The West Virginia Derby will be held on Saturday at Mountaineer. This year's field includes three horses who ran in this year's KY Derby as well as as one who was on the trail. Lets a take a look at this year's field.
Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts
July 29, 2014
December 27, 2012
The Big Announcement
If you saw my post last week, then you know there is an announcement coming. Well, today is the big day! I somewhat teased this on Twitter this afternoon after I finished up the final touches on the preview for it just minutes before hand. Some people had some guesses, but I've been letting you wait too long. So here it is!
Starting January 11, 2013 and happening every Friday until at least the week before the Derby I will have a vlog show on YouTube. During the show, I will be previewing two races. One race on Saturday and one race on Sunday. These races will range from a maiden claimer to a Grade 1 stakes. I will also be profiling a stallion and/or dam at least once a month based on their foals performance during the month. These aren't going to be professionally done, as I'm going to be doing them (for now) on my iPad and/or iPhone. However, I will try to be as informative as possible.
Here is the YouTube announcement of the vlog.
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So I hope you can all join me on the 11th for the first episode of Furlong Drive Video!
July 24, 2011
Top 10 Races from the First Half of the Year
With the Haskell showdown between Pants on Fire, Ruler on Ice and Shackleford next week, I thought it would be a good time to look at what I think where the Top 10 races from the first half of the year.
10. Belmont Stakes- While all eyes where on the rematch of Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. A muddy track and Ruler on Ice threw a wrench into those plans. Not only did he give his jockey Jose Valdivia owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen their first TC wins, but he effectively made the 3yo Championship wide open. Of course Animal Kingdom is now out for the year. Stay Thirsty, who is owned by Mike Repole (owner of Uncle Mo) was second, just like his big brother Andromeda's Hero was in 2005 Belmont.
9. Kentucky Derby- After Juvenile Champion Uncle Mo was scratched, a field of nineteen went postward in the first fast track Derby since 2008. An injury to jockey Robbie Alberado opened the mount on Animal Kingdom. John Velazquez took over and notched his first win in the Derby. Nehro was second.. It was the first Derby win for trainer Graham Motion and owners Team Valor. Sadly Archarcharch was vanned off what ended up being a career ending injury.
8. Louisiana Derby- Mucho Macho Man had won the final prep for this race, the Risen Star and was trying to make history for his trainer Kathy Ritvo. However, Rosie Naprivnik who was on her way to becoming the first female to win the Fair Grounds title and Pants on Fire made history themselves. Going gate to wire holding off Nehro who was flying late. POF and Rosie finished ninth in the Derby, tied for the highest finish for a female jockey (Julie Krone being other one).
7. Delaware Oaks- Her trainer was most known for being the trainer of the late great Happy Ticket. Her owner, well she was more famous for being the owner of the farm that Lotta Kim (Rachel's dam) lives on. Her sister Panty Raid, a G1 winner herself was always a hard knocker. It was time for St. John's River to shine. That she did, in her first race since her game runner up finish in the Kentucky Oaks, she ran down Strike the Moon to win the DE Oaks by a nose. The Alabama at a mile and a quarter is next for her (distance should be no challenge for her as PR won at the distance in the American Oaks (abeit on turf)).
6. La Canada- Something was wrong with Blind Luck. The 3yo champion from the previous year had not returned to her form. She had already lost the middle leg to Always a Princess, and she would lose the third one as well. It would turn out to be AAP's final win however, she was eased in her final start the Santa Margarita and was retired due to injury.
5. La Trioenne- After a second place finish to longtime rival Havre de Grace, Blind Luck finally saw the winners circle again. This time she was able to get revenge on Unriveled Belle who had defeated her in the BC Ladies Classic (thus being the lone horse to defeat both 09 and 10 3yo Filly Champions, both future Hall of Famers). Showing that famous late kick of hers, she showed the world that she had not lost a step and was not ready to let Havre de Grace have the crown that belonged to her.
4. Apple Blossom Handicap- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Until this year's Azeri, that was exactly what Havre de Grace was. After defeating Blind Luck for the second time, she was able to grind down Switch to win her first G1 and become a millionaire at the same time. However, the greatest was yet to come for her and Blind Luck.
3. Preakness Stakes- One year after he came so close in getting his first TC race win in the same race, Dale Romans finally was able to get through to the winners circle. With Jose Castonon in the irons for owners Mike Lauffer and Bill Cabbage, Shackleford went gate to wire holding off a challenge from Animal Kingdom. This came two years co-owner Lauffer had co-owned Rachel Alexandra with her breeder Dolphus Morrison. Of course Rachel went on to win the Preakness for Jess Jackson.
2a. Wood Memorial- He was unstoppable, he was unbeatable, he was... what the f just happend? That is what most people thought of Uncle Mo. With his unbeaten record at risk, he entered Aquaduct's big 3yo race as the heavy favorite. His owner Mike Repole, a fan of the New York Mets not only would not win the race, he would lose to a son of a Wood winner whose late owner was George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. Toby's Corner who is bred and owned by his sire Bellamy Road's breeder, and trained by Graham Motion who was no stranger to upsets up to that point. He saddled Better Talk Now to defeat Dale Romans and Kitten's Joy in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (in a way ironic). Uncle Mo would be scratched out of the Derby with an illness, he is on the way back. As for Toby? He was injured in the leadup to the race and has not made a start since.
2b. Arkansas Derby- In 2007, I fell in love with a colt by the name of Prom Shoes. I would follow the Jinks Fires' trainee throughout the rest of his career. In 2011, Jinks and his son-in-law Jon Court would finally make it to the pinicle of racing, the Kentucky Derby. One year after Jon was bounced from Line of David after winning the Derby with eventual Derby winner Super Saver a nose behind.
1. Delaware Handicap- They had already met once this year in the Azeri. Havre de Grace won. Since then Blind Luck had won the La Trioenne and Vanity, while Grace won the Apple Blossom and Obeah. It would be Round Six in what could be the best rivalry since Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Blind Luck was able to get her nose down to the wire first in front of the game Grace. As for Round Seven? Well right now that's up in the air.
I hope you enjoyed this recap of these races. I know I missed a few (Turblent Descents SA Oaks, It's Tricky's CCAO etc.), but so many spaces where filled by races that I felt where more deserving. I'll probley be doing a Top 15 for the year later on this year though. Stay tuned!
10. Belmont Stakes- While all eyes where on the rematch of Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. A muddy track and Ruler on Ice threw a wrench into those plans. Not only did he give his jockey Jose Valdivia owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen their first TC wins, but he effectively made the 3yo Championship wide open. Of course Animal Kingdom is now out for the year. Stay Thirsty, who is owned by Mike Repole (owner of Uncle Mo) was second, just like his big brother Andromeda's Hero was in 2005 Belmont.
9. Kentucky Derby- After Juvenile Champion Uncle Mo was scratched, a field of nineteen went postward in the first fast track Derby since 2008. An injury to jockey Robbie Alberado opened the mount on Animal Kingdom. John Velazquez took over and notched his first win in the Derby. Nehro was second.. It was the first Derby win for trainer Graham Motion and owners Team Valor. Sadly Archarcharch was vanned off what ended up being a career ending injury.
8. Louisiana Derby- Mucho Macho Man had won the final prep for this race, the Risen Star and was trying to make history for his trainer Kathy Ritvo. However, Rosie Naprivnik who was on her way to becoming the first female to win the Fair Grounds title and Pants on Fire made history themselves. Going gate to wire holding off Nehro who was flying late. POF and Rosie finished ninth in the Derby, tied for the highest finish for a female jockey (Julie Krone being other one).
