Final Preperations for the Breeder's Cup really start get going tomorrow at Belmont, 5 G1's in 5 dividesons (Classic, Ladies Classic, Turf, F/M Turf, Sprint). Here is a breakdown of each race,
Beldame- A small field of 5 including the coupled entry of Captains Lover (SAF) and 07 Beldame winner Unbridled Belle. However, 4 time G1 winner Music Note is the one to beat, she won the Ballerina last time out (over Indian Blessing and Informed Decideson both who came back to win). Also she finally is rounding back into form. There is some rain in the forcast, and that might give Belle in advantage. She won the Obeah in the mud, however she doesn't care for it with a dismal proformance in the 07 Breeder's Cup Distaff. I gotta go with those two preferably Unbridled Belle on top as this more then likely will be her final start of her career.
Flower Bowl- One word: Dynaforce. The Beverly D champ comes back to defend her Flower Bowl title. Criticsisim may give her a run for her money, but the daughter of Dynaformer is my pick for the race. And in all honesty, if she wins this I think she can upset the Euros and Forever Together in the F/M Turf (Unless my Arc pick comes over, but I'll get to that race in a little bit).
Vosburgh- Like the Beldame, a small field but very talented. I'm going to go right away and throw out Munnings. With rain in the forcast, and his last two races he ran okay over it (a pair of thirds, Haskell (which he wouldn't have won anyway) and the King's Bishop (which he should have won)). Instead I'm going with the 1-2 from the Vanderbilt, except in reverse order. So, I'm putting my boy Go Go Shoot first and hopefully Fablous Strike finishes second.
Joe Hirish Turf Classic Invit.- Will he go, or won't he? That is the question. Gio Ponti, who could be the one to beat in the BC Turf (unless Sea the Stars comes over) could instead go out to California for his final prep. With that being said, he and Al Khali are my picks. Pressious Passion is another one, but I'm concerned about the soft turf with him. The last time he ran over a course like that he finished last.
Jockey Club Gold Cup- Outside of the Belmont, this is the big race at the Elmont track. Summer Bird can become the first horse since Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Gold Cup. That's pretty amazing to be mentioned in the same breath as the arch rival to Sunday Silence. However, I'm going to say he comes up just a bit short in that bid. Instead, I'm going with my heart and going with Dry Martini. He's trained by one of my favorite trainers in Barclay Tagg, and ridden by Edgar Prado. Like Summer Bird, Dry Martini has a win at this distance of mile and quarter with a win in the Suburban in July. However, with the possible rain I do like Summer Bird here and really wouldn't be suprised if he wins. Macho Again who is trying to become the lastest lose to Girl Wonder Rachel (Alexandra) and win next time out. Asiatic Boy is trying to rebound from his first off the board finish in the US. As for the other three year old in the race, Quality Road, as useal I'm tossing him. I really don't get the hype and the last time he ran at this distance he failed miserbly. So my top four in any order are Summer Bird, Dry Martini, Macho Again and Asiatic Boy. Preferably with either Summer Bird or Dry Martini on top.
Also this weekend: a pair of juvi races at Oak Tree, a pair of juvi turf races at Belmont, Cal Cup (Lava Man's half brother Enriched goes in the Cal Cup Mile), Goldikova runs in her final prep for her title defence in the BC Mile, and the Arc. I see Sea the Stars and Stacelita both going down this weekend, and I'm going with Dar Re Mi (to get revenge on the French) and defending BC Turf champ Conduit. If Dar Re Mi wins, it would be back to back titles for fillies (the undefeated Zarkava won last year).
Also a few notes, Commentator will be going to Old Friends. And sadly, the dam of Ashado, Sunriver and Ballado's Halo (dam of one of my favorite colts Speight the Halo), Goulash lost her battle with laminatis. I will have a full recap of this past weekends races on Sunday.
