Rags To Riches to enter Belmont

[Justpat]

Todd Pletcher has decided to enter the filly, Rags to Riches in the Belmont.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39233


The half sister to Jazil, last years winner, will make a good account of herself.

[aaronbees]

1. She's my pick!

I like her to win. From what I hear, she's tough and she bested CQ in their workouts together ... and she seems to be in great form; only drawback is that I wish Prado or GoGo was on her, not JV.

My superfecta in order:
Rags to Riches
Curlin
Tiago
Hard Spun


Her entrance kinda heals the hurt somewhat from Street Sense not running. Although I must say, I've been pretty well disgusted at the misguided backlash Nafzger and Tafel have received at holding SS out of the Belmont - lots of armchair owners and trainers out there.

Gonna be a great card at Belmont on Saturday - OB, do you have anyone running that day?

[Justpat]

2. We might be running in one of the fillers on card if it goes.

We have a NY bred filly that sprints on the grass that will go in an allowance race if it goes.

I like Rags to Riches too. She'll get the distance.

[two gun sid]

18. Nice job!

[aaronbees]

19. She was tough, eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

TY, man. :) I'm stunned.

:7

[two gun sid]

21. Very tough....

I'm thinkin' BC Classic, forget the Distaff.

Did you make enough money to go to the Saratoga sale with Old Broad?

[aaronbees]

25. Didn't bet it!

I don't bet unless I go to the track. ;) Oh well. I'm curious what the payout is, though. :crazy:

[two gun sid]

26. $242.50

[aaronbees]

30. Damn

LOL!

I agree on pointing her to the BC Classic, Sid. I think the owner mentioned the Alabama in the winner's circle interview.

[two gun sid]

3. I'm not sure I would run her...

she's a nice horse and I'm not sure I would send her against the boys as a 3YO.

[aaronbees]

4. Remember, though ....

she's a half-sister to Jazil, that 3-year-old you picked right at the top of your perfect trifecta in last year's Belmont. ;) We'll see ... I'm at least feeling excited about this race! How've you been?

[two gun sid]

6. She can win this race...

and she will make it exciting. I'm just not sure I'd send a 3YO filly in against the boys. Plenty of other races with good purses she can go in this year leading up to the BC F&M.

Next year, well, after she's a tough old racemare I'd kick the boy's asses and aim for the BC Classic if I felt she had that kind of ability.

I've been well, just busy. Our filly keeps racing and getting checks. Next week we will qualify our 2YO colt pacer. I'm psyched! Colt Stakes start in a couple of weeks.

[Justpat]

5. I saw her coming off the track today

and for what its worth - she looks strong and happy.

She was full of herself and loving all the attention.

She is such a class act.

[jakefrep]

7. I'm with you on this....

...I've seen some talented fillies take on the boys that weren't quite the same racehorses afterward. I'd be more inclined to take on the males with an older mare.

Did you see that Stormello will be racing at 7f on the Belmont undercard?

[two gun sid]

8. Stormello back at 7f?...

now I am psyched. Thanks for the heads up. He needs to win this race or be close.

[aaronbees]

9. Teuflesberg is in that race too

I'm confused ... who do I root for? Dead heat, bring it on!

[aaronbees]

13. Yes, Teuflesberg!

Stormello a good third. Love both these guys!

[two gun sid]

14. Good win by Teuflesberg...

He ran a heck of a race. Stormello ran outta gas.

[Justpat]

15. That is one tough son of a gun.

He hasn't missed a dance since last year.

And he won in great time.

One of the best $8,000 buys ever.

[two gun sid]

16. Ain't that the truth...

I've spent 8k on horses that couldn't out run me.

How's everything in NY, OB?

[Justpat]

27. Pretty good.

We have a few really nice two year olds this year.

And Bagavond won the other day.

[two gun sid]

29. I got a horse watch about Bagavond....

good job!

You know what? Nothing feels better than having a couple of nice 2YO's. Enjoy them!

[aaronbees]

37. Sanders may mis-spot him sometimes

but you know, she has him ready to run for every race and he always gives his all. And he always looks magnificent to me. Smart buy, indeed.

[two gun sid]

23. I was wrong. Thank God I don't train horses....

and congratulations to that son of a bitch Pletcher

[aaronbees]

35. First time I've ever rooted for Pletcher

Did you see the replay shot of him watching the stretch run? Priceless.

[Awsi Dooger]

10. I thought Curlin would be 3/5

This looks like another value favorite to me. I've gotta believe Curlin has better than a 50% chance to beat this field on sheer ability, but he's significantly above even money.

