TBA Feed #1

The Kiddie List

Laurie Ross, Iron Maiden Thoroughbreds — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:40:00 +0000

THE KIDDIE LIST

MAY 15 – 19, 2013

A month ago, this year’s crop of two year olds quietly made their arrival on the racing scene in early maiden races at Keeneland. As summer draws near, more tracks are carding races for the babies.

As I’ve done over the last two years, I’ll continue the Kiddie List as I seek out the best and brightest of this next generation. Over the last few years, I pointed out Dullahan, El Padrino, Take Charge Indy, Union Rags, Creative Cause, Drill, Dreaming of Julia, Beholder, Kauai Katie, Dry Summer, Renee's Titan, Power Broker, Honorable Dillon, Redwood Kitten, Emollient, Fortify and countless other runners before they hit the national radar. Many juveniles that were highlighted on the Kiddie List rewarded their backers with double digit wins.

The Kiddie List will cover the best workers and blue bloods from the New York, Kentucky, California and Florida tracks, plus Arlington, Fair Hill and Monmouth. If a particularly well bred baby from the database shows up at another track, I’ll include that one as well. Due to the enormous number of juveniles, some of these names may show up only once or twice. It’s highly suggested that you use a virtual stable, available through Equibase, DRF or Brisnet to follow the babies in whom you’re most interested.

We’ll kick off the Kiddie List in New York.

BELMONT

ASLAN (A.P. Indy - Satin Kiss, by Seeking the Gold) (C) 3F :39.16 (9/9) – Darley home bred colt is the second foal produced by his dam. His half sister Spellwork (by Hard Spun) raced in France and Dubai. Their dam won the UAE 1000 Guineas (8F) and UAE Oaks (9F). Aslan won’t be precocious and will do better with distance and maturity.

KINGOFGOLDSTREET (Street Cry (IRE) - In the Gold, by Golden Missile) (C) 3F :38.72 (5/9) – Live Oak Stud homebred colt is the fourth foal out of MGSW In The Gold. She also raced for Live Oak and won the Gazelle (G-1) at 9F. Expect Kingofgoldstreet to relish two turns.

BALDERDASH (Grand Slam - Them There Eyes, by Holy Bull) (C) 3F :39.45 (6/7) – first work for this pretty gray colt. He’s the first foal out of his MSW dam. She earned $289,300 in 24 starts as a turf miler in NY. She’s a half to the MSW sprinter/miler My Dinah. Balderdash’s pedigree is a mix of dirt/turf attributes, so he could go either way. He should handle sprints through two turns.

NIN PIN (Smarty Jones - Flag Pin, by Personal Flag) (C) 3F :49.46 (7/7) – He’s the second of his dam’s foals to make it to the track. She won 3 of 6 races, including the NY Oaks (8.5f). There’s no other blacktype in the immediate distaff family. Nin Pin’s half brother Cat Three Approach (by Catienus) was in the money 3 of 14 starts, winning his maiden after his sixth attempt over dirt.

SARATOGA

AMERICA (A.P. Indy - Lacadena, by Fasliyev) (F) ($725K (RNA) KEESEP2012) 3F :39.82 (16/28) – first breeze for the Bobby Flay homebred. She’s the second foal out of her stakes placed dam. America’s half brother by Unbridled’s Song is 0-4. What makes America so valuable? Her third dam is the KY Oaks heroine and blue hen Blush With Pride, granddam of Belmont Stakes winning duo Rages to Riches and Jazil. America is most likely in the barn of Todd Pletcher and will be unveiled this summer.

HOWL (Arch - Holler, by Strong Hope) (C) 3F :38.68 (11/28) – Claiborne homebred is the first foal out of his dam. She won 1 of 4 starts and is a half to SW sprinter Cheery (by Distorted Humor) and SP Shrill also by Distorted Humor. Howl’s second dam is MGSW Yell, a winner from 7 – 8.5F. This is the female family of the SW sires Eastern Echo, Flatter and Roar. Howl’s fourth dam is the blue hen Glowing Tribute, dam of Kentucky Derby champ Sea Hero.

