The Joy of Frankel

The British born Galileo (IRE) colt and Robert J. Frankel never met in person. However, their two lives will forever be intertwined thanks to an owner who honored his brash US trainer. Tomorrow will be more then likely Frankel's final race in his illustrous career. The scene will be Ascot Racecourse and the Champion Stakes. It's the last major day of racing for flat racing for 3yo's and up for the year. He'll have his big brother Bullet Train as his pacesetter, and will also be facing 3yo Pastorious and world traveler Master of Hounds. However, the two horses who could beat him: the French gelding Cirrus Des Aigles who not only is the defending champion of the race but loves the soft ground that they will be running over. As well as Nathanial, a Group 1 winner in defeating Arc winner Workforce last year is also entered. However, unlike the others he has already faced Frankel where he felt his wrath. Although he is also the one whose been the closest in defeating him as well.

Which leads me to the big horse himself. It's just a shame that a horse named after one of our most famous trainers will not be coming for the Breeders' Cup. While many don't agree with this and believe he is "ducking" the race, honestly it's the right move for him. First off, going in the Mile would be useless since he's dominated that division and the Turf might be a little too long for his taste. That leaves the Classic. Juddmonte, his owner had said that they would have loved to be able to take him to Bobby's adopted home state of California. However, Santa Anita is back to dirt main track instead of synthetic. Thus we won't be able to see him at all.

For now, lets enjoy some of Frankel's greatest wins.

2010 Royal Lodge



2011 2000 Guineas

http://youtu.be/ghUY0k4YX1k

2011 Sussex Stakes



2012 Juddmonte International

http://youtu.be/mr_ChX6Jv4s

Go Frankel!

Don't forget to vote in the poll that I have up as I will do a Pedigree Look post on the winner of the race you guys choose!

2009 Favorite Races: Matriach Stakes

Over the past few weeks I've been sharing some of my favorite races from the past week. This week is a special one with Christmas coming up (and to make up for not doing one last week) you are not getting one, not two, but three of my favorite races. Today is the most recent of them the Matriarch Stakes.

She was a daughter of a cancer victim, he passed away from cancer. Together Bobby Frankel and Ventura made history. The daughter of Chester House was one of Frankel's favorite horses, and was the defending Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Champion. Unfortanlly new fresh blood came in to beat her not once, but twice. While Informed Decidsion walked away with a BC win and future Eclipse, it's Ventura who retires as Bobby's last wish.

After her second place finish in her defence of the F/M Sprint, Bobby reccomended that she be pointed to the Matriach which was held during Hollywood's Turf Festival. With his asst. Huberto Ascanio now in charge, Ventura started getting prepared for the race. Unfortanlly during the preperation, Bobby lost his battle with cancer. Venutra would go off as the post time and sentimental favorite. She would not disapoint as she sat third behind Tuscan Evening and took the lead at the top of the stretch to win going away. Here is the video from the race:



Venutra will be bred next year, her mate has not been chossen at this time.

I'll be back tomorrow with another Favorite Race! And it's a good one too :).

Wins for Bobby

I hadn't planned to post tonight as there is one more G1 this weekend tomorrow at Hollywood. However, I thought I would share a great weekend Humberto Ascanio had the past two days. While his name may not sound fermiler, his late boss' name should. That's because Humberto's late boss is the late Bobby Frankel who lost his battle with cancer last week.

Yesterday and Today where the first two days of Hollywood's Turf Festival, and Humberto sent out not one, but two winners.

In yesterday's G1 Citation, Fluke sprang the upset and his stablemate Proudinsky who finished fourth.



However it was today's G1 Matriach that had tears down my eyes. Last year's BC Filly/Mare Sprint winner Ventura ended her career on a high note. Not only did she win the race, but she did it in a stakes record time as well. While Fluke was a great win, I'm sure this one means more as Bobby loved his fillies and Ventura was one of his favorites. Huge congrats to Fluke and Ventura's connections, Fluke is expected to stay in training, while Ventura will be heading to the breeding shed.

Here is Ventura's Matriach win:



The Japan Cup is tonight (it's already tomorrow in Japan), with three Americans Just as Well, Interpratation and Marsh Side compeating. Plus future Japannese stallion Conduit and defending HOY Vodka. I gotta go with Vodka, I mean it is the Year of the Girl after all, plus this is more then likely her finale. Hollywood Derby tomorrow, with my boy Take the Points. As for today, somewhat of a bust as Pyro, Vineyard Haven both fell to Kodiak Kowboy in the Cigar, Citrus Kid was a respectival third in the Remsen, Stardom Bound fell to Flashing in her dirt debut in the Gazelle.

Not really a Weekend review this week, however I will recap the Hol. Derby on Monday or Tuesday.

Breaking news (10:11 PM): Guess whose hurt, I give you a clue. The first part of his name is a season. If you guessed Summer Bird, you would be absolutly right. Newest addition to the Chestnut and Grey Heartthrobs (a series that I will be starting this upcoming week), he suffered a non life threatning leg fracture in Japan. This could be the worst serenerio to happen to the Awesome Threesome (him, Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra). Hopefully he'll be okay and will be able to return, but with fractures you never know what will happen.

Remembering Bobby Frankel

I had just gotten home from breakfest and put on my IPod was saddened to see on Echofon (Twitter app), that Bobby Frankel had lost his battle with cancer. I'll be honest with you, while he was not one of my favorite trainers he really did care for his animals.

I cried with tears of sadness when Empire Maker had beaten Funny Cide in the Belmont. And was happy for him when Ventura and Champs Elysees won the Woodbine Mile and Candidian International this year respectivly. By far Megahertz, Peace Rules, Ventura, Champs Elysees, and Mass Media will go down as my favorite Frankel trainees.

Here is a video of the little ball of dynamite that is Megahertz winning the 2005 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita.