too good I had to post this...

From Graham Motions Twitter:

"Lady at the Hertz desk in Louisville just asked me if I had ever been to the Kentucky Derby....#howwouldsheknow '


I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

Daddy Long Legs.... Possible Derby Threat

So there is no denying the level of talent in this years Kentucky Derby, and to be completely honest, I have no clue who I even want to win, due to the fact I like so many of these damn horses!  Although, when in doubt I always go to whatever horse Mike Smith is riding, due to my undying love for a man who is six inches shorter and a hell of a lot of weight less than me.  I have always had a soft spot for Hansen (I’ve been following him since his first race, thank you TVG), but I don’t think his riding style will win this Derby; I don’t trust early speed in this group (and I am not ready to admit, I think my white horse may just really peak as a miler).  Union Rags, I would not be surprised if he won, but I don’t think he will, I think everyone want that “hero horse”, the next potential Triple Crown winning horse, and early on people though Rags was it.  To me, whom much pressure gets to the horse, and the connections, as racing fans, we tend to get ahead of ourselves with these babies on the track. Bodemeister, as the favorite, can easily win this (and with Mike aboard, I will be happy if he does), but how often does the favorite win the Derby?  I have great respect for the majority of these horse’s campaigns (minus the few lucky winners, cough cough Laison, coughcough). But here is my point (bare with me I’ve had a long week at work and I’ve consumed a decent amount of wine this evening) … I think we all need to watch out for DADDY LONG LEGS.  Now I don’t know that much about this beautiful, chestnut colt, besides the fact that he had a shitty 12^th place finish in the BCJ, he also has, three first place and a fourth place finish underneath his girth.  First of all this year’s Scat Daddy’s really intrigue me.  They can really run on anything, and they are all just very versatile horses.  DADDY LONG LEGS is out of Dreamy Maiden by Meadowlake, who has usually produced horses for shorter distances, but DLL had proven he could go distance by winning the UAE Derby, back on Dubai World Cup night.  The UAE Derby is 1 3/16 miles, where as Kentucky is 1 1/4, so he will have to push himself a little bit harder, but I think this horse can really do it (and hopefully at good odds, so I can make some money!!) Aidan O’Brien is the trainer of DLL and all I really know about him is that this guy can win races. DLL went up against some of the best international horses in March and demolished the field on the Tepata surface, and after winning in what is essentially quick sand, I think he will work well on the dirt.  Other than that I just have no facts or information on why this horse could win, just a feeling that he can surprise us all.  

... and hey he does owe me some money that I lost on him in BCJ

Havre De Grace Retired!

Havre de Grace was retired yesterday, she worked at Churhill that morning and due to her ankle being warm, they had her checked out.  Good thing they retired her in time so she can still be bred ($100 she's bred to Bernardini!) I'm calling bullshit on this injury, I am no vet, but cmon, a random, minor injury comes up after she dodges Plum Pretty in the Apple Blossom, the reigning Horse of the Year is getting older, and there are tougher, younger, faster, new fillies coming up to take her down.  Now if you read this blog, you know I love this horse dearly, but I think her owners are looking for a reason to retire her.  Now here is my question, are we "taking good care of our horses" or are we afraid to lose?

http://rockportharbor.com/2012/04/23/havre-de-grace-retired/#comments

On their website they put a link to her xrays. 

I have no idea who will win the Kentucky Derby

 Now that all the major prep races are over, who the hell knows who will be the favorite going into the derby.  Bodemiester had the most impressive win the the Arkansas Derby, winning my 9 lengths.  Dullahan had so much horse left winning the Blue Grass, I'm not even sure he broke a sweat.


I LIKE TOO MANY OF THESE HORSES

SMITH + DADDY NOSE BEST = KY DERBY !!?

well, after an extremely shitty work week, I have just found out that my favorite jockey (Mike Smith) is getting the mount on one of my favorite Derby horses: Daddy Nose Best.

just made my day.

MY FILLY... HdG

Actually, I think technically she is now considered a mare, but HdG will no longer be defending her Apple Blossom title, due to unfair wieght assignments.  Instead she will run in the La Troienne at Churchill Downs on the Oaks card (which I will be there for!) HdG was assigned 123lbs, where Plum Pretty (Oaks winner and 5th in the Breeder's Cup Ladie's Classic) was assigned 117lbs, other horses were assigned as low as 114lbs.  I completely understand their decision, I know they're taking a lot of heat "for dodging the competition" .... but who draws the line between safety and "good competition"

Here's what the Fox Hill Farm website said:

