Trip Notes for September 28-29: Beldame, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Frontrunner, Awesome Again and more...

Saturday, Sept. 28

Belmont - Beldame (race 5)

COMMENT: Princess of Sylmar proved she’s not only far and away the best 3-year-old filly in the land, but she made her case here she's the best distaffer of any age in the land as she soundly defeated two-time champion Royal Delta in another terrific performance. As is her custom, she bided her time, began her run turning for home as Royal Delta grabbed the lead, moved up boldly to engage that rival into the lane, got the better of her and drew off in the final yards while under a hand ride. Her connections originally said the Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 1 was not on her radar (not Breeders’ Cup-nominated) and while this was likely still the last race of her season they didn't completely shut the door on a trip to Santa Anita. Royal Delta, up to this point the game's dominant female, stalked the pace of Roman Invader, took over into the lane looking as if she would draw off, was tackled by Princess of Sylmar, but couldn't finish with that gal while clearly the best of the rest. She still looks on target to defend her Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff title. Centring stalked and stayed on decently for third but this was basically a two-horse race.

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Belmont - Kelso Handicap (race 6)

COMMENT: Graydar, making his first start since being injured after winning the Grade 2 New Orleans at Fair Grounds March 30, came back firing and stamped himself a major threat for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He went right to the lead, was surprisingly able to set a modest pace and kept the closers at bay through the line. While he won wire to wire he’s no need-the-lead type, and that versatility could prove critical at Santa Anita next month. Brujo de Olleros bided his time, came with a threatening run into the lane but couldn’t quite get to the winner. Hymn Book likewise sat back and finished with good energy. Souper Speedy looked as though he might be quickest, but he was content to stalk Graydar and then didn’t have the needed punch. It may be back to sprinting and, maybe more importantly, using his speed.

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Belmont - Vosburgh (race 7)

COMMENT: Private Zone, coming off a game win at Del Mar Sept. 4, his first start in over five months, went right to the lead, took pressure from Strapping Groom, got rid of that rival into the lane, looked beat when favorite Justin Phillip edged past into the lane but rerallied gamely to prevail. The winner did come out and bump Justin Phillip a couple times in the lane, but the stewards ruled it wasn’t enough to alter the order of finish. On to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2, and with the sprint division in a state of disarray he has a big shot. Justin Phillip bided his time between rivals, moved closer coming into the lane, bumped with The Lumber Guy, and doggedly went after Private Zone. He put his head in front of that foe in midstretch, bumped twice with that foe, stayed on gamely, but just missed while clearly best of the rest. He’s reportedly heading for Santa Anita, too. Strapping Groom dogged the winner early but couldn’t keep pace with the top two in the lane. Forty Tales, devoid of speed as usual, finished decently but it was too little, too late.

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Belmont - Flower Bowl (race 8)

COMMENT: Once again Laughing made ‘em pay with her speed, making it 4 for 4 this year. Once again she got away with murder up front, going right out to the lead where she set dawdling splits, which left enough fuel in the tank for her to fend off hard-trying Tannery in the lane. This win came at 1 1/4 miles and her other three came at 1 1/16 miles or 1 1/8 miles, so she’s shown plenty of versatility. She is not Breeders’ Cup nominated and may not make the Filly and Mar turf, but she is likely to race in 2014, her owner said. Tannery, coming off a nice fourth vs. males at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Aug. 17, bided her time while saving ground, swung out into the lane and finished smartly but just couldn’t get past the winner. Mystical Star stalked the pace, loomed a big threat into the lane, but couldn’t sustain her run. Qushchi lagged well back early, made steady progress throughout, but was never a threat.

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Belmont - Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (race 9)

COMMENT: Little Mike’s season to this point had been quite disappointing (off the board in four starts), but he went a long way to remedying that as he bounced back to his best form to post the win. Usually speed is his primary weapon but this time he was content to stalk as Joes Blazing Aaron jumped out to a clear lead, followed by speedster King Kreesa. He steadily advanced, surged to a clear lead turning for home, and that was the deciding moment as it gave him enough of a buffer to just get to the line before heavily favored entry of Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution could get to him. He’s off to Santa Anita to defend his Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf title. Big Blue Kitten was last of nine early, commenced his run on the far turn, and finished strongly to just miss. Real Solution sat back just in front of his entrymate Big Blue Kitten, accelerated with that rival turning for home, but couldn’t quite sustain his run as well as Big Blue Kitten. These two will also reportedly go to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Slumber also lagged back and put in a smart rally. King Kreesa stalked the leader early but came up empty when it mattered.

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Belmont - JC Gold Cup (race 10)

COMMENT: Ron the Greek, a two-time Grade 1 winner last year but just 1 for 6 this year, picked the right day to find his old form as he likely punched his ticket for another swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Instead of sitting well back, as is often his custom, he stalked in third while saving ground, cut the corner turning for home, taking advantage of room left by Alpha and Palace Malice, who both floated out, and surged to a clear lead. Palace Malice stalked pacesetter Alpha early, was getting the better of that rival into the lane but had no answer as Ron the Greek surged. Still, a nice first try vs. elders. Flat Out, the defending champ, sat just behind Ron the Greek and plugged along for third. This was his first loss in seven starts here. He’ll go with stablemate Ron the Greek to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Cross Traffic stumbled badly at the start, taking away his primary weapon, speedl, and never got involved. Orb, the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner, sat midpack but gave way badly in the lane to finish last.

