A month of mixed emotion and conflicting reality
This can be one of the most ironic month in recent racing history. We have witness brilliance but lack of respect, we have witnessed fatal injury after fatal injury for highly-regarded horses and racing has never so upfront to the general public.
Eight Belles’ tragedy have awakened the entirely thoroughbred racing and breeding industry in North America. The mass media, who have never been considering horse racing as a prime time sport, have all become expert overnight and making all kinds of suggestions and blaming. It was very overwhelmed.
There were 2 fatal breakdown at Hollywood cushion in May, raising concern if synthetic surface is indeed safer. I think we still need more data. Surely synthetic racing is not new internationally as it has been the surface of choice for England and France over the winter for flat racing. Both of the accident at Hollywood happened right in front of the grand stand in the final eighth of a mile and the scene was very ugly and scary. Miss Cozy Cat broke down in the 6th race on May10. Tizsweetdreams was the winner of this race. Waveland Avenue broken down in the 7th race on May 24. Thrust was the winner of this race.
Then Absolute Champion who lost his life at Singapore. Then Nashoba’s Key broke leg in her stall and had to be euthanized on the spot. Yes, the same phrase of “it is part of the game” can pop up again and again. Truth as it is, the racing and breeding industry in North America as a whole really has to understand and realize all things are related and, for the love of the game, we all have to realize what each of us can do and should do to help the long-term healthiness of the bred and the game.
Month of May also see the retirement from stud to 2 of the very influential stallions since the late 80s: Sadler’s Wells and Storm Cat, sons and great-grand son of Northern Dancer. I have recently found 1 really nice footage of his races in the 1964 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Queen’s Plate. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIRmzt4UmMc
How much has these two sprinter-milers have contributed to the thoroughbreds running at racecourses around the world nowadays?
Now Let’s Talk About Races
In this month, we witnessed the colourful performance of 3 sensational 3-year-olds on both side of the continents: Big Brown, Henrythenavigator and Zarkava. So let’s start a “Big Brown vs. Henrythenavigator vs. Zarkava: who wins” thread!
Here are some of my favourite races for the month.
Henrythenavigator
In the English 2000 Guineas, it was a fine stretch battle between New Approach and Henrythenavigator was witnessed in this 200th running of the English classic.
In the Irish 2000 Guineas, the two 3-year-olds matched up again in 3 weeks at the Curragh, and this one was more of a tactical ride by the jockeys than the first one.
Johnny Murtagh knew that he had so much horse that he was extremely patient and calm when he was still stone-cold and purposely running behind Stubbs Art at about 3/16. Once he saw daylight and Mutagh started shaking him, the race was over. This is clearly one of the most impressive win this month.
Lush Lashes
At the point of writing, the English Oaks is still 5 days away and I won’t know now how good Lush Lashes is. But in this performance in the Musidora Stakes, she was definitely very impressive.
Geordieland
In the same meet that Lush Lashes won the Musidora, Geordieland also captured the 14 furlongs Yorkshire Cup in a wild finish.
Getaway
This is pure class. To some extent, his win is quite similar to Henrythenavigator in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Curlin, watch out!
Mylo
Tony McCoy is back. Watch this one:
http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?va=NEW_2008_05_08_04_1545&vaff=22
Zenyatta
Still the same filly back to Hollywood’s cushion track. Even when the first quarter ran in 24.74 and half in 48.19, there was not even a short moment of any doubt. Easy win!
Rick Dutrow Jr.
The biggest performer of the month is not a horse, not a jockey, but a trainer. Whether you like him or not, he is the trainer of Big Brown.
So how come none of Big Brown's 2 races made my list. My answer is short. "No. They didn't make my list."
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