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TURF DIARY SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 In this installment, we'll recap the August 8 Arlington Million (G1), catch up with a couple of veterans who are back in business, identify a few intriguing new shooters, size up the milers, and look ahead to Sunday's Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) and Northern Dancer Turf S. (Can-G1). Grand slam: Divisional leader GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) not only bolstered his case for an Eclipse Award with an emphatic success in the Arlington Million, but he also completed an unprecedented sweep of four of the nation's premier turf events. No other horse has ever won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) (formerly the Arcadia H.), the Manhattan H. (G1), the Man o' War S. (G1) and Arlington's signature $1 million prize over the course of his entire career -- never mind in a single season, let alone as a four-race winning streak. While the Arlington Million is the newest of the quartet, having begun in 1981, it's worth pointing out that no one has managed to capture the Kilroe, Manhattan and Man o' War triple either. (Only one horse -- Star of Cozzene -- was able to win any three of the four, with his triple consisting of the Manhattan, Arlington Million and Man o' War in 1993). Before putting this achievement in historical perspective, let's review how Gio Ponti asserted his supremacy at Arlington. Despite a stumble at the break, the Christophe Clement charge smoothly recovered and loped along in an easy rhythm well off the testing pace. For a time, Gio Ponti raced in tandem with the European CIMA DE TRIOMPHE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), but the two did not stay sewn together. While Gio Ponti had the finesse to work his way forward approaching the far turn, "Cima" did not have such handy speed, lost his position, and fell back to last, ending any chance he had of launching an effective rally. One second Gio Ponti was amid a pack of stalkers midway on the turn, and the next second, he produced an electric move to strike the front. Like a master swordsman who scores a palpable hit before his opponent knows that he is in danger, Gio Ponti had dealt his rivals a lethal blow before they knew that he had drawn his blade. Although the gallant English shipper STOTSFOLD (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) tried to make a race of it by charging up the fence, Gio Ponti always had him covered as he pulled out a bit more. JUST AS WELL (A.P. Indy) likewise finished well to grab second by a head from Stotsfold, but both were comfortably dispatched by the 1 1/4-length winner. It was another six lengths back to a belatedly-regrouping Cima in fourth. Gio Ponti has now crafted an impressive historic profile, one that matches up well with past turf champions. While others have compiled impressive winning streaks during their championship campaigns, including Hall of Famers Round Table and Manila, none has managed to win four Grade 1 turf races (or similarly top-level turf races, in the old days before the grading system) in the course of those streaks. Hall of Famer John Henry came the closest in this regard: his runner-up effort in the 1984 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) on dirt came in the midst of four straight Grade 1 scores on turf. Furthermore, in the last 15 years, only one turf champion has even strung together a four-race winning skein of any kind: High Chaparral (Ire) in 2002. Barring a highly unlikely hypothetical -- i.e., if someone manages to upset Gio Ponti in the October 3 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) at Belmont, and that same mystery horse follows up with a victory in the November 7 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) -- Gio Ponti deserves the Eclipse Award. Having criss-crossed the country, defeating accomplished performers from one to 1 3/8 miles, on every type of ground, he has built a formidable resume. Arlington Million postscripts: A couple of the also-rans deserve special mention. PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem) was doomed by the rain-soaked ground, which was listed as "good" on the chart despite all contemporaneous evidence listing the going as "yielding." In any event, the Mary Hartmann trainee was clearly not bowling along with his usual flair early on, judging by his body language and by the fact that his lead was dwindling fast on the backstretch. Presious Passion was exhausted turning for home and trailed in last, a performance that is hardly a true bill. To be sure that he gets his favored firm turf, I'd love to see him try his hand in the October 11 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship S. (G1) at Santa Anita, where he is eligible to put on quite a show. Although regular readers may remember that I have not been especially enamored of MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat), I must rise to his defense this time. For a horse who was stretching out to 1 1/4 miles after three straight mile races, he was not given the best of trips, especially considering the pace and ground conditions. Instead of being held up to make one run, the Bill Mott pupil was forwardly placed in the chasing group and made an aggressive move on the far turn. In the circumstances, it was no surprise that Mr. Sidney couldn't sustain his bid and tired to sixth. Had he been given the patient rides that Just as Well and Stotsfold enjoyed, he could have finished a lot closer. Both