RADIANT (Sky Mesa - Luster, by Touch Gold) (F) 3F :39.82 (16/28) – Claiborne homebred is the first foal out of her SP dam. Luster won 2 of 8 starts sprinting, including once in the mud. She placed in the Dogwood Stakes. Radiant and Howl are descended from daughters of the blue hen Wild Applause. Radiant will likely be a precocious sprinter/miler.

ROUND ( Arch - Enth, by Seeking the Gold) (C) 3F :38.68 (11/28) – Another Claiborne homebred, Round is the second foal produced by his dam. His half brother Apex (by Dynaformer) has placed in 2 of 4 starts. As one would expect, Round has a strong distaff family filled with stakes winners. His dam won 1 of 4 starts, but she’s a half to two SW and a SP runner. Second dam Limit is a SW and the third dam Bound is a blue hen and grand-dam of the Champion Blame.

BLARP (War Front - Storm Tracer, by Pulpit) (C) 3F :39.14 (14/28) – This oddly named colt is a half brother to MGSW turf horse Newsdad (by Arch). Blarp may be a fairly precocious sprinter and prefer the lawn.

GOLDEN RUM (Medaglia d'Oro - Rum Charger, by Spectrum) (C) 3F 39.89 (26/28) - bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, the breeders of Kentucky Derby heroine Genuine Risk, Golden Rum is a half to MGSW Winchester, a turf router who earned over $1 million dollars. Their dam is a MSW turf sprinter. Golden Rum will likely prefer running long over the turf.

MOSLER ( War Front - Gold Vault, by Arch) (C) ($1,050,000 KEESEPT2012) 3F :39.14 (14/28) – This is a million dollar half to MG1W Contested (by Ghostzapper), winner of the Test and Acorn Stakes. Their dam won 3 of 17 starts and is a half sister to the MGSW sprinter/sire Pomeroy. Mosler may be precocious and could head to the turf.

KING OF BAY ( Medaglia d'Oro - Queenofalldiamonds, by Kingmambo) (C) 3F :39.88G (23/28) – Live Oak Stud homebred is the second foal out of his dam to race. His half brother by Giant’s Causeway didn’t start until he was three, winning his maiden in his second attempt over the lawn. Queenofalldiamonds sold for over $2 million dollars at auction. She needed six starts to win her maiden. Although she tried dirt and turf, she wasn’t victorious until sprinting over Polytrack. Queenofalldiamonds is a half to SP Indy Scent (by A.P. Indy). King of Bay’s second dam is 1998 Champion Older Mare Escena. The offspring of Escena are under-achievers on the track. Often, talent will skip a generation in the female family. King of Bay may become a turf router and it’s doubtful that he’ll be precocious.

WEST COAST GIRL (Medaglia d'Oro - West Coast Swing, by Gone West) (F) ($725K FTSAUG2012) 3F :39.85 (21/28) – bred by WinStar Farm and owned by Live Oak Plantation. She’s the first foal out of her dam, a stakes winning sprinter. West Coast Girl’s third dam is the blue hen Classy N’ Smart, dam of Champions Smart Strike and Dance Smartly (dam of Canadian Champ Dancethruthedawn). West Coast Girl may be a mid-summer starter and improve with maturity.

Definitions:

GSW – Graded Stakes Winner

MGSW – Multiple Graded Stakes Winner

MG1SW – Multiple Grade One Stakes Winner

SP - Stakes Placed

G – breezed from the gate

VA-BRED WINNERS

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:34:00 +0000

THE TURF TEN - MAY 20, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:37:00 +0000

Paid Content At the DRF?

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:23:00 +0000

In Fast Company, the DRF CEO was interviewed and relayed the organization's commitment to leveraging their vast information and technology ecosystem, to gain revenue by initiating a paywall.

For the past year or so, Hartig and DRF have given away much of this coverage for free online. But as DRF pivots into even more specialized coverage designed to help gamblers improve their ROI, Hartig has come to feel he’s offering a valuable service for which users should pay. In July, DRF will launch a paid content area of the site. “It will piss off a lot of folks,” he acknowledges. “But it costs a lot of money to invest in this editorial, and in the technology to give you real-time information.”

