Saturday Stakes

2/2 (SAT) G1 $500K Donn Handicap (Gulfstream) 4up, 9f

This is going to be without a doubt the best race this weekend. It is truly refreshing to see a big race with loads of talent in it and several horses who could win. Brass Hat was a gritty second in the Clark last out, and AP Arrow the winner of that race is also here. Einstein is coming off an impressive allowance triumph and will go to the front. He will have company up there in Daaher who is undefeated since the addition of blinkers. In those three starts he has defeated Breeders Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute. He is definitely going to run well, but I don’t think he is the winner. That is saying a lot since I have been following him since he broke his maiden. Last year’s Godolphin Mile winner, Spring At Last will be breathing down the neck of the pace. He has won an allowance just recently and I like him here. You’re getting a good price at 6-1, so check him out.

1^st- Spring At Last

2^nd- Daaher

3^rd- Brass Hat

2/2 (SAT) G2 $150K Swale Stakes (Gulfstream) 3yo, 6.5f

I hate to go with the flow, but 9/5 favorite Wincat looked like an absolute monster first time out. He was under wraps late and won by 9 lengths. No, I’m not kidding. If that race wasn’t a fluke look for him to win easy. That being said Eaton’s Gift who set the pace in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity last out will challenge for second. Silver Edition will be there for third, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all of he beat Eaton’s Gift.

1^st- Wincat (Potential MONSTER in this colt)

2^nd- Eaton’s Gift

3^rd- Silver Edition

2/2 (SAT) G2 $300K Strub Stakes (Santa Anita) 4yo, 9f

Tiago is going to love the extra 1/8 of a mile here. I like him to win this race, but it won’t be big. He is the kind of horse who wins by necks and noses. I see him getting up over Monterrey Jazz who will finish second as the legitimate pace. Great Hunter will also relish the extra distance here picking up third.

1^st-Tiago

2^nd- Monterrey Jazz

3^rd- Great Hunter

SunShine Millions Selections

$300K Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes (Gulfstream, Race 7) 4up, 6f

1^st- Benny The Bull

2^nd- Mach Ride

3^rd- Bushwacker

$300K Sunshine Millions F&M Sprint Stakes (Santa Anita, Race 4) 4up, 6f

1^st- Dearest Tricksi

2^nd- Shaggy Mane

3^rd- Tiz Elemental

$250K Sunshine Millions Oaks (Gulfstream, Race 3yo, f, 6f

1^st- Yogi’ssplashofgold

2^nd- Blitzing

3^rd- American County

$500K Sunshine Millions F&M Turf Stakes (Santa Anita, Race 5) 9f T

1^st-Nashoba’s Key

2^nd- Memorette

3^rd- Placid Lake

$500K Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes (Gulfstream, Race 9) 4up, f/m, 9f

1^st- Ginger Punch

2^nd- Bayou’s Lassie

3^rd- Prop Me Up

$250K Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes (Santa Anita, Race 6) 3yo, 6f

1^st- Bob Black Jack

2^nd- Georgie Boy

3^rd- Johns Grooms

$500K Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes (Gulfstream, Race 10) 4up, 9f T

1^st- War Monger

2^nd- Icy Atlantic

3^rd- Birdbirdistheword

$1m Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes (Santa Anita, Race 7) 4up, 9f

1^st- Going Ballistic

2^nd- Gottcha Gold

3^rd- Buzzards Bay

Too Good To Be True

*This a post from when my blog was located at http://www.blogger.com/. The events described occurred sometime around May.*

I woke up Sunday morning and went through my usual motions. I went for a quick jog, took a shower, and then I ate some breakfast. After finishing this morning ritual I decided to head over to my local track (River Downs). It was a beautiful day which I spent in the grand stand handicapping races.

I was doing great. I had doubled my money by the time the feature race came around. I decided to try and make it an even better day. In this race was a horse called Free Thinking. He had raced earlier this year in the Shoemaker Breeder’s Cup Mile, and the Breeder’s Cup Mile. Also in the race was an older gelding that had raced in the Grade 1 United Nations the previous year, along with the Del Mar Handicap. To top it all off the winner of the Gendelman Handicap, a local stakes race was competing. Quite a deep field for a $12,000 allowance race if I do say so myself.

Free Thinking was coming out of a Grade 2 in which he was last by 14 lengths. Despite this he was still even money. I thought to myself “wow, this sounds like an easy way to double up”. Man was I wrong. I’m not the kind of person who will bet even money but this looked like a sure thing, which in my idiocy I forgot doesn’t exist.

