Once their stud duties are completed here in the US, Darley will be sending Bernardini ($100,000), Henny Hughes ($40,000), Any Given Saturday ($40,000), Hard Spun ($50,000), and Street Sense ($75,000)—along with Manduro (€40,000) and Librettist (£10,000)—to Australia for their breeding season. Prices have not yet been announced, but don’t expect them to be cheap. Cha-ching!
Darley also announced that it has been confirmed that Hard Spun, Discreet Cat and Any Given Saturday have successfully impregnated mares this season…what about poor Street Sense? What would be the irony if he proved to be “under fertile”?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Deputy Minister
While reading the Bloodhorse article today about Curlin’s victory in Dubai, it struck me as an interesting parallel that his dam Sherriffs Deputy and Rags to Riches’ dam Better Than Honour share a common sire, Deputy Minister. That got me thinking…just how influential is Deputy Minister’s bloodline, not just as a sire of sires, but particularly of broodmares? Just a cursory examination reveals a profound impact.
In addition to Rags to Riches, Better Than Honour has also produced 2006 G1 Belmont winner Jazil and the promising three-year-old three-quarter brother of Rags, Casino Drive who won his maiden race in Japan this week over 9f and by nearly 12 lengths. Reports are surfacing that his connections will ship him to the US in April, with his ultimate goal being the Belmont Stakes. How cool would it be for the same mare to have produced three consecutive Belmont Stakes winners?
Among the current crop of three-year-olds, Deputy Minister’s female progeny have produced undefeated Alaazo (Atelier) and G1 Norfolk victor Dixie Chatter (Mini Chat). Taking the line a little further, the sons of Deputy Minister haven’t done too badly either. French Deputy’s daughters have given birth to G2 Risen Star third-place finisher Visionaire (Scarlet Tango), G2 Hutcheson winner Smooth Air (Air France), EZ Dreamer (French Debutante) and Wind’s Legacy (My Meggie Meg), while Silver Deputy’s daughters have produced The Darp (Silver Savior), and G1 Hopeful third-place finisher Maimonides (Silvery Swan, who also produced current sires Roman Ruler and El Corredor).
As a sire, French Deputy is enjoying phenomenal success in Japan and Australia; in the US, his son Reflect Times recently finished third in the G2 Robert B. Lewis, and will next appear in the G3 Sham. Deputy Minister’s son Touch Gold sired Ready Set (Party Cited) and G3 KY Cup runner-up Yogi’ssplashofgold (Yogi’s Polar Bear), as well as turfster Sharp Susan (Winter’s Gone) and recent G3 Hurricane Bertie victress Sugar Swirl (Astrapi). Silver Deputy’s sons include impressive Saratoga maiden winner J Be K (Major Wager) who will start in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G2 Hutcheson runner-up Silver Edition (Sincerely), not to mention older horse Spring at Last (Winter’s Gone), winner of G1 Donn and G2 Godolphin Mile. Through Silver Deputy’s son Posse there is G1 BC Juvenile third-place finisher Kodiak Kowboy and G3 Sapling winner Lantana Mob, while El Corredor has produced G3 San Rafael winner El Gato Malo (One Bad Cat) and the filly Backseat Rhythm (Kiss a Miss) who finished second behind Indian Blessing in the G1 Frizette and third in the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Impressive! Anyone care to add any additional horses I missed?
In addition to Rags to Riches, Better Than Honour has also produced 2006 G1 Belmont winner Jazil and the promising three-year-old three-quarter brother of Rags, Casino Drive who won his maiden race in Japan this week over 9f and by nearly 12 lengths. Reports are surfacing that his connections will ship him to the US in April, with his ultimate goal being the Belmont Stakes. How cool would it be for the same mare to have produced three consecutive Belmont Stakes winners?
Among the current crop of three-year-olds, Deputy Minister’s female progeny have produced undefeated Alaazo (Atelier) and G1 Norfolk victor Dixie Chatter (Mini Chat). Taking the line a little further, the sons of Deputy Minister haven’t done too badly either. French Deputy’s daughters have given birth to G2 Risen Star third-place finisher Visionaire (Scarlet Tango), G2 Hutcheson winner Smooth Air (Air France), EZ Dreamer (French Debutante) and Wind’s Legacy (My Meggie Meg), while Silver Deputy’s daughters have produced The Darp (Silver Savior), and G1 Hopeful third-place finisher Maimonides (Silvery Swan, who also produced current sires Roman Ruler and El Corredor).
