No Belmont for Bernardini

[PDittie]

Well, I suppose the bright side is that us handicappers will get some decent odds...

(And Bernie ran a hell of a race. That was lost in the wake of Barbaro's accident.)

Racing's tattered Triple Crown suffered another blow yesterday when Darley Stable announced that Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini will skip the Belmont Stakes on June 10 and be rested for major races this summer.

The decision means the Belmont Stakes will not feature the winner of the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes for the first time since 2000.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402025.html

[aaronbees]

1. I think it's a shame...

he won't run. But perhaps a sensible move on the part of Darley; they'll have a fresh horse for the fall classics. It's sad how the Triple Crown has devolved in the space of just a few days from the real potential of a TC champ.

I'm liking Sunriver or Jazil so far for the Belmont; that's my hunch. It should be wide open, though.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. I don't get it

You would think an AP Indy colt would love the Belmont. Lightly raced and coming off a huge race should mean a bounce upward. No Barbaro. No Brother Derek. With a horse like this you need to take a gamble on greatness and give him the benefit of a doubt. Incredibly incompetent handicapping to keep him out.

[Justpat]

3. Going a mile and a half is a whole different ball game.

The Preakness was his lifetime best effort out of four starts. To go a mile and half off that in three weeks time
might tire him out for the rest of the year.

He only started racing in March. He is a really nice horse and I look for him to show up in the Travers,
but I think they are doing the right thing for now.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. Not if the pace is reasonable

I don't expect a frantic pace. Passing on the Belmont is absurdly conservative. Especially against a less than awesome collection of opponents. Bernardini could lay off the pace and win handily.

The Belmont often is run so dawdling on the front end I think the draining aspect is overrated. This won't be well received, but I always thought the '78 Affirmed/Alydar race was extremely overrated. It was basically a glorified 6 furlong sprint. The early fractions were 25 flat, 50 flat, 1:14 flat. Those are not exaggerations. They basically walked the first half of the race then sprinted home in 1:12 4/5, kind of like Olympic indoor cyclling.

Let's put it this way: Bernardini would have been the favorite. Name me the last time a horse passed a Triple Crown race when he would have been favored. I think you have to go back to Spend a Buck in the '85 Preakness.

[u4ic]

4. Darley also won't be in a hurry

to retire him this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they keep him running another year or two. They'll save him for more.

[Justpat]

5. hello, u4ic.

I hope you are right. He's a nice horse. Those A.P. Indy's don't get good until late in their three year old year
anyway.

[two gun sid]

7. Too bad Darley doesn't run him, but....

anyone interested in a mile on the turf for 3YO & up at Hollywood Park this weekend?

http://www.drf.com/row/pps/06shoemaker.pdf

Lots of good racing this weekend. Check it out if you can. Hanshin Cup. Sheepshead Bay. Jaipur Stakes. Met Mile with the return of Wilko. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Bernardini soon. Saratoga is not that far off.

Anybody planning any trips this summer to see horses race? I'm considering the Stephen Foster at Churchill in a few weeks. Depends on our stable and if we have anything in.

Everybody have a good weekend. I'll be at Jackson Harness Raceway tonight if anybody wants to join me. LOL. It's Dollar Night! Programs, bets, beer, soda pop and Coney Dogs for a dollar!

[two gun sid]

9. Results from Jackson Harness Raceway for 5/27/05

http://racing.ustrotting.com/card_results.cfm?track_code=JACK&race_date=2006-05-27&race_type=6

[aaronbees]

8. Great Op-ed piece on Barbaro....

This is quite a moving little editorial piece on Barbaro, Ruffian, and ways in which they're forever linked. Read it!


http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/14679703.htm

Barbaro's fight following the breakdown capturing the nation

On a July night 31 years ago, a nation of horse racing fans fell asleep praying for something divine to happen.

In 1975, hope's last stand didn't even last until dawn.

Ruffian, the filly who showcased perfection unlike any animal before or since, only made it a few hours into what would have been an unprecedented injury repair.

The failure of such a heartfelt effort to save her has haunted a lot of people for a very long time.


