Gulfstream Park will be the toast of the thoroughbred horse racing world this weekend when as Saturday card is highlighted by three consecutive graded stakes races for sophomore runners. Kicking off the fabulous three is the Davona Dale Stakes (gr.2) for three-year-old fillies where leading Kentucky Oaks contender Dancinginherdreams makes her second start of the year.
A field of nine is entered for the Davona Dale and four of the nine all made their last start in the Forward Gal Stakes (gr.2) at Gulfstream Park on January 30th. Pomeroy’s Pistol broke her maiden at first asking last year before finishing 5th in the Sorority Stakes and 3rd in an allowance race to finish out 2010. She began 2011 with a solid second place finish behind Final Mesa in the Old Hat Stakes (gr.3), finishing ahead of fellow Davona Dale Stakes entrant Roxy Gap. In the Forward Gal Stakes (gr.2) Pomeroy’s Pistol opened up a two length advantage at the top of the stretch after leading most of the way and held off a late charge by Dancingingherdreams to win by ¾ of a length. She has recorded only one work since the Forward Gal Stakes, going 3 furlongs in 36.50.
Dancinginherdreams will be making only the fourth start of her career in the Davona Dale. After winning the first two starts of her career by more than 10 combined lengths, including a 5 ¼ length romp in the Pocahontas Stakes (gr.2), Dancinginherdreams turned in one of the best sophomore losing efforts of the year in the Forward Gal Stakes. Racing towards the rear of the field in the Forward Gal, Dancinginherdreams raced into the stretch 7 wide and proceeded to gun for Pomeroy’s Pistol on the lead. She closed with incredible power and focus to make up almost 10 lengths on the winner, never feeling the whip to get that close. She enters the Davona Dale off a fabulous 4 furlong bullet work at Palm Meadows Training Center in 47.90, more than 3 seconds faster than her 4 furlong work on January 20th.
R Heat Lightning was a big disappointment in her 2011 debut, finishing a dull fourth in the Forward Gal Stakes after receiving a perfect stalking trip throughout. Last year R Heat Lightning won the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes before finishing out the year with a second place finish behind Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Awesome Feather in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Dancinginherdreams may have recorded thebullet work for 4 furlongs on February 21st but R Heat Lightning recorded the 2nd fastest 4 furlong work the next day, going the distance in 47.50, even faster than Dancinginherdreams.
Evil Queen finished third in the Forward Gal Stakes after winning two consecutive races to finish out her 2010 campaign. She finished ahead of R Heat Lightning in the Forward Gal and even though R Heat Lightning was obviously not performing at the same level she did in her last three starts of 2010 she is still a top class filly and a worthy competitor. Evil Queen proved she can run well in graded stakes company but unless she improves by leaps and bounds she will not be winning on Saturday.
Roxy Gap started the year in the Old Hat Stakes (gr.3) after going undefeated in three starts in 2010. After trailing the field in second to last position for most of the race in the Old Hat, Roxy Gap swung wide into the stretch and set her sights on Final Mesa and Pomeroy’s Pistol, closing well to finish about five lengths behind Pomeroy’s Pistol for third. Her three works since the Old Hat have been decent but far from excellent.
Bellaridge last finished 5th in the Sweetest Chant Stakes, far behind a victorious Kathmanblu after defeating Hailey d’Oro in an allowance race at Churchill Downs in late November. She turned in a nice 5 furlong work on February 18th at Gulfstream Park, finishing in 1:01.00.
Oh Carole is undefeated in two starts, the last coming in a 2 ½ length allowance victory at Gulfstream on January 30th. Her works have been very average and she takes a huge step up in class in the Davona Dale. She will have to move up significantly to make an impact in the top three spots Saturday.
Mending Hearts and Hot Summer complete the field. Mending Hearts has raced three times, never finishing worse than third but taking all three tries to finally break her maiden. Hot Summer has won two consecutive races coming into the Davona Dale, a maiden and an allowance race.
This year’s Kentucky Oaks comes down to just two fillies for me at the moment; Kathmanblu and Dancinginherdreams.
Dancinginherdreams should easily win the Davona Dale on Saturday. Her works have been superb, her trainer John T. Ward is brimming with confidence and she will only improve off her huge run in the Forward Gal Stakes. She looks like the complete package from where I am sitting, this filly has the potential to go all the way this year.
The two toughest competitors to Dancinginherdreams should come from a much improved R Heat Lightning and Pomeroy’s Pistol. As long shots go Roxy Gap stands out above the rest as well as Evil Queen, both fillies have proven their Stakes worthiness.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
WWRB: February 24
It’s been a very busy week for the racing industry, huge stories on the track and in the breeding shed.
[caption id="attachment_1168" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Curlin - Lee Thomas"]
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On Tuesday morning 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time Horse of the Year Curlin were bred at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm. The superstar mating is the first high-profile mating of this caliber since Zarkava and Sea The Stars mating in early 2010. Just one day later 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta was bred to 2006 3-year-old Champion Male Bernardini at Lane’s End.
Here’s to hoping they both produce talented, healthy offspring that will possess a fraction of the brilliance their parents displayed on the track.
True to their word owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher announced the 2011 debut start for the champion Uncle Mo well in advance. His highly anticipated return will take place in Gulfstream Park’s brand new 1 mile Timely Writer Stakes on March 12th. If the race fails to fill they will send him to the Tampa Bay Derby instead on the same day.
ESPN has opted not to renew their coverage for the Belmont Stakes in 2011. A few days after this announcement came word that NBC would cover all three Triple Crown races through 2015. Much of the coverage will be done on NBC’s sister station Versus.
On Monday at Oaklawn Park Archarcharch prevailed in a six-wide sweep at the head of the stretch to register a one length victory in the Southwest Stakes (gr.3) over favored J P’s Gusto. The winner entered off a fourth place finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes on January 17th where he ran a little rank. J P’s Gusto ran on well for second after receiving a rough trip on the inside, finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Elite Alex. All three top finishers are pointing towards the Rebel Stakes (gr.2) at Oaklawn Park on March 19th.
Mucho Macho Man finally came out from under the bushel and shone his light on Saturday in the Risen Star Stakes
[caption id="attachment_1169" align="alignright" width="298" caption="Mucho Macho Man - Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr. "]
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(gr.2) defeating a solid field of three-year-olds by 1 ½ lengths. Santiva finished second with Rogue Romance third and Machen fourth. Mucho Macho Man finished fourth behind Dialed In in the Holy Bull Stakes before the Risen Star and last year finished second to To Honor and Serve in the Remsen Stakes.
Kathmanblu remains firmly atop the three-year-old filly standings in 2011 after her workmanlike victory in Fair Grounds Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday to register her third consecutive stakes victory. The previously undefeated Inglorious, shipping in from Woodbine for the race, ran on very well in her third career start to take second while Gran Lioness hung one for third place after setting the pace.
Smiling Tiger dazzled in the San Carlos Stakes (gr. 2) on Saturday at Santa Anita, changing race tactics for the first time in his career. Charging from dead-last after hitting the gate at the break and dropping back early, Smiling Tiger rushed up to seize the lead in the 7 furlong race to fly home, winning by a head over Captain Cherokee.
The Factor showed that he might just be one of the fastest 3-year-old colts in the nation with an impressive performance in the San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) on Sunday, running almost gate-to-wire to win by ¾ of a length over a Sway Away in a blistering time of 1:20.34. Sway Away seems to be garnering just as much attention as the winner after flying home from far back down the grandstand side with an astounding ground-eating run.
It was all Cozi Rosie in the Beuna Vista Handicap on Monday after Evening Jewel was scratched due to her poor post draw. Making a wide bid around the far turn Cozie Rosie easily drew clear in the final strides to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
The action this weekend will be picking things up even more if that's possible with the highly anticipated return of To Honor and Serve in the Fountain of Youth Stakes as well as the return of Dancinginherdreams in the Davona Dale Stakes. Make sure to check back tomorrow for a review of the upcoming stakes action![polldaddy poll=4611389]
[caption id="attachment_1168" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Curlin - Lee Thomas"]
[/caption]On Tuesday morning 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time Horse of the Year Curlin were bred at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm. The superstar mating is the first high-profile mating of this caliber since Zarkava and Sea The Stars mating in early 2010. Just one day later 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta was bred to 2006 3-year-old Champion Male Bernardini at Lane’s End.
Here’s to hoping they both produce talented, healthy offspring that will possess a fraction of the brilliance their parents displayed on the track.
True to their word owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher announced the 2011 debut start for the champion Uncle Mo well in advance. His highly anticipated return will take place in Gulfstream Park’s brand new 1 mile Timely Writer Stakes on March 12th. If the race fails to fill they will send him to the Tampa Bay Derby instead on the same day.
ESPN has opted not to renew their coverage for the Belmont Stakes in 2011. A few days after this announcement came word that NBC would cover all three Triple Crown races through 2015. Much of the coverage will be done on NBC’s sister station Versus.
On Monday at Oaklawn Park Archarcharch prevailed in a six-wide sweep at the head of the stretch to register a one length victory in the Southwest Stakes (gr.3) over favored J P’s Gusto. The winner entered off a fourth place finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes on January 17th where he ran a little rank. J P’s Gusto ran on well for second after receiving a rough trip on the inside, finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Elite Alex. All three top finishers are pointing towards the Rebel Stakes (gr.2) at Oaklawn Park on March 19th.
Mucho Macho Man finally came out from under the bushel and shone his light on Saturday in the Risen Star Stakes
[caption id="attachment_1169" align="alignright" width="298" caption="Mucho Macho Man - Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr. "]
[/caption](gr.2) defeating a solid field of three-year-olds by 1 ½ lengths. Santiva finished second with Rogue Romance third and Machen fourth. Mucho Macho Man finished fourth behind Dialed In in the Holy Bull Stakes before the Risen Star and last year finished second to To Honor and Serve in the Remsen Stakes.
Kathmanblu remains firmly atop the three-year-old filly standings in 2011 after her workmanlike victory in Fair Grounds Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday to register her third consecutive stakes victory. The previously undefeated Inglorious, shipping in from Woodbine for the race, ran on very well in her third career start to take second while Gran Lioness hung one for third place after setting the pace.
Smiling Tiger dazzled in the San Carlos Stakes (gr. 2) on Saturday at Santa Anita, changing race tactics for the first time in his career. Charging from dead-last after hitting the gate at the break and dropping back early, Smiling Tiger rushed up to seize the lead in the 7 furlong race to fly home, winning by a head over Captain Cherokee.
The Factor showed that he might just be one of the fastest 3-year-old colts in the nation with an impressive performance in the San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) on Sunday, running almost gate-to-wire to win by ¾ of a length over a Sway Away in a blistering time of 1:20.34. Sway Away seems to be garnering just as much attention as the winner after flying home from far back down the grandstand side with an astounding ground-eating run.
It was all Cozi Rosie in the Beuna Vista Handicap on Monday after Evening Jewel was scratched due to her poor post draw. Making a wide bid around the far turn Cozie Rosie easily drew clear in the final strides to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
The action this weekend will be picking things up even more if that's possible with the highly anticipated return of To Honor and Serve in the Fountain of Youth Stakes as well as the return of Dancinginherdreams in the Davona Dale Stakes. Make sure to check back tomorrow for a review of the upcoming stakes action![polldaddy poll=4611389]
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Kathmanblu Remains Number One!
