Flat Out, who had not won a race since the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup, returned to his old form just in time to win the 2012 edition of that prestigious ten-furlong race in terrific fashion.
Ridden to victory by Joel Rosario, Flat Out was content to race back in the sixth position early on as Stay Thirsty led the way through moderate fractions of :23.49 and :47.21 seconds. Ruler On Ice and San Pablo were his closest pursuers, followed in fourth by Fort Larned. There was a gap of several lengths back to Hymn Book in the fifth position, followed closely by the eventual winner. Atigun, Ron the Greek, Fast Falcon, and Game Ball were the early trailers.
Rounding the final turn, Fort Larned made a run on the outside to challenge Stay Thirsty for the lead, but the latter colt turned him back at the top of the stretch and drew off to open up a clear advantage. However, Flat Out was surging hard on the far outside, gradually wearing down Stay Thirsty inside the final furlong to thrust his head in front right at the finish and win by a head in 2:01.44 seconds.
Fort Larned finished 5 1/2 lengths further back in third, while Atigun edged out Fast Falcon to complete the superfecta. Ron the Greek, Game Ball, Hymn Book, San Pablo, and Ruler On Ice completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by Preston Stable and trained by Bill Mott.
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Jockey Club Gold Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jockey Club Gold Cup. Show all posts
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Jockey Club Gold Cup Entries: Ron the Greek draws post 1
Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Ron the Greek and Whitney Invitational (gr. I) winner Fort Larned are among the major names entered in the 94th running of the $1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Belmont Park.
A "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), the Jockey Club Gold Cup has been won in recent years by Eclipse champions Bernardini (2006), Curlin (2007, 2008), and Summer Bird (2009). In addition, 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame placed second in the 2010 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Thus, the Jockey Club Gold Cup has earned its status as on of the country's premiere races.
A field of ten has been entered for the ten-furlong race, with Ron the Greek expected to be sent off as the favorite. The five-year-old son of Full Mandate has been having a spectacular season, with victories in the Santa Anita Handicap and Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) stamping him as one of the leading older males of the year. A victory in this race could make him the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, and bolster his chances of being named Horse of the Year.
His stiffest challenge is expected to come from Fort Larned, who defeated Ron the Greek in the Whitney Invitational (gr. I) a little less than two months ago. Trained by Ian Wilkes, the son of E Dubai possesses a great deal of tactical speed, which could prove to be quite an asset over the often speed-favoring Belmont Park main track.
Flat Out, winner of the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup and a stablemate to Ron the Greek, finished third in the Whitney and seems to be rounding back into form following a lengthy layoff. Likewise, 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Stay Thirsty will be trying to find the winner's circle for the first time since last year's "Midsummer Derby", but needs to step up his game in order to do so, as his recent efforts have been somewhat disappointing.
Another colt looking to rebound is Ruler On Ice, who posted a shocking upset in the 2011 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He has not won a race since then, but did rally to finish second in that year's Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and Haskell Invitational (gr. I). He enters the Gold Cup off of a runner-up effort in an allowance optional claiming race at Delaware Park.
Hymn Book is an intriguing contender, for he seems to be very fond of the Belmont Park main track and is a grade I winner, having won the Donn Handicap (gr. I) back in February. However, he hasn't won a race since, and most recently finished fourth in the Whitney.
Fast Falcon and Atigun finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) one month ago, and both should appreciate the distance of the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Rounding out the field are San Pablo won the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) last time out, and Game Ball, a former claimer that most recently finished eighth in the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I) on the turf at Saratoga.
Post Positions:
-Keelerman
A "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), the Jockey Club Gold Cup has been won in recent years by Eclipse champions Bernardini (2006), Curlin (2007, 2008), and Summer Bird (2009). In addition, 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame placed second in the 2010 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Thus, the Jockey Club Gold Cup has earned its status as on of the country's premiere races.
A field of ten has been entered for the ten-furlong race, with Ron the Greek expected to be sent off as the favorite. The five-year-old son of Full Mandate has been having a spectacular season, with victories in the Santa Anita Handicap and Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) stamping him as one of the leading older males of the year. A victory in this race could make him the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, and bolster his chances of being named Horse of the Year.
His stiffest challenge is expected to come from Fort Larned, who defeated Ron the Greek in the Whitney Invitational (gr. I) a little less than two months ago. Trained by Ian Wilkes, the son of E Dubai possesses a great deal of tactical speed, which could prove to be quite an asset over the often speed-favoring Belmont Park main track.
