Believe it or not, six months of 2014 are gone! The Triple Crown talk now moves up to Canada where the Queen's Plate happens on Sunday. For now though I thought this would be a good time for Furlong Drive's 2014 1st Half Awards. Just a note that these rankings are for 3yo+ and will be focusing on Worldwide horses and not just America. Which means, that there will be some that will be a bit "out there" for those who don't follow International racing, but to those who do it won't be a problem. I know that normally these lists are just US only, but just wanted to do something different this time around. So here they are!
3yo Female- Untapable: There's no question about it, the KY Oaks winner is the #1 three year old on dirt regardless of sex and the best 3yo female in the World. She will likely be taking on males in her next race which will either be the Haskell (which her trainer won in 2009 with another super filly) or the Jim Dandy (where she will face Tonalist).
3yo Male- Australia: On dirt yes California Chrome, even with his loss in the Belmont, is tops. However, this son of two legendary horses has already won 2 Derbies (Epsom and Irish). While he is likely not a Breeders' Cup candidate this year (depending on how well it actually goes), he might be a serious challenger for next year.
Older Male- Palace Malice: He was pretty good at 3, but has turned into a superstar now at 4. The Older Males hasn't been a bright spot in the US for sometime. Is he to pull this division out of the doldrums?
Older Female- Close Hatches and The Fugue: The former last year was a touch below Beholder and Princess of Sylmar. This year she has won 2 G1's including the Phipps over the two previously mentioned horses. The latter has been so close in winning 2 BC races. In her last she defeated Dank, Treve and Magician, three horses who she hasn't had the best of luck against in the past.
These are going to be the only ones that I am doing, however others considered where Just a Way and California Chrome for their divisions. My plans are to preview the Cartiers (Europe's end of the year awards) and the Eclipses. Stay tuned for those previews at the end of the year and the beginning of 2015.
Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts
July 1, 2014
June 17, 2013
First Half of the Year Awards
Hard to believe that we are 6 months into the season! That means its time for the Half Season Awards! These awards will only focus on the Older Horses and 3yo's as the 2yos don't get really rolling until next month and I don't feel comfortable choosing a winner for those divisions until the end of the year. So for now here are the awards!
3yo Female: Honestly as of right now it's Princess of Sylmar, but I do this with lots of trepidation as the major races for 3yo fillies don't start until next week. Lets see if her stablemate Dreaming of Julia can rebound from her Oaks disaster. Don't forget about Beholder who honestly could be the best 3yo in training. To me this is going to be the most complex division because I'm not sure how good these girls can be.
3yo Male: Although Orb finished on the board in two of the three Triple Crown races, he is not top dog right now. That belongs to Oxbow with a win in the Preakness and 2nd in the Belmont. Keep in mind, since 2003 only two Preakness winners did NOT win 3yo Male (Rachel Alexandra who was ineligible for being a filly and Shackleford who lost to Animal Kingdom in the Derby). Although a lot can change between now and the Travers which is the last major 3yo distance race. Palace Malice will try not to fall into the same catagory as Ruler On Ice and Jazil by running poorly after the Belmont win. Keep an eye on previously unbeaten Verrazano, Code West and Integrity as possible horses that could challenge the three TC race winners down the road.
Older Male: This is a two horse race between the defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan and Game On Dude who can be hot or cold depending on the race. Although both are undefeated this year. Believe it or not after years of weakness, this could be the strongest division. Don't count out the defending BCC champ Fort Larned who rebounded on Saturday with a win in the Stephen Foster or Paynter who won his season debut after fighting for his life for most of the second half of 2012. A possible dark horse to watch is Easter Gift.
Older Female: In what could be the most intriguing division, the current leader is Tiz Miz Sue. I still wouldn't write off Royal Delta, but if she runs another bad race then... In a little bit of irony, Tiz' sire is a full brother to the dams of Oxbow and Paynter. Keep your eyes on More Chocolate and Include Me Out as well.
Sprinter Divisons: Ask me after the major sprint races in the summer, picture will clear greatly.
Turf Male: Had he not been injured, Point of Entry of his defeat of Animal Kingdom and win in the Manhattan would be tops. The for mentioned Wise Dan is the currently leader, but beware of Optimizer who ran sneaky good in the Woodford Reserve, Dixie and Manhattan.
Turf Female: Even though Marketing Mix returned a winner in the Gamely, as of right now there is no question that Stephanie's Kitten is the filly to beat. I would not count out though Lady of Shamrock, or Mizdirection (when she gets back to her preferred sprint distance).
Trainer: I think there's no question that right now the trainer of the moment is Wayne Lukas. However, his former assistants Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin and Dallas Stewart all had horses finish in the top four in all three TC races (Todd won the Belmont and third in the Derby, Dallas was second in the Derby and Kiaran was 4th in the Belmont). Shug McGaughey lost a big member of his stable when Point of Entry was injured, but if Orb and Reload can rebound, he could have a say in the trainers catagory when the season is over. Keep an eye on former Bobby Frankel assistant Chad Brown, former Carl Nafzger assistant Ian Wilkes and Bill Mott as well.