** snip, rest of the story at the link above **

[two gun sid]

10. Results from 5/27/06 Stakes races

Araafa Stuns King George
George Washington laboured in testing ground at the Curragh as Araafa swept to a comprehensive success in the Boylesports Irish 2000 Guineas to give Jeremy Noseda a first major Classic.

The 12-1 shot could only finish fourth to Aidan O’Brien’s superstar at Newmarket three weeks ago but with the heavy underfoot conditions playing their part, Noseda’s son of Mull Of Kintyre powered home for a two-length success from the Ballydoyle ace.

Rumours had plagued the racecourse right up until George Washington appeared in the parade ring that the five-times winner would miss the race owing to the testing ground, and the 4-7 favourite almost confirmed that view when refusing to leave the parade ring and head out on to the course.

But with O’Brien’s tender handling, Kieren Fallon’s mount cantered down the start but failed to show his electric turn of foot after the stalls had burst open.

http://www.irish-racing.com/v3news4.htm


Sheepshead Bay Handicap
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=05/27/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=8&BorP=B

Hanshin Cup Handicap
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=AP&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=05/27/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=8&BorP=B

Winning Colors Stakes
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=CD&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=05/27/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=10&BorP=B

Lady Angela Stakes
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=WO&CTRY=CAN&DAY=D&DT=05/27/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=6&BorP=B

[two gun sid]

17. George Washington injured

From DRF:
George Washington has emerged from his second-place finish in last Saturday's Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh with pulled muscles above his hip. The injury, discovered on Tuesday, puts in jeopardy his participation in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20, when he was expected to challenge his Curragh conqueror, Araafa.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/75022.html

[two gun sid]

11. Results from 5/28/06 Stakes races

Desert Stormer Handicap
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=HOL&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=05/28/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=8&BorP=B

Jaipur Handicap
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=05/28/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=8&BorP=B

[Justpat]

12. I was there for the Jaipur yesterday.

Those boys were motoring.

[aaronbees]

13. Silver Train takes the Metropolitan Mile

Defeating a late-charging Sun King ... per Blood Horse: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33778

And Aragorn wins the Shoemaker BC Mile: http://www.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33783

[aaronbees]

14. Belmont field could be a little more crowded than Preakness

Here's an update from DRF w/ notes on Deputy Glitters and High Finance. Looks like Prado will be have a Belmont steed in DG: http://www.drf.com/news/article/75016.html


HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY LAST RACE

Bluegrass Cat T. Pletcher J. Velazquez 2nd, Ky. Derby

Bob and John B. Baffert G. Gomez 17th, Ky. Derby

Deputy Glitters T. Albertrani E. Prado 8th, Ky. Derby

Hemingway's Key N. Zito J. Rose 3rd, Preakness

High Finance R. Violette E. Coa 1st, Bel allowance

Jazil K. McLaughlin F. Jara 4th*, Ky. Derby

Oh So Awesome J. Jerkens M. Smith 3rd, Match the Hatch

Platinum Couple J. Lostritto J. Espinoza 6th, Preakness

Sacred Light D. Hofmans V. Espinoza 2nd, CD allowance

Steppenwolfer D. Peitz R. Albarado 3rd, Ky. Derby

Sunriver T. Pletcher R. Bejarano 1st, Peter Pan

POSSIBLE

Cause to Believe J. Hollendorfer R. Baze 13th, Ky. Derby

Sweetnorthernsaint M. Trombetta K. Desormeaux 2nd, Preakness

Wilentz J. Orseno J. Bravo 1st, Mth allowance

[PDittie]

15. Now that may actually be

a decent race to handicap. Probably sets up nice for Jazil and Steppenwolfer, no? Still mad at that damn Bluegrass Cat for the Derby, though.

[aaronbees]

19. I'm tempted to toss Steppenwolfer...

He just never seems to find a way to win in bigger company -- he's this year's Wilko and Giacomo, I think. But who knows ... he's durable and solid. I actually like Bluegrass Cat in this race for a bounce ... up into first place. I also like Bob and John the way this field is unfolding. I may be mistaken but I don't think deep closers have a lot of luck in the Belmont; I'd much rather have a horse just off the pace.

