TBA Feed #1

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Formed by Industry Leaders

noreply@blogger.com (Brock Sheridan) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:11:00 +0000

It's Donn Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Here we go! In what could be the deepest Donn in quite a while with 2 TC race winners, an undefeated horse, a horse with upside and a horse who has shown the talent before but hasn't put it quite together. Here is this year's field!

10th Race - Gulfstream Park - Saturday, February 11th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $500,000. Donn H. (Grade 1). FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $500 each by Saturday, January 28, 2012 , which shall accompany the nomination, $2,500 to pass the entry box and $2,500 additional to start. Supplementary nomination by Noon Friday February 3, at a fee of$25,000 which includes entry and starting fee. $500,000 Guaranteed. All fees shall be paid prior to the start of the race. Monies to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% to sixth. Weights: Saturday, February 4, 2012. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. This race will be limited to 14 Starters, with Also Eligibles. High Weights Preferred with second preference to horses with the highest lifetime earnings. Trophy to the winning owner. Nominations Closed Saturday, January 28, 2012 with 14 Nominations. (04:45 PM) (11)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Where's Sterling 5 H L 115 Lezcano Jose Canani Nick
2 Mission Impazible 5 H L 117 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
3 Ruler On Ice 4 G L 119 Napravnik Rosie Breen Kelly J.
4 Redeemed 4 C L 118 Prado Edgar S. Dutrow, Jr. Richard E.
5 Soaring Empire 5 H L 116 Leparoux Julien R. Gambolati Cam M.
6 Al Khali 6 R L 115 Garcia Alan Mott William I.
7 Flat Out 6 H L 121 Solis Alex O. Dickey Charles L.
8 Trickmeister 5 H L 117 Dominguez Ramon A. Dutrow, Jr. Richard E.
9 Shackleford 4 C L 119 Castanon Jesus Lopez Romans Dale L.
10 Hymn Book 6 G L 116 Velazquez John R. McGaughey III Claude R.
11 Sangaree 7 H L 115 Maragh Rajiv McLaughlin Kiaran P.

Since he's been in stakes company, Redeemed has been either 1st or 2nd. He won the Discovery in his final start as a three year old. Mission Impazible is certainly a horse who can win a G1, but he hasn't had things go his way. The good news is he's done well over the Gulfstream surface. With the possible chance of rain, it would be stupid of me to overlook Ruler On Ice. He hasn't won on a dry surface, but is 2 for 2 over wet. Of course he gets his stablemate's jockey which will help him. Another horse who should love the slop is Trickmiester who is the undefeated horse here. This is really a make or break race for Flat Out whose last three races have been very lackluster. Shackleford gave Dialed In all he can handle in last year's FL Derby and hopefully runs well in his first race as a four year old. Al Khali is prob. going to grass race (which I previewed on Turf Talk), Sangaree has a chance, as does Soaring Empire. The other two horses are unknowns to me I'm afraid.

My pick is: Shackleford. If he can control the front, I don't think there will be anyone who can pass him. Ruler On Ice for second and Flat Out for third.

More importantly, I hope all the horses come back safe and sound!

2012 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap Preview

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:14:33 +0000

Big Blue Kitten

The 2012 Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (Gulfstream|Saturday|Race 8) has attracted 10 entries with Turf Classic winner Get Stormy listed as the 121 lbs. high weight. The nine furlong turf race carries a purse of $300k. Recent winners include Breeders’ Cup Mile victors Kip Deville and Court Vision as well as multiple Grade 1 winner Einstein.

Silver Medallion (Badge of Silver x Another Vegetarian by Stalwart) will break from the rail for trainer Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old has posted consecutive wins against Grade 3 company on the grass. He has looked well in both wins, but this will be a true acid test for him.

Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy x Spent Gold by Unaccounted For) gets Julien Leparoux in the irons this time as John Velazquez will ride another horse. Last out he closed from last to be third by 1 1/2 lengths after getting away from the gate a step slow. That optional claiming race was his first trip to the track in almost five months. Before that he reeled off five consecutive wins, including a victory in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame at Saratoga.

We last saw Boisterous (Distorted Humor x Emanating by Cox’s Ridge) in November when he won the Grade 2 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct. Before that he won the Grade 3 Knickerbocker at Belmont. This is a good horse, but I ‘m not really wild on his chances. Sure, he could win, but at 3-1 I am going to pass him up. John Velazquez will get a leg up here from trainer Shug McGaughey.

Thomas Bush only wins 10% of the time with runners on a 90+ day rest. Throw in the fact that Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic x Foolish Gal by Kiri’s Clown) failed in his 2011 debut and I can’t like him at a short price carrying more weight than anyone else in the field. Nice horse to be sure, but not worth a bet in this spot.

Bill Mott’s Al Khali (Medaglia d’Oro x Maya by Capote) has all the talent in the world, but just cant seem to win. He enters this race on a 4 month rest after failing to win in 2011. He did finish third in two Grade 1′s last year, but at a short price he is hard to justify here.

My top selection to win the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap is Big Blue Kitten. The Chad Brown trainee loves to win races and should be much stronger in his second race of the year. I also expect Julien Leparoux to position him well. You can bet this 12/1 shot at Twinspires.com where new players get a $100 sign up bonus!

Say What?!

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:35:00 +0000

Today's laugh comes to me from @socaltbrescue on twitter.

It's a picture of the horse who played Seabiscuit in the movie.

Or maybe not.

Friday notes:

Pennsylvania horsepeople are getting ready for a fight in PA over slots cash.

Big Jim's book is full. I hope he does well. He was a cool racehorse.

Thoroughbred aftercare alliance formed.

This weekend in HRU - "Seeding pools and the Strategic Wagering Initiative". To sign up for HRU in your inbox, you can here.

Have a nice Friday everyone.

Black Caviar resumes her quest for perfection

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:27:24 +0000

They say perfection is unattainable, and as a practicing golf instructor, I’m inclined to agree, but maybe even if this is the sad reality for the human race, we can still strive to find perfection within our world. Perhaps a glimpse of our unattainable will be in store for us tonight when Black Caviar sprints towards her 18th career win without a loss. Racing fans the world over will tune in with interest when Black Caviar resumes her quest for perfection in the $400,000 Group 1 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. The race, likely to be the next notch in the great mare’s belt, will be run Saturday in Australia, but with the time difference, is scheduled for 11:50 Eastern here in America.

Arguably the greatest sprinter ever seen in Australia, Black Caviar still promises what so many modern day horses have failed to accomplish in their remarkable careers. Native Dancer got to the wire just a little late in the 1953 Kentucky Derby, leaving one big blemish on his near perfect career. More recently, Zenyatta suffered the same fate when she could not quite get to B

INDUSTRY CREATES THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Kentucky Derby 138 Future Pool; When Nothing Means Something

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bada Bing) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:31:00 +0000

With the first of three Kentucky Derby Future Poolsoffered this weekend, it's a good time to share a somewhat informed wageringdecision or better yet, one that requires little to no information at all.

First and foremost, we need to understand that theFuture Pool 1) ties up a portion of your betting money for 12 weeks without areturn and 2) the difficulty of picking a winner just minutes before post is amplified indefinitely when trying to turn the same trick three months inadvance. So if you don't mind taking a portion of what you bet and leaving iton the shelf for weeks while realizing that your betting choice(s) may not even makethe starting gate, then go ahead and wager away this weekend.

The timing of this year's Future Pool #1 is curiousto say the least. The Hutcheson Stakes is the lone prep race this weekend thatmay possibly influence your future bet(s). And besides, the Hutcheson, run atseven furlongs, is hardly a bellwether for Derby success. So any and all wagersare based on your perceptions of what is to come or the limited reality ofseveral early prep races. In either case, what you don't know is just asimportant as what you do know - which is close to nothing.

