Funny there is a Brazilian-bred colt that has a name like Mandarin. Don't forget this name - he is Xin Xu Lin, who won the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini at Hipodromo San Isidro over the weekend.
He wired the field and covered the 2400 metres distance in 2.31.20 on a yielding turf.
Thoroughbred Times story
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
December 2010 Part 1 - Pool Play
Every year, the feature race on the final day at Woodbine is the 14 furlongs Valedictory Stakes. Recent winners include Grade 1 winners Marsh Side and Cloudy's Knight. I always believe that the standard of this race worths every penny of the $150,000 purse, and if the Breeders' Cup Marathon is being upgraded to Grade 2 in 2011, then Valedictory Stakes should be upgraded to a Grade 3.
The race this year was won by odds-on favourite Pool Play (5yo h by Silver Deputy, out of Zuri Ridge, by Cox's Ridge). He finished 3/4 length ahead of second choice Eye of the Leopard, with another 1 1/4 length back further thirf choice in Helicoper, and fourth choice Perfect Shower finished fourth. These four finished in the exact same order in the 13 furlongs Valedictory prep held 4 weeks ago. The form in the race cannot be more up to the standard.
Pool Play now has a career record of 24-5-5-5 with earnings of $565,391.
Another personal favourite of the final day racecard is the 15 furlongs starter allowance. This is the consolation race for those claimers that are not good enough to run in the stakes. Alezzandro, the 2007 Prince of Wales winner, seemed to have found his niche now at marathon distance. He finished 8th, 12 lengths behind Pool Play in the Valedictory prep, but he was good enough to be the second choice in this full field of 14 runners. He held off third choice Active Play by 1 1/2, and the pair were miles ahead of the rest of the field.
The race this year was won by odds-on favourite Pool Play (5yo h by Silver Deputy, out of Zuri Ridge, by Cox's Ridge). He finished 3/4 length ahead of second choice Eye of the Leopard, with another 1 1/4 length back further thirf choice in Helicoper, and fourth choice Perfect Shower finished fourth. These four finished in the exact same order in the 13 furlongs Valedictory prep held 4 weeks ago. The form in the race cannot be more up to the standard.
Pool Play now has a career record of 24-5-5-5 with earnings of $565,391.
Another personal favourite of the final day racecard is the 15 furlongs starter allowance. This is the consolation race for those claimers that are not good enough to run in the stakes. Alezzandro, the 2007 Prince of Wales winner, seemed to have found his niche now at marathon distance. He finished 8th, 12 lengths behind Pool Play in the Valedictory prep, but he was good enough to be the second choice in this full field of 14 runners. He held off third choice Active Play by 1 1/2, and the pair were miles ahead of the rest of the field.
Friday, November 26, 2010
November 2010 Part 5 - Spacy Tracy and Endless Circle
I was never a big fan of Aqueduct. It is not a beautiful track from the TV (as compared to other NYRA tracks), and the majority of its racing during the winter months from December to early/mid March aren't that much exciting.
But in the US Thanksgiving weekend, the Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap for older mares and the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap produced some exciting and scary moments.
Thursday, Nov25, Fall Highweight Handicap-G3, 6f, Aqueduct - Endless Circle
Johnny Velasquez's mount, Go Go Shoot, was in the midst of bidding for command at the top of the stretch, when he stumbled badly, apparently after taking a bad step, coming to the three-sixteenths pole, feel heavily and unseated the rider. Luckily both horse and jockey were fine. Edgar Prado rode the 6yo former claimer Endless Circle to win the race. He drove to the rail shortly after leaving the gate, but came back outward departing the backstretch, advanced steadily along the outside during the run around the far turn, swung three wide into the stretch, commencing to rally, checked sharply in the vicinity of the three-sixteenth pole to avoid the fallen Go Go Shoot, got back in stride soon afterwards, charged toward the front runners with good energy, grabbed the lead leaving the furlong pole and edged clear under good handling. The final time was 1:09.79 for 6 furlongs.
DRF Story
Friday, Nov26, Top Flight Handicap-G2, 1m, Aqueduct - Spacy Tracy
Jeremy Rose rode Spacy Tracy (by Awesome Again, out of Tracy, by Theatrical) like a turf horse and the 5yo mare ran like one. She was unhurried off the inside down the backstretch, was taken to the rail at the half mile pole after scooting past another mare, took the inside route during the turn, was full of run behind horses and was forced to be kept on hold, blocked from the quarter pole until almost the eighth pole, with the ride constantly searching for a way out, found the opportunity to alter course to the middle of the strip a short distance from the furlong marker, went for it, was set down after being straightened away, and took off with good turn-of-foot, collaring the leader about seventy yards prior to the wire to prove best. The final time was 1:35.28 for a mile (after the first half mile of 46.68).
DRF Story
But in the US Thanksgiving weekend, the Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap for older mares and the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap produced some exciting and scary moments.
Thursday, Nov25, Fall Highweight Handicap-G3, 6f, Aqueduct - Endless Circle
Johnny Velasquez's mount, Go Go Shoot, was in the midst of bidding for command at the top of the stretch, when he stumbled badly, apparently after taking a bad step, coming to the three-sixteenths pole, feel heavily and unseated the rider. Luckily both horse and jockey were fine. Edgar Prado rode the 6yo former claimer Endless Circle to win the race. He drove to the rail shortly after leaving the gate, but came back outward departing the backstretch, advanced steadily along the outside during the run around the far turn, swung three wide into the stretch, commencing to rally, checked sharply in the vicinity of the three-sixteenth pole to avoid the fallen Go Go Shoot, got back in stride soon afterwards, charged toward the front runners with good energy, grabbed the lead leaving the furlong pole and edged clear under good handling. The final time was 1:09.79 for 6 furlongs.
DRF Story
Friday, Nov26, Top Flight Handicap-G2, 1m, Aqueduct - Spacy Tracy
Jeremy Rose rode Spacy Tracy (by Awesome Again, out of Tracy, by Theatrical) like a turf horse and the 5yo mare ran like one. She was unhurried off the inside down the backstretch, was taken to the rail at the half mile pole after scooting past another mare, took the inside route during the turn, was full of run behind horses and was forced to be kept on hold, blocked from the quarter pole until almost the eighth pole, with the ride constantly searching for a way out, found the opportunity to alter course to the middle of the strip a short distance from the furlong marker, went for it, was set down after being straightened away, and took off with good turn-of-foot, collaring the leader about seventy yards prior to the wire to prove best. The final time was 1:35.28 for a mile (after the first half mile of 46.68).
DRF Story
November 2010 Part 4 - Newbury Nov27
I’m glad to see the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle being moved to Newbury (the Saturday racecard at Newcastle has been canceled due to weather). We’ll see the return of several former Cheltenham festival winners again at Newbury – Binocular (’10 Champion Hurdle), Peddlers Cross (’10 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle), Big Buck’s (’09 and ’10 World Hurdle) and of course, Denman (’07 RSA Chase, ’08 Gold Cup).
The Hennessy Gold Cup Chase handicap is the feature race on Saturday. Denman is going for his third win in this race. He will carry top-weight of 166 lbs, conceding between 18 lbs to 26 lbs to his 17 competitors. I want to see Denman win, and I’m sure many NH fans want to see history to be made too. I think jump racing is one of the few venues left where we still see top class horses competing in a true handicap race. The term “handicap” in the US, which still meant something less than 15 years ago when Skip Away carried 131 lbs and won the Philip H Iselin Handicap (conceding 17-20 lbs to his rivals), or when Cigar carried 130 lbs and won his second Mass Cap (conceding 16-21 lbs) – and the fact that their connections raced them there, is a meaningless term nowadays.
But just like last year, this one won’t be easy for Denman. Several youngsters look promising – Burton Port, Weird Al, Carruthers, Diamond Harry and Pandorama, just to name a few, but they are all forced to run from "out of the handicap" because of Denman's presence. Pandorama was my pick for the RSA Chase last year before he was put away after the novices chase race at Leopardstown, which he defeated Weapon’s Amnesty. He has been away since then and this will be his first race in 334 days. But I think he is a high class chaser and he can jump. The 3m2y11y distance will be a challenge, but this applies to most of the youngsters. I think he is the biggest threat to the top-weight amongst the youngster. The other younger horse that I like is Weird Al. For the other veterans, Denman’s stable-mate Neptune Collonges is a top-class chaser himself who had won 3 Grade One’s. He has been off for more than 20 months, but being a Nicholls horse this shouldn’t be an issue if he is ready to run. Getting 18 lbs from Denman certainly won’t harm.
It is unfortunate to see Noel Fehily (what's wrong with all these Nicholls' jockey) getting injuried today, but sounds like A P McCoy will pick up the mount on Big Buck's and Neptune Collonges so how better can that be?
My picks:
Denman
Pandorama
Neptune Collonges
Everyone come home safe.
Newbury - Saturday 27 November
12:25 Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle (grade 1)
Class 1, £90000.00 added, 4yo plus, £51309.00 penalty 2m 100y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey
1 13/5311- Binocular (FR) N J Henderson 6 11 7 A P McCoy
2 51214-P Bygones of Brid (IRE) Karen Mclintock 7 11 7 G Lee
3 42-0111 Nearby P J Hobbs 6 11 7 R Johnson
4 1/11111- Peddlers Cross (IRE) D McCain Jnr 5 11 7 J M Maguire
5 43/1225- Starluck (IRE) A Fleming 5 11 7 T J Murphy
Betting Forecast: 4/5 Binocular (FR), 5/2 Peddlers Cross (IRE), 4/1 Starluck (IRE), 16/1 Nearby, 100/1 Bygones of Brid (IRE)
14:30 Sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle (grade 2)
Class 1, £50000.00 added, 4yo plus, £28505.00 penalty 3m 110y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey
1 11/1111- Big Buck's (FR) P F Nicholls 7 11 8 A P McCoy
2 8/0023-6 Arcalis J Howard Johnson 10 11 0 B Hughes
3 13211-4 Duc De Regniere (FR) N J Henderson 8 11 0 B J Geraghty
4 10123-0 Duke Of Lucca (IRE) P J Hobbs 5 11 0 R Johnson
5 52550-2 Kayf Aramis N A Twiston-Davies 8 11 0 P J Brennan
6 536224 Spider Boy Miss Z C Davison 13 11 0 Mr H G Miller
Betting Forecast: 1/4 Big Buck's (FR), 7/1 Duc De Regniere (FR), 10/1 Kayf Aramis, 14/1 Duke Of Lucca (IRE), 25/1 Arcalis, 500/1 Spider Boy
15:05 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (handicap) (grade 3)
Class 1, £175000.00 added, 4yo plus, £99768.00 penalty 3m 2f 110y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey CurrOdd
1 2F/1U24- Denman (IRE) P F Nicholls 10 11 12 S Thomas 4/1
2 131F14/ Neptune Collonges (FR) P F Nicholls 9 10 8 A P McCoy 14/1
3 1214P/1- Taranis (FR) P F Nicholls 9 10 4 Nick Scholfield 14/1
5 3244F-2 Madison Du Berlais (FR) D Pipe 9 10 1 T Scudamore 16/1
6 FU/5121- Silver By Nature Miss Lucinda V Russell 8 10 0 P Buchanan 25/1
7 7/437P-7 Barbers Shop N J Henderson 8 10 0 A Tinkler 50/1
8 51242-6 Carruthers M Bradstock 7 10 0 Matthew Batchelor 20/1
9 F/2205-2 The Tother One (IRE) P F Nicholls 9 10 0 Mr R Mahon (5) 33/1
10 3/1311P- Diamond Harry Nick Williams 7 10 0 D Jacob 8/1
11 21/111-1 Weird Al (IRE) Ian Williams 7 10 0 P J Brennan 6/1
12 211121- Burton Port (IRE) N J Henderson 6 10 0 B J Geraghty 8/1
13 PP/21PP- Dream Alliance P J Hobbs 9 10 0 Giles Hawkins (5) 50/1
14 6/2U14-2 Big Fella Thanks Ferdy Murphy 8 10 0 G Lee 14/1
15 121UF-1 Hey Big Spender (IRE) (ex4) C L Tizzard 7 10 0 A Coleman 22/1
16 3529P-F Niche Market (IRE) P F Nicholls 9 10 0 Ian Popham (5) 40/1
17 121/111- Pandorama (IRE) Noel Meade 7 10 0 P Carberry 8/1
18 471P4-0 Razor Royale (IRE) N A Twiston-Davies 8 10 0 S Twiston-Davies (3) 66/1
19 5/11-045 Hills Of Aran W K Goldsworthy 8 10 0 J E Moore 150/1
The Hennessy Gold Cup Chase handicap is the feature race on Saturday. Denman is going for his third win in this race. He will carry top-weight of 166 lbs, conceding between 18 lbs to 26 lbs to his 17 competitors. I want to see Denman win, and I’m sure many NH fans want to see history to be made too. I think jump racing is one of the few venues left where we still see top class horses competing in a true handicap race. The term “handicap” in the US, which still meant something less than 15 years ago when Skip Away carried 131 lbs and won the Philip H Iselin Handicap (conceding 17-20 lbs to his rivals), or when Cigar carried 130 lbs and won his second Mass Cap (conceding 16-21 lbs) – and the fact that their connections raced them there, is a meaningless term nowadays.
