What we learned: Malathaat excels at longer distance

Malathaat won the Grad 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga to bring her ultra-consistent record to six wins in seven starts, including three Grade 1 races now after Saturday's results. From a visual standpoint, she won the Alabama in an easier fashion than her previous wins this year.

The stretchout to 1 1/4 miles likely gave Malathaat the edge in the stretch.

In both the Ashland Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Oaks earlier this year, Malathaat entered the top of the stretch with uncertainty over whether she would get up in time.

Remember that in the Ashland, Pass the Champagne built a three or four-length advantage with a quick burst of energy.

Even though Malathaat eventually caught her, it was not clear she was going to prevail.

Then in the Kentucky Oaks, Malathaat went forward with a wide move around the final turn and found herself in a battle with Search Results, who fought back as they separated from the field.

Search Results made Malathaat work every inch of the stretch.

Although Malathaat won, the outcome did not seem clear until the end.

But at the top of the stretch in the Alabama Malathaat was always moving better than Army Wife, who had a slim lead under a heavy ride from Tyler Gaffalione. 

With an eighth of a mile left, Malathaat took the lead from Army Wife.  

Malathaat grinded clear to a one-length advantage.

Clairiere arrived on the scene late, but she never gave the impression of threatening Malathaat for the lead, even if she reached second at the end. For the first time this year, bettors playing the leading 3-year-old dirt filly did not need to sweat at every point in the stretch. Malathaat had the race won, and her backers could relax.

With the third Grade 1 victory in tow, Malathaat is probably the Eclipse Award winner for best 3-year-old filly as well. Even if another filly went on a hot streak through the Breeders’ Cup, the Kentucky Oaks plus two other Grade 1 races makes Malathaat an almost certain lock for the Eclipse Award, as the Oaks weighs heavily in deciding the best dirt filly.

Clairiere has become stuck running second, third or fourth in big races. Although she belongs in every top race for female dirt routers, she is not reliable in the top slot.

Army Wife put forth her best career effort in the Alabama after winning the Iowa Oaks (G3) and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2). She could manage only third this time after briefly holding the lead, but she might develop further down the road.

What happened to Maracuja? She had cost Malathaat her only loss in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) last month on this course after receiving a great trip.

As written before, Maracuja had every advantage in the CCA Oaks when Clairiere was sent to put pressure on Malathaat. From that point, Maracuja could sit a few lengths behind the leading pair and wait for them to get tired by the final turn. It took longer for Malathaat to become tired, but Maracuja ran her down.

But Malathaat had done all the early work in the race and still had a chance to win in the stretch, while Maracuja had only taken advantage of the generous pace setup. By that logic, Malathaat had run better than Maracuja in the CCA Oaks, and Malathaat proved it here. Maracuja came up empty in the stretch, finishing 13 lengths back.

Perhaps Malathaat gave a stronger performance in the Alabama because she loves 1 1/4 miles, and maybe a couple of these fillies could not handle the distance. In longer routes, the races start to favor long-winded grinders such as Malathaat.

In that case, it is a shame Malathaat must cut back to nine furlongs in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She does need to improve on the speed figure scale to beat older fillies and mares. Nevertheless, she has nothing to lose after almost certainly locking up an Eclipse Award.

Tripoli wins first stakes race in Pacific Classic

Speaking of horses improving on the stretchout, Tripoli possibly found new life as a dirt router at longer distances after winning the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic (G1).

With that said, Tripoli did receive a great trip in his first stakes win. After initially breaking on top, jockey Tiago Pereira opted to take back and save ground in the pocket position.  

Tripoli spent most of the backside behind the pacesetter Tizamagician and Independence Hall, with Magic on Tap racing to his outside as well.

On the far turn though, the seas parted with Magic on Tap folding quick and Independence Hall fading, and Tripoli had a clear shot to tip out.

Tizamagician had something left in the stretch, but Tripoli took a one-length advantage.

Tripoli took that margin to the wire and officially won by 1 1/4 lengths over a hard-trying Tizamagician, with Dr Post a well-beaten 5 3/4 lengths back in third.

Royal Ship finished a disappointing seventh at 5-2 with no excuse.

Maybe Tripoli always wanted run on dirt and the connections did not realize this. In his dirt debut in June at Santa Anita, he finished first in an optional claiming race by half a length with a 116 TimeformUS Speed Figure, the highest of his career.

Then, he ran a close second by half a length to Express Train in the San Diego Handicap (G2) with a 120 on TimeformUS, which gave him another career high speed figure.

As of this writing, Tripoli’s TimeformUS figure for the Pacific Classic is not entered in the system. Yet, it would come as a surprise to see it hit 125 or higher. This horse looks better at 1 1/4 miles than at shorter distances, which makes him a threat in all the important Southern California races for older dirt routers moving forward.

With the familiar team of trainer John Sadler and Hronis Racing behind the 4-year-old Tripoli, the sky is the limit.