Three New Breeders' Cup races added

[aaronbees]

Three new Breeders' Cup races
By MATT HEGARTY
Breeders' Cup will expand to a two-day racing program in 2007 with the addition of three new $1 million races that will be run the Friday before this year's event, to be held at Monmouth Park on Saturday, Oct. 27, Breeders' Cup said in a statement released early on Monday.

The three new races will include a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up called the Dirt Mile; a seven-furlong dirt race for fillies and mares called the Filly and Mare Sprint; and a one-mile turf race for 2-year-old called the Juvenile Turf. Because of the configuration of the Monmouth track, the Dirt Mile will be run at a mile and 70 yards this year and the Filly and Mare Sprint will be run at six furlongs.

The addition of the three races is the largest expansion of the Breeders' Cup program since its inception in 1984. Originally conceived as seven races, Breeders' Cup added one race, the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, in 1999, as its only other prior expansion.

Breeders' Cup, which has solidified its spot on the racing calendar for hard-core racing fans, has tried in recent months to draw more attention to itself in the sports marketplace, with limited success. This year, the national television rating for the Breeders' Cup, broadcast on ESPN, fell to its lowest level ever, a 0.8, or about 1.3 million households.

Source: http://www.drf.com/news/article/81727.html

I like this news, though a turf sprint would be good to add sometime.

[Justpat]

1. I wish they would change both two year old races to one mile.

Running two year olds past a mile in the fall when they are
going through a growth spurt hasn't helped anyone who tried it.

[two gun sid]

2. The Dirt Mile is something I've wanted to see for awhile now....

I wish the races would be run on the same day as the existing BC races. Maybe hold the turf races at a different track. Sort of like the Sunshine Millions but, instead of CA vs FL, the best dirt tracks and best turf courses in the country.

I don't think it is gonna do much to increase interest in racing. I'd kinda like to see Bobby Frankel shot out of a cannon between races. I'd pay money to see that.

[Justpat]

3. I think the grass races should be held at Belmont every year.

Belmont is made for this Grade I racing and it suits the Europeans
well too.

With the two turn courses you can run a mile and half race without
all the tight turns.

Monmouth is only a mile track so the turf course must be 7/8 like
at Churchill or Aqueduct.

I like the idea of the one mile dirt race too.

[two gun sid]

4. Yes, that's a good idea....

Belmont has an excellent turf course. I don't think the europeans could complain much about the course or the location.

Does Belmont have a cannon?

[aaronbees]

10. I love that Frankel idea!

I'm okay w/ a two-day card but I'm not sure about the 2 year old turf race. It doesn't seem like many horses would be that specialized at that early juncture to build solid fields, but you and Old Broad are much more knowledgable than me on that issue. Let's face it, dirt is king in the U.S. Are there many graded stakes for 2 year olds on the turf? Having a Gr. 1 race with a true Gr. 1 field for that strikes me as a longshot.

I'd be quite happy to get Frankel shot out of a cannon and into the ocean. Maybe Barclay Tagg can light the fuse. ;) Perhaps potato sack races with trainers caught juicing their horses would be good as well; that way Pletcher could get another Breeders' Cup score.

[u4ic]

85. Woodbine has turf stakes for 2 yr olds

Summer Stakes (gr 3), and The Cup and Saucer are two on the turf, and have been since before my time. There may be more, since they're adding more stakes races.

They will also have other 2 yr old races on the turf, as well.

[aaronbees]

88. Hey, u4ic

Got a Derby horse picked out yet? :P :hi: I think it's back to the turf for Dreaming of Anna.

[u4ic]

92. Hi aaronbees

:hi:

I haven't been following the races very much lately. Since Horatio Nelson and Barbaro...I've been taking a bit of a break, though watching a lot of the great Euro oldies on youtube. :)

[aaronbees]

96. Understandable...

on taking a break. It's kind of bittersweet to see the Triple Crown trail heat up, to be honest.

Speaking of Euros, I watched some neat youtube videos of Desert Orchid the other day. I've never really taken to steeplechase but he was thrilling. And quite a few vids of him on there if you do a search for him.

:hi:

[u4ic]

98. I've watched some as well

I'm not particular on steeplechase, either, but he was a magnificent creature.

There are quite a few Epsom Derbies and Arcs on there.

Some famous horses: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YIKf8QmTSeM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9wX2PEEZ_c&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3bPPJJR2P4&NR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7BySA3tDGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq-fQyaqkNE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmO6WttLCqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I70rZCoHGQg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8SuLWQtxOc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIGjYw_KvHI&NR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGxcsoFeGO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvTJ1_-bPsI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-nyUJqTIlc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yew3c51lQ0


Did you ever see Danzig race? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIXV-mHds5w&mode=related&search=

[aaronbees]

99. Danzig sure was impressive....

And what a collection! Thanks for posting it ... great to see those classic horses like Nijinsky and SeaBird. I remember Dancing Brave -- he showed up in those years when I first followed racing. Back then I was pretty partial to turf racing, and that must have been the John Henry influence. Dancing Brave ... close in the Epsom Derby.

Here's the greatest race ever (at least for a stretch run), IMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tw09xHXUhI.

And Sunday Silence in his elderly, statesman-like years in Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqohkQSF6-g. (I'm in love with that blaze, as distinctive as Lost in the Fog's.)

[two gun sid]

5. Out of Gwedda beat in the Spectacular Bid

From DRF:
Buffalo Man kicked off Gulfstream Park's 3-year-old stakes season with a 3/4 length decision over 3-2 favorite Out of Gwedda in Sunday's $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes.

Buffalo Man, a son of El Prado owned in partnership by Rick Pitino's Ol'Memorial Stable and C. Ed Glasscock, rallied from perfect position outside the early leaders to take command entering the stretch of the six furlong Spectacular Bid.. He edged clear leaving the eighth pole then withstood late bids from Out of Gwedda, Green Vegas and James Wilfred.

Out of Gwedda, making his first start since winning Belmont's Tremont Stakes on July 4, was shuffled back to fourth position from along the inside after briefly contesting the pace, angled wide with his bid into the stretch and held gamely to finish second. Green Vegas and James Wilfred lagged off the early leaders before rallying belatedly from outside in the final furlong.

Straight Faced, the second choice in a field of seven 3-year-olds, faltered badly after challenging for the lead entering the stretch and finished a tiring fifth.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/81723.html

Enjoyable race but I was shocked by Buffalo Man. I didn't even consider him. Congrats to the winner.

