BC Day 2

Juvenile Turf:

I’m writing these as I’m watching the race replays and a stupid football game took over the first part of the coverage.  I am too lazy to go and look the race up on you tube, so this is all your getting, George Vancouver won, owned by the same connections as Wrote, who won this race last year.  Second went to Noble Tune and third went to Balance the Books.

Filly & Mare Sprint:

Went to Groupie Doll (who this was the second fasted F&M Sprint ever).  Everyone saw this coming from a mile away.  Dust and Diamonds was second, and Switch came in third (she was second these past two years).  Where was Turbulent Decent in this race?  What is going on with this filly?

Dirt Mile:

I was all about Shack in this race, I love this horse, and he is an animal. This dirt mile at SA versus Churchill, its two turns this year, as opposed to one.  Emcee and Fed Biz were also two other horses that a lot of people had their eyes on.   I liked Tapizar as a long shot in this race, he's got a good pace, and I just really like his sire, Tapit.  Shack bobbled at the start and I think he just couldn’t get his full rhythm.  After the second turn, Emcee was at the rail and Tapizar was racing next to him, and he just opened up down the stretch through the finish line.  Rail Trip followed him and Delegation came in third.  Emcee was 6^th, Shack was 7^th and Fed Biz was 8^th.

Turf Sprint:

I had money on Mizdirection, the Mike Smith mount, and the Euros in this field.  Other than that I don’t understand this downhill turf course, so I was just kind of guessing in this race.   California Flag, who has the track record and won this race is 09, got some play, but my opinion of him, its time to become a cross country horse, you are getting a little to old for my likings to be this quick.  Starspangledbanner, who despite his name is a Euro, led the pack for most of the race.  Mizdirection came flying through the pack to make the widest, and latest run to win.  She was off for 160 days previous to this years BC.  Unbridled Note was second, and Reneegotzip came in third.

BC Juvenile:

I am still lost on what happened with ArchWarrior, why wasn’t he in this race?  I know that he came in 4^th in the Champagne Stakes but really? I thought this horse was the next big thing.  Anyhow, that made Shanghai Bobby the favorite, which I don’t mind because I love Rosie these days.  I also put money on He’s Had Enough, can’t really stand his connections, but Mario was racing well all week, he went out as my longshot.  Title Contender looked really sweaty getting in this race.  I like Fortify, as well, and he is the only horse in this race that hasn’t run on lasix.  Title Contender and Bobby got the lead and they seemed to be flying.  Bobby opened up going through the second turn and He’s Had Enough was about to get room to go through and gave Bobby a run for his money.  Shanghai Bobby, still undefeated, won over He’s Had Enough by a head; Capo Bastone followed them.  The $2.00 exacta that I hit paid out $90.80.

BC Turf

I was all about Little Mike and St. Nicholas Abbey in this race.  I wasn’t really sure how I felt about Dullahan, I want to like him, but he has never won on the turf. Point of Entry was going off as the favorite.  I also put money on Trailblazer in this race, the Japanese import, although this horse is a huge douche bag, which needs to work on his ground skills immensely.  After a decent break for all, Turbo Compressor, Optimizer, and Little Mike took the lead.  That’s how it was until the stretch where Little Mike took the lead, Point of Entry was second, St. Nicholas Abbey had to go wide came in for third, and I hit the trifecta.  Little Mike also set a new BC record in this race and matched the Santa Anita track record.   And for the record, Dale Romans, may look like an idiot, but he really is not.

XPRESSBET Sprint

As anyone who knows me, knows I’m a very emotional racing fan.  I become a fan and I stand by that horse, pretty much until retirement; Trinniberg, is one of these horses.  I was in shock of the price that he went out at (12-1).  Trinni is super fast and I think the bright colors of his bridal and polo wraps make him faster. I also played Amazombie, for the Mike Smith factor, although he wasn’t had as good of a season as his did last year, he was fourth in his last start.  I also played Sum of the Parts, who won four of his last five races. Then I played The Lumber Guy as well, who has been doing well lately, and well I told my trainer I’d be betting on greys for her.  Sum of the Parts and Trinni took the lead followed by Fast Bullet and The Lumber Guy.  Trinniberg took the lead and won, followed by The Lumber Guy, and Sum of the Parts and Smiling Tiger were in a photo for third, but it went to Smiling Tiger.  Mike Smith said that right after the turn, the horse did not even pick it up, that the horse through in the towel early.

