Trip Notes for September 30-October 2: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Zenyatta, Awesome Again, Vosburgh, and more

Sept. 30

Belmont
Vosburgh (race 7)

COMMENT: Rain started before the card commenced and the track was sealed before the third race. Takaful has shown he’s capable of huge efforts, including his monster maiden win the only time he raced on this track 11 months ago. After a disappointing attempt to get onto the Triple Crown he’s flourished since returning to the sprint game, and continued his ascent here. Coming off a sprint allowance win at Saratoga and a second in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens there Aug. 26, he showed enough speed to stalk as 6-5 favorite El Deal shot out to set the pace, remained in stalking mode to the far turn, moved up to challenge El Deal into the lane, engaged him, got the better of him in the final furlong and edged ahead. This earned him a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, which is turning into a brute of a race. El Deal, coming off three straight romping wins including the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga last time out July 29, burst out of the gate to grab the lead, outrunning a number of other very quick runners. He set a strong pace, battled back when taken on by Takaful in the lane, but just couldn’t quite keep up with that foe late in a fine try. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint remains likely in his plans as well. Stallwalkin’ Dude lagged well back from the start from his rail draw, came with a smart run in the lane to close the gap, but was never really a danger to the top two. Mr. Crow, stepping well up in class after two wins at Saratoga this summer, broke awkwardly, and still had the speed to get a nice stalking trip chasing the fast splits before tiring in the lane. This was just his fourth start so it may have been biting off a bit too much too soon.

Belmont
Pilgrim (race 8)

COMMENT: Seabhac, a maiden but who’d shown talent when a troubled rallying fourth in the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga Aug. 30, added blinkers and got a trouble-free trip this time, the result being his first win, a graded stakes win and potentially a trip to Del Mar next month for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The son of Scat Daddy broke alertly, showed speed to sit second as Looking Ready moved out to a clear lead while setting the pace, went after that foe into the lane, got the better of him by midstretch and stayed on to keep hard-trying Voting Control at bay in the final yards. Voting Control, a son of turf champ Kitten’s Joy and favored off a rallying debut win on the inner course here Sept. 10, got squeezed back at the start, bided his time toward the back, fanned wide coming into the lane for clear sailing and finished well but just couldn’t quite get to the winner. Maraud, impressive debut winner routing on turf at Saratoga Sept. 2 and a stablemate of the winner, stalked while not far behind the eventual winner, moved inside going to the far turn, came off the rail by the head of the stretch, and put in a smart rally to be third, beaten less than a length. The second- and third-place finishers might be destined for Del Mar as well. Looking Ready, trying grass for the first time after finishing fourth in a dirt sprint stakes at Finger Lakes Sept. 9, bounced right out to a clear lead, set a modest pace, was still clear turning for home, and continued to battle to midstretch before finally relenting in the final half-furlong.

Belmont
Beldame (race 9)

COMMENT: Elate continued her ascent by dominating elders here and stamping herself a big danger for elders like Stellar Wind, Vale Dori and Forever Unbridled come the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She stalked in fourth as the heavy 3-10 favorite as Bishop’s Pond and Money’soncharlotte volleyed up front through modest splits, moved closer to be just behind those leaders going down the backstretch while traveling easily, awaited room while saving ground, found a seam between those two leaders turning for home, shot through and blasted clear, extending her margin with every stride to win in a laugher. The elders better look out at Del Mar because trainer Bill Mott has her firing on all cylinders. He may have another Royal Delta on his hands. Money’soncharlotte, winner of her last four including the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth July 30 and a stakes at Thistledown Aug. 19, volleyed on the lead with Bishop’s Pond while inside, came under a ride turning for home, was no match for the winner but kept to her task to just hold second. Eskenformoney, who finished behind Money’soncharlotte in two Monmouth stakes in July and was then third behind Forever Unbridled and champion Songbird in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 26, ran with the winner from the start, made a wide move on the far turn, proved no match for Elate when that filly stepped on the accelerator but kept on decently to just miss getting second. She ran well and always tries but she is just a notch or two behind the top distaffers.

