Trip Notes for September 9-10: Kentucky Turf Cup and more

Sept. 9

Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (race 7)
COMMENT: It had been something of a lost year for Miss Temple City as the multiple Grade 1 winner had a setback in the spring, was no factor when shipped to England for a tough Group 1, then came back to be beaten in a Grade 3 at Monmouth July 30. However, she got some of her groove back here. She showed speed to dog early pacesetter Zipessa through modest splits, moved up to challenge that foe into the lane, put her head in front by midstretch, and had to fight hard to keep that rival at bay in the final furlong. The Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile vs. males at Keeneland (a race she won last year) Oct. 7 figures next, and should all go well there another swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar Nov. 4. Zipessa, last seen setting the pace before fading to ninth in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Aug. 12, went right out to a clear lead, was able to get away with soft fractions, battled back when hooked by Miss Temple City into the lane, and ended up well clear of the rest. This may mean she earned a spot for something like the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland Oct. 7. Linda stalked in third while saving ground, crept closer going to the far turn to loom a threat, but couldn’t stay with the top two in the lane.

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Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (race 9)
COMMENT: Hogy, 8, was claimed for $80,000 by trainer Mike Maker from an optional-claiming turf sprint at Saratoga Aug. 3. He made Maker’s eyes look good. Hogy, the 5-2 favorite, sat well back early as Indy Hill set a modest pace. He started to advance on the far turn, came with a strong run into the lane to reach contention by midstretch, and edged past in the final furlong. The Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland Oct. 7, a race in which he was a sharp second last year, could be next, and should all go well there, maybe a crack at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 4. Commend, coming off a win in an optional claimer at Saratoga Aug. 16, stalked the pace in third, moved up nicely to grab the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off the winner. He appears to be improving and the Woodford could be on his radar as well. Undrafted, a tough old pro who was coming off a fourth in the Troy at Saratoga Aug. 6, sat fifth early, moved closer to the leader turning for home, and finished well, just missing getting up for second. Bondurant, the third choice after running third in the one-mile Forbidden Apple at Belmont July 15, was a bit slow into stride, saved ground while racing just behind Undrafted, but couldn’t muster the necessary run. This trip may be too short for him.

Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Turf Cup (race 10)
COMMENT: Oscar Nominated had been knocking heads with some of the best turf distance horses in the land, having run in three straight Grade 1’s. He got some class relief here and gave trainer Mike Maker his third straight win in this race. The son of Kitten’s Joy bided his time early while wide as longshot One Go All Go set a slow pace. Oscar Nominated remained toward the back to the far turn, came very wide in the lane, and closed resolutely to edge Postulation in the final strides. Postulation, the favorite after two straight stakes wins, including the Grade 3 American St. Leger at Arlington Aug. 12, sat midpack early, moved closer going to the far turn, came with a run in the lane between horses to grab the lead by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off the winner in a fine try. Muqtaser, stepping up in class after two optional-claiming wins at Saratoga, sat just behind the eventual winner early. He came with a strong run on the turn and into the lane, got within a head of leader Postulation by the eighth pole, but couldn’t sustain his run and finished third. Taghleeb, second to Postulation in the American St. Leger, was slow into stride to be last early, was still well back turning for home, and finished with good energy to pass a number of rivals. Enterprising, fourth, beaten less than a length in the Grade 1 Arlington Million Aug. 12 at 80-1, sat well back early but never mustered a run. Maybe this was coming back a bit too quickly after his big try at Arlington.