February 28, 2014

Race 1 - $120,000 CBD World MasterCard Handicap (Rated 100-110), 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 Miles) – All-Weather

1st - Kassiano
2nd - Fattsota
3rd - In The Spotlight

Race 2 - $120,000 CBD Personal Loan Handicap (Rated 100-110), 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) – All-Weather

1st - The Reaper
2nd - Balmont Mast
3rd - Among Equals

Race 3 - $150,000 Meydan Classic (Listed), 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) – Turf

1st - Now Spun
2nd - Tarbawi
3rd - Deauville Prince

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/sports/peta-accuses-two-trainers-of-cruelty-to-horses.html?ref=sports&target=comments&_r=0#commentsContainer

This is very sad.

Some have suggested that national regulation of the industry with a centralized body is unworkable and will create more bureaucracy without achieving the desired impact.

However, if you examine the centralized treatment that has occurred in other nations like Great Britain, France, and Japan the results indicate otherwise.

The sport of horse racing is an industry, and the idea of centralization does raise concerns since the inevitable result of any major change could be added costs in terms of oversight, reporting and investigation. However, the alternative of the status quo is growing less and less acceptable.

We need to adopt the system adopted in Europe and Japan of no drugs unless it can be shown that the European and Japanese systems are rife with the same number of breakdowns and injuries as the American system.

G2 Jerome 1/4
Noble Moon
Classic Giacnroll
Scotland
Matuszak
Lawmaker
Mental Iceberg
Master Lightning
Pin and Win

Sham Stakes 1/11

Midnight Hawk
Kristo
Ontology
I'll Wrap It Up

Smarty Jones 1/20
Tanzanite Cat
Wait
Coastline
Son of a Preacher
Firestarter
A Step Ahead
Unstoppable Colby
Denali Rahy Ruler
D'CajunCat
Whyruawesome

San Pedro
Indianapolis
Papa Turf
Beach Hut
Rockin Home

G3 Holy Bull 1/25
Cairo Prince
Conquest Titan
Intense Holiday
Almost Famous
Best Plan Yet
Financial Mogul
Mr. Speaker
Our Caravan
Wicked Strong
Coup De Grace
Big Bazinga

California Cup Derby
California Chrome
Tamarando
Life Is A Joy
Awesome Return
Better Bet
Public Policy
Lucky Views
Oh Billy Billy
Electric Eddie
Aoteara

Revolutionary was my top Kentucky Derby horse. He had a stellar return in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park. I am excited to see him in the Donn Handicap.

Fury Kapcori has always been one of my favorites since I saw him run 2nd in the Cash Call Futurity in 2012. He's a grandson of Go For Gin and I always thought he had a beautiful, effortless running style.

Palace Malice is a fun horse to watch. When I thought he would do well he didn't and when I didn't he did. This son of Curlin should be equally fun to watch as a four year old. He just had his first work of the year I believe at Palm Meadows yesterday.

Power Broker - a grandson of Wild Again who I really liked - has not had any works. I did not hear that he was retired. He was second in the Haskell. He was another of my top Derby horses. I hope he is back in 2014.

Will Take Charge was never one of my favorite last year, other than to look at, since he never seemed to impress on the TC trail. However, his late season efforts were among the best of any horses and he demonstrated a durability that is almost as impressive as race performances.

I'm certain I'll think of more.

I have a big problem with the Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park and Royal Lodge from Newmarket races being nixed from the Kentucky Derby points schedule...in 2013 while they were there in 2012.

If anything last year's race schedule showed you needed more races added not less with some derby entrants making it with single digit point numbers.

No inclusion of the Illinois Derby again.

