Here we go the last major weekend of preps (there is the Lexington next week, but those are those who need last minute earnings). Also I talk about a very serious topic.
First of the AR Derby
1)Captain Cherokee (Aaron Gryder, 20-1)
2)Papa Clem (Rafael Bejarano, 6-1)
3)Flat Out (Julio Garcia, 10-1)
4)Poltergeist (Quincy Hamilton, 20-1)
5)Ziegfeld (Jon Court, 12-1)
6)Flying Private (Israel Ocampo, 6-1)
7)Summer Bird (Chris Rosier, 30-1)
8)Old Fashioned (Terry Thompson, 9-5)
9)Win Willy (Cliff Berry, 7-2)
10)Danger to Society (Cornelio Velasquez, 6-1)
Even though he gets a jockey change, I still don't like Old Fashioned's chances. Personally I would love to see Win Willy win again, but beware of Papa Clem who apprently is working lights out on the Oaklawn surface. Flat Out for third, and Old Fashioned for fourth. If Willy wins, it will be another huge boost to his Derby winning sire Monarchos who got a G1 winner yesterday at Keenland.
Top three:
Win Willy
Papa Clem
Flat Out
Also at Oaklawn:
Oaklawn Park - April 11th, 2009 - Race 9
Northern Spur S. - Grade:
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:25 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Purse: $75,000
Distance: One Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 It Happened Again (KY) 3 Colt 119 Terry J. Thompson
2 Golden Chapel (KY) 3 Colt 117 Israel Ocampo
3 Headstart (ON) 3 Colt 122 Aaron T. Gryder
4 Dance Caller (FL) 3 Colt 117 Larry J. Sterling, Jr.
5 Uno Mas (KY) 3 Colt 119 Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
6 Bergman (KY) 3 Colt 115 M. Clifton Berry
7 Marquee Event (FL) 3 Colt 115 Quincy Hamilton
8 Anaan (PA) 3 Colt 115 Larry Melancon
9 Kick On (FL) 3 Colt 119 Bryan McNeil
10 Fufty Too (KY) 3 Colt 115 Rafael Bejarano
11 Street Move (KY) 3 Colt 115 Christopher A. Emigh
12 Quiet Thanks (TX) 3 Colt 115 Eusebio Razo, Jr.
13 Good Sermon (KY) 3 Colt 117 Jon Kenton Court
I really like It Happended Again in this race. Also his name is fitting as he's by Proud Citizen, trained by Larry Jones and owned by former KY Gov. Breton Jones. They are the connections of last year's Champion 3yo filly Proud Spell. Uno Mas and Kick On who chased Friesan Fire and Old Fashioned respectivly for second and third.
Top three:
It Happend Again
Uno Mas
Kick On
At Aquaduct
Comely S. April 11, $150,000, 3yo, f, 1M, Aqueduct, 4:50 PM ET
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Platinum Girl 3, f. Mineshaft 116 Michael Luzzi Todd Pletcher
2 Don't Forget Gil 3, f. Kafwain 122 Rajiv Maragh Mark Hennig
3 Subprime 3, f. High Yield 116 Richard Migliore James Jerkens
4 Laragh 3, f. Tapit 122 Ramon Dominguez John Terranova, II
5 Dream Play 3, f. Hennessy 118 Eddie Castro Kiaran McLaughlin
6 Holdontoyourdream 3, f. Proud Citizen 116 David Cohen Anthony Dutrow
One Word: Laragh. I really like this filly, more then her more known ownershipmate Stardom Bound. Holdontoyourdream and Don't Forget Gil just for their names for second and third respectivlly.
