There is a lot of great racing going on this weekend, capped by the grade I Hollywood Gold Cup, and I'm very excited about seeing those running take their next step towards the Breeders' Cup this November. There are a lot of races I would like to discuss, and I shall begin with the Hollywood Gold Cup.
HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP ---- A Gem for Awesome Gem
The $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup has been contested by a good many great horses. Native Diver and Lava Man won it three times each. Citation, John Henry, Alysheba, Swaps, Sunday Silence, Cigar, Skip Away, Affirmed, Round Table, Seabiscuit, Assault, Gallant Man, Ack Ack, Dahlia, Noor, Hill Prince, Exceller, and Cougar II are among the many horses to run in the famous race. That list includes three Triple Crown winners and countless Horse of the Year winners. Will the 2010 winner add his name to this illustrious list? We will see. Let's take a look at who's running.
First off, there is Rail Trip. The 123 pound highweight has won his last two and has never finished worse than third in eleven starts, his one third place finish coming in the 2009 Pacific Classic, where he was beaten one length. He came out of the race with a slight injury and was given a long break, but the son of Jump Start returned with dominant performances in both the Mervin Leroy and the California Stakes. He will be the heavy favorite here, and he deserves to be, but I think that he is not unstoppable. He will be ridden by regular rider Rafael Bejarano and is trained by Ronald Ellis.
Then there is Awesome Gem, who gets into the race with only 116 pounds. The son of Awesome Again has turned in some very solid efforts in his last four races, beginning with an eighth place finish in the grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile while being beaten by only three and a half lengths. He then ran third in the New Orleans Handicap, beaten four lengths, second in the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic beaten a length and three quarters, and second again in the Lone Star Park Handicap, beaten just under seven lengths by a horse he beat in the Charles Town Classic. With the race a mile and a quarter in distance, he should be a serious contender. He will be ridden by David Flores and is trained by Craig Dollase.
This brings us to Richard's Kid, winner of the 2009 Pacific Classic. The son of Lemon Drop Kid has not turned in a really poor effort since March 28th, 2009, and comes off of a solid seventh place finish in the Dubai World Cup, where he was beaten only two and a half lengths. If he will suffer from the "Dubai Bounce" is unknown, but he should finish in the top three on class alone. He will be ridden by Martin Garcia and is trained by Bob Baffert. He will carry 121 pounds.
Compari is another interesting horse. The son of Redattore won six straight races in wire-to-wire fashion, including the grade II Arcadia Handicap, before fading to finish seventh of nine in the grade I Shoemaker Mile when he was unable to get to the lead at any point. He could be dangerous if he is left alone on the lead. He will be ridden for the first time by Mike Smith and is trained by Martin Jones. He will carry 117 pounds.
Cigar Man, Tres Borrachos, and Tap It Light complete the field. Cigar Man finished third in the Mervin Leroy and fifth in the Californian, both to Rail Trip. With a little pace to run at, the son of Drewman could come flying late. He has the potential to win it all, especially with a feathery 113 pounds on his back. He will be ridden by Joseph Talamo and is trained by Vladimir Cerin.
Tres Borrachos finished second to Rail Trip in last year's Hollywood Gold Cup, but really hasn't done anything since. The son of Ecton Park comes into the race off of a seventh place finish, beaten ten lengths, in the Californian. If he were to get loose on the lead, he might be able to hang on for a piece of it, but with Compari and Rail Trip both interested in the lead as well, he will likely tire on the far turn. He will be ridden by Victor Espinoza and will carry 113 pounds. He is trained C. Beau Greely.
And finally, Tap It Light could be a potential contender based off of his recent form in lower level races at Santa Anita. The son of General Meeting has not raced since finishing sixth of ten, beaten four lengths, in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap at a mile and three quarters on turf in April, but I think it was just too far for him. Toss that race out and he hasn’t been beaten by more than a length and a half since June 2008! He could be a contender here if everything sets up right for him. He will carry 114 pounds and will be ridden by Tyler Baze. He is trained by Mike Mitchell.
So here are my picks. . .
1 Awesome Gem
2 Rail Trip
3 Richard's Kid
4 Tap It Light
5 Compari
6 Cigar Man
7 Tres Borrachos
I'm going to take a shot with Awesome Gem and hope that he finally gets a grade I win. I feel that he is coming into the race in good form and should finally get some pace to close in on. Rail Trip is a very good horse, but I do think he can be beaten, especially if he is the least bit rank today. Richard's Kid is a very good horse and should come flying late, but how will he run off the long layoff and coming back from Dubai?
It should be a great race. I'll be watching.
OTHER RACES TO WATCH
I'm afraid I can't discuss any more races in great detail right now, but I will list my picks for the biggest races around the country.
Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I)
1 Dubai Majesty
2 Mother Ruth
3 Hour Glass
4 Warbling
5 Dr. Zic
6 Saratoga Tango
7 Jessica is Back
8 First Passage
9 Don'ttalktome
10 Reachforthecastle
11 Golden Mystery
12 Saintly Rose
13 Nicky Boy
Dubai Majesty in a mild upset.
Carry Back Stakes (gr. III)
1 D' Funnybone
2 Peace at Dawn
3 Coffee Boy
4 Dream of Atlantis
5 Bernie the Maestro
D' Funnybone goes wire-to-wire.
Azalea Stakes (gr. III)
1 Buckleupbuttercup
2 Joanie's Catch
3 Pica Slew
4 Rapport
5 Hot Hot Mama
6 Bronx City Girl
7 Yournotthebossofme
8 Nicky Boy
Buckleupbuttercup holds off Joanie's Catch.
Delaware Oaks (gr. II)
1 Blind Luck
2 No Such Word
3 Havre de Grace
4 Calypso Queen
5 Worship the Moon
6 Derwin's Star
7 Listen In
Blind Luck shall remain undefeated on dirt.
Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
1 Gio Ponti
2 Expansion
3 Interpatation
4 Grand Couturier
5 Bearpath
6 Strike a Deal
7 Mission Approved
8 Midnite Silver
Time for Gio Ponti to win again!
Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I)
1 Gayego
2 E Z' Gentleman
3 Sangaree
4 My Summer Slew
5 M One Rifle
6 New Bay
7 Fantasy Free
8 Bestdressed
I feel that Gayego is the best horse in the race, but that he can be beaten by both E Z's Gentleman and Sangaree. It's going to be fun to watch.
What an incredible day of racing!
RACE RECAPS
Due to the fact that I haven't posted results in a couple of weeks, I'm going all out this time. The following is about six thousand words discussing every major race run over the last two weeks. Enjoy!
First off, there was the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park. A grade I race for three year old fillies, the mile and a sixteenth event drew Devil May Care, who was coming off of a tenth place finish against colts in the Kentucky Derby.
Sent off as the heavy favorite, she proved that she is a grade I caliber filly by winning impressively.
In the field of five, Katy Now, the third choice at 5-1, rushed away to take the early lead. She was followed by Connie and Michael, with Devil May Care biding her time while four wide in third position. It was another three lengths back to Ailalea, with second choice Biofuel running last, but less than six lengths off the lead.
After fractions of :22 4/5 and :45 2/5, the order was unchanged. Ailalea and Biofuel has inched closer to the leaders, but Katy Now and Connie and Michael continued to lead the way.
Then Devil May Care began to make her move.
After three quarters of a mile in a good 1:09 4/5, Devil May Care was second, one length behind Katy Now. Connie and Michael had dropped back just a bit, and Ailalea and Biofuel were beginning to come on as well. The field was separated by only three lengths.
Turning into the homestretch it was fairly obvious that Devil May Care would be the winner. Coasting by Katy Now, her rider looked back to see if anyone was coming, and then merely hand urged his filly to the wire. She finished a length and a quarter in front of Connie and Michael, with Biofuel rallying for third. Katy Now and Ailalea trailed the field.
Despite the fact that Devil May Care was very impressive, things were even wilder at Prairie Meadows.
We will begin the tale of insane speed with the seventh race of the night on the 26th of June, the Iowa Derby. The grade III event was supposed to be the coronation of Winslow Homer, who was supposed to win impressively after being off since late January. The three year old colt had been an early favorite for the Triple Crown after beating Jackson Bend in the Holy Bull Stakes, but hurt his leg and had not raced since.
The logical second choice was Concord Point, a fine colt who was trying to win his first stakes race. I have liked him for a while and felt that he was ready to run huge race, so I picked him to win. The third choice was Thiskyhasnolimit, another colt I have liked for a while. Vow to Wager, Down With Dixie, and Forestry Type were the longshots.
I don't think anybody saw what was coming.
As expected, Forestry Type rushed away to take the lead in the early going, followed closely by Concord Point. Winslow Homer broke a step slowly, but was sitting comfortably in third through an opening quarter mile in :23 1/5. Nothing unusual about that.
Then the pace began to heat up.
With Concord Point pushing on the outside, Forestry Type carved out a second quarter mile in :22 2/5, to run a half mile in :45 3/5. Winslow Homer was running well in third, but was six and a half lengths off of the lead. Vow to Wager was sitting in fourth, followed by Thiskyhasnolimit and Down With Dixie.
After three quarters in a stiff 1:09 3/5, it was Concord Point who led the way. Forestry Type had begun to drop back, and Winslow Homer had moved to within three lengths of the lead. It looked as though Winslow Homer was going to make it a race.
