Maiden Thursday at the Spa

Now that I know Thursday's turf races at Saratoga are on, some observations on today's card.

Race 2 (5 ½ furlongs, MC50k, 2yo fillies)
The likely post-time favorite Sky Hosoya drops down in class from a maiden special weight to maiden claiming and gains blinkers from Todd Pletcher. Her three-quarter sister Marina de Chavon won huge (by over 11 lengths) in her second outing at two, and another half-sister Rumba Punch produced last year’s G3 Bashford Manor runner-up Lyin’ Heart. Wesley Ward sends out R Bling, a Sky Mesa filly whose stakes-winning dam Jewels N Gems won first-out as a 2-year-old. Jose Lezcano rode her mother to victory several times; he’ll try and do the same here. Gary Contessa sends out two first-time starters—Siren’s Step who’s been working on turf lately, and Kisses from Karen whose juvenile stakes-winning dam Senita Lane has also produced Zip Quik who finished third in the Williard L. Proctor Memorial in his first outing (he was also a distant runner-up to D’Funnybone in the G2 Saratoga Special).

Race 5 (1 3/8 mile, Mdn 51k, 3yo+ f/m)
None of today’s entrants have travelled this far, but, closing well to finish second of 11 against open company last out, Dyani looks like she’ll relish the extra distance and, with turf maestro Julien Leparoux up, she’ll likely be favored. Another one to watch here with a jockey switch is Jimmy Jerkens’ Cocktail Hour, with red-hot Javier Castellano up—she is full-sister to the wonderful turfster Film Maker. The one I really like here is Jewelry who hasn’t shown much yet, but gets blinkers today for Ken McPeek. Her Brazilian family thrives at 10-12 furlongs, including her half-brother Art Variety who won the 10 furlong G1 Grande Premio Jockey Club Brasileiro and another half-brother Tiptronic who twice won the BRZ-G3 Grande Premio Derby Club going 17.5 furlongs (over 2 miles).

Race 7 (1 1/16 mile turf, Mdn 51k, 2yo)
Todd Pletcher sends out the only filly in the race, System Ready who finished well back in her first start on dirt; however, there is some turf in her family. Her dam’s half-sister Aunt Henny won the G3 Herecomesthebride going 1 1/8 mile on turf, while another half-sister produced G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile victor Ever a Friend. Considering he’s from the same family as Rahy, Singspiel, Devil’s Bag and Saint Ballado—not to mention a son of Giant’s Causeway—you’d expect Rise to Glory to excel on turf for Bill Mott, although first-up may be tough. Yet his mother and half-brother both won in their first attempts on turf. Kiaran McLaughlin sends out first-time starter Legend of Navarone (by War Front) whose half-brother Song of Navarone won big (by 8 lengths) his first time out—but going six furlongs on dirt, not 8.5 furlongs on turf. His dam’s sole turf winner, Youthful Ambition, did so going 6.5 furlong on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course.

Summer of My Discontent

After perusing various media outlets and blogs, I’ve come to the conclusion that I must be the only person in the world not thrilled to see Rachel Alexandra running at Monmouth on Saturday. After such a tremendously ambitious campaign following her purchase last year, why are her connections satisfied with being so unbelievably conservative now? I don’t want to see her running against a bunch of no-name fillies and mares in the non-graded Lady’s Secret, regardless how much it might do for the morale of New Jerseyans or fit some ridiculously artificial date which the Sheets suggests she should run on. If she is truly healthy, then Rachel Alexandra should be running in the G1 Ruffian at Saratoga on August 1—or, better yet, the G1 Whitney on August 7. I guess I just expect more from a reigning Horse of the Year.

