It just feels like yesterday that I started this blog, however next month (January 28 to be exact) is will be one year since I began my journey on this blog. And what a year it's been,
the up and down on the Triple Crown trail
Well Armed's Dubai World Cup win
Rachel Alexandra's amazing 20 length romp in the Oaks
Mine That Bird's 50-1 shocker in the Derby
The previously mentioned Rachel and MTB's heartstopping Preakness
Zenyatta's much anticpated 5yo debut
Summer Bird sweeping the "Big Three" NY G1's
Sea the Stars' Arc
Rachel's heartstopping Woodward
Rachel's Haskell
Zenyatta's amazing BC Classic win
Rule breaking his maiden and setting a track record
Ventura's very popular Matriach win
Unbridled Belle's Obeah and Turn Back the Alarm
Swift Temper's Delaware Handicap and Ruffian wins
Careless Jewel's amazing Alabama and Delaware Oaks wins
Icon Project's uber impressive Personal Ensign
There are many other races that I could put here, but that would take ages to compleate. One thing is for sure, this is a year that no one will forget.
So what to expect in 2010? I haven't decided yet, there maybe a road trip to an undisclosed location where there is a pretty well known track, but plans have not been written in stone yet. There might also be a trip to Pimlico to see the Preakness (TBD if I can convince a non horse racing friend of mine to come with me, then we are all set!). I'll have my favorite race of the year post up tomorrow, followed by on Friday with a preview of that night's Delta Jackpot which features my boy Rule.
Showing posts with label Sea the Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sea the Stars. Show all posts
December 2, 2009
October 13, 2009
No Seaborn trip for Stars
Well it's offical, Sea the Stars is only not coming to next month's Breeder's Cup, but has been retired. It's a bit of a bittersweet time, on one hand you say that he's had a hard campagin and deserves a rest to come back next year. Although you risk injuring him and as a son of the late Urban Sea, he's too valuable at stud. So while I'm not suprised by the decideson of not seeing him here in the US, it's disapointing that his career is going to end early.
You have to wonder what he would have done here, yes Arc winners have not had that great of success in the Breeder's Cup as of recent times. Dylan Thomas, Hurricane Run and Bago all ran up track in their respective Breeder's Cup Turf races. Now granted Hurricane Run and Bago ran the year after they won Europe's big race. Shakee however was second in the 2001 Classic by a nose (beaten by the defending champion Tiznow), All Along and Trempolino where second in the Turf in the 80's. Also rans do better in the BC as well, a perfect example is my favorite European filly Ouija Board, with two BC F/M Turf wins and 1 second (and that was in her "off" year which was inbetween the two wins, and when she was injured for a good portion of the year). Since he's not coming Sea the Stars becomes the 3rd Arc winner to skip the BC Turf/Classic in four years. Rail Link and Zarkava, who where both three when they won where retired soon afterwards.
This could turn out to be one of the worst Breeder's Cups ever, no Sea the Stars and no Rachel Alexandra. The two most accomplished and well known horses in the world, and they are both only 3! Which is a shame as viewing could have been very high. Sigh at least we still have Zenyatta going in either the Distaff or Classic.
You have to wonder what he would have done here, yes Arc winners have not had that great of success in the Breeder's Cup as of recent times. Dylan Thomas, Hurricane Run and Bago all ran up track in their respective Breeder's Cup Turf races. Now granted Hurricane Run and Bago ran the year after they won Europe's big race. Shakee however was second in the 2001 Classic by a nose (beaten by the defending champion Tiznow), All Along and Trempolino where second in the Turf in the 80's. Also rans do better in the BC as well, a perfect example is my favorite European filly Ouija Board, with two BC F/M Turf wins and 1 second (and that was in her "off" year which was inbetween the two wins, and when she was injured for a good portion of the year). Since he's not coming Sea the Stars becomes the 3rd Arc winner to skip the BC Turf/Classic in four years. Rail Link and Zarkava, who where both three when they won where retired soon afterwards.
This could turn out to be one of the worst Breeder's Cups ever, no Sea the Stars and no Rachel Alexandra. The two most accomplished and well known horses in the world, and they are both only 3! Which is a shame as viewing could have been very high. Sigh at least we still have Zenyatta going in either the Distaff or Classic.
October 4, 2009
Imagninary Torn Up Tickets and Legendary Stars
That's how my weekend went betting wise. No I didn't place a real bet, and in a way, I'm glad I didn't.