However, Concord Point had other ideas.
After running a mile in 1:34 flat, he had a five length lead over Thiskyhasnolimit. He continued to extend his lead to the wire, eventual winning by eight and a half lengths while never really being urged by his jockey, Martin Garcia. Thiskyhasnolimit held second over Winslow Homer, with Down With Dixie, Vow to Wager, and Forestry Type completing the field. But winning by eight and a half lengths wasn't the only impressive thing about the Concord Point. He ran the mile and a sixteenth in 1:40 1/5, breaking the track record.
But that was only the beginning.
Now I shall take you back to Friday the 25th to complete the tale of unusual speed.
It was the Iowa Sprint Handicap, a six furlong race for three year olds and upward. The favorite was Atta Boy Roy at about even money, with Cash Refund the second choice at about 5-2 and Majesticperfection the third choice at 3-1. None of the other runners were under 12-1. None of the other runners would threaten. It would be the big three all the way to the finish. Or should I say the big one.
Majesticperfection broke fastest and was sent right to the lead, dueling with Cash Refund. Atta Boy Roy was right behind them in third, with American Classic, Peaceful Reign, Humble Destin, and Ez Dreamer trailing the field.
The opening quarter mile was run in :21 2/5. The half mile was run in :43 2/5. Still Majesticperfection and Cash Refund dueled for the lead. And then it was over.
During the next eighth of a mile, Majesticperfection exploded away to lead by four lengths. Atta Boy Roy passed Cash Refund to take second, but the race was over. Majesticperfection ran five furlongs in :55 flat on his way to breaking the track record, getting the six furlongs in 1:07 1/5 while never roused. Yes, he was carrying eight pounds less than Atta Boy Roy, but it is obvious that Majesticperfection is a very special colt and will be a contender for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Atta Boy Roy finished second, six and a half lengths clear of Cash Refund. Peaceful Reign and Humble Destin finished in a dead-heat for fourth, with Ez Dreamer and American Classic completing the order of finish.
And to complete the story, I take you to Churchill Downs for the Kelly's Landing Stakes, an ungraded stakes race that will likely turn out a graded stakes winner.
The favorite was Here Comes Ben, and he was also my pick. I had seen him win an allowance optional claiming race at this track and felt right then that he was a grade I caliber horse. He showed me once again that he is a quality horse by just getting up to win in the final strides, despite chasing a fairly slow pace and being force five wide.
In the early stages of the seven furlong race, it was Agastache who led the way, with Hamazing Destiny right behind him. Booted was sitting on the outside third, with Here Comes Ben two lengths off the lead.
Following fractions of :23 flat and :45 2/5, it was still Agastache and Hamazing Destiny. Here Comes Ben had dropped back to fifth, four lengths off the lead, and had some running to do with only three eighths of a mile remaining.
Into the homestretch the came and Hamazing Destiny took over the lead. Here Comes Ben was flying on the outside but it was going to be close. Just when it looked like Hamazing Destiny was going to pull off the upset, Here Comes Ben tackled him to win by a neck. Caiza Eletronica finished third, with Booted, Agastache, Eye of the Leopard, and Posse Cat trailing the field.
The grade I Forego Stakes is on the agenda for the winner. I think that he is going to be a legitimate threat in the Breeders' Cup, be it the Sprint or the Dirt Mile.
This concludes the Tale of Insane Speed. I hoped you enjoyed it.
Moving back to Saturday the 26th, there was the Iowa Oaks, the filly equivalent of the Iowa Derby. A grade III event, Quiet Temper was the favorite, with All Due Respect and Harissa well liked too. Seeking the Title wasn't friendless at 8-1, but wasn't really supposed to threaten.
But she did.
As expected, All Due Respect was rushed away to take the early lead, followed by Harissa and Seeking the Title. Quiet Temper was fourth through an opening quarter mile in :23 2/5, with Remit and Shotgun Gulch trailing the field.
After a half in :46 4/5, it was still All Due Respect leading by two lengths, with Harissa second, two lengths clear of Quiet Temper. Seeking the Title had dropped back to fourth, about five lengths from the front, but her jockey, Calvin Borel, knew what he was doing.
Following three quarters of a mile in 1:10 4/5, Seeking the Title began to move in. All Due Respect and Harissa continued to lead the way, and Quiet Temper was going nowhere fast.
Past the eighth pole, three fillies were across the track only heads apart, but Quiet Temper was not one of them. Instead, it was Seeking the Title who came running late to win by a half-length. Harissa finished second, five lengths clear of All Due Respect, who tired late. Quiet Temper finished fourth, beaten seven lengths, followed by Remit and Shotgun Gulch. The final time was a good 1:41 4/5.
