Sunday Stakes
January 12, 2008
El Encino Stakes, Grade 2 (Santa Anita) $150,000 for four year old fillies
1 1/16 on the Cushion Track
I’ve got a long shot alert here. Fleet Caroline with the young Joe Talamo in the irons poses a major threat to this field. I expect her to go out front and challenge Romance is Diane for the early lead and I think if she can wrangle it from her then she could win. I believe the lightly raced Zenyatta will be charging home like a freight train for second. Indescribable who is a winner of three in a row will also be coming late and I look for her third. If your budget allows it I would definitely throw in Tough Tiz’s Sis and Romance is Diane in my exotics.
1st- Fleet Caroline
2nd- Romance is Diane
3rd- Indescribable
Santa Ynez Stakes, Grade 2 (Santa Anita) $150,000 for three year old fillies,
7 furlongs on the Cushion Track
This is pretty much an open and shut case. It would take a freak accident for Indian Blessing to lose to such a lowly field. For second place I like Patty Gallagher’s Peisinoe. She is undefeated in two starts and should get a good stalking trip. I’ll take McAnnally filly Izara for third.
1st- Indian Blessing
2nd- Peisinoe
3rd-Izara
Santa Ysabel Stakes, Grade 3 (Santa Anita) $100,000 for three year old
filles, 1 1/16 on the Cushion Track
The 8/5 morning line favorite is going to be very tough in here. She goes by the name Turn Away she is what she will probably do to her opponents tomorrow. If Grace Anatomy can run back to her form in the Alcibaides Stakes she would pose a serious threat. With the addition of blinkers today I like her to run second. $350,000 auction purchase Initiation will compete for third.
1st- Turn Away
2nd- Grace Anatomy
3rd- Initiation
First Lady Handicap, Grade 3 (Gulfstream) $100,000 for four years old and
upward fillies and mare, 6 furlongs on the dirt
This race is going to set up for an off-the-pace type runner. That being said I like Quality Affair to win. Her last race in which she won by 5 lengths was the first time she rated. With all the speed in this race you’ve got to believe the connections will rate again. Princess Janie is coming off 3 months rest. She has tactical speed but I expect to lay off the pace. She is my choice for second, but will be very contentious for the win. Sugar Swirl looks sharp with a 1/10 :35 H 3 furlong work on January 8. She is the class of the race and I look for her to run third.
1st- Quality Affair
2nd- Princess Janie
3rd- Sugar Swirl
Handicapping Help
January 11, 2008
We could all use some work on our game, me included. That being said I’d like to tell you a few of the things I look at when handicapping a race. Maybe you can learn a thing or two!
#1 First Time Lasix- This can be a big factor on how a horse runs. Lasix is a drug which prevents horses from bleeding through their nose during a race. They bleed due to the fact that thoroughbreds have been inbred too much through the years. Lasix can be a huge performance booster on a horse who bleeds.
#2 Blinkers On/Off- Blinkers are used on horses to improve early speed and to keep his mind on the task at hand. Some horses are easily distracted by the crowd, and this is used to remedy that problem. If a horse showed speed without blinkers then I will usually give him extra consideration because he should go straight to the front.
#3 Lone Speed- You must always, always and I mean always evaluate a race for pace. Pace makes the race and if there is only one speed horse he may be able to “steal” the race on the front end. I would much rather bet a horse who is lone speed at say 10-1 then a favorite at 2-1 who will come from the clouds.
#4 second out from a layoff- Horses who are laid up have time to rest and grow and become faster and better in most cases. I would be wary of a horse first out from a layoff if he hasn’t proved he can run back to form after time off. You are better off betting him next time out. Horses tend to run much better second out from a layoff then first.
#5 Horse for course- Never underestimate a horse who runs well at a certain track but not so good at others. Lava Man for instance can’t race a lick out of California but when his connections take him to Hollywood or Santa Anita he is the king. Another example is Mach Ride. While he isn’t horrible elsewhere he runs his best at Calder Racecourse.
That’s it for now, but don’t fret I’ve got plenty more to share with you. Continue to check back and I will post some helpful tips and tricks for you to take advantage of. Drop me a line clicking the number in the top right corner of this post.
More Stakes!
January 10, 2008
Old Hat Stakes, Grade 3
This race will be contested at 6 ½ furlongs for $150,000 in purse money. The race is restricted to three year old fillies. Richard Dutrow and Ramon Dominguez have a beast of a filly in Lovely Isle. She was an easy winner last out at Aqueduct going 6 furlongs in 1:09 3/5. Lovely Isle won that race by 16 ½ lengths. She is undefeated in two starts, and I think this field isn’t capable of putting a blemish on her perfect record. Indy’s Alexandria is also undefeated and was an incredibly easy winner last out taking the Three Rings Stakes by 4 lengths. Look for her second. Lastly, I like Grade 3 Tempted Stakes winner Elusive Lady third.
1st- Lovely Isle
2nd- Indy’s Alexandria
3rd- Elusive Lady
San Fernando Stakes, Grade 2
The race will be for $200,000 in purse money going 1 1/16 on the dirt. This race is STACKED. Monterrey Jazz, Ravel, Great Hunter, Tiago, and Johnny Eves are in here just to name a few. I believe Tiago has a serious class advantage over this field. The horses he was racing against in the summer and fall of 2007 are leaps and bounds better than these. For second I’m looking to Ravel. He should get a nice stalking trip and his jockey Garrett Gomez is the most valuable of assets these days. Monterrey Jazz might be able to hold on for third after setting the early pace with Johnny Eves. Great Hunter is eligible to improve second off the layoff. He is really an x factor for me because he could bounce and he could fire the track up. Another contender is Hurry Up Austin who hustled down the stretch to finish fourth in the Malibu last out. Once again, this is a wide open race and if you like a horse can probably get a great price.
1st- Tiago
2nd- Ravel
3rd- Monterrey Jazz
San Pasqual Handicap, Grade 3
I like Well Armed to win this race at 7/2. He won’t have it easy though as Molengao is going to give him all he wants. Arson Squad and Heatseeker will probably have to settle for third in this one. I am giving the nod to Arson Squad for third.
1st- Well Armed
2nd- Molengao
3rd- Arson Squad
San Rafael, Grade 3
Massive Drama should win this one with ease. He was second last out in the Grade 1 Cash Call Futurity. He may be lone speed and I think the connections will send him early and take it on the front end. Sierra Sunset and Indian Sun will compete for the second and third place spots.
1st- Massive Drama
2nd- Sierra Sunset
3rd- Indian Sun
Saturday Stakes
January 9, 2008
Lecomte Stakes, Grade 3
This year’s Lecome Stakes is a very competitive one. Last year’s winner Hard Spun went on to place second in the Kentucky Derby and had a very memorable 3 year old campaign. This year will see two undefeated colts tackling more seasoned foes. Kentucky Cup Juvenile winner Texas Fever draws the one hole. His running style doesn’t yet seem clear but I believe he will try and come from off the pace. He has fired three bullets in a row including a 1/58 move at the Fair Grounds. He rallied after steadying last out in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. He ended up 6th by 3 lengths. I expect to see him in the winners circle. Dogwood Stable’s Blackberry Road ran 3rd to Texas Fever two back in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile. I was at Turfway Park for the race and while I don’t explicitly remember seeing it his note in my BRISnet form says he was shuffled back at the ¼ pole. He surely hasn’t had the best of trips. If he gets a clean trip he might be a challenge for Texas Fever but I expect to see him run second in this spot. Dallas Stewart’s Macho Again ran well last out at Churchill Downs after a tiring 3 wide trip. He only missed the win by a neck. Look for him to check in third. Star Guitar and Z Fortune are trying to remain perfect but from the looks of things they have their work cut out for them.
1st- Texas Fever
2nd- Blackberry Road
3rd- Macho Again
Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap, Grade 3
This race was a bit easier to handicap and I think you might be able to get a price. For the win I like Richard Dutrow and Corey Lanerie on Optimer. Two back he rallied 4 wide into the lane and ran second to Proudinsky by 1 ½ lengths. Proudinsky was recently 2nd to Daytona who was lone speed in the Grade 1 San Gabriel Handicap. Last race he was eased out while running second to Sterwins who is in today’s race. Silverfoot and the connections of Dallas Stewart and Julien Leparoux looked primed for a big run whle rolling back in distance. Silverfoot was 9th by 8 ¾ lengths in the Breeders Cup Turf last out. He has been getting poor trips of late and has a serious class advantage of the rest of the field. Sterwins is running well of late and I expect to see him check in third.
