Predict the Order of Finish #2 Redux: Saratoga

So lets try this again. Welcome to Week #2 of Predict the Order of Finish Challenge. This week's races are Whitney Day from Saratoga. What are the rules? They are pretty simple: You need to predict the final order of these six races. For each postion that you get right, 3 points will be added to your total. Like last week, 1 point will be added if a horse is scratched and each horse will be moved up a position. Like this week, I will announce the weekly winner on Monday and have an update on the running total as well. If you did not enter last week, don't worry you are still allowed to enter. I'll have the deadline for when entries must be in by at the bottom of the post. Here are the fields:

3rd (2:02) (features Mr. Fantasy (sibling to Tin Cup Chalice and Brother Bird (sibling to Mine That Bird)
6 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Allowance Optional Claiming ($50,000) | Purse: $54,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Mr. Fantasy Dominguez R A Hushion Michael E 120 L 5-2
2 2 Speight of Hand Castellano J J Brown Chad C 120 L 6-1
3 3 Kens Cape Prado E S Alexander Frank A 116 L 15-1
4 4 Brother Bird Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 119 L 7-2
5 5 Southern Danger Desormeaux K J Romans Dale 116 L 20-1
6 6 Callide Valley Maragh R Schwartz Scott M 116 L 8-1
7 7 Flying Pegasus Gomez G K Nicks Ralph E 120 L 8-1
8 8 Safe Trip Leparoux J R Kenneally Eddie 116 L 7-2

7th (4:09)
Addison Mallery S.
1 Mile (Inner turf) | Fillies and Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $70,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Be Fair Maragh R Lukas D Wayne 116 L 15-1
2 2 My Princess Jess Dominguez R A Tagg Barclay 118 L 5-2
3 3 Fantasia (GB) Leparoux J R Sheppard Jonathan E 116 L 3-1
4 4 C. S. Silk Velazquez J R Romans Dale 116 L 6-1
5 5 Coulee Prado E S Hushion Michael E 116 L 10-1
6 6 Awesome Grannie Lenclud F Nihei Michelle 116 L 30-1
7 7 Forest Trail Castellano J J McGaughey III C R 116 L 6-1
8 8 Striking Dancer Solis A McPeek Kenneth G 116 L 8-1
9 9 Solo Piano Desormeaux K J Mott William I 116 L 10-1
10 MTO McVictory Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 116 L 2-1

Please post which postion the MTO will be should this come off the turf. If it doesn't then you will still recieve one point)

9th (5:14)
Forego S. (G1)
7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 2 Vineyard Haven Garcia Alan bin Suroor Saeed 124 L 2-1
1A 3 Girolamo Velasquez C bin Suroor Saeed 124 L 2-1
2 1 Bribon (FR) Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 124 L 4-1
3 4 Big Drama Coa E M Fawkes David 124 L 4-1
4 5 Here Comes Ben Solis A Lopresti Charles 124 L 10-1
5 6 Charitable Man Dominguez R A Dutrow Anthony W 124 L 12-1
6 7 Omniscient Borel C H Asmussen Steven M 124 L 12-1
7 8 Starforaday Maragh R Contessa Gary C 124 L 30-1
8 9 Warrior's Reward Leparoux J R Wilkes Ian R 124 L 6-1
9 10 Checklist Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 124 L 15-1
10 11 You and I Forever Castellano J J Bush Thomas M 124 L 20-1

10th (5:48)
Woodward S. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Convocation Castellano J J Jerkens James A 126 L 6-1
2 2 Mine That Bird Maragh R Lukas D Wayne 126 Blk-On L 10-1
3 3 Quality Road Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 126 L 1-4
4 4 Arcodoro Cohen D Guillot Eric 126 L 30-1
5 5 Indian Dance Desormeaux K J Murray Lawrence E 126 L 20-1
6 6 Tranquil Manner Garcia Alan McLaughlin Kiaran P 126 L 15-1
7 7 Mythical Power Gomez G K Baffert Bob 126 L 12-1

All entries must be in by 1 pm EDT (was noon) on Saturday. Please note that even if I don't approve your messages until after 1 that's okay as I might not be on the computer at that time. So basically, the earlier you get it in, the more likely I will be able to approve it before 12. Good luck everyone this weekend!