7. Delaware Oaks- Her trainer was most known for being the trainer of the late great Happy Ticket. Her owner, well she was more famous for being the owner of the farm that Lotta Kim (Rachel's dam) lives on. Her sister Panty Raid, a G1 winner herself was always a hard knocker. It was time for St. John's River to shine. That she did, in her first race since her game runner up finish in the Kentucky Oaks, she ran down Strike the Moon to win the DE Oaks by a nose. The Alabama at a mile and a quarter is next for her (distance should be no challenge for her as PR won at the distance in the American Oaks (abeit on turf)).
6. La Canada- Something was wrong with Blind Luck. The 3yo champion from the previous year had not returned to her form. She had already lost the middle leg to Always a Princess, and she would lose the third one as well. It would turn out to be AAP's final win however, she was eased in her final start the Santa Margarita and was retired due to injury.
5. La Trioenne- After a second place finish to longtime rival Havre de Grace, Blind Luck finally saw the winners circle again. This time she was able to get revenge on Unriveled Belle who had defeated her in the BC Ladies Classic (thus being the lone horse to defeat both 09 and 10 3yo Filly Champions, both future Hall of Famers). Showing that famous late kick of hers, she showed the world that she had not lost a step and was not ready to let Havre de Grace have the crown that belonged to her.
4. Apple Blossom Handicap- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Until this year's Azeri, that was exactly what Havre de Grace was. After defeating Blind Luck for the second time, she was able to grind down Switch to win her first G1 and become a millionaire at the same time. However, the greatest was yet to come for her and Blind Luck.
3. Preakness Stakes- One year after he came so close in getting his first TC race win in the same race, Dale Romans finally was able to get through to the winners circle. With Jose Castonon in the irons for owners Mike Lauffer and Bill Cabbage, Shackleford went gate to wire holding off a challenge from Animal Kingdom. This came two years co-owner Lauffer had co-owned Rachel Alexandra with her breeder Dolphus Morrison. Of course Rachel went on to win the Preakness for Jess Jackson.
2a. Wood Memorial- He was unstoppable, he was unbeatable, he was... what the f just happend? That is what most people thought of Uncle Mo. With his unbeaten record at risk, he entered Aquaduct's big 3yo race as the heavy favorite. His owner Mike Repole, a fan of the New York Mets not only would not win the race, he would lose to a son of a Wood winner whose late owner was George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. Toby's Corner who is bred and owned by his sire Bellamy Road's breeder, and trained by Graham Motion who was no stranger to upsets up to that point. He saddled Better Talk Now to defeat Dale Romans and Kitten's Joy in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (in a way ironic). Uncle Mo would be scratched out of the Derby with an illness, he is on the way back. As for Toby? He was injured in the leadup to the race and has not made a start since.
2b. Arkansas Derby- In 2007, I fell in love with a colt by the name of Prom Shoes. I would follow the Jinks Fires' trainee throughout the rest of his career. In 2011, Jinks and his son-in-law Jon Court would finally make it to the pinicle of racing, the Kentucky Derby. One year after Jon was bounced from Line of David after winning the Derby with eventual Derby winner Super Saver a nose behind.
1. Delaware Handicap- They had already met once this year in the Azeri. Havre de Grace won. Since then Blind Luck had won the La Trioenne and Vanity, while Grace won the Apple Blossom and Obeah. It would be Round Six in what could be the best rivalry since Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Blind Luck was able to get her nose down to the wire first in front of the game Grace. As for Round Seven? Well right now that's up in the air.
I hope you enjoyed this recap of these races. I know I missed a few (Turblent Descents SA Oaks, It's Tricky's CCAO etc.), but so many spaces where filled by races that I felt where more deserving. I'll probley be doing a Top 15 for the year later on this year though. Stay tuned!
November 22, 2009
2009 Favorite Races: Obeah S.
For the next few weeks I will be reflecting on the 2009 season, a year that will go down as "Year of the Female". Once a week I will posts featuring that I loved and/or saw in person. Most of them will be Thoroughbred races, however I may throw in an Arabian race or two. And why not start it off with one of my all time favorite fillies Unbridled Belle, and her Obeah S. win.
Unbridled Belle who is by Broken Vow won the 2007 Delaware Handicap and Beldame, she came back to win the 2008 Obeah, but that was her last win until June 20 of this year. On a sloppy track which she normally hates, but on a course that she loves she was able to defend her Obeah crown. Here is video of it, however I should warn people that there was a breakdown of All Smiles in the race at the end of the video, sadly I found out about a month ago that she was euthanized from surgery complications
Unbridled Belle who is by Broken Vow won the 2007 Delaware Handicap and Beldame, she came back to win the 2008 Obeah, but that was her last win until June 20 of this year. On a sloppy track which she normally hates, but on a course that she loves she was able to defend her Obeah crown. Here is video of it, however I should warn people that there was a breakdown of All Smiles in the race at the end of the video, sadly I found out about a month ago that she was euthanized from surgery complications
Unbridled Belle and the runner up Morena went on to finish 3rd and 4th respectivly behind Swift Temper and Icon Project. Those four would meet again in the Personal Ensign. Where Icon Project would win, Swift Temper second, Morena third and unfortnally Unbridled Belle last. However, Belle rebounded to win the Turnback the Alarm at Aqueduct and will wrap up her career on Thursdsay in the Falls City at Churchill Downs. She is expected to go to Medaglia d'Oro, and will be sold at next year's Keenland November Breeding Stock auction.
I'm not sure if you have seen it yet, but I've quietly released a new blog called Pedigree Stock, this replaces The Breeding Side. I wasn't really happy with how TBS was going, and Pedigree Stock is a much better sounding name. It gets updated at least twice a week with new content, right now I'm focusing on who I think would be good suitors for the recently retired Zenyatta. I hope that you go ahead and check it out. As for future plans, those right now are up in the air. I do have a few things up my sleeve, but those will not be announced until next month when I'm further along in the process.
July 24, 2009
New feature
Okay starting next week, I will be doing a video post? What do I mean by video post. Well, I'll be recording a video, using the web cam I have on my new laptop. Normally once a month, I'll post a video of my picks for that weekend's races.
More on this will come later.
Also I promise that the Stallion Spotlight will be returning tomorrow!
More on this will come later.
Also I promise that the Stallion Spotlight will be returning tomorrow!
June 10, 2009
Remembering Happy Ticket
Today is a very sad day for me personally. I found out that one of my favorite fillies who ran a few years ago, Happy Ticket passed away last month. She was just eight years old.
Link
Happy was a Louisiana bred by Anet, she became the highest earning LA bred in her career. Among the races that she won was the G1 Ballerina S. up at Saratoga in 2005. The next year she was second twice behind Round Pond (First in the G3 Azeri at Oaklawn then her final start the G1 Breeder’s Cup Distaff). She also won the G2 Fleur De Lies at Churchill in 2006.
She leaves behind a yearling son by Distorted Humor and a newborn daughter by Empire Maker.
Here is a video from the LA Bred Association
Link
Happy was a Louisiana bred by Anet, she became the highest earning LA bred in her career. Among the races that she won was the G1 Ballerina S. up at Saratoga in 2005. The next year she was second twice behind Round Pond (First in the G3 Azeri at Oaklawn then her final start the G1 Breeder’s Cup Distaff). She also won the G2 Fleur De Lies at Churchill in 2006.
