DelCap Recap and Photos (Part 1)

Today and Tomorrow will be my recap of this year's Delaware Handicap. Even though there was a short field, the crowd may have been the largest that I've seen at Delaware Park. Royal Delta was the horse to beat even though she was coming off a poor result in the La T. We had been having some pretty hot weather and Saturday was no exception. However, where I was sitting and standing thorough out the day there was a bit of a breeze, but not much. By the time post time had arrived for the race, the fence area by the rail where I usually stand, it was basically packed. 

As for the race itself, well Royal Delta didn't disapoint as Mike Smith slowed her down just enough where she just cruised for her fifth Grade 1 in her career. While she won't ever be mentioned in the same breath as say Rachel Alexandra and Mike's main girls Azeri and Zenyatta, she did make some history by becoming the first back to back winner of the race since Nastique did it in 1988 and 1989. Oh and she did it by taking off a second from her winning time from last year.

The following pictures where taken by me (Rachel Levine). I didn't get around to putting my copyright on some of these photos, but the next time I will be doing that. Keep in mind more photos are coming tomorrow!

Royal Delta in the post parade.

Centering who finished fourth in the race. I was honestly disapointed with how she ran.

The champ heading to the paddock

Runner up She's All In (1) and Summer Applause (2). 

And Why Not who ran okay in third.

Stay tuned for tomorrow for more pictures!!!

Delaware Handicap recap

Royal Delta (right) and Tiz Miz Sue down the stretch

With it being the 75th anniversary of not only
Delaware Park, but the DelCap as well, expectations for the race where high. Especially after last year's race where it came down to the wire between Blind Luck and Havre de Grace. This year had the makings of another classic, not only was the defending Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner Royal Delta in the house, but Awesome Maria who was trying to rebound from a bad race in the Ogden Phipps. It ended up coming down to two fillies once again, but 1 of the fillies wasn't the one who was supposed to be there at the end. With Awesome Maria's stablemate Love and Pride who had won the Obeah setting very hot fractions both her and Royal Delta moved at the same time. As did Tiz Miz Sue who was second to Havre de Grace in last year's Obeah and again this year to Love and Pride.

It looked like that the local was going to pull off the monster upset, but the defending 3yo Champion would not be denied as she won by a neck with Awesome Maria in third. No excuse for Pattack it just wasn't her day, and the field that It's Tricky beat in the Phipps (expect for A. Maria) looks a little suspect now IMO as Cash for Clunkers finished last. So where does this leave the Older Female Division? Royal Delta I think still has the top spot, but It's Tricky is a very close second. Depending on who you talk to, you could even say that It's Tricky because she has the G1 win is tops for now. We'll find out in a couple of weeks when the Personal Ensign happens at a new distance (sadly) of a mile and a eighth.

As great as the race was, I didn't hear anyone talk about it as I was leaving like I did last year. Maybe it's because Grace and BL had faced off the year before in the Oaks when the latter was trying to rebound and the former was an upstart. Or maybe it would have been talked about more had Delta had been upset. Overall, Delaware Park has to be pleased with the result yesterday. The crowd looked good from my point of view and the fence where I stand to take the photos was pretty crowded. Actually when I had gotten back from the paddock, I went straight to the fence since there where people already there when I got there.

Overall it was good day, I will have more photos in a couple of days. For now though, I hope you enjoy the photo that I posted. There is also an album on the Furlong Drive Facebook page which you can find here.

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.

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 

Did Juddmonte Jump Too Early?

Juddmonte has had many great homebred horses. From Danehill to Workforce to the Hasili clan to Frankel. Their homebreds have been some of the greatest not only in Europe, but in the US as well. The question is, did they give up on the horse that they thought would win them the Derby too early in the shed? This past year has been a banner year for the Unbrided stallion Empire Maker, and he's enjoying his foals success in Japan.

Sure he technically was a failure for Juddmonte as their horses didn't have the success their sire had when he was running in 2002 and 2003. Still, he sired G1 winners in Country Star, Pioneerof the Nile, and Acoma for other connections.

Then along comes the Delta duo of your most likely 3yo Filly Champion Royal Delta and her little brother Empire Way. Out of the AP Indy mare Delta Princess, Royal Delta had a fantatic season after getting off to a slow start and overcoming an injury that kept her out of the Mother Goose. Still, she returned to deny It's Tricky the Triple Tiara in the Alabama. After a second place finish behind Havre de Grace in the Beldame which was her first start against older horses, she won the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic to most likely cinch those honors. In the process it started a big weekend for her trainer Bill Mott as he won the Classic the next day with Drosselmeyer.

Earlier this week, Royal Delta was sold for more then 8 million dollars to Belislu Stables (who also picked up Balance's first foal last year). As of right now, she is expected to return as a four year, but her trainer has not been decided yet. Does she stay with Mott? Or does she switch to her new owners trainer Todd Pletcher? Only time will tell.

Today 2yo Empire Way won at Hollywood in his first start. However, he did wear front bandages which could be a concern down the road. If he stays healthy and continues to move foward, he could be a horse with a serious chance on the Derby trail. We know the mile and quarter distance won't be a problem being by a Belmont winner out of a AP Indy mare who has already produced a full sister whose won at the distance.

Delta Princess also went through the ring (she and Royal Delta's owner passed away earlier this year, they went through the Keeneland sale ring as part of a dispersal) going for over 2 million in foal to Classic winning sire (and the sire to the horse who denyed Empire Maker the Derby) Distorted Humor to Adena Springs.

Those two are just gut checks, add in a third horse named Charm the Maker who won the Sharp Cat today.

Unfortanlly, we have to remeber that there are two parts of horse racing. Both are business and if a stallion is failing for the stallion owner, then well there might be an offer elsewhere (I'm not sure how well Empire Maker foals where doing in Japan before he was sold to stand there).

Currently two stallions are at Juddmonte's US farm. Mizzen Mast whose a turf longdistance specialist with some success and freshman stallion sprinter First Defence whose out of a half sister to Empire Maker. You have to wonder if they sent away the wrong stallion?