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RIP
Curtis will remember this guy.
No mention of how tall he was, but I always thought him to be about 6'

http://live.drf.com/nuggets/44115-howard-grant-top-rider-from-1960s-and-70s-has-died-at-age-79

Good read
https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/unforgettable-alydar-remembering-true-great/?utm_source=TRC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a81bcc3b57-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_01_08_54&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d7e29e80ff-a81bcc3b57-176912769

Needs a prayer and a hug.
https://www.facebook.com/IAmLavaMan/photos/a.856629691093622.1073741828.161119307311334/1782707731819142/?type=3

[Roadster]

From DRF PRivman....

DEL MAR, Calif. – Reviews are strong for many of the 2-year-olds set to compete in race 6 on Sunday at Del Mar, a six-furlong maiden race that might be a preview of coming attractions.

The field is led by Bob Baffert's highly regarded Roadster, as well as the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Gunmetal Gray, both of whom are making their debuts. But the field has plenty of depth, including Jefe, who finished strongly for third in his debut last month at Santa Anita for Keith Desormeaux.

"People say the race is loaded," said Hollendorfer, who will run two horses, Gunmetal Gray (by Exchange Rate) and View Magic (Tapit).

"We like both of them," Hollendorfer said. "Just want to get them started. If you can win at Del Mar, you can run just about any place."

Roadster, a colt by Quality Road, turned in a series of sharp works at Santa Anita, and on Monday worked in company with the mare Vale Dori. Baffert was disappointed Roadster drew the rail. Mike Smith, who has worked Roadster, has the mount.

Also of interest is Of Good Report, a son of Twirling Candy making his first start. His trainer, Luis Mendez, has sent out well-prepared youngsters from limited starters.

http://www.drf.com/news/plenty-hype-around-sunday-baby-races

I've used both Equibase and DRF for stable mail alerts, but they've stopped coming!

Did I accidentally change some setting that blocks them, or are you having trouble too?

thanks for any advice, much appreciated.

[Our newest member]

Our newest member, CatherineC

Nobody bites, its safe to dip your toe in waters here, looking forward to your maiden breaking post, enjoy!

Were you there on Opening Day?

[Drefong will skip the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26,]

Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Drefong will skip the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, opening day of the winter meet at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Wednesday morning.

"He got a little temp about a week ago, I had to treat him," Baffert said. "He's just going back to the track now."

Drefong, whose five straight wins include the Grade 1 King's Bishop at Saratoga and BC Sprint at Santa Anita, would have been favored in the seven-furlong Malibu.

Without Drefong, the leading contenders in the Malibu include BC Sprint third-place finisher Mind Your Biscuits, stakes winner Sharp Azteca and Baffert-trained Ten Blessings.

Ten Blessings earned a 106 Beyer Figure winning a first-level allowance on Nov. 4. While he is expected to run in the Malibu, the status of two other Baffert trainees will be determined after they work on Wednesday.

Jazzy Times and Mor Spirit work at 7:45

[Tiz a Kiss]

Race 7 Sunday at Del Mar One Mile on the fast 'n firm turf course.

Can I toss the ML favorite simply because of the 12 hole?

1   Tiz a Kiss (CA)      6/M   L   K J Desormeaux   123   R Baltas   12/1
2   Stays in Vegas (KY)      3/F   L   D Van Dyke   120   J Hollendorfer   12/1
3   Kitcat (CHI)      4/F   L   T J Pereira   123   J Silva   30/1
4   Zindaya (KY)      5/M   L   J Castellano   123   C C Brown   9/2
5   Sobradora Inc (ARG)      4/F   L   M Garcia   123   S Callaghan   20/1
6   Mexican Gold (KY)      4/F   L   I Ortiz, Jr.   123   C C Brown   8/1
7   Roca Rojo (IRE)      4/F   L   F Geroux   123   C C Brown   7/2
8   Nancy From Nairobi (GB)      5/M   L   T Baze   123   J W Sadler   12/1
9   Decked Out (KY)      3/F   L   V Espinoza   120   J K Desormeaux   20/1
10   Prize Exhibit (GB)      4/F   L   M E Smith   123   J M Cassidy   20/1
11   Time and Motion (KY)      3/F   L   J R Velazquez   120   J J Toner   5/1
12   Miss Temple City (KY)      4/F   L   E S Prado   123   H G Motion   3/1

Race 7 @ Del Mar Saturday 1 1/8 on the firm turf.

I suppose Chad Brown could ship in and hit the trifecta with his trio.
But, with the rails down I'm looking for a wicked closer, might that be the 9 hoss @ 20-1?
Memory is failing, but does Shug have much of a record shipping like this into Ca and not a BC race?
Can't imagine he would do it just for the airmiles?

What say you?

