The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are only two weeks away and some of the strongest fields in history are set to line-up in the starting gates to write their chapter in history. Two of the greatest thoroughbred race mares in history will attempt the astronomical feat of winning three consecutive Breeders’ Cup races. One undefeated in 19 lifetime starts, the other a global superstar and two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile champion.
For this blog entry we will concentrate on just the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race that has come up so full of raw talent and ability that a single blog post can do the potential field little justice.
Undefeated phenom Zenyatta became the first filly or mare in history to win the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr.1) last year over an international cast of males one year after capturing the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr.1) at Santa Anita. She enters the 2010 renewal with more questions than ever before to answer and a much tougher field lining up to face the defending Queen.
Zenyatta has raced almost exclusively on synthetic surfaces throughout her career with only two starts on dirt when taking the 2008 and 2010 editions of the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr.1). Those two dirt starts, coming in Arkansas, were also the mare’s only races outside of California. For the past two years the Breeders’ Cup has been held in the big mare’s backyard at Santa Anita racecourse in California, this year the championship series will be held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky on a traditional dirt track.
For the first time in her lauded career, Zenyatta will be facing a world class field on a dirt track outside of California. Another factor that could add more unknown to the Zenyatta element is the chance of a wet track, another surface that is foreign to the champion mare. Even with all those points stacked against her Zenyatta will undoubtedly go off the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. One undeniable fact is that every time she has stepped up to the plate there have been a slew of questions to answer and every single time she has answered those questions emphatically. True, the questions she faces now are all new ones and some tougher than before but each and every time she has risen to the occasion and faced new challenges head on.
When Lookin At Lucky was finally able to put things together in 2010 he virtually shoved the Eclipse award as outstanding three year old male in an airtight strong box and sealed it in high security bank vault. After a stunning juvenile season in 2009 where he lost only the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by a whisker after breaking from the extreme outside and being floated wide on the turns, Lookin At Lucky entered 2010 as the champion juvenile male and leading contender for the Triple Crown series. He overcame an impossible trip in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes in his three year old debut to post his second consecutive graded stakes win only to fall victim to yet another bad trip in the Santa Anita Derby (gr.1), finishing third behind Sidney’s Candy in his last Kentucky Derby prep race. Credited with one of the worst Kentucky Derby (gr.1) trips of the decade after breaking form post one and getting slammed around more than a wet towel in a high-speed dryer, then being shuffled far back early on, Lookin At Lucky rallied strongly to come in a determined 6th, a remarkable recovery. Two weeks later he redeemed his image with a hard-fought ¾ length victory over a stubborn First Dude and Jackson Bend in the Preakness Stakes (gr.1). Given a rest after his arduous Triple Crown run, Lookin At Lucky returned to decimate a strong field in the Haskell Invitational (gr.1) by four lengths in early August, winning with supreme ease and a few taps of the whip. Two months later he returned to demolish another field of over-matched three year olds in the Indiana Derby (gr.2) despite having missed several workouts due to a minor illness.
If his recent works are any indication Lookin At Lucky is just getting better and better which from a purely black and white point of view is quite extraordinary. If there is one horse in the Breeders’ Cup Classic field that has the best chance of handing Zenyatta the first defeat of her career I believe strongly that it is Lookin At Lucky.
Blame enters the Classic as one of the heavily backed favorites despite losing his last start when finishing second to Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr.1). His record for the year up to that point was flawless. Included in his 2010 portfolio was a workmanlike win the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr.1) at Churchill Downs and a thrilling head victory over Quality Road in the Whitney Stakes (gr.1). This horse is a gritty and tough as they come, his only flaw seems to be his inability to close into a slow pace up front that kills his late kick in the stretch. Pace in the Breeders’ Cup Classic should be no problem with speedballs like Quality Road, Haynesfield and First Dude all winging it on the front end so his running style will be beautifully complimented. The only question now; is he good enough to handle Zenyatta or Lookin At Lucky?
Quality Road started the year out as the undisputed king of the racing world, reigning supreme over the older male horse division. With impressive
wins in the Hal’s Hope Stakes (gr.3), Donn Handicap (gr.1), Met Mile (gr.1) and Woodward Stakes (gr.1) Quality Road is just a nose away from being the overwhelming leader for older male as well as Horse of the Year. In the Donn Handicap Quality Road broke his own track record while winning the race by 12 ¾ lengths. In the Met Mile Quality Road won in the sparkling time of 1:33.11 while handily defeating Musket Man. If Quality Road were entered in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile instead of the Classic he would no doubt be the favorite.
His loss to Blame in the Whitney Stakes (gr.1) seemed to tarnish his image more than it should have. I personally still like Quality Road better than Blame and if rated off the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Classic I think we could see him come alive with a monster effort. He enters the Classic off a lengthy layoff having last out won the Woodward Stakes by more than 4 lengths on September 4th.
Haynesfield gave Blame and Fly Down an absolute thrashing in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 2nd, going gate-to-wire in the 1 ¼ mile race to flash under the line 4 lengths the best. After opening up a tremendous 7 length lead at the top of the stretch Haynesfield was geared down by jockey Ramon Dominguez to coast home easily the best. The Jockey Club Gold Cup was the third win in four 2010 starts for the 4-year-old colt who has now cast himself as a legitimate, if somewhat questionable contender in the Classic. His time for the Jockey Club Gold Cup was unimpressive, but his style was brilliant, suggesting that he could have finished up much faster had he needed to. Whether or not he can stand up to the kind of pace pressure he will face in the Classic has yet to be seen but I somehow doubt that he will be able to handle Zenyatta, Lookin At Lucky, Quality Road and Blame with a faster pace scenario.
First Dude, Fly Down, Morning Line and Paddy O’Prado help make up a strong contingent of three year old contenders after the power house solo act called
Lookin At Lucky. Paddy O’Prado finished third in the Kentucky Derby this year and went unplaced in the Preakness Stakes before stringing together a powerful run of three consecutive graded stakes wins on the turf, including the Grade 1 Secretariat. Despite his success on the turf his connections have decided to take a shot at the big cheese and aim the talented colt for the Classic. In his last start Paddy O’Prado finished second by one length in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr.1) against older horses. He turned in a great effort in the Derby over the Churchill Downs surface but I seriously doubt he can handle the “big four” in the Classic.