Showing posts with label Commentator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commentator. Show all posts
October 2, 2009
August 9, 2009
Close calls
This was an exciting weekend of racing. We saw the best older horse (turf,dirt and synthetic) win a very exciting Arlington Million, a champion calling it a career, a sprinter showing his heart, two last place finishers becoming G1 winners (I'll explain that when I get to that part), and oh yeah an undefeated filly who almost lost that title.
First off yesterday there where five G1's, three at Arlington and two at Saratoga. First up was the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington, that was won by Take the Points. Ironically, he had finished last to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Since that last place finish, he's been put on turf and has finished 4th, 2nd and now 1st in his last three starts. He certainly has taken to turf like a duck takes to water. Black Bear Island, a full brother to 2002 and 2003 Breeder's Cup Turf Champion, High Chaperal was second. A few minutes later up at Saratoga, the Test Stakes featuring undefeated Cat Moves. Unfortunately, she was upset by Flashing, who was last to guess who, in the Mother Goose (wink, wink). So Rachel got flattered not once, but twice. Now granted neither horse was should have been in the Preakness and Mother Goose respectively, but you gotta give it up to their connections for trying.
Back to Arlington we go for the Beverly D, in which was won by Dynaforce. It also gave Kent Desermoux his second, Grade 1 win of the day (he was on Take the Points). Could he make it three for three in the Arlington Million? Unfortunately the answer would be no, as Gio Ponti would win the race. He is clearly the best older male on turf, dirt or synthetic out there right now. And with the garbage of an older horse division we have right now, I think he might try the Classic. Especially if Team Europe sends over their best horse, the great Sea the Stars for the Classic.
The other Grade 1 at Saratoga was the Whitney. If you remember on Friday with my post about Commentator trying to tie Kelso and Discovery for the most Whitney wins. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be, as Bullsbay upset him. So with a third place finish and at age 8, trainer Nick Zito and owner Tracy Farmer decided that it was time to retire him. He retires as the fourth best Distorted Humor foal money wise (the Top three are Funny Cide, Flower Alley and Hystericalady who like him are G1 winners), and third on the New York Bred money winning list (behind Funny (again) and Say Florida Sandy, ahead of horses like Carson Hallow, Fleet Indian and Gander). As for Bullsbay, I give him zero chance to win the Classic, which is a shame as his trainer and jockey are locals for me.
Now to today, first up at Saratoga, Fabulous Strike was able to grind out a win in the Vanderbilt. But I gotta give some love to 2nd place finisher, Go Go Shoot. Basket (my nickname for him since his breeder/former owner is Bobby Hurley who was on Duke's basketball team in the early 90's. In matter of fact his stable name is Devil Eleven Stable.), was amazing and he didn't give up at all. Hopefully he can have a little bit more oomph at the end and able to beat him next time. Here is the video, I apologize for groan you hear, that's me as I was hoping Basket would hang on).
Last, but not least, Zenyatta ran this weekend. On paper, it looked like it would be between her and her stablemate Life is Sweet. But then again, that is why you run the race and while it didn't look pretty she got the job done. Here is the video of her close call.
So you have to wonder, what almost did her in? The slow pace, the short distance, Mike Smith moving too late? I had heard that she was amped up more then useal, the crowd may have been too much for her. Either way, I now somewhat hope they stay away from the Pacific Classic and wait for a better spot. And that match up with Rachel doesn't look appitazing now, epspecially the way Rachel has been running lately. With her past races, she's in the cat bird's seat when they get off the final turn. It will be interesting in what happens next in the career of Zenyatta. Also some exciting news coming tomorrow, stay tuned!
First off yesterday there where five G1's, three at Arlington and two at Saratoga. First up was the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington, that was won by Take the Points. Ironically, he had finished last to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Since that last place finish, he's been put on turf and has finished 4th, 2nd and now 1st in his last three starts. He certainly has taken to turf like a duck takes to water. Black Bear Island, a full brother to 2002 and 2003 Breeder's Cup Turf Champion, High Chaperal was second. A few minutes later up at Saratoga, the Test Stakes featuring undefeated Cat Moves. Unfortunately, she was upset by Flashing, who was last to guess who, in the Mother Goose (wink, wink). So Rachel got flattered not once, but twice. Now granted neither horse was should have been in the Preakness and Mother Goose respectively, but you gotta give it up to their connections for trying.
