Before I begin this post, let me apologize for not updating my blog to any great degree over the past two weeks. I have been extremely busy and was also out of town.
That said, let's take a look at all the terrific races being run this weekend. It's pretty safe to say that a major Breeders' Cup contender will come from one of these races. I'll begin by looking at the United Nations.
UNITED NATIONS ---- The horse to beat is. . .?
Has there ever been a tougher renewal of this race?
Okay, they don't exactly have Dr. Fager running like they did in 1968, but the 57th running of the United Nations has drawn a solid field of nine, headlined by grade I winners Telling, Acclamation, Winchester, Jeune-Turc, and Take the Points. Add the solid French runner Chinchon, classy stakes winner Laureate Conductor, grade I stakes-placed Straight Story, and the Monmouth loving Get Serious and you have a truly solid grade I race. And every horse has a shot, meaning there is no one horse to beat.
However, the excitement surrounding the race was greatly lessened when the name Presious Passion failed to show up in the entries. The seven year old gelding won the United Nations in 2009 and 2008, but is being given some time off after disappointing efforts in his last two starts.
But the nine runners who have been entered will do their best to fill in for him while he is away. Not only are they good horses, but they have swarmed from all over the world to run in the biggest race New Jersey has to offer, bar the Haskell. Telling has raced all over the United States, at Kentucky, New York, Illinois, Arkansas, and elsewhere. Get Serious has raced here in New Jersey before. Winchester has been to Florida. Jeune-Turc comes up from Brazil. Take the Points has been to Florida, Maryland, California, New York, Illinois, Virginia, and across the planet to Dubai. Chinchon, although an Ireland bred, has been racing mainly in France, while Laureate Conductor has been everywhere from Florida to Kentucky to New Jersey to Delaware. Together, they have made 162 starts, winning 42 times, finishing second 29 times, and third 22 times, for a grand total of 93 on the board finishes. This is going to be fun to watch.
Let's take a look at who is running now, beginning with the number one horse Telling.
Telling, a son of A.P. Indy, comes into the race off of a fifth place finish as the favorite in the grade III Louisville Handicap. In that race, he helped set a slow pace before tiring to be beaten six lengths by the winner, Free Fighter. However, his poor showing could be due to the fact that the turf was yielding, and it could be because the confirmed closer was changing his running style. He has not won since upsetting the grade I Sword Dancer at Saratoga last August, but just hasn't had the pace he needs to close. Perhaps he will get it today, as there is plenty of speed in this race. He will be ridden by E. Coa, whom I don't believe has ever ridden him before. He will be carrying 118 pounds, and is trained by Steve Hobby.
Then there is Get Serious, who has had by far the best success at this track. The son of City Zip has won eight of his ten starts here at Monmouth Park, most recently upsetting the nine furlong grade III Monmouth Stakes after leading most of the way. His pedigree suggests stamina limitations, and his trainer, John Forbes, is concerned about the distance, but perhaps he can take the lead and hang on. He will be ridden by P. Fragosa and will carry 118 pounds.
Acclamation is a colt that I really like and I feel he has a big chance here. The son of Unusual Heat has really blossomed in his last two races, winning both the grade I Charles Whittingham Handicap and the grade II Jim Murray in wire-to-wire fashion. In the latter, he was ten lengths in front after a half mile in :49 2/5 and ended up winning by seven and a half lengths, completing a mile and a half in 2:26 2/5 while running his final quarter mile in :23 2/5. In the Charles Whittingham, he set a faster pace before winning by a length and a half, getting the mile and a quarter in 1:59 2/5 while closing in :23 4/5. This horse is special, and if he can repeat those efforts today, I feel certain that he will win. He will be ridden by C. Santiago Reyes and will carry 123 pounds. He is trained by Donald Warren.
Straight Story is perhaps the unluckiest horse in the race. He has yet to win a stakes race, with his biggest win to date coming in a $78,000 allowance race, but the son of Giant's Causeway has finished second in four stakes races, including two grade II and one grade I. All of those losses have come by three quarters of a length or less, having lost both the Virginia Derby and Colonial Turf Cup by a head to Battle of Hastings, and the grade I Jamaica Handicap by a head to Take the Points. He has shown some good early speed, and comes off of a win at this track, so he could very well run huge today. He will carry 118 pounds and will be ridden by C. H. Marquez Jr. He is trained by Alan Goldberg.
This brings us to Winchester. The son of Theatrical has turned in some solid efforts in his sixteen race career, winning the grade I Secretariat Stakes in 2008 over fellow three year olds and finishing second in several graded stakes race, but he is best known right now for upsetting his champion stablemate Gio Ponti in the grade I Manhattan Handicap last time out. Arguably his best performance to date, he came home in under twenty-three seconds and will be dangerous if he repeats that performance. He will be ridden by C. Velasquez and will carry 123 pounds. He is trained by Christopher Clement.
And then there is Jeune-Turc, one of the more interesting horses in the field. The Brazilian-bred son of Know Heights has been racing in Brazil, where he is a multiple group I winner. In his last two starts, both in grade I company, he has finished fast closing seconds, and could benefit from the likely strong pace here today. He will carry 118 pounds and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano. He is trained by Paule Lobe.
Take the Points is another fascinating horse. The morning line favorite at 3-1, he is a multiple grade I winner, having won both the Secretariat Stakes and the Jamaica Handicap. The son of Even the Score also finished first in the grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap back in February, but was placed fifth after interfering with another horse in the stretch. He then shipped to Dubai and finished a respectable fifth, beaten just over five and a quarter lengths, in the group I Dubai Duty Free. After a bit of a break, he returned to finish fourth in the grade I Manhattan Handicap, beaten just a length and a half by Winchester after having the lead at the eighth pole. He is without a doubt a major contender here and will carry 118 pounds. He will be ridden by Edgar Prado and is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Chinchon is the other foreign horse running here today. The son of Marju has run mostly in France, winning a couple grade IIIs and running respectably well in higher quality races. In his lone U.S. start, he finished fourth, beaten three lengths, in the grade I Man o' War to Gio Ponti after having a slightly rough trip. He has shown the ability to race close to the pace as well as come from behind, so he should be able to adapt to whatever pace scenario is thrown at him today. He will carry 118 pounds and will be ridden by Garret Gomez. He is trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias.
Finally, there is the longshot Laureate Conductor. The son of Bernstein has run well in allowance company and is a stakes winner, his only really bad performance coming in last year's Kent Stakes, where he finished fifth, beaten eight and a quarter lengths. In his four starts since then, he has been beaten by no more than three and three quarters lengths, coming into the race off of a late closing second in an $81,000 allowance race at this track. Although he does seem to be a step below the rest of these horses, I would not be surprised if he ran huge today. He will carry 118 pounds and will be ridden by J. Bravo. He is trained by Christopher Clement, who also has Winchester here today.
So, who are my picks? Well, it's a tough race to figure out, but here they are. . .
1 Acclamation
2 Take the Points
3 Winchester
4 Telling
5 Jeune-Turc
6 Chinchon
7 Get Serious
8 Laureate Conductor
9 Straight Story
The sad part is, I like every horse here and don't want to have to put anyone in that ninth position. Straight Story could run huge, but I feel he has just a touch of stamina limitation that may show up here. As for Winchester, he could be sitting on a big one, but his performance in the Manhattan was slightly flattered by the fact that Gio Ponti ran into traffic and Winchester did not. As for Take the Points, I think he has a bit of stamina limitation too, and that a mile and three eighths may be just too far for him. This goes the same for Get Serious, only more so. Telling should finally get a decent pace to run down, and should come flying late, along with Jeune-Turc and possibly Chinchon. Laureate Conductor has a chance at hitting the board, but I don't think that he can win.