Belmont
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: Well, not only did Beach Patrol show he can handle 1 1/2 miles, it seems he may actually relish it as he took a seemingly very tough edition of this and made it his own showpiece, stamping himself now a major threat for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. He was coming off a game win in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at 1 1/4 miles, and there have always been questions as to whether he could be as effective going longer. He answered in the affirmative here as he stalked as Oscar Performance took a very early lead before relinquishing pacesetter duties to Converge who moved through along the rail. Beach Patrol sat second as Converge opened up a huge lead with solid splits, moved closer on the far turn as Converge started to weaken, took the lead coming into the lane, appeared in some trouble as he drifted out allowing Oscar Performance some room inside to come through to challenge, but was then asked for his best, kicking clear to win in a romp, never feeling the whip in the process. He confirms himself the top turf distance male in the land. Of course, with the likes of top Euros like Ulysses and defending Breeders’ Cup Turf champ Highland Reel targeting that race the water will surely be much deeper. Fanciful Angel, second in the Million and now also in trainer Chad Brown’s care like Beach Patrol, gave Brown the exacta as he sat midpack inside while a bit rank early, was still pulling between horses going down the backstretch, was still a tad rank going to the far turn, was allowed to run into the lane and finished well between horses to get up for second, though he was never a danger to his winning stablemate. The Breeders’ Cup Turf could be on his radar as well. Oscar Performance, likely the top 3-year-old turf male who was trying this distance and elders for the first time, did himself proud as he broke alertly to be on the lead a few strides out of the gate, quickly relinquished pacesetting duties to an eager Converge who moved through strongly to his inside, stalked in third just inside Beach Patrol, moved up with that foe on the turn, looked very dangerous into the lane as he moved up inside, but then couldn’t match the winner down the lane and just held second. It was a fine run but trainer Brian Lynch balked some at the idea of going to the Breeders’ Cup, saying the horse was just a 3-year-old and that they would evaluate whether it would be better to wait. He has the makings of a big 4-year-old for certain. Sadler’s Joy, rallying winner of the Sword Dancer, sat last from the start, remained there to the far turn, shifted out on the far turn and stayed out wide into the lane, finished nicely but was no threat. Surely the race-shape worked against him, not that he would have threatened the winner anyway. Money Multiplier, another Brown runner who was a sharp second in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Sword Dancer Aug. 26, sat just behind stablemate Beach Patrol, made a threatening run into the lane just behind Beach Patrol but flattened out in the lane. The Grey Gatsby, once a force in Europe, sat midpack while saving ground, was just behind the leaders turning for home while still inside but then had nothing in the lane. The 6-year-old has just one second in his last 10 starts and just isn’t the horse he once was. Mekhtaal, top-class in Europe but a bit disappointing when 10th in the Arlington Million, disappointed again here as he bided his time, made a bit of a move while wide on the far turn but then had nothing when it mattered. He may be in need of a freshening.

Laurel
Commonwealth Oaks (race 7)

COMMENT: Rymska showed enormous potential last year and early this year before being sidelined for eight months. Not surprisingly, she was cranked and ready off that layoff by hot trainer Chad Brown, proving best here and stamping herself a filly to watch next season. She got bumped at the start to get away slowly as I’m Betty G went out to set the pace. She bided her time well back as I’m Betty G set a modest pace, came with a wide run on the far turn, moved wider still into the lane and finished smartly to get up for the score. Taperge, also trained by Brown, sat midpack, came with a rally into the lane, briefly looked as though she might win but then couldn’t fend off Rymska. I’m Betty G went right to the lead, set a modest pace, battled back gamely when hooked into the lane, still held a narrow lead to just inside the furlong pole but finally relented in the final half-furlong. Chubb Star chased I’m Betty G from the start, tried to make a run at the foe turning for home but weakened in the lane with her retreat exacerbated when she steadied in midstretch.

