First, I'd like to apologize to my reader (if I've even got one left at this point) for being away from this blog for so long. I'm still passionately following the 'Sport of Kings' as if it were my first born's Little League team - I just don't haven't had the urge to share my opinions with the world. Since we last communicated, I've jumped into the worlds of post-graduate life, online wagering, and Twitter, however more on those at a later date.
My reason for writing today is to ask something of you. Now, I'd like to start off by saying I hate asking anything of anybody - be it a ride somewhere, a day off work, or even just an extra side of ranch dressing with my french fries - you get the picture. I hate putting others out. But I feel my plea to you today is different. This is something that I feel so passionate about, and something that I KNOW you'll have a good time doing, that I guarantee it'll be worth your time. Next Saturday, August 1, an athlete at the pinnacle of his sport will be competing against his peers at a venue less than an hour outside of downtown Pittsburgh...and I'm guessing you know nothing about it.
Mine That Bird is his name, and he's obviously not a human being, but an animal. A thoroughbred racehorse, to be exact. But before you click away from this page, just hear me out for a few moments. If what I'm asking doesn't sound like your cup of tea, what exactly have you lost by reading? Exactly - nothing. I'm confident in saying that you've heard of the Kentucky Derby - "The Run for the Roses," "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" - and are aware of all the glitz and glamour that goes along with it. Held anually on the First Saturday in May for well over a century, the Kentucky Derby brings together the best 20 three-year-old thoroughbreds in the country to compete for a $2,000,000 prize, a blanket of roses, and instant notoriety. It's the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, Daytona 500, and Masters of horse racing, all wrapped up in one 2-minute race. This year, the winner of the Kentucky Derby was a diminutive gelding named Mine That Bird, and next Saturday Mine That Bird will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to compete in the state of West Virginia.
Now I know what you're thinking, 'I'm not driving to West Virginia to watch some silly horse run.' But I can assure you, it's more than that. The race will be held at the Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort, which according to Google Maps, is just 54 minutes from downtown. So distance shouldn't be too big of a concern. But what about costs? Well, you've got parking. That's free. And admission. Also free. Concessions must be through the roof, right? It's cheaper than going to a Pirates game. How about betting? There's absolutely no obligation to bet one horse race, pull one slot, or play one hand of blackjack. So essentially what I'm saying is that this can cost you a little as a few gallons of gasoline. And the day isn't just limited to one horse race. Starting at 2:00 in the afternoon, horses will race about every half hour through the evening. The 'big' race itself, the West Virginia Derby which features Mine That Bird, as well as some of his most talented peers, will be run just after 5:00. If you can't attend, it will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh from 5-6pm.
I really want to stress that this is an event that ALL ages can enjoy. Kids will love that you can get so close to the action - it's literally only a couple of feet away. And if they're really lucky they'll have the opportunity to pet one of the thoroughbreds that 'pony' on the track (essentially their riders are there to escort the racehorses to the starting gate and react in the rare case that something goes amiss on the track) before and during the races. Parents will love that it's such a low-cost form of entertainment. Some will love the fast-paced world of horse racing, and others will love the thrill of the risk in putting a couple bucks on a horse or two, looking to make a bit of a profit. You'll love the opportunity to see the majesty of the thoroughbred, and the history that goes along with Saturday's West Virginia Derby.
My advice to you - show up early with your foldable chair, pick a great spot next to the rail, have lunch or an early dinner, maybe a beer or two, and enjoy an exciting and memorable day of horse racing. You'll enjoy it - I promise.
For more information, please visit the official website of the Mountaineer Racetrack & Gaming Resort (http://www.mtrgaming.com/). For a video of Mine That Bird's Kentucky Derby win, please follow this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv8x9x5A49s, but don't blink or you'll miss him!
So why not come out and give Mine That Bird a good ole Pittsburgh welcome? I hope to see you at the track!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
On Tap - April 4, 2009
More stakes races than anybody has time to really look at, so no time for small talk and lets get to 'cappin!
Aqueduct (7th) Bay Shore Stakes (Gr. III) $200,000
All things considered, I'm pretty impressed with the field assembled here. #4 Capt. Candyman Can (5/2) was one of the most highly regarded sophomores over the winter, but the Ian Wilkes-charge ultimately found races beyond a mile to be beyond his scope. The same goes for #10 Taqarub (4/1). The Kiaran McLaughlin trained son of Aldebaran briefly appeared on the Derby Trail last out in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, but was unable to replicate his earlier victories, including the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, and could do no better than 9th that day. Santa Anita shipper, #8 Gato Go Win (5/1), will make his first start off the synthetics here, and seems like a logical play against. His only previous stakes competition came when third to filly Evita Argentina in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes. There's plenty of speed in this 7 furlong dash, and I don't expect the victor to be on or right off the lead. I think Taqarub became overrated due to his races over the Aqueduct inner-track, and I think the outside post plays against his running style. He also loses regular rider Alan Garcia and McLaughlin replaces him with Richard Migliore. The presence of Taqarub in this field will ensure that my pick, Capt. Candyman Can, bettable. Regular rider Julien Leparoux opts to ride at Oaklawn, but Wilkes secured Javy Castellano to ride, and he's more than capable. Capt. Candyman Can is comfortable rating off the pace, and seems to excel going 7f-8f. #3 Lyin' Heart (10/1) may be one to watch. The Asmussen-trained son of Lion Heart ran 2nd in the Bashford Manor Stakes (Gr. III) last summer and returned from a long layoff to nab third in the Mountain Valley Stakes last out. I'm also looking for a nice run out of #6 Not For Silver (5/1). The Laurel based runner shipped to Aqueduct and won the Capossela Stakes here over the winter and is reunited with Ramon Dominguez. He shortens back to a sprint distance for this event.
1. Capt. Candyman Can
2. Not For Silver
3. Lyin' Heart
Aqueduct (8th) Excelsior Handicap (Gr. III) $200,000
A pretty lackluster rendition of this Gr. III event for older horses. The majority of the runners wintered at Aqueduct and are familiar faces amongst the regular track visitors. #1 Barrier Reef (5/2) is the slight morning-line favorite, but he's as shaky a favorite as you'll find. The Darley charge has won three straight over the inner-track at Aqueduct for Tom Albertrani, and 5 of his last 6 over the inner, but is 6-0-0-2 on other surfaces. I'll take a stand against him here, but will use underneath. Bettors will have tough decisions to make in regard to both #6 Cool Coal Man (7/2) and #7 Atoned (6/1). Cool Coal Man, a 4-year-old son of Mineshaft, is a multiple stakes winner whose resume includes a victory in the 9f Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. II) last winter, and earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure (BSF) in a 6.5f allowance over that course this past January. The problem for bettors is that his record at Gulfstream is a respectable 4-3-0-0, but everywhere else he is only 11-3-1-1. Last out he failed as the slight favorite in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (Gr. II) and while he's performed admirably at this distance, I don't think 9f is his ideal going. Atoned offers similar issues. The Pletcher-trainee is just 1 for 6 at the distance, but his resume includes a victory in the Pegasus Stakes (Gr. III) and runner-up performances in the Tampa Bay Derby (Gr. III), Long Branch Stakes, and the Spend a Buck Stakes. He picks up Velazquez after being ridden previously by Pletcher's backup rider Chris DeCarlo. I'll take a flier and hope he's up for this race, and if nothing else I expect him to make things interesting.
1. Atoned
2. Barrier Reef
3. Cool Coal Man
Aqueduct (9th) Wood Memorial (Gr. I) $750,000
Essentially we've got a rematch of the Grade III Gotham Stakes. #2 I Want Revenge (4/5) was the runaway 8 1/2-length winner that day, and in just 1:42 3/5 the Jeff Mullins trained son of Stephen Got Even catapulted himself from being a fringe Derby contender to a lead contender for the race. Andy Beyer hooked him up with a flashy 113 speed figure, and last year's Derby winning owner IEAH Stables moved in and purchased a 50% share of the colt. The runner-up that day was #5 Imperial Council (2/1), and while he was beaten by a huge margin, he's my play here. Rajiv Maragh gave Imperial Council a horrendous ride that day, allowing the son of Empire Maker to drop near the rear of the field, 8 to 9 lengths behind the pacesetter. He was able to clear the rest of the field that day, but was never a threat to the winner. Regular rider Edgar Prado gets back on, and I expect him to be much closer to the early fractions, and while I expect I Want Revenge to regress off his huge effort last time, I look for Imperial Council to improve and get the job done. The coupled Kelly Breen entry (6/1) of #1 Atomic Rain and #1a West Side Bernie each have stakes experience, the former being Gr. II placed and the latter being a Gr. III winner. West Side Bernie failed last out as the 2/1 favorite in the Lane's End Stakes (Gr. II) and is winless since September. He's the more attractive member of the entry. One longshot I'm keeping my eye on is Frank Alexander's Lime Rickey (20/1). The Dogwood-owned colt has made each of his 9 prior starts on the turf, but is bred to be competitive on the dirt as well. He just missed as the favorite last out in the Palm Beach Stakes (Gr. III).