As the race went off Free Thinking sat in second and seemed to be under hand. He made a move to the lead and absolutely quit. Dean Sarvis was beating the hell out of him too, or I would’ve thought something was up. Free Thinking was lesson learned the hard way. If it seems too good to be sure, then it probably is.

Immortal Race Creates Immortal Champion

Barbaro-that name rouses many emotions. Among these emotions are awe, love, and majesty just to name a few. In 2:01.36 he joined the ranks of Real Quiet, Sunday Silence and Spectacular Bid. He became immortal in our hearts and minds.

On October 4, 2005 Barbaro was entered to race 1 mile on the turf at Delaware Park with Jockey Caraballo J C aboard. He went off at odds of 7-1. He obliterated the field by 8 ½ lengths finishing the race in 1:35 4/5 and earning a beyer speed figure of 73. Trainer Michael Matz must’ve gasped as Barbaro came down the stretch winning with ease. As an eerie sign of things to come his DRF note for this race reads: “hard to load”.

He returned to racing November 14, 2005 in the Laurel Futurity. He entered the race at 2.80-1, but he should have been 1/5. Barbaro toyed with the field until the half mile pole, and then exploded like a rocket. He went on to win by 8 lengths in what Andrew Beyer says is possibly the best turf race by a 2 year old of all time. He eclipsed the track record with a winning time of 1:40 for the 1 1/16 distance. His beyer number for the race was gigantic at 102. Barbaro was among the top 2 year olds in the nation. The secret was out.

Barbaro’s next attempt came on January 1, 2006 in the Tropical Park Derby (Grade 3T). This would be his first time in graded stakes company. He went off the 2-5 favorite. Barbaro rated in second as Mr. Sober ridden by Eddie Castro showed the way, setting a ¼ of 23 1/5. By the half mile marker Mr. Sober had opened up 2 ½ lengths on Barbaro. The half mile tote board read 47 4/5 for the half mile. Could Barbaro catch him after he ran such modest fractions? Absolutely is the answer. Barbaro menaced to his outside, and entered a duel with Mr. Sober as they hit the stretch. He easily overpowered the 15-1 longshot. He went on to win by 3 ¾ lengths for new jockey Edgar Prado. He earned a beyer figure of 97 for the race. It would be on to the dirt for the son of Dynaformer.

It was February 4, 2006 and Barbaro was at Gulfstream Park for the Holy Bull (Grade 3). The track had come up sloppy, but with a Tomlinson number of 366 Michael Matz had no reason to worry about his colt’s chances. Future Grade 1 winner Flashy Bull and future Grade 2 winner Sunriver were amongst his challengers. They would be no match for Barbaro.

Once they reached the quarter pole Doctor Decherd had the lead, with Barbaro in second, Flashy Bull in third, and Sunriver following in fourth. Barbaro slowly picked away at the lead. He captured it as they left the back stretch. Flashy Bull loomed large to his outside. As the hit the top of the stretch Dr. Decherd hadn’t thrown in the towel. He recaptured the lead momentarily before Barbaro burst past him. Flashy Bull faded as Great Point made a brilliant stretch run. Lucky for Barbaro, there wasn’t enough track left for Great Point. His beyer figure was a respectable 95. Barbaro was now 4 for 4.

Just under 2 months later Barbaro returned for the Florida Derby. He would be racing from post position 10 and went off at odds of 8-5. This race, like his last would take place at Gulfstream Park.

Sharp Humor led to the quarter pole, while Barbaro raced along in second as he usually did. Sharp Humor continued to lead to the half mile marker, and Barbaro inched closer with every stride. He looked Sharp Humor in the eye as they dueled in the stretch. The track announcer called out “It is Barbaro to the final furlong, he is a neck in front of Sharp Humor who WILL NOT go away!”. But as he always had before Barbaro took control and won the race by a neck. He earned a career best beyer figure of 103. All the prep work had been finished. It was onward to the Kentucky Derby. It was onward to greatness.

The first Saturday in May had arrived. Michael Matz had been criticized for leaving 5 weeks between Barbaro’s last race and this one by the so called “experts”. This Derby was not unlike the others. The day’s festivities had been wonderful, along with the Singing of “My Old Kentucky Home”. Tom Durkin would call the race as usual.

California horse, and Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek was the horse to beat in the minds of most. He had been brilliant in all of his races and was seemingly invincible. Had he not drawn post position 18 he would’ve been the post time favorite. That title belonged to Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint. Matz colt Barbaro was the second choice at post time.

