June 20 Belmont Woody Stephens (race 2) COMMENT: After three monster wins over statebreds, No Parole was given a chance to get on the Kentucky Derby trail, trying the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn March 14, but after pressing the pace in slop he gave way badly. He returned to sprinting there April 24 and easily won an optional claimer to show he was back on track, earning a shot at open graded stakes company here, a test he passed with flying colors. From his rail slot he broke alertly going right to the lead, set a strong pace under some pressure from Meru, who was just outside and behind, looked in a bit of trouble when Mischevious Alex and Shoplifted came to him to his outside on the far turn, but he rebuffed those foes into the lane and drew off to win with authority. Surely something like the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at this same 7-furlong trip at Saratoga Aug. 1 figures on his radar with his long-term goal being the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 7. His sire, Violence, can sure get sprinters as he’s also represented by freakish 4-year-old Volatile. Echo Town, a game optional-claiming winner at Churchill May 25, was quick enough to press No Parole, instead sitting back a few lengths off the pace, moved to the inside on the far turn, chased the winner from there and while able to outrun a couple rivals to hit outside to get the place was never really a danger to the big winner. Shoplifted, back to sprinting after a fifth in the Oaklawn Stakes April 11, was slow into stride to be last early while wide in this small field, made a sharp, threatening, wide run on the far turn outside of Mischevious Alex with No Parole on the rail, but soon came under a ride to try and stay with the winner while still wide, couldn’t keep pace with that foe, was unable to rally with Echo Town, who was toward the inside, but managed to edge Mischevious Alex for third. Mischevious Alex, a romping winner of his last three starts since adding blinkers, including two Grade 3s, stalked in third outside of No Parole and Meru, moved up ominously on the far turn just outside of No Parole with Shoptlifted to his outside, but like Shoplifted proved no match for No Parole once straightened away, flattening out in the lane to end up fourth. Meru, who a bit surprisingly was sent off the favorite coming off a decent third (albeit beaten by Echo Town) in an optional claimer at Churchill May 25, chased No Parole from the start, tried to dog that rival to the far turn while shifting toward the outside but gave way once passed by a couple other rivals and wasn’t really persevered with in the lane once it was obvious all was lost. Belmont Pennine Ridge (race 4) COMMENT: Freshened off a much-troubled fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last Nov. 1, Decorated Invader came back smartly in a Gulfstream stakes March 28, rallying strongly to win. Moving back into graded stakes waters here, the $200,000 son of Declaration of War proved he’s certainly among the two or three best 3-year-old turfers with an impressive win here. From his rail slot he broke well and was closer than usual, racing on the heels of pacesetter Proven Strategies. He remained there as that rival set a modest pace with Vanzzy to his outside, crept closer on the turn, went for a seam inside Proven Strategies to challenge for the lead, was a bit crowded and forced to change leads when in tight but kept to his task, bulled his way through, got the better of Proven Strategies to his outside, and drew off to win rather easily. The Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga July 18 could be next and should all go well there the rich Saratoga Derby Aug. 15 beckons. Proven Strategies, coming off a game second in a stakes at Gulfstream May 2, broke sharply, went right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Vanzzy to his outside, despite that rival being under a hold, rebuffed that rival into the far turn with the eventual winner still on his heels, came off the rail a bit on the far turn, was challenged to his inside by the eventual winner, tried to intimidate and crowd that rival into the stretch, succeeded briefly but was then no match for Decorated Invader once that guy got through, keeping on well to be a clear second. The National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame may be on his radar as well, unless they don’t want to tangle with Decorated Invader again. Mr. Kringle, second in an optional claimer on turf at Tampa April 29, was a bit slow into stride to be last early, remained there though with the slow pace he wasn’t that far off the lead, came with a run between horses into the lane and kept to his task to get up for third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Belmont Wonder Again (race 6) COMMENT: Sweet Melania, making her first start since a very good third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf last Nov. 1, was favored not only due to that proven class but also because she seemed to have a tactical edge with her speed. And that’s exactly how it played out on the track. The $600,000 daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah broke sharply, went right to the lead, set a modest pace taking some pressure from Antoinette to her outside, continued to dictate tempo while holding a narrow lead to the far turn, opened up some turning for home, extended her margin into the lane and had no worries thereafter, even if a couple