[aaronbees]

6. Ron Franklin tries to make "spectacular bid" for second chance

For veteran jockey Ron Franklin, a spectacular bid for a second chance
Updated 1/9/2007 1:35 AM ET

By Cathy Harasta, Special for USA TODAY

FOLSOM, La. — A bowl of boiled shrimp sits on a scoured stove. This is Ron Franklin's Sunday dinner, consumed in a studio apartment in rural Louisiana.
The single room is all he needs, he says, as he offers to share his shrimp and fetch green tea from the fridge beside his bed. He apologizes for the towel hanging over a window, explaining that the sun slants in and blurs his TV screen.

As a gifted but temperamental teen jockey, Franklin rode Spectacular Bid to the brink of horse racing's Triple Crown in 1979. But after victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes quickly was followed by the start of a spiral with drug abuse that eventually cost him his jockey's license.

Today, at 47, he sticks to a simple life in an unspectacular setting as he works toward regaining his license to race and resume his career. The racing commission in his native Maryland lifted it in 1992, and he must satisfy that panel before he can apply for a license in Louisiana.

Source and rest of story here: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2007-01-08-a-cover-franklin_x.htm

(Some nice photos of Franklin working horses down in Louisiana; click on the photo gallery link. Sad story but I hope he makes it.)

[Justpat]

7. If racing can give Pat Valenzuela a hundered new starts,

surely we can find one for this guy.

I'd like to see him make it.

I was pretty disgusted with Delp still bitching about the
ride as late as a few weeks before he died. He had no class
when he had the Bid, and he had none when he left here.

[aaronbees]

9. True that ...

Pat Valenzuel's nine lives on the racetrack are pretty astounding, right down to his hair shaving debacle. I don't know much about the relationship between Franklin and Delp, but I sure do feel like Franklin should get another shot.

[two gun sid]

15. I hope Ronnie gets another shot at it....

I used to get so mad at him but, I never wanted bad things to happen to him. His life has been tragic and that is a shame.

Thinking back on it, I remember how Delp used to make it known in the press that if Shoe wanted the mount on Bid he could have the horse anytime. He'd take him away from Franklin. That couldn't have helped Ronnie's confidence, hell, he was just a kid.

He and I are the same age and I cannot imagine trying to make it as a jock at my age. I'd take the married man's route all the way around the track. No clanging irons with the jock next to me, no gunning a horse into a hole that opens for a split second on the rail. My poor old heart couldn't take that shit.

Yeah, I hope racing gives the guy a chance. And good luck to him. He's a lot braver than I am.

[jakefrep]

8. I hope this doesn't water down the other races....

...though I like the idea of a mile on the dirt and a F&M sprint. I would have added a turf sprint before a juvenile turf race - are there any major stakes for two-year-olds on the turf?

[aaronbees]

11. I have a bit of the same concern

Seems like with the Mile on dirt it could sway some tweeners to race there instead of the Sprint of Classic. Not sure if that's good or bad -- maybe good if it solidifies the quality of each field. I'm glad at least that the BC folks are making some changes and thinking about the future.

[Justpat]

13. I don't think it will water down the fields.

It will keep the horses who are true milers from cluttering up
the field in the mile and a quarter races. I think it's a good idea.

[Justpat]

12. The Pilgrim in the fall at Belmont .

No longer a Grade III. It is now a 75,000 stake.

Also, the 75.000 Miss Grillo for two year old fillies.


Full list of 2007 stakes at:

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/graded2007.asp

[aaronbees]

14. Latest on Barbaro (setback in left hind foot)

http://www.timwoolleyracing.com/news/2007/01/barbaro_updates_165.php

http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/6354568

Not good news. :( But it's encouraging there's no temp and he's eating.

[two gun sid]

16. Kentucky Derby Trail: Takin' it to the Street

From The Bloodhorse:
The sophomore class of 2007 has some pretty big shoes to fill following the number of brilliant and memorable performances by last year’s 3-year-olds, including the heroics—on and off the racetrack—of Barbaro.

But from all indications, there is no reason why this year’s crop shouldn’t provide as much excitement as its predecessors, considering the magnitude of its accomplishments in 2006 and the stamina-laden pedigrees of its top stars.

At this time last year, Barbaro, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), had never run on dirt, Preakness (gr. I) winner Bernardini was still a maiden, Belmont (gr. I) winner Jazil had won only a maiden race, and Discreet Cat was a maiden winner training in Dubai, a faint blip on the radar screen.

That leads to the question: Should we even pay that much attention to the exploits of last year’s 2-year-olds, regardless of how impressive they were? It is reassuring at least to know that veteran Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Carl Nafzger and Barclay Tagg are sure to do right by Street Sense and Nobiz Like Shobiz. And Barbaro’s trainer, Michael Matz, is back with the promising Chelokee.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37104

Time to start looking for your Derby horses.

[aaronbees]

17. I've got my Derby horse

And he's running in the Holy Bull soon. I think Haskin's take is pretty good actually. Intrigued by Hard Spun after the Lecomte this past weekend!

[two gun sid]

18. Racing fans voice opinions during public gathering in Saratoga

From Thoroughbred Times:
Jockeys and high-profile horsemen should be promoted the same as stars in other sports to create more interest in racing, fans said on Wednesday during a Saratoga Springs, New York, gathering.

More than 100 people attended the public session, hosted by Empire Racing Associates, one of three firms challenging the New York Racing Association for the right to operate Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct.

NYRA's franchise expires on December 31.

Empire held the event to obtain input about the needs of New York's Thoroughbred industry, and a broad cross-section of racing enthusiasts, from horse owners to avid handicappers, turned out for the session.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/January/18/Racing-fans-voice-opinions-during-public-gathering-in-Saratoga.aspx


Sheikh Mohammed buys Stonerside farm in Saratoga

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum recently purchased Bob and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable farm and training center in Saratoga Springs, New York, for nearly $17.5-million.

The McNairs bought the 106-acre farm and an additional 14 acres eight years ago from the Whitney family for $5.5-million. The farm adjoins Saratoga Race Course and includes a one-mile training track, two barns with 46 stalls combined, an 8,000 square-foot mansion, and a lodge.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/January/18/Sheikh-Mohammed-buys-Stonerside-farm-in-Saratoga.aspx

[two gun sid]

19. Magna intends to close Great Lakes Downs

From Thoroughbred Times:
Magna Entertainment Corp. intends to close Great Lakes Downs at the conclusion of the 100-day race meet, which begins May 5 and runs through November 6.