BC Mile

This is one of my favorite races of the whole weekend.  Years past this race has been dominated by Goldikova, one of my favorite horses of all time.  This year, I was so excited to see Excelebration.  I’ve seen a lot of this horse, due to watching many of Frankel’s races, he was going out at 2-1.  Although, my downfall with Exelebration, was that he race only two weeks ago at Ascot.  Wise Dan was the even money favorite in this race, and there was really no stopping him.  I did not believe anyone could win this race, but Wise Dan.  What I was also excited to see in this race was the return of Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner.  He has only raced once this year.  I’m a big fan of this horse and I was pumped to see him race.  Wise Dan easily won.  Animal Kingdom ran a HUGE race coming in second, he just blew out of the pack like no other, and let be honest, from the start of this race, everyone was racing for second behind Wise Dan.  Obviously, who was on the lead for most of the race came in third followed by Excelebration in fourth.

BC Classic

So for the Classic, I was keeping it simple.  I was playing Game On Dude, Mucho Macho Man, and Ron the Greek.  I didn’t think to play Fort Larned at all.  It didn’t even cross my mind that he could win.  I actually didn’t think anyone could beat the Dude.  Fort Larned, MMM, and THAS took the lead going around the first turn, and Dude was sixth at this point. Fort Larned had the lead the entire trip under Brian Hernadez.  MMM came in second and these two, were so far ahead of the field, no one would be able to catch up to them.  Flat Out came in third, followed by Ron the Greek.  Still don’t know what happened to the Dude.  Sorry Bob.  

BC Friday

Juvenile Sprint:

With the scratch of Super Ninety Nine, Merit Man became the favorite.  I also had money on South Floyd in this race, but he was scratched at the gate. The vet scratched South Floyd at the gate due to being off in one of his left front foot. I liked Ceiling Kitty as well, basically she had many starts under her and three wins, and this was the Breeder’s Cup, you risk a lot by not betting Euros. Also, an advantage for her was running without Lasix.  Who I counted out; was Hightail.  He went off at 15-1 under Rajiv Maragh, and he was 0 for 8, of course we should count this horse out.  Merit Man flew out of the gate, but they then were running four wide, two lengths only separated the whole field. Merit Man made his move after the turn and Sweet Shirley Mae was right behind, then Hazardous came up on the rail, saving all of the ground and ended up winning by a head.  P Val sent in an inquiry, Hazardous and Merit Man had a slight contact going down the stretch, but lets be honest; these are two year olds.  P Val, I think you were just being a sore loser.  For being 50 years old, you should probably be able to lose a race with dignity at this point.

Final Order of finish, Hightail, Merit Man, Sweet Shirley Mae, Hazardous, Ceiling Kitty.

Marathon

Worth Repeating was scratched due to lameness from the day before that got no better on BC Friday.   The favorite for this race was Atigun under Mike Smith, who was third in the Belmont Stakes this year.  I liked long shot Juniper Pass and Grassy in this race.  I was nervous about Grassy due to his lack of dirt starts, but that horse will run all day.  Jaycito being in this race was a complete joke; the Zayats once again think their horses are much better than they are.  Jaycito set the early speed pace, pretty much because there was no one else to due it.  Half way through the race, Fame and Glory the import proved that he was just no factor at all.  Atigun took the lead and then at the top of the lane Grassy made his move and on the outside Calidoscopio made his move and blew away the field to win by 4, Grassy was second, Atigun took third and Juniper Pass came in for fourth.  It was Aaron Gryder’s first Breeders Cup win.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