Jockey: Even with the retirement of Ramon Dominguez, this title will remain in New York. Joel Rosario is riding out of this world with big wins in the Dubai World Cup and Kentucky Derby just this year. Although he won't be riding Animal Kingdom tomorrow, his replacement John Velazquez just picked up his 5,000 US win. With him being Todd's main rider that win total will go up. Out west, Joe Talamo prob. has the best shot to get back there, but don't underestimate Gary Stevens who at 50 is making the most of his comeback.
Comeback: As great as Gary's comeback has been, Paynter gets this title for his determination in returning to the racetrack.
Horse of the Half: Game on Dude, his wins have been very impressive as he won his second SA Handicap and remained in the US instead of going to Dubai he went to the Charles Town Classic. Wise Dan is a very close second with Point of Entry third and Oxbow fourth.
Turf Female: Even though Marketing Mix returned a winner in the Gamely, as of right now there is no question that Stephanie's Kitten is the filly to beat. I would not count out though Lady of Shamrock, or Mizdirection (when she gets back to her preferred sprint distance).
Trainer: I think there's no question that right now the trainer of the moment is Wayne Lukas. However, his former assistants Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin and Dallas Stewart all had horses finish in the top four in all three TC races (Todd won the Belmont and third in the Derby, Dallas was second in the Derby and Kiaran was 4th in the Belmont). Shug McGaughey lost a big member of his stable when Point of Entry was injured, but if Orb and Reload can rebound, he could have a say in the trainers catagory when the season is over. Keep an eye on former Bobby Frankel assistant Chad Brown, former Carl Nafzger assistant Ian Wilkes and Bill Mott as well.
Jockey: Even with the retirement of Ramon Dominguez, this title will remain in New York. Joel Rosario is riding out of this world with big wins in the Dubai World Cup and Kentucky Derby just this year. Although he won't be riding Animal Kingdom tomorrow, his replacement John Velazquez just picked up his 5,000 US win. With him being Todd's main rider that win total will go up. Out west, Joe Talamo prob. has the best shot to get back there, but don't underestimate Gary Stevens who at 50 is making the most of his comeback.
Comeback: As great as Gary's comeback has been, Paynter gets this title for his determination in returning to the racetrack.
Horse of the Half: Game on Dude, his wins have been very impressive as he won his second SA Handicap and remained in the US instead of going to Dubai he went to the Charles Town Classic. Wise Dan is a very close second with Point of Entry third and Oxbow fourth.
August 12, 2009
Breeder's Cup Media Awards aka Help a Girl Out! (And support others as well)
So the Breeder's Cup came up with a great idea with their Media Awards. This year there are four awards.
The Joe Hirsch Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing
Bill Leggett Award for Outstanding Magazine Writing
Online Writing Award
Social Media Award
The Social Media Award is the one that I'm really interested in. That's because it's the one that involves blogging and twitter. So, I'm going to try to enter this contest and see if I win. This is where I need your help.
I have to write 10 posts about horse racing (easy, since this is a horse racing blog), 30 percent of them (3 in this case) have to be about the Breeder's Cup. I also have to have people comment at least 11 times (they said more then 10 comments). I do have a deadline of September 30,2009 to send my posts (with comments in), and cross my fingers that I win. You can find all of the details here. I think this is a wonderful idea for social media, like myself to get involved with the Media Awards. Especially since I hope to become a full time turf writer, sometime in the next 2 to 3 years (wishful thinking I know). Also I'm a very competitive person, so this will fuel my fire (I know I can be a little bit crazy). So good luck to everyone who has decided to try this out, and I can't wait to see if I do enough to actually enter, and maybe win.
My first Breeder's Cup post will be tomorrow and focus on the Turf divisions.
The Joe Hirsch Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing
Bill Leggett Award for Outstanding Magazine Writing
Online Writing Award
Social Media Award
The Social Media Award is the one that I'm really interested in. That's because it's the one that involves blogging and twitter. So, I'm going to try to enter this contest and see if I win. This is where I need your help.
I have to write 10 posts about horse racing (easy, since this is a horse racing blog), 30 percent of them (3 in this case) have to be about the Breeder's Cup. I also have to have people comment at least 11 times (they said more then 10 comments). I do have a deadline of September 30,2009 to send my posts (with comments in), and cross my fingers that I win. You can find all of the details here. I think this is a wonderful idea for social media, like myself to get involved with the Media Awards. Especially since I hope to become a full time turf writer, sometime in the next 2 to 3 years (wishful thinking I know). Also I'm a very competitive person, so this will fuel my fire (I know I can be a little bit crazy). So good luck to everyone who has decided to try this out, and I can't wait to see if I do enough to actually enter, and maybe win.
My first Breeder's Cup post will be tomorrow and focus on the Turf divisions.
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