But just like last year, this one won’t be easy for Denman. Several youngsters look promising – Burton Port, Weird Al, Carruthers, Diamond Harry and Pandorama, just to name a few, but they are all forced to run from "out of the handicap" because of Denman's presence. Pandorama was my pick for the RSA Chase last year before he was put away after the novices chase race at Leopardstown, which he defeated Weapon’s Amnesty. He has been away since then and this will be his first race in 334 days. But I think he is a high class chaser and he can jump. The 3m2y11y distance will be a challenge, but this applies to most of the youngsters. I think he is the biggest threat to the top-weight amongst the youngster. The other younger horse that I like is Weird Al. For the other veterans, Denman’s stable-mate Neptune Collonges is a top-class chaser himself who had won 3 Grade One’s. He has been off for more than 20 months, but being a Nicholls horse this shouldn’t be an issue if he is ready to run. Getting 18 lbs from Denman certainly won’t harm.
It is unfortunate to see Noel Fehily (what's wrong with all these Nicholls' jockey) getting injuried today, but sounds like A P McCoy will pick up the mount on Big Buck's and Neptune Collonges so how better can that be?
My picks:
Denman
Pandorama
Neptune Collonges
Everyone come home safe.
Newbury - Saturday 27 November
12:25 Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle (grade 1)
Class 1, £90000.00 added, 4yo plus, £51309.00 penalty 2m 100y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey
1 13/5311- Binocular (FR) N J Henderson 6 11 7 A P McCoy
2 51214-P Bygones of Brid (IRE) Karen Mclintock 7 11 7 G Lee
3 42-0111 Nearby P J Hobbs 6 11 7 R Johnson
4 1/11111- Peddlers Cross (IRE) D McCain Jnr 5 11 7 J M Maguire
5 43/1225- Starluck (IRE) A Fleming 5 11 7 T J Murphy
Betting Forecast: 4/5 Binocular (FR), 5/2 Peddlers Cross (IRE), 4/1 Starluck (IRE), 16/1 Nearby, 100/1 Bygones of Brid (IRE)
14:30 Sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle (grade 2)
Class 1, £50000.00 added, 4yo plus, £28505.00 penalty 3m 110y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey
1 11/1111- Big Buck's (FR) P F Nicholls 7 11 8 A P McCoy
2 8/0023-6 Arcalis J Howard Johnson 10 11 0 B Hughes
3 13211-4 Duc De Regniere (FR) N J Henderson 8 11 0 B J Geraghty
4 10123-0 Duke Of Lucca (IRE) P J Hobbs 5 11 0 R Johnson
5 52550-2 Kayf Aramis N A Twiston-Davies 8 11 0 P J Brennan
6 536224 Spider Boy Miss Z C Davison 13 11 0 Mr H G Miller
Betting Forecast: 1/4 Big Buck's (FR), 7/1 Duc De Regniere (FR), 10/1 Kayf Aramis, 14/1 Duke Of Lucca (IRE), 25/1 Arcalis, 500/1 Spider Boy
15:05 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (handicap) (grade 3)
Class 1, £175000.00 added, 4yo plus, £99768.00 penalty 3m 2f 110y
No Form Horse Trainer Age Wgt Jockey CurrOdd
1 2F/1U24- Denman (IRE) P F Nicholls 10 11 12 S Thomas 4/1
2 131F14/ Neptune Collonges (FR) P F Nicholls 9 10 8 A P McCoy 14/1
3 1214P/1- Taranis (FR) P F Nicholls 9 10 4 Nick Scholfield 14/1
5 3244F-2 Madison Du Berlais (FR) D Pipe 9 10 1 T Scudamore 16/1
6 FU/5121- Silver By Nature Miss Lucinda V Russell 8 10 0 P Buchanan 25/1
7 7/437P-7 Barbers Shop N J Henderson 8 10 0 A Tinkler 50/1
8 51242-6 Carruthers M Bradstock 7 10 0 Matthew Batchelor 20/1
9 F/2205-2 The Tother One (IRE) P F Nicholls 9 10 0 Mr R Mahon (5) 33/1
10 3/1311P- Diamond Harry Nick Williams 7 10 0 D Jacob 8/1
11 21/111-1 Weird Al (IRE) Ian Williams 7 10 0 P J Brennan 6/1
12 211121- Burton Port (IRE) N J Henderson 6 10 0 B J Geraghty 8/1
13 PP/21PP- Dream Alliance P J Hobbs 9 10 0 Giles Hawkins (5) 50/1
14 6/2U14-2 Big Fella Thanks Ferdy Murphy 8 10 0 G Lee 14/1
15 121UF-1 Hey Big Spender (IRE) (ex4) C L Tizzard 7 10 0 A Coleman 22/1
16 3529P-F Niche Market (IRE) P F Nicholls 9 10 0 Ian Popham (5) 40/1
17 121/111- Pandorama (IRE) Noel Meade 7 10 0 P Carberry 8/1
18 471P4-0 Razor Royale (IRE) N A Twiston-Davies 8 10 0 S Twiston-Davies (3) 66/1
19 5/11-045 Hills Of Aran W K Goldsworthy 8 10 0 J E Moore 150/1
Sunday, November 21, 2010
November 2010 Part 3 - Master Minded
Master Minded won the 2m3f Amlin 1965 Chase (G2) at Ascot on November 20. He received an RPR of 174.
Racing Post Story
Full Replay
I know a three-peat in the Champion Chase (4th attempt overall) will again be his ultimate goal for the season, and he should be for 2011. It sounds like he will step down in distance in his next race at the 2m Tingle Creek at Sandown, a race he won 2 years ago. Who did he beat that time? Tidal Bay, who just ran a huge second in the 3 miles Betfair Chase. The Amlin 1965 Chase was MM's first win at over 2m2f and based on the way he ran, he should be able to go further. Ascot is a track that suits his style though. The Nicholls stable is full of big guns. But can MM be a Gold Cup horse when he's 9 or 10? I know there's a big difference between 2m3f and 3m2½f, but age is definitely on Master Minded's side among the classiest horses.
Racing Post Story
Full Replay
I know a three-peat in the Champion Chase (4th attempt overall) will again be his ultimate goal for the season, and he should be for 2011. It sounds like he will step down in distance in his next race at the 2m Tingle Creek at Sandown, a race he won 2 years ago. Who did he beat that time? Tidal Bay, who just ran a huge second in the 3 miles Betfair Chase. The Amlin 1965 Chase was MM's first win at over 2m2f and based on the way he ran, he should be able to go further. Ascot is a track that suits his style though. The Nicholls stable is full of big guns. But can MM be a Gold Cup horse when he's 9 or 10? I know there's a big difference between 2m3f and 3m2½f, but age is definitely on Master Minded's side among the classiest horses.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
November 2010 Part 2 - Pachattack
The Breeders' Cup was over. Zenyatta went down with a 19-1-0 record in 20 career starts. The loss to Blame was her best race. She came back from so far back and just lost by a nose to a non-stopping Blame. Mike Smith admitted he could have done things slightly different in the race, but at the end, I do think the best horse had won the race. As one of the posters at racingpost.com said, he put himself in a position to win the race.
Best Race: BC Classic (all the build-up before the race, the drama, the ride, the will, the HOY discussion, dirt, undefeated record ... it is hard to top this. It will likely come down to this race or the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the pick for My Favourite Race of 2010)
Most Magical Trip: Chamberlain Bridge, BC Turf Sprint (see the analysis below)
Best Ride: Frankie Dettori on Dangerous Midge in the BC Turf (this is actually quite a boring race but in a small field of only 7 horses, a slow pace was expected. Champ Pegasus took the lead from the gate 1 and Dettori immediately asked Dangerous Midge just a bit to cross over Behkabad from post #7 and stalked the leader. Field position of the 7 horses didn't change much since then. At one point when they were almost at the end of the back stretch second time around, the pace seemed to have quicken up a bit and Dettori immediately shaken up Dangerous Midge vigorously to stay close with the leader. Christophe Lemaire also asked Behkabad to quicken up a bit but not as strong as Dettori's urging. That's the difference. At the end, Dettori outgame Rosario, it was easier for Dangerous Midge to come from the outside to catch Champ Pegasus.)
Best Winning Performance: Goldikova, BC Mile; Uncle Mo, BC Juvenile (they were 7/5 and 6/5 favourites and they ran like what their odds reflected)
Best Losing Performance: Zenyatta, BC Classic; Blind Luck, BC Ladies Classic; Champ Pegasus, BC Turf
The Breeders' Cup was shown at ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC (TSN and TSN2 in Canada). Personally I don't like many of the camera angles they had. They tried to immitate some of the shots that were common in European races, but they failed badly. They just didn't get it. The standard view used by TVG was more preferred.
Nov 6, Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G2, 5f, Churchill Downs - Chamberlain Bridge, ridden by Jamie Theriot
The BC Turf Sprint turns out to be the race that I think is the most entertaining to watch. In a 5f turf race at CD, the winning move usually wasn't made on the racetrack, but it was made a few days back in the post position draw. Chamberlain Bridge, a CD specialist, drew post #1. It wasn't ideal but at least it is not as bad as anything outside. The 6-year-old millionaire son of War Chant broke sharply, but was clearly outpaced by a wave of horses from his outside. Unhurried at 9th spot along the rail, 6 lengths behind the leader, somehow gaps appeared and he gradually moved himself to the 7th path at the top of the stretch. Now with clear sailing and a good turn-of-foot, and the rest was history.
Chamberlain Bridge became a member of an exclusive club. His sire, War Chant, won the BC Mile in 2000. War Chant's dam, Hollywood Wildcat, won the BC Distaff in 1993. This made them a three-generations of Breeders' Cup winners, alongside names like Unbridled - Unbridled's Song - Unrivaled Belle / Unbridled Elaine / Midshipman; Personal Ensign - My Flag - Storm Flag Flying.
Nov 6, Maple Leaf Stakes, 10f, Woodbine - Packattack, ridden by Chantal Sutherland
Packattack, the European-based 4-year-old filly by Pulpit, was trained by Gerard Butler. Her most recent win before the Maple Leaf was a listed stakes at Newbury in August. She then ran 6th of 9 in the Beverly D. (G1) at Arlington, and then 5th of 10 in the E. P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine. She stayed at the Toronto track and was simply the class in this group of older mare at 10f. In my opinion, she put in the best performance at 10f at Woodbine polytrack in its 4 years of existence and just outclassed and outstayed her competitions. The final time of 2:02.18 easily broke the previous track record by a full second. She went wire to wire while setting sectional fractions of 24.70, 24.50, 24.51, 24.01 and 24.46; easily earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99. I know she has never run farther than 12f, but her ability to stay 14f should not be questionable in a race such as the Valedictory Stakes if she can repeat a similar performance, going against any prospective horses you can think of who may run there.
Nov 6, Race 10, Class 3 handicap, 1400m, Sha Tin - Admiration, ridden by Darren Beadman
As easy and as cozy as it can be ...
Best Race: BC Classic (all the build-up before the race, the drama, the ride, the will, the HOY discussion, dirt, undefeated record ... it is hard to top this. It will likely come down to this race or the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the pick for My Favourite Race of 2010)
Most Magical Trip: Chamberlain Bridge, BC Turf Sprint (see the analysis below)
Best Ride: Frankie Dettori on Dangerous Midge in the BC Turf (this is actually quite a boring race but in a small field of only 7 horses, a slow pace was expected. Champ Pegasus took the lead from the gate 1 and Dettori immediately asked Dangerous Midge just a bit to cross over Behkabad from post #7 and stalked the leader. Field position of the 7 horses didn't change much since then. At one point when they were almost at the end of the back stretch second time around, the pace seemed to have quicken up a bit and Dettori immediately shaken up Dangerous Midge vigorously to stay close with the leader. Christophe Lemaire also asked Behkabad to quicken up a bit but not as strong as Dettori's urging. That's the difference. At the end, Dettori outgame Rosario, it was easier for Dangerous Midge to come from the outside to catch Champ Pegasus.)