Predict the Order of Finish #2: Travers Weekend and Pacific Classic

Welcome to Week #2 of the Predict the Order of Finish Challenge. This week, we have two tracks on two different days. On Saturday it will be the Victory Ride, Ballerina, King's Bishop and Travers from Saratoga along with the Pacific Classic from Del Mar. Sunday it will be the Personal Ensign from Saratoga. What are the rules? They are pretty simple: You need to predict the final order of these six races. For each postion that you get right, 3 points will be added to your total. Like last week, 1 point will be added if a horse is scratched and each horse will be moved up a position. Like this week, I will announce the weekly winner on Monday and have an update on the running total as well. If you did not enter last week, don't worry you are still allowed to enter. I'll have the deadline for when entries must be in by at the bottom of the post. Here are the fields:

Saturday races:

9th (4:05)
Victory Ride S. (G3)
6 Furlongs | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Kid Kate Prado E S Brown Chad C 120 L 5-1
2 2 My Jen Leparoux J R Kenneally Eddie 120 L 15-1
3 3 Rapport Garcia M Baffert Bob 116 L 3-1
4 4 Sister Dawn Maragh R Sadler John W 116 L 6-1
5 5 Worstcasescenario Garcia Alan Violette, Jr. R A 120 L 20-1
6 6 Simply Spiteful Lezcano J Martin Carlos F 118 L 15-1
7 7 Beyondallboundarys Borel C H Amoss Thomas 120 L 4-1
8 8 Touching Beauty Castellano J J Jerkens James A 123 L 8-1
9 9 Katy Now Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 118 L 7-2

10th (4:38)
Ballerina S. (G1)
7 Furlongs | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Rightly So Velasquez C Dutrow Anthony W 117 L 6-1
2 2 Warbling Castellano J J Kenneally Eddie 119 L 4-1
3 3 Jessica Is Back Trujillo E Wolfson Martin D 122 L 7-2
4 4 Informed Decision Leparoux J R Sheppard Jonathan E 119 L 5-2
5 5 Qualia Maragh R Ribaudo Robert J 115 L 4-1
6 6 Pretty Prolific Prado E S McPeek Kenneth G 117 Blk-Off L 12-1
7 7 Devil by Design Desormeaux K J Mott William I 115 L 12-1
8 8 First Passage Bridgmohan J V Wolfson Martin D 117 L 15-1


11th (5:10)
King's Bishop S. (G1)
7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Latigo Shore Dominguez R A Zito Nicholas P 117 L 20-1
2 2 Hurricane Ike Borel C H Sadler John W 119 L 6-1
3 3 D' Funnybone Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 123 L 5-2
4 4 Discreetly Mine Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 123 L 6-5
5 5 Bulldogger Garcia M Baffert Bob 117 L 5-1
6 6 Bank Merger Garcia Alan McLaughlin Kiaran P 117 L 8-1
7 7 In Jack's Memory Mena M Guillot Eric 117 L 20-1

12th (5:46)
Travers S. (G1)
1 1/4 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $1,000,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Miner's Reserve Cohen D Zito Nicholas P 126 L 12-1
2 2 Trappe Shot Garcia Alan McLaughlin Kiaran P 126 L 4-1
3 3 Admiral Alex Desormeaux K J Blusiewicz Leon J 126 L 12-1
4 4 First Dude Dominguez R A Romans Dale 126 Blk-On L 8-1
5 5 A Little Warm Velazquez J R Dutrow Anthony W 126 L 7-2
6 6 Ice Box Leparoux J R Zito Nicholas P 126 L 10-1
7 7 Afleet Express Castellano J J Jerkens James A 126 L 6-1
8 8 Fly Down Lezcano J Zito Nicholas P 126 L 8-1
9 9 Friend Or Foe Maragh R Kimmel John C 126 L 15-1
10 10 Afleet Again Velasquez C Reid Robert E Jr 126 L 30-1
11 11 Super Saver Borel C H Pletcher Todd A 126 L 6-1


8th (4:30)
Pacific Classic S. presented by TVG (G1)
1 1/4 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $1,000,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 Battle of Hastings (GB) Blanc B 124 L
2 Isle of Giant's Valenzuela P A 124 L
3 Dakota Phone Rosario J 124 L
4 Temple City Bejarano R 124 L
5 Unusual Suspect Quinonez A 124 L
6 Richard's Kid Smith M E 124 L
7 Hold Me Back Gomez G K 124 L
8 Crowded House (GB) Nakatani C S 124 L
9 Awesome Gem Flores D R 124 L
10 The Usual Q. T. Espinoza V 124 L

and Sunday,

10th (5:56)
Personal Ensign S. (G1)
1 1/4 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $300,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 Miss Singhsix (IRE) Valdivia J Jr 116 L
2 Rachel Alexandra Borel C H 122 L
3 Persistently Garcia Alan 116 L
4 Life At Ten Velazquez J R 120 L
5 Classofsixtythree Castellano J J 116 L

All entries must be in by 3:30 pm EDT on Saturday. Please note that even if I don't approve your messages until after 3:30 that's okay as I might not be on the computer at that time. So basically, the earlier you get it in, the more likely I will be able to approve it before 3:30. Good luck everyone this weekend!

