Trip Notes: Sheepshead Bay, Charles Whittingham, and more

May 24

Belmont

Sheepshead Bay (race 9)

COMMENT: Riposte, who came from Europe with a gaudy reputation but had been frustrated in three U.S. starts (second, third, and third), got what she really wanted (more ground), and that did the trick, as the classy Bill Mott filly galloped them into the ground. She went right out to contest the early pace with Fitful Skies, as there was no other speed lined up after the scratch of Viva Rafaela. She took over the pacesetting duties by the first turn, was able to coast along up front with a narrow lead through dawdling splits on a course softened by rain, kicked clear on the far turn, drifted out while expanding her lead into the lane, and was never in any danger thereafter. There’s every reason to believe she can do more big things, as she’s kin to Powerscourt (Group 1 stakes winner in Europe, won the Grade 1 Arlington Million in the United States). A race like the Grade 2 New York (1 1/4 miles) here figures next. Abaco, coming off a sharp third in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on April 12, sat fourth early, made a run at the winner going to the far turn, but was chasing a fresh filly and could never get on even terms. This was uncharted waters distance-wise, but she handled it well. Not only was this run smart because it was her first try going this far, but also because Riposte was never going to come back to her, so the race shape didn’t help, and she may not be that big a fan of soft turf, which she caught here after recent rains. The New York could be next for her as well, though her versatility in terms of distance gives them plenty of options. Irish Mission, seventh in the Grade 3 Beaugay here May 3, her first start of the year, was in closest pursuit of Riposte early, couldn’t keep up when that gal kicked on going to the far turn, couldn’t go with Abaco in pursuit of Riposte, but plugged along for third. That was a nice step forward and could set her up well for an even better run next time. Fitful Skies, a super second in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine last fall and then ninth in the Jenny Wiley last month, her first start of the year, was made the favorite. She dueled very early with the winner, relinquished the pacesetting duties to that rival, stalked while saving ground, but never mustered a run in a disappointing effort.

Churchill

Louisville Handicap (race 10)

COMMENT: War Dancer, coming off a solid second in the Grade 2 Elkhorn on the Keeneland sod, was hammered at the windows to be sent off as the 4-5 favorite. Well, he validated that backing, but it wasn’t easy. The 4-year-old colt stalked the pace from the start, moved closer as the race progressed, came between horses to grab the lead on the far turn, looked to be in trouble when Suntracer snatched the lead from him in midstretch, but gamely re-rallied to outnod that rival. Distance is obviously his preferred game, and he might show up in a race like the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes at 1 1/2 miles at Arlington Park on July 12. Suntracer, fourth in the Elkhorn, only about 1 1/2 lengths behind War Dancer, helped flatter the form of that race, as the son of turf champ Kitten’s Joy lagged back, came with a smart run to grab the lead from War Dancer in midstretch as if he might go on to win, but then couldn’t counter that foe’s re-rally. He hasn’t won since October 2012, but this was another good try, and he has a number of stakes placings in the interim as well, so he keeps earning nice checks. The Stars and Stripes could be on his radar as well. Moro Tap bided his time in fifth, came with a steady run, but was never a threat to the top two. Forte Dei Marmi, seventh in the Elkhorn, was slow into stride to be last early, remained there to the top of the lane, made some headway, but was never really a factor. This guy is a multiple Grade 1 winner, but there’s no doubt his best work has come at Woodbine. Also, he’s 8 now, and you wonder if time is finally taking its toll.

Arlington

Arlington Matron (race 7)

COMMENT: The start was delayed some, as Naples Gold had to return to the paddock for a shoe repair. La Tia was the heavy favorite and showed why, as she had no trouble with her rivals here. Sent off at 8-5, she did the expected – used her speed. She went right out to a clear lead, set modest splits, was asked for some run turning for home, and bounded away to win easily and was actually geared down late. While she’s now a proven Grade 3 winner, she figures to return to face fellow Illinois-breds and move to turf for her next start, the Lincoln Heritage, a race she won here last year. Frivolous, coming off a romping N1X win at Keeneland on April 13, her first start in seven months, sat in third from the start and plugged along to hold second, though she was never a danger to the winner. Awesome Flower was in closest pursuit of the winner from the start, tried to go with her turning for home, proved no match for that gal, and just lost second in the final strides. Moment in Dixie, the second choice, lagged back and never mustered a run.

Arlington

Hanshin Cup (race 9)

COMMENT: Nikki’s Sandcastle seemed off form in his last few starts, but the 7-year-old gelding cut back to a one-turn mile, and that appeared to do the trick, as he posted the mild upset. He bided his time in midpack in the big field, steadily advanced to the far turn, swung out into the lane, and finished smartly to outfinish fellow closer Mister Marti Gras. That foe finished second in this race for a second straight year. Like the winner, he didn’t come here seemingly in peak form (ninth and fifth in his only two starts this year), but he sat well back as Mongolian Saturday set a brisk pace, was still well back turning for home, swung very wide into the lane, and finished strongly but just couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Pass the Dice stalked the pace, moved up to contend into the lane, and stayed on well but just wasn’t quite good enough. Hogy, the defending champ, pressed the sharp pace of Mongolian Saturday and paid the price, as he fell apart turning for home.

Arlington

Arlington Classic (race 10)

COMMENT: Istanford was a filly facing boys, but it didn’t matter, as the daughter of Istan showed her class by toppling the boys. She bounced right out to a clear lead, was able to set dawdling splits, extended her advantage into the lane, and that gave her more than enough of a buffer to keep the boys at bay through the lane. Off this, there’s no reason they shouldn’t try boys again in the next leg of the Mid-America Triple, the Grade 2 American Derby at 1 3/16 miles on turf here July 12. Long On Value stalked in third, tried to make a run at the winner into the lane, but just couldn’t get to her. The American Derby is a logical next spot for him as well. Afortable, the favorite off a game N1X win at Keeneland last month, lagged back, swung wide into the lane, and finished well but never really appeared a danger to get to the winner. Solitary Ranger chased the winner early but weakened from those efforts.

Santa Anita

Charles Whittingham (race 7)

COMMENT: Time to start taking Fire With Fire seriously. The 6-year-old hadn’t made a dent in the graded stakes ranks, but after a game win in a stakes at Turf Paradise on Jan. 18, he came back to win the Grade 2 San Luis Rey here at 10-1 and was a game second (to today’s foe Quick Casablanca) in the Grade 3 Last Tycoon here April 25. His professionalism and versatility came into play, as he bided his time early while Bright Thought set a fast pace, pressured by Segway. He steadily moved closer and came with a smart run through the lane to just get up in the final strides and edge Segway. The Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano at about 1 3/4 miles here June 29 (closing day) figures next. Segway dogged Bright Thought from the start, took over from that foe turning for home, opened up a clear lead into the lane as if he was the winner, but tired late and got nailed by the winner in the final strides. Still, it was a very nice try and shows he belongs. The San Juan Capistrano could be next for him as well, though that’s another two furlongs, which is a question mark for him. Quick Casablanca, the favorite off a game win in the Last Tycoon, his first start in five months, broke slowly, was last early, remained well back to the far turn, where he swung out, and finished strongly but just ran out of ground, as he was beaten two necks. Bright Thought set a smart pace but gave way. He’s just not the horse he was here a year ago. Joelito stalked and gave way. He’s better at a shorter trip.