Kentucky Derby Trail: Graded Stakes Earnings

[two gun sid]

From The Bloodhorse:


http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44129

[Justpat]

1. War Pass is way out front in earnings

but I hope he doesn't make the Derby. He looked terrible
in the Wood.

He looked so game but he was moving bad. I kept wanting to
turn my head away so I didn't have to see him struggle.
He was on the wrong lead the whole way around.

He is still worth a fortune in stud fees off his two year old form.
I hope he is retired or that they give him some time to work out
whatever is bothering him.

Vindication was a two year old champ and never raced at three and look
how he turned out.

[two gun sid]

2. Very True...

I hope Mr. LaPenta draws the same conclusion coming out of the Wood. That being said, I think I would have a hard time turning down a shot at the Derby. It would take a helluva lot to keep me away. Hopefully my trainer would knock some sense into my head. But, I guess as a trainer I would have a hard time telling someone their 2YO champion colt needs to sit out the Derby.

With WP's style I would think that he would make a great miler. And, as you said, he's still worth a fortune. A Home Run Horse.

*on edit* Curly drew the 3 hole, 4th race Saturday Nite at Raceway. NW of nothin'.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. I hope War Pass runs

Admittedly, I'm more interested in the way the Classics set up than down the road ramifications for the horse. Last year I thought we were cheated when Street Sense passed the Belmont, likewise Bernardini the year before, and I damn sure don't want Big Brown to have an uncontested lead, or sit off a cheap horse, in the Derby.

Make him earn it. I'd love to see War Pass take it out there, even if he only hangs on for a mile or so. And there are some examples of a speed horse with prior class hanging around. I thought Houston would get humiliated in '89 after the blowout in the Santa Anita Derby but he hung around for 5th, or something like that, in the Derby.

[aaronbees]

3. Blue Grass/Arkansas Derby/Holy Bull on Saturday

You can take a few out of that top 20 graded earnings list: Eight Belles and Proud Spell are likely to aim for the Kentucky Oaks. Not sure Turf War, Kodiak Cowboy or Z Humor will go; ditto with Salute the Sarge. Bob Black Jack (whose Santa Anita Derby I like more and more) is iffy. Some runners still have a chance to pick up some $$$ with this weekend's race and the Coolmore Lexington (Tomcito may go there). Frankly, I can't see 20 horses who have a prayer right now of finishing well or having a real shot in the Derby right now; maybe just 10 or 12, if that, and I think the top three of Big Brown, Pyro and Colonel John are now several lengths ahead of the pack.

I too hope War Pass doesn't go to the Derby. Rewatching that Wood Memorial his stride looks all wrong, particularly as he's coming into the lane and drifts out down the stretch - totally different than the relaxed way he moved last year. He showed some mettle to finish in 2nd there.


Blue Grass Field:
$750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 12, 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, Polytrack
1.Cool Coal Man, Kent Desormeaux, 4-1
2.Kentucky Bear, Jamie Theriot, 50-1
3.Cowboy Cal, John Velazquez, 15-1
4.Stevil, no rider, 30-1
5.Monba, Edgar Prado, 15-1
6.Big Truck, Eibar Coa, 6-1
7.Pyro, Shaun Bridgmohan, even money
8.Stone Bird, Corey Lanerie, 50-1
9.Medjool, Michael Baze, 30-1
10.Miner’s Claim, Patrick Husbands, 20-1
11.Halo Najib, Garrett Gomez, 15-1
12.Visionaire, Jose Lezcano, 6-1
Claire Novak's rundown: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44505
Haskin's take: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44514

I like: Pyro, Big Truck, Cool Coal Man. Maybe Cowboy Cal or Medjool to get up for a piece of the Blue Grass pie. But I'd actually like to see Visionaire do well to give me Road to the Roses points. Just not feeling confident of the New York form.

Holy Bull:
$150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III, Race 10, 6 p.m.), 3-year-olds, 1 3/16 Miles
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Famous Patriot (FL), 118, Eddie Castro
2. Hey Byrn (FL), 118, Charles C. Lopez
3. Chief Bear (KY), 116, Sebastian O. Madrid
4. Bipolar Express (MI), 116, Andrew R. Ramgeet
5. Nathan Ridge (FL), 116, Eduardo O. Nunez
6. Dream Maestro (FL), 118, Manoel R. Cruz
7. Web Gem (KY), 118, Joe Bravo
Jack Shinar's rundown: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44518

I like: Hey Byrn, I suppose.

Haven't seen the Arkansas Derby field yet. Up in the air as to whether I'll head to Hot Springs for a wild time or chill out here and fire up the youbet.net.

[aaronbees]

7. Ark Derby Field

Claire Novak rundown: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44532

$1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II, April 11, race 11, approximate post 5:44 p.m. CDT), 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, dirt

PP, Horse, Weight, Jockey

1. Victory Pete, 118, Clinton Potts
2. Tres Borrachos, 118, Tyler Baze
3. Shekinah, 118, Christopher Emigh
4. King's Silver Son, 118, Luis Quinonez
5. Gayego, 122, Mike Smith
6. Isabull, 118, Timothy Doocy
7. My Pal Charlie, 118, Julien Leparoux
8. Blackberry Road, 118, Calvin Borel
9. Liberty Bull, 122, Eusebio Razo, Jr.
10. Golden Yank, 122, Larry Sterling, Jr.
11. Ablaze With Spirit, 122, M. Clifton Berry
12. Z Fortune, 122, Robby Albarado
13. Indian Sun, 118, Richard Migliore
14. Jazz in the Park, 118, Miguel Mena

Hey, 2 Gun, I'll pick Blackberry Road here to get some glory on the Derby trail. ;) But I also like King's Silver Son a lot. Indian Sun for third.