She leaves behind a yearling son by Distorted Humor and a newborn daughter by Empire Maker.
Here is a video from the LA Bred Association
June 2, 2009
Reliving the 2007 Belmont
The Belmont has been a place of happiness and heartbreak for me personally. There was when Funny Cide finished 3rd behind Empire Maker and Ten Most Wanted in the 03 edition and when Birdstone passed Smarty Jones to deny him the Triple Crown in 04. Afleet Alex turned my frown upside down when he won the Belmont in 05 after his amazing recovery in the Preakness. Jazil, while impressive, really didn’t grab my attention except for his young jockey Fernando Jara when he won in the heartbroken 2006 edition (What I liked about ABC’s coverage was that they had Jeremy Schap at New Bolton with Barbaro and he was basically “watching” the race). However my favorite Belmont to date is the 2007 edition. Or as I like to call it: Curlin (and the rest of the field of course), get beat by a girl.
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness that year where amazing races. Street Sense became the first Breeder’s Cup Juvy winner to win the Kentucky Derby winner with a rail skimming ride by Calvin Borel (And as we now know, that wasn’t the last time we would see “Bo-Rail” win the Derby). The Preakness was the end of the chance at a Triple Crown when future 2 time Horse of the Year, Curlin nailed Street Sense at the wire. This set up the chance of Curlin’s coronation at the Belmont. However, that was not meant to be.
Enter Rags to Riches, Jazil’s little half sister. By 1992 Belmont winner AP Indy out of the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour (Jazil is by Seeking the Gold), Rags won the Kentucky Oaks the day before Street Sense in the Derby. Many thought that she could have won the Derby, but trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Coolmore had Circler Quay in the Derby. Well Circler ended not doing not only in the Derby, but the Preakness as well. As plans where made for Rags to skip the Belmont, her jockey Garrett Gomez agreed to ride Hard Spun replacing Mario Pino.
Regular Pletcher rider John Velazquez was able to get off his mount when it was decided that Rags was going to run. Garrett Gomez wanted to ride her, but Larry Jones didn’t let him out of his commitment. I think you know what happens next, Rags and Curlin hook up at the stretch and Tom Durkin announces those now famous words: “A Filly in the Belmont!” Here is a video of that magical day.
Here are what the first four finishers are doing 2 years later.
Rags to Riches (1st): The Belmont turned out to be her final win in her career. While she finished second in the Gazelle behind Lear’s Princess, she suffered an injury that ended her career. She had a Giant’s Causeway filly this year (And if you see photos of her she’s is her mother’s daughter), Rags is currently in foal to Henrythenavagator.
Curlin (2nd): The Belmont would be a turning point in his career. He came back to finish 3rd in the Haskell, win the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeder’s Cup Classic to get Horse of the Year for 2007. In 2008, his owner Jess Jackson, brought him back and made his first two starts in Dubai. These two races where the Jaguar Trophy and the Dubai World Cup. He came back to win the Stephen Foster, finish second in the Man O War on grass, and win the JCGC for a second time and break Cigar’s all time NA earnings record (It should be noted that the actual NA record holder is Skip Away, both Cigar and Curlin’s earnings are inflated due to going to Dubai and winning the ultra rich World Cup). He would finish his career finishing 4th in the BC Classic behind Raven’s Pass, Henrythenavagator and Tiago. He now stands at Lane’s End in Kentucky, his first crop hit’s the ground next year.
Tiago (3rd): After finishing third in the Belmont, Tiago would become more successful then his older Derby winning half brother Giacomo, by beating older males in the Goodwood. His owners announced that he would be standing at Adena at the end of his racing career. He is currently in training, but has not run since February.
Hard Spun (4th): The Belmont was the only time in his career that anyone not named Mario Pino was on his back. He finished behind Any Given Saturday in the Haskell, afterwards a change in distance was made. While successful as a router, he had the speed to stay with the sprinters, and with a stallion deal with Darley set, it was his best chance to get that G1 win. The King’s Bishop up at Saratoga was the choice. Although several nice sprinters, including Tuefelsburg who handed Hard Spun his first defeat in the Southwest. Hard Spun sat right off the pacesetter Spin Master and took the lead as they where going into the final turn. It was down to him and First Defense, however the gutsy PA bred prevailed. After getting his revenge on Street Sense at Turfway (He had finished second in the Derby), he wrapped up his career in the Breeder’s Cup Classic with a solid second place finish behind Curlin. He now stands at Darley in Kentucky and many consider him to possibly be North America’s Danehill(ironically they share a sire in Danzig).
I hoped you enjoyed this reliving of the 2007 Belmont. I will have the Post Positions tomorrow (I think they get drawn tomorrow), of the G1’s on Saturday (including the Whittingham out at Hollywood).
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness that year where amazing races. Street Sense became the first Breeder’s Cup Juvy winner to win the Kentucky Derby winner with a rail skimming ride by Calvin Borel (And as we now know, that wasn’t the last time we would see “Bo-Rail” win the Derby). The Preakness was the end of the chance at a Triple Crown when future 2 time Horse of the Year, Curlin nailed Street Sense at the wire. This set up the chance of Curlin’s coronation at the Belmont. However, that was not meant to be.
Enter Rags to Riches, Jazil’s little half sister. By 1992 Belmont winner AP Indy out of the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour (Jazil is by Seeking the Gold), Rags won the Kentucky Oaks the day before Street Sense in the Derby. Many thought that she could have won the Derby, but trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Coolmore had Circler Quay in the Derby. Well Circler ended not doing not only in the Derby, but the Preakness as well. As plans where made for Rags to skip the Belmont, her jockey Garrett Gomez agreed to ride Hard Spun replacing Mario Pino.
Regular Pletcher rider John Velazquez was able to get off his mount when it was decided that Rags was going to run. Garrett Gomez wanted to ride her, but Larry Jones didn’t let him out of his commitment. I think you know what happens next, Rags and Curlin hook up at the stretch and Tom Durkin announces those now famous words: “A Filly in the Belmont!” Here is a video of that magical day.
Here are what the first four finishers are doing 2 years later.
Rags to Riches (1st): The Belmont turned out to be her final win in her career. While she finished second in the Gazelle behind Lear’s Princess, she suffered an injury that ended her career. She had a Giant’s Causeway filly this year (And if you see photos of her she’s is her mother’s daughter), Rags is currently in foal to Henrythenavagator.
Curlin (2nd): The Belmont would be a turning point in his career. He came back to finish 3rd in the Haskell, win the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeder’s Cup Classic to get Horse of the Year for 2007. In 2008, his owner Jess Jackson, brought him back and made his first two starts in Dubai. These two races where the Jaguar Trophy and the Dubai World Cup. He came back to win the Stephen Foster, finish second in the Man O War on grass, and win the JCGC for a second time and break Cigar’s all time NA earnings record (It should be noted that the actual NA record holder is Skip Away, both Cigar and Curlin’s earnings are inflated due to going to Dubai and winning the ultra rich World Cup). He would finish his career finishing 4th in the BC Classic behind Raven’s Pass, Henrythenavagator and Tiago. He now stands at Lane’s End in Kentucky, his first crop hit’s the ground next year.
Tiago (3rd): After finishing third in the Belmont, Tiago would become more successful then his older Derby winning half brother Giacomo, by beating older males in the Goodwood. His owners announced that he would be standing at Adena at the end of his racing career. He is currently in training, but has not run since February.