2012-2013

Kentucky Derby Prep Season Schedule

Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
9/29/12   Royal Lodge   10   4   2   1
9/29/12   FrontRunner   10   4   2   1
10/6/12   Breeders' Futurity   10   4   2   1
10/6/12   Champagne Stakes   10   4   2   1
10/7/12   Grey Stakes   10   4   2   1
11/3/12   Breeders' Cup Juvenile   10   4   2   1
11/17/12   Delta Downs Jackpot   10   4   2   1
11/24/12   Remsen Stakes   10   4   2   1
11/24/12   Kentucky Jockey Club   10   4   2   1
12/15/12   CashCall Futurity   10   4   2   1
1/5/13   Sham Stakes   10   4   2   1
1/19/13   Lecomte   10   4   2   1
1/21/13   Smarty Jones   10   4   2   1
1/26/13   Holy Bull   10   4   2   1
2/2/13   Robert B. Lewis   10   4   2   1
2/2/13   Sam F. Davis   10   4   2   1
2/2/13   Withers   10   4   2   1
2/16/13   El Camino Real Derby   10   4   2   1
2/18/13   Southwest Stakes   10   4   2   1
Kentucky Derby Championship Series
First Leg

Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
2/23/13   Risen Star Stakes   50   20   10   5
2/23/13   Fountain of Youth Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/2/13   Gotham Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/9/13   Tampa Bay Derby   50   20   10   5
3/9/13   San Felipe Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/16/13   Rebel Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/23/13   Spiral Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/24/13   Sunland Derby   50   20   10   5
Second Leg

Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
3/30/13   Florida Derby   100   40   20   10
3/30/13   UAE Derby   100   40   20   10
3/30/13   Louisiana Derby   100   40   20   10
4/6/13   Wood Memorial   100   40   20   10
4/6/13   Santa Anita Derby   100   40   20   10
4/13/13   Arkansas Derby   100   40   20   10
4/13/13   Blue Grass Stakes   100   40   20   10
Wild Card

Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
4/20/13   Lexington Stakes   20   8   4   2
4/27/13   Derby Trial   20   8   4   2

2013-2014

Kentucky Derby Prep Season Schedule
Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
9/7/13   Iroquois Stakes   10   4   2   1
9/28/13   FrontRunner   10   4   2   1
10/5/13   Breeders' Futurity   10   4   2   1
10/5/13   Champagne Stakes   10   4   2   1
10/6/13   Grey Stakes   10   4   2   1
11/2/13   Breeders' Cup Juvenile   10   4   2   1
11/16/13   Delta Downs Jackpot   10   4   2   1
11/30/13   Remsen Stakes   10   4   2   1
11/30/13   Kentucky Jockey Club   10   4   2   1
1/4/14   Jerome Stakes   10   4   2   1
1/4/14   Sham Stakes   10   4   2   1
1/18/14   Lecomte   10   4   2   1
1/20/14   Smarty Jones   10   4   2   1
1/25/14   Holy Bull   10   4   2   1
2/1/14   Robert B. Lewis   10   4   2   1
2/1/14   Withers   10   4   2   1
2/15/14   El Camino Real Derby   10   4   2   1
2/17/14   Southwest Stakes   10   4   2   1

Kentucky Derby Championship Series
Date   Race   1st   2nd   3rd   4th
2/22/14   Risen Star Stakes   50   20   10   5
2/22/14   Fountain of Youth Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/1/14   Gotham Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/8/14   Tampa Bay Derby   50   20   10   5
3/8/14   San Felipe Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/15/14   Rebel Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/22/14   Spiral Stakes   50   20   10   5
3/23/14   Sunland Derby   50   20   10   5
3/29/14   Florida Derby   100   40   20   10
3/29/14   UAE Derby   100   40   20   10
3/29/14   Louisiana Derby   100   40   20   10
4/5/14   Wood Memorial   100   40   20   10
4/5/14   Santa Anita Derby   100   40   20   10
4/12/14   Arkansas Derby   100   40   20   10
4/12/14   Blue Grass Stakes   100   40   20   10
4/19/14   Lexington Stakes   10   4   2   1

http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/the-christmas-gift-a-holiday-horse-story/

The Christmas Gift- A Holiday Horse Story
December 19, 2013
The holiday season is a time for giving. Karen Prell shares a story of a friend who helps another keep her horses in a time of need.
by Karen Prell

She had driven this road a thousand times, but this time was going to be different. This time it would be the last time she drove this way, the last time she would travel this road. It all seemed so unreal–– like a bad dream from which she would soon have to wake up. But no, this was real.