[two gun sid]

8. I got Blackberry and The Z -Man...

Wow! I oughta really pick up some points with those two.

Pretty weak field for the Ark Derby. Not what we've come to expect from that race the last couple of years.

[two gun sid]

5. Dubai interests acquire Fasig-Tipton

From The Handicappers Edge:
Fasig-Tipton Company Inc. Board Chairman D.G. Van Clief Jr. announced Thursday that the company has reached an agreement to be acquired by Synergy Investments Ltd., a Dubai company. Synergy Investments is headed by Abdulla Al Habbai, who is a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

"We are delighted to be acquiring Fasig-Tipton," Al Habbai said. "The company has a long history of service to the North American Thoroughbred industry and has demonstrated significant growth in recent years. We believe there is potential for continued growth and superior levels of service in the future."

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=11126

[aaronbees]

6. Great story about a former claimer

The whole story: http://www.drf.com/news/article/93562.html

Idaho snow rejuvenated Doppio
By STEVE ANDERSEN

ARCADIA, Calif. - By way of California and Idaho, Doppio will have a most unlikely homecoming when he starts in Saturday's $400,000 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes at Keeneland. A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding, Doppio has overcome a severe tendon injury in 2005 that very nearly led to his retirement, and will make his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Commonwealth in search of the ninth win of his 16-race career.

The key to the comeback - a restful year spent in a snowy Idaho pasture that helped Doppio recover from the injury and return to racing.

Owner Keith Brackpool and trainer Carla Gaines had high expectations for Doppio at the start of his career in 2004, and in his first two starts he finished third and then second in a pair of maiden special weight races at Hollywood Park. Doppio suffered the tendon injury during a last-place finish in a maiden race at Santa Anita in January 2005. Gaines assessed the situation, and admits that she gave up, advising Brackpool that the horse, then 3, should be retired.

A son of Gentlemen, Doppio was sent to a ranch near Santa Anita, with the expectation that he be sent to another farm for a permanent retirement. But Gaines suggested that Doppio be sent to trainer Mike Chambers's Idaho farm in the hope that he might recover, and Brackpool agreed to the plan.

"I wanted to give the horse away, to be honest," Gaines said. "I told Keith, 'We can put him out in the snow in Idaho for $10 a day.' The day he was going to go on the van to a new home, Keith said, 'Let's try it.'

(MORE AT THE LINK)

[two gun sid]

9. Those tendon injuries scare the shit out of me...

I saw a nice 1:51 pacer with a bowed tendon whose owner sent him out to our farm to recuperate. The dumbass owner wanted to bring him back before the tendon 'set' and now the horse is junk. He's standing in a stall at our trainers barn and I don't know what they are going to do with him. His girlfriend, Tina, is in the next stall so he's happy. He's a nice old gelding and it's a shame.

His tendon wouldn't respond to any kind of treatment. My business partner worked on him and worked on him. He just couldn't get that bow to harden. And he's a pacer. I can't imagine trying to bring a thoroughbred back after a tendon injury. It seems like running on borrowed time to me.

A little bit of history for you: Undefeated Colin, supposedly ran and won the 1908(?) Belmont on two bowed tendons. Just barely held on to beat Fair Play, Man O War's sire.

[Justpat]

10. I'll wait till after the race to be happy about this story. n/t

[two gun sid]

11. OT: Kip Deville Repeats in Maker's Mark

From The Bloodhorse:
Kip Deville had not raced since winning the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I) last October. The question coming into the $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (gr. IT) (VIDEO) April 11 was obvious: How would the Oklahoma-bred respond to the long layoff?

The gutsy gray/roan colt answered emphatically, as he shot through the hedge in the stretch under Cornelio Velasquez and pulled away to win by a length on a yielding turf at Keeneland in his 5-year-old debut, in the process winning the event for the second consecutive year. His final time over the yielding course was 1:36.78.

Bettors also believed in the son of Kipling--Klondike Kaytie, sending him off as the 2-1 favorite. Brazilian-bred Einstein, who entered off a victory in the Feb. 23 Gulfstream Park Turf (gr. IT), rallied to get up for second, just ahead of Thorn Song. Cosmonaut finished fourth followed, in order, by Out of Control, Shakis, Parading, Ruff and Ready, Zann, and War Monger.

Trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., Kip Deville won for the 10th time in 22 lifetime starts, and earned his fifth graded stakes victory. He is owned by IEAH Stables and Pegasus Holding Group Stables.



http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44557

[two gun sid]

12. OT: Star Shot: Moving Pictures

From ustrotting.com:
Freehold, NJ --- Throughout the spring, the USTA Web site will provide occasional glimpses at some of harness racing’s stars as they get ready for action on the track. This week, we take a look at 5-year-old pacing mare Moving Pictures.

She’s got style, she’s got grace; she’s a winner: Moving Pictures was perfect in stakes finals last season, winning the Classic Series, Roses Are Red, Breeders Crown, and Milton. She also won a match race against To Helen Back.

“I thought last year was going to be tough on her being a 4-year-old racing against those aged mares,” trainer Casie Coleman says. “I didn’t expect her to do what she did at all. I thought she would be a nice mare, but it shocked me more than anybody that she was beating those aged mares every week in those big stakes. If she comes back anything like she was last year, I’ll be thrilled. I see no reason why she shouldn’t because she’s bigger and she’s stronger.”

No dainty lady: Coleman says Moving Pictures grew substantially during the winter. Last season, Moving Pictures wore her hobbles at 60-1/2 inches; this year, Coleman put them out as much as 64 inches during training and will set them at 62 inches for racing.