Hard Spun (4th): The Belmont was the only time in his career that anyone not named Mario Pino was on his back. He finished behind Any Given Saturday in the Haskell, afterwards a change in distance was made. While successful as a router, he had the speed to stay with the sprinters, and with a stallion deal with Darley set, it was his best chance to get that G1 win. The King’s Bishop up at Saratoga was the choice. Although several nice sprinters, including Tuefelsburg who handed Hard Spun his first defeat in the Southwest. Hard Spun sat right off the pacesetter Spin Master and took the lead as they where going into the final turn. It was down to him and First Defense, however the gutsy PA bred prevailed. After getting his revenge on Street Sense at Turfway (He had finished second in the Derby), he wrapped up his career in the Breeder’s Cup Classic with a solid second place finish behind Curlin. He now stands at Darley in Kentucky and many consider him to possibly be North America’s Danehill(ironically they share a sire in Danzig).
I hoped you enjoyed this reliving of the 2007 Belmont. I will have the Post Positions tomorrow (I think they get drawn tomorrow), of the G1’s on Saturday (including the Whittingham out at Hollywood).
May 26, 2009
Making up Minds is hard
I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. I personally had a fantastic one, but it is now time to go back to bussiness.
First off the Queen of Racing returned this weekend, Zenyatta pretty much beat a bunch of listed stakes/G3 stakes horses and her stablemate Life is Sweet. Now nothing to take away from Zenyatta, who is an amazing horse, but her connections are going a bit on the concertive side this year. What do I mean that, I present the following from DRF.com, what her trainer John Shirreffs said. (I should note that his wife, is the racing manager for Zenyatta's owners Jerry and Ann Moss)
"Shirreffs is not interested in trying Zenyatta against males in a race such as the $700,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 11.
'The Gold Cup is a mile and a quarter," he said. "She's never run that far. It would be an ambitious spot and against the boys? Let's make it even harder.'"
To me this sounds like they are trying to avoid the boys, and Rachel Alexandra (IF that matchup comes it will be on the East Coast as Jess Jackson is not too thrilled in bringing Rach to run over the plastic, even though she has a win over it, abeit in an allowance at Keenland. Still she beat her new stablemate (And recent Eight Belles S. winner) Four Gifts in that allowance). Hopefully they will change their minds and maybe point to the Pacific Classic, that will set her up perfectly for either the Goodwood (If they want to go to the Classic) or the Lady's Secret (If they want to go to the Distaff (Sorry I just can't call it the Ladies Classic)).
Here is a vid of this year's Milady with the very uber impressive win by the Queen of Racing.
Speaking of making up minds, Rach's connections have not decided if she will go to the Belmont or not, link. As a fan, I would love to see her go and try to become the first filly to win 2 legs of the Triple Crown. However, the Preakness was a hard race, she did not like the track according to Calvin Borel, and had it been longer, Mine That Bird would have caught her most likely. Luckly, Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson are letting her dictate what they decide to do. If she does not go, then look for her two weeks later in the Mother Goose.
Does this mean Mine That Bird, gets Calvin back? Not quite yet, link. His connections are giving Borel a few more days to think about it. We might not know who is riding Mine until possibly we know if Rach is going or not. If Cal does ride Mine and Rach is going, look for Robby Alberado to ride. Not a bad replacement though, especially since he beat Rach twice, once on Garden District (who hasn't done anything since that win, my guess is she's injured or retired) and once on Sara Louise (who now races for Godolphin, we should see her later this year). But then again, he was also the rider on her soon to be husband Curlin. However, I really don't see this happening.
Calvin himself, has been very successful since the Oaks and Derby. He got his 900 win at Churchill the week of the Preakness. That put him #2 on the all time wins list at Churchill, behind the one and only Pat Day. It continued this weekend when he won, I believe 5 races on Saturday. One of those races was the Louisville Handicap, and he won it with an old timer. Brass Hat return to the winner's circle for the first time since capturing the 2007 Mass Cap. This is his first stakes win on turf and pushed him closer to 2 mil in earnings (If it wasn't for a DQ in the 06 World Cup, he would be closer to 3 mil). Buff Bradley trains for his dad Fred. Link Calvin also appeared on several morning programs (Today and Good Morning America in perticler), the following video however, is from Pardon the Interruption.
Also run this weekend was the Metropolitian Handicap, aka the Met Mile. This year, the winner was Bribon, a French bred gelding. It's funny, the three major races in May (Derby, Preakness, Met Mile), where won by 2 geldings and a filly. Congrats to his connections. One of my favorite fillies (other then Rach) is the 4yo Medowlake filly, Maren's Meadow. It's been a rough few months for Maren, her trainer's pony was let out of his stall and a blistering agent was put on his mouth (as far as I know Pal (Larry Jones' pony) has recovered). Then she was sponged before an allowance race at Delaware (she was favored to win), and then folded like a cheap suitcase in the Azeri finishing last. She finally returned to the winner's circle yesterday with a win in the Monmouth Beach Stakes, link. One of my favorite former Delaware Park jockeys Kendrick Charmouche won two stakes yesterday at Mountaineer (link), he's based at Philadelphia Park. And last but not least, Autism Awareness shocked everyone again by taking his second stakes win of his career in the Berkeley, link. I've been following him since his El Camino win. Congrats to his connections.
I'm afraid that I have to end this post on a bit of a sad note, and to relize as much as we love this sport, lives can change in an instant. This weekend that happend at Arlington Park in the suburbs of Chicago. Rene Douglas and Jamie Theriot where running in the Arlington Matron. It was then Sky Mom ridden by Jamie, clipped heels with Born to Be who was ridden by Rene. The consquences where catostrophic, as Rene is in a Chicago area hospital, paralyzed from the waist down, and his mount Born to Be euthanized, link. Sky Mom and Jamie where DQ'ed to last after finishing fifth. On yesterday, the IL Racing Board decided to suspend Jamie for 30 days, link. Even though he is sorry and it was reckless riding, it doesn't make up that two lives where destroyed on Saturday. Rene Douglas' and Jamie Theriot's lives will now be intertwinned in this tragedy. My heart goes out to Rene and the rest of his family. There is a Facebook Group for Rene Douglas that you can visit, here.
First off the Queen of Racing returned this weekend, Zenyatta pretty much beat a bunch of listed stakes/G3 stakes horses and her stablemate Life is Sweet. Now nothing to take away from Zenyatta, who is an amazing horse, but her connections are going a bit on the concertive side this year. What do I mean that, I present the following from DRF.com, what her trainer John Shirreffs said. (I should note that his wife, is the racing manager for Zenyatta's owners Jerry and Ann Moss)
"Shirreffs is not interested in trying Zenyatta against males in a race such as the $700,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 11.
'The Gold Cup is a mile and a quarter," he said. "She's never run that far. It would be an ambitious spot and against the boys? Let's make it even harder.'"
To me this sounds like they are trying to avoid the boys, and Rachel Alexandra (IF that matchup comes it will be on the East Coast as Jess Jackson is not too thrilled in bringing Rach to run over the plastic, even though she has a win over it, abeit in an allowance at Keenland. Still she beat her new stablemate (And recent Eight Belles S. winner) Four Gifts in that allowance). Hopefully they will change their minds and maybe point to the Pacific Classic, that will set her up perfectly for either the Goodwood (If they want to go to the Classic) or the Lady's Secret (If they want to go to the Distaff (Sorry I just can't call it the Ladies Classic)).
Here is a vid of this year's Milady with the very uber impressive win by the Queen of Racing.
