I wanted to start this semi-regular post as "Tip o' the Cap to...," however my pal and fellow horse racing blogger Jared Kennedy (http://kennedyscorridor.blogspot.com/) has been using that tagline for months as part of his "Weekend Review" segment, and it would be quite unprofessional of me to steal his tagline - so, "Hats off to..." must do. Essentially what these posts are intended to do is share memories/stories/performances/etc. of horses/trainers/jockeys/owners that rarely or never receive much attention nationally. It'll take a lot for me to ever do a "Hats off to..." blog for Todd Pletcher, Garrett Gomez, Zenyatta, or Sheikh Mohammed.
I'd like to dedicate this inaugural blog to one of my favorite horses, if not my favorite horse, Caiman.
Every year it seems as if one or two completely over matched and untalented horses stumble into the starting gate of the Belmont Stakes, their connections holding unrealistic visions of grandeur and the belief that their colt or gelding has the ability to outpace proven Grade 1 winners at the unique 12f distance. I'm not even talking proven stakes performers like Da' Tara and Sarava here, I'm talking maidens, claimers, and allowance runners who slink back into obscurity about 2:35 after they emerge from it. You may not recognize the names of many of these also-rans, but I'll run through them anyway. In 2002, it was Artax Too (11th), and 2003's version was a colt named Supervisor (5th of 6). The 2005 running featured the likes of Indy Storm (4th) and Watchmon (9th), and in 2006 Double Galore (DNF) and Oh So Awesome (5th) had their 2:30 in the sun. Most recently it was Guadalcanal (7th) in 2008, although I do give that one some credit - he's at least staying afloat against allowance runners in turf marathon races.
2004 was no different than any of these other fields. In and amongst the proven Grade 1 winners in the field was a little known colt named Caiman, who shipped in from trainer Angel Medina's Hawthorne base for the 136th rendition of the Belmont Stakes.
The story of Caiman begins like does the story of most other thoroughbred racehorses - stallion sees mare and animal instincts take over. Not really the most romantic way of putting it, but that's just the way it is. In the spring of 2000, John T.L. Jones Jr. of Walmac International Stud fame decided to breed his mare Storming Up, a winning daugher of European champion Storm Bird, to brand new Maryland stallion Malibu Moon, an unproven son of A.P. Indy who was forced into retirement with just a maiden win to his credit in two career starts. Call the $3,000 advertised stud fee of Malibu Moon in 2000 a deal compared to the $40,000 he demands in Kentucky for the 2009 season. Out of that mating, one that was sure to receive no headlines around the horse racing world, a bay colt was born. Jones, seemingly unimpressed with what he saw, entered the colt in the 2001 Keeneleand November Breeding Stock Sale as a weanling.
As top-caliber racemares and producers like Twenty Eight Carat, Cee's Song, Jostle, and Phone Chatter, as well as well-bred and gorgeous weanings and yearlings such as a colt who'd later be known as Tizdubai (full brother to Tiznow & Budroyale) and a filly who'd later go by Teeming (half sister to Rags to Riches, Jazil, and Casino Drive) sold for six and seven figures, hip number 3697 went through the ring, receiving a rock bottom bid of $3,000 by purchaser Victor Achar, an owner/breeder from Mexico. This weanling was one of Achar's 18 purchases at the sale, none of which cost more than $10,000.
Achar would later name his Malibu Moon weanling "Caiman," which is Spanish for alligator. Caiman would begin his career at the historic Hipodromo de las Americas racetrack in Mexico City - hardly the starting point for a horse hoping to someday compete in American Grade 1 races. Caiman would win 2 of 3 races at the track, including an 8-length romp in a $3,200 allowance race. Even though Caiman was only able to earn $4,032 in those three starts, Achar shot for the moon with the unproven colt, and made the decision to ship the horse to the United States, where he'd be trained by Angel Medina, a staple in the South Florida racing circuit. Achar also nominated the colt to the American Triple Crown.
Continuing with the "shoot for the moon" theme, Achar and Medina couldn't have picked a more difficult race for Caiman to make his United States-debut in - the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, against a field of 9 Kentucky Derby hopefuls, including Second of June, Friends Lake, Silver Wagon, and El Prado Rob. Caiman was dismissed in the wagering at 75/1, and he ran like a 75/1 shot should - 8th of 9, beaten 22 3/4 lengths. Medina regrouped with the colt, and placed him in an easier spot - a Gulstream Park allowance, where Caiman was unlucky to run into Grade 1 winner Birdstone, who was making his seasonal debut. His connections had to have been pleased with his effort, though, as he ran 3rd at 45/1, beaten only 3 lengths by Birdstone. Achar and Medina again placed the horse in a tough spot, the Grade 3 Swale Stakes. The betting public again dismissed Caiman, this time at 51/1, and the colt again failed to live up to expectations, running 5th of 5, beaten nearly 10 lengths. With the Gulfstream Park meet soon coming to a close, Medina switched his focus to Illinois' Hawthorne Race Course and sent much of his stock, Caiman included, to the Cicero-area track. And while at Hawthorne, Caiman awoke, winning a pair of allowance races, one each on the turf and dirt, showing his versatility. Caiman's performances, once again, persuaded Achar to shoot for the moon with his colt, and Achar put up the $20,000 required to run in the third leg of the Triple Crown - the $1,000,000 Belmont Stakes.
As Caiman's Belmont jockey Ramon Dominguez glanced around the starting gate for the race, he had to have taken a moment to consider the historical impact of the race and the talent assembled in the gates around him. Six gates to his right was journeyman Stewart Elliot, seated aboard a chestnut colt and donning the blue and white silks of the little-known Someday Farm. The colt his was sitting on, Smarty Jones, had just won the Kentucky Derby by 2 3/4 lengths and the Preakness Stakes by 11 1/2 lengths, and was looking to become the 12th winner, and the first since 1978, of the elusive Triple Crown. Right next to Caiman was his adversary from the Gulfstream Park allowance race, Birdstone. Two gates to Dominguez's right was the tall and physical presence known as Rock Hard Ten, and directly to the left of Caiman was future Grade 1 winner Purge. Just inside of Smarty Jones was the versitile Eddington. I can only wonder if Caiman knew the challenge he was up against - 5 current or future Grade 1 winners were in the starting gate, and a sixth, Master David, was already Grade 1 placed. It took just 2:27 2/5 seconds for Birdstone to crush the dreams of a nation and upset Smarty Jones, and several seconds later Caiman crossed the finish line behind 7 of his 8 rivals. The final margin of Caiman's defeat was 31 1/4 lengths. During the call of the race, legendary caller Tom Durkin only managed to announce Caiman's name once - I guess that's almost fitting in a way, though. He was the obscure horse going into the race, and Durkin did nothing to change that billing.
To date, Caiman has started 66 times since that day at Belmont. The other 8 horses in that field would make only a combined 63 starts after the Belmont. Smarty Jones would never race again. Birdstone would only race twice morre, and Rock Hard Ten only 6 more times over 2 years. Caiman, stll in the care of Achar and Medina, would start in 9 more stakes races, 4 of them graded, over the next 7 months. He would hit the board just once, that being in the 7f Forward Pass Stakes (50k) at Arlington Park, where he was beaten only a neck by Nebraska Moon. On March 11, 2005, Medina dropped Caiman into a claiming race for the first time in his career. He'd lost 14 straight races dating to those Hawthorne allowances, and it was quickly becoming time for Achar to receive some compensation for the colt. Caiman had taken the connections to places that they'd only dreampt of going to, but at teh end of the day, horse racing is a business and Achar had a business decision to make - he offered Caiman to anyone willing to pay $50,000 for him.
Scott Lake liked what he saw from the colt, and on behalf of the Winning Move Stable, claimed the colt from Achar. He'd ship Caiman from Gulfstream to his base at Belmont, where Caiman would become a favorite amongst the fans and a nuisance among the handicappers. It was under Lake that Caiman and a myriad of jockeys, including Aaron Gryder, Jorge Chavez, and Jose Santos would develop quite a reputation for consistency. In 7 starts with Lake, Caiman would never miss the board, running either second or third each time out. He ran into top quality horses like Commentator, Unforgettable Max, Love of Money, Kennel Up, and Bailero, but consistently found himself incapable of winning. He was a lovable loser indeed. After switching to the barn of Gary Contessa, it was much of the same for Caiman - no wins - and it was becoming evident that Caiman was losing a step or two. In 2005, Caiman raced 15 times, and by that December he was claimed by Rene Araya, on behalf of Raymond Vitolo, for $17,500.