First Dude should win an award for the toughest most consistent fighter of the year. In 6 consecutive graded stakes efforts, 5 of which were grade 1’s, First Dude was never off the board, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Blue Grass, Belmont, Haskell and Travers Stakes. Each and every race he runs he brings his A game to the table and never throws in the towel. With so many big profile horses in the Classic he could be the best valued long shot with the best shot at winning. His time will come one day and you get the feeling with him that when it comes it’s going to be big.
Musket Man was there long before First Dude. If ever there was a master of consistency that constantly runs into monster
performances and gets shut out from winning the big ones it is Musket Man. The capable colt has finished second 3 times and third 5 times in 14 lifetime starts including two third place finishes in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. In his last start Musket Man failed to catch Etched by a neck in the Monmouth Cup (gr.2) after being blocked to the inside for most of the race and forced to race wide coming into the stretch. His form has been great all year and if things keep progressing they way they are now he could be the forgotten horse come Breeders’ Cup day which is always a dangerous thing with a runner like Musket Man.
Fly Down has had a very rocky year. After winning the Dwyer Stakes (gr.2) trainer Nick Zito sent him into deeper waters in the Belmont Stakes where his charge turned in a superb effort when finishing a hard-charging second to Drosselmeyer. In his next start Fly Down finished a sparkling second to Afleet Express in the Travers Stakes (gr.1) after a furious stretch run that fell a hair short of winning at the wire. In his most recent start Fly Down finished a respectable if somewhat uninspiring third to Haynesfield and Blame in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Chances are this colt could be right there in the Breeders’ Cup Classic if the pace is swift up front. Not enough credit has been given to the kinds of races Fly Down keeps producing each time out.
Almost every year there is some horse running in the Breeders’ Cup that seems to want to become the “wise guy” option and this
year Morning Line could fit that bill. In just 6 lifetime starts Morning Line was able to become a graded stakes winner last out when taking the Pennsylvania Derby (gr.2) over First Dude and Jim Dandy Stakes winner A Little Warm. After losing the lead to A Little Warm in the stretch, Morning Line fought back like a battle tested warrior to turn certain defeat into rousing victory in the Pennsylvania Derby. He may be inexperienced but he is also peaking at exactly the right time.
Crown of Thorns enters the Breeders’ Cup Classic as one of the more intriguing and puzzling prospects in the five million dollar race. In 2009 he finished second by a mere nose in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and in his last start he finished runner-up to Richard’s Kid in the 1 1/8th mile Goodwood Stakes (gr.1) proving that he is as versatile as he is able.
Espoir City holds the weight and hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders as the sole Japanese contender in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Testing the Churchill Downs surface for the first time on October 23rd, Espoir City raised eyebrows with a slow 6 furlong work that produced a final time of 1:18 1/5. Jockey Tetsuzo Sato said after the work that “We are not here to pursue speed, just conditioning.” This horse is a complete wild card. With two grade/group 1 wins, including the 2009 Japan Cup, and 11 wins from 19 lifetime starts Espoir City seems highly capable. He has lost only twice since late 2008 when he switched from turf to dirt racing.
Gio Ponti has been cross entered in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Classic with the Mile being his more likely choice after an impressive victory in the Shadwell Turf Mile last out. However if Gio Ponti does run in the Classic things will get a whole lot more interesting. For the time being I won’t cover any thoughts on his Classic chances in case he passes for the Mile but it’s good food for thought.
The Classic is filled to the very brim this year with talent and more just keeps pouring in. The final field is not yet set but when it is things will get really interesting. One thing is for sure. When all is said and done and the 2010 winner is crowned people will say this race was a Classic for sure![polldaddy poll=3995887]
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
A Shining Jewel: Evening Jewel, Harmonious and Check the Label
The 2010 running of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (gr.1)at Keenland this Saturday is shaping up to be one of the best turf races of the year. In a field that includes 6 grade of group winners one filly stands out above the rest.
Evening Jewel is the deserving favorite as she enters off three consecutive graded stakes wins. Her win streak started in the Honeymoon Handicap (gr.2) at Hollywood Park in late May and except for a pair of nose defeats to the nation’s leading three-year-old filly, Blind Luck, in the Kentucky Oaks (gr.1) and Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) Evening Jewel would be riding a 6 race win streak.
Considered by many to be the second best filly in the nation behind only her arch nemesis Blind Luck, Evening Jewel boasts one of the most consistent and versatile records in the racing game this year. After losing the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) by a hair to the fast closing Blind Luck, Evening Jewel captured the Ashland Stakes (gr.1) on synthetics as her final Kentucky Oaks prep. In the Kentucky Oaks she again fell victim to the devastating late kick of Blind Luck, finishing second by a heart-breaking nose on the Churchill Downs’ dirt surface. Switched to the turf in her next start Evening Jewel let loose with a streak of three impressive wins in graded stakes races, culminating with a victory in the Del Mar Oaks (gr.1) last out on August 21st.
This is a filly who loves to win no matter the competition, no matter the location and no matter the surface she runs on. She is the class of this field without a doubt, which, considering the amount of classy fillies entered is saying a lot.
Second choice in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is grade 1 winner Check the Label. Check the Label enters the Queen Elizabeth riding a
four race win streak that has come exclusively in graded stakes company. In her last start the 3-year-old filly closed ground relentlessly to take the Garden City Stakes (gr.1) at Belmont Park over yielding turf by three parts of a length. The star filly has won three turf races this year at the 1 1/8 mile distance of the Queen Elizabeth and has proven to be a tough and consistent competitor.
The filly with perhaps the most potential to move forward off her latest effort is Harmonious. Grade 1 American Oaks winner Harmonious had a three race win streak cut short in her last start when finishing second to Evening Jewel in the Del Mar Oaks (gr.1) by a half length. After trailing the field around the course in the Oaks, Harmonious took to the extreme outside for the stretch run and just missed running down a late-running Evening Jewel. The Del Mar Oaks was only her second try in stakes company and she should improve off her strong effort there.
Also entered in the field are graded/group stakes winners Perfect Shirl, Snow Top Mountain and European runner Zagora. Dade Babe and La Cloche complete the field.
Evening Jewel looks the best in this field with Harmonious a close second and Check the Label third. With the quality of runners entered it is hard to separate many of them after the top three but there at least 5 good fillies with a legitimate shot at winning here.
Evening Jewel is the deserving favorite as she enters off three consecutive graded stakes wins. Her win streak started in the Honeymoon Handicap (gr.2) at Hollywood Park in late May and except for a pair of nose defeats to the nation’s leading three-year-old filly, Blind Luck, in the Kentucky Oaks (gr.1) and Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) Evening Jewel would be riding a 6 race win streak.
