There will be only one video this weekend and that will be the SA Handicap, however I do have time to do written previews for this weeks Derby prep. However, they are not going to be that in depth. Sorry!
Showing posts with label Aqueduct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aqueduct. Show all posts
March 5, 2015
April 23, 2010
Derby's Edge
Well this is it. Final weekend before the Run to the Roses. I have two races to preview this weekend, one is at Aqueduct where it's closing weekend, and the other is at Churchill which opens tomorrow.
Starting at Aqueduct
9th (4:50)
Withers S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Most Happy Fella Coa E M Badgett William Jr 118 L 12-1
2 2 D' Funnybone Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 123 L 1-2
3 3 Castaneda Chavez J F Contessa Gary C 118 L 10-1
4 4 Afleet Again Mariano A Reid Robert E Jr 116 L 20-1
5 5 Spangled Star Velasquez C Dutrow, Jr. R E 116 L 20-1
6 6 Ibboyee Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 120 L 5-2
A rematch of D' Funnybone and Ibboyee, the 1-2 finishers of the Swale. Hopefully Afleet Again rebounds, and Most Happy Fella could have a chance at a shorter distance. On the chat Monday, someone mentioned that Castaneda has early speed, lets see what he does against Funnybone and I.
At Churchill
10th (5:17)
The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Game On Dude Albarado R J Baffert Bob 117 L 10-1
2 2 Soaring Empire Castro E Gambolati Cam 117 LA 20-1
3 3 Privilaged Maragh R Sadler John W 117 LA 15-1
4 4 Pleasant Prince Leparoux J R Ward Wesley A 117 L 4-1
5 5 Hurricane Ike Borel C H Sadler John W 117 LA 5-1
6 6 Miner's Reserve Lezcano J Zito Nicholas P 117 LA 8-1
7 7 Wow Wow Wow Thompson T J Lukas D Wayne 117 LA 20-1
8 8 Hear Ye Hear Ye Nakatani C S Romans Dale 117 LA 20-1
9 9 Aikenite Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 117 LA 6-1
10 10 Eightyfiveinafifty Dominguez R A Contessa Gary C 121 LA 8-5
For the first time since 2005 (Don't Get Mad winning the race, then finishing fourth in the Derby), this is the very last prep. Two horses are viying for one spot (I believe both have to win). Plesant Prince and Eightyfiveinafifty (who I talked about yesterday). However, I think Aikenite now that he's back on dirt has a chance, as does Soaring Empire. I wouldn't be suprised if Wow Wow Wow does well, Miner's Reserve as well.
So that's it for the previews, recap will be Sunday and then Monday Derby talk shifts into high gear with the final workouts. Don't forget that the chat for next week is Thursday and next Saturday as well. Stay tuned for more details soon. I hope everyone enjoys your weekend!
Starting at Aqueduct
9th (4:50)
Withers S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Most Happy Fella Coa E M Badgett William Jr 118 L 12-1
2 2 D' Funnybone Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 123 L 1-2
3 3 Castaneda Chavez J F Contessa Gary C 118 L 10-1
4 4 Afleet Again Mariano A Reid Robert E Jr 116 L 20-1
5 5 Spangled Star Velasquez C Dutrow, Jr. R E 116 L 20-1
6 6 Ibboyee Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 120 L 5-2
A rematch of D' Funnybone and Ibboyee, the 1-2 finishers of the Swale. Hopefully Afleet Again rebounds, and Most Happy Fella could have a chance at a shorter distance. On the chat Monday, someone mentioned that Castaneda has early speed, lets see what he does against Funnybone and I.
At Churchill
10th (5:17)
The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Game On Dude Albarado R J Baffert Bob 117 L 10-1
2 2 Soaring Empire Castro E Gambolati Cam 117 LA 20-1
3 3 Privilaged Maragh R Sadler John W 117 LA 15-1
4 4 Pleasant Prince Leparoux J R Ward Wesley A 117 L 4-1
5 5 Hurricane Ike Borel C H Sadler John W 117 LA 5-1
6 6 Miner's Reserve Lezcano J Zito Nicholas P 117 LA 8-1
7 7 Wow Wow Wow Thompson T J Lukas D Wayne 117 LA 20-1
8 8 Hear Ye Hear Ye Nakatani C S Romans Dale 117 LA 20-1
9 9 Aikenite Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 117 LA 6-1
10 10 Eightyfiveinafifty Dominguez R A Contessa Gary C 121 LA 8-5
For the first time since 2005 (Don't Get Mad winning the race, then finishing fourth in the Derby), this is the very last prep. Two horses are viying for one spot (I believe both have to win). Plesant Prince and Eightyfiveinafifty (who I talked about yesterday). However, I think Aikenite now that he's back on dirt has a chance, as does Soaring Empire. I wouldn't be suprised if Wow Wow Wow does well, Miner's Reserve as well.
So that's it for the previews, recap will be Sunday and then Monday Derby talk shifts into high gear with the final workouts. Don't forget that the chat for next week is Thursday and next Saturday as well. Stay tuned for more details soon. I hope everyone enjoys your weekend!
April 2, 2010
Last Chance to Dance
For many of these horses, this is their last chance to get into the Derby. This week I'm previewing the three Derby preps, along with the Oaklawn Handicap and the Carter Handicap. I'll start with the Derby preps and then move onto the Older horses afterwards.
Going East to West,
Aqueduct,
9th (5:12)
Wood Memorial S. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Most Happy Fella Napravnik A R Badgett William Jr 123 L 15-1
2 2 Awesome Act Leparoux J R Noseda Jeremy 123 L 9-2
3 3 Eskendereya Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 123 L 4-5
4 4 Schoolyard Dreams Dominguez R A Ryan Derek S 123 L 5-1
5 5 Jackson Bend Borel C H Zito Nicholas P 123 L 4-1
6 6 Carnivore Shepherd J Delozier, III J W 123 L 20-1
This race avoided some contravery when maiden filly Nicky Boy (who has finished last in both of her starts, that's right last), was denied entry in this race (I had a post written up on her, but deleted it after she was denied). The three favorites all need third or better to get into the Derby. Eskendereya is one of the Derby favorites for the Derby, Jackson Bend is a nice horse, but not on Esky's level IMO. Awesome Act though, has a chance. Trained by Jeremy Noseda who upset Afleet Alex in the 04 BC Juvi with Wilko, Awesome Act won the Gotham last time out. I think Schoolyard Dreams will bounce in this race off of his 2nd in the TB Derby. Most Happy Fella was the horse who allowed Nicky Boy to be denied, and actually he might have a good chance here to finish in the top three, not sure if he'll win though.
At Hawthorne,
7th (4:37)
Illinois Derby (G3)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 American Lion Flores D R Harty Eoin 122 Blk-Off L 7-2
2 2 Stephen's Got Hope Garcia J A O'Neill Doug 122 L 8-1
3 3 Boulder Creek Emigh C A Dollase Craig 122 L 10-1
4 4 Yawanna Twist Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 122 L 4-1
5 5 Turf Melody Rose J Motion H Graham 122 L 6-1
6 6 Dave in Dixie Valdivia J Jr Sadler John W 122 L 9-2
7 7 Backtalk Mena M Amoss Thomas 122 L 3-1
8 8 Game Ball Martinez W Casse Mark 122 L 12-1
American Lion makes his dirt debut, however I'm still in the Dave in Dixie corner (who is also making his dirt debut). The big question about Backtalk is, did his fast workout leave cost him. Keep an eye on Game Ball and Stephen's Got Hope.
last, but not least at Santa Anita
6th (2:36)
Santa Anita Derby (G1)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Posse Power Mawing L A Lucarelli Frank 122 L 50-1
2 2 Thomas Baines Rosario J O'Neill Doug 122 L 50-1
3 3 Who's Up Espinoza V Puhich Michael 122 L 20-1
4 4 Sidney's Candy Talamo J Sadler John W 122 L 3-1
5 5 Setsuko Bejarano R Mandella Richard 122 L 20-1
6 6 Caracortado Atkinson P Machowsky Michael 122 L 5-1
7 7 Lookin At Lucky Gomez G K Baffert Bob 122 L 4-5
8 8 Cardiff Giant Santiago Reyes C Puhich Michael 122 L 30-1
9 9 Skipshot Alvarado F T Hollendorfer Jerry 122 L 15-1
10 10 Alphie's Bet Solis A Barba Alexis 122 L 8-1
Lucky returns to Santa Anita for his final tune up for the Derby. Now that he has the dirt start under his belt, he returns to the turf favoring Pro Ride. Dispite being the graded stakes winner out of him and Make Music for Me, I still think Alphie's Best is the second fiddle for his trainer Alexis Barba (is this the year we finally see a winning female Derby trainer, she and Shannon Ritter have good chances to make it happen). Sidney's Candy is a nice horse, but I think he's a horse who needs the front end to win. Setsuko comes out of the Sham, and could be sitting on a big race. Keep an eye on longshot Thomas Baines as well, just a hunch.
That's it for the Derby preps, now to the OakCap and Carter.
At Aqueduct, right after the Wood.
10th (5:45)
Carter H. (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 Digger Luzzi M J Brown Bruce R 114 L 8-1
1A 5 Driven by Success Cohen D Pletcher Todd A 114 L 8-1
2 1 Warrior's Reward Leparoux J R Wilkes Ian R 116 L 9-2
3 3 Elusive Warning Migliore R McLaughlin Kiaran P 114 L 12-1
4 4 Musket Man Dominguez R A Ryan Derek S 118 L 3-1
5 6 Munnings Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 119 L 4-5
At last, Digger makes his G1 debut! Musket Man returns to graded stakes action almost a year after his Preakness 3rd place finish. Munnings is the horse the beat, and the key with him is the weather, I personally think if given the chance he can win on a wet track, however he perfers a dry one. This is the perfect distance for him. Warrior's Reward has beaten Munnings, not that thrilled about the jockey choice, but Medaglia d' Oro is due for a male G1 winner in the US (he has 1 G1 winner in Europe and of course Rachel Alexandra and Gabby's Golden Gal for female G1 winners in the US).
And at Oaklawn,
10th (5:31)
Oaklawn H. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Duke of Mischief Coa E M Fawkes David 115 L 10-1
2 2 Delightful Kiss Gryder A T Anderson Pete D 115 L 8-1
3 3 Win Willy Berry M C Robertson McLean 117 L 8-5
4 4 Jonesboro Court J K Morse Randy L 114 L 10-1
5 5 Follow the Leader Quinonez L S Whiting Lynn S 114 L 4-1
6 6 Prom Shoes Thompson T J Fires William H 112 L 15-1
7 7 Dakota Phone Garcia M Hollendorfer Jerry 116 L 2-1
This could be the final Oaklawn starts for the old timers Jonesboro and Prom Shoes. I would like nothing to see those two go out with a bang finishing 1-2 (perferbly with Shoes on top and Jones second). Win Willy is certinally the horse to beat, but like Shoes and Delightful Kiss, Willy needs a pace to run at. Duke of Mischief was one of those okay 3yo's last, Follow the Leader is owned by Charles Cella (owner of Oaklawn) and a son of Smarty Jones (who of course outside of Curlin, Alex and Rachel is the best horse to come out of Oaklawn). Dakota Phone will try to emulate his stablemate newly crowned Fantasy Stakes (and Oaks favorite) winner Blind Luck.
So that's it for this weekend, I had planned to do a weekend recap, but because the chat will be tomorrow night there won't be. Remember the Chat begins at 8pm EDT tomorrow and there will not be a chat on Monday because of this. Enjoy your Saturday racing!
Going East to West,
Aqueduct,
9th (5:12)
Wood Memorial S. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Most Happy Fella Napravnik A R Badgett William Jr 123 L 15-1
2 2 Awesome Act Leparoux J R Noseda Jeremy 123 L 9-2
3 3 Eskendereya Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 123 L 4-5
4 4 Schoolyard Dreams Dominguez R A Ryan Derek S 123 L 5-1
5 5 Jackson Bend Borel C H Zito Nicholas P 123 L 4-1
6 6 Carnivore Shepherd J Delozier, III J W 123 L 20-1
This race avoided some contravery when maiden filly Nicky Boy (who has finished last in both of her starts, that's right last), was denied entry in this race (I had a post written up on her, but deleted it after she was denied). The three favorites all need third or better to get into the Derby. Eskendereya is one of the Derby favorites for the Derby, Jackson Bend is a nice horse, but not on Esky's level IMO. Awesome Act though, has a chance. Trained by Jeremy Noseda who upset Afleet Alex in the 04 BC Juvi with Wilko, Awesome Act won the Gotham last time out. I think Schoolyard Dreams will bounce in this race off of his 2nd in the TB Derby. Most Happy Fella was the horse who allowed Nicky Boy to be denied, and actually he might have a good chance here to finish in the top three, not sure if he'll win though.
At Hawthorne,
7th (4:37)
Illinois Derby (G3)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 American Lion Flores D R Harty Eoin 122 Blk-Off L 7-2
2 2 Stephen's Got Hope Garcia J A O'Neill Doug 122 L 8-1
3 3 Boulder Creek Emigh C A Dollase Craig 122 L 10-1
4 4 Yawanna Twist Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 122 L 4-1
5 5 Turf Melody Rose J Motion H Graham 122 L 6-1
6 6 Dave in Dixie Valdivia J Jr Sadler John W 122 L 9-2
7 7 Backtalk Mena M Amoss Thomas 122 L 3-1
8 8 Game Ball Martinez W Casse Mark 122 L 12-1
American Lion makes his dirt debut, however I'm still in the Dave in Dixie corner (who is also making his dirt debut). The big question about Backtalk is, did his fast workout leave cost him. Keep an eye on Game Ball and Stephen's Got Hope.
last, but not least at Santa Anita
6th (2:36)
Santa Anita Derby (G1)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Posse Power Mawing L A Lucarelli Frank 122 L 50-1
2 2 Thomas Baines Rosario J O'Neill Doug 122 L 50-1
3 3 Who's Up Espinoza V Puhich Michael 122 L 20-1
4 4 Sidney's Candy Talamo J Sadler John W 122 L 3-1
5 5 Setsuko Bejarano R Mandella Richard 122 L 20-1
6 6 Caracortado Atkinson P Machowsky Michael 122 L 5-1
7 7 Lookin At Lucky Gomez G K Baffert Bob 122 L 4-5
8 8 Cardiff Giant Santiago Reyes C Puhich Michael 122 L 30-1
9 9 Skipshot Alvarado F T Hollendorfer Jerry 122 L 15-1
10 10 Alphie's Bet Solis A Barba Alexis 122 L 8-1
Lucky returns to Santa Anita for his final tune up for the Derby. Now that he has the dirt start under his belt, he returns to the turf favoring Pro Ride. Dispite being the graded stakes winner out of him and Make Music for Me, I still think Alphie's Best is the second fiddle for his trainer Alexis Barba (is this the year we finally see a winning female Derby trainer, she and Shannon Ritter have good chances to make it happen). Sidney's Candy is a nice horse, but I think he's a horse who needs the front end to win. Setsuko comes out of the Sham, and could be sitting on a big race. Keep an eye on longshot Thomas Baines as well, just a hunch.
That's it for the Derby preps, now to the OakCap and Carter.
At Aqueduct, right after the Wood.
10th (5:45)
Carter H. (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 Digger Luzzi M J Brown Bruce R 114 L 8-1
1A 5 Driven by Success Cohen D Pletcher Todd A 114 L 8-1
2 1 Warrior's Reward Leparoux J R Wilkes Ian R 116 L 9-2
3 3 Elusive Warning Migliore R McLaughlin Kiaran P 114 L 12-1
4 4 Musket Man Dominguez R A Ryan Derek S 118 L 3-1
5 6 Munnings Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 119 L 4-5
At last, Digger makes his G1 debut! Musket Man returns to graded stakes action almost a year after his Preakness 3rd place finish. Munnings is the horse the beat, and the key with him is the weather, I personally think if given the chance he can win on a wet track, however he perfers a dry one. This is the perfect distance for him. Warrior's Reward has beaten Munnings, not that thrilled about the jockey choice, but Medaglia d' Oro is due for a male G1 winner in the US (he has 1 G1 winner in Europe and of course Rachel Alexandra and Gabby's Golden Gal for female G1 winners in the US).
And at Oaklawn,
10th (5:31)
Oaklawn H. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Duke of Mischief Coa E M Fawkes David 115 L 10-1
2 2 Delightful Kiss Gryder A T Anderson Pete D 115 L 8-1
3 3 Win Willy Berry M C Robertson McLean 117 L 8-5
4 4 Jonesboro Court J K Morse Randy L 114 L 10-1
5 5 Follow the Leader Quinonez L S Whiting Lynn S 114 L 4-1
6 6 Prom Shoes Thompson T J Fires William H 112 L 15-1
7 7 Dakota Phone Garcia M Hollendorfer Jerry 116 L 2-1
This could be the final Oaklawn starts for the old timers Jonesboro and Prom Shoes. I would like nothing to see those two go out with a bang finishing 1-2 (perferbly with Shoes on top and Jones second). Win Willy is certinally the horse to beat, but like Shoes and Delightful Kiss, Willy needs a pace to run at. Duke of Mischief was one of those okay 3yo's last, Follow the Leader is owned by Charles Cella (owner of Oaklawn) and a son of Smarty Jones (who of course outside of Curlin, Alex and Rachel is the best horse to come out of Oaklawn). Dakota Phone will try to emulate his stablemate newly crowned Fantasy Stakes (and Oaks favorite) winner Blind Luck.
So that's it for this weekend, I had planned to do a weekend recap, but because the chat will be tomorrow night there won't be. Remember the Chat begins at 8pm EDT tomorrow and there will not be a chat on Monday because of this. Enjoy your Saturday racing!
March 5, 2010
Girl Power in Wonderland
Huge Saturday, as preps for the AR Derby, SA Derby, Apple Blossom, Oaklawn Handicap, and Wood Memorial take place. Add in the SA Oaks, Kilore Mile and the Big Cap (the latter two the reasoning behind today's title), and you have a fantastic Saturday card (weather permitting).
Going East to West.
