Trip Notes for September 4-6, 2020: Kentucky Derby & Oaks, Woodward, and more

Sept. 4

Churchill

La Troienne (race 11)

COMMENT: Monomoy Girl continued her amazing comeback and her march to the Hall of Fame as she easily captured this. Coming off a smart win in the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont July 11, she broke well from her outside post, was content to take back some as Lady Kate went to the lead, soon followed by Risky Mandate, who pressed her through brisk splits. Monomoy Girl bided her time while almost a half-dozen lengths off the pace while remaining well off the rail, started to advance going to the far turn as her rider looked back to see if trouble was coming, moved up easily while remaining wide, came alongside Lady Kate into the lane, and seemed to content to just run with that gal until midstretch. She was asked for run and promptly pulled away while under just a hand ride. Trainer Brad Cox said earlier that if all went well here he’d likely skip the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland Oct. 4 and train her up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff there in early November, when we could have a mouthwatering clash with Midnight Bisou, Dunbar Road and the top 3-year-old fillies. Lady Kate, stepping up in class after two easy wins including a stakes win at Ellis Park Aug. 9, went right to the lead, set a solid pace under pressure from Risky Mandate, stayed on the inside throughout, and started to dispatch with Risky Mandate to her outside turning for home only to be immediately taken on by Monomoy Girl wider out. Lady Kate tried to run with that gal in the lane, couldn’t keep pace but kept on well to hold second, well clear of the others. Horologist, coming off a smart win in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth July 18, bided her time while saving ground early sitting inside Monomoy Girl, remained there just inside and behind ‘Girl down the backstretch, moved off the inside heading into the far turn as Monomoy Girl got away from her, swung out into the lane, and kept to her task to get up for third, though she was never a threat to the top two. Vexatious, second to Monomoy Girl in the Ruffian and then an upset winner over Midnight Bisou in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 1, sat back just inside and behind Horologist, was urged to get going along the rail into the far turn and into the lane, but was unable to make a dent in the lane. She’s a Julie won this last year and seemingly was back on track when she won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont June 13, but was then a dull seventh behind Horologist in the Molly Pitcher and unable to be a factor here. She lagged back, just behind Monomoy Girl and Horologist while racing a few lanes off the rail, was urged to get going into the far tur, made a mild move to be just behind Horologist turning for home, but then came up empty. She just doesn’t look like the same mare.

Churchill

Kentucky Oaks (race 12)

COMMENT: This was billed as a summit between top 3-year-old fillies Gamine and Swiss Skydiver, and for a while it looked that way, but Shedaresthedevil had different ideas as the daughter of Daredevil continued her ascent. Coming off two romping wins over lesser, she broke well, went right up on Gamine’s hip into the first turn, continued to press that rival through modest splits as Gamine floated her out some, remained there to the far turn, doggedly went after Gamine into the lane, got the better of that tiring rival by midstretch, and finished gamely to keep Swiss Skydiver at bay in the final furlong. It’s hard to believe that trainer Brad Cox could win this with a filly who seemingly was a distant third on his 3-year-old filly depth chart earlier this year to British Idiom and Taraz. Swiss Skydiver, another daughter of Daredevil (who now stands in Turkey), broke well from her rail slot, ended up inside Gamine with Shedaresthedevil wider out, came off the rail into the lane to make her run, loomed a big threat widest out of the battling trio with Shedaresthedevil to her immediate left and Gamine on the rail, appeared to have dead aim on Shedaresthedevil, but just couldn’t get to her. Gamine, the heavy favorite after winning her first four starts, the last two being Grade 1’s in which she dominated, broke sharply, went right to the lead without being asked, set a slow early pace while taking pressure from Shedaresthedevil to her outside, drifted a few lanes off the fence as she continued to lead down the backstretch, moved back toward the rail to close off a path Swiss Skydiver might have taken, battled back when hooked by Shedaresthedevil to her outside into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace with her or with Swiss Skydiver, staying on for third. There will be those who’ll say she didn’t handle the 1 1/8 miles and maybe this trip won’t be the best for this $1.8 million daughter of Into Mischief, but she wasn’t beaten all that far so it’s not as if she totally flubbed this first shot at 1 1/8 miles. Speech, third choice in the wagering after a romping win in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland July 11, sat back a few lengths off the pace, started to advance on the far turn while a few lanes off the rail, was asked for run into the lane, made a bit of headway, but was never a threat. Donna Veloce, making her first start in six months after a setback, got bumped and jostled around at the break, was still able to establish position just outside and behind Swiss Skydiver, remained there down the backstretch while a few lanes off the rail, tried to move closer on the far turn while still outside Swiss Skydiver, but couldn’t keep up when it mattered and gave way in the lane. Surely the layoff was just too much to overcome.

