Ky. Derby Trail: Southwest & Middle East

[two gun sid]

Although there was nothing over the weekend to knock your proverbial socks off, there were a few races that could steer you toward a horse or two as potential Derby material. With the Southwest Stakes having just been run, we’ll briefly discuss the race and go over it in more detail next week.

Old Fashioned passed his first test in fine order, showing the ability to sit off the pace and then put in a winning move. He basically did everything expected of him, and put away a brilliant colt in Silver City, who was intent on getting the lead, stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs. It must be noted that Old Fashioned went his first half in :46 1/5 an last half in :51 1/5. Horses don’t seem to come home fast at Oaklawn, but it still would be more reassuring to see him close a little quicker next time. One horse who did come home fast was Rachel Alexandra, who blew her field away in the Martha Washington Stakes the day before. Off much slower fractions than the Southwest, she came home her last quarter in :24 2/5, and her final time of 1:36 2/5 was a full second fast than Old Fashioned's. Rachel Alexandra, by the way, is bred to run all day.

The bright spot, as pointed out by At the Races’ Steve Byk, is that Smarty Jones in his Southwest victory ran his two half-miles in the identical :46 1/5 and :51 1/5, and he didn’t turn out too shabby. Of course, Smarty bounced back and ran a 108 Beyer in the Rebel Stakes, coming home in much faster time, so Old Fashioned as something to shoot for.

With fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 4/5, it was surprising to see Poltergeist racing in fourth, five lengths off the pace. Those fractions apparently took their toll on him and he had nothing in the stretch. The only horse to close from out of it was Flat Out, who ran a good race to finish fourth, missing third by a neck. He jumped in the air at the break and found himself far back in last and then unleashed a powerful late run. He definitely is one to watch in the upcoming stakes at Oaklawn.



http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49261/ky-derby-trail-southwest--middle-east?id=49261

[two gun sid]

1. O'Meara: The case for Richard Dutrow, Jr.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. is a lot like a scratch-n-sniff sticker: he doesn’t show signs of smelling good until you scratch the surface — or smelling bad for that matter.

For all his chauvinism and guarantees — not to mention drug infractions — Dutrow did more for the sport of racing in 2008 by being his abrasive, candid self.

If there were such an award for Horseman of the Year, I would argue that in 2008 Dutrow should have been the recipient. How intense did the sport’s scrutiny get during this year as a result of this trainer?

Dutrow had one of the richest days a trainer can have in March when he won the $1 million Godolphin Mile with Diamond Stripes and the $2 million Golden Shaheen with Benny the Bull. Hours later Big Brown romped the $1 million Florida Derby. With $3 million in purses on the line, where was Dutrow that day? At Gulfstream Park.

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/02/19/sports/doc499d62a395a76193565465.txt

[TZ]

2. Interesting article

Thanks for posting. I don't like Dutrow but it makes the point that he's no better or worse than most.

[two gun sid]

3. I don't know, TZ...

the winningest trainers are the ones who are cheating usually. Some of these guys have win pct. in the 30's. That is impossible. No trainer can do that IMHO. Dutrow is a bad actor and so is Pletcher, Frankel, Baffert, Asmussen etc. I thaought this article was interesting but I do not agree with the author. Dutrow deserves to be put out of business is what needs to happen.

[TZ]

4. But I think there are too many just like him

So unless the sport undergoes a fundamental change (unlikely in this environment) people like Dutrow will survive.

[cboy4]

9. Why are we talking about horse racing?

What's next?

[two gun sid]

11. Bwahahaha!!!!

I don't know anything about bowling or croquet so I stick to racing.

If you're ever out this way why don't you join me at the track for some racing? NHL playoffs. Sharks vs Wings at The Joe. Come on out and we'll spend the afternoon at the new Pinnacle Race Course out by Detroit Metro. You might just enjoy yourself, cboy4.

[cboy4]

13. lol...I'd rather get hit by a train. HA

Actually, my friend dragged me out to the Amgen Tour of California Cycling Prologue recently -- even though I told her a hundred times cycling isn't a real sport, and I ended up having a very good time. :bounce:

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Amgen+Tour+California+Stage+2+dNMTxBT6ZJJl.jpg

So I'd be willing to check out the horse track (did I actually just say that!!??) .. even though it's not a real sport.

[two gun sid]

14. If you come out here for a playoff game let me know...

I'll give you my info in a PM and we'll do a day at the races. I think you'll find it exciting.

Peace

Oh, just to talk some smack: I looked up the top 100 athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was 35th and Man O War was 84th. No one named Bonds was on the list. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SportsCentury

[cboy4]

15. Sweeet!

But you can't possibly believe a list that considers a horse, an athlete!

That's like naming one of Jeff Gordon's Stock Cars as an athlete. :rofl:

[two gun sid]

12. dupe

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5. A new contender steps up: Dunkirk

Because of the lack of 3-year-old races this week, we’re going into full detail on Dunkirk’s race. Another reason we’re giving it a good deal of space is the big buzz it created. The question is, was it warranted?

After the sensational performance by the $3.7 million son of Unbridled's Song in an allowance race Feb. 19, who will stick around and face this budding star in the Florida Derby (gr. I)? Let’s wait until the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) before we start looking for mass departures. If nothing exciting emerges from what looks to be a brilliant assemblage of 3-year-olds, then the pickin’s will be slim on March 28.

This is getting to look an awful lot like the Big Brown explosion of last year, and if Dunkirk should move forward in his third career start the way Big Brown did off his allowance score, one has to wonder if any of the horses in south Florida will be able to handle him in the Florida Derby. He’s already chased his stablemate Take the Points away and sent him packing for California.

The only major foe Dunkirk seems to have had in his first two starts is the clock, which continues to defy what we’re seeing from him on the racetrack. From a visual standpoint, his career debut was an extraordinary effort, the way he broke slowly, moved quickly through the field and then had to wait patiently in heavy traffic for something to open up. Finally, he was forced to swing seven wide and proceeded to blow his opponents away with smooth, powerful strides. He went by his opponents so effortlessly, without any urging, everyone thought: “This is the One,” until they looked at the tote board and saw seven furlongs in 1:25. Perhaps the track was dead and the time meant nothing. But then, two races later, they saw This One’s For Phil win the six-furlong Sunshine Millions Dash in a blazing 1:09. Then the Beyer numbers came out: Dunkirk 78, This Ones For Phil 116. Maybe he just beat a bad field of maidens who made him look good?

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49332/ky-derby-trail-dunkirk-evacuation

[bread_and_roses]

6. He's a beauty. I like General Quarters, too

and I hope the Sam Davis wasn't a one-shot. I am a sucker for $20,000 horses from one-horse barns. Oddly, the article describes GQ as a "grey or roan" too, but the photo sure looks a dark bay to me?

[PVnRT]

7. Since I've moved down here, I hope to hit the Keeneland Meet this spring

Never been to a horse race before, should be interesting.

[two gun sid]

8. Great!!! Please don't forget to give us your impressions....

of your first trip to the track. Lucky you that it's Keeneland, a great, historic and beautiful physical plant.

I'd like to know if you enjoyed it and whether you would go back.

Have a good time and I hope you hit the Daily Double!

[cboy4]

10. This is not a real sport as you know.

:boring: