ITM Plus - BC Classic Trip Notes
By Justin Christein
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Fierceness: Travers Stakes 8-24
He broke from the far outside post which allowed him to get into a relaxed stride while spying three horses to his inside; settled in fourth while 3W around the first turn and looking comfortable with his placement; assumed third position passed the 1/2 mile pole while 2L off the leader and 3W; cruised effortlessly up to the leaders while widest of a three horse set approaching the head of the lane and by the time he hit the stretch he was 1L in front; widened the margin momentarily under brisk urging and a few right-handed sticks; drifted out 2-3 paths inside the 1/16th pole under left hand urging and held on by a diminishing 1/2L. The wide journey could normally be grounds for a better-than-looked effort but that is how this horse likes to run (in the clear), so this amounts to an ideal trip; couldn't have drawn it up any better!
Sierra Leone: Travers Stakes 8-24
he was away alertly and secured a good spot along the rail when the speed cleared to his inside; Exchanged bumps with a horse to his outside entering the first turn then hugged the rail and traveled comfortable in 7th entering the backside; made a steady advance inside up the backstretch; continued to scrape paint while only 4 1/2L from the leaders around the far turn and was wheeled out 5w, losing some valuable ground and momentum entering the stretch; grinded away down the center of the track while never threatening the top pair; He was closer than usual at the 3/4 pole which may prove beneficial in future contests but mostly more of the same from this guy.
City of Troy: Juddmonte International Stakes 8-21
**On the Turf**: He broke sharply from the gate and was put right on the lead along the rail while receiving token pressure from the outside; traveled sweetly around the bend while on a big hold and ears pricked; asked to pick it up down the straight and responded with big strides shrugging off the pace pressers with ease; switched leads in deep stretch and found another gear holding the 1L margin through the wire; handiness and class on display in the victory; can he handle the dirt?
Highland Falls: Jockey Club Gold Cup 9-1
Away in good order and then was bumped on both sides shortly thereafter; speed on display as he was head and head with Arthur's Ride until conceding the lead entering the first turn; maneuvered to the 2 path and came up on the outside of the pacesetter 1/2 L off in 2nd; turned up the pressure slightly while in hand approaching the far turn and still 3L clear of third; dueled with the leader the entire far turn and to the 1/8th pole where he finally got his head in front while being ridden rigorously and drew away outside the 1/16th pole to win clear while showing a nice stride through the wire; good trip under a very aggressive ride.
Arthur's Ride: Jockey Club Gold Cup 9-1
broke fine and then leaned into Highland Falls a few jumps after the break; showed his natural speed to duel for the lead from the outside and then assumed command heading into the first turn; Traveled along the rail while receiving pressure from Highland Falls to his outside down the backside then dueled with that one until the 1/8th pole before giving way; never got a breather here and it's fair to wonder how much his previous race took out of him.
Senor Buscador: Pacific Classic 8-31
stretch runner took up his customary spot at the back spying all five of his foes passing the wire the first time; stayed in the 3 path around the first turn and down the backside; ran within himself until the far turn when he was asked to pick up the running; got a few taps to pick it up but was relatively dull when asked to do so and never made any impression on the race; dull effort from this stretch runner
Mixto: Pacific Classic 8-31
asked for speed from the gate and responded running up to find a very good spot tracking from 2nd heading to the first turn; on a snug hold sitting 1/2 L off the leader down the backside and the jock kept peaking between his legs signaling he was very comfortable with his position; was asked in earnest midway around the far tun while not really making up ground on the leader; swung a bit wide into the stretch and just kept coming; grabbed the lead 20yds from the wire to win by 1/2L; this was a very good trip racing with flow and pace that favored the frontrunners.
Subsanador: California Crown 9-28
broke alertly and made it to the rail securing a good spot while drafting just behind the leading group heading to the first turn; hugged the rail around the turn and settled into a nice rhythm while sitting in the pocket in 4th down the backside; asked for some run heading into the far turn then the rider had to throttle him back slightly while waiting for room behind the pacesetter (National Treasure); swung 2W into the stretch and fought tenaciously between horses the length of the stretch, sticking his neck out to get up by half a head; perfect trip and really game effort in victory.
Tapit Trice: Woodward Stakes 9-28
**sloppy track** he was 1L slow and took a few strides to get his legs underneath him; lagged at the back around the first turn, last of a quartet and in the 2 path 6L off the leader. Began a steady ascent at the 1/2 mile pole and reached contention rounding the far turn while still racing inside; he had to steady slightly at the 5/16th pole behind the pacesetter which definitely cost him some momentum, wheeled out to the 3 path, split horses at the 3/16th pole, and came down the lane with giant strides to run down "Skippy" who had gotten loose at the head of the lane; visually impressive final 1/8th here.
Forever Young: Japan Dirt Classic 10-2
**Right-handed turns** he stumbled out of the gate but showed superb agility when quickly regaining his footing and it didn't cost any early position; down along the rail for the first 1/8th of a mile, he was able to find some room to angle to a 2W stalking position while contesting second entering the first turn; he tracked in 2nd and 1.5L off the leader while also getting some pressure from a horse directly to his outside while racing down the backside; this can often be a tough spot for a horse because of extra energy needing to be expended to keep in front of that outside pressure; raced this way until midway around the far turn when he and the pacesetter began to create separation from the other pressers; as he straightened for the drive he easily dispatched of the pace setter, running with big, tenacious strides down the lane; maintaining a safe margin from the next closest horse, he looked to be getting stronger under the wire; big effort considering he was racing in a pressured position for a good part of the race and still was able to finish in the manner in which he did; huge talent on display.