Best Winning Performance: Goldikova, BC Mile; Uncle Mo, BC Juvenile (they were 7/5 and 6/5 favourites and they ran like what their odds reflected)
Best Losing Performance: Zenyatta, BC Classic; Blind Luck, BC Ladies Classic; Champ Pegasus, BC Turf
The Breeders' Cup was shown at ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC (TSN and TSN2 in Canada). Personally I don't like many of the camera angles they had. They tried to immitate some of the shots that were common in European races, but they failed badly. They just didn't get it. The standard view used by TVG was more preferred.
Nov 6, Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G2, 5f, Churchill Downs - Chamberlain Bridge, ridden by Jamie Theriot
The BC Turf Sprint turns out to be the race that I think is the most entertaining to watch. In a 5f turf race at CD, the winning move usually wasn't made on the racetrack, but it was made a few days back in the post position draw. Chamberlain Bridge, a CD specialist, drew post #1. It wasn't ideal but at least it is not as bad as anything outside. The 6-year-old millionaire son of War Chant broke sharply, but was clearly outpaced by a wave of horses from his outside. Unhurried at 9th spot along the rail, 6 lengths behind the leader, somehow gaps appeared and he gradually moved himself to the 7th path at the top of the stretch. Now with clear sailing and a good turn-of-foot, and the rest was history.
Chamberlain Bridge became a member of an exclusive club. His sire, War Chant, won the BC Mile in 2000. War Chant's dam, Hollywood Wildcat, won the BC Distaff in 1993. This made them a three-generations of Breeders' Cup winners, alongside names like Unbridled - Unbridled's Song - Unrivaled Belle / Unbridled Elaine / Midshipman; Personal Ensign - My Flag - Storm Flag Flying.
Nov 6, Maple Leaf Stakes, 10f, Woodbine - Packattack, ridden by Chantal Sutherland
Packattack, the European-based 4-year-old filly by Pulpit, was trained by Gerard Butler. Her most recent win before the Maple Leaf was a listed stakes at Newbury in August. She then ran 6th of 9 in the Beverly D. (G1) at Arlington, and then 5th of 10 in the E. P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine. She stayed at the Toronto track and was simply the class in this group of older mare at 10f. In my opinion, she put in the best performance at 10f at Woodbine polytrack in its 4 years of existence and just outclassed and outstayed her competitions. The final time of 2:02.18 easily broke the previous track record by a full second. She went wire to wire while setting sectional fractions of 24.70, 24.50, 24.51, 24.01 and 24.46; easily earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99. I know she has never run farther than 12f, but her ability to stay 14f should not be questionable in a race such as the Valedictory Stakes if she can repeat a similar performance, going against any prospective horses you can think of who may run there.
Nov 6, Race 10, Class 3 handicap, 1400m, Sha Tin - Admiration, ridden by Darren Beadman
As easy and as cozy as it can be ...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 2010 Part 1 - So You Think
The 2010 Melbourne Cup was won by the French-trained, French-ridden, Kentucky-bred and Australian-owned Americain. His run shows the colour of what a true stayer looks like.
The story of this year's Melbourne Cup though, is on the High Chapparal 4-year-old colt SO YOU THINK, and it really hit the climax a day after the race. The colt was sold to Coolmore for an estimated total value of $60 million, and will be sent to Aidan O'Brien in Ireland.
Story
Bart was left out in the negotiation. It is possible that he had asked if anything's happened and was being denied. It was only after it was confirmed (or close to being confirmed) that he was told what had been going on. He felt he was being betrayed. So he was upset, he spoke up, and that's absolutely understandable. His team did everything right and spent so much time on the horse and now he is gone.
From a business standpoint, it totally makes sense to sell high. This is the best time to sell. It is not like they are retiring him now. I'm not Australian/New Zealander but I can understand the pride this horse brings to many people. This talented little baby you all saw last spring has now grown up. In a very short period of time, he has achieved something so unique, and he did it so easily and in such a manner that is so unconventional. He is not just one of many talented Group 1 winners anymore. He is something else. He is the next GREAT. England you had your Sea The Stars, America you have your Zenyatta, and now it is Australia's turn. And throughout the weeks in the carnival, Dato's racing manager has been denying again and again of any potential talk of sales. Finishing third in the Melbourne Cup was very good, but that also means there are unfinished businesses - a third Cox Plate and another run in the Cup. Achieving those feats will 200% crown him above Kingston Town, Tulloch and Phar Lap as the best Australia has ever produced with no room for any ambiguity or argument. So the excitement, anticipation and dream remain at a climax point after the Cup. And then BOOM! He is going to Coolmore and leaving the country in a few weeks time .... end of story.
So first reaction is "W T F! What've we done wrong? Why are you doing this to us?" Just imagine if Zenyatta was scratched on Friday before the BC Classic because she's sold to foreign interest and will point to the Dubai World Cup next year and is leaving Shireffs, as we speak. That's the reaction.
Given the long relationship Bart has with Dato, and Bart's status in the racing world there, one would expect the owner will engage the trainer in any discussion or negotiation of a deal. Bart was in hospital in the week prior to the Melbourne Cup, but that's not an excuse. Because So You Think is such a good horse, it is expected that Bart doesn't want to lose the horse and that he may not be as supportive as he could be in a potential sales negotiation. However, completely leaving him out, and denying the fact that a deal was being worked on, was just a no no. Just Dato is the owner and Ramage is his representative and Bart is the hired trainer of the horse and technically doesn't need to be involved in the ownership discussion. But in this case, the trainer is Bart Cummings and the horse is So You Think. More than one occasions did Ramage said "no" when asked if a deal was being discussed. That is worse than just giving an ambigious response. From the beginning of September to the end of October, the status of So You Think is Australian horse racing scene has escalated 100 times. He is not just another Dato's horse anymore. He is Australian's horse. He represents the dream of many people. He had done something close to unthinkable when he was still technically two, and now he is fulfilling the expectation by displaying monstrous performances on the racecourse repeatly and frequently. The racing people are no longer just another fan, but many people have attachment to the horse. It is OUR horse. That is the only reason how a technically still 3-year-old who had never run beyond 2040m in his career can be a 3/1 favourite in a field of 23 horses in a 3200m handicap. People want to see him win. People dream of seeing him win. And yet, they were not even ignored, but completely belied about the whole deal.
The story of this year's Melbourne Cup though, is on the High Chapparal 4-year-old colt SO YOU THINK, and it really hit the climax a day after the race. The colt was sold to Coolmore for an estimated total value of $60 million, and will be sent to Aidan O'Brien in Ireland.
Story
Bart was left out in the negotiation. It is possible that he had asked if anything's happened and was being denied. It was only after it was confirmed (or close to being confirmed) that he was told what had been going on. He felt he was being betrayed. So he was upset, he spoke up, and that's absolutely understandable. His team did everything right and spent so much time on the horse and now he is gone.
From a business standpoint, it totally makes sense to sell high. This is the best time to sell. It is not like they are retiring him now. I'm not Australian/New Zealander but I can understand the pride this horse brings to many people. This talented little baby you all saw last spring has now grown up. In a very short period of time, he has achieved something so unique, and he did it so easily and in such a manner that is so unconventional. He is not just one of many talented Group 1 winners anymore. He is something else. He is the next GREAT. England you had your Sea The Stars, America you have your Zenyatta, and now it is Australia's turn. And throughout the weeks in the carnival, Dato's racing manager has been denying again and again of any potential talk of sales. Finishing third in the Melbourne Cup was very good, but that also means there are unfinished businesses - a third Cox Plate and another run in the Cup. Achieving those feats will 200% crown him above Kingston Town, Tulloch and Phar Lap as the best Australia has ever produced with no room for any ambiguity or argument. So the excitement, anticipation and dream remain at a climax point after the Cup. And then BOOM! He is going to Coolmore and leaving the country in a few weeks time .... end of story.
So first reaction is "W T F! What've we done wrong? Why are you doing this to us?" Just imagine if Zenyatta was scratched on Friday before the BC Classic because she's sold to foreign interest and will point to the Dubai World Cup next year and is leaving Shireffs, as we speak. That's the reaction.
Given the long relationship Bart has with Dato, and Bart's status in the racing world there, one would expect the owner will engage the trainer in any discussion or negotiation of a deal. Bart was in hospital in the week prior to the Melbourne Cup, but that's not an excuse. Because So You Think is such a good horse, it is expected that Bart doesn't want to lose the horse and that he may not be as supportive as he could be in a potential sales negotiation. However, completely leaving him out, and denying the fact that a deal was being worked on, was just a no no. Just Dato is the owner and Ramage is his representative and Bart is the hired trainer of the horse and technically doesn't need to be involved in the ownership discussion. But in this case, the trainer is Bart Cummings and the horse is So You Think. More than one occasions did Ramage said "no" when asked if a deal was being discussed. That is worse than just giving an ambigious response. From the beginning of September to the end of October, the status of So You Think is Australian horse racing scene has escalated 100 times. He is not just another Dato's horse anymore. He is Australian's horse. He represents the dream of many people. He had done something close to unthinkable when he was still technically two, and now he is fulfilling the expectation by displaying monstrous performances on the racecourse repeatly and frequently. The racing people are no longer just another fan, but many people have attachment to the horse. It is OUR horse. That is the only reason how a technically still 3-year-old who had never run beyond 2040m in his career can be a 3/1 favourite in a field of 23 horses in a 3200m handicap. People want to see him win. People dream of seeing him win. And yet, they were not even ignored, but completely belied about the whole deal.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October 2010 Part 6 - Drill Sergeant
There is only less than a week left before the Breeders' Cup World Championship - 2 days of top-class horse racing at the heart of Kentucky, with 14 races and a total purse of $25.5 million. It is report card time, for horses, jockeys and trainers.
The Breeders' Cup evolved from its early years of the 7 original races: Classic, Turf, Juvenile, Distaff, Mile, Sprint and Juvenile Fillies. The Filly and Mare Turf was added in 1999. But the biggest expansion came in the last 3 years, when the Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint and Juvenile Turf were added in 2007, and then the Marathon, Turf Sprint and Juvenile Fillies Turf were further added in 2008. It dilutes the quality of some of the races. The quality of the field of some $1 million race does not justify its $1 million purse. Winners from races such as the Hollywood Futurity, Hopeful or Remsen.
From a quality and competitiveness perspective, the best races this year will be the Ladies Classic and the Classic. Personally, I also like the field in the Filly and Mare Sprint - very high quality and competitive, even more so than the Sprint. On the other hand, the $3 million BC Turf will likely be a small field once again.
In the last weekend of October, we saw two dominant performers at 2000m at the international level - one from Melbourne, Australia and another one from Tokyo, Japan.
October 30, 2010 - MacKinnon Stakes (G1), Flemington, 2000m - SO YOU THINK
Although it is only spring time in the southern hemisphere and a mere 4 months in to the season, So You Think should have sealed his Horse of the Year award for the 2010/11 racing season.
Winner of the Cox Plate last week, he won easily again in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, which is his final preparation to Tuesday Melbourne Cup. This kind of campaign is unheard of in this era of racing, yet legendary trainer Bart Cummings has been training in this approaching for more than 40 years and his record of 12 Melbourne Cup wins says it all.
As for the Mackinnon, the race was basically won at the starting gate. So You Think broke well, and stalked the pace easily. That's really it. The big question now is whether he can stay 3200m.
October 31, 2010 - Tenno Sho Autumn (G1), Tokyo, 2000m, BUENA VISTA
Japan's super racemare Vodka won this race in 2008 (before her further success in the Victoria Mile-G1, Yasuda Kinen-G1 and Japan Cup-G1 in 2009). Vodka's lifetime best Timeform rating is 125. As a 3-year-old, Buena Vista's Timeform rating in 2009 was 122. She ran a close second behind Dar Re Mi in the Sheema Classic-G1 at 2400m in March, then won the Victoria Mile-G1 at 1600m, and a second in the 2200m Takarazuka Kinen-G1 in June. Now she has won at 2000m at the Group One level for the first time. She shows as much versatlity as her older mare counterpart.
Credit has to be given to Christophe Soumillon. The winning move was made at about 600m-700m after the start of the race. He moved from about 13th to 8th position in a blink of an eye, about 2 horse-lengths. This maybe look too much but this position is much closer to the pace (which was reasonable) and enable him to be in a position who can strike at any time or continue to stay put until the top of the stretch. He chose the more patient approach. At the head ofthe stretch, a big hole open up by itself (as the rest of the horses spread out) and it was simply a hand ride from that point onward. The win was as easy as So You Think's Mackinnon.
