburgh (race 4) COMMENT: Field was reduced to four after scratches of Call Paul (to go instead in the New Castle at Delaware this same day) and Promises Fulfilled (to go instead in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland Oct. 4). The bulk of success for defending champ Imperial Hint has been due to brilliance, but here in his successful title defense the top-class sprinter showed more than enough heart, snatching victory from the jaws of victory late. The 6-year-old broke well, went right out to a clear lead, set a fast pace on his own as he received no real pressure from Firenze Fire who tracked him in second, held the lead into the lane while staying on the fence, was confronted by Firenze Fire to his outside, looked in trouble when ‘Fire took the lead by midstretch only to rerally gamely in the final strides to nip that rival. This sends him into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint as one of the favorites where he’ll run headlong into top-class elder Mitole and the very fast 3-year-old Shancelot. Firenze Fire, coming off a well-beaten second to Mitole in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga Aug. 24, was asked for more speed than usual as this was virtually a match race. He broke well from his outside slot, sat second off Imperial Hint while not really applying pressure, was urged to go after that foe turning for home, obliged his rider with a smart run to come up to Imperial Hint’s outside, looked on his way to victory when putting his head in front by midstretch only to have that rival rerally and nip him on the wire. While he handles 6 furlongs he might be better going a bit longer, so the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, a race in which he ran fourth last year, could be in the cards. The other two runners, Brown Buckeye and American Power were overmatched and never of any consequence. Belmont Beldame (race 8) COMMENT: Midnight Bisou continued her tour de force season, staying unbeaten in seven starts this year and doing it again easily. She broke well from her rail slot, bumped hips with Spring in the Wind to her immediate right but settled into stride pressing that rival from the inside, moved closer to get alongside Spring in the Wind who set modest splits, put her head in front turning for home, dispatched with ‘Wind but was immediately confronted by Wow Cat to her outside, came out some in the lane to bump with Wow Cat but was then asked for run and drew off to win comfortably. This sends her to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Nov. 2 as the favorite, though how heavy a favorite she’ll be likely depends on whether archrival Elate shows up there or decides to take a swing at the boys in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Wow Cat, the defending champ but who was well beaten by Midnight Bisou (10 lengths) when fourth in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 24 last time out, showed more speed than usual, pressing the pace from her outside slot. She stayed close in third just off the hip of pacesetter Spring in the Wind with Midnight Bisou down on the inside, made a nice wide run to make it three abreast turning for home, laid down the challenge to Midnight Bisou as Spring in the Wind fell away into the lane, brushed with ‘Bisou as that rival came out a bit in the stretch but then couldn’t keep up with that rival in the final furlong. Still, this was a nice run and seemingly an improvement after losing her first two starts of the year. The Breeders’ Cup Distaff, a race in which she ran second last year (beating Midnight Bisou back into third) could be in the cards for her, though the connections also have top-class 3-year-old filly Dunbar Road targeting that race. Crimson Frost, a stakes winner in slop at Monmouth last time out Sept. 2, stalked while not far off the pace, swung out on the far turn, kept wide into the lane and plugged along for third, though she was never a danger to the top two. Still, a third-place check and Grade 2 black-type looks pretty darn nice for a gal who was claimed for $62,500 just over four months ago. Belmont Pilgrim (race 9) COMMENT: Stop me if you’ve heard this before – Chad Brown saddled the winner of a graded turf stakes. In this case it was Structor, an $850,000 son of Palace Malice who was making just his second start and first vs. winners. He was an impressive winner of his turf route debut at Saratoga Aug. 31 when stalking the pace, taking over in the lane and drawing clear. It was a bit of a tactical reprise here, though this time he had a fight on his hands to the line. He broke well, sitting just off the pace stalking as Tuggle set a solid pace, moved up eagerly going into the far turn while wide to get near the lead, made his run into the lane to take command, opened up a bit in the middle lanes and then had to fight to get to the line before a hard-trying Andesite to his inside. Off this a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 1 figures next. And with his pedigree it’s not inconceivable they’ll try him on dirt down the road. Andesite, a good rallying third in the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga Aug. 28, sat midpack toward the inside from the start, came with a run between horses turning for home, moved to the inside to continue his rally, finished well but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Our Country, a troubled fourth in the With Anticipation after a monster maiden win at Saratoga Aug. 3, was slow into stride to be last from the while toward the inside down the backstetch, remained at the back of the pack