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.

Oak that Bluegrass

Final major preps this weekend! The Bluegrass down at Keenland and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, both are G1 races this year. I'm not going to do a major preview of the two races as I had a really nice post all written up then accdently posted before I was done. So I had to delete it unfortanlly. Anyway here are the two fields!

9th (5:30)
Toyota Blue Grass S. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Odysseus Maragh R Albertrani Thomas 123 LA 7-2
2 2 First Dude Dominguez R A Romans Dale 123 LA 8-1
3 3 Stately Victor Garcia Alan Maker Michael J 123 LA 30-1
4 4 Make Music for Me Smith M E Barba Alexis 123 LA 6-1
5 5 Codoy Velazquez J R Hubley Mark 123 L 30-1
6 6 Pleasant Prince Leparoux J R Ward Wesley A 123 L 3-1
7 7 Paddy O'Prado Desormeaux K J Romans Dale 123 LA 10-1
8 8 Aikenite Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 123 LA 4-1
9 9 Interactif Bejarano R Pletcher Todd A 123 LA 4-1

9th (4:47)
Arkansas Derby (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $1,000,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Super Saver Borel C H Pletcher Todd A 122 L 9-5
2 2 Dublin Thompson T J Lukas D Wayne 122 L 7-2
3 3 Noble's Promise Albarado R J McPeek Kenneth G 122 L 2-1
4 4 Northern Giant Espinoza V Lukas D Wayne 118 L 8-1
5 5 Uh Oh Bango Bridgmohan S X Owens R Kory 122 L 15-1
6 6 New Madrid Castellano A Jr Ice Tim A 118 L 20-1
7 7 Berberis Gryder A T Asmussen Steven M 118 L 30-1
8 8 Line of David Court J K Sadler John W 118 L 15-1
9 9 Pulsion Nakatani C S Biancone Patrick L 118 Blk-Off L 15-1

I will say that I like Make Music for Me in the Bluegrass and Super Saver in the AR Derby.

Also tomorrow, Stardom Bound makes her grass debut, Bell's Shoes takes another shot at stakes action, and much more.

To end the night, Apple Blossom, what can I say? Zenyatta showed that she is the best! I haven't watched the replay yet, but I plan to within the next couple of days or so. Hopefully a race against the males is next, but if her connections bring her back to Cali to face females, I believe people will not be happy. It's somewhat fitting that she won on the same day that Personal Ensign passed away. The first major horse to retire undefeated since Colin, Personal Ensign won the 1988 BC Distaff defeating Winning Colors who defeated the boys that season in the Kentucky Derby. Personal Ensign would go on to be the dam of three G1 winners including BC Juvi Fillies winner and Belmont 3rd place finisher My Flag, herself a G1 producing dam (BC Juvi Fillies winner Storm Flag Flying). I'm going to miss her.

Also don't forget that the Live Chat returns to it's normal Monday time at 7 pm EDT, there might be a couple of special guests, so stay tuned for that. Recap will be returning on Sunday as well.

Weekend Preview and Paragallo charged (Warning Language)

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.

Weekend Preview

I'm not going to be posting the fields this week, as I spent a good part of the day crying. They moved my dad to Hospice today as he took a turn for the worse last weekend. So due to a lack of time I will just be giving you a small preview for each race I'm previewing.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) (Santa Anita): I really would love to see Chocolate Candy win it, with Pioneerof the Nile, Take the Points, and The Pamplemousse taking 2-3-4 respectivly. I feel that these are the four best horses on the West Coast.

Ashland S. (G1) (Keenland): While Stardom Bound is the favorite in here, I would not under estimate What a Pear. She hails from the same female family as Rags to Riches, Jazil ect. Also she won the same race at Aquaduct as Little Belle did before winning the Ashland. Look for Dream Empress to rebound here to get third behind Pear and Stardom, who is very vernuable.

Wood Memorial (G1) (Aquaduct): This is a two horse race between I Want Revenge and Imperial Council. Based on his impressive Gotham win, I give the edge to Revenge.

Oaklawn Handicap (G2) (Oaklawn): This is a G2? Seriously, no Tiago and no Magnum. With that being said, my beloved Prom Shoes is in this race and I love his chances. Also he is breaking from my dad's favorite number (#2), so this win would be so bitter sweet for me. Hopefully Jonesboro and Honest Man also rebound in this race.

Apple Blossom (G1) (Oaklawn): This is a G1? Yeah just as bad as the OakCap, maybe even worse. Acoma should win this race easily.

Carter H. (G1) (Aquaduct): This IMO is the best race of the weekend. You have 2 G1's, a horse who is very close to getting his G1 win, as well as an up and coming colt. I gotta go with the trifecta of Tale of Ekati, Kodiak Kowboy and Biker Boy. I like all three of these horses chances to hitting the board in this race.

Fantasy S. (G2) (Oaklawn): It's Rachel Alexandra's world and we are all living it. I hope Rach takes this easily to set up her matchup against Justwhistledixie and Stardom Bound (As well as What a Pear). Bon Jovi Girl and Just Jenda for 2-3 respectivlly.

For you fans of CAN racing, Woodbine opens on Saturday. Again I appoligze for not having a huge preview.