Trip Notes for September 29-30: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, and more

Sept. 29

Belmont
Vosburgh (race 7)

COMMENT: On paper Imperial Hint dominated this race and that’s the way it played out on the track as the 5-year-old, coming off a game win in the Grade 2 True North here June 8 and smashing win in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga on July 28, may have stamped himself the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. As the 1-5 favorite he cleared the field early without being asked, and basically led the field on a merry chase, winning without really being asked. While the margin wasn’t all that big (two lengths) it’s hardly indicative of his dominance as he could easily have won by more, and this was likely the perfect type of prep for his shot at Churchill. Of course, while he dominated this was one of the weaker renewals of this race as ‘Hint was the only stakes winner in a field that included four runners who had been claimed at some point this year. Mr. Crow, sixth in this last year and coming off a fourth to ‘Hint in the Vanderbilt and a troubled fifth in the Tale of the Cat at Saratoga on Aug. 10, stalked in third, tried to make a run at the winner on the turn, was unable to really threaten and stayed on decently for second. Yes, he closed the gap on the winner in the final furlong but the issue had already been put to bed and Imperial Hint was basically in a jog at that point. The Breeders’ Cup waters are likely too deep but he can make some noise if he gets away from the sprint division big boys. Silver Ride, third in the Tale of the Cat and making his first graded stakes try, sat just behind Mr. Crow while wide, tried to keep up in the lane but was no match, and obviously was never really on the winner’s radar.

Belmont
Joe Hirsch Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Widener Course listed as ‘Soft,’ resulting in the scratch of Hi Happy. Another example of how pace makes the race at any level as Channel Maker, second in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga on Aug. 25, was able to set a dawdling pace, leaving enough gas in the tank to rebuff favored Robert Bruce and go on to victory. From his outside post he went right to the lead, set very slow fractions while European raider Teodoro came up alongside as the two opened up a big lead on the rest, held the narrow edge over the European to the far turn while the fractions remained slow, dispatched Teodoro turning for home, opening up a clear lead, looked in trouble when Robert Bruce came at him to his outside in the lane but had enough left in the tank to rebuff that rival and draw away again. Off this the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf figures very much in play, though he almost surely won’t get as easy a trip with rival frontrunner Glorious Empire aiming for the Turf as well. Robert Bruce, the favorite off a big win in the Grade 1 Arlington Million, was returning to 1 1/2 miles for the first time since romping in a Grade 1 in Chile last fall, broke sharply, was amenable to be taken back first time under the wire while saving ground, remained inside but was well back as the two pacesetters moved off to a clear lead, started to advance going to the far turn, came with a strong run to loom ominously into the lane, looked as though he was going to roll on past Channel Maker but got rebuffed. He did seem to lose his action a bit in midstretch (trainer Chad Brown said he may have hit a soft spot on the course), though that didn’t make the difference. He still finished well clear of the others. While he handles non-firm turf his acceleration may make him a better fit on firm going. Post-race quote from Brown indicated he wasn’t thrilled that after the horse broke so well he ended up so far off that slow pace. Brown said the Breeders’ Cup Turf is likely next, though he would have to be supplemented. Sadler’s Joy, fourth in this last year and sixth in the Sword Dancer most recently, lagged well back, as usual, came with a solid, steady run but was never really a factor while able to get third. Carrick, the 3-year-old who impressed when gamely winning the Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington on Aug. 11, sat third from the start, though he was a ways behind the two pacesetters, tried to go with Robert Bruce going to the far turn but couldn’t do so and gave way. Facing this quality of elders might have been biting off a tad too much but this guy could be a player in this division in 2019. Spring Quality, third in the Sword Dancer, sat midpack just to the outside of Robert Bruce, tried to go with that rival going to the far turn but couldn’t keep up and was basically done by the far turn, giving way readily to end up last. The non-firm turf may not have helped and he remains a question mark at this 1 1/2-mile trip.