I was all about Spring Venture in this race.  This filly was 3-0 up at Woodbine, and she looked great in all her wins.  I also had money on Flotilla on this race, for no apparent reason, just seemed like a decent long shot to me. I refused to put money on Tara from the Cape, due to the fact that I hate Cape Cod. Flashy Ways who was undefeated in Southern California, but I just wasn’t feeling her, even though her connections paid the $100,000 supplemental fee. Sky Lantern, the Euro, went off at the 5-2 favorite.  Everyone seemed to break off well, and the front of the pack was 4 or 5 wide.  Tara from the Cape led the pack down the backstretch.  Flotilla, a Euro, was stalking the leaders, then after the turn down the middle of the track, flew by everyone to win it. Spring Venture did nothing but get caught in traffic was ridden very wide. Watsdachances, the Chad Brown trainee came in second, and third was taken by Summer of Fun.  Board was full of long shots in this race.

Juvenile Fillies

I just really liked Beholder in this race.  Rumors went around all week that Executivepriviledge was not training well leading into the race.  Kauai Katie should not have been entered in this race; she should have run in the sprint.  I liked Dreaming of Julia; she was probably my favorite out of the three unbeaten fillies.  Renee’s Queen was a total bitch going into the gate, her rider had to get off.  Beholder and Kauai Katie both flew to the lead, Executivepriviledge took third with Spring in the air and Renee’s Queen following.  Right before the second turn Dreaming of Julia stepped up; Beholder was still on the lead.  She just opened the hell up finishing the turn and then Executivepriviledge tried to come in for a stretch duel but she drifted out pretty wide.  Exeutivepriviledge finished second, and Dreaming of Julia came in third.  This race makes me really excited for the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.

Filly & Mare Turf

I liked the Euros, The Fugue and Nahrain in this, Chad Brown’s Zagora and Lady of Shamrock.  Up I was up in the air about, she just didn’t have enough wins behind her to convince me that she could pull of this win, even though I have a growing obsession with Aiden O’Brien.  Star Billing took the lead followed by Marketing Mix, In Lingerie and Zagora. Down the stretch Zagora just went flying by, followed by Marketing Mix and The Fugue who came in third, who was trapped at the rail for almost her whole trip.  Lady of Shamrock did have a good last run, but she just does not measure up against this crowd.

Ladies Classic

I didn’t want Royal Delta to win, I just don’t respect her as much with Blind Luck and Havre de Grace out of the game, but she couldn’t beat either of them so that’s basically my issues with her.  But Mike Smith now has her mount and we all know my feelings about him.  Awesome Feather, I have been following her for quite sometime.   Other than that, My Miss Aurelia, who I love, that filly is a fucking animal.  They all broke great, and Royal Delta just took the lead and no one could touch her.  She finished in 148.80 and she and Mike were flawless.  My Miss Aurelia ran second and Include Me Out finished third.  Questing was pulled up, with an apparent eye injury.  I don’t believe it, I think she was pulled up because she had no chance.  Awesome Feather was depressing.  Where did she even finish?  She does not run against tough company and it obviously showed in this race.  Royal Delta's next year campaign should be 100% against the boys.  

Breeders Cup. Day 1

Well I am among the masses of horse racing fans that are anticipating Fridays event a hell of a lot more than Saturdays. The Ladie's Classic is the strongest field probably in the 29 year history of the event. We have two undefeated fillies and last years winner. All but one entrants have also one grade one races.

Since I've got a few more hours to go on this plane. Here's my take on Fridays BC races

BC Juvenille Sprint
My money is most likely going on Merit Man. He is going out at 8-5. He was his last start at 6 furlongs on the SA track. He also won his start before that at Del Mar. Super Ninety Nine who is currently 5-2 won at 7 furlongs at this track is also intriguing but a maiden special start does not convince me.  Hazardous, who is currently at 8-1 (a phenom price) has won 2 of 3, his latest at SA going 6 furlongs. It was against claiming company but the final time was 1:10, the same at Merit Man's last win. The last horse in this race that intrigues me is Ceiling Kitty. The biggest thing about the Breeder's Cup is never count out the Europeans. Although she has only won at 5 furlong distances, they do not use lasix in Europe which some think could be to her advantage.  She also has much more experience than most of the field.