Finally, another miracle ride by A P McCoy. This time was Drill Sergeant, a former Mark Johnston's trainee, who won the 1m4f Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (heritage handicap) at Royal Ascot in 2009. He was sold for 35,000 guineas in Tattarsalls July 2010 and started jumping. He was the 11/10 favourite in a Class 4 novices' hurdle at 2m at Haydock on October 27. Here is his post-race comment in Racingpost:
Article
The Breeders' Cup evolved from its early years of the 7 original races: Classic, Turf, Juvenile, Distaff, Mile, Sprint and Juvenile Fillies. The Filly and Mare Turf was added in 1999. But the biggest expansion came in the last 3 years, when the Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint and Juvenile Turf were added in 2007, and then the Marathon, Turf Sprint and Juvenile Fillies Turf were further added in 2008. It dilutes the quality of some of the races. The quality of the field of some $1 million race does not justify its $1 million purse. Winners from races such as the Hollywood Futurity, Hopeful or Remsen.
From a quality and competitiveness perspective, the best races this year will be the Ladies Classic and the Classic. Personally, I also like the field in the Filly and Mare Sprint - very high quality and competitive, even more so than the Sprint. On the other hand, the $3 million BC Turf will likely be a small field once again.
In the last weekend of October, we saw two dominant performers at 2000m at the international level - one from Melbourne, Australia and another one from Tokyo, Japan.
October 30, 2010 - MacKinnon Stakes (G1), Flemington, 2000m - SO YOU THINK
Although it is only spring time in the southern hemisphere and a mere 4 months in to the season, So You Think should have sealed his Horse of the Year award for the 2010/11 racing season.
Winner of the Cox Plate last week, he won easily again in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, which is his final preparation to Tuesday Melbourne Cup. This kind of campaign is unheard of in this era of racing, yet legendary trainer Bart Cummings has been training in this approaching for more than 40 years and his record of 12 Melbourne Cup wins says it all.
As for the Mackinnon, the race was basically won at the starting gate. So You Think broke well, and stalked the pace easily. That's really it. The big question now is whether he can stay 3200m.
October 31, 2010 - Tenno Sho Autumn (G1), Tokyo, 2000m, BUENA VISTA
Japan's super racemare Vodka won this race in 2008 (before her further success in the Victoria Mile-G1, Yasuda Kinen-G1 and Japan Cup-G1 in 2009). Vodka's lifetime best Timeform rating is 125. As a 3-year-old, Buena Vista's Timeform rating in 2009 was 122. She ran a close second behind Dar Re Mi in the Sheema Classic-G1 at 2400m in March, then won the Victoria Mile-G1 at 1600m, and a second in the 2200m Takarazuka Kinen-G1 in June. Now she has won at 2000m at the Group One level for the first time. She shows as much versatlity as her older mare counterpart.
Credit has to be given to Christophe Soumillon. The winning move was made at about 600m-700m after the start of the race. He moved from about 13th to 8th position in a blink of an eye, about 2 horse-lengths. This maybe look too much but this position is much closer to the pace (which was reasonable) and enable him to be in a position who can strike at any time or continue to stay put until the top of the stretch. He chose the more patient approach. At the head ofthe stretch, a big hole open up by itself (as the rest of the horses spread out) and it was simply a hand ride from that point onward. The win was as easy as So You Think's Mackinnon.
Finally, another miracle ride by A P McCoy. This time was Drill Sergeant, a former Mark Johnston's trainee, who won the 1m4f Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (heritage handicap) at Royal Ascot in 2009. He was sold for 35,000 guineas in Tattarsalls July 2010 and started jumping. He was the 11/10 favourite in a Class 4 novices' hurdle at 2m at Haydock on October 27. Here is his post-race comment in Racingpost:
Led, soon clear, about 15 lengths ahead when pulled himself up and headed on
paddock bend after 3rd, continued in rear but soon good headway and prominent
5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden when pressed run-in, kept on well towards
finish.
Replay
Article
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October 2010 Part 5 - 同德
This is a vintage video of Co-tack (同德) winning the 1983 Sha Tin Trophy under top weight of 150 lbs and finishing in 1:33.30.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
October 2010 Part 4 - Zhivago and Brass Hat
A couple of mile and a half race on a quiet Thursday afternoon, 2 weeks before the biggest weekend in North America horse racing.
This 3-year-old beautiful gray son of Thunder Gulch, out of Bluebird Day (IRE), by Sadler's Wells, a $180,000 Keeneland yearling purchase, is as stoutly bred you can find anywhere in the US. His DP is 7-0-10-5-0, DI = 1.20 and CD = 0.41. He can stay, and it helps with a patient ride by Chantal Sutherland to get ahead of the front two in the final strides to break his maiden. Don't look at the fractions they are not very quality numbers, but visually the race builds up well.
9-year-old Brass Hat won the Grade 3 Syncamore Stakes from last to first. This ride by Calvin Borel is as closest a European-style cozily-ridden race you can see in North America. Several other top jockeys here who knows this trick include John Valesquez, Rafeal Bejarano and Julian Leparoux.
Here is a nice article on Brass Hat: A Tip of the Hat
This 3-year-old beautiful gray son of Thunder Gulch, out of Bluebird Day (IRE), by Sadler's Wells, a $180,000 Keeneland yearling purchase, is as stoutly bred you can find anywhere in the US. His DP is 7-0-10-5-0, DI = 1.20 and CD = 0.41. He can stay, and it helps with a patient ride by Chantal Sutherland to get ahead of the front two in the final strides to break his maiden. Don't look at the fractions they are not very quality numbers, but visually the race builds up well.
9-year-old Brass Hat won the Grade 3 Syncamore Stakes from last to first. This ride by Calvin Borel is as closest a European-style cozily-ridden race you can see in North America. Several other top jockeys here who knows this trick include John Valesquez, Rafeal Bejarano and Julian Leparoux.
Here is a nice article on Brass Hat: A Tip of the Hat
Sunday, October 17, 2010
October 2010 Part 3 - Serious Attitude
A European-based 4-year-old filly defeated the boys and won the Nearctic Stakes-G1 on Woodbine turf course on Saturday Oct 16, at 23/1. Serious Attitude (IRE), who won the prestigious Cheveley Park Stud Stakes-G1 at 2, has a very unorthodox pedigree, at the one you would expect to be a sprinting filly who, on her best days, could be competitive at the highest level.
Racing Post's article
Pedigree
She is by Mtoto (GB), out of Zameyla (IRE), by Cape Cross. Her dosage profile is 0-1-1-8-8, with DI of 0.09 and a CD of -1.28, typical numbers for a chaser. A Mtoto offspring winning 6f at 2? That's not a joke! She's definitely getting her speed from the dam side. She is going to be selling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
Below is an excerpt after her Group One victory at Newmarket in 2008:
Racing Post's article
Pedigree
She is by Mtoto (GB), out of Zameyla (IRE), by Cape Cross. Her dosage profile is 0-1-1-8-8, with DI of 0.09 and a CD of -1.28, typical numbers for a chaser. A Mtoto offspring winning 6f at 2? That's not a joke! She's definitely getting her speed from the dam side. She is going to be selling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
Below is an excerpt after her Group One victory at Newmarket in 2008:
Bought for just 7,500 guineas
at Tattersalls last year, Serious Attitude stretched her unbeaten record to
three with this battling success. In doing so, the bay--supplemented this
week--led home a one-two for bargain buys when beating the i10,000 TATIRE
yearling Aspen Darlin in a pulsating finish. Having won by five lengths over six
furlongs on debut at Windsor Aug. 10, Serious Attitude had a host of smart
fillies, including yesterday's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Souter's Sister (Ire),
behind when making a successful step up to Listed company in the Sept. 4 Dick
Poole Fillies' S. over the same trip at Salisbury. She was held up early off the
furious fractions, quickened through rivals to lead with 100 yards remaining and
was drawing away from the game runner-up in the drive to the line. "I was a
little bit concerned about the ground today, as there was plenty of give at
Salisbury, but in fairness to her she handled it okay," commented Jimmy Fortune,
who also rides the current crop leader Rainbow View. "I'd say she will be better
with a little bit of juice, and she's a very nice filly. When I rode her last
time, I told Rae that she could be the second-best filly in the country, and she
might be." Trainer Rae Guest has a visit in mind to the G1 1000 Guineas in May.
"She is a very good two-year-old filly, although that's not what we are renowned
for," Guest said. "The breeder put me on to her because he didn't sell her
in the ring, and she's done very well. She didn't look much at first, and it
wasn't until January that she started to strengthen up; then she went weak
again. It wasn't until July when we really knew she was something. She's by
Mtoto, but she's very fast and hopefully we are going to go for the G1 1000
Guineas. She has so much speed [that] we are worried whether she stays or not,
but she's usually laid-back at home. Although she was a bit keen today, she
travels nicely through the race and settles, so I can't see why she shouldn't
run there."
Sunday, October 10, 2010
October 2010 Part 2 - Paul Nicholls and Rogue Romance
After last week's extravaganza weekend with racing from all around the world, various Breeders' Cup prep races are continuing being run this week at Keeneland, Hollywood and Belmont. Over in Europe, National Hunt racing is officially being run non-stop annually. But unofficially, the season in Britain begins when Ruby Walsh is riding in Britain for Nicholls and the trainer starts sending his more high profile and promising prospects out, and that's usually happens at Chepstow in October.
I have read Paul Nicholls' autobiography and have a better understanding of his career and his love of horse racing.
In a partnership with Betfair, a dedicated blog is created for this season for fans to be up-close with the stables runners.
Blog: http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/
Nicholls held the Owners' Day in early September and they posted some of the clips on Youtube. I wish more high-profile trainers here can create more communication like these. They are the "spokesperson" of the sports. Fans and gamblers alike want to know more about them and about their horses. Anything that can be done to increase that transparency will enhance the sports' public awareness and profile.
On Saturday October 9, the champion trainer sent out 9 runners at Chepstow and Bangor, and registered 4 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds. The two unplaced horses ran finished 4th and 5th in their respective races.
2:20 Chepstow, Juvenile Hurdle, 2m½f - won by 3-year-old Domtaline (FR) @ 3/10 by 25 lengths, ridden by Ruby Walsh.
Chart
Replay
4:00 Chepstow, Limited Handicap Hurdle, 2m½f - won by Escort'men (FR) @ 5/1 by a nose, ridden by Ruby Walsh.
Chart
Replay
4:05 Bangor, Novices' Hurdle, 2m1f - won by 4-year-old Silviniaco Conti (FR) @ 2/1 by 29 lengths, ridden by R Mahon.
Chart
Replay
5:15 Bangor, Novices' Chase, 2m4½f - won by 5-year-old Robinson Collonges (FR) @ 3/1 by 20 lengths, ridden by Harry Skelton.
Chart
Replay
All four winners are French-imports. It is not unusual at this time of the year to see promising novices hurdlers or chasers to win by wide margins. The fact that these horses are coming from Nicholls barn, and as a fan, we know how open Nicholls is in telling us how good some of these prospects are, without having much worry of going off at very short odds.
State-side, one of the most eye-catching run over the weekend was Rogue Romance came from last to first in the Bourbon Stakes-G3 for 2-year-olds at Keeneland on Sunday, October 10, who was cozily ridden by Julian Leparoux.
I have read Paul Nicholls' autobiography and have a better understanding of his career and his love of horse racing.
In a partnership with Betfair, a dedicated blog is created for this season for fans to be up-close with the stables runners.
Blog: http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/
Nicholls held the Owners' Day in early September and they posted some of the clips on Youtube. I wish more high-profile trainers here can create more communication like these. They are the "spokesperson" of the sports. Fans and gamblers alike want to know more about them and about their horses. Anything that can be done to increase that transparency will enhance the sports' public awareness and profile.
On Saturday October 9, the champion trainer sent out 9 runners at Chepstow and Bangor, and registered 4 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds. The two unplaced horses ran finished 4th and 5th in their respective races.
2:20 Chepstow, Juvenile Hurdle, 2m½f - won by 3-year-old Domtaline (FR) @ 3/10 by 25 lengths, ridden by Ruby Walsh.
Chart
Replay
4:00 Chepstow, Limited Handicap Hurdle, 2m½f - won by Escort'men (FR) @ 5/1 by a nose, ridden by Ruby Walsh.
Chart
Replay
4:05 Bangor, Novices' Hurdle, 2m1f - won by 4-year-old Silviniaco Conti (FR) @ 2/1 by 29 lengths, ridden by R Mahon.