Belmont
Pilgrim (race 9)

COMMENT: Inner turf course listed as ‘Yielding.’ Forty Under made it 2 for 2 on turf as the recent maiden winner at Saratoga on Aug. 25 at 20-1 rallied smartly to post the win. The $180,000 son of Uncle Mo, owned by NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, was much more believed-in this time, going off at just 4-1. He bided his time early as longshot Ole Mole set a modest pace under pressure from Somelikeithotbrown, remained midpack to the far turn, swung wide into the lane and finished resolutely to run down Somelikeithotbrown. This may have earned him a trip to Churchill for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Somelikeithotbrown, second to Opry in the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga on Aug. 29, dogged pacesetter Ole Mole from the start, dispatched with that foe turning for home, opened up a clear lead into the lane, looked poised to go on to victory as he still was clear by the eighth pole but couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Social Paranoia, a maiden but who was second to Forty Under in his first turf try at Saratoga on Aug. 25, ran well again on turf as with blinkers added he stalked in fourth, came with a threatening run into the lane but couldn’t sustain it, though he stayed on decently to finish well clear of the rest. Opry, the favorite off a smart win in the aforementioned With Anticipation, sat midpack just behind the eventual winner, swung very wide turning for home while still just behind that foe as if poised to make a run but could make only modest headway. Spirit Animal, smart maiden winner in his first turf try at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for the ever-dangerous Chad Brown, stumbled at the start to get away last as his rider lost his irons, remained last as the rider tried to reestablish his feet, was still well back turning for home but showed heart to finish decently, passing a number of rivals.

Belmont
Jockey Club Gold Cup (race 10)

COMMENT: Just as pace made the race in the Joe Hirsch with the pacesetter having everything his own way up front, the pace made the race here but for the opposite reason as a couple of speed horses went nuts early and paid the price, leaving 45-1 Discreet Lover to pick up the pieces. He was third to favorite Diversify in both the Grade 2 Suburban and Grade 1 Whitney, though was well beaten in each, and then was dull when 12th in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga last time out Sept. 1 after being closer to the early pace. But as noted he got a dream scenario here as this time they opted to take back and make one run, so he sat well back as Diversify set a blistering pace as he was pushed along by Mendelssohn, remained well back to the far turn while inside, came off the rail on the far turn, swung wider into the lane and finished resolutely while widest to reel-in the tiring favorites for the biggest win of his career. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic could be in the cards now, though he might not get such a rosy setup there. He’s never run a race as big as this before, either, so does he have another such effort in him? Oddly enough, he reportedly was in some distress galloping back to the winner’s circle and was put on the vet’s list “for further evaluation.” Thunder Snow, romping winner of the Group 1 Dubai World Cup the last time he ran on dirt March 31 and coming off a dull eighth in a Group 1 turf stakes in England last month, seemed to be getting the dream trip as he sat about eight lengths off Diversify’s strong pace, advanced on the far turn, came off the inside into the lane to challenge for the lead, gamely battled Mendelssohn into submission to his inside but couldn’t outfinish with the winner. At least this showed his Kentucky Derby disaster in 2017 is well behind him and that he can stalk and pass horses, which may play well at Churchill. That said, he got a perfect trip, took over from two tiring rivals but still couldn’t fend off a big longshot. Mendelssohn, second to Catholic Boy in the Grade 1 Travers on Aug. 25 after setting the pace, broke sharply, went right out to the lead while on the fence, then relented pacesetting duties to Diversify who was rushed to the lead to his outside, took back just a bit while still on the rail, moved off the inside and up to Diversify’s outside to dog that foe through sizzling splits to his outside, continued to press that rival to the far turn, was getting the better of that rival into the lane only to have Thunder Snow come up to his outside to challenge, battled on gamely but just wasn’t quite good enough. Considering the pace scenario his effort was very smart, though you wonder if his big effort was too taxing. The Classic could play better for him if Diversify and no other high-speed type is entered. Diversify, the heavy favorite off three straight wins, the last two being romps, broke well, found Mendelssohn a tad quicker early but was urged along to take the lead off the turn into the backstretch, set strong splits with that foe pressuring him to his outside while he stayed on the fence, battled with that rival to the far turn through sizzling splits but was unable to keep up when it mattered. His connections had already hinted at some trepidation about going to the Breeders’ Cup Classic and this likely did little to bolster the notion to ship to Churchill. Gronkowski, second in the Grade 1 Belmont but then eighth in the Travers, was last from the start, not far behind the eventual winner, made some headway in the lane but was never really a threat. Considering the eventual winner wasn’t far in front of him early this run was a bit disappointing.