Two races later, in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap, things were even more surprising. Mythical Power was the favorite; despite coming off of a last place finish in the Lone Star Handicap, with Red Lead and Brass Hat the co-second choices at 4-1. Brass Hat, a nine year old mile and a half turf runner, would be attempting to win at a mile and a eighth on the dirt, which would not be easy.
Racing Bran, an 8-1 longshot, was fastest out of the gate, followed closely by King Dan. Those two raced away to set the early pace, followed by Slew's Tizzy, who was making his first start since late 2008, and 10-1 Shadowbdancing. Those four continued to lead the way through fractions of :23 3/5 and :47 3/5. Meanwhile, Mythical Power was racing in sixth, three lengths off the lead, with Brass Hat struggling in last, nearly fourteen lengths off the lead.
Following three quarters of a mile in 1:11 3/5, it was still Racing Bran and Kind Dan who led the way, but Slew's Tizzy was dropping out of it rapidly on his way to a last place finish. Shadowbdancing was only a length off of the lead, and Mythical Power was still right in striking position three lengths off the pace.
Into the homestretch they came, and much to everyone's surprise, Shadowbdancing took over the lead. Racing Bran was game to the finish, but Shadowbdancing inched clear to win by a length. Racing Bran finished second, three quarters of a length in front of Golden Yank, who rallied late at 23-1 for third. Mythical Power finished fourth, followed by King Dan, Red Lead, Going Ballistic, Brass Hat, and Slew's Tizzy. The final time was 1:48 1/5.
Up at Woodbine, the track was a bit slower. In the Victoria Park Stakes, a nine furlong event for three year olds, Exhi was the heavy favorite at 1-4. Only three dared challenge him. Bear's Hard Ten was the second choice at 4-1, with Gold Medallion at 6-1 and Village Drive 13-1. Not that the odds mattered.
I can describe this race easily. Exhi broke fastest of all, led through fractions of :24 flat, :47 4/5, 1:12 1/5, and 1:37 2/5, completing the mile and an eighth in 1:50 3/5 while winning under a hand ride by eight lengths. Gold Medallion ran third for just over three quarters of a mile before finishing second, five lengths clear of Bear's Hard Ten. The latter ran second for just over three quarters of a mile before relenting to Gold Medallion. Village Drive trailed throughout.
Very, very, simple. Exhi is a colt to watch, as I feel certain he will secure a grade I win someday, somewhere.
Then there was the Oliver Stakes at Indiana Downs. The favorite was Our Douglas, with Guys Reward and Lost Aptitude the coupled second choice. Bim Bam, Lonesome Street, and Alfarabi were also well liked. But in the end, it was 20-1 shot Mister Marti Gras who flew under the wire first.
In the early going, Lost Aptitude raced away to set the pace, followed closely by 87-1 shot Cherokee Lord. Lonesome Street and King Ledley were also up close, while Mister Marti Gras was biding his time in eighth, about five lengths off the lead, with Our Douglas ninth.
Following fractions of :22 4/5 and :46 4/5, Lost Aptitude still held the lead, but was beginning to fold. Cherokee Lord moved up to take over the lead, with Ling Ledley right behind him. And Mister Marti Gras was still eighth, a head in front of Our Douglas.
Coming into the stretch, Cherokee Lord still has the lead and was looking to pull a tremendous upset. But a wall of horses were coming to challenge, and Mister Marti Gras was coming strongest. Our Douglas took the lead very late in the race but was tackled by a flying Mister Marti Gras, who drove past to win by a half-length, completing the mile in 1:34.75, only a fifth of a second off of the track record.
Our Douglas finished second, but due to some interference he caused in the stretch, he was disqualified and placed sixth. Hudson Steele came home third after never being more than about three lengths off the lead, with Cherokee Lord finishing a close fourth. Lonesome Street, Alfarabi, Bim Bam, Formaggio, King Ledly, Rockin' Rockstar, Guys Reward, and Lonesome Street completed the order of finish.
This brings us to a fascinating allowance optional claiming race at Delaware Park. Normally, Travers caliber horses don't come from races like these, but this particular race had the potential to turn out two very good horses.
Ten horses were entered in the mile and a sixteenth event, but six scratches reduced the field to four. A Little Warm, the Louisiana Derby runner up, was the mild favorite over the stakes quality Miner's Reserve, with Strikewhileitshot and Bear's Rocket not even given a second thought. It was supposed to come down to the big two, and it did.
Miner's Reserve broke fastest and was sent right to the lead, with A Little Warm breaking well to take up the chase. Bear's Rocket raced in third, with Strikewhileitshot trailing.