This strategy is probably sound. The world has changed since Chris Anderson wrote "Free" , but many of the tenets still apply to the DRF and others. It was no shock that Churchill Downs Inc bought Brisnet for nearly the same purpose - to offer incentives to get you, the user, to bet with them by offering you added handicapping value, for "free". This is not really new.

In other businesses, or media, this is not so easy, and eminently unworkable. This morning for example, The Drudge Report linked a Washington Post story about the Justice Department monitoring emails and keycard entries of Fox News reporter James Rosen. If this story was behind a paywall, like so many, Matt Drudge and others on twitter or various social media outlets would simply find another story to link. The Post probably wants the traffic anyway, for impression serving of their ads.

In horse racing it makes sense.

Data, statistics, technology and its assorted spin offs is owned by entities. This has value and handicappers will pay for added value. That they sign up for DRF's betting interface, where the DRF can make anywhere from 10 or 12 percent to 20 percent plus on each of your dollars bet today, all the better.

With horse racing losing market and betting share, we often believe the sport is on its last legs. There is some truth to that of course, but it is still a $11 billion betting business. That's a huge market and DRF, rightly, wants a share of it for the work they do, the information they offer and the technology they invest in. It's not their job to grow horse racing, it's their job to make money.

Who is the best three-year-old this year?

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:58:27 +0000

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2013. Okay, that’s done and out of the way. Let’s move on. With one surprising Preakness, the three-year-old division went from a monarchy to a sea of uncertainty. The unceremonious dumping of the Kentucky Derby winner off his perch in Baltimore begs the question … who is the best three-year-old in the land?

Orb is still the leader of the division. He arrived to Louisville as a lukewarm Derby favorite and his impressive win launched a groundswell of Triple Crown mania. It was too much too fast, and the horse could not live up to the extreme expectations in the Preakness. He may have been knocked down to reality, but still, considering his wins in Florida, there would be no doubt who the champion would be if the season ended today. But of course, 2013 does not end now, and either a loss in the Belmont Stakes, or a strong win by another if Orb’s connections decide to skip the race, and Orb is right back to being just one of the boys.

Speaking of one of the boys, Oxbow comes out to play without fail. An impressive winner of the LeComte Stakes early

OXBOW UPSETS PREAKNESS

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:11:00 +0000

PICTURES OF THE DAY

noreply@blogger.com (GP) — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:23:00 +0000

Oxbow Stuns Preakness Stakes With Front Running Win–Video Replay

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:20:09 +0000

D.Wayne Lukas and Gary Stevens turned back the clock with Oxbow–who stunned the Preakness Stakes with a front running win. Orb was a non-factor after breaking along the inside. He raced up into contention early, but flattened out to finish a non-threathing fourth. Itsmyluckyday finished second and Mylute was third. Preakness Stakes Chart Video Replay Courtesy YouTube

Iotapa belongs in a strong crop of three-year-old fillies

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:24:37 +0000

Given a confident ride by Joe Talamo, Iotapa rolled home to a facile score in the $70,000 Railbird Stakes today at Betfair Hollywood Park. At first glance, the 1 ¼ length win over Ciao Bella Luna in the non-graded stakes race make look like small potatoes on the grand scheme of Preakness weekend, but upon further investigation, the potential of the winner may force people to look back at the Railbird as the start of something big.

Claimed for $50,000 by Hronis Racing while winning her career debut last June, Iotapa has already proven to be a bargain, despite her new connections discovering a hairline fracture soon after the claim. Given a long layoff to properly heal from the issue, Iotapa has come back gangbusters in 2013.

Fans first took major notice of the dark bay filly when she was entered in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in April. Considering she only had a comebacking win in a six furlong optional claimer following the layoff after the maiden claiming event, the Santa Anita Oaks, against the likes of Beholder and Fiftyshadesofhay, seemed very ambitious. Sen

Preakness 138: The Day in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Gene Kershner - EquiSpace) — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:43:00 +0000

Oxbow wins the Preakness

There's your gate-to-wire winner, Oxbow, taking the 138th edition of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. I moved around most of the morning spending time in and around Old Hilltop trying to snap a few pictures for the 'ole blog. I was live blogging from mid-afternoon through the Dixie for The News and luckily that was during the heavy misting. My recap for The News for this morning's paper can be found here.