As a sire, French Deputy is enjoying phenomenal success in Japan and Australia; in the US, his son Reflect Times recently finished third in the G2 Robert B. Lewis, and will next appear in the G3 Sham. Deputy Minister’s son Touch Gold sired Ready Set (Party Cited) and G3 KY Cup runner-up Yogi’ssplashofgold (Yogi’s Polar Bear), as well as turfster Sharp Susan (Winter’s Gone) and recent G3 Hurricane Bertie victress Sugar Swirl (Astrapi). Silver Deputy’s sons include impressive Saratoga maiden winner J Be K (Major Wager) who will start in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G2 Hutcheson runner-up Silver Edition (Sincerely), not to mention older horse Spring at Last (Winter’s Gone), winner of G1 Donn and G2 Godolphin Mile. Through Silver Deputy’s son Posse there is G1 BC Juvenile third-place finisher Kodiak Kowboy and G3 Sapling winner Lantana Mob, while El Corredor has produced G3 San Rafael winner El Gato Malo (One Bad Cat) and the filly Backseat Rhythm (Kiss a Miss) who finished second behind Indian Blessing in the G1 Frizette and third in the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Impressive! Anyone care to add any additional horses I missed?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Passing of a Legend
I don’t often digress from horse racing talk, but tonight I’m making an exception. As a life-long Pittsburgher, I confess to bleeding black and gold—Penguins, Pirates and, especially, Steelers. In Pittsburgh, our sports teams shape our lives in profound ways—when we plan special occasions like weddings and birthday parties, when our kids get their first gold and black outfit (usually at birth), and when spring training begins in Bradenton or the Steelers return to Latrobe for training camp at Saint Vincent. For better or worse, we celebrate and harshly criticize our sports heroes and championship teams, and over the years we have had much to celebrate. And it isn’t just the players or coaches that we idolize—those sports announcers associated with our teams have become icons themselves. Bob Prince. Mike Lange. Myron Cope.
Today we lost Myron Cope, a rare and original individual who for 35 years was the color man for the “Stillers.” It was he who created the legendary Terrible Towel, nicknamed Jerome Bettis “The Bus” and coined such unique phrases as “mmm-hah” and “double yoi.”
I distinctively remember going for car rides on Sunday afternoons with the family and, if the Steelers were playing, we’d turn the radio on and listen—and laugh—as Myron’s passion for his home team oozed over the airwaves. He loved his Steelers and his city…and they loved him. Myron, thank you and god speed! Here is a classic Steelers song in tribute to him:
Today we lost Myron Cope, a rare and original individual who for 35 years was the color man for the “Stillers.” It was he who created the legendary Terrible Towel, nicknamed Jerome Bettis “The Bus” and coined such unique phrases as “mmm-hah” and “double yoi.”
I distinctively remember going for car rides on Sunday afternoons with the family and, if the Steelers were playing, we’d turn the radio on and listen—and laugh—as Myron’s passion for his home team oozed over the airwaves. He loved his Steelers and his city…and they loved him. Myron, thank you and god speed! Here is a classic Steelers song in tribute to him:
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Fountain of Youth...and War Pass
Congratulations to Nick Zito and Kent Desormeaux with their G2 Fountain of Youth winner Cool Coal Man. Drawing the rail certainly helped this son of Mineshaft as did the modest early pace; add to that he came in off an allowance victory at this distance on this track (and that race went in a faster time than this! [Correction: the timer malfunctioned in the FOY so it was retimed 2 seconds faster than originally thought]). So, Derby potential? To his credit, he has already posted a win at Churchill, though he didn’t perform as well in the subsequent G2 KYJC. Judging by his trainer’s on-air comments following stablemate War Pass’s victory in the 10th race, he doesn’t appear to have much respect from his own trainer so I not that thrilled either.
However, it does bodes well that one of my Derby favorites Elysium Fields came back on Cool Coal Man in the final steps, as the head-on view shows Eibar Coa had to take that one to the outside for the rally when Cool Coal Man starting drifting towards the rail. For a colt whose last race was a maiden victory, the FOY was one helluva race for this Barclay Tagg-trainee! He certainly stays on my watch list.
For a horse first out since last November, another one of my mid-January selections Court Vision impressed as well, coming from well out of it to finish third with new rider Garrett Gomez. He too already has a victory over the Churchill dirt, taking the G3 Iroquois last October, so he is still high on my list. Those two were on my 10-cent superfecta ticket, along with Kentucky Bear who I should have dumped after he lost regular rider Elvis Trujillo to an fractured wrist yesterday (Joe Bravo got the nod today), and Anak Nakal, also coming in off a long layoff for Nick Zito, who showed nothing in finishing eighth. And what a long, long Derby season it will be for the Toddster whose favorite Monba finished dead-last… Yeah, he's nominated a record 24 horses for the G2 Lane's End. Can you say "taking a shot in the dark", or "I-don't-have-one-good-Derby-horse-this-year"?