Aqueduct - March 6, 2010
Race 10 - 5:12 PM Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Daily Double Wagers
STAKES Gotham S. (Grade III)
Purse $250,000. For Three Year Olds. No nomination fee. $2,500 to pass the entry box. All starters will receive a $1,250 rebate. Any horse that competes in both the Gotham and Wood Memorial will have their subscription fees waived for the Wood Memorial. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. 123 Lbs. Non-winners of $150,000; or $45,000 twice allowed 3 Lbs.; $50,000; or $35,000 at a mile or over in 2009 allowed 5 Lbs.; three races other maiden or claiming, 7 Lbs. ( Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Restricted or Restricted Stake races not considered in allowances). A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, February 20, 2010 with 50 Nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (Inner track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Three Day Rush (KY) 3/C L F Jara 116 T A Pletcher
2 2 Yawanna Twist (NY) 3/C L E S Prado 116 R E Dutrow, Jr.
3 3 Nacho Friend (KY) 3/C L J Bravo 116 K J Breen
4 4 Awesome Act (KY) 3/C L* J R Leparoux 116 J Noseda
5 5 I've Got the Fever (KY) 3/C L C Hill 116 J P Terranova, II
6 6 Peppi Knows (KY) 3/G L R Migliore 120 T C Kreiser
7 7 Shrimp Dancer (NY) 3/C L C C Lopez 116 D G Donk
8 8 Turf Melody (KY) 3/C L R A Dominguez 120 H G Motion
9 9 Afleet Again (KY) 3/C L K Carmouche 116 R E Reid, Jr.
10 10 Wow Wow Wow (KY) 3/C L C S Nakatani 116 D W Lukas
Peppi Knows upset Eightyinfifty in the Whirlaway, keep in eye of the Euro Awesome Act, Jeremy Noseda sent Wilko to upset Afleet Alex in the BC Juvi in 04, and what do you know there is an Alex colt in the race with Afleet Again. Shrimp Dancer is a half to one of my favorite fillies Dancing Daisy (who I love for sentimental reasons), but he might end being a better turf horse then dirt.
Oaklawn Park - March 6, 2010
Race 7 - 4:03 PM Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta / Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10)
STAKES Razorback H. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $50,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). Four Year Olds And Upward. No nomination fee. $500 to pass the entry box and $1,000 additional to start with $100,000 Guaranteed and an additional $25,000 from the Breeders' Cup Fund for CUP ELIGIBLES ONLY. The Host Association's monies divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 2% to be divided equally between remaining starters. Breeders' Cup Fund monies also correspomdingly divided providing a Breeders' Cup nominee has finished in an award position. Any Breeders' Cup Fund monies not awarded will revert back to the Fund. Weights: To be announced Sunday, February 28. This race will not be divided. Preference will be given in the following order: Breeders' Cup nominees only of equal racing quality orweight assignment (Respective of sex and weight for age). Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. Trophy to winning Owner given by Breeders' Cup Ltd. Closed Friday, February 26, 2010 with 18 nominees. One And One Sixteenth Miles.
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Prom Shoes (KY) 6/H L L S Quinonez 115 W H Fires
2 2 Spotsgone (KY) 7/H L J K Court 113 W H Fires
3 3 Jonesboro (KY) 8/H L C H Borel 117 R L Morse
4 4 Win Willy (KY) 4/C L M C Berry 116 M Robertson
5 5 Acting Zippy (FL) 5/G L T J Thompson 117 W D Bennett
6 6 Mad Flatter (FL) 5/H L S Bridgmohan 112 J D Thornbury
7 7 Racing Bran (IL) 5/G L C A Emigh 116 S Becker
8 8 Gone Astray (KY) 4/C L E Castro 119 C R McGaughey III
Gone Astray makes his 4 year old debut in this race, however he's not the one I fear the most for our heroes Prom Shoes and Jonesboro. Keep an eye on Acting Zippy, outside of Spotsgone and Racing Bran he is the speed of the race. If he gets away with Racing Bran got away with in the Essex, it will be difficult for Shoes, Jones and Willy to close on. However the fact that there is more speed in the race there is a chance of a speed duel. I just hope that we don't see a repeat of last year's Razorback where everybody fired at the same time bascailly shutting off both Jones and Shoes in the stretch.
Oaklawn Park - March 6, 2010
Race 9 - 5:02 PM First Half Late Daily Double / Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta
STAKES Azeri S. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $25,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). Fillies And Mares, Four Year Olds And Upward. One And One Sixteenth Miles.
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Freedom Star (KY) 4/F L* C H Borel 115 B Baffert
2 2 French Kiss (KY) 5/M L J M Johnson 115 G G Hartlage
3 3 Spirit Seeker (KY) 4/F L* E Castro 113 J Hollendorfer
4 4 War Echo (KY) 4/F L S Bridgmohan 119 S M Asmussen
5 5 Superior Storm (LA) 5/M L L S Quinonez 122 R D Jackson
6 6 Just Jenda (KY) 4/F L* T J Thompson 115 C Jones
7 7 Afleet Deceit (KY) 4/F L C A Emigh 115 S Becker
8 8 Taptam (TX) 5/M L I Ocampo 117 W B Calhoun
9 9 Euphony (KY) 5/M L M C Berry 115 D K Von Hemel
These nine fillies and mares are basically fighting for eight spots in the Apple Blossom (2 of them have already been called for). Outside of the Big Cap, this could be the race of the weekend, you have High Heels' little sister French Kiss, War Echo Pryo's little sister, Just Jenda who is trained by Cindy Jones (wife of Larry Jones, trainer of Proud Spell, Eight Belles and Hard Spun), Superior Storm whose been tearing up the LA tracks and others.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 7 - 3:24 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 7-8-9) $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Sham S. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. For Three-Year-Olds . By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 6. $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. *Early Bird nominees to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby (Closing Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010) are automatically eligible to the Sham Stakes with all fees waived. Closed with 114. Weight: 122 Lbs. . Non-winners of a $150,000 at one mile or over since September 1 allowed , 2Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10, 4 Lbs. Non-winners of a race other than maiden or claiming at one mile or over since November 1, 6 Lbs. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One And One Eighth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Marcello (KY) 3/C L* J Valdivia, Jr. 116 B Baffert
2 2 The Program (KY) 3/C L* M Garcia 118 B Baffert
3 3 Outlaw Man (VA) 3/C L* G K Gomez 116 K G McPeek
4 4 El Mirage King (KY) 3/C L* T Baze 116 M S Han
5 5 Boulder Creek (FL) 3/C L* V Espinoza 116 C Dollase
6 6 Kettle River (KY) 3/C L* B Blanc 118 E G Harty
7 7 Setsuko (KY) 3/C L* R Bejarano 116 R E Mandella
8 8 Wolf Tail (CA) 3/C L* C Sutherland 116 D F O'Neill
9 9 Nextdoorneighbor (FL) 3/C L* M E Smith 116 M Machowsky
10 10 Alphie's Bet (CA) 3/C L* A O Solis 116 A Barba
This race was actually supposed to be last Saturday, but due to rain it was moved to this Saturday (and if it rains tomorrow, it gets moved to Sunday). I like Setsuko and The Program in this race, alot of buzz is on Kettle River, and I have a gut feeling that Wolf Tail could do well in here.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 8 - 3:57 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 8-9-10) $1 Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11) / $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Santa Anita Oaks (Grade I)
Purse $250,000. For Fillies, Three Years Old. By subscription of $250 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 14. $2,500 additional to start, with $250,000 guaranteed, of which $150,000 to first, $50,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth and $5,000 to fifth. 122 Lbs. Starters to be named through the entry box by the closing time of entries. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. The winner of the 2010 Santa Anita Oaks will be automatically eligible to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby with no fees. Should the winner have paid nomination fees to the Santa Anita Derby, those fees will be refunded only if the winner starts in the Santa Anita Derby. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
2 1 Crisp (KY) 3/F L J Rosario 122 J W Sadler
3 2 Riviera Chic (KY) 3/F L1* M C Baze 122 J Lloyd
4 3 All Due Respect (FL) 3/F L G K Gomez 122 K Walsh
5 4 Blind Luck (KY) 3/F L R Bejarano 122 J Hollendorfer
6 5 Warren's Jitterbug (CA) 3/F L* J Talamo 122 J Gutierrez
7 6 Cozi Rosie (KY) 3/F L* M E Smith 122 J W Sadler
8 7 Zilva (PA) 3/F L* J Valdivia, Jr. 122 H G Motion
It's Blind Luck's world and we just live in it. I'm a little bit suprised and disapointed not to see Evening Jewel who gave Blind Luck all she could handle in her prep for this race. I'm expecting a much better race out of Crisp, who needs to show that if she's the real deal or not.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 9 - 4:30 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 9-10-11) $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (Grade I)
Purse $250,000. For Four-Year-Olds And Upward. By subscription of $250 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 20. $2,500 additional to start, with $250,000 guaranteed, of which $150,000 to first, $50,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth, and $5,000 to to fifth. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One Mile. (Turf)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
2 1 Blue Chagall (FR) 5/G L* A O Solis 114 J C Canani
3 2 Awesome Gem (KY) 7/G L* D R Flores 117 C Dollase
4 3 Acclamation (CA) 4/C L* M Garcia 114 D Warren
5 4 Ever a Friend (KY) 7/G L* J Rosario 118 M R Mitchell
6 5 Red Alert Day (GB) 5/G L* R Bejarano 113 N D Drysdale
7 6 Monzante (KY) 6/G L* G K Gomez 115 M R Mitchell
8 7 Proviso (GB) 5/M L* M E Smith 114 W I Mott
9 8 Fluke (BRZ) 5/H L* J Talamo 116 H Ascanio
10 9 Battle of Hastings (GB) 4/G L* T Baze 119 J Mullins
Ever since last year with Rachel Alexandra, Ventura, Goldikova, Zenyatta etc. I think trainers are getting more brave in sending girls against the boys. Of course they could also fit the conditions of the race as well. I don't think she'll win, but Proviso has a good chance here. Awesome Gem is an old warrior who always gives his all. Battle of Hastings has had some hits and misses, and then there is Fluke, a former Bobby Frankel trainee who started an excellent weekend for Humberto Ascanio the weekend Venutra won the Matriarch.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 10 - 5:02 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Santa Anita H. (Grade I)
Purse $750,000. For Four-Year-Olds And Upward. By subscription of $300 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 31. $2,500 to pass the entry box and $5,000 to start with $750,000 guaranteed, of which $450,000 to first, $150,000 to second, $90,000 to third, $45,000 to fourth and $15,000 to fifth. The field will be limited to 14 starters. Preference shall be given to the high weights based upon the weight assignments, adjusted for the sex allowance. Total earnings in 2009-10 will be used in determining the preference of horses with equally assigned weights. No horse shall be assigned more than 126 Lbs. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, breeder, trainer, and jockey. One And One Fourth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Pick Six (KY) 6/H L* A O Solis 114 D L Hendricks
2 2 St Trinians (GB) 5/M L* J Rosario 113 M R Mitchell
3 3 Rendezvous (KY) 4/C L* J Talamo 114 J Hollendorfer
4 4 Neko Bay (KY) 7/H L* M E Smith 117 J A Shirreffs
5 5 Eagle Poise (KY) 4/C L* T Baze 114 W I Mott
6 6 Loup Breton (IRE) 6/H L* G K Gomez 117 J C Canani
7 7 Mast Track (KY) 6/H L* D R Flores 117 J A Shirreffs
8 8 Pool Play (ON) 5/H L C Sutherland 114 M E Casse
9 9 Marsh Side (KY) 7/H L* M A Pedroza 117 N D Drysdale
10 10 Tiger's Rock (KY) 4/C L D Cohen 114 M W McCarthy
11 11 Dakota Phone (KY) 5/G L* V Espinoza 114 J Hollendorfer
12 12 Delightful Kiss (FL) 6/G L J C Leyva 115 P D Anderson
13 13 Misremembered (KY) 4/R L* M Garcia 116 B Baffert
14 14 Jeranimo (FL) 4/C L* R Bejarano 116 M Pender
In the long history of the Big Cap, a filly or mare has not won this race. That could change with St. Trinians who defeated Dubai bound Life is Sweet in her last race. She's already beaten the boys in England, and with the top older males Richard's Kid and Gio Ponti going to Dubai, this is her race to lose. Mast Track has the ability to wire this field and showed a few races back that he's not a one hit wonder. Misremembered ran into some steamrollers in his past few races, Neko Bay is playing fourth fiddle in his own barn (to Zenyatta, Life is Sweet and Mast Track. Marsh Side is probley better on turf, but we'll see.
So that's it! Our stakes preview for this weekend. The Wonderland part of the title? Alice in Wonderland of course! The Tim Burton remake came out today. Weekend review on Monday.
Going East to West.
Aqueduct - March 6, 2010
Race 10 - 5:12 PM Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Daily Double Wagers
STAKES Gotham S. (Grade III)
Purse $250,000. For Three Year Olds. No nomination fee. $2,500 to pass the entry box. All starters will receive a $1,250 rebate. Any horse that competes in both the Gotham and Wood Memorial will have their subscription fees waived for the Wood Memorial. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. 123 Lbs. Non-winners of $150,000; or $45,000 twice allowed 3 Lbs.; $50,000; or $35,000 at a mile or over in 2009 allowed 5 Lbs.; three races other maiden or claiming, 7 Lbs. ( Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Restricted or Restricted Stake races not considered in allowances). A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, February 20, 2010 with 50 Nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (Inner track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Three Day Rush (KY) 3/C L F Jara 116 T A Pletcher
2 2 Yawanna Twist (NY) 3/C L E S Prado 116 R E Dutrow, Jr.
3 3 Nacho Friend (KY) 3/C L J Bravo 116 K J Breen
4 4 Awesome Act (KY) 3/C L* J R Leparoux 116 J Noseda
5 5 I've Got the Fever (KY) 3/C L C Hill 116 J P Terranova, II
6 6 Peppi Knows (KY) 3/G L R Migliore 120 T C Kreiser
7 7 Shrimp Dancer (NY) 3/C L C C Lopez 116 D G Donk
8 8 Turf Melody (KY) 3/C L R A Dominguez 120 H G Motion
9 9 Afleet Again (KY) 3/C L K Carmouche 116 R E Reid, Jr.
10 10 Wow Wow Wow (KY) 3/C L C S Nakatani 116 D W Lukas
Peppi Knows upset Eightyinfifty in the Whirlaway, keep in eye of the Euro Awesome Act, Jeremy Noseda sent Wilko to upset Afleet Alex in the BC Juvi in 04, and what do you know there is an Alex colt in the race with Afleet Again. Shrimp Dancer is a half to one of my favorite fillies Dancing Daisy (who I love for sentimental reasons), but he might end being a better turf horse then dirt.
Oaklawn Park - March 6, 2010
Race 7 - 4:03 PM Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta / Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10)
STAKES Razorback H. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $50,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). Four Year Olds And Upward. No nomination fee. $500 to pass the entry box and $1,000 additional to start with $100,000 Guaranteed and an additional $25,000 from the Breeders' Cup Fund for CUP ELIGIBLES ONLY. The Host Association's monies divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 2% to be divided equally between remaining starters. Breeders' Cup Fund monies also correspomdingly divided providing a Breeders' Cup nominee has finished in an award position. Any Breeders' Cup Fund monies not awarded will revert back to the Fund. Weights: To be announced Sunday, February 28. This race will not be divided. Preference will be given in the following order: Breeders' Cup nominees only of equal racing quality orweight assignment (Respective of sex and weight for age). Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. Trophy to winning Owner given by Breeders' Cup Ltd. Closed Friday, February 26, 2010 with 18 nominees. One And One Sixteenth Miles.
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Prom Shoes (KY) 6/H L L S Quinonez 115 W H Fires
2 2 Spotsgone (KY) 7/H L J K Court 113 W H Fires
3 3 Jonesboro (KY) 8/H L C H Borel 117 R L Morse
4 4 Win Willy (KY) 4/C L M C Berry 116 M Robertson
5 5 Acting Zippy (FL) 5/G L T J Thompson 117 W D Bennett
6 6 Mad Flatter (FL) 5/H L S Bridgmohan 112 J D Thornbury
7 7 Racing Bran (IL) 5/G L C A Emigh 116 S Becker
8 8 Gone Astray (KY) 4/C L E Castro 119 C R McGaughey III
Gone Astray makes his 4 year old debut in this race, however he's not the one I fear the most for our heroes Prom Shoes and Jonesboro. Keep an eye on Acting Zippy, outside of Spotsgone and Racing Bran he is the speed of the race. If he gets away with Racing Bran got away with in the Essex, it will be difficult for Shoes, Jones and Willy to close on. However the fact that there is more speed in the race there is a chance of a speed duel. I just hope that we don't see a repeat of last year's Razorback where everybody fired at the same time bascailly shutting off both Jones and Shoes in the stretch.
Oaklawn Park - March 6, 2010
Race 9 - 5:02 PM First Half Late Daily Double / Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta
STAKES Azeri S. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $25,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). Fillies And Mares, Four Year Olds And Upward. One And One Sixteenth Miles.