Back to Arlington we go for the Beverly D, in which was won by Dynaforce. It also gave Kent Desermoux his second, Grade 1 win of the day (he was on Take the Points). Could he make it three for three in the Arlington Million? Unfortunately the answer would be no, as Gio Ponti would win the race. He is clearly the best older male on turf, dirt or synthetic out there right now. And with the garbage of an older horse division we have right now, I think he might try the Classic. Especially if Team Europe sends over their best horse, the great Sea the Stars for the Classic.
The other Grade 1 at Saratoga was the Whitney. If you remember on Friday with my post about Commentator trying to tie Kelso and Discovery for the most Whitney wins. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be, as Bullsbay upset him. So with a third place finish and at age 8, trainer Nick Zito and owner Tracy Farmer decided that it was time to retire him. He retires as the fourth best Distorted Humor foal money wise (the Top three are Funny Cide, Flower Alley and Hystericalady who like him are G1 winners), and third on the New York Bred money winning list (behind Funny (again) and Say Florida Sandy, ahead of horses like Carson Hallow, Fleet Indian and Gander). As for Bullsbay, I give him zero chance to win the Classic, which is a shame as his trainer and jockey are locals for me.
Now to today, first up at Saratoga, Fabulous Strike was able to grind out a win in the Vanderbilt. But I gotta give some love to 2nd place finisher, Go Go Shoot. Basket (my nickname for him since his breeder/former owner is Bobby Hurley who was on Duke's basketball team in the early 90's. In matter of fact his stable name is Devil Eleven Stable.), was amazing and he didn't give up at all. Hopefully he can have a little bit more oomph at the end and able to beat him next time. Here is the video, I apologize for groan you hear, that's me as I was hoping Basket would hang on).
Last, but not least, Zenyatta ran this weekend. On paper, it looked like it would be between her and her stablemate Life is Sweet. But then again, that is why you run the race and while it didn't look pretty she got the job done. Here is the video of her close call.
So you have to wonder, what almost did her in? The slow pace, the short distance, Mike Smith moving too late? I had heard that she was amped up more then useal, the crowd may have been too much for her. Either way, I now somewhat hope they stay away from the Pacific Classic and wait for a better spot. And that match up with Rachel doesn't look appitazing now, epspecially the way Rachel has been running lately. With her past races, she's in the cat bird's seat when they get off the final turn. It will be interesting in what happens next in the career of Zenyatta. Also some exciting news coming tomorrow, stay tuned!
August 7, 2009
Watch Out Kelso
There are six G1's this weekend, three of them are at Arlington (the Million, Beverly D, and Secretariat), plus Zenyatta returns on Sunday and undefeated Cat Moves goes in the Test. However, a record is in danger of falling up at Saratoga. Kelso's record as the oldest horse to win the Whitney Handicap could be tied by Commentator this weekend. As a gelding, it's great to still see him around. If he does win, he'll also tie not only Kelso, but Discovery as the only three time winners (He first won the race in 2005 over future HOY Saint Liam, and he is the defending champ this year).
I couldn't find videos of Kelso's Whitneys that had audio, but I hope you enjoy his 3 of his 4 JCGC wins, in this two part video (Sorry it's not embeded the video part on that was disabled).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb84n3lV2LY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr0M4AlE4uU&feature=related
I would really love to see Commentator win this weekend. Others who I hope to see, Go Go Shoot in the Vanderbilt on Sunday (he's going against some nice horses including Fablous Strike, Benny the Bull and Kodiak Kowboy), Presious Passion in the Million (if he gets away from them like he did in the UN, they aren't going to catch them), and of course Zenyatta in the Clement Hirsh. I hope everyone has a fablous weekend, I will be visiting with a friend of mine tomorrow, then be traveling all day Sunday. However, I do plan to have a weekend recap when I get home.