It was a fun, but exhausting weekend in Baltimore, my third year covering the race and I watched from the winner's circle for the first time instead of the perch up in the press box. One thing I saw before the race was the trouble that Govenor Charlie's handlers were having with his bridle when taking him out to the track. More than one F-bomb was being thrown at the person who was responsible for securing it in the paddock. They struggled for a good 90 seconds trying to get it on and the horse was none too happy about it. You can see it in a picture I captured below.

While the pace of the race was dawdling through the six furlong mark, the big surprise to me was that no one challenged Oxbow in the early going to keep him honest. Maybe they were just freaked by the hot pace of the Derby and the havoc it presented. I didn't have Oxbow, I liked him on the Triple Crown trail based on his pedigree to go long (probably one of the top two), but just got spooked by his inability to win and to sometimes find trouble. Oh well, that's why they call it gambling.

Here are some pictures (click to enlarge) from Saturday's travels...

The Jagermeister Stage in the Infield

InfieldFest

Pitbull on the Main Stage

Space Gal's required Celebrity Photo:
Gene Simmons & Shannon Tweed

Johnny V on Summer Applause
for Chad Brown

Oxbow heads to the indoor paddock

The jockeys cross over to the saddling area

Kevin Krigger in full jog mode

Rosie and Johnny V

Julien Leparoux in the "Green Bay" silks

Baff

Hall of Famer and legendary Notre Damer
Paul Hornung in the trackside winners circle

Doug O'Neill

Derby winner Orb

Oxbow

Govenor Charlie's handlers having
some issues

Itsmyluckyday

Post Parade: Orb

Post Parade: Goldencents

Post Parade: Titletown Five

Post Parade: Departing

Post Parade: Mylute

Post Parade: Oxbow

Post Parade: Will Take Charge

Post Parade: Govenor Charlie

Post Parade: Itsmyluckyday

NBC's Donna Barton Brothers

D. Wayne Lukas - "Hey There!"

DWL and Ms. Racing Queen (to the right)

First time by - Oxbow loose on the lead

That's a wrap from Baltimore...back in a New York minute for the Belmont.

Monday Morning Qu-Orb-erbacking

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:42:00 +0000

The morning after a loss at 3-5. It's a tough place to be in racing.

Orb, who many (me included) thought had the best shot to win the Triple Crown in a long time, as we all know, sputtered yesterday and came a terrible fourth. Yesterday and this morning the narrative developed that it was premature to think he had a huge shot to run the table, and do something not done in 35 years.

"The proof is in the pudding, he lost". Take that.

I think that's revisionist, and somewhat folly.

Each horse race is a series of percentages, a probability. Knowing what we know about Triple Crown losers in the past is the variables that befell them. Namely:

1) Did they beat who they are going to have to beat?

2) Can mother nature trip them up?

3) Do they have physical issues?

4) Do the connections know what they're doing?

and the Granddaddy of them all:

5) Can they get 12 furlongs at the Belmont?

Analyzing each of these with Orb, the probabilities said they were just fine.

Did Orb beat who he is going to have to beat? Sure he did. The new entrant to the Preakness was Departing, who was beaten by several in Louisiana who Orb trounced, and didn't exactly have 107 Beyers going for him. For the Belmont, Dreaming of Julia was talked about, who just lost a 9 furlong race at Churchill. There was no horse like Bodemeister who people thought was better after the Derby. There was no Red Bullet. There was just Orb and the horse's that Orb had beaten.

Can mother nature trip him up? Well, since he just jogged in the soup, there goes that one.

Does he have physical issues? A year ago at this time, vet records were being released, talk of hyperbaric chambers talked about and more, with last year's winner I'll Have Another. With Big Brown one wondered if his feet were made of glass. With Orb? Sound as a dollar bill, so it seems.

Do the connections know what they're doing? Um, do we have to answer this one?

Can he get 12 furlongs? People smarter than me thought it was actually a better distance for him, and if you watched the Florida Derby, or the Kentucky Derby, Orb looked like he could've went around again. He should relish Big Sandy, and the distance.