rivals closed the gap on her in the final half-furlong. The Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga July 19 could be next and should all go well there maybe a shot at the rich Saratoga Oaks Aug. 16. Highland Glory, who ran on well for second in a stakes at Gulfstream Park May 2 despite plenty of traffic issues, bided her time a few lengths off the lead, advanced some between horses on the far turn, was asked for run into the lane to go after the winner, was no match for that gal but stayed on well outside of Antoinette to get second. The Lake Placid/Saratoga Oaks path figures on her radar as well. Antoinette, back to turf after a couple thirds in dirt stakes in the south, showed speed to stalk/press just outside pacesetter Sweet Melania, moved closer going to the far turn, was unable to keep pace with that rival into the lane, kept to her task but couldn’t quite outfinish Highland Glory to her outside for second. Speaktomeofsummer, making her first start since a turf stakes win at Aqueduct last Nov. 3, stalked while saving ground, remained on the rail as she made some headway inside Antoinette on the far turn and into the lane, only to flatten out. Selflessly, making her first start since running fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf, was last early while widest but wasn’t far off the lead in the small field, moved closer while remaining wide into the far turn, loomed a threat turning for home while still widest but came up empty in the lane. Belmont Acorn (race 8) COMMENT: After Gamine won her debut by over six lengths at Santa Anita March 7, trainer Bob Baffert said the $1.8 million daughter of Into Mischief was a superstar in the making. She had to work hard to then win an optional-claiming route at Oaklawn May 2 but got a big Beyer that day (the gal she narrowly beat, Speech, came back to run second in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks), but she showed here what the fuss was all about, absolutely dominating in a tour de force. From her rail slot she broke sharply, went right to the lead, was allowed to drift off the rail five or six lanes while still clear, set a solid pace as Lucrezia tried to push her, started to open up some on the turn as she moved back toward the rail, then blew the race open into the lane, eventually setting a stakes record and a record for the largest winning margin in this race (18 3/4 lengths). Her final time of 1:32.55 was just .31 off Najran’s track record (1:32.24), set in 2003.This was Rachel Alexandra-ish, though she did run with her head tilted slightly to the left much of the way. This was Baffert’s fifth Acorn win. Her long-term goal is the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Sept. 4, though how Baffert decides to get her there remains up in the air. She reportedly will return to her Southern California home base, though there really isn’t an option for her there in the coming months as Del Mar’s 3-year-old filly program is turf-based. The Grade 1 Test at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 8 “would be an option,” according to Baffert. Pleasant Orb, third in a stakes at Gulfstream Park May 15, lagged back early, bided her time at the back of the pack, moved to the inside on the far turn, remained inside into the lane and down the stretch as she ran on to get second, though obviously she was never a danger to the winner. Water White chased the pace between horses, tried to rally with Pleasant Orb to her inside, couldn’t quite outfinish that rival while best of the rest. Casual, the second choice in the wagering after wins at Oaklawn and Churchill this spring to start her career, was disappointing as she showed a bit of speed to sit a couple lengths off the lead toward the outside, still seemed well positioned into the far turn, but came up empty when it mattered. Belmont Jaipur (race 9) COMMENT: Oleksandra, the only female in the race but still favored, used her patented big late kick to just get up for the score. Coming off a strong rallying second to top-class filly Jolie Olimpica in the Grade 2 Monrovia at Santa Anita May 25, her first start in seven months, and getting a half-furlong more with which to work here, the daughter of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom was slow out of the great, as is her norm, sat at the back of the pack as Pure Sensation and Hidden Scroll dueled through strong splits, started a wide run on the far turn, pitched wider into the lane, and closed relentlessly to get up in the final strides. She’s now 3 for 3 on this inner course. Her long term goal is the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in the fall (she’s been supplemented). In fact, she won the only prior time she raced there. A stepping-stone could be the Caress at Saratoga Aug. 1 or the Grade 3 Troy vs. males again there Aug. 8. Kanthaka ran splendidly in defeat. Making his first start as a gelding, first start in 13 months and just his second on turf, the son of Jimmy Creed bided his time early while inside, started to advance while staying on the fence on the far turn, moved off the rail some turning for home, crept closer between horses, came with a smart, wide run into the lane, grabbed the lead from a stubborn Texas Wedge to his inside in the final furlong and looked on his way to victory only to get nailed by the mare to his outside in the final stride. The Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga figures on his radar. Texas Wedge, a good fourth in