[two gun sid]

21. I'm liking Jazil, again...

of course, no one should take any advice from me.

[Awsi Dooger]

16. Seattle Slew website

http://www.seattleslew.com/

I don't want to start a separate thread on this especially since the racing fans always seem to gather in the current thread. This site is apparently run by the original Slew Crew, or at least Karen and Mickey Taylor, and it's very impressive. They answer questions in the "Ask the Taylors" section very quickly, including mine last week regarding Slew's tentative '78 schedule had he remained healthy.

I just wish they had full videos of Slew's races, instead of one DVD apparently with segments of the Triple Crown races and short sections of a few others. My dad got a VCR in late '78, a year and a half too late.

[two gun sid]

18. Thanks for the link.

[aaronbees]

20. Barbaro recovering; Jockey Prado visits

Here's a nice Steve Haskin update on Barbaro. There are some sweet AP photos of Prado's visit I saw at the Yahoo horse racing page (with the obligatory give the horse a smooch pic). This Blood Horse Story includes some new speculation from Pimloco officials that Brother Derek's front leg hit Barbaro, causing the accident. Anything's possible but I don't think I buy it. Oh well, here's the piece:

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33786

Barbaro Recovering; Jockey Prado Visits
by Steve Haskin
Date Posted: 5/30/2006 12:46:50 PM
Last Updated: 5/30/2006 4:35:42 PM

The tears for Barbaro have all been shed, and now people around the world anxiously await each daily report on the colt's condition. It's been more than a week since Barbaro's horrific injury in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), which set off an outpouring of emotion on a national scale never before seen in Thoroughbred racing.

Although the horse has had an "incredibly good week," according to Dr. Dean W. Richardson, head of surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center, he still has much to overcome.

There have been numerous theories on why the injury occurred, but it is all speculation. The latest theory comes from Pimlico Race Course officials who watched the race frame by frame and strongly believe Barbaro's right hind leg was struck by Brother Derek just before the colt's misstep.

The injury occurred shortly after the start of the May 20 Preakness, when jockey Edgar Prado heard a noise and felt the son of Dynaformer take a bad step. He abruptly pulled him up and dismounted, as a medical team rushed to the stricken horse. Subsequently, X-rays revealed three fractures above and below the ankle.

** snip, rest at link **

[two gun sid]

22. Boland, Hanford, Cougar II Join Hall of Fame.

From The Bloodhorse:
Carl Hanford, trainer of five-time Horse of the Year Kelso; Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winning jockey Bill Boland; and Cougar II, a turf champion who was also adept on dirt, have been elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

None of the 12 finalists in the contemporary racing categories qualified for induction by receiving at least 75% of the votes cast.

Noting that changes made effective with the 2005 Hall vote to make it harder to get into the Hall apparently made it "too tough," Hall of Fame nominating committee chairman Ed Bowen said he hopes changes are made in the voting procedures before the 2007 vote takes place. Bowen said the Hall executive committee would conduct a survey among voters to gauge support for changes.

Under the voting format, each of the 186 eligible voters can vote "yes" or "no" for any or all of the three nominees in each category. But 75% approval is required for induction.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33787

[two gun sid]

23. Shirocco Wins Battle of Breeders' Cup Champions

From The Bloodhorse:
In a matchup between former Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships race winners, 2005 John Deere Turf (gr. IT) winner Shirocco held off a game Ouija Board, winner of the 2004 Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) in Friday's Vodafone Coronation Cup (Eng-I) at England's Epsom Racecourse.

Racing over 1 1/2 miles on a turf course rated good, the 5-year-old Shirocco assumed the early lead while being followed by the 5-year-old Ouija Board. Ouija Board was overtaken by Ace, but the mare regained the runner-up spot as the action picked up in the straight. Pursued by Ouija Board, Shirocco raced on gamely for a 1 3/4-length triumph. The final time was 2:37.64. Enforcer finished third, followed by Ace, Notable Guest, and Something Exciting.

