Racing Roundtable: Breeders' Cup implications at Santa Anita, Churchill Downs, and Belmont at Aqueduct

This week, the Racing Roundtable talks about the racing action at Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Belmont at Aqueduct last weekend and some thoughts about Keeneland's opening weekend.

Breeders' Cup implications from Santa Anita's weekend stakes?

James Scully: I will start with Johannes, who looked sharp tuning up for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in Saturday’s City of Hope Mile (G2). After opening the year with victories in the American (G3) and Shoemaker Mile (G1), Johannes showed an affinity for Del Mar’s turf by recording a convincing tally in the Eddie Read (G2) in late July, and his powerful turn of foot was on display Saturday, as the four-year-old colt made it look easy by recording a 1 1/4-length decision. 

From 2011-2019, North American-based horses won seven of nine editions of the Mile. International-based horses have been on an unprecedented run since then, reeling off four consecutive editions, but Johannes rates a serious chance to snap the streak.

Straight No Chaser made a strong case for Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) favoritism, blistering rivals in Sunday’s Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). The lightly raced five-year-old looked like a sprint star in the making when recording a brilliant win in last year’s Maryland Sprint (G3) on the Preakness (G1) undercard, but Straight No Chaser wasn’t seen again for nearly 12 months, returning with a troubled fourth in May’s Runhappy (G3) at Aqueduct. After receiving a 4 1/2-month freshening, the frontrunner rebounded spectacularly in the Santa Anita Sprint, registering a 109 Brisnet Speed rating for the 6 1/4-length win, and Straight No Chaser will take some beating if he can hold his form off a five-week rest in the Sprint.

Subsanador left a favorable impression winning Saturday’s California Crown (G1), courageously battling in between National Treasure and Newgate to post a head win, and I like how the five-year-old Argentine star is progressing for Richard Mandella, building upon a confidence-building win in the Aug. 17 Philip Iselin (G3) at Monmouth Park. His last two Speed numbers (104 and 107) merit respect and while Subsanador has never won at the 1 1/4-mile Classic distance, that didn’t stop a peaking White Abarrio last year. He will face a step up in competition, but Subsanador enhanced his Classic prospects.

Takeaways from Belmont at Aqueduct or Churchill Downs?

JS: Ways and Means took case of business as expected in Sunday’s Gallant Bloom (G2) at Aqueduct, winning by a widening four-length margin as the odds-on favorite, and confirmed herself as a top contender for the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). Chad Brown tried longer distances this spring, and Ways and Means finished fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on class alone, but the talented three-year-old filly prefers shorter distances, winning her third consecutive start in commanding fashion. Her tactical ability is an advantage, and I’ll look for a strong showing at Del Mar.

After purchasing Subsanador earlier this year, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani’s Wathnan Racing acquired Hit Show following his victory in the Aug. 17 West Virginia Governor’s (G3) at Mountaineer. The new purchase reaped immediate dividends in Saturday’s Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs, as Hit Show determinedly wore down pacesetter Cooke Creek to prevail by a neck, and the four-year-old colt has now won three of four starts this season for Brad Cox. The gray stalker will be up against it from a win perspective if he heads to the Classic, but Hit Show’s improving form will offer some appeal for gimmicks.

What else?

JS: We saw some runaway juvenile maiden winners in the slop at Churchill Downs last week, including debut scorers Terrapin Station and Trust Fund Philly, but I will focus on Book’em, a promising Tiz the Law filly for Bret Calhoun. A troubled second when making her debut in mid-June, the chestnut scored an impressive win under fast conditions Thursday, netting an 86 Brisnet Speed rating for the 4 1/2-length decision at six furlongs, and Book’em is bred for two-turn distances, with her dam being a half-sister to 2016 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) upsetter Discreet Lover. I liked the speed she showed from the gate, and Book’em had another gear when challenged in upper stretch.

It took three starts this year, but Bango became the all-time Churchill Downs wins leader, earning his 12th victory beneath the Twin Spires on Friday. The veteran seven-year-old sprinter rallied to post a 2 1/4-length triumph in the six-furlong allowance, and Bango will return to stakes competition for his next target, the Bet on Sunshine on Nov. 2. He’s bankrolled $1,617,891 from a 38-15-4-4 record.