Sept. 5

Saratoga

Glens Falls (race 4)

COMMENT: Civil Union, a daughter of War Front, continues to blossom as she notched her third straight win and first graded stakes win. From her rail slot she broke well, saved ground just behind pacesetter Beau Belle while just behind and inside Lovely Lucky, continued there as Beau Belle set a dawdling pace, bided her time behind that runner to the far turn, pitched out turning for home, and came with a smart run between horses to prevail. The Grade 3 Dowager at 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland Oct. 18 is likely next, though if she’s doing well the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at 1 1/4 miles at Belmont Oct. 10 is a possibility, particularly as top turf gals Rushing Fall and Mean Mary are skipping that to instead train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland Nov. 7. My Sister Nat, the heavy favorite here off a rallying win in the Grade 3 Waya here Aug. 8, was devoid of speed, as is her wont, sat last in the field while saving ground well off the very slow pace, remained there to the far turn, was still last on the turn, started to advance between horses, pitched out into the lane to be widest of all, closed well, but couldn’t get to the winner while just edging Beau Belle for second. The race shape surely worked against her. Beau Belle, third to Civil Union in the River Memories and fourth to My Sister Nat in the Waya, went right to the lead, moved to the rail as she set a very slow pace, traveled very easily under mild pressure from stablemate Lovely Lucky to her outside, couldn’t counter Civil Union’s run to her outside, but stayed on gamely. Lovely Lucky, stepping up after two straight wins including a romping allowance win here last time out July 24, broke outward, got straightened to take position just behind and outside her pacesetting stablemate Beau Belle under a hold, fought her rider all the way to the backstretch, finally settled some, and made a mild challenge turning for home. Surely her early eagerness hurt her in the final furlong.

Saratoga

Jim Dandy (race 9)

COMMENT: Race complexion changed when one of the favorites, Happy Saver, scratched to instead go in the Federico Tesio at Laurel Sept. 7. Mystic Guide, a son of Horse of the Year Ghostzapper and Grade 1 winner Music Note, had shown ample promise in his first four starts, including a rallying third in the Grade 3 Peter Pan here July 16. He got blinkers today and may have punched his ticket to the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico Oct. 3. He bided his time early at the back of the small field, though he wasn’t that far off a modest pace set by the dueling pair of First Line and Celtic Striker, advanced some while between horses down the backstretch, racing just inside of heavy favorite Dr Post, and rallied with that rival on the far turn. He was going better than Dr Post into the lane, went after leader Jesus’ Team while leaving Dr Post behind, grabbed the lead in midstretch outside of Jesus’ Team, and held off rallying longshot Liveyourbeastlife. Liveyourbeastlife, another son of Ghostzapper, was a bit slow into stride, saved ground toward the back just ahead of the eventual winner, looked in deep water going to the far turn as he lost ground, came off the rail on the far turn, started a smart run, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished with good energy for second. Jesus’ Team, second in the Pegasus at Monmouth last time out Aug. 15, showed speed to stalk the pace outside the two dueling leaders, moved up comfortably into the far turn outside those rivals, took over from those tiring foes into the lane, was quickly confronted by Mystic Guide to his outside, couldn’t keep pace with that rival in the lane, but kept on decently for third. Dr Post, the heavy favorite after a second to Tiz the Law in the Grade 1 Belmont June 20 and third to Authentic in the Grade 1 Haskell July 18, was quite disappointing. He lagged back, racing just ahead of and outside Mystic Guide, started to move with that rival going to the far turn, soon came under heavy urging on the turn, and was one-paced to the line to end up fourth. He’s been busy the past few months so maybe he’s over the top.