Mostly, I can't get over what a difference half a head makes. The build up and anticipation would be incredible if Street Sense had kept his nose in front of Curlin in the Preakness. Instead, I've barely heard a peep about this race.

[Awsi Dooger]

24. Well, I wish he had been 3/5

I wouldn't have made the bet. He went off at just above even money, due to late cash. When I made the bet he was listed at 9/5.

I never win the head bobs but this didn't feel too bad, considering the significance of the winner.

[two gun sid]

11. My Belmont Tri....

C P West
Hard Spun
Imawildandcrazyguy

That ought to be a big payout.

[two gun sid]

12. Call for entries - Racing Under Saddle at Gladwin

From www.ustrotting.com :

Entries are now open for the first Standardbred Racing Under Saddle exhibition races, which will offer separate trot and pace races.

Date: Tuesday, June 19
Location: Gladwin Fairgrounds, Gladwin, Mich.
Post time: 12:00 Noon
Purse value: $750 pace; $750 trot

The races are sponsored by the Gladwin County Record and Beaverton Clarion. Entry fee: $10 per horse. Box closes: 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 17. To enter: call Ann Sigsby at [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]. For more information: www.undersaddle.us .

Maybe I'll get a chance to live out my dream of being a jockey yet!

[RL3AO]

17. The Philly won!

[two gun sid]

20. On the 30th anniversary of Seattle Slew's Triple Crown...

his granddaughter wins the Belmont. Hurray! Grrrl Power!

[Justpat]

28. She doesn't have Slew's color, but she really has his guts.

That was a great horse race.

[two gun sid]

31. Seattle Slew's genes just keep producing great horses....

he is as important to racing today as he was 30 years ago. What a legacy.

[Awsi Dooger]

22. Another great race

Well, great last half of the race. First 6 furlongs in 1:15+ was a bit ridiculous.

I love that a filly with A.P. Indy/Seattle Slew bloodlines was able to pull off the Belmont. Plus, Pletcher gets the monkey off his back. His reaction was awesome.

No excuse for Curlin. And that time wasn't sensational on a fast track. You've got to wonder what the Street Sense connections are thinking. If I were them I'd be sick, fairly sure that Street Sense could have bettered 2:28.74.

[Justpat]

32. Story up already on Blood Horse site

Girl Beats Boy is the headline.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39308

She won by a nose.

[Awsi Dooger]

33. Lava Man runs second in California

Ends his streak of 9 straight wins in that state.

I saw the race, the Charles Whittingham Memorial at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Two horses engaged in a speed duel and Lava Man was content to stay about 10 lengths back. He made a huge move just before the final turn and took the lead, but was run down late in the stretch by second choice After Market.

[aaronbees]

36. Pretty good for a post-Dubai effort

I imagine the Hollywood Gold Cup is next. After Market had a lot more in the tank once they rolled round the turn.

[two gun sid]

49. Just watched a replay of the race...

Lava Man seemed a little flat. I've never seen him give up a lead in the stretch like that.

[jakefrep]

34. Why I missed the Belmont....

I had winners' circle photo duties at the Henry County Harness Horsemens' matinee at the Napoleon fairgrounds this afternoon.
Our two fillies raced today:


Sister Kathy, our Pegasus Spur 2yof


Discover Gold, our Chip Chip Hooray 2yof

[two gun sid]

38. They are some nice lookin' girls....

Good Luck this summer.

[Justpat]

40. Great pics

thanks for putting them up.

[smtpgirl]

46. I miss the trotters at Rosecroft in Bowie, MD

used to go all of the time

[two gun sid]

39. My thoughts on the Ruffian movie....

I was not impressed.

How did Bill Nack get to be so important to the story?

I love the sport of Horse Racing and I wish they would get the story right. I would like to see a real documentary of Ruffian. While Mr. Whitely, Jacinto, LeRoy, Mike Bell and other people that were central to the story, are still alive to tell it. No good guys vs. bad guys. Just people under the pressure of trying to win a horse race and save a sport. The truth is way more interesting than a movie based on the event.

The Match hurt horse racing for decades and that needs to be told too. It's taken over thirty years for us to get really serious about breakdowns. Why is that? How many fans did we lose and will never get back because we have been so resistant to change?

Shit, I'm just rambling. I do want to tell you all that I was rooting for Foolish Pleasure that day. I wanted him to win but, not the way he did.

What did you all think?

[Justpat]

41. The match race was a media creation.

They were the ones who came up with the idea, pushed it to the tracks and then
started with the hype before hand.

