It's been a while since I did one, with the FL Derby and the UAE Derby are over, it's a good time to look at my Top 15.
1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway): The #1 3yo in the US right now. He'll be facing a few horses he's already beaten in next week's SA Derby.
2. Alpha (Bernardini): 2 for 2 at Aqueduct this year so far, he'll try to make it three for three in his Wood start next week.
3. Gemologist (Tiznow): Many where concerned that him starting in an allowance race over a stakes race would hurt him. Turned out to be wrong, he goes in the Wood next.
4. Dullahan (Even the Score): He did pop a splint, but it sounds like that Mine That Bird's brother will be ready for his next race. That will be a rematch between him and Howe Great in the Bluegrass.
5. Daddy Long Legs (Scat Daddy): He won the UAE Derby very impressively. While his one start on dirt wasn't anything to write about, that was as a 2yo. If Aiden O'Brien does bring him over from Ireland, he'll have run the farthest distance in a prep at a mile and 3/16 (the distance of the UAE Derby).
6. Hansen (Tapit): Waiting one more week for the Bluegrass instead of the Wood next week is a good move. You don't want to be too fresh for the Derby. Plus he's undefeated on synthetics.
7. Union Rags (Dixie Union): I will always like this colt, but his Derby chances took a serious hit after a disapointing, but closing third in the FL Derby. He did have to get a shoe replaced which might have cost him. Also the winner went gate to wire. He's starting to remind me a bit Street Sense and his leadup to Churchill. Julien Leparoux went onto Twitter Saturday to defend himself on his ride. Lets hope that he can back up that defending.
8. I'll Have Another (Flower Alley): Won the Lewis in his last race, he'll be facing Creative Cause, Liason and others in the SA Derby.
9. Daddy Nose Best (Scat Daddy): The last time a horse came out of Sunland to win the Derby, it was the second biggest upset of all time in the race. The Sunland Derby winner is my dark horse and it will be interesting if a hot pace sets it up for him again.
10. Optimizer (English Channel): Sure his pedigree says turf, but he gave Secret Circle fits in the Rebel. I would not be suprised if he can turn the tables should Gemologist or Bodemeister faulter.
11. Bodemeister (Empire Maker): Poor Juddmonte, their former sire has the Oaks favorite in Grace Hall and possibly one of the AR Derby favorites in him. He gave Creative Cause a dogfight in the San Felipe.
12. Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy): He's new to this list, but his trainer and jockey are no strangers to the spotlight. Pat Byrne trained both Countass Diana and Favorite Trick to 2yo Championships, the latter was the first 2yo since Secretariat to win Horse of the Year. Calvin "Bo-Rail/Boo" Borel has won the Derby 3 times (Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Super Saver), and of course was the regular rider for Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Take Charge Indy went gate to wire to win Saturday's FL Derby. Now the question is what will Pat's wife Jill who works for Churchill does (each year she does videos for both the Derby and Oaks websites, but my guess is they will have to hire someone to do Derby to avoid conflict of interest).
13. Midnight Transfer (Hard Spun): Two turn debut was good. However, he will be getting a new jockey for the SA Derby. Although he's not that bad himself (Mike Smith).
14. Mark Valeski (Proud Citizen): Yes he got upset hugely by Hero of Honor, but he was grinding out and almost caught the winner. However, considering the LA Derby winner's record is lousy in the KY Derby, maybe it's a good thing he lost. Also he threw a shoe and was lame after the race. Not sure if that's because he threw the shoe, or he gave so much to grind out for a win that didn't happen. Either way, hopefully he's okay.
15. Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones): Almost got it done in the Sunland Derby. While he's best runs have come in New Mexico, he did finish fourth behind #8 in the Lewis. He is now the horse on the bubble, and I heard that he would get 1 more start
Notable absent
Reveron (Songandaprayer): The FL Derby runner up has yet to run outside of Florida.
Hero of Order (Sharp Humor): The shocking upset winner of the LA Derby is the biggest since Rockamundo (with Mr. Upset himself Calvin Borel in the irons) won the Arkansas Derby. He's not TC nominated and will need a ton of help in getting into the Derby because of it.
Howe Great (Hat Trick (JPN)): He's prob. better on turf and sythetic then he is on dirt. With that said, he has a win on dirt, and defeated #4 in his last race. The Bluegrass is coming up very tough.
Showing posts with label Creative Cause. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creative Cause. Show all posts
April 2, 2012
March 10, 2012
Best 1-2-3 BC Juvy Finish Ever?
