Haskell Preview

The major three year olds returned to action with the Jim Dandy which was won by Palace Malice yesterday. Today, it's Monmouth's turn as they hold their biggest race of the year, the Haskell. The race in the past been won by great horses such as Serena's Song, Peace Rules, Rachel Alexandra and last year by Paynter. Lets take a look at this year's field: 

 13th Race - Monmouth Park - Sunday, July 28th, 2013
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. William Hill Haskell Invitational S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS. By invitation only. No nomination, entry or starting fees. The owner of the winner to receive $600,000, $200,000 to second, $100,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, $30,000 to fifth and $10,000 to sixth through last. Weight: 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Triple Crown race allowed 2 lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade I Stake at a mile or over in 2013, 4 lbs. The winning owner to receive a trophy. (06:18 PM) (7)

1. Vyjack 3 G L 118 Lopez Paco Rodriguez Rudy R. 

2. Pick Of The Litter 3 C L 118 Castanon Jesus Lopez Romans Dale L. 

3. Golden Soul 3 C L 118 Albarado Robby Stewart Dallas 

4. Power Broker 3 C L 118 Napravnik Rosie Baffert Bob 

5. Oxbow 3 C L 122 Stevens Gary L. Lukas D. Wayne 

6. Micromanage 3 C L 118 Bravo Joe Pletcher Todd 

7. Verrazano 3 C L 120 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

Verrazano won the local prep for this race, the Long Branch. Golden Soul, Vyjack and Oxbow come out of the Belmont. Power Broker was originally not going to go in the race, but a last minute decision had him pointed here. Honestly, this is a three horse race between Golden Soul, Oxbow and Verrazano. I think the son of Awesome Again and his just out of retirement jockey hold off the two horses that are trained by former asst. to his trainer.

Top three: Oxbow, Golden Soul and Verrazano

Dark Horse: Pick of the Litter

On this Haskell eve

It's really hard to believe that three years ago, we saw a wonderful filly desimate a group of colts that included the 2009 3yo Champion Male. However, Rachel Alexandra did just that when she won the 2009 Haskell over Summer Bird and Munnings. Of course after that she won both the Woodward and Horse of the Year honors over Zenyatta. In 2010, Looking at Lucky romped over a field that included the Derby winner Super Saver. A win in the Indiana Derby sealed 3yo Male honors for him. Both of those horses, had won the Preakness Stakes before winning the Haskell. In last year's edition, Coil was able to run down the Preakness winner Shackleford and doing stretch. However, neither of them were able to get the 3yo Champion as Animal Kingdom who has been idle since the Belmont was able to hold on over BC Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse. Here is video of all three of the wins:

Rachel



Lucky



Coil



With this years Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another injured and retired and Belmont winner Union Rags the same, the Haskell is wide open this year so let's take a look at this year's field.

13th Race - Monmouth Park - Sunday, July 29th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. Haskell Invitational S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS. By invitation only, with no nomination, entry or starting fees. The winning owner to receive $600,000, $200,000 to second, $100,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, $30,000 to fifth and $10,000 to sixth. Weight: 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Triple Crown race allowed 2 lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade I Stake at a mile or over in 2012, 4 lbs.The owner of the winner to receive a trophy.e owner of the winner to receive a trophy. (06:17 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Nonios 3 C L 118 Nakatani Corey S. Hollendorfer Jerry
2 Dullahan 3 C L 120 Desormeaux Kent J. Romans Dale L.
3 Paynter 3 C L 118 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
4 Gemologist 3 C L 120 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
5 Handsome Mike 3 C L 118 Gutierrez Mario O'Neill Doug F.
6 Stealcase 3 C L 118 Bridgmohan Shaun Casse Mark E.

Nonios was second in the Swaps last time out behind Blueskiesandrainbows (who was 3rd to I'll Have Another in the SA Derby). Dullahan will try to rebound from a disastrous Belmont and gets Kent D. back in the irons. Paynter finished second in the Belmont is subbing for his stablemate Bodemeister. Gemologist will try to rebound from his first defeat and an injury that kept him out of the Belmont. Handsome Mike while not as accomplished as his now retired stablemate, he has a chance in this race. However, his past stakes chances haven't been great. Stealcase is the wildcard after finishing second in the Matt Winn.