The Apple Blossom

By Rick on April 7, 2012

Larry and I really wanted to defend our title in the Apple Blossom. We were expecting fair weights and when they were released today, Larry called me and we were flabbergasted at the weights. Plum Pretty was the most unexpected but a lot of them were very unfair. Tiz Miz Sue was getting 8 pounds after just running over a hundred beyer and winning the graded Azeri Stakes. Absinthe Minded was getting 9. No one can say that we have ducked any one in racing. Hard Spun took on every tough race there was as did Round Pond and the immortal Eight Belles. We love the competition. Havre de Grace took on Blind Luck six times and ran against the boys in the prestigious Woodward and we didn’t bat an eye at running in the granddaddy of them all, the Classic. We have decided one thing though, we will take on any horse and take our defeats when we get them but we won’t let the racing secretaries decide who is going to win the races. That is why we took this stand on the Apple Blossom. The weights are unfair and I have asked all the journalists to demand that Pope explain how he came up with the numbers for the weights. He owes it to the fans that were going to pack the house for the Apple Blossom. He just didn’t invent these weights, his duty as racing secretary is to analyse each horse and their races and come up with fair weights. Since he had to do it, he should make it public so we can see his thinking and reasoning. I hope he takes on his responsibility. We will run in The La Troienne at Churchill Downs on May 4th. This is exactly what I said we would do if Pope came out with unfair weights. I hope you all understand. We have decisions to make in running a racing operation and today was one of those tough ones.
Rick

TC Update.

So I have been completely slacking in the blogging department...mainly blaming the fact that there is too much going on to keep up with!  And I've been busy at work. blahblahblah.

So a little recap...

Santa Anita Derby: Won by I'll Have Another.  I really like this horse/think he is a bit underrated.  Creative Cause looked great, and frankly he just didn't need to try that hard, for he has enough graded stakes earning for his locked spot in the Derby gate.  Longshot, Blueskiesnrainbows, took the third place spot. Laison and Midnight Transfer, both failed to impress.

Wood: Gemologist and Alpha were the only two contenders in this race.  I though Gem ran well, but there is just something about this horse that I am not all that impressed with.  Alpha ran a good second, I think that he will have distance trouble going into the TC.  Gemologist is going into the Derby undefeated, so I would like to see what odds he is going out at.  I do not think there was a star/Derby winning horse coming out of the Wood.

Illinois Derby:  I'm not even sure who won, I just know the Repole horse didn't hit the board.

Right now for earnings:
1) Hansen
2) Daddy Long Legs
3) Union Rags
4) Creative Cause
5) Wrote
6) Gemologist
7) Take Charge Indy
8) Sabercat
9) I'll Have Another
10) Daddy Nose Best
11) Secret Circle
12) Dullahan
13) Liaison
14) Alpha
15) Prospective
16) Trinniberg
17) Done Talking
18) Drill
19) Went the Day Well
20) Rousing Sermon

we still have the Blue Grass Stakes, Arkansas Derby...

MIKE SMITH

MIKE SMITH GETS WIN #5000.  ON AMAZOMBIE!! woo hoo...


I'll Have Another wins SA Derby, beats Creative Cause by a nose, and Gemologist holds up his unbeaten record and beats Alpha in the Wood.  All four are now going to the Derby!



.... its Saturday night, I'm heading out- will have more detailed updates tomorrow.

Rampart Stakes

We were supposed to see the Awesome females run against each other, Awesome Maria vs. Awesome Feather, but earlier in the week Chad Brown, AF's trainer said she wasn't acting herself so they were not going to race her.  AM took the lead at the quarter pole and just dominated down the stretch to victory.  AM is now 2-2 this year.  I can't wait too see the Awesome's match up against Havre de Grace.  The older female division this year is stacked, there are going to be some great races to come.  Maybe they should change the Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic to be the main race on the card!

Dubai World Cup

As I predicted (there is nothing I like more than being right) Royal Delta was destroyed in the Dubai World Cup.  She was stuck in the pack the whole race, and never broke away to take the lead.  The TVG broadcasters were both picking her as their favorite to win, yes, she looked great training, but the competition was just to much for her.  Game on Dude was in a decent position, but then after the second turn the horse just fell flat.  I'm proud of Chantal though, I think if they got a better post position then she would of had a better change of winning, but breaking from the 14 post it was just too much ground to make up.  Mickael Barzalona rode the *numbereighthorse* Monterosso to victory at 20-1  Capponi 11-1 was second, both for Godolphin.  Mickael also stood up to victory about 1/16 of a mile before the finish line, causing a little bit of controversy, but the race was his.  Also, Mickael, is 20 years old.  

All in all, the festivities in Dubai all looked amazing.  I would love to go there someday, and hopefully watch some American horses win!