Saratoga

Prioress (race 10)

COMMENT: Kimari, who would have been one of the favorites, scratched. Frank’s Rockette, the favorite after finishing in the exacta in all eight career starts including a narrow win in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont July 4, ran maybe the best race of her life. She broke sharply but was content to allow Hello Beautiful to set the pace to her inside. She sat outside Hello Beautiful, dogging that rival through brisk splits, crept closer on the far turn, took over from that foe into the lane, opened up and went on to a clear victory. Reagan’s Edge was second beaten a head by ‘Rockette in the Victory Ride, and second to her again here but not nearly as much of a threat. She sat in just behind Frank’s Rockette a couple lanes off the rail with Secondary Market to her inside, swung further out into the lane as she took aim at Frank’s Rockette, proved no match for that foe but kept on well for second. Center Aisle was third in the Victory Ride and third behind the top two again here. She sat a few lengths off the lead, not far behind Reagan’s Edge, swung wide into the lane, briefly looked threatening in the stretch, but couldn’t sustain her rally. Secondary Market, trying stakes for the first time after a game allowance win here Aug. 9, her first start in 11 months, stalked while saving ground, sitting just behind Hello Beautiful and inside Reagan’s Edge, seemed to be traveling well as she moved closer on the turn to be just behind ‘Rockette and ‘Beautiful, came off the inside some to look for room into the lane, found a seam, moved back to the rail, but didn’t have the needed punch to be a factor.

Saratoga

Woodward Handicap (race 11)

COMMENT: Global Campaign has always been highly regarded but a number of nagging issues have kept him from fully fulfilling that promise. However, he gamely won the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup July 18 and stepped up his game further here, beating high-class Tacitus in his first try going this far and first time in a Grade 1. A $250,000 son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Global Campaign went right to the lead, immediately had Tacitus latch on to his hip to his outside, set a modest pace under constant pressure from Tacitus, picked up the pace going to the far turn, was engaged hard by Tacitus to his outside turning for home but rebuffed that rival into the lane and kept him at bay to the line despite not changing leads. He’ll reportedly train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 7. Tacitus, romping winner of the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont July 4, broke well, and allowed Global Campaign to clear over in front of him so he could move off the inside. He hounded ‘Campaign for the whole race but could not subdue that rival. He could also train up to the Classic or go in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Oct. 10 as a bridge to the Breeders’ Cup. Prioritize, a game optional claiming winner here July 25, stalked in fourth a few lengths off the dueling front-runners, remained there behind third-place Spinoff while well off the rail, was still well behind the top two turning for home, moved toward the inside of Spinoff to pass that foe in the stretch, and closed the gap on the top two in the final furlong but he was never really a danger to them. The Jockey Club Gold Cup might be next for him as well. Math Wizard, second to Global Campaign at Monmouth and fifth in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic Aug. 28, was slow into stride, as usual, was well behind the others at all times and never made a move. He’s not only pace dependent but these waters may be a tad too deep as well.

Monmouth

Red Bank (race 5)