“She came back great,” Coleman says. “She’s grown a lot; she’s a lot bigger than she used to be and she already was a big mare. She filled out a lot and seems a lot smarter and more mature this year.”



http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=26361&z=1

[aaronbees]

13. Blue Grass goes to....

Monba. Cowboy Cal second, Kentucky Bear third, Stevil fourth and I don't know where Pyro ended up. This race should be called the Blue Poly Stakes. Monba should be good on the dirt though. Two stakes wins for Edgar at Keeneland today.

[Justpat]

14. I think Pyro was 10th.

They said he didn't like the race track.

Big Truck didn't like it either. I thought Big Truck looked great in the
post parade.

[aaronbees]

15. Even for not caring for the track....

that's a horrendous finish, and a bad way to go into the Derby. I'm puzzled by him. Big Truck is one gorgeous horse. I can see Monba picking up a piece of things in Kentucky but wouldn't put him on top. He's got some good breeding in him.

[Justpat]

16. I still like Pyro in the Derby though.

I'm throwing this out for Pyro and Big Truck.

[aaronbees]

18. You'll get some nicer odds on him now

I'd say he's still my third choice, depending on how he comes out of this race.

Hey Byrn just nabbed the Holy Bull ... time seemed pretty dang slow though.

I like Blackberry Road and King's Silver Sun in the Arkansas Derby. But I can see Gayego doing well; the Cali form seems to be holding up well when traveling so he's a deserving fave.

[Justpat]

17. Who do you like in the Arkansas Derby?

Gayego is the favorite right now.


Bill is going with Shekinah.

[aaronbees]

20. Gayego looks nice out there

Had to laugh when Terry Wallace, track annnouncer, did the "Whooo Pig Soooie" for the fans. :D

[two gun sid]

21. Liberty Bull...

he's the winner today. I think.

[aaronbees]

22. Nice win by Gayego

Looks good, runs good, and I like how he fought back in the lane .... he's a sleeper pick for Derby day. Indian Sun is doomed to finish close in any race he runs but not win much. Z Fortune actually gave me RTTR points. Fun race.

[Justpat]

24. Nice ride by Mike Smith. n/t

[aaronbees]

27. He won two here last weekend too

Oaklawn's been nice to him.

[two gun sid]

19. Jesus, not want I wanted to see with Pyro...

That is not the effort you'd want your horse to head into the Derby off of.

[aaronbees]

23. I guess going over the Poly...

he got some conditioning in him. That's about the only silver lining I can see. Altogether a bizarre race, though Cowboy Cal and Monba both like the synthetics. Hard to know what to make of those who finished poorly though.

[two gun sid]

25. I am confused. Completely baffled....

I don't like anyone to win the Derby. I think I'll just bet Show.

[aaronbees]

26. LOL

It's a crazy Derby trail this year. That would be a good bet!

[Justpat]

28. I wonder if Awsi Dooger ended up going to Oaklawn.

I'd like to hear his impressions of the race.


I still don't see any powerful performances from this group. It was a nice ride by Mike Smith
and a creditable second by Z Humor but the rest of them were pretty sad.

And the top two in the Blue Grass are best on synthetic tracks. The rest nowhere today.

Jeez, what a day.

[Awsi Dooger]

29. I'm in Miami right now

Helping with a family concern. Never been to Oaklawn. I don't think I left an impression I was going to Oaklawn. If so, I really screwed up. But that's possible, since I often post on half an Ambien in the wee hours. :)

My main impression of today was how annoyed Hank Goldberg was. I guarantee that was gallons of sweat. :rofl:

The host on ESPN was chiding him instead of allowing Hank to ramble, and anyone who has ever listened to Hank on the radio knows how irritated he becomes when someone challenges him. This time he couldn't push the cut off button and berate the host unopposed, like he always did with callers, and I loved every tense second of it. Hank refused to take a pay cut so he's off the air in Miami radio now, after being a fixture for 30+ years.

I met Hank once at Caesar's Palace and he seemed like a decent guy, but his on-air style irks me. BTW, when I met him 15+ years ago it was late on a Saturday night and he was drinking near Cleopatra's Barge at Caesar's Palace, insisting he had sworn off gambling, due to refs having too much impact. That deserves another: :rofl:

Otherwise, the races weren't much. I was engrossed in the Masters so I clicked back and forth and didn't catch all the analysis. Let's see, the Gulfstream race was garbage. I couldn't believe how the jock strangled the horse in the yellow silks, early in the race. He almost suffocated him, restraining him to the rear when it looked like the horse wanted to run a little bit. I'm not even sure who it was. He ended up nowhere but might have made a late move on the far outside, one the camera didn't catch. I'm just not a big fan of that type of restraint, after watching examples like Honest Pleasure who never was the same after being forced to rate, against his natural instincts.

For some reason I didn't expect much from Pyro. Stretch runners have all the worst of it and need ideal conditions. Synthetic tracks don't fit any definition of ideal, not that I'm aware of. That trend really screws up the handicapping for future races, although it can produce nice payoffs by tossing the chalk. I might start looking into that. I kept thinking Street Sense was far more reliable than Pyro and he lost this race to an outsider, so why should I expect much from Pyro?

The Arkansas Derby is always exciting so I enjoyed that race. Maybe it's the infectious nature of the race caller. I respect California-based horses. Generally I think they're undervalued as a block. In the Derby head to head matchups I've done well backing them over the years. So Gayego's win wasn't unexpected, but I can't apply it well to Churchill Downs.

Frankly, I'm baffled regarding the Derby. This year I wasn't following as closely as normal, so I needed something smack in the face, something even I couldn't miss. Instead I see a 3-race frontrunner I can't trust at that price, a nice horse from California who was life and death to win by a narrow margin, and a deep closer who probably won't be lucky enough to find the unencumbered holy rail route of a Calvin Borel.

