2009 will be a year that will be talked about for years to come. From the early Derby and Oaks favorites Old Fashioned and Stardom Bound, to the eventual Horse of Year candiates Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, and don't forget Mine That Bird, Summer Bird and Gio Ponti. And that's only in America! In Europe Yeats won his fourth Ascot Gold Cup, while Sea the Stars became one of the best horses to ever run there with the history making season he had. Bambera and Vivian Record beat the boys one race after another in Latin America. 2009 will be a year to remember and one that I certinally will never forget. The following is my favorite moments (not in order) from this year.
Yeats wins his 4th Ascot Gold Cup
Yeats has been a horse I've been following for a quite a few years now, and was quite happy that he was able to get this win. He'll be standing for the first time in 2010 at Coolmore.
Rachel Alexandra's KY Oaks
I have a feeling that everyone knew she would win, but to win as much as she did? No way anyone could have predicted that. She is amazing and this was just the halfway through her magical season.
Rachel's Woodward
Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. But she showed why she is one of the favorites to win Horse of the Year.
Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup Classic
Any other year, this would earn her Horse of the Year honors, but this is the Year of the Girl after all. It's a shame that she and Rachel didn't meet up on the track, it would have ended all of the speculation of who was the better horse.
Man of Iron's Breeders' Cup Marathon
Jazil and Rags to Riches little brother does good in his final start for Coolmore, he has since been sold to Dubai owners and will be running at Mayden City when it opens up next month I believe. It was a heart breaker for Cloudy's Knight who came back to win 2 stakes races this month.
Swift Temper's Delaware Handicap
In all honesty, I the first thing that went through my mind after this race as a fluke win. Well she showed me I was wrong with a 2nd place finish in the Personal Ensign and then a win in the Ruffian. Sadly she won't be back to defend her title as she was injured and retired.
And last, but not least my boy Rule breaking his maiden
He may not be WinStar's best chance to win the Derby, but the nephew of Funny Cide hasn't disapointed since he broke his maiden on his third try. I'm not sure what his next start will be, but hopefully he's doing well in Florida.
Please keep in mind this is just a snipet of my favorite moments (I didn't include She Be Wild's BC win or Blind Luck's Starlet win, or Bon Jovi Girl's Susan's Girl win). I hope that 2010 brings more excitement and personally I'm really excited on how this years stars turn out next year.
I'll be back tomorrow with a preview of the first stakes of the new year. :)
Showing posts with label Yeats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yeats. Show all posts
December 30, 2009
June 18, 2009
It's all about King Yeats and Queen's Plate preview
Well before I get to Yeats' history making proformance today at RA, here is Sunday's Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. It's at a mile and a quarter (like the Derby) and is on Polytrack.
$1 Million Queen's Plate (Race 9, 5:36 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds Foaled in Canada, 1 1/4 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, ML Odds
1. El Brujo (ON), E Wilson, 126, M Pierce, 15/1
2. Flip for the Coin (ON), E Ramsammy, 126, V Armata, 30/1
3. Active Duty (ON), C Fraser, 126, M E Casse, 20/1
4. Milwaukee Appeal (ON) (f), S Elliott, 121, S H Fairlie, 3/1
5. Mr. Foricos Two U (ON), M E Smith, 126, C Day Phillips, 15/1
6. Reservoir (ON), J McAleney, 126, J Carey, 20/1
7. Eye of the Leopard (ON), E R Da Silva, 126, M R Frostad, 7/2
8. Rapid Release (ON), J C Jones, 126, R L Attfield, 8/1
9. Bucephalus (ON), T Pizarro, 126, K Attard, 30/1
10. Stardust Ziggy (ON), J Baird, 126, L M Perkins, 20/1
11. Tasty Temptation (ON) (f), P Husbands, 121, M E Casse. 4/1
12. Shut It Down (ON), R A Baze, 126, L Richards, 20/1
13. Keino West (ON), G Olguin, 126, S Attard, 15/1
Equipment Changes: 9 - Bucephalus - Blinkers On (f): filly