COMMENT: Analyze It hadn’t been seen since a superb third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill in November 2018. He finally reappeared here and it was worth the wait as the son of Point of Entry came back firing. From his rail slot he bided his time a couple lengths off pacesetter Abiding Star while saving ground, crept closer going to the far turn, came off the inside turning for home, took the lead into the lane, and held his advantage comfortably while in hand. This was a good first step back but it must be noted the second- and third-place finishers were coming out of claimers. We’ll see what they have in mind for him, though it would seem taking aim at another Breeders’ Cup Mile may be asking too much too soon. Megacity, second vs. restricted claimers ($35,000 N3L) on Saratoga turf Aug. 2, ran the race of his life. He raced with the eventual winner just to his outside, couldn’t match that rival when the real racing began turning for home, but kept to his task well for second, well clear of the rest. Abiding Star, winner of a $40,000 claimer at Saratoga Aug. 19, went right to the lead, set a modest pace under pressure from Irish Strait while saving ground, still held the lead turning for home, had no answer when the winner surged past, and then couldn’t keep pace with the runner-up while just holding third. Irish Strait, third in the Oceanport here Aug. 9, his first start in over 13 months, pressed pacesetter Abiding Star from the outside, got in front of ‘Star into the lane, was no match as the winner shot past and was then one-paced to the line.

Churchill

American Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Fancy Liquor used his speed in his first five starts for good results (5-2-1-2), including a stakes win and two Grade 3 placings. The son of Lookin At Lucky showed his versatility here, coming from well off the pace to get the Grade 3 win. He sat back as American Butterfly, Sugoi and Smooth Like Strait shot out clear of the field dueling for the lead, started to advance on the far turn, swung out into the stretch, and finished resolutely to overtake leader Field Pass and then hold off a hard-charging Taishan to his outside. Taishan, a son of Twirling Candy trying turf for the first time after setting the pace and fading to sixth in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby July 8, lagged well back from his rail slot, sitting just behind the eventual winner, saved ground to the far turn while still just behind Fancy Liquor, swung widest of all in the stretch, and finished strongly outside Fancy Liquor. Field Pass sat fourth, well off the pacesetting trio, moved closer going to the far turn, loomed a threat as first American Butterfly fell away, then as Sugoi backed out of it, went after Smooth Like Strait to his inside, was getting the better of that rival only to have the top two go past to his outside in the final half-furlong. Smooth Like Strait, the 6-5 favorite off two straight stakes wins including a Grade 3 at Del Mar last time out Aug. 9, broke sharply and went up to duel for the lead. He continued to duel with Sugoi as American Butterfly fell away, took a clear lead turning for home as Sugoi gave way, was soon challenged by Field Pass to his outside, battled gamely to midstretch, but then relented in the final half-furlong. The top finishers ran well here, though not sure they’re ready for the likes of Domestic Spending, Decorated Invader or Gufo.

Churchill

Pat Day Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Race lost a bit of luster when two highly regarded entrants, Cezanne and No Parole, scratched. Rushie was very much considered a Kentucky Derby type, but when he tired to be a well-beaten third in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland July 11, his connections decided the Derby distance wouldn’t work so they opted for a shorter trip here and their judgement was validated. He broke well, and got a nice trip stalking a couple lengths off pacesetter Vertical Threat, who set a slow early pace. Rushie moved closer down the backstretch while remaining wide, launched a serious bid on the far turn, challenged for the lead into the lane, got the better of leader Tap It to Win, opened up and won well. This could get them to thinking about the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico Oct. 3. Sonneman ran on for fifth in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 1, and he fared better here with this longer trip. He again lagged well back, started to advance while wide on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished fastest of all while widest of all to get up for second. Tap It to Win, fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont June 20 and then second in the H. Allen Jerkens, broke well, showed speed to press pacesetter Vertical Threat outside that rival, continued to apply pressure as the pace quickened into the far turn, challenged for the lead outside Vertical Threat into the lane, took over as that rival fell away, and lost second only in the final strides. Echo Town, the favorite off an easy win in the H. Allen Jerkens, broke well to sit just a couple lengths off the pace, was asked to move closer turning for home, made some headway between horses in the lane, but was never really a threat.