[two gun sid]

30. I missed Hammerin' Hank....

I love watching him get pissed on air. It doesn't take much for Kenny Mayne to get Hank wound up.

They've got a poll on ESPN's Horse Racing page about naming Hank's piggy bank right now.

[Awsi Dooger]

35. I gotta concede Hank makes it interesting

You don't want a bland cookie cutter guy on the show. Nor someone who is asked to handicap the races but has no background in actually placing bets at the window.

I see that far too often these days, notably by newspapers who want one of their sportswriters to pen a football handicapping column, but it's obvious the guy has no clue regarding value or sometimes even the terminology. The LA Times is the prime culprit. Heck, they should have Bob Miezerski do the football column. He used to fill that role for the old LA Herald Examiner, along with his racing duties.

[Justpat]

31. Maybe this is a mediocre bunch of three year olds.

I keep trying to find some excitement in these preps but outside of Big Brown who is inexperienced,
I can't get excited about anyone. No one has run really fast.



I have no idea why I thought you were going to Oaklawn. A senior moment perhaps.


I think I'll hope that Colonial John likes the dirt and that Big Brown can withstand the
heat enough to pick up part of it. If Tomcito gets in I'm putting a wager on him
just for the hell of it. The fact that he sold for 7,500 as a yearling and is now
stakes placed in Gr. I is OK by me. I'd have to put a few bucks on him.

[jakefrep]

32. We were spoiled last year, honestly

At the top we had Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday, plus a promising supporting cast of horses like Stormello, Tiago, Scat Daddy, and Nobiz Like Showbiz.

Other than Big Brown (this year's Curlin, perhaps), I don't see any current three year old that looks as promising.

[aaronbees]

44. We were totally spoiled by a great year

But this year seems like most years to me. I think the jury's still out on this crop. A lot of these colts have thrown in some real clunkers on the road to Kentucky, which makes figuring them out a chore; throw in the poly/synthetic angle, and it makes it much more difficult to assess. But I'm not complaining.

Right now Big Brown and Colonel John both seem pretty exciting to me.

[aaronbees]

33. I think Colonel John will like the dirt

His papa Tiznow sure loved it, and it seems some California horses making the move to dirt (Gayego, for example) are making a fine transition lately. I'll be keenly interested in the reports of how he takes to the Churchill dirt when he works there.

And that was me who thought about going to Oaklawn (it's just an hour-and-a-half from me). Stayed home to have a relaxing, non-stressed-out-in-the-crowds afternoon of race watching. :P

[Justpat]

39. Oops. n/t

[Awsi Dooger]

36. Certainly doesn't seem to have much depth

Big Brown could be anything but I'd be shocked if we're rattling off names from this crop, like '57 or even last year.

Right now I'm passing. My inclination is win betting, and take your chances. Along with the head-to-head matchups but they are becoming more sophisticated, difficult to find edges. Damn, the '90s were fun in that regard, when the matchups were in their infancy.

I've never been a huge Andy Beyer fan but he convinced me via his early book, "Picking Winners," that you're better off betting to win and wading through losing streaks, than being more cautious with show and place. I've done the math and he's right. Many full time racing bettors in Las Vegas assert the same thing. The exotics can be good investments but I don't like place and show, which are the racing equivalent of teaser bets in football, trying to squeeze something when you're not sure. I know there are exceptions, like favorites when the place pool may be comparatively empty.

I think I'll root for Colonel John, but be surprised if Big Brown loses.

The problem with passing the Preakness is I absolutely suck in handicapping the Preakness. Even a pathetic opinion in the Derby probably has more chance than my typical Preakness logic.

[two gun sid]

37. The best advice I ever got...

was to pass a race. If I don't have an opinion I let it go. I just sit and enjoy the sport. Some days there are no playable race.

Beyer is right about win betting. I never bridge jump.

I'm thinking these new polytracks have changed the game. again. There's gonna be value out there now just like before speed figures were available to everyone. If a guy could figure that poly to dirt angle he might be able to cash a few nice tickets.

[Awsi Dooger]

38. Many days at Saratoga I don't bet a thing

I'll arrive late after playing golf in the morning, grab the Form, and find nothing but 2-year-old races, New York-bred races and turf races. In that scenario I know damn well I'm likely to be shooting darts so I sit low in the general admission area, about 10 yards from the outer rail, and yak with fellow fans. It's terrific. No need to wager. Hell, I make hundreds of sports bets every year. I enjoy the races, particularly from low level when the horses slingshot around the final turn. You can really sense the energy and the muscles, coming almost straight at you.

Admittedly, it's a bit easier to do that at Saratoga, which feels like a special place.

There have gotta be edges with poly track, coming or going, isolating or throwing out. I'm sure handicappers are throwing themselves into that realm of study right now. There will be blanket theories that supposedly apply to a type of horse or type of performance(s), and absolute application to a specific horse. It reminds me of another surface change factor, a decade ago when NFL teams still used basic artificial turf, before switching to grass or Field Turf. My prized homemade betting angles dealt with grass teams suddenly playing on turf. There were a few parameters but it was a gold mine, 74% in nearly a decade including a 17-2 season in the late '90s. When the league started eliminating artificial turf I never felt so wronged, like I should have right to sue. :)

And I haven't found anything comparable.:-(

[trumad]

40. I grew up in Hialeah

and seen the great ones race at that former beautiful track.

Hell, I'm old school enough to remember the good old days at Tropical.

I sold Green sheets and parked cars at Hialeah, Calder and Gulfstream.

I loved every bit of it.

Have you seen what they did to Gulfstream? F'ing nice......

Great tracks in South Florida and that includes Pompano.