So yes, the offshore odds said he had a better shot than many, including Big Brown. The conditional parlay, at 3-5 and a probable 1-5 said similar.

Horse's lose all the time at 3-5 or 4-5. They have bad days, they aren't good enough, they get a bad trip, they have a cough, they bounce, or have 100 other reasons or issues.

The fact he lost plays no role in thinking beforehand he had a great shot to accomplish this huge task. He lost. These things happen.

Saturday Harness Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:00 +0000

Last night at the Meadowlands and Woodbine, several big, interesting miles were recorded. It was quite the evening for those who stayed around after the Preakness Stakes.

At the M, the handle was just over $3 million, which (considering the stock racing) was not up to snuff.

The race of the night was the Cutler, where no one could get by Sevruga. It was a blanket finish, providing us with one of harness racing's greatest win photos of the year:

I like the way Guccio has been raced so far this year. After he seasons a little bit, we might see something special from him. He can close like a train, in a sport where closers are at a supreme disadvantage.

The race, for interest, of the evening was the Meadowlands Maturity. Sweet Lou got a nice trip and nailed Warrawee Needy at the wire. It seems Burke is wanting to trip out Lou this year and I think that's wise. In his first two starts of the year he has paraded sound, and miles and trips like that help keep it that way.

The disappointment was the all world speed horse Hurrikane Kingcole. McDermott must be pulling his hair out because the horse again looked like he bounced. They have to find a way to trip that horse out, because he simply cannot go huge wound-up speed and come back and do it again. I'd love to see him buried for half the year, week in and week out. I am a huge fan of this horse.

Bolt the Duer looked happy and sound to me last evening. I think Mark and Peter would be happy with that performance off the bench.

My predictions sometimes suck, but it doesn't stop me from making them: The leader of the four year old pack, I think, will be A Rock n' Roll Dance. That is simply the best I've seen that horse look since the Meadowlands Pace. He was willing, paced sound, and made a tremendous first impression. If he is not beat up, watch out for this horse (a horse I still believe, due to his "grade I wins" should've been 3YO Pacer of the year).

Amadeus was okay winning the 3YO pacing stake, I thought, in his return back for Takter. He looked a little hitchy gaited to me, but it's only one day, and one start.

Ditto for Iluvthenightlife and Wake Up Peter. Solid debuts.

Over at Woodbine, this time of year is amazingly odd. Spring brings with it some rain and warmer temps, and sometimes it means a tight, hard surface. If you are handicapping Woodbine, ensure you chalk last night up to a tricked up track. Those horses did not go that fast, in my opinion, and 25.3 last quarters are more like 26.3's.

Having said that, former North America Cup winner Up the Credit made a wonderful pre race appearance and won in a fast time. He looked great.

I saw an interview with Tony Alagna, and I have heard similar from other old time horsemen in the past - we see inconsistent performances by horses who race too much, too hard. One week great, one week bad type of stuff. You'll often see this pattern with horses with 35 or more starts per year - as Alagna put it, with these types, they are telling you they need a vacation, because they are saving themselves by not going 100% each week (he was alluding to his horse in last night's 8th race).

It might be a little different with the four year olds this year, because they likely will not have 35 starts, but management is still needed. The trick is to find a way to space the races out enough whereby they can have the proper recovery time, while keeping them keen. With the speeds we're seeing this will be paramount for all the horsemen (and drivers) this season. One way or another, buckle up, it should be great. Remember: Close to a half dozen top colts from last year who could go very fast, have not even started up yet.

Have a nice Sunday everyone.

Joe Fujii Wins The Korean Derby On Filly Speedy First

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:53:39 +0000

Speedy First romped away with the Korean Derby this afternoon, ending the Triple Crown hopes of pre-race favourite and KRA Cup Mile winner Sting Ray and became the first filly since Sangseung Ilro in 2009 to win the biggest race of all. Her jockey, Joe Fujii became the first foreign rider to win the Derby

Speedy First and Joe Fujii in the Korean Derby Winner’s Circle

Speedy First (Menifee) came in to the race off 4 consecutive wins and was sent off the 4/1 second favourite behind Sting Ray (Forest Camp), who punters had backed into odds-on.