And, speaking of not meeting expectations, it’s nice to see Zenyatta’s connections pretty much sticking with the same non-imaginative campaign they took last year—continuing to run her against inferior competition, against her own sex rather than in open company. Instead of the G1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar on July 29, why don’t they send her in the G1 Pacific Classic on August 19? With Rail Trip moved to the barn of Rick Dutrow, are there any top male handicap horses left in California to challenge her? Better yet, why isn’t she coming to Saratoga for the Ruffian or Whitney? Their reasoning, much like Jess Jackson’s, is so contrived I frankly just don’t give a damn anymore. Of course, I still love to see them run. However, they aren’t the center of my horse racing world any longer, that’s why, as one anonymous commenter inquired recently, I haven’t blog about either one of late. Until the two actually meet on the track, the whole argument is moot, isn’t it? It doesn’t look like that is going to happen any time soon—and too much can happen between now and November.

She may not be a world-beater or even a classic distance contender, but I just love 2-year-old Twelve Pack Shelly. Not surprisingly, this daughter of Deputy Storm loves to break on the lead and run away with races. I like that trainer John Salzman, Jr. has entrusted her to wily veteran Harry Vega, and that he’s not afraid to place her in open company. After setting a new track record for 5.5 furlongs at Laurel in her maiden effort on April 8 (in winning by nearly 11 lengths), she next finished third—a neck behind runner-up Boys at Tosconova and 1-1/2 lengths behind Lou Brissie—in the G3 Kentucky Juvenile on April 20. Boys at Tosconova next won a maiden special weight at Belmont by a dominating 12 lengths, and Lou Brissie finished a distant second behind Kantharos in the G3 Bashford Manor. We’ll see on Sunday if Lou Brissie recovers from that defeat, as he’s entered in the G2 Sanford at Saratoga. Meanwhile, Twelve Pack Shelly failed against Final Mesa in the Polly Drummond on May 15, having fallen to her knees breaking from the gate, completely throwing her out of contention. She came back to win an open company allowance race at Presque Isle on Friday. Again, she’s probably destined for a sprint career, but what a sharp horse!

Ditto for Final Mesa, a 2-year-old filly that trainer Wesley Ward calls “something very, very special” and “probably the best I've ever trained and I've trained some nice horses.” She was scratched out of Friday’s G3 Schuylerville in favor of stablemate Spa Sunrise, as the goal has apparently always been to run her in the G3 Sorrento at Del Mar on August 6. Watch her last victory in the My Dear at Woodbine, and put her on your watch list:



Speaking of watch lists, make sure to add Buzz Babies 2010, edited by Jessica Chapel (Railbird), to your must-reads if you are interested in 2-year-olds. And, in a blatant attempt at self-promotion, I also draw your attention to my post on First-Time Starters and Juvenile Pedigree Angles over at Hello Race Fans! If you paid attention to my warning about looking at dams, you would have hit the $71.70 exacta in Friday’s Schuylerville as quick research at Equibase reveals that the dams of both Le Mi Geaux and Stopspendingmaria won over sloppy or muddy tracks, unlike any other competitors in the field. I’ve been doing quite a bit of writing over there of late, including pieces on All-Weather Sires and Turf Pedigrees (with little tidbits like bet Kitten’s Joy progeny on wet turf—such as Kathern’s Kitten who won race 2 at Saratoga on Friday, paying $17.20).

Lazy Summer Day

It’s hot. Damn hot. And frankly I don’t feel like doing much of anything except sitting in the air conditioned house and indulging in some online horse betting. With Del Mar opening on Wednesday and Saratoga on Friday, it’s truly the beginning of summer.

I went to Equibase to see if entries were up yet for either boutique meet, and found only an all-hurdle card to be run at Saratoga on Sunday. But, look who's running in race 1, a maiden special weight going 2-1/16 miles? 7-year-old Steppenwolfer, my 2006 Kentucky Derby horse (sorry, Barbaro fans). Good to see the gorgeous grey with a second career.