Under Araya's tutledge, Caiman would finally work his way back into the winner's circle - in fact, he won 3 of 12 starts with Araya, and hit the board 8 times. September 1, 2006 would mark his final start on the New York circuit, a circuit where he gained popularity among fans and hit the board in a remarkable 16 of 22 starts (72.7%). Nearly each of his races followed the same story - drop way back early, and mow them down late.
Since that claim in September 2006, Caiman has become quite the traveler. He's started at 11 different tracks and has been claimed 8 times. He's been trained by 7 different men and women. He left (via claim) and returned (via claim) to the barn of Larry Rivelli 3 times. He's run at everything from 7 furlongs to 2 miles. He's won at least twice in every calendar year, and won 5 times in 18 starts in 2006. He ran most recently at Tampa Bay Downs on December 13, where he finished 6th of 12 against $5,000 claimers. Under jockey Huber Villa-Gomez, he took his usual position toward the rear of the field, but age is catching up with the 7 year old horse more than ever, and his usual furious closing kick has lost most of its punch. He's currently owned by Neal M. Allread, the CEO of Kurz-Kasch Incorporated, a manufacturing company based in Dayton, Ohio. His trainer is Barbara I. McBride.
I first saw Caiman race in that Belmont Stakes, but didn't really notice him until a brisk fall evening in 2006. The Michael Lauer-trainee was running in the 9th race at the track most local to me, Mountaineer Park. I saw that the colt had the class to be competitive at this starter allowance level, and that he'd just missed by less than a length last out at Mountaineer in a similar race. Despite his being hammered to 7/10 at the windows, I put some money on him. And sure enough, as always seemed to happen, he just wasn't quite good enough. Rex Stokes put him on the lead in the 10f race, and he and a Prairie Meadows shipper named Canela battled back and forth throughout the race. It was an outstanding duel, with neither horse willing to give an inch - Caiman asserted himself with a lead at the mile point, but Canela had pulled even by the top of the lane. Caiman dug in to give his all, and so did Canela. Canela gained a clear upper edge within the sixteenth pole, and one final push from Caiman wasn't enough to get the job done - Canela was the winner by 1/2 length and my win ticket on Caiman was worthless. I was still impressed. The duo stopped the timer in 2:03.81, a very respectable time at Mountaineer, and only 1/5 of a second off the track record. Ever since then, I've followed Caiman's career closely, although I'd never bet on him again. He brielfy returned to Mountaineer for several months earlier this year, and he hit the board in 4 of 5 starts against $5,000 claimers. I went to see him in one of the starts, didn't bet him, but still cheered proudly for the bay horse. Seeing him put a smile on my face - not many horses can do that.
If anyone knows Allread or McBride, can they do me a favor and pass along a message? I'm not asking for a shoe or a halter, nor do I have the means or resources to offer Caiman a home for when he's done racing. I'm not looking to claim or purchase the horse, but I would love for them to know one thing - that their horse has at least one fan. Everytime I see his name amongst my stable mail, I excitedly check to see if he was able to win or not. The majority of the time he comes up short, but it's been a fun ride just sitting back and watching Caiman do his thing.
Thanks for taking me along for the ride, Caiman. While most popular and talented thoroughbreds come and go, Caiman has always been around to enjoy. Here's to nothing but success in 2009, and as always stay safe buddy!
Readers, I edited the name of Dr. Greenfield from my post - I showed very poor discretion in mentioning his name amongst the other Belmont Stakes losers, as it has been brought to my attention that the circumstances surrounding his defeat are far more complicated than the fact that he just wasn't good enough. I regret tarnishing his name, and apologize to the Team Valor Stables and anyone else I may have upset. My apologies.
Dustin
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Eclipse Balloting
So another year goes by, and yet again the fine folks who tally the votes and hand out the awards forgot to send me a ballot. What an unfortunate oversight - I really thought this was my year to earn some recognition in the industry. Perhaps 2009 will mark the arrival of my first ballot. In all seriousness, though, here is how I would vote for the awards -
Female Sprinter
Legitimately, this award comes down to two contestants - Patti and Hal Earnhardt's Indian Blessing (trained by B. Baffert) and Juddmonte Farm's Ventura (R. Frankel). A very strong case can be made for either, but I think a stronger case can be made for the Baffert-trainee. Indian Blessing won 5 of 8 starts, including 4 of 5 starts in races less than one mile. Those victories included the Grade 1 Test Stakes, the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes, the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom (against older competition), and hte Grade 2 Santa Ynez. Her only defeat in those 5 races was at the hands of Ventura in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, but Indian Blessing did manage to outrun the rest of her competitors that day to get 2nd. The case for Ventura hinges on ignoring her full campaign, and focusing on two races. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, Ventura would have been a logical contender for the 'Turf Female' award, as 5 of her 7 starts in 2008 were on the grass. She did win twice on the main track in sprints, those being the aformentioned Breeders' Cup and the Grade 2 Madison Stakes at Keeneland, but I just don't think those two races make her resume stronger than Indian Blessing's for this particular award. For third, I'm the nod to Intangaroo (G. Sherlock), who very quietly won 3 Grade 1 races in 2008, including the Santa Monica Handicap, the Humana Distaff, and the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. Her distant finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (6th) ultimately kept her from meriting more consideration.
1. Indian Blessing
2. Ventura
3. Intangaroo
Male Sprinter
This is yet another wide open division, and a handful at least merit serious consideration. The most talented sprinter to set foot on any track in 2008 was Midnight Lute (B. Baffert), however I have to go against the Breeders' Cup Sprint champion here. IEAH Stable's Benny the Bull (R. Dutrow) put together a great campaign, in which he won all 4 of his races. The campaign of Street Boss (B. Headley) also should not be forgotten. He won a pair of Grade 1 races, placed in two others, and also won a Grade 3 event. At the end of the day, however, I think Benny the Bull is the most deserving here. I'm not the type of person who would refuse to vote for a nominee after one big performance, but I simply feel that Benny the Bull was good enough in 2009 to overcome Midnight Lute's one big run. Plus it's important to not overlook the fact that Midnight Lute also bombed in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien in his only other start of 2008. Benny the Bull won sprint stakes races at 4 different tracks - Gulfstream, Calder, Belmont, and Nad al Sheba, and was the Breeders' Cup Sprint favorite before his retirement due to injury. Midnight Lute was probably the best to set foot on a track in 2008, but didn't show it enough to merit the top billing here. Would also like to give a mention to Bear Stables' Fatal Bullet (R. Baker), Canada's Horse of the Year, who ran 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
1. Benny the Bull
2. Midnight Lute
3. Street Boss
Juvenile Female
This one is definitely one of the awards that is an open and shut case. Stardom Bound, campaigned through her juvenile season in the silks of Charles Cono by Chris Paasch prior to being sold at Keeneland, won a trio of Grade 1 races including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the Oak Leaf Stakes, and the DelMar Debutante. She should be a most unanimous winner. Behind her, it gets a bit tricky - the form of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies hasn't held up well, and both Sky Diva (S. Klesaris) and Dream Express (K. McPeek) struggled in their post-Breeders' Cup races. I also think Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victor Maram (C. Brown) deserves some attention after putting together a 3 for 3 campaign that ended with wins in a Grade 3 race and a Breeders' Cup race.
1. Stardom Bound
2. Dream Express
3. Maram
Juvenile Male
I'm really not sure this one is as close as some are making it out to be. There are a myriad of top competitors, including Midshipman, campaigned in 2008 by Bob Baffert, Vineyard Haven, who was campaigned by Robert Frankel, as well as Grade 1 winners Square Eddie (D. O'Neill) and Street Hero (M. Cho). The top two are pretty much set to be Midshipman and Vineyard Haven, who combined to win 4 Grade 1 races, two each. I guess it comes down to the caliber of the victories. Midshipman won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the DelMar Futurity, and in the process he defeated the likes of Square Eddie, Street Hero (twice), Coronet of a Baron, Munnings, and Terrain. He also lost a close decision to Street Hero in the Grade 1 Norfolk. Vineyard Haven won the Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, and in the process defeated Desert Party, Munnings (twice), Cribnote (twice), Hello Broadway, and Break Water Edison. In total, Midshipman defeated 3 Group/Grade 1 winners, while Vineyard Haven defeated none. That's the difference for me, right there. Midshipman beat better horses and showed up for the Breeders' Cup. I give Square Eddie the nod over Street Hero for 3rd.
