Danzig and Storm Cat, two of the greatest sires in the world and good racehorses in their own right. Both where foaled in the state of Pennsylvania. Today possibly the two best known PA bred stallions are Danzig's son Hard Spun and KY Derby/Preakness winner Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality). Hard Spun has two G1 winners to his name including a champion in Questing (GB). Smarty meanwhile had a G1 winner himself, but that was overseas. That changed yesterday though at Hollywood Park when Centralintellegnce won the G1 Triple Bend Handicap over Comma to the Top. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/ipmhvOt8FmU.
Although this was a Win and You're in for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, it looks like that trainer Ron Ellis will be sending Centeralintellegnce to the Sprint instead. Which makes since actually since he also has Rail Trip (5th in yesterday's race) who is the defending runner up in the Dirt Mile).
I gotta say though I'm estatic for Smarty as he's been waiting quite awhile for a US G1 winner. He's now standing in PA after spending sometime at Three Chimneys.
Elusive Moment (IRE) (Elusive Quality x I'll Get Along (Smile)), full sister to 2004 KY Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. Taken before her first start (October 20, 2007 at Delaware Park) She finished 4th. Photo by me (Rachel Levine)
With his win at Belmont on Saturday, Brethren avoided what I like would like to call "The Derby Sibling Curse". What is that you may ask? While winning the Kentucky Derby is the biggest accomplishment in most horses careers, it might spell doom for their younger siblings.
Just ask Coincide, Rockcide and Homicide, 2 sons and a daughter of the Slewacide mare Belle's Good Cide. Three black sheep in one family, now Coincide won a couple of races, but the other two did not. Who was the good sheep for their dam? That would be none other then the Gusty Gelding himself, Funny Cide. Now of course Rockcide redeemed herself by being the dam of G3 winner Rule, but still she never won a race on flat and her lone try over the jumps.
Big Brown's little sister My Chestnut Girl has won only 1 race over in Europe.
Smarty Jones' little brother and sister Speedy Jones and Elusive Moment have a combined 1 win. EM is the lovely horse pictured above when she was a 2 year old. No she didn't win that day either sadly, I actually saw her again as a 3yo and she finished last.
Elusive Sparkle and Broadway Ticket, both little sisters to Street Sense did a little better then the average Derby winning sibling, but not as well as their champion brother.
Since 2003, the most successful Derby winners sibling has been Tiago who of course is Giacomo's little brother. He won the Santa Anita Derby and the Goodwood (the later as a 3yo), and had finished third in Belmont and the BC Classic. Then again he was born the same year as Street Sense, Hard Spun, Curlin, Rags to Riches etc.
It's really unfair to put Brother Bird (Mine That Bird's kid brother), Lentenor and Nicanor (Barbaro's brothers) in the conversation for a few reasons.
For Brother Bird, he has only made 7 starts in his career and has won his 2 races this year. Plus he just finished 5th in a stakes race on his first try and he's only 3. As for Nicanor and Lentenor, it's asking alot considering how beloved Barbaro was. Also Dynaformer's are better on turf then they are dirt, with that being said Nicanor has had some success on dirt and Lentenor finished 4th in this year's Florida Derby.
As for Brethren, he's only had one race under his belt. Weather he turns out to be a G1 winner like Super Saver or a claimer like their big brother Hedge Fund (who was retired a few months ago to WinStar) it remains to be seen. Whatever happens, he will be a special part of 2010 KY Derby for who his big brother is.
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!
I saw this last night when I was looking through some websites. While it's great for racing, especially with the uptick in viewers from the overnight ratings (Highest rating in 17 years). The question is: will the SI Jinx get to him. Now you maybe asking, what the heck is the SI jinx? Sports Illustrated is notoriously known for putting some people on the cover more then others. If this happens, the person may not have a good year, or a team may not have a good game ect. Among the cover victims, Philadelphia Phillie Cole Hamels, who is not having the greatest year. This jinx, is right up there with the Madden Curse.
BTW for those wondering Mine is the first horse in 5 years to have a full spread cover, the last one? Smarty Jones in 2004, ironcily Mine's dad upset Smarty in the Belmont to deny the Triple Crown. Somewhat forshadowing that we see a Smarty kid in the Belmont? Although that is highley unlikely. I had hoped to have Pedigree Spotlights done, but as useal they where not ment to be. So look out for them tomarrow, and this time I do mean it.