So I know what you mean about the atmosphere.

[two gun sid]

41. Do you still go to the track, trumad?

[trumad]

47. I live in Orlando but my work home office is in Boca

I hit Calder and Gulfstream at least a dozen times a year.... can't help it, it's in my blood.

[two gun sid]

50. OK. Great. Glad you still go...

we've lost so many fans over the last 30 yrs.

I see you mentioned Pompano too. Did you ever get down there for the harness racing?

Oh yeah, I'm still waiting for your Derby pick 'cause I ain't got a clue. (I mentioned this in another thread about your predictions.)

Peace

[trumad]

53. I was at Pompano a couple of months ago

The old track still looks great and they added a very sweet casino next door. Nice place for sure.

I love the harness track---- the noise the horses make as they run bye is awesome..... I just I could handicap them better.

[two gun sid]

56. Thank-you from all us jughead people...

We have a lot of MI horsemen that take their stables to FL for the winters. If I see a real live one that ought to be an underlay I'll give you a heads up. And again, thanks for supporting Harness Racing.

[trumad]

61. No prob

It's a wonderful sport.... I love kicking back with some nice suds and enjoying the beauty of the horses galloping bye....

[Awsi Dooger]

45. Hialeah is my alltime favorite

Above Saratoga, Santa Anita or anyplace else. I've only visited Churchill Downs one time, and it wasn't Derby day, but even that didn't compare to wandering around Hialeah, near all the statues. So tranquil, with all the tree cover. I loved it from the first day my parents took me when I was about 7, during the offseason on a Sunday tour. We rode a little tram and saw the flamingos.

My first year or so at Hialeah I was too timid to bet, after sneaking in while underage. :) But I had to go, since the horses in that '70s era were terrific.

You wouldn't believe how much correspondence I've received regarding Hialeah recently. I posted a couple of Seattle Slew races from Hialeah on YouTube last year. Many people seem to think that means I have a backload of other Hialeah races, and they're PMing me on YouTube, asking how they can acquire the videos, and if I'll get heavily involved in the Save Hialeah project. I tell them, hey I'm just someone who uploaded some races. :)

I haven't seen Gulfstream yet, after the renovations. I'm not even sure they're complete. For whatever reason I never fully warmed up to that place, similar to Dolphin Stadium. They could put 400 billion into Robbie bowl improvements and I wouldn't be impressed. I used to visit Gulfstream primarily on Florida Derby day. Plus it's so much further from my base when I'm in Miami, just a mile or so from old Tropical Park, now a thriving recreational park plus high school football stadium. I remember when Publix used to give away cards with numbers corresponding to horses at Tropical, circa late '60s. They packaged a half hour program every Saturday, where you rooted for the winning horses to match your card(s). I always watched it with my nana, who liked to gamble a little bit.

I spent plenty of time at Calder, mostly during summer when I was home from college, and within a couple years after college, sharing laughs with my old high school buddies. In those days I looked for stretchrunning longshots who fit the setup of the race and damn I could isolate them at Calder, on the funny surface. I remember being frustrated at Hollywood Park all spring when my longshots would outperform their odds but still wind up 2nd to 4th on the speed favoring track. Then at Calder in summertime my big tickets would frequently cash.

I visited Pompano and all the dog tracks at least several times each. But I've gotta say, other than Hialeah my favorite South Florida wagering venue was Miami Jai-Alai. Now that was atmosphere, in the Joey/Asis heyday.

[aaronbees]

46. I love that story of you ...

sneaking into Hialeah, Awsi. I hope they renovate it someday just so you can go back there and see a race. :hi: It would make my day to hear you describe that.

And come to think of it, you haven't posted any new Youtube vids in a while. :P

[Awsi Dooger]

65. I snuck into Hialeah, Miami Jai-Alai and Doral for years

Doral was the most fun, devising a route then pulling it off. Through the tennis courts then under the hotel and exiting at the first tee. So sweet. That one was a freebie, unlike Hialeah and Miami Jai-Alai where I was simply underage and getting away with it. They didn't allow minors in Florida wagering establishments in those days. It was always a major league gulp when I got in.

I'll never forget one Hispanic woman at Miami Jai-Alai, a street wise type who knew damn well I was younger than I appeared and she gave me the boot. I shuffled around outside for maybe 20 minutes, frustrated as hell, until she briefly left her post and I whisked back in, at the turnstile manned by an old man who seemed almost totally blind. }(

Yeah, I feel bad I haven't posted any YouTube videos lately. I get notice of new subscribers, including one today, and every time I'm thinking to myself, "I hope you guys aren't expecting anything..." :)

I'm still in Miami on a family matter and my old VCR tapes are back in Las Vegas. That's the problem.

It does have some benefit, a feeling you're unearthing clips that others want to see. That Miami/Florida 1956 football clip I posted on YouTube includes a long TD run by Canes FB Don Bosseler, a famous play in Miami football history, before the glory era. Apparently the university didn't have a tape of that run. A few days ago Bosseler's brother-in-law asked me to send him the video so Don and the family could have a copy, and pass it along to relatives and friends.

[trumad]

48. Don't get me started on the Dogs....

Biscayne was my favorite of all time... Damn they had some great dogs at that track. I love Flagler and then Hollywood. I recently went back to Hollywood and they screwed it up pretty bad for racing. It's nothing more than a big old slot machine place now with racing as a side show.

I attended Pompano a couple of months ago and it's still great---plus---a very nice casino next door.

And then of course there's Miami jai alai. Ahhh the concerts in that place back in the seventies.... tooo fun.

[Justpat]

49. Hialeah's surface was the best I ever galloped over.

Horses loved it.

I was stabled there the last year they were open.

