After several years of lackness in the Older Male Dirt division, it looks like that it has finally returned. With the recent wins of Mucho Macho Man, Animal Kingdom, Ron the Greek, Nehro and others, we could be in for a fun season with these horses. That is of course if they all stay healthy. So why did this divison from 2008 until possibly this year stink on ice? It be lots of factors:
*Two of the three 3yo Finalists from 2007 (Street Sense and Hard Spun) where both retired to stud for the 2008 season.
*Since 2007 (really since 2006, but Barbaro had suffered a career (and eventually life ending) injury), the Kentucky Derby winner did not return as a four year (Animal Kingdom broke that streak when he returned a few weeks ago).
*Since 2008, the 3yo Champion 3yo had not returned as a 4yo (another streak that Animal Kingdom broke). And before that since 2001 only Funny Cide (2003) and Curlin (2007) returned as four year olds (of course Funny Cide is a gelding so he didn't have much of a choice and Curlin's owner wanted him to run).
*The 2 of the past 3 years best Older Horse consistantly was a grass horse (Gio Ponti in 2009 and Acclamation in 2011).
Honestly I think it could be a little bit too early to tell weather or not the Older Division is really back. We'll have to see how well Game On Dude does in Dubai where he could face several tough Europeans and the Japanese runners who went 1-2 in last year's race (this year they will be lead by last year's DWC runner up Transend). Either way, it's going to be an exciting year for these Older Horses on their way to the Breeders' Cup.
Showing posts with label Ron the Greek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ron the Greek. Show all posts
March 3, 2012
February 18, 2010
Derby Top 10 for Feb 18
Here it is! This weeks Derby Top 10 and the Top 5 for the Oaks.
10. Dave in Dixie (Dixie Union): The downside is that he's had only three starts, the upside is he finished second in the Lewis finishing in front of American Lion and Tiz Chrome. It will be interesting in what he does in the San Felipe and then the Santa Anita Derby. The winner of the race, Caracortado is undefeated, but I need to see another race from him before he goes on this list. I just have this feeling that Dave will be better in the long run.
9. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil): Gets a good acid test this weekend against a very nice Fountain of Youth field which includes a few Pletcher trainees and Buddy's Saint. A win, and he moves up a few spots on the list. IMO this is the race where he needs to prove that he's the real deal.
8. Super Saver (Maria's Mon): Has yet to start as a three year old, but apperently will be making his start in the Gotham.
7. Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse): This is a weird thing to say, but while moves up a place in the top 10, he actually doesn't move because Winslow Homer was my #7 the last time I did the list and he's now off the trail. Got beat in the Sam Davis last Saturday, but on the gallop out did pass Rule and Schoolyard Dreams. Rule is hightailing out of Tampa, not sure about Schoolyard Dreams. Could be the favorite for the Tampa Bay Derby.
6. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Won a nose decision in her last race, the SA Oaks will tell weather she is going to be SA Derby bound. If not, we'll see her on the last day in April.
5. Pleasant Storm (Pleasent Tap): You are probley saying who? He almost upset Dryfly in the Smarty Jones, and will be facing Dublin, Dryfly and Convanynce in the delayed Southwest on Saturday. He might not be the best horse in the field, but he deserves a chance.
4. Ron the Greek (Full Mandate): Was his Lacomte a fluke or is he really the real deal? We will find out on Saturday in the Risen Star.
3. Rule (Roman Ruler): People say that Oaklawn is the way to go when it comes to Derby preps. Tampa may have something to say about that. Sun King, Bluegrass Cat, Any Given Saturday, Street Sense, Musket Man all made starts at Tampa. Rule will try to follow in their footsteps when he makes his first G1 start in either to Florida Derby or the Wood Memorial. Either way he has to learn to rate, otherwise he fold like a cheap suitcase.
2. Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike): Drops down a spot for now, because he has yet to start. However, nothing on the West Coast has really impressed me that much. Now of course things can change any given day, that's why you run a race.
