Welcome to the final night of the Met Mile Vault! Tonight's horses are good ones, they are 1994 winner Holy Bull and two time winner Gulch.
Gulch (Mr. Prospector x Jameela (Rambunctious)
Two wins, with two different jockeys and two different trainers. Gulch won the 1987 Met Mile with Pat Day on and LeRoy Jolly training. In this race, he would defeat Broad Brush who would sire 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Concern. And oh yeah, Gulch was only 3 in this race.
In 1988, Gulch would defend his Met Mile win, but would be ridden by Jose Santos and trained by D. Wayne Lukas. In this race he would defeat Afleet, who would go onto sire Northern Afleet who in turn would sire 2005 Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex.
Gulch would be named Champion Sprinter in 1988 with a win in the BC Sprint. He would go onto stand at Lanes End where become the sire of Kipling (sire of 2007 BC Mile winner Kip Deville), Court Vision (Kipling's full brother, a G1 winner himself), The Cliff's Edge and many more. However, his most famous foal is 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch who would go onto sire G1 winners Balance (half sister to Zenyatta) and Point Given (who was also Horse of the Year). Gulch was recently penisoned and now lives at Old Friends.
Holy Bull (Great Above x Sharon Brown (Al Hattab))
After a diesastrous finish in the Derby, the Jimmy Croll trainee was taken off the Triple Crown trail and pointed to this race. As a 3 year (only Honour and Glory has won as a 3yo since), he would face older males in this race defeating Devil His Due (sire of Roses in May and Spite the Devil (personal favorite) and Cherokee Run (sire of War Pass).
Holy Bull stands at Darley at Jonabell Farm. Of course he is now known sire 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and 2000 BC Juvy winner Macho Uno (sire of Macho Again).
So that's it for the Met Mile Vault, I know it was a little bit slimmed down then the Travers Vault was, but that is partically my fault. I'm probley going to be bringing this back for the DelCap, but we will see about that. Don't forget there is a live chat tomorrow night at a new time at 7:30 pm EDT. Also the HRBA nominations close on Monday!
Showing posts with label Holy Bull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Bull. Show all posts
May 26, 2010
September 9, 2009
Race Horse Idol: The Judges
In honor of Ellen DeGeneres' announcement that she would be replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol, I've come up with a version that I would like to call Race Horse Idol. However instead of singing, the judges will be race horses (retired) and they will be "judging" the contests (who are currently in training). I'm only going to be doing series for the next 2 weeks. I would like to note that this is just for fun, and something to pass the time until the next majors stakes races (nothing to take away from the Ruffian and Garden City which I'll preview on Friday). So hopefully it will go well.
Tonight please meet the judges, there are four of them.
Head Judge: Holy Bull (Great Above x Sharon Brown)
Yes I was tempted on putting John Henry as the "Simon Cowell" of the group, but decided against it. And here's why, while John had the Simon like qualities to him, Holy Bull has what I consider the producer side to him. He was able to show that he was the best at he did and earned Horse of the Year (one of the contests for this years "Race Horse Idol" just won a race he did).
Judge: Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality x I'll Get Along)
I'm considering him the "Randy Jackson" of the group. Since Randy says "Dog" alot, and well Smarty is from the wrong side of the tracks. Like Holy Bull, he showed that he was the best of his crop.
Judge: Bird Town (Cape Town x Dear Birdie)
I don't know alot about Kara DioGuardi, but I have a feeling Bird Town is up her alley. She just seems to be classy and well Town's owner Marylou Whitney is just that. Remember Luv Gov almost didn't run in the Preakness if he was going to keep you know who out.
Judge: Rags to Riches (AP Indy x Better Than Honour)
The "Ellen/Paula" of the group. Had the grace to her that reminded me of Paula, and well if you watched Octave's CCA Oaks win in 2007 then you know Rags to a biter. And that reminded me of how funny Ellen is (and yes there are other horses who bite, but hte point I'm making is that both Paula and Ellen can held/hold their own in a male dominated area).
Host: Funny Cide (Distorted Humor x Belle's Good Cide)
The Host with the most, Ladies and Gentlemen Ryan Seacrest, I mean Funny Cide! And yes this is me being bias.
