Union Rags

From facebook update:


Union Rags breezed 5 furlongs today in 1:02:60, with splits of 25.40, 37.80- afterwards he galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:15:40.  UR's debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes is 3 and a half weeks away!


UR also had a special shout out to Hansen (also via Facebook) about never being ashamed of a second place finish...talk about sportsmanship

Google Images

Mucho Macho Man

This horse finished third in the 2011 Kentucky Derby won the 1 1/8, $400,000 Florida Millions Classic.  Mucho Macho Man, under Ramon Dominquez and trained by Kathy Ritvo won by 1 ½ lengths with a time of 1:47:91.  Ron the Greek was second, and Turbo Compressor was third. 

No word yet on where Mucho Macho Man will race next

Algorithms VS Union Rags

Algorithms to take on Union Rags next in the Fountain of Youth… or in the Florida Derby

Awesome Feather... Awesome As Always...

For the sport of kings, why is it always the Queens who we fans love so much?  Probably, because lately the ladies of racing have been giving it their all and winning, making us come back for more and more.  Over the past year, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Blind Luck, Havre de Grace, and a majority of this year’s four year old fillies are all proving themselves to be champs on the racetrack.  Awesome Feather (I’m confident she will keep on the track she’s going on) is yet another name to add to that list.  The 2010 two year old champ won Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Distaff by 5 3/4s lengths.  She is a powerhouse horse, who is telling everyone that she is not letting her injury as a three year old bring her down.  According to her Facebook page her jockey, Jeffrey Sanchez said: “She broke so sharp I don’t fight her too much” … “I know when I sent her she kept going-she don’t stop” and well that is completely true.  This filly is not stopping for anyone.  In her article about her race on the Daily Racing Form, they report that her next start will most likely be the Rampart, at Gulfstream Park on March 31^st. 

I cannot wait for later on in this year when horses like AF, HdG, Royal Delta, It’s Tricky, Plum Pretty, Awesome Maria, etc. will all battle it out on the track…. Although, I may have to wait for Breeder’s Cup CLASSIC 2012 for those match ups!!

Holy Bull Stakes

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Sunday’s Holy Bull Stakes.  During the warm up, Hansen did not look that good to me.  Maybe it was just the shots that I was seeing, but if he was not the 2 year old champ, and I didn’t know who he was, by his warm up, I would not have bet any money on him.  In the gate, he also seemed fairly restless, which brings me to my question, was Ramon even trying to get the horse to settle down?  I’m not sure he was.  At the break, Hansen tripped a bit and it was pretty far from a clean start.  He was with the pack and then pulled himself together to get on a lead by about 2 lengths, setting very quick early fractions (probably a little too quick for Hansen’s first time out since a long layoff-here I blame Ramon for poor riding-he should of got him to slow down a little bit and RELAX).  Then at the turn, the other horses started to creep up on him, and BAM Algorithms looked like he wasn’t even trying as he flew down the stretch to win by 5 lengths.  Algorithms, is now 3-3 and I think he may be a horse we want to look out for on the Derby trail.  I have a lot of love for Hansen, but I was disappointed in his performance.  Yes, he got a bad break, and there was a sloppy track, but it very well can rain that first Saturday in May.  Look at last year’s Belmont Stakes- the track was very sloppy, and we had long shot Ruler on Ice win.  I don’t think we should write Hansen off of being a top Triple Crown contender, but now we have a clearer picture of what he’s working with.

Congratulations to Algorithms and his connections.  What will be next for this colt?

OMGBC!

Friday night, in Australia, Black Caviar went for her 17th straight victory in the G2 Australia S. at Moonee Valley.  This filly relaxed for the begining of the race, about 2 lengths off of the leaders, and then after the turn she turned up here gears and easy glided to the finish line four lengths ahead of the rest of the field.  The 1200 meter turf spring was finished in 1:09:44.  I can not wait to see whats to come for this filly.

Hansen and the Holy Bull

This Sunday, our 2 year old champ Hansen will make his 3 year old debut in the $400,000  Grade 3 Holy Bull at 1 mile, down in Florida at Gulfstream Park.  He's been working great.  I can not wait to see what he has to bring to the table.

AWESOME FEATHER

One of my favorite fillys, 4-year old Awesome Feather, owned by Stronach Stable's will be running in Saturday's $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff.  AF won all six of her starts at age two and the Eclipse Award, but was sidelined last year with tendon issues.  She returned to race last fall and has won both of her starts at age 3.  Let hope she keeps the streak alive at age 4. 