Outsiders Heungnyong Bisang (Ft.Stockton) and Titan (Creek Cat) made the early pace but the pack was bunched tightly together as they entered the final corner. Turning into the home straight they fanned out across the track but it still looked anyone’s race until Joe Fujii got to work on Speedy First a furlong and a half out. The pair sped away from the rest and never looked back.

The margin of victory on the line was 2 lengths with 47/1 chance Unhae (Ingrandire) finishing 2nd and Major King (Pico Central) 3rd. Sting Ray never looked likely to add the second jewel in the Triple Crown to the first and trailed home 6th.

Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley’s Amell’s Atom (Menifee) picked up some prize money by finishing 5th, however, there was disappointment for British jockey Darryll Holland who ended in 12th place on Fantastic Jazz (Menifee). Lee Shin Young, the first female trainer to have a runner in the Derby, saw both her entrants struggle with Titan in 13th and Awesome Tiger (Exploit) disqualified.

Speedy First goes clear

For jockey Joe Fujii, it was the 60th winner of what has been a quite remarkable 11 months in Korea. The 29-year old won the Grand Prix Stakes on another filly, Gamdonguibada, last December becoming the first foreign jockey to do so and today he completed a unique double by achieving the distinction of being the first foreigner to win the Derby. He has now won 2 out Korea’s 3 richest races.

Fujii’s license was recently extended until September and his reputation among punters is such that he is well on the way to taking on Toshio Uchida’s title of the most popular Japanese man in Korea.

Speedy First’s win also firmly cemented Busan trainer Kim Young Kwan as the nation’s best. This was his 2nd Derby, following Sangseung Ilro’s 2009 triumph. In more general terms, Busan horses once again got the better of their Seoul counterparts in a big race.

Before the Derby, punters were treated to the charms of Sistar. currently K-Pop’s top girl group (Pic: @zstokes)

So just a few hours after a Triple Crown hope went down in the US in the shape of Orb, so Sting Ray’s hopes of emulating J.S.Hold in Korea have gone. Never mind, today we saw a new star emerge on to the scene.

Speedy First will automatically become favourite for the Korean Oaks, which will be held at Busan in August and then if all goes well, we should see her back at Seoul in October when the cream of this year’s generation reconvene for the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown. There is a lot to look forward to.

Korean Derby (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 19, 2013

1. Speedy First (KOR) [Menifee - Speedy Deedy (Victory Gallop)] – Kanichiro (Joe) Fujii – 5.1, 1.7
2. Unhae (KOR) [Ingrandire - Silver Meteor (Creator)] – Lee Sang Hyeok – 6.5
3. Major King (KOR) [Pico Central - Still Golden (Gold Fever)]

Distances: 2 lengths/175 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Brig 5. Amell’s Atom 6. Sting Ray 7. Last Mudae 8. High Five 9. Joy Lucky 10. K Tap 11. Suseong BR 12. Fantastic Jazz 13. Titan 14. Yapung 15 Heungnyong Bisang DQ: Awesome Tiger

Sometimes You Just Never Know

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:38:00 +0000

A horse who wins at 8.5 furlongs, 9 furlongs and 10 furlongs with authority. A horse who looks magnificently sound, who strides out in his last work like a Champion. He's got a great trainer and a great rider. The whole world seems to be cheering for him and he's 3-5 to boot.

But he races poorly.

Sometimes you just never know.

Orb, obviously a fine horse, didn't fire. Mylute, who (with respect) is not in the same zip code in terms of talent, not only closes from behind him, but widens on him. It'smyluckyday made the Florida Derby look like a mirage.

I guess the excuses can and may come. He had a trip like Union Rags had in last year's Florida Derby, which was (wrongly, in my opinion) blamed for his poor performance (and started the 'replace the rider' rumblings), but it probably wasn't that. People can talk form cycles and see a chink in the armor, but I doubt it was that either. Sometimes horse's just have a bad day. And I think Orb had a bad day.

As for the winner, the speed that everyone was speaking about didn't happen, and from pre-race commentary, that could've been deduced. The winner took advantage of that. Oxbow was a bet back horse for a lot of people as well, because he was the only horse that engaged the speed in the Derby who wasn't screaming with lactic acid build up with 400 yards to go. His Derby was a good performance.