Churchill

Iroquois (race 10)

COMMENT: Sittin On Go, a son of Grade 1 winner Brody’s Cause, sat well back before unleashing a big run to easily beat maidens at Ellis Park Aug. 16. He used the same tactics here and the result was the same, another impressive win this time over much tougher. He was slow into stride from his inside post, bided his time as heavy favorite Therideofalifetime set a solid pace, came off the inside into the far turn, commenced a strong wide run, and swept past leader Midnight Bourbon. He’ll target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Nov. 6. Midnight Bourbon, a $525,000 son of Horse of the Year Tiznow also coming off an easy maiden win at Ellis Park, stalked the pace while a few lanes off the rail, moved up easily while wide to be outside leaders Therideofalifetime and Notary, challenged Therideofalifetime into the lane as Notary fell away, took over from that foe, opened up a bit, but then has no answer for the winner who went charging past to his outside. Super Stock gave trainer Steve Asmussen a 2-3 finish as the son of Dialed In, coming off a stakes win at Lone Star, stalked the pace, tried to make a run between horses, and was no match for the top two. Therideofalifetime, second to top juvenile Jackie’s Warrior in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at Saratoga Aug. 7, went right to the lead, set a solid pace while a few lanes off the fence, moved toward the inside heading to the far turn as he took pressure from Notary to his outside, held a narrow lead as Notary and Midnight Bourbon challenged to his outside, fought on while staying on the fence as Midnight Bourbon got the better of him and Notary fell away, and then gave way once headed in a disappointing run.

Churchill

Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (race 11)

COMMENT: When Beau Recall won this last year she took down a major filly in Got Stormy. Well, it was déjà vu all over again as she took down another major filly, this time Newspaperofrecord to defend her title. Beau Recall lagged back, as usual, as Newspaperofrecord set a strong pace, saved ground, tipped out on the far turn to start her run, and reeled in Newspaperofrecord in the final half-furlong. Newspaperofrecord, the heavy favorite off two graded stakes wins at Belmont and a gaudy reputation, went right to the lead, as expected. She was a bit more eager early on as opposed to when she won the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont last time out (though she wasn’t really rank), but seemed to settle a bit down the backstretch while taking pressure from Juliet Foxtrot. Newspaperofrecord rebuffed that foe into the lane, opened up again as if primed to go on to victory, but couldn’t counter the winner’s charge to her outside. Could be she’s simply more effective around one turn. La Signare bounced back from her seventh in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland July 11. She sat a couple lengths off the lead, moved closer on the far turn while a few lanes off the rail, and kept to her task well in the lane. Juliet Foxtrot may have sacrificed herself some as she was urged to chase Newspaperofrecord from the start, sat outside and behind that foe applying pressure, tried to ramp up the pressure turning for home, but could never get on terms with Newspaperofrecord as a couple others swept past to her outside. Daddy Is a Legend dueled before giving way readily to end up ninth in a stakes at Ellis Park Aug. 2 on soft turf. Today, she bided her time early well off the pace, swung out to start a run in the lane, but made only minimal progress. Could be she’s just not the same gal who ran well the last couple years.

Churchill

Derby City Distaff (race 12)

COMMENT: Three scratched earlier in the day, including defending champion Mia Mischief. It was a stirring renewal with the result determined by centimeters as Bell’s the One just nipped Serengeti Empress on the line. Bell’s the One was coming off a third in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland July 11 when she really had no chance trying to catch leaders, who set a modest pace. She got a much stronger pace at which to run here. She bided her time early as favorite Serengeti Empress set a blistering pace, commenced a strong wide run on the turn, swung out into the lane, surged into contention as if she was going to go on past Serengeti Empress to her outside, but then had to fight tooth and nail to get the narrowest of wins. Serengeti Empress ran yet another splendid race. Coming off a super win in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga Aug. 8, she did as we've come to expect, shoot out to the lead from the start. She sizzled up front while taking some pressure from Bellafina, stayed on the fence as she dispatched with that foe turning for home, was challenged by Ce Ce to her outside, rebuffed that gal, opened up again as if ready to go on to victory, only to be confronted by Bell’s the One to her outside. She battled gamely and just missed in a heartbreaker. These two are expected to hook up again in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 7. Sally’s Curlin was far back early, swung out on the turn and into the lane while still far back, but finished with good energy to get up for third, though she was never a danger to the top two. Bellafina, who’s chased Serengeti Empress a few times, including when second to her in the Ballerina, showed more speed than usual to try and hound Serengeti Empress from the start. She pressed that rival through sizzling splits while outside, tried to up the ante on the far turn, but apparently ran out of fuel due to her early work as she gave way.