Whitely never wanted to run the filly. He was completely against it.
The owners felt they owed it to the public to run her, then the
public tore everyone to shreds after she broke down.

You cannot take even the great ones to the well too many times.
She had already won the Filly Triple Crown and was in need of
a rest. But the media had other ideas.

I hope no one gets any ideas about how and where Rags to Riches
should run in the future. The Ruffian case was a painful example
of why a trainer should be allowed to train his horses with no
interference from anyone, especially the media.

I didhn't watch the movie. Some other trainers I know watched it
and were furious that the end suggested that Whitely had gone
along with the play. He never did. That is why Whitely, Bell
and Vasques brought a suit against Disney trying to get the movie
stalled before it aired to correct some the bullshit in it.

[aaronbees]

43. Didn't watch it....

By that time of the day I'd already commandeered the TV from my mom and sister up at the farm for seven straight hours and they were understandably horse raced out (and also didn't want to see a "sad story," as they put it) so we settled on watching the Cubs get spanked instead.

I'll probably watch it someday but I'm not too keen on made-for-TV flicks, even if Sam Shepherd is in it. I liked some of the old footage ESPN doled out on its Website of the real-deal Ruffian, but I thought it strange too that Bill Nack (a writer whom I greatly admire) was so central to the story.

[Awsi Dooger]

44. It was a simplistic, disappointing movie

Nack's role was severely overstated. Also, the actor who portrayed Nack was a terrible choice. He was incredibly shallow in his performance. That's the word Nack used and it fits. It made Nack look like a pure simpleton instead of an excellent sportswriter. Whatever you think of the guy, he was a terrific writer in his heyday, both horse racing and boxing.

Other impressions:

* The actor who played Whitely was a good fit. My impression was he came across as more likeable and less gruff than Whitely actually was during that period, but that's simply based on other accounts I've read

* They made Leroy Jolley more arrogant that I remember him. He was a colorful trainer. But the scene where he's standing near the rail immediately after Foolish Pleasure wins the Champagne, and then turns to fans with a cocky grin and tone, asking what more does the horse needs to prove, that seemed far overboard to me.

* They hyped the filly vs. colt aspect much earlier than my memory. The movie had that as a central theme during fall '74 and into '75. I was young at the time but I don't remember it that way.

Seabiscuit featured character development and reasons to root for the horse and the people involved. This was admittedly a TV movie and not as expensive or prioritized, and without the awesome book to base it on. But overall I thought it failed. I can't think of a memorable line or scene.

Actually, one scene that struck me was the very beginning. Nack was sitting at a bar and asking people to quiz him on the Kentucky Derby winners, beginning in 1875. I can do that. I memorized them in high school and still know every one. So when they asked 1876 and 1955 I immediately came up with Vagrant and Swaps. I had high hopes for the movie at that point but it collapsed.

BTW, I rooted for Foolish Pleasure also. I didn't know much about Ruffian. Those were the days when lesser stakes weren't exactly shown on network TV, and obviously there were no resources like cable TV or the internet. I pulled for Foolish Pleasure in the classic races and felt lousy when he was barely beaten in the Preakness and Belmont, so I wanted him to get back on the right track against the filly.

[bread_and_roses]

42. Congratulations to the winners Upthread

Exciting finish to the Belmont indeed. And however slow the first fractions, No one was close to Curlin and RTR at the end. Was sorry not to see Hard Spun get up to place. The Ruffian movie sucked, to be brief.

[smtpgirl]

45. Just goes to show that a female of any species

is able to beat a male. Females are not the "weaker" sex. We just aren't given the credit.

Andrew Beyer's Op-Ed in WaPo Sports section.

The Belmont Stakes didn't generate much pre-race excitement, but when Rags to Riches won a thrilling stretch duel, she stirred the emotions of everyone who watched -- and she made history, too. Rags to Riches was the first filly in 102 years to capture the final leg of the Triple Crown series. To many casual viewers of ABC's Belmont telecast, it may have seemed extraordinary that a filly could defeat colts and overcome such historic odds. In the world of human athletics, the top female in a sport would have no chance against her male counterpart.

