Unbridled Treasures

I'm not the world's biggest Unbridled fan. Partially because his son Empire Maker defeated Funny Cide to deny him the Triple Crown. However, I am a fan of a grandson of his in Rockport Harbor. It was a great weekend for the 1990 Kentucky Derby winner, his granddaughter Royal Delta (by Empire Maker) won the Black Eyed Susan. Then his grandson Shackleford (by Forestry out of one of his daughter's Oatsee) upset Animal Kingdom to win the Preakness. It was the first win for all of his connections, which include jockey Jesus Castanon, co-owner Mike Lauffer (you may have heard his name before, back in 2009 he co-owned a certin filly before selling her to Jess Jackson) and trainer Dale Romans.

It's Dale that I'm estatic for. Back in 2004, he had a great turf colt by the name of Kitten's Joy. He could have had 2 Eclipse titles to his name, if it wheren't for a gelding named Better Talk Now. BTN upset KJ to win the BC Turf. While he still won Champion Turf, had he won the race that may have had more then enough to pass Smarty Jones for Champion 3yo. BTN was trained by Graham Motion who of course trains Animal Kingdom.

Great job by the Derby winner, but it just wasn't his day. The winner reminds me quite a bit like Hard Spun. A speedy horse who a mile and quarter was probley a little bit too long for his taste, but had a heart of the champion. Now here comes the hard part. Since 2001, all the Preakness winners have gone on to be Eclipse Champions at the end of the year (this includes three HOY's, Point Given, Curlin and Rachel Alexandra). Shackleford will have to prove himself that he is the real deal in the next race (which could be the Belmont possibly, although personally I think it's a bit too long for him).

Astrology was third, I think his mini duel in the stretch with Shackleford did him in. Still, a nice effort out of him.

So once again, no Triple Crown. But you know what, I'm okay with that. There was some comments made by Barry Irwin before the race that I agreed and disagreed with (he regrets saying what he said about trainers lieing to him, but he wants the FBI involved with steroids? I do think the goverment needs to get involved, but I think Congress has the keys to that, not the FBI. And that he compared it to BALCO which was wierd, because the BALCO people got slaps on their wrists (Barry Bonds is likely not to serve any jail time because of his purjury convinction).

Subnote, it appears that the $10 mil that Lauffer and Dolph Morrison sold Rachel for is true. And one more note, HOW ABOUT THAT STORM CAT! Sure Forestry is Shack's sire, but the big guy finally gets back in the winner's circle in a TC race.

Summer in Dunkirk is Mine

So a son of Birdstone won the Belmont.....

Just not the one everyone thought that would win. I like Summer Bird and was happy for him to win. Congrats to his owners and trainer who celebrated his 35th birthday yesterday. And it was redempion for his jockey Kent Desermoux who until today I considered "The Choke King of Belmont" (He lost two Triple Crown's on Real Quiet and Big Brown), I gotta give some love to Dunkirk, he showed that he was worth the millions that Coolmore spent, and it ended up being an okay day for them as they where 2nd and 3rd in the Epsom Derby, plus a win in the Woody Stephens with Munnings. Mine That Bird just ran out of gas, did Calvin Borel screw up? Most likely, but the Triple Crown was created to be difficult.

So while there was no "Calvin Crown", there was a "Cajun Crown", as Kent like Calvin is a native of Lousiana. Also Birdstone has 2 Classic winners in his first crop is amazing. And a little bit of love for Darley's new bread and butter Medaglia d'Oro as Gabby's Golden Gal upset Justwhistledixie in the Acorn. However, she did have little bit of heat stroke, but should be okay. Those two are going to be awesome sires in the upcoming years.

Now for some disapointments: Californian horses showed that other then the runner up finish in the Derby, look like that they are still just synthtic specialists. Chartiable Man got nothing, but hype and he didn't proform. I understand that he may have been interfered with, still fourth in this case is not good. Miner's Claim I thought was the better of the two Zito trainees and he was last, so yeah the Tesio is not a good prep for those who want to go to the Preakness or Belmont. The other disapointment was what was Mike Smith thinking? All he could do on Madeo was fourth? He could have at least a 3rd place finish on Mine.

Now that the Triple Crown is over, we look forward to the rest of the year. The big question will be where there be a TC in Canada, Eye of the Lepord looks like he might be it. Can Sea the Stars become the first TC in England since Nijnsky II? He won the second leg yesterday in the Epsom Derby, although is highly unlikely for the St. Ledger which is the final leg.

What to expect the rest of the year from Thoroughbred Chat? Well I'll be talking alot about some minor stakes races including the Susan's Girl and G3 Obeah which comes up in a few weeks. Don't forget next Saturday I'll have live chat starting at 3pm. Since it will be Stephen Foster Day, it will most likely be going for at least 2 hours, maybe more, maybe less. Also I've scrapped my major pedigree project for looking for relatives of TC winners. Instead I'm working on a spreadsheet of one of my favorite horses who ran 2 years ago, Hard Spun! I'll have a link to the spreadsheet ASAP.

Oh Canada!!!! (And New Mexico) Mine That Bird wins!

Wow, have to see a replay. But, insert foot into mouth here. I said on Weds. that he had no chance, but I should have relised that he had Cal "Borail" Borel on him. HUGE weekend for him. Congrats to Birdstone (I just wish his big sister had his sucess), Smart Strike (his biggest win as a broodmare sire), Chip Woolley (his trainer), the state of New Mexico, Canada (he was the champion 2yo), and of course his owners. I'll have pedigree spotlights on both Mine and Rach's moms sometime this week. And have stallion spotlights on Stone and MDO as well.