Weekend results scramble olderhorse divisions FROMOFF THEPACE
Older horses took center stage over the weekend as nearly half the top ten of both sexes in the latest DRF poll saw G1 action at Saratoga and Del Mar. Not surprisingly, there were competing story lines. The first was that oddson favorites Midnight Bisou and Tom’s d’Etat both got beat. A second was the emergence of Vexatious (who was not listed among the female top ten) and Fighting Mad as serious threats for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff – and any other races they contest between now and then.
After stewards confirmed Vexatious’s one-length victory over Midnight Bisou in the Personal Ensign, two explanations seemed plausible: either Vexatious had run out of her head or Midnight Bisou hadn’t been quite herself. A truer explanation may have been, though, that both mares had run big. It’s just that Vexatious had run a little bit bigger.
In Sunday’s Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, the question was whether Fighting Mad would run back to her lights- out per
formance two months ago in the Santa Maria (G2). Bettors thought it likely that she would and sent the 4-year-old New Year’s Day filly off at 9-5.
Fighting Mad shot out of the gate from her outside post and had the rest of the field spinning its wheels after a half-mile in a swift :46.55. The Bob Baffert trainee was geared down over the final three furlongs, holding on for a half-length win. Grade 1 winners Ollie’s Candy, Ce Ce and Hard Not to Love, who had been taking turns beating each other this year, trailed in that order.
No definite plans have been announced for Fighting Mad, Vexatious or any of their divisional rivals, including Midnight Bisou. Upcoming stakes normally scheduled prior to the Breeders’ Cup include the Beldame, Zenyatta and Spinster. As yet, no dates have been announced for any of these races.
The Whitney, the weekend’s lone graded twoturn race for older males, became less definitive after Tom’s d’Etat’s stumble at the break cost the favorite nearly a half- dozen lengths, effectively taking him out of the race. Pacesetting Mr. Buff then gave it up after three- quarters, allowing Improbable to pretty much have things his own way, eventually crossing the finish line a relaxed two lengths in front. By My Standards, Tom’s d’Etat and Code of Honor trailed.
The Whitney result greatly improved the reputation of Improbable, who has now won consecutive G1s and become a serious player in the division. Upcoming races usually include the Woodward (Sept. 5), Jockey Club Gold Cup and Awesome Again. No dates have been announced for the latter two.
Three-year-old update
In his final timed work for the Travers, Tiz the Law breezed five furlongs Saturday in :59.94, secondfastest of 24 at the distance. As of Tuesday noon, his likely opponents included Max Player, Country Grammer, Caracaro, First Line, Shivaree, South Bend and Bob Baffert’s Uncle Chuck.
Baffert added another Kentucky Derby qualifier on Saturday – Authentic and Uncle Chuck have already qualified – when Thousand Words (91) upset highly regarded Honor A. P. (1-5) in the ungraded Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar. The result capped a remarkable weekend for the Hall of Fame conditioner, whose Improbable and Fighting Mad notched G1s on opposite coasts.