The sophomores …
Finally spring is here. April is the month of dream and future. 3 year-olds in the US were running in various races from coast to coast to negotiate for one of the 20 spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. This is a ritual happens every year, and in fact, this ritual begins on January 1st. There is only one topic for thoroughbred racing in the US for the first 4 months of the year and that is the Derby, the Kentucky Derby. All other divisions are only supporting cast. These prep races were run up to 9 furlongs in most cases (with the only exception being the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream 3 weeks prior to the Derby day which was run at 9.5 furlongs). The idea is that the Kentucky Derby will be the first time that these 3 year-olds will be running at 10 furlongs in a competitive condition and it is a test of speed and stamina. Yeah right! An additional 1 furlong from 9 to 10 furlongs is a major test. And consider this: the top 2 year-olds who ran in the previous season will have to race at 8.5 furlongs already. So we are looking for 3 year-olds who can run an additional 1.5 furlongs between the last Saturday of October in their 2 year-old season and the first Saturday of May in their 3 year-old season?
The names at the top of the leader board has changed three times since the beginning of the year: War Pass, Pyro and then Big Brown, then followed closely by Colonel John. Here is John's win at the Santa Anita Derby on April 5, beating California-bred Bob Black Jack who will also start in the Kentucky Derby:
On the other side of the Atlantic, the thoroughbred flat season on grass only formally starts in late March. The first series of classic race, the 2000 Guineas for colts and the 1000 Guineas for fillies, both to be run at Newmarket Racecourse on the same weekend as the Kentucky Derby, which is the first weekend in May. Many of the starters will only have 1 start or no start prior to either of the Guineas. This is very different from the setup in the US for the Triple Crown.
New Approach (Galileo x Park Express, out of Ahonoora) was the top two-year-colt in Europe last year. He was the winter book favourite to win the Epsom Derby. As recent as April 21st, Jim indicated New Approach will run in the 2000 Guineas. After that race, he doesn’t plan to run him in the Epsom Derby. Instead, he will go for the Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby route.
Bolger said: "I do not think the Epsom Derby does that much for a stallion career, and I never said he was going to Epsom."
This is actually quite sad, but the worse part is that it is quite true. I know this is just a statement form one trainer who has the best two-year-old from last year, and I am sure this year’s Epsom Derby will still be an entertaining event. The good thing is that it looks like Bolger is not going to keep New Approach at a mile, but will challenge him in the Irish Derby at 1 1/2m so he just doesn’t want to go to Epsom for the Derby. So is the 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby becomes the 21st century “Triple Crown” of the British Isles?
In Europe, and in general around the world, it has been over centuries that the most prestigious races are run at the “middle distance” of 10 furlongs to 12 furlongs. But it is not new knowledge that milers produce better stallions, not those best at a mile and a half. It is extremely rare to have a horse that have a true speed to win at a mile and the stamina and class to win at a mile and a half, and I don’t even want to go further to 14 furlongs anymore in this discussion. Nashwan was the last horse to capture both the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby and that was 1989, almost 20 years ago. I feel sad that New Approach will not go to the Derby if he did well in the 2000 Guineas, but I feel happy that he will still go to try the Irish version of the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.
The juveniles ….
April is also the month that precocious 2 year-olds began to hit the tracks in North America and Europe. Actually 2 year-old racing began as early as March. Santa Anita and Woodbine have 2 furlongs dash, Keeneland has 4.5 furlongs and the minimum distance in England is 5 furlongs.
Just take a quick look at these numbers. On April 19, Race 1 at Woodbine is 2 maiden race run at 2 furlongs with a purse of $66,000 CAD, or $63,740 USD. The winner was Florida-bred County Lass. The filly won $35,820 USD. On the same day at Naas in Ireland, Aidan O’Brien had his first 2-year-old winner this season in Peter Tchaikovsky in a 5 furlong maiden race. His winner's share is £11,967, which is about $23,930 USD, which is about 50% less than the money earned by County Lass. I can't say which is a better horse and which one of these 2 will have a better future. But it is hard to argue that it is easier money to win a 2 furlongs race for a purse of $66,000 in the middle of April.
This is Peter Tchaikovsky's win at Naas:
And ... what else had happend?
April 1, 2008: 7 year-old mare Royal Auditon, won a 12 furlongs race at Folkestone at odd of 66/1, defeating Snake Skin by a short-head. Watch here.
April 30, 2008: Heavenly Glow, a three-year-old Spinning World filly, captured the Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks at Randwick, at 2400m. Read the news here.
Finally .... My Favourite Races of the Month
Comply Or Die in the Grand National
Ruby Walsh's beautiful ride on Mobaasher at Cheltenham on April 18. It was simply a very cool ride by Ruby who was so patient throughout. Mobaasher didn't come into the picture until 3 out but he was always close to the leader. And not until after the last jump that Ruby started rowing Mobaasher and within a few stride, he caught the leader and it was another "thank you" win by Ruby.
Another one from Ruby, this time on Big Buck's in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree on April 4. Just watch.
Twice Over vs. Raven's Pass in the Group 3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on April 17.
And you may not know this one. Patrick Husbands on Market Gain in a $40,000 claiming race at 6 furlongs at Woodbine on April 25. He was unhurried early on and was still 6 lengths behind at the top of the stretch with a wall of horses in front of him. Trying to split horses towards his left, the gap was closed just when he wanted to accelerate. Husbands immediately switched to his right and tried to squeeze through another narrow gap. It was until the final sixteenth pole that he saw daylight but was still 3.5 lengths back. Market Gain accelerated nicely and won by half a length.
Finally, Mike Smith's double at Oaklawn Park on April 5. First is Zenyatta.
Tiago
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