So who gets the win? I'm thinking if no one goes with Paynter and the fact that Monmouth is a speed favoring track he goes gate to wire. If there is a hot pace then look out for Dullahan who on class alone should be in the mix even though he is more then likely on the wrong surface. Gemologist for third.

Weekend Preview (Part 2)

Here are the Sunday races! Starting at Saratoga:

7th (4:21)
Fourstardave H. (G2)
1 1/16 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 5 Nownownow Leparoux J R Biancone Patrick L 116 Blk-On L 8-1
1A 7 Violon Sacre Leparoux J R Biancone Patrick L 116 L 8-1
2 1 Get Stormy Castellano J J Bush Thomas M 117 L 7-2
3 2 Whatsthescript (IRE) Gomez G K Contessa Gary C 116 L 6-1
4 3 Zifzaf Hill C Toner James J 113 L 20-1
5 4 Cherokee Artist Rose J Motion H Graham 115 L 6-1
6 6 Wesley Coa E M Hennig Mark 116 L 8-1
7 8 Radical Sabbatical Velazquez J R Tagg Barclay 114 L 15-1
8 9 Public Speaker Albarado R J McPeek Kenneth G 116 L 9-2
9 10 Pinckney Hill Velasquez C Penna Angel Jr 115 L 3-1
10 MTO Brother Nick Rose J Jerkens James A 118 L 4-1
11 MTO Convocation Rose J Jerkens James A 118 L 4-5

Several horses who where supposed to go in the rained off the turf Sussex at DP show up here instead. I gotta go with Cherokee Artist in here with Wesley second and Get Stormy third.

8th (4:55)
Curlin S.
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $75,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Winslow Homer Albarado R J Dutrow Anthony W 120 L 3-1
2 2 Quiet All American Mena M Romans Dale 120 L 15-1
3 3 Miner's Reserve Solis A Zito Nicholas P 120 L 2-1
4 4 Regal Warrior Castellano J J Trombetta Michael J 118 L 8-1
5 5 Westshore Leparoux J R Baker James E 120 L 10-1
6 6 Winaholic Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 118 L 4-1
7 7 So Elite Desormeaux K J Casse Mark 122 L 6-1
8 8 Citrus Kid Hill C Terranova, II John P 118 L 15-1

If they both go, it's a two horse race between Winslow Homer and Miner's Reserve. Citrus Kid is an okay horse, but is coming off a layoff. I've never heard of the other horses in this race, other then those three.

9th (5:30)
Ruffian Invitational H. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Malibu Prayer Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 116 L 2-1
2 2 Unrivaled Belle Desormeaux K J Mott William I 119 L 1-1
3 3 Starship Angel Gomez G K McLaughlin Kiaran P 113 L 12-1
4 4 Classofsixtythree Castellano J J Contessa Gary C 113 L 20-1
5 5 Tasty Temptation Leparoux J R Casse Mark 115 L 5-1
6 6 Zaphyra Prado E S Terranova, II John P 113 L 12-1

I don't get the Unrivaled Belle love. I really don't. Okay so she finished second in a G1 as a 3 and 4 year olds respectivly. For this reason I think MDO gets a bit of revenge over the UBS filly. It maybe her first start on dirt, but Tasty Temptation is one of the hottest fillies around. She beat Milwaukee Appeal last time out, and has been undefeated since she won the Wonder Where last year. If she where to win, it would make six Grade 1 winners for her sire four of those would be fillies (the other three: Champagne d'Oro, Gabby's Golden Gal and Rachel Alexandra). Malibu Prayer for second and Unrivaled Belle third.