Churchill
Ack Ack (race 8)

COMMENT: When Seeking the Soul won the Grade 1 Clark here last Nov. 24 it looked as though he could be a big player in 2018. Alas, things haven’t worked out that way but after fading badly to 13th in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga on Sept. 1 he returned to the site of his Clark win, cut back in distance and dropped and got back on track with a win. He sat fifth early as C Z Rocket set a solid pace under pressure from Warrior’s Club, advanced turning for home while staying wide and in the clear, moved up to engage then-leader C Z Rocket into the lane, got the better of that foe and edged clear. Maybe he wanted this shorter trip all along so the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile here figures on his radar. Trainer Dallas Stewart said after the race, however, that they would also ponder going back to the longer game of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. At least you know he likes this track. Nice Not Nice, the longest shot in the race at 22-1, stalked the pace, got shuffled back some on the far turn but got going well again once straightened away in the lane and kept on gamely for second. Giant Expectations broke slowly, lagged back, sitting behind the eventual winner, pitched very wide on the far turn and into the lane, loomed a big threat by midstretch but flattened out some in the final furlong. C Z Rocket, the favorite off a fourth in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga on Aug. 25, set a solid pace under constant pressure from the start, tried to battle back when hooked by the eventual winner into the lane, couldn’t finish with that foe but stayed on gamely to miss second by only a nose and a head. Awesome Slew, winner of this last year but 0 for 5 this year and coming off a modest seventh in the aforementioned Forego, sat fourth from the start but never mustered a run. He just doesn’t seem to be the same horse who was multiple Grade 1-placed last year and Grade 1-2-placed earlier this year.

Churchill
Lukas Classic (race 9)

COMMENT: Mind Your Biscuits is a graded stakes winner sprinting, multiple Grade 1-placed going a mile and is now a graded stakes winner going 1 1/8 miles as the son of Posse flaunted his versatility with a handy win under the lights. Coming off a decent second to runaway winner Diversify in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 4, his first try at this trip, he showed this trip is well within his reach as he showed enough tactical speed to stalk in third as Flowers for Lisa set a modest pace, though he was a bit rank between horses, crept closer going to the far turn after having found a good rhythm, stayed a few lanes off the rail, took command coming into the lane while still well within himself and drew off to win clear while never really being asked. The question remains, though – does this lead to a start in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, or the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile or the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint? It’s apparent he’d fit in any of the three. Obviously the water will be much deeper in the Classic than it was here, and he’d have to deal with yet another furlong but the veteran continues his superb work and this shows he handles this track nicely. Toast of New York, second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita way back in 2014, then gone over three years before a stakes win on England synthetic Dec. 6, was making his first start since giving way badly to end up last of 12 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 27. The 7-year-old lagged well back early, came with a nice wide run in the lane and finished decently to just get up for second, though he was never really a threat to the big winner. Honorable Duty, romping winner of this last year and freshened since a decent second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster here June 16, pressed the early pace while inside, took back a bit to sit just behind the eventual winner while remaining inside, stayed there for the stretch run and kept on decently, just failing to get second, though he was never really a danger to the winner. Breaking Lucky stalked early just outside the eventual winner, was still there going down the backstretch but then came up empty.