1. Buddy's Saint (Saint Liam): The first leaderchange of the season. Makes his debut on Saturday in the Fountain of Youth against Jackson Bend, among others. He dodged a bullet when Winslow Homer came out of the Holy Bull with an injury and was forced off the TC trail. He can cement his place as the best in the East with a win. This isn't a gimmee, he's going to have to work for it. We'll see what happens.
Dropped off: American Lion (Tiznow)
On the radar: American Lion, Dryfly (Jump Start), Dublin (Afleet Alex), Schoolyard Dreams (Stephen Got Even)
Need to see another race from: Caracortado (Cat Dreams)
I appologize for not having an Oaks top 5, I'm hoping to have that more then likely for next week after this weekend's Silverbulletday. However I can you who my Top Three are as of right now.
3. Bell's Shoes (Mineshaft): Remember her name, she was third in the Martha Washington her first stakes race. One of dam's half brothers Wildcat Shoes chased Smarty Jones in 04, while another one of the half brothers is G2 placed. Of course that other half brother is one of my favorites Prom Shoes. My guess is that the Honeybee will be next for her.
2. Sassy Image (Broken Vow): This year's Justwhistledixie? She won her first race of the year very impressively. Not sure what's next for her though.
1. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Until someone beats her, she's on top.
On the radar: Christine Daae (Giant's Causeway), Quiet Temper (Quiet American), Bella Medaglia (Medaglia d'Oro), Jody Slew (Slew City Slew)
Weekend preview tomorrow!
10. Dave in Dixie (Dixie Union): The downside is that he's had only three starts, the upside is he finished second in the Lewis finishing in front of American Lion and Tiz Chrome. It will be interesting in what he does in the San Felipe and then the Santa Anita Derby. The winner of the race, Caracortado is undefeated, but I need to see another race from him before he goes on this list. I just have this feeling that Dave will be better in the long run.
9. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil): Gets a good acid test this weekend against a very nice Fountain of Youth field which includes a few Pletcher trainees and Buddy's Saint. A win, and he moves up a few spots on the list. IMO this is the race where he needs to prove that he's the real deal.
8. Super Saver (Maria's Mon): Has yet to start as a three year old, but apperently will be making his start in the Gotham.
7. Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse): This is a weird thing to say, but while moves up a place in the top 10, he actually doesn't move because Winslow Homer was my #7 the last time I did the list and he's now off the trail. Got beat in the Sam Davis last Saturday, but on the gallop out did pass Rule and Schoolyard Dreams. Rule is hightailing out of Tampa, not sure about Schoolyard Dreams. Could be the favorite for the Tampa Bay Derby.
6. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Won a nose decision in her last race, the SA Oaks will tell weather she is going to be SA Derby bound. If not, we'll see her on the last day in April.
5. Pleasant Storm (Pleasent Tap): You are probley saying who? He almost upset Dryfly in the Smarty Jones, and will be facing Dublin, Dryfly and Convanynce in the delayed Southwest on Saturday. He might not be the best horse in the field, but he deserves a chance.
4. Ron the Greek (Full Mandate): Was his Lacomte a fluke or is he really the real deal? We will find out on Saturday in the Risen Star.
3. Rule (Roman Ruler): People say that Oaklawn is the way to go when it comes to Derby preps. Tampa may have something to say about that. Sun King, Bluegrass Cat, Any Given Saturday, Street Sense, Musket Man all made starts at Tampa. Rule will try to follow in their footsteps when he makes his first G1 start in either to Florida Derby or the Wood Memorial. Either way he has to learn to rate, otherwise he fold like a cheap suitcase.
2. Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike): Drops down a spot for now, because he has yet to start. However, nothing on the West Coast has really impressed me that much. Now of course things can change any given day, that's why you run a race.
1. Buddy's Saint (Saint Liam): The first leaderchange of the season. Makes his debut on Saturday in the Fountain of Youth against Jackson Bend, among others. He dodged a bullet when Winslow Homer came out of the Holy Bull with an injury and was forced off the TC trail. He can cement his place as the best in the East with a win. This isn't a gimmee, he's going to have to work for it. We'll see what happens.