Trained by Andre Fabre for German owner-breeder Baron Georg Von Ullmann, Shirocco was posting his second win in as many starts since defeating Ace in his Breeders' Cup triumph. On May 7, the son of Monsun won the Jockey Club Stakes (Eng-II) at Newmarket. The horse has now won six of 11 career starts.

The Coronation Cup was the third start of the season for Ouija Board, who finished second in an attempt to defend her Filly & Mare Turf title at the Breeders' Cup. In her first outing this year, the mare traveled to Dubai where she finished fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) and then flew to Hong Kong for a third-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I).

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33826

[two gun sid]

24. Lost in the Fog Even-Money Pick in Aristides

From The Bloodhorse:
Harry T. Aleo's Lost in the Fog, the Eclipse Award sprint champion of 2005, will get a feel for the track that will host this year's renewal of the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) when he takes on six rivals in Saturday's $150,000-added Aristides Breeders' Cup (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old son of Lost Soldier emerged as one of the most popular horses in American racing in 2005 when he opened his career with 10 consecutive victories. But Lost in the Fog faltered as the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Belmont Park, where he finished seventh to Silver Train. He then opened his 4-year-old campaign with an upset loss to Carthage in the Golden Gate Sprint on April 27 at Golden Gate Fields.

That leaves trainer Greg Gilchrist looking for progress in the Aristides that will keep Lost in the Fog on track for a return date in the $2 million Sprint, which will be run on Nov. 4.

"The main thing is not to have seven or eight races piled up if you are going to make it to the Breeders' Cup," said Gilchrist. "I think we went in (with) more of a tired horse last year than we did a fresh horse, so we're trying to avoid that."

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33821

The field doesn't look too impressive but, hopefully LITF can get back on track.

$150,000 Aristides Breeders' Cup (gr. III, Race 10, 5:58 p.m.), 3 & Up, 6 Furlongs
# Horse (weight) Jockey ML Odds
1. Yes Yes Yes (113) Mark Guidry 6/1
2. Cougar Cat (112) Robby Albarado 15/1
3. Exciting Metro (115) Rene Douglas 6/1
4. Level Playingfield (114) John McKee, 5/1
5. Lost in the Fog (124) Russell Baze EVEN
6. Pro Prado (114) Calvin Borel 12/1
7. Kelly's Landing (117) Rafael Bejarano 4/1

[Justpat]

26. Lost in the Fog won.

went in 1:08.2

Kelly's Landing second.

[aaronbees]

28. Nice to see...

Foggy back where he belongs: the winner's circle. Hope they take him to tougher company next time, but it's good he got a win on this year's Breeder's Cup course.

[two gun sid]

25. Sir Percy Wins English Derby; Horatio Nelson Breaks Down

From The Bloodhorse:
Sir Percy won the $2.35 million Vodafone English Derby (Eng-I) in a photo finish Saturday, and Horatio Nelson pulled up with a broken front left leg.

Sir Percy charged up on the rails to catch front-runners Dragon Dancer, Dylan Thomas and Hala Bek in one of the closest finishes in the 227-year history of the race.

The 3-year-old colt gave jockey Martin Dwyer and trainer Marcus Tregoning their first Derby win in the 1 1/2-mile race at Epsom. Dragon Dancer took second by a head from Dylan Thomas.

Horatio Nelson, the second favorite, pulled up 600 yards from the finish with jockey Kieren Fallon aboard. Queen Elizabeth II was among a crowd of 100,000 at the race.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33841

DRF is reporting Horatio Nelson was humanely destroyed.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/75187.html

[aaronbees]

27. Very sad...

Not sure if I can take much more breakdown tragedy. If I remember right, u4ic was high on Horatio. The injury sounds like it was similar to Barbaro's, but Horatio Nelson had open wounds.

Here's a Sporting Life story: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/06/06/03/RACING_Derby_Nelson.html

Rest in peace and run free, Horatio. :(

[Justpat]

30. Horatio broke down in the right front.

But it sounded like the same kind of injury. The sesamoids came apart too.