So what do you think of the "judges" and "host" let me know by leaving a comment.
And again this is purely fictional and for fun. This is more then likely going to be the only time that I'll be doing this.
Next up the contestents and then the compition begins!
Tonight please meet the judges, there are four of them.
Head Judge: Holy Bull (Great Above x Sharon Brown)
Yes I was tempted on putting John Henry as the "Simon Cowell" of the group, but decided against it. And here's why, while John had the Simon like qualities to him, Holy Bull has what I consider the producer side to him. He was able to show that he was the best at he did and earned Horse of the Year (one of the contests for this years "Race Horse Idol" just won a race he did).
Judge: Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality x I'll Get Along)
I'm considering him the "Randy Jackson" of the group. Since Randy says "Dog" alot, and well Smarty is from the wrong side of the tracks. Like Holy Bull, he showed that he was the best of his crop.
Judge: Bird Town (Cape Town x Dear Birdie)
I don't know alot about Kara DioGuardi, but I have a feeling Bird Town is up her alley. She just seems to be classy and well Town's owner Marylou Whitney is just that. Remember Luv Gov almost didn't run in the Preakness if he was going to keep you know who out.
Judge: Rags to Riches (AP Indy x Better Than Honour)
The "Ellen/Paula" of the group. Had the grace to her that reminded me of Paula, and well if you watched Octave's CCA Oaks win in 2007 then you know Rags to a biter. And that reminded me of how funny Ellen is (and yes there are other horses who bite, but hte point I'm making is that both Paula and Ellen can held/hold their own in a male dominated area).
Host: Funny Cide (Distorted Humor x Belle's Good Cide)
The Host with the most, Ladies and Gentlemen Ryan Seacrest, I mean Funny Cide! And yes this is me being bias.
So what do you think of the "judges" and "host" let me know by leaving a comment.
And again this is purely fictional and for fun. This is more then likely going to be the only time that I'll be doing this.
Next up the contestents and then the compition begins!
September 1, 2009
The Bull and Rachel: History! And Borail and the Bird back together
If you remember during the Travers Vault, I featured Holy Bull since he was one of the winners. Well ironicly Holy Bull also won the Woodward, which of course Rachel Alexandra will be going in this Saturday. Here is a video of The Bull's Woodward:
He was the last 3yo to take the Woodward... until possibly Saturday when Rachel tries to become the first filly/mare to win it (let alone as a 3yo.) Speaking of Rachel, her jockey Calvin Borel has found a mount for the Breeder's Cup Classic. And he knows his mount pretty well, Mine That Bird and Calvin will be reunited for the Goodwood and BCC. Now of course, Jess Jackson could change his mind, and send Rachel to the BC, but according to this article, she might be done for the year after the Woodward. It will be an intersting few weeks leading up to the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Beldame where should could face Zenyatta (highley unlikley though).
BTW since I didn't post yesterday LDP of Horsin Around was correct with the trivia question. Sara Louise upset Rachel in the Pocahontas (Rach was the favorite), in her defence though she ran into trouble in that race. It was also the last time Brian Hernandez Jr. was on Rachel, the next time which was the Golden Rod. That is when Calvin and Rachel turned the tables on Sara by breaking a stakes record. Those two have not looked back since.
He was the last 3yo to take the Woodward... until possibly Saturday when Rachel tries to become the first filly/mare to win it (let alone as a 3yo.) Speaking of Rachel, her jockey Calvin Borel has found a mount for the Breeder's Cup Classic. And he knows his mount pretty well, Mine That Bird and Calvin will be reunited for the Goodwood and BCC. Now of course, Jess Jackson could change his mind, and send Rachel to the BC, but according to this article, she might be done for the year after the Woodward. It will be an intersting few weeks leading up to the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Beldame where should could face Zenyatta (highley unlikley though).
BTW since I didn't post yesterday LDP of Horsin Around was correct with the trivia question. Sara Louise upset Rachel in the Pocahontas (Rach was the favorite), in her defence though she ran into trouble in that race. It was also the last time Brian Hernandez Jr. was on Rachel, the next time which was the Golden Rod. That is when Calvin and Rachel turned the tables on Sara by breaking a stakes record. Those two have not looked back since.