Chart
Replay
5:15 Bangor, Novices' Chase, 2m4½f - won by 5-year-old Robinson Collonges (FR) @ 3/1 by 20 lengths, ridden by Harry Skelton.
Chart
Replay
All four winners are French-imports. It is not unusual at this time of the year to see promising novices hurdlers or chasers to win by wide margins. The fact that these horses are coming from Nicholls barn, and as a fan, we know how open Nicholls is in telling us how good some of these prospects are, without having much worry of going off at very short odds.
State-side, one of the most eye-catching run over the weekend was Rogue Romance came from last to first in the Bourbon Stakes-G3 for 2-year-olds at Keeneland on Sunday, October 10, who was cozily ridden by Julian Leparoux.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October 2010 Part 1 - Herculian Prince and Goldikova
The extravaganza weekend began with Sacred Kingdom returning to the podium by taking the Group Three Sha Tin Sprint Trophy, and ended with Champ Pegasus putting a dominating performance in the Clement Hirsch Turf Championship at Oak Tree Hollywood and solidifying his form and his status to be the west coast's representative in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
In between these 2 events, high quality flat racing went around the world: Sha Tin, Hoosier Park, Parx, Hawthorne, Newmarket, Nakayama, Randwick, Flemington, Belmont, Hollywood Park and Longchamp.
Two races in particular that I find them interesting. In both occasions, the pace-setters lost his/her lead at a point where one would think the pack's come charging, only to their classes that they came back and overtook the lead and won stylishly. Was that the jockey's tactics? It certainly took a very good and determined horse to do it, and the jockey has to be fully aware of how much horse underneath him.
Herculian Prince in the 2400m Metropolitan Handicap-G1 at Randwick on October 2, ridden by Nash Rawiller.
Goldikova in the 1400m Prix de la Foret-G1 at Longchamp on October 3, ridden by Olivier Peslier.
In between these 2 events, high quality flat racing went around the world: Sha Tin, Hoosier Park, Parx, Hawthorne, Newmarket, Nakayama, Randwick, Flemington, Belmont, Hollywood Park and Longchamp.
Two races in particular that I find them interesting. In both occasions, the pace-setters lost his/her lead at a point where one would think the pack's come charging, only to their classes that they came back and overtook the lead and won stylishly. Was that the jockey's tactics? It certainly took a very good and determined horse to do it, and the jockey has to be fully aware of how much horse underneath him.
Herculian Prince in the 2400m Metropolitan Handicap-G1 at Randwick on October 2, ridden by Nash Rawiller.
Goldikova in the 1400m Prix de la Foret-G1 at Longchamp on October 3, ridden by Olivier Peslier.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 2010 Part 4 - Rose Kingdom vs. Eishin Flash
I just got a link to the Kobe Shimbun Hai-G2 () from TBC forum poster tachyon and what a stretch run between the two 3-year-olds: #3 Rose Kingdom (2yo champion last year, second in the Japanese Derby this year - King Kamehameha x Resebud, by Sunday Silence) and #5 Eishin Flash (Derby winner - King's Best x Moonlady, by Platini).
They both wanted to go through that gap and made a quick-second kisses and then departed - one went inside and the other went outside - but came back again in the final 200m for the battle. These two colts know each other!
They both wanted to go through that gap and made a quick-second kisses and then departed - one went inside and the other went outside - but came back again in the final 200m for the battle. These two colts know each other!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
September 2010 Part 3 - Admiration
A 3-year-old Australian-bred entire. $625,000 Inglis yearling purchase. By Encosta de Lago, out of Provence, by Redoute's Choice. Dam is half-sister to the John Moore-trained and Sai Fun Hui-owned Hong Kong Sprint winner Inspiration. His year-younger full brother was sold to Coolmore for $700,000 at Inglis earlier this year. Beadman rode him in a Class 4 handicap carrying 130 lbs against older horses at 1200m. He drew post 13 and was the 9/5 post-time favourite. Patience sometimes is an asset. It is lucky that Beadman can find an opening in the final 100m, and this has become one of the more memorable and skillful ride for him early in the 2010/11 season. If the gap didn't materialize, this will be a bad ride. The difference between winning and losing is always only marginal.
Friday, September 24, 2010
September 2010 Part 2 - Old Forester
The three weeks immediately after the end of Saratoga/Del Mar and before the end of September is now a relatively quiet period in the racing scene both in North America and Europe. Yes there are still some big races like the Woodbine Mile and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, in general, many horses are getting ready for their final prep for this Breeders' Cup, and these preps are usually run in the first or second week in October, giving them 4-5 weeks before the Breeders' Cup. We have the following major races/meets in the first weekend of October:
It will be crazy for me to suggest, based on these performances, any of these 2 brilliant fillies will be a future champion or a high-c performers. The times weren't that fast, and the competition won't be that great. But I would say both of them are determined, focus and professional runners. They certainly are ahead of the other juveniles in the races in terms of maturity.
Including both fillies, Old Forester already has 7 winners out of 20 starters, with 1 stake-winner (Tree Pose) out of a total crop size of 74. Total earnings are $564,332 as of September 23, 2010. These numbers are good enough to put in second-place in the first-crop sire list, sixth in the general 2-year-old sire list in all of North American-based stallions, behind names like Tapit, Congrats (the leading freshman sire), Distorted Humor, Successful Appeal and More Than Ready.
For the record, the leading Canadian-based freshman sire in the last few years are Mobil (Langfuhr), Tomahawk (Seattle Slew), Finality (Dehere), Cat's At Home (Tabasco Cat) and Perigee Moon (Hennessy). I am optimistic that Old Forester will be a useful stallion in producing quality runners who mature at an early age and possess a positive racing attitude.
- Longchamp: Arc de Triomphe, Foret, l'Abbaye, Marcel Boussac, Jean-Luc Lagardere, Opera, du Cadran
- Belmont: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flower Bowl Invitational, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Beldame, Vosburgh, Kelso. Miss Grillo Breeders' Cup
- Hawthorne Gold Cup
- Oak Tree (to be run at Hollywood Park this year): Yellow Ribbon, Goodwood, Lady's Secret, Norfolk, Clement L. Hirsch Turf, Oak Leaf,
- Hoosier Park: Indiana Derby, Indiana Oaks
- Parx: Cotillion
- Newmarket: Cheveley Park, Middle Park, Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy, Sun Chariot, Cambridgeshire handicap
On a relatively quiet Thursday afternoon, Canadian-based freshman sire Old Forester (by Forestry, out of Halo River, by Irish River) had his sixth and seventh winners.
Classy Katherine, 2-year-old chestnut filly by Old Forester, out of Regent n'Flashy, by Vice Regent, won the first division of the MSW for Ontario-sired 2yo fillies at 6f.
It will be crazy for me to suggest, based on these performances, any of these 2 brilliant fillies will be a future champion or a high-c performers. The times weren't that fast, and the competition won't be that great. But I would say both of them are determined, focus and professional runners. They certainly are ahead of the other juveniles in the races in terms of maturity.
Including both fillies, Old Forester already has 7 winners out of 20 starters, with 1 stake-winner (Tree Pose) out of a total crop size of 74. Total earnings are $564,332 as of September 23, 2010. These numbers are good enough to put in second-place in the first-crop sire list, sixth in the general 2-year-old sire list in all of North American-based stallions, behind names like Tapit, Congrats (the leading freshman sire), Distorted Humor, Successful Appeal and More Than Ready.
For the record, the leading Canadian-based freshman sire in the last few years are Mobil (Langfuhr), Tomahawk (Seattle Slew), Finality (Dehere), Cat's At Home (Tabasco Cat) and Perigee Moon (Hennessy). I am optimistic that Old Forester will be a useful stallion in producing quality runners who mature at an early age and possess a positive racing attitude.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
September 2010 Part 1 - Shocking
The 2010 AJC Derby winner Shoot Out (by High Chaparral) won his first 2 races of this season - the 1200m Bletchingly Stakes (G3) and the 1400m KS Enviro J.J. Liston Stakes (G2), both at Caufield. Last week, the 2009 Cox Plate winner So You Think (also by High Chaparral), who was on his way to defend his title in the Plate, made his season debut (which was also his first start in more than 9 months) in the 1400m Memsie Stakes-G2 at Caufield and won impressively. He was very sharp off the gate and stalked the pace like a true sprinter/miler. Whobegotyou (by Street Cry) was second and Shoot Out was third.
This week, the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (by Street Cry) made his second start of the season in the 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes-G2 at Flemington under a heavy going. Obviously using this race as one of many preps for the Cup, Shocking was sent off at 16/1. He broke alertly but was immediately held back in mid-field at about 10th and racing on the second path. He was shifted to the outside at the top of the lane, saw daylight and this Flemington unbeaten horse started his rally. His accelerated started from 300m and the momentum continued to gain and the burst of energy peaked in the final 100m, and finally won this mile race by half a length.
I am always amazed by how 2 miles plus stayers can win a top-class sprinter/miler race. Many years ago, I thought River Verdon's winning performance as a 7-year-old in the 1600m Stewards' Cup-G1 (which was definitely way too short for him) was very amazing. More than ten years later, I saw Makybe Diva won the Memsie on Youtube.
In Australia, their top-level races are run in a very concentrated schedule in spring and in autumn. Horses are trained for those top-prize stakes race that are so concentrated within a 6-8 weeks period in Sep/Oct/Nov and then in Mar/Apr/May. It is not unusual to see horses race as frequent as weekly within a very short period of time.
Let's take a look at Shocking's 2009 Spring campaign. After running second in the Queensland Derby in his final 3-year-old start, he came back after only 12 weeks off on 2009/8/29 and started his 4-year-old season in a 1400m open handicap at Caufield and ran 6th of 14. Next start 14 days later on 2009/9/12 in another 1500m open handicap at Moonee Valley and finished 9th of 11. He ran again 13 days later - this time in the listed JRA Cup at 2040m and ran 3rd of 13. Then he ran 3 times in October - second in the 2400m Herbert Power Stakes (G2) at Caufield, and then second again in the 2000m Coongy Cup (G3) at Caufield, and then won the 2500m Lexus Stakes-G3 at Flemington on 2009/10/31. He came back again in 3 days on Tuesday 2009/11/3 and won the 3200m Melbourne Cup at 9/1. He carried 51 kg (112 lbs) in the victory and he will carry 57 kg (125.5 lbs) this year.
Sometimes I just can't stop but imagine what if Shocking was an American-bred and raised and trained in the U.S. He will definitely no run at 2 miles. He will not be racing 7 times in less than
His record might not be as perfect as Zenyatta, another Street Cry, but he may have already been a multiple Grade One winner already at 5, possibly the Goodwood Stakes and the Hollywood Gold Cup. If he was on the east coast, he might not be fast enough to win the 7-furlongs Forego Stakes (G1) in his first graded-stakes debut, just like what Here Comes Ben (also by Street Cry) did on the same day as the Makybe Diva Stakes. But we certainly won't see Shocking versatility winning at 1 mile and 2 miles as an older horse.
The racing and training here in North America and Europe is just so different from those in Australia. The Breeders' Cup is the ultimate goal of the year for everyone (bar the Classics) and everything done from January to October are all prep to the Breeders' Cup. Sometimes we do know people are particularly pointing a horse to a race like the Met Mile or Arlington Million. That's pretty much it. Everything else, including the Woodward, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, or even the Big 'Cap, are all stepping stones to the Breeders' Cup. Races like the Hopeful, Breeders' Futurity and Champagne become prep races to the BC Juvenile.
This week, the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (by Street Cry) made his second start of the season in the 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes-G2 at Flemington under a heavy going. Obviously using this race as one of many preps for the Cup, Shocking was sent off at 16/1. He broke alertly but was immediately held back in mid-field at about 10th and racing on the second path. He was shifted to the outside at the top of the lane, saw daylight and this Flemington unbeaten horse started his rally. His accelerated started from 300m and the momentum continued to gain and the burst of energy peaked in the final 100m, and finally won this mile race by half a length.
I am always amazed by how 2 miles plus stayers can win a top-class sprinter/miler race. Many years ago, I thought River Verdon's winning performance as a 7-year-old in the 1600m Stewards' Cup-G1 (which was definitely way too short for him) was very amazing. More than ten years later, I saw Makybe Diva won the Memsie on Youtube.
In Australia, their top-level races are run in a very concentrated schedule in spring and in autumn. Horses are trained for those top-prize stakes race that are so concentrated within a 6-8 weeks period in Sep/Oct/Nov and then in Mar/Apr/May. It is not unusual to see horses race as frequent as weekly within a very short period of time.
