However, there is a rivalry going on right now. Today was my first time (more then likely final time) to see it unfold in person. Believe me, it could have been this rivalry's best race yet. It was worth seeing in person.
As many of you know by know, last year the Pollard's Vision filly Blind Luck made her way from her home in California to Delaware Park to race in the Delaware Oaks. After winning an epic Kentucky Oaks, Blind Luck lost the Hollywood Oaks to Switch (who would give Zenyatta all she could handle in the Lady's Secret, before finishing second in the BC F/M Sprint and racking up 2 G1's of her own). She was the clear cut favorite in the race and surely would run down front runners in grand style. Someone forgot to tell the Saint Liam filly Havre de Grace. Named after the hometown of Cal Ripkin Jr., and the famous racetrack in Maryland, Grace was coming off a second place finish in the Go For Wand which was the local prep for the Oaks. It looked like that she was going to pull off the huge upset in the slop, but Blind Luck came roaring down the stretch to win by a nose.
That would begin a stretch of 4 other races where they would finish in the Top 3 each time, only once where they did not finish 1-2 (BC Ladies Classic). Today was round six of this rivalry. The Delaware Handicap, at my home track Delaware Park. There was no way that I was going to miss this. Of course due to things beyond my control for right now, I had to get a ride to the track. Thankfully, my understanding mother and sometimes understanding sister (niether of who are big horse racing fans) came with me. We got there just in time to see the Sussex won by Mr. Ryder (whose half brother won a G2 last week in England). For the Carpenter I decided to venture down to the paddock to see former Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire upclose. Sadly, he threw his second clunker in 2 weeks finishing last (I believe actually crossed the wire being eased). Alma d' Oro won the race in a thriller.
Finally it was the big one. The photo you see above was taken as the horses where heading to the paddock. Not wanting to give up my spot trackside and the fact that the paddock was going to be packed, I just stayed where was. While Blind Luck and Havre de Grace where the headliners, there where three other horses in the race. Defending champion Life at Ten, and two longshots Thundering Emilia and Love's Blush. Life at Ten and Thundering Emilia went right for the lead, Havre de Grace was in third with Blind Luck in her normal last postion. As the three other horses faded, it became a 2 horse race between possibly the two best horses in the country now. It looked like that Havre de Grace was going to pull away, but Blind Luck would not let that happen. We got the duel that everyone wanted. In the end, Blind Luck would win by a nose. Havre de Grace was a very game second and Life at Ten a long way back for third.
These two horses have had great races, but this might have been the best of them all. Sure Grace's connections might argue that she was carrying two more pounds and that they should have been even. Honestly, even if they where even this matchup would not have happend. I for one glad that they met as more then likely they will both be retired next year to be moms.
So what's next for them? In all likely the Personal Ensign, however I hope they choose the race that is the week afterwards. That of course being the Woodward which would be against the older males. I think both of these fillies (along with Awesome Maria) would be able to defeat this set of males since this divison is weak. I for one will be excited no matter where they go. Lets hope they can keep this up the rest of the year.
As for the reception, both horses got great ones. As we where leaving the track, people where talking about it. I for one will never forget this day.
There will be more pictures coming in the next couple of days!
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