Here's the whole bunch of nothing from the earlypreps:

Out of Bounds - sat a perfect trip behind anextremely fast pace in the Sham and beat only four rivals; so what
Mr. Bowling - won over a crowded Lecomte Stakesfield that started fast and ended slow; Fair Grounds hasn't produced a decent Derby finisher in years
Algorithms - won in the Gulfstream slop while takingthe Holy Bull Stakes over last year's champion two-year-old, Hansen; a wetsurface win is a plus, but how good is Hansen really?
Alpha - took the Withers in what amounted to a JVscrimmage; might come out of New York as the dominant horse; you'll have to goback to Funny Cide to find the last New York-based Derby winner
Battle Hardened - who really isn't and won a stakesas a maiden; you'll have to ask, late-maiden monster or winner of extremelysoft Sam Davis field?
I'll Have Another - probably the most perplexingprep winner to date; came off a six-month layoff to win going away versus whatappeared to be a very good Robert Lewis Stakes field

The surest thing left behind by these winners is the questions that outnumber any answers, like: How does beatingfive opponents translate to beating 19 others? Will any horse ever leaveLouisiana ready to pounce in Kentucky? How much did I'll Have Another improveor did he catch an overrated field ripe for the taking?

The little somethings we know from these do notinstall enough confidence in me (and probably shouldn't instill such confidencein you) to make a Future play this time around. In this case revel in yourignorance and take a pass or....take the field.

Consider that taking the field gives you almost 400options versus the pittance of choosing one or a few from 23.By my account, all odds on individual choices would have to be over 100-1 togarner the appropriate risk-reward. Also consider that "all other" Derbynominees will probably land you around even money or a 100% return on yourinvestment.

Now consider that at a casino you get a littleunder a 50-50 chance when picking one of the two main roulette wheel colors(black or red) with the same even money return. (Of course there are twogreen spots on the wheel to give the house their little edge.) In the Derbypool it is your 400 "all other" choices vs. 23 individuals for the possibility of an almost certain even money pay off.

Finally, you don't need to know anything about any of the "allothers" to determine which one will win the Derby. And if you can getanything close to even money, it's worth your time and money to take a verysafe and profitable shot at this year's Derby Future Pool #1.

AVMA: Horseshoeing Is No Longer an Excluded Profession in the New Model Veterinary Practice Act (But Farriery Is)

noreply@blogger.com (Fran Jurga) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:34:00 +0000

2012 Hutcheson Stakes Preview

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:54:43 +0000

The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes (Gulfstream|Race 8|Saturday) serves as a key prep for the Florida Derby and therefore the Kentucky Derby. The seven furlong race carries a purse of $150k. Last year’s winner, Flashpoint, would go on to set the pace in the Preakness Stakes before fading. Can this year’s winner eek out a better future? Only time will tell!

The Gulfstream meeting has been an embarrassment of riches for trainer Todd Pletcher. He will send out impressive debut winner and 7/5 morning line favorite Thunder Moccasin (A.P. Warrior x One Stormy Mama by Storm Cat). In his only race he cruised to the front and was never challenged. Johnny V only cracked him with the whip two or three times to him to task. The colt could be any kind and while I would love to beat him, it would be dangerous to leave him off exotic tickets.

My top selection is Il Villano (Pollard’s Vision x Do The Wekiva by Wekiva Springs). The gray colt has incredible early speed and could fry anyone that tries to run with him early on in the race. The Susan Crowell trainee is untested as a sprinter and I’m willing to bet he can take them all the way at 5-1.

Ever So Lucky (Indian Charlie x Bally Storm by Summer Squall) will get plenty of support. The Julien Leparoux ridden, Jonathan Sheppard trained colt won his debut at Churchill Downs on November 26. He got a stellar BRIS figure of 96 for that effort. His next try, in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, resulted in a second place finish to the undefeated Gemologist.

Jersey Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:43:00 +0000

The exchange wagering meetings went on today in California, and it looks like exchange wagering is finished in California.

There are too many factions to please, too many cooks in the kitchen, and just like most things in California racing, it gets stuck in a bog, and the status quo rules.

The horsemen group (not shocking, I know): Against it

Scott Daruty, protecting the Stronach slice: Against it

So, I think it's Jersey Time. If New Jersey wants to attract some new bettors, and bring a new way of playing the races to the Garden State, and elsewhere, they now have a shot to be first; and first gives you a tremendous advantage.

Run with it Jersey boys and girls - it's 2012, not 1912. California's dysfunction is giving you a huge gift. Take it.

Exchange Related:
Juice the eyeballs, grow the sport
6 Reasons Why Racing Cannot Run an Exchange
Betfair is like Chocolate Ice Cream

Defending HBO's Luck

noreply@blogger.com (SaratogaSpa) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:27:00 +0000

Two episodes in for the HBO series Luck and many critics abound, calling it slow, boring, hard to understand, etc.

Maybe because I'm a David Milch (creator of Luck) fan I knew to expect slow character development. I loved his Deadwood series on HBO but watching the show took dedication to the many plot lines and story telling. I'm also a big fan of HBO's series in general, and a lot them also took time. Remember how many times you watched a Soprano's episode, and complained about the lack of action and confusing endings? And how many people missed the brilliance of the HBO series The Wire because they bailed early, confused by the many characters and plots.

These type of shows take investment of time in exchange for a build up and subsequent payoff. Yes reading tweets on twitter will give you an instant payoff but sometimes wading through a long book is worth the later payout.

The Nomination Is In: The Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park

noreply@blogger.com (The Turk) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:15:00 +0000

The Turk would like to thank the fine folks at The Thorfan and the Handicappers Corner for the privilege of throwing darts against the wall, errr, handicapping this weekend's Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

The Turk loves the handicap division because the richness of information over several seasons that unfolds on the past performances stirs the mathematical intrigue in me. Horse racing for me is a two for one value; I get jazzed by the handicapping and the gambling, especially when I win, but I'm also able to put aside the money side of things and just be a super fan. Like everyone, I dream of the next Triple Crown winner, and I honor the eleven previous winners, but it's the older runners on the dirt and the turf that really do it for me. Last year was a bit lean on returning heroes and it's time that the cupboard gets restocked with superstars older than 3 years old.

There are some great minds on this internet-thingy handicapping: The Handicappers Corner, The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance and Turf: An International Gathering of Horse Racing Bloggers are great places to go and bounce your own thoughts off of people who are right pretty often. I believe strongly in building handicaps without outside influence, so I really hope you have already built your handicap and you are just using this to gage your own thinking.

I was musing the other night that my own racing year mirrors the handicapping division: I shutdown after the Clark Handicap, I go to the farm (OK Chipolte's and the corner bar) and just chill until early January, I show back up in Florida and start running again, getting my stride up before taking another break in May, only to pick it up around Saratoga/Haskell time and making the strong run back to the Breeders' Cup. Turk buddy, what the heck are you talking about? I'm sayin' that I'm rusty in the handicapping and I've been resting my red pen since the Clark, just like some of these runners have been resting since that same race. If I graphed my ROI, which I do, I'm at my absolute best at the end of the season when the horses are a pretty known quantity and my handicapped skill is at its proverbial "3rd race after a layoff" best. I ain't there yet but let's take a swing at this race anyway.

Gulfstream Park Race 10: The Donn Handicap

One problem with being an internet hack handicapper is exposing your thoughts before you have enough information. Without blogging I'd have my base handicap for the Donn done on Friday night but my bet strategy would be formed once the track conditions and scratches and changes
firmed up. I also like to stare at the tote board for as long as possible to make sure my superfecta investment makes sense. Perhaps the worst feeling I know is "investing" $50 to make $30. The weather at Gulfstream this weekend looks like it has the possibility to continue to be inclement, and I've built my base handicap with a slant towards slop.

