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Curlin Nominated to the Arc

May 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment

I had a feeling this might happen, and all of my friends suggested I was insane when I told them. 2007 Horse of the Year, and Dubai World Cup winner Curlin, has been nominated to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Yep, you heard right. Curlin is going to conquer the world. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place on the turf, but Curlin has the pedigree. He is sired by Smart Strike, who produced 2007 Breeders Cup Turf winner English Channel.

The connections of Curlin are also considering the Japan Cup which takes place two months later. This race shouldn’t be a problem for him, but Americans have had little success there lately. Last year’s Japan Cup Dirt winner Vermillion was left in Curlin’s wake in this year’s running of the Dubai World Cup. Curlin’s main competition in the Arc will probably be Youmzain who ran second in the race last year. Qatar has joined in to sponser the Arc, doubling its purse which ends up at $6,172,800 USD. If the Euro holds its value, the Arc will be richest race in the world.

The next start for Curlin will come in the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 14. I’ve heard that they are having a hard time filling the race since Curlin’s connections have showed interest. I wonder why?

My weekend picks were lackluster, so I apologize if you played them. I had one winner from five races. If you modified my picks slightly in the Peter Pan and Bold Ruler you might have caught the trifecta for around $250. Congratulations if you got them. This week was kind of a practice run since I had never given out plays before. Expect better ones next week, because I’m going to go all out. Good luck, and remember to check back for my thoughts on the Preakness.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News

Free Winners!!

May 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment

5/10 (SAT) G2 Peter Pan S.- BEL

The 2-1 favorite Casino Drive looks pretty tough in this spot. He was heavily bet in his debut and came through with an a 11 length romp in Japan. Since then, he has trained well in the US and is pointing for the Belmont. Tomcito (6-1) made a nice finishing move in the shorter Lexington Stakes. Although he finished 6th he was just 3 ¾ lengths behind the winner. Let’s not forget he ran third to Big Brown. Golden Spikes (3-1) was second last out in the Illinois Derby. Edgar Prado picks up the mount, and he has done very well on top level 3 year olds this year.

1st- Casino Drive (2-1)

2nd- Tomcito (6-1)

3rd- Golden Spikes (3-1)

Plays:

$5 Exacta Box: Casino Drive/Tomcito

$2 Trifecta: Casino Drive/Tomcito, Golden Spikes/ Ready’s Echo, Mint Lane, Tomcito, Golden Spikes BEST BET

5/10 (SAT) G3 Lone Star Derby – LS

I’m not wild about the favorite Samba Rooster (9/5) but the race seems to set up for him. I’m also encouraged by the fact that Garrett Gomez is making the trip to Texas to retain the mount. You will get two horses if you opt for Samba Rooster, but the other entry doesn’t look like much. Leonides (10-1) has only been off the board once in 5 starts while facing tough company. Vladamir Cerin’s colt ran well in his only dirt start at Turf Paradise. This will be his first time going farther than 7 furlongs. I expect good things. King Silver’s Son ran a game second to the now injured Sierra’s Sunset. He bounced next out in the Arkansas Derby, but I expect him to come back this time around.

1st- Samba Rooster (9/5)

2nd- Leonides (10-1)

3rd- King Silver’s Son (12-1)

Plays:

$2 Exacta: Samba Rooster/ALL

5/10 (SAT) G3 Senorita S.- HOL

Not an easy race to figure out if you ask me. I’m going to go with Bobby Frankel’s filly Lovely Isle (4-1). She set the pace in the Santa Anita Oaks before fading two back, and I think her front running style will benefit her in this spot. P.S.U. Grad (6-1) looks like a nice play at those odds. She is making her second turf start and I expect her to improve. I expect favorite Sweeter Still (5-2) to check in third.

1st- Lovely Isle (4-1)

2nd- P.S.U. Grad (6-1)

3rd- Sweet Still (5-2)

Plays:

$2 Exacta Box: Lovely Isle, P.S.U. Grad, Sweeter Still

5/10 (SAT) G3 Los Angeles H.- HOL

Doppio (5-1) looks pretty tough here. He has already beaten two of his foes in this race (Street Boss, Sailor’s Sunset). His last run wasn’t bad, but I’m not saying it was good either. He finished 8th by 5 in a Grade 2 at Keeneland, but had to go 7 wide into the turn. Look for him when they cross the wire. Street Boss (5/2) ran a monster race last out. He has just cleared NW2 and NW3 so lets see how he handles stiffer company today. Bonfante should round out the trifecta in this one.