Laurel
Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (race 7)

COMMENT: Turf course listed as ‘Yielding.’ Doctor Mounty seemed in deep after finishing a dull seventh in a restricted stakes on Kentucky Downs sod Sept. 6 but the son of Street Sense had run well here before (2-1-1-0) and relished the return to this course, posting the 26-1 upset. He’d shown ability in his prior start July 29 when second in the Grade 3 Oceanport at Monmouth on July 29 so this effort wasn’t totally out of the blue, either. He bided his time early as Abiding Star set a modest pace, started to advance going into the far turn while remaining wide and in the clear, continued his run into the lane to grab the lead and kept on gamely to nip heavy 1-2 favorite Projected. The latter, the defending champ and the heavy favorite off a sharp third in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga on Sept. 3 when beaten just a head, sat back behind the eventual winner from the start, bided his time there, advanced between horses on the far turn, came with a smart run into the lane, finished resolutely inside the winner but just failed to get there. Irish Strait stalked the early pace, had to check off heels going into the far turn to lose position but angled to the inside into the lane, got back into gear and finished well. Siem Riep, the 4-1 second choice, stalked pacesetter Abiding Star from the start while outside, but was asked for run on the far turn only to come up empty.

Santa Anita
American Pharoah (race 6)

COMMENT: Game Winner may have established himself the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as the son of Candy Ride, a handy winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity (a sprint), handled the added ground even better, easily beating a couple talented rivals. He broke well, went right out to pressure Rowayton through solid splits, continued to duel with that rival to his outside to the top of the lane, finally got the better of him by midstretch and drew off for the easy win. Gunmetal Gray, a romping winner over maidens while routing for the first time at Del Mar on Aug. 22, sat third early just behind the dueling leaders, seemed poised to make a run into the lane, was no match for the winner but was able to subdue stablemate Rowayton in the final half-furlong. Rowayton, second to ‘Winner in the Del Mar Futurity, went right to the lead from his rail slot but was immediately taken on by Game Winner, set a solid pace under constant pressure from that foe to his outside, continued on gamely to hold the lead into the lane but finally relented in the final furlong. Both the runner-up and third finishers could still have designs on Churchill.

Santa Anita
Chandelier (race 9)

COMMENT: Mother Mother, second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, was scratched race morning (illness). There’s little doubt Bellafina now goes to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies as the favorite as she won the Del Mar Debutante and then dominated this race. After seeming a bit too eager with blinkers on in the Debutante, she had them removed for this first try around two turns and responded wonderfully as she broke alertly, still showing the speed to press early pacesetter Vibrance, moved up to engage that foe turning for home, got the better of her into the lane, then blew the race open with a powerful run to draw clear. Vibrance, a big maiden winner in her first dirt route at Del Mar on Aug. 29, went right to the lead, set a solid early pace while holding the fence taking pressure from the eventual winner, tried to battle back when hooked by that foe turning for home, proved no match for that gal but stayed on well to finish second well clear of the others. Brill, a $1 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who was so impressive winning her debut at Del Mar before finishing fourth to Bellafina, beaten by 8 1/2 lengths, in the Del Mar Debutante, was a bit slow into stride to be last early in the small field (though she wasn’t that far behind the eventual winner), made a smart, threatening run heading into the far turn as if ready to be a big threat but just as suddenly came under ride, couldn’t sustain her bid, and while she stayed for third she was no match for the top two. This brings her Breeders’ Cup involvement into question. Der Lu, a $900,000 daughter of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Orb who won her debut impressively at Del Mar on Aug. 5, didn’t show the same speed on the stretch-out as she stalked the pace, did move closer going into the far turn while on the outside but then had little to offer in the lane. In her defense, this was just her second start and her first route, so there’s room for growth, though the Breeders’ Cup may be too much too soon.