So where am I coming from? Flat Out has four progressively decreasing Beyer races in a row. He looked like a horse that needed a break after the Clark Handicap, but many Breeders' Cup combatants put in dull efforts in thier first races back. Trainer Dickey got a turf effort in for God only knows what reason except possibly to increase sire value, or he just couldn't find a better spot in the conditions book. I dunno, seems like an Allowance race over dirt and 1 1/16 would have been better but the point is he got work in and this is his second effort off a 45-180 day layoff. Surely Turk that's a winning angle? 0% for Dickey but only his 5th try. Jock Solis is just a 6% winner at Gulfstream. On the positive side, I liked his slop effort in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and he is a bit sharper race wise than some of his cohorts, at some point I have to believe he reverses course and returns to form. This weekend would be a good time!

Dick Dutrow, not my favorite trainer but a solid horseman nonetheless, brings in Trickmeister, 5 wins in 5 starts lifetime at age 5 after beating up on shoulda, coulda, woulda types like Our Dark Knight. Ramon Dominguez and Trainer Dutrow combine for 32% wins and the son of Proud Citizen has been sharpening up over the Gulfstream Park track since New Years Eve. I want to be careful he's not too high on the toteboard but I will cover him in all four spots in my Superfecta.

The presumptive bettor's chalk will be Shackleford. I love the horse but there are red flags; winless since The Preakness, before that an N1X. A loser to Coil at the Haskell by a neck and trounced at the Travers, a loser to Wilburn at the Indiana Derby, only to choke to Caleb's Posse in the Dirt Mile. I am tickled pink to see him back and excited for Dale Romans and his barn, but I am concerned. He's a tepid B for me, Top Four on expectations and class.

Ruler on Ice, the Belmont winning gelded four year old son of Roman Ruler, is back for popular trainer, Kelley Breen who places Rosie Napravnik up. Also resting since The Clark, some very impressive bullets at 4 and 5 furlongs and a very solid resume on slop may make me reconsider and move him further up the handicap.

Soaring Empire and Redeemed will round out my top six Superfecta candidates. Soaring Empire is more of a one turn specialist and he enters off a disappointing 6th in the Hal's Hope after winning in 2011. I like the 5 YO an awful lot and I am very interested in seeing how he goes over the slop. He does own the best Tomlinson (453) over the muck. Redeemed is Dick Dutrow's other runner who is taking a jump up in class but is worth a look. The one that could make me look stooooopid is Hymn Book, but then again, a son of Arch, ridden by Johnny V for Shug McGaughey is just screaming to not be ignored. You can't cover everyone and you'll go broke tryin; build your handicap and bets with an eye towards the bottom line.

I'm going to assemble a Superfecta that approximates my base handicap. If I don't like what I see on the tote board or if more than just Al Khali scratches (I'm going to guess he does)I may retrench to a Trifecta just to keep my action reasonable and in line with where I feel my handicappers touch is right now, which is, well, "1st effort off a 60-180 day layoff".

Also, sorry for the gratuitous $6,000 dollar pile of winnings on my desk. I'm stroking my bad motherf**ker handicapper mojo back up, just like a trainer takes a horse out for a nice blow before a big race. It's my "It's Britney, Bitch" moment.

Great talking to you friends. Enjoy the races, Turk Out!

Opinions on Gulfstream Park’s Saturday Card

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:44 +0000

The best racing card of the weekend arguably belongs to Gulfstream Park. It includes 4 graded stakes; the Grade III Swanee River, the Grade II Hutcheson (the only graded Derby prep his weekend), the Grade I Donn Handicap, and Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Here’s a few thoughts on the entries.

Gulfstream Park Race 2 – Maiden Separate Weight ($51K) – 7 furlongs – 1pm post time

Nine horse field has five 1st time starters. Unless I have a clear cut pedigree or workout angle I prefer horses making their 2nd start as they usually improve off their initial start. Of the 2nd timers, #2 DESERT STORM (3-1) and #5 Z VILNA (5/2) are the standouts. DESERT STORM ran green and wide in his 1st start at Churchill Downs and may offer a tad more value come post time. #3 SENSOR is worth a paddock look as trainer Albertrani has a nice ROI with 1st time starters.

Gulfstream Park Race 3 – Allowance Optional Claiming ($75K)N1x – 1 mile – 1:29 post

All signs point to #4 SPRING HILL FARM (5/2) for me. Named after the late Edward Evans’ Thoroughbred farm near Warrenton, VA (and close to my hometown), this colt romped after setting an easy pace on the lead in his 1st start. He won’t offer much value, so the other Pletcher horse, #2 BIG BLUE NATION (5-1), is also worth a look. He gets Ramon Dominquez to ride and could stalk the pace.

Gulfstream Park Race 4 – MSW ($51.5K) – 7 furlongs – 1:57 post

Another nine horse maiden race with five 1st time starters. I have no strong opinions and it looks fairly wide open. #9 MAJESTIC NUMBER (6-1) does have a few things I like: outside post ensures he won’t get trapped down on the rail; making his 2nd start so improvement is expected; equipment change (“Blinkers On”) may help his chances; and lastly, if the 6-1 morning line holds, that’s a fair price for a horse trained by Pletcher who’s winning at 37% clip.

Gulfstream Park Race 5 – MSW ($51.5K) – 8.5 furlongs (turf) – 2:25 post

Just what I love, a wide open turf race with lots of options. This is the type of race where you should demand value both on top and underneath your exotic tickets. Logical contenders figure to be #1 BRIDGE LOAN (3-1), #2 GRAND TIER (5-1), #5 STREET TALK’N (15-1!), #7 YANKEE BOSS (6-1), #8 GOLDEN TICKET (5/2), #9 LOGAN STREET (20-1), and #10 BIG JOHN B (15-1). #5 STREET TALK’N is intriguing just based on his strong pedigree. However, he barely picked up his feet in his first race and has relatively low percentage connections (trainer and jock winning at 8% and 9% respectively). He may take to the turf so I’ll definitely use underneath in the trifecta and possibly on top for smaller units if I’m feeling particularly optimistic. Tough race, but has the potential for a big payday for whoever can crack it.

Gulfstream Park Race 6 – MSW – fillies age 4 & up ($51.5K) 7 furlongs – 2:53 post

Of the eleven entries, the four I like most are #2 SILENT FRIGHT (3-1), #3 ONEPOINTTHREEKARATS (6-1), #8 SANADAAT (5-1), and #9 HAYLIE BRAE (10-1). The best risk/reward play may be the well-bred SANADAAT with the solid trainer / jockey combo of Christophe Clement (33% win rate) and Javier Castellano (21% win rate).

Gulfstream Park R7 – AOC ($80K) – 8.5 furlongs (turf) – 3:21 post

Another competitive turf race that any number of horses can seemingly win. If forced to pick the winner, I’d say #6 MOBILIZER (4-1). He lost by a neck last time out at the same level despite having to check up and alter course on the backstretch. Starting 2nd off the layoff for the venerable Roger Attfield and picks up a slight jockey upgrade with Castellano. The favorite, #4 PANTS ON FIRE (3-1), may take a lot of action, but I’ll let him beat me making his 1st start on the lawn at predicted short odds. Will live or die with MOBILIZER and go deep under to hopefully catch a price in the bottom of the exacta and trifecta.

Gulfstream Park R8 – Grade II Hutcheson Stakes ($150K) – 7 furlongs – 3:49 post

Small 6 horse field may not be the best betting race. #6 EVER SO LUCKY should sit a good trip (2-1) coming off the slight layoff. #3 THUNDER MOCCASIN (7/5) might try, and very could, wire the field. However, he could also get pressured by #5 IL VILLANO (5-1). So I’ll play EVER SO LUCKY on top and use THUNDER MOCCASIN and #4 QUICK WIT (6-1) in the exacta and trifecta. Be sure to catch the 3rd race, where a win by SPRING HILL FARM would reflect favorably on QUICK WIT’s chances.