Milwaukee Appeal will try to pull a Rachel Alexandra and sweep an Oaks/TC race double (of course Rach did hers in the KY Oaks and Preakness.), and she has a jockey who has won the Kentucky Derby (in matter of fact one of two in the race, the other being Mike Smith) on her in Stewart Elliott. She is also trying to become the first horse since Dancethruthedawn to sweep the Woodbine Oaks and Queen's Plate (in 2001). Other then her, only three other fillies have done it one of them being her mother Dance Smartly. But beware of the other filly Tasty Temptation, while she lost to Milwaukee Appeal, she was flying after a horrible break in the Woodbine Oaks, and actually had finished in front of Appeal in their race before that against Hooh Why. Plus her sire is red hot right now. Eye of the Leopard has the best chance to take it for the boys, the Plate winner hails from the same owner and trainer as Dancethruthedawn. He can also make for AP Indy who had a horrible TC with Friesan Fire and give his broodmare sire Smart Strike the sweep of taking North America's 2 most prestgious races as a broodmare sire. So my top three are Tasty Temptation, Milwaukee Appeal and Eye of the Leopard in that order.
Notebly missing is the 2 yo champions from last year and Square Eddie who would have been the favorite in the race. Well the 2yo champ filly is out for the year, Square Eddie is recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Derby and Preakness, and well Mine That Bird is ineligable due to him being a KY bred.
Now to our top story of the day, Yeats becoming a 4 time champion in the Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-G1). Instead of me telling you about it, I thought I would show it do you.
Congrats to all of his connections, especially to trainer Aidan O'Brian. While I doubt he'll come over for the BC Marathon (the lengthened this year, my guess is to entice more stayers like himself), it's nice to see an intact horse like himself, still in training at age 8 and at such a high level. The lone American in today's races did not due so well. Just two more days until the closing, and the big matchup of Australia vs US vs UAE/Europe/US (Takeover Target vs Cannonball vs Diabolical).
$1 Million Queen's Plate (Race 9, 5:36 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds Foaled in Canada, 1 1/4 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, ML Odds
1. El Brujo (ON), E Wilson, 126, M Pierce, 15/1
2. Flip for the Coin (ON), E Ramsammy, 126, V Armata, 30/1
3. Active Duty (ON), C Fraser, 126, M E Casse, 20/1
4. Milwaukee Appeal (ON) (f), S Elliott, 121, S H Fairlie, 3/1
5. Mr. Foricos Two U (ON), M E Smith, 126, C Day Phillips, 15/1
6. Reservoir (ON), J McAleney, 126, J Carey, 20/1
7. Eye of the Leopard (ON), E R Da Silva, 126, M R Frostad, 7/2
8. Rapid Release (ON), J C Jones, 126, R L Attfield, 8/1
9. Bucephalus (ON), T Pizarro, 126, K Attard, 30/1
10. Stardust Ziggy (ON), J Baird, 126, L M Perkins, 20/1
11. Tasty Temptation (ON) (f), P Husbands, 121, M E Casse. 4/1
12. Shut It Down (ON), R A Baze, 126, L Richards, 20/1
13. Keino West (ON), G Olguin, 126, S Attard, 15/1
Equipment Changes: 9 - Bucephalus - Blinkers On (f): filly
Milwaukee Appeal will try to pull a Rachel Alexandra and sweep an Oaks/TC race double (of course Rach did hers in the KY Oaks and Preakness.), and she has a jockey who has won the Kentucky Derby (in matter of fact one of two in the race, the other being Mike Smith) on her in Stewart Elliott. She is also trying to become the first horse since Dancethruthedawn to sweep the Woodbine Oaks and Queen's Plate (in 2001). Other then her, only three other fillies have done it one of them being her mother Dance Smartly. But beware of the other filly Tasty Temptation, while she lost to Milwaukee Appeal, she was flying after a horrible break in the Woodbine Oaks, and actually had finished in front of Appeal in their race before that against Hooh Why. Plus her sire is red hot right now. Eye of the Leopard has the best chance to take it for the boys, the Plate winner hails from the same owner and trainer as Dancethruthedawn. He can also make for AP Indy who had a horrible TC with Friesan Fire and give his broodmare sire Smart Strike the sweep of taking North America's 2 most prestgious races as a broodmare sire. So my top three are Tasty Temptation, Milwaukee Appeal and Eye of the Leopard in that order.