1. Midshipman
2. Vineyard Haven
3. Square Eddie
Three-Year-Old Male
Big Brown. Not even close.
1. Big Brown
2. Colonel John
3. Raven's Pass
Three-Year-Old Female
Probably will end up being the closest vote of them all - it comes down to Brerton Jones' Proud Spell (L. Jones) and Godolphin's Music Note (S. Suroor). Each boast an incredible record that would be more than enough to win in most years. Proud Spell won a pair of Grade 1 races, the Kentucky Oaks and the Alabama Stakes (over Music Note), as well as a pair of Grade 2 races, the Fair Grounds Oaks and the Delaware Oaks. She ran third in both the Grade 1 Mother Goose (to Music Note; after being dq'd from 2nd) and the Grade 1 Ashland, and placed in both the Grade 2 Cotillion and the Grade 3 Silverbulletday. She hit the board in each of her 8 starts, all against graded competition, and took on the best fillies of her generation. Music Note, not to be outdone, won the Grade 1 Gazelle and the Grade 1 Mother Goose (against Proud Spell), as well as the Grade 1 CCA Oaks. She placed in the Grade 1 Alabama (to Proud Spell), and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Differenting between the two is difficult. Music Note won more Grade 1 races (3 to 2), but Proud Spell won the biggest race for 3yo fillies, the Kentucky Oaks. Each defeated the other once. Music Note showed up in the Breeders' Cup, but didn't burst onto the graded stakes scene until June. Proud Spell skipped the Breeders' Cup, but ran each of her 8 starts against graded competition, starting in February. Neither has a true blemish or bad loss, however Proud Spell's loss to Seattle Smooth in the Cotillion hurts much more than Music Note's loss to Zenyatta and Cocoa Beach in the Breeders' Cup. In a toss-up this close, I'm inclined to go with Proud Spell because she danced more dances, but I won't be disappointed no matter who wins. It's impossible not to mention Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (L. Jones) here, as she may have been the best of them all.
1. Proud Spell
2. Music Note
3. Eight Belles
Turf Female
Not a very difficult one - Augustin Stable's Forever Together (J. Sheppard) won 3 Grade 1 races, including the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the First Lady Stakes, and the Diana Stakes. She also placed in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont. She earned $1.8 million during her 7 race campaign. The pool behind her is quite jumbled. All of the following won one Grade 1 race and could merit the second spot - Cocoa Beach (S. Suroor), Dynaforce (W. Mott), Goldikova (F. Head), Mauralakana (C. Clement), and Wait a While (T. Pletcher). I'm tossing Cocoa Beach from consideration as she only ran once on the surface worldwide in 2008. I'm tossing Dynaforce for her 1 for 5 overall record. Mauralakana flatted out after winning a Grade 1, two Grade 2's, and a Grade 3 earlier in the year. She also placed in a Grade 1. Goldikova would be the runner-up to Zarkava in a "Worldwide Turf Female" contest, but her one race in the States wasn't enough to sway me.
1. Forever Together
2. Mauralakana (Fr)
3. Wait a While
Turf Male
I move to give this award to nobody. Please? If nobody deserves it, why hand it out for the sake of it. It's pretty bad when the leading contender is probably a European who made one start in the States, that being Ballymacoll Farm's Conduit (M. Stoute). The Breeders' Cup Turf winner was a Group 1 victor in Europe, but in most circumstances it's difficult to merit handing out an award to a European who made just one start here. This year may be the exception. I'm convinced that the most talented turf male in the United States is IEAH Stable's Kip Deville (R. Dutrow). Buuuut...he didn't show it too well in 2008. A one-time Grade 1 winner, Kip took the Makers Mark Mile in April, as well as the Grade 3 Poker Handicap in July, but ran 5th in the Woodbine Mile (CAN-Gr. I) before placing in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Nothing that he did in Hong Kong would make me any more inclined to vote for him, but it doesn't make me less inclined either. Marc Keller's Grand Couturier (R. Ribaudo) won a pair of Grade 1 races, including the Turf Classic at Belmont and Sword Dancer, but ran very poorly in the Grade 1 Man O War and Breeders' Cup Turf, where he was last of 11. But those 2 Grade 1 wins loom very, very large on his resume. Einstein (H. Pitts) is another with a resume deserving of consideration for this award. He went 6-3-2-0 on the turf in 2008, and those victories included scores in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes. He placed in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile, and the Grade 2 Firecracker Stakes, but more importantly doesn't have the poor losses that blemish Grand Couturier's resume. At the end of the day, I begrudgingly give him the nod in this category, with the European second. Grand Couturier needed to do better more than twice.
1. Einstein (Brz)
2. Conduit (Ire)
3. Kip Deville
Older Female
This is probably the division where 1-3 are easiest to figure. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Moss' Zenyatta (J. Shirreffs) danced every dance, won 4 Grade 1 races and 3 Grade 2 races, and beat all of her challengers for the award. Second comes down to Stronach Stable's Ginger Punch (R. Frankel) and Godolphin's Cocoa Beach (S. Suroor), but (and I may be choosing sentimentally here), I'm going with Ginger Punch for second and Cocoa Beach for third. Ginger Punch won 3 Grade 1 races, a Grade 2, placed in two more Grade 1 events, and also won the Sunshine Millions Distaff. She hit a wall at the end of the year, but her overall resume is quite outstanding. I also want to mention Hystericalady (J. Hollendorfer) in this post, even if there's nothing to say about her except she had a hell of a career.
1. Zenyatta
2. Ginger Punch
3. Cocoa Beach (Chi)
Older Male
No way Stonestreet's Curlin (S. Asmussen) doesn't merit top billing. He won 4 Grade 1 races, went undefeated on the dirt, and earned just south of $5.4 million in 7 starts. His choke-job in the Breeders' Cup can be forgiven due to the surface. Tracy Farmer's Commentator (N. Zito) deserves to be mentioned, as does Peter Vegso's Go Between (W. Mott), and William Deburgh's Heatseeker (J. Hollendorfer), who was Curlin's biggest threat prior to his retirement.
1. Curlin
2. Heatseeker (Ire)
3. Go Between
Apprentice Jockey
No real standouts in this category this year, but in 2008 we saw several apprentices who seem to have very bright futures. Pascacio "Paco" Lopez, a regular rider at Calder, led apprentices with 222 victories, and won the riding title for Calder's meet that ended October 19. Abel Mariano led all apprentices in earnings, and is second in victories with 189. Inez Karlsson ranks third in both categories.
1. Pascacio Lopez
2. Abel Mariano
3. Inez Karlsson
Breeder
And all of the usual suspects are back for another run at the Eclipse Award for top breeder. Stronach's Adena Springs leads the nation in categories of starters, winners, seconds, thirds, and earnings, with nearly $19 million. Top Adena-bred runners in 2008 included Ginger Punch, Fatal Bullet, and Sugar Swirl. It's tough to overcome a stable with such outstanding statistics, but Stonerside just may have the caliber of runners to do just that. Bob McNair's former operation ranks second in earnings and is well behind others in starters and winners, but bred Breeders' Cup Classic champion Raven's Pass and Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Midshipman. They also won Grade 1 placed colt Cowboy Cal. I'll vote for Juddmonte Farms to be third, as their worldwide operation bred such top runners as Champs Elysees, Ventura, Monzante, and First Defence.