1. Imperial Council
2. I Want Revenge
3. West Side Bernie
Aqueduct (10th) Carter Handicap (Gr. I) $300,000
What a deep and competitive race. Of the 8 entrants, I think a logical case can be made for 5 of these, but I'm going to go with the Larry Jones coupled entry of #1 Biker Boy and #1a Kodiak Kowboy (5/1). I prefer Kodiak Kowboy, a Grade II winner last summer who also placed in the Grade I Vosburgh. He got a prep for this in the Duncan Kenner Stakes at the Fair Grounds, and is ready to roll here! Speed comes from all angles in #3 True Quality (7/2), #4 Fabulous Strike (2/1), #5 Driven To Success (10/1), and perhaps #6 Understatement (15/1). Fabulous Strike can be one of the premier sprinters in the nation, but I think the 7f distance plays against him here. #7 Tale of Ekati (3/1) is a dual Grade I winner that I just don't think highly of at all. He ran a dull 4th last out in the Richter Scale Stakes (Gr. II) at Gulfstream.
1. Kodiak Kowboy
2. True Quality
3. Fabulous Strike
Hawthorne (7th) Illinois Derby (Gr. II) $500,000
Another final stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby, the Illinois Derby has brought together a cast of misfits and also-rans who really don't have much reason to be in the gate at Churchill come May 2nd. The favorites are #8 Musket Man (7/2) and #2 Giant Oak (9/2). I really don't like either. I think Giant Oak has all the makings of a Blackberry Road who does nothing more than pick up the pieces, and I think Musket Man is bred to sprint. #1 Nowhere to Hide (5/1) isn't that good either. #6 Perfect Song (6/1) who's receiving a ton of support among fans, and he's my pick as well. I think he's the most likely to improve. #9 Al Khali, a Pletcher trained son of Medaglia d'Oro might have a shot for minor pieces.
1. Perfect Song
2. Giant Oak
3. Al Khali
Santa Anita Park (6th) Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) $750,000
Pamplemousse! Yay Pamplemousse! #10 The Pamplemousse (2/1) is my pick. I don't see the post as a deterrent, and I love his raw speed and talent. I think he's the best horse on the West Coast, adn the premier talent. Pioneerof the Nile, I think, is a horse who's benefitted from weak fields in his most recent starts, and I think that Chocolate Candy is just completely overrated.
1. The Pamplemousse
2. Pioneerof the Nile
3. Mr. Hot Stuff
Aqueduct (7th) Bay Shore Stakes (Gr. III) $200,000
All things considered, I'm pretty impressed with the field assembled here. #4 Capt. Candyman Can (5/2) was one of the most highly regarded sophomores over the winter, but the Ian Wilkes-charge ultimately found races beyond a mile to be beyond his scope. The same goes for #10 Taqarub (4/1). The Kiaran McLaughlin trained son of Aldebaran briefly appeared on the Derby Trail last out in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, but was unable to replicate his earlier victories, including the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, and could do no better than 9th that day. Santa Anita shipper, #8 Gato Go Win (5/1), will make his first start off the synthetics here, and seems like a logical play against. His only previous stakes competition came when third to filly Evita Argentina in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes. There's plenty of speed in this 7 furlong dash, and I don't expect the victor to be on or right off the lead. I think Taqarub became overrated due to his races over the Aqueduct inner-track, and I think the outside post plays against his running style. He also loses regular rider Alan Garcia and McLaughlin replaces him with Richard Migliore. The presence of Taqarub in this field will ensure that my pick, Capt. Candyman Can, bettable. Regular rider Julien Leparoux opts to ride at Oaklawn, but Wilkes secured Javy Castellano to ride, and he's more than capable. Capt. Candyman Can is comfortable rating off the pace, and seems to excel going 7f-8f. #3 Lyin' Heart (10/1) may be one to watch. The Asmussen-trained son of Lion Heart ran 2nd in the Bashford Manor Stakes (Gr. III) last summer and returned from a long layoff to nab third in the Mountain Valley Stakes last out. I'm also looking for a nice run out of #6 Not For Silver (5/1). The Laurel based runner shipped to Aqueduct and won the Capossela Stakes here over the winter and is reunited with Ramon Dominguez. He shortens back to a sprint distance for this event.
1. Capt. Candyman Can
2. Not For Silver
3. Lyin' Heart
Aqueduct (8th) Excelsior Handicap (Gr. III) $200,000
A pretty lackluster rendition of this Gr. III event for older horses. The majority of the runners wintered at Aqueduct and are familiar faces amongst the regular track visitors. #1 Barrier Reef (5/2) is the slight morning-line favorite, but he's as shaky a favorite as you'll find. The Darley charge has won three straight over the inner-track at Aqueduct for Tom Albertrani, and 5 of his last 6 over the inner, but is 6-0-0-2 on other surfaces. I'll take a stand against him here, but will use underneath. Bettors will have tough decisions to make in regard to both #6 Cool Coal Man (7/2) and #7 Atoned (6/1). Cool Coal Man, a 4-year-old son of Mineshaft, is a multiple stakes winner whose resume includes a victory in the 9f Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. II) last winter, and earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure (BSF) in a 6.5f allowance over that course this past January. The problem for bettors is that his record at Gulfstream is a respectable 4-3-0-0, but everywhere else he is only 11-3-1-1. Last out he failed as the slight favorite in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (Gr. II) and while he's performed admirably at this distance, I don't think 9f is his ideal going. Atoned offers similar issues. The Pletcher-trainee is just 1 for 6 at the distance, but his resume includes a victory in the Pegasus Stakes (Gr. III) and runner-up performances in the Tampa Bay Derby (Gr. III), Long Branch Stakes, and the Spend a Buck Stakes. He picks up Velazquez after being ridden previously by Pletcher's backup rider Chris DeCarlo. I'll take a flier and hope he's up for this race, and if nothing else I expect him to make things interesting.
1. Atoned
2. Barrier Reef
3. Cool Coal Man
Aqueduct (9th) Wood Memorial (Gr. I) $750,000
Essentially we've got a rematch of the Grade III Gotham Stakes. #2 I Want Revenge (4/5) was the runaway 8 1/2-length winner that day, and in just 1:42 3/5 the Jeff Mullins trained son of Stephen Got Even catapulted himself from being a fringe Derby contender to a lead contender for the race. Andy Beyer hooked him up with a flashy 113 speed figure, and last year's Derby winning owner IEAH Stables moved in and purchased a 50% share of the colt. The runner-up that day was #5 Imperial Council (2/1), and while he was beaten by a huge margin, he's my play here. Rajiv Maragh gave Imperial Council a horrendous ride that day, allowing the son of Empire Maker to drop near the rear of the field, 8 to 9 lengths behind the pacesetter. He was able to clear the rest of the field that day, but was never a threat to the winner. Regular rider Edgar Prado gets back on, and I expect him to be much closer to the early fractions, and while I expect I Want Revenge to regress off his huge effort last time, I look for Imperial Council to improve and get the job done. The coupled Kelly Breen entry (6/1) of #1 Atomic Rain and #1a West Side Bernie each have stakes experience, the former being Gr. II placed and the latter being a Gr. III winner. West Side Bernie failed last out as the 2/1 favorite in the Lane's End Stakes (Gr. II) and is winless since September. He's the more attractive member of the entry. One longshot I'm keeping my eye on is Frank Alexander's Lime Rickey (20/1). The Dogwood-owned colt has made each of his 9 prior starts on the turf, but is bred to be competitive on the dirt as well. He just missed as the favorite last out in the Palm Beach Stakes (Gr. III).