I couldn't find videos of Kelso's Whitneys that had audio, but I hope you enjoy his 3 of his 4 JCGC wins, in this two part video (Sorry it's not embeded the video part on that was disabled).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb84n3lV2LY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr0M4AlE4uU&feature=related
I would really love to see Commentator win this weekend. Others who I hope to see, Go Go Shoot in the Vanderbilt on Sunday (he's going against some nice horses including Fablous Strike, Benny the Bull and Kodiak Kowboy), Presious Passion in the Million (if he gets away from them like he did in the UN, they aren't going to catch them), and of course Zenyatta in the Clement Hirsh. I hope everyone has a fablous weekend, I will be visiting with a friend of mine tomorrow, then be traveling all day Sunday. However, I do plan to have a weekend recap when I get home.
June 11, 2009
Kip returns
The pride of Oklahoma returns.
Belmont Park - June 14, 2009 Race 8 - 4:44 PM
STAKES Poker S. (Grade III) Purse $100,000.
For Three Year Old
PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer s And Upward. One Mile. (Turf)
1 Sailor's Cap (KY) 4/C L* A Garcia 116 J J Toner
2 Yield Bogey (KY) 5/G L J Samyn 116 P J Kelly
3 Tam Lin (GB) 6/G L J Castellano 118 S bin Suroor
4 Thou Swell (KY) 4/C L E Coa 116 G Weaver
5 Operation Red Dawn (KY) 7/G L R A Dominguez 116 C Clement
6 Kip Deville (OK) 6/H L* C H Velasquez 123 R E Dutrow, Jr
This is Kip's first race since his really bad proformance in Dubai. On paper he should be able to beat these horses and he does well after a bad overseas proformance. Sailor's Cap did win at Colonial last year in the Colonial Turf Cup. Tam Lin ran second to Kip as well. I gotta go with my boy, with the old man in the race Operation Red Dawn second and Tam Lin or Salior's Cap third.
Also tomarrow Commentator will have his Whitney prep in a NYB stakes race in which he should destroy. Also in the race is stakes winner Naughty New Yorker. And one other thing before I finish up this post. Yesterday I talked about the late Happy Ticket, today I got a workout nofication on her half brother.
Broken Home
Your Comment: 2006 c Not for Love x Love and Happiness, half brother to Happy Ticket
Date: June 11, 2009
Track: Monmouth Park
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 37:40
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 3/18
If anyone knows who trains him, I would highley appricate it. This colt is really special since I loved his big sister.
Belmont Park - June 14, 2009 Race 8 - 4:44 PM
STAKES Poker S. (Grade III) Purse $100,000.
For Three Year Old
PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer s And Upward. One Mile. (Turf)
1 Sailor's Cap (KY) 4/C L* A Garcia 116 J J Toner
2 Yield Bogey (KY) 5/G L J Samyn 116 P J Kelly
3 Tam Lin (GB) 6/G L J Castellano 118 S bin Suroor
4 Thou Swell (KY) 4/C L E Coa 116 G Weaver
5 Operation Red Dawn (KY) 7/G L R A Dominguez 116 C Clement
6 Kip Deville (OK) 6/H L* C H Velasquez 123 R E Dutrow, Jr
This is Kip's first race since his really bad proformance in Dubai. On paper he should be able to beat these horses and he does well after a bad overseas proformance. Sailor's Cap did win at Colonial last year in the Colonial Turf Cup. Tam Lin ran second to Kip as well. I gotta go with my boy, with the old man in the race Operation Red Dawn second and Tam Lin or Salior's Cap third.
Also tomarrow Commentator will have his Whitney prep in a NYB stakes race in which he should destroy. Also in the race is stakes winner Naughty New Yorker. And one other thing before I finish up this post. Yesterday I talked about the late Happy Ticket, today I got a workout nofication on her half brother.
Broken Home
Your Comment: 2006 c Not for Love x Love and Happiness, half brother to Happy Ticket
Date: June 11, 2009
Track: Monmouth Park
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 37:40
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 3/18
If anyone knows who trains him, I would highley appricate it. This colt is really special since I loved his big sister.