1. Stonerside Stable
2. Adena Springs
3. Juddmonte Farms
Owner
Gotta go with Mike Iavaronne and Richard Schiavo's International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, Inc. (IEAH) as number one. Their stable included the caliber of runners like Big Brown, Benny the Bull, Kip Deville, Pure Clan, Court Vision, Frost Giant, Laragh, Ariege, and Acai. They're in a position to win as many as 3 or 4 Eclipse Awards, and have to be considered favorites in the Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding category, the Sprinter category, and also have an outside shot at Turf Male and perhaps even Horse of the Year with Big Brown. Frank Stronach's Stronach Stables had another excellent year, and currently leads the nation in winners and earnings, with Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables. Zayat was represented in the Kentucky Derby by Z Humor and Z Fortune. Might as well give Jess Jackson a shoutout here too, with his campaign of Curlin.
1. IEAH Stables
2. Stronach Stables
3. Stonestreet Stables, LLC
Trainer
What does one go with here? The best numbers or the best training job(s)? Rick Dutrow Jr. won less than a third of the races that Steve Asmussen did, and at the same time he pissed off the majority of racing fans through his brash and sometimes insulting statements. He did, however, do a heck of a job keeping Big Brown's feet together, and soliciting 5 spectacular victories out of the colt. He also campaigned Kip Deville, Frost Giant, and Benny the Bull. His win percentage is higher than Asmussens or Todd Pletcher's. Asmussen had a spectacular season, winning 601 races (and counting), has earned over $23 million this year, and has been represented by such runners as Curlin, Pyro, Zanjero, Z Fortune, and many other stakes horses. Pletcher, who had a down year in 2008, still deserves a mention. I'd be much more inclined to overlook Asmussen's sheer statistics, but I have trouble overlooking every time where Dutrow ran his mouth and embarrassed himself, his clients, and the sport of horse racing. Bob Baffert did an excellent job readying Midnight Lute for the Breeders' Cup, and also did a great job with Tough Tiz's Sis and Indian Blessing, among others.
1. Steve Asmussen
2. Rick Dutrow Jr.
3. Bob Baffert
Jockey
Velazquez. Gomez. Bejarano. Prado. Dominguez. Albarado...heck, it's difficult to even pick a handful of finalists for this category. Garrett Gomez leads the nation in earnings by about $7 million. Ramon Dominguez is the only mainstream rider with more than 300 victories. Rafael Bejarano is riding 21% winners. Gomez won 4 Breeders' Cup races, and at the end of the day, he's still the guy I'd want on a horse if I owned one, but Raffy Bejarano is getting close to that level. He's already elite, but he's poised to take the top spot from GoGo very soon. Edgar Prado has once agan put together a very nice year.
1. Garrett Gomez
2. Rafael Bejarano
3. Edgar Prado
Horse of the Year
Last but not least is the Horse of the Year category. And while I guess a case can be made for several of them, it definitely comes down to two. Those two being probably Older Female champion Zenyatta and probable Older Male champion and reigning Horse of the Year, Curlin. Each won 4 Grade 1 races, Zenyatta's being the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, the Apple Blossom Handicap, the Vanity, and the Lady's Secret Stakes. She also won 3 Grade 2 races. Curlin's Grade 1 scores included the Dubai World Cup, the Stephen Foster, the Woodward, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. At times, Curlin was probably the most talented horse in the world, but I don't think that is the only basis of which this award should be given. Zenyatta towered over her competitors and showed up each and every start, against the best in her division - she beat Cocoa Beach, Tough Tiz's Sis, Ginger Punch, Music Note, and Hystericalady. She won on both the conventional dirt, and the synthetic tracks at Santa Anita, Hollywood, and DelMar. She refused to lose, and beat what is most likely one of the deepest fields we've ever seen in the Breeders' Cup Distaff/Ladies Classic. She never took on the males. Curlin, on the other hand, struggled a bit in the transition from the dirt to the turf and synthetics. He failed in the Breeders' Cup, and he struggled a bit after returning from Dubai. While the Distaff division in 2008 deep and talented, the older male division in 2008 was poor and subpar at best. It's easiest to give the award to the horse who surpassed $10,000,000 in career earnings in 2008, but the true Horse of the Year in 2008, the one that refused to lose, the one that showed adversity and handled multiple surfaces, the one that dominated her division and culminated it with a huge Breeders' Cup score, in my eyes, is Zenyatta.
1. Zenyatta
2. Curlin
3. Big Brown
Female Sprinter
Legitimately, this award comes down to two contestants - Patti and Hal Earnhardt's Indian Blessing (trained by B. Baffert) and Juddmonte Farm's Ventura (R. Frankel). A very strong case can be made for either, but I think a stronger case can be made for the Baffert-trainee. Indian Blessing won 5 of 8 starts, including 4 of 5 starts in races less than one mile. Those victories included the Grade 1 Test Stakes, the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes, the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom (against older competition), and hte Grade 2 Santa Ynez. Her only defeat in those 5 races was at the hands of Ventura in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, but Indian Blessing did manage to outrun the rest of her competitors that day to get 2nd. The case for Ventura hinges on ignoring her full campaign, and focusing on two races. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, Ventura would have been a logical contender for the 'Turf Female' award, as 5 of her 7 starts in 2008 were on the grass. She did win twice on the main track in sprints, those being the aformentioned Breeders' Cup and the Grade 2 Madison Stakes at Keeneland, but I just don't think those two races make her resume stronger than Indian Blessing's for this particular award. For third, I'm the nod to Intangaroo (G. Sherlock), who very quietly won 3 Grade 1 races in 2008, including the Santa Monica Handicap, the Humana Distaff, and the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. Her distant finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (6th) ultimately kept her from meriting more consideration.
1. Indian Blessing
2. Ventura
3. Intangaroo
Male Sprinter
This is yet another wide open division, and a handful at least merit serious consideration. The most talented sprinter to set foot on any track in 2008 was Midnight Lute (B. Baffert), however I have to go against the Breeders' Cup Sprint champion here. IEAH Stable's Benny the Bull (R. Dutrow) put together a great campaign, in which he won all 4 of his races. The campaign of Street Boss (B. Headley) also should not be forgotten. He won a pair of Grade 1 races, placed in two others, and also won a Grade 3 event. At the end of the day, however, I think Benny the Bull is the most deserving here. I'm not the type of person who would refuse to vote for a nominee after one big performance, but I simply feel that Benny the Bull was good enough in 2009 to overcome Midnight Lute's one big run. Plus it's important to not overlook the fact that Midnight Lute also bombed in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien in his only other start of 2008. Benny the Bull won sprint stakes races at 4 different tracks - Gulfstream, Calder, Belmont, and Nad al Sheba, and was the Breeders' Cup Sprint favorite before his retirement due to injury. Midnight Lute was probably the best to set foot on a track in 2008, but didn't show it enough to merit the top billing here. Would also like to give a mention to Bear Stables' Fatal Bullet (R. Baker), Canada's Horse of the Year, who ran 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
1. Benny the Bull
2. Midnight Lute
3. Street Boss
Juvenile Female
This one is definitely one of the awards that is an open and shut case. Stardom Bound, campaigned through her juvenile season in the silks of Charles Cono by Chris Paasch prior to being sold at Keeneland, won a trio of Grade 1 races including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the Oak Leaf Stakes, and the DelMar Debutante. She should be a most unanimous winner. Behind her, it gets a bit tricky - the form of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies hasn't held up well, and both Sky Diva (S. Klesaris) and Dream Express (K. McPeek) struggled in their post-Breeders' Cup races. I also think Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victor Maram (C. Brown) deserves some attention after putting together a 3 for 3 campaign that ended with wins in a Grade 3 race and a Breeders' Cup race.
1. Stardom Bound
2. Dream Express
3. Maram
Juvenile Male
I'm really not sure this one is as close as some are making it out to be. There are a myriad of top competitors, including Midshipman, campaigned in 2008 by Bob Baffert, Vineyard Haven, who was campaigned by Robert Frankel, as well as Grade 1 winners Square Eddie (D. O'Neill) and Street Hero (M. Cho). The top two are pretty much set to be Midshipman and Vineyard Haven, who combined to win 4 Grade 1 races, two each. I guess it comes down to the caliber of the victories. Midshipman won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the DelMar Futurity, and in the process he defeated the likes of Square Eddie, Street Hero (twice), Coronet of a Baron, Munnings, and Terrain. He also lost a close decision to Street Hero in the Grade 1 Norfolk. Vineyard Haven won the Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, and in the process defeated Desert Party, Munnings (twice), Cribnote (twice), Hello Broadway, and Break Water Edison. In total, Midshipman defeated 3 Group/Grade 1 winners, while Vineyard Haven defeated none. That's the difference for me, right there. Midshipman beat better horses and showed up for the Breeders' Cup. I give Square Eddie the nod over Street Hero for 3rd.