1. Imperial Council
2. I Want Revenge
3. West Side Bernie
Aqueduct (10th) Carter Handicap (Gr. I) $300,000
What a deep and competitive race. Of the 8 entrants, I think a logical case can be made for 5 of these, but I'm going to go with the Larry Jones coupled entry of #1 Biker Boy and #1a Kodiak Kowboy (5/1). I prefer Kodiak Kowboy, a Grade II winner last summer who also placed in the Grade I Vosburgh. He got a prep for this in the Duncan Kenner Stakes at the Fair Grounds, and is ready to roll here! Speed comes from all angles in #3 True Quality (7/2), #4 Fabulous Strike (2/1), #5 Driven To Success (10/1), and perhaps #6 Understatement (15/1). Fabulous Strike can be one of the premier sprinters in the nation, but I think the 7f distance plays against him here. #7 Tale of Ekati (3/1) is a dual Grade I winner that I just don't think highly of at all. He ran a dull 4th last out in the Richter Scale Stakes (Gr. II) at Gulfstream.
1. Kodiak Kowboy
2. True Quality
3. Fabulous Strike
Hawthorne (7th) Illinois Derby (Gr. II) $500,000
Another final stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby, the Illinois Derby has brought together a cast of misfits and also-rans who really don't have much reason to be in the gate at Churchill come May 2nd. The favorites are #8 Musket Man (7/2) and #2 Giant Oak (9/2). I really don't like either. I think Giant Oak has all the makings of a Blackberry Road who does nothing more than pick up the pieces, and I think Musket Man is bred to sprint. #1 Nowhere to Hide (5/1) isn't that good either. #6 Perfect Song (6/1) who's receiving a ton of support among fans, and he's my pick as well. I think he's the most likely to improve. #9 Al Khali, a Pletcher trained son of Medaglia d'Oro might have a shot for minor pieces.
1. Perfect Song
2. Giant Oak
3. Al Khali
Santa Anita Park (6th) Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) $750,000
Pamplemousse! Yay Pamplemousse! #10 The Pamplemousse (2/1) is my pick. I don't see the post as a deterrent, and I love his raw speed and talent. I think he's the best horse on the West Coast, adn the premier talent. Pioneerof the Nile, I think, is a horse who's benefitted from weak fields in his most recent starts, and I think that Chocolate Candy is just completely overrated.
1. The Pamplemousse
2. Pioneerof the Nile
3. Mr. Hot Stuff
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Big Cap!
As a race whose storied past includes victories by racing legends including Affirmed, Seabiscuit, Spectacular Bid, Round Table, Ack Ack, Lava Man, Tiznow, John Henry, and Alysheba, the 'Big Cap seems to be one racing spectacle that refuses to lose its spectacle as a true gem in the racing atmosphere. While the caliber of handicap fields across the country have ebbed and flowed due to the early retirements and untimely injuries of top horses, the Santa Anita Handicap seems to be one of the few races that annually draws large, talented, and competitive fields. The 2009 rendition of this race is no exception.
Seven Grade/Group 1 winners will be complemented by a pair of Grade 2 victors and another Grade 3 winner among the races 14 entrants. With a fair number of speed horses, stalkers, mid-pack runners, and closers, the winner of this race is liable to come from anywhere in the pack. 10 of these entrants have experience going the distance (or further), and all of these but three have crossed the line first in a race on a synthetic surface. All of that should make for an excellent race, from both wagering and enjoyment perspectives.
1. Matto Mondo (Chi) (Mandella/Bejarano) - 6/1
Rapidly developing Richard Mandella-trainee launched his career in his native Chile and was a 16-length Group I winner by his fourth career start. He racked up another Group I win prior to shipping to the United States, and the son of Sir Cat has won two in a row after getting off to a rocky start here. After beginning his career in 10 straight turf races, Matto Mondo excelled in the Grade III Thunder Road Handicap when it came off-the-turf, and that race opened up the 5-year-old horse to a myriad of opportunities. Mandella picked what is likely the most difficult. Matto Mondo has covered the 10f distance just once in his career, and that was when he ran 7th in a Group I turf race in Chile. His longest victory is just 8.5f, and I'm not sure I can see a son of Sir Cat excelling at a mile and a quarter. Drawing the rail will likely force Bejarano to push his hand a bit early, and I expect him to be right up on the pace. That looks to be his ultimate undoing.
2. Cowboy Cal (Pletcher/Velazquez) - 5/1
One of my favorite horses in training, there is absolutely no doubting the fact that Cowboy Cal has guts and is willing to fight for a victory. The son of Giant's Causeway has run in the exacta in 9 of his past 10 races, with the lone off-the-board performance coming when he ran 9th of 20 in last spring's Kentucky Derby. After receiving an extended break after the race, Cowboy Cal returned to the races with a vengeance, earning a victory (via disqualification) in the ungraded Bryan Station Stakes. He followed that up with a narrow loss to Court Vision in the Grade I Hollywood Derby on the turf, but he's reeled off two straight Grade II victories on the synthetic main track at Santa Anita in the San Pasqual Handicap and the Strub Stakes. While his pedigree indicates that 10f should not be a problem, I'm a bit wary of him going 10f. I think his grit and determination make him a serious contender, but I think he may have a bit too much trouble hanging on in the final eighth. He's a must have on all exotic tickets.
3. Heroi Do Bafra (Brz) (Miller/M. Baze) - 30/1
At the end of 2008, anybody could have claimed this 7-year-old son of Royal Academy for $40,000. Peter Miller claimed Heroi Do Bafra on behalf of his clients Barber & Barber, and in his first start for his new connections the horse rewarded his them with a 3/4-length victory in a $50,000 claiming race at Santa Anita. Those credentials would make him a logical choice in an allowance race, but likely not a $1,000,000 Grade I. He'll need to run the race of his life to even crack the top five, and I find that highly unlikely.
4. Monba (Pletcher/Prado) - 15/1
Last year's Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. I) champion (over stablemate Cowboy Cal), Monba has only been seen twice on the track since that race. He ran 20th in the Kentucky Derby, but missed more than 9 months after that race due to injury. He returned last month at Santa Anita in the Grade III Thunder Road Handicap, and closed aggressively from 6th at the top of the lane to finish 3rd. The son of Maria's Mon owns a victory at 9f, and his pedigree indicates that he should revel the extra distance. Monba has had excuses for the majority of his losses - injuries hampered him in both the Derby and Fountain of Youth Stakes last year, and he wasn't likely near fully cranked last out in the Thunder Road. At 15/1 he looks to be worth a chance, and the fact that Edgar Prado gives up a mount on Imperial Council in the Gotham Stakes to ride here should instill some confidence.
5. Colonel John (Harty/Gomez) - 9/2
If Colonel John is victorious in this race, he'll be doing it at my expense. I feel that this son of Tiznow has a ton of talent, but I'm not sure he's been campaigned to really exploit that talent. It's my personal belief that Colonel John is the type of horse who perfroms better the more races that he's run consecutively. Eoin Harty seems to believe that he's the type of horse who does his best running off extended layoffs and when fresh. Three times in his career, Colonel John has had the opportunity to make his second start after a layoff line in his past performances. He's 3 for 3 in those races, and those victories include the Travers Stakes (Gr. I), the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I), and the Real Quiet Stakes. In races directly after the layoff, Colonel John is only 2 for 5. He hasn't started since the Malibu Stakes (Gr. I) on December 26, so that means another layoff line in his past performances. I'm taking a stand against him here, especially as the morning line favorite, but keep an eye on him next out...unless that start is 3 months away. I also feel his Travers victory is quite overrated, as Mambo in Seattle, Pyro, and Macho Again, among others, have done little to flatter the Colonel's victory.
6. Magnum (Arg) (Vienna/Rosario) - 12/1
While looking at the past performances of this entrant, I have to first tip my cap to trainer Darrell Vienna. Magnum, if you remember, ran in this race three years ago - and he nearly upset Lava Man as a 17/1 longshot in the race. You wont find many currently in training who squared off against the likes of High Limit, Wilko, or Giacomo, and it's nearly unheard of for that horse to be running at the same level that he was three years earlier. But Magnum is. Last out, Magnum broke a 8 race losing streak, and that streak included 7 races where he ran off the board. But his last two races have been extremely promising - he ran 3rd, beaten only 1 3/4-lengths in the San Pasqual Handicap, and defeated Well Armed and Tiago last out in the Grade II San Antonio Handicap. He's in peak form and while it seems unlikely that the 8-year-old gelding could get his picture taken, stranger things have happened in racing. No Lava Man this time around.