Speaking of making up minds, Rach's connections have not decided if she will go to the Belmont or not, link. As a fan, I would love to see her go and try to become the first filly to win 2 legs of the Triple Crown. However, the Preakness was a hard race, she did not like the track according to Calvin Borel, and had it been longer, Mine That Bird would have caught her most likely. Luckly, Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson are letting her dictate what they decide to do. If she does not go, then look for her two weeks later in the Mother Goose.
Does this mean Mine That Bird, gets Calvin back? Not quite yet, link. His connections are giving Borel a few more days to think about it. We might not know who is riding Mine until possibly we know if Rach is going or not. If Cal does ride Mine and Rach is going, look for Robby Alberado to ride. Not a bad replacement though, especially since he beat Rach twice, once on Garden District (who hasn't done anything since that win, my guess is she's injured or retired) and once on Sara Louise (who now races for Godolphin, we should see her later this year). But then again, he was also the rider on her soon to be husband Curlin. However, I really don't see this happening.
Calvin himself, has been very successful since the Oaks and Derby. He got his 900 win at Churchill the week of the Preakness. That put him #2 on the all time wins list at Churchill, behind the one and only Pat Day. It continued this weekend when he won, I believe 5 races on Saturday. One of those races was the Louisville Handicap, and he won it with an old timer. Brass Hat return to the winner's circle for the first time since capturing the 2007 Mass Cap. This is his first stakes win on turf and pushed him closer to 2 mil in earnings (If it wasn't for a DQ in the 06 World Cup, he would be closer to 3 mil). Buff Bradley trains for his dad Fred. Link Calvin also appeared on several morning programs (Today and Good Morning America in perticler), the following video however, is from Pardon the Interruption.
Also run this weekend was the Metropolitian Handicap, aka the Met Mile. This year, the winner was Bribon, a French bred gelding. It's funny, the three major races in May (Derby, Preakness, Met Mile), where won by 2 geldings and a filly. Congrats to his connections. One of my favorite fillies (other then Rach) is the 4yo Medowlake filly, Maren's Meadow. It's been a rough few months for Maren, her trainer's pony was let out of his stall and a blistering agent was put on his mouth (as far as I know Pal (Larry Jones' pony) has recovered). Then she was sponged before an allowance race at Delaware (she was favored to win), and then folded like a cheap suitcase in the Azeri finishing last. She finally returned to the winner's circle yesterday with a win in the Monmouth Beach Stakes, link. One of my favorite former Delaware Park jockeys Kendrick Charmouche won two stakes yesterday at Mountaineer (link), he's based at Philadelphia Park. And last but not least, Autism Awareness shocked everyone again by taking his second stakes win of his career in the Berkeley, link. I've been following him since his El Camino win. Congrats to his connections.
I'm afraid that I have to end this post on a bit of a sad note, and to relize as much as we love this sport, lives can change in an instant. This weekend that happend at Arlington Park in the suburbs of Chicago. Rene Douglas and Jamie Theriot where running in the Arlington Matron. It was then Sky Mom ridden by Jamie, clipped heels with Born to Be who was ridden by Rene. The consquences where catostrophic, as Rene is in a Chicago area hospital, paralyzed from the waist down, and his mount Born to Be euthanized, link. Sky Mom and Jamie where DQ'ed to last after finishing fifth. On yesterday, the IL Racing Board decided to suspend Jamie for 30 days, link. Even though he is sorry and it was reckless riding, it doesn't make up that two lives where destroyed on Saturday. Rene Douglas' and Jamie Theriot's lives will now be intertwinned in this tragedy. My heart goes out to Rene and the rest of his family. There is a Facebook Group for Rene Douglas that you can visit, here.
March 29, 2009
Weekend Recap (Part 1)
I really don't have alot of time to do a weekend recap in one day, so I'll split into today and tomarrow.
First off, Regal Ransom upset Desert Party in the UAE Derby. Both are expected to be in the Kentucky Derby and honestly, I like RR's chances more. He's by Distorted Humor and is by Godolphin.
WinStar had their own horse win a race to in Well Armed going gate to wire in the World Cup. Many, including myself call him the Comeback kid. And as you will see in the video below, you will see why.
Thankfully he has recovered from that hip injury to take the worlds richest race. Here is a video of his win.
This also was the final Dubai meet on dirt and at Nal Al Sheba. Next year it will be held at Maydan and will be held on synthtic (I believe Tapata). Huge congrats to WinStar Farm his owners, Eion Harty his trainer and jockey Aaron Gryder. Well Armed is by DH's stallionmate at WinStar 2 time Breeder's Cup Classic winner Tiznow.
The two Florida races will be recaped tomarrow.
First off, Regal Ransom upset Desert Party in the UAE Derby. Both are expected to be in the Kentucky Derby and honestly, I like RR's chances more. He's by Distorted Humor and is by Godolphin.
WinStar had their own horse win a race to in Well Armed going gate to wire in the World Cup. Many, including myself call him the Comeback kid. And as you will see in the video below, you will see why.
Thankfully he has recovered from that hip injury to take the worlds richest race. Here is a video of his win.
This also was the final Dubai meet on dirt and at Nal Al Sheba. Next year it will be held at Maydan and will be held on synthtic (I believe Tapata). Huge congrats to WinStar Farm his owners, Eion Harty his trainer and jockey Aaron Gryder. Well Armed is by DH's stallionmate at WinStar 2 time Breeder's Cup Classic winner Tiznow.
The two Florida races will be recaped tomarrow.
March 18, 2009
Stallion Spotlight: Unbridled's Song
Name: Unbridled’s Song
Stallion Register: Link
Pedigree: Unbridled x Trolley Song (Caro (IRE))
Color: Gray/Roan
Year of Birth: 1993
Stands at: Taylor Made
Stakes wins: Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1, Florida Derby-G1, Wood Memorial-G1, Olympic H.
Career Earnings: $1,311,800
The uber talented Unbridled’s Song, is known by many as one of Unbridled’s best sons not only racing, but in the shed as well. The 1995 BC Juvenile winner beat the late Hennessy (in turn who is by another legend Storm Cat) down to the wire. Owned by Paranak Stable, the grey went on to win the Florida Derby and as you can see here, the 1996 Wood Memorial.
However, he was upset by another son of Unbridled, Grindstone in the Kentucky Derby. Although he had foot problems, he has been excellent in the shed siring some great horses. This is including Breeder’s Cup winners Unbridled Elaine and Midshipman, Derby runner up the late great Eight Belles, BC Juvi Fillies runner up Octave, Southwest winner and runner up Old Fashioned and Silver City, Impressive maiden and allowance winner Dunkirk, Splendid Blended, and my personal favorite the great Rockport Harbor. Here is a video of Rocky’s 2004 Remsen Stakes.
Unbridled’s Song stands for $125,000 at Taylor Made Farm.
Next week: Bertrando
Stallion Register: Link
Pedigree: Unbridled x Trolley Song (Caro (IRE))
Color: Gray/Roan
Year of Birth: 1993
Stands at: Taylor Made
Stakes wins: Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1, Florida Derby-G1, Wood Memorial-G1, Olympic H.
Career Earnings: $1,311,800
The uber talented Unbridled’s Song, is known by many as one of Unbridled’s best sons not only racing, but in the shed as well. The 1995 BC Juvenile winner beat the late Hennessy (in turn who is by another legend Storm Cat) down to the wire. Owned by Paranak Stable, the grey went on to win the Florida Derby and as you can see here, the 1996 Wood Memorial.