Considering the romp that was War Pass’s first three-year-old outing today (and, yes, I put $2 win bets on all four other horses in the field…just in case), you’d think he was the second-coming of Secretariat. Still, I think there is a serious distance issue for him to yet overcome, so I’m not on that bandwagon.
As far as my other mid-January picks are concerned, Tale of Ekati has yet to reappear and Turf War disappointed in the Southwest, although I do think that race was too short for him. Promising Denis of Cork won the Southwest, while Unbridled Vicar finished fourth in G3 Risen Star to Pyro, and Visionaire (who I pegged in his first allowance win back in January) took third.
However, it does bodes well that one of my Derby favorites Elysium Fields came back on Cool Coal Man in the final steps, as the head-on view shows Eibar Coa had to take that one to the outside for the rally when Cool Coal Man starting drifting towards the rail. For a colt whose last race was a maiden victory, the FOY was one helluva race for this Barclay Tagg-trainee! He certainly stays on my watch list.
For a horse first out since last November, another one of my mid-January selections Court Vision impressed as well, coming from well out of it to finish third with new rider Garrett Gomez. He too already has a victory over the Churchill dirt, taking the G3 Iroquois last October, so he is still high on my list. Those two were on my 10-cent superfecta ticket, along with Kentucky Bear who I should have dumped after he lost regular rider Elvis Trujillo to an fractured wrist yesterday (Joe Bravo got the nod today), and Anak Nakal, also coming in off a long layoff for Nick Zito, who showed nothing in finishing eighth. And what a long, long Derby season it will be for the Toddster whose favorite Monba finished dead-last… Yeah, he's nominated a record 24 horses for the G2 Lane's End. Can you say "taking a shot in the dark", or "I-don't-have-one-good-Derby-horse-this-year"?
Considering the romp that was War Pass’s first three-year-old outing today (and, yes, I put $2 win bets on all four other horses in the field…just in case), you’d think he was the second-coming of Secretariat. Still, I think there is a serious distance issue for him to yet overcome, so I’m not on that bandwagon.
As far as my other mid-January picks are concerned, Tale of Ekati has yet to reappear and Turf War disappointed in the Southwest, although I do think that race was too short for him. Promising Denis of Cork won the Southwest, while Unbridled Vicar finished fourth in G3 Risen Star to Pyro, and Visionaire (who I pegged in his first allowance win back in January) took third.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Oh Danny Boy!
A reader wrote in today asking about Danthebluegrassman who I wrote about several times last year, including here, here, here and here.
Unfortunately, the news about him is not good. He ran at Penn National on Tuesday (for a $7,500 tag), and finished sixth of seven, more than 14 lengths back and never near the lead. The partnership group that owns him has a discussion board (viewable by the public) so you can see the hard debate they are having on there about whether to retire him, drop him in price or just keep plugging away. They are also talking about him over at Thoroughbred Champions.
It's interesting...he's not a gelding, so he could very well have a modest future at stud. He’s already in PA, and with slots money pouring in, the state’s tracks—Penn National, Philadelphia Park and Presque Isle Downs—have plenty of bonus money for state-breds. Couldn’t he have some value? His breeding is better than most. He’s by Pioneering (a half-brother to Storm Cat). His dam’s sire Grey Dawn is a bit more obscure these days, but did produce multiple-G1 winner (Hollywood Invitational, Santa Anita and San Antonio handicaps) Vigors, G1 San Juan Capistrano Handicap winner Delegant, multiple-G1 (Frizette, Selima, Fantasy, KY Oaks, Acorn) winning mare Heavenly Cause, and G1 Ruffian and Coaching Club American Oaks champ Christmas Past (among others).