Kathmanblu has left no doubt as to whom America’s leading sophomore filly is in 2011, regardless of the surface. To start out the year she came from well off the pace to win the Sweetest Chant Stakes on the turf and on Saturday she took control of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) at the head of the Fair Grounds stretch and rolled to a 1 ¼ length victory over a talented field of fillies on the dirt.
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes was easily the deepest 3-year-old filly race of the year. Breaking from the gates Gran Lioness seized the lead as expected and posted an easy opening quarter mile of :24.83 with Bouquet Booth about 1 ½ lengths back and Kathmanblu another length behind. Undefeated Inglorious took up the rear of the 6 horse field in her first start on dirt.
Running the half mile in a slow :49.27 Gran Lioness continued to lead the field as they entered the far turn. From behind Inglorious had moved up just one spot to be second last as the field came into the stretch. Up front it was Gran Lioness, Bouquet Booth and Kathmanblu who entered the homestretch on even terms with Kathmanblu being floated four wide. Within a matter of strides Bouquet Booth was finished and faded to finish fourth while Kathmanblu battled a determined Gran Lioness down the stretch as Inglorious mustered a rally from far back. Halfway down the stretch Kathmanblu finally got the better of Gran Lioness and began to edge away, crossing the line 1 ¼ lengths the best , holding off a fast closing Inglorious. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes was easily the deepest 3-year-old filly race of the year. Breaking from the gates Gran Lioness seized the lead as expected and posted an easy opening quarter mile of :24.83 with Bouquet Booth about 1 ½ lengths back and Kathmanblu another length behind. Undefeated Inglorious took up the rear of the 6 horse field in her first start on dirt.
Running the half mile in a slow :49.27 Gran Lioness continued to lead the field as they entered the far turn. From behind Inglorious had moved up just one spot to be second last as the field came into the stretch. Up front it was Gran Lioness, Bouquet Booth and Kathmanblu who entered the homestretch on even terms with Kathmanblu being floated four wide. Within a matter of strides Bouquet Booth was finished and faded to finish fourth while Kathmanblu battled a determined Gran Lioness down the stretch as Inglorious mustered a rally from far back. Halfway down the stretch Kathmanblu finally got the better of Gran Lioness and began to edge away, crossing the line 1 ¼ lengths the best , holding off a fast closing Inglorious. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday and Sunday: Plenty of Action
Kathmanblu is off to a rip-roaring start in 2011 and her latest conquest came Saturday in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) at Fair Grounds. She had to work a litter harder than she did in her last two starts but got the job done but with grit and determination to spare as she held off a strong rally from Inglorious to register a 1 ¼ length victory.
Check out the newest post at the Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation tomorrow morning for a full recap of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes as well as the La Habra Stakes at Santa Anita today where both A Z Warrior and Rigoletta will be making their 2011 debuts.
Smiling Tiger has been a well respected runner throughout his career, never finishing worse than third in 12 lifetime starts, but he took his game to a whole new level on Saturday in the San Carlos Stakes (gr.2).
As the gates sprung open in the San Carlos Smiling Tiger stumbled sharply to the left, slamming into the gate before regaining his footing and taking up the rear of the field. In all his previous starts the Hold That Tiger colt has gone either straight to the lead or sat just off the pacesetters. Around the far turn Smiling Tiger began to make his move, coming four wide into the homestretch with Captain Cherokee the one to catch up front. In a very game and impressive effort Smiling Tiger got up in the final few strides to nab the win by a head over Captain Cherokee.
Smiling Tiger showed a new dimension winning the San Carlos from dead last in a sparking time of 1:20.30 for the seven furlongs. His main goal is the Met Mile in May with one more start possible between now and then.
If Smiling Tiger was impressive in the San Carlos Champ Pegasus was absolutely brilliant in the San Luis Obispo Stakes (gr. 2). Breaking cleanly from the gate, Champ Pegasus took up a good position a couple of lengths behind Bourbon Bay while Unbridle’s Dream winged it out on the front end. Down the backstretch Champ Pegasus began moving up quickly on Bourbon Bay in second but had to check sharply as he came up on that one’s heels, falling back to fifth. Coming past the stands for the first time in the 12 furlong contest Unbridle’s Dream was clear by more than 8 lengths. Down the backstretch the field began to close ground on the front runner, diminishing his lead to three lengths midway around the far turn. Bourbon Bay led the charge into the homestretch with Champ Pegasus less than two lengths behind. Off the turn came the field and the two favorites proceeded to put on a rousing show as Champ Pegasus drew even with Bourbon Bay and those two sprinted clear of the field.
Under a vigorous hand-ride Champ Pegasus battled it out with Bourbon Bay to the wire, no more than a nose separating the two at the wire. It was a very determined and striking victory by Champ Pegasus who reversed the result of the San Marcos Stakes (gr. 2) in January when Bourbon Bay won over Champ Pegasus by 1 ¾ lengths.
[caption id="attachment_1159" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="The Factor - Benoit Photography "]
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The San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) was won by Bob Baffert’s incredibly fast 3-year-old trainee The Factor on Sunday. Running over a speed-biased track in the 7 furlong race The Factor surged from the gate and aggressively seized the lead from City Cool, zipping his first quarter mile in :22.20. Before the half mile that was run in :43.41 was over City Cool had had his fill, falling well off the suicidal pace being run by The Factor. Into the stretch The Factor with jockey Martin Garcia up kicked away to be two lengths clear of the field with the well-regarded Premier Pegasus running in second. Down the homestretch The Factor continued to pour in on as Sway Away launched a powerful rally from last off the turn to explode into the second spot, losing by just 2 ½ lengths to The Factor. Sway Away’s move from last was so instantaneous and powerful that I completely missed watching The Factor approaching the wire the first time I watched the race. My eye was completely drawn to Sway Away.
Mucho Macho Man finally had his day, and man did he ever make the most of it. In the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. 2) at Fair Ground Mucho Macho Man came from just off the pace set by Decisive Moment as the field entered the homestretch and surged to the lead. Charging hard for the wire the Macho Uno colt had enough left in the tank to hold off a serious challenge from Santiva late, winning by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths. Rogue Romance finished third as the favorite, 1 ¼ lengths behind Santiva with Machen just behind in fourth.
In his last race Mucho Macho Man finished fourth behind the undefeated Dialed In in the HolyBully Stakes. How good does this race make Dialed In look now?
Enjoy the great lineup of races today and prepare for another fantastic weekend of races coming up!
Check out the newest post at the Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation tomorrow morning for a full recap of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes as well as the La Habra Stakes at Santa Anita today where both A Z Warrior and Rigoletta will be making their 2011 debuts.
Smiling Tiger has been a well respected runner throughout his career, never finishing worse than third in 12 lifetime starts, but he took his game to a whole new level on Saturday in the San Carlos Stakes (gr.2).
As the gates sprung open in the San Carlos Smiling Tiger stumbled sharply to the left, slamming into the gate before regaining his footing and taking up the rear of the field. In all his previous starts the Hold That Tiger colt has gone either straight to the lead or sat just off the pacesetters. Around the far turn Smiling Tiger began to make his move, coming four wide into the homestretch with Captain Cherokee the one to catch up front. In a very game and impressive effort Smiling Tiger got up in the final few strides to nab the win by a head over Captain Cherokee.
Smiling Tiger showed a new dimension winning the San Carlos from dead last in a sparking time of 1:20.30 for the seven furlongs. His main goal is the Met Mile in May with one more start possible between now and then.
If Smiling Tiger was impressive in the San Carlos Champ Pegasus was absolutely brilliant in the San Luis Obispo Stakes (gr. 2). Breaking cleanly from the gate, Champ Pegasus took up a good position a couple of lengths behind Bourbon Bay while Unbridle’s Dream winged it out on the front end. Down the backstretch Champ Pegasus began moving up quickly on Bourbon Bay in second but had to check sharply as he came up on that one’s heels, falling back to fifth. Coming past the stands for the first time in the 12 furlong contest Unbridle’s Dream was clear by more than 8 lengths. Down the backstretch the field began to close ground on the front runner, diminishing his lead to three lengths midway around the far turn. Bourbon Bay led the charge into the homestretch with Champ Pegasus less than two lengths behind. Off the turn came the field and the two favorites proceeded to put on a rousing show as Champ Pegasus drew even with Bourbon Bay and those two sprinted clear of the field.
Under a vigorous hand-ride Champ Pegasus battled it out with Bourbon Bay to the wire, no more than a nose separating the two at the wire. It was a very determined and striking victory by Champ Pegasus who reversed the result of the San Marcos Stakes (gr. 2) in January when Bourbon Bay won over Champ Pegasus by 1 ¾ lengths.
[caption id="attachment_1159" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="The Factor - Benoit Photography "]
[/caption]The San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) was won by Bob Baffert’s incredibly fast 3-year-old trainee The Factor on Sunday. Running over a speed-biased track in the 7 furlong race The Factor surged from the gate and aggressively seized the lead from City Cool, zipping his first quarter mile in :22.20. Before the half mile that was run in :43.41 was over City Cool had had his fill, falling well off the suicidal pace being run by The Factor. Into the stretch The Factor with jockey Martin Garcia up kicked away to be two lengths clear of the field with the well-regarded Premier Pegasus running in second. Down the homestretch The Factor continued to pour in on as Sway Away launched a powerful rally from last off the turn to explode into the second spot, losing by just 2 ½ lengths to The Factor. Sway Away’s move from last was so instantaneous and powerful that I completely missed watching The Factor approaching the wire the first time I watched the race. My eye was completely drawn to Sway Away.
Mucho Macho Man finally had his day, and man did he ever make the most of it. In the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. 2) at Fair Ground Mucho Macho Man came from just off the pace set by Decisive Moment as the field entered the homestretch and surged to the lead. Charging hard for the wire the Macho Uno colt had enough left in the tank to hold off a serious challenge from Santiva late, winning by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths. Rogue Romance finished third as the favorite, 1 ¼ lengths behind Santiva with Machen just behind in fourth.
In his last race Mucho Macho Man finished fourth behind the undefeated Dialed In in the HolyBully Stakes. How good does this race make Dialed In look now?
Enjoy the great lineup of races today and prepare for another fantastic weekend of races coming up!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Kathmanblu in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Head on over to Horse Racing Nation to check out my new post on the Rachel Alexandra Stakes here.
WRRB 2/17/11: Uncle Mo, Brethren and all the Rest
It’s time to once again review the week of racing starting with Splash Point. Last Thursday the 3-year-old Street Cry colt made headlines by capturing the UAE 2000 Guineas in Dubai by one length over Zanzamar. In their last meeting three weeks ago Splash Point and Zanzamar finished 1-2 with Zanzamar finishing first, winning the UAE Guineas Trial by one length over a fast closing Splash Point. In the 2000 Guineas Zanzamar did very well to capture second after having trouble finding racing room down the stretch and taking up sharply. I’d say he’ll have Splash Point’s number if they meet once again and get clean trips.
The biggest story of the week goes to a strapping young colt who romped to the easiest of victories in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. On Saturday Brethren made sure he would not follow the Derby trail in the shadow of Uncle Mo as he trashed the Sam F. Davis field with so little effort it had some people wondering if Todd Pletcher could perhaps have the top two 3-year-old colts in the nation under his tutelage.