Bluegrass Stakes winner Sinister Minister went to the lead, along with Keyed Entry. Stable mate’s Showing Up and Barbaro were third and fourth, respectively. As they approached the ¾ pole Sweetnorthernsaint advanced along the rail, while Barbaro moved into the clear, and as they hit the stretch he seized control of the lead. Edgar Prado looked back to find that Barbaro was in a race of his own. He continued to widen his liden. First it was 4 lengths, then 5, and eventually 6 1/2 as Barbaro crossed the wire all by himself. Tom Durkin called out “And it is all Barbaro in a sublime performance, he runs away from them all”.

Barbaro had just won the Kentucky Derby, but he had done more than that. He made the best 3 year olds in the world look like fools. He absolutely positively destroyed them. Barbaro was the best horse that year, or another other year. It is tragic the way his life ended. Although this was terrible event good also came from it. Veterinary advances were made in the attempt to save his life. He brought many new fans to a sport that desperately needs them. A memorial fund has been established in his honor to award scholarships to students going into the veterinary field. This, combined with his legendary triumph in the Kentucky Derby allowed Barbaro to live on. He lives on as an immortal champion in our hearts and minds. Rest in peace Barbaro.

Onlineracingclub.com

My friend Brian, or “Onlineracingclub” from HorseRacingPark was recently interview by The Horse of Delaware Valley. He runs a horse racing partnership. Give his site a look, you can find it by clicking here. I hope you enjoy the article and all credit goes to Judith Lee of the Horse of Delaware Valley.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Bitten by “the bug” as a young boy who watched harness racing with his grandmother at Timonium Fairgrounds, Brian Eichhorn was always interested in horse racing.

Three years ago, he combined his passion with internet technology to successfully pool resources with other small-time Thoroughbred owners.

Now Eichhorn’s group, Online Racing Club (ORC), is poised to cash in on the rising purses at Pennsylvania race tracks. United via their website, www.onlineracingclub.com, about 20 individuals currently own 3 horses, with their primary home base at Penn National.

Hopes are high for a Pennsylvania-bred gelding, Coastal Turmoil, which ORC claimed in late June. The three-year-old gelding is a son of Coastal Storm (by Storm Cat), standing at William J. Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom, PA.

“We saw Coastal Turmoil at the PA-bred sale at Mountain Springs Stable in May, but the bidding went over our budget for the horse. He finished second in a Maiden $5,000 Claimer. This fit our budget at the time, and we were able to claim him,” Eichhorn said.

At press time, Coastal Turmoil was entered in a $10,000 Maiden Claimer on the turf at Penn National.

For some of the owners in ORC, it’s their first experience with racehorse ownership, but Eichhorn came to the group with experience.

“When I was in college, I invested in Standardbreds through a limited partnership. We raced horses at Yonkers, Freehold, and the Meadowlands,” he said. It was a great way to limit the investment and the risk for ordinary folks who are not wealthy.

When Eichhorn started his own food distribution business in Somerset, N.J., he no longer had the time or the disposable income to invest. After a number of years, an automobile accident forced him to sell the business. While in rehab, Eichhorn founded ORC.

“We started at Charlestown, W.V. because the purses were so good [WV already had slots]. We claimed Glorious Jenna for $3,500. We had six partners, some were family and friends, and I got a few through the internet and advertising in the Racing Form,” Eichhorn remembered.

Their trainer was Marion Cuttino. They went through several horses, and at one point, moved a horse, Laugh A Little, to Penn National. That’s when they met their current trainer, Michelle Francis.

“Michelle is our base. We have three horses with her now, and we are focusing on those,” Eichhorn said. ORC maintains relationships with trainers at Charles Town and Philadelphia Park, and may be claiming horses there.

The group’s One Time Fee Claiming Partnerships require each owner to pay a one-time fee, based on the percentage that he or she wishes to own. The club looks for owners to buy a 10% share ($1,700 in the latest offering), but owners may buy as little as 2% ($385 in the latest offering). Once 100% is reached, the money is pooled into an account to claim a horse, usually in the $6,000 to $10,000 range.

All the money left in the account goes for training and vet fees, which typically run $1,200 a month. Any winnings go back into the account. If the horse is claimed by someone else, the balance of the account is distributed, and if the account runs out of money, the horse is sold and any leftover funds distributed.

ORC retains at least 10% ownership of each horse, and is compensated according to that percentage whenever a horse wins. When a partnership is dissolved and the partners have made a profit, ORC receives 10% of net profits.

“The biggest advantage to a partnership of this kind is that you only have to make one payment and are not required to make monthly payments. Many current members have suggested that they like this type of partnership best, so they can have fun without having to make additional payments,” Eichhorn said.

