Europe's turf flat season is just about to get started which means the return of possibly one of the greatest milers ever. Of course I'm talking about the one and only Frankel! The Galieo colt looks like will be going in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury will be his first start of the year. After that, it prob. will be a simlar sch. track wise as last year. There's a chance that he won't be at the BC in November though because of the risk.
Which is understandable, but he doesn't have to go into the Classic (which is prob. his max distance anyway). He can go into the Mile, on a track where his namesake dominated. However, I think Sir Henry Cecil may have soured on the BC a bit after sending horses the past two years who haven't done that great. If the race was in NY, then I think it would be more likely to come.
We'll just have to wait and see what Juddmonte and Henry decide to do.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Return of the King
Animal Kingdom returns tomorrow in an Turf Allowance. This is his first start since his injury in the Belmont last June. It will also mark the first time since Curlin that the 3yo Champion has returned as a four year old (the past three have retired after their three year old seasons, although Summer Bird was expected to come back as an older horse before he had a setback in his comeback). Lets take a look at the field:
5th Race - Gulfstream Park - Saturday, February 18th, 2012
ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. 1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse $60,000. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $8,550 THREE TIMES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $80,000. Weight, 123 lbs. Non-winners Of $26,500 Twice At A Mile Or Over Since December 18 Allowed 2 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since then Allowed 4 lbs. Claiming Price $80,000 (Races Where Entered For $50,000 Or Less Not Considered) (Condition Eligibility). (If deemed inadvisable to run this race over the turf course, it will be run on the main track at One Mile and One Sixteenth). (02:25 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Tannersville 5 G L 119 Jurado Luis Collazo Henry
2 Bell By The Ridge 5 G L 119 Desormeaux Kent J. Maker Michael J.
3 Monument Hill 6 G L 121 Castellano Javier Weaver George
4 Midnight Mischief 6 H L 119 Maragh Rajiv Mott William I.
5 Royal Hill 5 H L 119 Lopez Paco Rountree Cathy
6 Animal Kingdom 4 C L 119 Velazquez John R. Motion H. Graham
On paper, he is head and shoulders above this group. However, keep an eye on Monument Hill. He's won his past two races (claiming and an allowance), and has done well in listed stakes (finishing second in his last try at the level). This race is supposed to be a tightiner for Animal Kingdom as the bigger prize is the Dubai World Cup.
With that being said, both Shackleford and Ruler On Ice did not return well in last weekend's Donn. So it's too early to tell to know what will happen. I am going with Monument Hill for this race though, he has a hot jockey and has run well the past several months. Animal Kingdom for second and Royal Hill for third.
Don't forget Black Caviar runs tonight/Sat afternoon for Aussies. This won't be an easy task since this is a quick turnaround with a 1 week's rest and is shorting up. Still, if she brings her typical A game, it should be another professional win for her.
5th Race - Gulfstream Park - Saturday, February 18th, 2012
ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. 1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse $60,000. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $8,550 THREE TIMES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $80,000. Weight, 123 lbs. Non-winners Of $26,500 Twice At A Mile Or Over Since December 18 Allowed 2 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since then Allowed 4 lbs. Claiming Price $80,000 (Races Where Entered For $50,000 Or Less Not Considered) (Condition Eligibility). (If deemed inadvisable to run this race over the turf course, it will be run on the main track at One Mile and One Sixteenth). (02:25 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Tannersville 5 G L 119 Jurado Luis Collazo Henry
2 Bell By The Ridge 5 G L 119 Desormeaux Kent J. Maker Michael J.
3 Monument Hill 6 G L 121 Castellano Javier Weaver George
4 Midnight Mischief 6 H L 119 Maragh Rajiv Mott William I.
5 Royal Hill 5 H L 119 Lopez Paco Rountree Cathy
6 Animal Kingdom 4 C L 119 Velazquez John R. Motion H. Graham
On paper, he is head and shoulders above this group. However, keep an eye on Monument Hill. He's won his past two races (claiming and an allowance), and has done well in listed stakes (finishing second in his last try at the level). This race is supposed to be a tightiner for Animal Kingdom as the bigger prize is the Dubai World Cup.