In fact, Rags to Riches's performance wasn't all that unusual. Female thoroughbreds can and do compete successfully against males, but in U.S. racing they rarely get the chance. Only 11 other fillies since 1900 had attempted to win the Belmont Stakes. Various factors -- many of them economic -- deter owners and trainers from pursuing a venturesome course with fillies.

more at link...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061102112.html

[smtpgirl]

47. Harness racing......why so dirty??

http://www.rosecroft.com/rulings.htm


Maryland Racing Commission
Judges Rulings at Rosecroft
2007

Brewer Adame - $50.00 fine for excessive use of the whip after the finish of a qualifying race (race 5.) 5/16/2007
Donnie E. Russell - $100.00 fine for failing to keep his foot in or on the stirru while driving in race 4. 5/7/2007
Donnie E. Russell - $50.00 fine for failing to drive when programmed in race1.. 5/5/2007
Linda J. Schadel - $500.00 fine. Rosecroft Raceway urine sample #R09320, dated April 23, 2007, contained the drug Pyrimethamine and/or metabolites thereof. 4/23/2007
Jonathan W. Roberts - $400.00 fine for kicking his horse, before the three quarter pole, while driving #5 Rewound in race 14. 4/23/2007
Franklin D. Milby - $100.00 fine for letting a horse pass on the inside, while in the lead, before the three quarter pole in race 3. 4/23/2007
Steven B. Thomas - thirty day full suspension from April 12 to and including May 12, 2007 - for using abusive force towards the horse By A Hare, by hitting the horse in the head, first with his fist and then with his helmet several times. 4/9/2007
Matthew R. Stelick - 3 days suspension from driving (March 26 to March 28, 2007.) While driving #3 Vip Vacation, in race 3, Mr. Stelick stepped on a wheel causing his horse to break stride. 3/24/2007
Joseph M. Offutt - $100.00 fine for kicking his horse after the three quarter pole in race 6. 3/19/2007
Michel W. Plouffe - $500.00 fine for being trainer of record on the horse Thisoldartofmine's blood sample #R09092 from race date March 17, 2007 which exceeded the permissable level of the drug Phenylbutazpne at 2.0 micrograms per milliliter of blood plasma. 3/17/2007
Raymond T. Norton - Ten day suspension from March 12, 2007 to and including March 22, 2007. After failing the Breath Analyzer Test while in the paddock at Rosecroft Raceway, Mr. Norton is ordered to serve a ten day full suspension. All horses owned by Mr. Norton will not be allowed to race during the suspension. 3-10-2007
Jason C. Green - $100.00 fine for abusive use of the whip in race 11. 3-10-2007
Joseph DeStasio Jr. - $100.00 fine for striking a wheel after the half mile in race 13. 3-3-2007
William P. Mann - $100.00 fine for kicking his horse after the three quarter pole in race 8. 2-24-2007
James F. Russell - 90 day suspension from 2-6-2007 to and including 5-6-2007 and fined $2500.00. Ruling #RCR03-124 has been updated to read: It is ordered that Mr Noble Friend be disqualified from the 1st. race at Rosecroft on August 7, 2003. It is further ordered that the trainer's license of James F. Russell is suspended for 90 days and fined $2500.00. My Noble Friend had an excessive level of TCO2 in his body and James F. Russell, as the trainer of the horse, is the absolute insurer regardless of the acts of third parties. Infraction date 8-7-2003. Action date 2-8-2007
Brian D. Roland - Ruling #RCR06-067 has been updated to a $300.00 fine. Infraction date 8-1-2006. Action Date 2-8-2007
Jonathan W. Roberts - $200.00 fine for kicking his horse after the half mile pole in race 10. 2-5-2007
Quentin E. McKenney - thirty day suspension of his Maryland State Racing Commission trainers license from February 7th.., 2007 to and including March 8th., 2007. After a random search of his barn area at Rosecroft Raceway, hypodermic needles and syringes were found. 2-5-2007
Wayne L. Long - $100.00 fine for failing to keep his foot in or on the stirrup in race 1. 2-5-2007
Donnie E. Russell - $100.00 fine for kicking his horse in the stretch in race 4. 2-5-2007
Kenneth Schlotehauer - thirty day suspension of his Maryland State Racing Commission trainers license from February 3rd., 2007 to and including March 4th., 2007. After a random search of his truck while on the grounds at Rosecroft Raceway, a hypodermic needle and syringe were found. 2-3-2007
Anthony E. Sapienza - result of an appeal - infraction date 7-13-2002 - action date 1-31-2007
As a result of an appeal, the commission hereby modifies ruling #02122 and 02136 as follows: Trainer Anthony Sapienza is hereby suspended ninety (90) days from 2-1-2007 to 5-1-2007 and ordered to pay a $2,500.00 fine. The fine shall be paid to the Maryland Racing Commission forthwith.
Persuant to a "Memorandum and Order" dated 12-7-2006, the horse "Admiral's Scooter" is hereby disqualified from all purse monies earned in the first race on 7-13-2002, and the horse "Dreamfair Jiffy" is hereby disqualified from all purse monies earned in the ninth race on 8-31-2002. Mr. Anthony Sapienza violated COMAR 09.10.02.04 (C) , (F) . as absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of each horse he enters in a race, regardless of the acts of third parties. He also had possession of injectables, needles and syringes.