Considered by many to be the second best filly in the nation behind only her arch nemesis Blind Luck, Evening Jewel boasts one of the most consistent and versatile records in the racing game this year. After losing the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) by a hair to the fast closing Blind Luck, Evening Jewel captured the Ashland Stakes (gr.1) on synthetics as her final Kentucky Oaks prep. In the Kentucky Oaks she again fell victim to the devastating late kick of Blind Luck, finishing second by a heart-breaking nose on the Churchill Downs’ dirt surface. Switched to the turf in her next start Evening Jewel let loose with a streak of three impressive wins in graded stakes races, culminating with a victory in the Del Mar Oaks (gr.1) last out on August 21st.
This is a filly who loves to win no matter the competition, no matter the location and no matter the surface she runs on. She is the class of this field without a doubt, which, considering the amount of classy fillies entered is saying a lot.
Second choice in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is grade 1 winner Check the Label. Check the Label enters the Queen Elizabeth riding a
four race win streak that has come exclusively in graded stakes company. In her last start the 3-year-old filly closed ground relentlessly to take the Garden City Stakes (gr.1) at Belmont Park over yielding turf by three parts of a length. The star filly has won three turf races this year at the 1 1/8 mile distance of the Queen Elizabeth and has proven to be a tough and consistent competitor.
The filly with perhaps the most potential to move forward off her latest effort is Harmonious. Grade 1 American Oaks winner Harmonious had a three race win streak cut short in her last start when finishing second to Evening Jewel in the Del Mar Oaks (gr.1) by a half length. After trailing the field around the course in the Oaks, Harmonious took to the extreme outside for the stretch run and just missed running down a late-running Evening Jewel. The Del Mar Oaks was only her second try in stakes company and she should improve off her strong effort there.
Also entered in the field are graded/group stakes winners Perfect Shirl, Snow Top Mountain and European runner Zagora. Dade Babe and La Cloche complete the field.
Evening Jewel looks the best in this field with Harmonious a close second and Check the Label third. With the quality of runners entered it is hard to separate many of them after the top three but there at least 5 good fillies with a legitimate shot at winning here.
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Uncle and the Champion: Uncle Mo and Gio Ponti
The great Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew went undefeated in three starts as a two-year-old in 1976, first winning a maiden race at Belmont and then taking an allowance race less than a month later. 11 days later he triumphed in the Champagne Stakes (gr.1) to finish out his juvenile year, running what now stands as the second fastest time in the prestigious race.
What took Seattle Slew three races to accomplish only took Uncle Mo two. In Belmont’s celebrated Champagne Stakes (gr.1) on Saturday Uncle Mo went from impressive maiden winner to ultra-impressive Grade 1 winner and became an instant favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr.1) in early November at Churchill Downs as well as one of the most exciting Triple Crown candidates of 2011.
Entering the starting gate in the Champagne as the favorite off his power-house maiden romp in which he dusted his opposition by more than 14 lengths, the Indian Charlie colt with jockey John Velazquez up stormed out of the gate as the bell rang and engaged in a heated speed duel with long-shot I’m Steppin’ It up. Blitzing an opening quarter in :22.41 and a half in :45.92 it appeared the favorite was leaving himself wide open and vulnerable to attack as the field entered the turn. Dismissing any such ideas with absolute disdain Uncle Mo powered off the turn and into the stretch with a two length lead as Mountain Town blazed up behind under a full head of steam, looking dangerous and determined. Into the stretch Mountain Town kept coming but Uncle Mo, incredibly, continued to extend his lead under a vigorous hand-ride from John Velazquez to flash under the wire 4 ¾ lengths the best, equaling Seattle Slew’s Champagne Stakes record time of 1:34 2/5 for the mile. Mountain Town was more than 9 lengths ahead of the third place finisher, having turned in a superb effort that simply got overpowered by the greatest two-year-old performance of the year.
As trainer Todd Pletcher would say, the sky is the limit for Uncle Mo, this colt could have it all.
Gio Ponti is back and he looks better than ever. In his first mile distance race since March 2009 Gio Ponti showed just how good an athlete he is when splitting horses mid-stretch in the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr.1) to turn almost certain defeat into rousing victory.
Breaking slowly from the gate, Gio Ponti sat well off the pace set by the front running pair of Acting Zippy and Enriched as the field
raced to the turn. Entering the stretch it was Enriched with a short lead but Courageous Cat came storming up on the outside to seize the lead. It appeared Courageous Cat was home free but from the back of the field both Gio Ponti and Society’s Chairman were in a full out drive, making up ground with every stride. Mid stretch Gio Ponti suddenly came to life, switching leads and gunning for the finish. The champion burst from between Society’s Chairman and Courageous Cat, exploding to a one length lead in a hand ride and waltzing under the line with ears pricked.
The question now remains which Breeders’ Cup race will Gio Ponti be pointed toward. He finished a strong second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic to Zenyatta but with this impressive victory under his belt serious consideration must now be given to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
What took Seattle Slew three races to accomplish only took Uncle Mo two. In Belmont’s celebrated Champagne Stakes (gr.1) on Saturday Uncle Mo went from impressive maiden winner to ultra-impressive Grade 1 winner and became an instant favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr.1) in early November at Churchill Downs as well as one of the most exciting Triple Crown candidates of 2011.
Entering the starting gate in the Champagne as the favorite off his power-house maiden romp in which he dusted his opposition by more than 14 lengths, the Indian Charlie colt with jockey John Velazquez up stormed out of the gate as the bell rang and engaged in a heated speed duel with long-shot I’m Steppin’ It up. Blitzing an opening quarter in :22.41 and a half in :45.92 it appeared the favorite was leaving himself wide open and vulnerable to attack as the field entered the turn. Dismissing any such ideas with absolute disdain Uncle Mo powered off the turn and into the stretch with a two length lead as Mountain Town blazed up behind under a full head of steam, looking dangerous and determined. Into the stretch Mountain Town kept coming but Uncle Mo, incredibly, continued to extend his lead under a vigorous hand-ride from John Velazquez to flash under the wire 4 ¾ lengths the best, equaling Seattle Slew’s Champagne Stakes record time of 1:34 2/5 for the mile. Mountain Town was more than 9 lengths ahead of the third place finisher, having turned in a superb effort that simply got overpowered by the greatest two-year-old performance of the year.
As trainer Todd Pletcher would say, the sky is the limit for Uncle Mo, this colt could have it all.