7. Blue Exit (Hollendorfer/Albarado) - 12/1
A horse who may just be a steal at his morning-line price. Blue Exit, a son of Pulpit who began his career in France, has taken his time to come around stateside for Jerry Hollendorfer, but couldn't be in better form right now. The bay colt came flying at the end of the Strub Stakes (Gr. II) to just miss Cowboy Cal, but he passed 7 rivals down the lane and made up a half-dozen lengths on Cowboy Cal. I look for a similar, if not faster, pace in the Strub and if Robby Albarado can maneuver a clean trip for Blue Exit here, he's my pick to stand in the winner's circle after the race.
8. Einstein (Brz) (Pitts/Leparoux) - 6/1
One of the most accomplished horses in training in the United States, the Brazilian-bred Einstein has won a trio of Grade I races in his career, all on the turf, and he's also placed in four more Grade I events. He's also a Grade II winner on the dirt, and the son of Spend a Buck has earned nearly $1.7 million in his 23 race career. He never really fails to show up, and has performed well all over the East Coast and the Midwest. Distance should be a non-factor as he won the 11f Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes last February, and also won the same race in 2006. This will mark his first start over a synthetic surface, but trainer Pitts is confident he can handle them, and for good reason given his versatility on the turf and dirt. I'm not really sure what to make of him as an entrant, but my gut tells me tossing him would be a mistake. He's a definite contender.
9. Dansant (GB) (Butler/T. Baze) - 20/1
The European shipper amongst this cast of 14, Dansant isn't necessarily your typical European shipper for a main-track race. Dansant has become one of the premier synthetic track horses in Europe for trainer Gerard Butler, having won 5 of 8 races on the all-weather surfaces at Lingfield and Kempton Park in Great Britain. Furthermore, 2 of those 3 victories came at the 10f distance, and his lone 10f loss came last out by 1/2-length when he fell just short of running down a loose-on-the-lead frontrunner in a 3 horse field. Generally Europeans are incapable of running a winning race in a race like this so early in the season, however Dansant's synthetic track prowess opens up opportunities for him in Europe throughout the winter. I don't view him as a huge threat to the premier Americans, but he's definitely worth a second or a third look, especially near 20/1 on the tote. Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Muhannak came out of similar all-weather races in Europe, so a translation of form is not unheard of.
10. Cause (Cho/Court) - 30/1
Another longshot on the board, and deservedly so. The son of Giant's Causeway, a $120,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland in September 2006, Cause was claimed by Myung Kwon Cho last November for $25,000 at Hollywood Park. His form has improved significantly under the watchful eye of Cho, but he's still far off from being competitive in a race like this. He rallied belatedly to grab a close-up 6th in the Strub Stakes (Gr. II) last out at 120/1, and it'd take odds like that again to make me even consider a second look at him in here...and that would just be for a $2 pity wager.
11. Court Vision (Mott/Dominguez) - 6/1
Another one of last year's three-year-old divisional standouts looking to make a name for himself in 2009. Court Vision won the Grade II Remsen Stakes as a juvenile in 2007, but endured a 6 race losing streak following that score that put him on the cusp falling into oblivion. Trainer Bill Mott gave the colt a 180, though, and repositioned Court Vision for a turf campaign, and the son of Gulch responded very well to the change of surface. He was victorious in back-to-back starts in the Grade II Jamaica Handicap and the Grade I Hollywood Derby, and just missed last out to Kip Deville in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. The victor drilled 9f in 1:45 3/5 that day, and Court Vision was just 3/4 of a length in tow. Ramon Dominguez has been aboard for his past three starts, and passes up a ride aboard Haynesfield in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct to ride here. He'll be coming from well off the pace, and he'll need a bit of racing luck to carve a winning trip for himself. Court Vision broke his maiden at Keeneland, so the synthetic tracks should be within his reach.
12. Zambezi Sun (GB) (Frankel/Espinoza) - 12/1
The first of the Frankel-trained duo, Zambezi Sun is a Juddmonte homebred and a European Group I winner. After battling the likes of Dylan Thomas, Soldier of Fortune, Youmzain, Doctor Dino, and Sagara over the past few summers in Europe, Zambezi Sun may actually find fields like this to be a drop in class. Frankel started him in the Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap over the Santa Anita turf course on February 22, and he believes that effort may have done the trick in giving his entrant the edge that he needs to be competitive in here. Zambezi Sun pulled jockey Garrett Gomez throughout the Obispo, and came up empty when the real running started en route to a 6th place finish. Can he turn his luck around here? It looks to be a possibility, but I'm not banking on it.
13. Champs Elysees (GB) (Frankel/Valdivia) - 12/1
A two-time Grade I winner in North America, the British-bred Champs Elysees offers his backers quite a few advantages as this race will unfold. Another Juddmonte homebred, Champs Elysees ran third in this race last year, beaten only 3 1/2-lengths by victor Heatseeker. He's also unleashed a few stretch rallies in races completely lacking in place to take the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup last November, as well as last September's Northern Dancer Stakes (Can-Gr. I) at Woodbine. He'll go off as a longshot in this field, and I expect him to slide up from his 12/1 morning line odds. He's got his share of negatives, though, as well. He's never won on a synthetic surface, and besides his 3rd in last year's 'Big Cap, his synthetic performances include an 8th in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr. I) and a 7th last out in the San Antonio Handicap (Gr. II). His form is difficult to gauge as he regularly follows uncharacteristically poor efforts with strong ones, and vice versa. Valdivia guided him to the victory two back at Hollywood, but I'm siding with others here.
14. Stream Cat (Biancone/Solis) - 20/1
Biancone wheels back with another, and made a last minute decision to replace Nownownow with Stream Cat in this field. Stream Cat, a gelding trained by Biancone prior to his year-long suspension, is a winner of 6 of 20 lifetime, including a trio of Grade III races throughout his career. He will have no issues navigating the distance effectively, and he's hit the board in 5 of 7 tries on all-weather surfaces. Last out, in his first start back with Biancone, he ran 6th in the San Marcos Stakes (Gr. II) over the Santa Anita turf course, but he was beaten only 2 1/2-lengths that day. The 6-year-old son of Black Minnaloushe has never been the type, however, who's shown the talent to win a race like this, and he's consistently failed at the Grade I and Grade II levels. Biancone is off to a very slow start at the meet, 1 for 39 and counting, and I expect that to continue in this race.
With such an evenly matched field, I'm looking forward to a very close finish. I think Cowboy Cal is the most likely speed horse to hang around, and while the fractions will be fast, they will be bearable and not a huge deterrent to any particular running style. I look forward to a big rallies from Court Vision, Blue Exit, and Monba, and trip is going to play a huge role in how that plays out, especially with a full field of 14 entered. One mistake could cost a horse several lengths, as could being forced too wide, or lacking running room. Magnum and Einstein will have first run at the pacesetters, and either of them is capable of grabbing the lead and going on with it. And even look out for European shipper Dansant, who's conditioner has been very confident about his chances all week. Frankel has been high on Zambezi Sun since he arrived in his stable, and that's worth noting again. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the favorite Colonel John, yet...
14 entrants, and I feel I can make a very logical and legitimate case for 9 of them - should be one heck of a race!
1. Blue Exit
2.Court Vision
3. Cowboy Cal
4. Einstein (Brz)
Seven Grade/Group 1 winners will be complemented by a pair of Grade 2 victors and another Grade 3 winner among the races 14 entrants. With a fair number of speed horses, stalkers, mid-pack runners, and closers, the winner of this race is liable to come from anywhere in the pack. 10 of these entrants have experience going the distance (or further), and all of these but three have crossed the line first in a race on a synthetic surface. All of that should make for an excellent race, from both wagering and enjoyment perspectives.
1. Matto Mondo (Chi) (Mandella/Bejarano) - 6/1
Rapidly developing Richard Mandella-trainee launched his career in his native Chile and was a 16-length Group I winner by his fourth career start. He racked up another Group I win prior to shipping to the United States, and the son of Sir Cat has won two in a row after getting off to a rocky start here. After beginning his career in 10 straight turf races, Matto Mondo excelled in the Grade III Thunder Road Handicap when it came off-the-turf, and that race opened up the 5-year-old horse to a myriad of opportunities. Mandella picked what is likely the most difficult. Matto Mondo has covered the 10f distance just once in his career, and that was when he ran 7th in a Group I turf race in Chile. His longest victory is just 8.5f, and I'm not sure I can see a son of Sir Cat excelling at a mile and a quarter. Drawing the rail will likely force Bejarano to push his hand a bit early, and I expect him to be right up on the pace. That looks to be his ultimate undoing.