Flat Out, winner of the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup and a stablemate to Ron the Greek, finished third in the Whitney and seems to be rounding back into form following a lengthy layoff. Likewise, 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Stay Thirsty will be trying to find the winner's circle for the first time since last year's "Midsummer Derby", but needs to step up his game in order to do so, as his recent efforts have been somewhat disappointing.
Another colt looking to rebound is Ruler On Ice, who posted a shocking upset in the 2011 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He has not won a race since then, but did rally to finish second in that year's Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and Haskell Invitational (gr. I). He enters the Gold Cup off of a runner-up effort in an allowance optional claiming race at Delaware Park.
Hymn Book is an intriguing contender, for he seems to be very fond of the Belmont Park main track and is a grade I winner, having won the Donn Handicap (gr. I) back in February. However, he hasn't won a race since, and most recently finished fourth in the Whitney.
Fast Falcon and Atigun finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) one month ago, and both should appreciate the distance of the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Rounding out the field are San Pablo won the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) last time out, and Game Ball, a former claimer that most recently finished eighth in the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I) on the turf at Saratoga.
Post Positions:
| PP | Horse | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Ron the Greek | 126 | Jose Lezcano | Bill Mott |
| 2 | Stay Thirsty | 126 | Ramon Dominguez | Todd Pletcher |
| 3 | Ruler On Ice | 126 | Alan Garcia | Kelly Breen |
| 4 | Hymn Book | 126 | John Velazquez | Claude McGaughey III |
| 5 | Fort Larned | 126 | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | Ian Wilkes |
| 6 | Atigun | 122 | Mike Smith | Kenneth McPeek |
| 7 | Fast Falcon | 122 | Corey Nakatani | Nick Zito |
| 8 | San Pablo | 126 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher |
| 9 | Flat Out | 126 | Joel Rosario | Bill Mott |
| 10 | Game Ball | 126 | Jose Espinoza | Naipaul Chatterpaul |
-Keelerman
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: SAN PABLO
Owner: Burning Sands Stable LLC
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Dan Bearden
Expected Jockey: Javier Castellano
RACE RECORD
Age 4
1st Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III)
1st Birdstone Stakes
4th Monmouth Cup Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Excelsior Stakes (gr. III)
2nd As Indicated Stakes
1st Shots Are Ringing Stakes
Age 3
1st Flying Chevron Stakes
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
3rd Chief Tamanaco Stakes
1st Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| A.P. Indy | ||
| Jump Start | ||
| Steady Cat | ||
| San Pablo | ||
| Silver Ghost | ||
| Hunt's Corner | ||
| Treacherous Twist |
To read what I have written about San Pablo in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: RULER ON ICE
Owner: George and Lori Hall
Trainer: Kelly J. Breen
Breeder: Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm
Expected Jockey: Alan Garcia
RACE RECORD
Age 4
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
7th Allowance Optional Claiming
8th Donn Handicap (gr. I)
Age 3
5th Clark Handicap (gr. I)
3rd Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
2nd Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II)
4th Travers Stakes (gr. I)
3rd Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
1st Belmont Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Federico Tesio Stakes
3rd Sunland Derby (gr. III)
1st Allowance
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
5th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Fusaichi Pegasus | ||
| Roman Ruler | ||
| Silvery Swan | ||
| Ruler On Ice | ||
| Saratoga Six | ||
| Champagne Glow | ||
| Champagne Ginny |
To read what I have written about Ruler On Ice in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: RON THE GREEK
Owner: Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Jack T. Hammer
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: Jack T. Hammer
Expected Jockey: Jose Lezcano
RACE RECORD
Age 5
2nd Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
1st Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II)
1st Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes
Age 4
1st Queens County Stakes
1st Sunny and Mild Stakes
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
3rd Three Coins Up Stakes
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Skip Away Stakes
6th Donn Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
6th Louisiana Derby (gr. II)
6th Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)
1st LeComte Stakes (gr. III)
Age 2
4th Springboard Mile Stakes
1st Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Ron the Greek in the past, click here.