The disclosure came Wednesday during scheduled contract talks between Magna and the Michigan Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the designated certified horsemen’s organization at Muskegon, Michigan, track.

“It’s obviously very upsetting,” said Michigan HBPA President Fred Berry. “It’s devastating to the breeders and to the overall racing industry.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/January/17/Magna-intends-to-close-Great-Lakes-Downs-when-upcoming-meet-ends.aspx

Bad news for the TB industry in MI. It is our only TB track.
It is a crummy little bullring of a track but, I saw a couple of nice horses there. Tenpins got his start there. Secret Romeo was a big fan favorite a couple of years ago. As is Weatherstorm who is reigning MI HOY.
I wonder what will happen to the TB people here. There is a nice black fence TB farm a few miles from my house. It is not far from my sister and BIL's. I always stop and watch the horses when I pass by. They have a training track out by the road and sometimes I'll get to watch them working a horse or just giving one some exercise. I love seeing those beautiful animals. Even cheap TB are visually impressive.
To be honest, I've never liked GLDowns much. They never had much support from the public and I personally would rather go to the Chicago Area tracks. But, I hate the thought of MI not having TB racing available. I guess I'll have to plan a trip to Muskegon this year to see some racing before it closes.

[jakefrep]

20. Imperialista wins Dubai opening day feature

The Brazilian-bred won the opening leg of the Maktoum Challenge

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2007/January/18/Imperialista-powers-to-convincing-win-in-Maktoum-Challenge-Round-1.aspx

[aaronbees]

26. I love watching the Dubai races....

And Imperialista's race was impressive.

[Awsi Dooger]

21. Races uploaded to YouTube

Many famous races have been uploaded to YouTube in recent months. I've really been enjoying them, new ones popping up almost daily.

Here's a link to one guy who has posted 55 videos as of today, dating to the '50s and '60s and with most of the famous races from the great horses of the '70s:

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=cf1970&page=1

[Justpat]

23. Wow. that's incredible.

I watched most of them. We don't seem to make horses like that
anymore.
Keep in mind most of this was before the days where the entire
card ran on lasix.

[Awsi Dooger]

32. I have a tape of the first Seattle Slew/Affirmed race

The Marlboro Cup at Belmont Park in 1978. It doesn't seem to be available on YouTube and I've tried to upload it but so far there's a problem with the confirmation email to allow me to upload.

I'l post a link here once it's available.

[two gun sid]

22. There's no room for the little guy

From DRF:
Pete Vestal has called Louisville home for nearly 30 years, but this is his first full winter here. Vestal, 55, has spent the last 20 winters at Oaklawn Park, and before that at a wide variety of warm-climate venues befitting a lifelong racetracker and veteran trainer.

Not that Vestal really wanted to be here, although he is happy that for the first time he will be able to see every one of the high-school lacrosse games in which his son, Alex, will be playing this spring. No, Vestal would prefer to be training a stable of 20 to 30 horses, just as he has done during most of a career that began in 1978.

Instead, Vestal is out of business.

"I ran out of owners," he said.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/81912.html

[two gun sid]

24. Kentucky Derby Trail: Todd Squad, O'Neill Prepare for Battle

From The Bloodhorse:
Hold on to your hats. The Todd Pletcher and Doug O’Neill express trains are about to start rolling toward Louisville and should reach breakneck speed by early to mid-February. With Pletcher expanding to California this winter, and both trainers expected to make stops in New Orleans, we can expect some early collisions on the Derby trail.

Talking to Pletcher about his 3-year-olds is like talking to other trainers about their entire stable. The names just go on an on. Each year at this time, he appears to be fully loaded for an all-out assault on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), but this looks like his strongest group ever. Not only do they boast Derby-type pedigrees and running styles, six of them have already won or placed in stakes, including two grade I winners (Circular Quay and Scat Daddy) and a grade II runner-up (Any Given Saturday).

O’Neill has a grade I winner (Great Hunter), a grade II winner (Notional), and a grade I runner-up (Liquidity), all owned by J. Paul Reddam.

“At this stage, I think this is the strongest group we’ve had,” Pletcher said. “But only one horse can win the Derby, and you have the right one. But we should have some fun this spring and hopefully all of them can stay healthy.”

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37200

Lava Man Starts New Year in 'Millions Turf
Lava Man, the most prosperous claim in racing history, turns his attention back to grass racing on Saturday when the defending Sunshine Millions Classic champion lends his star power to the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf event at Santa Anita.

The fifth Sunshine Millions, the series of eight races worth $3.6 million that matches California and Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park as well as at Santa Anita, is the sport’s richest day of state-bred racing. In addition to the 2007 debut of Lava Man, Santa Anita’s four-race portion of the Sunshine Millions includes a showdown between grade I winners Bordonaro and Proud Tower Too in the $300,000 Sprint; Take D’Tour, a winner of six of her last nine starts including Belmont Park’s Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I), spearheading the $500,000 Distaff, and the $250,000 Oaks at six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies.

At the age of 6, Lava Man --- who has earned a record $3,706,103 since being claimed for $50,000 by STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood at Del Mar two summers ago --- might find turf to be his preferred surface while furthering a career that has been likened to that of the legendary John Henry.

Trainer Doug O’Neill’s California-bred son of Slew City Slew will face 11 challengers in the 1 1/8-mile event, presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino. It is the richest turf race of Lava Man’s career. While winning seven successive stakes races last year beginning with the Sunshine Millions Classic, he captured Hollywood Park’s $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IT), his most lucrative grass victory to date.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37185

[aaronbees]

25. Invasor Named Horse of the Year

and Champion Older Male.

Blood Horse story: http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37206.

Invasor Named Champion Older Male/Horse of Year
Date Posted: January 23, 2007
Last Updated: January 23, 2007

When Invasor stepped off the van at Palm Meadows training center last winter after arriving from Uruguay, where he had been purchased by Shadwell Farm, no one at trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn had a clue what to do with him or what to expect from him.

All they knew was that he was undefeated and had swept the Triple Crown in Uruguay.

But from a physical standpoint, he certainly was not what one would expect of an undefeated Triple Crown winner.

“He was on the light side and straight up and down in front, and he had a thick winter coat,” McLaughlin recalled. “It was hard to tell what we had. When Trish (assistant Trish McLaughlin) saw him, she wanted to know what kind of conditions he had; if we could run him in a two other than (allowance) or three other than.

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

Overall nice results. I do think the Jacksons deserved Breeder of the Year, but Adena's record is pretty amazing.