2. Cowboy Cal (Pletcher/Velazquez) - 5/1
One of my favorite horses in training, there is absolutely no doubting the fact that Cowboy Cal has guts and is willing to fight for a victory. The son of Giant's Causeway has run in the exacta in 9 of his past 10 races, with the lone off-the-board performance coming when he ran 9th of 20 in last spring's Kentucky Derby. After receiving an extended break after the race, Cowboy Cal returned to the races with a vengeance, earning a victory (via disqualification) in the ungraded Bryan Station Stakes. He followed that up with a narrow loss to Court Vision in the Grade I Hollywood Derby on the turf, but he's reeled off two straight Grade II victories on the synthetic main track at Santa Anita in the San Pasqual Handicap and the Strub Stakes. While his pedigree indicates that 10f should not be a problem, I'm a bit wary of him going 10f. I think his grit and determination make him a serious contender, but I think he may have a bit too much trouble hanging on in the final eighth. He's a must have on all exotic tickets.
3. Heroi Do Bafra (Brz) (Miller/M. Baze) - 30/1
At the end of 2008, anybody could have claimed this 7-year-old son of Royal Academy for $40,000. Peter Miller claimed Heroi Do Bafra on behalf of his clients Barber & Barber, and in his first start for his new connections the horse rewarded his them with a 3/4-length victory in a $50,000 claiming race at Santa Anita. Those credentials would make him a logical choice in an allowance race, but likely not a $1,000,000 Grade I. He'll need to run the race of his life to even crack the top five, and I find that highly unlikely.
4. Monba (Pletcher/Prado) - 15/1
Last year's Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. I) champion (over stablemate Cowboy Cal), Monba has only been seen twice on the track since that race. He ran 20th in the Kentucky Derby, but missed more than 9 months after that race due to injury. He returned last month at Santa Anita in the Grade III Thunder Road Handicap, and closed aggressively from 6th at the top of the lane to finish 3rd. The son of Maria's Mon owns a victory at 9f, and his pedigree indicates that he should revel the extra distance. Monba has had excuses for the majority of his losses - injuries hampered him in both the Derby and Fountain of Youth Stakes last year, and he wasn't likely near fully cranked last out in the Thunder Road. At 15/1 he looks to be worth a chance, and the fact that Edgar Prado gives up a mount on Imperial Council in the Gotham Stakes to ride here should instill some confidence.
5. Colonel John (Harty/Gomez) - 9/2
If Colonel John is victorious in this race, he'll be doing it at my expense. I feel that this son of Tiznow has a ton of talent, but I'm not sure he's been campaigned to really exploit that talent. It's my personal belief that Colonel John is the type of horse who perfroms better the more races that he's run consecutively. Eoin Harty seems to believe that he's the type of horse who does his best running off extended layoffs and when fresh. Three times in his career, Colonel John has had the opportunity to make his second start after a layoff line in his past performances. He's 3 for 3 in those races, and those victories include the Travers Stakes (Gr. I), the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I), and the Real Quiet Stakes. In races directly after the layoff, Colonel John is only 2 for 5. He hasn't started since the Malibu Stakes (Gr. I) on December 26, so that means another layoff line in his past performances. I'm taking a stand against him here, especially as the morning line favorite, but keep an eye on him next out...unless that start is 3 months away. I also feel his Travers victory is quite overrated, as Mambo in Seattle, Pyro, and Macho Again, among others, have done little to flatter the Colonel's victory.
6. Magnum (Arg) (Vienna/Rosario) - 12/1
While looking at the past performances of this entrant, I have to first tip my cap to trainer Darrell Vienna. Magnum, if you remember, ran in this race three years ago - and he nearly upset Lava Man as a 17/1 longshot in the race. You wont find many currently in training who squared off against the likes of High Limit, Wilko, or Giacomo, and it's nearly unheard of for that horse to be running at the same level that he was three years earlier. But Magnum is. Last out, Magnum broke a 8 race losing streak, and that streak included 7 races where he ran off the board. But his last two races have been extremely promising - he ran 3rd, beaten only 1 3/4-lengths in the San Pasqual Handicap, and defeated Well Armed and Tiago last out in the Grade II San Antonio Handicap. He's in peak form and while it seems unlikely that the 8-year-old gelding could get his picture taken, stranger things have happened in racing. No Lava Man this time around.
7. Blue Exit (Hollendorfer/Albarado) - 12/1
A horse who may just be a steal at his morning-line price. Blue Exit, a son of Pulpit who began his career in France, has taken his time to come around stateside for Jerry Hollendorfer, but couldn't be in better form right now. The bay colt came flying at the end of the Strub Stakes (Gr. II) to just miss Cowboy Cal, but he passed 7 rivals down the lane and made up a half-dozen lengths on Cowboy Cal. I look for a similar, if not faster, pace in the Strub and if Robby Albarado can maneuver a clean trip for Blue Exit here, he's my pick to stand in the winner's circle after the race.
8. Einstein (Brz) (Pitts/Leparoux) - 6/1
One of the most accomplished horses in training in the United States, the Brazilian-bred Einstein has won a trio of Grade I races in his career, all on the turf, and he's also placed in four more Grade I events. He's also a Grade II winner on the dirt, and the son of Spend a Buck has earned nearly $1.7 million in his 23 race career. He never really fails to show up, and has performed well all over the East Coast and the Midwest. Distance should be a non-factor as he won the 11f Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes last February, and also won the same race in 2006. This will mark his first start over a synthetic surface, but trainer Pitts is confident he can handle them, and for good reason given his versatility on the turf and dirt. I'm not really sure what to make of him as an entrant, but my gut tells me tossing him would be a mistake. He's a definite contender.
9. Dansant (GB) (Butler/T. Baze) - 20/1
The European shipper amongst this cast of 14, Dansant isn't necessarily your typical European shipper for a main-track race. Dansant has become one of the premier synthetic track horses in Europe for trainer Gerard Butler, having won 5 of 8 races on the all-weather surfaces at Lingfield and Kempton Park in Great Britain. Furthermore, 2 of those 3 victories came at the 10f distance, and his lone 10f loss came last out by 1/2-length when he fell just short of running down a loose-on-the-lead frontrunner in a 3 horse field. Generally Europeans are incapable of running a winning race in a race like this so early in the season, however Dansant's synthetic track prowess opens up opportunities for him in Europe throughout the winter. I don't view him as a huge threat to the premier Americans, but he's definitely worth a second or a third look, especially near 20/1 on the tote. Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Muhannak came out of similar all-weather races in Europe, so a translation of form is not unheard of.
10. Cause (Cho/Court) - 30/1
Another longshot on the board, and deservedly so. The son of Giant's Causeway, a $120,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland in September 2006, Cause was claimed by Myung Kwon Cho last November for $25,000 at Hollywood Park. His form has improved significantly under the watchful eye of Cho, but he's still far off from being competitive in a race like this. He rallied belatedly to grab a close-up 6th in the Strub Stakes (Gr. II) last out at 120/1, and it'd take odds like that again to make me even consider a second look at him in here...and that would just be for a $2 pity wager.
11. Court Vision (Mott/Dominguez) - 6/1
Another one of last year's three-year-old divisional standouts looking to make a name for himself in 2009. Court Vision won the Grade II Remsen Stakes as a juvenile in 2007, but endured a 6 race losing streak following that score that put him on the cusp falling into oblivion. Trainer Bill Mott gave the colt a 180, though, and repositioned Court Vision for a turf campaign, and the son of Gulch responded very well to the change of surface. He was victorious in back-to-back starts in the Grade II Jamaica Handicap and the Grade I Hollywood Derby, and just missed last out to Kip Deville in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. The victor drilled 9f in 1:45 3/5 that day, and Court Vision was just 3/4 of a length in tow. Ramon Dominguez has been aboard for his past three starts, and passes up a ride aboard Haynesfield in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct to ride here. He'll be coming from well off the pace, and he'll need a bit of racing luck to carve a winning trip for himself. Court Vision broke his maiden at Keeneland, so the synthetic tracks should be within his reach.
12. Zambezi Sun (GB) (Frankel/Espinoza) - 12/1
The first of the Frankel-trained duo, Zambezi Sun is a Juddmonte homebred and a European Group I winner. After battling the likes of Dylan Thomas, Soldier of Fortune, Youmzain, Doctor Dino, and Sagara over the past few summers in Europe, Zambezi Sun may actually find fields like this to be a drop in class. Frankel started him in the Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap over the Santa Anita turf course on February 22, and he believes that effort may have done the trick in giving his entrant the edge that he needs to be competitive in here. Zambezi Sun pulled jockey Garrett Gomez throughout the Obispo, and came up empty when the real running started en route to a 6th place finish. Can he turn his luck around here? It looks to be a possibility, but I'm not banking on it.
13. Champs Elysees (GB) (Frankel/Valdivia) - 12/1
A two-time Grade I winner in North America, the British-bred Champs Elysees offers his backers quite a few advantages as this race will unfold. Another Juddmonte homebred, Champs Elysees ran third in this race last year, beaten only 3 1/2-lengths by victor Heatseeker. He's also unleashed a few stretch rallies in races completely lacking in place to take the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup last November, as well as last September's Northern Dancer Stakes (Can-Gr. I) at Woodbine. He'll go off as a longshot in this field, and I expect him to slide up from his 12/1 morning line odds. He's got his share of negatives, though, as well. He's never won on a synthetic surface, and besides his 3rd in last year's 'Big Cap, his synthetic performances include an 8th in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr. I) and a 7th last out in the San Antonio Handicap (Gr. II). His form is difficult to gauge as he regularly follows uncharacteristically poor efforts with strong ones, and vice versa. Valdivia guided him to the victory two back at Hollywood, but I'm siding with others here.
14. Stream Cat (Biancone/Solis) - 20/1
Biancone wheels back with another, and made a last minute decision to replace Nownownow with Stream Cat in this field. Stream Cat, a gelding trained by Biancone prior to his year-long suspension, is a winner of 6 of 20 lifetime, including a trio of Grade III races throughout his career. He will have no issues navigating the distance effectively, and he's hit the board in 5 of 7 tries on all-weather surfaces. Last out, in his first start back with Biancone, he ran 6th in the San Marcos Stakes (Gr. II) over the Santa Anita turf course, but he was beaten only 2 1/2-lengths that day. The 6-year-old son of Black Minnaloushe has never been the type, however, who's shown the talent to win a race like this, and he's consistently failed at the Grade I and Grade II levels. Biancone is off to a very slow start at the meet, 1 for 39 and counting, and I expect that to continue in this race.
With such an evenly matched field, I'm looking forward to a very close finish. I think Cowboy Cal is the most likely speed horse to hang around, and while the fractions will be fast, they will be bearable and not a huge deterrent to any particular running style. I look forward to a big rallies from Court Vision, Blue Exit, and Monba, and trip is going to play a huge role in how that plays out, especially with a full field of 14 entered. One mistake could cost a horse several lengths, as could being forced too wide, or lacking running room. Magnum and Einstein will have first run at the pacesetters, and either of them is capable of grabbing the lead and going on with it. And even look out for European shipper Dansant, who's conditioner has been very confident about his chances all week. Frankel has been high on Zambezi Sun since he arrived in his stable, and that's worth noting again. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the favorite Colonel John, yet...
14 entrants, and I feel I can make a very logical and legitimate case for 9 of them - should be one heck of a race!
1. Blue Exit
2.Court Vision
3. Cowboy Cal
4. Einstein (Brz)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Gulfstream Park 1.31.09
So, I guess I've found myself in a bit of a handicapping rut. I haven't bet a race since my Saturday Breeders' Cup debacle, but I think I'm ready to get back into the action. I've been waiting for Nicanor's debut ever since I heard that they were indeed going to move forward with his racing career, mainly because I'm dying to bet against such a short-priced and vulnerable debut favorite. The card also features the Grade I Donn, the Grade III Holy Bull, and the seasonal debut of the highly regarded Well Positioned.
Race 1
The connections who delivered Big Brown to the world before selling him to IEAH Stable's paid $340,000 for #4 Well Positioned, a nicely bred son of Awesome Again, out of a Holy Bull mare. After running somewhat poorly in his career debut, he woke up at Aqueduct on November 22 with an overpowering 11 1/4 length win. He's worked 5 times for Patrick Reynolds since, including a 6f move in 1:13 4/5 on 1/25. Aqueduct form has been a cause for concern at Gulfstream thus far, but I'm not sure that makes him a bet against, even at likely low odds. Top-trainer Todd Pletcher has a pretty talented duo making their seasonal debuts. #7 Take the Points (3/1) breaks from the outside post and looks to be a very viable alternative. The son of Even the Score broke his maiden at Gulfstream against the talented Nowhere to Hide (who goes later in the Holy Bull) last out, and keeps Prado aboard to ride. #6 Masala (4/1) from the Pletcher barn broke his maiden at Aqueduct at second asking in the mud, and like his stablemate he shows 6 works at Palm Meadows. Either could spring the minor upset at a better price. #3 Cinnamon Road (4/1) is intriguing if nothing else. The Calder based son of Delaware Township freaked out last time with a 14 1/4 length win against 35k claimers, and earned a 95 Beyer for his troubles. His Beyer progression heading into that one was 65, 77, 72, but in October '08 he threw up an 89 Beyer in a starter allowance. He keeps Velazquez, but going wire-to-wire against these will be no easy task. I wouldn't mind seeing him soften up Well Positioned, though.
#7 Take the Points
#6 Masala
#4 Well Positioned
Race 2
Deep 8.5f 35K claiming race on the grass drew 12 entrants. Quite a few are capable. The first one that stands out is #7 Bang Bang Bang. He's been a part of the exacta in all 3 of his turf starts, and owns Beyers of 88, 86, 86 on the surface. He picks up the services of Alan Garcia, and has been working forwardly at Palm Meadows for his 09 bow. Will benefit from a possible relaxed pace scenario. A deep closer who has all the tools to take this is #11 Don'twait Toolong (6/1). The Nafzger/Borel combo teams up here with this gelded son of War Chant. He drops in for the lowest price of a career where he's hit the board in 15 of 21, including 9 of 15 on the green and 4 of 5 at the distance. Borel knows the horse, has ridden him 8 times but has never won with him - that's alright though, not many jocks have - he's 2 for 21 lifetime. He'll be flying late, though. Tough to love up top given his record, though.
#7 Bang Bang Bang
#11 Don'twait Toolong
Race 3
Maidens, maidens, maidens...but it looks as if there are prices to be had. The favorite is likely to be Zito's #4 Just a Coincidence (3/1), by Forestry. He tired badly last time routing at Churchill, and cuts back to sprint distances where he's 3-0-2-1 lifetime. Problem is, he's 0 for 4 now and it's quickly becoming that time to question his ability to get the job done at all. I'll play him underneath, because he looks too strong to run off the board. Romans' #2 Bobby B. Goode (6/1) intrigues a bit. He picks up Albarado and seems to have solid gate speed. He could very well be one to catch if none of the firsters come out flying. Kelly Breen's #9 Mighty Score (6/1) could play a role. Ran 4th in his debut to Checklist, but his 3f in 33 3/5 work on 1/25 says he's ready to run a big one. #8 Tapis Magnique (8/1) is a firster from the Mott barn. His sire, Speightstown, does well with firsters and he's got Velazquez aboard.
#6 Mighty Score
#8 Tapis Magnique
#4 Just a Coincidence
Race 4
No real feelings on this race, but will go with #8 Yippety Yip (5/1) who's dropping in class.
Race 5
No thanks
Race 6
#4 Fullofsong
Race 7
Can't say I have much of an opinion in this race. The logical selections here, #11 Beethoven (4/1) and #10 West Side Bernie (3/1) drew poorly on the outside, and will be hindered with lost ground with such a short run into the first turn. I honestly think the most talented one in here could be Pletcher's #8 Idol Maker (6/1), and I'm slowly selling myself on him. He debuted brilliantly at Belmont, earned an 87 Beyer going 8f and beat Nowhere to Hide convincingly. Was tossed into the deep end and sank against Old Fashioned in the Gr. II Remsen, and then was sent to the lead and faded last out in an allowance. Toss the last because of the ride, and he's still got a lot to prove especially with that 13 length Remsen loss on his resume. #2 Danger to Society (5/1) is my tentative pick. The son of Harlan's Holiday is 2 for 2 lifetime, including an impressive 9f allowance win last time out in which he put up an 86 Beyer. I just don't like him all that much, though, especially down the line. But his best may be enough to win here. #9 Nowhere to Hide (8/1) is a Zito-trainee who finally got the job done last out, but it difficult to love. 9f may be stretching it for the son of Vindication, who's never run beyond 8f and needed a weaker Calder field to break his maiden after going 0 for 4 on the NYRA circuit. West Side Bernie (3/1) is good, but probably not good enough from the post. He ran 6th in the BC Juvenile and backed that up with a 2nd in the Grade III Delta Jackpot and continues to work lights out for Kelly Breen. Look out for #5 El Crespo (12/1). The son of A.P. Indy has yet to try the dirt, but showed talent on the grass. A half to a pair of turf stakes winners including Rey de Cafe. A.P. Indy suggests dirt wont be an issue for the George Arnold-trainee, but that's easier said than done.