Laurel
Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (race 8)

COMMENT: Trainer Chad Brown’s turf domination continued as Projected and Catapult gave him a second straight one-two finish in the first two graded stakes on the program. Projected, dropping off a fifth in the Grade 2 Baruch at Saratoga Sept. 4, proved best. He stalked in third as Xmas Sky ran off to a huge early lead, moved into second going to the far turn, came with a run into the lane, had no trouble going past the pacesetter and drew clear late. He’s not up to the likes of stablemates Beach Patrol, Money Multiplier and company but this shows he can do damage in the right spots. Catapult finished fourth behind stablemate Projected in the Grade 2 Dixie and Grade 3 Poker when that guy was second earlier this year and once again found that foe a bit too tough. Coming off an optional-claiming win at Saratoga Aug. 4, Catapult sat on his stablemate’s hip, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly as that rival, lugged inward while on his left lead, got straightened, changed leads and finished decently to just get second. Ring Weekend, who finished fourth ahead of Projected in the Baruch at Saratoga Sept. 4, lagged back, angled out turning for home, came with a nice wide run but just got nipped for second. The 6-year-old Grade 1 winner has lost a step or two and can’t compete at the highest level any longer, but this shows there’s still gas in the tank and he can be effective in the right situation. Tower of Texas, a Canadian invader who last ran eighth in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile Sept. 16, was well back early while racing off the rail, was asked for run going to the far turn, finished decently but was never really a threat to the top trio.

Laurel
Commonwealth Derby (race 11)

COMMENT: Hard to believe, but a turf race that wasn’t won by Chad Brown (of course, he didn’t have a runner in this). Instead it was the blossoming Just Howard who posted the mild upset. A son of champion turf horse English Channel, he’d won his previous three starts, the last two being restricted stakes here. He handled this step up in class nicely. He stalked in third as 3-5 favorite Voodoo Song moved out to a clear lead, remained in third to the far turn while saving ground, came with his run into the lane, still had work to do to get to Voodoo Song but finished relentless to reel in that tiring rival and edge past, setting a course mark in the process. Voodoo Song, favored off four straight wins including the Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga Sept. 2, moved out to a clear early lead, saw the field move closer on the far turn but maintained his clear edge to midstretch before tiring in the final furlong as Just Howard came to him and past him. Profiteer, game winner of a Saratoga optional claimer Aug. 26, bided his time in fifth, was still there to the far turn, got going into the lane to finish decently though he was never really a danger to the top two.

Churchill
Lukas Classic (race 9)

COMMENT: On paper Honorable Duty held the aces after chasing world-class Gun Runner home in the Grade 1 Stephen Fosters here in June and that’s the way it worked out on the track. After running fifth in this last year he rattled off three straight stakes wins including a Grade 2 and Grade 3 at the Fair Grounds and was then second in the Grade 2 Alysheba here on Kentucky Derby day before that meeting with Gun Runner. As the heavy favorite he went right to the lead, set slow fractions despite being hounded by Flashy Jewel, rebuffed that foe turning for home while keeping the fence, opened up into the lane and extended his advantage while not being asked. Trainer Brendan Walsh mentioned the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland Oct. 28 and Grade 1 Clark here Nov. 24 as potential targets. Money Flows, freshened since a fourth in a stakes at Indiana Downs July 15, stalked in fourth, made a run into the lane moving to the inside, finished well to just hold second while never really a danger to the winner. Seeking the Soul was well back from the start, came with a nice run in the lane and just failed to catch Money Flows for second. Eagle, a rallying second in the Grade 3 Iselin at Monmouth Aug. 26, lagged back while saving ground but was basically one-paced throughout, never really mustering a run.