Let's take a look at Shocking's 2009 Spring campaign. After running second in the Queensland Derby in his final 3-year-old start, he came back after only 12 weeks off on 2009/8/29 and started his 4-year-old season in a 1400m open handicap at Caufield and ran 6th of 14. Next start 14 days later on 2009/9/12 in another 1500m open handicap at Moonee Valley and finished 9th of 11. He ran again 13 days later - this time in the listed JRA Cup at 2040m and ran 3rd of 13. Then he ran 3 times in October - second in the 2400m Herbert Power Stakes (G2) at Caufield, and then second again in the 2000m Coongy Cup (G3) at Caufield, and then won the 2500m Lexus Stakes-G3 at Flemington on 2009/10/31. He came back again in 3 days on Tuesday 2009/11/3 and won the 3200m Melbourne Cup at 9/1. He carried 51 kg (112 lbs) in the victory and he will carry 57 kg (125.5 lbs) this year.
Sometimes I just can't stop but imagine what if Shocking was an American-bred and raised and trained in the U.S. He will definitely no run at 2 miles. He will not be racing 7 times in less than
His record might not be as perfect as Zenyatta, another Street Cry, but he may have already been a multiple Grade One winner already at 5, possibly the Goodwood Stakes and the Hollywood Gold Cup. If he was on the east coast, he might not be fast enough to win the 7-furlongs Forego Stakes (G1) in his first graded-stakes debut, just like what Here Comes Ben (also by Street Cry) did on the same day as the Makybe Diva Stakes. But we certainly won't see Shocking versatility winning at 1 mile and 2 miles as an older horse.
The racing and training here in North America and Europe is just so different from those in Australia. The Breeders' Cup is the ultimate goal of the year for everyone (bar the Classics) and everything done from January to October are all prep to the Breeders' Cup. Sometimes we do know people are particularly pointing a horse to a race like the Met Mile or Arlington Million. That's pretty much it. Everything else, including the Woodward, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, or even the Big 'Cap, are all stepping stones to the Breeders' Cup. Races like the Hopeful, Breeders' Futurity and Champagne become prep races to the BC Juvenile.
Monday, August 30, 2010
August 2010 Part 5 - Señor Dehere (AUS)
Señor Dehere, an 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Dehere, out of Senorita Lucy, by Senor Pete, made his belated career debut halfway around the global from his place of birth at Saratoga, in a MSW at 5.5f on the turf on Monday August 31, and won stylishly under a smart ride by Julian Leparoux.
He has a very different stride comparing to the other horses ran in the race. For one short moment, I thought I was watching a race at Caufield. Senor Dehere's run is an Australian-style sprinting. His turn of foot is powerful. It is not typical to see an unraced 4yo Australian-bred gelding to make his debut in the U.S. east coast.
"SENOR DEHERE (AUS) dropped back while urged along, raced off the rail on the
turn, swung out at the top of the stretch, gathered momentum coming to the
furlong marker, closed strongly while drifting out and powered past the leader
late to win going away."
He has a very different stride comparing to the other horses ran in the race. For one short moment, I thought I was watching a race at Caufield. Senor Dehere's run is an Australian-style sprinting. His turn of foot is powerful. It is not typical to see an unraced 4yo Australian-bred gelding to make his debut in the U.S. east coast.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
August 2010 Part 4 - Swordsman
Swordsman
In the 15:15 race at Stratford on Thursday, August 19, a 2m7f handicap chase, was won by 8yo Swordsman, under a tremendous ride by Tom Cannon. The jockey started shaking the horse soon after the second fence and never stopped urging him to move along. He definitely earned every dollar of his riding fee. An good call by Mark Johnson also add to the excitement.
Replay
After watching the entire race, I'm sure both horse and jockey were tired. Dave Johnson was tired and I was tired too. What a race! But such performance will go away without much notice in the middle of the flat season.
Blind Luck
Blind Luck's win in the Alabama should solidify her lead as the nation's top 3-year-old filly. Her record this year is 5 win, 1 second and 1 third in 7 starts. Her 7 starts came from 6 different tracks - Santa Anita, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park, Delaware and now Saratoga. She is everywhere. What a piece of fine training performance by Jerry Hollendorfer.
Steve Haskin wrote a nice article about Blind Luck at Bloodhorse.com. The more time she races, the more fans she will have, coast to coast. Coming from a humble beginning, she has a down-to-the-earth image, unlike other Oaks winner Rags To Riches who's very blue, or Rachel Alexandra who was the Lady Gaga of horse racing in 2009. She has a running style that is similar to Zenyatta's, but like many of us, Blind Luck is not perfect, has been defeated and is more "real" than the queen who's like coming from another planet.
If her Breeders' Cup goal is the Ladies' Classic, it wouldn't harm for Blind Luck to go back to 8.5f for her prep race. There is the $500k Indiana Derby-G2 or the $200k Indiana Oaks-G2 at Hoosier Park, both to be run at 8.5f. Or she can try older mare for the first time in the Zenyatta-G1 or Beldame-G1. All of these races will be held on Oct 2.
Debussy
John Gosden's Debussy, a 4-year-old son of Diesis, won the Arlington Million, defeating favourite Gio Ponti i the final 70 yards.
Marsh Side
I saw Marsh Side in person in the 2006 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine, in early December when he was still a 3-year-old. Since then he won a Canadian International-G1 and a Northern Dancer-G1, both at 12fT at Woodbine. He loves this track. He was back again on Sunday Aug22 and won the Sky Classic-G2. The race itself was pretty straight-forward in this 6-horse field. He broke OK but quickly took an aggressive stalking position and was enjoying the soft going and probably the wide turf course and the quiet surrounding. Whatever the reason, he won easily and earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
In the 15:15 race at Stratford on Thursday, August 19, a 2m7f handicap chase, was won by 8yo Swordsman, under a tremendous ride by Tom Cannon. The jockey started shaking the horse soon after the second fence and never stopped urging him to move along. He definitely earned every dollar of his riding fee. An good call by Mark Johnson also add to the excitement.
Replay
After watching the entire race, I'm sure both horse and jockey were tired. Dave Johnson was tired and I was tired too. What a race! But such performance will go away without much notice in the middle of the flat season.
Blind Luck
Blind Luck's win in the Alabama should solidify her lead as the nation's top 3-year-old filly. Her record this year is 5 win, 1 second and 1 third in 7 starts. Her 7 starts came from 6 different tracks - Santa Anita, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park, Delaware and now Saratoga. She is everywhere. What a piece of fine training performance by Jerry Hollendorfer.
Steve Haskin wrote a nice article about Blind Luck at Bloodhorse.com. The more time she races, the more fans she will have, coast to coast. Coming from a humble beginning, she has a down-to-the-earth image, unlike other Oaks winner Rags To Riches who's very blue, or Rachel Alexandra who was the Lady Gaga of horse racing in 2009. She has a running style that is similar to Zenyatta's, but like many of us, Blind Luck is not perfect, has been defeated and is more "real" than the queen who's like coming from another planet.
If her Breeders' Cup goal is the Ladies' Classic, it wouldn't harm for Blind Luck to go back to 8.5f for her prep race. There is the $500k Indiana Derby-G2 or the $200k Indiana Oaks-G2 at Hoosier Park, both to be run at 8.5f. Or she can try older mare for the first time in the Zenyatta-G1 or Beldame-G1. All of these races will be held on Oct 2.
Debussy
John Gosden's Debussy, a 4-year-old son of Diesis, won the Arlington Million, defeating favourite Gio Ponti i the final 70 yards.
Marsh Side
I saw Marsh Side in person in the 2006 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine, in early December when he was still a 3-year-old. Since then he won a Canadian International-G1 and a Northern Dancer-G1, both at 12fT at Woodbine. He loves this track. He was back again on Sunday Aug22 and won the Sky Classic-G2. The race itself was pretty straight-forward in this 6-horse field. He broke OK but quickly took an aggressive stalking position and was enjoying the soft going and probably the wide turf course and the quiet surrounding. Whatever the reason, he won easily and earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 2010 Part 3 - Rip Van Winkle
With only 3 weeks left before the end of summer, I spent most of my time on non-racing activities - family, golf and reading. The Juddmonte International came up on a Tuesday. The race lacked the anticipation of brilliance from the likes of Goldikova, Canford Cliffs or Harbinger. I didn't pay much attention to it before the race, other than knowing roughly who are running.
This rank right up there as one of the biggest surprises to me this season. The excitement keep building up before they turned for home, and reached the climax when Byword and Twice Over were all out with Murtagh nudging on Rip Van Winkle closely behind in third, but it never looked like he was able to catch the first two (when Twice Over took control over Byword in the final furlong). I think the burst of speed in the final 70 yards is all heart and class on Rip Van Winkle. He wanted to win. He knew what winning feel like. He hasn't been to the winner's circle for almost a year already, and he desperately missed that.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
August 2010 Part 2 - Frankel
Racing in the summer months of July and August has reached a saturated point for me. Older horse, three-year-olds, two-year-olds, dirt, turf, US, Canada, Europe and just this past weekend, the new Australian season is unofficially back. A month or so ago, I still felt guilty of missing a race or missing the opportunity of seeing propective juvenile. But I can't keep up anymore. The quality is there, and the promise is there - at Saratoga, Del Mar, Monmouth, Newmarket, Newbury, Curragh ... the list just keep going on.
On Friday August 13 at the July Course at Newmarket, first-time starter Frankel (by Galileo, out of Kind, by Danehill), a Juddmonte home-bred, won impressively in very testing condition.
Newmarket, 18.35, Mdn, ,7,000, 2yo, 1mT, 1:43.69,
sf.
+FRANKEL (GB), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Kind (Ire) (MSW-GB, GSP-Ire, $132,389), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Rainbow Lake (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Rockfest, by Stage Door Johnny
Frankel carried a big enough reputation into this race,
which saw the debut of Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire})
six years ago, to be sent off the 7-4 favorite. That
despite the fact that he faced a raft of notably bred
individuals, and there is an unwritten rule that his
trainer's runners usually benefit from their first outing.
Steadied out of the gate by Tom Queally, the homebred
was always traveling strongly in mid-pack, and was still
full of run when easing upsides fellow newcomer
Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) inside the final quarter.
Given a squeeze passing the furlong marker, the imposing
bay stretched into a short lead and was hand ridden
from there to best that well-supported 3-1 second
favorite by a half length, with five lengths back to
Genius Beast (Kingmambo). "I didn't know he'd go on
that ground, and Tom was very easy on him, as I hadn't
galloped him and he was just ready for a race,"
trainer Henry Cecil said. "He could potentially be very
nice, and will come on a lot for that. He's got good
engagements." The winner is a 1/2 to Bullet Train (GB)
(Sadler=s Wells), GSW-GB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0,
,4,533.
Replay
He is a big horse and seems to have bottomless stamina. His DP is 5-2-15-7-1 (30), DI = 0.94, CD = 0.10.
On Friday August 13 at the July Course at Newmarket, first-time starter Frankel (by Galileo, out of Kind, by Danehill), a Juddmonte home-bred, won impressively in very testing condition.
Newmarket, 18.35, Mdn, ,7,000, 2yo, 1mT, 1:43.69,
sf.
+FRANKEL (GB), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Kind (Ire) (MSW-GB, GSP-Ire, $132,389), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Rainbow Lake (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Rockfest, by Stage Door Johnny
Frankel carried a big enough reputation into this race,
which saw the debut of Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire})
six years ago, to be sent off the 7-4 favorite. That
despite the fact that he faced a raft of notably bred
individuals, and there is an unwritten rule that his
trainer's runners usually benefit from their first outing.
Steadied out of the gate by Tom Queally, the homebred
was always traveling strongly in mid-pack, and was still
full of run when easing upsides fellow newcomer
Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) inside the final quarter.
Given a squeeze passing the furlong marker, the imposing
bay stretched into a short lead and was hand ridden
from there to best that well-supported 3-1 second
favorite by a half length, with five lengths back to
Genius Beast (Kingmambo). "I didn't know he'd go on
that ground, and Tom was very easy on him, as I hadn't
galloped him and he was just ready for a race,"
trainer Henry Cecil said. "He could potentially be very
nice, and will come on a lot for that. He's got good
engagements." The winner is a 1/2 to Bullet Train (GB)
(Sadler=s Wells), GSW-GB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0,
,4,533.
Replay
He is a big horse and seems to have bottomless stamina. His DP is 5-2-15-7-1 (30), DI = 0.94, CD = 0.10.
Monday, August 9, 2010
August 2010 Part 1 - Malibu Moon
Malibu Moon has produced 6 GSW thus far, with 3 individual G1SWs, all distaffers led by:
Malibu Prayer earned a BSF of 103 in the Ruffian Invitational Handicap-G1 on August 1st at Saratoga.