She was in her late 50's and skating quickly towards her 60's. According to her well meaning sisters, it was "time she thought about doing something different" and "sizing down" her responsibilities as it related to all things "equine." She'd been a horsewoman for most of those 50 odd years; just what did they think she would do with her time? Go shopping?

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/10211900/will-take-charge-sold-three-chimneys

This was predictable though I am amazed it took so long with the Kentucky Derby having raised their purse eight years ago...
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/10205653/belmont-stakes-purse-boosted-15-million

Kentucky Derby ($1 million 1996 to 2005)
http://espn.go.com/horse/news/2005/0104/1958932.html

Preakness ($1 million since 1998)
http://www.preakness.com/news-center/latest-news/preakness-stakes-purse-increased-15-million-beginning-2014

Belmont ($1 million since 1998)
http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-stakes-purse-raised-15-million

Well, we have been unable to lure Matt Converse here to offer his suggestions, so I'll steal his angle with MOT's Derby Dozen. I figure MOT's Derby Dozen is a lesser facsimile of Matt's Derby Dozen. (SMILE)

And you do not have to wait for the countdown.

1. Cairo Prince (Pioneer of the Nile and Holy Bubbette by Holy Bull)

He carried six pounds more than the Honor Code and lost by a nose in the Remsen Stakes at 9 furlongs. I always give a lot of credit to horses that can win or compete at 9 furlongs as a two year old. His breeding is a shade below Honor Code being a grandson of Empire Maker and Holy Bull. I like this horse and hope he can carry is excellence into the three year old season. This could be Mr. McLaughlin's best shot at a Kentucky Derby win. Owned by

Next race: Jan. 25 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It would be nice to see a grandson enter and win it.

2. Honor Code (A.P. Indy and by Serena's Cat by Storm Cat)

It is hard to imagine a horse more regally bred than Honor Code. Who know - after the long wait - Mr. McGaughey may have lightning strike twice. He won the Remsen. He was second in the Champagne against Havana who many rank as the top two year old this year so he is certainly one to watch.

Next race: Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.   

3. Shared Belief (Candy Ride and Common Hope by Storm Cat)

Shared Belief has done everything right in his three starts. He is the only G1 winning two year old with multiple graded stakes wins also having taken the G3 Hollywood Preview Stakes in addition to the Hollywood Futurity. His 106 BSF leads his generation - at least as far as graded stakes winners go. The big question mark is how he will fare on dirt, but Mr. Hollendorfer's barn has shown it knows how to get a horse ready for dirt and travel so he is one to watch. The Robert Lewis and the Santa Anita Derby as next on the card. 

Next race: Feb. 8 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

4. Tamarando (Bertrando and Tamarack Bay by Dehere)

His stable mate has shown himself to be dynamic. He has two stakes wins including a G1 win in the Del Mar Futurity and has run well on dirt. The biggest question I see with him is whether or not he is moving forward or peaked with his win at Del Mar. If he moves forward, this son of Bertrando is the one to watch.

Next race: Jan. 25 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita Park.

5. Havana (Dunkirk and Missy Turtle by Kyle's Our Man)

His promising sire, a son of Unbridled Song, finished second in the 2009 Belmont Stakes and suffered a career ending injury so he should be able to get the distance. Havana has been impressive winning his debut at Saratoga and then the G1 Champagne Stakes over Honor Code and Strong Mandate. Then he finished a close second to New Year's Day having a miserable trip in the BC Juvenile.

Next race: Jan. 25 G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

6. New Year's Day (Street Cry and Justwhistledixie by Dixie Union)

This BC Juvenile winner beat a decent field of G1 winning horses in his first stakes effort. Well, the last horse to break the BC Juvenile jinx was a son of Street Cry, so who knows?

Next race: Feb. 8 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

7. Strong Mandate ( Tiznow and Clear Mandate by Deputy Minister)

This G1 winning Hopeful Stakes winner who finished third in the BC Juvenile and 7th in the Champagne Stakes is a son of Tiznow. If all goes as planned this could be Mr. Lukas's next Triple Crown race winner.

Next race: Feb. 17 G3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park

8. Bond Holder (Mineshaft and Cielo Girl by Conquistador Cielo)

Next race: San Felipe/Robert Lewis?