So, where to focus my attention on Saturday? Looks like good turf racing at Colonial Downs and Arlington. I’ve already handicapped the G2 Virginia Derby as part of the TBA’s association with ThoroFan—you can view that analysis here. Needless to say, Paddy O’Prado looks to be the winner, but Interactif wouldn’t surprise me either (and I’m still hoping Two Notch Road outruns his pedigree). Ditto in the G3 Virginia Oaks with Jungle Tale, who’s now with Jonathan Sheppard—if anyone can stretch her out, he can. I liked Kilmore Quay in the American Oaks, but she was a complete non-factor; maybe with Rajiv Maragh up she’ll do better (he’s certainly got a way with fillies). In the Kitten’s Joy, Pleasant Strike looks to get back on track with Javier Castellano aboard for the first time; still, he hasn’t done much this year, has he? On the other hand, Baltimore Bob looks in form, and wouldn’t it be something if Vanquisher won one for George Steinbrenner?

At Arlington, the G3 Modesty features Tuscan Evening who’s on a 5-race win streak, but looks vulnerable stepping outside of California. Rainbow View has been working sharply for this start, and I give the local Hot Cha Cha a good chance of getting a piece.

The G2 Delaware Handicap (who Kevin at Colin’s Ghost wrote this great history) looks to be Life at Ten’s race to lose, but I’m loving Milwaukee Appeal who looks ready to fire a big one in her third race off a break. I’m also going to try and beat Ibboyee in the New York Derby—with the Smarty Jones colt Shrewd One. Only a 4-horse field for the Bold Venture at Woodbine, with Hollywood Hit in the midst of a 6-race win streak, and Fatal Bullet turning back from his first foray into routing.

In the 1 1/2 mile Greenwood Cup, I’m hoping to get a great price on A.U. Miner, although with Frankie Pennington up, I’m sure he’ll take a lot of local money. At Belmont, the G3 Jaipur on the inner turf looks made for Formidable, but I’m hoping Jean-Luc Samyn can bring Yield Bogey in for a piece. In the G2 A Gleam at Hollywood, rooting hard for Foolish Pleasure descendent Free Flying Soul.

For a longshot flyer, in race 6 at Ellis Park (1 mile turf race for 2yo filly maidens), I like Neversaidiwassweet.

I promise I'll get back to more hard-hitting observations soon :-)

What’s In a Name?—or Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

The names given race horses have always interested me. As a pedigree aficionado, I particularly appreciate the witty twist of a well-named horse, but also admire those with compelling stories behind them. And then there are those poor unfortunate beasts with overly-witty, jaw droppingly-inappropriate, or just plain stupid names. You know the ones. What a great job it would be to just sit around thinking up perfect names!

In a recent DRF article, Bill Christine listed his top 5 best and worst names of Kentucky Derby winners, and, I don’t know...I was underwhelmed by his choices. I know beauty is subjective, but Pensive is one of the worst? Really? As a word, it strikes me as quite lovely and sophisticated. I think I can do better, so here are my best and worst lists, in chronological order:

Best:

1. War Emblem (2002)

A kick-ass name! By Personal Ensign’s son Our Emblem out of the Lord at War mare Sweetest Lady, War Emblem is the perfect merging of sire and damline names. Regal, powerful—and could have been a Triple Crown winner.


2. Winning Colors (1988)

Cleverly tied to her dam All Rainbows, the name Winning Colors also references a common horse racing term. Bingo!


3. Dark Star (1953)

At 25-1, Dark Star upset favorite Native Dancer by a head, handing the Polynesian-Geisha colt his only career loss in 22 races. Contrasted with the Grey Ghost—who John Eisenberg dubbed in his book on Native Dancer a “hero of a golden age”—how could it not be horse named Dark Star that ends up the anti-hero?


4. Whirlaway (1941)

A play on the name of his dam Dustwhirl, Whirlaway is a perfect name for such an unpredictable runner.


5. Exterminator (1918)

I know this name isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s powerful in a kick-ass kind of way. Terminator might have been even better, but it will do.


Worst:

1. Behave Yourself (1921)

A little naughty, his name obviously follows into the familiar pattern of names given to the progeny of his dam Miss Ringlets—Bobbed Hair, Blushing Beauty, Bushy Head and Brown Eyed Kate. Aren’t they just adorable? Gag.