3YO: Bernardini
3YO Filly: Wait a While
Sprinter: Thor's Echo
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Apprentice: Julien Leparoux
2YO: Street Sense
2YO Filly: Dreaming of Anna
Older Female: Fleet Indian
Female Turf: Ouija Board
Male Turf: Miesque's Approval
Steeplechase: McDynamo
Breeder: Adena Springs
Owner: Lael Stables and Darley Stable (tie)

[two gun sid]

27. No real suprises, I guess....

Invasor is a good choice for HOY, although, I would have voted for Lava Man.

Did Bernardini really do more than Barbaro? I would argue that he didn't.

The voters have spoken and Bernardini heads off to the stud with the 3YO Eclipse.

[aaronbees]

28. We were jipped by Bernardini...

or rather by his owners. And to think I posed the question if he was the best since the Bid; damn, how dumb was that.

Don't worry about Barbaro. His star is cemented forever in history, and it's much higher than Bernardini's spot could ever hope to be.


Here's how the vote totals went down: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/SPORTS08/301230006/1037

[two gun sid]

29. Bernardini was a good horse. I don't think you were wrong....

finishing second to Invasor is no disgrace. My problem is with the political machinations that go on with Eclipse and Hall of Fame voting. 210 to 56? That ain't even close. Guess which horse is going to stud and which is not.

Also, how the hell does Discreet Cat get more votes for Sprinter than Bordonaro? Or Henny Hughes?

[two gun sid]

30. Sunshine Millions this Saturday...

I don't know why, but, I really get up for the Sunshine Millions. I like the way it is formatted with races in CA and FL.

I've been looking over the entries for Santa Anita and I gotta say: I am gonna bet AGAINST Lava Man. He is coming back in a awful tough spot. I think he's better on dirt than turf, but, the Santa Anita turf ain't much different from dirt.

Goddamn, I love thoroughbred racing!

[two gun sid]

31. Sweetnorthernsaint M/L favorite for Sunshine Millions Classic

From Thoroughbred Times:
Joseph Balsamo’s and Ted Theos’s Grade 2 winner Sweetnorthernsaint was tabbed the 9-to-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $1-million Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.

The Classic is the feature race on an eight-race Sunshine Million program for California- and Florida-bred horses. Gulfstream and Santa Anita Park will each host four races.

Sweetnorthernsaint drew the outside post position in the 12-horse field.

The four-year-old Sweetsouthernsaint gelding, trained by Michael Trombetta, won five of eight starts as a three-year-old, including the Illinois Derby (G2), and finished second to Bernardini in the Preakness Stakes (G1). He enters off a third-place finish in the Hal’s Hope Handicap (G3) on January 6 at Gulfstream.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2007/January/21/Sweetnorthernsaint-tabbed-morning-line-favorite-for-Sunshine-Millions-Classic.aspx



Not sure I like his post position draw for this race, but, he is the class of this field and he's feeling good. Feeling so good he kicked Trombetta in the chest the other day.

[aaronbees]

36. I can see him getting beat...

but he's the supreme class of the field. Perhaps Railroad or Go Between can get up for it if he's not right yet. I think he could be better on turf than dirt and would frankly like to see him get some turf wins this year ... may help his feet. What's the Santa Anita turf like compared to Hollywood (where Lava Man won twice last year)?


Oh, got a top five Derby prospects list yet?

[two gun sid]

37. My top 5 Derby Picks:

1. Stormello
2. Nobiz Like Shobiz
3. Street Sense
4. Liquidity
5. Hard Spun

[aaronbees]

39. My top 5:

1. Nobiz Like Shobiz
2. Street Sense
3. Circular Quay
4. Great Hunter
5. Hard Spun

But I'm sure that will change!

Nice win by Lava Man today -- looked like he toyed with them. I think Nakatani was talking about Dubai ... that would be fantastic to take him there! Hope they keep him on turf; I think that would give LM a good shot at an Eclipse this year.

[two gun sid]

38. Lava Man proves me wrong again...

great race by Lava Man.

The 'Saint gets beat in the Classic. Long shot McCann's Mojave pulls the upset.

[aaronbees]

33. Talkin' Horses with Steve Haskin

I always enjoy Haskin's chats. He's the best in the business at covering the run up to the Derby.

Here's his first chat of the year at Blood Horse: http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/SH012507.asp

Here's a bit of it:

Lexington, KY
Hey Steve, I know it's early on the Triple Crown trail, but I'm getting the sense that this year's 3-year-old crop has the potential to be just as talented, if not better, then last year's outstanding runners. What's your early take on the potential quality of this year's 3-yr olds?

Haskin: I agree. It's too bad we've already lost a good one in Tiz Wonderful, but what I like about last year's top horses are their pedigrees and running styles. Normally, you have several top 2-year-olds that have question marks regarding stamina; not this crop. I don't know yet how deep the crop is, but, right now, the top six or seven appear to be extremely strong.


Old Bridge, NJ
Hi Steve. Your friend Rich here. Seeing that my 3-year-old probably won't make the Derby this year, do you see more room for improvement for Nobiz Like Shobiz or Street Sense? My feeling is horses like Scat Daddy and Circular Quay may have already run their best races. thanks as always

Haskin: At least you're a realist. I guess you'll just have to bite the bullet and set your sights on the Travers. I definitely see more room for improvement from Nobiz Like Shobiz. He was still a growing boy last year, and should be something to see when he shows up this year. He has all the tools and he'll get there the right way with Tagg. I don't know what to make of Street Sense. How much better can he get? If he's still going to improve after that performance in the Juvenile, the others could be in trouble. The fact that Nafzger is giving him only two starts before the Derby, one of them a sprint, leads me to believe this horse is pretty close to peaking already and Nafzger doesn't want him over the top by the time he gets to the Derby. It's hard to tell about Scat Daddy and Circular Quay. It's certainly possible they've run their best races, but they may be better than you think.

[Awsi Dooger]

40. Thanks for that link

I was expecting a handful of questions but it seemed like a couple dozen or more. Varied topics and I really enjoyed it.

[jakefrep]

34. Tropical Star wins Dubai feature...

....in the final jump. This was quite an exciting race.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2007/January/25/Tropical-Star-closes-with-a-rush-to-win-Al-Shindagha-Sprint-in-final-jump.aspx

[two gun sid]

35. Threewitt concludes 75-year training career with third-place finish

From Thoroughbred Times:
Noble Threewitt concluded his 75-year training career on Friday by saddling Threeatonce to a third-place finish in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park.