June 1, 2009
Belmont Week is here!
It's Belmont week!
Mine That Bird had his final workout before the mile and half Belmont today, also returning to the track was Rachel Alexandra. I think both parties where very pleased with how they both ran. And Calvin Borel is confident in Mine, link. In other Belmont news, Summer Bird will be racing in blinkers for the first time. When the PP’s come out on Weds, I’ll have my picks then (I will say that I’m leaning towards a Mine That Bird/Charitable Man/Chocolate Candy trifecta). BTW Todd Pletcher is blogging again for NTRA, link.He did this in 2007 with Rags to Riches after she won the Belmont.
One of the 2yo’s who I’m watching worked out today up at Saratoga.
Rule
Your Comment: 2007 c Roman Ruler x Rockcide (Personal Flag)
Date: June 1, 2009
Track: Saratoga
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 37:62
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 17/59
I should note that I did remove a part of my comment that I usually have because I’m going to explain why I’m following this horse. Roman Ruler is by Fusaichi Pegasus and was part of the 2005 3yo class. Although he did not run in the Triple Crown, he was a highly regarded and won the Haskell beating Sun King. Rockcide is a NY bred by Personal Flag. She didn’t win a race, and while it maybe surprising that she got into a G1 winner’s first book, let me explain a little bit of her female family. Rockcide hails from the same family as Belle of Cozzene (G3 winner), Zee Oh Six (Listed Stakes winner and ¾ brother to Belle of Cozzene) and Quakerbell (Listed stakes winner). However, her grand dam’s best foal in the shed, was a mare who won only 2 races in her life (Note: This is a clue of where I’m heading towards wink wink). Rockcide is out of this particular mare, Belle’s Good Cide by Slewacide. Her first foal, a colt named Coincide (By Cozzene), won three races and is now standing in Venezuela. Her second foal was also a colt, a chestnut by a rookie stallion by the name of Distorted Humor (Note: Clue #2!, and I’m sorry I have to mention him and his most famous foal. The story wouldn’t be complete without it). This colt however, would end up being a gelding before his racing career began. Trained by Barclay Tagg and owned by Sackatoga Stable, Rockcide’s half brother is the one and only Funny Cide! If you are wondering Rockcide was Belle’s 3rd foal and only female. The final foal, Homicide (by Mojave Moon), is now a timber racer. Sadly sometime after Homicide was born, Belle passed away from colic.
Anyway back to Rule, the fact that he is up at Saratoga tells me that Nick Zito trains him. Which is cool, since Nick trains another great DH gelding by the name of Commentator (Whose full sister Source of Humor makes her debut for Graham Motion on Friday at Monmouth). However, I could also be wrong and there is another trainer who is based up there. So, if anyone knows who trains Rule, please leave a comment on this post. I’m pretty interested in who does train him, and if he’s going to make his debut at Belmont, or wait until later in the year. Especially since he’s been working steadily.
Even though the US Triple Crown will end this upcoming Saturday in the Belmont, the Canadian Triple Crown will be getting started in a few weeks. The final major prep was yesterday in the Plate Trial, and the winner was Eye of the Leopard (AP Indy x Eye of the Sphynx by Smart Strike), link. Owned by the famous Sam-Son Farm, he should be the favorite for the Queen’s Plate at a mile and a quarter. Also for you Square Eddie fans, he’s still not recovered from his recent setback and will skip the Queen’s Plate. I feel bad for his owner Paul Reddam, who is from Canada. However, it’s for the best. We should see him later this year in the other Cali races.