Brethren rated comfortably off the pacesetter in the Sam F. Davis before gliding up on the outside to take the lead, opening up by more than a length as soon as he entered the stretch. The lead just grew from there as jockey Ramon Dominguez did his best statue impersonation, doing absolutely nothing as Brethren proved himself a true professional, breezing through the stretch five lengths clear of the field. The only time Dominguez ever moved was to ease up on his mount, gearing Brethren down to win by 4 ½ lengths under the line. The performance had many, including myself, wondering just how good Super Saver’s little half-brother could be.
Also of note is that Ramon Dominguez won all three of Tampa Bay’s stakes races on the Saturday card, winning the Florida Oaks with Dynamic Holiday, Sam F. Davis with Brethren and Endeavor Stakes with Silver Reunion.
Tackleberry proved his Sunshine Millions Classic victory just two weeks from Saturday was no fluke as he reeled back off two weeks rest to defeat the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (gr.2) field. He has now won six of his last seven starts and it seems he has a very legitimate shot at becoming the dominant older male performer on the east coast, no matter the distance.
He also showed a surprising ability to rate off the pace in the Sprint unlike his last five wins where the 4-year-old colt has gone gate-to-wire. The Sprint Championship marks Tackleberry’s fourth stakes win in the last three months. Finishing second in the Sprint Championship was Soaring Empire who handed Tackleberry his only defeat of the year in the Hal’s Hope (gr.3) on January 8th.
Anthony’s Cross played his best hand in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday and came through with a hard-fought win by a nose over Riveting Reason while heavy favorite Tapizar faded to finish fifth. Rob from Amateurcapper nailed this one right on the nose last week, correctly calling Anthony’s Cross as the winner as well as giving some frighteningly close insight into Tapizar’s performance ability.
Racing with blinkers in the Lewis Anthony’s Cross rated off a very rank Tapizar with Riveting Reason glued to his flank. Entering the far turn Anthony’s Cross and Riveting Reason quickly moved up and seized control of the lead heading into the stretch. From there it turned into a two horse race as Anthony’s Cross gamely fought off the stubborn of Riveting Reason to prevail by a nose.
Three days after the Lewis it was announced that Tapizar is off the Kentucky Derby trail with the discovery of a bone chip in his left knee. Hopefully we will see the talented colt back at the track later this year after he has had some time to recuperate from his planned surgery.
Unfortunately Tapizar was not the only high profile colt taken out of Kentucky Derby contention this past week when trainer Rick Dutrow made the decision to take Boys At Tosconova out of training. The announcement wasn’t totally unexpected after the colt’s anticipated debut in the January 30th Holy Bull Stakes was put on hold due to training poorly. Boys At Tosconova will back to run again another day.
While Tapizar had a perfectly good excuse for losing the Lewis Stakes on Saturday Comma to the Top is more of a shaky subject. Entering the El Camino Real Derby with five consecutive wins the colt folded like a house of cards behind a victorious Silver Medallion, failing to mount any kind of serious rally in the stretch. It could be that he just really needed to get in a race and the conditioning he received here will help him next out or he might just not like the 1 1/8 miles distance as well. In any case I’m placing him on the bottom of my Derby contenders list until he proves the El Camino was a fluke.
The Santa Maria Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday provided one of the most exciting finishes of the Santa Anita racing season. Breaking from the gate it was Vision in Gold straight to the lead with Zardana lapped to her side while St. Trinians took up the rear of the field in her first start since the June 13th Vanity Handicap (gr.1) last year. Down the backstretch an eager St. Trinians moved up along the inside to take third place, a couple of lengths behind the two front runners. Entering the turn the top three began running in earnest and by the time they entered the homestretch a single length could have covered them all. Down the stretch Vision in Gold continued to run the race of her life, staying a half length in front of Zardana while St. Trinians on the outside moved up to within a neck of Zardana. The three mares flashed under the line with Vision in Gold holding on by half a length over Zardana for the win. St Trinians seemed to tire just a little bit in her return, finishing another half lengths back in third.
Expect St. Trinians to vastly improve in her next start off the great effort she turned in here. With Zenyatta out of the picture this year it’s a mad scramble to gain the divisional lead, as it stands now Switch is in a very secure lead.
On Sunday Always A Princess became the first horse to finish ahead of Blind Luck more than once in the Champion’s career as she once again defeated the Eclipse Award winning Champion in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) after defeating her last month in the El Encino Stakes.
Out of the gate Always a Princess seized the lead in the four horse field while Blind Luck surprisingly moved into second, a half length back. By the time they were halfway down the backstretch Blind Luck had relaxed into her customary position in last while Always a Princess ran easy fractions up front with Harmonious in second. Around the far turn Always a Princess began to accelerate with ease while Blind Luck mounted a challenge from the rear, moving up to third into the stretch. Straightening for home Always a Princess visibly changed leads and sprinted for home with a surge of energy as Blind Luck struggled to find her best gear. Under the line the winner finished 3 ¼ lengths clear of Blind Luck.
It was clear this time that Blind Luck was far from her usual explosive self, she still did well to finish more than two lengths clear of Harmonious but this was not the Blind Luck of old.
Earlier last week before the La Canada was run there was word that Blind Luck was having some issues with her feet. After the race trainer Jerry Hollendorfer offered no comments on Blind Luck’s performance. I hope he gives her a good long break after this if he knows she’s not 100%, it would be a shame to ruin such a fantastic athlete.
Trainer Rick Dutrow could was handed a 90 day suspension by New York stewards after Fastus Cactus tested positive for drugs after his win in November last year as well as the discovery of hypodermic needles in Dutrow’s barn. Dutrow is appealing the suspension.
[caption id="attachment_1147" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Uncle Mo - Anne M. Eberhardt"]
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Even though he has only run three times in his career Uncle Mo has already become the poster boy for American thoroughbred horse racing this year. As soon as he started posting works it became ‘Mo this’ and ‘Mo that’ and for people like myself that’s just fine. The ‘Mo’ the better, I can never get enough.
Uncle Mo worked a half mile in :47.45 on Sunday for trainer Todd Pletcher, more than two seconds faster than his half mile work last week. Pletcher keeps saying how surprised he is at the fitness of the super-star colt off just three works this year and after this work I’d have to say I agree.
On Wednesday it was announced that Uncle Mo could make his 3-year-old debut in the brand new one mile $100,000 Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12th. His other option is the Tampa Bay Derby (gr.2) on the same day worth $350,000. Wherever he shows up I sincerely hope he wins big and takes us all on the Triple Crown ride of our lives.
Don’t forget to check in with my Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation tomorrow morning for a rundown on some of the Kentucky Oaks action including a review of the Rachel Alexandra field where Kathmanblu is set to make her return to dirt racing.
The biggest story of the week goes to a strapping young colt who romped to the easiest of victories in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. On Saturday Brethren made sure he would not follow the Derby trail in the shadow of Uncle Mo as he trashed the Sam F. Davis field with so little effort it had some people wondering if Todd Pletcher could perhaps have the top two 3-year-old colts in the nation under his tutelage.
Brethren rated comfortably off the pacesetter in the Sam F. Davis before gliding up on the outside to take the lead, opening up by more than a length as soon as he entered the stretch. The lead just grew from there as jockey Ramon Dominguez did his best statue impersonation, doing absolutely nothing as Brethren proved himself a true professional, breezing through the stretch five lengths clear of the field. The only time Dominguez ever moved was to ease up on his mount, gearing Brethren down to win by 4 ½ lengths under the line. The performance had many, including myself, wondering just how good Super Saver’s little half-brother could be.
Also of note is that Ramon Dominguez won all three of Tampa Bay’s stakes races on the Saturday card, winning the Florida Oaks with Dynamic Holiday, Sam F. Davis with Brethren and Endeavor Stakes with Silver Reunion.
Tackleberry proved his Sunshine Millions Classic victory just two weeks from Saturday was no fluke as he reeled back off two weeks rest to defeat the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (gr.2) field. He has now won six of his last seven starts and it seems he has a very legitimate shot at becoming the dominant older male performer on the east coast, no matter the distance.
He also showed a surprising ability to rate off the pace in the Sprint unlike his last five wins where the 4-year-old colt has gone gate-to-wire. The Sprint Championship marks Tackleberry’s fourth stakes win in the last three months. Finishing second in the Sprint Championship was Soaring Empire who handed Tackleberry his only defeat of the year in the Hal’s Hope (gr.3) on January 8th.
Anthony’s Cross played his best hand in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday and came through with a hard-fought win by a nose over Riveting Reason while heavy favorite Tapizar faded to finish fifth. Rob from Amateurcapper nailed this one right on the nose last week, correctly calling Anthony’s Cross as the winner as well as giving some frighteningly close insight into Tapizar’s performance ability.
Racing with blinkers in the Lewis Anthony’s Cross rated off a very rank Tapizar with Riveting Reason glued to his flank. Entering the far turn Anthony’s Cross and Riveting Reason quickly moved up and seized control of the lead heading into the stretch. From there it turned into a two horse race as Anthony’s Cross gamely fought off the stubborn of Riveting Reason to prevail by a nose.
Three days after the Lewis it was announced that Tapizar is off the Kentucky Derby trail with the discovery of a bone chip in his left knee. Hopefully we will see the talented colt back at the track later this year after he has had some time to recuperate from his planned surgery.
Unfortunately Tapizar was not the only high profile colt taken out of Kentucky Derby contention this past week when trainer Rick Dutrow made the decision to take Boys At Tosconova out of training. The announcement wasn’t totally unexpected after the colt’s anticipated debut in the January 30th Holy Bull Stakes was put on hold due to training poorly. Boys At Tosconova will back to run again another day.
While Tapizar had a perfectly good excuse for losing the Lewis Stakes on Saturday Comma to the Top is more of a shaky subject. Entering the El Camino Real Derby with five consecutive wins the colt folded like a house of cards behind a victorious Silver Medallion, failing to mount any kind of serious rally in the stretch. It could be that he just really needed to get in a race and the conditioning he received here will help him next out or he might just not like the 1 1/8 miles distance as well. In any case I’m placing him on the bottom of my Derby contenders list until he proves the El Camino was a fluke.
The Santa Maria Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday provided one of the most exciting finishes of the Santa Anita racing season. Breaking from the gate it was Vision in Gold straight to the lead with Zardana lapped to her side while St. Trinians took up the rear of the field in her first start since the June 13th Vanity Handicap (gr.1) last year. Down the backstretch an eager St. Trinians moved up along the inside to take third place, a couple of lengths behind the two front runners. Entering the turn the top three began running in earnest and by the time they entered the homestretch a single length could have covered them all. Down the stretch Vision in Gold continued to run the race of her life, staying a half length in front of Zardana while St. Trinians on the outside moved up to within a neck of Zardana. The three mares flashed under the line with Vision in Gold holding on by half a length over Zardana for the win. St Trinians seemed to tire just a little bit in her return, finishing another half lengths back in third.
Expect St. Trinians to vastly improve in her next start off the great effort she turned in here. With Zenyatta out of the picture this year it’s a mad scramble to gain the divisional lead, as it stands now Switch is in a very secure lead.
On Sunday Always A Princess became the first horse to finish ahead of Blind Luck more than once in the Champion’s career as she once again defeated the Eclipse Award winning Champion in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) after defeating her last month in the El Encino Stakes.