August 27, 2009
The Travers Vault: Final Night!
Welcome to the final night of the Travers Vault. I appoligze if I missed any of your favorites, but these where ones that I felt that where interesting and involved some of my favorite horses. I've got some good ones for tonight. They are Alydar (1978), Holy Bull (1994), Medaglia d'Oro (2002) and Birdstone (2004). Tomorrow night the preview for this year's Travers.
Alydar- 1978 Winner (By DQ)
Affirmed and Alydar, Alydar and Affirmed. When you say one, you have to say the other. Starting as two year olds, Affirmed and Alydar butted head. Unfortanlly is a relativly one sided affiar. In matter of fact, Alydar finished behind Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races. However their final match-up would be the most memorable, although Affimed crossed the line first, Alydar would be placed first as Affirmed was disqualified for interference. And although Alydar won the battle that day, Affirmed won the war with the score 7-3 (That includes Alydar's Travers win). Sadly, Alydar would break his leg in 1990 and be euthanized soon afterwards. But not before he sired champions such as Turkoman, Easy Goer and Althea. However, his most famous foal was "America's Horse", Alysheba who won did something his father couldn't win a Triple Crown race by winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. And although he was denied the Triple Crown in the Belmont, he went on to finish second behind Ferdinad in the Breeder's Cup Classic, and went on to win the BCC the next year. Alysheba happens to be the broodmare sire of the late great George Washington. Sadly Alysheba was euthanized earlier this year, do to a nurlogical condition, but he will go down as Alydar's best foal. Affirmed did not have the success at stud that he did on the track. However, he did sire a Triple Crown winner in Canada in Petski. He's also the broodmare sire for an up and coming colt named Backtalk (Smarty Jones). But like Alydar, he had a fan favorite foal. The Tin Man didn't win the Derby or Preakness, like Alysheba did. But he did win the 2006 Arlington Million and just missed repeating in 07. He now lives out in California where he's owners live. Both Alydar and Affirmed are Racing's Hall of Fame.
Holy Bull- 1994 Winner
His owner passed away and his trainer became his owner. Holy Bull went in the 1994 Kentucky Derby as the favorite, however finished dismaly (like Hansel before him and Bellemy Road and Friesan Fire after him). But that was just the begging of this son of Great Above. "The Bull" would bounce back and take the Met Mile, Haskell, Travers and Woodward (as a 3yo). Concern who he held off, would go on to win the Breeder's Cup Classic that year, but it was too little too late. Holy Bull had done enough to win 3yo championship and Horse of the Year. Unfortanlly Holy Bull was pulled up in the 1995 Donn Handicap (won by eventual 2 time Horse of the Year Cigar). Holy Bull now stands at Darley at Jonabell, where he has sired Derby winner Giacomo. Concern stands in Oklahoma, where his most accomplished foal is the 2 time Eclipse winning steeplechaser Good Night Shirt.
Medaglia d'Oro- 2002 Winner
Who knew that this Travers winner would go on to be the hottest stallion this year? Not me, now of course I didn't start following horse racing until a year after this, but still. Now I will admit that Bobby Frankel is not my favorite trainer, and his owner Edmund Gann isn't my favorite owner (ironicly Mr. Gann doesn't have any horses left with Frankel, and I'll get into the interesting thing about MDO and Dolphus Morrison (You know whos breeder/former owner) at the end of this profile), but you gotta respect this son of El Prado. 4th in the Derby, he ran poorly in the Preakness (as the favorite), before finishing second to a longshot in the Belmont. Medaglia won the local prep the Jim Dandy. But it was as a four year old where he would really shine, this was when he won the Whitney, Donn and finished second in the BCC for the second stright year (he did so as a 3yo as well, both times beaten by longshots). He finished his career with a 2nd place finish in the Dubai World Cup. At his first year of stud, he stood at Hill N' Dale and got a veratiy of mares. The foals would grow up to be stakes winners Gabby's Golden Gal, Renda, C.S. Silk, Retracable, Payton d'Oro, and stakes placed Warrior's Reward. But there is one foal missing from this list. Humm I wonder... In the perenthesis I said that at the end there is something interesting about MDO and Dolphus Morrison. Here's what it is, Edmund Gann owned a filly named You, the breeder? Dolphus Morrison. Of course, Mr. Morrison sent another homebred of his to MDO, a Roar mare named Lotta Kim. He would name the resulting foal after his granddaughter. Little did he know that Rachel Alexandra would take him on a wild ride and now his daughter will try to beat the older boys next Saturday in the Woodward. Among the horses who might face her include It's a Bird (owned by you guessed it, Edmund Gann). Medaglia now stands at Darley at Jonabell after being bought just after the end of the NH breeding season. He has Warrior's Reward in this year's Travers. Not bad for a horse whose humble beginings include spending time in Montana. (See Steve Haskin's post about his beginings on Bloodhorse.com)
and last, but not least!