With that being said, both Shackleford and Ruler On Ice did not return well in last weekend's Donn. So it's too early to tell to know what will happen. I am going with Monument Hill for this race though, he has a hot jockey and has run well the past several months. Animal Kingdom for second and Royal Hill for third.
Don't forget Black Caviar runs tonight/Sat afternoon for Aussies. This won't be an easy task since this is a quick turnaround with a 1 week's rest and is shorting up. Still, if she brings her typical A game, it should be another professional win for her.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Gulfstream Turf Handicap Preview
It's the first G1 turf stakes of the year for Older Horses in North America. Lets take a look at the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.
11th Race - Gulfstream Park - Saturday, February 11th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse $300,000. Gulfstream Park Turf H. (Grade 1). FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $300 each by Saturday, January 28, 2012 , which shall accompany the nomination, $3,000 to pass the entry box and $1,500 additional to start, with $300,000 Guaranteed. All fees shall be paid before the start of the race. Supplementary nomination by Noon Friday February 3, at a fee of $15,000 which includes entry and starting fee.The owner of the winner to receive $180,000, $60,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth, $9,000 to fifth and $6,000 to sixth. Weights: Saturday, February 4, 2012. This race will be limited to 14 Starters, with Also Eligibles. High Weights Preferred with second preference to horses with the highest lifetime earnings. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. In the event this stakes is taken off the turf, it may be subject to downgrading upon review by the Graded Stakes Committee. Trophy to the winning owner. Nominations Closed Saturday, January 28, 2012 with 21 Nominations. (If deemed inadvisable to run this race over the turf course, it will be run on the main track at One Mile and One Eighth) (Rail at 72 feet). (05:13 PM) (11)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Silver Medallion 4 C L 120 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
2 Hollinger 5 G L 117 Lezcano Jose Attfield Roger L.
3 Big Blue Kitten 4 C L 116 Leparoux Julien R. Brown Chad C.
4 Yummy With Butter 8 G L 118 Lopez Paco Belsoeur Yvon
5 Boisterous 5 H L 120 Velazquez John R. McGaughey III Claude R.
6 Yankee Fourtune 5 G L 116 Maragh Rajiv McLaughlin Kiaran P.
7 Get Stormy 6 H L 121 Dominguez Ramon A. Bush Thomas M.
8 Kindergarden Kid 5 G L 116 Bravo Joe Tagg Barclay
9 Smart Bid 6 H L 117 Prado Edgar S. Motion H. Graham
10 Al Khali 6 R L 119 Garcia Alan Mott William I.
11 Sangaree 7 H L 114 Maragh Rajiv McLaughlin Kiaran P.
Lets take a look at the field:
1. Silver Medallion (Badge of Silver)- 1/2 brother to G1 winner Sweet Talker, he's on a two race win streak winning a pair of G3's.
2. Hollinger (Black Minnaloushe)- 2yo Champion Male in Canada, he has had soundness issues in the past. However, it seems that he's over it. Was 3rd and 2nd to Silver Medallion in his last two starts.
3. Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy)- Is a G2 winner, but was third in his comeback in December. This will be his second stakes race, and his first at a G1 level.
4. Yummy with Butter (Silvador)- Has faded a bit since doing so well at Monmouth, could be over matched here.
5. Boisterous (Distorted Humor)- Two win streak going, is G1 placed (3rd in last year's Man O War) and has already defeated some of his opponents in the race.
6. Yankee Fourtune (Yankee Gentleman)- Is a multiple G3 winner, but has faultered in his last two races which where allowances. Could be asking alot for him to be here.
7. Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic)- Seems to be a horse who starts the year poorly, good middle of the year and then ends with a clunker. Well at least that's how it was last year. Multiple G1 winner, and was third in this race last year.
8. Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer)- 3rd last time out in a G3. His stakes record is somewhat sporatic.
9. Smart Bid (Smart Strike)- The defending runner up has struggled lately. Either been 1st or 2nd or out of the top three completely.
10. Al Khali (Medaglia d' Oro)- The overlooked horse in his sire's first crop, he seems to be finding his stride again after a rough patch. Third in his past two races which where both G1's. He's cross-entered into the Donn.
11. (MTO) Sangaree (Awesome Again)- As far as I know, he has not been on turf (charts for his three Dubai races are unavaliable on Equibase, and did not use Racing Post for this preview). However, he has been on synthetic and sadly his record there is poor. If this does not come off the turf, he will be in the Donn.