Out of the gate Always a Princess seized the lead in the four horse field while Blind Luck surprisingly moved into second, a half length back. By the time they were halfway down the backstretch Blind Luck had relaxed into her customary position in last while Always a Princess ran easy fractions up front with Harmonious in second. Around the far turn Always a Princess began to accelerate with ease while Blind Luck mounted a challenge from the rear, moving up to third into the stretch. Straightening for home Always a Princess visibly changed leads and sprinted for home with a surge of energy as Blind Luck struggled to find her best gear. Under the line the winner finished 3 ¼ lengths clear of Blind Luck.
It was clear this time that Blind Luck was far from her usual explosive self, she still did well to finish more than two lengths clear of Harmonious but this was not the Blind Luck of old.
Earlier last week before the La Canada was run there was word that Blind Luck was having some issues with her feet. After the race trainer Jerry Hollendorfer offered no comments on Blind Luck’s performance. I hope he gives her a good long break after this if he knows she’s not 100%, it would be a shame to ruin such a fantastic athlete.
Trainer Rick Dutrow could was handed a 90 day suspension by New York stewards after Fastus Cactus tested positive for drugs after his win in November last year as well as the discovery of hypodermic needles in Dutrow’s barn. Dutrow is appealing the suspension.
[caption id="attachment_1147" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Uncle Mo - Anne M. Eberhardt"]
[/caption]Even though he has only run three times in his career Uncle Mo has already become the poster boy for American thoroughbred horse racing this year. As soon as he started posting works it became ‘Mo this’ and ‘Mo that’ and for people like myself that’s just fine. The ‘Mo’ the better, I can never get enough.
Uncle Mo worked a half mile in :47.45 on Sunday for trainer Todd Pletcher, more than two seconds faster than his half mile work last week. Pletcher keeps saying how surprised he is at the fitness of the super-star colt off just three works this year and after this work I’d have to say I agree.
On Wednesday it was announced that Uncle Mo could make his 3-year-old debut in the brand new one mile $100,000 Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12th. His other option is the Tampa Bay Derby (gr.2) on the same day worth $350,000. Wherever he shows up I sincerely hope he wins big and takes us all on the Triple Crown ride of our lives.
Don’t forget to check in with my Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation tomorrow morning for a rundown on some of the Kentucky Oaks action including a review of the Rachel Alexandra field where Kathmanblu is set to make her return to dirt racing.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Kentucky Oaks: Tickled Pink!
The year 2009 will best be remembered as it pertains to the Kentucky Oaks by Rachel Alexandra’s jaw-dropping 20 ¼ length victory, but one other very significant ritual was inaugurated for the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks. The Survivors Parade: a heartwarming march down the homestretch and past the stands filled with thousands of cheering supporters, this march consists of more than 100 pink-clad women all having one thing in common; they all have survived breast cancer.
Starting in 2009 the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Horses and Hope charity foundations have partnered with Churchill Downs every year on Kentucky Oaks day to raise money and awareness for millions of people around the world in order to prevent breast cancer. This year Churchill Downs has pledged to give $1 for every Oaks attendee to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and $1 for every Oaks Lily Beverage sold to the Horses and Hope foundation. Last year a record attendance of more than 116,000 fans was numbered for the Kentucky Oaks, with $1 for every person in attendance going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Here’s to hoping an even bigger number of fans shows up for Kentucky Oaks 137.
[Read the rest here at Kentucky Oaks Runner on Horse Racing Nation]
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Oh Brother!
This was a great weekend for eating dirt, and believe me, I had my fill and then some. I thought Tapizar, Comma to the Top, Blind Luck and St. Trinians were all locks to win and the one horse I supported but thought would be very vulnerable became the only one of the weekend to deliver in the way a favorite is supposed to deliver.
Already Brethren is making more waves in the vast Derby ocean than his famous Kentucky Derby winning half brother Super Saver did at this same time last year. Making his highly anticipated 2011 debut after going undefeated in two starts last year, Brethren made a mockery of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday when he ran away to a 4 length victory after being eased up before the wire.
With his tremendous acceleration Brethren took command of the Sam F. Davis field halfway through the final turn, sweeping past the pacesetters with disdain under a tight hold by jockey Ramon Dominguez. Down the homestretch the margin of victory became just a footnote to the ease of his performance, as with just a few taps of the whip the handsome bay colt strode confidently to the wire, ears pricked, brimming with confidence and talent.
I became a complete believer after seeing this colt's Sam F. Davis performance. He ran like a trained professional that’s been running in the game for years.
When it comes to Todd Pletcher’s training skills this year it’s all about family, whether it be Uncle Mo or Brethren, he trains each equally well it appears. Heading into mid-February Todd Pletcher could well have the two top Derby prospects under his tutelage. While both prospects are undefeated in three lifetime starts Uncle Mo still stands head and shoulders above Brethren at this point and his latest work on Sunday morning going a half mile in :47.45 did nothing to dissuade any confidence his fans and backers might have in him.
I think it’s apparent that Blind Luck is in need of a good long rest after seeing her struggle in La Canada Stakes to finish second for the fourth consecutive time. After her dull second place effort in last month’s En Encino Stakes to Always a Princess, Blind Luck turned in a series of exceptional works for her La Canada run convincing me that she was ready to run a winning race. I was a little less optimistic when a few days before the La Canada her connections said that her feet had been sore and tender ever since her En Encino run but that the problem seemed behind her. Unfortunately she had to settle for second place yet again in the La Canada, finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind Always a Princess once again. I sincerely hope she’s given a good amount of time to regain her form and rest after this, she's far too good a filly to keep getting beat time and time again.
Already Brethren is making more waves in the vast Derby ocean than his famous Kentucky Derby winning half brother Super Saver did at this same time last year. Making his highly anticipated 2011 debut after going undefeated in two starts last year, Brethren made a mockery of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday when he ran away to a 4 length victory after being eased up before the wire.
With his tremendous acceleration Brethren took command of the Sam F. Davis field halfway through the final turn, sweeping past the pacesetters with disdain under a tight hold by jockey Ramon Dominguez. Down the homestretch the margin of victory became just a footnote to the ease of his performance, as with just a few taps of the whip the handsome bay colt strode confidently to the wire, ears pricked, brimming with confidence and talent.
I became a complete believer after seeing this colt's Sam F. Davis performance. He ran like a trained professional that’s been running in the game for years.
When it comes to Todd Pletcher’s training skills this year it’s all about family, whether it be Uncle Mo or Brethren, he trains each equally well it appears. Heading into mid-February Todd Pletcher could well have the two top Derby prospects under his tutelage. While both prospects are undefeated in three lifetime starts Uncle Mo still stands head and shoulders above Brethren at this point and his latest work on Sunday morning going a half mile in :47.45 did nothing to dissuade any confidence his fans and backers might have in him.
I think it’s apparent that Blind Luck is in need of a good long rest after seeing her struggle in La Canada Stakes to finish second for the fourth consecutive time. After her dull second place effort in last month’s En Encino Stakes to Always a Princess, Blind Luck turned in a series of exceptional works for her La Canada run convincing me that she was ready to run a winning race. I was a little less optimistic when a few days before the La Canada her connections said that her feet had been sore and tender ever since her En Encino run but that the problem seemed behind her. Unfortunately she had to settle for second place yet again in the La Canada, finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind Always a Princess once again. I sincerely hope she’s given a good amount of time to regain her form and rest after this, she's far too good a filly to keep getting beat time and time again.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Major Trio: La Canada, Robert Lewis Stakes & El Camino Real
If you’ve been hankering for another weekend of high caliber stakes action after the rush that last weekend offered hanker no more. This weekend alone heralds the return of St. Trianians, Blind Luck, Harmonious, Tapizar, Brethren and Comma to the Top to mention a few. So sit back this Saturday-Sunday and let the action begin.
Blind Luck returns in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) on Sunday with jockey Rafael Bejarano back in the irons for the first time since finishing second on the filly in the Hollywood Oaks. Last year Bejarano and Blind Luck raced to Grade 1 victory in both the Las Virgenes Stakes and Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is hoping the change back to Bejarano from Joel Rosario will finally be able to snap the filly’s three race losing streak. Blind Luck’s latest defeat came at the hands of Always a Princess in last month’s El Encino Stakes where she finished second, more than 3 lengths behind the winner. She has been training extremely well since then and will once again be favored to win in the La Canada.
Always a Princess is also entered in the La Canada and will be seeking her second consecutive graded stakes win and third overall. She has won exactly half of her 8 lifetime starts and figures to be up close to the pace if not setting it in the La Canada.
Dual Grade 1 winner Harmonious is also entered in the five horse race, making it an extremely tough and compact field. Both of the Dynaformer filly’s Grade 1 wins have come over turf and she will be trying dirt for the first time in the La Canada but that won’t stop her from gaining a good amount of support. Her six furlong work on January 18th in 1:10 4/5 proves that she is in tip-top shape for the race where she will be ridden by Joel Rosario.
Once again it is Blind Luck’s race to lose and it’s a credit to her reputation and ability that she will once again be favored, and over two graded stakes winners no less, with three consecutive losses following her into the La Canada. There was word earlier in the week that her feet had been sore and tender but according to her connections that problem is behind her, let’s hope that’s true. It would be nice to see her win big here and launch a huge 2011 campaign.
Harmonious is very intriguing here but never having tried the dirt before it’s tough to say how she’ll handle it. Her six furlong work speaks volumes and I think she’ll do very well, just not as well as Blind Luck.
[caption id="attachment_1132" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Tapizar - Benoitphoto.com"]
[/caption]
Last month Tapizar turned in one of the most eye-catching Derby preps of the year when he captured the Sham Stakes by more than 4 lengths, and now the talented Steve Asmussen trainee is ready to tackle the Robert Lewis Stakes (gr.2) at Santa Anita on Saturday as the heavy favorite. On paper the field of 6 other colts looks hopelessly overmatched by the daunting presence of Tapizar and it is more than likely that the Lewis will turn into a one horse show.
This colt has such a smooth, easy stride when he runs that you hardly notice when he changes leads until he bursts to the lead. If Uncle Mo comes back with a poor effort or proves unable to handle the added distance leading up to the Derby Tapizar could well be the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May.
Steve Asmussen seems confident in his charge but stated that he would probably slightly regress off his huge Sham. Even a regression should beat this field handily.
[caption id="attachment_1131" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Comma to the Top - Benoitphoto.com"]
[/caption]
While Tapizar looks to continue his domination at Santa Anita in the Lewis, California’s 2010 leading juvenile male will be making his return to the races for the first times since capturing the CashCall Futurity (gr.1) on December 18th in the El Camino Real Derby (gr.3) at Golden Gate Fields.
Comma to the Top may have a pedigree that shouts “sprinter” but he already won a 1 1/16 mile race last year and enters the El Camino Real Derby riding a five race win streak. He will be favored to win once again in the El Camino and will be running the 1 1/8 mile distance for the first time. He is undefeated around two turns and while many questions have been raised as to whether or not he can handle the 1 1/8 miles in his 2011 debut, there appears to be little in the way of competition that is a serious threat to a winner of his caliber.
If there is a threat in the race it could come from the Steve Asmussen trained Silver Medalion, recent winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes over Santa Anita’s turf course or the ever-improving Positive Response.
Positive Response enters the El Camino with three consecutive wins to his credit. The first two wins of his three race string came in gate-to-wire romps while the last start showed how versatile the young gelding can be as he rated off the pace before taking over at the top of the stretch to win the California Derby by 2 ¾ lengths on January 15th. This looks like a very nice gelding who keeps stepping it up a notch in each consecutive start. He could prove a challenge to Comma to the Top but I think in the here and now Comma to the Top gets the class edge on Saturday.