So this leaves me with Acclamation. I honestly feel this colt is something special and is on his way to an Eclipse Award winning campaign. I do believe that this is the next step.
Who do you like?
PRIORESS STAKES ---- New York against Kentucky
The grade I Prioress Stakes, a six furlong sprint race for three year old fillies, has drawn a nice field of five runners. Four of them are Kentucky-breds, and one of them is a New York-bred. Obviously, with the race being held at Belmont Park, the New York-bred has the "Home State Advantage" and is the favorite. She is the favorite despite the fact that the Kentucky invaders out number her four to one.
She is the favorite because she is Franny Freud.
The dominating filly has beaten colts twice, won on dirt, synthetic, and turf, and is riding a three race win streak. She is undefeated at this distance, and has won two out of three at this track. The daughter of Freud is the deserving favorite and will likely be sent off at around 3-5. She will be ridden by regular rider Garret Gomez and will carry top weight of 122 pounds.
Her toughest competition will probably come from Champagne d'Oro, last seen upsetting the grade I Acorn Stakes in early June at odds of 39-1. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro cuts back to six furlongs (the Acorn was a mile) and has the speed to get the job done. She will carry 120 pounds and will be ridden by Miguel Mena.
Bonnie Blue Flag is another interesting runner. Trained by Bob Baffert, the daughter of Mineshaft won the Cinemine Stakes at the end of May and could have a huge chance at pulling the upset. She will be ridden by hot jockey Martin Garcia and will carry 120 pounds. Watch her carefully!
Funny Feeling, a daughter of Distorted Humor, is a major contender as well. She has won her last two starts, an allowance optional claiming race at the end of April and the Just Smashing Stakes at the end of May. Six furlongs seems to be her best distance, and if the pace is fast enough tomorrow, she could come running late.
Stormandaprayer completes the field. The daughter of Songandaprayer broke her maiden in impressive fashion last time out in a maiden special weight race at Belmont Park. It took her a while to win, but she looks ready to take a piece of it tomorrow.
So here are my picks. . .
1 Franny Freud
2 Bonnie Blue Flag
3 Champagne d'Oro
4 Funny Feeling
5 Stormandaprayer
I do believe that Franny Freud is the best horse in the race and will come through with a win. Bonnie Blue Flag looks ready to run huge, but I think Champagne d'Oro is going to regress off of her Acorn win. Funny Feeling should be running late, and although I do like Stormandaprayer, I just don't think that she is ready. And yet, I can see her winning.
It's going to be a fun race to watch.
JERSEY SHORE STAKES ---- Have a Safe Trip
In horse racing, having a good trip is very important. Ice Box probably would have won the Kentucky Derby if he had gotten a clear trip. Being forced to come seven wide can cost you a race you surely would have won if you had gotten clear on the rail.
Considering that only six horses have been entered, the inexperienced Safe Trip should be able to get the trip he needs to win.
The six furlong Jersey Shore Stakes, held at Monmouth Park on the 4th, drew a fine field of three year old sprinters, any of which could become the most dominate three year old sprinter by the end of the year.
Despite its grade III status, this could be a very influential race.
To begin, there is the number one horse, Out of Respect. The son of Read the Footnotes has never finished worse than second, winning three of his five races. He comes into the race off of a win in a six furlong allowance race at this track. He should be in the mix early, but I'm afraid that I can't see him winning. He will carry 119 pounds, and will be ridden by P. Lopez.
Then there is the morning line favorite at 5-2, Discreetly Mine. The son of Mineshaft comes off of a second place finish to the top three year old sprinter D' Funnybone in the seven furlong Woody Stephens Stakes. In that race, he dualed with Eightyfiveinafifty for the first half mile before putting that one away. He is a major contender here, although he will be carrying top weight of 123 pounds. He will be ridden by John Velazquez and is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Partyallnightlong is the morning line longshot at 8-1. The son of Put It Back into this race having won two of his three starts, with his only loss coming in his first race. In his last race, an allowance race at this track, he won in wire-to-wire fashion, drawing away to a six and a quarter length score. He doesn't seem to have the speed that some of the others do, but he could get a piece of it. He will carry 119 pounds and will be ridden by C. Marquez. He is trained by E. Broome.
This brings us to the filly, Christine Daae. The daughter of Giant's Causeway seemed to have an unlimited future after winning a maiden race by nine lengths and an allowance race by three, but then finished fifth of sixth in the grade II Bonnie Miss Stakes, beaten by fourteen lengths. She was then given a bit of a rest and came back to finish a fast closing second, beaten a nose, in the six furlong Red Cross Stakes at this track. If she runs like she did in her maiden race, she will be in the mix. She will carry 117 pounds and will be ridden by J. Bravo. She is trained by Patrick Biancone.
Then there is Cool Bullet, the co-second choice at 3-1. The son of Preakness winner Red Bullet has won a trio of stakes races, all of them at six furlongs. He comes into the race off of a win in the Rumson Stakes at this track. He has shown ability, but is he good enough for this group? We will find out today. He will be ridden by J. Hernandez and will carry 119 pounds. He is trained by S. Margolis.
And finally, there is Safe Trip, the other 3-1 shot. The son of Tale of the Cat has won two of his three races, his last race being an allowance race which he won impressively. He has shown some excellent speed and I feel that he is sitting on a huge race. He will carry 117 pounds and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano. He is trained by E. Kenneally.
So here are my picks for this race. . .
1 Safe Trip
2 Discreetly Mine
3 Cool Bullet
4 Christine Daae
5 Out of Respect
6 Partyallnightlong
I just have a feeling that Safe Trip is sitting on a huge race and will win impressively. Discreetly Mine was very sharp in his last race, but can he repeat that effort? We will know this afternoon.
SUBURBAN HANDICAP ---- Time for Revenge
The last fifteen months have been very discouraging for the connections of I Want Revenge. The son of Stephen Got Even was the morning line favorite for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, based off of his impressive wins in both the Gotham and the Wood Memorial. But then he was injured, and many wondered if he would ever race again.
But after many long months of recovery, and many more months of training, I Want Revenge is back in the grade II nine furlong Suburban Handicap. Will he be as good as he was last year? I don't know. He has to carry top weight of 119 pounds, giving away as many as eleven, but he should be able to handle it. He will be ridden by Joe Talamo and is trained by Rick Dutrow.
Regal Ransom is another top contender. The classy front runner has not raced since finishing eighth to Zenyatta in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, but prior to that, won the Super Derby over Blame and the UAE Derby over Desert Party. He is very much in the mix here. He will carry 118 pounds and will be ridden by Alan Garcia. He is trained by S. bin Suroor.
Then there is Eldaafer. The five year old gelding has won six of his twenty starts, with his biggest win coming in last year's Brooklyn Handicap. This will be his seventh start of the year. He comes into the race off of a third place finish in the Brooklyn Handicap, beaten two lengths by Alcomo and Gabriel's Hill. Nine furlongs may be a bit short for him, but with only 114 pounds on his back, he should be a contender. He will be ridden by J. Valdivia Jr. and is trained by D. Alvarado.
Convocation could be a threat as well. The four year old Pulpit colt has only won twice from nine starts, but did finish fourth in the Met Mile earlier this year, beaten seven lengths by top older male Quality Road. He gets into the race with 115 pounds and could come running late. He will be ridden by M. Luzzi and is trained by Jimmy Jerkens.
Pictural (110), Unbridled Danger (108), and Haynesfield (115) complete the field. Pictural is I Want Revenge's stablemate and could act as a rabbit for the favorite. In his last race, he finished sixth in a claiming race at Churchill Downs.