She is running against:
1-My Pal Chrissy
2-Tiz the Argument
3-Delightful Mary
4-Awesome Feather
5-Perfect Embrace
6-Sweet Repent

According to her facebook updates, she worked five furlongs on January 21,  in 1:01:44 over the Palm Meadow's Training Center's dirt track.  AF recieved a rank of 9/28!

Good Luck to her and her connections.

Kudos to the NYRA

Alcohol testing has just been approved in New York for jockeys and drivers on racedays.  Any jockey with a blood alcohol level of .05 or higher will be banned from the days racing and face suspension and fines.  I think this is a great rule.  Everyone knows what happens in the Jock's room (not all but some) and it about time that these racing authorites have now started to take safety into their own hands.  You can not operate a vechile while under the influence, why would you think you should operate a horse?  These jocks were putting themselves and others at danger.   Kudos to you New York for stepping up.

My other race...

The other race I was looking forward to this past weekend, was the Evening Attire Stakes at Aqueduct.  Due to all the snow we got here on the east coast, the whole day's card was cancelled.  This race was going to be the return of I Want Revenge, who I am very excited to see run.  This card will now be raced this Saturday according to TVG.



photo credit: google images

Catching up from the weekend....

Baby news and baby daddy news got me a little distracted from the races this weekend. The main race I was looking forward to, the Palos Verdes Stakes was won by upset winner Frumious who paid out ($14.60) and won by 5 3/4 lengths. Amazombie who I was looking forward to seeing run again was scratched due to heavy rains the night before. He is now going to make his 2012 debut in the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes on February 25th.

Baby Curlin

here is Rachel Alexandra and her colt by Curlin- taken from her facebook page...

Blind Luck

She will also be bred to Bernardini this year. Can we get someone to change things up a bit? Do people really think he's the best or are we copying team Zenyatta.

Rachel Alexandra....

Rachel gave birth to her first colt yesterday. The little guy is by Curlin. This is the first of some very exciting babies this year. Rachel will be bred again to Bernadini. (who Zenyatta is in foal too). Does this mean Z will be covered by Curlin next?? Well have to wait and see.

The Return of AMAZOMBIE....

The race I'm looking most forward to this weekend, is the Palos Verdes at Santa Anita on Saturday.  It is the return of Eclipse winner Amazombie (provided the weather cooperates- Bill Spawr said he wouldn't run if the rains are heavy)

here the line up:

1. M One Rifle , J Talamo, 118, B Headley
2. Amazombie, M E Smith, 123, W Spawr
3. Galientos, C S Nakatani, 118, S M Asmussen
4. Mensa Heat, R Bejarano,    118, T H West
5. Frumious,  A L Castanon, 118, J Bonde
6. Canonize, V Espinoza, 118, R W Ellis
7. Courtside, J Rosario, 118, J W Sadler
8. Euroears, M Garcia, 123, B Baffert

Euroears may give Amazombie a run for his money.  I would also like to see what M One Rifle has to offer,  I would not be surprised with whomever wins this.  Its going to be a good race (but my money is on AMAZOMBIE)

I Want Revenge.....

Well I think his name is telling the story of his career as a racehorse. He was once the beat three year old in the country. He was the morning line favorite to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby but he was scratched due to injury in his left front ankle. Mine that Bird under Calvin Borel (50-1) shot ended up winning the Derby that year.

I Want Revenge has not won since he was 3 and has not raced since May, at Belmont Park. He will race at Aqueduct on Saturday in the $75,000 Evening Attire Stake. I hope this horse comes back with some fire in him and he can finally be back on top.

Eclipse Recap....

Well its been a couple of days since the Eclipse awards, but I am pretty please, and I did predict most of the winners...

and Obviously, Havre de Grace won Horse of the Year.  She had no other competition, she by far had the most stellar year (for older horses that is, we had quite a few undefeated babies out there).  For the two year old division, the honors were given out to those who deserved it; My Miss Aurelia and Hansen.  Although on that note, I did not think Hansen would win by as many votes as he did (he had 194 and Union Rags had 52).  I can not wait to see what these horses have to offer in their three year old seasons.