1st- Doppio (5-1)

2nd- Street Boss (5/2)

3rd- Bonfante (9/2)

Plays:

$5 Exacta: Doppio/ Street Boss, Bonfante

$5 Exacta: Street Boss, Bonfante/ Doppio

$2 Trifecta: Doppio/ Street Boss, Bonfante/ Street Boss, Bonfante, Bilo, High Standards

5/10 (SAT) G3 Bold Ruler H.- BEL

CC Lopez made the right choice when he chose to retain the mount Executive Fleet (5/2). He looks like he should cruise, but he isn’t without competition. The Argentinean bred Lucky Island (7/2) has reeled off two impressive wins in a row. Kiaran McLaughlin has a knack for this type of horse. We will find out how good he really is today. Bill Mott’s Forefathers (3-1) has been excellent at this distance, posting a 5-2-2-0 record. His only off the board finish at 6 furlongs was in the Breeders Cup Sprint.

1st- Executive Fleet (5/2)

2nd- Lucky Island (7/2)

3rd- Forefathers (3-1)

Plays:

$2 Trifecta: Executive Fleet/ Lucky Island, Forefathers/ Lucky Island, Forefathers, Man of Danger

Filed Under: Horse Handicapping

Almost Immortal, Part II

May 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Click here for part one.

Real Quiet (1998)- Bob Baffert’s second consecutive Kentucky Derby winner had a poor start to his career. It took him seven starts to break his maiden. During his two year old campaign, he won the Hollywood Futurity. Kent Desormeaux rode him to victory in the Derby, and then a convincing Preakness win. He lost the Belmont by a nose to Victory Gallop. Some critics attribute this to Desormeaux using too much horse early in the race. Real Quiet went on to win the Hollywood Gold Cup, and Pimlico Special. He sired 2007 Breeders Cup Sprint winner, Midnight Lute.

Charismatic (1999)- D. Wayne Lukas’s Derby winner was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without running a 100 BSF. His number for the Lexington Stakes was 99. At odds of 8-1, he defeated Menifee for a second time in the Preakness. In the Belmont, Lemon Drop Kid reeled him in during the last 1/8 of a mile. His leg broke in two places during the race, and jockey Chris Antley sensed distress. He hopped off and held his leg up, probably saving his life.

War Emblem (2002)- This colt returned Bob Baffert to the Derby’s winner circle for the third time in six years. His front running style was too much for his competition in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. War Emblem stumbled out of the gate in the Belmont, and this likely cost him the victory. He refuses to breed to most mares, but has three stakes winner from twenty-six foals.

Funny Cide (2003)- Barclay Tagg’s winner became the first gelding to win the Derby since Clyde Van Doosen did it in 1929. He won the Preakness by a smashing 9 ¾ lengths. He went too fast in a workout, and lost the Belmont to a fresh Empire Maker. Funny Cide would go on to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The gelding is now retired from racing.

Smarty Jones (2004)- Then relatively unknown, John Servis won the Derby with Smarty Jones. Smarty was the first undefeated horse since Seattle Slew to win the Derby, having reached a perfect seven for seven record. He won the Preakness by a record 11 ½ lengths, and the racing world was abuzz with comments on his chances. “Smarty Parties” were held all over the U.S. in honor of the colt. He finished a crushing second in the Belmont to Birdstone. He now stands at Three Chimneys for $100,00 per live foal.

Afleet Alex (2005)- If not for a big time track bias at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day this colt may have done the impossible by winning the Triple Crown. He ended up a close third in the Run for the Roses before taking the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. He hit his knees in the Preakness, but somehow found a way to win. He dominated hte Belmont Stakes before retiring to stud.

Big Brown (2008)- It appeared the stars had aligned in 2008. Big Brown was a spectacular horse and the competition wasn’t much. He won the first two legs of the Triple Crown with ease, before inexplicably failing to fire and pulling up in the Belmont Stakes.

Filed Under: Horse Racing Information Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Saez Is Innocent (PETA Rebuke)

May 5, 2008 By 1 Comment

Eight Belles will have fun running with Go For Wand and Ruffian.

What happened on the first Saturday in May could’ve been prevented. The filly, Eight Belles, could have raced in the Kentucky Oaks with her stable mate and eventual winner, Proud Spell. Instead she pushed herself to the brink and finished second in the Kentucky Derby, breaking both of her ankles as she was ridden out by jockey Gabriel Saez. It was extremely saddening to see the filly lying there on the track, and she had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering. Nothing could’ve been done to save her life. Now PETA is trying to pin the death on Saez. They want his riding license revoked, and his earnings for the race to be fined.