Churchill

Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (race 13)

COMMENT: Digital Age looked primed for a big 2020 for trainer Chad Brown after showing much promise last year as a 3-year-old. However, he wasn’t seen until this spring, and his two starts off a long layoff were optional claimers, though he ran well in each including a win last time out at Saratoga July 18. He moved back into deep waters here and stormed home to prove best. He sat well back as Factor This set a modest pace, came off the inside on the far turn, advanced between horses, found a seam, pitched wider out into the lane, and powered home to reel in Factor This and edge past. There may not be a Breeders’ Cup race for him as he seems stuck in between the two turf distances of the Breeders’ Cup (mile, 1 1/2 miles). Factor This, winner of his last four, all stakes, went right to the lead from his rail draw and was able to set a modest pace under pressure from True Valour and Spectacular Gem. He kicked away from those rivals turning for home, had to work still to rebuff True Valour, and was putting away that horse only to have Digital Age surge past wider out. Rockemperor, coming off a sharp second to stablemate Instilled Regard in the Grade 1 Manhattan, sat back just ahead of his Brown stablemate Digital Age. He didn’t get going as early or as strongly as ‘Age on the far turn, but got into gear into the lane and got third. Sacred Life, another from the Brown barn, sat back just ahead of his two stablemates while a few lanes off the rail, started to advance while wide on the far turn, got pushed out some into the lane, and finished decently to pass a few while staying on his wrong lead. Somelikeithotbrown, very game winning the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch in wire-to-wire fashion at Saratoga July 29, was for some reason taken off the pace here. He fought his rider’s restraint early when positioned a few lengths off the lead, finally seemed to settle some down the backstretch, had a nice stalking position, but came up empty, having likely spent too much energy fighting his rider in the early stages.

Churchill

Kentucky Derby (race 14)

COMMENT: Trainer Bob Baffert went from near-tragedy to triumph. His charge Thousand Words flipped in the paddock and was scratched, although he was reported to be fine. Then Authentic, a $350,000 son of Into Mischief, used his speed to give Baffert his sixth Kentucky Derby, tying him with Jimmy Jones of Calumet lore for the most Derby wins. From his outside post Authentic used his natural gallop to take the early lead by the time the field went under the wire for the first time. He set the pace under pressure from Storm the Court and Ny Traffic, with favored Tiz the Law just in behind. Authentic maintained a lead as Ny Traffic continued to press, and looked in trouble when Tiz the Law came to him on the far turn. It appeared Tiz the Law was going to surge past to his outside, but Authentic was still traveling well along the inside. Tiz the Law put a head in front into the lane, but Authentic fought back to retake the lead and edged clear in the final furlong. Surely the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico Oct. 3 is next. He had enough energy in reserve to be rambunctious in the winner’s circle, tossing Baffert and another handler to the ground. Tiz the Law, coming off smashing wins in the Grade 1 Belmont and Grade 1 Travers, got a perfect position stalking just behind Authentic while in the clear a few lanes off the rail, loomed ominously turning for home, shifted in a bit, then shifted out in the lane under duress, and couldn’t keep up with Authentic while staying on to be a clear second. He had no excuses. Trainer Barclay Tagg said he wasn’t that keen about running Tiz the Law in the Preakness and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, so he might just point for the latter. Mr. Big News, a dull sixth in the Grade 2 Blue Grass, sat midpack a few lanes off the rail, came with a wide run on the far turn to pass a number of rivals, and stayed on well for third. Honor A. P. ran big in defeat. He broke slowly, then got shut off soon after the start, ending up next-to-last first time under the wire. He remained well back into the backstretch while a few lanes off the rail, started to improve his position down the backstretch, commenced a smart run into the far turn while very wide, and sustained it into the lane when tilting out wider still to pass a number of foes and run on well for fourth. With a better trip he surely could have been closer. Ny Traffic, a sharp second to Authentic in the Grade 1 Haskell when losing by just a nose, showed speed to stalk in second just behind and outside Authentic, continued there with Tiz the Law to his immediate outside, was urged to get going on the far turn, but couldn’t stay with the top two into the lane and gave way. Sole Volante, coming off a dull sixth in the Grade 1 Belmont June 20, got squeezed back at the start to get away poorly, bided his time well back after that, settled along the inside saving ground, and never made a move. He may need a return to turf.