Churchill
Ack Ack (race 10)

COMMENT: Awesome Slew got a much-deserved graded stakes win here as the crack one-turn specialist had been frustrated by the likes of Sharp Azteca, Limousine Liberal, Mor Spirit, Mind Your Biscuits and Drefong this year. Not burdened with facing any one of that caliber, he bided his time, as is his custom, as the heavy 3-5 favorite, came with his patented strong run on the far turn and into the lane, ranged up alongside then-leader The Player before midstretch, got the better of that foe and edged past. The margin wasn’t much but he pretty much looked like the winner from the quarter pole home. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs is likely too short for him (at least at that level) and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile is around two turns, which may not be his best game, but trainer Mark Casse said that race may still be his goal. Of course, the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct later this fall could be on his radar. The Player, coming off an optional-claiming win at Ellis Park Aug. 27, stalked in third as Pinson set the pace under pressure from Warrior’s Club, moved up to challenge for the lead on the turn, grabbed the lead into the lane but was soon taken on by Awesome Slew, battled back briefly but then couldn’t stay with him while tons better than the others. Pinson, winner of an optional-claiming mile at Ellis Park Aug. 4, went right to the lead, took immediate pressure from Warrior’s Club while setting a modest pace, was engaged by The Player on the turn, was no match for that foe and the winner once into the lane but kept on decently to just hold third. Zulu, a $900,000 son of champion Bernadini who looked like a potential Kentucky Derby type in 2016 but now winless in his four starts this year, was making his first start for trainer Wayne Catalano (had been with Todd Pletcher), sat midpack from the start but never made a move.

Santa Anita
Zenyatta (race 5)

COMMENT: Now that’s more like it. When Paradise Woods romped by over 11 lengths in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks she looked like a coming superstar. Then came a disastrous duel-and-fizzle in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, then a layoff, lousy start and poor showing in her comeback in Del Mar’s Grade 3 Torrey Pines Aug. 27. However, back to the track we know she loves, she got back to that promising form with a runaway win. A couple scratches, including a key one of the quick Rockport Babe who could have given her some pace issues, helped Paradise Woods tremendously. She went right out to a clear early lead, set a slow pace under her own power, remained well ahead of the pack and never really had a nervous moment at any point. With her seemingly back on track she helps make next year’s 4-year-old filly class mouthwatering (Unique Bella, Elate, Abel Tasman, Miss Sky Warrior, It Tiz Well, Salty, etc.). Of course, before that she could run in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar Nov. 3 vs. the likes of Elate and top elders Stellar Wind, Vale Dori and Forever Unbridled. Faithfully made it nine straight top-three finishes as the $700,000 daughter of Smart Strike bided her time in third, finished decently and while no threat to the winner finished far clear of third finisher Motown Lady (1 1/4 lengths). Motown Lady, a well-beaten third in Del Mar’s Tranquility Lake (5 3/4 lengths behind Faithfully in second), was second from the start, in closest pursuit of the eventual winner, but was never able to offer a threat and though she weakened in the lane had no trouble keeping third.

Santa Anita
Chandelier (race 7)

COMMENT: Moonshine Memories confirmed her status as the West’s top 2-year-old filly – but in a manner that was more workmanlike than dazzling and likely won’t make those thinking about shipping West for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies quake in their shoes at the prospect of meeting her. Coming off a win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, Moonshine Memories was surprisingly sent off as just the second choice to big maiden winner Alluring Star. She broke well, sitting second as Alluring Star moved off to a clear lead, remained in second as that rival set a modest pace, moved up to challenge that foe turning for home, got the better of her and drew clear to win fairly comfortably even if the final time wasn’t any great shakes. Of course, no 2-year-old filly back East has dazzled either so at this point she looks like the favorite. Alluring Star, an $850,000 daughter of Exchange Rate who was impressive wining her debut at Del Mar Sept. 3, bounced right out to a clear lead while holding the rail, battled back when hooked by the eventual winner on the turn, couldn’t keep pace with that rival but stayed on gamely to just hold second. Piedi Bianchi, a sharp rallying second to Moonshine Memories in the Del Mar Debutante, lagged back early, moved closer while wide going down the backstretch, didn’t really accelerate into the lane but got going in the final furlong and that, coupled with Alluring Star’s fatigue, almost got her second. Just a Smidge, a $425,000 daughter of Into Mischief who was fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the Del Mar Debutante, sat back from the start, was quite wide on the first turn, remained wide while toward the back but dropped back on the far turn and was eased through the lane.