Don't forget to stop by my new blog and share your Kentucky Oaks thoughts: Kentucky Oaks Runner[polldaddy poll=4538346]
Blind Luck returns in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) on Sunday with jockey Rafael Bejarano back in the irons for the first time since finishing second on the filly in the Hollywood Oaks. Last year Bejarano and Blind Luck raced to Grade 1 victory in both the Las Virgenes Stakes and Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is hoping the change back to Bejarano from Joel Rosario will finally be able to snap the filly’s three race losing streak. Blind Luck’s latest defeat came at the hands of Always a Princess in last month’s El Encino Stakes where she finished second, more than 3 lengths behind the winner. She has been training extremely well since then and will once again be favored to win in the La Canada.
Always a Princess is also entered in the La Canada and will be seeking her second consecutive graded stakes win and third overall. She has won exactly half of her 8 lifetime starts and figures to be up close to the pace if not setting it in the La Canada.
Dual Grade 1 winner Harmonious is also entered in the five horse race, making it an extremely tough and compact field. Both of the Dynaformer filly’s Grade 1 wins have come over turf and she will be trying dirt for the first time in the La Canada but that won’t stop her from gaining a good amount of support. Her six furlong work on January 18th in 1:10 4/5 proves that she is in tip-top shape for the race where she will be ridden by Joel Rosario.
Once again it is Blind Luck’s race to lose and it’s a credit to her reputation and ability that she will once again be favored, and over two graded stakes winners no less, with three consecutive losses following her into the La Canada. There was word earlier in the week that her feet had been sore and tender but according to her connections that problem is behind her, let’s hope that’s true. It would be nice to see her win big here and launch a huge 2011 campaign.
Harmonious is very intriguing here but never having tried the dirt before it’s tough to say how she’ll handle it. Her six furlong work speaks volumes and I think she’ll do very well, just not as well as Blind Luck.
[caption id="attachment_1132" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Tapizar - Benoitphoto.com"]
[/caption]Last month Tapizar turned in one of the most eye-catching Derby preps of the year when he captured the Sham Stakes by more than 4 lengths, and now the talented Steve Asmussen trainee is ready to tackle the Robert Lewis Stakes (gr.2) at Santa Anita on Saturday as the heavy favorite. On paper the field of 6 other colts looks hopelessly overmatched by the daunting presence of Tapizar and it is more than likely that the Lewis will turn into a one horse show.
This colt has such a smooth, easy stride when he runs that you hardly notice when he changes leads until he bursts to the lead. If Uncle Mo comes back with a poor effort or proves unable to handle the added distance leading up to the Derby Tapizar could well be the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May.
Steve Asmussen seems confident in his charge but stated that he would probably slightly regress off his huge Sham. Even a regression should beat this field handily.
[caption id="attachment_1131" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Comma to the Top - Benoitphoto.com"]
[/caption]While Tapizar looks to continue his domination at Santa Anita in the Lewis, California’s 2010 leading juvenile male will be making his return to the races for the first times since capturing the CashCall Futurity (gr.1) on December 18th in the El Camino Real Derby (gr.3) at Golden Gate Fields.
Comma to the Top may have a pedigree that shouts “sprinter” but he already won a 1 1/16 mile race last year and enters the El Camino Real Derby riding a five race win streak. He will be favored to win once again in the El Camino and will be running the 1 1/8 mile distance for the first time. He is undefeated around two turns and while many questions have been raised as to whether or not he can handle the 1 1/8 miles in his 2011 debut, there appears to be little in the way of competition that is a serious threat to a winner of his caliber.
If there is a threat in the race it could come from the Steve Asmussen trained Silver Medalion, recent winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes over Santa Anita’s turf course or the ever-improving Positive Response.
Positive Response enters the El Camino with three consecutive wins to his credit. The first two wins of his three race string came in gate-to-wire romps while the last start showed how versatile the young gelding can be as he rated off the pace before taking over at the top of the stretch to win the California Derby by 2 ¾ lengths on January 15th. This looks like a very nice gelding who keeps stepping it up a notch in each consecutive start. He could prove a challenge to Comma to the Top but I think in the here and now Comma to the Top gets the class edge on Saturday.
Don't forget to stop by my new blog and share your Kentucky Oaks thoughts: Kentucky Oaks Runner[polldaddy poll=4538346]
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Weekly Random Racing Bits: WWRB February 10th
Here, in no particular order, is a review of some of the major stories surrounding racing this past week:
Twirling Candy ascended to another plane of performance on Saturday when winning the Strub Stakes in one of the most overwhelmingly easy victories I have seen since I began following racing. He is now the front-runner for the Older Male Horse championship, even at this early stage in the year.
Giant Oak isn’t too far behind Twirling Candy in the Older Horse Division after winning the Donn Handicap on Saturday over a very strong field to register his second Grade 1 victory.
Capt. Candyman Can returned triumphant from a 15 months layoff in the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to prove that he will have a lot to say in this year’s sprint division. I look forward to seeing him racing against the nation’s elite once again after he ran a terrific 2009 campaign.
Also on Saturday Toby’s Corner ran away to a 2 length victory in the Whirlaway Stakes over a muddy Aqueduct track. It was the Bellamy Road colt’s third consecutive victory, albeit over a seemingly average field. It remains to be seen if he can become a major player on the Derby trail.
The Mosses seem to have a thing for naming their best fillies and mares with the beginning letter being a ‘Z’. First Zenyatta and now Zazu. On Saturday at Santa Anita Park Zazu defeated heavily favored and then undefeated 3-year-old filly Turbulent Descent by 1 ¼ lengths in the Las Virgenes Stakes after launching a devastating rally from far back around the final turn. I think she will only improve from here on out and should be a major player for the rest of the year.
On Thursday Bold Silvano won the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan Racecourse by an easy 2 ½ lengths in preparation for the Dubai World Cup.
On Monday racing fans received the glad tidings that Champion Two Year Old Filly Awesome Feather has been walking under tack for the last week. She could begin jogging in about two weeks if all goes well.
On Sunday Gladding proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the major leagues, winning the San Antonio Stakes (gr.2) over favored Aggie Engineer. Both horses could be headed to the Santa Anita Handicap (gr.1) and a potential showdown with Twirling Candy.
Champion Two Year Old Male, and early Kentucky Derby favorite, Uncle Mo registered his second work of the year on Sunday completing a half mile work in :49 3/5. It was a much more encouraging move than his last and even surprised trainer Todd Pletcher who stated the colt is now ahead of schedule after just two works.
2010 Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer is back in training and preparing for a run at the Mineshaft Handicap and possibly the Dubai World Cup if all goes according to plan.
2009 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed has been retired from racing. The Tiznow gelding won the World Cup by 14 lengths, a record that will probably stand for a long time.
This weekend promises to be an incredible racing extravaganza with a tremendous lineup of Graded stakes races with such high-profile runner as Blind Luck, St. Trinains and Brethren to mention a few,set to run.
Twirling Candy ascended to another plane of performance on Saturday when winning the Strub Stakes in one of the most overwhelmingly easy victories I have seen since I began following racing. He is now the front-runner for the Older Male Horse championship, even at this early stage in the year.
Giant Oak isn’t too far behind Twirling Candy in the Older Horse Division after winning the Donn Handicap on Saturday over a very strong field to register his second Grade 1 victory.
Capt. Candyman Can returned triumphant from a 15 months layoff in the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to prove that he will have a lot to say in this year’s sprint division. I look forward to seeing him racing against the nation’s elite once again after he ran a terrific 2009 campaign.
Also on Saturday Toby’s Corner ran away to a 2 length victory in the Whirlaway Stakes over a muddy Aqueduct track. It was the Bellamy Road colt’s third consecutive victory, albeit over a seemingly average field. It remains to be seen if he can become a major player on the Derby trail.
The Mosses seem to have a thing for naming their best fillies and mares with the beginning letter being a ‘Z’. First Zenyatta and now Zazu. On Saturday at Santa Anita Park Zazu defeated heavily favored and then undefeated 3-year-old filly Turbulent Descent by 1 ¼ lengths in the Las Virgenes Stakes after launching a devastating rally from far back around the final turn. I think she will only improve from here on out and should be a major player for the rest of the year.
On Thursday Bold Silvano won the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan Racecourse by an easy 2 ½ lengths in preparation for the Dubai World Cup.
On Monday racing fans received the glad tidings that Champion Two Year Old Filly Awesome Feather has been walking under tack for the last week. She could begin jogging in about two weeks if all goes well.
On Sunday Gladding proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the major leagues, winning the San Antonio Stakes (gr.2) over favored Aggie Engineer. Both horses could be headed to the Santa Anita Handicap (gr.1) and a potential showdown with Twirling Candy.
Champion Two Year Old Male, and early Kentucky Derby favorite, Uncle Mo registered his second work of the year on Sunday completing a half mile work in :49 3/5. It was a much more encouraging move than his last and even surprised trainer Todd Pletcher who stated the colt is now ahead of schedule after just two works.
2010 Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer is back in training and preparing for a run at the Mineshaft Handicap and possibly the Dubai World Cup if all goes according to plan.
2009 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed has been retired from racing. The Tiznow gelding won the World Cup by 14 lengths, a record that will probably stand for a long time.
This weekend promises to be an incredible racing extravaganza with a tremendous lineup of Graded stakes races with such high-profile runner as Blind Luck, St. Trinains and Brethren to mention a few,set to run.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
St. Trinians Is Coming Back!
[caption id="attachment_1119" align="alignleft" width="297" caption="St. Trinians - Benoit & Associates "]
[/caption]
St. Trinians is headed towards her 2011 debut after a tangle with Zenyatta in the Vanity Handicap last year compelled trainer Mike Mitchell to give the filly a long rest due to body soreness.
After wins in the Santa Maria and Paseana Handicap last year St. Trinians finished 6th to the boys in the Santa Anita Handicap before giving Zenyatta fans one of the scariest moments of that mare's career. In the Vanity Handicap St. Trinians managed to hold off the daunting presence of Zenyatta until the final few strides before the wire, turning in a gritty, courageous performance.
The Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita will mark her return to the races after more than 7 months away but she will almost certainly go off as the favorite. This will be her first time racing on dirt which puts her at a disadvantage but Mike Mitchell is confident his charge will take to the surface change very well.
Also entered in the race is Zardana, destined to forever be known as the filly to spoil Rachel Alexandra’s highly anticipated 2010 debut in the New Orleans Ladies. She enters the Santa Maria off a third place finish in early December in the Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Washinton Bridge, winner of the Bayakoa, is also set to run in the Santa Maria along with Miss Match and Vision in Gold. It’s a pretty good field and if St. Trinians, Washington Bridge of even Zardana win they could set themselves up as leading older females this year. So far Switch has a strangle hold on the division but if St. Trinians wins things might be about to change. Personally I am a big fan of this filly and hope to see her return with a very strong effort in the Santa Maria.
Blind Luck and Always A Princess head a strong field in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday that could include dual Grade 1 winner Harmonious as well as Fashion Trend and Seeking the Title. All eyes will be on Blind Luck to see if she can prevail in her second start of the year after finishing a surprisingly dull second behind Always A Princess in the El Encino Stakes last month.
Einstein has sired his first foal and it is a colt out of Plaza South. Einstein is well remembered as one of the most consistent and versatile runners of the last decade after winning four Grade 1 races on three different surfaces; dirt, turf and synthetic. I look forward to seeing what his offspring will bring to the track.