However, he was upset by another son of Unbridled, Grindstone in the Kentucky Derby. Although he had foot problems, he has been excellent in the shed siring some great horses. This is including Breeder’s Cup winners Unbridled Elaine and Midshipman, Derby runner up the late great Eight Belles, BC Juvi Fillies runner up Octave, Southwest winner and runner up Old Fashioned and Silver City, Impressive maiden and allowance winner Dunkirk, Splendid Blended, and my personal favorite the great Rockport Harbor. Here is a video of Rocky’s 2004 Remsen Stakes.
Unbridled’s Song stands for $125,000 at Taylor Made Farm.
Next week: Bertrando
March 14, 2009
Freisan Fire video and Old Fashioned upset
Freisan Fire punches his ticket to Churchill Downs with win in the LA Derby. His stablemate Old Fashioned is upset by Monarchos colt Win Willy in the Rebel. More tomarrow in Weekend Recap
February 20, 2009
Stallion Spotlight: Invasor
What is the Stallion Spotlight you may ask? Well once a week (normally on Fridays), I will spotlight a stallion that I like and tell you a little bit about his foals. This week I will be talking about a relatively new stallion, the 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor.
Name: Invasor (ARG)
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 2002
Pedigree: Candy Stripes x Quendom (ARG)
Color: Bay
Stands at: Shadwell Farm
Stakes wins:
Uruguay: Gran Premio Nacional-Uruguayan Derby (G1), Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1), Polla de Potrillos- Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Clasico Ensayo (G3)
United States: Pimlico Special (G1), Suburban Handicap (G1), Whitney Handicap (G1), Breeder’s Cup Classic (G1), Donn Handicap (G1)
UAE: Dubai World Cup (G1)
Earnings: $7,804,070
Awards: 2006 Older Male Champion and Horse of the Year
Invasor (Spanish for invader), may be an Argentinean bred, but he’s Uruguayan through and through. Originally bought by three brothers, he took the Uruguay’s Triple Crown. He was then sold to Sheik Hamdan’s Shadwell Farm to race in America, but first a short detour to his new owner’s home country of UAE. He was going to be racing in the UAE Derby, as he was technically still a 3yo in the Southern Hemisphere (Although he was considered a 4yo here in the United States). He did not win that day as Discreet Cat who raced for Sheik Hamdan’s family stable, Godolphin, showed why he was highly regarded as a two year old. With Dubai now out of the way, it was time to head to the states, first off was the Pimlico Special where he came out of nowhere to take it. He then conquered the Suburban Handicap and had an thrilling Whitney Handicap where he ran down fan favorite Sun King. After missing the Jockey Club Gold Cup due to a fever, the showdown was set for the Breeder’s Cup. While most of the attention was focused on the UAE vs. USA, NY vs. CA showdown between Bernardini, a regally bred son of AP Indy who won the Preakness and Travers that year, who was owned by Sheik Mohammad, the ruler of Dubai, and the younger brother of Invasor’s owner Sheik Hamdan, and Lava Man, a former claimer by Slew City Slew, who would be come the richest claimer in history, owned by a father and son team, people where overlooking the Uruguayan horse. In the end, Lava Man was nowhere to be found and Invasor upset Bernardini to earn Horse of the Year. His final US win was in the Donn Handicap in 2007, his prep for the world’s richest race. It was the Dubai World Cup, on the only track, he had lost on. It also set up a rematch with Discreet Cat, who had fallen on tough times. The invader got his revenge as you can see in the following video.
Unfortanlly after that win, Invasor had suffered an injury that caused his retirement. While his foals have not hit the track yet, one of the biggest names that he got in his first book was Spun Sugar, a sister of fellow Shadwell stallion Daaher and a fellow G1 winner herself. He stands at Shadwell for $28,000 in 2009.
Next week: I'll let you guys take a guess, here are a few clues
a. He's a Derby winner
b. He went and came out of the Derby undeafted
c. He should have be a Triple Crown winner, but is not
That's all I'll say, sorry no prizes, but if this works out, maybe I'll do it again in the future.
Name: Invasor (ARG)
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 2002
Pedigree: Candy Stripes x Quendom (ARG)
Color: Bay
Stands at: Shadwell Farm
Stakes wins:
Uruguay: Gran Premio Nacional-Uruguayan Derby (G1), Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1), Polla de Potrillos- Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Clasico Ensayo (G3)
United States: Pimlico Special (G1), Suburban Handicap (G1), Whitney Handicap (G1), Breeder’s Cup Classic (G1), Donn Handicap (G1)
UAE: Dubai World Cup (G1)
Earnings: $7,804,070
Awards: 2006 Older Male Champion and Horse of the Year
Invasor (Spanish for invader), may be an Argentinean bred, but he’s Uruguayan through and through. Originally bought by three brothers, he took the Uruguay’s Triple Crown. He was then sold to Sheik Hamdan’s Shadwell Farm to race in America, but first a short detour to his new owner’s home country of UAE. He was going to be racing in the UAE Derby, as he was technically still a 3yo in the Southern Hemisphere (Although he was considered a 4yo here in the United States). He did not win that day as Discreet Cat who raced for Sheik Hamdan’s family stable, Godolphin, showed why he was highly regarded as a two year old. With Dubai now out of the way, it was time to head to the states, first off was the Pimlico Special where he came out of nowhere to take it. He then conquered the Suburban Handicap and had an thrilling Whitney Handicap where he ran down fan favorite Sun King. After missing the Jockey Club Gold Cup due to a fever, the showdown was set for the Breeder’s Cup. While most of the attention was focused on the UAE vs. USA, NY vs. CA showdown between Bernardini, a regally bred son of AP Indy who won the Preakness and Travers that year, who was owned by Sheik Mohammad, the ruler of Dubai, and the younger brother of Invasor’s owner Sheik Hamdan, and Lava Man, a former claimer by Slew City Slew, who would be come the richest claimer in history, owned by a father and son team, people where overlooking the Uruguayan horse. In the end, Lava Man was nowhere to be found and Invasor upset Bernardini to earn Horse of the Year. His final US win was in the Donn Handicap in 2007, his prep for the world’s richest race. It was the Dubai World Cup, on the only track, he had lost on. It also set up a rematch with Discreet Cat, who had fallen on tough times. The invader got his revenge as you can see in the following video.
Unfortanlly after that win, Invasor had suffered an injury that caused his retirement. While his foals have not hit the track yet, one of the biggest names that he got in his first book was Spun Sugar, a sister of fellow Shadwell stallion Daaher and a fellow G1 winner herself. He stands at Shadwell for $28,000 in 2009.
Next week: I'll let you guys take a guess, here are a few clues
a. He's a Derby winner
b. He went and came out of the Derby undeafted
c. He should have be a Triple Crown winner, but is not
That's all I'll say, sorry no prizes, but if this works out, maybe I'll do it again in the future.
February 10, 2009
Stallion Spotlight: Smart Strike
What is the Stallion Spotlight you may ask? Well once a week (normally on Fridays, although this week it‘s Tuesday), I will spotlight a stallion that I like and tell you a little bit about his foals. This week I will be talking about 2 time leading sire Smart Strike.
Name: Smart Strike
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 1992
Pedigree: Mr. Prospector x Classy n’ Smart by Smarten
Color: Bay
Stands at: Lane’s End Farm
Stakes wins: Philip H. Iselin Handicap [G1], Salvator Mile Handicap [G3].