BC Marathon
This is to me a very difficult race to handicap because its not necessarily how good the horse is, it's about the horse and rider combo making it the distance. Last year this race was won by Afleet Again who went out at 41-1 and paid out over $85. I know this because I won a decent amount of money on him. But that just reinforces the fact that this race is anyone's game. Atigun, who is going to go out at a low price, because he is a somewhat popular horse will be included in my betting because I think he finished a very strong third in the Belmont Stakes and maybe the extra distance is what he wants.  Also, this is a BC race and Mike Smith has the mount, easy math there.  Eldaafer won this very race at this very track in 2009, but he's also now 7 and probably not in the form that he was then.  Fame and Glory, the British import can run all day. He hasn't won in his last 3 starts but I'm definitely putting money on him, he's run from 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 miles.   When it comes to Jaycito I think the Zayats just want to enter as many of their horses as possible in the BC, I'm not even looking at them.   Juniper Pass has won at this distance on this track, but that was back in 2010.  If any of these horses can get back to their older form than it can be anyone's game.

BC Juviele Fillies Turf
Well in this race I like Spring Venture who is 3-0 at Woodbine. Other than that my money is going on the Euros (which ones is another question). They dominate in BC turf events, so I'm just going to play them. In this field we have, Sky Lantern, Flotilla, The Gold Cheongsam and Infanta Branca.  But the thing is, these are two year olds, they are babies, so it can be anyone's game.

BC Juvenile Fillies
I really like Beholder in this race. She is coming off of a win at SA and he out before that she lost by a head to Executiveprivilege. The one hole that she is in does make me nervous, but hopefully she can over come it. Baffert's super horse Executiveprivilege has had rumored subpar works, which makes me a little eary about her. She is 5-0 and a local horse who has won on the SA track ( and at the 1 1/16th distance) but if she's not working well, she's not working well.  The Pletcher/Stonestreet undefeated due of Dreaming of Julia and Kauai Katie just shipped in yesterday which does not impress me. Kauai Katie has not run more than 6 furlongs so I'm not 100% sure why she is in this race and not the sprint. Dreaming of Julia I thought was impressive in the Fizette, which is run at a mile, I do not think the extra 1/16 of a mile will be a problem for her. She is my pick from the undefeated starters.

BC Fillie and Mare Turf
Well for starters, Todd Pletcher, since when does In Lingerie run on turf? Did I miss something?  For this race I'm going back to good old Mike Smith, on Lady of Shamrock.  She is 5 for 6 this year and has    Won on this track plenty.  Nahrain, the Darley breed shipper was second in this race last year and she won her last start a Belmont.  The Fugue is also on my radar. This Euro has hit the board in 6 of her 7 lifetime starts. Ridasiyna the French import is also 4 for 5 this year.  Zagora who was over in Europe and is now in the states in Chad Brown also intrigues me. Her pictures look great and she got second in her last start and first in the start before that.

Ladies Classic
It's anyone's race. I think Royal Delta will probably win it, but I personally want Awesome Feather or My Miss Aurellia to win .  That's al my input this is going to be the best race of the whole weekend.

Awesome Feather

Thursday, Awesome Feather took the Nasty Storm Stakes by a dozen lengths, making her record a perfect 10 for 10.  I've been following this filly for quit some time, although I never know if she's injured, not injured due to her long gaps in between races.  Her next start is going to be the Ladie's Classic, in 6 weeks and I can not wait.  She just seems to keep getting better while other fillies, coughroyaldeltacough, seem to be, well who knows what is up with her. This filly is unstoppable and I'm obsessed with her.

Hoping Back in the Saddle

So I've been kind of too busy to blog/the racing world is just doing nothing for me these days.  Three year olds are dropping like flies, (as of recently: Bodemeister and Hansen) so that division is pretty much thinning out for the year, even with the Traver's this weekend.  Awesome Maria has been retired, leaving the older females down a top competitor.  