Gio Ponti is back and he looks better than ever. In his first mile distance race since March 2009 Gio Ponti showed just how good an athlete he is when splitting horses mid-stretch in the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr.1) to turn almost certain defeat into rousing victory.
Breaking slowly from the gate, Gio Ponti sat well off the pace set by the front running pair of Acting Zippy and Enriched as the field
raced to the turn. Entering the stretch it was Enriched with a short lead but Courageous Cat came storming up on the outside to seize the lead. It appeared Courageous Cat was home free but from the back of the field both Gio Ponti and Society’s Chairman were in a full out drive, making up ground with every stride. Mid stretch Gio Ponti suddenly came to life, switching leads and gunning for the finish. The champion burst from between Society’s Chairman and Courageous Cat, exploding to a one length lead in a hand ride and waltzing under the line with ears pricked.
The question now remains which Breeders’ Cup race will Gio Ponti be pointed toward. He finished a strong second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic to Zenyatta but with this impressive victory under his belt serious consideration must now be given to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Very Best Leftovers: Gio Ponti, Informed Decision, Sidney's Candy and Uncle Mo
Last weekend included one of the most incredible line-ups of grade 1 races for the entire year, all chock full of the nation’s most talented and able equine athletes. This weekend the leftovers are running, those gifted runners that, due to time schedules or some other reason, were withheld from last weekend’s extravaganza.
Of all the classy athletes taking to the track this Saturday I think one of the most exciting prospects is the much talked
about two-year-old colt Uncle Mo. Uncle has raced only one time in his entire career, a maiden race at Saratoga on August 28th that has become the most impressive maiden win of the entire year, as the colt rolled through the stretch with ease to win by 14 ¼ lengths. If he wins the Champagne Stakes (gr.1) Saturday at Belmont Park he will immediately become a favorite for the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr.1) at Churchill Downs in November. Though the 1 mile distance of the Champagne is two furlongs longer than Uncle Mo ran in his maiden debut the colt will be heavily favored to win.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey John Valazquez, Uncle Mo will be facing 6 other competitors in the Champagne. Included in the line-up is Hopeful Stakes runner-up Stay Thirsty and Hopeful 4th place finisher Settle for Medal. Of the two only Settle for Medal is likely to run as Stay Thirsty has the same connections as Uncle Mo and is likely to be trained up to the Breeders’ Cup.
Sidney’s Candy returns for his second race on the grass in Hollywood Park’s Oak Tree Mile (gr.2) this time with a resounding turf win under his belt. It will be the 3-year-old colt’s first try against older horses but the talented sophomore is more than capable of the task. In his last start Sidney’s Candy ran his foes into the ground when setting a course record in the La Jolla Handicap (gr.2). He enters the Oak Tree Mile off a 7 week gap since his La Jolla win.
Facing Sidney’s Candy is Grade 1 winner Victors Cry who runs as the high-weight and appears to have the best chance at upsetting Sidney’s Candy. This looks like the perfect prep for Sidney’s Candy’s Breeders’ Cup Mile attempt and if all goes as expected the star 3-year-old colt will emerge from the Oak Tree Mile even better and stronger than when he entered.
Has Gio Ponti lost anything this season that he had last year? In 5 starts this year the tough-luck colt has finished second three times and has managed to win only once when taking the Man ‘O’ War Stakes (gr.1) at Belmont. For the first time in 11 of his last starts Gio Ponti will cut back in distance this Saturday to contest the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr.1) at Keeneland to try and reignite his flame. There is no doubt he is still a top runner and a hugely talented colt, he just seems to be having trouble finding his best stride this year and the cut back in distance could be just what the doctor ordered for Gio Ponti.
Facing a solid field that includes Courageous Cat, Acting Zippy, Get Stormy and Enriched the 5-year-old colt will once again be favored.
Get Stormy is the obvious second choice and maybe even slight favorite as the 4-year-old runner sports an impressive record of 7 wins in his last 8 starts. He is potentially the biggest threat here and enters off consecutive victories in the Fourstardave Handicap (gr.2) and Bernard Beruch Handicap (gr.2) both at Saratoga.
Courageous Cat is the wild card in the Shadwell Turf Mile as the Canadian Turf winner enters his first race fresh, having last raced in late March.
Informed Decision attempts to become the first repeat winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr.2) in 27 years and second overall this Saturday as she continues her march towards the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr.1) as the defending champ.
In six starts this year Informed Decision has won exactly half and enters the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes off a win in the Presque Isle Downs Master Stakes (gr.3) and it appears after a relatively rough season that the speedy gray mare is ready to come back to the fantastic form that saw her trample her Breeders’ Cup foes last year.
Grade 1 winners Dr. Zic and Hooh Why are also entered in the TCA but a more intriguing entry is the 3-year-old filly and Grade 1 Acorn Stakes winner Champagne d’Oro. She enters off a bullet five furlong work and looks ready to present a tough challenge to the older fillies and mares.
Of all the classy athletes taking to the track this Saturday I think one of the most exciting prospects is the much talked
about two-year-old colt Uncle Mo. Uncle has raced only one time in his entire career, a maiden race at Saratoga on August 28th that has become the most impressive maiden win of the entire year, as the colt rolled through the stretch with ease to win by 14 ¼ lengths. If he wins the Champagne Stakes (gr.1) Saturday at Belmont Park he will immediately become a favorite for the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr.1) at Churchill Downs in November. Though the 1 mile distance of the Champagne is two furlongs longer than Uncle Mo ran in his maiden debut the colt will be heavily favored to win.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey John Valazquez, Uncle Mo will be facing 6 other competitors in the Champagne. Included in the line-up is Hopeful Stakes runner-up Stay Thirsty and Hopeful 4th place finisher Settle for Medal. Of the two only Settle for Medal is likely to run as Stay Thirsty has the same connections as Uncle Mo and is likely to be trained up to the Breeders’ Cup.
Sidney’s Candy returns for his second race on the grass in Hollywood Park’s Oak Tree Mile (gr.2) this time with a resounding turf win under his belt. It will be the 3-year-old colt’s first try against older horses but the talented sophomore is more than capable of the task. In his last start Sidney’s Candy ran his foes into the ground when setting a course record in the La Jolla Handicap (gr.2). He enters the Oak Tree Mile off a 7 week gap since his La Jolla win.
Facing Sidney’s Candy is Grade 1 winner Victors Cry who runs as the high-weight and appears to have the best chance at upsetting Sidney’s Candy. This looks like the perfect prep for Sidney’s Candy’s Breeders’ Cup Mile attempt and if all goes as expected the star 3-year-old colt will emerge from the Oak Tree Mile even better and stronger than when he entered.