Dan’s pedigree is very similar to another successful Pioneering offspring, the multiple-graded stakes winning (G1 Santa Monica, G2 Genuine Risk, G3 Las Flores and Rancho Bernardo) mare Behaving Badly; Dan’s second dam Summer Time Music is by What a Pleasure, as is Behaving Badly’s third dam Pleasure Lady. So, I ask you, isn’t there some value in retiring this old warrior from the track, to enjoy the ladies a bit?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Winning Colors
Sad news out of Kentucky this evening as 1988 Kentucky Derby champion Winning Colors was euthanized due to complications from colic. At the time of her death, she was in foal to Mr. Greenley. Growing up as I did in the most recent “golden era” of racing—the 1970s and 1980s—this big gray filly was obviously a favorite of mine, along with Genuine Risk, the chestnut filly who won the Derby in 1980. For now, Genuine Risk is still with us, but it makes me sad to have Winning Colors pass away. She did not have a great deal of success as a broodmare, although some of her progeny did well in Japan. A daughter of the Irish-bred stallion Caro (from whom she inherited her gray coat), Winning Color’s dam—the stakes-winning Bold Hour mare All Rainbows—was a half-sister of 1974 filly Triple Crown winner Chris Evert (Swoon’s Son). She had one full-brother, Caro Dubbio, who won seven races in Italy before entering stud duty there.
For those who never experienced the thrill of Winning Colors, here are video highlights of her career…rest in peace, sweet champion. May you always race on the lead!
1988 Santa Anita Derby
1988 Kentucky Derby (listen to that crowd!)
1988 Preakness, where they didn’t let her take a big early lead and carried her wide as often as possible—she finished third
1988 Belmont—Risen Star made his move exiting the backstretch and never looked back
1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, against the undefeated older champion Personal Ensign:
For those who never experienced the thrill of Winning Colors, here are video highlights of her career…rest in peace, sweet champion. May you always race on the lead!
1988 Santa Anita Derby
1988 Kentucky Derby (listen to that crowd!)
1988 Preakness, where they didn’t let her take a big early lead and carried her wide as often as possible—she finished third
1988 Belmont—Risen Star made his move exiting the backstretch and never looked back
1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, against the undefeated older champion Personal Ensign:
Thursday, February 14, 2008
For Street Sense...
In honor of his first day of stud duty, appropriately today, Valentine's Day (from the "do we really need the graphic details' file?"). Work that moneymaker!:
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Racing Down Under: My Newest Obsession
After a long nerve-wracking week at work, I came home last night, took a nap and then got up ready to bet some races. Unfortunately, on a Friday night your choices are pretty limited: Delta Downs, Charles Town, and a bunch of harness tracks where the snows were a blowin’. My local cable company airs HRTV on Friday and Saturday nights (and sometimes on Tuesdays) and Australian racing is often on. All turf, sometimes running clockwise, sometimes counter-clockwise, with conditions rated “good”, “dead”, “slow”, “heavy”…what’s the difference? Completely a fish out of water, I logged on to my Twinspires account and waded right in. Thankfully they provide free past performances, but they look nothing like our Brisnet or DRF so it takes me awhile to get used to how to read it. There are no workout times or dates, just “barrier trials”? No Beyers or Bris numbers, but something called OzeSpeed figures. And their numbers almost never match their post positions. Well, let me tell you, completely winging it I had the most enjoying wagering experience ever!
They were running at Caulfield (“good”) and Rosehill (“heavy”), and I hit a winner on my very first try, Vision and Power in race 4 at Rosehill. Feeling pretty good about that, I tried an ambitious WPS bet on a longshot, Wave the Dollar, in race 5 at Rosehill…and he came in a winner! I also had some money at Caulfield on Lucky Diva who won race 6, Rubiscent who showed in the 7th, and El Mandon who finished third in race 8. Hey, this is pretty addictive! The on-air personalities were extremely knowledgeable, and their insights on the horses based on the track conditions were right on, which made my choices a little easier.
I had so much fun that I took a second shot at racing Down Under again tonight, this time at Gosford (“heavy”) and Bathurst (“dead”). Boom bada boom! At Bathurst, I had Istimaid for the win in race 2. At Gosford, I hit The Squawker to show in race 3, and Cassie’s Dream to place in race 4; in race 5, I won a modest show bet when Walking or Dancing slid into the third spot, but on my little yellow pad (I swear to God) I had listed Crown Willie, High Papa, Walking or Dancing, and Gairloch (6-10-2-13)…and they finished exactly that way for a $1 superfecta payout of $3,456.45 (would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, I know).
I still have virtually no idea how to interpret those Aussie pp’s, and have yet to discover if the tracks I bet on were the equivalent of Saratoga or Mountaineer, but my interest is definitely peaked. For a night owl like me, Australia racing is brilliant!
They were running at Caulfield (“good”) and Rosehill (“heavy”), and I hit a winner on my very first try, Vision and Power in race 4 at Rosehill. Feeling pretty good about that, I tried an ambitious WPS bet on a longshot, Wave the Dollar, in race 5 at Rosehill…and he came in a winner! I also had some money at Caulfield on Lucky Diva who won race 6, Rubiscent who showed in the 7th, and El Mandon who finished third in race 8. Hey, this is pretty addictive! The on-air personalities were extremely knowledgeable, and their insights on the horses based on the track conditions were right on, which made my choices a little easier.