the Grade 3 Daytona at Santa Anita May 23, stalked the pace, rallied with Kanthaka to his outside into the lane, overtook Stubbins to his inside in midstretch, drifted toward the rail in the final furlong, and then couldn’t quite finish with the top two in yet another good run. Stubbins, third in the Daytona, got a dream trip stalking pacesetters Pure Sensation and Hidden Scroll through strong splits, moved up outside those two turning for home, took command into the lane as if going on to victory, but couldn’t sustain his run in the final furlong. Maybe being close to that hot pace took its toll in the final furlong. Pure Sensation, making his first start since running fifth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2, lunged at the start to get away poorly, quickly recovered, used his speed to advance between horses to go up to engage Hidden Scroll to his outside, dueled through strong splits with that rival but paid the price as he gave way once headed into the lane. Hidden Scroll, who lost his rider in his first try on turf last time out June 3, also lunged at the start but quickly went right to the lead, was soon engaged by Pure Sensation to his inside, dueled with that rival through strong splits but like that foe paid the price, got overwhelmed into the lane and gave way. It’s tough to figure where they go from here with this guy, who hints at big-time ability but rarely delivers. He seems more like that guy who on the driving range hits the ball a mile but then flounders when he gets on the golf course where it matters. Belmont Belmont Stakes (race 10) COMMENT: On paper Tiz the Law was much the best horse here and that’s the way it worked out on the track. From his outside post he broke sharply, got a dream position sitting third as Tap It to Win made the pace on the rail with Fore Left pressing to his outside, remained there to the far turn, crept closer to Tap It to Win to his inside as Fore Left fell away, was asked for run into the lane, easily dispatched with Tap It to Win, opening up to win clear. This was sure nice and he’s thoroughly professional, but don’t forget, his task was much easier as pretty much all the other best 3-year-olds were not here (Charlatan, Nadal, Maxfield, Honor A. P., Authentic). Of course, that isn’t his fault and he now firmly sits atop the division. The Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Aug. 8 is likely next and should all go well there, a trip to Churchill for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Sept. 5. He’s the first New York-bred to win this since Forester in 1882. Dr Post continued his ascent as the $400,000 son of Quality Road ran well again for second. Having run just three times while winning his last two, including a stakes at Gulfstream April 25, he broke well from his outside slot, bided his time not far behind Tiz the Law while wide and in the clear, advanced on the far turn, still wasn’t too far behind Tiz the Law, pitched wider out into the lane and while unable to really threaten Tiz the Law stayed on well for second. He’s surely heading the right way. The Travers or the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth July 18 are options. Max Player, making his first start since easily winning the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct Feb. 1, lagged well back early after a slow start, bided his time toward the back as Tap It to Win set a solid pace, started to make progress on the far turn, pitched out in to the lane racing in Dr Post’s wake and finished well, though he was never a danger to the winner. As noted, though, this was his first start in a long time. According to trainer Linda Rice, options for him include the Travers, Haskell or Grade 2 Peter Pan at Saratoga July 16. Tap It to Win, who nearly set a track record when a smashing allowance winner here June 4, broke well from the rail and went right to the lead, set a solid pace under pressure from Fore Left from the start, was getting the better of that foe to his outside on the far turn while staying on the fence but was soon engaged by Tiz the Law to his outside, had no answer when that rival drove past, tried to battle on for a minor award but gave way in the final furlong The quick turnaround and pacesetting duties may have been too much, not to mention having to face the likes of Tiz the Law. Sole Volante, back quickly after winning a strong optional claimer at Gulfstream June 10, lagged well back from the start (in fact, he was last), remained at the back of the pack to the far turn, started a run between horses, made some progress while very wide into the lane, but was never really a factor. Considering a closer like Max Player ran on well he can’t use pace as an excuse. Could be coming back so soon (10 days) was just too much, or maybe he’s just not up to this caliber. Trainer Patrick Biancone said plans were up in the air and that while the Kentucky Derby was still under consideration the son of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie might return to turf for his next start. Churchill Wise Dan (race 9) COMMENT: Factor This always had ability. After all, he was a stakes winner on Ellis Park turf last summer. However, the 5-year-old son of The Factor has put it all together as after big wins in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap Feb. 15 and Grade 2 Muniz Memorial March 21 he notched his third straight graded stakes win with a shot of courage. As in those other wins he used his speed, going right