Birdstone- 2004 winner
Birdstone will go down as one of the most unpopular Belmont winners sadly. A son of 1996 Derby winner Grindstone and half brother to 2003 KY Oaks winner Bird Town, Stone upset fan favorite Smarty Jones in his quest to win the Triple Crown. While Smarty would not make a start after the Belmont, Stone would make 2 more including a win the Travers where he beat Haskell winner (and Derby runner-up) Lion Heart. And while a finalist for 2yo champion and 3yo champion, he would be denied both times by Action This Day and Smarty respectivly. Birdstone has gone off to a remarkable start at stud. He has a champion in Canada (2yo) and this horse happend to go off as the 2nd longest shot to ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Of course I'm talking about Mine That Bird, he also has Summer Bird the Belmont winner and stakes winner Livin Lovin. Has he had the buzz MDO has? No, but with Mine a gelding we can expect him to be running for years to come. He has Summer Bird in this year's Travers.
I hope everybody enjoyed the Travers Vault. I don't plan to do this next week for the Woodward, but I probley will bring this back for the Breeder's Cup. Before I wrap up for the night, one of my favorite members of the TC class of 06. Sunriver passed away today. The younger brother of all time leading money earner for fillies, Ashado, Sunriver won one G1 at four and finished 3rd behind Jazil (Rags to Riches brother) in the 06 Belmont.
Alydar- 1978 Winner (By DQ)
Affirmed and Alydar, Alydar and Affirmed. When you say one, you have to say the other. Starting as two year olds, Affirmed and Alydar butted head. Unfortanlly is a relativly one sided affiar. In matter of fact, Alydar finished behind Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races. However their final match-up would be the most memorable, although Affimed crossed the line first, Alydar would be placed first as Affirmed was disqualified for interference. And although Alydar won the battle that day, Affirmed won the war with the score 7-3 (That includes Alydar's Travers win). Sadly, Alydar would break his leg in 1990 and be euthanized soon afterwards. But not before he sired champions such as Turkoman, Easy Goer and Althea. However, his most famous foal was "America's Horse", Alysheba who won did something his father couldn't win a Triple Crown race by winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. And although he was denied the Triple Crown in the Belmont, he went on to finish second behind Ferdinad in the Breeder's Cup Classic, and went on to win the BCC the next year. Alysheba happens to be the broodmare sire of the late great George Washington. Sadly Alysheba was euthanized earlier this year, do to a nurlogical condition, but he will go down as Alydar's best foal. Affirmed did not have the success at stud that he did on the track. However, he did sire a Triple Crown winner in Canada in Petski. He's also the broodmare sire for an up and coming colt named Backtalk (Smarty Jones). But like Alydar, he had a fan favorite foal. The Tin Man didn't win the Derby or Preakness, like Alysheba did. But he did win the 2006 Arlington Million and just missed repeating in 07. He now lives out in California where he's owners live. Both Alydar and Affirmed are Racing's Hall of Fame.