Don’t forget to head over to the Horse Racing Nation website and check out my new blog: Kentucky Oaks Runner!
[/caption]St. Trinians is headed towards her 2011 debut after a tangle with Zenyatta in the Vanity Handicap last year compelled trainer Mike Mitchell to give the filly a long rest due to body soreness.
After wins in the Santa Maria and Paseana Handicap last year St. Trinians finished 6th to the boys in the Santa Anita Handicap before giving Zenyatta fans one of the scariest moments of that mare's career. In the Vanity Handicap St. Trinians managed to hold off the daunting presence of Zenyatta until the final few strides before the wire, turning in a gritty, courageous performance.
The Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita will mark her return to the races after more than 7 months away but she will almost certainly go off as the favorite. This will be her first time racing on dirt which puts her at a disadvantage but Mike Mitchell is confident his charge will take to the surface change very well.
Also entered in the race is Zardana, destined to forever be known as the filly to spoil Rachel Alexandra’s highly anticipated 2010 debut in the New Orleans Ladies. She enters the Santa Maria off a third place finish in early December in the Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Washinton Bridge, winner of the Bayakoa, is also set to run in the Santa Maria along with Miss Match and Vision in Gold. It’s a pretty good field and if St. Trinians, Washington Bridge of even Zardana win they could set themselves up as leading older females this year. So far Switch has a strangle hold on the division but if St. Trinians wins things might be about to change. Personally I am a big fan of this filly and hope to see her return with a very strong effort in the Santa Maria.
Blind Luck and Always A Princess head a strong field in the La Canada Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday that could include dual Grade 1 winner Harmonious as well as Fashion Trend and Seeking the Title. All eyes will be on Blind Luck to see if she can prevail in her second start of the year after finishing a surprisingly dull second behind Always A Princess in the El Encino Stakes last month.
Einstein has sired his first foal and it is a colt out of Plaza South. Einstein is well remembered as one of the most consistent and versatile runners of the last decade after winning four Grade 1 races on three different surfaces; dirt, turf and synthetic. I look forward to seeing what his offspring will bring to the track.
Don’t forget to head over to the Horse Racing Nation website and check out my new blog: Kentucky Oaks Runner!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Candyman Returns
Into another new week and the racing scene is hopping with activity. The weeks from early January through early February is like the engine-warming stage, all the juveniles have turned the corner into their sophomore year and have begun working towards their new year debuts. By the begging of February the newness has worn off and fans are ready for hardcore, top-notch Derby preps with fields choke-full of talent laden colts and fillies. That engine is running now, purring smooth and soft like a kitten and in another five of six weeks that baby’s going to be roaring.
After 15 months away from the races Capt. Candyman Can is back and in good form. It took a stretch long duel, a jockey’s objection and a stewards’ inquiry for the 5-year-old gelding to register his fifth stakes victory.
After rating just off the pace in the 7 furlong Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Capt. Candyman Can engaged Legal Move upon entering the home stretch and fought tooth and nail down the stretch to win by ½ a length. His short term goal appears to be the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in New York on April 9th according to trainer Ian Wilkes.
It was a very strong effort coming off such a long layoff proving that the son of Candy Ride has lost none of his ability since his promising 2009 campaign. He could make a big impact on the national sprinting ranks this year if he continues forward off this victory.
Tuesday morning marks the start of my brand-new blog on the Horse Racing Nation website. The Kentucky Oaks Runner will be a blog devoted entirely to the Kentucky Oaks and the fillies taking their shot at glory as they tread the long path to Churchill Downs. Please stop by and check things out and leave some feedback. I look forward to hearing from everyone and starting this new chapter in my writing!
After 15 months away from the races Capt. Candyman Can is back and in good form. It took a stretch long duel, a jockey’s objection and a stewards’ inquiry for the 5-year-old gelding to register his fifth stakes victory.
After rating just off the pace in the 7 furlong Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Capt. Candyman Can engaged Legal Move upon entering the home stretch and fought tooth and nail down the stretch to win by ½ a length. His short term goal appears to be the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in New York on April 9th according to trainer Ian Wilkes.
It was a very strong effort coming off such a long layoff proving that the son of Candy Ride has lost none of his ability since his promising 2009 campaign. He could make a big impact on the national sprinting ranks this year if he continues forward off this victory.
Tuesday morning marks the start of my brand-new blog on the Horse Racing Nation website. The Kentucky Oaks Runner will be a blog devoted entirely to the Kentucky Oaks and the fillies taking their shot at glory as they tread the long path to Churchill Downs. Please stop by and check things out and leave some feedback. I look forward to hearing from everyone and starting this new chapter in my writing!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Twirling Candy and a Giant filly named Zazu
It was Turbulent Descent who entered the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) as the heavy favorite, but it was Zazu who emerged as the rising star. The gray/roan Tapit filly took her game to a whole new level on Saturday, fighting off a strong rally from Turbulent Descent at the top of the stretch to register a 1 ¼ length win.
The field of six fillies broke like a shot at the break and California Nectar and May Day Rose immediately engaged in a fiery speed duel up front as Turbulent Descent and Zazu dropped back to the rear of the field. Down the backstretch the two frontrunners blazed along more than four lengths clear of the field setting torrid fractions of :21.58 for the opening quarter and :44.25 for the half mile. Zazu began to move up along the rail as the field approached the final turn while up front California Nectar began to drop back fast, the rapid fractions taking their toll.
Into the turn Zazu flew up along the inside from last to snag second position behind May Day Rose. Turbulent Descent also made her move, going around horses to the outside just off the flank of Zazu. Into the stretch Zazu and Turbulent Descent inhaled May Day Rose and swept to the lead, noses apart. It appeared at first that the favorite was on her way to her fourth consecutive win. Zazu on the inside though would have none of it, fighting back with rigorous urging from jockey Joel Rosario, to gain the lead by a neck, finally surging ahead in the final few strides to win by just over a length. Turbulent Descent was tough in defeat and should improve off this hard fought effort.
Zazu entered the Las Virgenes Stakes off a fast-closing second place finish in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr.2) behind California Nectar by a mere neck. She has only finished worse than second once in her career and seems to be improving with each race in 2011.
[caption id="attachment_1100" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Giant Oak - Coglianese Photos"]
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Giant Oak produced a huge run to capture the 2011 Donn Handicap (gr.1) by a widening two lengths on Saturday, capturing his second consecutive Grade 1 race after winning the Clark Handicap in November.
In a field that included 7 other graded stakes winners Giant Oak rated well off the pace set by Square Eddie with Morning Line, I Want Revenge and Rule all tightly bunched up close. Down the backstretch the field remained in pretty much the same positions with Square Eddie and Morning Line leading the pack. Entering the far turn Morning Line seized the lead with I Want Revenge and Rule moving in tandem to his outside as Square Eddie quickly fell back.
Off the turn it was Morning Line to the inside with a narrow advantage over I Want Revenge and Rule on the outside but from far back in the pack Giant Oak was uncoiling with a huge run into the stretch.
Down the center of the track Giant Oak bounded, eating away at the frontrunners lead stride by stride, finally sweeping past with a renewed rush to win the Donn in an absolute rout.
Morning Line held on for second by a nose over Rule on the outside with I Want Revenge another nose back in fourth.
The five-year-old Giant Oak is now in a perfect position to take control of the older horse division on the East Coast.
[caption id="attachment_1101" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Twirling Candy - Benoitphoto.com"]
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Twirling Candy is the real deal. After winning the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on Saturday by four lengths under a tight rein by jockey Joel Rosario, Twirling Candy’s record setting Malibu Stakes win (gr.1) on December 26th is looking better and better.
It was virtually a one horse show all the way around the dirt oval in the Strub Stakes. Twirling Candy sat just off the flank of pacesetting Indian Firewater around the first turn and into the backstretch. Midway down the backstretch Twirling Candy, under a stranglehold, began to inch up to Indian Firewater, gaining the lead before the field was halfway around the far turn. From there it was just a formality as to who would win.
Off the turn Twirling Candy swept down the homestretch, powerful strides propelling him two lengths into the lead. Pounding past the wire with ears pricked, still under a tight hold by Rosario, Twirling Candy finished the race in the sparkling time of 1:46.53 for the 1 1/8 mile distance, just 3 ticks off the track record.
His final margin of victory was four lengths but it could just have easily been a dozen or more. In my humble opinion this was the most impressive performance of the year so far. Twirling Candy did it all on his own, never being asked at any point in the race to run anything close to his best effort. After breaking Spectacular Bid’s 7 furlong track record in the Malibu over the lightning fast Santa Anita surface people speculated that the time was not justified because the new dirt track was playing too fast. Now with two impressive back-to-back graded stakes scores to his credit it appears as though Twirling Candy is on his way to justifying his reputation. Anyone planning to face this monster in the Santa Anita Handicap next month might want to think twice.
Twirling Candy has an iron fisted grip on the older horse division in the West Coast now that will take one very tough contender to break. Aggie Engineer could prove to be his biggest challenger if he wins or runs well in Sunday’s San Antonio Stakes and proceeds on to the ‘Big Cap’. The 6-year-old Aggie Engineer rides a three race win streak coming into the San Antonio, his last win came in the form of a 3 ¼ length victory in the San Pasqual Stakes (gr.2).
Don’t forget that Tuesday marks the first day of my Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation and I’ll be looking for lots of feedback as well as support! Here is the link to the new blog so you can add it to your favorites/bookmark: http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/KyOaksRunner/
The field of six fillies broke like a shot at the break and California Nectar and May Day Rose immediately engaged in a fiery speed duel up front as Turbulent Descent and Zazu dropped back to the rear of the field. Down the backstretch the two frontrunners blazed along more than four lengths clear of the field setting torrid fractions of :21.58 for the opening quarter and :44.25 for the half mile. Zazu began to move up along the rail as the field approached the final turn while up front California Nectar began to drop back fast, the rapid fractions taking their toll.
Into the turn Zazu flew up along the inside from last to snag second position behind May Day Rose. Turbulent Descent also made her move, going around horses to the outside just off the flank of Zazu. Into the stretch Zazu and Turbulent Descent inhaled May Day Rose and swept to the lead, noses apart. It appeared at first that the favorite was on her way to her fourth consecutive win. Zazu on the inside though would have none of it, fighting back with rigorous urging from jockey Joel Rosario, to gain the lead by a neck, finally surging ahead in the final few strides to win by just over a length. Turbulent Descent was tough in defeat and should improve off this hard fought effort.
Zazu entered the Las Virgenes Stakes off a fast-closing second place finish in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr.2) behind California Nectar by a mere neck. She has only finished worse than second once in her career and seems to be improving with each race in 2011.
[caption id="attachment_1100" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Giant Oak - Coglianese Photos"]
[/caption]Giant Oak produced a huge run to capture the 2011 Donn Handicap (gr.1) by a widening two lengths on Saturday, capturing his second consecutive Grade 1 race after winning the Clark Handicap in November.
In a field that included 7 other graded stakes winners Giant Oak rated well off the pace set by Square Eddie with Morning Line, I Want Revenge and Rule all tightly bunched up close. Down the backstretch the field remained in pretty much the same positions with Square Eddie and Morning Line leading the pack. Entering the far turn Morning Line seized the lead with I Want Revenge and Rule moving in tandem to his outside as Square Eddie quickly fell back.