Gulfstream Park R8 – Grade III Swanee River Stakes ($150K) – 9 furlongs (turf) – 4:17 post

While #2 DENOMINATION (3-1) is the morning line favorite, it’s hard for me to look past #4 HEAVENLY LANDING (4-1). After starting her career with 1 win in 10 tries, she’s reeled off 3 consecutive wins after switching to the turf. I’ll use her with the reliable #8 SNOW TOP MOUNTAIN (5-1) and #5 GOLD d’ ORO (8-1) and #6 HIT IT RICH (8-1).

Gulfstream Park R10 – Grade I Donn Handicap ($500K) – 9 furlongs – 4:45 post

My attention is drawn to #8 TRICKMEISTER (6-1) with his impressive 5 for 5 record, but jumping up in class by making his 1st start in a graded stakes race (not to mention a Grade I race). He does have a win at the distance and is 1 for 1 at Gulfstream. Biggest threat is to his immediate outside, #9 SHACKELFORD (7/2). This is SHACKELFORD’s first race since getting ganked by CALEB’s POSSE in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and he’s yet to find the winner’s circle since the Preakness. They should hook up early, battle throughout, and may, just may, set things up for stalker #7 FLAT OUT (5-1) or mid-packer #10 HYMM BOOK (8-1). Only thing I can say for sure is it will be an exciting race.

Gulfstream Park R11 – Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap ($300K) – 9 furlongs (turf) – 5:13

If I have any money left at this point I will bet this race. Only problem is this is another seemingly wide open turf field. #1 SILVER MEDALLION (5-1), #2 HOLLINGER (12-1), #3 BIG BLUE KITTEN (12-1), #5 BOISTEROUS (3-1) all look good. I’ll take a shot at a big score with BIG BLUE KITTEN at double-digit odds. The 4 year old out of Kitten’s Joy (a sentimental favorite) is the picture of consistency and gets a minor weight break (4 pounds) on the favorites. Hopefully Leparoux can get him well-positioned with clear running room in the stretch (fingers crossed).

Good luck everyone!

'Luck' and Zen of Derby Futures

noreply@blogger.com (suebroux) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:05:00 +0000

One of my best friends is a professional couch potato; she watches lots of TV. She can name all the contestants on The Biggest Loser and recite how much weight each has lost since their last weigh-in. She's irritated that Ben is besotted with the shallow, bikini-less Courtney on The Bachelor. ABC, CBS, PBS, HBO, TNT, CSI, and so forth - she's the original Bourbon and Coke swilling TV Guide.

A few days ago she asked me what I thought of the new series Luck. I told her I haven't seen it.

She just about fell off her couch.

"It's a horse racing TV show! And since you know all this horse racing lingo, you need to watch it," she reprimanded. "We have much to discuss!" You'd think we were a book club.

So, yesterday I sat down to watch the first episode. And I didn't get far. It was just too slow and heavy handed; it didn't hold my interest very long. If Dustin Hoffman had reprised his role as Master Shifu, it would've been a lot more entertaining.

And let's face it, the serious bettors, or "degenerates" that were so warmly portrayed in Luck, certainly could be enhanced by channeling inner peace.

For those of us "degenerates" channeling inner peace, our pal Gary West at espn.com provides his zen philosophy for this weekend's upcoming Kentucky Derby Futures Pool. For those who deride or resist the wager, Gary reminds us "it's all fun, even if a little foolish. But a Futures wager can be more wise than foolish." In his example, he demonstrates that a modest wager spread throughout various Future pools and 390 ± 20 possible outcomes, there is the potential of profitable awesomeness or dinner with Dennis Farina.

Inner peace ... inner peace ... Alpha 20-1 ... I'll Have Another 65-1 ... inner peace ... inner peace ...

End of the Line for Delaware?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The past several years, Delaware Park has been a hotspot for big time horses to come out of. From Afleet Alex and Barbaro to Havre de Grace, they have put the Stanton track on the map. However, with Parx (Philadelphia Park) not only having slots but getting a G1 as well, Delaware has struggled with their dates over the past few years. This upcoming season will be no exception, with the DTRC giving only 100 days of racing for the 2012 season. This is down 6 days from the 2011 sesason, and 16 days from 2010. Plus there is no contract currently with the Horseman's Association. The start of the season will be May 12 with for the third year in a row, the Delaware Oaks and Delaware Handicap will be held on two different weekends.

It's sad to see my home track struggling like this and with the way things are going right now. Unfortunately, the competition from PA and MD with both of those states now having slots has hurt Delaware. It's just very frustrating to see this happen and honestly, as a fan there is prob. little that I can personally do (other then bet which is something I'm not really interested in).

Even with the issues that are going on, I hope that the 2012 season is a good one. Hopefully we see another good Delaware Handicap, of course prob. nothing like last years with Grace and Blind Luck. Thorough, with all the talented fillies that are returning, it could turn out to be one of the deepest DelCaps in quite a while.

VTA MEMBER BUSH WRITES NEW BOOK

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:28:00 +0000

PICTURE OF THE DAY

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Fed Biz Impresses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:37:23 +0000

Ever wonder what $950,000 could buy you? One intriguing answer came to light in today’s allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita. The one mile affair featured a pair of well thought of sophomores facing off in each horse’s third lifetime start. After fast early fractions set by one, Consulado, it was the other, Fed Biz, who took command and strolled home the easiest kind of winner, and in the process furthered his hopes of lining up in the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Fed Biz was purchased by Kaleem Shah for nearly a million at the Keeneland September Sale of 2010, and whether or not he makes it to Louisville, it appears that big money bought him a colt with a whole lot of talent.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Fed Biz raced greenly en route to coming home 5 ¾ lengths ahead of Consulado at the wire. The son of Giant’s Causeway completed the mile in 1:34.74. Despite chasing the snappy fractions of :21.95 and :45.50 from the outside, Fed Biz reeled in the pacesetter after six furlongs in 1:10.03, and then was able to lengthen his advantage throughout the length of the stretch, and

Someone Call the CFD; Balmoral Handle's on Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:05:00 +0000

I got a note this morning from Balmoral Park regarding their year over year handle numbers. To say they're impressive would be an understatement (click to enlarge):

Yep, that's their total handle, up 54%.

What happened? It seems a number of things. The track promoted their pick 4 takeout decrease in 2009/2010 to a willing audience, they worked hard to get noticed and up the bet, churn took over in some pools via that, and they joined the USTA Strategic Wagering Initiative which guaranteed some pools.

Most of all, in my opinion, it took time.

I remember back in late 2009 or early 2010 when Balmoral slashed their pick 4 takeout rate. They were doing about $7000 pick 4 pools at that time, and a month or two afterwards the pools were up to around $10,000 - by any measure it would seem to be successful at that early stage. But some thought not. They were multiplying the revenue gained from 25% of $7,000 and 15% of $10,000 and deeming it a failure.

Short term thinking at its finest.

Currently, a couple of years later, Balmoral is doing $20k to $25k a night in their pick 4 pools. Overall handle, as you can see, has followed.

Churn, getting your name out there to willing players, promoting. It all takes time.

Balmoral stuck with it and they are now being rewarded. They, in my opinion, are a poster child for the patience that's needed to change our game for the better. One track at a time.

Stewards throw the book in Laurel case; do they hit the mark?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:56:12 +0000

The stewards threw the book, and it hit jockey Alberto Delgado right between the eyes. Whether this represents justice, however, is a different question.

We discussed the My Sweet Nenana Affair a couple of posts ago (here). Briefly, Delgado, riding for trainer Dane Kobiskie, had the mount on 1-2 favorite My Sweet Nenana. At no point during the race did he encourage the horse, or even allow her to run freely. Track announcer Dave Rodman observed that, even in the final sixteenth of a mile, the horse was under a firm hold; the chart caller noted that she had run “on her own courage.” The situation looked, and smelled, fishy.