So who wins? I'm going with Boisterous. He seems to have the most upside to him, Silver Medallion for second and Smart Bid for third.
11th Race - Gulfstream Park - Saturday, February 11th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse $300,000. Gulfstream Park Turf H. (Grade 1). FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $300 each by Saturday, January 28, 2012 , which shall accompany the nomination, $3,000 to pass the entry box and $1,500 additional to start, with $300,000 Guaranteed. All fees shall be paid before the start of the race. Supplementary nomination by Noon Friday February 3, at a fee of $15,000 which includes entry and starting fee.The owner of the winner to receive $180,000, $60,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth, $9,000 to fifth and $6,000 to sixth. Weights: Saturday, February 4, 2012. This race will be limited to 14 Starters, with Also Eligibles. High Weights Preferred with second preference to horses with the highest lifetime earnings. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. In the event this stakes is taken off the turf, it may be subject to downgrading upon review by the Graded Stakes Committee. Trophy to the winning owner. Nominations Closed Saturday, January 28, 2012 with 21 Nominations. (If deemed inadvisable to run this race over the turf course, it will be run on the main track at One Mile and One Eighth) (Rail at 72 feet). (05:13 PM) (11)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Silver Medallion 4 C L 120 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
2 Hollinger 5 G L 117 Lezcano Jose Attfield Roger L.
3 Big Blue Kitten 4 C L 116 Leparoux Julien R. Brown Chad C.
4 Yummy With Butter 8 G L 118 Lopez Paco Belsoeur Yvon
5 Boisterous 5 H L 120 Velazquez John R. McGaughey III Claude R.
6 Yankee Fourtune 5 G L 116 Maragh Rajiv McLaughlin Kiaran P.
7 Get Stormy 6 H L 121 Dominguez Ramon A. Bush Thomas M.
8 Kindergarden Kid 5 G L 116 Bravo Joe Tagg Barclay
9 Smart Bid 6 H L 117 Prado Edgar S. Motion H. Graham
10 Al Khali 6 R L 119 Garcia Alan Mott William I.
11 Sangaree 7 H L 114 Maragh Rajiv McLaughlin Kiaran P.
Lets take a look at the field:
1. Silver Medallion (Badge of Silver)- 1/2 brother to G1 winner Sweet Talker, he's on a two race win streak winning a pair of G3's.
2. Hollinger (Black Minnaloushe)- 2yo Champion Male in Canada, he has had soundness issues in the past. However, it seems that he's over it. Was 3rd and 2nd to Silver Medallion in his last two starts.
3. Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy)- Is a G2 winner, but was third in his comeback in December. This will be his second stakes race, and his first at a G1 level.
4. Yummy with Butter (Silvador)- Has faded a bit since doing so well at Monmouth, could be over matched here.
5. Boisterous (Distorted Humor)- Two win streak going, is G1 placed (3rd in last year's Man O War) and has already defeated some of his opponents in the race.
6. Yankee Fourtune (Yankee Gentleman)- Is a multiple G3 winner, but has faultered in his last two races which where allowances. Could be asking alot for him to be here.
7. Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic)- Seems to be a horse who starts the year poorly, good middle of the year and then ends with a clunker. Well at least that's how it was last year. Multiple G1 winner, and was third in this race last year.
8. Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer)- 3rd last time out in a G3. His stakes record is somewhat sporatic.
9. Smart Bid (Smart Strike)- The defending runner up has struggled lately. Either been 1st or 2nd or out of the top three completely.
10. Al Khali (Medaglia d' Oro)- The overlooked horse in his sire's first crop, he seems to be finding his stride again after a rough patch. Third in his past two races which where both G1's. He's cross-entered into the Donn.
11. (MTO) Sangaree (Awesome Again)- As far as I know, he has not been on turf (charts for his three Dubai races are unavaliable on Equibase, and did not use Racing Post for this preview). However, he has been on synthetic and sadly his record there is poor. If this does not come off the turf, he will be in the Donn.
