Survival of the Fittest

I find myself wagering from home much more often then venturing to the track. Wagering at home offers me resources that the track just cannot match. I have a restroom just a few steps away. I don’t have to pay to park in my driveway, or to sit on my couch. I don’t have to pay for gas because I’m not going anywhere. While the food in my refrigerator isn’t technically free, it is certainly much cheaper.

On most days that I go to the track I might spend a minimum of $15 between parking, buying a racing form, and eating lunch. While this isn’t a huge expense, it can add up for someone like myself who likes to bet the ponies often. I can avoid those expenses altogether by wagering online.

Most ADW websites offer their members a refund ranging from 3-10% on certain wagers, while others have a rewards system where bettors earn point for each dollar wagered. I know that one of my local tracks, Turfway Park, has a similar rewards system. However a card must be swiped each time you wager, and this can be a pain when its close to post time and your trying not to get locked out. Although it happens rarely, I’ve found myself scrambling to find tickets that I thought I had lost. This can’t happen online, and all scratches are instantly refunded.

When I go to River Downs I am commonly faced with the “refeed document” or “invalid serial number” signals when using the self service machines. This is a huge pain in the ass and has cost me money in the past. Machine technology is outdated, and places like River Downs refuse to accommodate their players by purchasing new and upgraded machines.

Mismanagement is a common denominator for all failed businesses. River Downs does nothing to gain new fans, and they are content with the status quo. I was recently informed by an industry insider that the track is licensed to race at night, yet they make no attempts to do so. Surely this would increase attendance and the overall handle. The track itself is absolutely gorgeous. The turf course is one of the best around, yet they rarely card races over it.

Track employees aren’t the nicest or most cheerful around in some cases. During my short time working at River Downs, I witnessed security guards telling patrons to leave the clubhouse after entering literally a single minute before the place officially opened. That is just asinine. Customers are forced to pay $3 to sit down at River Downs, an amenity that is free at Turfway Park.  Little things like old tote machines and inconsiderate track employees make people want to stay home and wager, or not wager at all.

My trips to Turfway Park are a far cry from River Downs. They have new machines at Turfway and the staff is usally friendly from my experiences. Friday nights at Turfway offer $1 beers and hotdogs. They also offer live music and UFC events from time to time. Their product is vastly superior to that of River Downs. Many of my friends refuse to go to River Downs for some of the previously stated reasons, and drive just a little further to visit Turfway. Despite this, Turfway, Churchill Downs, and other tracks that do a good job of supporting the horse player are seeing a decline in handle and attendance. This can partially be be attributed to the recession, but they are atleast making an attempt to thrive.

I believe this trend will continue and tracks like River Downs will be squeezed out. Only the strong will survive.

Grade 2 Milady Handicap

Pay close attention, because this could be the last time we see Champion mare Zenyatta in anything less than Grade 1 company. The Grade 2 Milady Handicap didn’t come up very strong, with Life Is Sweet and Zenyatta being the only  notable runners. Both come from the barn of John Sheriffs and are late closers. I’m sure Sheriffs wanted to keep these girls apart, but this was bound to happen sooner or later. Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Gambler’s Justice- This sprinting daughter of Lit de Justice is pushing it with the 8.5 furlongs distance. She has a win from four starts at the distance, but seems more optimal between 6 and 7 furlongs. Martin Garcia will be in the irons for trainer William Spawr. All in all I think she is too cheap to do much damage here.

#2 Taste’s Sis- She was a winner two back on the turf which seems to be her best surface. The daughter of Marquetry will be switching from Tyler Baze to Danny Sorensen which is a huge downgrade.  She is going to have to move up a ton to be competitive in this event.

#3 Allicansayis Wow- Trainer Patrick Biancone does well with horses from overseas, and was able to saddle this daughter of Street Cry to a win in her first US start. That win was the second of her career and came after clipping heels. The distance will not be a problem and she will be fresh. Joseph Talamo chose to retain the mount on her over another in this race. All systems are go!

#4 Dawn After Dawn- John Sadler and Joel Rosario are quickly becoming the Pletcher and Valazquez of the west. OK, maybe they arent quite that good, but I take notice when I see them team up. 4 of her 6 wins have come on the turf, so she is obviously at her best on that surface. She was most recently second in a Grade 2 on the turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. She seems to be improving, but I think place might be the best she can do in this one.