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Freedom Star (KY) 4/F L* C H Borel 115 B Baffert
2 2 French Kiss (KY) 5/M L J M Johnson 115 G G Hartlage
3 3 Spirit Seeker (KY) 4/F L* E Castro 113 J Hollendorfer
4 4 War Echo (KY) 4/F L S Bridgmohan 119 S M Asmussen
5 5 Superior Storm (LA) 5/M L L S Quinonez 122 R D Jackson
6 6 Just Jenda (KY) 4/F L* T J Thompson 115 C Jones
7 7 Afleet Deceit (KY) 4/F L C A Emigh 115 S Becker
8 8 Taptam (TX) 5/M L I Ocampo 117 W B Calhoun
9 9 Euphony (KY) 5/M L M C Berry 115 D K Von Hemel
These nine fillies and mares are basically fighting for eight spots in the Apple Blossom (2 of them have already been called for). Outside of the Big Cap, this could be the race of the weekend, you have High Heels' little sister French Kiss, War Echo Pryo's little sister, Just Jenda who is trained by Cindy Jones (wife of Larry Jones, trainer of Proud Spell, Eight Belles and Hard Spun), Superior Storm whose been tearing up the LA tracks and others.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 7 - 3:24 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 7-8-9) $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Sham S. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. For Three-Year-Olds . By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 6. $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. *Early Bird nominees to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby (Closing Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010) are automatically eligible to the Sham Stakes with all fees waived. Closed with 114. Weight: 122 Lbs. . Non-winners of a $150,000 at one mile or over since September 1 allowed , 2Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10, 4 Lbs. Non-winners of a race other than maiden or claiming at one mile or over since November 1, 6 Lbs. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One And One Eighth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 1 Marcello (KY) 3/C L* J Valdivia, Jr. 116 B Baffert
2 2 The Program (KY) 3/C L* M Garcia 118 B Baffert
3 3 Outlaw Man (VA) 3/C L* G K Gomez 116 K G McPeek
4 4 El Mirage King (KY) 3/C L* T Baze 116 M S Han
5 5 Boulder Creek (FL) 3/C L* V Espinoza 116 C Dollase
6 6 Kettle River (KY) 3/C L* B Blanc 118 E G Harty
7 7 Setsuko (KY) 3/C L* R Bejarano 116 R E Mandella
8 8 Wolf Tail (CA) 3/C L* C Sutherland 116 D F O'Neill
9 9 Nextdoorneighbor (FL) 3/C L* M E Smith 116 M Machowsky
10 10 Alphie's Bet (CA) 3/C L* A O Solis 116 A Barba
This race was actually supposed to be last Saturday, but due to rain it was moved to this Saturday (and if it rains tomorrow, it gets moved to Sunday). I like Setsuko and The Program in this race, alot of buzz is on Kettle River, and I have a gut feeling that Wolf Tail could do well in here.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 8 - 3:57 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 8-9-10) $1 Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11) / $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Santa Anita Oaks (Grade I)
Purse $250,000. For Fillies, Three Years Old. By subscription of $250 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 14. $2,500 additional to start, with $250,000 guaranteed, of which $150,000 to first, $50,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth and $5,000 to fifth. 122 Lbs. Starters to be named through the entry box by the closing time of entries. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. The winner of the 2010 Santa Anita Oaks will be automatically eligible to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby with no fees. Should the winner have paid nomination fees to the Santa Anita Derby, those fees will be refunded only if the winner starts in the Santa Anita Derby. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
2 1 Crisp (KY) 3/F L J Rosario 122 J W Sadler
3 2 Riviera Chic (KY) 3/F L1* M C Baze 122 J Lloyd
4 3 All Due Respect (FL) 3/F L G K Gomez 122 K Walsh
5 4 Blind Luck (KY) 3/F L R Bejarano 122 J Hollendorfer
6 5 Warren's Jitterbug (CA) 3/F L* J Talamo 122 J Gutierrez
7 6 Cozi Rosie (KY) 3/F L* M E Smith 122 J W Sadler
8 7 Zilva (PA) 3/F L* J Valdivia, Jr. 122 H G Motion
It's Blind Luck's world and we just live in it. I'm a little bit suprised and disapointed not to see Evening Jewel who gave Blind Luck all she could handle in her prep for this race. I'm expecting a much better race out of Crisp, who needs to show that if she's the real deal or not.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 9 - 4:30 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 9-10-11) $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (Grade I)
Purse $250,000. For Four-Year-Olds And Upward. By subscription of $250 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 20. $2,500 additional to start, with $250,000 guaranteed, of which $150,000 to first, $50,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth, and $5,000 to to fifth. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One Mile. (Turf)
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
2 1 Blue Chagall (FR) 5/G L* A O Solis 114 J C Canani
3 2 Awesome Gem (KY) 7/G L* D R Flores 117 C Dollase
4 3 Acclamation (CA) 4/C L* M Garcia 114 D Warren
5 4 Ever a Friend (KY) 7/G L* J Rosario 118 M R Mitchell
6 5 Red Alert Day (GB) 5/G L* R Bejarano 113 N D Drysdale
7 6 Monzante (KY) 6/G L* G K Gomez 115 M R Mitchell
8 7 Proviso (GB) 5/M L* M E Smith 114 W I Mott
9 8 Fluke (BRZ) 5/H L* J Talamo 116 H Ascanio
10 9 Battle of Hastings (GB) 4/G L* T Baze 119 J Mullins
Ever since last year with Rachel Alexandra, Ventura, Goldikova, Zenyatta etc. I think trainers are getting more brave in sending girls against the boys. Of course they could also fit the conditions of the race as well. I don't think she'll win, but Proviso has a good chance here. Awesome Gem is an old warrior who always gives his all. Battle of Hastings has had some hits and misses, and then there is Fluke, a former Bobby Frankel trainee who started an excellent weekend for Humberto Ascanio the weekend Venutra won the Matriarch.
Santa Anita Park - March 6, 2010
Race 10 - 5:02 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Superfecta (.10 min)
STAKES Santa Anita H. (Grade I)
Purse $750,000. For Four-Year-Olds And Upward. By subscription of $300 each to accompany the nomination. Closed with 31. $2,500 to pass the entry box and $5,000 to start with $750,000 guaranteed, of which $450,000 to first, $150,000 to second, $90,000 to third, $45,000 to fourth and $15,000 to fifth. The field will be limited to 14 starters. Preference shall be given to the high weights based upon the weight assignments, adjusted for the sex allowance. Total earnings in 2009-10 will be used in determining the preference of horses with equally assigned weights. No horse shall be assigned more than 126 Lbs. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, breeder, trainer, and jockey. One And One Fourth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Pick Six (KY) 6/H L* A O Solis 114 D L Hendricks
2 2 St Trinians (GB) 5/M L* J Rosario 113 M R Mitchell
3 3 Rendezvous (KY) 4/C L* J Talamo 114 J Hollendorfer
4 4 Neko Bay (KY) 7/H L* M E Smith 117 J A Shirreffs
5 5 Eagle Poise (KY) 4/C L* T Baze 114 W I Mott
6 6 Loup Breton (IRE) 6/H L* G K Gomez 117 J C Canani
7 7 Mast Track (KY) 6/H L* D R Flores 117 J A Shirreffs
8 8 Pool Play (ON) 5/H L C Sutherland 114 M E Casse
9 9 Marsh Side (KY) 7/H L* M A Pedroza 117 N D Drysdale
10 10 Tiger's Rock (KY) 4/C L D Cohen 114 M W McCarthy
11 11 Dakota Phone (KY) 5/G L* V Espinoza 114 J Hollendorfer
12 12 Delightful Kiss (FL) 6/G L J C Leyva 115 P D Anderson
13 13 Misremembered (KY) 4/R L* M Garcia 116 B Baffert
14 14 Jeranimo (FL) 4/C L* R Bejarano 116 M Pender
In the long history of the Big Cap, a filly or mare has not won this race. That could change with St. Trinians who defeated Dubai bound Life is Sweet in her last race. She's already beaten the boys in England, and with the top older males Richard's Kid and Gio Ponti going to Dubai, this is her race to lose. Mast Track has the ability to wire this field and showed a few races back that he's not a one hit wonder. Misremembered ran into some steamrollers in his past few races, Neko Bay is playing fourth fiddle in his own barn (to Zenyatta, Life is Sweet and Mast Track. Marsh Side is probley better on turf, but we'll see.
So that's it! Our stakes preview for this weekend. The Wonderland part of the title? Alice in Wonderland of course! The Tim Burton remake came out today. Weekend review on Monday.
February 5, 2010
Super Saturday
With the Super Bowl on Sunday, I thought I would do a larger then normal preview. This weekend, it's the first G1's for the year for three year old fillies, older males and turf horses, plus a TC prep at the Big A (weather permitting), and two of my favorite horses are back in action at Oaklawn. I'm also instituding a jump break for Weekend Preview and Weekend Recap posts only. This is because these will be longer then useal posts and I don't want you to have to scroll all the way down to find a post you want to read, and this not it. If you don't like this, then please let me know for the future. So let's get started!
Starting at Aqueduct,
3rd (1:26)
Whirlaway S.
1 1/16 Miles
Open
3 Year Olds Stakes
Purse: $100,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 1 Turf Melody Napravnik A R
2 2 Eightyfiveinafifty Chavez J F
3 3 Peppi Knows Migliore R
4 4 Afleet Again Serpa A
5 5 Three Day Rush Cohen D
6 6 Papa's Nice Cat Luzzi M J
This race may get postponed due to a nasty storm currently hitting the East Coast. Still, all eyes will be on the interestingly (and I'm sorry horribly named) Eightyfiveinafifty. I'm going to try to beat him with Peppi Knows and Afleet Again.
At Gulfstream,
9th (5:02)
Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Open
4 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $300,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 1 Le Grand Cru Lezcano J
2 2 Yate's Black Cat Desormeaux K J
3 3 Court Vision Albarado R J
4 4 Never On Sunday (FR) Bravo J
5 5 Take the Points Prado E S
6 6 Adagio (GB) Velasquez C
Last year IEAH and Rick Dutrow won the race with fan favorite Kip Deville, this year they have Court Vision who ironicly is the full brother to Kip's sire Kipling. Take the Points showed signs of promise on the turf since switching to the surface after his horrible Preakness. He has 2 G1 wins, but is coming off finishing midpack to the The Useal Q.T. in the Hollywood Derby, to make matters worse the Q.T. finished last in last weekend's Sunshine Millions Classic. Never on Sunday is best known for handing Goldikova one of her two losses last year, unfortanlly he has landed in the barn of Patrick "Cobra Venom" Biencone. I'm going with my boy Points for the win with Court a very close second. Shame Just As Well is skipping this race, he was closing fast on Kip last year.
10th (5:31)
Donn H. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Kiss the Kid Castro E
2 2 You and I Forever Trujillo E
3 3 Duke of Mischief Coa E M
4 4 Quality Road Velazquez J R
5 5 Dry Martini Castellano J J
6 6 Past the Point Prado E S
7 7 Helsinki Albarado R J
8 8 Mambo Meister Desormeaux K J
9 9 Dubai Gold Lezcano J
10 10 Delightful Kiss Leyva J C
For those old enough to remember The Brady Bunch (I'm not, but I've seen it on syndacation), then you will know how Jan used to go "Marsha, Marsha, Masha!". Well, this race "Quality, Quality, Quality!" in this case I mean Quality Road. I wasn't all that impressed by his Hal's Hope, but he is the deserving favorite. With that being said, I would love to see Dry Martini upset him.
At Oaklawn
9th (5:02)
Essex H.
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $100,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Jonesboro Castellano A Jr
2 2 Racing Bran Emigh C A
3 3 Crook's Bodgit Rini W
4 4 Spotsgone Court J K
5 5 Ready Set Thompson T J
6 6 Win Willy Berry M C
7 7 Prom Shoes Nakatani C S
8 8 Glamour Guy Borel C H
Win Willy won his first race of the year and is the deserving favorite. Spotsgone will be setting the early pace for his stablemate Prom Shoes, but I'm not expecting him to win as he is returning from surgery (although he's been posting bullets, so hopefully a good sign). Jonesboro may not go if it's a wet track and Ready Set has a trainer change. My heart says Shoes, Jonesboro in a deadheat, with Willy in third. I have a feeling that Willy will win with Jonesboro second and either Shoes or Ready Set in third. However, I really shouldn't count out Jonesboro, the last time he won the Essex, it was only a few days after his mom, the Hall of Famer Mom's Command was euthanized. This time around, his dad Sefapiano passed away from a heart attack. By far he's his best foal, much like he was the same for his mom.
Last, but not least at Santa Anita,
3rd (1:32)
Leriodesanimaux H.
1 Mile (Turf) | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $65,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Sudden War (ARG) Solis A
2 2 Quindici Man Rosario J
3 3 Fluke (BRZ) Talamo J
4 4 Battle of Hastings (GB) Baze T C
5 5 Mr. Big Smith M E
6 6 Cherokee Artist Leparoux J R
7 7 Blue Chagall (FR) Gomez G K
8 8 Great Siege (IRE) Espinoza
The last time Fluke won, it was in the Citation right after his former trainer passed away. And now here he is in a race named after a fellow BRZ bred, and ironcly trained by the same trainer he was. Don't count out Cherokee Artist though.
4th (2:03)
Las Virgenes S. (G1)
1 Mile (All Weather Track) | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Summer Games Baze M C Dominguez
2 2 Blind Luck Bejarano R
3 3 La Nez Smith M E
4 4 Switch Baze T C
5 5 Evening Jewel Espinoza V
6 6 Crisp Rosario J
This is Blind Luck's race to lose, however keep an eye on Crisp. Both of her races I've seen where pretty impressive, especially her maiden which she went really wide in the stretch and still won.
8th (4:07)
Robert B. Lewis S. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Macias Espinoza V
2 2 Dave in Dixie Rosario J
3 3 Tiz Chrome Gomez G K
4 4 Caracortado Atkinson P
5 5 Tango Tango Bejarano R
6 6 American Lion Leparoux J R
7 7 Domonation Talamo J
Tiz Chrome or American Lion, ennie meenie mighty mo! I'm going with American Lion, since he's on my list. However a good race by Tiz Chrome might change it up.
So that's it for this week, the Strub doesn't appeal to me and I think the La Canada is not until next week. So I hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and if you are like me and will be snowed in this week grab some hot coco and watch some races. Oh and enjoy the Super Bowl (Go Colts!).
Edit 12:09 PM Saturday: Santa Anita has canceled for the day due to rain. Hopefully for the Oak Tree meet, there will be a dirt surface, the draining problems are just too bad there :(.
Starting at Aqueduct,
3rd (1:26)
Whirlaway S.
1 1/16 Miles
Open
3 Year Olds Stakes
Purse: $100,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 1 Turf Melody Napravnik A R
2 2 Eightyfiveinafifty Chavez J F
3 3 Peppi Knows Migliore R
4 4 Afleet Again Serpa A
5 5 Three Day Rush Cohen D
6 6 Papa's Nice Cat Luzzi M J
This race may get postponed due to a nasty storm currently hitting the East Coast. Still, all eyes will be on the interestingly (and I'm sorry horribly named) Eightyfiveinafifty. I'm going to try to beat him with Peppi Knows and Afleet Again.
At Gulfstream,
9th (5:02)
Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Open
4 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $300,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 1 Le Grand Cru Lezcano J
2 2 Yate's Black Cat Desormeaux K J
3 3 Court Vision Albarado R J
4 4 Never On Sunday (FR) Bravo J
5 5 Take the Points Prado E S
6 6 Adagio (GB) Velasquez C
Last year IEAH and Rick Dutrow won the race with fan favorite Kip Deville, this year they have Court Vision who ironicly is the full brother to Kip's sire Kipling. Take the Points showed signs of promise on the turf since switching to the surface after his horrible Preakness. He has 2 G1 wins, but is coming off finishing midpack to the The Useal Q.T. in the Hollywood Derby, to make matters worse the Q.T. finished last in last weekend's Sunshine Millions Classic. Never on Sunday is best known for handing Goldikova one of her two losses last year, unfortanlly he has landed in the barn of Patrick "Cobra Venom" Biencone. I'm going with my boy Points for the win with Court a very close second. Shame Just As Well is skipping this race, he was closing fast on Kip last year.
10th (5:31)
Donn H. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Kiss the Kid Castro E
2 2 You and I Forever Trujillo E
3 3 Duke of Mischief Coa E M
4 4 Quality Road Velazquez J R
5 5 Dry Martini Castellano J J
6 6 Past the Point Prado E S
7 7 Helsinki Albarado R J
8 8 Mambo Meister Desormeaux K J
9 9 Dubai Gold Lezcano J
10 10 Delightful Kiss Leyva J C
For those old enough to remember The Brady Bunch (I'm not, but I've seen it on syndacation), then you will know how Jan used to go "Marsha, Marsha, Masha!". Well, this race "Quality, Quality, Quality!" in this case I mean Quality Road. I wasn't all that impressed by his Hal's Hope, but he is the deserving favorite. With that being said, I would love to see Dry Martini upset him.
At Oaklawn
9th (5:02)
Essex H.
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $100,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Jonesboro Castellano A Jr
2 2 Racing Bran Emigh C A
3 3 Crook's Bodgit Rini W
4 4 Spotsgone Court J K
5 5 Ready Set Thompson T J
6 6 Win Willy Berry M C
7 7 Prom Shoes Nakatani C S
8 8 Glamour Guy Borel C H
Win Willy won his first race of the year and is the deserving favorite. Spotsgone will be setting the early pace for his stablemate Prom Shoes, but I'm not expecting him to win as he is returning from surgery (although he's been posting bullets, so hopefully a good sign). Jonesboro may not go if it's a wet track and Ready Set has a trainer change. My heart says Shoes, Jonesboro in a deadheat, with Willy in third. I have a feeling that Willy will win with Jonesboro second and either Shoes or Ready Set in third. However, I really shouldn't count out Jonesboro, the last time he won the Essex, it was only a few days after his mom, the Hall of Famer Mom's Command was euthanized. This time around, his dad Sefapiano passed away from a heart attack. By far he's his best foal, much like he was the same for his mom.
Last, but not least at Santa Anita,
3rd (1:32)
Leriodesanimaux H.
1 Mile (Turf) | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $65,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Sudden War (ARG) Solis A
2 2 Quindici Man Rosario J
3 3 Fluke (BRZ) Talamo J
4 4 Battle of Hastings (GB) Baze T C
5 5 Mr. Big Smith M E
6 6 Cherokee Artist Leparoux J R
7 7 Blue Chagall (FR) Gomez G K
8 8 Great Siege (IRE) Espinoza
The last time Fluke won, it was in the Citation right after his former trainer passed away. And now here he is in a race named after a fellow BRZ bred, and ironcly trained by the same trainer he was. Don't count out Cherokee Artist though.