to the lead, was pressed by Ritzy A. P. to his outside through modest splits, continued to be dogged by that rival to the top of the lane, dispatched with that foe, opened up, but then had to fight gamely to get to the line before a hard-charging English Bee. Trainer Brad Cox said the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland July 10 may be coming back a touch quick, but they’ll see how the horse is doing. Instead something like the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga at this same 1 1/16-mile trip could work. He has raced longer, too, so the Grade 2 Bowling Green at 1 3/8 miles there Aug. 1 is an option as well. English Bee, coming off a close-up fifth in a tough optional claimer on this turf May 23, bided his time early while saving ground, came off the inside on the far turn, pitched wider still into the lane, and finished strongly to just miss. Parlor, a sharp second in that same optional claimer here May 23, sat back just ahead of English Bee, moved closer on the far turn while wide and in the clear, loomed a big threat into the lane as he made a run at the eventual winner but couldn’t sustain his bid, flattening out some to end up third. March to the Arch, back to defend his title here after a dull 10th in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita May 25, was at the back of the pack from the start, remained there to the far turn, pitched wide into the lane, passed a couple rivals but was never really a factor. He’s been so sharp for so long, but now with two straight not-up-to-par outings it makes you wonder if he’s in need of a break. Santa Anita Wilshire (race 2) COMMENT: Toinette, heavily favored in her first start since a good fourth in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar last Dec. 1, showed her class with an easy win in an oddly run race. The daughter of Scat Daddy, now 5 for 5 here, broke well and was eager early, dueling with Keeper Ofthe Stars to her inside, pulled her way past that foe to take a clear lead into the backstretch, was then passed to her outside by an eager Gypsy Spirit. Toinette seemed to finally relax at that point, sitting a couple length off Gypsy Spirit, who set a solid pace, moved closer to that rival on the turn, challenged outside her into the lane, and had little trouble taking command and drawing off for the easy win. Toinette’s trainer, Neil Drysdale, had said that if she ran well here he might target the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland July 11. If they judge that as coming back too quickly or decide not to ship they could always await the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 8. Red Lark, a 3-year-old facing elders after a decent fourth in the Grade 3 Honeymoon here May 30, bided her time early, advanced going to the far turn while still at the back of the small field, swung wide on the turn and into the lane, finished well, and while no threat to the winner gamely got second. Querelle sat a few lengths off the pace while saving ground and ahead of Red Lark, moved closer along the inside, was just behind Toinette into the lane, couldn’t go with that gal when it mattered but stayed on decently between horses, succumbing to Red Lark for second to her outside with Gypsy Spirit to her inside. Keeper Ofthe Stars, the second choice in the wagering after wins in the Grade 2 Buena Vista here Feb. 22 and Grade 1 Gamely here May 25, was eager early, dueled briefly with Toinette to her inside to the clubhouse turn, relented pacesetting duties to that rival going into the backstretch, was content to then sit third after Gypsy Spirit swept past to her outside to take the lead down the backstretch, bided her time there, moved closer while outside Toinette on the far turn, but was then urged to get going and came up empty. Santa Anita Lazaro Barrera (race 9) COMMENT: Collusion Illusion has now finished first in the four races in which he finished. He won his first two starts at Del Mar last summer, including the Grade 2 Best Pal. He was then pulled up in the Grade 1 American Pharoah here Sept. 27. After eight months off he came back to be a smashing winner in an optional-claiming sprint (over elders, no less) here May 17. Moved back into graded stakes ranks, the $300,000 son of Twirling Candy and 2-5 favorite looked good again as he showed speed from the start from his rail draw, didn’t seem comfortable taking dirt as Ragtime Blues to his immediate right proved a bit quicker and outran him early, came off the inside turning for home, moved out further, went after then clear leader Ragtime Blues in the stretch, reeled him in and had no trouble powering past and away for the easy win. While they just paid to make him a late supplemental nominee to the Triple Crown, trainer Mark Glatt said one turn for the time being may be best, mentioning the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at 7 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 1 as his next possible target. Ragtime Blues, the 2-1 second choice off a two straight wins, broke sharply, went right to the lead, moved over in front of Collusion Illusion while a clear leader, held a clear advantage to midstretch, but had no answer when the eventual winner came calling in the lane. He still finished well clear of the others. Howbeit, fourth to Ragtime Blues in an optional-claiming sprint here May 25, his first start in five months, was away slowly to be last early, bided his time toward the back as Ragtime Blues set a