You can't help but pull for Unbridled Danger, a veteran campaigner who has raced 82 times, winning five of them. This will be the second stakes race of his career. He comes into the race off of a fourth place finish, beaten two and three quarter lengths, in a starter allowance race last Saturday. Incredibly, this will be his fourteenth race of the year. Last year, he made twenty-four starts! In 2008, he made twenty-one! What a horse!
As for Haynesfield, he could get a piece of it. The colt has won seven of his ten races, and brings a three race win streak into the Suburban. Last November, he won the grade III Discovery Handicap, and he has been proven here at Belmont Park. He should be in the mix.
So here are my picks. . .
1 I Want Revenge
2 Regal Ransom
3 Haynesfield
4 Eldaafer
5 Convocation
6 Unbridled Danger
7 Pictural
I feel confident that I Want Revenge is the best horse in the race and will win despite the long layoff. Regal Ransom should run a great race too, and Haynesfield has been running quite well as of late. But I will be cheering for Unbridled Danger, even though I don't think he will win. I can't wait!
OTHER RACE NEWS
Mine That Bird, upset winner of last year's Kentucky Derby, will make his first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Classic tomorrow in the grade II Firecracker Handicap.
I won't get into a detailed description of the race, but it will be the son of Birdstone's first start on turf, although he did run well over the synthetic track at Woodbine. He had originally been entered in an allowance race scheduled for Saturday, but the race failed to fill.
His main competition will likely come from Attempted Humor, Tizdejavu, Inca King, Pop Tarrt, and Skipadate. Tizdejavu is a grade II stakes winner, and Skipadate comes off of a fine allowance victory. It will be interesting to see if they can beat Mine That Bird.
Up in Canada, there is the Queen's Plate Stakes. The $1,000,000 event is the Canadian equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, and has drawn a field of thirteen, of which two are fillies.
The morning line favorite is Hotep, a colt I liked along the Triple Crown trail until he finished tenth in the Risen Star Stakes. However, upon shipping to Woodbine, he has become a different horse, winning the Wando Stakes and finishing second to Exhi in the Marine Stakes.
Mobilizer is the second choice. The colt has never finished worse than third in four starts, and comes into the race off of a second place finish to Big Red Mike in the Plate Trial Stakes after taking the lead in the stretch.
Then there are the two fillies, Roan Inish and Moment of Majesty. Roan Inish comes into the race off of a head victory in the Woodbine Oaks. Moment of Majesty was the unfortunate filly who was a head behind Roan Inish in the Oaks. Roan Inish will attempt to become the fifth filly to sweep the Woodbine Oaks/Queen's Plate double. I will be cheering for her.
In Illinois, 2009 Eclipse champion female sprinter Informed Decision will see if third time really is the charm in the grade III seven furlong Chicago Handicap, a race she won last year en route to winning the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Since the Breeders' Cup, she has raced twice, finishing third both times. She faces an easier field in this race, but will have to give away six to eleven pounds to her seven rivals. Hooh Why could prove to be the biggest threat to her. She has shown some class in the past and could pull the upset if the conditions are right.
Also in Illinois is the Arlington Oaks, a grade III nine furlong race for three year old fillies. The morning line favorite is Chantilly Nayla, who comes into the race off of a fifth place finish in the American 1,000 Guineas. Snow Top Mountain, Upperline, and Age of Humor are her main competitors, with longshots Dundalk Dust and Laura Babe completing the field. Personally, I like Upperline.
OTHER PICKS
BASHFORD MANOR STAKES (gr. III)
1 Lou Brissie
2 Speed Demon
3 Kantharos
4 Gold for Cash
5 Saturday Dance
6 Thewayitusedtobe
SALVATOR MILE (gr. III)
1 Munnings
2 You and I Forever
3 Duke of Mischief
4 Le Grand Cru
5 Gone Astray
AMERICAN OAKS (gr. I)
1 Andina
2 City to City
3 Harmonious
4 Antares World
5 Conniption
6 Riviera Chic
7 Weekend Magic
I would do a major race results update, but I am out of time. But I promise that I will recap everything that has happened since last Saturday very soon.
Enjoy the races!
-Keelerman
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
THE RACE OF THE WEEKEND: THE TENTH AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Yes, it is an ungraded stakes races, and yes the purse is only $66,500, but the Kelly's Landing Stakes at Churchill Downs tonight may just turn out a grade I winner.
Eight horses have been entered in the seven furlong dirt race, but the one I'll be watching is Here Comes Ben, a four year old colt who comes off of a win in an allowance optional claiming race at this distance at this track. The final time was sharp, and I honestly believe that he has a shot at the Breeders' Cup Sprint later this year.
Hamazing Destiny comes into the race off of a win in a six and a half furlong allowance, but ran eighth in the grade II Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby day behind Atta Boy Roy.
Eye of the Leopard is another interesting colt. He won the ten furlong Queen's Plate Stakes last year at Woodbine, but has not raced since running sixth in the Ontario Derby last September.
It's going to be a great race.
-Keelerman
Eight horses have been entered in the seven furlong dirt race, but the one I'll be watching is Here Comes Ben, a four year old colt who comes off of a win in an allowance optional claiming race at this distance at this track. The final time was sharp, and I honestly believe that he has a shot at the Breeders' Cup Sprint later this year.
Hamazing Destiny comes into the race off of a win in a six and a half furlong allowance, but ran eighth in the grade II Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby day behind Atta Boy Roy.
Eye of the Leopard is another interesting colt. He won the ten furlong Queen's Plate Stakes last year at Woodbine, but has not raced since running sixth in the Ontario Derby last September.
It's going to be a great race.
-Keelerman
Saturday, June 19, 2010
OTHER STAKES RESULTS
Here are a few other results from the days races. . .
ALL ALONG STAKES (gr. III)
1 Shared Account
2 Dynaslew
3 Tizaqueena (DH)
3 Casablanca Smile (DH)
5 Omega Cat
6 Blind Date
7 Kitty Cat Express
NEW YORK STAKES (gr. II)
1 Lady Shakespeare
2 Changing Skies
3 Ave
4 Daveron
5 Gozzip Girl (Stumbled and lost rider)
VICTORIA STAKES
1 Madman Diaries
2 Brock N Rock
3 Affluence
4 Firepole
5 Hank's Kill
6 Code Dancer
COLONIAL TURF CUP STAKES (gr. II)
1 Paddy O'Prado
2 Workin for Hops
3 Two Notch Road
4 Doubles Partner
5 Dean's Kitten
6 Vamos a Ver
7 Kindergarden Kid
PEGASUS STAKES (gr. III)
1 Afleet Express
2 Afleet Again
3 Soaring Empire
4 Nacho Friend
5 Jackson Bend
6 Schoolyard Dreams
What a great day of racing!
-Keelerman
ALL ALONG STAKES (gr. III)
1 Shared Account
2 Dynaslew
3 Tizaqueena (DH)
3 Casablanca Smile (DH)
5 Omega Cat
6 Blind Date
7 Kitty Cat Express
NEW YORK STAKES (gr. II)
1 Lady Shakespeare
2 Changing Skies
3 Ave
4 Daveron
5 Gozzip Girl (Stumbled and lost rider)
VICTORIA STAKES
1 Madman Diaries
2 Brock N Rock
3 Affluence
4 Firepole
5 Hank's Kill
6 Code Dancer
COLONIAL TURF CUP STAKES (gr. II)
1 Paddy O'Prado
2 Workin for Hops
3 Two Notch Road
4 Doubles Partner
5 Dean's Kitten
6 Vamos a Ver
7 Kindergarden Kid
PEGASUS STAKES (gr. III)
1 Afleet Express
2 Afleet Again
3 Soaring Empire
4 Nacho Friend
5 Jackson Bend
6 Schoolyard Dreams
What a great day of racing!
-Keelerman
AFLEET EXPRESS WON!!!