What can you say. It's disappointing. It's kind of shocking. But such is horse racing.

Notes:

The undercard was somewhat underwhelming with all the scratches. Players that I know get stoked for the Derby undercard as much as they do the Derby. In my opinion, Pimlico should work harder on their pick 4 and 5 sequences come Preakness day. It's important to bigger players. You need them energized each year, like they are for the Derby.

Speed was super on the Turf, which made the pick 4 easier. Pianist looked like an obvious leader. Skyring was going, too. Both won and paid well.

Speed was better on the dirt than it had been too, I believe. Although in some races they sure didn't go much.

Rudy Rodriguez who can't buy a win at Belmont, won three races the last two days at Pimlico.

Bob Baffert's horse, Zee Bros, hit a wall the last 110 yards in the Derby trial, but before that point in his mile, looked like a monster. Today, with the turnback, the horse was a gift. I say that after the race. I didn't bet him, which is my bad!

Enjoy your Saturday night everyone. I'm still an Orb fan and can't wait for his next race. I'm sure you are too.

Maryland's Hoof-First Connection to the Triple Crown: Raceplates and Horseshoers in Preakness History

noreply@blogger.com (Fran Jurga) — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:41:00 +0000

2013 Preakness Online Betting

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:39:06 +0000

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2013 Preakness Picks & Selections

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:06:25 +0000

2013 Preakness Picks

Pimlico is off to a fast start and we have already nailed the first winner!

My 2013 Preakness Picks (Full Card) are still available, but you had better hurry. Time is clearly running out!

This is one of my favorite cards of the year and my Preakness selection is my highest rated play in the history of this website. In fact, I have called my shot and guaranteed he will enter the winners circle after the race.

Folks, this one is going to pay handsomely and you do not want to miss out. That’s why I’ve decided to offer selections, just for the Preakness. The following is included. Just click the words “Preakness Picks” in blue to get started!

Preakness Picks ($25)

TOP PICK to WIN
Exacta
Trifecta
Superfecta

Black-Eyed Susan Day: The Day in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Gene Kershner - EquiSpace) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:39:00 +0000

That's Fiftyshadesofhay with jockey Joel Rosario up for trainer Bob Baffert after winning the 89th running of the Grade 2 $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan (BES) Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. I arrived yesterday morning and moved around the track all day enjoying the brilliant sunshine and great day of racing that Pimlico serves up on the eve of the Preakness Stakes.

My recap on the BES for The Buffalo News can be found here. In the finale, Bona Venture Stables' Summer of Fun lost a photo in the Old Hilltop Stakes. I spoke with managing partner Dan Collins this morning who said "She came out fine, a little tired. She's just got to learn to keep the lead, that's twice now." She'll likely point towards the Virginia Oaks at Colonial or the Lake George at Saratoga later this summer.

It's a little overcast, but hoping any rain showers will hold off for today. the infield is starting to fill up and the first race goes off at 10:45 a.m. on what is the longest day of racing of the year. Later today I'll be live blogging (starting around 3:00 p.m. at the Sports, Ink blog.

I went with Orb in this morning's paper, but will be protecting against a second place finish with some exacta boxes and perhaps a trifecta keying him in second, should something go awry or if he has to play catch up a la Animal Kingdom.

Here's a look at some pictures from yesterday's travels...

Marathon Lady - second in BES,
Robby Albarado up

Toasting - West Point Thoroughbreds
Javier Castellano in the irons

Fiftyshadesofhay wins the BES

Bob Baffert

Shug McGaughey and Bill Mott

Emotional Kitten - Old Hilltop winner
Joel Rosario aboard for the Ramseys

Chad Brown and Castellano discuss
Premier Step's trip

Doug O'Neill after the Old Hilltop
with Birdlover

View from the Turfside Terrace
one of the best in all of racing

Orb on Preakness morning
in traditional stall 40

That's a wrap on the Black-Eyed Susan....good luck everyone.

Preakness Day & Some Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Pull the Pocket) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:23:00 +0000

Well, today's the day. Whether you're looking forward to watching drunk kids getting thrown out of the infield, Beadle bashing, or to do something wild and wacky - bet and watch the second leg of the Triple Crown, there's something for you.