#2 Danger to Society
#10 West Side Bernie
#8 Idol Maker
#5 El Crespo
Race 8
So let me ask you a question - you're handicapping a maiden race full of first time starters. One is trained by a guy who wins with 2% of his debut starters, is by a stallion who isn't known for quick horses, and has been working well, but not overly well - does he really deserve to be the likely favorite? When he's Barbaro's little brother, though, sometime stats go out the window. I've been looking forward to betting against, and I still think that's the best bet here. #10 Dubinsky (7/2) is a good looking son of Toccet who would be around 2/1 without Nicanor in the field. #3 Andiron (6/1) absolutely loathed the synthetic track in his debut, but the half to The Cliff's Edge (by A.P. Indy) is still highly regarded with his trainer, the legendary Bobby Frankel. I'm looking for a reversal. #1 Unbridled Cardinal (20/1) is a 3/4 to Rockport Harbor and lost all hope in his debut by blowing the break. He's in Zito's hands, ridden by Leparoux, and at 20/1, why not?
#10 Dubinsky
#1 Unbridled Cardinal
#3 Andiron
Race 9
A rousing rendition of the prestigious Donn Handicap (Gr. I). At first glance, a case can be made for many of these. The first horse who jumped out at me is one that I'm actually discounting now, that being #2 Albertus Maximus (4/1). The recent Shadwell purchase came into his own in the fall, winning a pair of races including the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and he was moving late against Tiago and Well Armed in the Grade I Goodwood. Furthermore, a look back in his PPs shows a nice maiden score, complete with a 92 Beyer, on the traditional dirt. My concerns come from his 0 for 3 record at the distance, as well as the significant turn around he saw in the care of Vladimir Cerin. Red flags go up for me there...Cerin has a bit of a reputation, and anytime a horse jumps up that much, I get a little sketpical. Now that he's in McLaughlin's hands, I'm expecting a bit of a regression - plus it must be noted that this race is being used as a prep for Dubai and he's not likely 100%. He also loses Gomez for Alan Garcia. I keep coming back to #7 Arson Squad (3/1). He's 3 for 3 on the dirt at 9f, has been a new horse for Dutrow on the conventional dirt, and is the best form he's been in for years. He blewout 3f on 1/29 and I can't wait to see him run. The likely favorite is #10 Einstein, but I still feel he's overrated on the dirt. He wouldn't have won the Grade II Clark last out if Commentator had run a race remniscent to what he'd done in the Mass Cap or Whitney. The problem is, none of these are spectacular enough to really see knocking him off even if he can replicate his Clark win or Foster loss to Curlin. I just cant find myself having enough faith in him to use him up top, and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't fire at all. Call me crazy, but I've yet to give up on #3 Anak Nakal (10/1). He is the same horse who finally seemed to have things figured out when he won the PA Derby (Gr. II) and placed to Arson Squad in the Meadowlands Cup (Gr. II). Toss the Clark, and accept that the Hals Hope (Gr. III) was too short for him, and he might have a fighting chance at a lower prize. Tough call on him. #6 On Board Again offers price at 20/1, and just might be dangerous. He missed all of 2007 and half of 2008, but is back in good form and Frankel wouldn't put him here if he didn't think he was ready.
#7 Arson Sqaud
#4 Bullsbay
#3 Anak Nakal
Race 10
If you're not out of money yet, look to #6 Whitty Woman to salvage your day!
Race 1
The connections who delivered Big Brown to the world before selling him to IEAH Stable's paid $340,000 for #4 Well Positioned, a nicely bred son of Awesome Again, out of a Holy Bull mare. After running somewhat poorly in his career debut, he woke up at Aqueduct on November 22 with an overpowering 11 1/4 length win. He's worked 5 times for Patrick Reynolds since, including a 6f move in 1:13 4/5 on 1/25. Aqueduct form has been a cause for concern at Gulfstream thus far, but I'm not sure that makes him a bet against, even at likely low odds. Top-trainer Todd Pletcher has a pretty talented duo making their seasonal debuts. #7 Take the Points (3/1) breaks from the outside post and looks to be a very viable alternative. The son of Even the Score broke his maiden at Gulfstream against the talented Nowhere to Hide (who goes later in the Holy Bull) last out, and keeps Prado aboard to ride. #6 Masala (4/1) from the Pletcher barn broke his maiden at Aqueduct at second asking in the mud, and like his stablemate he shows 6 works at Palm Meadows. Either could spring the minor upset at a better price. #3 Cinnamon Road (4/1) is intriguing if nothing else. The Calder based son of Delaware Township freaked out last time with a 14 1/4 length win against 35k claimers, and earned a 95 Beyer for his troubles. His Beyer progression heading into that one was 65, 77, 72, but in October '08 he threw up an 89 Beyer in a starter allowance. He keeps Velazquez, but going wire-to-wire against these will be no easy task. I wouldn't mind seeing him soften up Well Positioned, though.
#7 Take the Points
#6 Masala
#4 Well Positioned
Race 2
Deep 8.5f 35K claiming race on the grass drew 12 entrants. Quite a few are capable. The first one that stands out is #7 Bang Bang Bang. He's been a part of the exacta in all 3 of his turf starts, and owns Beyers of 88, 86, 86 on the surface. He picks up the services of Alan Garcia, and has been working forwardly at Palm Meadows for his 09 bow. Will benefit from a possible relaxed pace scenario. A deep closer who has all the tools to take this is #11 Don'twait Toolong (6/1). The Nafzger/Borel combo teams up here with this gelded son of War Chant. He drops in for the lowest price of a career where he's hit the board in 15 of 21, including 9 of 15 on the green and 4 of 5 at the distance. Borel knows the horse, has ridden him 8 times but has never won with him - that's alright though, not many jocks have - he's 2 for 21 lifetime. He'll be flying late, though. Tough to love up top given his record, though.
#7 Bang Bang Bang
#11 Don'twait Toolong
Race 3
Maidens, maidens, maidens...but it looks as if there are prices to be had. The favorite is likely to be Zito's #4 Just a Coincidence (3/1), by Forestry. He tired badly last time routing at Churchill, and cuts back to sprint distances where he's 3-0-2-1 lifetime. Problem is, he's 0 for 4 now and it's quickly becoming that time to question his ability to get the job done at all. I'll play him underneath, because he looks too strong to run off the board. Romans' #2 Bobby B. Goode (6/1) intrigues a bit. He picks up Albarado and seems to have solid gate speed. He could very well be one to catch if none of the firsters come out flying. Kelly Breen's #9 Mighty Score (6/1) could play a role. Ran 4th in his debut to Checklist, but his 3f in 33 3/5 work on 1/25 says he's ready to run a big one. #8 Tapis Magnique (8/1) is a firster from the Mott barn. His sire, Speightstown, does well with firsters and he's got Velazquez aboard.
#6 Mighty Score
#8 Tapis Magnique
#4 Just a Coincidence
Race 4
No real feelings on this race, but will go with #8 Yippety Yip (5/1) who's dropping in class.
Race 5
No thanks
Race 6
#4 Fullofsong
Race 7
Can't say I have much of an opinion in this race. The logical selections here, #11 Beethoven (4/1) and #10 West Side Bernie (3/1) drew poorly on the outside, and will be hindered with lost ground with such a short run into the first turn. I honestly think the most talented one in here could be Pletcher's #8 Idol Maker (6/1), and I'm slowly selling myself on him. He debuted brilliantly at Belmont, earned an 87 Beyer going 8f and beat Nowhere to Hide convincingly. Was tossed into the deep end and sank against Old Fashioned in the Gr. II Remsen, and then was sent to the lead and faded last out in an allowance. Toss the last because of the ride, and he's still got a lot to prove especially with that 13 length Remsen loss on his resume. #2 Danger to Society (5/1) is my tentative pick. The son of Harlan's Holiday is 2 for 2 lifetime, including an impressive 9f allowance win last time out in which he put up an 86 Beyer. I just don't like him all that much, though, especially down the line. But his best may be enough to win here. #9 Nowhere to Hide (8/1) is a Zito-trainee who finally got the job done last out, but it difficult to love. 9f may be stretching it for the son of Vindication, who's never run beyond 8f and needed a weaker Calder field to break his maiden after going 0 for 4 on the NYRA circuit. West Side Bernie (3/1) is good, but probably not good enough from the post. He ran 6th in the BC Juvenile and backed that up with a 2nd in the Grade III Delta Jackpot and continues to work lights out for Kelly Breen. Look out for #5 El Crespo (12/1). The son of A.P. Indy has yet to try the dirt, but showed talent on the grass. A half to a pair of turf stakes winners including Rey de Cafe. A.P. Indy suggests dirt wont be an issue for the George Arnold-trainee, but that's easier said than done.