Notebly missing is the 2 yo champions from last year and Square Eddie who would have been the favorite in the race. Well the 2yo champ filly is out for the year, Square Eddie is recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Derby and Preakness, and well Mine That Bird is ineligable due to him being a KY bred.
Now to our top story of the day, Yeats becoming a 4 time champion in the Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-G1). Instead of me telling you about it, I thought I would show it do you.
Congrats to all of his connections, especially to trainer Aidan O'Brian. While I doubt he'll come over for the BC Marathon (the lengthened this year, my guess is to entice more stayers like himself), it's nice to see an intact horse like himself, still in training at age 8 and at such a high level. The lone American in today's races did not due so well. Just two more days until the closing, and the big matchup of Australia vs US vs UAE/Europe/US (Takeover Target vs Cannonball vs Diabolical).
June 16, 2009
Top Hats and Coat Tails: It's Royal Ascot time! (Part 1)
This week in England, it's the big meet of the year at Ascot Racecourse. Horses all over the world come there to compeate in races that go through Saturday. Among this year's contenders are six horses from Wesley Ward that will all be ridden by John Velesquez, orginally they where going to be ridden by Rene Douglas, before his career ending injury at Arlington.
Before the Americans took to the track, there was an huge upset. Dubai Duty Free winner Gladiatorus went down in the Queen Anne (Eng-G1) to Paco Boy. This shakes up the mile divideson in Europe and sets up a very interestesting showdowns later this year and possibly in the BC Mile at Santa Anita. Gladiatorus finshed up track, however this was his first start for Godolphin, but then again Godolphin in Europe has been struggling (And their ace in the hole here in the US was fourth in her return on Saturday. But we aren't talking about Music Note).
Up next was the King's Stand (Eng-G1), this race has been dominated by the Aussies the past few years, among those winner's Australia's modern day Seabiscuit Takeover Target (Although I think he's more like Lava Man). He wasn't in today's race, but he'll be in Saturday's Golden Jubaliee (Eng-G1). The American's had the first of two runner's of the day with Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Cannonball (Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey of course are more known for their two superstars Roses in May and Kitten's Joy. And speaking of KJ, congrats to him as he got his first winner last weekend.). The Aussies however, once again won it, this time with Scentic Blast. BC Turf Sprint 4th place finsher Fleeting Sprit was second. And for you Cannonball fans, he did okay finishing 6th after trailing the field and closing late. If he recovers well, maybe we'll see him on Saturday.
Up next was the Coventry S. (Eng-G2). This race was the first of two 2yo races on the day (the other featured a Ward trainee, but I'll get to that later on in the post). The race was won by Canford Cliffs.
The longest race of the day was the Ascot S. How long was it? 2 1/2 miles! The winner was Judgethemoment and was one of two American bred horses that won.
The big race of the day was the St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-1), which was won by Ballydoyle's Mastercraftsman. This could be the #2 3yo in Europe (Behind Sea the Stars), but we shall see when/if they meet up (Unless they already have).
Last, but not least history was made when the Tiger Ridge gelding, Strike the Tiger, became the first American based horse to win at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle S. Congrats to Wesley Ward, his owners and Johnny V. Not bad for a horse who broke his maiden in a 30k claiming race at Churchill in April. I wonder how the Brits feel about this win? My guess is they will be looking at poly preps for him, for the BC Juvy or BC Juvy Turf. BTW he also becomes only the third US based horse to win in Europe, before him there was Irish 2000 Guineas winner Fourstar Allstar (the kid brother of New York legend Fourstardave), and 1928 Derby winner Reigh Count who won the 1929 Cornonation Cup at Epsom.