Has Gio Ponti lost anything this season that he had last year? In 5 starts this year the tough-luck colt has finished second three times and has managed to win only once when taking the Man ‘O’ War Stakes (gr.1) at Belmont. For the first time in 11 of his last starts Gio Ponti will cut back in distance this Saturday to contest the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr.1) at Keeneland to try and reignite his flame. There is no doubt he is still a top runner and a hugely talented colt, he just seems to be having trouble finding his best stride this year and the cut back in distance could be just what the doctor ordered for Gio Ponti.
Facing a solid field that includes Courageous Cat, Acting Zippy, Get Stormy and Enriched the 5-year-old colt will once again be favored.
Get Stormy is the obvious second choice and maybe even slight favorite as the 4-year-old runner sports an impressive record of 7 wins in his last 8 starts. He is potentially the biggest threat here and enters off consecutive victories in the Fourstardave Handicap (gr.2) and Bernard Beruch Handicap (gr.2) both at Saratoga.
Courageous Cat is the wild card in the Shadwell Turf Mile as the Canadian Turf winner enters his first race fresh, having last raced in late March.
Informed Decision attempts to become the first repeat winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr.2) in 27 years and second overall this Saturday as she continues her march towards the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr.1) as the defending champ.
In six starts this year Informed Decision has won exactly half and enters the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes off a win in the Presque Isle Downs Master Stakes (gr.3) and it appears after a relatively rough season that the speedy gray mare is ready to come back to the fantastic form that saw her trample her Breeders’ Cup foes last year.
Grade 1 winners Dr. Zic and Hooh Why are also entered in the TCA but a more intriguing entry is the 3-year-old filly and Grade 1 Acorn Stakes winner Champagne d’Oro. She enters off a bullet five furlong work and looks ready to present a tough challenge to the older fillies and mares.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Lookin At Perfection and Greatness
Zenyatta has literally left me at a complete loss for words. As soon as the great mare streaked to a record 19th straight victory in Saturday’s Lady’s Secret Stakes I was itching to get out my laptop and pour all the joy, excitement and enthrallment I was experiencing, watching Zenyatta, into my writing. Hours later I sat in front of a blank word document, grasping for the words with which to depict what I had witnessed yet again. The task of describing just how great the thing Zenyatta has accomplished in her career in mere words is staggering and very near impossible, but describing the reactions and emotions her amazing journey creates in the hearts of fans around the world is even harder.
There is something spectacular about not being able to find the words to describe greatness. True greatness steals the words right from your lips and stamps them into your heart and mind with such a fervor and passion that you can never fully do those feelings justice in writing or speech. Zenyatta is the kind of horse that will have parents and grandparents saying decades down the road to their children and grandchildren “I was alive when the great Zenyatta ran.”
With her 19 consecutive wins Zenyatta is now headed to the Breeders’ Cup as perfection-in-motion for an attempt at conquering history yet again. She became the first filly or mare to ever win the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009 and will return to defend her title against what is stacking up to be a very strong field of international male athletes. Victory in the Classic will virtually assure the grand mare Horse of the Year honors as well as a lofty place in history as one of the greatest mares to ever grace the American racing scene.
Not to be outdone by Zenyatta, Goldikova, perhaps the greatest race-mare in modern European history and best mare
in the world, turned in a rousing performance to capture the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp over a fast closing Paco Boy in what was the 11th grade/group 1 win of her stellar career.
After breaking quickly from the inside post, Goldikova and jockey Olivier Peslier went straight to the front while under a tight hold. Still on the lead nearing the halfway point in the 7 furlong race, Regal Parade rushed forward to take command from Goldikova as the classy Dick Turpin raced well back in mid-pack and Paco Boy took up the rear.
As the field flew into the homestretch Dick Turpin and Paco Boy began to charge for the lead, eating up the ground with every stride. Goldikova at the same time began to slowly gear up for her final run, angling away from the rail to swing around Regal Parade and snatch the lead again. Dick Turpin was flying up on the outside, Paco Boy hot on his heels, moving much faster than the brilliant filly and it appeared for a moment that both colts might pass the champion mare. The colts continued to close relentlessly but the moment Goldikova spotted Dick Turpin approaching the game was over. She accelerated with supreme ease and comfortably held off the furious rally of Paco Boy to get the better of that one for the third time this year, winning by half a length.
While she may not be undefeated like Zenyatta, Goldikova’s accomplishments are stunning none the less and in my humble opinion far greater. She has won races in Europe and the United States, defeating the world’s best male runners on a regular basis while making it look easy, as well as destroying fillies and mares when the occasion calls for it. The great Goldikova, back-to-back winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr.1) from 2008-2009, will return to the United States for her next start. An unprecedented third Breeders’ Cup Mile attempt. A win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile a third consecutive year will place Goldikova in an untouchable league all her own.
Lookin At Lucky was just about the only male horse that successfully pulled off the role of race favorite this weekend as the impressive 3-year-old colt splashed to a extraordinary victory in the Indian Derby (gr.2) on Saturday after being obscured behind the field for most of the race.
Sitting dead-last going into the first turn in the field of 8, Lookin At Lucky and jockey Martin Garcia sat patiently behind the pack as Indy Bull, Litigation Risk and Worldly set a hot pace up front. Rounding the far turn Theskyhasnolimit pushed his way through to the lead as Lookin At Lucky came flying from the back. Shooting off the turn 5 wide, the powerful son of Smart Strike literally dashed his opponents off their feet, bolting to the front in a matter of moments to coast under the line, ears pricked in sublime comfort, the winner by 1 ¼ lengths.
In winning the Indiana Derby Lookin At Lucky proved emphatically that he is ready for his planned trip to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The talented colt will no doubt be one of the favorites in a highly contentions and competitive field. He is also very much in the running for Horse of the Year with his latest win. If he conquers the Classic field he should easily get the nod for Horse of the Year and could become the third Preakness champion to win Horse of the Year since 2007, joining half-brother Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Of course this is all just speculation and hopeful thinking but a good possibility nonetheless.
Havre de Grace has finally turned the tables on Blind Luck after finishing in her shadow twice in photo finishes at the
wire. It was billed as a two horse race and that’s exactly what it turned into in Saturday’s Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr.2) as the nation’s leading 3-year-old filly, Blind Luck, carrying 10 pounds more than her challengers, and her toughest adversary squared off in an exhilarating stretch run.