Sitting just off the lead for much of the race, Afleet Express made a bold move around the turn to win the grade III $200,000 Pegasus Stakes by two lengths.
Afleet Again rallied late to grab second, completing an Afleet Alex exact.
Soaring Empire finished third, with Nacho Friend fourth.
Amazingly, Jackson Bend, the favorite, faded in the homestretch to finish either fifth or sixth. I'm not sure. Schoolyard Dreams was back there with him.
I'm so excited! Afleet Express is now a stakes winner!
-Keelerman
Afleet Again rallied late to grab second, completing an Afleet Alex exact.
Soaring Empire finished third, with Nacho Friend fourth.
Amazingly, Jackson Bend, the favorite, faded in the homestretch to finish either fifth or sixth. I'm not sure. Schoolyard Dreams was back there with him.
I'm so excited! Afleet Express is now a stakes winner!
-Keelerman
PEGASUS STAKES PICKS
It is now post time for the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Despite being only a grade III stakes, the race has drawn a very impressive field, with Preakness third place finisher Jackson Bend the current favorite. Afleet Express is the second choice, based off of his impressive allowance win last month.
Schoolyard Dreams, Afleet Again, Soaring Empire, and Nacho Again complete the field.
Here are my picks. . .
1 Afleet Express
2 Jackson Bend
3 Afleet Again
4 Soaring Empire
5 Nacho Friend
6 Schoolyard Dreams
It should be a great race. I believe that Afleet Express is ready for stakes company, and I would love to see him win this. I have followed him since his maiden win and have always felt he is a stakes horse.
They're in the gate. . .
-Keelerman
Despite being only a grade III stakes, the race has drawn a very impressive field, with Preakness third place finisher Jackson Bend the current favorite. Afleet Express is the second choice, based off of his impressive allowance win last month.
Schoolyard Dreams, Afleet Again, Soaring Empire, and Nacho Again complete the field.
Here are my picks. . .
1 Afleet Express
2 Jackson Bend
3 Afleet Again
4 Soaring Empire
5 Nacho Friend
6 Schoolyard Dreams
It should be a great race. I believe that Afleet Express is ready for stakes company, and I would love to see him win this. I have followed him since his maiden win and have always felt he is a stakes horse.
They're in the gate. . .
-Keelerman
PADDY O'PRADO WON!!
With a powerful run on the far turn, Paddy O'Prado returned to the winners circle in the grade II $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes.
Sitting just off the pace set by longshot Two Notch Road, Paddy O'Prado swung three wide turning for home and drew off late to win easily.
Workin for Hops, always close, rallied to finish second, just in front of Two Notch Road. Second choice Doubles Partner was fourth.
The final time for the mile and three sixteenths event was 1:54 1/5.
-Keelerman
Sitting just off the pace set by longshot Two Notch Road, Paddy O'Prado swung three wide turning for home and drew off late to win easily.
Workin for Hops, always close, rallied to finish second, just in front of Two Notch Road. Second choice Doubles Partner was fourth.
The final time for the mile and three sixteenths event was 1:54 1/5.
-Keelerman
COLONIAL TURF CUP STAKES PICKS
It is post time for the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes, a mile and three sixteenths event for three year olds. Here are the runners and their current odds:
Paddy O'Prado 2-1
Workin for Hops 9-1
Kindergarden Kid 7-2
Vamos a Ver 20-1
Doubles Partner 2-1
Dean's Kitten 9-2
Two Notch Road 25-1
Paddy O'Prado has done the best running to date, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, but I believe that Doubles Partner can upset him.
Here are my picks. . .
1 Doubles Partner
2 Paddy O'Prado
3 Workin for Hops
4 Two Notch Road
5 Dean's Kitten
6 Kindergarden Kid
7 Vamos a Ver
They're in the gate. . .
-Keelerman
Paddy O'Prado 2-1
Workin for Hops 9-1
Kindergarden Kid 7-2
Vamos a Ver 20-1
Doubles Partner 2-1
Dean's Kitten 9-2
Two Notch Road 25-1
Paddy O'Prado has done the best running to date, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, but I believe that Doubles Partner can upset him.
Here are my picks. . .
1 Doubles Partner
2 Paddy O'Prado
3 Workin for Hops
4 Two Notch Road
5 Dean's Kitten
6 Kindergarden Kid
7 Vamos a Ver
They're in the gate. . .
-Keelerman
BREEDERS' CUP COUNTDOWN ---- JUNE 18th, 2010
As I am writing this, I can't help but think about all the great racing action that has happened since I last posted. A certain mare breaks one of racing's oldest streaks, another mare continues to advance towards her third Breeders' Cup Mile, a four year old filly scores for the first time since September 2009, and the handicap male division found another serious Breeders' Cup contender when a brilliant four year old put in a tremendous late rally to score his first grade I.
On a sadder note, the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile winner, Kip Deville, was euthanized last Friday after a long battle with laminitis. You will be missed, Kip.
RACE RECAPS
VANITY HANDICAP --- ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
On June 13th, history was made.
Zenyatta went 17-for-17, and broke one of the most revered streaks in racing.
During the year 1948, the great Citation was at his peak. Along with winning the Triple Crown, as well as the Pimlico Special in a walkover, the amazing colt managed to put together a fifteen race win streak. It was only a matter of time before he would extend it, and become the first race horse to earn a million dollars.
Unfortunately, problems arose.
Forced to skip the 1949 racing season due to osselets, the colt was never quite the same again. But was he retired? No. Even a Citation who couldn't run quite as well as he used to could still win big races. And there was the status of becoming racing's first millionaire to consider.
Returned to racing in 1950, Citation won an allowance race to extend his streak to sixteen. Although he was unable to win his next race, he still raced very well and finally broke the one million dollars mark by winning the Hollywood Gold Cup over stablemate Bewitch. He was then retired and went on to sire Preakness Stakes winner Fabius and Hall of Fame member Silver Spoon.
In 1990, Mister Frisky, a runner from Puerto Rico, came to California and won a pair of stakes races, capped by the Santa Anita Derby. The colt went into the Kentucky Derby as an unbeaten favorite, 16-for-16. After helping set a fast pace, he finished eighth behind Unbridled, Summer Squall, and Pleasant Tap. He never won again, although he did finish. . . third, I believe, in the Preakness.
In 1996, the great Cigar, coming off of a spectacular 10-for-10 Horse of the Year campaign the year prior, had his sights set on the record. Having won two races at the end of 1994 as well, he was actually sitting on a twelve race win streak. Could he keep it going long enough to break the record?
He got off to a good beginning, with a nice win in the Donn Handicap under 128 pounds. Shipped to Dubai, he won the Dubai World Cup over fellow American horses Soul of the Matter and L'Carriere.
Brought back to the United States, Cigar won the Massachusetts Handicap under 130 pounds. He then shipped to Arlington and won the Arlington Citation Challenge Invitational Stakes, a race specially created for Cigar to equal the record.
Cigar won by three and a half lengths.
The stage was set. The Pacific Classic would provide Cigar with the opportunity for his seventeenth consecutive victory. Once again, the winner romped by three and a half lengths. This time, however, Dare and Go was the winner, with Cigar finishing second.
Cigar went on to win the Woodward Stakes, finish second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup to Skip Away, and finish third, beaten a nose and a head, in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a race he had won in 1995.
And now there is Zenyatta. Unlike Citation and Cigar, she is undefeated. Her story is long, with many twists and turns, but it looks as though she has yet to reach the climax.
Here is Zenyatta's career to this point:
2007
Won Maiden Special Weight
Won Allowance
2008
Won El Encino (gr. II)
Won Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I)
Won Milady Handicap (gr. II)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
Won Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I)
2009
Won Milady Handicap (gr. II)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
Won Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
2010
Won Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
Won Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
And now here's what will probably happen in the future. . .