Over at Del Mar

8th (5:30)
Bing Crosby S. (G1)
6 Furlongs (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000
Post # Horse Jockey Weight Claim Price Equip. Med.
1 E Z's Gentleman Pedroza M A 123 L
2 Sky Cape Talamo J 119
3 Scenic Blast (AUS) Smith M E 121 L
4 El Brujo Rosario J 119 Blk-On L
5 Cost of Freedom Bejarano R 121 L
6 My Summer Slew Quinonez A 119 L
7 Smiling Tiger Espinoza V 119 L

E Z's Gentleman won the Triple Bend last time out, but keep on Scenic Blast. This is a horse who was a flat out monster in Australia. This is his second time in the US and his first time on a synthetic surface.

Last, but not least Monmouth. Since there are so many stakes on Sunday, I'm only going to preview 3 races.

9th (3:59)
Taylor Made Matchmaker S. (G3)
1 1/8 Miles (Turf) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $200,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Talkin About Love Marquez C H Jr Sleeter Kevin G 116 L 30-1
2 2 Eye of Taurus Castro E McLaughlin Kiaran P 116 L 6-1
3 3 Yippety Yip Garcia M Servis Jason 116 L 20-1
4 4 Obsequious Fragoso P Gray Elizabeth 116 L 30-1
5 5 Unbridled Essence Lopez P Sacco Gregory D 118 L 20-1
6 6 Tizaqueena Maragh R Stidham Michael 123 L 9-2
7 7 Cherokee Queen Trujillo E Wolfson Martin D 118 L 4-1
8 8 Mystic Miracle Bravo J Hennig Mark 118 L 10-1
9 9 Quiet Meadow Garcia Alan Brown Chad C 116 L 3-1
10 10 Tottie (GB) Lezcano J Brown Chad C 116 L 4-1
11 11 Giant Mover Dominguez R A Pletcher Todd A 116 L 8-1

This is Tizaqueena's race to lose, that it all. Eye of Taurus for second and Quiet Meadow for third.

11th (5:04)
Oceanport S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $200,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Nownownow Lopez P Biancone Patrick L 116 Blk-On L 8-1
2 2 Violon Sacre Lezcano J Biancone Patrick L 118 L 3-1
3 3 Whatsthescript (IRE) Trujillo E Contessa Gary C 116 L 5-1
4 4 Strike a Deal Lopez C C Goldberg Alan E 120 L 9-2
5 5 Cherokee Artist Dominguez R A Motion H Graham 118 L 4-1
6 6 Get Serious Fragoso P Forbes John H 120 L 7-2
7 7 Roman Tiger Bravo J Manning Dennis J 120 L 8-1
8 8 Tybalt Maragh R Stidham Michael 116 L 10-1

Okay so many in the Fourstardave are also in here as well. Because I'm not sure whose going and whose staying at Toga, I'm going with Cherokee Artist again. And if he stays in New York, Tybalt becomes my selection.

and last, but not least.

12th (5:43)
Izod Haskell Invitational S. (G1)
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $1,000,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Lookin At Lucky Garcia M Baffert Bob 122 L 5-2
2 2 Afleet Again Bravo J Reid Robert E Jr 118 L 12-1
3 3 Ice Box Lezcano J Zito Nicholas P 120 L 9-2
4 4 First Dude Dominguez R A Romans Dale 118 L 6-1
5 5 Our Dark Knight Trujillo E Zito Nicholas P 118 L 15-1
6 6 Super Saver Borel C H Pletcher Todd A 122 L 3-1
7 7 Uptowncharlybrown Maragh R McLaughlin Kiaran P 118 L 15-1
8 8 Trappe Shot Garcia Alan McLaughlin Kiaran P 118 L 3-1

Horse by horse:

Lookin at Lucky: It's offical, his name is cursed. He has had the most rotten luck in the world and is stuck on the rail for the second time in three races. While it's a smallest field that he's been stuck on the rail for, he isn't a fan off it. The good news? It is the shortest way around.

Afleet Again: a live longshot, Cash is King's best horse since his dad Afleet Alex. Not sure he'll win here, but deserves a chance.

Ice Box: Needs things to go his way. I'm not a huge, huge fan of his.

First Dude: Will have company on the front end. Can he hold on even with the increased pressure? And can he turn the tables on Lucky? I don't think he will, but won't be suprised if he stays up.