Breaking from the gate ahead of only Blind Luck, Havre de Grace settled in nicely behind the two pace setters while Blind Luck fell far back of the field in last. Down the backstretch Havre de Grace moved up to take second while Blind Luck remained far back and running comfortably. Into the far turn Havre de Grace suddenly came alive and bounded to the lead, looking strong as she aimed for the wire. Blind Luck remained at the back of the field as they came off the turn, seeming to take longer than usual to find her stride but not too long. As soon as Havre de Grace hit the homestretch Blind Luck roused with a vengeance, bolting forward, splitting horses and charging hard, the courageous filly gunned for Havre de Grace, now three lengths in the lead. Blazing down the stretch the two fillies battled it out to the wire, Blind Luck tearing away at the lead with every stride, Havre de Grace hanging tough and digging down deep. They flashed under the line, Blind Luck missing by a neck after a gritty and exciting stretch run.
Amazingly both fillies still looked well within themselves galloping out past the finish line, not even the slightest signs of fatigue from the gallant duo.
The amount of ground Blind Luck is able to make up is simply astounding and win or lose, she shone once again in her final performance before a presumed start in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Havre de Grace has been banging on the door for months now just waiting for her chance to shine and now she has broken the door down and is a bona fide star. She will also be making her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic where the dynamic duo will once again square off.
There is something spectacular about not being able to find the words to describe greatness. True greatness steals the words right from your lips and stamps them into your heart and mind with such a fervor and passion that you can never fully do those feelings justice in writing or speech. Zenyatta is the kind of horse that will have parents and grandparents saying decades down the road to their children and grandchildren “I was alive when the great Zenyatta ran.”
With her 19 consecutive wins Zenyatta is now headed to the Breeders’ Cup as perfection-in-motion for an attempt at conquering history yet again. She became the first filly or mare to ever win the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009 and will return to defend her title against what is stacking up to be a very strong field of international male athletes. Victory in the Classic will virtually assure the grand mare Horse of the Year honors as well as a lofty place in history as one of the greatest mares to ever grace the American racing scene.
Not to be outdone by Zenyatta, Goldikova, perhaps the greatest race-mare in modern European history and best mare
in the world, turned in a rousing performance to capture the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp over a fast closing Paco Boy in what was the 11th grade/group 1 win of her stellar career.
After breaking quickly from the inside post, Goldikova and jockey Olivier Peslier went straight to the front while under a tight hold. Still on the lead nearing the halfway point in the 7 furlong race, Regal Parade rushed forward to take command from Goldikova as the classy Dick Turpin raced well back in mid-pack and Paco Boy took up the rear.
As the field flew into the homestretch Dick Turpin and Paco Boy began to charge for the lead, eating up the ground with every stride. Goldikova at the same time began to slowly gear up for her final run, angling away from the rail to swing around Regal Parade and snatch the lead again. Dick Turpin was flying up on the outside, Paco Boy hot on his heels, moving much faster than the brilliant filly and it appeared for a moment that both colts might pass the champion mare. The colts continued to close relentlessly but the moment Goldikova spotted Dick Turpin approaching the game was over. She accelerated with supreme ease and comfortably held off the furious rally of Paco Boy to get the better of that one for the third time this year, winning by half a length.
While she may not be undefeated like Zenyatta, Goldikova’s accomplishments are stunning none the less and in my humble opinion far greater. She has won races in Europe and the United States, defeating the world’s best male runners on a regular basis while making it look easy, as well as destroying fillies and mares when the occasion calls for it. The great Goldikova, back-to-back winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr.1) from 2008-2009, will return to the United States for her next start. An unprecedented third Breeders’ Cup Mile attempt. A win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile a third consecutive year will place Goldikova in an untouchable league all her own.
Lookin At Lucky was just about the only male horse that successfully pulled off the role of race favorite this weekend as the impressive 3-year-old colt splashed to a extraordinary victory in the Indian Derby (gr.2) on Saturday after being obscured behind the field for most of the race.
Sitting dead-last going into the first turn in the field of 8, Lookin At Lucky and jockey Martin Garcia sat patiently behind the pack as Indy Bull, Litigation Risk and Worldly set a hot pace up front. Rounding the far turn Theskyhasnolimit pushed his way through to the lead as Lookin At Lucky came flying from the back. Shooting off the turn 5 wide, the powerful son of Smart Strike literally dashed his opponents off their feet, bolting to the front in a matter of moments to coast under the line, ears pricked in sublime comfort, the winner by 1 ¼ lengths.
In winning the Indiana Derby Lookin At Lucky proved emphatically that he is ready for his planned trip to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The talented colt will no doubt be one of the favorites in a highly contentions and competitive field. He is also very much in the running for Horse of the Year with his latest win. If he conquers the Classic field he should easily get the nod for Horse of the Year and could become the third Preakness champion to win Horse of the Year since 2007, joining half-brother Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Of course this is all just speculation and hopeful thinking but a good possibility nonetheless.
Havre de Grace has finally turned the tables on Blind Luck after finishing in her shadow twice in photo finishes at the
wire. It was billed as a two horse race and that’s exactly what it turned into in Saturday’s Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr.2) as the nation’s leading 3-year-old filly, Blind Luck, carrying 10 pounds more than her challengers, and her toughest adversary squared off in an exhilarating stretch run.
Breaking from the gate ahead of only Blind Luck, Havre de Grace settled in nicely behind the two pace setters while Blind Luck fell far back of the field in last. Down the backstretch Havre de Grace moved up to take second while Blind Luck remained far back and running comfortably. Into the far turn Havre de Grace suddenly came alive and bounded to the lead, looking strong as she aimed for the wire. Blind Luck remained at the back of the field as they came off the turn, seeming to take longer than usual to find her stride but not too long. As soon as Havre de Grace hit the homestretch Blind Luck roused with a vengeance, bolting forward, splitting horses and charging hard, the courageous filly gunned for Havre de Grace, now three lengths in the lead. Blazing down the stretch the two fillies battled it out to the wire, Blind Luck tearing away at the lead with every stride, Havre de Grace hanging tough and digging down deep. They flashed under the line, Blind Luck missing by a neck after a gritty and exciting stretch run.
Amazingly both fillies still looked well within themselves galloping out past the finish line, not even the slightest signs of fatigue from the gallant duo.
The amount of ground Blind Luck is able to make up is simply astounding and win or lose, she shone once again in her final performance before a presumed start in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Havre de Grace has been banging on the door for months now just waiting for her chance to shine and now she has broken the door down and is a bona fide star. She will also be making her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic where the dynamic duo will once again square off.
