Top 10 Races from the First Half of the Year

With the Haskell showdown between Pants on Fire, Ruler on Ice and Shackleford next week, I thought it would be a good time to look at what I think where the Top 10 races from the first half of the year.

10. Belmont Stakes- While all eyes where on the rematch of Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. A muddy track and Ruler on Ice threw a wrench into those plans. Not only did he give his jockey Jose Valdivia owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen their first TC wins, but he effectively made the 3yo Championship wide open. Of course Animal Kingdom is now out for the year. Stay Thirsty, who is owned by Mike Repole (owner of Uncle Mo) was second, just like his big brother Andromeda's Hero was in 2005 Belmont.



9. Kentucky Derby- After Juvenile Champion Uncle Mo was scratched, a field of nineteen went postward in the first fast track Derby since 2008. An injury to jockey Robbie Alberado opened the mount on Animal Kingdom. John Velazquez took over and notched his first win in the Derby. Nehro was second.. It was the first Derby win for trainer Graham Motion and owners Team Valor. Sadly Archarcharch was vanned off what ended up being a career ending injury.



8. Louisiana Derby- Mucho Macho Man had won the final prep for this race, the Risen Star and was trying to make history for his trainer Kathy Ritvo. However, Rosie Naprivnik who was on her way to becoming the first female to win the Fair Grounds title and Pants on Fire made history themselves. Going gate to wire holding off Nehro who was flying late. POF and Rosie finished ninth in the Derby, tied for the highest finish for a female jockey (Julie Krone being other one).



7. Delaware Oaks- Her trainer was most known for being the trainer of the late great Happy Ticket. Her owner, well she was more famous for being the owner of the farm that Lotta Kim (Rachel's dam) lives on. Her sister Panty Raid, a G1 winner herself was always a hard knocker. It was time for St. John's River to shine. That she did, in her first race since her game runner up finish in the Kentucky Oaks, she ran down Strike the Moon to win the DE Oaks by a nose. The Alabama at a mile and a quarter is next for her (distance should be no challenge for her as PR won at the distance in the American Oaks (abeit on turf)).



6. La Canada- Something was wrong with Blind Luck. The 3yo champion from the previous year had not returned to her form. She had already lost the middle leg to Always a Princess, and she would lose the third one as well. It would turn out to be AAP's final win however, she was eased in her final start the Santa Margarita and was retired due to injury.



5. La Trioenne- After a second place finish to longtime rival Havre de Grace, Blind Luck finally saw the winners circle again. This time she was able to get revenge on Unriveled Belle who had defeated her in the BC Ladies Classic (thus being the lone horse to defeat both 09 and 10 3yo Filly Champions, both future Hall of Famers). Showing that famous late kick of hers, she showed the world that she had not lost a step and was not ready to let Havre de Grace have the crown that belonged to her.



4. Apple Blossom Handicap- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Until this year's Azeri, that was exactly what Havre de Grace was. After defeating Blind Luck for the second time, she was able to grind down Switch to win her first G1 and become a millionaire at the same time. However, the greatest was yet to come for her and Blind Luck.



3. Preakness Stakes- One year after he came so close in getting his first TC race win in the same race, Dale Romans finally was able to get through to the winners circle. With Jose Castonon in the irons for owners Mike Lauffer and Bill Cabbage, Shackleford went gate to wire holding off a challenge from Animal Kingdom. This came two years co-owner Lauffer had co-owned Rachel Alexandra with her breeder Dolphus Morrison. Of course Rachel went on to win the Preakness for Jess Jackson.



2a. Wood Memorial- He was unstoppable, he was unbeatable, he was... what the f just happend? That is what most people thought of Uncle Mo. With his unbeaten record at risk, he entered Aquaduct's big 3yo race as the heavy favorite. His owner Mike Repole, a fan of the New York Mets not only would not win the race, he would lose to a son of a Wood winner whose late owner was George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. Toby's Corner who is bred and owned by his sire Bellamy Road's breeder, and trained by Graham Motion who was no stranger to upsets up to that point. He saddled Better Talk Now to defeat Dale Romans and Kitten's Joy in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (in a way ironic). Uncle Mo would be scratched out of the Derby with an illness, he is on the way back. As for Toby? He was injured in the leadup to the race and has not made a start since.



2b. Arkansas Derby- In 2007, I fell in love with a colt by the name of Prom Shoes. I would follow the Jinks Fires' trainee throughout the rest of his career. In 2011, Jinks and his son-in-law Jon Court would finally make it to the pinicle of racing, the Kentucky Derby. One year after Jon was bounced from Line of David after winning the Derby with eventual Derby winner Super Saver a nose behind.



1. Delaware Handicap- They had already met once this year in the Azeri. Havre de Grace won. Since then Blind Luck had won the La Trioenne and Vanity, while Grace won the Apple Blossom and Obeah. It would be Round Six in what could be the best rivalry since Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Blind Luck was able to get her nose down to the wire first in front of the game Grace. As for Round Seven? Well right now that's up in the air.



I hope you enjoyed this recap of these races. I know I missed a few (Turblent Descents SA Oaks, It's Tricky's CCAO etc.), but so many spaces where filled by races that I felt where more deserving. I'll probley be doing a Top 15 for the year later on this year though. Stay tuned!