4th (2:03)
Las Virgenes S. (G1)
1 Mile (All Weather Track) | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Summer Games Baze M C Dominguez
2 2 Blind Luck Bejarano R
3 3 La Nez Smith M E
4 4 Switch Baze T C
5 5 Evening Jewel Espinoza V
6 6 Crisp Rosario J
This is Blind Luck's race to lose, however keep an eye on Crisp. Both of her races I've seen where pretty impressive, especially her maiden which she went really wide in the stretch and still won.
8th (4:07)
Robert B. Lewis S. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey
1 1 Macias Espinoza V
2 2 Dave in Dixie Rosario J
3 3 Tiz Chrome Gomez G K
4 4 Caracortado Atkinson P
5 5 Tango Tango Bejarano R
6 6 American Lion Leparoux J R
7 7 Domonation Talamo J
Tiz Chrome or American Lion, ennie meenie mighty mo! I'm going with American Lion, since he's on my list. However a good race by Tiz Chrome might change it up.
So that's it for this week, the Strub doesn't appeal to me and I think the La Canada is not until next week. So I hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and if you are like me and will be snowed in this week grab some hot coco and watch some races. Oh and enjoy the Super Bowl (Go Colts!).
Edit 12:09 PM Saturday: Santa Anita has canceled for the day due to rain. Hopefully for the Oak Tree meet, there will be a dirt surface, the draining problems are just too bad there :(.
January 15, 2010
Weekend Preview
Well it's the weekend! And there are some great stakes races going on. The one stakes race that I wanted to preview tonight, the Smarty Jones, the field has not been set yet. So instead, I'm going to be doing Aqueduct, Santa Anita and Golden Gate stakes races. Oaklawn will make it's season debut next week.
First Saturday at Aqueduct:
Aqueduct - January 16, 2010
Race 3 - 1:26 PM Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double Wagers
STAKES Evening Attire S.
Purse $65,000. For Three Year Olds And Upward. No nomination fee. A supplemental nomination fee of $650 may be made by closing time of entries. $300 to pass the entry box and an additional $350 to start. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. Three Year Olds 116 Lbs. Older 123 Lbs. Non-winners of a Graded Sweepstakes since October 1, 2009 allowed 3 Lbs. A sweepstakes since June 1, 2009 allowed 5 Lbs. Four Races, 7 Lbs. (Maiden, Claiming, starter and restricted allowance races not considered in allowances). A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, January 2, 2010 with 23 Nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (Inner track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Understatement (KY) 5/H L* D Cohen 116 T A Pletcher 3/5
1A 2 Well Positioned (ON) 4/C L R A Dominguez 116 R E Dutrow, Jr. 3/5
2 3 Ah Day (MD) 7/G L* S Russell 120 K T Leatherbury 4/1
3 4 More Than a Reason (KY) 5/H L C Hill 116 R Persaud 8/1
4 5 Storm Play (VA) 5/H L A R Napravnik 116 T A Pletcher 7/2
5 6 Bunker Hill (FL) 4/C L C C Lopez 120 D S Ryan 15/ 1
This is the stakes debut for Well Postioned, who was highley touted last year. He really hasn't been the same since losing to Take the Points (who showed that he wa no fluke by going on to win two G1's). I'm going with the old man in the field Ah Day, he's actually been on a bit of a tear lately and could be in good form.
Tomorrow at Golden Gate,
Golden Gate Fields - January 16, 2010
Race 8 - 4:22 PM $1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $1 Trifecta / $1 Superfecta (.10 min) $2 Daily Double
STAKES California Derby
Purse $100,000. For Three Years Old. BY SUBSCRIPTION OF $50 EACH TO ACCOMPANY THE NOMINATION OR BY SUPPLEMENTARY NOMINATION OF $2,000 AT TIME OF ENTRY WHICH INCLUDES ALL FEES. $1,000 TO ENTER. Weight: 121 Lbs. Highest earnings preferred. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, January 9, 2010 with 16 nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Our Minesweeper (ID) 3/G L* F T Alvarado 121 M Lenzini 5/1
2 2 Connemara (KY) 3/C L* R A Baze 121 T A Pletcher 2/1
3 3 Thomas Baines (KY) 3/G L* M C Baze 121 D F O'Neill 7/2
4 4 Cahill Country (CA) 3/C L* I Beato 121 J Bonde 15/1
5 5 Ranger Heartley (KY) 3/G L* J A Garcia 121 J W Sadler 3/1
6 6 Shudacudawudya (CA) 3/C L* F Duran 121 L C Mason 4/
All eyes will be on Connemara, 3/4 brother to recently exported Derby runner up Lion Heart. From what I heard, Our Minesweeper is supposed to be a really good horse, and you don't see that many Idaho breds in big races. So he's my pick wiht Thomas Baines finishing second and Connemara third.
At Santa Anita Saturday, three stakes races.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 3 - 1:32 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 3-4-5)
STAKES San Rafael S. (Grade III)
Purse $100,000. For Three-Year-Olds. By subscription of $100 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010. with zero. $1,000 additional to start with $100,000 guaranteed of which $60,000 to the winner, $20,000 to second, $12,000 to third, $6,000 to fourth and $2,000 to fifth. *Early bird nominees to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby (Closing Date Saturday, January 2, 2010) are automatically eligible to the San Rafael Stakes with all fees waived. Closed with 114. Weight: 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $70,000at one mile or over allowed 3 Lbs.; $40,000 at any distance, 6 Lbs. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One Mile. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Cardiff Giant (KY) 3/G L* V Espinoza 116 J Periban 6/1
2 2 Domonation (KY) 3/C L* J Rosario 116 J W Sadler 5/2
3 3 Conveyance (KY) 3/C L* G K Gomez 116 B Baffert 3/5
4 4 Lucky Rave (GB) 3/C L* A O Solis 116 P Eurton 8/1
5 5 Via Verde (KY) 3/R L* R Bejarano 116 J W Sadler 8/1
I don't really have a pick in this race. Conveyance is the one to beat in this race. I'll be honest the two horses that I think will be coming out of California are Lookin at Lucky and Interactif (that's right I said Interactif, but I'll get to why I think he will do well on the synth and the Derby trail this year in another post). Of course things can change quite a bit in a short amount of time. For right now, I find the Calforina circuit somewhat unappealing for males.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 5 - 2:35 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 5-6-7) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES Santa Ynez S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. For Fillies, Three Years Olds. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010 with 13. $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed, of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. 121 Lbs. Winners of $50,000 twice to carry 2 Lbs. additional. Non-winners of $60,000 allowed 3 Lbs.; Non-winners of $35,000 anytime, 5 Lbs.; $25,000 since November 5, 7 Lbs. (Maiden and Claiming races not considered). Atrophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. Seven Furlongs. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Seriously (KY) 3/F L* V Espinoza 114 B Baffert 10/1
2 2 Franny Freud (NY) 3/F L G K Gomez 123 J P Terranova, II 5/2
3 3 Whispering Hush (CA) 3/F L* M E Smith 114 J E Kruljac 8/1
4 4 Amen Hallelujah (FL) 3/F L* C Sutherland 114 R E Dutrow, Jr. 3/1
5 5 She's Funomenal (KY) 3/F L* J Rosario 116 J Hollendorfer 9/5
6 6 Switch (KY) 3/F L* R Bejarano 114 J W Sadler 9/2
I like She's Funomenal in here. While she is probley not Blind Luck good, she could be a Careless Jewel type of filly. Franny Freud is making the cross country trip, but she is staying in the Baffert barn which is a bit of a plus.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 7 - 3:37 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 7-8-9) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES San Fernando S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $75,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). For Four-Year-Olds. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010 with 24. $1,500 additional to start with $75,000 guaranteed, and an additional $75,000 from the Breeders' Cup Fund for Cup nominees only. The host association's money to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 12% to tird, 6% to fourth and 2% to fifth. Breeders' Cup fund monies also correspondingly divided provided a Breeders' Cup nominee has finished in an awarded position. Any Breeders' Cup find monies not awarded will revert to the fund. 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 twice at one mile or over in 2009-10, allowed 2 Lbs.; non-winners of $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10 or $60,000 at any distance since December 25, 4 Lbs.; arace of $45,000 since July 1, 6 Lbs. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. . One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Smart Bid (PA) 4/C L* M E Smith 118 H G Motion 9/2
2 2 Viscount (KY) 4/C L* G K Gomez 116 B Baffert 6/1
3 3 Rendezvous (KY) 4/C L* R Bejarano 120 J Hollendorfer 9/2
4 4 Papa Clem (KY) 4/C L* T Baze 120 G Stute 3/1
5 5 Mr. Hot Stuff (KY) 4/C L* J Talamo 116 E G Harty 8/1
6 6 Mythical Power (KY) 4/C L* J Rosario 120 B Baffert 4/1
7 7 Gallant Son (KY) 4/C L* A O Solis 116 F Lucarelli 8/1
8 8 Quindici Man (KY) 4/C L V Espinoza 118 C A Lewis 10/1
Second leg of the Strub series, and honestly if either Papa Clem or Mr. Hot Stuff don't win this race then I don't know what. Smart Bid could make a challenge, but I think it's between last year's AR Derby winner and the younger brother to Col. John.
Sunday at Santa Anita:
Santa Anita Park - January 17, 2010
Race 8 - 4:07 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES El Encino S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. For Fillies, Four Years Old. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination or by supplementary nomination of $3,000 by time of entry, $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed, of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 twice at one mile or over in 2009-10, allowed 3 Lbs.; $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10 or $60,000 at any distance since October 1, 5 Lbs.; $35,000 anytime, 7 Lbs. (Maiden and claiming races not considered). Starters to be named through the entry box by the closing time of entries. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Rose Diamond (IRE) 4/F L* J Talamo 115 P L Biancone
2 Pretty Unusual (CA) 4/F L* C Sutherland 119 B Abrams
3 Will O Way (KY) 4/F L* A Quinonez 117 V Cerin
4 Dave's Revenge (KY) 4/F L* B Blanc 115 R B Hess, Jr.
5 Eloquently (GB) 4/F L* D R Flores 115 J W Sadler
6 Gumption (KY) 4/F L* J Valdivia, Jr. 115 B Headley
7 Stardom Bound (KY) 4/F L M E Smith 122 R E Dutrow, Jr.
8 Dream Empress (KY) 4/F L* T Baze 117 K G McPeek
9 Justwhistledixie (KY) 4/F L G K Gomez 122 W I Mott
10 Gilded Gem (KY) 4/F L* V Espinoza 115 B Baffert
11 Spirit Seeker (KY) 4/F L* J Rosario 115 J Hollendorfer
12 Best Lass (PA) 4/F L* A O Solis 117 K G McPeek
13 Freedom Star (KY) 4/F L* M Garcia 115 B Baffert
The second leg of the La Canada series. On paper, Stardom Bound, Dream Empress and Justwhistledixie are the standouts, however I feel that two of them have seen the last of their better days. Keep in mind, Stardom Bound was supposed to be the star of last year, Dream Empress was a G1 winner as a 2yo and Justwhistledixie was supposed to be "Alydar" to Rachel Alexandra's "Affirmed". Dixie is making the cross country trip which is somewhat suspect, but so is Stardom Bound. I'm going with Glided Gem, she's 2 for 2 and could be the heir apperent for West Coast older females. Keep in mind, 2 years ago a filly by Street Cry came into this race with only 2 races under her belt. Of course that filly, had a little bit more fanfair as she was the kid sister to G1 winner Balance. However, I would say that she went onto have a good career, I mean she won the Lady's Secret, Vanaity, Apple Blossom, Clement L. Hirish, Milady and BC Ladies Classic in her career. Am I missing a race? Humm I wonder, oh yeah a little race I like to call the BC Classic. Am I saying that Glided Gem is going to be the next Zenyatta? No, I'm not. However they both came/are coming into the race a little bit under the radar.
A few notes before I wrap up the post for tonight, the weekend recap will be on Sunday instead of Monday due to the holiday and the fact that the Eclipse Awards are also on Monday. Don't forget that there will be a live chat Monday starting at 7pm EST. I'm looking for panalists to be part of the chat, if you are interested DM (Direct Message) me on twitter. My screen name is tbchat on there. There will be an Eclipse wrapup on Tuesday and then I'll be taking a few days off to get ready for next weekend.
First Saturday at Aqueduct:
Aqueduct - January 16, 2010
Race 3 - 1:26 PM Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double Wagers
STAKES Evening Attire S.
Purse $65,000. For Three Year Olds And Upward. No nomination fee. A supplemental nomination fee of $650 may be made by closing time of entries. $300 to pass the entry box and an additional $350 to start. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. Three Year Olds 116 Lbs. Older 123 Lbs. Non-winners of a Graded Sweepstakes since October 1, 2009 allowed 3 Lbs. A sweepstakes since June 1, 2009 allowed 5 Lbs. Four Races, 7 Lbs. (Maiden, Claiming, starter and restricted allowance races not considered in allowances). A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, January 2, 2010 with 23 Nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (Inner track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Understatement (KY) 5/H L* D Cohen 116 T A Pletcher 3/5
1A 2 Well Positioned (ON) 4/C L R A Dominguez 116 R E Dutrow, Jr. 3/5
2 3 Ah Day (MD) 7/G L* S Russell 120 K T Leatherbury 4/1
3 4 More Than a Reason (KY) 5/H L C Hill 116 R Persaud 8/1
4 5 Storm Play (VA) 5/H L A R Napravnik 116 T A Pletcher 7/2
5 6 Bunker Hill (FL) 4/C L C C Lopez 120 D S Ryan 15/ 1
This is the stakes debut for Well Postioned, who was highley touted last year. He really hasn't been the same since losing to Take the Points (who showed that he wa no fluke by going on to win two G1's). I'm going with the old man in the field Ah Day, he's actually been on a bit of a tear lately and could be in good form.
Tomorrow at Golden Gate,
Golden Gate Fields - January 16, 2010
Race 8 - 4:22 PM $1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $1 Trifecta / $1 Superfecta (.10 min) $2 Daily Double
STAKES California Derby
Purse $100,000. For Three Years Old. BY SUBSCRIPTION OF $50 EACH TO ACCOMPANY THE NOMINATION OR BY SUPPLEMENTARY NOMINATION OF $2,000 AT TIME OF ENTRY WHICH INCLUDES ALL FEES. $1,000 TO ENTER. Weight: 121 Lbs. Highest earnings preferred. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, January 9, 2010 with 16 nominations. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Our Minesweeper (ID) 3/G L* F T Alvarado 121 M Lenzini 5/1
2 2 Connemara (KY) 3/C L* R A Baze 121 T A Pletcher 2/1
3 3 Thomas Baines (KY) 3/G L* M C Baze 121 D F O'Neill 7/2
4 4 Cahill Country (CA) 3/C L* I Beato 121 J Bonde 15/1
5 5 Ranger Heartley (KY) 3/G L* J A Garcia 121 J W Sadler 3/1
6 6 Shudacudawudya (CA) 3/C L* F Duran 121 L C Mason 4/
All eyes will be on Connemara, 3/4 brother to recently exported Derby runner up Lion Heart. From what I heard, Our Minesweeper is supposed to be a really good horse, and you don't see that many Idaho breds in big races. So he's my pick wiht Thomas Baines finishing second and Connemara third.
At Santa Anita Saturday, three stakes races.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 3 - 1:32 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 3-4-5)
STAKES San Rafael S. (Grade III)
Purse $100,000. For Three-Year-Olds. By subscription of $100 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010. with zero. $1,000 additional to start with $100,000 guaranteed of which $60,000 to the winner, $20,000 to second, $12,000 to third, $6,000 to fourth and $2,000 to fifth. *Early bird nominees to the 2010 Santa Anita Derby (Closing Date Saturday, January 2, 2010) are automatically eligible to the San Rafael Stakes with all fees waived. Closed with 114. Weight: 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $70,000at one mile or over allowed 3 Lbs.; $40,000 at any distance, 6 Lbs. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One Mile. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Cardiff Giant (KY) 3/G L* V Espinoza 116 J Periban 6/1
2 2 Domonation (KY) 3/C L* J Rosario 116 J W Sadler 5/2
3 3 Conveyance (KY) 3/C L* G K Gomez 116 B Baffert 3/5
4 4 Lucky Rave (GB) 3/C L* A O Solis 116 P Eurton 8/1
5 5 Via Verde (KY) 3/R L* R Bejarano 116 J W Sadler 8/1
I don't really have a pick in this race. Conveyance is the one to beat in this race. I'll be honest the two horses that I think will be coming out of California are Lookin at Lucky and Interactif (that's right I said Interactif, but I'll get to why I think he will do well on the synth and the Derby trail this year in another post). Of course things can change quite a bit in a short amount of time. For right now, I find the Calforina circuit somewhat unappealing for males.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 5 - 2:35 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 5-6-7) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES Santa Ynez S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. For Fillies, Three Years Olds. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010 with 13. $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed, of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. 121 Lbs. Winners of $50,000 twice to carry 2 Lbs. additional. Non-winners of $60,000 allowed 3 Lbs.; Non-winners of $35,000 anytime, 5 Lbs.; $25,000 since November 5, 7 Lbs. (Maiden and Claiming races not considered). Atrophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. Seven Furlongs. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Seriously (KY) 3/F L* V Espinoza 114 B Baffert 10/1
2 2 Franny Freud (NY) 3/F L G K Gomez 123 J P Terranova, II 5/2
3 3 Whispering Hush (CA) 3/F L* M E Smith 114 J E Kruljac 8/1
4 4 Amen Hallelujah (FL) 3/F L* C Sutherland 114 R E Dutrow, Jr. 3/1
5 5 She's Funomenal (KY) 3/F L* J Rosario 116 J Hollendorfer 9/5
6 6 Switch (KY) 3/F L* R Bejarano 114 J W Sadler 9/2
I like She's Funomenal in here. While she is probley not Blind Luck good, she could be a Careless Jewel type of filly. Franny Freud is making the cross country trip, but she is staying in the Baffert barn which is a bit of a plus.