Here's why with the exception Summer Bird and Music Note, I didn't have a winner. Gio Ponti was upset in the Turf Classic and Kodiak Kowboy nipped Fabolous Strike at the wire in the Vosburgh, with Go Go Shoot last :(. Meanwhile Unbridled Belle was second behind Music Note in the Beldame.
Elsewhere Careless Jewel showed that she is the best 3yo filly not named you know who, and will go into the Ladies Classic as one of the favorites. I really like this Tapit filly, and hope she does well in the BC, but I personally think that if Zenyatta goes down it will be to either Music Note (who looks even better now that she has two wins in a row at two compleatly different distances) or Icon Project, as apprerently the SA ProRide is not speed friendly at the moment (Careless Jewel is a pace setter, but can stalk off the pace). It's defently the year of the filly with You Know Who and Zenyatta leading the way. Add in CJ, Icon Project, Swift Temper, Lethal Heat (second in yesterday's Cal Cup Classic, and 3rd in the G2 Del Mar Mile this past summer), Ventura, Music Note and the Euros Goldikova and Fleeting Sprit. Add in second tier fillies like Bon Jovi Girl (2nd behind Careless Jewel), Just Jenda, Morena ect.
However, Goldikova hit a bump in the road in her try to defend her BC Mile title. She finished third in her final prep yesterday. What is bad news for her, is good news for America's best hope Justenuffhumor who will be making his final prep in the Shadwell Mile. The half brother to 06 BC Juvi Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna, is coming off a huge win in the Baruch Handicap at Saratoga the day before the Travers. So we'll see how does in his final prep.
Meanwhile today at Longchamp, a star became a legend and we said goodbye to one of the best distance runners ever. Sea the Stars overcame traffic trouble to win the L' Arc de Triomphe, Youmzain finished second for the third year in a row and Conduit was third. Dar Re Mi ran a very respectful fifth, I hope that he comes over for the F/M Turf, but we'll see. As for Sea the Stars, he became a legend today, with his sixth Group 1 win in a row. His dam, Urban Sea won the Arc as well back in 1993. They have to be the first mother and son combo to win Europe's biggest race. By far this is one of the most exciting years ever with Sea the Stars in Europe and Rachel Alexandra in the US. Was this his last race of his career? I don't know, but you have to wonder if he'll come over for the Classic. His brother, Galieo ran poorly on dirt and sis, My Typhoon did okay in the F/M Turf, but finished last her final start the Mile. But that was at Belmont (Galieo), Churchill and Monmouth (My Typhoon) respectivly. Santa Anita is a Pro Ride is a compleatly different surface then dirt and turf. However, with Raven's Pass winning last year and Henrythenavagator finishing second, the Euros have the advantage. It's going to be a wait and see for him I guess.
Meanwhile, Yeats wrapped up his career with a 3rd place finish in the race right after the Arc. 4 Ascot Gold Cup wins in a row, by far my favorite Euro male of all time (Ouija Board is my favorite Euro female). I'm disapointed that he's not coming over for the Marathon (who I think he would win very impressivly), I wish him all the best at stud.
Congrats to Blind Luck and Lookin at Lucky who won the Oak Leaf and Norfolk today at Santa Anita
Here's why with the exception Summer Bird and Music Note, I didn't have a winner. Gio Ponti was upset in the Turf Classic and Kodiak Kowboy nipped Fabolous Strike at the wire in the Vosburgh, with Go Go Shoot last :(. Meanwhile Unbridled Belle was second behind Music Note in the Beldame.
Elsewhere Careless Jewel showed that she is the best 3yo filly not named you know who, and will go into the Ladies Classic as one of the favorites. I really like this Tapit filly, and hope she does well in the BC, but I personally think that if Zenyatta goes down it will be to either Music Note (who looks even better now that she has two wins in a row at two compleatly different distances) or Icon Project, as apprerently the SA ProRide is not speed friendly at the moment (Careless Jewel is a pace setter, but can stalk off the pace). It's defently the year of the filly with You Know Who and Zenyatta leading the way. Add in CJ, Icon Project, Swift Temper, Lethal Heat (second in yesterday's Cal Cup Classic, and 3rd in the G2 Del Mar Mile this past summer), Ventura, Music Note and the Euros Goldikova and Fleeting Sprit. Add in second tier fillies like Bon Jovi Girl (2nd behind Careless Jewel), Just Jenda, Morena ect.
However, Goldikova hit a bump in the road in her try to defend her BC Mile title. She finished third in her final prep yesterday. What is bad news for her, is good news for America's best hope Justenuffhumor who will be making his final prep in the Shadwell Mile. The half brother to 06 BC Juvi Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna, is coming off a huge win in the Baruch Handicap at Saratoga the day before the Travers. So we'll see how does in his final prep.