- 3-year-old filly Devil May Care (CCA Oaks-G1, Mother Goose-G1, Bonnie Miss-G2),
- 4-year-old filly Life At Ten (Ogden Phipps H-G1, Delaware H-G2, Sixty Sails H-G3),
- and most recently another 4-year-old filly in Malibu Prayer (Ruffian Inv. H-G1). Note that they are all winners at NYRA tracks.
The other GSWs are:
- 5-year-old mare Sweet August Moon (A Gleam H-G2)
- 4-year-old filly Funny Moon (Shuvee H-G2) ... another one at NYRA
- 3-year-old colt Odysseus (Tampa Bay Derby-G3)
As of today, he is ranked third in the General Sire List, behind Maria's Mon and Giant's Causeway. Ahead of Distorted Humor, Elusive Quality, Smart Strike and Unbridled's Song. Medaglia d'Oro, Speightstown and Street Cry are further back.
Can we have a Malibu Moon exacta or even triactor in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic this year? Looks like they have to go through the last two winner of the Kentucky Oaks in Blind Luck and Rachel Alexandra, assuming the latter one will not go against the big boys, and the forms of all these top-class f/m hold to early November. This will be a heck of a race to handicap with the varying running style.
Malibu Prayer earned a BSF of 103 in the Ruffian Invitational Handicap-G1 on August 1st at Saratoga.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Week of July 19 to 25: Harbinger
Harbinger's performance in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot will be remembered for a long time. The horse himself still has a lot to achieve to be name alongside those of Sea The Stars, Nijinsky II, Dancing Brave, etc., but no doubt this is one of the most visually dominating performance in recent history at the highest level. Horses like Sea The Stars or Zenyatta just will not win a race in such a fashion.
Only a rachorse overall career achievement can determine his/her place in the history. A brilliant performance in one race certainly adds a lot to his resume, but he still has more to achieve.
Only a rachorse overall career achievement can determine his/her place in the history. A brilliant performance in one race certainly adds a lot to his resume, but he still has more to achieve.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Week of July 12 to 18: Roxy Gap
It is already middle of July, and 2-year-old races are gradually taking centre stage. It is the time of the year where hopes and anticipation is everywhere. Many of these juveniles are winning first out. And whenever the winning margin is more than 3 lengths, no matter whether it is a 4.5f sprint race at Calder or a mile turf race at Ellis Park, the one-for-one, unbeaten juvenile has unlimited potential, giving his/her connection umlimited boundary of their thoroughbred racing dream. That's IS the beauty of the game. Here are some 2-year-old winners during the week at various tracks on both sides of the Atlantic. Let's see how many of them are still racing (and at what level) in the fall, or even more impressively, by the end of their 3-year-old season?
- Smash, c (by Smart Strike, out of Dixie Holiday, by Dixieland Band), trained by Bob Baffert: DP 13-3-10-0-0, DI 4.20, CD 1.12
- A Z Warrior, f (by Bernardini, out of Carson Jen, by Carson City), trained by Bob Baffert: DP 11-10-13-0-0, DI 4.23, CD 0.94
- Sovereign Default, c (by Northern Afleet, out of She is Raging, by Aggressive Chief), trained by Richard Violette: DP 5-5-9-3-0, DI 1.93, CD 0.55
- Position Limit, f (by Bellamy Road, out of Payable On Demand, by Out Of Place), trained by Todd Pletcher: DP 2-4-6-2-0, DI 1.80, CD 0.43
- Z Appeal, c (by Ghostzapper, out of Turkappeal, by Turkoman), trained by Dale Romans: DP 5-0-7-0-0, DI 2.43, CD 0.83
- Brew Me A Wynn, c (by Milwaukee Brew, out of Proveittome, by Sword Dance), trained by T Wynn Jolley: DP 3-5-8-2-0, DI 2.00, CD 0.50
- Typhoon Slew, c (by Stormy Atlantic, out of Hepatica, by Slewpy), trained by Michael Maker: DP 5-1-8-0-0, DI 2.50, CD 0.79
- Glory Game, g (by Medallist, out of Yes Please, by Crowd Pleaser), trained by Nick Gonzalez: DP 3-3-7-1-0, DI 2.11, CD 0.57
- Storm Rush, c (by Stormy Atlantic, out of Willow Rush, by Wild Rush), trained by Roger Attfield: DP 4-1-5-0-0, DI 3.00, CD 0.90
But if I have to pick the most impressive race, I will go with Roxy Gap, f (by Indian Charlie, out of Harts Gap, by Saint Ballado), trained by Mark Casse: DP 2-1-6-1-0, DI 1.50, CD 0.40. She won the $150k Shady Well Stakes at Woodbine from post # 12 at odds of 3/5. She will also be my pick to see her at Churchill Downs in early November.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Week of July 5 to 11: Richard Hannon
British trainer Richard Hannon's specialty is always known for his 2-year-olds, and this year, his juvenile lots are performing exceptionally well. In the 3 days during the Newmarket July Meet, he dominated all three Group races for 2-year-olds at Newmarket, plus a couple of more wins. A few of them give me the impression that they can be trained on as a 3-year-old. His recent resume in 2010 include names like Paco Boy, Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs.
Memory (SP 5/4f), by Danehill Dancer, out of Nausicaa, by Diesis, won the 6 furlongs Cherry Hinton Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 7. She is still undefeated in 3 starts. She cost 72,000 guineas as a yearling.
Chart, Replay
Tale Untold (SP 4/5f), by Tale Of The Cat, out of Bank On Her, by Rahy, won the 18:50 at Kempton on July 7, a 6 furlongs maiden race on the polytrack. She was bought for 26,000 guineas in the 2009 Tattersalls October Yearlings Sales.
Chart, Replay
Libranno (SP 10/1), by Librettist, out of Annabele Ja, by Singspiel, won the 6 furlongs July Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 8. He cost 26,000 guineas as a yearling.
Chart, Replay
Casual Glimpse (SP 7/1), by Compton Place, out of Glimpse, by Night Shift, won the 6 furlongs E.B.F. Conditions Stakes (Class 2) at Newmarket on July 8. She cost 40,000 guineas as a yearling. She now has 2 wins in 3 starts.
Chart, Replay
King Torus (SP 7/2), by Oratorio, out of Dipterous, by Mujadil, won the 7 furlongs Superlative Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 9. He cost 30,000 euros as a yearling and now has 2 wins in 3 starts.
Chart, Replay
Date With Destiny (SP 9/2), by George Washington, out of Flawlessly, by Rainbow Quest, won first time out in the 18:20 at Newbury on July 9, a 7 furlongs maiden race for fillies. She is the only offspring of George Washington. She was bought for 320,000 guineas in the 2009 Tattersalls Yearlings Sales by Peter Doyle Bloodstock, on behalf of her current owner, Julie Wood, who also races several promising 2-year-olds such as Strong Suit, Zebedee and Sweet Cecily.
Chart, Replay
A few races ran in North American during the weekend are worth some tactical discussion.
July 10, Man o' War Stakes-G1 (Belmont), 11fT - Gio Ponti
Gio Ponti has every reason to lose again. Tactically it is a poor ride. They can let the pace setter to set those easy fraction, making this a half mile sprint. Gio Ponti showed that he can also be a good sprinter LOL!
July 10, Allowance NW2L (Belmont), 7f - Tahitian Warrior
He ran second behind Trappe Shot last time. This is a professional win and a good step forward. If Godolphin keeps him at under a mile, probably the King's Bishop will be a good summer target for him.
July 10, Long Branch Stakes (Monmouth), 8.5f - Trappe Shot
This has the look and feel of a Euro race. The 4 horses are so close to each other. The pace wasn't brutal but very honest and legitimate. Trappe Shot was tested in several dimensions and he answered all of them very professionally. The 9f Haskell is next.
July 10, Delaware Oaks-G2 (Delaware), 8.5f - Blind Luck
Another come-from-behind finish for Blind Luck. How many times has she done that already this season? She has been travelling a lot lately and collecting a lot of mileage points.
July 11, Bison City Stakes (Woodbine), 8.5f - Free Fee Lady
Patrick Husbands and Emma Wilson teamed up to beat the 1/9 favourite. Without being pressured by Oil Pointing, I'm not sure if Embur's Song will set easier fraction though.
Memory (SP 5/4f), by Danehill Dancer, out of Nausicaa, by Diesis, won the 6 furlongs Cherry Hinton Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 7. She is still undefeated in 3 starts. She cost 72,000 guineas as a yearling.
Chart, Replay
Tale Untold (SP 4/5f), by Tale Of The Cat, out of Bank On Her, by Rahy, won the 18:50 at Kempton on July 7, a 6 furlongs maiden race on the polytrack. She was bought for 26,000 guineas in the 2009 Tattersalls October Yearlings Sales.
Chart, Replay
Libranno (SP 10/1), by Librettist, out of Annabele Ja, by Singspiel, won the 6 furlongs July Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 8. He cost 26,000 guineas as a yearling.
Chart, Replay
Casual Glimpse (SP 7/1), by Compton Place, out of Glimpse, by Night Shift, won the 6 furlongs E.B.F. Conditions Stakes (Class 2) at Newmarket on July 8. She cost 40,000 guineas as a yearling. She now has 2 wins in 3 starts.
Chart, Replay
King Torus (SP 7/2), by Oratorio, out of Dipterous, by Mujadil, won the 7 furlongs Superlative Stakes-G2 at Newmarket on July 9. He cost 30,000 euros as a yearling and now has 2 wins in 3 starts.
Chart, Replay
Date With Destiny (SP 9/2), by George Washington, out of Flawlessly, by Rainbow Quest, won first time out in the 18:20 at Newbury on July 9, a 7 furlongs maiden race for fillies. She is the only offspring of George Washington. She was bought for 320,000 guineas in the 2009 Tattersalls Yearlings Sales by Peter Doyle Bloodstock, on behalf of her current owner, Julie Wood, who also races several promising 2-year-olds such as Strong Suit, Zebedee and Sweet Cecily.
Chart, Replay
A few races ran in North American during the weekend are worth some tactical discussion.
July 10, Man o' War Stakes-G1 (Belmont), 11fT - Gio Ponti
Gio Ponti has every reason to lose again. Tactically it is a poor ride. They can let the pace setter to set those easy fraction, making this a half mile sprint. Gio Ponti showed that he can also be a good sprinter LOL!
July 10, Allowance NW2L (Belmont), 7f - Tahitian Warrior
He ran second behind Trappe Shot last time. This is a professional win and a good step forward. If Godolphin keeps him at under a mile, probably the King's Bishop will be a good summer target for him.
July 10, Long Branch Stakes (Monmouth), 8.5f - Trappe Shot
This has the look and feel of a Euro race. The 4 horses are so close to each other. The pace wasn't brutal but very honest and legitimate. Trappe Shot was tested in several dimensions and he answered all of them very professionally. The 9f Haskell is next.
July 10, Delaware Oaks-G2 (Delaware), 8.5f - Blind Luck
Another come-from-behind finish for Blind Luck. How many times has she done that already this season? She has been travelling a lot lately and collecting a lot of mileage points.
July 11, Bison City Stakes (Woodbine), 8.5f - Free Fee Lady
Patrick Husbands and Emma Wilson teamed up to beat the 1/9 favourite. Without being pressured by Oil Pointing, I'm not sure if Embur's Song will set easier fraction though.
Week of June 28 to July 4 - United Nations
There is no Gio Ponti here but I only find it makes the race more competitive. 5 of the 8 runners are former Grade One winner, but victory goes to the French-trained Marju's horse Chinchon, who came from dead last at the top of the stretch with an eye-catching turn of foot and swept by the whole field and won handily.
Bloodhorse Article on Chinchon's Pedigree, by Alan Porter: click here.
Bloodhorse Article on Chinchon's Pedigree, by Alan Porter: click here.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Royal Ascot 2010
My top 5 favourite races from the Royal Ascot:
Queen's Vase-G3, Mikhail Glinka vs. Theology
There were a lot of pushing in the backstretch and Murtagh had the horse "encouraged" and to maintained in perfect stalking position 3 wide turning for horse.
Prince Of Wales's Stakes-G1, Byword vs. Twice Over
The Juddomonte folks already have a terrific season on both side of the Atlantic Ocean and Byword and Twice Over added to the list by finishing one-two in the Prince Of Wales's. I hope these 2 will stay healthy and we could possibly see them in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Coventry Stakes-G2, Strong Suit vs. Alzaam
As the commentator indicated, how on earth can Strong Suit win this race? Everything that can go wrong for Strong Suit DID go wrong, and he still somehow managed to cross the wire first.