Santa Anita
FrontRunner (race 8)

COMMENT: Coming off an impressive win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity Bolt d’Oro affirmed his status as the one to beat come next month’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as he romped to victory. He broke alertly to sit second, stalked pacesetter Take the One O One, moved up easily to engage that foe turning for home, took over and blasted clear to win in a romp. His time was much, much faster than what Moonshine Memories did at the same distance about 20 minutes earlier (1:43.54/1:46.32). Solomini, a $270,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin who won his debut in smart fashion at Del Mar Sept. 2, sat midpack, made a threatening move on the far turn to get in just behind the eventual winner, but then was no match for that foe in the lane while clearly best of the others. Take the One O One went right out to the lead, set a brisk pace, was no match for the winner when that foe made his run turning for home, was still in the fight for second in midstretch but then weakened a bit in the final furlong while still well clear of the others. Zatter, second to Bolt d’Oro in the Del Mar Futurity, stalked the pace, was still in stalking mode on the far turn but then gave way when it mattered.

Santa Anita
Rodeo Drive (race 9)

COMMENT: Avenge won this last year but her defense seemed a bit iffy as she lost her only two starts this year. In her defense, the first came when she dueled and ran third to superstar Lady Eli in the Grade 1 Gamely here May 27 and the other saw her duel and fade to sixth in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 5. There were no such issues here as the daughter of War Front showed she still has what it takes to win a top race and thus earned a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar. She showed more controlled speed this time as she sat second while Goldy Espony went out to a clear lead, made a smart run between hoses going into the far turn to grab the lead, opened up and had enough gas in the tank to get to the line before the resurgent Goldy Espony. Goldy Espony, who went out to a clear lead before fading to fifth in a stakes at Del Mar Aug. 16, her first start for trainer Bob Baffert and first action in six months, moved forward nicely as she went right out to a clear lead while holding the fence, looked doomed when Avenge shot by and opened up on the far turn, as well as being passed briefly by favorite Goodyearforroses, but got going again between rivals in the lane to scare Avenge in the final furlong. The Breeders’ Cup waters may be too deep for her and too short for her but she certainly has other options. Responsibleforlove, winner of that Del Mar stakes Aug. 16, stalked the pace, had to wait for room into the lane when in traffic, found a seam along the inside and came through with good energy, just failing to get second. She’s developing nicely. Decked Out, a troubled fifth in the Mabee in what was her first start in over eight months, sat midpack from the start while pulling early, settled inside, moved between horses going to the far turn looking as if ready to make a bid but the bid never came. Goodyearforroses, the even-money favorite off a second to Lady Eli in the Gamely here and a rallying second despite trouble in the Grade 2 Mabee at Del Mar Sept. 2, stalked in fourth from her outside slot, moved up to pressure Goldy Espony on the far turn, was still right in the thick of it turning for home but then suddenly had nothing left and gave way. The outside post couldn’t have helped, but considering how badly she gave way in the lane you wonder if something went amiss and whether the Breeders’ Cup is still in on her radar.

Santa Anita
Awesome Again (race 10)

COMMENT: He didn’t have Arrogate or Collected or Mor Spirit or Hoppertunity and his Cupid failed to fire, but trainer Bob Baffert still captured this race with comebacking Mubtaahij. Making his first start since being a well-beaten fourth by Arrogate in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup March 25 and his first start with blinkers, Mubtaahij sat well back early as Midnight Storm set a modest pace. He started to advance while wide on the turn, continued his run into the lane, caught Midnight Storm by midstretch and edged clear. This likely earned him a crack at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Midnight Storm, trying dirt again after setting the pace and running fourth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Aug. 20, went right out to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Curlin Rules and Donworth while holding the rail, dispatched with those two into the lane, was immediately challenged by Mubtaahij, battled back but then couldn’t keep pace late. He did run second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles so the Breeders’ Cup Classic isn’t out of the question, though the feeling here is he might be more comfortable at the shorter Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile an back on turf, a race in which he ran third here last year. Win the Space, fifth behind Cupid and Curlin Rules in the Brubaker at Del Mar Aug. 23, his first start in over eight months, moved forward nicely to finish third in this race as he did last year. He was last early, well behind the field after a sluggish start, was still well back turning for home but came with a run to nearly get second. Cupid, the 6-5 favorite after winning four of his last five including the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Here May 27 and the Brubaker at Del Mar Aug. 23, was disappointing as he stalked in fourth, seemed poised to make a run as he moved closer turning for home, loomed a big threat by midstretch when third just behind the leaders, but then flattened out in the final half-furlong. This effort brings into question whether the Breeders’ Cup Classic remains in his plans.