3-Year-Old Division: I was bullshit when I found out Animal Kingdom won.  Yes he won the Kentucky Derby and he raced in all 3 Classic races, but Shakleford placed ahead of him in 2 of the 3.  I do not think a division champion should be named when he did not race passed June.  Caleb's Posse deserved the title, and he only lost by 3 votes, which makes it that much more aggrivating.  Royal Delta won the title for the females, the ladies 3-year-olds had a great division this year, but Royal Delta clinched it with her win in the BC Ladie's Classic.  I'm excited to see what she has to offer on her trail to the Dubai World Cup.

Older Male/Female- Havre de Grace won by a landslid for the ladies, most obvious choice.  As for the males, Acclamation won.  It was a tight race between him, Game on Dude, and Tizway.  Acclamation deserved it, although all of these horses had stellar years.  I think if Tizway avoided injury, he would have given all older horses a run for their money when it came to the BC Classic.... but I've always been a fan of his.

Turf Horses: Cape Blanco, for the males.  Well deserved, he did a lot of travelling and preformed well all year.  As for the females, Stacelita- really?  Yes, she won first palce in the United Nations & the Beverly D, but she had an extremely poor 10th place in the BC Filly & Mare Turf.  Maybe there just were no break out stars in this category?  I would of given it to Perfect Shirl.

Sprinters: Male-Amazombie, there was no question in this category.  As for females, I did not expect Musical Romance to win, but her preformance in the BC most likely sealed the deal.

Steeplechase-Black Jack Blues....Ill keep you updated when I begin watching these races.

Trainer-Bill Mott, well deserved due to wins in the BC.  If they went for purses earned, it should of gone to Todd Pletcher.  But I'm fine with this decision.

Owner- Ken and Sarah Ramsey.  Who wouldn't be happy for them?

Breeder-Adena Springs, they are just a powerhouse.

Jockey-Ramon Domingues, he rode what 3 of the winners?

and Kyle Frey won the apprentice jockey award. 

All in all, I cant argue too much with the winners, pretty close to my predictions list.

Junebugred wins Smarty Jones

Yesterday I got home right in time for the Smarty Jones Stakes (grade2) at Oaklawn Park. Good thing I did not get home in time to wager online because I would of put money on the filly On Fire Baby, who came in a respectable third place. She was lingering around 4th for most of the trip and then at the second turn she started to pull ahead. Jake Mo, Laurie's Rocket, No Spin and On Fire Baby, were four wide when a hole opened on the rail and Junebugred riden by Joe Bravo went on right through the opening then continued down the stretch to win. Reckless Jerry pulled out of no where to get second place and On Fire Baby was third.

I'm excited to see what else Junebugred has to offer. Going through this race he still had a lot of horse left in him. He's being pointed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes on February 20th. It's that time of year where 3 year olds need to build up purse earnings, so we'll just have to wait and see what this colt really has to offer us.

Reneesgotzip wins!

I thought Candrea had the Santa Ynez Stakes in the bag, but I was wrong. In just her second start Reneesgotzip went off as the even money favorite and she destroyed the field. She had the lead gate to wire and won by 7 3/4 lengths. Final time doe the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:15.25.

This is a filly to watch.

Santa Ynez Stakes...

Pressure is on for all 3 year olds in the world of horse racing.  Triple Crown season is right around the corner and purse earning are in need for all. (Minus say, Hansen, Union Rags, Sabercat, Laison --to name a few).  Tomorrow's Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes may have a break out filly to possibly give My Miss Aurelia some competition in the Kentucky Oaks.

the half dozen fillies running 6 1/2 furlongs are:


1. Made to Love Her (FL), R Bejarano, J M Kasparoff
2. Reneesgotzip (KY), C S Nakatani, P Miller
3. Rowdy Gal (KY), J Rosario, J W Sadler
4. Painted Woman (KY), M E Smith, S M Asmussen
5. Lady Hokulea (KY), J Talamo, B Baffert
6. Candrea (FL), M Garcia, B Baffert



I think Candrea has the $150,000 purse in the bag.... but you never know.  We will see tomorrow.

Go Go

All the jockeys at the Santa Anita meet must have a bitter sweet feeling right now when it comes to Garrett Gomez. After a rocket start to the new year, he was tossed from his mount Silver Summation and landed on his heel. He underwent surgery yesterday and is going to be put for 4 to 6 weeks. Go Go was on fire with nearly $400,000 in purse earning only a few days into the meet. In total he won 6 stake races in 10 days. His mounts are now open doe Saturday's Grade 2 San Fernando Stakes, Sunday's Santa Ynez Stakes (Grade 2) And Monday's Grade2 San Gabriel Stakes. There are a lot of mounts to be picked up in the next month and a half.