Santa Anita Park - January 16, 2010
Race 7 - 3:37 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 7-8-9) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES San Fernando S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. (Includes $75,000 – BC - Breeders' Cup). For Four-Year-Olds. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination. Closed Thursday, January 7th, 2010 with 24. $1,500 additional to start with $75,000 guaranteed, and an additional $75,000 from the Breeders' Cup Fund for Cup nominees only. The host association's money to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 12% to tird, 6% to fourth and 2% to fifth. Breeders' Cup fund monies also correspondingly divided provided a Breeders' Cup nominee has finished in an awarded position. Any Breeders' Cup find monies not awarded will revert to the fund. 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 twice at one mile or over in 2009-10, allowed 2 Lbs.; non-winners of $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10 or $60,000 at any distance since December 25, 4 Lbs.; arace of $45,000 since July 1, 6 Lbs. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. . One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Smart Bid (PA) 4/C L* M E Smith 118 H G Motion 9/2
2 2 Viscount (KY) 4/C L* G K Gomez 116 B Baffert 6/1
3 3 Rendezvous (KY) 4/C L* R Bejarano 120 J Hollendorfer 9/2
4 4 Papa Clem (KY) 4/C L* T Baze 120 G Stute 3/1
5 5 Mr. Hot Stuff (KY) 4/C L* J Talamo 116 E G Harty 8/1
6 6 Mythical Power (KY) 4/C L* J Rosario 120 B Baffert 4/1
7 7 Gallant Son (KY) 4/C L* A O Solis 116 F Lucarelli 8/1
8 8 Quindici Man (KY) 4/C L V Espinoza 118 C A Lewis 10/1
Second leg of the Strub series, and honestly if either Papa Clem or Mr. Hot Stuff don't win this race then I don't know what. Smart Bid could make a challenge, but I think it's between last year's AR Derby winner and the younger brother to Col. John.
Sunday at Santa Anita:
Santa Anita Park - January 17, 2010
Race 8 - 4:07 PM $1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $2 Rolling Double / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.)
STAKES El Encino S. (Grade II)
Purse $150,000. For Fillies, Four Years Old. By subscription of $150 each to accompany the nomination or by supplementary nomination of $3,000 by time of entry, $1,500 additional to start, with $150,000 guaranteed, of which $90,000 to first, $30,000 to second, $18,000 to third, $9,000 to fourth and $3,000 to fifth. 122 Lbs. Non-winners of $90,000 twice at one mile or over in 2009-10, allowed 3 Lbs.; $90,000 at one mile or over in 2009-10 or $60,000 at any distance since October 1, 5 Lbs.; $35,000 anytime, 7 Lbs. (Maiden and claiming races not considered). Starters to be named through the entry box by the closing time of entries. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Rose Diamond (IRE) 4/F L* J Talamo 115 P L Biancone
2 Pretty Unusual (CA) 4/F L* C Sutherland 119 B Abrams
3 Will O Way (KY) 4/F L* A Quinonez 117 V Cerin
4 Dave's Revenge (KY) 4/F L* B Blanc 115 R B Hess, Jr.
5 Eloquently (GB) 4/F L* D R Flores 115 J W Sadler
6 Gumption (KY) 4/F L* J Valdivia, Jr. 115 B Headley
7 Stardom Bound (KY) 4/F L M E Smith 122 R E Dutrow, Jr.
8 Dream Empress (KY) 4/F L* T Baze 117 K G McPeek
9 Justwhistledixie (KY) 4/F L G K Gomez 122 W I Mott
10 Gilded Gem (KY) 4/F L* V Espinoza 115 B Baffert
11 Spirit Seeker (KY) 4/F L* J Rosario 115 J Hollendorfer
12 Best Lass (PA) 4/F L* A O Solis 117 K G McPeek
13 Freedom Star (KY) 4/F L* M Garcia 115 B Baffert
The second leg of the La Canada series. On paper, Stardom Bound, Dream Empress and Justwhistledixie are the standouts, however I feel that two of them have seen the last of their better days. Keep in mind, Stardom Bound was supposed to be the star of last year, Dream Empress was a G1 winner as a 2yo and Justwhistledixie was supposed to be "Alydar" to Rachel Alexandra's "Affirmed". Dixie is making the cross country trip which is somewhat suspect, but so is Stardom Bound. I'm going with Glided Gem, she's 2 for 2 and could be the heir apperent for West Coast older females. Keep in mind, 2 years ago a filly by Street Cry came into this race with only 2 races under her belt. Of course that filly, had a little bit more fanfair as she was the kid sister to G1 winner Balance. However, I would say that she went onto have a good career, I mean she won the Lady's Secret, Vanaity, Apple Blossom, Clement L. Hirish, Milady and BC Ladies Classic in her career. Am I missing a race? Humm I wonder, oh yeah a little race I like to call the BC Classic. Am I saying that Glided Gem is going to be the next Zenyatta? No, I'm not. However they both came/are coming into the race a little bit under the radar.
A few notes before I wrap up the post for tonight, the weekend recap will be on Sunday instead of Monday due to the holiday and the fact that the Eclipse Awards are also on Monday. Don't forget that there will be a live chat Monday starting at 7pm EST. I'm looking for panalists to be part of the chat, if you are interested DM (Direct Message) me on twitter. My screen name is tbchat on there. There will be an Eclipse wrapup on Tuesday and then I'll be taking a few days off to get ready for next weekend.
January 1, 2010
Weekend Preview, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday
Happy New Year everyone! I appologize for not posting yesterday as I got involved with something else. So I didn't get a chance to even really look at the fields for today's stakes races. Instead I'm going to preview tomorrow and Sunday's stakes races. However before that, today is also the universal birthday for horses in the Northern Hemisphere.
So,
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear horsies (especially Funny Cide (age 10), Rockport Harbor (age 8), Hard Spun (age 6), She Be Wild (age 3), Rule (age 3), Blind Luck (age 3), Rocky's babies (ages 2 and 1), Round Pond (age 8), Rachel Alexandra (age 4), Zenyatta (age 6), Hard Spun babies (age 1), Zenyatta's lucky date (age ?))
Happy birthday to you!
Now to this weekend's races.
First up at tomorrow at Aqueduct
8th (3:44)
Count Fleet S.
1 Mile 70 Yards | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $65,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Laus Deo Cohen D Dutrow Anthony W 116 L 6-1
2 2 Ibboyee Dominguez R A Pletcher Todd A 120 L 8-5
3 3 Run to Grand Ave. Castellano J J Levine Bruce N 116 L 8-1
4 4 Peppi Knows Belmonte L A Kreiser Timothy C 120 L 5-1
5 5 Turbo Speed Cora D Houghton T Bernard 120 L 7-2
6 6 Worth a Buck Garcia Alan Weaver George 116 15-1
7 7 Afleet Again Arroyo A S Reid Robert E Jr 116 Blk-On L 15-1
8 8 Our Commander Napravnik A R Capuano Gary 120 L 10-1
Laus Deo may not be as good as his stablemate Winslow Homer, but he's by one of the hottest sires around in Medaglia d'Oro and the males are finally starting to come around. Hopefully he does well in this prep for the Whirlaway, Gotham, Wood Memorial route.
Not a stakes, but also at Aqueduct tomorrow
9th (4:12)
6 Furlongs | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Allowance | Purse: $40,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 5 Structural Change Garcia Alan Bush Thomas M 118 L 6-1
1A 6 Offensive Attack Napravnik A R Bush Thomas M 118 L 6-1
2 1 Chernobyl's Hero Studart M Odintz Jeff 118 L 30-1
3 2 Won Great Classic Hill C Brown Bruce R 118 L 20-1
4 3 Kid Freud Cohen D Autrey Cody 118 L 9-2
5 4 Puregoodniss Lopez C C Imperio Joseph 118 L 10-1
6 7 L. C. Bulgari Chavez J F Maker Michael J 118 8-1
7 8 Psychotic Summer DeSouza N Toscano John T Jr 118 L 50-1
8 9 Golden Boychick Castellano J J Levine Bruce N 118 L 5-2
9 10 Estimator Bocachica O Grusmark Karl M 118 L 50-1
10 11 Island Son Jara F Duggan David P 118 L 30-1
11 12 Driven by Solar Dominguez R A Pletcher Todd A 123 L 3-1
12 13 Conquer the Fear Fragoso P Morrison John 118 L 20-1
Chernobyl's Hero is a horse that I've been following for quite a while now. He's been a bit of a hit and miss, but again like Laus Deo I'm hoping that he does well in the race.
Saturday at Santa Anita
8th (4:07)
San Gorgonio H. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles (Turf) | Fillies and Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 Century Park Baze T C 116 L
2 Rosa Grace (GB) Talamo J 114 Blk-On L
3 Treat Gently (GB) Bejarano R 116 L
4 Life Is Sweet Gomez G K 122 L
5 Diamondrella (GB) Solis A 122 L
6 Czechers Sutherland C 115 L
7 Lavender Sky Ajtebi A 114 Blk-On L
8 Teamgeist (ARG) Smith M E 116 L
9 Cat by the Tale Rosario J 115 L
Now with Zenyatta now retired, Life is Sweet is the #1 older female on the West Coast and #2 overall (behind Rachel Alexandra). She does have turf experience, but that was on the East Coast where the turf is more on the softer side. Diamondrella could be the one to beat her, but it might be a little bit beyond her scope. Treat Gently gets a trainer change (from Bobby Frankel/Humberto Acanio to Bill Mott), so she may need a race.
Sunday at Gulfstream
8th (4:43)
Hal's Hope S. (G3)
1 Mile
Open
4 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $100,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 You and I Forever Castro E 116 L
2 Quality Road Velazquez J R 122 L
3 Helsinki Leparoux J R 116 L
4 Colonial Causeway Velasquez C 116 L
5 Le Grand Cru Lezcano J 120 L
6 Suyeta Farina T 116 L
7 Harlem Rocker Coa E M 116 L
8 Spin Master Garcia Alan 116 L
9 Congressional Page Marquez C H Jr 116 L
On paper, Quality Road should destroy the field. My concern is that he will freak out again and be scratched. However, he has gotten help on gates, so hopefully that has changed his opinon on gates. With that being said, Harlem Rocker while maybe a few steps below his Prince of Wales form a few years ago is my pick.
I know I forgot about a few stakes races, but these are the big ones for me (personally) this weekend. I'll be back Monday with a recap and start the countdown to ThoroughChat's 1 year aniversary!
So,
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear horsies (especially Funny Cide (age 10), Rockport Harbor (age 8), Hard Spun (age 6), She Be Wild (age 3), Rule (age 3), Blind Luck (age 3), Rocky's babies (ages 2 and 1), Round Pond (age 8), Rachel Alexandra (age 4), Zenyatta (age 6), Hard Spun babies (age 1), Zenyatta's lucky date (age ?))
Happy birthday to you!
Now to this weekend's races.
First up at tomorrow at Aqueduct
8th (3:44)
Count Fleet S.
1 Mile 70 Yards | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $65,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Laus Deo Cohen D Dutrow Anthony W 116 L 6-1
2 2 Ibboyee Dominguez R A Pletcher Todd A 120 L 8-5
3 3 Run to Grand Ave. Castellano J J Levine Bruce N 116 L 8-1
4 4 Peppi Knows Belmonte L A Kreiser Timothy C 120 L 5-1
5 5 Turbo Speed Cora D Houghton T Bernard 120 L 7-2
6 6 Worth a Buck Garcia Alan Weaver George 116 15-1
7 7 Afleet Again Arroyo A S Reid Robert E Jr 116 Blk-On L 15-1
8 8 Our Commander Napravnik A R Capuano Gary 120 L 10-1
Laus Deo may not be as good as his stablemate Winslow Homer, but he's by one of the hottest sires around in Medaglia d'Oro and the males are finally starting to come around. Hopefully he does well in this prep for the Whirlaway, Gotham, Wood Memorial route.
Not a stakes, but also at Aqueduct tomorrow
9th (4:12)
6 Furlongs | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Allowance | Purse: $40,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 5 Structural Change Garcia Alan Bush Thomas M 118 L 6-1
1A 6 Offensive Attack Napravnik A R Bush Thomas M 118 L 6-1
2 1 Chernobyl's Hero Studart M Odintz Jeff 118 L 30-1
3 2 Won Great Classic Hill C Brown Bruce R 118 L 20-1
4 3 Kid Freud Cohen D Autrey Cody 118 L 9-2
5 4 Puregoodniss Lopez C C Imperio Joseph 118 L 10-1
6 7 L. C. Bulgari Chavez J F Maker Michael J 118 8-1
7 8 Psychotic Summer DeSouza N Toscano John T Jr 118 L 50-1
8 9 Golden Boychick Castellano J J Levine Bruce N 118 L 5-2
9 10 Estimator Bocachica O Grusmark Karl M 118 L 50-1
10 11 Island Son Jara F Duggan David P 118 L 30-1
11 12 Driven by Solar Dominguez R A Pletcher Todd A 123 L 3-1
12 13 Conquer the Fear Fragoso P Morrison John 118 L 20-1
Chernobyl's Hero is a horse that I've been following for quite a while now. He's been a bit of a hit and miss, but again like Laus Deo I'm hoping that he does well in the race.
Saturday at Santa Anita
8th (4:07)
San Gorgonio H. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles (Turf) | Fillies and Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 Century Park Baze T C 116 L
2 Rosa Grace (GB) Talamo J 114 Blk-On L
3 Treat Gently (GB) Bejarano R 116 L
4 Life Is Sweet Gomez G K 122 L
5 Diamondrella (GB) Solis A 122 L
6 Czechers Sutherland C 115 L
7 Lavender Sky Ajtebi A 114 Blk-On L
8 Teamgeist (ARG) Smith M E 116 L
9 Cat by the Tale Rosario J 115 L
Now with Zenyatta now retired, Life is Sweet is the #1 older female on the West Coast and #2 overall (behind Rachel Alexandra). She does have turf experience, but that was on the East Coast where the turf is more on the softer side. Diamondrella could be the one to beat her, but it might be a little bit beyond her scope. Treat Gently gets a trainer change (from Bobby Frankel/Humberto Acanio to Bill Mott), so she may need a race.
Sunday at Gulfstream
8th (4:43)
Hal's Hope S. (G3)
1 Mile
Open
4 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $100,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 You and I Forever Castro E 116 L
2 Quality Road Velazquez J R 122 L
3 Helsinki Leparoux J R 116 L
4 Colonial Causeway Velasquez C 116 L
5 Le Grand Cru Lezcano J 120 L
6 Suyeta Farina T 116 L
7 Harlem Rocker Coa E M 116 L
8 Spin Master Garcia Alan 116 L
9 Congressional Page Marquez C H Jr 116 L
On paper, Quality Road should destroy the field. My concern is that he will freak out again and be scratched. However, he has gotten help on gates, so hopefully that has changed his opinon on gates. With that being said, Harlem Rocker while maybe a few steps below his Prince of Wales form a few years ago is my pick.
I know I forgot about a few stakes races, but these are the big ones for me (personally) this weekend. I'll be back Monday with a recap and start the countdown to ThoroughChat's 1 year aniversary!
April 10, 2009
Weekend Preview and Paragallo charged (Warning Language)
Here we go the last major weekend of preps (there is the Lexington next week, but those are those who need last minute earnings). Also I talk about a very serious topic.
First of the AR Derby
1)Captain Cherokee (Aaron Gryder, 20-1)
2)Papa Clem (Rafael Bejarano, 6-1)
3)Flat Out (Julio Garcia, 10-1)
4)Poltergeist (Quincy Hamilton, 20-1)
5)Ziegfeld (Jon Court, 12-1)
6)Flying Private (Israel Ocampo, 6-1)
7)Summer Bird (Chris Rosier, 30-1)
8)Old Fashioned (Terry Thompson, 9-5)
9)Win Willy (Cliff Berry, 7-2)
10)Danger to Society (Cornelio Velasquez, 6-1)
Even though he gets a jockey change, I still don't like Old Fashioned's chances. Personally I would love to see Win Willy win again, but beware of Papa Clem who apprently is working lights out on the Oaklawn surface. Flat Out for third, and Old Fashioned for fourth. If Willy wins, it will be another huge boost to his Derby winning sire Monarchos who got a G1 winner yesterday at Keenland.
Top three:
Win Willy
Papa Clem
Flat Out
Also at Oaklawn:
Oaklawn Park - April 11th, 2009 - Race 9
Northern Spur S. - Grade:
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:25 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Purse: $75,000
Distance: One Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 It Happened Again (KY) 3 Colt 119 Terry J. Thompson
2 Golden Chapel (KY) 3 Colt 117 Israel Ocampo
3 Headstart (ON) 3 Colt 122 Aaron T. Gryder
4 Dance Caller (FL) 3 Colt 117 Larry J. Sterling, Jr.
5 Uno Mas (KY) 3 Colt 119 Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
6 Bergman (KY) 3 Colt 115 M. Clifton Berry
7 Marquee Event (FL) 3 Colt 115 Quincy Hamilton
8 Anaan (PA) 3 Colt 115 Larry Melancon
9 Kick On (FL) 3 Colt 119 Bryan McNeil
10 Fufty Too (KY) 3 Colt 115 Rafael Bejarano
11 Street Move (KY) 3 Colt 115 Christopher A. Emigh
12 Quiet Thanks (TX) 3 Colt 115 Eusebio Razo, Jr.
13 Good Sermon (KY) 3 Colt 117 Jon Kenton Court
I really like It Happended Again in this race. Also his name is fitting as he's by Proud Citizen, trained by Larry Jones and owned by former KY Gov. Breton Jones. They are the connections of last year's Champion 3yo filly Proud Spell. Uno Mas and Kick On who chased Friesan Fire and Old Fashioned respectivly for second and third.
Top three:
It Happend Again
Uno Mas
Kick On
At Aquaduct
Comely S. April 11, $150,000, 3yo, f, 1M, Aqueduct, 4:50 PM ET
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Platinum Girl 3, f. Mineshaft 116 Michael Luzzi Todd Pletcher
2 Don't Forget Gil 3, f. Kafwain 122 Rajiv Maragh Mark Hennig
3 Subprime 3, f. High Yield 116 Richard Migliore James Jerkens
4 Laragh 3, f. Tapit 122 Ramon Dominguez John Terranova, II
5 Dream Play 3, f. Hennessy 118 Eddie Castro Kiaran McLaughlin
6 Holdontoyourdream 3, f. Proud Citizen 116 David Cohen Anthony Dutrow
One Word: Laragh. I really like this filly, more then her more known ownershipmate Stardom Bound. Holdontoyourdream and Don't Forget Gil just for their names for second and third respectivlly.