Through fractions of :23 4/5, :46 3/5, and 1:10 flat, Miner's Reserve continued to lead the way. But A Little Warm was moving on the outside and looked ready to pounce as they turned into the stretch, ten lengths clear of the other two runners.
But Miner's Reserve proved to be a tough foe, and still held a half-length lead as they came down to the finish. But then A Little Warm found something extra and pulled away to a two and a quarter length score. Miner's Reserve was a very game second, fourteen and a half lengths clear of Strikewhileitshot, who was another thirty-two lengths clear of Bear's Rocket.
We will hear more from the top two finishers. That is without a doubt.
Now we come to last Saturday's races, and I shall begin with a recap of the grade III Bashford Manor Stakes.
The six furlong race for two year olds, one of the first important preps for them, drew a field of six, led by impressive maiden winner Kantharos. Owned by Stonestreet Stables, trained by Steve Asmussen, and ridden by Robby Albarado, the colt has the same connections as two time Horse of the Year Curlin did.
The second choice was Lou Brissie, who already had a stakes win under his belt, having won the grade III Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks. Speed Demon was the third choice at 9-1.
Away from the gate first was Gold for Cash, with Saturday Dance also breaking sharply, but Kantharos stumbled at the start and ducked in, bumping Speed Demon while attempting to straighten out. But despite this poor beginning, he was third in the early going, tracking the pace set by Thewayitusedtobe and Gold for Cash. Speed Demon was right behind him, with Lou Brissie and Saturday Dance trailing the field.
After a quarter of a mile in a blazing :21 4/5, it was Thewayitusedtobe and Gold for Cash, but Kantharos was making his move. After a half in :45 3/5, he had a half-length lead over Thewayitusedtobe and Gold for Cash. Lou Brissie was still running fifth, but he was only a length and a half off of the lead.
Passing the eighth pole it was obvious who the winner would be. Kantharos was pulling away easily and had a six length lead. Lou Brissie and Speed Demon were battling for second, but they were no match for the winner. Kantharos won by nine and a half lengths, with Lou Brissie second and Speed Demon third.
Here is the complete order of finish. . .
1 Kantharos
2 Lou Brissie
3 Speed Demon
4 Saturday Dance
5 Gold for Cash
6 Thewayitusedtobe
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Lou Brissie
2 Speed Demon
3 Kantharos
4 Gold for Cash
5 Saturday Dance
6 Theywayitusedtobe
I was close.
Then there was the Arlington Oaks. A grade III nine furlong turf race for three year old fillies, the favorite was Snow Top Mountain, with Upperline and Chantilly Nayla the co-second choices. My pick was Upperline. And sure enough, Upperline won by just under five lengths.
After a first quarter in :23 4/5, it was Chantilly Nayla who led the way by a head over Upperline. Age of Humor was racing well in third, followed by Snow Top Mountain, Dundalk Dust, and Laura Babe. The horses continued in about the same positions through a half in :48 flat, but after running three quarters in 1:13 2/5, things began to change.
First off, Upperline moved up to challenge for the lead. Snow Top Mountain began to move closer. Age of Humor dropped back a bit, and Dundalk Dust moved much closer to the pace.
Into the homestretch it was Upperline who led the way. Snow Top Mountain tried to challenge, but Upperline put her away and drew off to win by four and three quarters of a length. Snow Top Mountain finished second, six and a half lengths clear of Dundalk Dust, who put in a mild rally to finish third, another five and three quarter lengths in front of Chantilly Nayla. She was followed by Age of Humor and Laura Babe. The latter trailed throughout and was beaten by about thirty-one lengths. The final time was 1:52 flat.
This brings us to the United Nations, which I already briefly recapped while I was updating my blog live last weekend. So I won't go into extreme detail on this one, rather, I will just list the complete order of finish and my picks.
RESULTS
1 Chinchon
2 Take the Points
3 Winchester
4 Straight Story
5 Get Serious
6 Telling
7 Laureate Conductor
8 Jeune-Turc
9 Acclamation
MY PICKS
1 Acclamation
2 Take the Points
3 Winchester
4 Telling
5 Jeune-Turc
6 Chinchon
7 Get Serious
8 Laureate Conductor
9 Straight Story
I was right about Take the Points and Winchester, but not much else. My pick ran last! But I'm sure he will return to form soon. In the meantime, Chinchon is a horse to watch and should be a major contender come the Breeders' Cup.
Then there was the Suburban Handicap out at Belmont. The grade II mile and an eighth race marked the return of Gotham/Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge, the morning line favorite for the 2009 Kentucky Derby before an injury knocked him out of the race. He, along with his stablemate Pictural, were favored to win. It was Pictural's job to make sure the pace was an honest one, and unfortunately, he stumbled out of the gate and was last throughout.