Oct. 1

Belmont
Miss Grillo (race 8)

COMMENT: Imagine that, a graded turf stakes won by Chad Brown. In what was a phenomenal weekend for the trainer (he ran one-two in three graded turf stakes this weekend) Signficant Form added to his numbers with an impressive victory. The $575,000 daughter of Creative Cause powered home to win her turf route debut at Saratoga Aug. 27, but she caused trouble for a few rivals and got disqualified to seventh. Still, it showed she had significant talent and she made no mistakes here, punching her ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar next month. She showed enough speed to stalk in third as longshot Life Time Citizen set a slow pace while taking some pressure from Southampton Way. As the heavy even-money favorite she remained in third to the far turn, stayed wide and clear, came with her run into the lane to grab the lead, fought and rebuffed second choice Orbolution by midstretch, and kept on to keep Best Performance at bay in the final furlong. She did show some greenness still, however, as she came out in deep stretch, forcing Orbolution to check some when between she and the eventual runner-up. She certainly rates as a contender in the Breeders’ Cup, though the power coming from Europe is daunting. Best Performance, second in the Juvenile Fillies on turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6, her first start on grass, bided her time early toward the back, pitched very wide into the lane and finished well though she couldn’t get on terms with the winner. Orbolution, winner of her first two grass starts including the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga Aug. 31, got bumped at the start, established position midpack, angled out turning for home to make her run, loomed a bold threat into the lane as she rallied with Best Performance to her outside, had to steady a bit when in tight between a lugging-out Significant Form and Best Performance to her outside and couldn’t quite finish with those two late while well clear of the rest. Africa, now in the Brown barn after three smart outings in France to start her career, broke slowly, was rank and pulling from the start, continued to fight her rider the far turn, tossing her head, finally settled once wide and in the clear on the far turn, pitched wider still coming into the lane but was unable to make an impression. She surely spent her fuel fighting her rider the first six furlongs of the race.

Santa Anita
John Henry Turf Championship (race 7)

COMMENT: Itsinthepost was troubled significantly in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap Aug. 19 but still managed to rally for second to Hunt after the trouble. He had no such traffic issues here and punched his ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf – though don’t take that to mean it was easy. Far from it. From his rail slot he stalked in third as Prime Attraction set a modest pace, remained there while saving ground, looked poised to pounce coming off the far turn but had to wait for room, found a lane that allowed him to get off the inside and find clear sailing by midstretch and rallied to get up in the final strides. Of course, the Breeders’ Cup Turf will be considerably tougher. Prime Attraction, fourth at 95-1 in the Del Mar Handicap, has apparently turned the corner as he ran well again here. The $335,000 son of Unbridled’s Song did nothing wrong as he went right out to a clear lead, took some pressure as Frank Conversation moved closer, continued on with that rival at his flank, rebuffed that foe into the lane, fought on but just couldn’t quite withstand the charge of the winner. Frank Conversation, back to his West Coast base after running sixth in the Saratoga’s Grade 2 Bowling Green July 29 and seventh in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer there Aug. 26, dogged Prime Attraction from the start, tried to make a run at that foe into the lane but couldn’t keep pace with him and couldn’t rally with the winner, though he held gamely for third. Hunt, winner of the Grade 2 Eddie Read and Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, both at Del Mar this summer, was disappointing as he stalked the pace, loomed a big threat turning for home but then gave way, beating just one horse to the line. Four of his six wins have come here so this wasn’t a function of not being fond of this course. That said, he might still target the Breeders’ Cup Turf as his best work has come at Del Mar.