#2 Danger to Society
#10 West Side Bernie
#8 Idol Maker
#5 El Crespo
Race 8
So let me ask you a question - you're handicapping a maiden race full of first time starters. One is trained by a guy who wins with 2% of his debut starters, is by a stallion who isn't known for quick horses, and has been working well, but not overly well - does he really deserve to be the likely favorite? When he's Barbaro's little brother, though, sometime stats go out the window. I've been looking forward to betting against, and I still think that's the best bet here. #10 Dubinsky (7/2) is a good looking son of Toccet who would be around 2/1 without Nicanor in the field. #3 Andiron (6/1) absolutely loathed the synthetic track in his debut, but the half to The Cliff's Edge (by A.P. Indy) is still highly regarded with his trainer, the legendary Bobby Frankel. I'm looking for a reversal. #1 Unbridled Cardinal (20/1) is a 3/4 to Rockport Harbor and lost all hope in his debut by blowing the break. He's in Zito's hands, ridden by Leparoux, and at 20/1, why not?
#10 Dubinsky
#1 Unbridled Cardinal
#3 Andiron
Race 9
A rousing rendition of the prestigious Donn Handicap (Gr. I). At first glance, a case can be made for many of these. The first horse who jumped out at me is one that I'm actually discounting now, that being #2 Albertus Maximus (4/1). The recent Shadwell purchase came into his own in the fall, winning a pair of races including the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and he was moving late against Tiago and Well Armed in the Grade I Goodwood. Furthermore, a look back in his PPs shows a nice maiden score, complete with a 92 Beyer, on the traditional dirt. My concerns come from his 0 for 3 record at the distance, as well as the significant turn around he saw in the care of Vladimir Cerin. Red flags go up for me there...Cerin has a bit of a reputation, and anytime a horse jumps up that much, I get a little sketpical. Now that he's in McLaughlin's hands, I'm expecting a bit of a regression - plus it must be noted that this race is being used as a prep for Dubai and he's not likely 100%. He also loses Gomez for Alan Garcia. I keep coming back to #7 Arson Squad (3/1). He's 3 for 3 on the dirt at 9f, has been a new horse for Dutrow on the conventional dirt, and is the best form he's been in for years. He blewout 3f on 1/29 and I can't wait to see him run. The likely favorite is #10 Einstein, but I still feel he's overrated on the dirt. He wouldn't have won the Grade II Clark last out if Commentator had run a race remniscent to what he'd done in the Mass Cap or Whitney. The problem is, none of these are spectacular enough to really see knocking him off even if he can replicate his Clark win or Foster loss to Curlin. I just cant find myself having enough faith in him to use him up top, and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't fire at all. Call me crazy, but I've yet to give up on #3 Anak Nakal (10/1). He is the same horse who finally seemed to have things figured out when he won the PA Derby (Gr. II) and placed to Arson Squad in the Meadowlands Cup (Gr. II). Toss the Clark, and accept that the Hals Hope (Gr. III) was too short for him, and he might have a fighting chance at a lower prize. Tough call on him. #6 On Board Again offers price at 20/1, and just might be dangerous. He missed all of 2007 and half of 2008, but is back in good form and Frankel wouldn't put him here if he didn't think he was ready.
#7 Arson Sqaud
#4 Bullsbay
#3 Anak Nakal
Race 10
If you're not out of money yet, look to #6 Whitty Woman to salvage your day!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009 "Handicap" Division
Alright, so lets get all of the "handi-crap" jokes out of our system now. It can't really be that bad, can it? Well, even with the downgrading of the Suburban Handicap to a Grade 2 event, by my count there are still 11 Grade 1 races in 2009 in what I would call the "handicap" division. That's not including Grade 1 mile races such as the Metropolitan Mile or Cigar Mile. So that begs the question, who is going to win divisional staples such as the Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Santa Anita Handicap, and the Donn? Well I've tried to figure it out and here's what I've come up with -
The Stretch out Milers
Those who are capable of competing at the Grade 1 level, but most are likely to find 10f a bit too far
Albertus Maximus
Gayego
Harlem Rocker
Monterrey Jazz
Tale of Ekati
Well Armed
The Synthetic Specialists
Might have Grade 1 talent on the fake stuff, but are untested or failed on the real stuff
Champs Elysees (GB)
Cowboy Cal
Dominican
Great Hunter
Mast Track
Slew's Tizzy
The Ones Not Quite Good Enough
Capable on the dirt and probably capable of handling 10f, but don't seem to have quite enough talent
Anak Nakal
A.P. Arrow
Atoned
Dry Martini
El Gato Malo
Frost Giant
Georgie Boy
Mambo in Seattle
Mostacolli Mort
Pyro
Smooth Air
Tin Cup Chalice
Wishful Tomcat
Zappa
The Ones Really Not Good Enough
Tried the level, failed the level, but might try again in '09
Alaazo
Ball Four
Cool Coal Man
Da' Tara
Golden Yank
Hey Byrn
Imawildandcrazyguy
Past the Point
Ravel
Sam P.
Stones River
Tres Borrachos
You and I Forever
Z Fortune
Z Humor
The Question Marks
Might have the talent to do big things, might not
Behindatthebar
Crown of Thorns
Denis of Cork
Informed
Monba
The "Chosen Few"
Those who are tried at the Grade 1 level, proven at the Grade 1 level, can probably (or have proven to be) effective at 10f, and will probably the the ones to beat in 2009
Arson Squad
Colonel John
Commentator
Delightful Kiss
Einstein (Brz)
Macho Again
Tiago
So if you're the connections of Zenyatta, do you step up and try to take on these horses?
Who do you think is going to be the big name in 2009? Who's going to step up from nowhere and make a name for himself (or herself)?
On second thought, maybe "handi-crap" fits great...
The Stretch out Milers
Those who are capable of competing at the Grade 1 level, but most are likely to find 10f a bit too far
Albertus Maximus
Gayego
Harlem Rocker
Monterrey Jazz
Tale of Ekati
Well Armed
The Synthetic Specialists
Might have Grade 1 talent on the fake stuff, but are untested or failed on the real stuff
Champs Elysees (GB)
Cowboy Cal
Dominican
Great Hunter
Mast Track
Slew's Tizzy
The Ones Not Quite Good Enough
Capable on the dirt and probably capable of handling 10f, but don't seem to have quite enough talent
Anak Nakal
A.P. Arrow
Atoned
Dry Martini
El Gato Malo
Frost Giant
Georgie Boy
Mambo in Seattle
Mostacolli Mort
Pyro
Smooth Air
Tin Cup Chalice
Wishful Tomcat
Zappa
The Ones Really Not Good Enough
Tried the level, failed the level, but might try again in '09
Alaazo
Ball Four
Cool Coal Man
Da' Tara
Golden Yank
Hey Byrn
Imawildandcrazyguy
Past the Point
Ravel
Sam P.
Stones River
Tres Borrachos
You and I Forever
Z Fortune
Z Humor
The Question Marks
Might have the talent to do big things, might not
Behindatthebar
Crown of Thorns
Denis of Cork
Informed
Monba
The "Chosen Few"
Those who are tried at the Grade 1 level, proven at the Grade 1 level, can probably (or have proven to be) effective at 10f, and will probably the the ones to beat in 2009
Arson Squad
Colonel John
Commentator
Delightful Kiss
Einstein (Brz)
Macho Again
Tiago
So if you're the connections of Zenyatta, do you step up and try to take on these horses?
Who do you think is going to be the big name in 2009? Who's going to step up from nowhere and make a name for himself (or herself)?
On second thought, maybe "handi-crap" fits great...
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Hats off to....Caiman!
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)