This left Regal Ransom and Haynesfield loose on the lead. The second and third choices, they ran the first quarter in :24 flat and the half in :46 4/5. Regal Ransom, having not raced since the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic, began to tire after running three quarters of a mile in 1:11 flat, and left Haynesfield with the lead.
And then I Want Revenge made his move. He looked ready to blow past everyone, but then he stalled. And so Haynesfield coasted home the winner by just under three lengths while never being fully extended. The final time was 1:48 2/5. Convocation made a bold late run to grab second, a length and a quarter in front of I Want Revenge, who looked as though he needed the race. Regal Ransom, Eldaafer, Unbridled Danger, and Pictural trailed the field.
So here is the complete order of finish. . .
1 Haynesfield
2 Convocation
3 I Want Revenge
4 Regal Ransom
5 Eldaafer
6 Unbridled Danger
7 Pictural
. . . and here were my picks.
1 I Want Revenge
2 Regal Ransom
3 Haynesfield
4 Eldaafer
5 Convocation
6 Unbridled Danger
7 Pictural
I honestly felt that I Want Revenge and Regal Ransom were much the best horses in the race and would finish one-two despite their long layoffs. However, it was painfully obvious after the fact that Haynesfield was much the best horse and is a serious contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
I did better (in fact, much better) in the Salvator Mile Stakes. Like the United Nations, I recapped it right after it was run, so I won't repeat myself here, I'll just list the results and my picks. . .!
RESULTS
1 Gone Astray
2 Duke of Mischief
3 You and I Forever
4 Le Grand Cru
5 Munnings
MY PICKS
1 Gone Astray
2 Duke of Mischief
3 You and I Forever
4 Le Grand Cru
5 Munnings
Not too bad! As I said last week, I had orginally picked Munnings to win, and Gone Astray to finish last, but as post time drew nearer I got this funny feeling that Munnings was going to run last, and that Gone Astray was sitting on a huge race. So I reposted my new picks a few minutes before the race was run, and they turned out to be correct. Despite helping set pedestrian fractions of :25 and :50 flat, Munnings faded after that and was beaten by just over twenty lengths. I would say that Gone Astray is a serious threat for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile later this year, even though his final time was a not very good 1:38 flat. With a little more pace to close off of, who knows what he can do?
This brings us to the Jersey Shore Stakes, a grade III race for three year olds. The mild favorite in the six furlong event was Discreetly Mine, with Safe Trip the second choice. The filly Christine Daae was the third choice in the field of six.
In the early going, it was longshot Out of Respect who set the pace, followed by an even longer shot Partyallnightlong. Safe Trip was rating well in third, followed by Discreetly Mine, Cool Bullet, and Christine Daae.
Through fractions of :22 flat and :44 4/5, it was still Out of Respect and Partyallnightlong leading the way, but Safe Trip was coming with a three wide bid and Discreetly Mine was still right there. Christine Daae and Cool Bullet were going nowhere.
After five furlongs in :56 4/5, it was still Out of Respect who led, but only by a head. Safe Trip was in with a chance, but it was Discreetly Mine who came running strongest of all. At the finish, it was Discreetly Mine by a length and a quarter, getting the six furlongs in 1:09 3/5. Out of Respect held second by a length over Safe Trip, who gave everything he had but just wasn't good enough. Partyallnightlong ran well to finish fourth, beaten only three lengths, while Christine Daae and Cool Bullet never threatened.
So here are the results. . .
1 Discreetly Mine
2 Out of Respect
3 Safe Trip
4 Partyallnightlong
5 Christine Daae
6 Cool Bullet
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Safe Trip
2 Discreetly Mine
3 Cool Bullet
4 Christine Daae
5 Out of Respect
6 Partyallnightlong
I'm afraid that I was wrong on everything. But congratulations to Discreetly Mine, who should be able to win his fair share of sprints over the next couple years.
Then there was the grade I Prioress Stakes. The six furlong race for three year old fillies had drawn a short but solid field, and I, like just about everybody else, felt that the one New York-bred in the field was the best horse in the race. That New York-bred was Franny Freud, and she came through with a length and three quarter score, although she did have to fight for it.
Bonnie Blue Flag broke fastest of all, but it was Stormandaprayer who raced away to set the pace, followed closely by Acorn Stakes winner Champagne d'Oro. Bonnie Blue Flag raced along in third, with Franny Freud and Funny Feeling trailing the field.