Sadly, Susan Magnier who owns Ballydole (her husband John, Michael Tabor and Derek Smith make up Coolmore), lost her father the great trainer Vincent O'Brien (No relation to Ballydole’s current trainer Aidan O'Brien) this morning in Ireland. Mr. O’Brien was 92 and trained many great horses including El Gran Senor (the future broodmare sire of Chester House and Empire Maker) and Nijinsky II (British Triple Crown winner, and the sire of Ferdinand and Dancing Spree). Link
Mine That Bird had his final workout before the mile and half Belmont today, also returning to the track was Rachel Alexandra. I think both parties where very pleased with how they both ran. And Calvin Borel is confident in Mine, link. In other Belmont news, Summer Bird will be racing in blinkers for the first time. When the PP’s come out on Weds, I’ll have my picks then (I will say that I’m leaning towards a Mine That Bird/Charitable Man/Chocolate Candy trifecta). BTW Todd Pletcher is blogging again for NTRA, link.He did this in 2007 with Rags to Riches after she won the Belmont.
One of the 2yo’s who I’m watching worked out today up at Saratoga.
Rule
Your Comment: 2007 c Roman Ruler x Rockcide (Personal Flag)
Date: June 1, 2009
Track: Saratoga
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 37:62
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 17/59
I should note that I did remove a part of my comment that I usually have because I’m going to explain why I’m following this horse. Roman Ruler is by Fusaichi Pegasus and was part of the 2005 3yo class. Although he did not run in the Triple Crown, he was a highly regarded and won the Haskell beating Sun King. Rockcide is a NY bred by Personal Flag. She didn’t win a race, and while it maybe surprising that she got into a G1 winner’s first book, let me explain a little bit of her female family. Rockcide hails from the same family as Belle of Cozzene (G3 winner), Zee Oh Six (Listed Stakes winner and ¾ brother to Belle of Cozzene) and Quakerbell (Listed stakes winner). However, her grand dam’s best foal in the shed, was a mare who won only 2 races in her life (Note: This is a clue of where I’m heading towards wink wink). Rockcide is out of this particular mare, Belle’s Good Cide by Slewacide. Her first foal, a colt named Coincide (By Cozzene), won three races and is now standing in Venezuela. Her second foal was also a colt, a chestnut by a rookie stallion by the name of Distorted Humor (Note: Clue #2!, and I’m sorry I have to mention him and his most famous foal. The story wouldn’t be complete without it). This colt however, would end up being a gelding before his racing career began. Trained by Barclay Tagg and owned by Sackatoga Stable, Rockcide’s half brother is the one and only Funny Cide! If you are wondering Rockcide was Belle’s 3rd foal and only female. The final foal, Homicide (by Mojave Moon), is now a timber racer. Sadly sometime after Homicide was born, Belle passed away from colic.
Anyway back to Rule, the fact that he is up at Saratoga tells me that Nick Zito trains him. Which is cool, since Nick trains another great DH gelding by the name of Commentator (Whose full sister Source of Humor makes her debut for Graham Motion on Friday at Monmouth). However, I could also be wrong and there is another trainer who is based up there. So, if anyone knows who trains Rule, please leave a comment on this post. I’m pretty interested in who does train him, and if he’s going to make his debut at Belmont, or wait until later in the year. Especially since he’s been working steadily.
Even though the US Triple Crown will end this upcoming Saturday in the Belmont, the Canadian Triple Crown will be getting started in a few weeks. The final major prep was yesterday in the Plate Trial, and the winner was Eye of the Leopard (AP Indy x Eye of the Sphynx by Smart Strike), link. Owned by the famous Sam-Son Farm, he should be the favorite for the Queen’s Plate at a mile and a quarter. Also for you Square Eddie fans, he’s still not recovered from his recent setback and will skip the Queen’s Plate. I feel bad for his owner Paul Reddam, who is from Canada. However, it’s for the best. We should see him later this year in the other Cali races.
Sadly, Susan Magnier who owns Ballydole (her husband John, Michael Tabor and Derek Smith make up Coolmore), lost her father the great trainer Vincent O'Brien (No relation to Ballydole’s current trainer Aidan O'Brien) this morning in Ireland. Mr. O’Brien was 92 and trained many great horses including El Gran Senor (the future broodmare sire of Chester House and Empire Maker) and Nijinsky II (British Triple Crown winner, and the sire of Ferdinand and Dancing Spree). Link
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