Showing posts with label legend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legend. Show all posts

October 11, 2009

The Zengend

I appoligze for not having a post Thursday, unfortanlly the meeting I had for my vol. job ran longer then I expected (and I gotta do some stuff for that too ack!), so I did not get a chance to type up a preview for this weekend. However I do have time to do a recap of this past weekends races.

Starting off on Thursday when my favorite 2yo Rule, finally broke his maiden at Belmont. Huge congrats to WinStar Farm (his owner and breeder), and trainer Todd Pletcher. Friday with at opening day at Keenland. Sadly one of my favorite 2yo's this season, a Forest Danger colt named Gun Rock broke down after finishing 5th behind Liston (Country Star's half brother and who won the race that Brother Bird, Mine That Bird's half brother made his debut in), and was euthanized. He was trained by Barclay Tagg and owned by Fox Hill Farm. The stakes races at Keenland on Friday where ruled by defending Candian Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet, and former Canada based Negligee.

I spent yesterday at Delaware Park where it was Fan Apprication Day. Although my sister, who I will admit is not a horse racing fan, was not happy about going. However, she was a good sport and came anyway. It was supposed to be the Alex show, what I mean by that is former DP based Afleet Alex had two sons in the feature the Dover Stakes. They where Kratisto and Quick Ride, unfortanlly they ran 3rd (Quick Ride) and 6th (Kratisto) respectfully. Upsetting the field was Citrus Kid, and unfortanlly my pick Ennis was last. I have several photos to share, but that will wait until tomorrow when I do my DP season ending wrap up.

Then it was Santa Anita time, unfortanlly Mine That Bird was sixth as Gitmo Hernarando upset Colonal John and Richard's Kid, in the Goodwood. Meanwhile Zenyatta tied the great Personal Ensign with her 13 win in a row to remain undefeated in the Lady's Secret. Her next race will be either the Ladies Classic or the Classic. IMO if she goes in the Classic and wins, she is Horse of the Year. Which is a shame as I think it should be co-Horse of the Year with her and Rachel Alexandra as they would have both beaten the boys in the biggest races of the year. Both of them are future Hall of Famers and maybe, just maybe next year we will see these two face off at last.

Presious Passion, Mushka (via DQ) and Gayego all won their G1 races today. It will be a very interesting Breeder's Cup Turf, Ladies Classic (aka Distaff) and Sprint with those three in those respective races.


This week is going to be a bit of a crazy one as it's Homecoming week at my vol. job, so the posts maybe short and to the point, I do appogize for those type of posts in advance. Tomorrow I will have some of my best photos of the year from Delaware Park.

October 4, 2009

Imagninary Torn Up Tickets and Legendary Stars

That's how my weekend went betting wise. No I didn't place a real bet, and in a way, I'm glad I didn't.

Here's why with the exception Summer Bird and Music Note, I didn't have a winner. Gio Ponti was upset in the Turf Classic and Kodiak Kowboy nipped Fabolous Strike at the wire in the Vosburgh, with Go Go Shoot last :(. Meanwhile Unbridled Belle was second behind Music Note in the Beldame.

Elsewhere Careless Jewel showed that she is the best 3yo filly not named you know who, and will go into the Ladies Classic as one of the favorites. I really like this Tapit filly, and hope she does well in the BC, but I personally think that if Zenyatta goes down it will be to either Music Note (who looks even better now that she has two wins in a row at two compleatly different distances) or Icon Project, as apprerently the SA ProRide is not speed friendly at the moment (Careless Jewel is a pace setter, but can stalk off the pace). It's defently the year of the filly with You Know Who and Zenyatta leading the way. Add in CJ, Icon Project, Swift Temper, Lethal Heat (second in yesterday's Cal Cup Classic, and 3rd in the G2 Del Mar Mile this past summer), Ventura, Music Note and the Euros Goldikova and Fleeting Sprit. Add in second tier fillies like Bon Jovi Girl (2nd behind Careless Jewel), Just Jenda, Morena ect.


However, Goldikova hit a bump in the road in her try to defend her BC Mile title. She finished third in her final prep yesterday. What is bad news for her, is good news for America's best hope Justenuffhumor who will be making his final prep in the Shadwell Mile. The half brother to 06 BC Juvi Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna, is coming off a huge win in the Baruch Handicap at Saratoga the day before the Travers. So we'll see how does in his final prep.


Meanwhile today at Longchamp, a star became a legend and we said goodbye to one of the best distance runners ever. Sea the Stars overcame traffic trouble to win the L' Arc de Triomphe, Youmzain finished second for the third year in a row and Conduit was third. Dar Re Mi ran a very respectful fifth, I hope that he comes over for the F/M Turf, but we'll see. As for Sea the Stars, he became a legend today, with his sixth Group 1 win in a row. His dam, Urban Sea won the Arc as well back in 1993. They have to be the first mother and son combo to win Europe's biggest race. By far this is one of the most exciting years ever with Sea the Stars in Europe and Rachel Alexandra in the US. Was this his last race of his career? I don't know, but you have to wonder if he'll come over for the Classic. His brother, Galieo ran poorly on dirt and sis, My Typhoon did okay in the F/M Turf, but finished last her final start the Mile. But that was at Belmont (Galieo), Churchill and Monmouth (My Typhoon) respectivly. Santa Anita is a Pro Ride is a compleatly different surface then dirt and turf. However, with Raven's Pass winning last year and Henrythenavagator finishing second, the Euros have the advantage. It's going to be a wait and see for him I guess.

Meanwhile, Yeats wrapped up his career with a 3rd place finish in the race right after the Arc. 4 Ascot Gold Cup wins in a row, by far my favorite Euro male of all time (Ouija Board is my favorite Euro female). I'm disapointed that he's not coming over for the Marathon (who I think he would win very impressivly), I wish him all the best at stud.

Congrats to Blind Luck and Lookin at Lucky who won the Oak Leaf and Norfolk today at Santa Anita