The stewards, under perhaps heightened scrutiny after our coverage prompted the Paulick Report (their coverage here) to focus attention on the story, handed down their ruling yesterday: 30 days’ suspension for Delgado and no punishment for anyone else.

The stewards accepted Delgado’s statement that the horse was sore and that he feared the outcome if he pushed the horse too hard. Assuming that statement is accurate, they reasoned that he should have informed the state vet or other personnel and had the horse scratched. By not doing so, he not only injured bettors — more than $135,000 was wagered directly on the race, with more in the horizontal Pick pools — but he also put other horses and riders at risk. Kobiskie was not punished, the stewards added, because the horse passed the cursory exam that state veterinarians do before each race. There was, the stewards decided, nothing untoward going on.

Yet, while the punishment is certainly swift and reports indicate that Delgado will not appeal, questions remain. I posed a couple of them in my original post:

If the horse was unsound, did Kobiskie, the trainer, know it? If so, why did he send the horse out? If not, why not?
What were Kobiskie’s pre-race instructions to Delgado?

Add to them this one: was the horse unsound? Did the stewards interview the new connections — My Sweet Nenana was claimed from the race — after the race to see if they thought that the horse had physical issues? Did the state vet examine the horse to determine what issues might exist?

In situations like this, jockeys are in a tough spot. Sometimes, facing the music (if the stewards can be called music) is preferable to the alternatives.

Maybe the situation was exactly as Delgado described it; maybe the stewards got this decision exactly right. But if, as steward Adam Campola told the Paulick Report, their job is “to protect the betting public,” then they still have work to do. Because justice isn’t just about the outcome; it’s about the process. Protecting the integrity of our game requires an open and transparent process that is clearly, and adequately, explained to the public. It requires asking all the key people all the right questions and sharing their answers with the public. One Paulick Report commenter, frustrated with the ruling and the vague words surrounding it, wondered, “[E]xactly how stupid do racing fans appear to you [the stewards] to be?”

At this point, we simply don’t have enough information to assess whether this rather severe punishment of the jockey is a fair outcome or not. Unfortunately, the suspicion is that the stewards don’t have that information, either.

Weekend Preview

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:54:47 +0000

Lion Santa, Cheonun Head Cards

It’s been another chilly week in what has been the coldest winter anyone in Korea can remember, however, just like last week, temperatures look set to rise up to around the freezing point this weekend meaning there is no better place to spend it than at the racetrack!

It's set for another cold and bright weekend at Seoul

At Busan on Friday, Lion Santa (Lion Heart) is the main attraction. The four-year old, whose connections shunned the Grand Prix Stakes only to see him beaten in what should have been a routine handicap and in the process, lose his unbeaten record on his tenth start. However, he will be favoured to get back to winning ways in the mile-long feature race.

Sunday’s big race on the South Coast is headed by Tamna Ace (Thunder Gulch), who has nine wins from his thirteen career starts. Also on show on Sunday is filly Geumdda (Officer) who, like Lion Santa, shockingly lost her unbeaten record last time out. She’s up against Peter Wolsley’s filly Perfect Jilju (Paradise Creek) who herself has four wins from her last five starts.

Up at Seoul it’s a bit of a low-key weekend but it still should be a fascinating two days of racing. The capital’s feature race is on Saturday as Nonghyup Stakes winner Cheonun (Ft. Stockton) heads a full-field of fourteen going over 1900 metres.

On the Triple Crown trail there are a few promising three-year olds to look out for. At Seoul Viva Cat (Creek Cat) goes in race 9 on Sunday, looking for his fifth win from six starts while down at Busan Good Time (Yehudi) and Predict (The Groom Is Red) both go in race 9 on Friday.

Friday February 10

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 11

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:20
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:20

Sunday February 12

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 17:40
Busan Race Park: 8 races from 11:50 to 16:40

Donn Handicap deep and full of talent

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:16:56 +0000

Flat Out

The 2012 Grade 1 Donn Handicap (Saturday|Race 10|Gulfstream) has attracted a deeply contentious field of 11 contenders. Notable recent winners include Quality Road in 2010, Invasor in 2007 and Saint Liam in 2005. This year’s winner could become a top contender for the world’s richest race; the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 31. There is a 50% chance of rain as of Saturday.

Where’s Sterling (Northern Afleet x Twinkler by Benny The Dip) will break from the rail after posting a very sharp gate breeze in 1:25 4/5 seconds for seven furlongs on January 25. The Nick Canani colt owns a strong record over the Gulfstream strip with two wins and two second place finishes from four starts. He hasn’t lost in two tries at the distance. Jose Lezcano gets the call to ride.

Todd Pletcher’s Mission Impazible (Unbridled’s Song x La Paz by Hold Your Peace) has two decent races over this surface, but most of his best running has been done at Churchill Downs. I expect him to race too close to the pace under JJ Castellano. He will pay for that in the late stages of the Donn Handicap.

Last year’s Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler on Ice (Roman Ruler x Champagne Glow by Saratoga Six) hasn’t won in his last five trips to the track, but that could end here. The gelding has been freshened up and is working like he’s sitting on a big race. He fired three consecutive bullets at Palm Meadows prior to his last work, including five furlongs in :58 1/5 B. Anna Napravnik will get aboard for trainer Kelly Breen. This guys best race came over a sloppy track so the connections will likely be doing a race dance.

Dick Dutrow will send out two horses, the first of which is Redeemed (Include x Early Mass by Pleasant Tap). The versatile equine registered a powerful victory last out in the Grade 3 Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct. Before that he beat two top horses in the form of Alternation and Prayer For Relief while winning the Oklahoma Derby. Edgar Prado will ride the Jay Em Ess entry.

Cam Gambolati’s Soaring Empire (Empire Maker x Flying Passage by A.P. Indy) loves racing at Gulfstream. His best win came in last year’s Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Stakes. He was also second by a neck in last years Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes and Gulfstream Park Handicap. He was last seen getting tired in this year’s Hal’s Hope after making the lead at the top of the stretch. That was his first race since the end of July and it should have him good and ready to fire a big shot here. Julien Leparoux will pilot the closer.

Al Khali (Medaglia d’Oro x Maya by Capote) has raced primarily on the grass, but does own three wins on the dirt. Bill Mott has him cross entered in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. He hasn’t won since Hector was a pup and will have to contend with a four month layoff.

Flat Out (Flatter x Cresta Lil by Cresta Rider) is one of the best older horses around when he’s on his game. He proved that last year with wins in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap and the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. He failed as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and Grade 1 Clark Handicap. I’m willing to forgive those efforts. He doesn’t like the track at Churchill Downs. I’m also going to throw out his last race on the turf where he finished dead last. He’s not a turf horse. The works since that race are strong and he moves back to a dirt route. That makes him deadly.

Trickmeister (Proud Citizen x Afternoon Trick by Afternoon Deelites) hasn’t lost or been challenged in five starts, but hasn’t faced a field even close to as good as this one yet. The Dutrow trainee will get to the front and take them as far as he can. I don’t expect that to be very far. Ramon Dominguez gets the call to ride as JJ Castellano chose to retain the mount on Mission Impazible.

Last year’s Preakness winner Shackleford (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled) almost went all the way to win last year’s Grade 1 Florida Derby, but was caught on the wire by Dialed In. I’ve got a feeling the layoff wont hurt him too much, but I’m just not sure he truly wants to go this far against horses of this quality. It wouldn’t shock or surprise to see him win, but I’m leaning against it. Jesus Castanon rides for Dale Romans.

Hymn Book (Arch x Vespers by Known Fact) charged down the lane to be second in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last out. It was a very good effort as To Honor And Serve wasn’t going to lose that day. His best race is good enough to win this thing. John Velazquez gets back up for Shug Mcgaughey.