Our Dark Knight: There are two ways to look at this either as a rabbit or as a horse who has a shot. I think it's as a rabbit, but he is by the defending sire.

Super Saver: Losing the Preakness is the best thing to happen. He's fresh and ready for action. If Calvin gives him the same ride he gave Rachel last week, he wins.

Uptowncharlybrown: While his new stablemate is more highly regarded, he is the local hope in this year's edition. Has a chance.

Trappe Shot: Lots of hype with him, not sure I buy all of it. I think he'll be there in the end, but won't win the race.

So who am I picking? I'm going with my heart and going with the Derby champ. Lucky for second and Uptowncharlybrown for third and Trappe Shot fourth.

So that's it for today! The Special Live Chat will be at 7pm on Sunday. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and all the horses and jockeys return safe and sound.

Can 2009's Haskell be topped?

We are only a few days away from the 2010 Haskell. Last year, Rachel Alexandra won for fun in the mud defeating Summer Bird, Munnings and Papa Clem. Of course Summer Bird would go onto win Champion 3yo Male, and Rachel Champion 3yo Female along with Horse of the Year. 2 Champion from 1 race, how can that be topped? Here's how:

Super Saver- Derby winner
Lookin at Lucky- Preakness winner
Trappe Shot- possibly the horse to beat
First Dude- runner up in the Preakness, 3rd in the Belmont
Uptowncharlybrown- Trappe Shot's stablemate, the local hope and running in his former trainers memory
Ice Box- Derby runner up
Afleet Again- dark horse

This could set up for the Travers which would feature as well Fly Down the Belmont runner up and Lententor. Keep an eye on Concord Point for the Travers as well, track record at Iowa and could very well be Bob Baffert's best 3yo and this is with him having Lucky.

Because there's alot of stakes action this weekend (the Jim Dandy and Diana up at Saratoga, the San Diego at Del Mar, plus the Haskell undercard which features the Jersey Derby and the Matchmaker), this weekend's preview will begin tomorrow and end on Friday. If you where at the live chat on Monday, you will know I announced a very special live chat on Sunday. The time is yet to be determined but will be no later then 8pm EDT. So stay tuned on Friday for that time.

Triple Crown Classes of 2007 and 2009

Over the next few weeks I will be going back in the time machine and sharing some of my favorite races from the past year. Today however, it's a little bit different as I'm going to be comparing the 2007 Triple Crown Class to this year's class of 2009.

Preps 07: The two horses who got the most noise at the begining where the undefeated Hard Spun (Danzig) and Breeder's Cup Juvi winner Street Sense (Street Cry (IRE)) for the boys, the girls it was Breeder's Cup Juvi Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna (Rahy). Hard Spun would go on to win the Lacomte S. and Street Cry winning the Tampa Bay Derby, but they would both be overshadowed by a up and comer named Curlin (Smart Strike). Orginally trained by Helen Pitts, Curlin was partially sold to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable, Padua Stable and George Bolton and switched to 2005 KY Oaks winning trainer Steve Asmussen. Meanwhile the two favorites truged along, unfortanlly Hard Spun would be upset by Teuflesburg (Johanensburg) in the Southwest S. and would detour to Turfway to win the Lane's End. Street Sense lost a heart breaker in the Blue Grass S., but would still go into the Derby as one of the favorites. Curlin, all he had done was win the Rebel and AR Derby to go into the big dance with being undefeated. Dreaming of Anna's Derby and Oaks hopes took a slide with her first start as a 3yo, and really was not the same horse on dirt then she was on turf. Meanwhile she was being overshadowed by Todd Pletcher's trio of Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), Octave (Unbridled's Song) who where 3rd and 2nd in the previous years BC Juvi Fillies respectivly, and his own up and comer Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), a half sister to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil (Seeking the Gold).