2. Clyde Van Dusen (1929)

A son of Man O’War named Clyde? It’s just sad that this poor little gelding shared his name with his trainer. Could you imagine a horse name Bob Baffert winning the Derby—or Dick Dutrow? Ugh!


3. Hoop Jr. (1945)

Okay, so the owner Fred Hooper named him for his son. But Hoop? Come on! The poor horse had a regal-sounding sire (Sir Gallahad), so they couldn’t come up with a better name than Hoop?


4. Go for Gin (1994)

Why not just call him “Go Fish” or “Uno”? Silly name. Now Checkmate would have been better.


5. Big Brown (2008)

Let’s start with brown, one of the dullest and most boring of colors. When you merge it with “big” in connection with a horse, my first thought is a big old pile of manure. Then when you realize the gross commercialization of his name—which achieved its purpose in drawing UPS sponsorship—it’s just plain revolting. Hands down, the worst Derby name winner.


Okay, so who do you, dear readers, think qualifies as the best and worst names?

(As an aside, I wonder if Bill Christine's piece was inspired by this recent article? Shamelessly, I've appropriated its title.)

Queen's Plate Day

While we Americans celebrate the Fourth of July holiday on Sunday, Canadians rejoice in the running of the Queen’s Plate—with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the house. Very exciting stuff! My heart is with the fillies in the field, Roan Inish and Moment of Majesty, both of whom are eminently qualified to take this prize. Remember last year’s Plate: the fillies Milwaukee Appeal and Tasty Temptation finished third and fourth respectively. This year Sam-Son Farm sends out three, including likely-favorite Hotep, full-brother to last year’s Plate winner Eye of the Leopard. Patrick Husbands chose to ride Hotep, but, frankly, it’s lightly-raced Dark Cloud Dancer with Javier Castellano I’d prefer to see win, as he’s got a pedigree that almost cries out for this—his dam Dancerthruthedawn won the Queen’s Plate, as did her full-brother Scatter the Gold, not to mention their dam Dance Smartly (who also won the Canadian Triple Crown). And Dance Smartly’s Woodbine Oaks-winning dam Classy N Smart was a half-sister to Queen’s Plate runner-up Regal Classic and the legendary Sky Classic. Come on! That’s damn impressive! Last year’s winning jockey Eurico da Silva takes the ride on Plate Trial victor Big Red Mike who I also give a big chance. Post time: 5:38 p.m. Eastern.

Two races before the Queen’s Plate is the G3 Singspiel, which will be undoubtedly poignant. On class Spice Route looks best, but this will be his first 2010 outing. Stablemate Perfect Shower looks better prepared, having finished third, just one length behind next-out G1 Manhattan winner Winchester in April at Keeneland. I’ve always been an admirer of Solitaire who may fire first up, but I’m also considering PA-bred Forgotten Dynasty who’s been competitive against top-rate company this year.

It may feature a small field, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more blue-blood event than Sunday’s G1 Prioress at Belmont. Bonnie Blue Flag is a half-sister to multiple G1 turf winner Diamondrella. The dam of Champagne d’Oro is G1 runner-up Champagne Glow, a half-sister to multiple G1 victor Grand Canyon, runner-up in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Funny Feeling is half-sister to multiple G1 winner Pussycat Doll, out of G1 victress Hookedonthefeelin, while Stormandaprayer is out of G1 winning mare Stormy Pick. That leaves Franny Freud as the sole entrant without G1 connections—and I think she’ll “upset” this race.

Call me crazy, but I love, love, love Christine Daae taking on the boys in G3 Jersey Shore at Monmouth! Short field of six should make her job a bit easier. In the Miss Liberty, Gozzip Girl looks to return to her winning ways—after dumping Ramon Dominguez at the start last out. Chestoria has long been a personal favorite, and I’m hoping Maram is back.