Through very solid fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 4/5, it was still Stormandaprayer who led the way, but Franny Freud had moved into second and had her sights set on the lead. Bonnie Blue Flag and Champagne d'Oro raced together in third, but Champagne d'Oro was boxed in with nowhere to go. When she finally did get running room, Franny Freud was on the lead and not stopping. Try as she might, Champagn d'Oro could not close ground fast enough and had to settle for second. Franny Freud won by a length and three quarters, getting the distance in 1:10 flat. Champagne d'Oro finished a half-length in front of Bonnie Blue Flag, while Stormandaprayer faded to fourth. Funny Feeling trailed throughout and never threatened.
So here are the results. . .
1 Franny Freud
2 Champagne d'Oro
3 Bonnie Blue Flag
4 Stormandaprayer
5 Funny Feeling
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Franny Freud
2 Bonnie Blue Flag
3 Champagne d'Oro
4 Funny Feeling
5 Stormandaprayer
I was very close on everything, and I did pick the winner, so that felt good. It was an exciting race to watch, and I'm glad to see Franny Freud get a grade I. She should be a contender for all the best filly races later this year.
One race that did not go according to plan was the grade II Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs. The one mile turf event drew the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who was sent off as the favorite at about 3-1. Tizdejavu was the second choice at 4-1, with Public Speaker also at 4-1. I didn't think Mine That Bird was going to win under these conditions, and although I cheered him on, he did not.
My picks were Tizdejavu, Public Speaker, and Inca King, in that order. And much to my surprise, those three led the way across the wire, and even more surprising, in that order.
Tizdejavu ran a huge race. Breaking fastest of all, he set decent fractions of :23 1/5, :45 4/5, and 1:09 3/5 and just kept on going. Public Speaker and Inca King came running late, but he held them both off by a length and a half, completing the mile in 1:35 4/5. Public Speaker just nosed out Inca King for second, but the jockey of the latter lost his whip, possibly costing Inca King second place. Veiled Prophet, Unbridled's Dream, Skipadate, Wise River, Mine That Bird, Pop Tarrt, Attempted Humor, Driving Snow, Baryshnikov, Euroears, and Orthodox completed the order of finish. It was a very exciting race.
Mine That Bird actually didn't run too badly. Taken back to last by Calvin Borel, he was twenty-two lengths off the lead halfway through the race, and did manage to cut that to only seven and three quarters lengths at the finish, making up six and a quarter lengths in the final eighth. The Whitney Handicap will be his next race, and I believe that he is capable of upsetting Quality Road and Blame there if he gets the right trip. We'll see what happens.
In the grade III Chicago Handicap for fillies and mares, things were even more exciting. The 1-5 favorite was Informed Decision, the defending winner of the race and the 2009 Eclipse champion female sprinter. She was fully expected to win the seven furlong race easily, and although she did win it, it was by no means easy.
The longest shot in the field, Rinterval, broke fastest and raced away to set the pace. She was followed by Diamond Song and Informed Decision, the latter whom was sitting comfortably five lengths off the pace. Secret Kin was right with her in fourth, followed by Minewander, Lookalike, and Never Retreat.
Through fractions of :22 2/5 and :46 2/5, the positions remained pretty much unchanged. Lookalike and moved up a bit, and Secret Kin had dropped back a bit, but it was still Rinterval who led the way.
Into the stretch they came and Informed Decision made her move, but Rinterval fought on. They were heads apart following cut three quarters of a mile in 1:11 flat, and Informed Decision took the lead. Rinterval battled on, and was coming back at the finish, but Informed Decision held her safe to win by a head in 1:24 1/5. Rinterval was three and a half lengths clear of Secret Kin, who just got up for third over Never Retreat. Minewander, Diamond Song, and Lookalike trailed the field.
This brings us to the grade III Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes. A six furlong race for two year olds, stakes winning J P's Gusto was the favorite over Western Mood, and in the end, it would come down to those two.
River's Chapel broke a step slowly, but quickly raced away to a commanding four length lead following a first quarter in :22 seconds flat. J P's Gusto bided his time in second, with Leon Ayala and Western Mood close behind him. Edgewick Road was racing in fifth, followed by Tappin Tough, Minutesandtouches, and Marvin's Magic.
Following a half in :45 2/5, with only a quarter of a mile left to run, River's Chapel had a three and a half lengths lead and looked ready to pull a 23-1 upset, but J P's Gusto and Western Mood were reeling him in. At the eighth pole, it was J P's Gusto by a head, battling down the stretch with Western Mood. At the finish, it was J P's Gusto who won by a neck, with Western Mood nearly six lengths clear of Minutesandtouches, who running for third, four lengths clear of Edgewick Road. Leon Ayala, River's Chapel, Tappin Tough, and Marvin's Magic completed the order of finish.
In the Queen's Plate Stakes, things were just as exciting but for a different reason. It wasn't one of those race where you can't separate the top two finishers, rather, it was one of the races were you're screaming "Hang on!"