09 Preps: Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) and Stardom Bound (Tapit) won the Breeder's Cup races for their respective divisons respectfully. However, niether would be in training when May rolled around. Midshipman was recovering from an injury, and Stardom Bound was clearly not the same horse she was as a 2yo, dispite winning the two G1's at the begining of the year. Meanwhile in New Mexico, Canada's 2yo champion male Mine That Bird (Birdstone), couldn't beat anything, and in the Mid-West Golden Rod winner Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) was winning, and winning big, while Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union) ruled Florida. Musket Man was becoming a blip on everyone's radar as well. However, all eyes where on I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even), Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy) and Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker).

07 Derby: The two favorites going into the race where Street Sense and Curlin. However, the little PA bred that could Hard Spun, would not let these two big stars get in his way. All of the horses who went with him at the begining ended up towards the back of the field. As they headed to the top of the stretch, it looked like that the Delaware Park based horse would be the upset winner. It would have given his jockey Mario Pino and trainer Larry Jones the biggest wins in their career. However, coming through on the rail was the Churchill based Street Sense and Calvin Borel. Nicknamed "Boo" (he is much younger then his next sibling), and "Bo-Rail" of his love of hugging the inside rail, Street Sense would burst through to beat Hard Spun who would finish a gallant second. Curlin had suffered his first loss in his career finishing a solid third, however well back of the front two. It was the first Derby win for Borel and the second for Street Sense's trainer Carl Naftger who had won in 1990 with Unbridled (who would go onto sire his own Derby winner Grindstone and Belmont winner Empire Maker).

07 Oaks: All eyes where on Rags to Riches, many people thought she should have been in the Derby that year. However, her owners already had an entry into the Derby with Circler Quey. She did not disapoint as she powered home on a sloppy track to win the Oaks over her stablemate Octave. It was the second Oaks win for Pletcher and the first for her jockey Garrett Gomez.

09 Derby: There where many storylines going into this year's Derby, Larry Jones was trying to erase the heartbreak from the year before when his gallent filly Eight Belles broke down after the race. I Want Revenge had unpopular co-owners and a 19 year old Joe Talamo in the irons, however he would be scratched before the race with an injury. Pioneerof the Nile was trying to give his trainer Bob Baffert his first Derby win since 2002, and why not do it just a few months before he was set to enter the Hall of Fame. However, little Mine That Bird with Bo-Rail aboard did exactly what he did in 2007 and burst through to have the second biggest upset in the history of the race at 50-1. This was Borel's second Derby win overall and 2nd in 3 years and the first for his trainer Bernie "Chip" Wooley who took over Mine That Bird's training at the begining of the year. Pioneerof the Nile finished second and Musket Man was third. Friesan Fire finished second to last after being bumped around quite a bit.

09 Oaks: Unfortanlly the meeting of Justwhistledixie and Rachel Alexandra had failed to materialize after Dixie was injured the day of the race and was scratched. With her biggest threat out of the way, Rachel was expected to win. However, no one realized that it would be by as much as she did win. Sitting off Gabby's Golden Gal (Magadila d'Oro), Rachel and Calvin Borel (what you where expecting someone else?) took the lead at the top of the stretch and just took off. No one would catch her and she would win by 20 1/2 lengths, just off of the stakes record set by Bird Town (Cape Town) in 2003. Ironicly Bird Town's little brother is Birdstone (Grindstone), so things come full circle. Stone Legacy (Birdstone) was second and Flying Spur (Giant's Causeway) was third. It was Borel's first Oaks win, as well as for her trainer Hal Wiggins. Like Rags to Riches two years before, many people thought that Rachel Alexandra should have been in the Derby. However her owner at the time, was against nominating her for the Triple Crown. "Fillies should run with fillies and stallions with stallions", is how Dolphus Morrison her breeder/co-owner of Rachel had put it at that time. Little did we know the repulcusions would be withen the next five days sorrounding this filly who is named after Mr. Morrison's granddaughter.

07 Preakness: With the Derby out of the way, it was off to Pimlico for the Preakness. Hard Spun would have full court advantage with his jockey being Maryland's leading rider and being only an hour outside of his homebase at DP. However Curlin had gained enough experience to graduate to being a G1 winner. Ridden by Robby Albarado, he would beat Street Sense by a nose to give Steve Asmussen his first Triple Crown race winner. The weather vane would be painted in the colors of Midnight Cry Stable, Curlin's orginal owners. However, there was some contraversy sounding these connections as they where in jail awaiting trial for not giving money they won to their clients in a Phen Phen case.