The 95-year-old Threewitt earned his first career win in 1932 with Crackerjack at Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana. He will formally retire and be honored in a winner’s circle ceremony at the Arcadia, California, track on February 24, his birthday.

“It’s a big thing, I guess,” Threewitt said on HRTV. “I hate to get out of the business. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2007/January/26/Threewitt-concludes-75-year-training-career-with-third-place-finish.aspx

Unbelievable. This guy has seen all the greats out west. I believe he worked for Tom Smith of Seabiscuit fame and was a source for Ms. Hillenbrand's fine book. I wish he and his wife the best in retirement.

[two gun sid]

41. Tiny horse is a big help to blind owner

Not about racing but a feel good story from CNN:
Panda is everything you would want in a pet and guide animal for the blind -- protective, alert, house-trained, and she loves to play fetch. And at 29 inches tall and 120 pounds, she's a darn small horse.

Panda, named for her black-and-white coat, is a miniature guide horse that has helped 58-year-old Ann Edie navigate the world of city streets and country lanes since 2003.

"Panda loves her work," said Edie, a special education teacher. "She knows what she's supposed to do. When I pick up the harness, I get the feeling from her of, 'I'm ready for anything. Let's go have fun."'

When Edie's chocolate Labrador helper Bailey died after 10 years on the job, she tried out two other dogs before learning about guide horses in 2000.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/28/guide.horse.ap/index.html

[Justpat]

42. horrific spill yesterday at big A

this shit has to stop.

[aaronbees]

43. Sounded awful :(

Give it 5 to 10 years and there won't be a dirt track left in the U.S. Any word on how Jose is doing? The injury sounds gruesome.

Big day of racing today! (Holy Bull, Donn, etc.)

[Justpat]

45. Santos cracked two vertebrae in the middle of his back

and cracked a couple of ribs.

Dominguez hurt a knee, but nothing is broken.


It is not the track surface that is the problem. It is not being able
to find the small micro fractures that lead to bigger ones before they
become a major problem. I wrote several months ago about our owner
who, 25 years ago, came up with a means of ultra sounding bone to determine bone quality and whether it was approaching the breaking
point or was healthy. The technology is out there to help reduce the
breakdowns - the tracks haven't invested in it yet. But they will have
to before much longer.

I am not in favor of every track in america converting to polytrack.
Many truly good dirt horses can't get out of their own way on it.
And I don't fault the track for the most serious breakdowns. It is the
fault of some trainers who ignore, or don't know the signs of impending
trouble. At Arlington Park this past spring they had a whole bunch of
breakdowns happen in the first month. The state vet reviewed all the
stats of the horses involved and found that 75% of them were trained
by the same guy. Hopefully he is not engaged in some occupation that
down not involve living things.

[aaronbees]

46. Hope Santos heals quick

I'm not sure if I'm in favor of a complete conversion to surfaces like Polytrack or not ... just seems like there will be pressure to do it. I don't see it as the only issue to address to increase safety. Have dirt horses encountered the same problems on other types of alternative surfaces beside Poly? I now remember you writing on the ultrasound technique; amazing tracks won't invest in it ... have any of the racing writers addresed this in depth? Maybe e-mail Steve Haskin about it?

Looks like Invasor is back today in the Donn. Any thoughts on Nobiz like Shobiz? Wonder if he'll reverse things with Scat Daddy today in the Holy Bull.

[aaronbees]

49. Invasor just ran a monster good race in the Donn

Checked hard at the head of the stretch coming out of the turn after a good drive -- regrouped and charged back up for the win. A most deserving HOY it seems. It's going to be a great race in Dubai!

[bread_and_roses]

52. Thank you, thank you, Old Broad!

I wonder about something like micro-fractures every time a horse running free and clear - no bump or anything from another horse - breaks down midstride. But generally, any question about the ubiqitous "bad step" explanation is greeted with outrage. I love TB racing, but have wondered since I began following it (not that long, and I am still largely an ignoramous) about what steps, if any, are or could be taken to assure that the horse is really sound to run beyond what the trainer can feel/see.
(immediate edit to add "beyond..." because I am not implying that most trainers do not do everything they know how and can do to prevent their horses from running unsound but am thinking of more high-tech evaluative tools)

[aaronbees]

44. Santa Anita workout cam

Fun to watch... http://www.santaanita.com/track/webcam.php.

[two gun sid]

47. Early year races that may have implications for the Derby...

Some good racing today for 3YO's.
Scat Daddy and Nobiz hookup in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream. Tagg is actually upbeat about his horse. Tagg cracks me up. He is one of the greatest trainers I've ever seen. He always does right by his horses and picks good spots for them. I gotta like Nobiz in this race just cause I'm pullin' for Tagg and his crew.

Not sure there is any horse ready for the big time in the Swale at Gulfstream. Adore The Gold looks interesting and so does the son of Gone West, Forefathers. Zito's training him and you gotta love that breeding. Gone West out of a Lord At War mare.

Sham Stakes at Santa Anita looks like a nice race. Liquidity, who is in my Derby top 5, is going against Times Squared, Ravel and the gelding Pirates Deputy. The Deputy has enough earnings that he could probably get in the Derby right now and he's trained by Baffert. Times Squared and Ravel are both Fu Pegs and I gotta be honest, I don't think much of the Fu Pegs as Derby contenders. The ones I've seen seem to have some issues. Maybe They'll suprise me.

Liquidity is my horse here. He's by Tiznow out of a Rahy mare. He is kind of a weird horse. He runs a good race then a bad one. He looked like shit in the Champagne last year. Last time out he ran a big race fighting Stormello down the stretch and finished a good 2nd.

See you guys at the track!

[aaronbees]

48. And it's all Nobiz in the Holy Bull ....

Still running pretty green and taking a gander around as he rolls down the stretch. He won easily and not pressed much after he pulled around the turn. If he gets serious he's gonna be a special horse, but I love this big galoot. Drums of Thunder second, Scat Daddy third.

[Justpat]

51. Well, if he stays sound, Barclay is off to the Derby again.

That was impressive. He won easy.

[two gun sid]

50. Ravel best in the Sham Stakes...

Liquidity 2nd.

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=SA&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=02/03/2007&STYLE=EQB&RACE=7&BorP=B

Adore The Gold takes the Swale with Forefathers 2nd.