Earnings: $337,376
Awards: 2008 inductee into the Canadian Hall of Fame
Smart Strike is by Mr. Prospector out of the Smarten mare Classy n’ Smart. When he was racing, Smart Strike was overshadowed by his sister, the great Dance Smartly. Even with that, he won two stakes wins including beating the great filly Serena’s Song in the Iselin when it was a G1, this is the video that is posted below.
The shed is where he shines. His most famous foal is Curlin (out of a Deputy Minister mare), the winner of the 2007 AR Derby, Preakness Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup (He won that race again in 2008) and Breeder’s Cup Classic. Plus he won the 2008 Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster Handicap, he even finished second on the grass in the Man O War. But he’s not the video I’m going to show you. It’s of another pretty nice horse that Smart Strike sired, and honestly one that I was so excited to see win when he won the 2007 BC Turf. I’m talking about English Channel.
Smart Strike also has G1 winner Square Eddie, G2 winner Tenpins (who was bred on the same cross as Curlin), G1 winner Soaring Free and Japan Cup winner Fleetstreet Dancer among his other foals. Smart Strike finished 2008 #1 in the country with Curlin his leading earner. He is standing for $125,000 this year at Lanes End. Also in 2008 he joined his late sister in the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame.
Next week: Invasor
Name: Smart Strike
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 1992
Pedigree: Mr. Prospector x Classy n’ Smart by Smarten
Color: Bay
Stands at: Lane’s End Farm
Stakes wins: Philip H. Iselin Handicap [G1], Salvator Mile Handicap [G3].
Earnings: $337,376
Awards: 2008 inductee into the Canadian Hall of Fame
Smart Strike is by Mr. Prospector out of the Smarten mare Classy n’ Smart. When he was racing, Smart Strike was overshadowed by his sister, the great Dance Smartly. Even with that, he won two stakes wins including beating the great filly Serena’s Song in the Iselin when it was a G1, this is the video that is posted below.
The shed is where he shines. His most famous foal is Curlin (out of a Deputy Minister mare), the winner of the 2007 AR Derby, Preakness Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup (He won that race again in 2008) and Breeder’s Cup Classic. Plus he won the 2008 Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster Handicap, he even finished second on the grass in the Man O War. But he’s not the video I’m going to show you. It’s of another pretty nice horse that Smart Strike sired, and honestly one that I was so excited to see win when he won the 2007 BC Turf. I’m talking about English Channel.
Smart Strike also has G1 winner Square Eddie, G2 winner Tenpins (who was bred on the same cross as Curlin), G1 winner Soaring Free and Japan Cup winner Fleetstreet Dancer among his other foals. Smart Strike finished 2008 #1 in the country with Curlin his leading earner. He is standing for $125,000 this year at Lanes End. Also in 2008 he joined his late sister in the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame.
Next week: Invasor
January 31, 2009
Remebering Eddie Logan
I wasn't going to post tonight, but I felt that I should give my respects.
Eddie Logan, who had been working at Santa Anita since 1934 which was when the track opened, passed away today at the age of 98. Article
I had never heard of Mr. Logan until reading that he was ill on Thoroughbred Champions forum. He was a shoeshiner there, and a really good friend to trainers and jockeys. Santa Anita has a stakes race named in his honor in December, that was won by the Exceed And Excel colt Flashmans Papers (GB).
Here is the Inside Information segment that was done on Mr. Logan.
I'll have a recap of all the races tomarrow.
Eddie Logan, who had been working at Santa Anita since 1934 which was when the track opened, passed away today at the age of 98. Article
I had never heard of Mr. Logan until reading that he was ill on Thoroughbred Champions forum. He was a shoeshiner there, and a really good friend to trainers and jockeys. Santa Anita has a stakes race named in his honor in December, that was won by the Exceed And Excel colt Flashmans Papers (GB).
Here is the Inside Information segment that was done on Mr. Logan.
I'll have a recap of all the races tomarrow.
January 30, 2009
Stallion Spotlight: Distorted Humor
What is the Stallion Spotlight you may ask? Well once a week (normally on Fridays), I will spotlight a stallion that I like and tell you a little bit about his foals. This week, I’m going to share my favorite stallion Distorted Humor.
Name: Distorted Humor
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 1993
Pedigree: Forty Niner x Danzig’s Beauty by Danzig
Color: Chestnut
Stands at: WinStar Farm
Stakes Wins: Screen King S, Salvator Mile H. (G3), Commonwealth Breeder's Cup S. (G2), Churchill Downs H. (G2), Ack Ack H. (G3)
Total Career Earnings: $769,964
Distorted Humor is the son of 1988 Kentucky Derby runner-up Forty Niner and the Danzig mare Danzig’s Beauty. He was mainly a sprinter and miler while he was running facing horses like former World Record holder Elusive Quality. He raced until age 5 (1998), and one of those races he won that year is the Ack Ack Handicap, which you can see below.
His first crop of foals hit the ground in 2000. Included in that crop where G1 winning juvenile Awesome Humor and G2 winner Go Rockin Robin, but niether of those two horses where the horse to make Distorted Humor, one of the premer stallions that he is today. That honor belongs to a gelding from the same crop as the above horses, who is out of the Slewacide mare Belle’s Good Cide and broke his maiden in his first try at Belmont Park in 2002. In matter of fact, this horse is my all time favorite race horse. I think you can figure it out who I’m talking about, but I’ll let the video do the talking. Here is the 2003 Kentucky Derby where the winner was Funny Cide!
Along with winning the Derby that year, Funny won the Preakness and finished 3rd in the Belmont. That was enough to give him, the 2003 Eclipse award for 3yo male, plus the New York bred 3yo male championship and NYB Horse of the Year. Funny won the 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup and was once again named NYB Older Male and Horse of the Year. After going through his only winless season in 2005, he won north of the boarder in the Dominon Day Stakes at Woodbine in 2006. Fitting that he wrapped up his career on July 4,2007 with a resounding victory in the slop at Finger Lakes Racetrack in the Rochester, New York area. He now resides at Kentucky Horse Park with other legends such as Cigar, Alysheba and Da Hoss.
Following that first crop, Distorted Humor took off as a sire. He is also the father of Travelers winner and 2005 BC Classic runner-up Flower Alley, G1 winner Hystericlady (who I have seen in person), 2006 FL Derby runner-up Sharp Humor, Haskell winner Any Given Saturday (who is bred the Distorted Humor/ Seattle Slew cross, which Funny is also a member of) and 2 time Whitney winner Commentator. I’m really looking forward to a filly who will be two next year by him. Ironically, she is out of Funny’s half sister Rockcide (Personal Flag).
He finished 4 nationally in 2008 for earnings, with Hystericalady his highest earner. He’s standing for $150,000 in 2009. Look out for his foal out of the Turkoman mare Turkish Tryst to hit the ground this year. Will be a half sibling to 2007 King’s Bishop Winner, KY Derby, Haskell and BC Classic runner- up Hard Spun (Danzig).
Next week: Smart Strike
I will be doing a recap of all of this weekends race, plus a total of my mythical earnings on Sunday night.
Name: Distorted Humor
Stallion Register: Link
Year of Birth: 1993
Pedigree: Forty Niner x Danzig’s Beauty by Danzig
Color: Chestnut
Stands at: WinStar Farm
Stakes Wins: Screen King S, Salvator Mile H. (G3), Commonwealth Breeder's Cup S. (G2), Churchill Downs H. (G2), Ack Ack H. (G3)
Total Career Earnings: $769,964
Distorted Humor is the son of 1988 Kentucky Derby runner-up Forty Niner and the Danzig mare Danzig’s Beauty. He was mainly a sprinter and miler while he was running facing horses like former World Record holder Elusive Quality. He raced until age 5 (1998), and one of those races he won that year is the Ack Ack Handicap, which you can see below.