Friday, October 1, 2010
No Ordinary Super Saturday
If ever a weekend of horse racing is to be labeled a Super Saturday it is beyond a doubt October 2nd, 2010. Not only is there a spectacular card of racing at Belmont Park that includes 5 Grade 1 races the action only begins there and spreads across the country from New York, to Pennsylvania, Indiana and finally California. You will find no less than seven divisional racing leaders taking to the track this weekend as the nation’s leading older female, older male, three-year-old male, three-year-old female, two-year-old male, two-year-old female and three-year-old turf male all seek to solidify their positions.
Even before she sets hoof on the track this Saturday to attempt an unprecedented 19th straight win to remain undefeated, Zenyatta will be stealing the show by reputation alone. By now almost every casual horse racing fan knows of the feats Zenyatta has accomplished and understands just what the fantastic mare is capable of. For the third year in a row the colossal race mare will enter the starting gate to contest the Lady’s Secret Stakes (gr.1) in what will be her final appearance at her home base of Hollywood Park. The field in the Lady’s Secret isn’t exactly weak but it isn’t what you would expect a race mare of Zenyatta’s quality to still be facing, especially this late in the year but trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss are obviously only concerned with keeping the grand mare in good physical condition as she aims for a repeat win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November. If she loses here suffice it to say this would rank right up there with Man ‘O’ War’s loss to Upset and Secretariat’s loss to Onion. But I don’t think too many people honestly expect her to even come close to losing races of this caliber anymore.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup was used as a successful springboard by Curlin in 2007 to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park and this year Blame will attempt the same feat. After wins in the Stephen Foster and Whitney Handicap’s, the latter win coming over Quality Road, Blame has firmly established himself as the frontrunner for the older male Eclipse Award as well as Horse of the Year. With only three starts this year so far, a win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup would go a long way in boosting the talented colt’s chances of winning an award as well as giving him a great prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This will be the 4-year-old colt’s first try at the 10 furlong distance but his come from behind running style suggests the distance should be a non-factor.
Facing Blame will be Grade 1 winner Rail Trip who enters the race off a three month layoff and will also be trying traditional dirt for the first time in his career. Rail Trip has won at the 10 furlong distance and also won 2 of his 3 starts this year before finishing runner-up in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr.1). He is a legitimate contender who could easily be competitive if he handles the dirt as well as he runs over synthetics and can handle the layoff well.
The talented 3-year-old colt Fly Down will be testing new waters when he faces older horses for the first time in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Winner of the Dwyer (gr.2) over the Belmont racing strip in May, Fly Down has been unable to find the winners circle since then despite some very impressive efforts this year including a fast closing second place finish in the Belmont Stakes and a second place finish to Afleet Express in the Travers (gr.1) last out, missing by a mere nose. He could very well be the second best runner in this field but seeing that he shares a similar running style with Blame his chances are severely compromised as the elder contender produces a devastating late kick.
Haynesfield, Hold Me Back, Dry Martini, Mythical Power and Tranquil Manner complete the field. Of the remaining entrants Hanesfield and Hold Me Back stand out as well as Dry Martini.
Paddy O’Prado would almost certainly be the front-runner for eclipse award as outstanding 3-year-old male this year if not for Lookin At Lucky and if he finishes out the year undefeated on the turf he could very well end up taking the trophy home provided Lookin At Lucky trips up at some point. Paddy O’Prado enters the gate for Belmont’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr.1) facing older male runners for the first time as well as testing the 1 ½ mile distance for the first time. Although he is facing several new and untested challenges in the Hirsch, Paddy O’Prado is already installed as the well deserving favorite after posting powerful victories in this year’s Secretariat Stakes (gr.1), Colonial Turf Cup (gr.2) and Virginia Derby (gr.2). Despite his age Paddy O’Prado is easily the class of this field.
Facing the young challenger are proven grade 1 winners Telling and Winchester as well as grade 2 winner Al Khali.
There is a newcomer on the block and he looks like he’s ready to start banging down the doors. Twirling Candy has been making waves every time he steps onto the track, and it isn’t just the fact that he is undefeated and already a graded stakes winner in just his fourth lifetime start after capturing the Del Mar Derby (gr.2) last out on the turf. It’s a certain presence and aura that radiates from the powerful colt like a brilliant flame in the dark. After watching his last race I was in awe of the sheer power and ease he displayed while running his opponents ragged on the front end. Now the sophomore talent is entered in Saturday’s Goodwood Stakes (gr.1) at Hollywood Park against such talented grade 1 winning older horses as Richard’s Kid and Awesome Gem.
While Twirling Candy will be facing a strong field that also includes Crown of Thorns, Dakota Phone, Informed and Crowded House it seems that this young, inexperienced athlete might just be special enough to win the Goodwood.
Blind Luck and Lookin At Lucky don’t just share a common “lucky” element in their names, they also happen to both be leaders of their respective age groups. This Saturday Blind Luck faces arch nemesis Havre de Grace for the third time in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr.2) while carrying 10 more pounds than her 4 rivals. The incredibly talented filly has proven herself over and over this year and last to be a tough-as-nails competitor and extremely unwilling to lose. While most of her wins have come by less than a length she always seems to know just when and how to get to the wire in time to steal the prize. I don’t see her losing here, but with the break in weights Havre de Grace, a very talented filly in her own right, gets a huge advantage.
Lookin At Lucky enters the Indiana Derby (gr.2) as heavy as a favorite can be. If the field for the Indiana Derby were likened to bodies of water Lookin at Lucky would be the Atlantic and the rest would be puddles. The Champion two-year-old Male of 2009, Lookin At Lucky has remained atop his division this year with impressive wins in the Rebel Stakes (gr.2), Preakness Stakes (gr.1) and Haskell Invitational (gr.1). Out for a short time with an illness that caused the son of Smart Strike to miss the Travers Stakes, Lookin At Lucky has since trained lights-out for his final race of the year before he tries his luck in Breeders’ Cup Classic. An upset here would be almost as big a shock as a loss from Zenyatta.
J. P. Gusto and Tell A Kelly are the pro tem West Coast juvenile divisional leaders and both young stars will try to solidify their standings this weekend. J. P. Gusto has been no less than sensational this year, winning four straight stakes races including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last out. In Saturday’s Norfolk Stakes (gr.1) the talented 2-year-old will try two-turns for the first time but is the heavy favorite in a field of 7. The Norfolk guarantees the winner a starting berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile this November at Churchill Downs.