Winner of the G1 Front Runner Stakes at Santa Anita he finished a disappointing 4th in the BC Juvenile and the Hollywood Futurity.

Next race: Feb. 8 Robert B. Lewis Stakes or San Felipe

9. Lunarwarfare (War Pass and Lunar Star by Silver Ghost)

Next race: Unknown.

Third in the Hopeful Stakes he has been recovering from injury I believe. Hopefully he returns to form at 3.

10. Tap It Rich (Tapit and Gold Canyon by Mr. Prospector)

Next race: Unknown.

He's young. He has been asked to do a lot coming off of his maiden win. He finished 5th and 9th in his G1 starts in the BC Juvenile and the Hollywood Futurity. He would not be there if his trainer did not believe in his ability. He did break his maiden on dirt. It is just a question of weather his racing quality lives up to his breeding quality.

11. Tapiture (Tapit and Free Spin by Olympio)

Next race: Unknown.

This winner of the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club broke his maiden in a graded stakes over the Churchill Downs surface. The second of two Tapit son's on the list.

12. Corfu (Malibu Moon and Fashion Cat by Forest Wildcat)

Next race: Unknown.

I have always liked this winner of the G2 Saratoga Special. I hope he can find his bearings as a three year old.

Honorable Mentions:

We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller and Athena's Gift by Fusaichi Pegasus)

Next race: Unknown.

This winner of the G1 Breeder's Futurity while possessing turf pedigree on top did finish second to Strong Mandate on the dirt at Belmont Park. On the bottom he certainly has the distance pedigree. While he was disappointing in the BC Juvenile finishing seventh hopefully he can move forward. If his form holds he could be another Dullahan who finished third in the Kentucky Derby.

Laddie Boy (War Pass and Lil's Lassie by Lil's Lad)

Next race: Unknown.

Another War Pass son. I happen to love this Cherokee Run grandsons. I would have thought by the names on the dam's side that Lil E. Tee was in the pedigree but instead its Preakness Stakes winner Pine Bluff on the bottom. His finish second place in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club gets him here.

Indianapolis (Medaglia d'Oro and Pretty Smart by Beau Genius)

Next race: Jan. 11 Sham Stakes Santa Anita Park.

A friend tells me that he looks spectacular in Mr. Baffert's barn. Looking forward to seeing him compete in his first stakes race.

Orfevre is entering his last race before heading off to stud.

What a horse he is.

I had a soft spot for him when he was sent to run in the Arc and came up just short.

His connections had the courage to try again, and he came up short once more to another filly.

It was a shame, but he certainly has not hurt his legacy as one of the best runners ever from Asia.

I hope he goes out well in this race.

ORFEVRE A HIT WITH FANS
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/extra-zero-set-to-join-millionaires-club-superstar-japanese-galloper-ready-to-bid-farewell-to-racing/story-fnibcaa0-1226787731185

Japan's superstar galloper Orfevre will farewell racing in their biggest race, the Arima Kinen tomorrow at Nakayama.

The Arima Kinen is a unique race where the field is put together by the votes of the Japanese racing fans and Orfevre's popularity was underlined by him being the top vote-getter.

Orfevre has won the race before 2011 and takes on last year's winner Gold Ship.

Orfevre was Japan's seventh Triple Crown winner and also finished second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the last two years.

Here are the entries:
http://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2013_Arima_Kinen

Danon Ballade
Verde Green
Curren Mirotic
Win Variation
Desperado
Orfevre
Tamamo Best Play
Lovely Day
Lelouch
Amire Rakti
Love Is Boo Shet
TM Inazuma
To The Glory
Gold Ship
Nakayama Knight
Tosen Jordan

I'll be rooting for Orfevre and Tosen Jordan though I wouldn't mind if Gold Ship did it.

And what a play on words with Love Is Boo Shet...

If this is what the Catholic Church is doing with my money now, I think I am going to increase my giving.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81896/pope-purchases-groupie-doll-for-31m

the 2012 Tenno Sho winner, Eishin Flash, finished third behind Just a Way and Gentildonna.

It was a good finish for him. He was caught up in traffic - not the best ride by Mr. De Mauro.

Here is a link to the race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyF-AHXWTzE