Off the turn it was Morning Line to the inside with a narrow advantage over I Want Revenge and Rule on the outside but from far back in the pack Giant Oak was uncoiling with a huge run into the stretch.
Down the center of the track Giant Oak bounded, eating away at the frontrunners lead stride by stride, finally sweeping past with a renewed rush to win the Donn in an absolute rout.
Morning Line held on for second by a nose over Rule on the outside with I Want Revenge another nose back in fourth.
The five-year-old Giant Oak is now in a perfect position to take control of the older horse division on the East Coast.
[caption id="attachment_1101" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Twirling Candy - Benoitphoto.com"]
[/caption]Twirling Candy is the real deal. After winning the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on Saturday by four lengths under a tight rein by jockey Joel Rosario, Twirling Candy’s record setting Malibu Stakes win (gr.1) on December 26th is looking better and better.
It was virtually a one horse show all the way around the dirt oval in the Strub Stakes. Twirling Candy sat just off the flank of pacesetting Indian Firewater around the first turn and into the backstretch. Midway down the backstretch Twirling Candy, under a stranglehold, began to inch up to Indian Firewater, gaining the lead before the field was halfway around the far turn. From there it was just a formality as to who would win.
Off the turn Twirling Candy swept down the homestretch, powerful strides propelling him two lengths into the lead. Pounding past the wire with ears pricked, still under a tight hold by Rosario, Twirling Candy finished the race in the sparkling time of 1:46.53 for the 1 1/8 mile distance, just 3 ticks off the track record.
His final margin of victory was four lengths but it could just have easily been a dozen or more. In my humble opinion this was the most impressive performance of the year so far. Twirling Candy did it all on his own, never being asked at any point in the race to run anything close to his best effort. After breaking Spectacular Bid’s 7 furlong track record in the Malibu over the lightning fast Santa Anita surface people speculated that the time was not justified because the new dirt track was playing too fast. Now with two impressive back-to-back graded stakes scores to his credit it appears as though Twirling Candy is on his way to justifying his reputation. Anyone planning to face this monster in the Santa Anita Handicap next month might want to think twice.
Twirling Candy has an iron fisted grip on the older horse division in the West Coast now that will take one very tough contender to break. Aggie Engineer could prove to be his biggest challenger if he wins or runs well in Sunday’s San Antonio Stakes and proceeds on to the ‘Big Cap’. The 6-year-old Aggie Engineer rides a three race win streak coming into the San Antonio, his last win came in the form of a 3 ¼ length victory in the San Pasqual Stakes (gr.2).
Don’t forget that Tuesday marks the first day of my Kentucky Oaks Runner blog on Horse Racing Nation and I’ll be looking for lots of feedback as well as support! Here is the link to the new blog so you can add it to your favorites/bookmark: http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/KyOaksRunner/
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Donn Handicap and All the Rest!
This weekend racing fans will be treated to a racing extravaganza and once again most of the action will be centered around Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.
Before we get to the races I would like to share some very exciting news: Starting on Tuesday I will officially become the Kentucky Oaks Correspondent for Horse Racing Nation. Each week up to the May 6th Kentucky Oaks I will post an article on Tuesday covering some of the news, contenders and facts of the 137th Kentucky Oaks. This is literally a dream come true for me to be able to write on such a large scale and I hope I will gain much more knowledge, skill and friends through this experience. I will certainly try my very best to make the most of this opportunity and I hope everyone will continue to follow Rail Runner as well as Kentucky Oaks Runner on horseracingnation.com.
I want to sincerely thank Brian Zipse and everyone over at Horse Racing Nation responsible for giving me this chance.
Now on to the races!
[caption id="attachment_1087" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Twirling Candy - Benoitphoto.com "]
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Malibu Stakes winner Twirling Candy makes his 2011 debut Saturday as the solid favorite in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes. Entering off a win in the December 26th Malibu Stakes (gr.1) in track record time, Twirling Candy faces San Fernando Stakes (gr.2) winner Indian Firewater for the first time. Twirling Candy has won five of his six career starts to date and is easily the class of the Strub Stakes field.
Indian Firewater, trained by Bob Baffert, captured the San Fernando just three weeks after Twirling Candy’s impressive Malibu win, courageously holding off Tweebster by a nose to win it at the wire. If he employs the same front-running tactics he used in the San Fernando he’s going to have to be very tough to hold off Twirling Candy.
Tweebster, San Fernando runner up last out, is also trained by Bob Baffert and looks like he could be coming into his own as a late bloomer at exactly the right time. He ran a terrific race to finish second by a nose to Indian Firewater in the 1 1/16 mile San Fernando and before that put together a streak of three consecutive wins. The extra 1/16 mile in the Strub could make a lot of different to this son of Tapit.
[caption id="attachment_1088" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Turbulent Descent - Benoitphoto.com "]
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Undefeated sophomore filly Turbulent Descent will be a heavy favorite when she loads into the gate to contest the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. After winning all three of her starts last year, capped off by an impressive win in the Hollywood Starlet, Turbulent Descent enters her first start of 2011 with big expectations. She has already won at the mile distance of the Las Virgenes so that should be no problem for the talented filly. She will be making her first start on the dirt but if her works are any indication she’ll handle the new surface just fine.
May Day Rose, fourth place finisher in the Hollywood Starlet behind Turbulent Descent, returns for another crack at the undefeated champ. She flattered the form of Turbulent Descent quite nicely when she came back to win her first race of 2011 and dirt debut in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr.3) by 1 ¼ lengths. She only faced two opponents in her front running Ysabel triumph.
California Nectar and Zazu both return after running 1-2 in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr.2) January 15th. California Nectar prevailed over Zazu in after leading throughout in Santa Ynez to register her second consecutive stakes win. Zazu could prove to be the biggest threat the Turbulent Descent in the whole field. She overcame a bad start in the Santa Ynez to just miss catching California Nectar while posting a terrific late rally. She looks like a nicely improving filly that should run a very competitive race.
[caption id="attachment_1089" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Fly Down - Coglianese Photos "]
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The 2011 Donn Handicap hasn’t been yet and already it looks like one of the more exciting races of the year on paper. Leading a stellar cast of older male horses in the 1 1/8 mile race are the Nick Zito trained Morning Line and Fly Down along with multiple graded stakes winners I Want Revenge, Square Eddie and Rule.
Morning Line enters off a disappointing third place finish as the favorite in the Hals Hope (gr.3) last month at Gulfstream but still will go off as one of the favorites in the Donn. He finished his 2010 campaign with an impressive win in the Pennsylvania Derby and an even more impressive second place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr.1). His poor showing in the Hals Hope while unexpected should have him much sharper for the Donn.
Fly Down could become one of the best older horses in 2011 if his record from last year is any clue. With five consecutive losses entering the Donn you wouldn’t think he would still by vying for favoritism in the Donn but those five loses are much more impressive than they look on paper. Entering off a third place effort behind Blame and Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in early November, Fly Down finished ahead of a majority of the nation’s best older and sophomore colts in the Classic. He should only improve this year.
Square Eddie enters the Donn off a win in the Phone Trick Purse at Santa Anita where he broke the 6 ½ furlong track record. It’s a big step up in class and in distance. I love Square Eddie but I think this will be a very tough spot for him to win in.
Rule finished ahead of Morning Line in the Hals Hope when placing second. He has never been worse than third in eight lifetime starts. His second place finish in the Hals Hope was an excellent effort especially when you consider he entered off a 10 month layoff. He will only improve from here on out and should run very well on Saturday.
I Want Revenge finished third in both his 2010 starts. He is perhaps best known for his 2009 Wood Memorial win and for being scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. If he ever regains his form from early 2009 I Want Revenge will easily become one of the leading older horses in the country.
Eldaafer won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon and enters the Donn with three straight wins to his credit. Clark Handicap winner Giant Oak is also entered in the Donn. Hear Ye Hear Ye and Ron the Greek complete the field.
Before we get to the races I would like to share some very exciting news: Starting on Tuesday I will officially become the Kentucky Oaks Correspondent for Horse Racing Nation. Each week up to the May 6th Kentucky Oaks I will post an article on Tuesday covering some of the news, contenders and facts of the 137th Kentucky Oaks. This is literally a dream come true for me to be able to write on such a large scale and I hope I will gain much more knowledge, skill and friends through this experience. I will certainly try my very best to make the most of this opportunity and I hope everyone will continue to follow Rail Runner as well as Kentucky Oaks Runner on horseracingnation.com.
I want to sincerely thank Brian Zipse and everyone over at Horse Racing Nation responsible for giving me this chance.
Now on to the races!
[caption id="attachment_1087" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Twirling Candy - Benoitphoto.com "]
[/caption]Malibu Stakes winner Twirling Candy makes his 2011 debut Saturday as the solid favorite in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes. Entering off a win in the December 26th Malibu Stakes (gr.1) in track record time, Twirling Candy faces San Fernando Stakes (gr.2) winner Indian Firewater for the first time. Twirling Candy has won five of his six career starts to date and is easily the class of the Strub Stakes field.
Indian Firewater, trained by Bob Baffert, captured the San Fernando just three weeks after Twirling Candy’s impressive Malibu win, courageously holding off Tweebster by a nose to win it at the wire. If he employs the same front-running tactics he used in the San Fernando he’s going to have to be very tough to hold off Twirling Candy.
Tweebster, San Fernando runner up last out, is also trained by Bob Baffert and looks like he could be coming into his own as a late bloomer at exactly the right time. He ran a terrific race to finish second by a nose to Indian Firewater in the 1 1/16 mile San Fernando and before that put together a streak of three consecutive wins. The extra 1/16 mile in the Strub could make a lot of different to this son of Tapit.
[caption id="attachment_1088" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Turbulent Descent - Benoitphoto.com "]
[/caption]Undefeated sophomore filly Turbulent Descent will be a heavy favorite when she loads into the gate to contest the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. After winning all three of her starts last year, capped off by an impressive win in the Hollywood Starlet, Turbulent Descent enters her first start of 2011 with big expectations. She has already won at the mile distance of the Las Virgenes so that should be no problem for the talented filly. She will be making her first start on the dirt but if her works are any indication she’ll handle the new surface just fine.
May Day Rose, fourth place finisher in the Hollywood Starlet behind Turbulent Descent, returns for another crack at the undefeated champ. She flattered the form of Turbulent Descent quite nicely when she came back to win her first race of 2011 and dirt debut in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr.3) by 1 ¼ lengths. She only faced two opponents in her front running Ysabel triumph.
California Nectar and Zazu both return after running 1-2 in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr.2) January 15th. California Nectar prevailed over Zazu in after leading throughout in Santa Ynez to register her second consecutive stakes win. Zazu could prove to be the biggest threat the Turbulent Descent in the whole field. She overcame a bad start in the Santa Ynez to just miss catching California Nectar while posting a terrific late rally. She looks like a nicely improving filly that should run a very competitive race.
[caption id="attachment_1089" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Fly Down - Coglianese Photos "]
[/caption]The 2011 Donn Handicap hasn’t been yet and already it looks like one of the more exciting races of the year on paper. Leading a stellar cast of older male horses in the 1 1/8 mile race are the Nick Zito trained Morning Line and Fly Down along with multiple graded stakes winners I Want Revenge, Square Eddie and Rule.
Morning Line enters off a disappointing third place finish as the favorite in the Hals Hope (gr.3) last month at Gulfstream but still will go off as one of the favorites in the Donn. He finished his 2010 campaign with an impressive win in the Pennsylvania Derby and an even more impressive second place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr.1). His poor showing in the Hals Hope while unexpected should have him much sharper for the Donn.