while wide into the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane when asked for run, made a strong run to get close to the top two by midstretch but couldn’t sustain his bid enough to challenge in the final half-furlong. No Word, the slight favorite over Structor off a big maiden win at Saratoga Aug. 31, was very unlucky. He bided his time early toward the back while racing inside, tried to move closer on the far turn but was behind a wall of horses, moved out wide for room but again ran into a wall, moved back to the inside into the lane yet was again hindered by traffic, finally found a clear lane in deep stretch but by then it was far too late. A clean run likely would have put him in the mix so you can’t blame them if they’re thinking Breeders’ Cup as well. Belmont Jockey Club Gold Cup (race 10) COMMENT: Vino Rosso appeared to strike a blow for the elders as the $410,000 son of Curlin seemed to beat back significant challenges by top 3-year-olds Code of Honor and Tacitus to notch his second Grade 1 win (won the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27). However, he came out a few lanes in the stretch, bumping with Code of Honor a couple times and after the narrow ‘win’ was disqualified and placed second, giving the win to Code of Honor. Code of Honor, big winner of the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Aug. 24, bided his time a few lengths off the pace set by dueling foes Vino Rosso on the inside and Tacitus to his outside, moved up easily just behind the two dueling leaders on the far turn while outside Preservationist, swung outside on the turn to launch his bid, looked as though he was going to blow on by for the win only to get bumped by Vino Rosso who came out a couple lanes, put his head in front, got bumped again as Vino Rosso came out again, losing the lead and a close finish. It was likely that second bump that cost Vino Rosso as you’ve seen worse results stand, but since ‘Honor got bumped as he took the lead you can see the rationale for the disqualification. Code of Honor’s connections have said the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2 is a possibility, but they’ve also said the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Nov. 30 is a high priority for them so they could skip the trip West and stay home for the Cigar Mile. Coming off a well-beaten third to McKinzie (6 1/2 lengths) in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga Aug. 3 Vino Rosso got more ground here with a race under his belt and ran extremely well to finish first, only to get disqualified. He broke well from his inside slot with Tacitus to his inside, took over pacesetting duties into the backstretch as Tacitus took back, came off the rail and moved to Vino Rosso’s outside, set a modest pace as Tacitus pressured him, was then stride for stride with Tacitus going to the far turn, still locked in battle with that guy to his outside on the far turn, was getting the better of that foe into the lane when immediately taken on by Code of Honor wider out, came out a couple lanes into the stretch to bump with that rival in the stretch, looked in trouble when ‘Honor put his head in front in midstretch, came out some again to bump with Code of Honor and fought on gamely to rerally and finish first. This still sends him to the Breeders’ Cup Classic as one of the favorites. Tacitus, second to Code of Honor in the Travers, broke sharply from the rail to be alongside Vino Rosso out of the gate, pulled back going into the backstretch allowing Vino Rosso pacesetting duties, came off the inside and moved to the outside of Vino Rosso, pulled his way forward to duel with that foe down the backstretch, was still locked in a battle with that guy on the far turn and into the lane when Code of Honor surged up to his outside, then couldn’t keep pace with the top two, moving back to the inside to get third. The Breeders’ Cup Classic figures on his radar still. Preservationist, coming off a game win in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Aug. 31, broke decently, got a nice trip stalking just off the pace while outside Code of Honor, moved to the inside on the far turn after Code of Honor had advanced to challenge for the lead, came off the inside into the lane but was unable to be a factor. This run may quash his Breeders’ Cup Classic aspirations. Churchill Ack Ack (race 7) COMMENT: Mr Freeze dueled before finishing second to Mr Darcy in a mile optional claimer at Ellis Park Aug. 11, but not only did he duel that day, it was his first start in seven months. Well, with that under his belt and a return to a track he handled well in the spring of 2018 when a game optional claiming winner, this son of To Honor and Serve notched his second Grade 3 win (won the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby in August 2018). He broke well, had the speed to press/stalk the pace set by 3-1 favorite Mr. Jagermeister, continued to dog that rival to the far turn, got the better of that tiring foe into the lane, opened up a clear lead by the eighth pole and held sway. Trainer Dale Romans said the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 2 is a possibility, though he’d surely be an outsider should he go there. Thirstforlife, who stumbled at the start and lost his rider last time out in a stakes at Indiana Downs July 13, bided his time early midpack while saving ground, remained there to the top of the lane, angled out into the lane and finished well to close the gap on the winner, but it never appeared as if he was going to catch him. Mr Darcy stalked the early pace, loomed a threat