He hasn’t won in a very long time, but Sangaree (Awesome Again x Mari’s Sheba by Mari’s Book) looked well last out to be second in the Hal’s Hope behind dominant winner Jackson Bend. If that race is any indication, he could be ready to move forward again at a big price. Rajiv Maragh will pilot this horse for Kiaran Mclaughlin.

My top selection to win the 2012 Donn Handicap from Gulfstream Park is Ruler on Ice. I think the time off has done him well and it appears he is kicking the barn down. The gelding will get plenty of pace to chase and an off track will work to his advantage should one turn up. Key contenders include Flat Out, Soaring Empire and Redeemed.

From the infield

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Burns) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30:00 +0000

I got out to the infield at Aqueduct a while back and recently I got out onto the massive infield of Belmont Park, it is no wonder they used the middle of this racetrack as a landing strip at one point.

Winter track maintenance

The surface of champions

Widener Turf Course

Inner turf course, home of the Manhattan Handicap

Old tote, minus light board

Inside the old tote board, now a flag storage center and groundskeeping HQ.

Gazebo

The view from the other side.

Can Carroll repeat Queen's Plate success?

noreply@blogger.com (Keith McCalmont) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:13:00 +0000

I caught up with trainer Josie Carroll over the phone on Tuesday night and the conditioner of Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate champion Inglorious was in good spirits.

Inglorious on the Saratoga backstretch last summer

The miles have been adding up for Carroll who has been very busy over the winter months racing horses at both Gulfstream and Fair Grounds, while also overseeing the development of a number of promising young horses at Palm Meadows.

“Air miles, car miles, every kind of miles,” she laughed. “It’s been a busy winter but I’m fortunate to have some very nice horses so it’s worth it.”

Inglorious romps in the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser

The Queen’s Plate winner Inglorious, who is owned by Donna and Vern Dubinsky’s Donver Stables, made her first appearance on the work tab in 2012 on February 6 breezing an easy four furlongs in :50.60 at Palm Meadows.

“It went exactly as planned. It was just a nice gallop along for her,” said Carroll.

Carroll is reluctant to lay out a schedule just yet for the now four-year-old daughter of Hennessy-Noble Strike, but indicated that Woodbine would be the home base and a try over the turf is more than likely in the cards.

“I’m hoping so for the most part (to race at Woodbine), but I don’t think exclusively,” she said. “There’s great racing at home.”

The prospect of a turf start for Inglorious was brought to the forefront following the rousing performance by her half-sister, Dixie Strike, to win Saturday’s Florida Oaks over the lawn at Tampa Bay Downs.

“I think turf is something we’ll explore somewhere in the future,” admitted Carroll.

Inglorious wins the 2011 Queen's Plate

Given that Carroll trained Noble Strike, the dam of Inglorious and Dixie Strike, it’s safe to say she is more than familiar with the Sovereign Award nominated broodmare’s abilities and how that talent might best be coaxed from her filly.

That said, Carroll was quick to point out the differences between dam and daughter.

“Different personality’s altogether,” she said. “I think Inglorious is a much easier horse to train. A much more settled horse to train. Noble Strike could be a bit of a handful.”

Noble Strike, a bay daughter of Smart Strike-Green Noble, made 18 starts, most of them at Woodbine, compiling a record of three wins, three seconds and three thirds. Her best result being a length and a half score in the 2002 edition of the Belle Geste, raced at a mile and an eighth on the turf.

At that time, Noble Strike was trained by Ronald Burke for Arosa Farms. However, after moving to Carroll’s care, the mare would find the winner’s circle again on the turf taking a seven and a half furlong allowance at the Fair Grounds.

Carroll is well aware of the turf potential, but will not be jumping hurdles to put her filly on the lawn.

“It’s all speculation,” she said. “All I can tell you is at some point I’m going to try her on it.”

In addition to planning out a four-year-old campaign for Inglorious, Carroll is also attempting to become the first conditioner since Mark Frostad to win the Queen’s Plate in successive seasons. Frostad accomplished the feat with Scatter The Gold and Dancethruthedawn in 2000-2001 - - and a number of prominent trainers including Roger Attfield (multiple times) and Gil Rowntree, to name a couple, have pulled off an historic repeat.

King of England reigns supreme in the Woodbine walking ring

Carroll's quest rests on a trio of top prospects including the U.S Triple Crown nominated Canadian Navy and King of England, who are owned by Earle Mack, as well as the Donver Stable’s Forgotten Vow.

Canadian Navy, a gelded son of Pulpit-Maholo, was bred in Ontario by William D. Graham. The chestnut debuted on December 4 at Woodbine in a five and a half furlong Polytrack sprint and rallied from off the pace to chase home the well-regarded Kinghaven Farms runner Incredicat.

“I think he’s a very promising horse,” said Carroll. “He’s a tremendous mover and I loved his first race because sprinting probably isn’t something he wants to do and yet he did it quite brilliantly.”

Canadian Navy finishes second to Incredicat

Canadian Navy put in his first breeze of 2012 on February 4 covering four furlongs in :49.14 at Palm Meadows.

“He had a month off at Fair Hill and is just starting back,” said Carroll. “I think the break did him good, he did some growing up.”

Big things are also expected of King of England who has yet to work in 2012. The dark bay son of Lemon Drop Kid-Snow Lady, bred in Ontario by Christine Hayden, has a misleading record of one win, a fourth and a fifth from three starts as a two-year-old.

He debuted on August 7 in a six furlong main track sprint and, after a slow start, closed along the rail to finish fourth, defeated less than five lengths by Breeders’ Cup bound Excaper.

King of England would be crowned in his second start travelling a mile and seventy yards in 1:43.99 to defeat a top John C. Oxley Triple Crown nominated fellow by the name of Bluedacious.

King of England breaks his maiden

In his third start, King of England finished fifth in a loaded Grade 3 Grey Stakes field that featured a trio of Kentucky-bred Oxley horses including Prospective, Lockout and Bluedacious, as well as Excaper.

Carroll is also excited about a third Plate prospect, a son of Broken Vow-Unforgettable Too.

“The Dubinsky’s have a horse called Forgotten Vow that was fourth in the race Canadian Navy was second in,” said Carroll. “He ran a very good race.”

It would be wonderful story should Carroll manage to return to the Queen’s Plate with a Donver-owned horse.

Luis Contreras claps for Inglorious as Vern Dubinsky looks on

With Inglorious nominated as Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and the potential of Horse of the Year honours, as well as Donver Stables being nominated for Outstanding Owner, the entire stable will be looking forward to the Sovereign Awards which will be held on April 5 at Woodbine, on the eve of opening day.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” admitted Vern Dubinsky, who is cautiously optimistic of their chances at being named Horse of the Year. “I guess she has a shot. We’d be thrilled to death if she did but there are some other pretty good horses in there too. We’re just thrilled that people recognize her as being a pretty good racehorse.”

Memories of Queen’s Plate success still make Dubinsky smile.

“When you beat the boys it’s pretty special and to win the Queen’s Plate, one of the biggest races in Canada…,” he said.

Donver Stable's Silver Silhouette with assistant trainer Lorie Allen

Another point of pride for Dubinsky is being one of three western Canadian connections nominated as Outstanding Owner along with Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, who recorded 58 wins at Hastings in Vancouver to capture the 2011 Leading Owners title for the fifth consecutive year; and Bear Stables Ltd, owned by Albertan Danny Dion, who won 33 races at Woodbine while banking $1,607,408 to finish second in the standings to fellow nominee Eugene Melnyk whose 29 winners banked $1,654,201.

“It’s flattering to have three from western Canadian connections nominated for owner of the year,” said Dubinsky. “Just to be mentioned in the same group as them in an honour for us.”