1. Midshipman
2. Vineyard Haven
3. Square Eddie
Three-Year-Old Male
Big Brown. Not even close.
1. Big Brown
2. Colonel John
3. Raven's Pass
Three-Year-Old Female
Probably will end up being the closest vote of them all - it comes down to Brerton Jones' Proud Spell (L. Jones) and Godolphin's Music Note (S. Suroor). Each boast an incredible record that would be more than enough to win in most years. Proud Spell won a pair of Grade 1 races, the Kentucky Oaks and the Alabama Stakes (over Music Note), as well as a pair of Grade 2 races, the Fair Grounds Oaks and the Delaware Oaks. She ran third in both the Grade 1 Mother Goose (to Music Note; after being dq'd from 2nd) and the Grade 1 Ashland, and placed in both the Grade 2 Cotillion and the Grade 3 Silverbulletday. She hit the board in each of her 8 starts, all against graded competition, and took on the best fillies of her generation. Music Note, not to be outdone, won the Grade 1 Gazelle and the Grade 1 Mother Goose (against Proud Spell), as well as the Grade 1 CCA Oaks. She placed in the Grade 1 Alabama (to Proud Spell), and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Differenting between the two is difficult. Music Note won more Grade 1 races (3 to 2), but Proud Spell won the biggest race for 3yo fillies, the Kentucky Oaks. Each defeated the other once. Music Note showed up in the Breeders' Cup, but didn't burst onto the graded stakes scene until June. Proud Spell skipped the Breeders' Cup, but ran each of her 8 starts against graded competition, starting in February. Neither has a true blemish or bad loss, however Proud Spell's loss to Seattle Smooth in the Cotillion hurts much more than Music Note's loss to Zenyatta and Cocoa Beach in the Breeders' Cup. In a toss-up this close, I'm inclined to go with Proud Spell because she danced more dances, but I won't be disappointed no matter who wins. It's impossible not to mention Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (L. Jones) here, as she may have been the best of them all.
1. Proud Spell
2. Music Note
3. Eight Belles
Turf Female
Not a very difficult one - Augustin Stable's Forever Together (J. Sheppard) won 3 Grade 1 races, including the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the First Lady Stakes, and the Diana Stakes. She also placed in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont. She earned $1.8 million during her 7 race campaign. The pool behind her is quite jumbled. All of the following won one Grade 1 race and could merit the second spot - Cocoa Beach (S. Suroor), Dynaforce (W. Mott), Goldikova (F. Head), Mauralakana (C. Clement), and Wait a While (T. Pletcher). I'm tossing Cocoa Beach from consideration as she only ran once on the surface worldwide in 2008. I'm tossing Dynaforce for her 1 for 5 overall record. Mauralakana flatted out after winning a Grade 1, two Grade 2's, and a Grade 3 earlier in the year. She also placed in a Grade 1. Goldikova would be the runner-up to Zarkava in a "Worldwide Turf Female" contest, but her one race in the States wasn't enough to sway me.
1. Forever Together
2. Mauralakana (Fr)
3. Wait a While
Turf Male
I move to give this award to nobody. Please? If nobody deserves it, why hand it out for the sake of it. It's pretty bad when the leading contender is probably a European who made one start in the States, that being Ballymacoll Farm's Conduit (M. Stoute). The Breeders' Cup Turf winner was a Group 1 victor in Europe, but in most circumstances it's difficult to merit handing out an award to a European who made just one start here. This year may be the exception. I'm convinced that the most talented turf male in the United States is IEAH Stable's Kip Deville (R. Dutrow). Buuuut...he didn't show it too well in 2008. A one-time Grade 1 winner, Kip took the Makers Mark Mile in April, as well as the Grade 3 Poker Handicap in July, but ran 5th in the Woodbine Mile (CAN-Gr. I) before placing in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Nothing that he did in Hong Kong would make me any more inclined to vote for him, but it doesn't make me less inclined either. Marc Keller's Grand Couturier (R. Ribaudo) won a pair of Grade 1 races, including the Turf Classic at Belmont and Sword Dancer, but ran very poorly in the Grade 1 Man O War and Breeders' Cup Turf, where he was last of 11. But those 2 Grade 1 wins loom very, very large on his resume. Einstein (H. Pitts) is another with a resume deserving of consideration for this award. He went 6-3-2-0 on the turf in 2008, and those victories included scores in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes. He placed in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile, and the Grade 2 Firecracker Stakes, but more importantly doesn't have the poor losses that blemish Grand Couturier's resume. At the end of the day, I begrudgingly give him the nod in this category, with the European second. Grand Couturier needed to do better more than twice.
1. Einstein (Brz)
2. Conduit (Ire)
3. Kip Deville
Older Female
This is probably the division where 1-3 are easiest to figure. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Moss' Zenyatta (J. Shirreffs) danced every dance, won 4 Grade 1 races and 3 Grade 2 races, and beat all of her challengers for the award. Second comes down to Stronach Stable's Ginger Punch (R. Frankel) and Godolphin's Cocoa Beach (S. Suroor), but (and I may be choosing sentimentally here), I'm going with Ginger Punch for second and Cocoa Beach for third. Ginger Punch won 3 Grade 1 races, a Grade 2, placed in two more Grade 1 events, and also won the Sunshine Millions Distaff. She hit a wall at the end of the year, but her overall resume is quite outstanding. I also want to mention Hystericalady (J. Hollendorfer) in this post, even if there's nothing to say about her except she had a hell of a career.
1. Zenyatta
2. Ginger Punch
3. Cocoa Beach (Chi)
Older Male
No way Stonestreet's Curlin (S. Asmussen) doesn't merit top billing. He won 4 Grade 1 races, went undefeated on the dirt, and earned just south of $5.4 million in 7 starts. His choke-job in the Breeders' Cup can be forgiven due to the surface. Tracy Farmer's Commentator (N. Zito) deserves to be mentioned, as does Peter Vegso's Go Between (W. Mott), and William Deburgh's Heatseeker (J. Hollendorfer), who was Curlin's biggest threat prior to his retirement.
1. Curlin
2. Heatseeker (Ire)
3. Go Between
Apprentice Jockey
No real standouts in this category this year, but in 2008 we saw several apprentices who seem to have very bright futures. Pascacio "Paco" Lopez, a regular rider at Calder, led apprentices with 222 victories, and won the riding title for Calder's meet that ended October 19. Abel Mariano led all apprentices in earnings, and is second in victories with 189. Inez Karlsson ranks third in both categories.
1. Pascacio Lopez
2. Abel Mariano
3. Inez Karlsson
Breeder
And all of the usual suspects are back for another run at the Eclipse Award for top breeder. Stronach's Adena Springs leads the nation in categories of starters, winners, seconds, thirds, and earnings, with nearly $19 million. Top Adena-bred runners in 2008 included Ginger Punch, Fatal Bullet, and Sugar Swirl. It's tough to overcome a stable with such outstanding statistics, but Stonerside just may have the caliber of runners to do just that. Bob McNair's former operation ranks second in earnings and is well behind others in starters and winners, but bred Breeders' Cup Classic champion Raven's Pass and Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Midshipman. They also won Grade 1 placed colt Cowboy Cal. I'll vote for Juddmonte Farms to be third, as their worldwide operation bred such top runners as Champs Elysees, Ventura, Monzante, and First Defence.
1. Stonerside Stable
2. Adena Springs
3. Juddmonte Farms
Owner
Gotta go with Mike Iavaronne and Richard Schiavo's International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, Inc. (IEAH) as number one. Their stable included the caliber of runners like Big Brown, Benny the Bull, Kip Deville, Pure Clan, Court Vision, Frost Giant, Laragh, Ariege, and Acai. They're in a position to win as many as 3 or 4 Eclipse Awards, and have to be considered favorites in the Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding category, the Sprinter category, and also have an outside shot at Turf Male and perhaps even Horse of the Year with Big Brown. Frank Stronach's Stronach Stables had another excellent year, and currently leads the nation in winners and earnings, with Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables. Zayat was represented in the Kentucky Derby by Z Humor and Z Fortune. Might as well give Jess Jackson a shoutout here too, with his campaign of Curlin.