Top three:
Laragh
Holdontoyourdream
Don't Forget Gil
At Keenland the Bluegrass Stakes
1 -- Patena, Robby Albarado, 10-1
2 -- Join in the Dance, John Velazquez, 10-1
3 -- Theregoesjojo, Calvin Borel, 7-2
4 -- Cliffy's Future, Jesus Castanon, 20-1
5 -- Mafaaz, Richard Hills, 12-1
6 -- Terrain, Julien Leparoux, 6-1
7 -- Loch Dubh, Jamie Theriot, 50-1
8 -- General Quarters, Eibar Coa, 15-1
9 -- Charitable Man, Alan Garcia, 4-1
10 -- Hold Me Back, Kent Desormeaux, 3-1
11 -- Massone, Garrett Gomez, 12-1
The past few days the favorites in stakes races at Keenland have been upset. For this reason, I'm going to stay away from Hold Me Back. Instead I'm sticking with my gut and heart, with going with Patena. He could easily be better then I Want Revenge (Although he might not catch up until the summer). I would love to see Theregoesjojo get second and either General Quarters or Mafaaz get third. But watch Cliffy's Future pull a Dominican and win :P.
Now to some serious talk. Ernie Paragallo, who is a well known owner, has been charged 22 counts of animal abuse, link. However, Paragallo is saying that he did not abuse the animals, that it was a management problem, link. The following is going to have some profanity, so readers descrition is advised.
I think Paragallo is full of bs. It doesn't help that he has had his owners licence revoked once before, thankfully NYRA has banned him from doing bussiness, link. Animal abuse is a very serious charge, and he should pay the time for doing the crime. Even if he didn't know that it was going on, they are still his horses. I'm extremly hopeful that one of the horses abused was not Pink Viper, a half brother to Flashy Bull and one of my favorite horses in training. I'm also concerned about a few other other Paragallo horses that I like. Thankfully UBS and Artax, his two best horses are standing at stud. Lets hope he gets the max if convicted.
First of the AR Derby
1)Captain Cherokee (Aaron Gryder, 20-1)
2)Papa Clem (Rafael Bejarano, 6-1)
3)Flat Out (Julio Garcia, 10-1)
4)Poltergeist (Quincy Hamilton, 20-1)
5)Ziegfeld (Jon Court, 12-1)
6)Flying Private (Israel Ocampo, 6-1)
7)Summer Bird (Chris Rosier, 30-1)
8)Old Fashioned (Terry Thompson, 9-5)
9)Win Willy (Cliff Berry, 7-2)
10)Danger to Society (Cornelio Velasquez, 6-1)
Even though he gets a jockey change, I still don't like Old Fashioned's chances. Personally I would love to see Win Willy win again, but beware of Papa Clem who apprently is working lights out on the Oaklawn surface. Flat Out for third, and Old Fashioned for fourth. If Willy wins, it will be another huge boost to his Derby winning sire Monarchos who got a G1 winner yesterday at Keenland.
Top three:
Win Willy
Papa Clem
Flat Out
Also at Oaklawn:
Oaklawn Park - April 11th, 2009 - Race 9
Northern Spur S. - Grade:
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:25 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Purse: $75,000
Distance: One Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 It Happened Again (KY) 3 Colt 119 Terry J. Thompson
2 Golden Chapel (KY) 3 Colt 117 Israel Ocampo
3 Headstart (ON) 3 Colt 122 Aaron T. Gryder
4 Dance Caller (FL) 3 Colt 117 Larry J. Sterling, Jr.
5 Uno Mas (KY) 3 Colt 119 Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
6 Bergman (KY) 3 Colt 115 M. Clifton Berry
7 Marquee Event (FL) 3 Colt 115 Quincy Hamilton
8 Anaan (PA) 3 Colt 115 Larry Melancon
9 Kick On (FL) 3 Colt 119 Bryan McNeil
10 Fufty Too (KY) 3 Colt 115 Rafael Bejarano
11 Street Move (KY) 3 Colt 115 Christopher A. Emigh
12 Quiet Thanks (TX) 3 Colt 115 Eusebio Razo, Jr.
13 Good Sermon (KY) 3 Colt 117 Jon Kenton Court
I really like It Happended Again in this race. Also his name is fitting as he's by Proud Citizen, trained by Larry Jones and owned by former KY Gov. Breton Jones. They are the connections of last year's Champion 3yo filly Proud Spell. Uno Mas and Kick On who chased Friesan Fire and Old Fashioned respectivly for second and third.
Top three:
It Happend Again
Uno Mas
Kick On
At Aquaduct
Comely S. April 11, $150,000, 3yo, f, 1M, Aqueduct, 4:50 PM ET
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Platinum Girl 3, f. Mineshaft 116 Michael Luzzi Todd Pletcher
2 Don't Forget Gil 3, f. Kafwain 122 Rajiv Maragh Mark Hennig
3 Subprime 3, f. High Yield 116 Richard Migliore James Jerkens
4 Laragh 3, f. Tapit 122 Ramon Dominguez John Terranova, II
5 Dream Play 3, f. Hennessy 118 Eddie Castro Kiaran McLaughlin
6 Holdontoyourdream 3, f. Proud Citizen 116 David Cohen Anthony Dutrow
One Word: Laragh. I really like this filly, more then her more known ownershipmate Stardom Bound. Holdontoyourdream and Don't Forget Gil just for their names for second and third respectivlly.
Top three:
Laragh
Holdontoyourdream
Don't Forget Gil
At Keenland the Bluegrass Stakes
1 -- Patena, Robby Albarado, 10-1
2 -- Join in the Dance, John Velazquez, 10-1
3 -- Theregoesjojo, Calvin Borel, 7-2
4 -- Cliffy's Future, Jesus Castanon, 20-1
5 -- Mafaaz, Richard Hills, 12-1
6 -- Terrain, Julien Leparoux, 6-1
7 -- Loch Dubh, Jamie Theriot, 50-1
8 -- General Quarters, Eibar Coa, 15-1
9 -- Charitable Man, Alan Garcia, 4-1
10 -- Hold Me Back, Kent Desormeaux, 3-1
11 -- Massone, Garrett Gomez, 12-1
The past few days the favorites in stakes races at Keenland have been upset. For this reason, I'm going to stay away from Hold Me Back. Instead I'm sticking with my gut and heart, with going with Patena. He could easily be better then I Want Revenge (Although he might not catch up until the summer). I would love to see Theregoesjojo get second and either General Quarters or Mafaaz get third. But watch Cliffy's Future pull a Dominican and win :P.
Now to some serious talk. Ernie Paragallo, who is a well known owner, has been charged 22 counts of animal abuse, link. However, Paragallo is saying that he did not abuse the animals, that it was a management problem, link. The following is going to have some profanity, so readers descrition is advised.
I think Paragallo is full of bs. It doesn't help that he has had his owners licence revoked once before, thankfully NYRA has banned him from doing bussiness, link. Animal abuse is a very serious charge, and he should pay the time for doing the crime. Even if he didn't know that it was going on, they are still his horses. I'm extremly hopeful that one of the horses abused was not Pink Viper, a half brother to Flashy Bull and one of my favorite horses in training. I'm also concerned about a few other other Paragallo horses that I like. Thankfully UBS and Artax, his two best horses are standing at stud. Lets hope he gets the max if convicted.
April 3, 2009
Weekend Preview
I'm not going to be posting the fields this week, as I spent a good part of the day crying. They moved my dad to Hospice today as he took a turn for the worse last weekend. So due to a lack of time I will just be giving you a small preview for each race I'm previewing.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) (Santa Anita): I really would love to see Chocolate Candy win it, with Pioneerof the Nile, Take the Points, and The Pamplemousse taking 2-3-4 respectivly. I feel that these are the four best horses on the West Coast.
Ashland S. (G1) (Keenland): While Stardom Bound is the favorite in here, I would not under estimate What a Pear. She hails from the same female family as Rags to Riches, Jazil ect. Also she won the same race at Aquaduct as Little Belle did before winning the Ashland. Look for Dream Empress to rebound here to get third behind Pear and Stardom, who is very vernuable.
Wood Memorial (G1) (Aquaduct): This is a two horse race between I Want Revenge and Imperial Council. Based on his impressive Gotham win, I give the edge to Revenge.
Oaklawn Handicap (G2) (Oaklawn): This is a G2? Seriously, no Tiago and no Magnum. With that being said, my beloved Prom Shoes is in this race and I love his chances. Also he is breaking from my dad's favorite number (#2), so this win would be so bitter sweet for me. Hopefully Jonesboro and Honest Man also rebound in this race.
Apple Blossom (G1) (Oaklawn): This is a G1? Yeah just as bad as the OakCap, maybe even worse. Acoma should win this race easily.
Carter H. (G1) (Aquaduct): This IMO is the best race of the weekend. You have 2 G1's, a horse who is very close to getting his G1 win, as well as an up and coming colt. I gotta go with the trifecta of Tale of Ekati, Kodiak Kowboy and Biker Boy. I like all three of these horses chances to hitting the board in this race.
Fantasy S. (G2) (Oaklawn): It's Rachel Alexandra's world and we are all living it. I hope Rach takes this easily to set up her matchup against Justwhistledixie and Stardom Bound (As well as What a Pear). Bon Jovi Girl and Just Jenda for 2-3 respectivlly.
For you fans of CAN racing, Woodbine opens on Saturday. Again I appoligze for not having a huge preview.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) (Santa Anita): I really would love to see Chocolate Candy win it, with Pioneerof the Nile, Take the Points, and The Pamplemousse taking 2-3-4 respectivly. I feel that these are the four best horses on the West Coast.
Ashland S. (G1) (Keenland): While Stardom Bound is the favorite in here, I would not under estimate What a Pear. She hails from the same female family as Rags to Riches, Jazil ect. Also she won the same race at Aquaduct as Little Belle did before winning the Ashland. Look for Dream Empress to rebound here to get third behind Pear and Stardom, who is very vernuable.
Wood Memorial (G1) (Aquaduct): This is a two horse race between I Want Revenge and Imperial Council. Based on his impressive Gotham win, I give the edge to Revenge.
Oaklawn Handicap (G2) (Oaklawn): This is a G2? Seriously, no Tiago and no Magnum. With that being said, my beloved Prom Shoes is in this race and I love his chances. Also he is breaking from my dad's favorite number (#2), so this win would be so bitter sweet for me. Hopefully Jonesboro and Honest Man also rebound in this race.
Apple Blossom (G1) (Oaklawn): This is a G1? Yeah just as bad as the OakCap, maybe even worse. Acoma should win this race easily.
Carter H. (G1) (Aquaduct): This IMO is the best race of the weekend. You have 2 G1's, a horse who is very close to getting his G1 win, as well as an up and coming colt. I gotta go with the trifecta of Tale of Ekati, Kodiak Kowboy and Biker Boy. I like all three of these horses chances to hitting the board in this race.
Fantasy S. (G2) (Oaklawn): It's Rachel Alexandra's world and we are all living it. I hope Rach takes this easily to set up her matchup against Justwhistledixie and Stardom Bound (As well as What a Pear). Bon Jovi Girl and Just Jenda for 2-3 respectivlly.
For you fans of CAN racing, Woodbine opens on Saturday. Again I appoligze for not having a huge preview.
March 24, 2009
A rabbit for Dunkirk?, Lime Rickey to the Wood and Twitter
Possible Florida Derby favorite Dunkirk could have a rabbit for the FL Derby. Rabbit is just a name for a pacesetter and not an actual rabbit. Europe (Unbridled's Song x Zing) is the possible rabbit, he is the full brother to graded stakes winner Half Ours. Link
Also Lime Rickey will make his dirt debut in the Wood Memorial. His owners are Dogwood Stables who owned Limehouse a few years ago. Link
Finally, I'm now a Tweeter! Still really getting used to it, so there maybe times where I might just post something on Twitter and not on here. Look out for a Facebook group sometime withen the next week or two as well. Link
The Stallion Spotlight might not be ready for tomarrow, so stay tuned for it. I might just skip it this week, because of the huge weekend of Derby preps and the Dubai races.
Also Lime Rickey will make his dirt debut in the Wood Memorial. His owners are Dogwood Stables who owned Limehouse a few years ago. Link
Finally, I'm now a Tweeter! Still really getting used to it, so there maybe times where I might just post something on Twitter and not on here. Look out for a Facebook group sometime withen the next week or two as well. Link
The Stallion Spotlight might not be ready for tomarrow, so stay tuned for it. I might just skip it this week, because of the huge weekend of Derby preps and the Dubai races.
March 5, 2009
Weekend Preview, Magna files Chapter 11
Well here it is, weekend preview. Really not much Derby and/or Oaks wise. But the two races that are, are huge ones. Plus the best early season race for older males, two of my favorites running in a prep for the Oaklawn Handicap, and it's another boys vs girl matchup.
We start off in New York, at Aquaduct on Saturday is the Gotham Stakes.
$250,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. III, Race 9, 4:18 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt) PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Naos (KY), 116, Michael J. Luzzi
2. Russell Road (WV), 116, Travis L. Dunkelberger
3. Masala (FL), 116, Eibar Coa
4. Axel Foley (KY), 116, Richard Migliore
5. Mr. Fantasy (NY), 116, Alan Garcia
6. Haynesfield (NY), 120, Charles C. Lopez
7. Imperial Council (KY), 116, Rajiv Maragh
8. I Want Revenge (KY), 116, Joseph Talamo
9. Giant Ryan (NY), 116, Jeffrey Sanchez
This races is loaded with talent. Masala is coming off a second place finish at Gulfstream, the winner Take the Points just finished second last week in the Sham. Axel Foley and I Want Revenge come in from Cali. But the three to keep an eye on are Haynesfield, Imperial Council and Mr. Fantasy. These three could become the Wood Memorial favorites if they do in this race. Haynesfield will most likely go off as the favorite. But I like Imperial Council in this race, although he is going two turns for the first time. The big reason why is that he is by Empire Maker (2003 Belmont winner, much to my dismay, but that's a story for another day), out of a mare by Thunder Gulch (1995 Derby and Belmont winner). And if you go back farther, his dam's broodmare sire is Risen Star (1988 Preakness and Belmont winner), and his sire's sire is Unbridled (1990 Derby winner). Mr. Fantasy is the half brother to last year's Indiana Derby winner Tin Cup Chalice. He's by E Dubai, who happens to be the sire of one of my favorite Darley horses (although I think he's retired or exported), Wafi City. Two turns should also not be problem for him as his broodmare sire is 1979 Derby and Preakness winner Spectacular Bid. Hayesfield is the questionmark. While he won the first prep, the Whirlaway, he's by a champion sprinter. Instead I'm going to put Masala who is by Lion Heart.
Top three:
Imperial Council
Mr. Fantasy
Masala
Next it's off to Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 9Razorback H. - Grade: 3
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:02 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $150,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles Surface: Dirt
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Spotsgone (KY) 6 Horse 113 Joe M. Johnson
2 Jonesboro (KY) 7 Horse 117 Calvin H. Borel
3 Catmantoo (KY) 6 Gelding 112 M. Clifton Berry
4 Let It Rock (FL) 4 Colt 113 Terry J. Thompson
5 Silver Edition (KY) 4 Colt 113 Bryan McNeil
6 Shim's Pride (KY) 6 Gelding 113 Israel Ocampo
7 Prom Shoes (KY) 5 Horse 117 Christopher A. Emigh
I've been waiting for this match-up for a few weeks. The class of the field is defending champ Jonesboro, and Essex winner Prom Shoes. These two have been thorns in each others sides for a year, and this time it's going to be very interesting. Look for last year's Essex winner Spotsgone to set the pace for Jonesboro and his stablemate Shoes. I'm going with Let It Rock for third, just for his name. But the Shoes will take it and go into the Oaklawn Handicap as the local favorite (depending on who ships in).
Top three:
Prom Shoes
Jonesboro
Let It Rock
Last, but not least, three Grade 1 races at Santa Anita.
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 7
Santa Anita Oaks - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 3:07 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Sex: Fillies Purse: $300,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles Surface: All Weather Track
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Stardom Bound (KY) 3 Filly 122 Mike E. Smith
2 Burg Berg (KY) 3 Filly 122 Tyler Baze
3 Miss Silver Brook (KY) 3 Filly 122 Alex O. Solis
4 Hooh Why (FL) 3 Filly 122 Robby Albarado
5 Stormy Slew (KY) 3 Filly 122 John R. Velazquez
6 Nan (KY) 3 Filly 122 Corey S. Nakatani
7 Will O Way (KY) 3 Filly 122 Russell A. Baze
8 Beltene (CA) 3 Filly 122 Joel Rosario
9 Third Dawn (KY) 3 Filly 122 Rafael Bejarano
10 Acronym (KY) 3 Filly 122 David Romero Flores
This is a make or break race for Stardom Bound, a solid win and she'll try boys next time out in the SA Derby. Otherwise it will be the Oaks. This is her race to lose. Alot of people people like Miss Silver Brook, and Hooh Why was second to Patena last year up at Woodbine (this was before IEAH bought him).