So who wins? I'm going with Boisterous. He seems to have the most upside to him, Silver Medallion for second and Smart Bid for third.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Memory of Barbaro
It's hard to believe that this past Sunday was the 5th aniversary of the euthanization of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. As great as he was on dirt, people may forget that he was possibly even better on turf. That's no suprise considering his sire, Dynaformer did his best running on turf. Still, the Michael Matz trainee was an insperational horse, no matter the surface. There will be many what if's about the Preakness. What if he didn't go through the gate, what if he wasn't pulled up. However, those what if's are just that, what ifs. I remember the first time I had heard of him. Which was shortly before his Laurel Futurity win. Delaware Park had just celebrated Afleet Alex, and was estatic that a possible superstar made his debut at Delaware like Alex had done the year before (although "Bobby" was based at Fair Hill).
Here is Barbaro's Laurel Futurity (possibly his most impressive win)
And his greatest, the Derby
Today, Nicanor and Margano who are Barbaro's full brothers are carrying on his legacy. The Barbaro Stakes is run at Delaware in his memory. His dam La Ville Rouge, will be seeing Bernardini who won the Preakness in 2006 (where he was pulled up), hopefully this is the move she needs to finally get a filly (she's only thrown colts). The world misses and loves you Bobby.
Here is Barbaro's Laurel Futurity (possibly his most impressive win)
And his greatest, the Derby
Today, Nicanor and Margano who are Barbaro's full brothers are carrying on his legacy. The Barbaro Stakes is run at Delaware in his memory. His dam La Ville Rouge, will be seeing Bernardini who won the Preakness in 2006 (where he was pulled up), hopefully this is the move she needs to finally get a filly (she's only thrown colts). The world misses and loves you Bobby.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sire Profile: Hat Trick
Note: This is part of the Sire Series, twice a month a sire who spend most/all of his career on the grass will be featured
Hat Trick has several other stakes winners including Howe Great who won the Kitten's Joy this past weekend, and a multiple stakes winner in Russia. For the 2012 season, Hat Trick will be standing at Gainesway Farm.
Name: Hat Trick
Country of Birth: Japan
Year of Birth: 2001
Sire: Sunday Silence
Dam: Tricky Code
Broodmare Sire: Lost Code
Profile: Many of Japan's greatest horses have been sons or daughters of Sunday Silence. Hat Trick is no exception being from the one of the final crops of the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. He won multiple Group Ones not only at home in Japan, but in Hong Kong as well in winning the prestigious Hong Kong Mile. Hat Trick began his stallion career at Walmac Farm in Kentucky in 2008 with his first foals being born in 2009.
He suprised many (well at least me that is) by finishing fifth in the Freshman standings for earnings and 8 winners from 21 runners. Now granted most of those earnings came from one horse, Dabirsim who won 2 Group 1 races in France to be named 2yo Champion Colt in Europe. Here is the first of the two Group 1's:
Hat Trick has several other stakes winners including Howe Great who won the Kitten's Joy this past weekend, and a multiple stakes winner in Russia. For the 2012 season, Hat Trick will be standing at Gainesway Farm.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Turf Eclipse Winners
While Havre de Grace won the big prize of Horse of the Year, Turf horses had a big impact on this year's Eclipse Awards.
Cape Blanco and Stacelita won the Turf Male and Female titles respectively. BC Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready and BC Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Stephanie's Kitten where nominated in the Sprinter and 2yo Female Catagories. In addition, Acclamation who won 2 G1's on turf won Older Male and Brilliant Speed got 2 3rd place votes in the 3yo Male catagory. The funniest 1st place vote goes to BCC winner Drosselmeyer in the Turf Male. Aruna and Goldikova recieved votes in the Older Female Really? He ran poorly on the Turf and you give him a 1st place vote. That's funny.
Congrats to all the winners!
Cape Blanco and Stacelita won the Turf Male and Female titles respectively. BC Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready and BC Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Stephanie's Kitten where nominated in the Sprinter and 2yo Female Catagories. In addition, Acclamation who won 2 G1's on turf won Older Male and Brilliant Speed got 2 3rd place votes in the 3yo Male catagory. The funniest 1st place vote goes to BCC winner Drosselmeyer in the Turf Male. Aruna and Goldikova recieved votes in the Older Female Really? He ran poorly on the Turf and you give him a 1st place vote. That's funny.
Congrats to all the winners!
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