into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run. Mr. Jagermeister, favored off three straight wins, the last two being stakes at Colonial Downs and Canterbury Downs, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Mr Freeze and Mr Darcy, held a narrow lead to the far turn while staying on the fence, but weakened once headed into the lane. Churchill Lukas Classic (race 9) COMMENT: Mocito Rojo continued one of the best stories in the game as the 5-year-old, claimed for just $10,000 from his debut at Delta Downs in December 2016, notched his second Grade 3 victory and fifth straight tally with another courageous effort. He stalked as Pioneer Spirit ran out to a clear early lead through modest splits, crept closer going to the far turn, made his run to be just behind and outside Silver Dust into the lane, engaged that foe in the stretch and gamely prevailed in the final half-furlong. This race likely won’t have any Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic ramifications but who cares? This horse is a terrific story. Trainer Shane Wilson said the horse might now get a rest and point for some of the big races at the Fair Grounds or Oaklawn Park early next year. Silver Dust chased Pioneer Spirit early, moved closer down the backstretch, challenged that foe on the turn, got the better of him into the lane only to be immediately confronted by Mocito Rojo to his outside, battled gamely with that rival and just came up short while finishing far clear of the rest. Sir Anthony lagged back from the start, remained well back to the top of the lane and finished well for third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Quip, the 2-1 favorite as he returned from a trip to Southern California where he ran ninth in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 17, fought his rider as he was taken back not far off the pace, continued to fight that restraint down the backstretch, shifted out on the far turn as if poised to make a run but the run never came. This effort on the heels of the Pacific Classic likely quashes any Breeders’ Cup Classic aspirations he may have had. Santa Anita John Henry Turf Championship (race 7) COMMENT: Cleopatra’s Strike nearly won the Grade 2 San Gabriel going 1 1/8 miles here Jan. 5 (beaten just a nose) but wasn’t seen again for eight months. He came back to be a sharp second against optional claimers at Del Mar Sept. 2, took a hefty step up in class and validated the class move with the mild upset. The son of Smart Strike bided his time in fourth as Acclimate shot out to a clear lead, remained there as Acclimate set a strong pace, started to advance going to the far turn, reached second pressing Acclimate on the turn, kept after that foe into the lane, finally got the better of him inside the eighth pole edging clear for the tally. This was nice and may earn him a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf here Nov. 2 though obviously the water will be much, much deeper there. Acclimate, coming off a nice wire-to-wire win in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap Aug. 17, went right to the lead, opened up a big advantage early while setting a very fast pace, battled back gamely when hooked by Cleopatra’s Strike into the lane, still held the lead to inside the eighth pole but then couldn’t quite finish with that rival. The Breeders’ Cup Turf figures on his radar as well. United, the favorite despite winning an optional claimer at Del Mar July 17 and then taking ill, seemed to get a great trip, biding his time in fifth. He came out into the lane, made up ground and closed the gap but couldn’t get to the top pair. Considering the type of opposition that figures to come from the East Coast and Europe for the Breeders’ Cup Turf any of these figure an outsider should they go for that. Santa Anita Rodeo Drive (race 9) COMMENT: Mirth set the pace in the 11-furlong CTT/TOC at Del Mar Aug. 16 before fading to fifth behind today’s foe Siberian Iris. She cut back a furlong in distance, got a favorable pace scenario and took advantage, posting the slight upset. The daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Colonel John shot right out to a clear early lead, was able to dictate the pace through modest splits while maintaining the clear lead, saw the field move closer to her on the far turn but rebroke along the rail, again opened up a clear lead and held a couple hard-trying rivals at bay through the final furlong. This could earn her a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf here Nov. 2 though the level of competition there will be much, much tougher, meaning she’d be an outsider should she go. Beau Recall, trying 1 1/4 miles again (off the board in her three prior 10f starts) after a smart win in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 3 (trainer Brad Cox said this might be the time to try her again going this far as she was sharp and the level of competition wasn’t as arduous as it might be in say the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland early next month) bided her time toward the back, remained there to the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane when pitching out for room and finished smartly to just get second though she never seemed a big threat to the winner. While she ran well and showed she handles this trip vs. this caliber she might still be better going shorter. Maybe the Grade 1 Matriarch at a mile at Del Mar Dec. 1 is on her radar? Elysea’s World, a non-factor sixth in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar Aug. 31, stalked in third, made a run at the eventual winner on the far turn, couldn’t get on terms then but kept to her task and only lost second in the final strides. Paved, coming off a nice rallying fourth in the Mabee and a good second in this last year, was disappointing as she lagged back from the start, made an early move going down the backstretch but then flattened out and gave way, ending up last of the six. Again, it’s difficult to believe any of these would be scary to the likes of reigning turf distaff champion Sistercharlie and whatever Euro heavies come over for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Santa Anita Awesome Again (race 10) COMMENT: The picture for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic here Nov. 2 got turned on its head as McKinzie, who figured to affirm his status here as the favorite for the Classic, was toppled by big longshot Mongolian Groom, who posted a 25-1 upset. That rival, coming off a fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Aug. 31 (to Preservationist, who earlier this day was a so-so fourth in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont), went right out to duel for the lead with fellow longshot Isotherm, dueled inside that rival through modest splits, got the better of that foe turning for home, looked in trouble when McKinzie came to him into the lane but gamely rebuffed the heavy 3-10 favorite and opened up again to win fairly easily. This might earn him a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, though he’s not even nominated to the Breeders’ Cup and would still have to fork over $200,000 to get into the race. This upset win, involving the defeat of McKinzie and Higher Power, with Code of Honor 50-50 to go in the Classic and Maximum Security and Thunder Snow already deemed out of the Classic leaves the Classic picture muddied at best. McKinzie, coming off a strong win in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga Aug. 3, stalked in third, moved up nicely into the lane to loom a big threat, looked poised to blow on by Mongolian Groom in the lane but died on his run while finishing far clear of the others. This appeared a spot in which he could confirm his status as the favorite for the Classic but instead his defeat leaves more questions than answers. Higher Power, smashing winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 17, lost all chance at the start when stumbled badly to get away last, sat at the back of the pack early, remained well back going to the far turn, made some headway in the lane but was unable to get involved. Seeking the Soul, game winner of the Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Churchill June 15 before being a non-factor seventh in the Pacific Classic as the 2-1 favorite, lagged back from the start, was still last on the far turn, made some headway racing with Higher Power into the lane but was unable to sustain his rally to be a threat. This makes for a second straight dull effort making you wonder if the Classic remains in play. Last year he ran second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile so maybe the distance cutback to that trip would be the best plan of attack. Sept. 29 Belmont Miss Grillo (race 8) COMMENT: Trainer Chad Brown continued his turf domination as his Selflessly rallied to give him his seventh win in this race and may have earned a trip to Santa Anita for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 1. He also ran third with Jazzique. Selflessly rallied strongly for second (to stablemate Jazzique) in her only start on turf at Saratoga Aug. 28, showing she belonged here despite being a maiden. The daughter of More Than Ready showed more speed than in her debut, this time sitting third as first Ava K’s Girl and then Wicked Title set a decent pace. She remained in third going to the far turn as Wicked Title maintained a clear lead, swung wide on the turn and into the lane, surged into contention to grab the lead from stablemate Jazzique by midstretch, opened up and stayed on well for the win, though Crystalle rallied to close the gap without really threatening. She’s not yet nominated to the Breeders’ Cup but Brown said as long as she exited this race in good shape she’d likely be supplemented. Crystalle, rallying winner of the Phil G. Johnson on Saratoga turf Aug. 29, was last from the start, remained there to the far turn, pitched extremely wide into the lane, still had only one horse beaten by the eighth pole but surged late to get second, though it never appeared she was going to get to the winner. Trainer John Kimmel said she would likely go to Santa Anita as well. Jazzique, who beat her winning stablemate when both debuted on Saratoga turf Aug. 28, sat just behind her stablemate from the start, made an earlier move to get ahead of her stablemate on the far turn to go after leader Wicked Title, took the lead from that tiring rival into the lane but then couldn’t finish with the top two. Another shot at her stablemate at Santa Anita could surely be in the cards. Sparkling Sky, a $650,000 daughter of More Than Ready who romped over maidens on turf at Saratoga Sept. 1, got pinched back at the start to be ahead of only Crystalle, remained in front of only that rival to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane and finished well. English Breeze, a rallying third to Crystalle in the Johnson, broke out at the start to pinch back Sparkling Sky, established position in fifth, was asked for run on the turn, came wide into the stretch and finished with good energy to end up fifth but just two noses out of third while never really being a danger to the top two. Remington Remington