1995: Unbridled's Song, Hennessy, Editor's Note
2000: Macho Uno, Point Given, Street Cry (IRE)
2011: Hansen, Union Rags, Creative Cause
What do these nine horses have in common? All are G1 winners, all had great jockeys riding them, and all nine ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The order that they are listed is also the order that they finished. 5 of the first 6 names went onto win a stakes race at 3 (Hennessy did not run at 3), with Editors Note and Point Given winning TC races (Point Given the Preakness and Belmont, Editors Note the Belmont). It got me thinking though, as great as those first six horses where, will Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause be even better at 3?
With Creative Cause's win this afternoon in the San Felipe, all of the top three from last year's BC Juvenile have now won stakes races at 3. Hansen was able to rebound from his Holy Bull loss to win the Gotham last week, and Union Rags returned with gusto to win the Fountain of Youth. All three will be the favorites in their final preps before heading to Churchill (CC- SA Derby, Han- Wood Memorial, UR- FL Derby). All three have won their stakes in impressive fashion (especially Creative Cause who ran down Bodemeister, while running greenly) and if they where to win their final preps, they would be the top three choices in the Derby morning line.
However, it's a little bit too early to tell weather or not they can keep this up. Hansen will most likely be facing Tampa Derby winner Prospective, Union Rags' competition might be suspect, and Creative Cause will be facing not only Bodemiester again, but the suprising I'll Have Another (winner of the Robert B. Lewis). One thing's for sure, if they can, they no doubt will be the best 1-2-3 finish in the BC Juvy ever.
2000: Macho Uno, Point Given, Street Cry (IRE)
2011: Hansen, Union Rags, Creative Cause
What do these nine horses have in common? All are G1 winners, all had great jockeys riding them, and all nine ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The order that they are listed is also the order that they finished. 5 of the first 6 names went onto win a stakes race at 3 (Hennessy did not run at 3), with Editors Note and Point Given winning TC races (Point Given the Preakness and Belmont, Editors Note the Belmont). It got me thinking though, as great as those first six horses where, will Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause be even better at 3?
With Creative Cause's win this afternoon in the San Felipe, all of the top three from last year's BC Juvenile have now won stakes races at 3. Hansen was able to rebound from his Holy Bull loss to win the Gotham last week, and Union Rags returned with gusto to win the Fountain of Youth. All three will be the favorites in their final preps before heading to Churchill (CC- SA Derby, Han- Wood Memorial, UR- FL Derby). All three have won their stakes in impressive fashion (especially Creative Cause who ran down Bodemeister, while running greenly) and if they where to win their final preps, they would be the top three choices in the Derby morning line.
However, it's a little bit too early to tell weather or not they can keep this up. Hansen will most likely be facing Tampa Derby winner Prospective, Union Rags' competition might be suspect, and Creative Cause will be facing not only Bodemiester again, but the suprising I'll Have Another (winner of the Robert B. Lewis). One thing's for sure, if they can, they no doubt will be the best 1-2-3 finish in the BC Juvy ever.
January 4, 2012
10 Horses I'm Looking Foward to This Year (3 and Older Only)
With the year just getting underway, I thought I would share the 10 horses that I'm looking foward to seeing this year. In by no means these are the 10 best horses, but most of these horses are graded stakes winners. I hope you enjoy! (Note: All these horses are not by Hard Spun (whose foal blog I also run) although I'm looking foward to them as well.)
10. And Why Not (Street Cry (IRE))- Closing like a train in the Pocahontas, her pedigree says that she should handle 2 turns easily. Could turn out to be a good 1-2 punch for Michael Matz with her and Union Rags.
9. Caleb's Posse (Posse)- The possible 3yo Champion could even get better at 4. Should dominate the Dirt Mile division with some challenge from Shackleford (unless he stretches out again). I wouldn't even be suprised if he stretches out again either.
8. Hansen (Tapit)- Prob. not the likley Derby winner, but he hasn't done much wrong in his career so far. Could have a rematch with Union Rags in Florida.
7. Royal Delta (Empire Maker)- Before you say she's too low! The reason why she is ranked so low is, there are several horses in her own stable that I'm very excited about. That, and I'm not a fan of her new owner.
6. Shackleford (Forestry)- By far my favorite TC race winner from last year, he ran his heart out only to get beat by Caleb in the BC. Would be fun if they faced off at Oaklawn in the OakCap.
5. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway)- This is a horse who is now being overshadowed a bit in his homestate. Would not be suprised if he wins the SA Derby.
4. Dullahan (Even the Score)- Sigh it's a flat out shame his brother is Mine That Bird. I really like this guy and he could turn out to be a special one. He has the right trainer to do it with.