The barns were falling down from termite damage, but the clubhouse
was still so beautiful.

[two gun sid]

42. I've been looking at charts on my lunch break...

on horses going from poly to dirt and dirt to poly. Nothing has jumped out at me yet. Of course I don't do a lot of betting anymore. Breeding and owning is about all the gamble I'm willing to take now but, I do find the whole thing interesting.

[trumad]

63. When I was a younger man I use to call Hank on his show just to annoy him..

and God that was easy...

I consider Hank the Worst radio host of all time. He was worthless and void of any insight especially when it came to the Phins or Hurricanes. At the end there, he was even more worthless hanging up on about 90 percent of his call in audience. His arrogance astounds me simply because he's one of the ugliest sweatiest human beings on the planet. As a matter of fact, he may not be human and could be a direct descendant from the dude below.

[Awsi Dooger]

64. I wrote that Hank was the worst local sportscaster

In a sports column for a weekly Miami paper in '78 or '79. I was in my late teens and somehow I got that gig. Not a high circulation but it was printed by the same people who printed Dolphin Digest, and they called me immediately, certain I was joking.

I emphasized my opinion and provided rationale: the Canes had briefly run the option early that season, a surprise tactic, and Hank was so clueless as play-by-play man he started insisting every one was a busted play. Surreal. They were well-designed option plays but horribly executed by personnel who didn't fit that style, yet Hank asserted they were broken plays. It was like a parody, or the most ignorant play-by-play of all time.

The Dolphin Digest wrote a followup column, saying I stuck to my guns but they needled me while boosting Hank, saying he was the best in town.

Yeah, at the end he didn't even pretend anymore, a bitter arrogant host who acted like every caller was an imposition. He has good contacts and got first nod on certain stories but the on-air attitude nullified the positives, as far as I was concerned.

They could cure the western drought by renting Hank and allowing his sweat to fill Lake Mead. I'm sure I mentioned on this forum last summer that I saw Hank at Saratoga on a sweltering day and one ESPN assistant was in charge of mopping Hank's brow between segments. I swear, that's all I saw him do.

The Miami host I used to annoy was Larry King, circa '77 on WIOD. I'd record myself beforehand, rambling about a contemporary sports topic using bizarre logic, then call the station and get put on hold. Once I was on the air I'd push the PLAY button and stick the tape recorder against the phone. Then I'd race to the other room (7 second delay) and bust up, while Larry King tried to argue with a tape recording. :rofl:

I couldn't believe he never caught it. And I did that at least 8-10 times. All he had to do was shut up and allow the recording to drift, and it would have been obvious. But he insisted on injecting his opinions, and naturally a tape recording isn't going to be impressed, or the least bit polite. Inevitably he'd cut me off after several minutes and say something like, "that guy is always interesting but it's not his show." :rofl:

I also did that to Chris Myers on WKAT.

[trumad]

68. You probably pushed Larry into bouncing checks.

BTW: Check you PM?

[Awsi Dooger]

84. LOL, that was many years earlier

I'll check my PMs tonight when I get a chance. I haven't done that lately due to frustration and they're probably stacked up. Some creep has been hassling me on many sites, including here, via PM after we got into an elongated argument on another site. He uses different user names but it's obvious. It even spilled over to YouTube where he posted dozens of crap replies on the videos I posted last year, and I had to manually remove them, then contact YouTube.

[bread_and_roses]

67. ROFL - though I feel guilty laughing at someone's looks - but

I can't help it. Besides, I really dislike listening to him. I don't recall ever hearing him say a word that would indicate any feeling at all for the horses. I'm always happy when he loses his bets. And his bringing out such mean-spiritness in me makes me dislike him even more.

[two gun sid]

34. Eight Belles Could Run in Derby

From The Bloodhorse:
Owner Rick Porter has always known Eight Belles is a solid contender – but he’s thinking about putting the 3-year-old filly’s class and stamina to the ultimate test May 3. Porter said April 13, if all goes well, the daughter of Unbridled’s Song will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Plans in Thoroughbred racing can change at a moment’s notice, but three weeks before the Derby, Porter and trainer Larry Jones remained cautiously optimistic about the filly’s chances at making the gate on the first Saturday in May. Racing under the red and white colors of Porter’s Fox Hill Farms, Eight Belles is nominated to both the Derby and the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and the owner plans to enter both races if circumstances allow.

“Obviously, the (April 12 prep races) were a part of the decision-making process,” Porter said. “I’m going to get the (Ragozin) numbers on the top 20 horses, along with the past performances, and sit down and analyze them with Larry. But more importantly, Larry will be in Lexington April 15 and he’ll start getting on her to see how aggressively she’s training and whether he thinks she’s sitting on an improvement.”

Eight Belles, bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay and Serengeti Stable, is out of the Dixieland Band mare Away. She has won her past four starts by a combined margin of 30 ½ lengths, including her most recent score April 6 in the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44586

I hate sending the girls in with the boys so early in their careers. This filly though, she'd have a good shot at winning this thing. What say you?

[aaronbees]

52. I'll have to rewatch her earlier races

My first thought is that I'd like Proud Spell more as she's been more battle tested against the top fillies in her division. But if I remember right Eight Belles has shown some speed and great consistency. I do think this is a year a filly could take the Derby. Eight Belles is a pretty neat filly, and though it was close I think her Fantasy win was a solid one and taught her to win when things don't go her way. Good knowledge to have at Churchill on the first Saturday in May.

[Justpat]

54. About all I know of this filly

is that her owner is a great pedigree guy and if he bred her himself she is
bred to go a distance. He is really talented with pedigree research.