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Churchill Downs - Jefferson Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: General Election shipped to California to try the deep waters of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby and ran a fifth. A return to the Midwest and a class drop resulted in a second Grade 3 win for the son of Harlan’s Holiday, but it wasn’t easy as he had to fight hard to beat another coming out of one of the Del Mar Derby divisions, Redwood Kitten. General Election was slow into stride, bided his time early while saving ground, moved out for room on the far turn when starting his run, was able to maneuver through traffic, and finished fast to just nip Redwood Kitten. Redwood Kitten stalked the pace, surged to a clear lead into the lane, and looked like the winner – until General Election came storming home. He was well clear of the rest. Gentleman's Kitten was fifth early, moved closer on the far turn, got shuffled back along the inside into the lane, made a brief threatening move, but couldn't sustain it. Bailino, coming off a big six-length win in a turf stakes at Calder, pressed the pace but then gave way.

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Santa Anita - Chandelier (race 5)

COMMENT: Secret Compass, a bit disappointing on Del Mar’s synthetic sprinting in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, found the change of scenery, distance and footing to her liking as she posted the upset. She stalked in fourth while first Harlington’s Rose and then Awesome Baby set the pace. She bided her time, doggedly went after clear leader She’s a Tiger in the lane, and was able to just catch that foe in the final strides. She’s a Tiger did everything right in defeat. She stalked the pace, went to the lead easily going to the far turn, opened up as if she might win clear, but got a little weary late and just couldn’t quite fend off the winner. She did press that hot pace and made that big run on the turn and into the lane, so that likely sapped some of her strength for the final furlong. These two figure to go at it again in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Fascinating, sent off the favorite after her fast-closing second to She’s a Tiger in the Del Mar Debutante, lagged back and finished well for third, far ahead of the rest (18 3/4 lengths). That being said, she never really looked like a threat to catch the top two. She’s still a maiden, but the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies likely beckons. Awesome Baby again showed her speed, but as in the Del Mar Debutante got a bit weary when it mattered.

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Santa Anita - Rodeo Drive (race 6)

COMMENT: Tiz Flirtatious showed she’s indeed the real deal, gaining some revenge, as after finishing second to Marketing Mix in the Grade 1 Gamely this spring was able to turn the tables on that top-class foe with a strong effort. She bided her time while Vionnet went out to a clear lead. Vionnet was able to set dawdling splits while stalked by Marketing Mix. Tiz Flirtatious bided her time, was set down once straightened away, and blasted home to just get up for the win. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf figures next. Still, she and the other American-based runners have to hope Euro beast Dank doesn’t show up and The Fugue opts to face males in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Marketing Mix, the defending champ, got a dream trip sitting second off Vionnet, was able to reel in that rival late, but just couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Off this there’s no reason she shouldn’t again try the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf (2nd last year). Vionnet almost stole this. She went right to the lead and was able to set a snail-like pace which left her plenty in the tank to fight back bravely in a big effort. Lady of Shamrock sat not far behind the winner, but never mustered a run. Of course, the pace played completely against her.

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Santa Anita - Frontrunner (race 7)

COMMENT: The stock of the West Coast 2-year-old males didn’t exactly get a boost as Bond Holder, a four-time loser vs. maidens, posted the upset. He bided his time early while Test Ride set a brisk pace pressured by Can the Man. He steadily advanced, swung out into the lane, and ran on strongly to win going away. In his defense, his first four starts were all on synthetic. Dance With Fate was a much-troubled second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and validated that good effort here. He stalked the pace, moved to the lead in midstretch as if he were going to win, but couldn’t counter Bond Holder’s rally. Tamarando, winner of the Del Mar Futurity, showed he could handle dirt and a route as well as synthetic and a sprint, as he banged the gate at the start to get away awkwardly, was last early, moved closer down the backside and finished smartly. Can the Man, third in the Del Mar Futurity, dogged pacesetter Test Ride early, took over on the far turn, but couldn’t keep up with the top three when it mattered. He may not go to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as trainer Bob Baffert said this may show he has some distance limitations. The race was run in slower time than what the fillies did about an hour earlier on a track that seemed to be tiring.