I have a serious problem with them blaming Saez. Not only did he ride a beautiful race, but he helped her to outperform her ability. She probably shouldn’t have ran second, and he is one of the reasons she did. I’m not taking anything away from Eight Belles because she gave her all and showed a ton of heart, but Saez was a large factor. To suggest that he purposely caused the breakdown, or ignored the fact that Eight Belles was in distress is outrageous.

I can’t speak for Saez, but I’m sure he is heart broken over this. He is probably questioning himself, but he didn’t do anything wrong. Catastrophic breakdowns happen in this sport. It’s the sad truth, and I wish it weren’t so, but it is. This type of breakdown only happens to 1 or 2 horses in 1000, but it HAPPENS. I don’t believe Saez could’ve prevented this from happening, or that he had anything to do with causing it. Eight Belles truly died with her boots on, doing what she did best. Gabriel Saez, if you are reading this congratulations on riding a great race and proving that fillies can beat colts once again.

PETA and other animal activists extremists, and yes PETA are extremists disgust me. To blame someone who loved that filly for her death is despicable. PETA will jump on any animal controversy, completely disregard the facts and point the finger. I have 0 respect for this organization and find them extremely offensive. Shame on you PETA. You have no right to get involved. You have no right to blame Saez!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News

Lets Get Rocked (Harlem Rocker)

May 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will be forever marred by the tragedy of Eight Belles. It’s a damn shame that things happen the way they do. I’m glad she was euthanized, because she must have been in so much pain. My heart sank in my chest when I saw her laying there on the track. Eight Belles was the bravest horse in the field. I’ll post on the pending Gabriel Saez and PETA situation tomorrow, but on to the point of my article.

Big Brown, the winner of the race will obviously be pointed to the Preakness Stakes. He raced 4-5 wide the whole way, and still won with ease. Many people are questioning whether not the horse can be beat. There isn’t a single horse who ran in the Kentucky Derby who dares to face him in the Preakness. Likely challengers include Behindatthebar, Kentucky Bear, El Gato Malo, and Harlem Rocker among others.

Most of those don’t stand a serious chance against Big Brown. Behindatthebar won the Lexington, but lets face it you can obviously tell he isn’t of the same caliber of horse. Kentucky Bear I think is a great horse, and ran a nice race in the Bluegrass. He could spring the upset, but I’m looking elsewhere for now. El Gato Malo didn’t have the best trip in the Santa Anita Derby but probably isn’t good enough. That brings me to the Todd Pletcher trainee, Harlem Rocker.

Sired by freshman Macho Uno (Holy Bull), Harlem Rocker has three wins from three starts, including a romp in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes. He captured that race in 1:34.50 for one mile on the dirt, and received a Beyer Speed Figure of 106 for the race. His time was faster than Bernardini’s 2006 run. Jockey Eibar Coa tapped him in the stretch and the colt exploded past pace setter and flash in the pan Derby contender J Be K. Harlem Rocker finished the race well within himself.

Eibar Coa on Harlem Rocker: “Every time he runs, he gets better,” said Coa who has been aboard for the three wins. “He’s not 100 percent yet, which is scary because he can be even better than this.” Scary it is, but he may have to do just that to beat Big Brown. If anyone is going to slay the beast that is Big Brown, then Harlem Rock will be the one. Keep an eye out for this super fast son of Macho Uno.

Filed Under: Horse Racing Information

Kentucky Derby Selections

May 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Colonel John flies to victory in the Santa Anita Derby

My article for the Kentucky Derby is going to be exclusive to http://www.bettorsworld.com/ so I can’t post it here. Once the article is up friday morning, I’ll add the link here. However, I can add my picks, but for elaboration I ask that you wait just a little longer.

UPDATE: You can find my Kentucky Derby article by clicking here.

Winner: Colonel John

Second: Pyro

Others: Big Brown, Monba, Court Vision, Denis of Cork, Adriano

Betting the Derby on $100:

$10 ($20 total) Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby Double: Pure Clan/Colonel John, Pyro

$1 Trifecta ($40 total): Colonel John, Pyro/Colonel John, Pyro, Big Brown, Monba, Court Vision/Colonel John, Pyro, Big Brown, Monba, Court Vision, Denis of Cork, Adriano

$5 Exacta ($20 total): Colonel John/Pyro, Court Vision, Monba, Big Brown

$6 Win-Place-Show ($18 total): Colonel John

$2 Long shot Win: Court Vision

Filed Under: Horse Handicapping Tagged With:
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