Two years ago, Kip and Breeder's Cup loses a sponcer

I can hardly believe that it's been two years since Barbaro (Dynaformer x La Ville Rouge) was euthanized due to complications of lamintis. And now here we are, just days before his brother makes his debut. Alot has happend in these two years, not only has track safety and lamintis been brought to the forfont of horse racing lovers, but so has horse slaughter. The memorial at Churchill Downs will be unveiled in April, link. In his honor, here is his final win and the one that captured hearts of America, the 2006 Kentucky Derby.



Before I give a preview of the first G1 turf race of the year, I have some Breeder's Cup News. The sponcer of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile and Juvenile Filles, Bessemer Trust has decided not to renew their sponcership agreement. You can find a link to this story right here. This is not good news when you think about it, as Bessemer Trust happens to be owned by the Phipps family. Although the BC is hopeful that they will get a new sponcer soon.

Now to Sunday's race,


Gulfstream Park - February 1st, 2009 - Race 9
Gulfstream Park Turf H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:04 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Just as Well (KY) 6 Horse 113 Julien R. Leparoux
2 Kiss the Kid (KY) 6 Horse 117 Elvis Trujillo
3 Pick Six (KY) 5 Horse 112 Rene R. Douglas
4 Court Vision (KY) 4 Colt 121 Ramon A. Dominguez
5 Red Rocks (IRE) 6 Horse 122 Javier Castellano
6 Sligovitz (ON) 4 Colt 114 John R. Velazquez
7 Uigur (BRZ) 5 Horse 115 Alan Garcia
8 Kip Deville (OK) 6 Horse 124 Cornelio H. Velasquez
9 Nergal (FR) 6 Gelding 114 Kent J. Desormeaux
MTO Phil the Power (KY) 5 Gelding 111 Eibar Coa
11 Summer Patriot (KY) 5 Ridgling 114 Eibar Coa

The first G1 on turf of the season. And really it's a three horse race between Breeder's Cup winners Red Rocks and Kip Deville, plus the up and comer Court Vision. Both Red Rocks and Kip are coming off bad losses, Rocks in the BC and Kip in Hong Kong where he blew the turn. Court Vision (who is a full brother to Kip's father so in a way he's his uncle), won the Hollywood Derby in his last start. Although this may be a bit on the long side for Kip, I'm going with my heart and chose him even though this is not his best distance. I'm going with Court Vision for second, and Red Rocks for third.

Top three:
Kip Deville
Court Vision
Red Rocks

Also Indian Blessing is not running in Saturday's Santa Monica Handicap so replace her with Baroness Thatcher.

So the new top three:
Ventura
Jibboom
Baroness Thatcher

Tomarrow will be the Stallion Spotlight, where I will be profiling a stallion once a week and talking about their offspring.