Quality Cry

Well, he did it again. For once, I was very impressed by Quality Road in yesterday's Met Mile. Until yesterday I thought that he was a nice horse, but not a great one. Now, I still don't think he's a great one, but he got a little bit closer to that title. No horse goes 1:33 under the pressure that he got yesterday, actually scratch that I know two horses who could do that one of them is Rachel Alexandra (although that was in the Woodward which is a mile and eighth, but Rachel had so much pressure that day and still held on) and the other is a horse he's being compared to in Hard Spun (see the Derby and Classic, he didn't win either, but he was the only one who was on the front end there at the end of both races. A better compersion could be his KY Classic win).

Le Grand Cru and Warrior's Reward where up close pressuring him. Musket Man did make a late bid, but it was really never in doubt that QR would win this year's Met Mile. Was it a blowout win like everyone expected, no. However, I don't think QR is the type of horse who needs to blow away the field to be impressive. Yes Musket Man was moving late, but he looked like he was spinning his wheels and never made up ground on Quality Road. The biggest disapointment, Warrior's Reward, because he was close to the pace, he wasn't able to unleash his late kick. He and Le Grand Cru where burned by the early pace of the race. Tizway did prove me wrong by finishing third, but I believe he was quite a bit back from the top
two. It will be interesting where Quality Road goes next and how he does there.

Meanwhile outwest, Victor's Cry won the Shoemaker Mile. I missed the race, but apperently Compari got a very bad ride, and Victor was able to catch my pick Karelian and Mr. Gruff (who would go on to finish second and third respectivly). Obviously I'm disapointed, but it sounded like it was a nice race by Karelian otherwise.

Also today, we found out where Rachel Alexandra might end up next. One of those races, the G3 Obeah is run at my home track. I really doubt she will be leaving Churchill, but she might!

Look out Boys, Supergirl is back

Guess who is back in training? It's a bird! It's a plane? Nope it's Supergirl! That's right ladies and gentleman the and only Rachel Alexandra is back in training. She actually is retuning earlier then she was supposed to, but I guess since she's on a track that she clearly loves (Churchill), Steve Asmussen didn't want to wait till they got her to the Fair Grounds. So my guess is she'll prep at the Fair Grounds for the Apple Blossom possibly, however I hope she preps for the race with a race. Fair Grounds created two new stakes races for fillies and mares that where in a way to entice Rachel. She'll miss the first one as I think it's next weekend, but the next one is in March (I think). It's going to be a fun 2010 with all three stars from this year's TC coming back (of course the leading men Summer Bird and Mine That Bird). Add in supporting actresses Careless Jewel (and I really hating calling her that, but honestly she just doesn't bring the same buzz that Rachel does), Justwhistledixie (she returns this weekend!), and some hidden gems for the girls. The supporting actors include, Musket Man (returning from injury), Friesan Fire (returning from injury and is pointing towards the Donn, eek!), Warrior's Reward and Al Khali (keep an eye on these two, if they are anything like their dad, they will get better with age), plus a few hidden gems for the guys. Also returning next year, Gio Ponti and Life is Sweet! Next year's 3yo's be afraid, be very afraid. We could have one of the best older divisions in a few years. It's a shame that Zensational was rushed off to stud (the other two big 3yo's who where retired where injured).

Meanwhile while one of this year's starlit's returns to training, another one gets her own race. The Lady's Secret at Oak Tree at Santa Anita has been renamed the Zenyatta. While not everyone is happy that this race has been renamed, here are a few points why I'm glad it is.

1. Lady's Secret has two other stakes races named after her, one at Monmouth Park which is a prep for the Molly Pitcher S., and an OK bred stakes.

2. The race started in 1993, so it's really not that an old of a race, compared to Californian Stakes which will be renamed after Lava Man once he re-retires which started running in 1954. Now of course that's not named after a horse, but still...

3. In the end the horses won't care, it's just a race.

And while what I'm about to post won't change people's minds, even Jerry Moss was uneasy about renaming the race. Here is the following from the article I posted before.

"At first, Jerry was reluctant to accept our offer of renaming the race, because he was a personal friend of Gene Klein," Chillingworth added. "But after he and Ann thought about it for a couple of days, he called back and said they thought Zenyatta would be flattered by the comparison and to know that she was held in such high esteem."

Personally, I'm really excited for this race next year now.

Just a few other things before I wrap up this post, this is actually a pretty big weekend of racing coast to coast. The final G1's of the season for New York will take place with the Gazelle and Cigar, it will be the final race for both Pyro and Kodiak Kowboy. The Gazelle will feature the return of last year's 2yo Champion Filly Stardom Bound. Remember her? She and not Rachel was supposed to be the boy beater, things change for a reason. Justwhistledixie also returns against Sara Louise and older females at Aqueduct. And oh yeah Basket (aka Go Go Shoot) and Sean (aka Sean Avery) tangle in the Highweight on Thanksgiving. Down at Churchill, it will be the last hurrahs for Unbridled Belle, more then likely Swift Temper on Thursday in the Falls City, while on Friday in the Clark it will be final races for Einstein and Kiss the Kid. Saturday will be the Kentucky Jockey Club won last year by Beethoven who unfortanlly was injured this year, and the Golden Rod which was one by Supergirl (aka Rachel). In California it's a weekend of goodbyes as Cowboy Cal and Ventura will be running for the final time in the Citation and the Matriach respectivly (at this time of writing Cal's stud plans have not been announced, while Ventura will be bred to Oasis Dream). I would love these two especially Ventura go out on high notes. However, also in the Citation is Enriched whose half brother is... Lava Man. On Sunday, Zenyatta will be paraded for all of the fans and Take the Points runs in the most underrated stakes race for 3yo's, the Hollywood Derby.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I will be back next week with new favorite race from this year. And you know what I'm going to make this a guessing game, sorry no prizes just for kicks. But here are the clues,