Dropped off: American Lion (Tiznow)
On the radar: American Lion, Dryfly (Jump Start), Dublin (Afleet Alex), Schoolyard Dreams (Stephen Got Even)
Need to see another race from: Caracortado (Cat Dreams)
I appologize for not having an Oaks top 5, I'm hoping to have that more then likely for next week after this weekend's Silverbulletday. However I can you who my Top Three are as of right now.
3. Bell's Shoes (Mineshaft): Remember her name, she was third in the Martha Washington her first stakes race. One of dam's half brothers Wildcat Shoes chased Smarty Jones in 04, while another one of the half brothers is G2 placed. Of course that other half brother is one of my favorites Prom Shoes. My guess is that the Honeybee will be next for her.
2. Sassy Image (Broken Vow): This year's Justwhistledixie? She won her first race of the year very impressively. Not sure what's next for her though.
1. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Until someone beats her, she's on top.
On the radar: Christine Daae (Giant's Causeway), Quiet Temper (Quiet American), Bella Medaglia (Medaglia d'Oro), Jody Slew (Slew City Slew)
Weekend preview tomorrow!
January 26, 2010
Paint that Greek!
Winslow Homer, and Ron the Greek won the Holy Bull and Lacomte respectivly. However I was wrong about a few things, 1. Jackson Bend surprised me with his 2nd place finish in the Holy Bull, 2. Citrus Kid is a nice horse, but not Derby material (in my opinon), maybe Belmont if he gets that chance.
Winslow Homer will now face Buddy's Saint, who is #2 on the TC board in the Fountain of Youth. I place Winslow Homer around #7 (Rule is the defacto #6), and Jackson Bend is around #12, with 3rd place finisher William's Kitten around #10 (I'll explain my reasoning next week when the new rankings come out with a top 15 this time around). Ron the Greek has the Silky Sullivian look to him, but I need to see how he does in the Risen Star against what is expected to be better company (maybe Laus Deo and/or Rule will be involved? Niether Tony Dutrow nor Todd Pletcher have strings there, but they could ship in). I will say that there has been some shuffling around, a horse who had been on the bubble will be removed, and horse who I haven't talked about yet will be added to the top five.
Oaks movement, will Quiet Temper will move down on the list after her bomb in the Fair Grounds (hopefully she rebounds in the Silverbulletday), and her stablemate who I think will end up not being as good as her Sassy Image will move into the top five, but not to replace her.
I appologize for not having a post yesterday, if you read my regular blog Yarn Talk then you know why. Just to let you all know that the Weekend Preview post will be going up on Thursday with a very special aniversary post at the same time. The reason being is that Friday is a very important day in the history of horse racing for me personally, it's a certin Horse of the Year's offical fourth birthday and it's the third aniversary of one of horse racing's equine hero's death.
Winslow Homer will now face Buddy's Saint, who is #2 on the TC board in the Fountain of Youth. I place Winslow Homer around #7 (Rule is the defacto #6), and Jackson Bend is around #12, with 3rd place finisher William's Kitten around #10 (I'll explain my reasoning next week when the new rankings come out with a top 15 this time around). Ron the Greek has the Silky Sullivian look to him, but I need to see how he does in the Risen Star against what is expected to be better company (maybe Laus Deo and/or Rule will be involved? Niether Tony Dutrow nor Todd Pletcher have strings there, but they could ship in). I will say that there has been some shuffling around, a horse who had been on the bubble will be removed, and horse who I haven't talked about yet will be added to the top five.
Oaks movement, will Quiet Temper will move down on the list after her bomb in the Fair Grounds (hopefully she rebounds in the Silverbulletday), and her stablemate who I think will end up not being as good as her Sassy Image will move into the top five, but not to replace her.
I appologize for not having a post yesterday, if you read my regular blog Yarn Talk then you know why. Just to let you all know that the Weekend Preview post will be going up on Thursday with a very special aniversary post at the same time. The reason being is that Friday is a very important day in the history of horse racing for me personally, it's a certin Horse of the Year's offical fourth birthday and it's the third aniversary of one of horse racing's equine hero's death.
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