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=GP&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=02/03/2007&STYLE=EQB&RACE=5&BorP=B

Holy Bull Chart:

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=GP&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=02/03/2007&STYLE=EQB&RACE=7&BorP=B

Donn Handicap Chart:

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=GP&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=02/03/2007&STYLE=EQB&RACE=9&BorP=B

[aaronbees]

53. (Kentucky) Derby Future Wagers

are up! This is Pool 1.

Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070206/SPORTS08/70206027/1002/SPORTS

Program# horse (trainer) sts 1-2-3 $ odds last start
1. Adore the Gold (Gorham) 5 4-0-0 $203,787 20-1 1st G2 Swale by ¾ length
2. Any Given Saturday (Pletcher) 3 2-1-0 $89,213 20-1 2nd G2 Ky. Jockey Club by ½
3. Belgravia (Biancone) 3 2-0-0 $117,715 20-1 4th G1 Hollywood Futurity
4. Buffalo Man (Gambolati) 6 4-0-1 $147,700 30-1 1st Spectacular Bid by length
5. Circular Quay (Pletcher) 5 3-2-0 $781,434 15-1 2nd Breeders' Cup Juvenile
6. Day Pass (bin Suroor) 2 2-0-0 $93,540 15-1 1st Nashua, sent to Dubai
7. f-Dreaming of Anna (Catalano) 4 4-0-0 $1,266,240 15-1 1st BC Juvenile Fillies
8. Drums of Thunder (Kaplan) 9 4-2-0 $170,300 30-1 2nd G3 Holy Bull by 1 ½
9. EZ Warrior (Baffert) 3 3-0-0 $135,000 15-1 1st San Miguel by 1 3/4
10. Exhale (Sadler) 2 1-1-0 $35,600 20-1 1st Santa Anita maiden by 5
11. Forefathers (Zito) 4 2-1-0 $54,300 30-1 2nd G2 Swale by 3/4
12. Great Hunter (O'Neill) 7 2-4-1 $630,000 30-1 3rd Breeders' Cup Juvenile
13. Hard Spun (Jones) 4 4-0-0 $160,970 20-1 1st G3 Lecomte by 6 1/2
14. Lawrence the Roman (R. Dutrow) 3 3-0-0 $94,236 30-1 1st Damon Runyon by 11
15. Liquidity (O'Neill) 5 1-2-1 $146,200 20-1 2nd G3 Sham by length
16. Nobiz Like Shobiz (Tagg) 4 3-1-0 $316,400 8-1 1st G3 Holy Bull by 1 ½
17. Notional (O'Neill) 4 2-0-1 $133,200 15-1 1st G2 San Rafael by 4
18. Out of Gwedda (Pletcher) 3 2-1-0 $104,520 30-1 2nd Spectacular Bid by length
19. Ravel (Pletcher) 3 2-1-0 $96,100 15-1 1st G3 Sham by length
20. Scat Daddy (Pletcher) 6 3-1-1 $524,300 30-1 3rd G3 Holy Bull by 2 ¾
21. Stormello (Currin) 7 3-0-2 $545,100 20-1 1st G1 Hollywood Futurity by neck
22. Street Sense (Nafzger) 5 2-1-2 $1,178,200 12-1 1st Breeders' Cup Juv. By 10
23. Zanjero (Asmussen) 5 2-2-0 $113,299 30-1 2nd G2 Remsen by 6-1/2
24. All other 3-year-olds 7-2


Some nice prices up in there! (Even though I'm not betting ... unless I get myself to the track.)

[jakefrep]

54. Round 2 of Maktoum Challenge to Kandidate

Looks like Kandidate punched his ticket to the $6m Dubai World Cup with a big performance in today's feature at Nad Al Sheba. Round 1 winner Imperialista finished up the track.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2007/February/08/Kandidate-set-for-Dubai-World-Cup-after-Maktoum-Challenge-Round-2-victory.aspx

[Justpat]

55. Dreaming Of Anna beaten in Old Hat stakes in FL.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37505

[aaronbees]

56. She stumbled at the start....

but I don't think that was much of an excuse for her. With the Davona Dale later on the card, not sure I understand why they ran her in this race. Hope she bounces back.

Notional looked great in the Risen Star today!

[two gun sid]

57. Lawyer Ron entered today 2-11-07 at Gulfstream

in an allowance optional claimer. 9th race post# 2, 1 mile on the dirt. Velasquez up and Pletcher is the trainer of record.

[Justpat]

58. Lawyer Ron won by 3/1/4.

After being steadied twice in the race, he drew off.

Nice to see him back.

[two gun sid]

63. It was areal nice win by Lawyer Ron...

even though he was the class in the race and should have won. He had a horrible trip. I like a horse like that can make his own racing luck.

[aaronbees]

59. Seattle Slew winning the Stuyvesant

Some really nice footage of Slew in the '78 Stuyvesant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEH3BGfxLds.
"Ladies and gentleman, here he is the champion of the world, Seattle Slew!"

Also the '79 Jockey Club Gold Cup with Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and Coastal battling (pretty poor quality but still great to see): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=berN2tnAlkk

[Justpat]

60. He just loved to run.

That was his final start of his career.

[aaronbees]

61. You sure could tell in that race

Thought you might like to see it! Happy Valentines Day eve eve to you, the man, and the whole horse crew out there. :) That youtube poster, by the way, has some pretty excellent vids on tap.

[Justpat]

62. Thanks.

Happy Valentine's Day to you too.

[Awsi Dooger]

65. I finally got the first Seattle Slew/Affirmed race posted on YouTube

The 1978 Marlboro Cup. Actually I uploaded two versions, an asf video and an xvid. I'll see which one looks best then delete the other. I can tell you the video looks much better on my computer than on YouTube. That's probably normal, that you lose something in the translation. But that race was run on a dreary afternoon and I remember it was difficult to view even live, particularly on the backstretch.

There continue to be great races uploaded to YouTube, especially by a handful of posters. I was pleased to see the Stuyvesant, Slew's last race. I think he toted 134 in that one.

I expected Spectacular Bid to win that '79 Marlboro Cup. Maybe a mile and a half simply wasn't his best distance. It's weird that Affirmed was allowed such dawdling fractions in the '78 Belmont and the '79 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The '78 Belmont was 25 flat, 50 flat, and 1:14 flat. This race was 25 flat, 49 flat, and 1:13 1/5.

[Awsi Dooger]

75. They looked the same so I stuck with the original one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHczmcKS5M

[Justpat]

76. Can you imagine any horse being assigned 134 today?

You would hear screaming by both the trainer and owner about it.