Gulfstream

Smile Sprint (race 11)

COMMENT: Cool Arrow continued his hot run as the 6-year-old gelded son of Into Mischief notched his third straight win and first graded stakes win. He got a nice stalking position just behind Weisser and Krysto Skye, moved closer going to the far turn as Krysto Skye took over pacesetting duties and Weisser fell away, went after Krysto Kye in the lane, and edged past in the final half-furlong. Krysto Skye, claimed for $16,000 in February and stepping up off an optional claiming win here July 31, pressed early pacesetter Weisser, took over, and maintained his lead to deep stretch. Double Crown, winner of three of his first four starts including taking the Carry Back here July 4, was stepping into graded stakes ranks for the first time. He was away slowly, made a smart run along the inside to reach contention, sitting just behind the top two, loomed a threat turning for home but flattened out. With Verve, second to Double Crown in the Carry Back, was away slowly to be at the back of the pack, got pushed very wide into the lane and never mustered a run.

Del Mar

John C. Mabee (race 10)

COMMENT: Raymundos Secret hadn’t run in almost 10 months, but she came back firing to win a nice optional claimer on this course Aug. 14. With that under her belt she moved into these deeper waters and to this longer game, and gamely prevailed. This daughter of Treasure Beach shot out to a clear early lead as the 7-5 favorite, opened up some into the lane, and kept on gamely to get to the line before a hard-charging Lady Prancelot. According to trainer Phil D’Amato, she will target the Grade 2 Goldikova at Santa Anita Oct. 25, and should all go well there, the Grade 1 Matriarch here Nov. 29. Lady Prancelot was coming off a rallying fourth in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon here Aug. 8, finishing ahead of Beau Recall, who came back to win the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile earlier this day. Lady Prancelot remained toward the back as she saved ground, came off the rail turning for home to find room, found her top gear in the lane, and finished well. She’ll target the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita Sept. 26 at 1 1/4 miles. Catch the Eye, a sharp rallying fourth in a longer stakes here Aug. 16, sat well back from the start, not far behind Lady Prancelot, was last turning for home, and finished with good energy along the inside to get up for third. Quick, a game second in a longer stakes here Aug. 16, showed speed to sit second behind pacesetter and eventual winner Raymundos Secret, remained there while between horses, but came up empty in the lane.

Sept. 6

Saratoga

Spinaway (race 9)

COMMENT: Vequist, a daughter of juvenile male champ and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, came into this Grade 1 as a maiden after a narrow nose loss in her debut at Parx July 29, but left a romping winner of a Grade 1. She settled nicely inside leader Esplanade, moved off the inside to get position stalking just outside of Esplanade, moved up easily to challenge that foe on the far turn, took over into the lane and drew off to win in a romp. Esplanade, winner of her first three starts in the Midwest, including two Ohio-bred stakes, set a solid pace under some pressure from Vequist to her outside, tried to battle back when hooked by that foe turning for home, and kept on to hold second. Lady Lilly, another daughter of Nyquist, won her debut here Aug. 2. Today, she got a nice trip stalking the pace, moved closer on the far turn, and kept to her task to hold third. Beautiful Memories, the heavy favorite, had romped by 10 in her debut at Churchill May 28 but stumbled badly and was pulled up as the heavy favorite in the Grade 3 Schuylerville here July 16. Today, she broke a tad slowly, moved outside to stalk the pace in third, but started to lose position going to the far turn and then gave way and was basically eased again. Obviously something is amiss here.