Won Clement L Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
Can you imagine that? Ten consecutive grade I wins, twenty consecutive wins, two Breeders' Cup Classic wins, a Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic win, three consecutive wins in the Vanity, Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, and the Lady's Secret (which had been renamed the Zenyatta Stakes.) It would be the career of a champion and I personally feel it would make her as good as most colts. If she does this, I will say that she is better than Cigar. I would even put her over Affirmed, and maybe even Seattle Slew.
Now let's talk about exactly what happened in the Vanity Handicap. . .
Sent off at 1-2, Zenyatta was the favorite. But not the heavy favorite. St. Trinians, a fine mare who had won the Santa Marta Stakes and finished sixth as the favorite in the Santa Anita Handicap, was the 2-1 second choice. She would be carrying 120 pounds, nine less than Zenyatta, and had a huge chance at pulling the upset.
And then there was Zardana, the 7-1 third choice. Zenyatta's stablemate, she had already beaten Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies' and was now planning to upset the other great mare. She would be carrying only 118 pounds, eleven less than Zenyatta.
But none of it would matter.
Away they went, and as usual, Zenyatta broke slowly and quickly dropped back to last as longshots Miss Silver Brook and Cherryblossommiss raced away to set the pace. They were followed by Zardana, with Will O Way in fourth. St. Trinians was fifth, two lengths in front of Zenyatta, who trailed the leaders by eleven and a half lengths.
After fractions of :24 flat and :47 2/5, Zenyatta and St. Trinians were inching closer, with St. Trinians moving up to be only a half length away from fourth place. Miss Silver Brook and Cherryblossommiss were still right together on the lead, four lengths clear of an eager Zardana.
Passing the three eighths pole, the leader was still Miss Silver Brook, with Cherryblossommiss in second, but Zardana and St. Trinians were cutting into their lead. Will O Way had dropped back to fifth, and Zenyatta was still last, six lengths off the lead.
Into the homestretch they came and Zardana moved up to take the lead. St. Trinians was coming in the five path, and Zenyatta was rallying on the extreme outside. Zardana was beginning to tire, leaving the two favorites to dual it out.
At the eighth pole it did not look good for the champion. She was third, two and a half lengths off the lead. And St. Trinians wasn't stopping.
Mike Smith went to the whip, asking Zenyatta for more. Like a champion, she found something extra, and got to within three quarters of a length of St. Trinians.
But St. Trinians was game. For a brief moment, it looked as though Zenyatta would lose for the first time in her career.
However, Zenyatta wasn't done yet.
With one final bid, Zenyatta drove past her rival to win by a half length, getting the mile and an eighth in 1:49 flat. It was six lengths back to Zardana in third, and another six and a quarter to Will O Way, who passed Miss Silver Brook abd Cherryblossommiss to finish fourth.
The win put Zenyatta over the six million dollar mark, and it was her third consecutive win in the Vanity, more than any other filly in history. What a historic race. And to think that I saw it. . .
CALIFORNIAN STAKES --- RAIL TRIP RULES
Zenyatta wasn't the only big name horse running at Hollywood Park last weekend. The brilliant gelding Rail Trip was there too.
The Californian Stakes, a major prep for next month's Hollywood Gold Cup, drew a fascinating field of eight. But only one would matter.
Sent off at 1-5, Rail Trip was fully expected to win impressively. Did he deliver? Yes.
In the early going, it was One Track Mind who led the way. Rail Trip, who has very good tactical speed, was content to sit second early, about a length behind the leader. He was followed by Slew's Tiznow and Tres Borrachos, with Sangaree, Cigar Man, Aitcho, and Spurrier all within seven lengths of the lead.
So through fractions of :24 1/5 and :47 4/5, the positions remained pretty much unchanged. The field was beginning to bunch up a bit, with less than six lengths separating first from last, but Rail Trip continued to sit in a perfect position between horses.
Following three quarters of a mile in 1:11 1/5, Rail Trip made his move. He quickly passed One Track Mind, who was beginning to fade, and opened up a clear lead while getting a mile in 1:35 3/5. Sangaree was making a sharp move to grab second position, but he was no match for Rail Trip, who drew off to win by three quarters of a length while being hand ridden to the finish. Sangaree held second over Slew's Tiznow, with Spurrier rallying from last to finish fourth. They were followed by Cigar Man, On Track Mind, Tres Borrachos, and Aitcho.
It's worth mentioning as well that Sangaree, despite being the second choice, was sent off at 11-1. That's what a heavy favorite Rail Trip was.
The final time was 1:48 2/5.
Now, there are a lot of cool things about Rail Trip, but one thing that I love is that he is a gelding. He will be hanging around for a while I'm sure, and seeing that he is being aimed to win his second Hollywood Gold Cup, he could very well turn out to be Lava Man's successor. Wouldn't that be great?
And who knows? Perhaps he will win three Hollywood Gold Cups and equal Lava Man and Native Diver's record. It's something to think about.
So here is the complete order of finish. . .
1 Rail Trip
2 Sangaree
3 Slew's Tiznow
4 Spurrier
5 Cigar Man
6 One Track Mind
7 Tres Borrachos
8 Aitcho
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Rail Trip
2 Sangaree
3 Slew's Tiznow
4 Tres Borrachos
5 Spurrier
6 Aitcho
7 Cigar Man
8 One Track Mind
I had the top three right, which was fun, but Tres Borrachos did not run as well as I thought he would. But it was a great race and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
STEPHEN FOSTER HANDICAP --- BLAME'S GAME
It's a tough game to win. Eleven played, and most of them were very good at it. There are three basic rules: run as fast as you can, take two left turns, and try to stay near the rail.
Blame followed the first two rules to perfection. But due to his drawing gate eleven, he failed to stay near the rail. Fortunately, that rule is optional, and Blame proved that he didn't need to follow it by winning while four wide through out.
The $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, a grade I race at Churchill Downs over a mile and an eighth on the dirt, has been one by many good horses. But Blame does have the potential to become better than any of them. And that's saying a lot, because Curlin won the 2008 running.
The race set up as anticipated, with favored Battle Plan racing away to set the early pace, followed closely by General Quarters and Honest Man. Duke of Mischief, the 6-1 fourth choice, was racing well on the inside, with Arson Squad and Blame together in fifth. As expected, Blame was caught four wide on the first turn.
Through steady fractions of :24 2/5, :48 3/5, and 1:12 3/5, the positions remained pretty much unchanged. I looked as though Battle Plan was getting a perfect trip and would not be caught.
But Blame had other ideas.
Less then three lengths behind with three eighths of a mile to go, Blame continued his four wide run and quickly passed four rivals. But in the homestretch, Battle Plan had opened up a four length lead and looked to be home clear. That was when Blame found another gear, pouring it on late.
Battle Plan's lead shrunk rapidly. And then it was Blame's lead. At odds of 4-1, Blame coasted home three quarters of a length in front, while getting the mile and an eighth in 1:49 1/5.
Battle Plan ran a gallant race to finish second, an effort which became even better when it was discovered that he had torn a suspensory ligament and had to be retired. It is very sad, for he had a lot of good races left in him, but hopefully he will live a long happy life in retirement.
General Quarters hung on well for third, which is much better than I thought he would run, and Giant Oak rallied for fourth at odds of 23-1.
So here are the complete results. . .
1 Blame
2 Battle Plan
3 General Quarters
4 Giant Oak
5 Demarcation
6 Arson Squad
7 A. U. Miner
8 Duke of Mischief
9 Honest Man
10 Macho Again
11 No Advantage
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Blame
2 Battle Plan
3 Arson Squad
4 Duke of Mischief
5 No Advantage
6 General Quarters
7 Macho Again
8 Giant Oak
9 Honest Man
10 Demarcation
11 A. U. Miner
So I had the top two finishers. Not bad. J. R. picked No Advantage to win, so he wasn't too happy, but it's hard to be sad when watching such a great race unfold.