1st- Optimer
2nd- Silverfoot
3rd- Sterwins
Dam of Daaher & Spun Sugar sells for $2.7M at Keeneland
January 8, 2008
Daaher wins the Grade 1 Cigar Mile
Irish Cherry, dam of Grade 1 winners Daaher and Spun Sugar sold for $2.7M in foal to Ghostzapper at Keeneland on Monday. I must say this sire and dam combination could produce a monster of a race horse. Ghostzapper was breath taking on the track winning the Met Mile and the Breeders Cup Classic. As if that wasn’t enough he is the leading sire of weanlings in the history of the sport by auction sale price. I am not familiar with Irish Cherry’s track record but the fact that she has already produced 2 Grade I winners speaks for itself.
Hill ‘n’ Dale agency consigned the mare. Eric Guillot was the bidder for Southern Equine Stables who is seeking to obtain an elite band of broodmares in order to produce Grade 1 and Classic winners. With the purchase of Irish Cherry they are definitely off to a great start.
2007 Eclipse Award Finalists
January 7, 2008
Above is last years big eclipse award winner Invasor(HOY, Older Male).
Below you have a list of the finalists for the 2008 eclipse awards. Scroll down for my selections in each and every category.
Two-Year-Old Male: Kodiak Kowboy, Pyro, War Pass
Two-Year-Old Filly: Country Star, Indian Blessing, Proud Spell
Three-Year-Old Male: Curlin, Hard Spun, Street Sense
Three-Year-Old Filly: Octave, Panty Raid, Rags to Riches
Older Male: Corinthian, Invasor (ARG), Lawyer Ron
Older Female: Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Nashoba’s Key
Male Sprinter: Fabulous Strike, Idiot Proof, Midnight Lute
Female Sprinter: Dream Rush, Maryfield, River’s Prayer
Male Turf Horse: After Market, English Channel, Kip Deville
Female Turf Horse: Lahudood (GB), Nashoba’s Key, Precious Kitten
Steeplechase Horse: Good Night Shirt, McDynamo, Planets Aligned
Owner: Maggi Moss, Shadwell Stable, Stronach Stables
Breeder: Adena Springs, William S. Farish, Martin and Pam Wygod
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Kiaran McLaughlin, Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Robby Albarado, Garrett Gomez, John Velazquez
Apprentice Jockey: Tyler Pizarro, Alonso Quinonez, Joe Talamo
Two-Year-Old Male: This category isn’t even a contest. Juvenile winner War Pass is virtually guaranteed this one. The undefeated colt has met absolutely no competition thus far in his career. I expect great things from and I believe he is our greatest hope for a Triple Crown winner.
Two-Year-Old Filly: Although Country Star was very brilliant this year I have to give this award to the Breeders Cup champion and still undefeated Indian Blessing. She ran those fillies off their feet in the Breeders Cup. Country Star ran a great race in the Starlet breaking the track record in the process. Props to her, but once again Indian Blessing is the choice.
Three-Year-Old Male: Curlin wins easy. I’ve touted this horse all summer and I was right. I can remember a friend at the track telling me I was nuts after I told him I like Curlin to beat Lawyer Ron in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Curlin is an absolutely amazing horse.
Three-Year-Old Filly: Octave and Panty Raid both had good years but nothing compared to what Rags to Riches did. As you probably already know she became the first filly since Tanya 102 years ago to win the Belmont Stakes. She also won the Kentucky Oaks. Rags to Riches is the best filly we have seen in many years.
Older Male: This is a surprisingly weak category this year. The defection of Invasor in March left a huge void that proved irreplaceable. Last years winner Invasor can’t be considered in my opinion because he last raced in March. Lawyer Ron had a good year racing at Saratoga but overall I thought he was a pretender and he proved that in the Breeders Cup. Corinthian is my choice here. While he flopped in some of his races he showed ‘em who the boss was in the Met Mile and the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. Since those are both huge races and he won the latter in a very impressive fashion the award goes to him.
Older Female: First let me say I didn’t follow this division very well this year. That being said I like Nashoba’s Key. She had a poor trip in her Breeders Cup defeat but was an undefeated 8 for 8 otherwise.