Presious Passion and Mr. Sidney can take comfort from the example of EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck), who rebounded from a weary-looking fifth in the Arlington Million to finish a near-miss runner-up in the Pacific Classic (G1) on Del Mar's Polytrack. Tell it like it is: Had Presious Passion opted for the August 15 Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) at Saratoga, he would have relished the firm ground, and he may well have boosted his Breeders' Cup credentials. On the other hand, I wouldn't discount the effort of surprise Sword Dancer winner TELLING (A.P. Indy), whose 33-1 upset was a shock, but maybe not a fluke. Indeed, the well-bred five-year-old scored his two-length triumph the old-fashioned way -- he earned it. An Arlington shipper trained by Steve Hobby, Telling raced within shouting distance of a ferocious speed duel, yet closed powerfully to take charge in the stretch and was well on top of the 10-year-old warrior BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) at the wire. Moreover, Telling reeled off his final quarter in the 12-furlong affair in roughly :24, which is exceptional in view of his proximity to the early fractions. He was the only horse to track the pace and have anything left for the drive. In contrast, the second through fifth-place finishers in the Sword Dancer were all in a different zip code early, ranging from 10 to as many as 20 lengths behind. Telling did not simply pick up the pieces, or clunk up after a meltdown; he was within a few lengths of the meltdown, and emerged as though made of asbestos. His performance was as remarkable as it was unexpected. After all, the Darley-bred had been sold by his breeders after only one start, he had been at best a fringe Grade 3 player in the past, and he was coming off a solid, if unspectacular, fifth to Just as Well in the Arlington H. (G3). So what can account for this sudden leap forward? Perhaps he's a classic late bloomer who is finally putting it all together, but I suspect that a change in tactics had more to do with his breakthrough. Telling had typically fallen way back in most of his races, leaving him too much to do. Positioned closer early in the Sword Dancer, he made the most of it. The corollary question to all of this is: How did a horse with so flimsy a resume get invited to the Sword Dancer Invitational? In fact, Telling was not on the original list of invitees. He was added later, once others had bowed out, and in response to a request from his owner, Alex Lieblong. While the horse fully vindicated this decision with a career-best effort, it nevertheless undermines the very essence of an "invitational." Rather than maintaining the appearance of an "invitational," when in fact operating like a regular stakes with a nomination process, why not just drop the "invitational" window dressing? The Sword Dancer is hardly alone in this practice, but language ought to mean something! Grand recovery: Two-time defending Sword Dancer champ GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge) could do no better than fifth when going for an unprecedented three-peat at the Spa, but the Bobby Ribaudo charge regained the winning thread in last Sunday's Bowling Green H. (G2) at Belmont. Last early, as far as 18 lengths adrift of a runaway leader, Grand Couturier ranged into contention on the far turn and subdued WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) by two lengths. As Ribaudo observed, Grand Couturier was "aggressive down the backside," a welcome change from his previous three outings of the season, all of them fifth-place finishes. Jumping into the bridle like that is surely an indication that Grand Couturier is rounding into form, but at the same time, it must be pointed out that he was thriving on his preferred yielding ground too. He couldn't hold a candle to Gio Ponti in the Man o' War, and unless Belmont turns downright boggy for the Joe Hirsch, Grand Couturier is going to find it difficult to retain his title. Winchester performed creditably in defeat in only his second start of the year, drawing 7 1/4 lengths clear of third. Considering that his landmark score came in last year's Secretariat S. (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on firm turf, I'm not convinced that the Bowling Green's 1 3/8 miles on rain-softened going played to his strengths. Regardless, Winchester promises to move forward next time out for Clement. Laughing all the way to the bank: The streaking JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor) remained a perfect six-for-six on the turf with a scintillating, up-in-time victory in the August 28 Bernard Baruch H. (G2) at Saratoga. After being reserved as many as 13 1/2 lengths off the pace dictated by COWBOY CAL (Giant's Causeway), the Kiaran McLaughlin charge rallied to collar the front runner by a half-length. Justenuffhumor was the only closer to make an impact in a race dominated by forwardly-placed horses, and he did so despite losing significant ground leaving the far turn, and by flying through his final furlong in :11. In my estimation, the lightly-raced bay is more talented than his half-siblings, champion juvenile filly Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) and Lewis Michael (Rahy), and is approaching the league of his maternal relatives, turf champion Kitten's Joy and multiple Grade 1 queen Precious Kitten. With his Saratoga heroics, Justenuffhumor is on the verge of claiming leadership of the mile division, a status that he can cement when facing rival claimant Mr. Sidney in the October 