I had so much fun that I took a second shot at racing Down Under again tonight, this time at Gosford (“heavy”) and Bathurst (“dead”). Boom bada boom! At Bathurst, I had Istimaid for the win in race 2. At Gosford, I hit The Squawker to show in race 3, and Cassie’s Dream to place in race 4; in race 5, I won a modest show bet when Walking or Dancing slid into the third spot, but on my little yellow pad (I swear to God) I had listed Crown Willie, High Papa, Walking or Dancing, and Gairloch (6-10-2-13)…and they finished exactly that way for a $1 superfecta payout of $3,456.45 (would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, I know).
I still have virtually no idea how to interpret those Aussie pp’s, and have yet to discover if the tracks I bet on were the equivalent of Saratoga or Mountaineer, but my interest is definitely peaked. For a night owl like me, Australia racing is brilliant!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Friday, Gulfstream Race 3
Interesting race 3 at Gulfstream on Friday for maiden 3-year-old fillies.
Todd Pletcher sends out first-time starter Quiet Now (Tiznow-Quiet Dance, by Quiet American) who is a half-sister to BC Classic winner Saint Liam; she’s had regular if not spectacular works since early December. I'm not expecting a lot, but The Toddster-Johnny V combo is always tough.
The favorite looks to be Ian Wilkes' Ms. Margaret H. (Point Given-Cherry D’or, by Cassaleria) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Western Echo; she just missed victory (by a nose) last out and this is her second start off layoff. Mascara (Milwaukee Brew-Forever Land, by Badger Land) looks strong here too after finishing just behind Ms. Margaret H. last time, getting blinkers on and a sharp 4f work recently. Mark Hennig’s Emotional Rescue (Smart Strike-Acqualina, by Pulpit) gets blinkers and returns to dirt after a disappointing grass effort here, yet the winner of that race, I Lost My Choo, subsequently won an allowance race, and the runner-up My Baby Baby CRUSHED (by over 12 lengths) an 8f MSW field next out; she has posted two sharp bullet works leading to this start. Finally, with their current hot streak, it’s hard to ignore the Bill Mott-Kent Desormeaux entry Big Sink Star (A.P. Indy-Simadartha, by Gone West) who returns to dirt after run on yielding turf last out; this is also her second off break and at long price could be worth inclusion in exotics.
Todd Pletcher sends out first-time starter Quiet Now (Tiznow-Quiet Dance, by Quiet American) who is a half-sister to BC Classic winner Saint Liam; she’s had regular if not spectacular works since early December. I'm not expecting a lot, but The Toddster-Johnny V combo is always tough.
The favorite looks to be Ian Wilkes' Ms. Margaret H. (Point Given-Cherry D’or, by Cassaleria) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Western Echo; she just missed victory (by a nose) last out and this is her second start off layoff. Mascara (Milwaukee Brew-Forever Land, by Badger Land) looks strong here too after finishing just behind Ms. Margaret H. last time, getting blinkers on and a sharp 4f work recently. Mark Hennig’s Emotional Rescue (Smart Strike-Acqualina, by Pulpit) gets blinkers and returns to dirt after a disappointing grass effort here, yet the winner of that race, I Lost My Choo, subsequently won an allowance race, and the runner-up My Baby Baby CRUSHED (by over 12 lengths) an 8f MSW field next out; she has posted two sharp bullet works leading to this start. Finally, with their current hot streak, it’s hard to ignore the Bill Mott-Kent Desormeaux entry Big Sink Star (A.P. Indy-Simadartha, by Gone West) who returns to dirt after run on yielding turf last out; this is also her second off break and at long price could be worth inclusion in exotics.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Monday's Breeding and Racing News
Tucked away in a Bloodhorse.com article on plans for Playful Act's booking to Street Cry is this interesting tidbit: Octave is visiting Discreet Cat, not Bernandini as some of us suspected (considering Octave's mother Belle Nuit produced a Bernandini filly earlier this year). Interesting...
Invasor's half-brother (by Distorted Humor, out of Quendom) was born on February 3.
Good to hear that a healthy Teuflesberg has arrived at Hurricane Hall in time for the 2008 breeding season. What a tough survivor! Here's hoping he gets some nice quality mares.