I wonder what the ground was like. Sometimes they do this on the grass when it has been wet
and their feet slide too much when they put their foot down.

But there was a little piece in today's Thoroughbred Daily News saying that Aiden O'Brien
had expressed concern about the horse's soundness before the race but the vet OK'ed him
to run.

[two gun sid]

31. I heard Fallon was concerned about stiffness while warming...

him up. O'Brien and the vet had Fallon jog him off and they both agreed he appeared sound to them. I think the going was a little bit wet. Could be he slipped. I know he sure didn't fire like he usually has.

http://www.irish-racing.com/v3news6.htm

On a side note: Last Wednesday our trainer had his lightly raced 3YO filly pacer in at Jackson. She finished 3rd in a excellent effort but pulled up lame. Jack took her to MSU with Mickey on thursday to have her looked at. She fractured her hock. I'm totally sick. Winky is the nicest little horse you'd ever meet.

[two gun sid]

29. Carthage Outlasts 'Trevor in Meadows Sprint

Carthage, who knocked off champion sprinter Lost in the Fog in April, continued to climb the ranks of the nation's top sprinters with his victory in the $108,125 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap (gr. III) Sunday for his fifth successive win.

Ridden by Dennis Carr, Carthage battled Trickey Trevor, winner of the Churchill Downs Handicap (gr. II) every step of the way before easing away in the final furlong for a one-length victory. A former claiming horse, Carthage was making his graded stakes debut for trainer Art Sherman. Carthage, who figures to jump into grade I and II events after this, stopped the clock in 1:09 1/5 for the six-furlong event.

With the scratch of the outsider Peak a Bootrando, the field was reduced to four. One of those, Areyoutalkintome, was all but eliminated when he reared at the start and spotted his rivals about four lengths.

Even so, most figured the race would be between Carthage and Trickey Trevor, who was ridden by Lost in the Fog's jockey, Russell Baze. Both horses carried 120 pounds.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33859

Rematch. Rematch.

[two gun sid]

32. Want integrity in racing? Ultimately, it's all up to us!

From USTA.com:
Most media outlets treat harness racing as if it begins and ends with a yearly wire service story about the Hambletonian. Obituaries refer to deceased drivers as harness jockeys. Only a handful of newspapers actually print entry and result agate anymore. Yet, there's nothing like a good medication scandal to motivate the press to mainstream the sulky sport to levels normally unattainable. It's a racing publicist's dream, and nightmare!

We've taken some integrity hits in this industry over the past few months. Top trainers at top tracks are suspected of using performance-enhancing medications. Similar to readers of coverage concerning questionable home run records in baseball, bicycling prowess and Olympic skiing, patrons develop an air of cynicism when reading about racing in this isolated fashion. When someone is frustrated concerning what they read about in the sports pages, they turn off the television, Nielsen Ratings go down and a beer company gets to pay less for a commercial. When bettors are frustrated about negative racing articles, they bypass the local harness oval for a casino, spend their entertainment dollars on blackjack and a floorshow, and racing goes the way of the drive-in theater. I wish that statement was melodramatic, but it's just not. The 2005 Annual Report of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering indicates that New York 's harness racing handle has dropped by 58.6 in the past 15 years, and declares the industry in distress. Nationally, we've lost a significant portion of our fan base, and negative publicity is unarguably a partial cause of that trend.

How do we turn the tide and exhibit the sport as the overwhelmingly legitimate endeavor we all know it to be? Getting positive coverage is tough. Alex's Lemonade Stand ( Afleet Alex ), Michael Matz's ( Barbaro ) airline disaster heroics, even the heroics of Barbaro himself, made their way to the mainstream because they captured general human interest, with racing simply a tagline. We can wait for a Dan Patch or Rambling Willie movie, but I can't imagine it's going to put a pure face on the present-day sport.

The answer? Make sure that negative stuff isn't written by ensuring that there's nothing negative to write. Sound simplistic? It sounds as simple as it is to achieve and we, my friends, have it within our collective power to make it happen!

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=15772&z=29