strong pace, came out into the lane, and kept to his task to get third, though he was never a danger to the top two. Phantom Boss, back to dirt after a good fourth in the Desert Code on turf here June 6, showed speed to sit outside the eventual winner while pressing pacesetting Ragtime Blues, was still in the hunt turning for home, but was unable to keep pace with the top two in the lane and unable to fend off Howbeit for the show in the final furlong. June 21 Santa Anita San Juan Capistrano (race 6) COMMENT: Red King ran third in this last year and showed again he handles this trip with a smart victory. Coming off a rallying optional-claiming win going just a mile here May 24, the son of grass champion and strong turf sire English Channel bided his time early as Kershaw set a modest early pace under pressure from heavy favorite Ward ‘n Jerry, remained in stalking mode a couple lanes off the rail as Ward ‘n Jerry took over pacesetting duties down the backside, moved closer to that rival into the far turn, challenged the favorite turning for home and into the lane to his outside, got the better of him by midstretch, and opened up to win smartly. Obviously he’s comfortable playing this long game, meaning something like the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles Aug. 22 could be a summer target. Siberian Iris, a mare facing males and coming off a dull run when last of 10 in the Grade 1 Gamely going shorter here May 25, perked up at this longer trip as she bided her time midpack, started a run on the far turn, and stayed on gamely to outfinish Ward ‘n Jerry to her inside for second, though she was never really a danger to the winner. Ward ‘n Jerry, favored off a big win in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey going 1 1/2 miles here March 21 before running fifth in a stakes here June 6 at a trip short of his best (a mile), dogged early pacesetter Kershaw from the start, hounded that rival first time under the wire, took over pacesetting duties into the backstretch, seemed to be traveling well while setting a comfortable pace, battled back when hooked by the winner turning for home while staying on the fence, was no match for that foe in the lane, battled on well while still on the rail, only to falter in the final half-furlong to lose second to the mare Siberian Iris to his outside. Swamp Souffle, fourth in the San Luis Rey and coming off a well-beaten third in a dirt optional claimer here June 7, stalked the pace from the start, loomed a threat into the far turn as he went after leader Ward ‘n Jerry, was still there turning for home, only to weaken in the lane. Santa Anita American (race 10) COMMENT: Blitzkrieg was claimed for $25,000 in January 2019 and since then was a Grade 3 winner at Golden Gate and Group 2 placed in Dubai. He was no factor in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile here May 25 when he chased the pace before tiring to eighth. However, this time his speed proved lethal as the 5-year-old gelded son of War Front used it to his advantage, dictating tempo from the start and leading his rivals on a merry chase. He broke sharply from his inside post, shot right out to a clear lead, set a strong pace while clear, though Bolo tried to keep him honest, and extended his advantage into the lane while holding the fence, giving him enough cushion to get to the line before hard-trying runner-up Bowies Hero. While he ran well here it’s unlikely he wants anything to do with such miler monsters as the Chad Brown trio of Uni, Raging Bull and Without Parole, so something like the Grade 2 Eddie Read at Del Mar July 19 could be next, though there he’d be trying a new, longer trip (1 1/8 miles). If they think that’s too far he could instead await the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile at this same trip Aug. 23. Bowies Hero, making his first start since finishing a solid fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile here last Nov. 2, bided his time early, advanced on the far turn, started a run into the lane, had to steady and wait for room in midstretch, got through and kept on well, though the race had pretty much already been put to bed. This may set him up well for a shot at the aforementioned Eddie Read, a race he won easily last July. Sharp Samurai, favored in his first start since a good second in the Del Mar Mile last Aug. 18 and third in this last year, showed speed to stalk in third, remained there a couple lengths behind Bolo who pressed the pace, kept to his task decently to hold third, though he was never really a danger to the top two. The Eddie Read, a race in which he ran second in 2018 and fourth in 2019, figures next. Border Town, stepping well up in class to try stakes for the first time after two straight wins here this meet, was away a bit slowly to be well back early, remained toward the back while wide, came out for room turning for home, made some headway in the lane but was never a threat. Bolo, who once upon a time would have been the one to beat but as an 8-year-old was making his first start since fading to 10th in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile here last Oct. 5, broke well from his outside post, wasn’t as quick as Blitzkrieg to his inside, however, ended up chasing that foe, tried to make a run at that rival into the far turn, was unable to do so and then gave way readily to end up last. This guy has had a wonderful career but it looks as though these waters are too deep for him these days.