I was cheering for Big Red Mike and Roan Inish. I've always liked Big Red Mike and thought he had a chance here. So when I saw the fractions of :24 2/5 and :49 1/5, I knew he had a chance.
Turning into the homestretch, Big Red Mike has a one lengths lead over Hotep, who had tracked him in second for the entire race. Roan Inish was swinging into contention, but favored Mobilizer was fading rapidly.
Down the stretch they came, Big Red Mike, Hotep, and Roan Inish. But no one could get to Big Red Mike, who posted a 5-1 upset, winning the most prestigous race in Canada by a length and a half. Hotep finished a game second, with Roan Inish third. They were followed by Giant's Tomb, Mobthewarrior, Dark Cloud Dancer, Smart Sky, Moment of Majesty, Who We Gunna Call, Mobilizer, Ghost Fleet, Vicar Street, and D's Wando. The final time was 2:04 4/5.
And finally, here are a few other results. . .
AMERICAN OAKS (gr. I)
RESULTS
1 Harmonious
2 Antares World
3 Weekend Magic
4 Andina
5 City to City
6 Conniption
7 Riviera Chic
MY PICKS
1 Andina
2 City to City
3 Harmonious
4 Antares World
5 Conniption
6 Riviera Chic
7 Weekend Magic
In her stakes debut, Harmonious won a grade I by a length and a quarter under Martin Garcia. Morning line favorite Cozi Rosie was scratched. The final time was 2:01 3/5.
AMERICAN HANDICAP (gr. II)
RESULTS
1 Global Hunter
2 Temple City
3 Hyades
4 Glowing Praise
5 Red Door Drive
6 Meteore
7 Guindici Man
8 Oil Man
MY PICKS
1 Global Hunter
2 Meteore
3 Temple City
4 Hyades
5 Red Door Drive
6 Glowing Praise
7 Oil Man
8 Quindici Man
I was very excited that Global Hunter won, but unfortunately, it will likely be the last race he ever runs in. The seven year old broke down just past the finish and was vanned off. Fortunately, he is doing well after his operation and has a good chance of recovering. The final time was 1:48 flat.
BED O' ROSES HANDICAP (gr. III)
RESULTS
1 Rightly So
2 Qualia
3 McVictory
4 Lady Alexander
5 My Dinah
6 Amazing
7 Devil by Design
8 Nicksappealinglady (pulled up, vanned off)
MY PICKS
1 Rightly So
2 Qualia
3 McVictory
4 Lady Alexander
5 Devil by Design
6 Amazing
7 My Dinah
8 Nicksappealinglady
Under C. Velasquez, Rightly So proved tough and held off favored Qualia to win the Bed o' Roses by a head. Unfortunately, Nicksappealinglady was pulled up and vanned off. I have not heard any more news about her.
And now, to conclude this post, here is a list of notable other winners over the past couple of weeks.
SHELBY COUNT ARTS HANDICAP: Won by Ravi's Song
MR. PROSPECTOR STAKES: Won by Roaring Lion
CHOICE STAKES: Won by Fantastico Roberto
HIGHLANDER STAKES (gr. II): Won by Signature Red
SINGSPIEL STAKES (gr. III): Won by Spice Route
MISS LIBERT STAKES: Won by Maram
CLARENDON STAKES: Won by Sensational Slam
ACHIEVMENT STAKES: Won by Essence Hit Man
ROYAL HEROINE MILE STAKES (gr. II): Won by Gotta Have Her
LOCUST GROVE HANDICAP (gr. III): Won by Danzon
MINSTREL STAKES: Won by Aces N Kings
CTBA DERBY: Won by Danzip
DOMINION DAY HANDICAP (gr. III): Won by Hold Me Back
LE CLE STAKES: Won by It Tiz
DONALD LEVINE MEMORIAL HANDICAP: Won by Desert Party
ARLINGTON SPRINT HANDICAP: Won by Chamberlain Bridge
DEBUTANTE STAKES (gr. III): Won by Just Louise
SAYLORVILLE STAKES: Won by Secret Gypsy
WILL ROGERS STAKES (gr. III): Won by Leroy's Dynameaux
MIKE LEE STAKES: Won by Friend or Foe
Now, I wish I could go on and discuss every other stakes race that has been run over the past fourteen days, but unfortunately, I cannot. That would take another five thousand words or so and I just can't do it. But I think I discussed all of the biggest races thoroughly, and I hope you enjoyed. Now, go out and enjoy the Hollywood Gold Cup, Triple Bend, Princess Rooney, and all the other great races being run today. And during the next week, I will put up several special blog posts which I have been mulling over for a while. How does a Triple Crown for older horses sound? I will post the details within the week, so check back soon!
-Keelerman
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