1. IEAH Stables
2. Stronach Stables
3. Stonestreet Stables, LLC
Trainer
What does one go with here? The best numbers or the best training job(s)? Rick Dutrow Jr. won less than a third of the races that Steve Asmussen did, and at the same time he pissed off the majority of racing fans through his brash and sometimes insulting statements. He did, however, do a heck of a job keeping Big Brown's feet together, and soliciting 5 spectacular victories out of the colt. He also campaigned Kip Deville, Frost Giant, and Benny the Bull. His win percentage is higher than Asmussens or Todd Pletcher's. Asmussen had a spectacular season, winning 601 races (and counting), has earned over $23 million this year, and has been represented by such runners as Curlin, Pyro, Zanjero, Z Fortune, and many other stakes horses. Pletcher, who had a down year in 2008, still deserves a mention. I'd be much more inclined to overlook Asmussen's sheer statistics, but I have trouble overlooking every time where Dutrow ran his mouth and embarrassed himself, his clients, and the sport of horse racing. Bob Baffert did an excellent job readying Midnight Lute for the Breeders' Cup, and also did a great job with Tough Tiz's Sis and Indian Blessing, among others.
1. Steve Asmussen
2. Rick Dutrow Jr.
3. Bob Baffert
Jockey
Velazquez. Gomez. Bejarano. Prado. Dominguez. Albarado...heck, it's difficult to even pick a handful of finalists for this category. Garrett Gomez leads the nation in earnings by about $7 million. Ramon Dominguez is the only mainstream rider with more than 300 victories. Rafael Bejarano is riding 21% winners. Gomez won 4 Breeders' Cup races, and at the end of the day, he's still the guy I'd want on a horse if I owned one, but Raffy Bejarano is getting close to that level. He's already elite, but he's poised to take the top spot from GoGo very soon. Edgar Prado has once agan put together a very nice year.
1. Garrett Gomez
2. Rafael Bejarano
3. Edgar Prado
Horse of the Year
Last but not least is the Horse of the Year category. And while I guess a case can be made for several of them, it definitely comes down to two. Those two being probably Older Female champion Zenyatta and probable Older Male champion and reigning Horse of the Year, Curlin. Each won 4 Grade 1 races, Zenyatta's being the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, the Apple Blossom Handicap, the Vanity, and the Lady's Secret Stakes. She also won 3 Grade 2 races. Curlin's Grade 1 scores included the Dubai World Cup, the Stephen Foster, the Woodward, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. At times, Curlin was probably the most talented horse in the world, but I don't think that is the only basis of which this award should be given. Zenyatta towered over her competitors and showed up each and every start, against the best in her division - she beat Cocoa Beach, Tough Tiz's Sis, Ginger Punch, Music Note, and Hystericalady. She won on both the conventional dirt, and the synthetic tracks at Santa Anita, Hollywood, and DelMar. She refused to lose, and beat what is most likely one of the deepest fields we've ever seen in the Breeders' Cup Distaff/Ladies Classic. She never took on the males. Curlin, on the other hand, struggled a bit in the transition from the dirt to the turf and synthetics. He failed in the Breeders' Cup, and he struggled a bit after returning from Dubai. While the Distaff division in 2008 deep and talented, the older male division in 2008 was poor and subpar at best. It's easiest to give the award to the horse who surpassed $10,000,000 in career earnings in 2008, but the true Horse of the Year in 2008, the one that refused to lose, the one that showed adversity and handled multiple surfaces, the one that dominated her division and culminated it with a huge Breeders' Cup score, in my eyes, is Zenyatta.
1. Zenyatta
2. Curlin
3. Big Brown
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Graded Stakes Earnings & Saturday Recap
About this time every year, there's always one whack-job (or as I prefer, dedicated horse racing fan) who goes through each of the graded stakes races for juveniles and compiles a list of Graded Stakes Earnings (GSE) in anticipation for next May's Kentucky Derby. And then all hell breaks loose and every amateur handicapper, fan, and pundit releases their official "Top 10" list. Or maybe its a "Derby Dozen." Or a "Bakers Dozen." Rarely you'll find one or two who rank 1-20. This year I'll be the guy who compiles the list...
However, before I present that, I'd like to take a quick look at Saturday's races -
Saturday, December 6
With most of 2008's finest horses having already been retired or shelved until next spring, the pickings have been slim in trying to find top fields.
Hollywood Park did an admirable job of compiling pretty nice fields for the Grade 1 Hollywood Turf Cup and the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap. In the Turf Cup, favorite Champs Elysees closed quickly and decisively to beat a pretty bland field of turf marathoners. Actually, this field was marred by mediocrity and only one of the eight entrants had won their previous start. While Champs Elysees comes from a spectacular family (full brother to Banks Hill, Cacique, Intercontinental, & Dansili, as well as a half to Heat Haze), I've just never found myself to be impressed with him. It does look as if he's turned a corner on the turf, and if he stays in training next year the sky may be the limit against a pretty depleted division. How long until the sons of English Channel hit the track? In the Native Diver, I was very impressed with Slew's Tizzy. An absolute enigma of late, I'm really hoping that he's finally turned that corner and is poised for a huge 2009. He broke a 9 race losing streak in September, and looked very strong down the lane in this race. Also have to be impressed with Coolmore's Ball Four. He missed 18 months, and now he's back to the graded level at 7 years old - you don't see that too often.
But without further adieu, here are those GSEs. Note that only American races for males (25 total) were included...
1. Midshipman (Suroor/-)...$1,350,200
2. Square Eddie (O'Neill/Bejarano)...$736,000
3. Big Drama (Fawkes/Coa)...$450,000
4. Vineyard Haven (Suroor/-)...$405,000
5. Street Hero (Cho/Solis)...$393,000 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - RETIRED***
6. Terrain (Stall/Theriot)...$344,830
7. West Side Bernie (Breen/Trujillo)...$210,760
8. Run Away and Hide (Werner/Albarado)...$193,429 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - RETIRED***
9. Azul Leon (O'Neill/Bejarano)...$173,600
10. Charitable Man (McLaughlin/Garcia)...$150,000
11. Bittel Road (T) (Pletcher/M. Smith)...$144,000
12. Old Fashioned (Jones/Dominguez)...$120,000
13. Break Water Edison (Kimmel/Garcia)...$115,200
14. Munnings (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$105,000
15. Pioneerof the Nile (Mott/Desormeaux)...$103,250
16. Beethoven (Ward/Borel)...$99,994
17. Screen Your Friend (Flint/Borel)...$99,981
18. Elusive Bluff (T) (Guillot/M. Baze)...$95,580
19. Silent Valor (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$95,000
20. Desert Party (Harty/Prado)...$91,667
21. Cribnote (Violette/Maragh)...$90,000
22. Capt. Candyman Can (Wilkes/Leparoux)...$84,445