09 Preakness: Much like the 05 Derby winner Giacomo (Holy Bull), Mine That Bird would not go into the Preakness with high hopes. Many people (including myself), thought he was a fluke. Also his owners and trainer wheren't that popular with some people. Likewise there was a new contender who many thought if she had been in the Derby, she would have won, unexpecticly was sold and transfered. Jess Jackson had bought Rachel Alexandra and sent her right to Steve Asmussen. Mine That Bird by weeks end, would not have a jockey. That's because Calvin Borel was offered and accepted Rachel's new connections offer of staying on her. Mine That Bird would quickly be reunited with an old friend (sort of), Mike Smith who rode Giacomo to his improble Derby win would be his new jockey. However, there was already a connection to him, his girlfriend Chantal Sutherland rode the Derby winner as a 2yo in Canada. In the end, history was made as Rachel Alexandra was able to hold on to the lead after being pressed by Big Drama and held off Mine That Bird. The first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, the first horse to win from post 13, and the fifth favorite to win in 6 years (Barbaro and Street Sense failed to win, however Barbaro was pulled up and Street Sense lost by a nose). It was Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson's second Preakness win (their first was with Curlin two years before) and Calvin Borel's first (he was second on Street Sense).

07 Belmont: With no Triple Crown on the line, Street Sense did not particpate in the mile and half "Test of Champions", however Curlin did and people thought it would be his coronation. However, a chestnut with a heart of gold and the pedigree to go a mile and half denied him. Rags to Riches became the first filly in over 100 years to win the Belmont beating Curlin. Tiago (Plesent Tap), himself a half brother to Giacomo was third that day with Hard Spun fourth with his new jockey Garett Gomez. The reason that is a big deal is Gomez jumped off Rags for Hard Spun as she was not supposed to go. However when Coolmore decided to send her, he was unable to uncomit and stayed on the Danzig colt. It was the first Triple Crown race win for her trainer Todd Pletcher and her jockey John Velequez.

09 Belmont: Dispite there not being a Triple Crown on the line, Mine That Bird did particpate. And with no Rachel in the race, he got Calvin Borel back. However it was redemption as Summer Bird (Birdstone) won the race giving Kent Desermoux his 1st Belmont win and trainer Tim Ice his first Triple Crown win after only being a licenced trainer for a little bit over a year. It was redemption for Desermoux for as the year before with Big Brown he was eased as Da' Tara upset the Derby and Preakness winner that day. Dunkirk was second and unfortnally the "Calvin Crown" was denied as Borel and Mine That Bird finished in third.

07 Aftermath: After the Belmont, Rags to Riches was able to race only once more in the Gazelle where she finished 2nd behind Lear's Princess. She retired before making a start at age 4 and had her first foal, a filly by Giant's Causeway this past Spring. She is currently in foal to Henrythenavagator. Street Sense won the Jim Dandy and Travers, before finishing his career with a 2nd in the Kentucky Cup Classic and a 4th in the Breeder's Cup Classic. Hard Spun finished second in the Haskell and got his G1 win in the King's Bishop. He beat Street Sense in the KCC before wrapping his career up in the BCC with a runner up finish. Both Street Sense and Hard Spun stand at Darley at Jonabell. Curlin would go onto finish 3rd in the Haskell, and win the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeder's Cup Classic to win Horse of the Year. He would come back as four year old to win the Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster, Jockey Club Gold Cup to become North America's richest racehorse. However, he finished his career with a 4th place finish in the BCC, still that was more then enough to give him a second Horse of the Year honors. Curlin stands at Lane's End.