His first crop of foals hit the ground in 2000. Included in that crop where G1 winning juvenile Awesome Humor and G2 winner Go Rockin Robin, but niether of those two horses where the horse to make Distorted Humor, one of the premer stallions that he is today. That honor belongs to a gelding from the same crop as the above horses, who is out of the Slewacide mare Belle’s Good Cide and broke his maiden in his first try at Belmont Park in 2002. In matter of fact, this horse is my all time favorite race horse. I think you can figure it out who I’m talking about, but I’ll let the video do the talking. Here is the 2003 Kentucky Derby where the winner was Funny Cide!
Along with winning the Derby that year, Funny won the Preakness and finished 3rd in the Belmont. That was enough to give him, the 2003 Eclipse award for 3yo male, plus the New York bred 3yo male championship and NYB Horse of the Year. Funny won the 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup and was once again named NYB Older Male and Horse of the Year. After going through his only winless season in 2005, he won north of the boarder in the Dominon Day Stakes at Woodbine in 2006. Fitting that he wrapped up his career on July 4,2007 with a resounding victory in the slop at Finger Lakes Racetrack in the Rochester, New York area. He now resides at Kentucky Horse Park with other legends such as Cigar, Alysheba and Da Hoss.
Following that first crop, Distorted Humor took off as a sire. He is also the father of Travelers winner and 2005 BC Classic runner-up Flower Alley, G1 winner Hystericlady (who I have seen in person), 2006 FL Derby runner-up Sharp Humor, Haskell winner Any Given Saturday (who is bred the Distorted Humor/ Seattle Slew cross, which Funny is also a member of) and 2 time Whitney winner Commentator. I’m really looking forward to a filly who will be two next year by him. Ironically, she is out of Funny’s half sister Rockcide (Personal Flag).
He finished 4 nationally in 2008 for earnings, with Hystericalady his highest earner. He’s standing for $150,000 in 2009. Look out for his foal out of the Turkoman mare Turkish Tryst to hit the ground this year. Will be a half sibling to 2007 King’s Bishop Winner, KY Derby, Haskell and BC Classic runner- up Hard Spun (Danzig).
Next week: Smart Strike
I will be doing a recap of all of this weekends race, plus a total of my mythical earnings on Sunday night.
January 29, 2009
Two years ago, Kip and Breeder's Cup loses a sponcer
I can hardly believe that it's been two years since Barbaro (Dynaformer x La Ville Rouge) was euthanized due to complications of lamintis. And now here we are, just days before his brother makes his debut. Alot has happend in these two years, not only has track safety and lamintis been brought to the forfont of horse racing lovers, but so has horse slaughter. The memorial at Churchill Downs will be unveiled in April, link. In his honor, here is his final win and the one that captured hearts of America, the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Before I give a preview of the first G1 turf race of the year, I have some Breeder's Cup News. The sponcer of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile and Juvenile Filles, Bessemer Trust has decided not to renew their sponcership agreement. You can find a link to this story right here. This is not good news when you think about it, as Bessemer Trust happens to be owned by the Phipps family. Although the BC is hopeful that they will get a new sponcer soon.
Now to Sunday's race,
Gulfstream Park - February 1st, 2009 - Race 9
Gulfstream Park Turf H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:04 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Just as Well (KY) 6 Horse 113 Julien R. Leparoux
2 Kiss the Kid (KY) 6 Horse 117 Elvis Trujillo
3 Pick Six (KY) 5 Horse 112 Rene R. Douglas
4 Court Vision (KY) 4 Colt 121 Ramon A. Dominguez
5 Red Rocks (IRE) 6 Horse 122 Javier Castellano
6 Sligovitz (ON) 4 Colt 114 John R. Velazquez
7 Uigur (BRZ) 5 Horse 115 Alan Garcia
8 Kip Deville (OK) 6 Horse 124 Cornelio H. Velasquez
9 Nergal (FR) 6 Gelding 114 Kent J. Desormeaux
MTO Phil the Power (KY) 5 Gelding 111 Eibar Coa
11 Summer Patriot (KY) 5 Ridgling 114 Eibar Coa
The first G1 on turf of the season. And really it's a three horse race between Breeder's Cup winners Red Rocks and Kip Deville, plus the up and comer Court Vision. Both Red Rocks and Kip are coming off bad losses, Rocks in the BC and Kip in Hong Kong where he blew the turn. Court Vision (who is a full brother to Kip's father so in a way he's his uncle), won the Hollywood Derby in his last start. Although this may be a bit on the long side for Kip, I'm going with my heart and chose him even though this is not his best distance. I'm going with Court Vision for second, and Red Rocks for third.
Top three:
Kip Deville
Court Vision
Red Rocks
Also Indian Blessing is not running in Saturday's Santa Monica Handicap so replace her with Baroness Thatcher.
So the new top three:
Ventura
Jibboom
Baroness Thatcher
Tomarrow will be the Stallion Spotlight, where I will be profiling a stallion once a week and talking about their offspring.
Before I give a preview of the first G1 turf race of the year, I have some Breeder's Cup News. The sponcer of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile and Juvenile Filles, Bessemer Trust has decided not to renew their sponcership agreement. You can find a link to this story right here. This is not good news when you think about it, as Bessemer Trust happens to be owned by the Phipps family. Although the BC is hopeful that they will get a new sponcer soon.
Now to Sunday's race,
Gulfstream Park - February 1st, 2009 - Race 9
Gulfstream Park Turf H. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:04 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Just as Well (KY) 6 Horse 113 Julien R. Leparoux
2 Kiss the Kid (KY) 6 Horse 117 Elvis Trujillo
3 Pick Six (KY) 5 Horse 112 Rene R. Douglas
4 Court Vision (KY) 4 Colt 121 Ramon A. Dominguez
5 Red Rocks (IRE) 6 Horse 122 Javier Castellano
6 Sligovitz (ON) 4 Colt 114 John R. Velazquez
7 Uigur (BRZ) 5 Horse 115 Alan Garcia
8 Kip Deville (OK) 6 Horse 124 Cornelio H. Velasquez
9 Nergal (FR) 6 Gelding 114 Kent J. Desormeaux
MTO Phil the Power (KY) 5 Gelding 111 Eibar Coa
11 Summer Patriot (KY) 5 Ridgling 114 Eibar Coa
The first G1 on turf of the season. And really it's a three horse race between Breeder's Cup winners Red Rocks and Kip Deville, plus the up and comer Court Vision. Both Red Rocks and Kip are coming off bad losses, Rocks in the BC and Kip in Hong Kong where he blew the turn. Court Vision (who is a full brother to Kip's father so in a way he's his uncle), won the Hollywood Derby in his last start. Although this may be a bit on the long side for Kip, I'm going with my heart and chose him even though this is not his best distance. I'm going with Court Vision for second, and Red Rocks for third.
Top three:
Kip Deville
Court Vision
Red Rocks
Also Indian Blessing is not running in Saturday's Santa Monica Handicap so replace her with Baroness Thatcher.
So the new top three:
Ventura
Jibboom
Baroness Thatcher
Tomarrow will be the Stallion Spotlight, where I will be profiling a stallion once a week and talking about their offspring.
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