[two gun sid]

66. I didn't want to watch the '79 Gold Cup...

but, I just had to see it again. Thanks for the link. I thought Bid was gonna get Affirmed that day. I had forgotten how exciting that race was. Even now, 28 years later, I gave my chair a right hand tap on the turn. We still didn't get by that other horse.

Bid really had no excuse. Affirmed was the better horse that day.

[Awsi Dooger]

82. I was like that with the '78 Gold Cup

The one where Exceller nipped Slew after the suicidal pace among Slew, Affirmed and Life's Hope. I saw the link on YouTube but hesitated to click the mouse since I really didn't want to be tortured again. Finally I said what the hell and had to see if my memories were the same as actual.

Slew got a lot of credit for that race but it still burns me he lost it, especially since he broke through the gate before the race and had to be reloaded, just like Barbaro in the Preakness. I always imagined what he could have done with that little bit of extra energy. Certainly worth more than a nose at the wire.

I watched the '79 Gold Cup on YouTube. My first thought was I forgot how competitive Coastal was. I'd basically forgotten all of his races except for the Peter Pan and Belmont. But now that I think of it, Coastal also ran a good race against Affirmed earlier, along with a Billy Turner-trained 3-year old named Czaravich. Affirmed wore them down in the final sixteenth but they gave big efforts for 3-year-olds against a terrific horse.

Affirmed always won the races that were nip and tuck. I thought Bid would beat him on ability, but once the race was tight I remember being certain Affirmed would prevail. Early in '78 I was in Florida and thought Alydar was the best 3-year-old. But one old horseman at Hialeah heard me say that, and told me I was flat wrong. He said he watched every Affirmed/Alydar race as 2-year-olds, when they faced each other a surreal 6 times. His exact words to me were, "that other horse outgutted Alydar several times. What makes you think that will change?"

[two gun sid]

83. All those great old races on YouTube...

are wonderful to see again. It reminds us of how great racing can be.

It's suprising how inaccurate my memory is.

[Awsi Dooger]

93. I may have some races that aren't on YouTube

Not sure yet. I have plenty of old VHS tapes from the '80s but they aren't well labeled and some of them I haven't looked at in years/decades. I think I screwed up and taped over some of the races when I was scrambling for blank tapes to use for the Olympics a couple of times.

I know I do have some stuff from other sports that isn't on YouTube. For one, I have a much more substantial clip of the third period of the famous USA/USSR Olympic hockey game in 1980.

It's weird when I put up one race and all of a sudden plenty of people start subscribing to your videos, including the major horse racing uploaders to YouTube.

[two gun sid]

94. I would enjoy seeing whatever you upload....

I missed a lot of '80's racing while I was serving overseas. I used to have a video of John Henry's last race but, I can't seem to locate it. I have been wanting to upload it to YouTube.

[two gun sid]

68. The 1988 Santa Anita 'Cap and San Bernadino...

2 great battles between Ferdinand and Alysheba on YouTube.

San Bernadino: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZjyPzs0uTM

San Anita Handicap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz99ipc-KOw&mode=related&search=

[two gun sid]

84. Some good Lost In The Fog race video....

at YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cvpM9F5w30g&mode=related&search=

[Justpat]

86. I am not easily moved to tears,

but that was very well done.

It is hard to imagine how he won the last two races that he
did. When they opened him up, the tumor went the entire length
of his spine.

[two gun sid]

95. That video is great....

I love seeing the footage of his races. I am still in awe of him.

I understand Golden Gate Fields made a DVD of all his races and handed them out the day they had his memorial. I keep looking for a copy to pop up on eBay. So far I haven't seen anyone who has wanted to part with their copy.

[aaronbees]

89. A horse racing blogger is posting vids from Palm Meadows and Gulfstream

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=slimcommander

Includes Invasor eating his breakfast and a conversation with Birdbirdistheword.

[aaronbees]

64. Any Given Saturday Wins Sam F. Davis

Any Given Saturday Clearly Best in Sam Davis
by Jack Shinar
Date Posted: February 17, 2007
Last Updated: February 17, 2007

WinStar Farm's Any Given Saturday went off at odds of 1-5 in his 3-year-old debut Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. He gave his supporters little reason for concern with a 2 3/4-length triumph in the $146,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher, Any Given Saturday bid three wide on the far turn in the 1 1/16-mile test. After engaging pacesetter All I Can Get in the stretch, Velazquez gave the son of Distorted Humor several taps in the shoulder before the dark bay colt displayed his superiority, pulling away in the final eighth to win in a solid 1:44 1/5.

“I didn’t know we had the race won until he was under the wire,” said Velazquez.

Now a winner of three of four lifetime starts with earnings of $164,213, Any Given Saturday gives Pletcher yet another Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender to go along with prospects that include Circular Quay, Ravel and Scat Daddy. Pletcher leads all trainers with 32 horses nominated to the Triple Crown races.


Source and rest of the story: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37618

And you can see a replay here: http://www.tampabaydowns.com/DailyReplays.aspx (Race 10 on Saturday's card.)

[two gun sid]

67. Premium Tap Wins in Saudi Arabia as Allam

From The Bloodhorse:
Premium Tap, who was sold recently to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, captured the group I Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup at Riyadh Friday under regular jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Trained by John Kimmel, the son of Pleasant Tap scored by 2 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/2-mile event, defeating 15 opponents, in what will serve as his prep for the $6-million Dubai World Cup March 31.

Racing under the name Allam, Premium Tap covered the 12 furlongs in 2:28.08. It was the colt’s first start since winning the Clark Handicap (gr. I) for previous owners George Kline, Peter Alevizos, and David Whelihan

Obay, a 6-year-old by Kingmambo finished second, a half-length ahead of Forty Licks, Horse of the Year in Argentina.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37598

[Justpat]

69. Introspect won the Hollie Hughes today at the Big A

Just sayin'

:D

[two gun sid]

70. Hurray!!!! That is a big win.....

congratulations to the whole crew. Introspect was one tough horse in the stretch. Great win. I'm excited.

I saw a big long striding hoss finish 3rd yesterday after being hung out wide on both turns. Know anything about him?

[Justpat]

71. That is poor Ty's Ridge.

He keeps getting the outside post going long. This is the
third time in a row he has drawn the outside post. He finished
third each time.

He likes the grass better anyway.

Thanks for the kind words about Introspect. We were really proud
of him. He was very game and this jock, Eddie Martin, seems to
really suit him.

[aaronbees]

72. Hey, rock on!

And congrats. He's a consistent one ... nice to see him get a win! Any idea where he'll head next?

Here's a little write up at the NYRA Web site: http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/HollieHughes.html.