Santa Anita
Rodeo Drive (race 10)

COMMENT: Vasilika was claimed for $40,000 in February and the daughter of Skipshot has won seven of her eight since (the last seven in a row) including the Grade 2 John Mabee at Del Mar on Sept. 1 and this Grade 2. She may have punched her ticket for a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill. She used her tactical speed to stalk in fourth as longshot Tisbutadream set a solid pace under pressure from second choice Cambodia, came with a smart run in the lane to go after Cambodia who had taken command, had to work to get past that foe inside the eighth pole but got the better of her and was able to fight off hard-trying 3-year-old filly Paved. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer wasn’t sure about a trip to the Breeders’ Cup as she’d be tackling a longer distance she’s never tried and she doesn’t likely want non-firm turf, which could certainly be the case at Churchill in early November. Paved sat fifth from the start, just behind the eventual winner, didn’t move quite as early or as strongly as that rival but got going well once straightened away to be a good second. Cambodia, second to Vasilika in the Mabee, sat second pressing pacesetter Tisbutadream, took over from that foe turning for home, still had the lead at midstretch but couldn’t fend off the top two. The 1 1/4 miles may be a bit beyond her, at least at this level, so the even longer Breeders’ Cup may not be in her plans. However, a race like the Grade 1 Matriarch at a mile at Del Mar (a place she loves) later this fall is a logical next stop. Beau Recall was slow into stride, as is her wont, to be last early, remained well back (last) to the top of the lane, came with a smart run into the lane to pass a few but wasn’t really a danger to the top three in the final furlong

Santa Anita
Awesome Again (race 11)

COMMENT: Visually it wasn’t a dazzling performance but Accelerate likely did enough here with the win to go into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic as the favorite (particularly with Diversify finishing off the board in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont earlier in the day). Coming off a smashing win (by 12 1/2 lengths) in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 18, he was reluctant to load, fractious once in the gate and then broke slowly, a length or so behind the field. It didn’t matter. From his outside slot after the sluggish start he pulled his way into stalking position on the outside as main rival West Coast set a decent pace, remained in stalking mode while widest of three (West Coast on the rail, Isotherm between horses), moved closer on the far turn, was abreast of those two rivals on their outside into the lane, grinded his way to the lead and edged clear. West Coast, making his first start since finishing second to Thunder Snow in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup March 31 (prior to that ran third in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic to eventual Horse of the Year Gun Runner, and was then second to that foe in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 27), showed some eagerness from the start as he broke well, soon pulled his way to the lead on the first turn, set a solid pace with Isotherm on his hip and the eventual winner wider out pressing the issue, battled back gamely when hooked by those two turning for home, got the better of Isotherm but couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Still, considering the layoff this was a fine try and sets him up nicely for a shot at revenge in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Isotherm, who previously had just one second in four dirt starts, that coming last time out in the Brubaker at Del Mar on Aug. 22, dogged West Coast from the start just to his outside, kept after that foe with the eventual winner to his right, was still in the mix coming into the lane between the two favorites but couldn’t keep pace with those two in the final furlong. Still, this was a fine try.

Sept. 30

Belmont
Miss Grillo (race 9)

COMMENT: Inner turf course listed as ‘Yielding.’ Newspaperofrecord turned heads with a smashing debut win on yielding turf at Saratoga on Aug. 19 and despite the big step up in class here the Chad Brown trainee was just as dazzling as she romped, making her the top American player for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She went right out to a clear lead, dictated tempo without much bother as no one really pressured her, was still clear turning for home, continued to cruise while expanding her lead into the lane, was then asked for run midstretch and powered away from her rivals to win easily. Varenka, a maiden but who ran second to Dogtag in the Phil Johnson at Saratoga on Aug. 30, bided her time early while saving ground, remained toward the inside while midpack to the far turn, cut to the rail on the turn, had clear sailing when Stellar Agent came off the inside in front of her and finished decently, though she was never a threat to the winner. Stellar Agent, big winner of her turf sprint debut at Saratoga Aug. 31, stalked in third while saving ground, was asked for run turning for home, came off the rail some into the lane, was never a danger to the winner and couldn’t quite finish with Varenka for second. Dogtag, like the winner from the Brown barn and a winner of the Phil Johnson at Saratoga on Aug. 30, sat midpack from the start and remained pretty much one-paced throughout. Miss Technicality, winner of her first two starts including a romping win in the Juvenile Fillies at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1, was back early, pitched out wide on the turn and wider still into the lane but never mustered a run.

