Belmont journeys await

Well before the TC talk on ThoroughChat takes about a week and half break, there is some Belmont updates.

First off once again, Mine That Bird is looking for a new jockey. Link I understand that Mike Smith is trying to be loyal to the Moss', but what if he and Mine beat Rachel Alexandra and Calvin Borel? Would have he still taken off him? I don't know, but if Rach does not go (which I somewhat hope she doesn't as she deserves a rest and come back in the summer with full force), look for Calvin to ride him. If she does, I hope they decide on either putting a local on him or his former jockey/Mike's girlfriend, Chantal Sutherland.

Meanwhile it looks like that Mike's Derby mount, Chocolate Candy, could be ridden by Garrett Gomez (I don't think announcement has come yet on this though). I'm pretty disappointed by this choice. Either way hopefully he does well.

The following are the sires who could be represented in the Belmont, foals are in parenthesis.

Birdstone (Mine That Bird, 3rd jockey as in many races, unless Rach does not go. Winner of the KY Derby, 2nd in the Preakness the past two races, and Summer Bird, 3rd in the AR Derby, 6th in the KY Derby. Sire won the Belmont in 2004 denying Smarty Jones the Triple Crown.)

Candy Ride (Chocolate Candy, 2nd in SA Derby and 5th in the KY Derby. Sire was undefted as a racehorse.)

Fusaichi Pegasus (Flying Private, one of two horses who will be running in all three races, last in the KY Derby and 4th in the Preakness. Sire the 2000 KY Derby winner.)

Lemon Drop Kid (Charitable Man, newcomer to the TC who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Warren, better known as the owners of the late great Saint Liam. Ironicly Charitable and Liam where bred by the same breeder. The other difference other then sire and dam, is Chartiable was foaled if VA, while Liam was foaled in KY. However, Liam would have been foaled in VA as well, but Edward Evans, the breeder did not move his mares until I think a year after Liam was born. Won the Peter Pan last time. Sire denied Charismatic the Triple Crown in the 1999 Belmont.)

Medaglia d'Oro (Rachel Alexandra, she may not go, KY Oaks and Preakness winner. Sire finished 2nd in the 2002 Belmont and won the Travers that year)

Mineshaft (Miner's Escape, newcomer to the TC who is owned by Robert LaPenta, he is the defending owner in the Belmont with Da' Tara. Won the Tesio on Derby day. Sire was the 2003 Horse of the Year.)

Ten Most Wanted (Luv Gov, I love his name dispite who he is named after. Broke maiden and was 8th in the Preakness. Sire was 2nd in the 2003 Belmont and won the Travers that year. )

Tiznow (Mr. Hot Stuff, full brother to last year's Travers winner, was 3rd in the SA Derby and in 15th the KY Derby. Sire is the two time Breeder's Cup Classic winner, and the 2000 Horse of the Year.)

Unbridled's Song (Dunkirk, 2nd in the FL Derby and in 11th the KY Derby. Sire was the beaten favorite in the 1996 Derby won by Grindstone (who ironicly is the sire of Birdstone), winner of the 1995 BC Juvi.)

I end this post on a bit of a sad note, Broad Brush, winner of the PA Derby, Wood, BigCap among others, was euthanized on the 15th of this month. Among of the foals he sired, Concern, the 1994 Breeder's Cup Classic winner. He was 26 years old, link.