Holy Bull- 1994 Winner
His owner passed away and his trainer became his owner. Holy Bull went in the 1994 Kentucky Derby as the favorite, however finished dismaly (like Hansel before him and Bellemy Road and Friesan Fire after him). But that was just the begging of this son of Great Above. "The Bull" would bounce back and take the Met Mile, Haskell, Travers and Woodward (as a 3yo). Concern who he held off, would go on to win the Breeder's Cup Classic that year, but it was too little too late. Holy Bull had done enough to win 3yo championship and Horse of the Year. Unfortanlly Holy Bull was pulled up in the 1995 Donn Handicap (won by eventual 2 time Horse of the Year Cigar). Holy Bull now stands at Darley at Jonabell, where he has sired Derby winner Giacomo. Concern stands in Oklahoma, where his most accomplished foal is the 2 time Eclipse winning steeplechaser Good Night Shirt.
Medaglia d'Oro- 2002 Winner
Who knew that this Travers winner would go on to be the hottest stallion this year? Not me, now of course I didn't start following horse racing until a year after this, but still. Now I will admit that Bobby Frankel is not my favorite trainer, and his owner Edmund Gann isn't my favorite owner (ironicly Mr. Gann doesn't have any horses left with Frankel, and I'll get into the interesting thing about MDO and Dolphus Morrison (You know whos breeder/former owner) at the end of this profile), but you gotta respect this son of El Prado. 4th in the Derby, he ran poorly in the Preakness (as the favorite), before finishing second to a longshot in the Belmont. Medaglia won the local prep the Jim Dandy. But it was as a four year old where he would really shine, this was when he won the Whitney, Donn and finished second in the BCC for the second stright year (he did so as a 3yo as well, both times beaten by longshots). He finished his career with a 2nd place finish in the Dubai World Cup. At his first year of stud, he stood at Hill N' Dale and got a veratiy of mares. The foals would grow up to be stakes winners Gabby's Golden Gal, Renda, C.S. Silk, Retracable, Payton d'Oro, and stakes placed Warrior's Reward. But there is one foal missing from this list. Humm I wonder... In the perenthesis I said that at the end there is something interesting about MDO and Dolphus Morrison. Here's what it is, Edmund Gann owned a filly named You, the breeder? Dolphus Morrison. Of course, Mr. Morrison sent another homebred of his to MDO, a Roar mare named Lotta Kim. He would name the resulting foal after his granddaughter. Little did he know that Rachel Alexandra would take him on a wild ride and now his daughter will try to beat the older boys next Saturday in the Woodward. Among the horses who might face her include It's a Bird (owned by you guessed it, Edmund Gann). Medaglia now stands at Darley at Jonabell after being bought just after the end of the NH breeding season. He has Warrior's Reward in this year's Travers. Not bad for a horse whose humble beginings include spending time in Montana. (See Steve Haskin's post about his beginings on Bloodhorse.com)
and last, but not least!
Birdstone- 2004 winner
Birdstone will go down as one of the most unpopular Belmont winners sadly. A son of 1996 Derby winner Grindstone and half brother to 2003 KY Oaks winner Bird Town, Stone upset fan favorite Smarty Jones in his quest to win the Triple Crown. While Smarty would not make a start after the Belmont, Stone would make 2 more including a win the Travers where he beat Haskell winner (and Derby runner-up) Lion Heart. And while a finalist for 2yo champion and 3yo champion, he would be denied both times by Action This Day and Smarty respectivly. Birdstone has gone off to a remarkable start at stud. He has a champion in Canada (2yo) and this horse happend to go off as the 2nd longest shot to ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Of course I'm talking about Mine That Bird, he also has Summer Bird the Belmont winner and stakes winner Livin Lovin. Has he had the buzz MDO has? No, but with Mine a gelding we can expect him to be running for years to come. He has Summer Bird in this year's Travers.
I hope everybody enjoyed the Travers Vault. I don't plan to do this next week for the Woodward, but I probley will bring this back for the Breeder's Cup. Before I wrap up for the night, one of my favorite members of the TC class of 06. Sunriver passed away today. The younger brother of all time leading money earner for fillies, Ashado, Sunriver won one G1 at four and finished 3rd behind Jazil (Rags to Riches brother) in the 06 Belmont.
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