10 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland. Disarray on the West Coast: The mile scene is much cloudier in California. With the likes of THORN SONG (Unbridled's Song), HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) and MADEO (Mizzen Mast) sidelined; DIXIE CHATTER (Dixie Union) retired; and WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) yet to recover his top form, the August 29 Del Mar Mile H. (G2) shaped up as a weak renewal. MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) could have rescued the situation, but he is seemingly allergic to the grass at Del Mar. Unlike the Eddie Read (G1), he had no excuse in the Del Mar Mile, where he again gave way and reported home seventh. Seizing the spoils was Irish Group 3 winner FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru), who overcame a wide trip throughout to score by 1 1/2 lengths, despite racing on his wrong lead for the entire length of the stretch. The Ben Cecil pupil had been defeated in his prior U.S. graded stakes attempts. Reinforcing the perception of weakness, the minor awards were plundered by the less-than-stellar fillies ALLICANSAYIS WOW (Street Cry [Ire]) and LETHAL HEAT (Unusual Heat). The Del Mar Mile was another of those "Win and You're (Allegedly) In" affairs, guaranteeing a Breeders' Cup berth, but Cecil rightly pointed out the fine print, whereby non-nominated horses must still pay the stiff entry fees to accept their automatic spot in the starting gate. Hence Ferneley doesn't harbor any Breeders' Cup illusions. He will be subjected to a sterner class test in the Woodbine Mile (more on that below). In this climate, a fresh new face in the form of SKYRUSH (Arg) (Orpen) could spice things up. Group 3-placed in his native Argentina, the dark bay made a winning North American debut for Darrell Vienna in the August 26 Harry F. Brubaker S. at Del Mar. Skyrush's margin of victory was only a neck, but he was firmly in command and actually opened up on the gallop-out. Still only four by Northern Hemisphere standards, he could make his mark at a higher level in the October 10 Oak Tree Mile (G2). The California-based marathoners are no better organized at the moment. The Julio Canani-trained SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) got up in the final strides to score a repeat victory in the August 30 Del Mar H. (G2), just denying SIR DAVE (Untuttable) by a nose. Spring House was giving five pounds to Sir Dave, and seven to third-placer TEMPLE CITY (Dynaformer), as the 120-pound highweight. BLACK ASTOR (Black Minnaloushe), who had beaten Spring House when taking the Sunset H. (G2), was well and truly cooked by a ludicrous pace and trailed in last. Although Spring House is a grand old campaigner, and Sir Dave ran a huge race himself, the horse I was most impressed with was Temple City, a lightly-raced four-year-old with loads of potential. Making just his ninth lifetime start, and his first past 1 1/8 miles, Temple City chased the wild tempo, made an early move into the teeth of a mile in 1:35 3/5, and spurted away to a daylight lead through 1 1/4 miles in 2:00 2/5. The Carla Gaines colt was softened up by those exertions, though, and was run down by the top two late. Still, after all of that, he was beaten less than a length in the 1 3/8-mile test. A royally-bred individual, whose yearling full brother was just purchased for $650,000 by Shadwell at Keeneland this week, Temple City could be one to follow on the Southern California circuit. Spring House could reappear in the Clement Hirsch, which also looms as a likely target for MIDSHIPS (Mizzen Mast). The Juddmonte Farms homebred had dominated the region throughout the spring, but left its friendly confines for a fruitless raid on Belmont for the Man o' War and faded to last. Midships was supposed to return in the Del Mar 'Cap, but Daily Racing Form reported that he missed the race because of a fever. That may have been a blessing in disguise, and if he comes back anywhere near his best, Midships can reassert control over Southern California. Sophomore shake-up: For most of the summer, the form of the Colonial Turf Cup (G2) and Virginia Derby (G2) appeared to be iron-clad. This impression reached its zenith in the Secretariat on Arlington Million Day, when Virginia Derby third TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score) prevailed by a head from Irish invader BLACK BEAR ISLAND (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) after an eyeball-to-eyeball stretch duel. On a couple of occasions, it looked as if Black Bear Island had repelled his rival, especially after drifting out and barging into him, but Take the Points was determined to shed his tag as a "nearly" horse. Coming again relentlessly, Take the Points proved slightly the stronger of the two in the shadow of the wire. Black Bear Island crossed the line 3 1/4 lengths ahead of his nearest pursuer, a fine effort in his final outing for Aidan O'Brien. Ideally, the full brother to High Chaparral may have preferred a different pace scenario. Johnny Murtagh rode a heady race, moving him up to press the longshot leader through slow fractions, and that was nearly a winning gambit. With a stronger early tempo, however, Murtagh would have been able to rate Black Bear Island, and he may have conjured up a better finishing kick. Black Bear Island has since joined Canani, and it will be fascinating to see how he copes with the firm turf of Southern California. Take the Points was scheduled to return to dirt for the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) on Labor Day, but after spiking a fever, his plans have changed. The Todd Pletcher colt will now stay on turf for the October 10 Jamaica H. (G1), where he will meet an up-and-comer in COURAGEOUS CAT (Storm Cat). Trained by Mott, Courageous Cat is a full brother to multiple Grade 1 hero After Market who was not quite ready for the big Virginia races. The bay just broke his maiden in June, and captured his stakes debut in the A Gift S. at Belmont, before stepping up into graded company for the August 14 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga. Forcing the honest pace set by Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby runner-up STRAIGHT STORY (Giant's Causeway), Courageous Cat quickened in style, skipped right away from the longtime leader, and won by an authoritative 1 3/4 lengths. Even more impressive was his final time of 1:45.90 -- not only a stakes record for the 25th running of the 1 1/8-mile contest, but just off the course record of 1:45.33 set by the ill-fated Shakis (Ire). Courageous Cat showed an instantaneous turn of foot, unlike his grinding-style brother, who garnered the Hall of Fame in 2006. The Hall of Fame looks strong from a form perspective as well. AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro), a troubled third in the Hall of Fame in his first start for Mott, paid his stablemate a handsome compliment next time out in the September 6 Saranac S. (G3) at the Spa, driving to a convincing 1 1/4-length success. Hall of Fame fourth NO INFLATION (Repriced) came right back to wire the field by 6 1/4 lengths in the September 5 Kent S. (G3) at Delaware Park. Straight Story, who folded to an uncharacteristic eighth in the Hall of Fame, was subsequently a gutsy second to the older New York-bred stalwart BANROCK (Go for Gin) in last Sunday's Ashley T. Cole S. at Belmont. In addition to the rise of Courageous Cat overshadowing the Virginia form, Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby hero BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) was caught on the wire by the 22-1 RENDEZVOUS (Victory Gallop) in the September 6 Del Mar Derby (G2). Battle of Hastings appeared to run his race, rallying to the lead inside the final furlong, before being surprised. Trainer Jeff Mullins and jockey Tyler Baze both believed that he began to idle in front, and the replay lends some credence to that view. Battle of Hastings did not look like a horse who was all out, and Baze might have gotten after him a bit more to keep his mind on the game. On the other hand, Battle of Hastings has excelled on turf with a bit of give in it, and it's at least possible that he wasn't letting himself down on the very firm ground. Rendezvous made Battle of Hastings pay for that lapse. Lengthening stride beautifully, the Jerry Hollendorfer colt charged from sixth to first in the span of a furlong, making up four lengths while blazing that eighth in a little over :11. Rendezvous gets extra credit for professionalism, since he was bounced around early and had to steady. The chestnut is on an upward curve at present, steadily progressing from a third in the Oceanside S. and a second in the La Jolla H. (G2), and added ground can only be a plus for this son of the 1998 Belmont S. (G1) winner. Sunday's action at Woodbine: The center of gravity shifts north to Canada this weekend, with Grade 1 events catering to both milers and long-distance turfistes. The respective top two from last year's Woodbine Mile, Canadian champion RAHY'S ATTORNEY (Crown Attorney) and the mare VENTURA (Chester House), both have questions to answer this time. As outlined in past diaries, Rahy's Attorney opened the year like gangbusters, but he is coming off a subpar sixth in the 1 3/8-mile Sky Classic S. (Can-G2) on August 23. His performance could be chalked up to pressing a tough pace on good turf, over a distance well beyond his best, and he has been training sharply since. Ventura has been sidelined for more than five months, but she has run well fresh in the past. The Bobby Frankel mare has the distinction of being the last horse to come close to Gio Ponti, yielding by a scant nose in the Kilroe two starts back. Rahy's Attorney and Ventura must be at their best to thwart Metropolitan H. (G1) hero BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]), who comes off a smashing 2 3/4-length allowance/optional claiming score on the turf at Saratoga. The Ribaudo trainee could join Geri as the only Grade 1 winners on dirt to add the Woodbine Mile to their resumes. Geri, victor of the 1996 Oaklawn H. (G1), captured the 1997 Woodbine Mile. While Ventura represents Gio Ponti's form in the Mile, Gio Ponti's presence is more pervasive in the 1 1/2-mile Northern Dancer. Arlington Million runner-up Just as Well; the respective second and third from the Man o' War, MUSKETIER (Ger) (Acatenango) and QUIJANO (Ger) (Acatenango); and MARSH SIDE (Gone West), runner-up in the Manhattan H. (G1) and sixth in the Man o' War, are all in a position to uphold his form. The two most capable of upending these neat formlines are Canadian champion older male MARCHFIELD (A.P. Indy) and defending Northern Dancer champion CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill). Marchfield has beaten Champs Elysees twice in a row, but he had to work much harder to outduel him last time in the Sky Classic. On the horizon: Our next edition will recap the Woodbine festivities, the Joe Hirsch and October 4 Kelso H. (G2) at Belmont, and look ahead to the final round of Breeders' Cup preps.
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