That he might reach a second Queen’s Plate before even having an entry in the Canadian Derby at Northlands Park in Edmonton is a source of amusement for Dubisnky.

“It’s nice to win races everywhere but to win a race in your home town would be special,” he said. “My wife and I have always wanted to win the Canadian Derby in our hometown of Edmonton here and we’ve never even had a horse in the race."

The flashy filly Silver Silhouette breaks her maiden at Woodbine

Although there are high hopes for Forgotten Vow, the potential Plate prospect, Dubinsky acknowledges that he dreams most about a big campaign from his Queen’s Plate winner.

“At home here, I don’t go by one day without somebody asking me about her,” he said. “It would be great if she could come back and be good as a four-year-old.”

Inglorious enjoying a leisurely gallop last summer at Woodbine

Who Am I ???

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:59:59 +0000

*Bred in Kentucky, I was foaled four years after my well known full brother.

*I raced in six states overall, with nearly half of my races coming either at Keeneland or Saratoga.

*The monochromatic silks of my owner and breeder have been prominent in the sport for a long time.

*I was a stakes winner in each of my three seasons at the track, although the majority of them came in my best season.

*All of my stakes wins came at distances between six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles; in fact I only tried longer one time.

*I never minded sharing.

*All of my stakes wins came in races with quite a history, some of which go way, way back.

*My final two career races came at Arlington Park where I was ridden by a local legend.

*An American champion, I took home two awards in the same year.

*I was also a success in my second career, counting two European champions among those I called son.

*Unless you have walked a mile in my shoes, please don't give me a hard time about any of my losses.

You should know by now … Who Am I ???

M. FRIEDA HALE 1917 - 2012

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:21:00 +0000

NTRA & Gulfstream Park: Social Media Juxtaposition

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:58:00 +0000

This morning we got a nice contrast on what racing should be doing, and what it shouldn't, when it comes to social media.

Penelope Miller, the new NTRA social media person, was interviewed today and had some good social media answers.

She spoke of how tracks should get involved to promote, engage and give out fun and worthwhile information via the web.

Conversely, in my twitter feed this morning, I saw this line from a horseplayer tweeted to Gulfstream Park:

"I don't follow you for slots results"

Investigating, I see that Gulfstream Park - one of the highest handle tracks in the nation - uses their twitter feed for this:

and this::

I have no problem with a track promoting their casino side, but when the track uses the main twitter feed for slot machine news?

Slot revenue will not save us, and it appears there is no one in charge, or someone with a will, to use this revenue for something to grow the demand side of the game (sorry to sound like a broken record on that).

That being said, I don't think it's too much to ask for a racetrack twitter feed to be about the racetrack.

Note: The headline news marches on. In Pennsylvania the government is again looking to raid slot-purses for general revenues.

Raid!

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:08:53 +0000

And so the inevitable came to pass, which is to say that to the surprise of exactly no one, legislators in Pennsylvania and Maryland have advanced proposals to rob Peter to pay Paul. Peter, in this case, being horse racing and Paul being whatever it is that enjoys current political favor.

In Maryland those funds — seven percent of the slots revenue, plus an additional 2.5 percent — would go to fund school construction. The bill’s passage, we suspect, is unlikely, but it’s not the first time such a proposal has come up, and it surely won’t be the last. Leave aside the bait-and-switch nature of the proposal — the people of Maryland voted for the constitutional amendment authorizing slots with an unusually clear and detailed understanding of where the moneys would go. Leave aside the obvious question of whether adding at most $140 million to the state’s $12 billion education budget (to say nothing of the additional $13 billion spent by local governments) will have much impact — it won’t, since it will represent a shade over one percent of the state’s current commitment, a tiny drop in the vast ocean of the state’s education spending.

Leave those aside, and you’re still left with racing’s critical question: what is it doing to justify those state subsidies, and how does it plan to react once they dry up? Make no mistake: few if any states are going to put themselves permanently in the racing subsidy business. These pots of money are too big — nearly $300 million in Pennsylvania — and too “free,” from the perspective of the legislature, to remain untouched for long. They’ll come knocking, probably sooner than later, and racing will need to show that it is investing these funds wisely to promote the future well-being of racing, agriculture, and employment in their states.

The questions will be: how are these moneys improving the position of our state’s racing product in the national marketplace? How are these moneys improving employment in our state? How is the subsidy bolstering our state’s agriculture and preserving its environment?

It is unlikely that state legislators will consider rising purses and declining handle and attendance as evidence of wise investment. It’s doubtful that they’ll consider more out-of-state shippers as evidence of a golden age of racing, no matter how large the purses that attract them.

For states like Maryland — really, for all racing states — slots are not an answer in and of themselves, and racing as a sport, and as a business, needs to understand that. What slots can be is a bridge to the future — if we treat them not as a cookie jar to raid but as a fund to invest. Meanwhile, time’s a-wasting, and the din of other hungry causes will only grow louder.

Super Six Derby Pix

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Chamberlain) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Well, this last weekend seemed to toss the Super Six Derby Pix into a bit of a frenzy because the horse that topped the initial list, Liaison, ran poorly in the Robert E. Lewis. He was already well-beaten by the time he unseated his rider. So, I don't consider that as a factor in his defeat. Alpha also strengthened his case with a win in the Withers and Battle Hardened took the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. With all that happened this past weekend, there are some changes to the Pix this week:

#1 Algorithms- He defeated the two-year-old champ, Hansen, in the Holy Bull and did it somewhat impressively as a matter of fact. He is trained by Todd Pletcher, who will have a wealth of contenders for the Derby it appears. His Sire is Bernardini, who won the Preakness in 2006. There appears to be a lot to like in this corner.

#2 Union Rags- Yet to return to the races after the disappointing loss in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Trainer Michael Matz was a Derby winner with Barbaro in 2006, so he is well-equipped to get a horse to get the Roses. Regular rider Javier Castellano might be the best in the business right now.

#3 Alpha- He won the Withers over the inner track at Aqueduct this past weekend and seems to just keep doing everything he is supposed to be doing to this point. His Sire is also Bernardini (do you seem to be sensing a theme here?). This might be Godolphin's best chance to get that elusive Derby they crave in quite some time.

#4 El Padrino- This is another Pletcher possibility who won at Gulfstream the same day that Algorithms established his credentials. His win in an Allowance race was certainly impressive. His next start is expected to be the in the Grade 2 Risen Star, which means he might be taking either the Louisiana route or eventually the Arkansas route to Louisville.

#5 Hansen- The defending two-year-old champion loses a couple of spots on the list, but since he did suffer his first loss to the top horse on the list, he should continue to be included. Those in the know seem to doubt his ability to go the classic distance of the Derby. He might be one to watch in say, the Dirt Mile at Santa Anita in November.

#6 Creative Cause- You cannot underrate his effort in running third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and he avoided the carnage that the Robert Lewis turned into in the wake of 43-1 upsetter, I'll Have Another. His return effort is expected to be the Grade 2 San Vicente on February 19.

Tune in again this week for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!

Davidowitz Sounds off on California Racing

noreply@blogger.com (HANA) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:34:00 +0000

Taking on the Boys: The New Norm?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Sure she didn't win for her Oaks-Belmont winning season in 2007 (Curlin did). Believe it or not though, Rags to Riches set the bar for fillies eyeing the big prize, Horse of the Year. How so? By taking on the boys. Since 2009, the past three HOY winners have been fillies (Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta and Havre de Grace). Those three have something in common with Rags, they went against the boys in their HOY seasons (Rach and Grace winning, Z losing a very close Classic. Of course though she defeated them once before the year before).