Top three:
Laragh
Holdontoyourdream
Don't Forget Gil
At Keenland the Bluegrass Stakes
1 -- Patena, Robby Albarado, 10-1
2 -- Join in the Dance, John Velazquez, 10-1
3 -- Theregoesjojo, Calvin Borel, 7-2
4 -- Cliffy's Future, Jesus Castanon, 20-1
5 -- Mafaaz, Richard Hills, 12-1
6 -- Terrain, Julien Leparoux, 6-1
7 -- Loch Dubh, Jamie Theriot, 50-1
8 -- General Quarters, Eibar Coa, 15-1
9 -- Charitable Man, Alan Garcia, 4-1
10 -- Hold Me Back, Kent Desormeaux, 3-1
11 -- Massone, Garrett Gomez, 12-1
The past few days the favorites in stakes races at Keenland have been upset. For this reason, I'm going to stay away from Hold Me Back. Instead I'm sticking with my gut and heart, with going with Patena. He could easily be better then I Want Revenge (Although he might not catch up until the summer). I would love to see Theregoesjojo get second and either General Quarters or Mafaaz get third. But watch Cliffy's Future pull a Dominican and win :P.
Now to some serious talk. Ernie Paragallo, who is a well known owner, has been charged 22 counts of animal abuse, link. However, Paragallo is saying that he did not abuse the animals, that it was a management problem, link. The following is going to have some profanity, so readers descrition is advised.
I think Paragallo is full of bs. It doesn't help that he has had his owners licence revoked once before, thankfully NYRA has banned him from doing bussiness, link. Animal abuse is a very serious charge, and he should pay the time for doing the crime. Even if he didn't know that it was going on, they are still his horses. I'm extremly hopeful that one of the horses abused was not Pink Viper, a half brother to Flashy Bull and one of my favorite horses in training. I'm also concerned about a few other other Paragallo horses that I like. Thankfully UBS and Artax, his two best horses are standing at stud. Lets hope he gets the max if convicted.
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
April 10, 2009
March 4, 2009
Magna in trouble and change in Stallion Spolight/Weekend Preview
I'm going to be doing the weekend preview tomorrow, as there are several stakes races at Oaklawn that have not been drawn yet, I would like to preview them. Starting next Weds. until the end of the TC, Weekend Previews will be on Friday's and Stallion Spotlights will be on Weds.
Instead I'm going to be talking about Magna. This is the company that is run by Frank Stronch, who also owns Adena Springs in KY, FL and has a broodmare/stallion string in Canada. Unfortunately even though he is a good breeder who had bred some amazing horses (Awesome Again, Ghostzapper and Ginger Punch to name a few), as a businessman, Magna is struggling, big time. They are about to go bankrupt after defaulting on a few loans including one by the Maryland Jockey Club, link. They are also about to be delisted not only on the Toronto Stock Exchange, but possibly NASDAQ as well, link. The hugest blow of them all could be the closing of tracks. This is includes Santa Anita, and that would be a huge blow to Cali racing which lost Bay Medows over a year ago, link.
All in all, this is not good news for horse racing. It sucks that the economy is taking a hit on horse racing. But, then again horse racing is sadly not as popular anymore. Football is king in the US, with baseball and basketball not far behind. Could a Triple Crown winner fix that? It might be too little too late for that, but would possibly get racing back into people's minds. Either way, I'll be very interested in what the future holds for Magna. Lets hope it's for the better and not the worse.
Instead I'm going to be talking about Magna. This is the company that is run by Frank Stronch, who also owns Adena Springs in KY, FL and has a broodmare/stallion string in Canada. Unfortunately even though he is a good breeder who had bred some amazing horses (Awesome Again, Ghostzapper and Ginger Punch to name a few), as a businessman, Magna is struggling, big time. They are about to go bankrupt after defaulting on a few loans including one by the Maryland Jockey Club, link. They are also about to be delisted not only on the Toronto Stock Exchange, but possibly NASDAQ as well, link. The hugest blow of them all could be the closing of tracks. This is includes Santa Anita, and that would be a huge blow to Cali racing which lost Bay Medows over a year ago, link.
All in all, this is not good news for horse racing. It sucks that the economy is taking a hit on horse racing. But, then again horse racing is sadly not as popular anymore. Football is king in the US, with baseball and basketball not far behind. Could a Triple Crown winner fix that? It might be too little too late for that, but would possibly get racing back into people's minds. Either way, I'll be very interested in what the future holds for Magna. Lets hope it's for the better and not the worse.