1   Beach Patrol (KY)      3/C   L   F Geroux   122   C C Brown   9/2
2   Camelot Kitten (KY)      3/C   L   I Ortiz, Jr.   122   C C Brown   7/2
3   Frank Conversation       3/C   L   M Gutierrez   122   D F O'Neill   8/1
4   Diplodocus (KY)      3/G   L   K J Desormeaux   122   R Baltas   20/1
5   Free Rose (KY).      3/G   L   N Arroyo, Jr.   122   R Baltas   5/1
6   Isotherm (KY)..      3/C   L   J R Velazquez   122   G Weaver   12/1
7   Blackjackcat (KY)      3/G   L   M E Smith   122   M Glatt   8/1
8   Hayabusa One (FR)      3/C   L   V Espinoza   122   H G Motion   6/1
9   Revved Up (KY)      3/C   L   D Van Dyke   122   C R McGaughey III   20/1
10   Defiantly (KY)..      3/C   L   G L Stevens   122   C Dollase   30/1
11   Annals of Time (KY)      3/C   L   J Castellano   122   C C Brown   6/1
12   Path of David (KY)      3/G   L   J Talamo   122   K Mulhall   30/1

[Beholder]

This year's nominees are: Beholder, the three-time Eclipse Award winning racemare whose brilliant performances earned more than $1.7 million and included a breathtaking win in the Breeders' Cup Distaff; California Chrome, the recipient of the 2014 Vox Populi Award whose celebrated comeback was highlighted by five wins including the Dubai World Cup, vaulting him to racing's all-time leading earner; Songbird, the sensational 3-year-old filly who earned $2.2 million in her coast-to-coast campaign and finished just a nose shy of an undefeated season after a Breeders' Cup Distaff stretch dual for the ages; and Tepin, the Kentucky-bred 5-year-old bay mare who has been an international darling, blazing turf courses on two continents and amassing almost $1.5 million in earnings with five wins in seven starts.

Fans can vote at http://secretariat.com

[Drefong]

Jay Privman ‏@DRFPrivman  1m1 minute ago
Drefong likely to point for Malibu 12-26, will race next year, too

Should be a picture perfect day, 75+ and sunny at The Great Race Place this weekend. 
How that plays for winter coats, shippers etc. I have no idea, but the people should enjoy themselves.

NBC and NBCsports will broadcast all of the Breeders Cup races.

But....

All the olde nastiness is cropping up and TVG will not be allowed to broadcast them, that's expected, but they won't be allowed to show the other races on the SA card either!!!

Story at Paulick, 11th hour negotiations hold some hope for sanity.

In advance of Breeders' Cup 2016, drf.com will be offering a series of live handicapping sessions with different handicappers, each approaching the races from their own perspective. Hosted by Peter Thomas Fornatale and Mike Hogan, these events will focus on the best betting opportunities on each card. Attendees are also encouraged to submit questions, which will be addressed by the handicappers as time allows. Click the links below to sign up for whichever sessions you want. All webinars will be recorded and posted to drf.com/youtube as well.

Tuesday, November 1 at 2:00 PM EDT: Andrew Beyer & Steve Davidowitz

Wednesday, November 2 at 1:30 PM EDT: Mike Watchmaker & Randy Moss

Wednesday, November 2 at 4:00 PM EDT: Dan Illman & Mike Beer

Thursday, November 3 at 1:00 PM EDT: Jay Privman & Michael Vesce
http://www.drf.com/blogs/2016-breeders-cup-handicapping-sessions

[Top South American rider Ulloa apparently escapes serious injury in fatal horse accident at SA]

Top South American rider Ulloa apparently escapes serious injury in fatal horse accident at SA

The top Chilean jockey Gonzalo Ulloa, in town to ride Kitcat in the Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 5, apparently escaped serious injury when a claiming horse he was working on Monday morning at Santa Anita suffered a fatal leg fracture and pitched Ulloa to the ground near the quarter pole on the main track.

Ulloa was removed via ambulance, but was reported later in the morning to be at Clocker's Corner and was said to be fine, according to jockey agent Susie McBrayer, who is representing Ulloa while he is here.

Ulloa was working the claimer Moose Skowron, who had finished last of eight in a $12,500 claiming race at Los Alamitos on Sept. 25, his fourth start after being claimed for $16,000 by Javier Sierra from Phil D'Amato on Aug. 4 at Del Mar. This was his second work since that race.

Kitcat, a multiple Group 1 winner in her native Chile, was second to Curlin's Fox in the restricted Swingtime going one mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 in her first start in this country and her first start since May 22. That May 22 race, a victory in the Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella in Santiago, Chile, gave her a fees-paid berth to the Mile through the Breeders' Cup's "Win and You're In" program.

[Greatbullsoffire]

Add this one the list of cute race calls, Laurel Park's 3rd today.

Featuring the cleverly named Greatbullsoffire (MD) ( Bullsbay - Great Hostess, by Great Notion)

The race set up perfectly for what might've been a pre-race rehearsed call, no matter, it was enjoyable!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkg7c27h9o

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/lottery-winner-uses-millions-to-build-horse-power/#.WAtTWzGFCnc.twitter

Brad Free ‏@BradFree1  23m23 minutes ago
Sunday wagering best-kept secret: Mandatory closing-day payout Fresno Super High Five Jackpot $188,873 carryover, 20-cent wager, race 10.

Question......is the announcer allowed to play?

[Horses running without Lasix on raceday will be granted a five pound weight allowance.]

I just looked at the conditions for the January mega-race with a million dollar entry fee and grandstand tickets cost a benji.

Horses running without Lasix on raceday will be granted a five pound weight allowance.

What do you think?
Good or bad idea?
Non-issue?

If you own an older horse eligible for running in the race, would you consider going without lasix for the 5 pound allowance?
If you are deciding between two evenly matched horses, would the 5 pounds sway your opinion and your bet?