After several years of lackness in the Older Male Dirt division, it looks like that it has finally returned. With the recent wins of Mucho Macho Man, Animal Kingdom, Ron the Greek, Nehro and others, we could be in for a fun season with these horses. That is of course if they all stay healthy. So why did this divison from 2008 until possibly this year stink on ice? It be lots of factors:
*Two of the three 3yo Finalists from 2007 (Street Sense and Hard Spun) where both retired to stud for the 2008 season.
*Since 2007 (really since 2006, but Barbaro had suffered a career (and eventually life ending) injury), the Kentucky Derby winner did not return as a four year (Animal Kingdom broke that streak when he returned a few weeks ago).
*Since 2008, the 3yo Champion 3yo had not returned as a 4yo (another streak that Animal Kingdom broke). And before that since 2001 only Funny Cide (2003) and Curlin (2007) returned as four year olds (of course Funny Cide is a gelding so he didn't have much of a choice and Curlin's owner wanted him to run).
*The 2 of the past 3 years best Older Horse consistantly was a grass horse (Gio Ponti in 2009 and Acclamation in 2011).
Honestly I think it could be a little bit too early to tell weather or not the Older Division is really back. We'll have to see how well Game On Dude does in Dubai where he could face several tough Europeans and the Japanese runners who went 1-2 in last year's race (this year they will be lead by last year's DWC runner up Transend). Either way, it's going to be an exciting year for these Older Horses on their way to the Breeders' Cup.
Showing posts with label Nehro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nehro. Show all posts
March 3, 2012
June 7, 2011
My Belmont Choices
The more I think about it, the more I have narrowed down who my pick will be for the Belmont. While I won't announce until Friday, I thought I would post some of the horses that I think have a good chance.
Nehro- The Derby runner-up was closing better then Animal Kingdom IMO. In reality I think if he had won the Derby, we might have seen a Triple Crown winner this year. His past three races where all 2nd place finishes and he was closing like a train in each race. This son of Mineshaft could give Steve Asmussen his first Belmont winner, and Ahmed Zayat who had been close with Pioneerof the Nile in the 09 Derby, his first TC race winner.
Stay Thirsty- Everyone knows that Afleet Alex won the 2005 Belmont, but what people forget is that Andromeda's Hero finished in second. This Bernardini colt is his little brother. Wouldn't it be something if Mike Repole wins after his big horse Uncle Mo well... was struck by the Juvenile curse.
Master of Hounds- Kingmambo like his great mother was a miler, however he does have stamina on his dams side. He showed that dirt will not be a problem for him. Kingmambo has already sired a Belmont winner in Lemon Drop Kid.
Brilliant Speed- Wanna talk about a horse bred for the distance. Dynaformer colt who is from the same family as Touch Gold who of course is a Belmont winner himself and With Approval who won the CAN Triple Crown. This horse could run to Antartica and back if you asked him.
Animal Kingdom- You have to wonder how much did his grinding second place finish took out of him. While his sire was a miler, he does have loads of stamina on his dam side. The Belmont track should suit the Leroidesermex (BRZ) colt well with it being a large track. My only question is does he have enough in the tank?
Shackleford- A couple of good things about him and bad things about him. Belmont tends to be a speed favoring track, and the pace for the Belmont tends to be slower then the other two races. However, he did set a slow pace in the Derby and faltered at the end. The other thing is, he is by Forestry so you have to wonder how far he really wants to go. The other good news is that his broodmare sire does have a Belmont winner, and one of his sisters finished second on this track as a 3yo. Although Lady Joanne's race was a one turn race. Much like Animal Kingdom, he's run in both TC races, the others listed have not. Will he have enough in the tank?
Prime Cut- Probley the lone horse who will have not started in either the Derby or Preakness. This Bernstein colt defeated Bind who had won his maiden impressively down at the Fair Grounds. He does have some stakes experience, but has yet to win one. He does get help on his dam's side through her sire of Stravinsky, in turn Stravinsky is a brother to Moscow Ballet the defending broodmare sire and the sire of one of my favorite fillies, Moscow Burning.
Others considered: Ruler on Ice and Santiva.
Nehro- The Derby runner-up was closing better then Animal Kingdom IMO. In reality I think if he had won the Derby, we might have seen a Triple Crown winner this year. His past three races where all 2nd place finishes and he was closing like a train in each race. This son of Mineshaft could give Steve Asmussen his first Belmont winner, and Ahmed Zayat who had been close with Pioneerof the Nile in the 09 Derby, his first TC race winner.
Stay Thirsty- Everyone knows that Afleet Alex won the 2005 Belmont, but what people forget is that Andromeda's Hero finished in second. This Bernardini colt is his little brother. Wouldn't it be something if Mike Repole wins after his big horse Uncle Mo well... was struck by the Juvenile curse.
Master of Hounds- Kingmambo like his great mother was a miler, however he does have stamina on his dams side. He showed that dirt will not be a problem for him. Kingmambo has already sired a Belmont winner in Lemon Drop Kid.
Brilliant Speed- Wanna talk about a horse bred for the distance. Dynaformer colt who is from the same family as Touch Gold who of course is a Belmont winner himself and With Approval who won the CAN Triple Crown. This horse could run to Antartica and back if you asked him.
Animal Kingdom- You have to wonder how much did his grinding second place finish took out of him. While his sire was a miler, he does have loads of stamina on his dam side. The Belmont track should suit the Leroidesermex (BRZ) colt well with it being a large track. My only question is does he have enough in the tank?
Shackleford- A couple of good things about him and bad things about him. Belmont tends to be a speed favoring track, and the pace for the Belmont tends to be slower then the other two races. However, he did set a slow pace in the Derby and faltered at the end. The other thing is, he is by Forestry so you have to wonder how far he really wants to go. The other good news is that his broodmare sire does have a Belmont winner, and one of his sisters finished second on this track as a 3yo. Although Lady Joanne's race was a one turn race. Much like Animal Kingdom, he's run in both TC races, the others listed have not. Will he have enough in the tank?
Prime Cut- Probley the lone horse who will have not started in either the Derby or Preakness. This Bernstein colt defeated Bind who had won his maiden impressively down at the Fair Grounds. He does have some stakes experience, but has yet to win one. He does get help on his dam's side through her sire of Stravinsky, in turn Stravinsky is a brother to Moscow Ballet the defending broodmare sire and the sire of one of my favorite fillies, Moscow Burning.
Others considered: Ruler on Ice and Santiva.
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