February 27, 2009
Articles
I had hoped to have the Stallion Spolight for this today, but it's not quite ready and will be up next week. I can tell you that in two weeks that the Stallion Spotlight will be on a horse, who has many top tier contenders for this year's Derby. You'll have to wait and see who it is though.
Anyway for today, I have an article on horses who are based at Oaklawn Park right now. It's about Bon Jovi Girl who an Opt. Claiming race yesterday against older fillies, her next race will be the Honeybee, where she will most likley go off as the favorite without Rachel Alexandra being in the race. Also has an update on horses, including the formentioned Rach. Link
Last year's Belmont Stakes winner Da' Tara returns at Gulfstream link, in doing so he's going for his first win since that surprising Belmont win. Also in his race is his stablemate by Lion Heart, and Sweetnorthernsaint the 2nd place finisher in the 2006 Preakness Stakes behind Bernardini. Unfortnally since then, things have gone relativley south and is in for a claim in this race.
Also we are only a few weeks away before we see the early bloomers hit the track for the 2yo's. I won't hit 2yo previews until around June or July, so stay tuned for those. I hope that everyone enjoys this weekends races as we get really down to the nitty gritty for the Derby and Oaks.
Anyway for today, I have an article on horses who are based at Oaklawn Park right now. It's about Bon Jovi Girl who an Opt. Claiming race yesterday against older fillies, her next race will be the Honeybee, where she will most likley go off as the favorite without Rachel Alexandra being in the race. Also has an update on horses, including the formentioned Rach. Link
Last year's Belmont Stakes winner Da' Tara returns at Gulfstream link, in doing so he's going for his first win since that surprising Belmont win. Also in his race is his stablemate by Lion Heart, and Sweetnorthernsaint the 2nd place finisher in the 2006 Preakness Stakes behind Bernardini. Unfortnally since then, things have gone relativley south and is in for a claim in this race.
Also we are only a few weeks away before we see the early bloomers hit the track for the 2yo's. I won't hit 2yo previews until around June or July, so stay tuned for those. I hope that everyone enjoys this weekends races as we get really down to the nitty gritty for the Derby and Oaks.
February 25, 2009
Weekend Preview, Rachel Alexandra to the FG Oaks, England invades Santa Anita (again)
Well it's a pretty good weekend race race. I'll be previewing three stakes races and a claiming (Which I'll explain in a moment). Three tracks, three states. All of these races are on Saturday.
We start off in New York and Aquaduct.
5th (2:24)
1 Mile 70 Yards Open 4 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $34,000
1 Stealth Missile Castro E 120 $25,000 L
2 Curvature Hill C 118 $25,000 L
3 Rovic's Wealth Dominguez R A 120 $25,000 L
4 One of the Best Lopez C C 118 $25,000 L
5 Saratoga Lulaby Migliore R 118 $25,000 L
6 Arcata Maragh R 118 $25,000 L
7 Marina Market Napravnik A R 118 $25,000 L
8 Crafty Mark Alvarado N R 118 $25,000 L
9 Counting House Chavez J F 118 $25,000
Normally I wouldn't preview claiming races, since there are so many to choose from. However, I'm making an exception because of one horse. Arcata is a horse who I've followed almost his entire career. He's a gorgous son of Wagon Limit, and broke his maiden at Delaware Park in November 2006. I know this, as I was there for his maiden win. To make a long story short, I was in my first semester at a local CC here in Delaware, and well I skipped most of math class to see Hard Spun in the Port Penn S. that year. Ironicly, Arcata had flattered Hard Spun as he was a horse who Hard Spun had previously beaten. Since then Hard Spun of course finished second in the KY Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic, while Arcata won a small stakes down at Laurel last year. This is his first start for Scott Lake after being claimed from Graham Motion. I really hope he does well, and wins this race. I'm choosing Saratoga Lulaby and Marina Market for second and third respectivlly, really just for their names.
Top three:
Arcata
Saratoga Lulaby
Marina Market
8th (3:49)
Stymie H.