Orb might be fair odds at 7-1 in some blogs, but he looks like the horse to beat by most.

The Pimlico surface has been kind to closers, and on paper there is a great deal of speed.

However, as most pace models aren't showing, there is a strong chance the speed might not show up as expected.

Itsmyluckyday and Goldencents are coming off poor performances, so the pedal won't (shouldn't) be to the metal for those two. Titletown Five, the best E number on paper, is supposedly grabbing leather. The other two Lukas's probably won't gut each other either. We might not see a brisk pace.

Since Orb has shown he can race up close or as a deep closer, perhaps it doesn't matter either way.

If I were betting a speed ticket to beat Orb, I would probably try one with Oxbow on top and hope for an easy lead. But I honestly probably won't be wagering this race. I will be watching, like most, as a fan.

I have not done the requisite work on the undercard, and am not overly stoked to play it today, but from what I have seen there may be some opportunities. Hardened Wildcat looks interesting in the pick 4 sequence; I don't mind Posiedan's Warrior at 10-1ML. Pianist seems to be in a nice spot. I'm not thrilled with the outside posts on the Pimlico Turf Course.

Notes:

Derek Simon wrote another bang-up blog piece at Twinspires. This one on Orb and former Preakness winners.

Do yourself a favor and check out Bill Finley's feature on an obscure harness racetrack in Eastern Kentucky (pdf). I half expected to see Deputy Marshall Givens in one of Bill's photos. Fascinating place, neat article.

North American racehorses are given prerace which consists of, on average, 5 and a half needles. So says Bill Finley's piece via Rick Arthur in the TDN (pdf).

Tonight at the Meadowlands, the $100k Maturity. Fantastic race.

Last evening at the M, the stakes colts came out to play, and one of the best looking maiden trotters I have seen in some time raced. He stormed home in under 27 seconds and looked like he possessed brilliance. His name is Smiling Eli.

What's missing this year from stakes season? 149 and 150 qualifiers. Thank goodness.

Have a great Saturday everyone. And let's go Orb!

The Nomination Is In: The Preakness Super High Five

noreply@blogger.com (The Turk) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:49:00 +0000

"My Trip to Old Hilltop was A-OK"

The Turk Clan, and friends, had a good Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico. Sister Turk got up close and personal in the Infield with a boy named Goo, while we kicked back at the 1/16 pole in the first row of the grandstand.

The day got off to a bit of rocky start, as downtown traffic got snarled up due to the President visiting (his handicapping must be done already). We were able to finally trek the 7 miles to Pimlico and we found Lot 2, Haywood, only to find a LOT FULL sign. No matter, a nice older fella, a Navy Vet, pulled the sign back and we settled into our seats.

My experience included a "Black Eyed Susan", a hideous concoction of Vodka and some other bitter tasting stuff and I was left with a mild buzz and a Preakness glass, the real prize.

I didn't do much handicapping for Friday's card, I wanted to just relax and make some small tote board value bets. I will say that at least twice in the grandstand I almost saw violence erupt as the teller lines were moving at a snails pace and punters were starting to get really agitated with each other. The whole feel of the racetrack and the staff was very old school, not particularly fan friendly, and in no way very inviting to new fans. That said, the Nathan Hot Dog fellas were top shelf.

I'm alive in the Pimlico Special/Preakness Double. Even that was an adventure, as the teller couldn't have been less interested in that bet and had to run it through twice because he wasn't listening very well to me. I was happy to finally see Richard's Kid again in person, but really, why is the poor fella still running? He's not a claimer, 45 starts, 11 wins, and two plus million in earnings, enough already.

Do you really think I have any plans of trying to get a Super High Five Bet right with that crew? I'll be placing that on my portable device and not sweating it. I think we're looking at a several thousand dollar Super High Five (not 10's or 100's of thousands) and I've created a $168 bet that has a better chance than the PowerBall (which I have a $10 spot on with co-workers). I think I'm going to just enjoy my day at the track and hope my one big bet hits.

Have Fun Friends, Turk Out!

Little Turk and I, Grandstand, Pimlico