Remington
Remington Park Oaks (race 10)

COMMENT: She’s a Julie came into this with a class edge having run second in the Grade 1 Alabama last time out (finishing ahead of multiple Grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou who came back to win the Grade 1 Cotillion via disqualification) and it showed as the daughter of Elusive Quality got her second Grade 3 win. She showed speed to be prominent from the start as the 9-10 favorite, dogging early pacesetter Remedy, continued to pressure that gal to the far turn, engaged her turning for home, took over from that gal into the lane and edged clear. She may not be up to the likes of Monomoy Girl, Midnight Bisou, Eskimo Kisses, and Wonder Gadot, but this shows she can do damage in the right spot. Remedy, coming off a big optional-claiming win at Indiana Downs on Sept. 5, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from the eventual winner, continued to set a solid pace while dogged by that rival, battled back gamely when hooked seriously by ‘Julie turning for home but couldn’t quite keep pace while staying on gamely for second. Cosmic Burst, back to dirt after finishing a troubled seventh in the Grade 3 Pucker Up on turf at Arlington on Aug. 11, stalked the pace, was still there turning for home, kept to her task decently but could never get on terms with the winner and just failed to catch the runner-up. Alberobello, the second choice off a big allowance win at Saratoga on July 26, stalked the pace while a few lanes off the rail, was still there and a threat turning for home but then came up empty.

Remington
Oklahoma Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Lone Sailor was second in the Grade 3 Super Derby but no real threat to winner and today’s foe Limation as he was beaten by 5 3/4 lengths. However, the change of venue did the trick as the son of Majestic Warrior turned the tables, notching his first win over winners and first graded stakes win. He sat well back early as Diamond King set a strong pace under heavy pressure from Limation and Sea Form, remained toward the back of the pack while wide going to the far turn, came with a strong wide run in the lane and just got up in the final stride to win the three-horse photo. He may not be ready for the likes of top peers Catholic Boy, Mendelssohn, McKinzie, and others but this showed he can do damage in the right spots. Believe in Royalty, a $900,000 son of top sire Tapit who rallied from far back to win the Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 12, sat back racing in close attendance to the eventual winner, likewise came with a smart wide run in the lane, was narrowly ahead of Lone Sailor in midstretch as that foe kept at him to his outside and just failed by a nostril. Diamond King, second to Axelrod (came back to run second in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby to McKinzie), went right to the lead, took immediate, heavy pressure from Sea Form and Limation, battled those foes into submission into the lane and stayed on with lots of heart to just miss by two noses. Combatant, back to dirt after rallying to be a good fourth in the restricted Better Talk Now on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 27, was slow into stride to be last early, was still well back turning for home, was starting a run only to be blocked in traffic, had to steady and wait for room, angled out for clear sailing in the lane and got going again to finish well but it was just too late as the trouble surely cost him. First Mondays, a $450,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and easy winner of his first two starts at Gulfstream before finishing third in the Smarty Jones a neck behind Diamond King, lagged back, got shuffled back farther going the far turn, was last on the turn and into the lane and finished well to pass some rivals but was never a factor. Wooderson, a $400,000 son of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again who was favored off a good second in an allowance race at Saratoga on Sept. 1, settled nicely midpack, moved closer on the far turn as if ready to make a run but flattened out. Limation, smashing winner of the Grade 3 Super Derby, beating Lone Sailor by nearly six lengths, showed speed to dog early pacesetter Diamond King, kept after that foe to the far turn but then gave way readily.

Santa Anita
Zenyatta (race 5)

COMMENT: The Breeders’ Cup Distaff has been turned on its head as a few days after news top contender Elate won’t make the race, likely heavy favorite Abel Tasman finished a dull fifth here. Instead, it was trainer Bob Baffert’s other runner, Vale Dori, who turned back the clock to get this win. She had a super 2017 (4 for 6) but hadn’t shown quite the same verve this year, losing her first four starts. However, Baffert added blinkers and that and a return to her favorite track (six of her 10 wins now have come here) did the trick. She sat second as Shenandoah Queen moved out to a clear early lead, moved closer to press that rival going into the backstretch, dueled with that foe to the far turn, got the better of her into the lane and stayed on gamely to keep hard-trying La Force at bay in the final furlong. The Breeders’ Cup Distaff may beckon now that she’s back on track. La Force, second in her last two, the Grade 1 Beholder Mile and Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch, both times to now-retired Unique Bella, stalked in fourth, moved wide on the far turn and into the lane for clear sailing, doggedly went after Vale Dori in the lane but just couldn’t quite get to her. Shenandoah Queen, romping winner of the restricted Tranquility Lake at Del Mar on Aug. 24, bounced out to a clear early lead while holding the fence, soon took pressure from Vale Dori to her outside, continued to set the modest pace under pressure from Vale Dori, battled with that foe into the lane but then couldn’t keep pace with her and couldn’t rally with the runner-up. Abel Tasman, the overwhelming favorite off wins in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps and Grade 1 Personal Ensign in New York in recent months, threw in a clunker as she bobbled at the start to get away quite slowly as the 1-9 favorite, many lengths behind the field, and while she frequently makes a strong midrace move to get involved she never really picked up her feet here. Provided there’s nothing wrong the Distaff may still be in her plans, though this surely isn’t the way they wanted to go into it. Baffert said he’s had a bug going through his barn of late and was worried this effort shows the champion may well have it as well. Recent defections of Unique Bella and Elate and this dull run by Abel Tasman surely brighten the Distaff prospects of top 3-year-old fillies Monomoy Girl, Midnight Bisou, and Eskimo Kisses.

Santa Anita
John Henry Turf Championship (race 6)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed considerably when Fashion Business, the morning-line favorite off a smashing win in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, scratched Saturday due to an injury. That will also keep him out of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup. He’ll reportedly aim for a comeback next spring. Liam the Charmer took advantage. Coming off a game optional-claiming win at Del Mar on Aug. 16, the 5-year-old son of Smart Strike stepped up his game to get his first graded stakes win. From his outside slot he was slow into stride, content to sit last early as Ashleyluvssugar set a decent pace, remained there to the far turn, began to advance on the turn while a few lanes off the rail, pitched wider still into the lane and closed resolutely to just nudge past a stubborn Ashleyluvssugar. Nice as this was, it’s not likely this result that scares the big turf boys back east or the heavyheads from Europe who are planning on raiding the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Ashleyluvssugar, the terrific veteran, had fallen on some hard times of late with three straight sixth-place finishes but the winner of this race in 2016 found some of his old form as he went right out to the lead, took modest pressure first from Ann Arbor Eddie and Secretary At War, dispatched with those two rivals turning for home to advance his lead some, was still clear at the eighth pole but just couldn’t quite fend off the winner. Ya Gotta Wanna, second to Fashion Business in the Del Mar Handicap and back to turf after a fourth in the Los Alamitos Special on Sept. 16, sat back early with the eventual winner while saving ground, moved to the rail down the backstretch, remained there on the far turn as he started his run, didn’t accelerate as early or as strongly as the winner but kept to his task well for third. Secretary At War, winner of an optional claimer at Del Mar on Aug. 18 in his first start for trainer Richard Baltas and first start on the West Coast, prompted the pace, was still in the hunt turning for home but then came up empty.