1 1/8 Miles Open 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $65,000
1 Barcola Napravnik A R 121 L
2 Researcher Luzzi M J 123 L
3 Judiths Wild Rush Bocachica O 121 L
4 Brilliant Son Migliore R 119 L
5 Manteca Maragh R 119 L
6 True Resurgence Sanchez J 119 L
7 Barrier Reef Dominguez R A 119 L
8 Real Merchant (CHI) Castro E 121 L
This race is loaded with horses I really like. I've seen Barcola in person a few times, with him winning both times. Researcher is such a neat story, I've liked Barrier Reef for awhile now and he's sure to go of as the favorite. But Manteca, is the horse I would really love to see win, he's a New York bred out of a Delaware Handicap winner.
Top four (any order: I'm putting a win, place, show bet on all four of them. Depending on where they finish, that's the one I'll take)
Manteca
Barcola
Barrier Reef
Researcher
Off to Gulfstream and the final major FL Derby prep.
9th (5:14)
Fountain of Youth S. (G2)
1 Mile Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Bee Cee Cee Velasquez C 120 L
2 Theregoesjojo Desormeaux K J 116 L
3 Notonthesamepage Trujillo E 120 L
4 Take the Points Decarlo C P 116 L
5 Jack Spratt Douglas R R 120 L
6 Rocketing Returns Lezcano J 116 L
7 Beethoven Borel C H 122 L
8 Break Water Edison Coa E M 122 Blk-On L
9 Capt. Candyman Can Leparoux J R 122 L
10 Taqarub Garcia Alan 120 L
11 Quality Road Velazquez J R 114 FTL
12 This Ones for Phil Prado E S 120 L
There are several horses that are the it horses in Florida. I really like Capt. Candyman Can and Take the Points. The thing is TTP is most likley going to be scratched for the final race I'm previewing. So I'll take Theregoesjojo if he does go the race I have not previewed. And Beethoven to go third either way.
If TTP does go:
Take the Points
Capt. Candyman Can
Beethoven
If he doesn't:
Capt. Candyman Can
Theregoesjojo
Beethoven
9th (4:38)
Sham S. (G3)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Hi Flyin Indy Quinonez A 116 L
2 Smart Bid Bejarano R 118 L
3 Tiz True Gryder A T 116 L
4 Lifeline Baze T C 116 L
5 The Pamplemousse Solis A 118 L
6 Balfour Park Blanc B 116 Blk-On L
7 Mr. Hot Stuff Nakatani C S 116 L
8 Bourbon Bay Rosario J 116 L
9 Ventana Rios J M 116 Blk-On L
10 Mark S the Cooler Talamo J 116 L
11 Unbridled Roman Smith M E 116 L
12 Take the Points Gomez G K 118
This is the more likely race of the two for Take the Points. I'm not a 100% sure how he'll do here as it's against tough company and it's on a synthtic surface. Alot of people like The Pamplemousse (French for grapefruit), and Mr. Hot Stuff (brother to Col. John). I gotta go with The Pamplemousse, but I don't know how well he'll do in the SA Derby.
Top three:
The Pamplemousse
Take the Points
Mr. Hot Stuff
Also a few things: Rachel Alexandra will be heading the New Orleans for the Fair Grounds Oaks link. Also England will be sending a rep for the Santa Anita Handicap. Dansant has synthtic experience, but has not faced the company that he'll be facing in the Big Cap as grass is king over in Europe, link.
We start off in New York and Aquaduct.
5th (2:24)
1 Mile 70 Yards Open 4 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $34,000
1 Stealth Missile Castro E 120 $25,000 L
2 Curvature Hill C 118 $25,000 L
3 Rovic's Wealth Dominguez R A 120 $25,000 L
4 One of the Best Lopez C C 118 $25,000 L
5 Saratoga Lulaby Migliore R 118 $25,000 L
6 Arcata Maragh R 118 $25,000 L
7 Marina Market Napravnik A R 118 $25,000 L
8 Crafty Mark Alvarado N R 118 $25,000 L
9 Counting House Chavez J F 118 $25,000
Normally I wouldn't preview claiming races, since there are so many to choose from. However, I'm making an exception because of one horse. Arcata is a horse who I've followed almost his entire career. He's a gorgous son of Wagon Limit, and broke his maiden at Delaware Park in November 2006. I know this, as I was there for his maiden win. To make a long story short, I was in my first semester at a local CC here in Delaware, and well I skipped most of math class to see Hard Spun in the Port Penn S. that year. Ironicly, Arcata had flattered Hard Spun as he was a horse who Hard Spun had previously beaten. Since then Hard Spun of course finished second in the KY Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic, while Arcata won a small stakes down at Laurel last year. This is his first start for Scott Lake after being claimed from Graham Motion. I really hope he does well, and wins this race. I'm choosing Saratoga Lulaby and Marina Market for second and third respectivlly, really just for their names.