A preview post will be coming tomorrow with more races (Ballston Spa, Pat O Brian as well).

Champions and Tears of Joy

Here is this past weekend's recap of all of the races I previewed on Friday. I'll be doing each recap race by race, and then at the end of the post announcing the winner of Week 1 of the Order of Finish Challenge. I will also announce which races will be on this week's OFC card.

Alabama: I think it's offical, your 2010 3yo Champion Filly is Blind Luck. Defeating Devil May Care who showed that she wants no part of a mile and a quarter will go along way in detirmining this year's champ. This also puts the American Graded Stakes Committee in a bit of a tight spot. They will probley have to chose between the Fantasy and the Delaware Oaks if they feel that either of them deserves an upgrade from a G2 to a G1. Why these two races? Two of the past three Fantasy winners (Rachel Alexandra and Blind Luck) have won the KY Oaks next time out, and two of the past three winners have finished in the top three in a TC race (Eight Belles and Rachel Alexandra).Plus Rachel having earned 3yo Filly and Horse of the Year awards helps.

As for the Delaware Oaks, the past 4 winners (Moon Catcher, Proud Spell, Careless Jewel and Blind Luck) have all finished in the top 4 in the Alabama with 3 wins (with Moon Catcher being the only non winner). Proud Spell went on to win Champion 3yo Filly honors after winning the KY Oaks, DE Oaks and Alabama. My money is on the Fantasy to get a G1 rating, however it took forever for the AR Derby to get G1 status. Selfishly, I hope that the DE Oaks finally gets it's due and becomes a G1 next year. Of course a race will have to be downgraded in order to do so, we can only wait and hope.

Havre de Grace who I had winning, showed that her DE Oaks was no fluke by finishing 2nd. It wasn't as close as last time, but the fact that she lost to Blind Luck by a nose and a neck is no embressement. She is a budding star and hopefully will get a chance to turn the tables on her. Acting Happy was third with Devil May Care in fourth, Connie and Michael did not want to run Saturday, hopefully she's okay.

Secretariat: Before people start to crown Lookin at Lucky for 3yo Champion Male, I think Paddy O' Prado could sneak up and steal it. Especially since he is the #1 Turf Male in the US now. The way he won the race, made him finally a G1 winner after being so close in the Bluegrass and Derby. While the US is still behind the eight ball when it comes to turf, he is Team USA's best hope to regain the BC Turf title. It will be very interesting where he goes next and how he does down the road. Wigmore Hall was second and Workin for Hops who probley would be the best 3yo turf male in the US if it wheren't for Paddy was third.

Beverly D: Richard Duchossois has said that he rather win the Beverly D. then the Kentucky Derby (DRF, Aug 21, 2010). Why you may ask? The race is named after his late wife. That wish was granted when Eclair de Lune trained by Ron McAnally who trained John Henry to two Million wins won the Beverly D. It was her first stakes win, and her first win in the US since coming over from France. My second favorite winner on the day. Hot Cha Cha was second and Gypsy's Warning was third.

Arlington Million: Debussy won with Taweez third, but I think both of those horses ran flukey races, especially Debussy who got the perfect ride. My heart sank for Gio Ponti who would have been the second horse to win multiple Millions, and the first to do it back to back. Here is a horse while isn't the same horse as last year, has finished 2nd three times this year. His lone off out of the money finish was in Dubai over two horses who on dirt I think he would have beaten with ease. General Quarters and Just as Well, what the heck happend? Rahystrada was certanly better then I gave him credit for.

Del Mar Oaks: Dear John, If Mike ever rides me like that, I will lose. Love, Zenyatta. Thankfully while Z was not in the race (considering it was on turf and restricted to horses three years younger then her), Mike Smith pulled off a move that may one day get her beat. Harmonius who ended up finishing second was going extremely wide and likely cost her the race. The winner was Evening Jewel, and want to talk about a horse who has taken to turf like a duck takes to water. She is a 1 G1 away from completing only what Lava Man has been able to do and that is win G1's on turf, synth and dirt. Her next race is most likely going to be the QEII at Keenland, but I would not be suprised if the BC Ladies Classic is in the future. After all she and Havre de Grace are probley the two horses who have given Blind Luck absolutly fits in all of her races this year. Also her story is also amazing, her owner is battling cancer and she is his therapy (somewhat like how Afleet Alex was his breeder's therapy towards the end of his life).