[aaronbees]

43. Haskin: Monba King

Ky. Derby Trail: Monba King

by Steve Haskin

Updated: April 14, 2008

Well, should we talk about the vagaries of Polytrack form for the umpteenth time or concentrate on the weekend’s racing? Considering there were only a few horses worth analyzing, it looks as if we have to begin by addressing the stunning form reversal in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) and its resulting Kentucky Derby implications.

If having the Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner, the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) winner, and the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner and one of the top two choices for the Kentucky Derby, finish 9th, 10th, and 11th in the Blue Grass Stakes, and the only other graded stakes winner in the field finish 5th, is a true representation of what the Blue Grass and some other Derby preps have turned into, then we have to accept the fact that Thoroughbred racing (and breeding) in America has begun to mutate into something the sport has never encountered before. To see some of our leading Derby contenders plod through Polytrack and not run a lick not only was a sad sight, it made handicapping the Kentucky Derby as inexact a science as flipping a coin.

It must be noted that these comments refer only to form and performance and not safety. The latter can be determined by the recent studies that have been made. We’re just talking about synthetic surfaces in relation to handicapping the Kentucky Derby and what purpose they serve as prep races, which has been good for some and terrible for others.

The connections of Pyro, Cool Coal Man, Big Truck, and Visionaire chose their own poison by running in the Blue Grass, believing they, like Street Sense last year, would get a good prep race over a safe surface that would enable them to bounce out of the race in good shape for the Derby, win or lose. But they couldn't have predicted what transpired…at least to this extent. Visionaire actually ran a big race to finish fifth, considering all he was up against, which will be discussed later on. What may hurt him is the meager purse money he earned, placing him in jeopardy of not making the Derby field.

Link for more: http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44598

[two gun sid]

51. Tomcito Zips in Lexington Workout

From The Bloodhorse:
Jet Set Racing Stable’s Tomcito, preparing for Saturday’s $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II), worked three furlongs out of the gate in :34.60 and galloped out a half-mile in :46.80 with Manfreddy Guzman up Tuesday morning at Keeneland.

The gate drill was designed to get Tomcito into the race earlier, unlike the Florida Derby (gr. I) in which Tomcito raced at the rear of the 12-horse field, according to trainer Dante Zanelli.

“He had worked out of the gate before his grade I win at a mile and a quarter in Peru,” Zanelli said. “He was close to the pace that day and he won by 10 (9 ¾ lengths).”

Tuesday’s work was the second for Tomcito in Kentucky since arriving after his third-place finish in the Florida Derby. Tomcito worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Churchill Downs on April 9 as Zanelli wanted to give the son of Street Cry a drill over the track for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Presented by Yum! Brands.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44609

That's a pretty good work. Should have opened the pipes. I'd like to see him win the Coolmore Lexington and get in the Derby. If nothing else I'd like for him to beat Pletcher's horses.

[Justpat]

55. If he gets in and wins

I'll be eating my "slab sided dummy" remark about his sister for the rest of my life.


I hope it happens, though.

I'd have to put a wager on this guy just for the hell of it.

[two gun sid]

57. You should bet him if he gets in...

that's a pretty good work at Keeneland isn't it?

[Justpat]

60. That was a really good work. n/t

[jakefrep]

58. I'm headed to Keeneland for the Lexington

I need the break after tax season. It's been years since I've been to Keeneland. Damn shame since I go to Lexington every fall during the Grand Circuit meet at the Red Mile, which roughly coincides with the opening of the fall meet at Keeneland.

[two gun sid]

59. Don't forget your camera, jakefrep...

you're a good photographer of race horses. I'll be looking forward to some pictures. Have fun and relax. Tax season is over!

[jakefrep]

87. Here ya go....

http://bp2.blogger.com/_bNyfGwD1LbE/SAwDh36NKpI/AAAAAAAAANM/S2aS4EQmHG0/s320/keeneland41908+063.jpg

I'll put up more later.

[Justpat]

88. How did Z Humor gallop out? n/t

[jakefrep]

96. You thinking of Riley Tucker?

He ran a game race...didn't really notice how he galloped out. I can understand the confusion - same owner and all.

[two gun sid]

89. Thanks, jakefrep...

did you have fun and relax?

[jakefrep]

91. It was nice to get away...

...I need to do the Keeneland thing more often - it's about as close as we Ohioans get to good thoroughbred racing.

[jakefrep]

90. More pics....

Salute The Sarge


Behindatthebar


Tomcito

[aaronbees]

93. Nice pics!

Looks like you had a good view there.

[Justpat]

95. Thanks for the pics. n/t

[two gun sid]

97. Thanks...

I hope you don't mind if I saved them to my HD.

[two gun sid]

62. Curlin's Minority Interest May Be Sold

From The Bloodhorse:
A Kentucky state judge has indicated he is ready to order the sale of assets held by companies affiliated with embattled attorneys Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion, including their minority interest in 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

Franklin County Senior Judge Roger Crittenden suddenly announced his intentions April 16 during a hearing in the civil lawsuit that includes as defendants Cunningham and Gallion, and some of their former clients from the class-action lawsuit over the diet drug fen-phen, who are now plaintiffs in the legal battle over settlement funds.

Responding to comments from plaintiffs’ attorney Angela M. Ford, who has repeatedly voiced frustration in trying to recover from the defendants their part of a $42 million judgment awarded last August, Crittenden said he would sign necessary orders “to be made effective some time in the next two to three weeks.”

Attorney Andre Regard, who represents Tandy LLC, the entity that controls the defendants’ racing operation, Midnight Cry Stable, then queried the judge on how he should advise his clients on the potential sale of the assets.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44637

OK. If we all pool our money how much do you reckon we'd need? LOL.

[bread_and_roses]

66. War Pass is out - injury

story over at the Bloodhorse.