Post positions and past performances have been posted for Saturday's G3 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, which looks to be a fantastic race, with Pyro, Z Fortune, Check It Twice, Blackberry Road, Visionaire, and steadily-improved Unbridled Vicar all entered.
Is there any hotter jockey-trainer combo right now than Kent Desormeaux and Bill Mott?!? At Gulfstream today, that combination won race 2 with A.P. Eddie ($3.80), race 6 with Alaazo ($11.20), AND race 9 with Doctor Cal ($8.60); they also placed in race 4 with Wu Fu ($5.20). Yesterday, the Desormeaux-Mott combo brought home Le Dauphin ($2.40 show) in race 2, and Around the Cape ($8.00 win) in race 7; on Saturday, JZ Warrior ($3.20 place) was disqualified from win to place in race 5, and Hyrule ($3.20 show) in race 8, while on Friday, they had two winners, with Hot Table ($10.40) in race 3, and Celestial Comet ($12.00) in race 5.
The 2008 Racing Dates for Presque Isle Downs are posted here. After the success of last year's abbreviated meet and Golden Gate's good reviews, it will be curious to see what quality of horses make their way to the shores of Lake Erie this summer. Stall applications are due by March 25.
Invasor's half-brother (by Distorted Humor, out of Quendom) was born on February 3.
Good to hear that a healthy Teuflesberg has arrived at Hurricane Hall in time for the 2008 breeding season. What a tough survivor! Here's hoping he gets some nice quality mares.
Post positions and past performances have been posted for Saturday's G3 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, which looks to be a fantastic race, with Pyro, Z Fortune, Check It Twice, Blackberry Road, Visionaire, and steadily-improved Unbridled Vicar all entered.
Is there any hotter jockey-trainer combo right now than Kent Desormeaux and Bill Mott?!? At Gulfstream today, that combination won race 2 with A.P. Eddie ($3.80), race 6 with Alaazo ($11.20), AND race 9 with Doctor Cal ($8.60); they also placed in race 4 with Wu Fu ($5.20). Yesterday, the Desormeaux-Mott combo brought home Le Dauphin ($2.40 show) in race 2, and Around the Cape ($8.00 win) in race 7; on Saturday, JZ Warrior ($3.20 place) was disqualified from win to place in race 5, and Hyrule ($3.20 show) in race 8, while on Friday, they had two winners, with Hot Table ($10.40) in race 3, and Celestial Comet ($12.00) in race 5.
The 2008 Racing Dates for Presque Isle Downs are posted here. After the success of last year's abbreviated meet and Golden Gate's good reviews, it will be curious to see what quality of horses make their way to the shores of Lake Erie this summer. Stall applications are due by March 25.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Upset Saturday
What a huge surprise that Hystericalady failed so miserably in the G1 Santa Monica, finishing fourth of five. Light-weight longshot Intagaroo ($55.80 win) popped a shocker, while my sole WP bet on Overly Tempting didn’t pan out, as she finished third, but paid $16.80 show as the bridge jumpers lost big-time. I wish I would have looked at the show pool beforehand because I just thought it wasn’t worth a show bet on Overly Tempting with her short odds. Duh!
I didn’t get a chance to bet on the Donn because Twinspires’ servers overloaded before the race, putting their site out of commission (THAT will have to be the topic of a later rant). It was probably for the best, as Einstein didn’t take to the dirt and Brass Hat could only get up for fourth. Kiss the Kid ($13.00 show) was a surprising third, behind winner Spring At Last ($14.00) and A.P. Arrow ($4.40 place). Daaher, who some were touting as the Next Big Thing, failed miserably, well back in seventh, beating only Dr Googles Boogles.
In the La Habra, I ignored the favorite Ariege ($3.00 place) at my peril…but Passion ($8.60 win) topped her (by just a nose), with my other selections Sweet August Moon ($5.40 show) and Set Play fleshing out a $1 superfecta that paid a paltry $364.40.
I had Storm Military ($5.20 win) and Mr Napper Tandy ($5.20 place) in the Thunder Road, but It’s a Bird finished a non-threatening mid-pack.
In the Strub, Air Commander scratched so it looked like Tiago’s race to lose…and he did, as Monterey Jazz ($13.60 win) impressively went wire-to-wire, with Tiago ($2.80 place) and Monzante ($4.60 show).
Seriously, I'm ready to give up on Tiago...
I didn’t get a chance to bet on the Donn because Twinspires’ servers overloaded before the race, putting their site out of commission (THAT will have to be the topic of a later rant). It was probably for the best, as Einstein didn’t take to the dirt and Brass Hat could only get up for fourth. Kiss the Kid ($13.00 show) was a surprising third, behind winner Spring At Last ($14.00) and A.P. Arrow ($4.40 place). Daaher, who some were touting as the Next Big Thing, failed miserably, well back in seventh, beating only Dr Googles Boogles.