And, yes, the tribe has spoken in discontent about my recent focus on baby races, but I can’t help myself. Race 1 at Monmouth features well-bred Sleepless Dixie who just missed last out, and recently fired a smoking 3 furlong work; her dam Dream About was a G2 winner in Canada at 2, and her only sibling Sleepless Knight won last year’s Lamplighter at Monmouth off a maiden win. It always unwise to ignore a Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez filly, so System Ready could be involved, but I rather prefer Stanley Hough-trained Miss Dora who narrowly missed the winner’s circle in April at Keeneland; her second dam Eternal Search was graded stakes-placed at 2, while Miss Dora’s dam Damage has a full-sister called Destroy who’s produced some nice runners, including juvenile stakes-winners Utterly Cool and Ghost Fleet, the latter who runs in today’s Queen’s Plate (how’s that for six degrees of separation?). Ima Wild Pussycat has sharp works and love Elvis Trujillo up; she’s got some back class, as her dam is a half-sister to the great Waquoit who was precocious as a juvenile, while another half-brother Dawn Exodus finished third in the G3 Iroquois at age 2.

Juvies for July 1

Race 2 at Belmont features all (save one) first-time starters, including Afaaf, half-sister to G3 Delta Jackpot victor Rule whose dam Rockcide is a half-sister to Funny Cide. Nice sharp gate work, and looks promising with Alan Garcia riding for Kiaran McLaughlin. As part of the Live Oak Plantation entry, Thomas Albertrani sends out Hoofprint whose dam has produced seven winners, including G3 Hollywood Prevue runner-up Bushwacker. Seth Benzel trains the other entry Preachninthestreet whose stakes-placed dam Preach It is a half-sister to G2 Peter Pan victor and sire Oratory, out of the G1 Matron runner-up Arrested Dreams. Her works are nothing spectacular, and she drew the far outside post. I find it interesting that top jock Ramon Dominquez is aboard the Tim Ice-trainee Hey Valentina; love the two long five furlong works in anticipation for this...

At Churchill, race 5 is a maiden claimer with all first-time starters. Juvenile maestro Wesley Ward sends out two here with the requisite quick gate works, but frankly neither thrills me. Neither does Dale Romans’ well-bred Gator Blitz. The fact that Robbie Albarado is aboard Winking Star is a huge positive; nice long five furlong gate works, plus her half-sister Setting the Rate won first out as a 2-year-old. Tensas Punch has posted very sharp works for Merrill Scherer; her unraced dam is a half-sister to G3-placed Khalila and G2 Alcibiades runner-up Galloping Gal. For a bit of a price, Deda Did It looks promising; her dam was stakes-placed at 2.

Among the first-time starters in Race 7 at Arlington is the Vindication colt Sherriff Cogburn whose dam Sweet Nanette was a juvenile stakes winner, not to mention runner-up to champion Caressing in the 2001 G3 La Troienne. His full-brother Sargent Seattle won by over six lengths in his maiden effort, and he’s clocked some nice workouts in advance of this. Darrin Miller sends out Halfway House, a pricey $120k Fasig-Tipton yearling purchase, especially considering his sire Offlee Wild’s average is $16.5k. Nothing phenomenal in his works, but his dam has produced 10 winners, including G3 Ancient Title victor Lakota Brave, although none won at 2. In his first effort, Ssschille Day (Artie Schiller) finished second after dueling on the lead most of the race; with that experience, he could either be stronger or flop. His family isn’t much—a bunch of filly European turf runners that didn’t win (much), although his dam is a half-sister to Big Sur who won the G2 Sapling at 2. I like Catch The Train (Silver Train) a bit more out of that same race, as he gets blinkers. His dam is a half-sister to multiple G1-placed Looie Capote, and Fast Catch who defeated Serena’s Song in the 1996 G2 Churchill Downs Distaff. The other Silver Train colt Big Blue Caboose has some back class—his dam No Blues Today is a half-sister to Lotta Kim, dam of Rachel Alexandra.