This was supposed to be a race that featured battle for early top honors, however the winner's main compition was scratched the day of the race. The winner won by a huge margin and almost broke the stakes record. The runner up of the race has sadly done nothing since, and the third place finisher has not run since then. This was a turning point in the winners season and gave them the jump start to being one of the greatest of their sex. This is a really, really easy answer, and I'll be shocked if no one gets it. *wink wink*

Rachel and the Bird (Preakness review)

Well yesterday's Preakness, was one of the most amazing races I've seen in a long time. Mine That Bird showed that he was no fluke, and Rachel Alexandra showed that she could run with the boys. There where several surprises and disappointments for me personally.

Surprises

Mine That Bird- I actually had him around 4th or 5th, but the way he closed, had it been a little bit longer, we would be talking about a possible Triple Crown winner. Mike Smith was an excellent replacement, which makes you wonder? Will his girlfriend Chantal Sutherland, ride Mine if Rach and Zenyatta (Who I'm starting to have doubts about even making a start this year), go in the BCC. Yes I know it's to early to think that, but can I dream?

Flying Private- Wayne Lukas was right, his Derby was a fluke. Nice job by him and good luck in the Belmont (although he will not be in my top three at all).

Big Drama- He casted himself early yesterday morning, and then freaked out in the gate AND he still finished 5th! Awesome job by him, look out for him later this year.

Payton D'Oro- You're proabley asking yourself, whose this? Well she like Rach is by Medaglia d'Oro. And she won the Black Eyed Susan which was the day before. This filly could make some noise in the Delaware Oaks, which may come up a bit on the weak side this year with the CCA Oaks the week afterwards.

Are Hank Goldberg and I related?- The answer is no, but we had the same trifecta. And well that's it.

Pioneerof the Nile- That I was actually right that he wouldn't run well. Karma sucks doesn't Mr. Zayat. ;)

Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen- This isn't really a suprise, but I was so happy that they both thanked Hal Wiggins. That was really nice and showed that they knew how special she could be. Yes I know there are people who don't like them (I'm not a huge, huge fan of them myself, but that's a story for another day), but you gotta respect what they did.

Disappointments

Friesan Fire- Why was he in this race? That was a really bad, and thankfully he will skip the Belmont. Hopefully we see him in an easier race later this year. Maybe he was the fluke and not Mine That Bird. A better horse then we've seen in these past two races.

Musket Man- That he's not going to the Belmont. But honestly this is a good thing, he'll be fresher for the rest of the year. And who knows he could end up stealing 3yo male championship from Mine That Bird.

Take the Points- After some comments that his co-owner made a few days ago about Rach, has basically decided that I will from now on look past the owners of a horse that I love/like. With that being said, he should have been able to beat Tone It Down. Makes you wonder excactlly how good the Cali horses are really.

Pioneerof the Nile- Ah you gotta love karma, Mr. Zayat should have kept his mouth shut. I knew he wouldn't do well here, and yes I'm dispointed his proformance. With the exception of Hard Spun, 2nd place finishers from the Derby, who also ran in the Preakness, have finished uptrack. No Belmont for him either, look for him in the Secretariat later this year.

General Quarters- Sigh, another bad proformance. He maybe a G1 winner, but just a touch below the top tier.

Mani Bhavan- Oy, another last place finish for her. But then again, she was coming off a layoff and shortening up. Hopefully she can rebound, but G1 winners at 2 don't always show that form at 3.

Calvin Borel- He was almost too confident, thankfully Rach is an awesome horse and was able to gut it out. While I'm not mad at him for making those comments, I'm just disapointed. But when you think about it, confidence is the key to victory.

Stone Legacy- Yeah, two weeks off wasn't enough for her. Why was she in the Black Eyed Susan?

So even though there will not be a Triple Crown winner this year, you have to wonder. Will Rachel run in the Belmont? If she does can, Mine turn the tables on her? Will Summer Bird, Chocolate Candy, Flying Private, Luv Gov ect. crash the party. Will MDO get a nice colt to run in the race? Who will win the Acorn? Will I be at the Belmont? The last question will be answered withen the next week or so (I hope) and the Acorn on the undercard. But the rest of these questions will be answered in 3 weeks at the oldest and longest Triple Crown race. The Belmont Stakes!

Since the next few weeks are going to be somewhat light (except for next Monday's Met Mile featuring 3yo Mr. Fantasy), will be talking about some of the unknown horses in racing.