It was exciting. And now Blame is a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
FLEUR DE LIS --- RETURN OF A CHAMPION
By the time the Fleur de Lis came around, all Rachel Alexandra fans were starting to get worried. The 2009 Horse of the Year had already lost two races this year and many (including myself) were beginning to wonder if she would ever return to her former self.
On June 12th, she proved that she is on her way back.
The $200,000 Fleur de Lis only drew five horses, and Rachel Alexandra merely toyed with them at odds of 1-10 as she drew off to score by ten and a half lengths.
Distinctive Dixie, at 18-1, finished second after racing close through out, while Jessica is Back finished third after setting the pace. Multipass never threatened in fourth, and Made for Magic finished fifth.
The final time was 1:48 3/5, meaning that Rachel Alexandra did run a full half-second faster than Blame did in the Stephen Foster. It's hard to say if she could have beaten Blame if she had run in the Stephen Foster, but she certainly would have been in the mix.
It is unknown where Rachel will go from here, but with the big Saratoga meet coming up soon, it is possible that she will race there. Perhaps in the Whitney Handicap against Quality Road, Blame, and Mine That Bird? We will see.
OTHER RACE RESULTS
OGDEN PHIPPS HANDICAP (gr. I)
1 Life At Ten
2 Unrivaled Belle
3 Funny Moon
4 Manitoba
5 Pumpkin Shell
Final time: 1:40 3/5
MONMOUTH STAKES (gr. III)
1 Get Serious
2 Roman Tiger
3 Dynamoor
4 Al Khali
5 Forgotten Dynasty
6 Baletti
7 Presious Passion
8 Blues Street
9 Pleasant Strike
Final time: 1:47 flat
NORTHERN DANCER STAKES (gr. III)
1 Colizeo
2 Worldly
3 Vow to Wager
4 Max Silverhammer
5 Prince Will I Am
6 Crider
Final time: 1:43 3/5
LOST IN THE FOG STAKES
1 Road Ready
2 King Cola
3 River's Chapel
4 Minutesandtouches
5 Ammunition
6 The Great Caper
7 Gone Rebel
8 Gangster of Love
9 Over the Budget
UPCOMING RACES
I won't discuss any of Saturday's races in detail right now, but I will be updating live with my picks and results tomorrow. It's going to be great fun!
-Keelerman
On a sadder note, the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile winner, Kip Deville, was euthanized last Friday after a long battle with laminitis. You will be missed, Kip.
RACE RECAPS
VANITY HANDICAP --- ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
On June 13th, history was made.
Zenyatta went 17-for-17, and broke one of the most revered streaks in racing.
During the year 1948, the great Citation was at his peak. Along with winning the Triple Crown, as well as the Pimlico Special in a walkover, the amazing colt managed to put together a fifteen race win streak. It was only a matter of time before he would extend it, and become the first race horse to earn a million dollars.
Unfortunately, problems arose.
Forced to skip the 1949 racing season due to osselets, the colt was never quite the same again. But was he retired? No. Even a Citation who couldn't run quite as well as he used to could still win big races. And there was the status of becoming racing's first millionaire to consider.
Returned to racing in 1950, Citation won an allowance race to extend his streak to sixteen. Although he was unable to win his next race, he still raced very well and finally broke the one million dollars mark by winning the Hollywood Gold Cup over stablemate Bewitch. He was then retired and went on to sire Preakness Stakes winner Fabius and Hall of Fame member Silver Spoon.
In 1990, Mister Frisky, a runner from Puerto Rico, came to California and won a pair of stakes races, capped by the Santa Anita Derby. The colt went into the Kentucky Derby as an unbeaten favorite, 16-for-16. After helping set a fast pace, he finished eighth behind Unbridled, Summer Squall, and Pleasant Tap. He never won again, although he did finish. . . third, I believe, in the Preakness.
In 1996, the great Cigar, coming off of a spectacular 10-for-10 Horse of the Year campaign the year prior, had his sights set on the record. Having won two races at the end of 1994 as well, he was actually sitting on a twelve race win streak. Could he keep it going long enough to break the record?
He got off to a good beginning, with a nice win in the Donn Handicap under 128 pounds. Shipped to Dubai, he won the Dubai World Cup over fellow American horses Soul of the Matter and L'Carriere.
Brought back to the United States, Cigar won the Massachusetts Handicap under 130 pounds. He then shipped to Arlington and won the Arlington Citation Challenge Invitational Stakes, a race specially created for Cigar to equal the record.
Cigar won by three and a half lengths.
The stage was set. The Pacific Classic would provide Cigar with the opportunity for his seventeenth consecutive victory. Once again, the winner romped by three and a half lengths. This time, however, Dare and Go was the winner, with Cigar finishing second.
Cigar went on to win the Woodward Stakes, finish second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup to Skip Away, and finish third, beaten a nose and a head, in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a race he had won in 1995.
And now there is Zenyatta. Unlike Citation and Cigar, she is undefeated. Her story is long, with many twists and turns, but it looks as though she has yet to reach the climax.
Here is Zenyatta's career to this point:
2007
Won Maiden Special Weight
Won Allowance
2008
Won El Encino (gr. II)
Won Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I)
Won Milady Handicap (gr. II)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
Won Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I)
2009
Won Milady Handicap (gr. II)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
Won Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
2010
Won Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I)
Won Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I)
Won Vanity Handicap (gr. I)
And now here's what will probably happen in the future. . .
Won Clement L Hirsch Stakes (gr. I)
Won Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I)
Won Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)
Can you imagine that? Ten consecutive grade I wins, twenty consecutive wins, two Breeders' Cup Classic wins, a Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic win, three consecutive wins in the Vanity, Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, and the Lady's Secret (which had been renamed the Zenyatta Stakes.) It would be the career of a champion and I personally feel it would make her as good as most colts. If she does this, I will say that she is better than Cigar. I would even put her over Affirmed, and maybe even Seattle Slew.
Now let's talk about exactly what happened in the Vanity Handicap. . .
Sent off at 1-2, Zenyatta was the favorite. But not the heavy favorite. St. Trinians, a fine mare who had won the Santa Marta Stakes and finished sixth as the favorite in the Santa Anita Handicap, was the 2-1 second choice. She would be carrying 120 pounds, nine less than Zenyatta, and had a huge chance at pulling the upset.
And then there was Zardana, the 7-1 third choice. Zenyatta's stablemate, she had already beaten Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies' and was now planning to upset the other great mare. She would be carrying only 118 pounds, eleven less than Zenyatta.
But none of it would matter.
Away they went, and as usual, Zenyatta broke slowly and quickly dropped back to last as longshots Miss Silver Brook and Cherryblossommiss raced away to set the pace. They were followed by Zardana, with Will O Way in fourth. St. Trinians was fifth, two lengths in front of Zenyatta, who trailed the leaders by eleven and a half lengths.
After fractions of :24 flat and :47 2/5, Zenyatta and St. Trinians were inching closer, with St. Trinians moving up to be only a half length away from fourth place. Miss Silver Brook and Cherryblossommiss were still right together on the lead, four lengths clear of an eager Zardana.
Passing the three eighths pole, the leader was still Miss Silver Brook, with Cherryblossommiss in second, but Zardana and St. Trinians were cutting into their lead. Will O Way had dropped back to fifth, and Zenyatta was still last, six lengths off the lead.
Into the homestretch they came and Zardana moved up to take the lead. St. Trinians was coming in the five path, and Zenyatta was rallying on the extreme outside. Zardana was beginning to tire, leaving the two favorites to dual it out.
