Back in 2000, the first foals for a G3 winner by a son of 1988 KY Derby runner-up Forty Niner where born. Known as a miler, many people didn't give Distorted Humor a chance. Flash foward to 2002 when Distorted Humor wins the Freshman Sire title nosing out Elusive Quality (who would go onto bigger things himself). A year later, his son Funny Cide would win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, before finishing 3rd in the Belmont Stakes. That was the closest a Distorted Humor foal got to the Belmont Stakes winners circle... until Saturday.
Named for the man who gives the Nutcracker to Clara in the Ballet, "The Nutcracker", Drosselmeyer completed the Sire Triple Crown for Distorted Humor. This gave WinStar their first Belmont, Mike Smith his first Belmont (he was third with Tiago in 07) and Bill Mott his first Triple Crown race win. Fly Down was second, and First Dude showed he wasn't a fluke by finishing third. Drosselmeyer is out of Golden Ballet who is by Moscow Ballet. I'm estatic to see Moscow Ballet in his pedigree as one of my favorite turf fillies is his daughter Moscow Burning (who now is a broodmare in Japan)
Unfortnally while he finished 5th, Uptowncharlybrown was DQ'ed to last after losing not carrying all of the weight in the race (the lead pad which wieghs 8 pounds fell off). I feel bad for his owners, and Kieren who just took over his training. However, he finished in front of Ice Box who I think was the worse of the two Zito trainees, so I consider it a win.
So the Triple Crown season is over, and honestly I think it's ho-hum. 10 years from now if someone asked me who won the 2010 Derby, Preakness and Belmont, I might have to look it up. No offence to Super Saver (who was my favorite winner this year), Lookin at Lucky and Drosselmeyer, but I'll remember Funny, Rachel Alexandra, Rags to Riches, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones etc. before them. These where slow horses, who are making last year's crop look better. Useally I like to give years themes (i.e. 2007 was loyality and the power of friendship), this year I would say Hall of Fame. 2 of the three winning trainers are in the Hall of Fame and the one who isn't will be once he's eligble, as for jockeys it's too early in Martin Garcia's career to call him a HOF, but Mike Smith is already in and once he becomes eligble Calvin Borel will get in.
Undercard races:
Eightfiveinfifty got fried by Discreet Cat's little brother (Discreetly Mine). Nice, nice win by D' Funnybone. Proviso won, as did Winchester who finally showed his 3yo form. Did you know that of the five Grade/Group 1 winners that Medaglia d' Oro has sired, three are fillies. Champagne d' Oro joined last year's Acorn winner Gabby's Golden Gal and Rachel in that sisterhood. MDO is turning into the premier filly sire. Gotta feel bad for Warrior's Reward and Passion for Gold (who hasn't started since his Group 1 win), overshadowed by Rachel, Gabby and Champagne. However, Trappe Shot showed that he could be the best 3yo in the country by defeating older horses in an allowance.
Finally for today, John Sadler has Blind Luck's number. For the second time in four races, a Sadler filly beats her. This time Switch in yesterday's Hollywood Oaks. And once again Blind Luck apperently got a bad ride, I read that either the DE Oaks or DelCap could be next for her. Hopefully yesterday's second place finish doesn't put a dent in her plans as she gets ready for the Alabama.
Summer season starts off with a bang this weekend. The Foster, Obeah, Phipps, Flur De Lis and Vanity run this upcoming weekend. It will be interesting where Rachel will land and who will face Zenyatta.
No comments:
Post a Comment