[Justpat]

73. Thanks for that link.

I hadn't seen it yet.

I don't know when the next NY bred stake is. We'll give him about
a month, then start looking for something.

He was very proud of himself in the winners circle.

[two gun sid]

78. New York Becoming Martin’s Second Home

I didn't know much about Introspect's jock so I looked up some info on him. Found a nice article about him at the NYRA website:

Like millions of other people, jockey Eddie Martin Jr. was deeply affected by the wrath of Hurricane Katrina two summers ago. For someone who was born in New Orleans and lived there most of his life, Martin has found the storm and its aftermath continue to be very hard to swallow.

Fair Grounds, Martin’s home track in New Orleans, ran an abbreviated live meet at Louisiana Downs last winter but reopened for business this past Thanksgiving minus one familiar face. The 43-year-old Martin decided to try New York and he has fallen in love with the big city and local racing.

“I really like it here,” Martin said. “The racing is good, the purses are good and the horses are good. I love riding against these guys. I’m doing good. I’m in the standings.”

Through the middle of Thursday’s card, Martin was eighth in Aqueduct’s jockey standings with 17 wins. He recently bagged his 3,000th career victory December 8th aboard Sweetiewheatie.

http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/Feb032007.html

and a photo:

[Justpat]

79. We've had good luck with this guy.

He's smart and has good hands. He is the only one who ever got Introspect to
go the first quarter in 23 without fighting with him.

One of the girls who owns part of Intro posted this great slide show of yesterday.
Hope I get it right:

http://www.quarterpole.com/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album20

[two gun sid]

80. Nice slideshow...

I looked through her album and found some nice pictures of horses I have been following: Raf and Ready, BSR and a real nice headshot of Introspect. Hope you don't mind if a post a couple of the winner.

[Justpat]

81. Raf and Ready is retired

and being bred to Cape Canaveral this year.
That should be a nice baby.

[bread_and_roses]

106. I take it congrats are due?

good to hear, if so. I like the name, too.

[aaronbees]

74. Haskin's Derby Dozen

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/derby_dozen.asp

Hard Spun's running tomorrow in the Southwest Stakes. Sure wish they'd had that one this weekend -- I would've made the trip up to Oaklawn. Hopefully I'll get up there for the Rebel in March to see the Oaklawn three-year-olds.

[Justpat]

77. If you go to the Rebel,

you will be required to give an official report of the race.


:D

[aaronbees]

87. Will do...

And I'll have to get a digicam working so I can post some pics.

Hard Spun got his butt handed to him by Teuflesburg, who went off at unbelievable odds. :-)

[Justpat]

90. You ought to see if you can get a press pass.

Tell them you write for an online racing site.

I have a friend from upstate NY who got one to all the
tracks here in NY. She writes for a little local paper
that comes out once a week and has a readership of 200.

[aaronbees]

91. Sports guys at my paper gave me our Oaklawn pass actually!

Since I've written three horse racing stories for them. Not sure where it would get me, but I've thought about doing a "life on the backside" story at some point. I'd love to interview John Servis, who's stabled there this spring. Gotta find a news peg, though, to sell it to my editors. :rofl:

[two gun sid]

97. Our old pal Steppenwolfer makes his '07 debut Friday

From DRF:
Steppenwolfer will make his 4-year-old debut Friday at Oaklawn Park in the featured ninth race, which will serve as his stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $150,000 Razorback Breeders' Cup Handicap here March 9, said his trainer, Dan Peitz.

Steppenwolfer is one of eight horses in the

1 1/16-mile allowance. Also in the race are stakes winners Middleweight, Shaky Town, Silver Haze, Pressed, and Sampson's Son. The field also includes the stakes-placed R's Star and Churchill Downs allowance winner Prayer Service.

Last year, Steppenwolfer ran third to Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 and fourth to Jazil in the Belmont Stakes in his last start, June 10. Prior to those races, Steppenwolfer wintered at Oaklawn. While here last year, he won an allowance, ran second in both the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby and the $250,000 Southwest, and ran third in the Grade 3, $300,000 Rebel. All three of those stakes were won by Lawyer Ron.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/82727.html

Glad to see him coming back after such a long lay-off. Last years 3YO's were a pretty darn good crop and if they can get back and race well, it could be an exciting year.

[two gun sid]

100. Steppenwolfer finishes 5th in his return...

but, on the upside, OB had a good day Thursday. Congrats to Mr. T, OB and the crew.

[Justpat]

101. Thanks!

We were pretty happy with that too.

[two gun sid]

102. English Channel and John Henry's Birthday Party...

I can't believe I missed both these stories from DRF:
John Henry party in works
Two-time Horse of the Year and five-time champion John Henry is nearing his 32nd birthday, and the Kentucky Horse Park is planning a party for him.

An Ole Bob Bowers gelding, John Henry already is 32 by The Jockey Club standards, having reached the age on the traditional Jan. 1, when the breed registry considers all Thoroughbreds a year old. But his actual birthday is March 9. The Kentucky Horse Park will host a public birthday party for John Henry that day at 1 p.m. at the park's Hall of Champions, where he lives and is a fan favorite.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/82771.html


English Channel sets course record
English Channel's twice-delayed 2007 debut proved more than worth the wait after the Eclipse Award finalist set a course record in an allowance race here Thursday.

Ridden by John Velazquez, English Channel settled just off the pace of Mending Fences. He collared the game but overmatched leader to win by 1 1/4 lengths. English Channel's final time of 1:44.51 eclipsed the 1 1/8-mile course record by 0.18 of a second, and came within 0.59 second of the world record, set by Kostroma at Santa Anita in 1991.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/82759.html

[aaronbees]

103. John Henry is timeless....

And his birthday is two days before mine.

Nice race by English Channel. Looks like he's joining everyone else in Dubai. I like that move.

We should start a real Road to the Roses/Derby Prep thread soon, eh? :hi: to ya, Sid.

(And congrats to you and the crew, OB! You should post a winner's circle photo sometime.:P )

[two gun sid]

104. We need a Derby thread soon....

but, there has been so much good racing going on this year that I haven't really been thinking much about The Derby.

Did you see Lava Man worked really well the other day and has a 124# impost for the Santa Anita Handicap? BroD's going in the Big Cap too.

Let us know how the racing is at OP when you go and if you write anything please, post it if possible.

Just so I don't forget, Happy Birthday, my friend.

[Justpat]

105. OK.

When the little filly we own ourselves breaks her maiden, I'll post
that.