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Santa Anita - Zenyatta (race 9)

COMMENT: How good are this year’s 3-year-old fillies? Well, earlier in the day Princess of Sylmar toppled champion elder Royal Delta and here last year’s 2-year-old filly champ and likely the second-best 3-year-old filly Beholder beat top-class elders. She is now 5 for 6 here. Despite the presence of top-class speed-type Joyful Victory, Beholder was not only able to fairly easily grab the lead, but was then able to set comfortable splits. She bounced along while well in hand, saw the field move closer on the far turn, but then reasserted herself into the lane, giving herself a buffer and staying on well to keep top elder Authenticity at bay. She’s tough and improving, but hard to imagine she’ll get such a trip come the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with Royal Delta signed up. Authenticity stumbled at the start to be last early, moved closer down the backside, tried to make a run at the winner, and while unable to get to her still put up a good effort considering the start and the fact the winner had everything her way up front. Joyful Victory, who seems capable of more speed, was content to stalk, leaving Beholder to her own devices up front, and it cost her as she was unable to make a dent in the lane. Include Me Out pressed the pace but gave way in the lane. While she won her sprint stakes comeback at Hollywood Park in June, she hasn’t looked like the same gal who was a nice third in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic here last year.

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Santa Anita - Awesome Again (race 10)

COMMENT: Mucho Macho Man looks fully back on his game and stamped himself a big threat to Game On Dude and whoever else shows up for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Despite his outside post he got a great trip as he sat a couple lengths off pacesetter Summer Hit while staying wide and in the clear. He made a strong four-wide move on the turn, surged to the lead, and drew off to win easily, with seemingly plenty left in the tank in what appeared to be the ideal prep for the Classic. He was a superb second in that race last year to Fort Larned. Paynter continued his feel-good story as the colt who was near death a year ago has come back and proven he can compete at the top level. He sat a few lengths off the pace while inside, was asked for run on the far turn, moved out for room, got floated out wide into the lane, and finished well, though he was no match for the big winner. This might still earn him a crack at the Classic. Soi Phet, claimed for just $16,000 May 23 and a winner of four straight since, stalked in third and kept to his task well, though he never once looked like the winner. Golden Ticket lagged back, made a bold move to look very threatening into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it. Jeranimo showed no speed at all to be well back and never made a move.

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Sunday, Sept. 29

Belmont - Matron (race 8)

COMMENT: Miss Behaviour was coming off two big wins to start her career, and validated that form with another fine effort. She dogged even- money favorite Sweet Whiskey early, took over and quickly opened up going to the far turn, opened up further into the lane, and kept a resurgent Sweet Whiskey at bay. Her trainer said she’s not a certainty for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Sweet Whiskey bounced out to the early lead, saw the winner take control going down the backstretch, tried to get after her again in the lane, and while able to cut into the deficit never really looked as though she was going to catch her. Gracer bided her time in fourth and plugged along decently, though she was not a factor.

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Belmont - Futurity (race 9)

COMMENT: In Trouble, coming off a big win in his only start, which came at Saratoga in August, stalked pacesetter Corfu, went after that foe into the lane, took command nearing midstretch, and drew off to win well. He ran almost a full second faster than Miss Behaviour did when beating the girls about 20 minutes earlier. His trainer said the Grade 2 Nashua at Aqueduct Nov. 3 is likely next. Corfu, the favorite, broke sharply and shot out to a clear lead, tried to battle back when hooked by the winner in midstretch, but couldn’t keep pace with that foe and while holding second. Big Sugar Soda stalked in third but basically ran evenly and was never really a threat.

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Remington Park - Oklahoma Derby (race 9)

COMMENT: Broadway Empire, coming off two romping wins at Northlands Park in Canada, posted the upset and notched his fourth win in six starts. The son of multiple Grade 1 winner Empire Maker went right out to the lead, set a solid pace, saw the field move closer turning for home, but then blew the race open with a strong furlong into the lane, and won easily. Cameo Appearance stalked in third, looked dangerous on the far turn as he moved closer to the eventual winner, but had no answer when that runner powered home. Carve stalked early, moved closer down the backstretch, got shuffled back, and finished decently. Departing, the 1-5 favorite off 5 wins in 7 starts this year, including two romping Grade 2 wins recently, bided his time, looked ready to make his mark going to the far turn, but then flattened out, ending up fourth. This resulted in record show payoffs. Could be his busy season finally took a toll and he’ll now reportedly freshen up for 2014.

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Santa Anita - John Henry Turf Championship (race 8)

COMMENT: Indy Point came from Argentina with a gaudy reputation and wasted no time showing what the fuss was all about with a smashing stakes win at Del Mar July 24. However, he then went to the Arlington Million and was never a factor, finishing last of 13. But trainer Richard Mandella said he came out of that with “banged-up front feet,” so he brought him back to California and the horse showed that Arlington dud was a fluke as he handily beat some nice rivals here. He bided his time midpack while defending champ Slim Shadey set the pace, moved closer going to the far turn, stayed wide and in the clear for the stretch run, was still third at the eighth pole, but then powered home to grab the lead and win going away. Mandella said he’ll be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup and could target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, but that will be a lot tougher than this was. The only time he tried 1 1/2 miles before he was second in the Grade 1 Carlos Pellegrini – South America’s top race – last December, so he can handle the distance. Vagabond Shoes, winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles Aug. 24, sat well back and rallied well, though he was no threat to the winner in the final furlong. Lucayan was even farther back, put in a strong rally along the rail, then shifted outside for room and finished well. Slim Shadey set the pace under pressure from Teaks North, fought back when challenged into the lane, but then weakened in the final furlong. Kettle Corn was well back and could make only modest headway.

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