Indeed, members like the “controlled risk.” Kent Karwoski of Chicago, IL said he has invested in two partnerships with ORC, and has spent less than $1,000.

“From my first contact with him, I liked what Brian had to say and the way he did things,” said Karwoski, who joined ORC last fall.

Bill Fix of Middletown, N.J. has been involved with ORC since 2005, and has spent no more than $2,000: “I was involved in another partnership before [ORC], but it was higher-end. This appealed to me because it was more affordable.”

Fix says that Eichhorn works hard to educate new owners, and keep all the club members informed.

“Brian is very accessible, he takes the time to explain what’s going on. He realizes you aren’t an expert, lets you know what’s going on, and he’s not just in it to take your money,” Fix said.

Karwoski praises Eichhorn’s practice of donating horses that need to be retired from racing to Bright Futures equine rescue, which puts them up for adoption.

“I really like Brian’s view on retiring horses. My stepdaughters were with me at Arlington Park when a horse had to be put down. It was traumatic for them. Brian is relentless, he will do everything he can to save a horse,” Karwoski said.

Michelle Francis, ORC’s trainer at Penn National, also gives the group positive feedback.

“I pretty much just deal with Brian. When we have to make a decision about a horse, I lay out the options for him, and then he takes it to the owners,” she explained.

Eichhorn says he is careful not to influence the owners, just conveying the information from Francis, and posting it to the password-protected members’ page for each partnership. The group votes, with each owner getting a percentage of the vote based on his percentage of ownership.

“We own a horse named Petrovic. He won for us in March, but he has not been doing as well recently. I presented the options to the owners, and they decided to keep him. It was their decision,” he said.

Eichhorn posts his “win” and “in the money” rates on the website. The 2006 “win” rate was just under 11%, which Eichhorn says is the national average. The first half of 2007 has produced a higher “win” rate of 15%. For 2006 and 2007, the “in the money” rate was 26% and 31%, respectively.

“It’s learning a process, and it’s not an easy game. We are small owners, compared to what others can invest. My whole goal for every partner is to teach them about the game, have fun with ownership, and not throw away their money. We are learning as we go, doing more research and prep, and making smarter decisions,” Eichhorn noted.

He says not every owner fully understands “the game” when first joining ORC, and he is the first to disabuse them of the notion that they will get rich on horseracing.

“Many of these are new horse owners. I tell them, this has to be disposable income. We play at a level where it’s a hobby; we are not going to get rich. Some people think we are getting involved with Smarty Jones. They see things on TV, they don’t realize how the business works,” he noted.

All the more reason to consider a racing partnership, according to Karwoski: “You gotta do this because you love it. With ORC, you can get in the game for just a few hundred dollars, see if you like it.”

Japan Cup

If there is a nation of people who love horses more than Americans it might just be the Japanese. These people are wildly crazy about the sport and boast some of the most impressive purses you will ever see. The most prestigious American race is the Kentucky Derby, but which race is the pride of Japan?

The Japan Cup which takes place near the end of November is one of the best year-end races in the sport. The purse is among the largest in the world at $4.6 million and the spectacular event takes place at Tokyo Racecourse. To qualify a horse must be 3 years or older. The distance is 2400 meters (around 12 furlongs) on the turf.

Bonuses are provided if the winner of certain stakes races can win the Japan Cup. Among these races are the Dubai World Cup, Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby. The bonus for winning the Japan Cup along with one of those is $1.1 million. A tier below is the Arlington Million, Canadian International, along with a few others. If you can combine one of those races with the Japan Cup it is worth an extra $840,000.

The 2006 winner was a champion sired by another champion. Deep Impact, by Sunday Silence added the race to his amazing resume which already includes the Japanese Triple Crown. He defeated perhaps the greatest turf mare racing has ever seen in Ouija Board and long time nemesis Heart’s Cry. The win propelled him to his second Horse of the Year award in Japan.

The 2007 victor Admire Moon was sired by Forty Niner. He also reigned victorious in the Takarazuka Kinen, and the Dubai Duty Free which established his dominance on an international stage. He has since been retired to stud duty.

Eclipse Awards

Happy MLK Day to everyone! This was a pretty slow weekend racing wise. My long shot selection Decado came up short and ran fifth in the San Marcos. The very heavy favorite Champs Eylees came out on top. Look for him to make a big impact on the turf division this year. In the Tuzla Stakes, Doug O’Neil’s Trick’s Pic came out on top for a return of $14.40. This weekend will be one of the best times for racing this year. You guessed it! The SunShine Millions is this weekend. Check back later this week for all my selections.

