Win One for Alan

This weekend's Lexington would normally be a chance for horses to just squeek in on earnings into the Derby in 2 weeks. However this year, all but two will not get in. And niether of those two are expected in this year's Run for the Roses. But the Derby might not matter for one of those two horses in the longrun. We all know the story about Uptowncharlybrown and group of owners Fantasy Lane Racing. Sadly earlier this week, his trainer Alan Seewald passed away in New Jersey. According to DRF.com, there was some talk of pulling Charly from tomorrow's race, but they've decided to march foward. In all likelyhood he'll be just short on earnings, but would have skipped it anyway. Before I talk more about Charly, here is the field for tomorrow's Lexington.

9th (5:15)
Coolmore Lexington S. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $300,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Krypton Garcia Alan McLaughlin Kiaran P 117 LA 6-1
2 2 Uptowncharlybrown Gomez G K White Linda A 117 L 4-1
3 3 Distorted Dave Espinoza V Sadler John W 117 LA 10-1
4 4 Bushwhacked Maragh R Sheppard Jonathan E 117 L 12-1
5 5 Call Shot Alvarado J Catalano Wayne M 117 LA 10-1
6 6 Prince Will I Am Borel C H Nihei Michelle 117 LA 30-1
7 7 Lonesome Street Leparoux J R Maker Michael J 117 LA 12-1
8 8 Exhi Albarado R J Pletcher Todd A 121 LA 8-1
9 9 Heavenville Bridgmohan S X Asmussen Steven M 117 LA 12-1
10 10 Connemara Baze R A Pletcher Todd A 121 LA 5-1
11 11 Kettle River Castellano J J Harty Eoin 117 LA 5-1
12 12 Chief Counsel Desormeaux K J Mott William I 117 LA 15-1

Other then Charly, Connemara (3/4 brother to Lion Heart) is the only other horse who can race his way into the field. Keep an eye on Heavenville, he was the horse who helped Offlee Wild earn Top Freshman Sire last year. While Bushwhacked could surpise the field as well. Charly's new trainer, Linda White was Alan's assistant, so while there will be a new name to train him, she already knows him well.

To quote Notre Dame running back George Gipp (1895-1920) when talking to his coach Knute Rockne (1888-1931),

I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy.

(Note on the quote: according to Wikipedia that this quote may be fictional. However in 1940, the movie Knute Rockne, All American, this quote was recited by future US President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) who protrayed George Gibb in the movie. Of course there is a horse racing angle to President Reagan as he passed away the same day as Smarty Jones being denied in the Belmont).

With that being said, my pick for this weekend in my heart and my head is Uptowncharlybrown. So go win one for Alan, Charly!

Also running this weekend is Causeithertz, the first foal of Megahertz! Due to lack of time this weekend, there won't be a Weekend Recap, however the Live Chat will still go on on Monday at 7.