So what's on tap for tomarrow, BC Juvy Turf winner Donativum returns in his second race of the year. He had to skip the Classic races due to him being ineligable since he is a gelding. Also for you Megahertz fans, her little sister Heaven Sent runs, and Wesley Ward sends out Jealous Again, who unlike her history making stablemate is already a graded stakes placed in the US thanks to her 2nd place finish against the boys Derby week.
Thursday is the big day for me as my favorite Euro, Yeats runs. Please Aidan, send him to the Marathon this year PLEASE!!!!!! He could destroy the field, okay yeah it's on ProRide, but you saw how Henry ran on it last year.
I will have a post on this weekends DelCap/Oaks preps on Friday!
Before the Americans took to the track, there was an huge upset. Dubai Duty Free winner Gladiatorus went down in the Queen Anne (Eng-G1) to Paco Boy. This shakes up the mile divideson in Europe and sets up a very interestesting showdowns later this year and possibly in the BC Mile at Santa Anita. Gladiatorus finshed up track, however this was his first start for Godolphin, but then again Godolphin in Europe has been struggling (And their ace in the hole here in the US was fourth in her return on Saturday. But we aren't talking about Music Note).
Up next was the King's Stand (Eng-G1), this race has been dominated by the Aussies the past few years, among those winner's Australia's modern day Seabiscuit Takeover Target (Although I think he's more like Lava Man). He wasn't in today's race, but he'll be in Saturday's Golden Jubaliee (Eng-G1). The American's had the first of two runner's of the day with Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Cannonball (Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey of course are more known for their two superstars Roses in May and Kitten's Joy. And speaking of KJ, congrats to him as he got his first winner last weekend.). The Aussies however, once again won it, this time with Scentic Blast. BC Turf Sprint 4th place finsher Fleeting Sprit was second. And for you Cannonball fans, he did okay finishing 6th after trailing the field and closing late. If he recovers well, maybe we'll see him on Saturday.
Up next was the Coventry S. (Eng-G2). This race was the first of two 2yo races on the day (the other featured a Ward trainee, but I'll get to that later on in the post). The race was won by Canford Cliffs.
The longest race of the day was the Ascot S. How long was it? 2 1/2 miles! The winner was Judgethemoment and was one of two American bred horses that won.
The big race of the day was the St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-1), which was won by Ballydoyle's Mastercraftsman. This could be the #2 3yo in Europe (Behind Sea the Stars), but we shall see when/if they meet up (Unless they already have).
Last, but not least history was made when the Tiger Ridge gelding, Strike the Tiger, became the first American based horse to win at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle S. Congrats to Wesley Ward, his owners and Johnny V. Not bad for a horse who broke his maiden in a 30k claiming race at Churchill in April. I wonder how the Brits feel about this win? My guess is they will be looking at poly preps for him, for the BC Juvy or BC Juvy Turf. BTW he also becomes only the third US based horse to win in Europe, before him there was Irish 2000 Guineas winner Fourstar Allstar (the kid brother of New York legend Fourstardave), and 1928 Derby winner Reigh Count who won the 1929 Cornonation Cup at Epsom.
So what's on tap for tomarrow, BC Juvy Turf winner Donativum returns in his second race of the year. He had to skip the Classic races due to him being ineligable since he is a gelding. Also for you Megahertz fans, her little sister Heaven Sent runs, and Wesley Ward sends out Jealous Again, who unlike her history making stablemate is already a graded stakes placed in the US thanks to her 2nd place finish against the boys Derby week.
Thursday is the big day for me as my favorite Euro, Yeats runs. Please Aidan, send him to the Marathon this year PLEASE!!!!!! He could destroy the field, okay yeah it's on ProRide, but you saw how Henry ran on it last year.
I will have a post on this weekends DelCap/Oaks preps on Friday!
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