The Eclipse Awards are tonight. Click here for my selections in each category. I will be watching live and you can too. Just turn on TVG at 9:30 EST. I watched last year, it’s pretty good. Just think the Academy Awards with horse racing mixed in. Nick Zito was given a bit of a scare when War Pass was discovered to have a touch of colic. Everything turned out fine, thankfully. We’ve seen too many incredible horses go down before the Kentucky Derby. Daaher remains on schedule for the Donn Handicap. He worked 5 furlongs in a very sharp 59.97. Corey Nakatani has been on TVG due to a broken collarbone which is preventing him from riding. I haven’t got a chance to see him yet, but I hear he is good.

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San Marcos & Tuzla Stakes

San Marcos Stakes, Grade 2 (Santa Anita), $150,000 for four year olds and upwards, 10 furlongs on the Cushion Track

I can see a few horses winning this one. However I am going to opt with Decado. He ran against some very stellar horses in Europe. Among these was Excellent Art, the favorite and second place finisher in this year’s Breeders Cup Mile. In the same race was another Breeders Cup contender, Jeremy, and the UAE Derby winner Asiatic Boy. The list goes on. He presents good value at 6-1. The 6-5 morning line favorite is Champs Elysees. In his only U.S. start he was second to Sunriver. I like him second to run second again. For third I like Medici Code at 7/2 who is running very well lately.

1^st- Decado

2^nd- Champs Elysees

3^rd- Medici Code

Tuzla Stakes, Grade 3 (Santa Anita) $100,000 for fillies and mares four years old and upwards, 8 furlongs on the turf

David Flores has a great chance in this one aboard Live Life. She is running very well lately. She was fourth two back in the Grade 1 Matriarch, and second by a nose last out in an optional claimer. Doug O’Neil’s mare Trick’s Pick stalked Citronnade before fading last out. She performs well at this distance. I’m going with her for second. Audacious Chloe with Garret Gomez aboard can pick up third.

1^st- Live Life

2^nd- Trick’s Pick

3^rd- Audacious Chloe

Tragedy Strikes

Tragedy struck the barn of Nick Zito Wednesday morning when Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed Hesanoldsalt was euthanized due to a freak accident. The 5 year old son of Broad Brush escaped from the barn and was running down a dirt road at a very high speed. He soon hit a tree which broke his shoulder and forearm resulting in his immediate euthanization.

Hesanoldsalt raced against some of the greatest horses of recent memory. Among these horses are Bernardini whom he was fourth to in the Travers, and Invasor whom Hesanoldsalt was second to in the Donn Handicap. He also finished second to Flashy Bull. Hesanoldsalt loved to run second, posting a record of 8 0-6-0 in 2007. It is a shame to see him go because I believe he could’ve had a great run this year. Below are two of his best runs in 2007. The first being his best which was a desperately close second place finish to Corinthian who won this year’s inaugural Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. The second video is another second place finish to Dubai World Cup and Breeders Cup Classic winner Invasor.

Chelokee revs up for 2008 campaign

You had better keep an eye out for Michael Matz’s 4 year old colt Chelokee. This horse was my sleeper for the Kentucky Derby last year but sadly didn’t qualify due to low earnings. He has had some bad racing luck and given a clean trip I think he can run with the best of them. Chelokee was a hard charging third in the Florida Derby last year after a troubled trip and getting clear running room only in the late stages of the race. He showed a ton of heart in defeating Zanjero in the Northern Dancer Breeders Cup Stakes. Zanjero nudged ahead of Chelokee, who wasn’t going to have any of that. Chelokee in a gritty stretch battle repelled the bid and even began widening his lead toward the end. With Ramon Dominguez who I personally believe is the best jockey around in the irons Chelokee is going to have a serious 4 year old campaign. I fully expect him to give Daaher and Curlin (both horses whom I picked out before they were on top) a run for their money. Keep an eye open for this one.

Chelokee was sidelined last year due to a minor ankle injury. “We stopped on him last summer because he was sore in all four fetlocks,” said trainer Michael Matz. “He had no chips or anything, but he lit up in all four ankles when given a scintigraphy exam.” He has also had an undescended testicle removed since his last start. He had a published work out at Palm Meadows on Friday of 3 furlongs in 35.60. “He’s matured an awful lot since he left us last summer,” said Matz. “He worked very easily the other day and we’ll stretch him out to a half-mile for the next one. If all goes well, perhaps he’ll being able to run sometime near the end of the meet.”

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