Top three:
Stardom Bound
Miss Silver Brook
Hooh Why
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 9
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:07 PM
Race Type: StakesBreed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One Mile Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Ventura (KY) 5 Mare 118 Garrett K. Gomez
2 Mast Track (KY) 5 Horse 117 Julien R. Leparoux
3 Monterey Jazz (KY) 5 Horse 116 Russell A. Baze
4 Hewitts (FL) 5 Gelding 114 David Romero Flores
5 Wise River (KY) 6 Horse 116 Robby Albarado
6 Artiste Royal (IRE) 8 Ridgling 119 Rafael Bejarano
7 Dixie Chatter (KY) 4 Colt 115 Tyler Baze
8 Mr Napper Tandy (GB) 5 Horse 113 Joel Rosario
9 Global Hunter (ARG) 6 Horse 116 Jose Valdivia, Jr.
10 Becrux (ITY) 7 Gelding 115 Edgar S. Prado
11 Gio Ponti (KY) 4 Colt 118 Ramon A. Dominguez
12 Victory Pete (FL) 4 Colt 113 Mike E. Smith
Ventura vs the boys: Round 2. She was the runner up in last year's Woodbine Mile before upsetting Indian Blessing in the BC Filly/Mare sprint. This is probley her max distance, look for her stablemate Mast Track to set the early pace. I would love Dixie Chatter to take it, he's had such bad luck since he was 2. I really don't like Gio Ponti in this spot.
Top three:
Dixie Chatter
Ventura
Mast Track
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 10
Santa Anita H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:37 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: One And One Fourth Miles Surface: All Weather Track
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Matto Mondo (CHI) 5 Horse 116 Rafael Bejarano
2 Cowboy Cal (KY) 4 Colt 120 John R. Velazquez
3 Heroi Do Bafra (BRZ) 7 Horse 111 Michael C. Baze
4 Monba (KY) 4 Colt 114 Edgar S. Prado
5 Colonel John (KY) 4 Colt 119 Garrett K. Gomez
6 Magnum (ARG) 8 Gelding 116 Joel Rosario
7 Blue Exit (KY) 4 Colt 115 Robby Albarado
8 Einstein (BRZ) 7 Horse 121 Julien R. Leparoux
9 Dansant (GB) 5 Horse 116 Tyler Baze
10 Cause (KY) 4 Colt 110 Jon Kenton Court
11 Court Vision (KY) 4 Colt 119 Ramon A. Dominguez
12 Zambezi Sun (GB) 5 Horse 116 Victor Espinoza
13 Champs Elysees (GB) 6 Horse 118 Jose Valdivia, Jr.
14 Stream Cat (KY) 6 Gelding 114 Alex O. Solis
The hot horse right now is Cowboy Cal, Einstein is comming off a 3rd place finish in the Donn and should be helped by the synthtic surface. Court Vision is coming off a 3rd place finish in the Gulfstearm Park Turf and is my pick to win the race. Col. John may need a race, Magnum looks like he's a new horse. Champs Elysees ran well in this race last year, his stablemate Zambezi Sun is coming off a short layoff. Dansant is a very interesting horse as he's Euro based. Now go watch Cal's stablemate Monba shock us all again and win the whole thing.
Top three:
Court Vision
Cowboy Cal
Einstein
As I reported last night, Manga was in danger of filing for bankruptcy. They did that today, link. It's Chapter 11 bankruptsy.
We start off in New York, at Aquaduct on Saturday is the Gotham Stakes.
$250,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. III, Race 9, 4:18 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt) PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Naos (KY), 116, Michael J. Luzzi
2. Russell Road (WV), 116, Travis L. Dunkelberger
3. Masala (FL), 116, Eibar Coa
4. Axel Foley (KY), 116, Richard Migliore
5. Mr. Fantasy (NY), 116, Alan Garcia
6. Haynesfield (NY), 120, Charles C. Lopez
7. Imperial Council (KY), 116, Rajiv Maragh
8. I Want Revenge (KY), 116, Joseph Talamo
9. Giant Ryan (NY), 116, Jeffrey Sanchez
This races is loaded with talent. Masala is coming off a second place finish at Gulfstream, the winner Take the Points just finished second last week in the Sham. Axel Foley and I Want Revenge come in from Cali. But the three to keep an eye on are Haynesfield, Imperial Council and Mr. Fantasy. These three could become the Wood Memorial favorites if they do in this race. Haynesfield will most likely go off as the favorite. But I like Imperial Council in this race, although he is going two turns for the first time. The big reason why is that he is by Empire Maker (2003 Belmont winner, much to my dismay, but that's a story for another day), out of a mare by Thunder Gulch (1995 Derby and Belmont winner). And if you go back farther, his dam's broodmare sire is Risen Star (1988 Preakness and Belmont winner), and his sire's sire is Unbridled (1990 Derby winner). Mr. Fantasy is the half brother to last year's Indiana Derby winner Tin Cup Chalice. He's by E Dubai, who happens to be the sire of one of my favorite Darley horses (although I think he's retired or exported), Wafi City. Two turns should also not be problem for him as his broodmare sire is 1979 Derby and Preakness winner Spectacular Bid. Hayesfield is the questionmark. While he won the first prep, the Whirlaway, he's by a champion sprinter. Instead I'm going to put Masala who is by Lion Heart.
Top three:
Imperial Council
Mr. Fantasy
Masala
Next it's off to Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 9Razorback H. - Grade: 3
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:02 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $150,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles Surface: Dirt
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Spotsgone (KY) 6 Horse 113 Joe M. Johnson
2 Jonesboro (KY) 7 Horse 117 Calvin H. Borel
3 Catmantoo (KY) 6 Gelding 112 M. Clifton Berry
4 Let It Rock (FL) 4 Colt 113 Terry J. Thompson
5 Silver Edition (KY) 4 Colt 113 Bryan McNeil
6 Shim's Pride (KY) 6 Gelding 113 Israel Ocampo
7 Prom Shoes (KY) 5 Horse 117 Christopher A. Emigh
I've been waiting for this match-up for a few weeks. The class of the field is defending champ Jonesboro, and Essex winner Prom Shoes. These two have been thorns in each others sides for a year, and this time it's going to be very interesting. Look for last year's Essex winner Spotsgone to set the pace for Jonesboro and his stablemate Shoes. I'm going with Let It Rock for third, just for his name. But the Shoes will take it and go into the Oaklawn Handicap as the local favorite (depending on who ships in).
Top three:
Prom Shoes
Jonesboro
Let It Rock
Last, but not least, three Grade 1 races at Santa Anita.
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 7
Santa Anita Oaks - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 3:07 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Sex: Fillies Purse: $300,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles Surface: All Weather Track
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Stardom Bound (KY) 3 Filly 122 Mike E. Smith
2 Burg Berg (KY) 3 Filly 122 Tyler Baze
3 Miss Silver Brook (KY) 3 Filly 122 Alex O. Solis
4 Hooh Why (FL) 3 Filly 122 Robby Albarado
5 Stormy Slew (KY) 3 Filly 122 John R. Velazquez
6 Nan (KY) 3 Filly 122 Corey S. Nakatani
7 Will O Way (KY) 3 Filly 122 Russell A. Baze
8 Beltene (CA) 3 Filly 122 Joel Rosario
9 Third Dawn (KY) 3 Filly 122 Rafael Bejarano
10 Acronym (KY) 3 Filly 122 David Romero Flores
This is a make or break race for Stardom Bound, a solid win and she'll try boys next time out in the SA Derby. Otherwise it will be the Oaks. This is her race to lose. Alot of people people like Miss Silver Brook, and Hooh Why was second to Patena last year up at Woodbine (this was before IEAH bought him).
Top three:
Stardom Bound
Miss Silver Brook
Hooh Why
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 9
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:07 PM
Race Type: StakesBreed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One Mile Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Ventura (KY) 5 Mare 118 Garrett K. Gomez
2 Mast Track (KY) 5 Horse 117 Julien R. Leparoux
3 Monterey Jazz (KY) 5 Horse 116 Russell A. Baze
4 Hewitts (FL) 5 Gelding 114 David Romero Flores
5 Wise River (KY) 6 Horse 116 Robby Albarado
6 Artiste Royal (IRE) 8 Ridgling 119 Rafael Bejarano
7 Dixie Chatter (KY) 4 Colt 115 Tyler Baze
8 Mr Napper Tandy (GB) 5 Horse 113 Joel Rosario
9 Global Hunter (ARG) 6 Horse 116 Jose Valdivia, Jr.
10 Becrux (ITY) 7 Gelding 115 Edgar S. Prado
11 Gio Ponti (KY) 4 Colt 118 Ramon A. Dominguez
12 Victory Pete (FL) 4 Colt 113 Mike E. Smith
Ventura vs the boys: Round 2. She was the runner up in last year's Woodbine Mile before upsetting Indian Blessing in the BC Filly/Mare sprint. This is probley her max distance, look for her stablemate Mast Track to set the early pace. I would love Dixie Chatter to take it, he's had such bad luck since he was 2. I really don't like Gio Ponti in this spot.
Top three:
Dixie Chatter
Ventura
Mast Track
Santa Anita Park - March 7th, 2009 - Race 10
Santa Anita H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:37 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: One And One Fourth Miles Surface: All Weather Track
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Matto Mondo (CHI) 5 Horse 116 Rafael Bejarano
2 Cowboy Cal (KY) 4 Colt 120 John R. Velazquez
3 Heroi Do Bafra (BRZ) 7 Horse 111 Michael C. Baze
4 Monba (KY) 4 Colt 114 Edgar S. Prado
5 Colonel John (KY) 4 Colt 119 Garrett K. Gomez
6 Magnum (ARG) 8 Gelding 116 Joel Rosario
7 Blue Exit (KY) 4 Colt 115 Robby Albarado
8 Einstein (BRZ) 7 Horse 121 Julien R. Leparoux
9 Dansant (GB) 5 Horse 116 Tyler Baze
10 Cause (KY) 4 Colt 110 Jon Kenton Court
11 Court Vision (KY) 4 Colt 119 Ramon A. Dominguez
12 Zambezi Sun (GB) 5 Horse 116 Victor Espinoza
13 Champs Elysees (GB) 6 Horse 118 Jose Valdivia, Jr.
14 Stream Cat (KY) 6 Gelding 114 Alex O. Solis
The hot horse right now is Cowboy Cal, Einstein is comming off a 3rd place finish in the Donn and should be helped by the synthtic surface. Court Vision is coming off a 3rd place finish in the Gulfstearm Park Turf and is my pick to win the race. Col. John may need a race, Magnum looks like he's a new horse. Champs Elysees ran well in this race last year, his stablemate Zambezi Sun is coming off a short layoff. Dansant is a very interesting horse as he's Euro based. Now go watch Cal's stablemate Monba shock us all again and win the whole thing.
Top three:
Court Vision
Cowboy Cal
Einstein
As I reported last night, Manga was in danger of filing for bankruptcy. They did that today, link. It's Chapter 11 bankruptsy.
February 25, 2009
Weekend Preview, Rachel Alexandra to the FG Oaks, England invades Santa Anita (again)
Well it's a pretty good weekend race race. I'll be previewing three stakes races and a claiming (Which I'll explain in a moment). Three tracks, three states. All of these races are on Saturday.
We start off in New York and Aquaduct.
5th (2:24)
1 Mile 70 Yards Open 4 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $34,000
1 Stealth Missile Castro E 120 $25,000 L
2 Curvature Hill C 118 $25,000 L
3 Rovic's Wealth Dominguez R A 120 $25,000 L
4 One of the Best Lopez C C 118 $25,000 L
5 Saratoga Lulaby Migliore R 118 $25,000 L
6 Arcata Maragh R 118 $25,000 L
7 Marina Market Napravnik A R 118 $25,000 L
8 Crafty Mark Alvarado N R 118 $25,000 L
9 Counting House Chavez J F 118 $25,000
Normally I wouldn't preview claiming races, since there are so many to choose from. However, I'm making an exception because of one horse. Arcata is a horse who I've followed almost his entire career. He's a gorgous son of Wagon Limit, and broke his maiden at Delaware Park in November 2006. I know this, as I was there for his maiden win. To make a long story short, I was in my first semester at a local CC here in Delaware, and well I skipped most of math class to see Hard Spun in the Port Penn S. that year. Ironicly, Arcata had flattered Hard Spun as he was a horse who Hard Spun had previously beaten. Since then Hard Spun of course finished second in the KY Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic, while Arcata won a small stakes down at Laurel last year. This is his first start for Scott Lake after being claimed from Graham Motion. I really hope he does well, and wins this race. I'm choosing Saratoga Lulaby and Marina Market for second and third respectivlly, really just for their names.
Top three:
Arcata
Saratoga Lulaby
Marina Market
8th (3:49)
Stymie H.
1 1/8 Miles Open 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $65,000
1 Barcola Napravnik A R 121 L
2 Researcher Luzzi M J 123 L
3 Judiths Wild Rush Bocachica O 121 L
4 Brilliant Son Migliore R 119 L
5 Manteca Maragh R 119 L
6 True Resurgence Sanchez J 119 L
7 Barrier Reef Dominguez R A 119 L
8 Real Merchant (CHI) Castro E 121 L
This race is loaded with horses I really like. I've seen Barcola in person a few times, with him winning both times. Researcher is such a neat story, I've liked Barrier Reef for awhile now and he's sure to go of as the favorite. But Manteca, is the horse I would really love to see win, he's a New York bred out of a Delaware Handicap winner.
Top four (any order: I'm putting a win, place, show bet on all four of them. Depending on where they finish, that's the one I'll take)
Manteca
Barcola
Barrier Reef
Researcher
Off to Gulfstream and the final major FL Derby prep.
9th (5:14)
Fountain of Youth S. (G2)
1 Mile Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Bee Cee Cee Velasquez C 120 L
2 Theregoesjojo Desormeaux K J 116 L
3 Notonthesamepage Trujillo E 120 L
4 Take the Points Decarlo C P 116 L
5 Jack Spratt Douglas R R 120 L
6 Rocketing Returns Lezcano J 116 L
7 Beethoven Borel C H 122 L
8 Break Water Edison Coa E M 122 Blk-On L
9 Capt. Candyman Can Leparoux J R 122 L
10 Taqarub Garcia Alan 120 L
11 Quality Road Velazquez J R 114 FTL
12 This Ones for Phil Prado E S 120 L
There are several horses that are the it horses in Florida. I really like Capt. Candyman Can and Take the Points. The thing is TTP is most likley going to be scratched for the final race I'm previewing. So I'll take Theregoesjojo if he does go the race I have not previewed. And Beethoven to go third either way.
If TTP does go:
Take the Points
Capt. Candyman Can
Beethoven
If he doesn't:
Capt. Candyman Can
Theregoesjojo
Beethoven
9th (4:38)
Sham S. (G3)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Hi Flyin Indy Quinonez A 116 L
2 Smart Bid Bejarano R 118 L
3 Tiz True Gryder A T 116 L
4 Lifeline Baze T C 116 L
5 The Pamplemousse Solis A 118 L
6 Balfour Park Blanc B 116 Blk-On L
7 Mr. Hot Stuff Nakatani C S 116 L
8 Bourbon Bay Rosario J 116 L
9 Ventana Rios J M 116 Blk-On L
10 Mark S the Cooler Talamo J 116 L
11 Unbridled Roman Smith M E 116 L
12 Take the Points Gomez G K 118
This is the more likely race of the two for Take the Points. I'm not a 100% sure how he'll do here as it's against tough company and it's on a synthtic surface. Alot of people like The Pamplemousse (French for grapefruit), and Mr. Hot Stuff (brother to Col. John). I gotta go with The Pamplemousse, but I don't know how well he'll do in the SA Derby.
Top three:
The Pamplemousse
Take the Points
Mr. Hot Stuff
Also a few things: Rachel Alexandra will be heading the New Orleans for the Fair Grounds Oaks link. Also England will be sending a rep for the Santa Anita Handicap. Dansant has synthtic experience, but has not faced the company that he'll be facing in the Big Cap as grass is king over in Europe, link.
We start off in New York and Aquaduct.
5th (2:24)
1 Mile 70 Yards Open 4 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $34,000
1 Stealth Missile Castro E 120 $25,000 L
2 Curvature Hill C 118 $25,000 L
3 Rovic's Wealth Dominguez R A 120 $25,000 L
4 One of the Best Lopez C C 118 $25,000 L
5 Saratoga Lulaby Migliore R 118 $25,000 L
6 Arcata Maragh R 118 $25,000 L
7 Marina Market Napravnik A R 118 $25,000 L
8 Crafty Mark Alvarado N R 118 $25,000 L
9 Counting House Chavez J F 118 $25,000
Normally I wouldn't preview claiming races, since there are so many to choose from. However, I'm making an exception because of one horse. Arcata is a horse who I've followed almost his entire career. He's a gorgous son of Wagon Limit, and broke his maiden at Delaware Park in November 2006. I know this, as I was there for his maiden win. To make a long story short, I was in my first semester at a local CC here in Delaware, and well I skipped most of math class to see Hard Spun in the Port Penn S. that year. Ironicly, Arcata had flattered Hard Spun as he was a horse who Hard Spun had previously beaten. Since then Hard Spun of course finished second in the KY Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic, while Arcata won a small stakes down at Laurel last year. This is his first start for Scott Lake after being claimed from Graham Motion. I really hope he does well, and wins this race. I'm choosing Saratoga Lulaby and Marina Market for second and third respectivlly, really just for their names.
Top three:
Arcata
Saratoga Lulaby
Marina Market
8th (3:49)
Stymie H.
1 1/8 Miles Open 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $65,000
1 Barcola Napravnik A R 121 L
2 Researcher Luzzi M J 123 L
3 Judiths Wild Rush Bocachica O 121 L
4 Brilliant Son Migliore R 119 L
5 Manteca Maragh R 119 L
6 True Resurgence Sanchez J 119 L
7 Barrier Reef Dominguez R A 119 L
8 Real Merchant (CHI) Castro E 121 L
This race is loaded with horses I really like. I've seen Barcola in person a few times, with him winning both times. Researcher is such a neat story, I've liked Barrier Reef for awhile now and he's sure to go of as the favorite. But Manteca, is the horse I would really love to see win, he's a New York bred out of a Delaware Handicap winner.
Top four (any order: I'm putting a win, place, show bet on all four of them. Depending on where they finish, that's the one I'll take)
Manteca
Barcola
Barrier Reef
Researcher
Off to Gulfstream and the final major FL Derby prep.