Tell A Kelly enters Sunday’s Oak Leaf Stakes (gr.1) off an impressive victory in the Darley Debutante and would settle as one of the top juvenile fillies in the nation with a win.
Good luck to all this weekend and enjoy the spectacular lineup!
Even before she sets hoof on the track this Saturday to attempt an unprecedented 19th straight win to remain undefeated, Zenyatta will be stealing the show by reputation alone. By now almost every casual horse racing fan knows of the feats Zenyatta has accomplished and understands just what the fantastic mare is capable of. For the third year in a row the colossal race mare will enter the starting gate to contest the Lady’s Secret Stakes (gr.1) in what will be her final appearance at her home base of Hollywood Park. The field in the Lady’s Secret isn’t exactly weak but it isn’t what you would expect a race mare of Zenyatta’s quality to still be facing, especially this late in the year but trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss are obviously only concerned with keeping the grand mare in good physical condition as she aims for a repeat win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November. If she loses here suffice it to say this would rank right up there with Man ‘O’ War’s loss to Upset and Secretariat’s loss to Onion. But I don’t think too many people honestly expect her to even come close to losing races of this caliber anymore.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup was used as a successful springboard by Curlin in 2007 to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park and this year Blame will attempt the same feat. After wins in the Stephen Foster and Whitney Handicap’s, the latter win coming over Quality Road, Blame has firmly established himself as the frontrunner for the older male Eclipse Award as well as Horse of the Year. With only three starts this year so far, a win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup would go a long way in boosting the talented colt’s chances of winning an award as well as giving him a great prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This will be the 4-year-old colt’s first try at the 10 furlong distance but his come from behind running style suggests the distance should be a non-factor.
Facing Blame will be Grade 1 winner Rail Trip who enters the race off a three month layoff and will also be trying traditional dirt for the first time in his career. Rail Trip has won at the 10 furlong distance and also won 2 of his 3 starts this year before finishing runner-up in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr.1). He is a legitimate contender who could easily be competitive if he handles the dirt as well as he runs over synthetics and can handle the layoff well.
The talented 3-year-old colt Fly Down will be testing new waters when he faces older horses for the first time in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Winner of the Dwyer (gr.2) over the Belmont racing strip in May, Fly Down has been unable to find the winners circle since then despite some very impressive efforts this year including a fast closing second place finish in the Belmont Stakes and a second place finish to Afleet Express in the Travers (gr.1) last out, missing by a mere nose. He could very well be the second best runner in this field but seeing that he shares a similar running style with Blame his chances are severely compromised as the elder contender produces a devastating late kick.
Haynesfield, Hold Me Back, Dry Martini, Mythical Power and Tranquil Manner complete the field. Of the remaining entrants Hanesfield and Hold Me Back stand out as well as Dry Martini.
Paddy O’Prado would almost certainly be the front-runner for eclipse award as outstanding 3-year-old male this year if not for Lookin At Lucky and if he finishes out the year undefeated on the turf he could very well end up taking the trophy home provided Lookin At Lucky trips up at some point. Paddy O’Prado enters the gate for Belmont’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr.1) facing older male runners for the first time as well as testing the 1 ½ mile distance for the first time. Although he is facing several new and untested challenges in the Hirsch, Paddy O’Prado is already installed as the well deserving favorite after posting powerful victories in this year’s Secretariat Stakes (gr.1), Colonial Turf Cup (gr.2) and Virginia Derby (gr.2). Despite his age Paddy O’Prado is easily the class of this field.
Facing the young challenger are proven grade 1 winners Telling and Winchester as well as grade 2 winner Al Khali.
There is a newcomer on the block and he looks like he’s ready to start banging down the doors. Twirling Candy has been making waves every time he steps onto the track, and it isn’t just the fact that he is undefeated and already a graded stakes winner in just his fourth lifetime start after capturing the Del Mar Derby (gr.2) last out on the turf. It’s a certain presence and aura that radiates from the powerful colt like a brilliant flame in the dark. After watching his last race I was in awe of the sheer power and ease he displayed while running his opponents ragged on the front end. Now the sophomore talent is entered in Saturday’s Goodwood Stakes (gr.1) at Hollywood Park against such talented grade 1 winning older horses as Richard’s Kid and Awesome Gem.
While Twirling Candy will be facing a strong field that also includes Crown of Thorns, Dakota Phone, Informed and Crowded House it seems that this young, inexperienced athlete might just be special enough to win the Goodwood.
Blind Luck and Lookin At Lucky don’t just share a common “lucky” element in their names, they also happen to both be leaders of their respective age groups. This Saturday Blind Luck faces arch nemesis Havre de Grace for the third time in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr.2) while carrying 10 more pounds than her 4 rivals. The incredibly talented filly has proven herself over and over this year and last to be a tough-as-nails competitor and extremely unwilling to lose. While most of her wins have come by less than a length she always seems to know just when and how to get to the wire in time to steal the prize. I don’t see her losing here, but with the break in weights Havre de Grace, a very talented filly in her own right, gets a huge advantage.
Lookin At Lucky enters the Indiana Derby (gr.2) as heavy as a favorite can be. If the field for the Indiana Derby were likened to bodies of water Lookin at Lucky would be the Atlantic and the rest would be puddles. The Champion two-year-old Male of 2009, Lookin At Lucky has remained atop his division this year with impressive wins in the Rebel Stakes (gr.2), Preakness Stakes (gr.1) and Haskell Invitational (gr.1). Out for a short time with an illness that caused the son of Smart Strike to miss the Travers Stakes, Lookin At Lucky has since trained lights-out for his final race of the year before he tries his luck in Breeders’ Cup Classic. An upset here would be almost as big a shock as a loss from Zenyatta.
J. P. Gusto and Tell A Kelly are the pro tem West Coast juvenile divisional leaders and both young stars will try to solidify their standings this weekend. J. P. Gusto has been no less than sensational this year, winning four straight stakes races including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last out. In Saturday’s Norfolk Stakes (gr.1) the talented 2-year-old will try two-turns for the first time but is the heavy favorite in a field of 7. The Norfolk guarantees the winner a starting berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile this November at Churchill Downs.
Tell A Kelly enters Sunday’s Oak Leaf Stakes (gr.1) off an impressive victory in the Darley Debutante and would settle as one of the top juvenile fillies in the nation with a win.
Good luck to all this weekend and enjoy the spectacular lineup!
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