09 Aftermath: Mine That Bird would get some time off and reappear in the West Virginia Derby, with Mike Smith on him for the second time (this was when Calvin decided to ride Warrior's Reward the same day) he finished third behind Soul Warrior and Big Drama. It would be the start of an interesting summer for the Birdstone gelding, he was forced to miss the Travers due to a throat issue. That opened the door for Summer Bird who was coming off a second place finish in the Haskell to win not only the Travers, but the Jockey Club Gold Cup to to basically wrap up 3yo male honors. As for the third TC race winner? Well Rachel Alexandra came back in the Mother Goose against stakes winner Flashing and Malibu Prayer who was making her stakes debut. It was really no contest as Rachel destroyed the future Test and Chilukki winners in a 19 1/2 romp in a stakes record time. Her next spot would be the Haskell where she would face Summer Bird. With the sloppy track, Rachel and SB sat off the pace that was set by Munnings, and on the far turn the Preakness winner took the lead and cruised to an easy 6 length win that was almost a stakes and track record. With that win, Rachel Alexandra became only the second female to ever win the Haskell (the first being Serena's Song, but like Rachel, Serena had a win over the boys before and ironcily won the Mother Goose as well). Her final start of the year would be the Woodward Stakes, and will go down as the race that could not only nab her Horse of the Year (she and Zenyatta are considered the top two candiates), but Hall of Fame honors as well. Being pressed by 08 Belmont winner Da' Tara, Rachel set grueling fractions that would be perfectly set up for closers. However, Rachel Alexandra is not a normal race horse, as she had the heart to hold of Macho Again. Ironicly, both the Macho Uno colt and his half sis Be Fair where beaten by Rachel this year. Summer Bird and Mine That Bird both particpated in this year's BC Classic where they fell to another fablous filly Zenyatta. While Mine That Bird is done for the year, Summer Bird will be going in the Japan Cup Dirt which is in two weeks.

I hope that you enjoyed the reviews of the 07 and 09 TC classes, next week I'll start reviewing my favorite races of this year and in December do a Top 10 of the best races this past decade.

Magical Rachel

I took me over 24 hours just to think of the perfect title for yesterday's Haskell, and while I was thinking about that Quality Road throws down a nice race in his return. However, I'm not going to look to that possible matchup of him vs you know who until after next weekend (it's going to be another great weekend of racing including the Arlington Million).

Right now I want to look back at yesterday's Haskell, where Rachel Alexandra continued her journey of being one of the best (if not the best) filly in modern times. The way she put away not only Belmont winner Summer Bird, but superstar Munnings, that takes a champion to do that. And that's what she is, all of the other horses (especially Atomic Rain who probley should have been scratched with the way he ran and Bunker Hill who was only entered due to injury to his stablemate Musket Man) where really no match for her. Here is a video of her magical win:



Now that she's beaten the other to TC race winners, what's next? The most logical would be the Haskell, but I don't know if she'll be heading there for a few reasons. The first one is with Kensei's win in the Jim Dandy, it put Steve Asmussen in a bit of a pickel. Since he and Rachel are both owned by Jess Jackson (techinally Rach is co-owned, but Mr. Jackson is the one who is one calling the shots). Secondly, if Rach doesn't go, that would free up Calvin Borel to ride Warrior's Reward (who like Rach is by Medaglia d'Oro and he has yet to have a male stakes winner), and last, but not least the possible incluction of Quality Road. Many people think that he is the best 3yo male and the only one who could give Rachel fits. However, she could skip the Haskell for the Woodward. It's a mile and eighth which by far is her best distance (she can go farther as she showed in the Preakness, but it might be a struggle going a mile and quarter), also it would give her an edge in HOY over others by beating older horses especially males whose depth is depleated by injury, retirement ect. Besides, the 3yo male championship is still up for grabs. In all honestly, it's a four horse race: Quality Road, Summer Bird, Kensei and Mine That Bird. If any of those four wins the Travers, then they most likely win the Eclipse.

Also we are all clamoring for that much anticipated Rachel vs Zenyatta match up (BTW Big Z runs on Sunday and really the only horse who should give her fits is her stablemate Life is Sweet), and who knows if that will even happen. For now, I think we should just all enjoy this wonderful filly. Yes she has her detractors, people who don't like her connections and so on. However, this is the closest thing that I personally see to Ruffian.