At the eighth pole it did not look good for the champion. She was third, two and a half lengths off the lead. And St. Trinians wasn't stopping.
Mike Smith went to the whip, asking Zenyatta for more. Like a champion, she found something extra, and got to within three quarters of a length of St. Trinians.
But St. Trinians was game. For a brief moment, it looked as though Zenyatta would lose for the first time in her career.
However, Zenyatta wasn't done yet.
With one final bid, Zenyatta drove past her rival to win by a half length, getting the mile and an eighth in 1:49 flat. It was six lengths back to Zardana in third, and another six and a quarter to Will O Way, who passed Miss Silver Brook abd Cherryblossommiss to finish fourth.
The win put Zenyatta over the six million dollar mark, and it was her third consecutive win in the Vanity, more than any other filly in history. What a historic race. And to think that I saw it. . .
CALIFORNIAN STAKES --- RAIL TRIP RULES
Zenyatta wasn't the only big name horse running at Hollywood Park last weekend. The brilliant gelding Rail Trip was there too.
The Californian Stakes, a major prep for next month's Hollywood Gold Cup, drew a fascinating field of eight. But only one would matter.
Sent off at 1-5, Rail Trip was fully expected to win impressively. Did he deliver? Yes.
In the early going, it was One Track Mind who led the way. Rail Trip, who has very good tactical speed, was content to sit second early, about a length behind the leader. He was followed by Slew's Tiznow and Tres Borrachos, with Sangaree, Cigar Man, Aitcho, and Spurrier all within seven lengths of the lead.
So through fractions of :24 1/5 and :47 4/5, the positions remained pretty much unchanged. The field was beginning to bunch up a bit, with less than six lengths separating first from last, but Rail Trip continued to sit in a perfect position between horses.
Following three quarters of a mile in 1:11 1/5, Rail Trip made his move. He quickly passed One Track Mind, who was beginning to fade, and opened up a clear lead while getting a mile in 1:35 3/5. Sangaree was making a sharp move to grab second position, but he was no match for Rail Trip, who drew off to win by three quarters of a length while being hand ridden to the finish. Sangaree held second over Slew's Tiznow, with Spurrier rallying from last to finish fourth. They were followed by Cigar Man, On Track Mind, Tres Borrachos, and Aitcho.
It's worth mentioning as well that Sangaree, despite being the second choice, was sent off at 11-1. That's what a heavy favorite Rail Trip was.
The final time was 1:48 2/5.
Now, there are a lot of cool things about Rail Trip, but one thing that I love is that he is a gelding. He will be hanging around for a while I'm sure, and seeing that he is being aimed to win his second Hollywood Gold Cup, he could very well turn out to be Lava Man's successor. Wouldn't that be great?
And who knows? Perhaps he will win three Hollywood Gold Cups and equal Lava Man and Native Diver's record. It's something to think about.
So here is the complete order of finish. . .
1 Rail Trip
2 Sangaree
3 Slew's Tiznow
4 Spurrier
5 Cigar Man
6 One Track Mind
7 Tres Borrachos
8 Aitcho
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Rail Trip
2 Sangaree
3 Slew's Tiznow
4 Tres Borrachos
5 Spurrier
6 Aitcho
7 Cigar Man
8 One Track Mind
I had the top three right, which was fun, but Tres Borrachos did not run as well as I thought he would. But it was a great race and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
STEPHEN FOSTER HANDICAP --- BLAME'S GAME
It's a tough game to win. Eleven played, and most of them were very good at it. There are three basic rules: run as fast as you can, take two left turns, and try to stay near the rail.
Blame followed the first two rules to perfection. But due to his drawing gate eleven, he failed to stay near the rail. Fortunately, that rule is optional, and Blame proved that he didn't need to follow it by winning while four wide through out.
The $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, a grade I race at Churchill Downs over a mile and an eighth on the dirt, has been one by many good horses. But Blame does have the potential to become better than any of them. And that's saying a lot, because Curlin won the 2008 running.
The race set up as anticipated, with favored Battle Plan racing away to set the early pace, followed closely by General Quarters and Honest Man. Duke of Mischief, the 6-1 fourth choice, was racing well on the inside, with Arson Squad and Blame together in fifth. As expected, Blame was caught four wide on the first turn.
Through steady fractions of :24 2/5, :48 3/5, and 1:12 3/5, the positions remained pretty much unchanged. I looked as though Battle Plan was getting a perfect trip and would not be caught.
But Blame had other ideas.
Less then three lengths behind with three eighths of a mile to go, Blame continued his four wide run and quickly passed four rivals. But in the homestretch, Battle Plan had opened up a four length lead and looked to be home clear. That was when Blame found another gear, pouring it on late.
Battle Plan's lead shrunk rapidly. And then it was Blame's lead. At odds of 4-1, Blame coasted home three quarters of a length in front, while getting the mile and an eighth in 1:49 1/5.
Battle Plan ran a gallant race to finish second, an effort which became even better when it was discovered that he had torn a suspensory ligament and had to be retired. It is very sad, for he had a lot of good races left in him, but hopefully he will live a long happy life in retirement.
General Quarters hung on well for third, which is much better than I thought he would run, and Giant Oak rallied for fourth at odds of 23-1.
So here are the complete results. . .
1 Blame
2 Battle Plan
3 General Quarters
4 Giant Oak
5 Demarcation
6 Arson Squad
7 A. U. Miner
8 Duke of Mischief
9 Honest Man
10 Macho Again
11 No Advantage
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Blame
2 Battle Plan
3 Arson Squad
4 Duke of Mischief
5 No Advantage
6 General Quarters
7 Macho Again
8 Giant Oak
9 Honest Man
10 Demarcation
11 A. U. Miner
So I had the top two finishers. Not bad. J. R. picked No Advantage to win, so he wasn't too happy, but it's hard to be sad when watching such a great race unfold.
It was exciting. And now Blame is a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
FLEUR DE LIS --- RETURN OF A CHAMPION
By the time the Fleur de Lis came around, all Rachel Alexandra fans were starting to get worried. The 2009 Horse of the Year had already lost two races this year and many (including myself) were beginning to wonder if she would ever return to her former self.
On June 12th, she proved that she is on her way back.
The $200,000 Fleur de Lis only drew five horses, and Rachel Alexandra merely toyed with them at odds of 1-10 as she drew off to score by ten and a half lengths.
Distinctive Dixie, at 18-1, finished second after racing close through out, while Jessica is Back finished third after setting the pace. Multipass never threatened in fourth, and Made for Magic finished fifth.
The final time was 1:48 3/5, meaning that Rachel Alexandra did run a full half-second faster than Blame did in the Stephen Foster. It's hard to say if she could have beaten Blame if she had run in the Stephen Foster, but she certainly would have been in the mix.
It is unknown where Rachel will go from here, but with the big Saratoga meet coming up soon, it is possible that she will race there. Perhaps in the Whitney Handicap against Quality Road, Blame, and Mine That Bird? We will see.
OTHER RACE RESULTS
OGDEN PHIPPS HANDICAP (gr. I)
1 Life At Ten
2 Unrivaled Belle
3 Funny Moon
4 Manitoba
5 Pumpkin Shell
Final time: 1:40 3/5
MONMOUTH STAKES (gr. III)
1 Get Serious
2 Roman Tiger
3 Dynamoor
4 Al Khali
5 Forgotten Dynasty
6 Baletti
7 Presious Passion
8 Blues Street
9 Pleasant Strike
Final time: 1:47 flat
NORTHERN DANCER STAKES (gr. III)
1 Colizeo
2 Worldly
3 Vow to Wager
4 Max Silverhammer
5 Prince Will I Am
6 Crider
Final time: 1:43 3/5
LOST IN THE FOG STAKES
1 Road Ready
2 King Cola
3 River's Chapel
4 Minutesandtouches
5 Ammunition
6 The Great Caper
7 Gone Rebel
8 Gangster of Love
9 Over the Budget
UPCOMING RACES
I won't discuss any of Saturday's races in detail right now, but I will be updating live with my picks and results tomorrow. It's going to be great fun!