Saratoga

Honorable Miss (race 10)

COMMENT: Come Dancing was the dominant sprinting distaffer in New York last year, but after winning the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom, she was sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita and had been winless in three starts since. Well, the 6-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon got back on track here with a smart tally. From her rail slot, she was content to stalk in fourth while saving ground as Lady’s Island shot out to a clear lead. Come Dancing crept closer on the far turn while saving ground, came with a nice run between horses in the lane, and finished well inside Lady’s Island to overtake her. This could result in another shot at the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 7, though she’ll surely need to move forward off this run. Lady’s Island was coming off a third in a stakes at Gulfstream July 25 and had won 11 of her last 14. She shot right out to clear lead, maintained a healthy advantage while setting sizzling splits, drifted off the rail into the lane, and couldn’t counter the winner’s charge to her inside. Blamed, coming off a second to the highly regarded Chad Brown filly Indian Pride in the Shine Again here July 17, sat second behind the sizzling pacesetter, made a run at that rival into the lane while saving ground, but flattened out in the lane. Pink Sands was so impressive last fall/winter at Gulfstream but no factor when fifth in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont June 13 and sixth in the Grade 1 Ballerina here Aug. 8. She was dull again as she sat last early and was unable to make a dent in the lane. Maybe she’s a Gulfstream specialist.

Del Mar

Debutante (race 9)

COMMENT: Princess Noor won easily, but some early antics nearly cost her in the stewards’ box. A facile winner of her debut here Aug. 22, the filly broke inward, banging into My Girl Red to her inside. She got straightened, and established a stalking position in third outside of Illumination, who set a solid paceon the rail with Forest Caraway pressing the issue between the two. Princess Noor moved up comfortably to challenge for the lead turning for home, assumed command, and drew off to win in a romp. The stewards looked into her antics at the start but let the original order of finish stand. She’s likely to next target the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita Sept. 26. Forest Caraway, smart winner of her debut here Aug. 15, pressured pacesetter Illumination to her inside and had Princess Noor dogging her to her outside. She battled for the lead turning for home, but proved no match for the winner. Illumination, a $900,000 daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, was second to Forest Caraway as the 7-10 favorite when she debuted Aug. 15. With blinkers added, she set a solid pace, was still in the fight to the far tur,n but couldn’t stay with the top two in the lane while staying on the fence. My Girl Red, the 7-2 second choice off two wins, including the Grade 2 Sorrrento here Aug. 7, took the worst of Princess Noor breaking inward as she got bumped hard at the start, ended up well back early and was pulled up. Her rider said he didn’t think she was traveling well. The good news is she’s reportedly okay.

Del Mar

Del Mar Derby (race 10)

COMMENT: Pixelate had been knocking heads with some of the East’s top 3-year-old male turfers. He stalked in third as longshot Dominant Soul set a modest pace, looked in trouble as he still had work to do in the final furlong, but persevered outside Margot’s Boy to just get up in the final strides. Margot’s Boy, stakes placed on turf and back to grass after dueling and fading to fifth in a dirt sprint stakes here July 31, sat second to the top of the lane, went after ‘Soul into the lane, and reeled in that rival in deep stretch only to have the winner edge past to his outside. Dominant Soul, a front-running maiden winner on this course July 27, set a slow pace, was still clear turning for home, battled back gamely to midstretch, only to succumb to the top two in the final half-furlong. California Kook was a filly facing boys but had run second vs. boys in a turf stakes at Santa Anita June 20 and was a rallying second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks here Aug. 22. She lagged back early a bit off the rail, made headway between horses on the far turn, had to steady when in tight turning for home, but got going again once clear and finished well. There’s obviously quality here. K P All Systems Go, a rallying third in the Grade 3 La Jolla here Aug. 9, was away slowly from his far outside post, angled to the rail to save ground at the back of the pack, made some progress turning for home, but was no factor when it mattered. It’s difficult to believe these want anything to do with the likes of top Eastern 3-year-old turfers Domestic Spending, Decorated Invader and Gufo.