[two gun sid]

69. Coolmore Lexington up next....

C'mon Tomcito. Kick Pletcher's ass.

[two gun sid]

70. Watching the post parade...

Behindatthebar looks good and so does Tomcito. Tomcito looks like a leggy bastard. Maybe a little narrow in front but he's got a big powerful hind end.

[Justpat]

71. Atoned looks good too. n/t

[two gun sid]

72. Behindatthebar...

from out of the clouds in 1:42.14. Samba Rooster 2nd. Riley Tucker 3rd.

[aaronbees]

78. That was disappointing

... for the Tomcito connections. Samba Rooster's a neat horse - won't let himself be whipped ... he ran a good race, as did the winner. Not sure if we'll see Behindatthebar in Kentrucky, though. All of a sudden, Pletcher is stacked with contenders.

[bread_and_roses]

79. yeah, i liked that story too - even if he is mean. and pretty amazing, i thought,

that he held on for second.

[aaronbees]

80. Hey, kenzee - how are ya?

Got any top Derby pics yet? I'm on the Colonel John bandwagon.

[bread_and_roses]

81. I'm good, thanks - finally got Derby fever after I saw Big Brown

But I liked Col. John's race a lot too. Nice horses, it seems, out there in Cal this year. Was sorry that beautiful Georgie Boy is out of it. Hope you're well too - nice to see everyone here.

[two gun sid]

82. aaronbees, I am so disappointed with Tomcito's race...

I liked his work this week over the track and I was starting to think this was a horse I could really get behind. I can't explain his poor performance. He worked well over this track. Really a shame because his story is a good story.

I kinda think Behindatthebar will be in the Derby. Sanan is a big time owner that is just competitive as hell and I don't think Pletcher will tell him no. If he does, Behindatthebar will be in someone else's barn at Churhill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

[aaronbees]

92. I hope it was the Keeneland poly

I'd like to see him bounce back and aim for the Belmont still.

[Justpat]

73. I guess he did look good.

Tomcito no good on the polytrack?

Behindatthebar has only won on polytrack. I don't think he'll like the dirt at Churchill.
.On Derby day they made it pretty hard.

[two gun sid]

74. Tomcito looked like he made a nice move on the backstretch...

and then he just kinda flattened out. I don't know. I can't figure this polytrack out.

Have you guys figured it out yet?

[two gun sid]

75. Did Pegram own Behindatthebar and sell him to Sanan?...

anyone know? Is he a Forest Wildcat?

[Justpat]

76. He is a Forest Wildcat.

Out of a Runaway Groom mare. So he should really like distance. But he has only won
on artificial surface.

[two gun sid]

77. Hmmm...He's an interesting horse...

bred to get a distance. Just don't know what he'll do on dirt. He might go off at attractive odds. I guess you could make worse choices.

That's gotta be a Pegram name.

[two gun sid]

83. Anybody voting in that Bloodhorse poll...

of best racehorses? It's down to the Final Four. Secretariat vs Citation and Seattle Slew vs Man O War. I never saw Man O War or Citation so I voted for Seattle Slew and Onion.

[Awsi Dooger]

85. Onion?

You can have Onion. Actually, I'm planning them tonight on some Bubba Burgers. :)

Based on internet opinion I've seen for years, I'm sure it will come down to Secretariat vs. Man 'O War and Secretariat will prevail. But maybe I'll head over there and vote for Slew. Nice to see he made the top four. I'm not sure Count Fleet wasn't superior to Citation. But I agree, when I didn't see the horse and absorb all the variables I'm not confident of my opinion as molded by history.

[two gun sid]

86. It's always gonna come down to those two chesnuts...

and the whole thing is silly. How do you compare horses that never competed against each other? But, people love to do it and I guess it makes the game interesting for them.

So, yes, I'll take Onion and a side order of Prove Out over Secretariat.

[aaronbees]

94. Derby winner arrives at Churchill

;) Santa Anita Derby that is ... Colonel John is in Louisville and settling down.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/news/2008/04/21/kentucky-derby-134-news-pyro-breezes-colonel-john-arrivesdenis-cork-sharp-under-bore

COLONEL JOHN – WinStar Farm’s Colonel John, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (GI) in his most recent start, arrived at Churchill Downs around 1:40 p.m. (EDT) after he flew into Lexington from Southern California, then took a short van ride up Interstate 64 to the Louisville track.
The bay son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Tiznow took a few spins around Barn 41 for trainer Eoin Harty before the colt settled into his new surroundings. Harty, who was an assistant to trainer Bob Baffert for his Kentucky Derby victories with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002) – said Colonel John handled the journey from Southern California well. Harty accompanied the horse on the plane.
....
DENIS OF CORK – Mr. and Mrs. William Warren’s Denis of Cork, a well-beaten fifth as the favorite in the Illinois Derby (GII), showed signs of a return to top form on Monday as the son of Harlan’s Holiday breezed five furlongs in 1:00 under jockey Calvin Borel.
The David Carroll-trained colt, who suffered his only loss in four races in that most recent start, was timed in fractions of :12.80, :25, :37.20 and :48.60. He galloped out six furlongs in a strong 1:12.40 and seven furlongs in 1:26.
“I let him finish up a little bit from the quarter pole to the wire,” Borel said. “I was very impressed with the last quarter of a mile – very impressed.”
....
PYRO/Z FORTUNE – An uncharacteristic 10th-place finish by Louisiana Derby winner Pyro in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) left numerous horseplayers in the fog. The mystery surrounding the colt undoubtedly will continue into Kentucky Derby 134 after heavy fog early Monday morning prevented Keeneland Race Course clockers from recording his six-furlong workout in company with graded stakes-winning sprinter Noonmark.