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: Jack T. Hammer
Expected Jockey: Jose Lezcano
RACE RECORD
Age 5
2nd Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
1st Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II)
1st Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes
Age 4
1st Queens County Stakes
1st Sunny and Mild Stakes
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
3rd Three Coins Up Stakes
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Skip Away Stakes
6th Donn Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
6th Louisiana Derby (gr. II)
6th Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)
1st LeComte Stakes (gr. III)
Age 2
4th Springboard Mile Stakes
1st Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| A.P. Indy | ||
| Full Mandate | ||
| Clear Mandate | ||
| Ron the Greek | ||
| Fortunate Prospect | ||
| Flambe' | ||
| Flambeau |
To read what I have written about Ron the Greek in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: HYMN BOOK
Owner: Stuart S. Janney III
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Breeder: Stuart S. Janney III
Jockey: John Velazquez
RACE RECORD
Age 6
4th Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
5th Pimlico Special Stakes (gr. III)
4th Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II)
1st Donn Handicap (gr. I)
Age 5
2nd Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I)
1st Firethorn Stakes
6th Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. II)
2nd Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
1st Three Coins Up Stakes
2nd Allowance
Age 4
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
2nd Allowance
1st Allowance
Age 3
1st Allowance
1st Starter Allowance
1st Maiden Claiming
6th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Hymn Book in the past, click here.
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Breeder: Stuart S. Janney III
Jockey: John Velazquez
RACE RECORD
Age 6
4th Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
5th Pimlico Special Stakes (gr. III)
4th Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II)
1st Donn Handicap (gr. I)
Age 5
2nd Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I)
1st Firethorn Stakes
6th Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. II)
2nd Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
1st Three Coins Up Stakes
2nd Allowance
Age 4
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
2nd Allowance
1st Allowance
Age 3
1st Allowance
1st Starter Allowance
1st Maiden Claiming
6th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| Kris S | ||
| Arch | ||
| Aurora | ||
| Hymn Book | ||
| Known Fact | ||
| Vespers | ||
| Sunset Service |
To read what I have written about Hymn Book in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: FLAT OUT
Owner: Preston Stables LLC
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: Nikolaus Bock
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 6
3rd Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Monmouth Cup Stakes (gr. II)
5th Donn Handicap (gr. I)
12th Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. III)
Age 5
3rd Clark Handicap (gr. I)
5th Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
1st Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I)
2nd Woodward Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Whitney Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
1st Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
6th Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Lone Star Handicap (gr. III)
Age 4
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
6th Arkansas Derby (gr. II)
4th Southwest Stakes (gr. III)
1st Smarty Jones Stakes
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
6th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| A.P. Indy | ||
| Flatter | ||
| Praise | ||
| Flat Out | ||
| Cresta Rider | ||
| Cresta Lil | ||
| Rugosa |
To read what I have written about Flat Out in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: FORT LARNED
Owner: Janis R. Whitham
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Breeder: Janis R. Whitham
Expected Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
RACE RECORD
Age 4
1st Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
1st Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III)
8th Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Alysheba Stakes (gr. III)
1st Skip Away Stakes (gr. III)
1st Challenger Stakes
4th Handicap
Age 3
1st Allowance
10th Allowance
9th Allowance
1st Allowance
8th Arlington Classic Stakes
7th Allowance
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
4th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Fort Larned in the past, click here.
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Breeder: Janis R. Whitham
Expected Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
RACE RECORD
Age 4
1st Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
1st Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III)
8th Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)
2nd Alysheba Stakes (gr. III)
1st Skip Away Stakes (gr. III)
1st Challenger Stakes
4th Handicap
Age 3
1st Allowance
10th Allowance
9th Allowance
1st Allowance
8th Arlington Classic Stakes
7th Allowance
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
4th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Mr. Prospector | ||
| E Dubai | ||
| Words of War | ||
| Fort Larned | ||
| Broad Brush | ||
| Arlucea | ||
| Bayakoa |
To read what I have written about Fort Larned in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: FAST FALCON
Owner: Richard C. Pell
Trainer: Nick Zito
Breeder: B. P. Walden Jr. and H. G. King III
Expected Jockey: Corey Nakatani
RACE RECORD
Age 3
3rd Travers Stakes (gr. I)
7th Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Dwyer Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Easy Goer Stakes
1st Maiden Special Weight
6th Maiden Special Weight
7th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| Deputy Minister | ||
| Awesome Again | ||
| Primal Force | ||
| Fast Falcon | ||
| Pleasant Tap | ||
| My Chickadee | ||
| Slew City Slicker |
To read what I have written about Fast Falcon in the past, click here.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Contender Profile: ATIGUN
Owner: Shortleaf Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Expected Jockey: Mike Smith
RACE RECORD
Age 3
4th Travers Stakes (gr. I)
6th Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II)
3rd Belmont Stakes (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Arkansas Derby (gr. I)
11th Rebel Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
5th Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II)
1st Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
9th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Atigun in the past, click here.