Top three:
Arcata
Saratoga Lulaby
Marina Market
8th (3:49)
Stymie H.
1 1/8 Miles Open 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $65,000
1 Barcola Napravnik A R 121 L
2 Researcher Luzzi M J 123 L
3 Judiths Wild Rush Bocachica O 121 L
4 Brilliant Son Migliore R 119 L
5 Manteca Maragh R 119 L
6 True Resurgence Sanchez J 119 L
7 Barrier Reef Dominguez R A 119 L
8 Real Merchant (CHI) Castro E 121 L
This race is loaded with horses I really like. I've seen Barcola in person a few times, with him winning both times. Researcher is such a neat story, I've liked Barrier Reef for awhile now and he's sure to go of as the favorite. But Manteca, is the horse I would really love to see win, he's a New York bred out of a Delaware Handicap winner.
Top four (any order: I'm putting a win, place, show bet on all four of them. Depending on where they finish, that's the one I'll take)
Manteca
Barcola
Barrier Reef
Researcher
Off to Gulfstream and the final major FL Derby prep.
9th (5:14)
Fountain of Youth S. (G2)
1 Mile Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Bee Cee Cee Velasquez C 120 L
2 Theregoesjojo Desormeaux K J 116 L
3 Notonthesamepage Trujillo E 120 L
4 Take the Points Decarlo C P 116 L
5 Jack Spratt Douglas R R 120 L
6 Rocketing Returns Lezcano J 116 L
7 Beethoven Borel C H 122 L
8 Break Water Edison Coa E M 122 Blk-On L
9 Capt. Candyman Can Leparoux J R 122 L
10 Taqarub Garcia Alan 120 L
11 Quality Road Velazquez J R 114 FTL
12 This Ones for Phil Prado E S 120 L
There are several horses that are the it horses in Florida. I really like Capt. Candyman Can and Take the Points. The thing is TTP is most likley going to be scratched for the final race I'm previewing. So I'll take Theregoesjojo if he does go the race I have not previewed. And Beethoven to go third either way.
If TTP does go:
Take the Points
Capt. Candyman Can
Beethoven
If he doesn't:
Capt. Candyman Can
Theregoesjojo
Beethoven
9th (4:38)
Sham S. (G3)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Hi Flyin Indy Quinonez A 116 L
2 Smart Bid Bejarano R 118 L
3 Tiz True Gryder A T 116 L
4 Lifeline Baze T C 116 L
5 The Pamplemousse Solis A 118 L
6 Balfour Park Blanc B 116 Blk-On L
7 Mr. Hot Stuff Nakatani C S 116 L
8 Bourbon Bay Rosario J 116 L
9 Ventana Rios J M 116 Blk-On L
10 Mark S the Cooler Talamo J 116 L
11 Unbridled Roman Smith M E 116 L
12 Take the Points Gomez G K 118
This is the more likely race of the two for Take the Points. I'm not a 100% sure how he'll do here as it's against tough company and it's on a synthtic surface. Alot of people like The Pamplemousse (French for grapefruit), and Mr. Hot Stuff (brother to Col. John). I gotta go with The Pamplemousse, but I don't know how well he'll do in the SA Derby.
Top three:
The Pamplemousse
Take the Points
Mr. Hot Stuff
Also a few things: Rachel Alexandra will be heading the New Orleans for the Fair Grounds Oaks link. Also England will be sending a rep for the Santa Anita Handicap. Dansant has synthtic experience, but has not faced the company that he'll be facing in the Big Cap as grass is king over in Europe, link.
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