So a really emotional Saturday East to West. And it gets even better this upcoming weekend, the Travers, Ballerina, King's Bishop and Pacific Classic on Saturday and on Sunday the Personal Ensign featuring Rachel and Life at Ten.

Now for the results of Week 1 of the Predict the Order Finish Challenge. What I've decided to do is other then giving everybody one point for scratches is to move each horse a spot if needed. This is because there where a few people who had a certin horse last, but another one had the same horse in second to last, but it ended up being last after the scratch. If this sounds confusing, then I won't do this in the future. So with that congrats to NJDerek who won Week #1 with 27 points, in second it was Tencentcielo with 21 points and in third with 15 points was Saratoga Spa. This weeks races will be the Travers, Ballerina, King's Bishop, Pacific Classic and the Personal Ensign. The post should be up sometime Thursday.

Predict the Order of Finish #1: Arlington Festival of Racing

So here we are, Week #1 for the Predict the Order of Finish Challenge. This week there are three races to predict the final order of finish from. For each postion that you get right, 3 points will be added to your total. The one who has the most points at the end will be the winner. While there won't be any weekly prizes, a running total will be kept and the winner (which will be announced after the Breeders' Cup) will get a choice between at least 3 prizes. However those prizes will be detirmined as we get closer to the BC. How do you enter? Just leave a comment on this post with your screename (or first name with last initial if you choose) and the order you think they will finish. Please allow at least 6 hours for your comment to be approved by me. If any horse scratches, then you will recieve 1 point to compinsante (I think this is the most fair for now, hopefully there won't be that many scratches). Here are the three races for this week:

The Secretariat Stakes (Grade 1) $400,000

1 Paddy O’Prado K. Desormeaux 1-1
2 Mister Marti Gras E. Perez 10-1
3 Cherokee Lord J. Felix 30-1
4 Wigmore Hall (IRE) J. Spencer 5-1
5 Dean’s Kitten J. Leparoux 8-1
6 Two Notch Road M. Baze 12-1
7 Workin For Hops F. Torres 5-2

The Beverly D. (Grade 1) $750,000

1 Pachattack K. Fallon 8-1
2 Hot Cha Cha J. Graham 6-1
3 Acoma J. Castanon 8-1
4 Gypsy’s Warning (SAF) W. Buick 10-1
5 Rainbow View J. Leparoux 4-1
6 Éclair De Lune J. Alvarado 5-1
7 Biased G. Benoist 20-1
8 Romacaca M. Baze 20-1
9 Treat Gently K. Desormeaux 9-2
10Ave R. Dominguez 5-1

The Arlington Million XXVIII (Grade 1) $1,000,000

1 Marsh Side C. Nakatani 12-1
2 Debussy (IRE) W. Buick 12-1
3 General Quarters J. Graham 8-1
4 Just As Well J. Leparoux 5-1
5 Quite A Handful T. Riggs 30-1
6 Gio Ponti R. Dominguez 7-5
7 Rahystrada I. Karlsson 10-1
8 Tajaweed M. Baze 15-1
9 Tazeez R. Hills 6-1
10 Summit Surge K. Fallon 10-1

Entries must be in by Saturday Aug. 21 at 9 am EDT. Please note that even if I don't approve your messages until after 9 am, that will be okay as I may or may not be on the computer at that time. The results will be announced next Monday and that's when the running total will begin as well. Good luck to all and I hope you enjoy this little challenge I put together.

Introducing Predict the Finish Order Challenge

Starting next week and going until the Breeders' Cup I've decided to host a little contest. This contest is called Predict the Finish. What do you do you may ask? Well you predict the finish of selected races. If your horse finishes in the place that you post, then you points.

Here is an example of what I mean.

Lets use last year's Kentucky Oaks as an example:

My predicted order of finish (hypothetical):

1. Nan
2. Rachel Alexandra
3. Tweeter
4. Be Fair
5. Stone Legacy
6. Gabby's Golden Gal
7. Flying Spur

And the actual order of finish

As you see the chart, only Gabby would have earned me 3 points. For each horse's position you get right you get 3 points. The person who has the most points for the week wins. For right now the prize is bragging rights, however I'm going to keep a running total of points and the Overall Winner will recieve a prize which will be detirmined at a later date. So what are the first races for this? It will be the Arlington Races next week (Secretariat, Beverly D and Arlington Million).

Entering will be very easy, leave a comment on the PTFO post on Weds. I hope that everyone enjoys this challenge!