This begs the question, will this lead to fillies going against colts/geldings more now? While in the US it's been somewhat of a no-no for years, overseas it's the norm. Sunline and Makybe Diva ruled Australia in the distance races (both winning the Cox Plate, and the latter adding 3 Melbourne Cups to her name). Currently Black Caviar is taking names in the Sprint/Mile division. She is possibly going to be taking her show on the road to Dubai and Royal Ascot. Ouija Board and Goldikova defeated both sexes in Europe, before and after winning their BC races. Then there is Urban Sea (Arc winner and dam to one of my favorite fillies My Typhoon), Miesque (2 time BC Mile winner), and Pebbles (BC Turf winner). All three of them legends in Europe. The newest boybeating superstar in Europe is Danedream who won the Arc in October.

Then there is Japan's dynamic duo of Vodka and Buena Vista, both of them Japan Cup winners. The latter should have been a 2 time winner if she wasn't DQ'ed in 2010.

In the US, right now it's just Grace. However, there could be a serious chance that if she continues down the road that Awesome Feather could be going in the same direction. It could be a fun 2012 for fillies of all ages!

VA-BRED WINERS

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:59:00 +0000

TOTAL WAGERING CONTINUES TO DECLINE, VA ADW WAGERING POSTS BIG GAINS

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:57:00 +0000

NEW BREEDERS FUND REGISTRATION FEES

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

HORSES AVAILABLE FROM EAGLE POINT FARM

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

PICTURES OF THE DAY

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:53:00 +0000

HBO's Luck Killed Not One, But Two Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Gordon) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:29:00 +0000

There was a rumor that the horse seen in HBO being put down was not acting. That is, the horse really was putting put to death on the race track. Turns it that rumor was paritally true. There were TWO horses put down, this according to the New York Observer. Both actions led the American Humane Association to temporally decertified Luck by removing there famous "no animals were harmed" tag. However, they have since given it back.**

First of all, my feelings on Luck have gone from "It sucks" to "It is an abomination." It is one thing to have a horse break down as part of the story. To actually have horse die under your watch has just brought back every horse racing critics main argument: that thoroughbred horse racing hates horses and just exploits them for the money (which apparently, I am finding out, is one of the tag lines for Luck's story lines).

Second of all, the AHA was pretty quiet about their act. They didn't draw attention to the horses' death and their press release makes the incidents seem like it was all roses and buttercups.

Thirdly, the horse racing industry's marketing people (i.e. the NATIONAL Thoroughbred Racing Association) are 100% in bed with this show. Even though Luck presents little positive about the business or for that matter reality, the NTRA has foolishly pushed ahead with full its ringing endorsement.
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** Corrected from an eariler post that incorrectly stated that the horse being put down in the show really was a dying horse. Regardless, still was an idiotic and uncessary plot device.

S**t Horseplayers Say

noreply@blogger.com (HANA) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Sometimes We're Left Speechless

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Although it is very difficult to do, sometimes headlines render me close to speechless.

Someone at a meeting this past few months in Jersey said "wouldn't it be a good idea to bring back the diving horse?". And someone said "Ya, great idea".

As part of a revitalization effort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the owners of the city’s historic Steel Pier have announced that they will bring back the horse diving show by Memorial Day of this year.

In the diving horse show, a horse jumps off of a tower that is approximately 40 feet high. In some versions of the act, a rider climbs on to the horse at the top of the tower and rides the horse as it plummets into the 12-foot pool below. In other versions of the act, the horse dives solo.

What, were there no little people available for a midget toss?

I doubt this idea ever gets off the ground, no pun intended. It's so glaringly bad and offensive, someone, somewhere with the IQ above a bowl of breakfast cereal will stop it.

Related- The movie industry stopped throwing horses into pools of water in 1939.

The Governor Speaks....Ominously

noreply@blogger.com (alan) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:39:00 +0000

As mentioned in the last post, I ran into NYRA's Communications Director Dan Silver at Aqueduct on Saturday, and he was one guy there who wasn't particularly happy. "Did you see Cuomo's statement?" No, I hadn't. The governor spoke to the editorial board at Newsday, and had some thoughts on NYRA, and the New York racing industry in general. You can see the video here. If you don't feel like watching, it goes something like this:

"We need a strategy on gaming. We don't know....we just have a hodgepodge. We're in a terrible situation with NYRA that we haven't figured out for years, where we subsidize on an ad hoc basis. This goes all the way back to Spitzer and his investigation of NYRA. We have OTB's that are in treacherous financial situations, all across the state. Where do they fit in? Then tribal casinos, then ruh-cinos, then failing tracks.
[edit]
There are no bandages here. This is fifteen years of decay! [italics mine, to denote inflections of alarm and consternation] Everywhere you look....there are massive, massive problems!
[edit]
I think we need a comprehensive, overall gaming strategy. We need to figure out horses and NYRA. What is it worth to this state to have this industry? And how much do we subsidize them? And do we want to?"

We've only speculated about Cuomo's take on horse racing, because he hadn't had much to say on the topic. We figured it was probably indifferent, at best; hostile, at worst. Sounds like it leans towards the latter. But surely, it is ignorant.

Here we have the usual attack on NYRA - one loaded with the same untruths, hyperbole, and campaign-type soundbytes that we've heard from lesser politicians than the wildly-popular governor. As we know, the state is not directly providing any subsidies, ad hoc or otherwise, to NYRA, and financial support in the past has been in the form of loans or compensation for land. I'm not aware of any "terrible situation" at NYRA (nor the proliferation of "massive, massive problems" amongst the state's other racetracks) at the present time. In fact, thanks to slots revenues, things seem to be pretty good. And that investigation and settlement with then-Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is completely irrelevant at this point in time, which I'm sure Cuomo knows perfectly well. That's just Super-PAC negative advertising-type crap.

But this statement goes much further than just NYRA. It's an existential broadside directed at the industry as a whole in New York State. It comes from a governor who the industry certainly does not want to count amongst its enemies. The problem though is that it's just a sad fact that, while the state may not be directly subsidizing NYRA or the other tracks, one could certainly take the view of the sympathetic Newsday editorial which accompanied the video of the governor.

The horse racing industry has been propped up by funds from video lottery terminals, money that would be much better spent on public education.

Indeed, the VLT money certainly could be spun as a subsidy in the sense that it's money that could be going to the state. Chris Christie eliminated subsidies in New Jersey that revert not to education, but to private casino companies; so Cuomo could make an even more potent argument here. Whatsmore, we've seen how the entities that would benefit from a reduction or elimination of slots money paid to tracks are lavishing cash on influential lobbyists and campaign contributions, and there's no underestimating the effect of such largesse on policy.

But maybe Cuomo was just blowing off steam. Oh, not about NYRA of course; we know that the administration has a bug up its ass for the association, for whatever reason. Cuomo can't snap his fingers and make NYRA go away, but his budget director Robert Megna chairs the Franchise Oversight Board that can recommend the revocation of the franchise under certain rather non-specific conditions.

But is a larger fight against the industry something that Cuomo really wants to take on? One might think that the governor has matters pending that are not only higher priority, but more logical and feasible politically as well. The industry may have declined in the state. But it still employs tens of thousands of people - 40,000 is the figure touted by the harness horsemen for the 'horse racing/agriculture' industry. Threatening even a fraction of those jobs isn't the way to go these days, especially from a governor trying to build a resume as a job creator even as he attacks budget deficits. And the industry does have supporters in both legislative parties....as well as inside Cuomo's administration - Bennett Liebman is the deputy secretary for Gaming and Racing. You would think that any threat to racing in Saratoga would be would be a non-starter in a legislature a half hour away. Do you think NBC Sports Network would have a weekly series featuring the Saratoga Farmers' Market? (Though that would be fine for the Head Chef.) And this is all besides the revenue generated for the state, both directly to the government, and in the form of peripheral economic activity.

In fact, if thoroughbred racing in New York would cease to be, it would have unpleasant repercussions nationwide. A guy with presidential ambitions might want to think about that. Still, it's hard to say what Cuomo is really up to. We all might be holding our breaths until we find out for sure.