3. To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) and Brillant Speed (Dynaformer)- Although they have the same owner, they are in two different stables. Could be a big year for Live Oak on dirt and turf if these two hold their 3yo form.
2. Now I Know (Pure Prize)- Could she suprise everyone by coming out of nowhere? It will be interesting how well she does on the Oaks trail.
1. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam)- What you where expecting someone else? It's amazing that she is coming back for her 5 year season. FHF could have easily decided to retire her (which in honestly if she had won the Classic I would have expected), but they didn't. She and her now retired rival gave the race of the year in the Delaware Handicap and then won the Woodward and beat Royal Delta in the Beldame. She is supposed to be at the Fair Grounds tomorrow getting ready for possibly a defence of her Apple Blossom title. Will be fun to see what this possible future HOY has in store for this year.
10. And Why Not (Street Cry (IRE))- Closing like a train in the Pocahontas, her pedigree says that she should handle 2 turns easily. Could turn out to be a good 1-2 punch for Michael Matz with her and Union Rags.
9. Caleb's Posse (Posse)- The possible 3yo Champion could even get better at 4. Should dominate the Dirt Mile division with some challenge from Shackleford (unless he stretches out again). I wouldn't even be suprised if he stretches out again either.
8. Hansen (Tapit)- Prob. not the likley Derby winner, but he hasn't done much wrong in his career so far. Could have a rematch with Union Rags in Florida.
7. Royal Delta (Empire Maker)- Before you say she's too low! The reason why she is ranked so low is, there are several horses in her own stable that I'm very excited about. That, and I'm not a fan of her new owner.
6. Shackleford (Forestry)- By far my favorite TC race winner from last year, he ran his heart out only to get beat by Caleb in the BC. Would be fun if they faced off at Oaklawn in the OakCap.
5. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway)- This is a horse who is now being overshadowed a bit in his homestate. Would not be suprised if he wins the SA Derby.
4. Dullahan (Even the Score)- Sigh it's a flat out shame his brother is Mine That Bird. I really like this guy and he could turn out to be a special one. He has the right trainer to do it with.
3. To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) and Brillant Speed (Dynaformer)- Although they have the same owner, they are in two different stables. Could be a big year for Live Oak on dirt and turf if these two hold their 3yo form.
2. Now I Know (Pure Prize)- Could she suprise everyone by coming out of nowhere? It will be interesting how well she does on the Oaks trail.
1. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam)- What you where expecting someone else? It's amazing that she is coming back for her 5 year season. FHF could have easily decided to retire her (which in honestly if she had won the Classic I would have expected), but they didn't. She and her now retired rival gave the race of the year in the Delaware Handicap and then won the Woodward and beat Royal Delta in the Beldame. She is supposed to be at the Fair Grounds tomorrow getting ready for possibly a defence of her Apple Blossom title. Will be fun to see what this possible future HOY has in store for this year.
November 29, 2011
TB Chat End of the Year Favorite Horses Awards
With the year just about over, I thought it would be a good time to share my Favorite Horses Awards picks. Please note that these horses are not my Eclipse predictions, these are just horses who I like. If I where an Eclipse voter (which I'm not), I might choose as part of my ballot.
Favorite 2yo Filly Hard Not to Like (Hard Spun): Not only does she defeat the males twice, but she runs a good race in the Breeders' Cup. She could be a horse to rekon with up in Canada next year with their Classics.
Favorite 2yo Male Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway): Third behind Hansen and Union Rags, this colt could be a special one. Especially his connections decide to go to Oaklawn, dispite having some good preps in their own backyard.
Favorite 3yo Filly Royal Delta (Empire Maker) and Daisy Devine (Kafwain): Royal Delta just for the fact that she is a flat out monster and if she where to improve could give Havre de Grace a run for her money next year. I've been a fan of Daisy Devine's since her good finish behind Boquet Booth in the Silverbulletday. She and Summer Soiree are this years takes to turf like a duck takes to water.
Favorite 3yo Male Archarcharch (Arch): Yes he didn't run again past May, but frankley he remained my favorite 3yo this year. Yep that's how much I didn't like any (other then Shack, Caleb and Thirsty) of the 3yo's.
Favorite Older Female Havre de Grace (Saint Liam): I hope she joins her dad as a HOY this year. Her DelCap runner up finish against Blind Luck could go down as the race of the year.
Favorite Older Male Court Vision (Gulch): Yes he only won 1 race, yes he denied Goldikova a chance at a four peat, but this is FAVORITE horses, not the best horses around.
Favorite Horse of the Year: Havre de Grace
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