Male Sprinter: Another weak division this year. Midnight Lute had it all right when it counted and that earns him the mark here. It’s a shame Fabulous Strike was injured because I believe he would’ve been a fearsome opponent for Midnight Lute. Idiot Proof ran well but in the end was a cut below the top 2.
Female Sprinter: I can still remember throwing down my losing tickets on Dream Rush in the Breeders Cup. She was run down by a very game Maryfield. That wasn’t the first time Maryfield beat me, but enough rambling. Marylfield takes this one which shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Male Turf Horse: This is going to the hardest choice for me. Kip Deville and English Channel both ran great this year. Both won Breeders Cup races. I can’t make a choice here. I’m going with a tie between Kip Deville and English Channel. I’d also like to give an honorable mention to After Market who had a wonderful 2007 campaign as well.
Female Turf Horse: This the second and last division where my knowledge is limited. Ironically Nashoba’s Key will win both of these. Lahudood was great in the Breeders Cup but didn’t do much outside of that.
Steeplechase Horse: 5 Breeders Cup wins in a row? Of course I’m gonna pick McDynamo! This amazing horse was recently retired but props him and his connections for an outstanding career.
Owner: Shadwell Stable has enjoyed great success for 2 consecutive years now. They campaigned Invasor and Jazil in 2006. This year they managed Daaher and Lahudood. Daaher closed the year with 3 wins in a row including the Grade 1 Cigar Mile beating Midnight Lute in the process. Lahudood claimed victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes.
Breeder: I’m not going to lie to you. I have no idea on this one. Your guess is as good as mine.
Trainer: Another hard choice here. I’m going to opt with Todd Pletcher. He trained 23% winners en route to a record breaking $28,571,697 in earnings. Pletcher raced horses such as English Channel, Rags to Riches, Lawyer Ron, Unbridled Belle, Octave, and Panty Raid, all of whom won Grade 1 races this year.
Jockey: Garrett Gomez is an easy choice here. He broke the record for stakes wins in a year. He rode 21% winners while accumulating
$23,800,074 in earnings. He rode 2 Breeders Cup winners in Indian Blessing and Midnight Lute. Albarado and Velazquez both had great years but were nothing compared to Gomez.
Apprentice Jockey: I’m going to opt for TVG’s favorite, Smokin’ Joe Talamo. He was brilliant aboard Nashoba’s Key. I expect to see great things from him in the future.
Well now that you know who I like, why don’t YOU drop me a line by clicking “comments” below this post. Thanks for reading and as always, I hope you enjoyed.
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Goodbye 2007!
January 6, 2008
2007 is now behind us. Our sport saw many changes for the better this year and we had many memorable races. Our hearts were filled with grief early in the year as Barbaro finally had to be euthanized. Early in the year we watched as Street Sense broke the juvenile jinx and Curlin and Rags to Riches set the world on fire in the Preakness and Belmont. Through the summer Lawyer Ron turned into a different horse during the Saratoga meet. He couldn’t be stopped until he met my personal choice to win the Classic, Curlin, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The Juvenile division saw many changes as the year moved on. In the end War Pass made it out on top. He is far and away the best 3 year old colt at this moment. Here are a few of my favorite races from this year, I hope you enjoy.
This years Kentucky Cup Classic was very special to me because I touted Hard Spun in the Derby and this was his chance for revenge. I will always remember this race because I was there on Kentucky Cup Day with my dad. It was also a great day because I got to meet Todd Schrupp, and Gary Stevens autographed a hat for me.
I don’t know if enough good things can be said about Curlin. This is an absolutely amazing horse. I was confident he would win, but I didn’t expect him to run away the way he did. He showed everybody that day what was what and who the best horse really was. I hope we get to see him in 2008!
War Pass is a running machine. This horse has never been headed and is undefeated. I think he has an amazing shot at winning the Kentucky Derby. He proved again how good he is on Breeders Cup day.
How could I not say the Belmont Stakes?! The first time a filly had won the Belmont in 102 years, it was simply amazing. She overcame a bad stumble at the beginning of the race and put away the best horse in the country. Country Star and Indian Blessing have a lot to live up to in 2008.
Those are my favorite races from 2008, I hope you like them. Leave me a comment with your favorite races and I will be sure to check them out. As always thanks for reading.