In the La Habra, I ignored the favorite Ariege ($3.00 place) at my peril…but Passion ($8.60 win) topped her (by just a nose), with my other selections Sweet August Moon ($5.40 show) and Set Play fleshing out a $1 superfecta that paid a paltry $364.40.
I had Storm Military ($5.20 win) and Mr Napper Tandy ($5.20 place) in the Thunder Road, but It’s a Bird finished a non-threatening mid-pack.
In the Strub, Air Commander scratched so it looked like Tiago’s race to lose…and he did, as Monterey Jazz ($13.60 win) impressively went wire-to-wire, with Tiago ($2.80 place) and Monzante ($4.60 show).
Seriously, I'm ready to give up on Tiago...
Public Handicapper Prep Begins
The Daily Racing Form’s 2008 Public Handicapper Prep (which runs through the end of April) starts today with four races:
G1 Donn Handicap (Gulfstream)
I am a Daaher skeptic—he wins in NY, sure, and that Saratoga race was visually impressive, but who has he beaten? A tired Midnight Lute and warhorse Naughty New Yorker? Okay, so this Donn field isn’t that impressive either, so maybe he can beat these, but at what will surely be very short odds, I’ll try to beat him. Old warrior Brass Hat won the 2006 version before finishing second to Electrocutionist in the G1 Dubai World Cup—but he’s been up and down since his return. I figure him possible for a piece, but not the top prize. For that I choose Einstein who runs for only the fourth time in his career off the turf—the last time he won at this distance, over this (albeit sloppy) track, leading wire-to-wire. I trust Helen Pitts and Edgar Prado to get the job done. Kiss the Kid is another one who loves a sloppy track so I’ll watch for that angle.
G3 La Habra Stakes (Santa Anita)
Passion in the only filly here who has run and won over this course and with the Pletcher-Bejarano pairing, I love her chances. Set Play is the class of the field, having already won the G1 Del Mar Debutante; she finished in a dead-heat for third (with Golden Doc A) in the G3 Miesque Stakes in her only previous try on turf and that was at 8f—she’ll thrive at the shorter distance. I also like the Pennsylvania-bred Sweet August Moon who was dumped into the G1 Del Mar Debutante her first time out, then just missed going 8f next out; she’s coming in off her maiden win and could impress.
Thunder Road Handicap (Santa Anita)
I don’t normally like horses off extremely long layoffs (six months or more), but It’s A Bird appears to be working extremely well since transferring to Todd Pletcher’s barn and he won last out wire-to-wire after nearly 2-1/2 month break. With Rafael Bejarano up, he’s promising at a long price. Storm Military—a G1 miler in Argentina—should relish the cut-back from his last start. Mr Napper Tandy kept impressive company in Europe last year, finishing just behind Creachadoir (runner-up in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, G1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, and G1 Hong Kong Mile) and Tariq (winner G2 Lennox and G3 Jersey stakes) in 7f stakes at the Curragh and Newmarket respectively; extremely nice finish last out in the G3 Sir Beaufort behind Monterey Jazz (who goes in the G2 Strub today). If he can overcome the rail post, he’ll be tough here.
G2 Strub Stakes (Santa Anita)
I have been on the Tiago bandwagon since last year’s Derby and, while he’s done well enough, he’s not yet moved into the elite “can’t be beat” category for me. That said, this is the perfect race for him in terms of distance (he’s 3 for 3 at 9f). Air Commander should hold for some money, but I’m taking a long, hard look at Giant Gizmo for a possible upset in his third race off a layoff. This Giant’s Causeway colt (out of the Hansel mare Golden Antigua) should absolutely relish the distance—it’s just a matter of pace.