Fly Down could become one of the best older horses in 2011 if his record from last year is any clue. With five consecutive losses entering the Donn you wouldn’t think he would still by vying for favoritism in the Donn but those five loses are much more impressive than they look on paper. Entering off a third place effort behind Blame and Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in early November, Fly Down finished ahead of a majority of the nation’s best older and sophomore colts in the Classic. He should only improve this year.
Square Eddie enters the Donn off a win in the Phone Trick Purse at Santa Anita where he broke the 6 ½ furlong track record. It’s a big step up in class and in distance. I love Square Eddie but I think this will be a very tough spot for him to win in.
Rule finished ahead of Morning Line in the Hals Hope when placing second. He has never been worse than third in eight lifetime starts. His second place finish in the Hals Hope was an excellent effort especially when you consider he entered off a 10 month layoff. He will only improve from here on out and should run very well on Saturday.
I Want Revenge finished third in both his 2010 starts. He is perhaps best known for his 2009 Wood Memorial win and for being scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. If he ever regains his form from early 2009 I Want Revenge will easily become one of the leading older horses in the country.
Eldaafer won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon and enters the Donn with three straight wins to his credit. Clark Handicap winner Giant Oak is also entered in the Donn. Hear Ye Hear Ye and Ron the Greek complete the field.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Weekly Random Racing Bits: WRRB February 3rd
As we get closer to the first Saturday in May each week seems to get progressively more intense and chockfull of industry action.
This week saw the unfortunate passing of two respected industry insiders. On Friday retired jockey and 1960 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award recipient, Bill Harmatz, passed away at the age of 79, just short of his 80th birthday on February 9th. On Saturday Hall of Fame trainer Elliott Burch, trainer of such notable horses as Sword Dancer, Arts and Letters, Bowl of Flowers and Fort Marcy, died of pneumonia in Rhode Island. He was a third generation Hall of Fame inductee as both his father and grandfather were inducted in 1963 and 1955 respectively.
[caption id="attachment_1083" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Dialed In - Adam Coglianese "]
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Dialed In may have turned in the most brilliant performance of the year, regardless of age, in the Holy Bull Stakes when charging from dead last to win in a hand ride. The fact that he had only run once, winning a maiden race, makes his victory is all the more impressive.
Dancinginherdreams may have lost but fans and supporters alike should take heart. The way she closed from far back to miss by less than a length after being forced to go very wide on the turn promises good things in store. Look for her to bounce back big in the Davona Dale later this month. Forward Gal winner Pomeroy’s Pistol herself ran a great race and should be considered a legitimate Davona Dale threat.
Switch is the leading older female in the nation after a no doubt about it win in the Santa Monica Stakes Sunday for her second Grade 1 win in-a-row. She will only improve as the year goes on according to trainer John Sadler which is a scary thought to any females planning to line up against her in the gate anytime soon.
Champion Two Year Old Male and early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo had his first workout of the year on Sunday, going a somewhat slow three furlongs in :39.95. If the slower than expected time had anyone worried trainer Todd Pletcher wasn’t one of them.
Evening Jewel may have thrown in a clunker last time out when finishing fifth in the Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita in early January but she emerged an emphatic, determined winner of the Sunshine Millions Distaff on Saturday. She won the race by half a length over Amazing and a fast-closing Ultra Blend. As one of the elite top sophomore fillies of 2010 to return to racing this year she represents an exciting athlete to follow in the coming year.
[caption id="attachment_1084" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Caracortado - Benoitphoto.com "]
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Caracortado is back in a big way. On Saturday the 4 year old gelding remained undefeated in two turf starts, winning the Sunshine Millions Turf by a half length over a very stubborn The Usual Q. T. He was drawing away nicely in the end and if kept on the turf during his 2011 campaign could prove to be one of the country’s top grass runners.
The Sunshine Millions Sprint went to 11-1 long shot Amazombie on Saturday at Santa Anita after the Bill Spawr trainee outfought favored Cost Of Freedom to the wire.
The biggest upset of the week came when Tackleberry won the Sunshine Millions Classic over a strong field at odds of 27-1. Defeated once again after finding strong support was tough-luck First Dude.
Trip For A. J. proved tough enough to win the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream on Saturday, winning by half a length over race favorite Askbut I Won’ttell.
Yet another longshot won a Sunshine Millions race Saturday when Aegean took the Filly and Mare Sprint at odds o 9-1 over the furious closing rally of Jessica Is Back.
Champion Indian Blessing bore her first foal on Sunday, a colt by Zensational. A speedy mating if ever I saw one.
To Honor and Serve breezed five furlongs in 1:04 1/5 on Monday in preparation for his first start of the year, whenever that may be. The son of Bernardini is a leading Kentucky Derby candidate after impressive wins in last year’s Remsen and Nashua stakes.
Check back tomorrow for a review of the weekend racing action.
This week saw the unfortunate passing of two respected industry insiders. On Friday retired jockey and 1960 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award recipient, Bill Harmatz, passed away at the age of 79, just short of his 80th birthday on February 9th. On Saturday Hall of Fame trainer Elliott Burch, trainer of such notable horses as Sword Dancer, Arts and Letters, Bowl of Flowers and Fort Marcy, died of pneumonia in Rhode Island. He was a third generation Hall of Fame inductee as both his father and grandfather were inducted in 1963 and 1955 respectively.
[caption id="attachment_1083" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Dialed In - Adam Coglianese "]
[/caption]Dialed In may have turned in the most brilliant performance of the year, regardless of age, in the Holy Bull Stakes when charging from dead last to win in a hand ride. The fact that he had only run once, winning a maiden race, makes his victory is all the more impressive.
Dancinginherdreams may have lost but fans and supporters alike should take heart. The way she closed from far back to miss by less than a length after being forced to go very wide on the turn promises good things in store. Look for her to bounce back big in the Davona Dale later this month. Forward Gal winner Pomeroy’s Pistol herself ran a great race and should be considered a legitimate Davona Dale threat.
Switch is the leading older female in the nation after a no doubt about it win in the Santa Monica Stakes Sunday for her second Grade 1 win in-a-row. She will only improve as the year goes on according to trainer John Sadler which is a scary thought to any females planning to line up against her in the gate anytime soon.
Champion Two Year Old Male and early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo had his first workout of the year on Sunday, going a somewhat slow three furlongs in :39.95. If the slower than expected time had anyone worried trainer Todd Pletcher wasn’t one of them.
Evening Jewel may have thrown in a clunker last time out when finishing fifth in the Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita in early January but she emerged an emphatic, determined winner of the Sunshine Millions Distaff on Saturday. She won the race by half a length over Amazing and a fast-closing Ultra Blend. As one of the elite top sophomore fillies of 2010 to return to racing this year she represents an exciting athlete to follow in the coming year.
[caption id="attachment_1084" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Caracortado - Benoitphoto.com "]
[/caption]Caracortado is back in a big way. On Saturday the 4 year old gelding remained undefeated in two turf starts, winning the Sunshine Millions Turf by a half length over a very stubborn The Usual Q. T. He was drawing away nicely in the end and if kept on the turf during his 2011 campaign could prove to be one of the country’s top grass runners.
The Sunshine Millions Sprint went to 11-1 long shot Amazombie on Saturday at Santa Anita after the Bill Spawr trainee outfought favored Cost Of Freedom to the wire.
The biggest upset of the week came when Tackleberry won the Sunshine Millions Classic over a strong field at odds of 27-1. Defeated once again after finding strong support was tough-luck First Dude.
Trip For A. J. proved tough enough to win the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream on Saturday, winning by half a length over race favorite Askbut I Won’ttell.
Yet another longshot won a Sunshine Millions race Saturday when Aegean took the Filly and Mare Sprint at odds o 9-1 over the furious closing rally of Jessica Is Back.
Champion Indian Blessing bore her first foal on Sunday, a colt by Zensational. A speedy mating if ever I saw one.
To Honor and Serve breezed five furlongs in 1:04 1/5 on Monday in preparation for his first start of the year, whenever that may be. The son of Bernardini is a leading Kentucky Derby candidate after impressive wins in last year’s Remsen and Nashua stakes.
Check back tomorrow for a review of the weekend racing action.
Posting Tonight!
Check back tonight for recap on some of the past week's action and an exciting announcement!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Champion Indian Blessing Gives Birth to Her First Foal
On January 30th two-time champion filly Indian Blessing gave birth to her first foal, a dark bay/brown colt by multiple Grade 1 winner Zensational.
Champion Two Year Old Filly in 2007 after an undefeated season that she capped off with a dominating win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Indian Blessing became one of the most proficient female sprinters of the decade in 2008. Wins in the Santa Ynez, Silverbulletday, Prioress, Test, Gallant Bloom and La Brea Stakes helped propel her to her second Eclipse Award in 2008 as outstanding Female Sprinter.
2009 was a more turbulent year for the 4-year-old filly. After traveling to Dubai for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Indian Blessing finished a determined second to a strong cast of international males, proving that she was one of the best sprinters in the world. Returned to the United States for the remainder of her 2009 campaign Indian Blessing turned in the worst performance of her career when finishing 4th in the Desert Stormer Handicap. After battling an illness during the summer, Indian Blessing returned to action with a second place finish behind Music Note in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes over a muddy track. In what was to be the final start of her storied career, Indian Blessing gave multiple graded stakes winner Sara Louise the race of her life in the Gallant Bloom Stakes, defeating the talented filly in a stretch long head-to-head duel that will go down as one of the greatest renewals of the Gallant Bloom in history.
Indian Blessing retired with an incredible record of 10 wins in 16 races with an amazing 5 second place finishes and only one unplaced effort.
This wasn’t supposed to be a full fledged Indian Blessing biography, but when you love a horse as much as I love Indian Blessing I guess there's just no helping it. It will be interesting to see what her offspring can do on the track. At the very least they have the potential to be extremely fast!
Champion Two Year Old Filly in 2007 after an undefeated season that she capped off with a dominating win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Indian Blessing became one of the most proficient female sprinters of the decade in 2008. Wins in the Santa Ynez, Silverbulletday, Prioress, Test, Gallant Bloom and La Brea Stakes helped propel her to her second Eclipse Award in 2008 as outstanding Female Sprinter.
2009 was a more turbulent year for the 4-year-old filly. After traveling to Dubai for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Indian Blessing finished a determined second to a strong cast of international males, proving that she was one of the best sprinters in the world. Returned to the United States for the remainder of her 2009 campaign Indian Blessing turned in the worst performance of her career when finishing 4th in the Desert Stormer Handicap. After battling an illness during the summer, Indian Blessing returned to action with a second place finish behind Music Note in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes over a muddy track. In what was to be the final start of her storied career, Indian Blessing gave multiple graded stakes winner Sara Louise the race of her life in the Gallant Bloom Stakes, defeating the talented filly in a stretch long head-to-head duel that will go down as one of the greatest renewals of the Gallant Bloom in history.
Indian Blessing retired with an incredible record of 10 wins in 16 races with an amazing 5 second place finishes and only one unplaced effort.
This wasn’t supposed to be a full fledged Indian Blessing biography, but when you love a horse as much as I love Indian Blessing I guess there's just no helping it. It will be interesting to see what her offspring can do on the track. At the very least they have the potential to be extremely fast!
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