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Expected Jockey: Mike Smith
RACE RECORD
Age 3
4th Travers Stakes (gr. I)
6th Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II)
3rd Belmont Stakes (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Arkansas Derby (gr. I)
11th Rebel Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
5th Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II)
1st Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
9th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Gone West | ||
| Istan | ||
| Ronda | ||
| Alpha | ||
| Dynaformer | ||
| Rimini Road | ||
| Evangelical |
To read what I have written about Atigun in the past, click here.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
FLAT OUT WINS THE JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP!
Flat Out finally broke through with a grade I victory, wearing down Rodman and holding off Drosselmeyer to win the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) by two lengths.
Patiently ridden by Alex Solis, the colt settled into the fourth spot and Rodman raced away to set the pace. Birdrun was tracking him in second, followed by Stay Thirsty. Drosselmeyer was rating in fifth, followed by A. U. Miner and Ice Box.
Through steady fractions of :24.17, :48.56, and 1:12.66, Rodman continued to lead the way. Birdrun was still second, but Flat Out was beginning to advance on the outside. Around the far turn Flat Out continued to inch closer to the lead, but Stay Thirsty was beginning to drop back under pressure. A. U. Miner and Ice Box had also dropped impossibly far behind the field.
Entering the homestretch Flat Out tackleford Rodman and put him away, opening up a clear lead. Then Stay Thirsty suddenly appeared on the scene, finally kicking into high gear on the outside. Drosselmeyer too was charging hard, and -- amazingly -- A. U. Miner was charging into contention from far behind. But none of them seriously threatened Flat Out, who held on gamely in the mud to win the mile and a quarter race by two lengths in 2:03.17. Drosselmeyer edged Stay Thirsty for second by a neck, while a tiring Rodman narrowly held fourth over A. U. Miner. Birdrun finished sixth, while Ice Box never got into contention and was soundly beaten.
The results of the Jockey Club Gold Cup certainly flattered Havre de Grace, who defeated Flat Out in the Woodward Stakes last month and returned to win the Beldame Stakes one race preceding the JCGC. Both horses may end up running in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) next month, which would certainly be one of the greatest races of the year!
-Keelerman
Patiently ridden by Alex Solis, the colt settled into the fourth spot and Rodman raced away to set the pace. Birdrun was tracking him in second, followed by Stay Thirsty. Drosselmeyer was rating in fifth, followed by A. U. Miner and Ice Box.
Through steady fractions of :24.17, :48.56, and 1:12.66, Rodman continued to lead the way. Birdrun was still second, but Flat Out was beginning to advance on the outside. Around the far turn Flat Out continued to inch closer to the lead, but Stay Thirsty was beginning to drop back under pressure. A. U. Miner and Ice Box had also dropped impossibly far behind the field.
Entering the homestretch Flat Out tackleford Rodman and put him away, opening up a clear lead. Then Stay Thirsty suddenly appeared on the scene, finally kicking into high gear on the outside. Drosselmeyer too was charging hard, and -- amazingly -- A. U. Miner was charging into contention from far behind. But none of them seriously threatened Flat Out, who held on gamely in the mud to win the mile and a quarter race by two lengths in 2:03.17. Drosselmeyer edged Stay Thirsty for second by a neck, while a tiring Rodman narrowly held fourth over A. U. Miner. Birdrun finished sixth, while Ice Box never got into contention and was soundly beaten.
The results of the Jockey Club Gold Cup certainly flattered Havre de Grace, who defeated Flat Out in the Woodward Stakes last month and returned to win the Beldame Stakes one race preceding the JCGC. Both horses may end up running in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) next month, which would certainly be one of the greatest races of the year!
-Keelerman
Saturday, October 02, 2010
HAYNESFIELD WINS THE JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP!
Haynesfield went right to the lead and never looked back, winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup an incredible six lengths in a 7-1 upset.
Allowed to set a fairly slow pace, Haynesfield, under Ramon Dominguez, rattled off fractions of :24, :48, and 1:13 before coasting home under absolutely no urging whatsoever.
Heavy favorite Blame outrallied Fly Down to finish second, although he never threatened the winner. Hold Me Back finished fourth.
The final time was 2:02 2/5.
-Keelerman
Allowed to set a fairly slow pace, Haynesfield, under Ramon Dominguez, rattled off fractions of :24, :48, and 1:13 before coasting home under absolutely no urging whatsoever.
Heavy favorite Blame outrallied Fly Down to finish second, although he never threatened the winner. Hold Me Back finished fourth.
The final time was 2:02 2/5.
-Keelerman
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