Wayne L. Witson Jr. - $500.00 fine. Mr. Wayne Whitson Jr., being trainer of record on the horse Grin And Share It, is hereby fined the sum of $500.00. Rosecroft Raceway urine sample #R08863 dated January 29, 2007 contained the drug Pyrimethamine and or derivatives thereof.
John W. Wagner - $100.00 fine for failing to keep his foot on or in the stirrup after the three quarter pole in the ninth race. 1-29-2007
Matthew R Stelick - $100.00 fine for failing to keep his foot on or in the stirrup after the three quarter pole in the ninth race. 1-27-2007
Jonathan W. Roberts - $100.00 fine for kicking after the three quarter pole while driving #3 Jesse Outlaw in the third race. 1-22-2007
William P. Mann - $500.00 fine for having injectables in his vehicle while in the barn area at Rosecroft Raceway.1-17-2007

[two gun sid]

48. Good card at Churchill this weekend....

Stephen Foster Handicap
1 Diamond Stripes (Edgar Prado, 116)
2 Master Command (John Velazquez, 123)
3 Magna Graduate (Garrett Gomez, 118)
4 Mr. Umphrey (Phil Teator, 112)
5 Wiggins (Rafael Bejarano, 114)
6 Wanderin Boy (Corey Nakatani, 120)
7 Flashy Bull (Robby Albarado, 115)
8 Jonesboro (Calvin Borel, 114)

Regret Stakes
1 Dreaming of Anna 118 E.T. Baird
2 Swingit 122 Brian Hernandez Jr.
3 Luna Dorada 116 Rafael Bejarano
4 High Heels 116 Joe Johnson
5 Perfectforthepart 116 Mark Guidry
6 Good Mood 116 Edgar Prado
7 Dashes N Dots 116 Garrett Gomez
8 Communique 116 Coret Nakatani
9 Sans Reward 116 Calvin Borel
10 Dawn After Dawn 116 Robby Albarado
11 You Go West Girl 116 Jamie Theriot

Fleur de Lis
1 Rolling Sea, 118, Bridgmohan
2 Leah's Secret, 116, Guidry
3 Kettleoneup, 117, Borel
4 Asi Siempre, 122, Gomez
5 Baghdaria, 116, Bejarano
6 Indian Vale, 119, Velazquez
7 Fiery Pursuit, 117, Prado
8 Ermine, 119, Albarado

I'll get to watch all the races this weekend. The NASCAR folks are in town this week so I won't be working at the trainer's barn. Too much traffic for the roads here between Hooterville and Pixley.

[aaronbees]

50. Good for you...

You deserve a break, man. :) I like Flashy Bull, Dreaming of Anna and Ermine.

[two gun sid]

51. I have decided to go to the barn in the morning....

the world keeps turnin' and we have horses to take care of. We've got a 2YO pacing colt getting ready for his first qualifier on Wednesday.

I'll be home to catch some of the races. See you all then.

[two gun sid]

52. Flashy Bull wins the Foster...

Indian Vale beats Asi Siempre in the Fleur de Lis and Good Mood wins the Regret and pays $11.00.

Out east Take D'Tour wins the GI Ogden Phipps at Belmont. Second year in a row for that girl.

[aaronbees]

54. Flashy Bull just held on for the win

He's improved nicely this year and Iope he makes some more noise later on in the handicap division - would be nice to see someone step up and give Invasor at least a bit of a challenge. ;) I think Street Sense and Curlin, if they improve, have a shot at it.

Here's the Stephen Foster for those who didn't see it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huH1wGEOnQc.

Cobalt Blue raced today in the Affirmed at Hollywood Park finishing 3rd - missed the race though. Anyone see it?

[two gun sid]

56. Yes. I saw it....

Cobalt Blue made a bid at the 1/4 pole but couldn't make up any ground on the leader. He barely held on for show.

He looked like he wasn't comfortable. He looked pretty lathered up.

[two gun sid]

53. I heard The Green Monkey worked today at Belmont...

3/8ths in :38 and change. Anybody know why Pletcher is still messing with this $16M maiden?

[aaronbees]

55. future stud fee? .... eom