-Keelerman
Saturday, June 12, 2010
BLAME WON!!!!
With a thrilling late run, Blame picked up his first grade I win by catching favored Battle Plan late to win the Stephen Foster Handicap.
He has now officially marked himself as a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic later this year.
General Quarters ran well to finish third, followed by Giant Oak.
What a race!
-Keelerman
He has now officially marked himself as a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic later this year.
General Quarters ran well to finish third, followed by Giant Oak.
What a race!
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 5
It is just eleven minutes to post for the big race of the day, the Stephen Foster Handicap. I discussed it to some extent earlier today, but I'm back with more thoughts and updates.
First, here are the current odds. . .
1 A. U Miner 74-1
2 Battle Plan 9-5
3 Giant Oak 20-1
4 Duke of Mischief 9-1
5 Arson Squad 6-1
6 General Quarters 7-1
7 Honest Man 19-1
8 No Advantage 19-1
9 Macho Again 8-1
10 Demarcation 85-1
11 Blame 7-2
Now it is only eight minutes to post. The jockeys are on their horses and the horses are being led to the track. I would not be surprised at all if a major Breeders' Cup Classic contender comes from this race.
The horses are on the track now. Honest Man looks great, as does No Advantage. Macho Again is a very pretty horse.
Five minutes to post now. This is so exciting! In less than ten minutes, one name will be added to the list of Stephen Foster Handicap winners. Is the track record in danger? I doubt it, but this is such a good field. . .
Four minutes to post now. The odds have changed a bit. Battle Plan is still the favorite, but he has risen to 2-1. Blame has dropped to 3-1. No matter who wins, it's going to be a great race. Will a longshot win? Or will Battle Plan get the job done again? What about Macho Again? Can he win for the first time since last year's Stephen Foster? Or will his losing streak continue past one year?
It's post time now! The horses are approaching the starting gate! J. R. has picked No Advantage to win.
Who will win the 29th runner of the Stephen Foster Handicap. . .?
-Keelerman
First, here are the current odds. . .
1 A. U Miner 74-1
2 Battle Plan 9-5
3 Giant Oak 20-1
4 Duke of Mischief 9-1
5 Arson Squad 6-1
6 General Quarters 7-1
7 Honest Man 19-1
8 No Advantage 19-1
9 Macho Again 8-1
10 Demarcation 85-1
11 Blame 7-2
Now it is only eight minutes to post. The jockeys are on their horses and the horses are being led to the track. I would not be surprised at all if a major Breeders' Cup Classic contender comes from this race.
The horses are on the track now. Honest Man looks great, as does No Advantage. Macho Again is a very pretty horse.
Five minutes to post now. This is so exciting! In less than ten minutes, one name will be added to the list of Stephen Foster Handicap winners. Is the track record in danger? I doubt it, but this is such a good field. . .
Four minutes to post now. The odds have changed a bit. Battle Plan is still the favorite, but he has risen to 2-1. Blame has dropped to 3-1. No matter who wins, it's going to be a great race. Will a longshot win? Or will Battle Plan get the job done again? What about Macho Again? Can he win for the first time since last year's Stephen Foster? Or will his losing streak continue past one year?
It's post time now! The horses are approaching the starting gate! J. R. has picked No Advantage to win.
Who will win the 29th runner of the Stephen Foster Handicap. . .?
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 5
I can't believe this! How did J. R. pick the winner? And if that wasn't enough, he considered the second and third place finishers as well!
J. R., how did you do this?
"Well, when I was looking over the entries, I decided that this race looked so evenly matched that an upset was in the making. So I picked some longshots, based on their past performances, post positions, and jockeys."
I'm amazed.
By the way, It's Tea Time finished fourth.
-Keelerman
J. R., how did you do this?
"Well, when I was looking over the entries, I decided that this race looked so evenly matched that an upset was in the making. So I picked some longshots, based on their past performances, post positions, and jockeys."
I'm amazed.
By the way, It's Tea Time finished fourth.
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 4
We are now just seven minutes away from the ninth race at Churchill Downs, the Regret Stakes. A nine furlong turf race for three year old fillies, twelve will run. As of right now, the favorite is It's Tea Time at 5-2. The quality of this field is amazing.
They are loading into the gate now. It's going to be exciting. . .
I like Dynazaper. J. R. has announced that he likes Caminadora, Snow Top Mountain, Queen Hazel, and Dynazaper.
They're ready for the start. . . !
-Keelerman
They are loading into the gate now. It's going to be exciting. . .
I like Dynazaper. J. R. has announced that he likes Caminadora, Snow Top Mountain, Queen Hazel, and Dynazaper.
They're ready for the start. . . !
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 4
Colizeo hung on to win the Northern Dancer in a thrilling photo finish with Worldly! Vow to Wager finished third, with Max Silverhammer fourth. Prince Will I Am finished fifth, and Crider was last.
But there is an objection. Did Colizeo drift in front of Worldly?
Now the race is official. Colizeo is the winner.
And now it is just 22 minutes to the ninth race. I'll be back in about fifteen minutes!
-Keelerman
But there is an objection. Did Colizeo drift in front of Worldly?
Now the race is official. Colizeo is the winner.
And now it is just 22 minutes to the ninth race. I'll be back in about fifteen minutes!
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 3
It is now just one minute to post for the Northern Dancer. Here is an update on the odds. . .
Worldly 5-1
Crider 3-1
Colizeo 9-5
Vow to Wager 8-1
Prince Will I Am 5-2
Max Silverhammer 10-1
Calvin Borel is on Prince Will I Am.
I like Colizeo and Max Silverhammer.
They are loading into the gate. . .
-Keelerman
Worldly 5-1
Crider 3-1
Colizeo 9-5
Vow to Wager 8-1
Prince Will I Am 5-2
Max Silverhammer 10-1
Calvin Borel is on Prince Will I Am.
I like Colizeo and Max Silverhammer.
They are loading into the gate. . .
-Keelerman
CHURCHILL DOWNS UPDATE 2
Gleam of Hope is the official winner! With a desperate late run, he closed off of slow fractions to defeat Physic Income by a half length. Asphalt finished third, followed by Our Douglas.
Guys Reward made a strong move to reach contention at the top of the stretch, but I don't think he had any running room. I believe he finished sixth.
What an exciting race! It was also the first Churchill Downs Stakes win for jockey E. T. Baird.
In the meantime, we are now only twelve minutes away from the eighth race, the Northern Dancer Stakes. Right this second, Prince Will I Am is the favorite at 8-5. Colizeo is the second choice at 2-1, and Worldy is 4-1. Crider is 9-2, Vow to Wager 11-1, and Max Silverhammer is 12-1.
It should be a good race. I would not be surprised at all if a grade I winner comes from this race. It's that solid.
I'll be back in a minute with my picks. . .
-Keelerman
Guys Reward made a strong move to reach contention at the top of the stretch, but I don't think he had any running room. I believe he finished sixth.
What an exciting race! It was also the first Churchill Downs Stakes win for jockey E. T. Baird.
In the meantime, we are now only twelve minutes away from the eighth race, the Northern Dancer Stakes. Right this second, Prince Will I Am is the favorite at 8-5. Colizeo is the second choice at 2-1, and Worldy is 4-1. Crider is 9-2, Vow to Wager 11-1, and Max Silverhammer is 12-1.
It should be a good race. I would not be surprised at all if a grade I winner comes from this race. It's that solid.
I'll be back in a minute with my picks. . .
-Keelerman
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