In other news, this week Pennsylvania-bred Lord Admiral (El Prado-Lady Ilsley, by Trempolino) opened his 7-year-old campaign by winning the G3 Al Rashidiya Stakes at Nad Al Sheba, with Mick Kinane up. “It’s my first winner in Dubai, we’ve been close a couple of times with him before but we were nothing more than hopeful. We’ll have a look at the Al Fahidi Fort or Jebel Hatta next,” said trainer Charlie O’Brien whose father Vincent O’Brien is Lord Admiral’s owner. His connections may have the G1 Dubai Duty Free as the ultimate goal, which would be only his second attempt at G1 company. In 2006, Lord Admiral made his only foray into the US, finishing third (1-1/2 lengths) behind Aragorn and Courtnall in the G2 Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita and second (1-1/2 lengths back) to Bayeux in the G3 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Also, for those keeping track, the following graded stakes-winning mares have upcoming dates with the following gentlemen, hoping to produce the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner:
• Ermine , Round Pond,and Balance visit AP Indy
• Citronnade goes to Ghostzapper
• Lahudood and Kingmambo
• Monashee and Hard Spun
• Memorette and Empire Maker
• Octave to (surprise!)Discreet Cat
G1 Donn Handicap (Gulfstream)
I am a Daaher skeptic—he wins in NY, sure, and that Saratoga race was visually impressive, but who has he beaten? A tired Midnight Lute and warhorse Naughty New Yorker? Okay, so this Donn field isn’t that impressive either, so maybe he can beat these, but at what will surely be very short odds, I’ll try to beat him. Old warrior Brass Hat won the 2006 version before finishing second to Electrocutionist in the G1 Dubai World Cup—but he’s been up and down since his return. I figure him possible for a piece, but not the top prize. For that I choose Einstein who runs for only the fourth time in his career off the turf—the last time he won at this distance, over this (albeit sloppy) track, leading wire-to-wire. I trust Helen Pitts and Edgar Prado to get the job done. Kiss the Kid is another one who loves a sloppy track so I’ll watch for that angle.
G3 La Habra Stakes (Santa Anita)
Passion in the only filly here who has run and won over this course and with the Pletcher-Bejarano pairing, I love her chances. Set Play is the class of the field, having already won the G1 Del Mar Debutante; she finished in a dead-heat for third (with Golden Doc A) in the G3 Miesque Stakes in her only previous try on turf and that was at 8f—she’ll thrive at the shorter distance. I also like the Pennsylvania-bred Sweet August Moon who was dumped into the G1 Del Mar Debutante her first time out, then just missed going 8f next out; she’s coming in off her maiden win and could impress.
Thunder Road Handicap (Santa Anita)
I don’t normally like horses off extremely long layoffs (six months or more), but It’s A Bird appears to be working extremely well since transferring to Todd Pletcher’s barn and he won last out wire-to-wire after nearly 2-1/2 month break. With Rafael Bejarano up, he’s promising at a long price. Storm Military—a G1 miler in Argentina—should relish the cut-back from his last start. Mr Napper Tandy kept impressive company in Europe last year, finishing just behind Creachadoir (runner-up in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, G1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, and G1 Hong Kong Mile) and Tariq (winner G2 Lennox and G3 Jersey stakes) in 7f stakes at the Curragh and Newmarket respectively; extremely nice finish last out in the G3 Sir Beaufort behind Monterey Jazz (who goes in the G2 Strub today). If he can overcome the rail post, he’ll be tough here.
G2 Strub Stakes (Santa Anita)
I have been on the Tiago bandwagon since last year’s Derby and, while he’s done well enough, he’s not yet moved into the elite “can’t be beat” category for me. That said, this is the perfect race for him in terms of distance (he’s 3 for 3 at 9f). Air Commander should hold for some money, but I’m taking a long, hard look at Giant Gizmo for a possible upset in his third race off a layoff. This Giant’s Causeway colt (out of the Hansel mare Golden Antigua) should absolutely relish the distance—it’s just a matter of pace.
In other news, this week Pennsylvania-bred Lord Admiral (El Prado-Lady Ilsley, by Trempolino) opened his 7-year-old campaign by winning the G3 Al Rashidiya Stakes at Nad Al Sheba, with Mick Kinane up. “It’s my first winner in Dubai, we’ve been close a couple of times with him before but we were nothing more than hopeful. We’ll have a look at the Al Fahidi Fort or Jebel Hatta next,” said trainer Charlie O’Brien whose father Vincent O’Brien is Lord Admiral’s owner. His connections may have the G1 Dubai Duty Free as the ultimate goal, which would be only his second attempt at G1 company. In 2006, Lord Admiral made his only foray into the US, finishing third (1-1/2 lengths) behind Aragorn and Courtnall in the G2 Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita and second (1-1/2 lengths back) to Bayeux in the G3 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Also, for those keeping track, the following graded stakes-winning mares have upcoming dates with the following gentlemen, hoping to produce the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner:
• Ermine , Round Pond,and Balance visit AP Indy
• Citronnade goes to Ghostzapper
• Lahudood and Kingmambo
• Monashee and Hard Spun
• Memorette and Empire Maker
• Octave to (surprise!)Discreet Cat
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