23. Stimulus Plan (Casse/Desormeaux)...$82,500
24. Coronet of a Baron (Harty/Nakatani)...$80,000
25. Mr. Rod (T) (Hendricks/Sutherland)...$69,300
26. Retap (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$64,600
27. Jack o' Lantern (Matlow/Enriquez)...$63,700 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - INJURED***
28. Officer Ipod (A. Dutrow/Bravo)...$60,000
29. Flying Pegasus (Nicks/Velasquez)...$50,000
30. Driving Snow (GB) (T) (Miller/Albarado)...$40,000
30. Atomic Rain (Breen/Prado)...$40,000
32. Jose Adan (Suroor/-)...$37,900
33. Hello Broadway (Tagg/Coa)...$35,700
34. Believe in Hope (Ellis/Talamo)...$35,000
35. Garden District (f) (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$33,364
36. Lyin' Heart (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$33,002
37. Giant Oak (Block/Razo)...$32,256
38. Show Me the Cash (B. Brown/Castellano)...$31,860
39. Friesan Fire (Jones/Thompson)...$30,925
40. Gone Astray (McGaughey/Gomez)...$27,500
41. Deposer (Ire) (Best/Velasquez)...$25,000
42. Monty's Best (Baker/Albarado)...$21,553
43. Making Dreams (W. Solis/Valdivia)...$21,200
44. Advice (Pletcher/Douglas)...$20,845
45. Ninth Client (T) (Lukas/Leparoux)...$20,000
45. American Dance (Pletcher/Gomez)...$20,000
47. Zion (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$19,434
48. Gresham (J. Baker/Lanerie)...$18,188
49. Charlie's Moment (W. Solis/Court)...$18,000
50. Rereadthefootnotes (McLaughlin/Trujillo)...$16,500
51. Segal (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$16,126
52. Relatively Randy (T) (Donk/Velasquez)...$15,930
53. Reynaldothewizard (Harty/Leparoux)...$15,000
53. Southern Exchange (De Gannes/Gomez)...$15,000
53. Del Conte (Baffert/Espinoza)...$15,000
53. Majestic Blue (McLaughlin/Albarado)...$15,000
57. Girolamo (McLaughlin/Garcia)...$14,100
58. Fassnacht (Harrington/Rosario)...$12,720
59. Star of David (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$12,456
60. Royal Vindication (Hough/Castellano)...$11,850
61. Dream of Kaylee (Hess/Desormeaux)...$11,682
62. Just Like Biscuit (Moore/Borel)...$11,011
63. Ventana (Baffert/Smith)...$10,600
64. Vaquero (T) (Leahy/Hernandez Jr.)...$10,000
64. Idol Maker (Pletcher/Coa)...$10,000
66. Dueling Alex (Gambolatti/Marquez)...$9,750
67. Kelly Leak (Machowsky/Espinoza)...$9,000
67. Arashi Cat (Mullins/Potts)...$9,000
67. Bourbon Bay (T) (Drysdale/Bejarano)...$9,000
67. Hype (T) (Pletcher/M. Baze)...$9,000
71. Merkel (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$8,341
72. Theregoesjojo (McPeek/Albarado)...$8,063
73. Phosphorescent (Romans/Albarado)...$7,500
73. Join in the Dance (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$7,500
73. Notonthesamepage (Ward/Trujillo)...$7,500
76. Medaglia d'Onore (Sanders/Hill)...$7,255
77. Seismometer (Yakteen/Talamo)...$6,360
78. Hold Me Back (Mott/Velazquez)...$6,000
79. My Dominick James (Rivelli/Thornton)...$5,685
80. Proud Jefe (Amoss/Prado)...$5,500
81. Duke of Homberg (GB) (T) (Pelletan/Prado)...$5,465
82. Essenceofthemoon (Salzman/Camacho)...$5,004
83. Stormalory (Mott/Desoreamux)...$4,838
84. Brave Victory (Zito/Desormeaux)...$4,833
85. Pynaformer (T) (Kelly/Samyn)...$4,779
86. Wild Proof (Perkins/Lezcano)...$4,500
87. Tire Kicker (Hennig/Dominguez)...$3,555
88. Herr Mozart (T) (Mott/Maragh)...$3,186
89. Fu Peg He Rat (Sise/T. Baze)...$3,000
90. Tar Beach (McPeek/Mena)...$2,940
91. Kensei (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$2,500
91. High Mesa (Jones/Saez)...$2,500
93. Turbo Call (W. Solis/J. Garcia)...$2,120
94. Backbackbackgone (Miller/Bejarano)...$2,000
94. Rip Rap (Levine/Lezcano)...$2,000
94. Awesome Mich (Hennig/Castro)...$2,000
94. Insurgence (T) (Casse/Rosario)...$2,000
98. Jazzandthemagician (Romans/Mena)...$1,680
98. Coal Baron (Carroll/Albarado)...$1,680
98. Big Surf (Pletcher/Castanon)...$1,680
101. Cognito (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$1,666
102. General Quarters (McCarthy/Troilo)...$1,645
102. Silver Bayer (Ward/Castanon)...$1,645
104. A.P. Cardinal (Gambolati/Hill)...$1,600
105. His Greatness (Salazar/Solis)...$1,500
105. Ready Racer (Flint/Borel)...$1,500
105. Schleprock (Gulick/Karlsson)...$1,500
105. Investor (Byrne/Emigh)...$1,500
105. Malibu Maverick (Werner/Ferrer)...$1,500
105. My Man Moran (Quinn/Graham)...$1,500
111. Prince Charming (J. Jerkens/Lezcano)...$1,185
111. Forty Thieves (Klesaris/Velasquez)...$1,185
113. Mine All Mine (f) (Ward/Castanon)...$1,180
114. Sir Bubba (Napier/Thorwarth)...$1,000
115. Unsung Song (Hamm/Velasquez)...$750
116. Casey's On Call (Catalano/Baird)...$111
116. Chilliness (Tomlinson/Theriot)...$111
(T) = majority of GSEs earned on turf
(f) = filly
Well that's it - all 117 of them. Oh, and for those interested, they've combined to earn $7,094,530 in GSEs...
Now, GSE earners by trainer (those with more than 1) -
Todd Pletcher (10)
Steve Asmussen (8)
Kiaran McLaughlin (4)
William Mott (4)
Eoin Harty (3)
Saeed bin Suroor (3)
Larry Jones (3)
Walther Solis (3)
Wesley Ward (3)
Bob Baffert (2)
Kelly Breen (2)
Mark Casse (2)
Bernie Flint (2)
Cam Gambolati (2)
Mark Hennig (2)
Ken McPeek (2)
Doug O'Neill (2)
Dale Romans (2)
Ronny Werner (2)
And By Sire
Sky Mesa (6)
A.P. Indy (4)
Lion Heart (4)
More Than Ready (4)
Fusaichi Pegasus (3)
Read the Footnotes (3)
Unbridled's Song (3)
Vindication (3)
Bernstein (2)
Dixie Union (2)
Dynaformer (2)
Empire Maker (2)
Five Star Day (2)
Giant's Causeway (2)
Harlan's Holiday (2)
Lemon Drop Kid (2)
Malibu Moon (2)
Medaglia d'Oro (2)
Montbrook (2)
Mr. Greeley (2)
Sligo Bay (Ire) (2)
Smart Strike (2)
Speightstown (2)
Storm Cat (2)
Street Cry (Ire) (2)
Thunder Gulch (2)
However, before I present that, I'd like to take a quick look at Saturday's races -
Saturday, December 6
With most of 2008's finest horses having already been retired or shelved until next spring, the pickings have been slim in trying to find top fields.
Hollywood Park did an admirable job of compiling pretty nice fields for the Grade 1 Hollywood Turf Cup and the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap. In the Turf Cup, favorite Champs Elysees closed quickly and decisively to beat a pretty bland field of turf marathoners. Actually, this field was marred by mediocrity and only one of the eight entrants had won their previous start. While Champs Elysees comes from a spectacular family (full brother to Banks Hill, Cacique, Intercontinental, & Dansili, as well as a half to Heat Haze), I've just never found myself to be impressed with him. It does look as if he's turned a corner on the turf, and if he stays in training next year the sky may be the limit against a pretty depleted division. How long until the sons of English Channel hit the track? In the Native Diver, I was very impressed with Slew's Tizzy. An absolute enigma of late, I'm really hoping that he's finally turned that corner and is poised for a huge 2009. He broke a 9 race losing streak in September, and looked very strong down the lane in this race. Also have to be impressed with Coolmore's Ball Four. He missed 18 months, and now he's back to the graded level at 7 years old - you don't see that too often.
But without further adieu, here are those GSEs. Note that only American races for males (25 total) were included...