9th (5:14)
Fountain of Youth S. (G2)
1 Mile Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Bee Cee Cee Velasquez C 120 L
2 Theregoesjojo Desormeaux K J 116 L
3 Notonthesamepage Trujillo E 120 L
4 Take the Points Decarlo C P 116 L
5 Jack Spratt Douglas R R 120 L
6 Rocketing Returns Lezcano J 116 L
7 Beethoven Borel C H 122 L
8 Break Water Edison Coa E M 122 Blk-On L
9 Capt. Candyman Can Leparoux J R 122 L
10 Taqarub Garcia Alan 120 L
11 Quality Road Velazquez J R 114 FTL
12 This Ones for Phil Prado E S 120 L
There are several horses that are the it horses in Florida. I really like Capt. Candyman Can and Take the Points. The thing is TTP is most likley going to be scratched for the final race I'm previewing. So I'll take Theregoesjojo if he does go the race I have not previewed. And Beethoven to go third either way.
If TTP does go:
Take the Points
Capt. Candyman Can
Beethoven
If he doesn't:
Capt. Candyman Can
Theregoesjojo
Beethoven
9th (4:38)
Sham S. (G3)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Hi Flyin Indy Quinonez A 116 L
2 Smart Bid Bejarano R 118 L
3 Tiz True Gryder A T 116 L
4 Lifeline Baze T C 116 L
5 The Pamplemousse Solis A 118 L
6 Balfour Park Blanc B 116 Blk-On L
7 Mr. Hot Stuff Nakatani C S 116 L
8 Bourbon Bay Rosario J 116 L
9 Ventana Rios J M 116 Blk-On L
10 Mark S the Cooler Talamo J 116 L
11 Unbridled Roman Smith M E 116 L
12 Take the Points Gomez G K 118
This is the more likely race of the two for Take the Points. I'm not a 100% sure how he'll do here as it's against tough company and it's on a synthtic surface. Alot of people like The Pamplemousse (French for grapefruit), and Mr. Hot Stuff (brother to Col. John). I gotta go with The Pamplemousse, but I don't know how well he'll do in the SA Derby.
Top three:
The Pamplemousse
Take the Points
Mr. Hot Stuff
Also a few things: Rachel Alexandra will be heading the New Orleans for the Fair Grounds Oaks link. Also England will be sending a rep for the Santa Anita Handicap. Dansant has synthtic experience, but has not faced the company that he'll be facing in the Big Cap as grass is king over in Europe, link.
February 4, 2009
Big Weeked Preview (Part 1)
Yes I know every weekend leading up to the Derby is big, but this one is different from last week. It's so big, that it's going to take two days to this preview (as the race I want to that's also Saturday doesn't get drawn until tomarrow). So part one will focus on a G1, the first major New York stakes of the year, and the return of a rivelry.
We start off at Aquaduct with a prep for Wood Memorial.
8th (3:49)
Whirlaway S.
1 1/16 Miles Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $100,000
1 Haynesfield Dominguez R A 122 L
2 Hehasnosay Castro E 118 L
3 Peace Town Pimentel J 120 L
4 Mike From Queens Maragh R 118 L
5 Zooger Hill C 118 L
6 Cellar Dweller Napravnik A R 118 L
Alot of people like the NY Bred Haynesfield, who won the Damon Runyon last year and the Count Fleet last time out. He's by Speightstown, so distance might be a bit on the long side, but his broodmare sire was third in the Queen's Plate (Canada's version of the Derby). I personally like Peace Town. He's by Peace Rules (3rd to Funny Cide in the 2003 KY Derby and G1 winner), out of a mare who is by a son of Seattle Slew. Won the Maryland Juvi last year and might be the horse to beat with Haynesfield who I'm going to put on top, but either way it will be interesting.
Top three:
Haynesfield
Peace Town
Mike from Queens
From Queens, we head to the Cresent City New Orleans, and the Fair Grounds for LA Derby Preview day.
6th (2:55)
Mineshaft H. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Open 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $125,000
1 Secret Getaway Graham J 119 L
2 Good and Lucky Valenzuela P A 120 L
3 Smokeyjonessutton Theriot H J II 112 Blk-Off L
4 Grasshopper Albarado R J 119 L
5 My Pal Charlie Bourque C C 121 L
6 Coragil Cat Hernandez B J Jr 114 L
7 Brothers Nicholas Prado E S 116 L
8 Honest Man Saez G 119 L
Honest Man is a really interesting horse pedigree wise. He's by Unbridled's Song out of G1 Oath. Now your proably saying is why is a horse by a Champion 2yo out of a G1 winning mar interesting, it's his dam side that's the interesting. Oath's half brother is War Pass, the 2007 BC Juvi winner. Now no mistake about it, Honest Man is a really nice horse. Won a G3 last year, he finished 3rd in his season debut this year. Grasshopper is another interesting horse, he gave Street Sense all he can handal in the 2007 Travlers finishing a soild second to the Derby winner. Another interesting thing is that Mineshaft and him share the same trainer. This is proably the most wide open race on the Fair Grounds card on Saturday.
Top Three:
Honest Man
Grasshopper
My Pal Charlie
8th (3:55)
Silverbulletday S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Fillies 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $150,000
1 Four Gifts Albarado R J 122 L
2 More of the Best Castanon J L 116 L
3 War Echo Bridgmohan S X 116 L
4 Flying Spur Valenzuela P A 116 L
5 Garter Belt Lanerie C J 116 L
6 Southern Yankee Saez G 122 L
7 Just Jenda Thompson T J 122 L
8 War Tigress Hernandez B J Jr 120 L
Last year the Fair Grounds had the fantastic rivalry of Indian Blessing vs Proud Spell. This year it's Just Jenda vs Four Gifts. But this is somewhat of a rematch between the trainers. Larry Jones (Just Jenda) and Steve Asmussen (Four Gifts), these two along with Carl Naftzger (trainer of Unbridled) gave us Street Sense (Naftzger), Curlin (Asmussen) and Hard Spun (Jones) in 2007. Just Jenda and Four Gifts have each taken one race. Four Gifts as a two year old and Just Jenda as a three year old. Look out for Four Gifts stablemate, War Echo a 3/4 sister to last year's Lousiana Derby winner Pyro.
Top three:
Just Jenda
Four Gifts
War Echo
9th (4:29)
Risen Star S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Map of the World Bourque C C 116 L
2 Indygo Mountain Theriot H J II 116 L
3 Nowhere to Hide Lanerie C J 116 L
4 It Happened Again Thompson T J 120 L
5 Uno Mas Hernandez B J Jr 120 L
6 Friesan Fire Saez G 122 L
7 Giant Oak Prado E S 120 L
8 Dumar Bridgmohan S X 120 L
9 Code of Honour Toups R 116 L
10 Soul Warrior Valenzuela P A 116 L
11 Summer's Empire Campbell J M 122 L
12 Flying Pegasus Albarado R J 120 L
13 Au Moon Leparoux J R 116 L
Two years ago Larry Jones and Fox Hill Farm had Hard Spun win the prep for the Risen Star the LaComte. Lghting strook twice, this time with Friesan Fire (#5 3yo colts in the TC Top Five), who won the LaComte this year. He'll face some of the same horses, Uno Mas, Au Moon and Indygo Mountain being the big names. Giant Oak, who finished second in his first try on dirt at Churchill last year is the morning line favorite. It Happended Again is a fitting name for him as he's by Proud Citizen (sire of Proud Spell), owned by former Kentucky Gov. Breton Jones and trained by Larry Jones (owner and trainer of Proud Spell).
Top three:
Friesan Fire
Giant Oak
It Happended Again
Here is an interesting story about Giant Oak Link
Then it's off to California with SA Oaks, Derby and Handicap preps.
6th (3:05)
Las Virgenes S. (G1)
1 Mile (All Weather Track) Fillies 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $300,000
1 Navigator Espinoza V 116 L
2 African Skies (GB) Talamo J 116
3 Century Park Baze T C 118 L
4 Nan Nakatani C S 116 L
5 Stardom Bound Smith M E 122 L
6 Haka Bejarano R 116 L
7 Saucey Evening Gomez G K 118 L
8 Toro Bonito Velazquez J R 116 L
9 Pinkarella Rosario J 116 L
Stardom Bound (#1 in 3yo fillies) makes her season debut for her new owner and trainer. Honestly she is the class of the race, but I'm going to try to beat her. Saucey Evening looks to the horse to do it. She's by More Than Ready who has done quite well with his Australian crops out of a full sister to General Challenge and Western Hemisphere. A Cal bred stakes winner, she might be the one to dethrone Stardom Bound.
Top three:
Saucey Evening
Stardom Bound
Pinkarella
8th (4:07)
Robert B. Lewis S. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Bittel Road Velazquez J R 122 L
2 Pioneerof the Nile Gomez G K 122 L
3 Papa Clem Bejarano R 115 L
4 I Want Revenge Talamo J 115 Blk-On L
5 Mark S the Cooler Nakatani C S 115 L
6 Oil Man (IRE) Smith M E 115 L
7 Brother Keith Baze T C 115 L
8 Shafted Rosario J 117 L
9 Charlie's Moment Valdivia J Jr 117
Not much to really say about this race other then it's really between three horses.
Top three:
Pioneerof the Nile
Brother Keith
I Want Revenge
9th (4:38)
Strub S. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 4 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Dixie Chatter Baze T C 117 L
2 Blue Exit Smith M E 117 L
3 Trevor's Clever Baze M C 117 L \
4 Victory Pete Sutherland C 117 L
5 Gio Ponti Gomez G K 123 L
6 Medjool Solis A 117 L
7 Nownownow Talamo J 121 L
8 Cowboy Cal Velazquez J R 121 L
9 Wishful Tomcat Rosario J 119 L
10 Cause Garcia M 117 L
11 Cherokee Artist Valdivia J Jr 117 L
12 Wesley Castellano J J 119
13 Slew's Tiznow Bejarano R 119 L
Cowboy Cal, Nownownow, and Gio Ponti are actually turf horses who are benifitting from the Pro Ride surface (Although Cal did pretty well in last year's Derby). I gotta go with Dixie Chatter who is actually the only Grade One winner in the race. Nownownow is trained by Patrick Beincone who is coming off a suspention for cobra venom (yes cobra venom). He also bombed pretty badly last year. Gio Ponti had a rivalry with Court Vision and Cowboy Cal is the only Stonerside horse that is with the McNairs (the rest (except for stallions) where sold to Darley)
Top three:
Dixie Chatter
Cowboy Cal
Gio Ponti
Tomarrow, the Oaklawn race!
We start off at Aquaduct with a prep for Wood Memorial.
8th (3:49)
Whirlaway S.
1 1/16 Miles Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $100,000
1 Haynesfield Dominguez R A 122 L
2 Hehasnosay Castro E 118 L
3 Peace Town Pimentel J 120 L
4 Mike From Queens Maragh R 118 L
5 Zooger Hill C 118 L
6 Cellar Dweller Napravnik A R 118 L
Alot of people like the NY Bred Haynesfield, who won the Damon Runyon last year and the Count Fleet last time out. He's by Speightstown, so distance might be a bit on the long side, but his broodmare sire was third in the Queen's Plate (Canada's version of the Derby). I personally like Peace Town. He's by Peace Rules (3rd to Funny Cide in the 2003 KY Derby and G1 winner), out of a mare who is by a son of Seattle Slew. Won the Maryland Juvi last year and might be the horse to beat with Haynesfield who I'm going to put on top, but either way it will be interesting.
Top three:
Haynesfield
Peace Town
Mike from Queens
From Queens, we head to the Cresent City New Orleans, and the Fair Grounds for LA Derby Preview day.
6th (2:55)
Mineshaft H. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Open 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes Purse: $125,000
1 Secret Getaway Graham J 119 L
2 Good and Lucky Valenzuela P A 120 L
3 Smokeyjonessutton Theriot H J II 112 Blk-Off L
4 Grasshopper Albarado R J 119 L
5 My Pal Charlie Bourque C C 121 L
6 Coragil Cat Hernandez B J Jr 114 L
7 Brothers Nicholas Prado E S 116 L
8 Honest Man Saez G 119 L
Honest Man is a really interesting horse pedigree wise. He's by Unbridled's Song out of G1 Oath. Now your proably saying is why is a horse by a Champion 2yo out of a G1 winning mar interesting, it's his dam side that's the interesting. Oath's half brother is War Pass, the 2007 BC Juvi winner. Now no mistake about it, Honest Man is a really nice horse. Won a G3 last year, he finished 3rd in his season debut this year. Grasshopper is another interesting horse, he gave Street Sense all he can handal in the 2007 Travlers finishing a soild second to the Derby winner. Another interesting thing is that Mineshaft and him share the same trainer. This is proably the most wide open race on the Fair Grounds card on Saturday.
Top Three:
Honest Man
Grasshopper
My Pal Charlie
8th (3:55)
Silverbulletday S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Fillies 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $150,000
1 Four Gifts Albarado R J 122 L
2 More of the Best Castanon J L 116 L
3 War Echo Bridgmohan S X 116 L
4 Flying Spur Valenzuela P A 116 L
5 Garter Belt Lanerie C J 116 L
6 Southern Yankee Saez G 122 L
7 Just Jenda Thompson T J 122 L
8 War Tigress Hernandez B J Jr 120 L
Last year the Fair Grounds had the fantastic rivalry of Indian Blessing vs Proud Spell. This year it's Just Jenda vs Four Gifts. But this is somewhat of a rematch between the trainers. Larry Jones (Just Jenda) and Steve Asmussen (Four Gifts), these two along with Carl Naftzger (trainer of Unbridled) gave us Street Sense (Naftzger), Curlin (Asmussen) and Hard Spun (Jones) in 2007. Just Jenda and Four Gifts have each taken one race. Four Gifts as a two year old and Just Jenda as a three year old. Look out for Four Gifts stablemate, War Echo a 3/4 sister to last year's Lousiana Derby winner Pyro.
Top three:
Just Jenda
Four Gifts
War Echo
9th (4:29)
Risen Star S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Map of the World Bourque C C 116 L
2 Indygo Mountain Theriot H J II 116 L
3 Nowhere to Hide Lanerie C J 116 L
4 It Happened Again Thompson T J 120 L
5 Uno Mas Hernandez B J Jr 120 L
6 Friesan Fire Saez G 122 L
7 Giant Oak Prado E S 120 L
8 Dumar Bridgmohan S X 120 L
9 Code of Honour Toups R 116 L
10 Soul Warrior Valenzuela P A 116 L
11 Summer's Empire Campbell J M 122 L
12 Flying Pegasus Albarado R J 120 L
13 Au Moon Leparoux J R 116 L
Two years ago Larry Jones and Fox Hill Farm had Hard Spun win the prep for the Risen Star the LaComte. Lghting strook twice, this time with Friesan Fire (#5 3yo colts in the TC Top Five), who won the LaComte this year. He'll face some of the same horses, Uno Mas, Au Moon and Indygo Mountain being the big names. Giant Oak, who finished second in his first try on dirt at Churchill last year is the morning line favorite. It Happended Again is a fitting name for him as he's by Proud Citizen (sire of Proud Spell), owned by former Kentucky Gov. Breton Jones and trained by Larry Jones (owner and trainer of Proud Spell).
Top three:
Friesan Fire
Giant Oak
It Happended Again
Here is an interesting story about Giant Oak Link
Then it's off to California with SA Oaks, Derby and Handicap preps.
6th (3:05)
Las Virgenes S. (G1)
1 Mile (All Weather Track) Fillies 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $300,000
1 Navigator Espinoza V 116 L
2 African Skies (GB) Talamo J 116
3 Century Park Baze T C 118 L
4 Nan Nakatani C S 116 L
5 Stardom Bound Smith M E 122 L
6 Haka Bejarano R 116 L
7 Saucey Evening Gomez G K 118 L
8 Toro Bonito Velazquez J R 116 L
9 Pinkarella Rosario J 116 L
Stardom Bound (#1 in 3yo fillies) makes her season debut for her new owner and trainer. Honestly she is the class of the race, but I'm going to try to beat her. Saucey Evening looks to the horse to do it. She's by More Than Ready who has done quite well with his Australian crops out of a full sister to General Challenge and Western Hemisphere. A Cal bred stakes winner, she might be the one to dethrone Stardom Bound.
Top three:
Saucey Evening
Stardom Bound
Pinkarella
8th (4:07)
Robert B. Lewis S. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $200,000
1 Bittel Road Velazquez J R 122 L
2 Pioneerof the Nile Gomez G K 122 L
3 Papa Clem Bejarano R 115 L
4 I Want Revenge Talamo J 115 Blk-On L
5 Mark S the Cooler Nakatani C S 115 L
6 Oil Man (IRE) Smith M E 115 L
7 Brother Keith Baze T C 115 L
8 Shafted Rosario J 117 L
9 Charlie's Moment Valdivia J Jr 117
Not much to really say about this race other then it's really between three horses.
Top three:
Pioneerof the Nile
Brother Keith
I Want Revenge
9th (4:38)
Strub S. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) Open 4 Year Olds Stakes Purse: $250,000
1 Dixie Chatter Baze T C 117 L
2 Blue Exit Smith M E 117 L
3 Trevor's Clever Baze M C 117 L \
4 Victory Pete Sutherland C 117 L
5 Gio Ponti Gomez G K 123 L
6 Medjool Solis A 117 L
7 Nownownow Talamo J 121 L
8 Cowboy Cal Velazquez J R 121 L
9 Wishful Tomcat Rosario J 119 L
10 Cause Garcia M 117 L
11 Cherokee Artist Valdivia J Jr 117 L
12 Wesley Castellano J J 119
13 Slew's Tiznow Bejarano R 119 L
Cowboy Cal, Nownownow, and Gio Ponti are actually turf horses who are benifitting from the Pro Ride surface (Although Cal did pretty well in last year's Derby). I gotta go with Dixie Chatter who is actually the only Grade One winner in the race. Nownownow is trained by Patrick Beincone who is coming off a suspention for cobra venom (yes cobra venom). He also bombed pretty badly last year. Gio Ponti had a rivalry with Court Vision and Cowboy Cal is the only Stonerside horse that is with the McNairs (the rest (except for stallions) where sold to Darley)
Top three:
Dixie Chatter
Cowboy Cal
Gio Ponti
Tomarrow, the Oaklawn race!
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