Bits and Pieces according to ZATT

They tell me it’s the rule, but I honestly cannot comprehend the rule. Secret Gesture traveled from Europe to win the Grade 1, $700,000 Beverly D. on Saturday, but the victory was not allowed to stand. Nearing the finish, the five-year-old English mare bore out, and interfered with Stephanie’s Kitten. It was so close to the wire that I do not believe the outward move could have been prevented by rider Jamie Spencer, nor do I believe it had any bearing on which mare hit the wire first. In other words, Secret Gesture was the deserving winner, but when a rallying Watsdachances nailed Stephanie’s Kitten on the wire for second, the chaos really began. Did the Secret Gesture move cost Stephanie’s Kitten a second place finish? The answer is likely yes, but is that alone reason for a disqualification? I sure don’t think so. Stephanie’s Kitten did get some extra money for being place second, from third, but that is all. In the end, the best horse was placed third, and the third best horse got the win -- Logic be damned.

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After the delicious victory by The Pizza Man in the 33rd edition of the Arlington Million, I saw all the comments come rolling in. Basically they were congratulating the winner for taking advantage of his home course for the big win. In other words -- nice win, but it would not have happened anywhere else. What hogwash. This is a legitimate turf horse, folks. He is 5-for-9 lifetime on the grass away from Arlington, with a few pretty good excuses in some of those losses. He is also better than ever. The truth is The Pizza Man is 3-for-3 this year, including a win in the biggest grass race of the year so far. He is, as of today, the leading turf horse in the country, and he will be a huge threat to clinch an Eclipse Award in the coming months away from Arlington Park. He is much more than only a horse for course, and I personally would love to see bettors continue to take his true ability for granted.

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While The Pizza Man is a veteran of the turf wars now hitting his best stride, two young turf horses threw down the gauntlet as huge young talents over the weekend. Two races before the Million, the Irish-bred colt Highland Reel made the Grade 1 Secretariat look like an absolute walk in the park. Well, a walk in the park in the driving rain, that is. A winner of 4-of-8, the son of Galileo had previously finished 2nd in the French Derby, and was coming off a powerful Group 3 win in England. Clearly, he is one of the best three-year-old turf horses in the world, plus he ships like a dream. Like Adelaide last year, Highland Reel looks primed to take his show on the road to face older horses in one of Australia’s biggest races, the Cox Plate. It was an outstanding achievement when Adelaide went from Secretariat victory all the way to Cox Plate glory. Two such feats in a row for Aidan O’Brien would be something truly special, and in Highland Reel, the top trainer looks to have the horse to get it done.

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On Sunday north of the border, Danish Dynaformer (pictured above) won the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown in even easier fashion than Highland Reel won the Secretariat the day before. Second in the Queen’s Plate, the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes on the Woodbine turf course figured to be right up the son of Dynaformer’s alley. Sure enough the long-winded sophomore took his return to turf in spectacular style. The bay colt was ridden with ultimate confidence by veteran rider Patrick Husbands. He found great stalking position behind the speed, and needed little urging to take over turning for home. When Husbands gave Danish Dynaformer his cue, with the ralliers closing in early in the lane, the answer was dominating and decisive. The seven plus length win was easy and overpowering. Sometimes the Breeders’ features a winner who was just best in handling the distance and surface. 2015 is not one of those years. Now a winner of three straight on the turf, Danish Dynaformer has a huge future on the grass ahead of him for owner Charles Fipke and trainer Roger Attfield.

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From Canada to Suburban Seattle, it was just Stryker Phd doing what Stryker Phd does, yesterday in the historic Longacres Mile. I love Emerald Downs, I love the Longacres Mile, and I love Stryker Phd. In 2013, he uncorked a powerful late run to finish second in the state of Washington’s signature race. Last year, his big rally carried him to one placing better. Now, at six, the gelded son of Bertrando won his second straight Longacres Mile with his signature turn of foot. An Illinois-bred won the Arlington Million, and a Washington-bred won the Longacres Mile -- As it should be.

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American Pharoah watch -- He is getting even better. So says Breeders’ Cup Classic winning rider, Martin Garcia, after yesterday’s effortless four furlong workout at Del Mar. For every other horse looking to win important races like the Travers and Breeders’ Cup Classic this year, it has to be frightening news. The Triple Crown champion, and winner of eight straight is still getting better? Scary indeed.

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OK, I admit it … As silly as it may seem, I do think about next year’s Kentucky Derby this early in the two-year-old season. Having said that, it is hard not to like what I have seen from Exaggerator in his last two starts. He obviously can ship and win on different types of tracks. He also can overcome serious trouble before kicking it in late. Perhaps most important of all, the Saratoga Special winning son of Curlin should be just fine as the distances get longer. With less than nine short months before the next Derby, Exaggerator is definitely one to keep an eye on.