1. Midshipman (Suroor/-)...$1,350,200
2. Square Eddie (O'Neill/Bejarano)...$736,000
3. Big Drama (Fawkes/Coa)...$450,000
4. Vineyard Haven (Suroor/-)...$405,000
5. Street Hero (Cho/Solis)...$393,000 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - RETIRED***
6. Terrain (Stall/Theriot)...$344,830
7. West Side Bernie (Breen/Trujillo)...$210,760
8. Run Away and Hide (Werner/Albarado)...$193,429 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - RETIRED***
9. Azul Leon (O'Neill/Bejarano)...$173,600
10. Charitable Man (McLaughlin/Garcia)...$150,000
11. Bittel Road (T) (Pletcher/M. Smith)...$144,000
12. Old Fashioned (Jones/Dominguez)...$120,000
13. Break Water Edison (Kimmel/Garcia)...$115,200
14. Munnings (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$105,000
15. Pioneerof the Nile (Mott/Desormeaux)...$103,250
16. Beethoven (Ward/Borel)...$99,994
17. Screen Your Friend (Flint/Borel)...$99,981
18. Elusive Bluff (T) (Guillot/M. Baze)...$95,580
19. Silent Valor (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$95,000
20. Desert Party (Harty/Prado)...$91,667
21. Cribnote (Violette/Maragh)...$90,000
22. Capt. Candyman Can (Wilkes/Leparoux)...$84,445
23. Stimulus Plan (Casse/Desormeaux)...$82,500
24. Coronet of a Baron (Harty/Nakatani)...$80,000
25. Mr. Rod (T) (Hendricks/Sutherland)...$69,300
26. Retap (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$64,600
27. Jack o' Lantern (Matlow/Enriquez)...$63,700 ***OFF DERBY TRAIL - INJURED***
28. Officer Ipod (A. Dutrow/Bravo)...$60,000
29. Flying Pegasus (Nicks/Velasquez)...$50,000
30. Driving Snow (GB) (T) (Miller/Albarado)...$40,000
30. Atomic Rain (Breen/Prado)...$40,000
32. Jose Adan (Suroor/-)...$37,900
33. Hello Broadway (Tagg/Coa)...$35,700
34. Believe in Hope (Ellis/Talamo)...$35,000
35. Garden District (f) (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$33,364
36. Lyin' Heart (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$33,002
37. Giant Oak (Block/Razo)...$32,256
38. Show Me the Cash (B. Brown/Castellano)...$31,860
39. Friesan Fire (Jones/Thompson)...$30,925
40. Gone Astray (McGaughey/Gomez)...$27,500
41. Deposer (Ire) (Best/Velasquez)...$25,000
42. Monty's Best (Baker/Albarado)...$21,553
43. Making Dreams (W. Solis/Valdivia)...$21,200
44. Advice (Pletcher/Douglas)...$20,845
45. Ninth Client (T) (Lukas/Leparoux)...$20,000
45. American Dance (Pletcher/Gomez)...$20,000
47. Zion (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$19,434
48. Gresham (J. Baker/Lanerie)...$18,188
49. Charlie's Moment (W. Solis/Court)...$18,000
50. Rereadthefootnotes (McLaughlin/Trujillo)...$16,500
51. Segal (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$16,126
52. Relatively Randy (T) (Donk/Velasquez)...$15,930
53. Reynaldothewizard (Harty/Leparoux)...$15,000
53. Southern Exchange (De Gannes/Gomez)...$15,000
53. Del Conte (Baffert/Espinoza)...$15,000
53. Majestic Blue (McLaughlin/Albarado)...$15,000
57. Girolamo (McLaughlin/Garcia)...$14,100
58. Fassnacht (Harrington/Rosario)...$12,720
59. Star of David (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$12,456
60. Royal Vindication (Hough/Castellano)...$11,850
61. Dream of Kaylee (Hess/Desormeaux)...$11,682
62. Just Like Biscuit (Moore/Borel)...$11,011
63. Ventana (Baffert/Smith)...$10,600
64. Vaquero (T) (Leahy/Hernandez Jr.)...$10,000
64. Idol Maker (Pletcher/Coa)...$10,000
66. Dueling Alex (Gambolatti/Marquez)...$9,750
67. Kelly Leak (Machowsky/Espinoza)...$9,000
67. Arashi Cat (Mullins/Potts)...$9,000
67. Bourbon Bay (T) (Drysdale/Bejarano)...$9,000
67. Hype (T) (Pletcher/M. Baze)...$9,000
71. Merkel (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$8,341
72. Theregoesjojo (McPeek/Albarado)...$8,063
73. Phosphorescent (Romans/Albarado)...$7,500
73. Join in the Dance (Pletcher/Velazquez)...$7,500
73. Notonthesamepage (Ward/Trujillo)...$7,500
76. Medaglia d'Onore (Sanders/Hill)...$7,255
77. Seismometer (Yakteen/Talamo)...$6,360
78. Hold Me Back (Mott/Velazquez)...$6,000
79. My Dominick James (Rivelli/Thornton)...$5,685
80. Proud Jefe (Amoss/Prado)...$5,500
81. Duke of Homberg (GB) (T) (Pelletan/Prado)...$5,465
82. Essenceofthemoon (Salzman/Camacho)...$5,004
83. Stormalory (Mott/Desoreamux)...$4,838
84. Brave Victory (Zito/Desormeaux)...$4,833
85. Pynaformer (T) (Kelly/Samyn)...$4,779
86. Wild Proof (Perkins/Lezcano)...$4,500
87. Tire Kicker (Hennig/Dominguez)...$3,555
88. Herr Mozart (T) (Mott/Maragh)...$3,186
89. Fu Peg He Rat (Sise/T. Baze)...$3,000
90. Tar Beach (McPeek/Mena)...$2,940
91. Kensei (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$2,500
91. High Mesa (Jones/Saez)...$2,500
93. Turbo Call (W. Solis/J. Garcia)...$2,120
94. Backbackbackgone (Miller/Bejarano)...$2,000
94. Rip Rap (Levine/Lezcano)...$2,000
94. Awesome Mich (Hennig/Castro)...$2,000
94. Insurgence (T) (Casse/Rosario)...$2,000
98. Jazzandthemagician (Romans/Mena)...$1,680
98. Coal Baron (Carroll/Albarado)...$1,680
98. Big Surf (Pletcher/Castanon)...$1,680
101. Cognito (Asmussen/Bridgmohan)...$1,666
102. General Quarters (McCarthy/Troilo)...$1,645
102. Silver Bayer (Ward/Castanon)...$1,645
104. A.P. Cardinal (Gambolati/Hill)...$1,600
105. His Greatness (Salazar/Solis)...$1,500
105. Ready Racer (Flint/Borel)...$1,500
105. Schleprock (Gulick/Karlsson)...$1,500
105. Investor (Byrne/Emigh)...$1,500
105. Malibu Maverick (Werner/Ferrer)...$1,500
105. My Man Moran (Quinn/Graham)...$1,500
111. Prince Charming (J. Jerkens/Lezcano)...$1,185
111. Forty Thieves (Klesaris/Velasquez)...$1,185
113. Mine All Mine (f) (Ward/Castanon)...$1,180
114. Sir Bubba (Napier/Thorwarth)...$1,000
115. Unsung Song (Hamm/Velasquez)...$750
116. Casey's On Call (Catalano/Baird)...$111
116. Chilliness (Tomlinson/Theriot)...$111
(T) = majority of GSEs earned on turf
(f) = filly
Well that's it - all 117 of them. Oh, and for those interested, they've combined to earn $7,094,530 in GSEs...
Now, GSE earners by trainer (those with more than 1) -
Todd Pletcher (10)
Steve Asmussen (8)
Kiaran McLaughlin (4)
William Mott (4)
Eoin Harty (3)
Saeed bin Suroor (3)
Larry Jones (3)
Walther Solis (3)
Wesley Ward (3)
Bob Baffert (2)
Kelly Breen (2)
Mark Casse (2)
Bernie Flint (2)
Cam Gambolati (2)
Mark Hennig (2)
Ken McPeek (2)
Doug O'Neill (2)
Dale Romans (2)
Ronny Werner (2)
And By Sire
Sky Mesa (6)
A.P. Indy (4)
Lion Heart (4)
More Than Ready (4)
Fusaichi Pegasus (3)
Read the Footnotes (3)
Unbridled's Song (3)
Vindication (3)
Bernstein (2)
Dixie Union (2)
Dynaformer (2)
Empire Maker (2)
Five Star Day (2)
Giant's Causeway (2)
Harlan's Holiday (2)
Lemon Drop Kid (2)
Malibu Moon (2)
Medaglia d'Oro (2)
Montbrook (2)
Mr. Greeley (2)
Sligo Bay (Ire) (2)
Smart Strike (2)
Speightstown (2)
Storm Cat (2)
Street Cry (Ire) (2)
Thunder Gulch (2)
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