Park Oaks (race 9) COMMENT: Lady Apple won four of her last six coming into this, including two Grade 3s, and the two losses coming when facing top-class foes such as Serengeti Empress, Dunbar Road, Point of Honor and Street Band. The daughter of Curlin faced no such opposition here and took advantage as she defeated just three rivals. From her outside post in the small field (four) she sat last early as Classic Fit and She’s Shiney dueled through modest splits, made a strong wide run on the far turn to grab the lead, opened up a clear lead into the lane and kept to her task well to keep hard-trying 7-10 favorite Gold Standard at bay in the final strides. This probably isn’t enough to earn a swing at the big girls in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Nov. 2 but it shows she can do damage in the right spot. Gold Standard, a $1.2 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who stepped into stakes ranks here for the first time after three straight big wins in her first three starts on dirt, stalked the pace, moved closer down the backstretch, moved up smartly to take the lead between calls going to the far turn, was confronted by Lady Apple on the turn, didn’t accelerate as strongly as that gal into the lane but once straightened away gamely pursued that rival to the line. Classic Fit, second to Dunbar Road in the Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont June 29 but then a dull seventh in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines at Del Mar Aug. 17, dueled from the start while saving ground, was still in the mix with the top two turning for home but proved no match for those two in the lane while finishing third well clear of She’s Shiney. Remington Oklahoma Derby (race 12) COMMENT: Race complexion changed when one of the favorites, Tax, scratched (fever). Provided all is well he’ll reportedly now train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2. Owendale has knocked heads with the division’s best (Code of Honor, Tacitus, War of Will, etc.) and with none of those heavies in here the $200,000 son of Into Mischief proved best. As the 2-1 second choice to Mucho Gusto he was slow into stride, settled midpack while wide going into the backstretch as longshot Sleepy Eyes Todd set a modest pace, started his run into the far turn while still wide, surged into contention, grabbed the lead by midstretch and drew clear. This could tempt them to eye the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2 though that would mean another dive back into the deepest end of the pool. Sleepy Eyes Todd, coming off two nice wins over lesser at Canterbury Downs, went right out to a clear lead, set a solid pace to the far turn when confronted by Mucho Gusto, Chess Chief and Owendale, looked in trouble when all three got ahead of him by the eighth pole but kept to his task gamely to re-rally for second, though he was no match for the winner in the final furlong. Chess Chief, eighth in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga last time out Aug. 24, stalked the pace, loomed a big threat on the far turn, was part of a four-horse contingent battling for the lead into the lane but then couldn’t stay with the top two in the final furlong. Mucho Gusto, the 9-10 favorite after a good second in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth July 20 and decent third in the Travers last time out, sat second behind pacesetter Sleepy Eyes Todd, moved up to challenge that for on the far turn, was part of a four-horse battle into the lane but flattened out and was unable to stay with the winner come furlong No. 9 and finished narrowly behind Sleepy Eyes Todd and Chess Chief. Long Range Toddy stalked in third, was still in contention to the far turn but then gave way. Santa Anita Zenyatta (race 5) COMMENT: Paradise Woods has done her best work here including all four wins. Well, her love of this place, even with the surface being changed over the past year, was affirmed as she again came up big here to get the win. She broke well between horses, moved up to stalk pacesetter Secret Spice to her outside, was content to dog that rival through modest splits, stayed on that gal’s hip to the far turn, doggedly went after that foe in the lane, got the better of that rival in deep stretch and edged clear. Off this there’s no reason to not take a swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff here Nov. 2, though prospective foes such as Midnight Bisou, Elate and Dunbar Road are big, big hurdles. Secret Spice, a sharp second to Ollie’s Candy beaten just a head in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch, turned the tables on that foe but it wasn’t quite enough to get the win. From her rail slot she went right to the lead, set modest fractions while holding the fence, maintained a narrow lead into the lane, battled back gamely when hooked by Paradise Woods into the stretch but couldn’t outfinish with that rival. Ollie’s Candy, aforementioned winner of the Clement L. Hirsch, was slow into stride, came with a nice run down the backstretch to get in just behind the two leaders, moved outside on the far turn, loomed a threat into the lane widest of the three but couldn’t finish with the top two to her inside. Both she and Secret Spice could be in line for a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff as well. La Force, who’s run some big races on this track including finishing second in this last year, was away slowly, as is her custom, bided her time at the back of the pace, started a run on the far turn, made decent headway in the lane but was never really a factor.