Greatest Moment of 2011

So I received The Bloodhorse's 25 Most Intriguing Horses& People of 2011 and they actually brought up my favorite moment of 2011...

Drum roll please.....

Robby Albarado losing his mount on Animal Kingdom. For those who are not aware, this scum who calls himself a jockey was arrested on March 31 for assaulting and choking his wife, Kimber. Well karma's a bitch and so isn't he for beating his wife, and apparently Smoke'n Al agrees. He is the horse who was going to run in a $10,000 maiden claimer race the Wednesday before the Derby. He threw off Albarado in the post parade and ended up kicking him in the face, breaking his nose. Barry Irwin of Team Valor did not want to risk his chance at a derby win with an injured jockey, so along came good ol Johnny V who rode Animal Kingdom to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby!!!!



My advice for all: don't beat up your wives.

My Filly....

If you saw me at the Breeder's Cup this year and asked me about the winner of the classic, my response was "the filly's going to kill the field by 5 lengths...". Now I know I was exaggerating but I was convinced we were going to see a replay of the Woodward. I am still in belief that if she didn't get bumped around at the start then Havre De Grace would be following right in Queen Zenyatta's footsteps to be the second female to win the classic. But hey whose to say 4th place is all that bad....and I did have money on Drosselmeyer. Thank you Mike Smith.

Anyway. The Bloodhorse today is reporting that HDG's 5 year old deput maybe the April 1st New Orleans Handicap. Also in consideration was the New Orleans Ladies on March 17th. HDG has proven she can beat the females. Let this machine run against some tough competition. No one was mad with her4th place finish in the Classic. Everyone was just happy she tried.

HANSEN

thank you bloodhorse magazine for profiling Dr. Kendall Hansen and his silver bullet

Rapid Redux

okay, so this years Vox Populi award winner... which is an award that Penny Chenery gives out each year for a horse that does great things for the fan base and for the good of racing in general.  last year QUEEN ZENYATTA received it.  This year, I voted for Havre de Grace.  She had a great rivalry with Blind Luck, and then continued to try to beat the boys. She was the best candidate.

yes, Rapid Redux has broken some amazing records and winning 22 in a row is a great accomplishment, but RR please step your game up and stop staying in small money claiming races.  We would all like to see you race against some TOUGH competition.

My Eclipse Awards...

Here's my list of who shold win on January 16th:

Two Year Old Male: Hansen. I understand the argument for Union Rags, but Hansen won the BC Juvinelle. Yes Union Rags may of had to go wide but he lost. I think Hansen deserves the title and I can't wait to see these two battle it out as three year olds.

Two Year Old Filly: My Miss Aurelia. Obviously. See "HOTY" blog.

Three Year Old Male: Caleb's Posse. Animal Kingdom and Shakleford haven't won/raced since the Triple Crown. I don't think either deserve it. Where was Stay Thirsty on the list?

Three Year Old Filly: Royal Delta. This race came down to the Ladies Classic Winner.

Older Female: Havre De Grace. No question

Older Male: Acclamation- completely underrated horse

Male Sprinter: Amazombie. BC win wrapped this category up for him

Female Sprinter: I'm not really a fan of any but Sassy Image had two fade 1 wins this year Shea got my vote.

Male Turf: Capw Blanco

Female Tirf: Perfect Shirl

Steeplechase: I couldn't care less.

Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

Breeder: Adena Springs

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

And apprentice- I know nothing about them.

See you on the 16th

Turbulent Decent in the La Brea

Can someone explain what is going on with this filly? Ive been a huge fan of this filly since watching her two year old campaign. But then when she lost me a decent amount of money by coming in fifth in the Breeders Cup dilly and mare sprint I was shaking my head wondering what was going on with her. She has three Grade 1 victories so far in her career and with two big wins earlier in the season with the Test Stakes and the Santa Anita Oaks. (along with two second place finishes). Were we all summing the BC up as a ba trip for her or is this filly in need of a rest? TD finishes 6th in the LaBrea 5 1/4 lengths behind longshot Teddy's Promise.

Was her team just overly confident in trying to get her the Eclipse for female sprinter ? Qass she even ready for this? She has raced a decent amount as a 3 year old. Let's hope she gets the rest that she needs and comes back with some vengeance in her four year old campaign.