Meanwhile today at Longchamp, a star became a legend and we said goodbye to one of the best distance runners ever. Sea the Stars overcame traffic trouble to win the L' Arc de Triomphe, Youmzain finished second for the third year in a row and Conduit was third. Dar Re Mi ran a very respectful fifth, I hope that he comes over for the F/M Turf, but we'll see. As for Sea the Stars, he became a legend today, with his sixth Group 1 win in a row. His dam, Urban Sea won the Arc as well back in 1993. They have to be the first mother and son combo to win Europe's biggest race. By far this is one of the most exciting years ever with Sea the Stars in Europe and Rachel Alexandra in the US. Was this his last race of his career? I don't know, but you have to wonder if he'll come over for the Classic. His brother, Galieo ran poorly on dirt and sis, My Typhoon did okay in the F/M Turf, but finished last her final start the Mile. But that was at Belmont (Galieo), Churchill and Monmouth (My Typhoon) respectivly. Santa Anita is a Pro Ride is a compleatly different surface then dirt and turf. However, with Raven's Pass winning last year and Henrythenavagator finishing second, the Euros have the advantage. It's going to be a wait and see for him I guess.
Meanwhile, Yeats wrapped up his career with a 3rd place finish in the race right after the Arc. 4 Ascot Gold Cup wins in a row, by far my favorite Euro male of all time (Ouija Board is my favorite Euro female). I'm disapointed that he's not coming over for the Marathon (who I think he would win very impressivly), I wish him all the best at stud.
Congrats to Blind Luck and Lookin at Lucky who won the Oak Leaf and Norfolk today at Santa Anita
September 28, 2009
Huge Weekend upcoming
Final major preps for the Breeder's Cup begin this Saturday. At Philadelphia Park, Careless Jewel will face the DP based Bon Jovi Girl (again) and Just Jenda in the Cotillion Stakes. Meanwhile at Belmont 5 G1's: Vosburgh, Flower Bowl, Beldame, Turf Classic and Jockey Club Gold Cup make up "Super Saturday", and Sunday is just as good with the Pilgrim, Miss Grillo and Kelso (who could feature another filly taking on the boys, but we'll see if she's entered), also Sunday is Europe's big day with the Arc.
Right now, it looks like that the ground at Longchamp is good to firm, this is bad news for US fans (like myself) who want to see Sea the Stars in the Breeder's Cup this year. However, good news for the Euros as he would be running in the Arc. Among the contendors, Ballydolye's Fame and Glory, last year's BC Turf champ Conduit, Dar Re Mi (who was DQ'ed from her upset win over Stacelita. A little bit of Pop Culture triva: She's owned by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber (Yes THAT Andrew Lloyd-Webber of Evita, Phantom of the Opera ect. fame.), and undefeated filly Stacelita.
As for this past weekend's races, it was upset city. Two former claimers won the Kentucky Cup Classic and Maryland Million Classic respectivly, also up at Woodbine Milwaukee Appeal and Hooh Why went down. Also Indian Blessing won what is expected to be her second to last start in her career, nipping Sara Louise at the wire in the Gallant Bloom. The next two weeks in the US and Europe will be very exciting!
Finally, I started a new project (yes another one), this time it focuses on the old time horses, for more information please visit Historic Thoroughbreds.
Right now, it looks like that the ground at Longchamp is good to firm, this is bad news for US fans (like myself) who want to see Sea the Stars in the Breeder's Cup this year. However, good news for the Euros as he would be running in the Arc. Among the contendors, Ballydolye's Fame and Glory, last year's BC Turf champ Conduit, Dar Re Mi (who was DQ'ed from her upset win over Stacelita. A little bit of Pop Culture triva: She's owned by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber (Yes THAT Andrew Lloyd-Webber of Evita, Phantom of the Opera ect. fame.), and undefeated filly Stacelita.
As for this past weekend's races, it was upset city. Two former claimers won the Kentucky Cup Classic and Maryland Million Classic respectivly, also up at Woodbine Milwaukee Appeal and Hooh Why went down. Also Indian Blessing won what is expected to be her second to last start in her career, nipping Sara Louise at the wire in the Gallant Bloom. The next two weeks in the US and Europe will be very exciting!
Finally, I started a new project (yes another one), this time it focuses on the old time horses, for more information please visit Historic Thoroughbreds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)