The Line Up for the Travers:
1. Speightscity, I. Ortiz Jr., G Contessa, 30-1
2. Five Sixteen, R. Napravnik, D A Schettino, 15-1 
3. Golden Ticket, D. Cohen, K G McPeek, 20-1
4. Stealcase, S. Brigmohan, M E Casse, 15-1
5. Street Life, J. Lezcano, C B Brown, 5-1
6. Alpha, R. Dominguez, K P McLaughlin, 5-2
7. Atigun, M. Smith, K G McPeek, 12-1
8. Neck 'n Neck, L. Goncalves, I R Wilkes, 9-2
9. Liaison, R. Bejarano, B Baffert, 8-1
10. Nonios, J. Velazquez, J Hollendorfer, 4-1
11. Fast Falcon, J. Alvarado, N P Zito, 20-

I'm going with Stealcase on this one.  He was impressive in the Haskell and at the price that he will probably go out at? That is where my money will be going.  I'm sure Alpha will go out as even money due to the Dominguez factor, that jock is on fire this meet.

Right before the Traver's is the Kings Bishop (Uncle Mo's return race last year)
1. Willy Beamin (NY), A Garcia, 119, R E Dutrow Jr.
2. Gun Boat (FL), R Bejarano, 117, B Baffert
3. Currency Swap (FL), R Maragh, 121, T M Pompay
4. Fort Loudon (FL), J Alvarado, 119, N P Zito
5. Laurie's Rocket (KY), J Rosario, 119, D W Lukas
6. Spin Out (KY), R Napravnik, 117, N P Zito
7. Ever So Lucky (KY), J R Velazquez, 117, J E Sheppard
8. Unbridled's Note (KY), J R Leparoux, 117, S M Asmussen
9. Trinniberg (KY), W Martinez, 121, B Parboo
10. Doctor Chit (KY), R A Dominguez, 119, T A Pletcher

If Trinniberg gets a good enough break, my money is on him, he is really just too fast.  Currency Swap and Fort Loudon are definitely contenders, but Trinniberg is just the quicker colt.  Should be a good race though, more excited for this than the Traver's actually.

Well Well Well

alright here is a side note, due to the Olympics NBC is only covering some of the "Summer at Saratoga", which I am pissed about.   Why didn't another network pick this up? Now I'm forced to watch TVG ugh.

Opening weekend at the Spa was good, I quickly learned that if you don't bet on a Todd Pletcher horse, you are bound to make some money.

Rags has been retired, no surprise there.  He was the little horse that couldn't.  He had this underdog appeal, that everyone rallied for, and he just continuously failed to preform when he needed to, except when Mike Smith let him win the Belmont.

Alpha won the Jim Dandy over a sloppy track yesterday- he looked good, not the biggest fan of this horse, but he will most likely be the favorite going into the Traver's (unless he you know, gets a temperature or something, aka dodges some faster horse).  He did look good, and he had a lot of horse left at the wire. Well see how he does on the Stay Thirsty route.

Now onto the Haskell,
1. Nonios
2. Dullahan
3. Paynter
4. Gemologist
5. Handsome Mike
6. Stealcase

I think it will be Handsome Mike with the upset, simply because those connections have been on fire lately.  Other than that, Its Paynter. Bejarano is traveling to ride, and I just cant believe that he would give up a Sunday at Del Mar unless he believes that he can win.  Dullahan, whom I would normally think would be a threat may still be tired, he ran in two of the TC races, which is a fairly tough process, and his Belmont running was just pathetic (beaten 11 lengths?).  Gemologist, who I thought was the most overrated horse going into the Derby, I think may hit the board, but I do not see him winning.  Todd Pletcher is doing great this summer, remember?

Other than that, I am just talking out of my ass because I am tired and my head hurts.

So You Think

So You Think, one of Aiden O'Brien's trainees has been retired due to pulled muscles in his hind.  He is jet-setting to Australia to join Uncle Mo for stud duty at Coolmore.  So You Think was a 10 time Group 1 winning horse and has over 5 million pounds in earnings. He most recently won the Prince of Wales Stakes at the Royal Ascot meet last month.  He was 23: 14-4-1.  So You Think's worst race was last November at Churchill, were he finished 6th in the Breeder's Cup Classic.

I really like this horse and I have a growing appreciate for Aiden O'Brien