Windsor Forest Stakes-G2, Strawberrydaiquiri vs. Spacious and Moore vs. Murtagh
Classic stretch battle. Just watch it!
Wokingham Stakes (heritage handicap), Laddies Poker Two, and Bookmakers vs Punters vs. Jeremy Noseda
She is a group mare.
This is a classic example of assessment, preparation, planning, planning, upset, preparation, planning, planning, laying, assessment, further preparation, assessment, laying, and finally, execution to the utmost perfection.
Queen's Vase-G3, Mikhail Glinka vs. Theology
There were a lot of pushing in the backstretch and Murtagh had the horse "encouraged" and to maintained in perfect stalking position 3 wide turning for horse.
Prince Of Wales's Stakes-G1, Byword vs. Twice Over
The Juddomonte folks already have a terrific season on both side of the Atlantic Ocean and Byword and Twice Over added to the list by finishing one-two in the Prince Of Wales's. I hope these 2 will stay healthy and we could possibly see them in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Coventry Stakes-G2, Strong Suit vs. Alzaam
As the commentator indicated, how on earth can Strong Suit win this race? Everything that can go wrong for Strong Suit DID go wrong, and he still somehow managed to cross the wire first.
Windsor Forest Stakes-G2, Strawberrydaiquiri vs. Spacious and Moore vs. Murtagh
Classic stretch battle. Just watch it!
Wokingham Stakes (heritage handicap), Laddies Poker Two, and Bookmakers vs Punters vs. Jeremy Noseda
She is a group mare.
This is a classic example of assessment, preparation, planning, planning, upset, preparation, planning, planning, laying, assessment, further preparation, assessment, laying, and finally, execution to the utmost perfection.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Week of Jun 7 to June 13, 2010 - Zarebiya, Sarafina, Moment Of Majesty
Zarebiya, Leopardstown, Thursday, June 10
This John Oxx trained, Aga Khan homebred 3yo filly by Galileo, out of Zarlana, by Darshaan, made her career debut against 14 other 3-year-olds in a 1m4f maiden race on a relaxed Thursday evening at Leopardstown. I know these Aga Khan filly are well bred and they have tons of stamina, and I'm sure it isn't that big of a deal to start an Irish-bred filly in a 12f race.
I like the way she travelled and although the winning margin was only a length, it was only a hand ride and I am looking forward to her next racecourse appearance.
Racing Post Chart
Replay
Story
Averoo, York, Saturday, June 12
And please don' tell me this champion jockey always win races like this ... post #20 ... first gate from the near side. He comes from nowhere.
Replay
Chart
Sarafina, Prix du Diane-G1, Chantilly, Sunday June 13
Back to the Aga Khan.
Woodbine Oaks, Sunday, Jun13
From one Oaks to another Oaks. Finally, the Woodbine Oaks was won by Roan Inish, but I want to say that, wasn't there a moment in the stretch run that we thought we'll see Robert Landry winning the Oaks? It was so close, but the difference between winner and second-place finisher is so far apart. I won't disagree that Moment Of Majesty's connection will be very happy with her performance, and they will always remember such a fine run by this Saint Liam filly. But the reality of horse racing is that only the winner will be remember. I wish she can repeat what her sire did. Although he lost a hard-fought battle with Ghostzapper in the Woodward (and everyone remember how freakish the beast ran that day), Saint Liam eventually earned the biggest price by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and HOY title in 2005.
This John Oxx trained, Aga Khan homebred 3yo filly by Galileo, out of Zarlana, by Darshaan, made her career debut against 14 other 3-year-olds in a 1m4f maiden race on a relaxed Thursday evening at Leopardstown. I know these Aga Khan filly are well bred and they have tons of stamina, and I'm sure it isn't that big of a deal to start an Irish-bred filly in a 12f race.
I like the way she travelled and although the winning margin was only a length, it was only a hand ride and I am looking forward to her next racecourse appearance.
Racing Post Chart
Replay
Story
Averoo, York, Saturday, June 12
And please don' tell me this champion jockey always win races like this ... post #20 ... first gate from the near side. He comes from nowhere.
Replay
Chart
Sarafina, Prix du Diane-G1, Chantilly, Sunday June 13
Back to the Aga Khan.
Woodbine Oaks, Sunday, Jun13
From one Oaks to another Oaks. Finally, the Woodbine Oaks was won by Roan Inish, but I want to say that, wasn't there a moment in the stretch run that we thought we'll see Robert Landry winning the Oaks? It was so close, but the difference between winner and second-place finisher is so far apart. I won't disagree that Moment Of Majesty's connection will be very happy with her performance, and they will always remember such a fine run by this Saint Liam filly. But the reality of horse racing is that only the winner will be remember. I wish she can repeat what her sire did. Although he lost a hard-fought battle with Ghostzapper in the Woodward (and everyone remember how freakish the beast ran that day), Saint Liam eventually earned the biggest price by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and HOY title in 2005.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Week of May 31 to June 6, 2010 - Son Of Flicka
吃不消!
This week is by far the busiest week in international racing. Look at the number of Gr. One/Two races.
Grade/Group One races:
吃不消!
This is also the post-race reaction of Musket Man, Le Grand Cru and Warrior's Reward. I am actually very impressed with Tizway's performance, but all he can see throughout the race is Quality Road's butt.
Fame And Glory's win in the Coronation Cup. Also 吃不消! See you next week.
King's Best sired the Japanese Derby winner in Eishin Flash last week and the Epsom Derby winner in Workforce this week. Dubawi sired the 2000 Guineas in Makfi earlier in May, and another Darley stallion, Shamardal, himself a Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club double winner, now sired Lope de Vega who also won the French classic double. Shamardal's sire Giant's Causeway, of course was no match to King's Best in the Millenium 2000 Guineas.
My vote for best race of the week though, goes to A P McCoy. When's the last time you get a winner from AP at better than 10/1?
Enjoy
Son Of Flicka, Worcester 6/5/2010
This week is by far the busiest week in international racing. Look at the number of Gr. One/Two races.
Grade/Group One races:
- Metropolitan Handicap (Belmont)
- Shoemaker Mile (Hollywood)
- Coronation Cup (Epsom)
- The Oaks (Epsom)
- The Derby (Epsom)
- Prix Du Jockey Club (Chantilly)
- Yasuda Kinen (Tokyo)
- Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (Hollywood)
- Manhattan Handicap (Belmont)
- Acorn (Belmont)
- Just A Game (Belmont)
- Belmont Stakes (Belmont)
- Queensland Oaks (Eagle Farm)
Grade/Group Two races:
- Sands Point (Belmont)
- Hollymoon Handicap (Hollywood)
- Brooklyn Handicap (Belmont)
- True North Handicap (Belmont)
- Woody Stephens (Belmont)
- Nassau (Woodbine)
- Dane Ripper (Eagle Farm)
- BRC Sires' Produce (Eagle Farm)
- Eagle Farm Cup (Eagle Farm)
- QTC Cup (Eagle Farm)
- Hollywood Oaks (Hollywood)
- Prix De Sandringham (Chantilly)
- Grand Prix De Chantilly (Chantilly)
- Prix Du Gros-Chene (Chantilly)
- Grosser Preis Der Hauptstadregion (Hoppegarten)
吃不消!
This is also the post-race reaction of Musket Man, Le Grand Cru and Warrior's Reward. I am actually very impressed with Tizway's performance, but all he can see throughout the race is Quality Road's butt.
Fame And Glory's win in the Coronation Cup. Also 吃不消! See you next week.
King's Best sired the Japanese Derby winner in Eishin Flash last week and the Epsom Derby winner in Workforce this week. Dubawi sired the 2000 Guineas in Makfi earlier in May, and another Darley stallion, Shamardal, himself a Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club double winner, now sired Lope de Vega who also won the French classic double. Shamardal's sire Giant's Causeway, of course was no match to King's Best in the Millenium 2000 Guineas.
My vote for best race of the week though, goes to A P McCoy. When's the last time you get a winner from AP at better than 10/1?
Enjoy
Son Of Flicka, Worcester 6/5/2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Week of May 24-30, 2010 - GAZUMBA!
Some exciting finishes at Arlington lately.
On Thursday, Race 4, 5 and 7 were won by 3 grey fillies, all starting from gate #4, all coming from behind and took the lead in last few strides.
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 4, 6.5 furlongs $10k Maiden Claiming - Fajita Rita, Tim Thornton
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 5, 6 furlongs $30k allowance optional claiming - Lunar Mist, Eduardo Perez
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 7 6.5 furlongs $10k maiden claiming - Mulata, Junior Alvarado
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 8 9 furlongs turf $40k claiming - Matal, Jesus Castanon (PP #3)
The name of the winner of this race is very similar to the name of the previous race. Matal was mentioned in a previous thread earlier in a race at Tampa Bay that Rosemary Homeister Jr. rode. And Jesus Castanon rode him this time. The chart sum up nicely:
"MATAI stalked just off the leaders along the inside in the opening half, moved to challenge inside the pacesetter nearing the furlong marker, altered course out of tight quarters leaving the sixteenth marker to challenge outside the leader and just edged that foe on the wire under strong handling."
The horse seemed to know where the wire is.
Friday May 28, 2010, Race 9, MSW 1mT, Woodbine - Gazumba
This Adena homebred son of Awesome Again only made his career debut last time out as a 5-year-old and was unplaced. He came back to this race and ran nicely to get his maiden victory with a 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Major operation like Adena can have the financial power and patience to wait for a horse like Gazumba to develop and start racing at 5 ... not something many owner can do in the racing atmosphere here in North America.
On Thursday, Race 4, 5 and 7 were won by 3 grey fillies, all starting from gate #4, all coming from behind and took the lead in last few strides.
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 4, 6.5 furlongs $10k Maiden Claiming - Fajita Rita, Tim Thornton
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 5, 6 furlongs $30k allowance optional claiming - Lunar Mist, Eduardo Perez
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 7 6.5 furlongs $10k maiden claiming - Mulata, Junior Alvarado
May 27, 2010 Arlington, Race 8 9 furlongs turf $40k claiming - Matal, Jesus Castanon (PP #3)
The name of the winner of this race is very similar to the name of the previous race. Matal was mentioned in a previous thread earlier in a race at Tampa Bay that Rosemary Homeister Jr. rode. And Jesus Castanon rode him this time. The chart sum up nicely:
"MATAI stalked just off the leaders along the inside in the opening half, moved to challenge inside the pacesetter nearing the furlong marker, altered course out of tight quarters leaving the sixteenth marker to challenge outside the leader and just edged that foe on the wire under strong handling."
The horse seemed to know where the wire is.
Friday May 28, 2010, Race 9, MSW 1mT, Woodbine - Gazumba
This Adena homebred son of Awesome Again only made his career debut last time out as a 5-year-old and was unplaced. He came back to this race and ran nicely to get his maiden victory with a 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Major operation like Adena can have the financial power and patience to wait for a horse like Gazumba to develop and start racing at 5 ... not something many owner can do in the racing atmosphere here in North America.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Week of May 17-23, 2010 - American World
5/19/2010 - Worcester, 19:20, American World - Tony McCoy
Forget about the flat racing. "The champion has done it again!" Never jumped well, but it is almost like Wichita Lineman déjà vu once again, not quite though but it has the similar effect. It is magical.
Replay
Chart
5/18/2010 - Punchestown, 18:20, Sandymount Lady - Barry Geraghty
And how lovely Punchestown is in the middle of May! Another example where the jockey's strength makes the difference IMO.
Replay
Chart
5/23/2010 - Churchill Downs, Race 8, 9fT, Whirling Thunder vs. Skipadate
Exciting finish between #6 (Miguel Mena) and #2 (Francisco Torres).
5/22/2010 - Irish 2000 Guineas, Canford Cliffs
Almost 10 minutes of uninterrupted coverage of horse racing. I hope it will stay here for a while.
Forget about the flat racing. "The champion has done it again!" Never jumped well, but it is almost like Wichita Lineman déjà vu once again, not quite though but it has the similar effect. It is magical.
Replay
Chart
5/18/2010 - Punchestown, 18:20, Sandymount Lady - Barry Geraghty
And how lovely Punchestown is in the middle of May! Another example where the jockey's strength makes the difference IMO.
Replay
Chart
5/23/2010 - Churchill Downs, Race 8, 9fT, Whirling Thunder vs. Skipadate
Exciting finish between #6 (Miguel Mena) and #2 (Francisco Torres).
5/22/2010 - Irish 2000 Guineas, Canford Cliffs
Almost 10 minutes of uninterrupted coverage of horse racing. I hope it will stay here for a while.
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