#5 Champagne Eyes- Doug O’Neill and Michael Baze will team up to bring this filly to the track. Her first race in over a year resulted in a win on April 11.  She went wire to wire in that race en route to a 93 BRIS figure. I expect her to vie with Gambler’s Justice for the lead. The daughter of Flatter could be any kind.

#6 Bel Air Sizzle- Barry Abrams will saddle this daughter of Unusual Heat. She will have the services of Rafael Bejarano who rode her to a second place finish in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Handicap the last time he rode her. She enters the race with a nice five furlong move, and if her turf form transfers to the main track she could be a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think she can win, but hitting the board is certainly possible.

#7 Life Is Sweet- This daughter of Storm Cat is impeccably bred. She is finally coming into her own and has won three races in a row, including the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap. If Zenyatta is a little rusty she has the best chance to capitalize. She fired a nice six furlong work in 1:12 1/5 H on May 17. If your a fan of this one, you probably wont get a better price on her than you will here any time soon.

#8 Hot N’ Dusty-Yet another runner who is clearly better on turf. The daughter of Unusual Heat is the second runner from the Abrams barn and will have Alex Solis as her pilot. Her last 6 starts have resulted in five runner up finishes in mostly allowance company. She may be able to find a spot on the board with a little luck.

#9 Zenyatta- Some argued she should’ve been Horse of the Year in 2009 after taking the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic. She had to settle for Champion Older Female, which isn’t too bad! In terms of figures, she towers over the field. I’m not too worried about the seven month layoff because she won on extended rest in the past and is working well. Mike Smith is easily one of the best jockeys in the United States and will give her a hell of a ride. I don’t see her losing here.

1st- Zenyatta

2nd- Champagne Eyes

3rd- Life Is Sweet

Plays:

$20 EXACTA Zenyatta/Champagne Eyes, Life Is Sweet

Stallion Profile: Street Cry

Stallion Register: Street Cry

Pedigree Query: Street Cry

Stud Fee: $150,000 Stands and Nurses

Grade: A+

Godolphin has had many great racers and stallions over the years. Among them are Bernardini, Discreet Cat, and Fantastic Light, but one colt stands out in my opinion. He has been on the breeding scene for a short time, but has already sired a Kentucky Derby winner, and an undefeated Breeders Cup winner. Who is this sire? None other than Street Cry. He is proving to be a prolific sire, but was also excellent on the track.

Street Cry is from the sire Machiavellian who was a son of Mr. Prospector and out of a Halo mare. Machiavellian was a multiple Group 1 winner on the ultra tough French racing circuit. Street Cry was easily his best son, but he also sired millionaires Medicean, Storming Home, and Almutawakel. His progeny were known for being good at the age of two, but even better at three and beyond as was the case with Street Cry.

Street Cry was an excellent runner at the ages of 2, 3, and 4. His best performance as a youngster came when he finished third in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile.  He also finished second in the Grade 2 Norfolk and Del Mar Futurity as a two-year-old. At the age of three he won the 2,000 UAE Guineas, and claimed runner up performances in the Grade 3 UAE Derby and Discovery Handicap.

His career really exploded when he reached the age of 4. Under the tutolege of Saeed bin Suroor, he won the Grade 1 Foster Handicap and Dubai World Cup. Unfortunately he was retired prematurely due to an injury. Suroor has been quoted saying that he believes the colt wouldve won the Breeders Cup Classic later that year. He finished his career with 5 wins from 12 starts and total earnings of $5,150,837. Breeders were undoubtedly excited for a chance to breed their mares to him.

Sent off to stud in 2003, Street Cry had more than his fair share of nice mares. His sons and daughters instantly started kicking up dust, with Street Sense winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile, and then taking the Kentucky Derby. His best daughter, Zenyatta, is currently undefeated with victories in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic, Apple Blossom Handicap, and Vanity Handicap. He is also the sire of Grade 1 winners Street Boss, Seventh Street, Whobegotyou (AUS), Street Hero and Grade 2 winners Desert Party, Street Sounds, and Grade 3 winner Summer Doldrums. He has cooled off slightly, but if he continues to produce quality runners at this rate he will be top sire in the United States in a very short period of time.

Street Cry is currently my favorite sire for a number of reasons. I like the fact that his progeny are good early on and at older ages just as he was. I also love the fact that they can sprint but they also relish the classic distance of 10 furlongs. Handicappers had better take notice every time they see a son or daughter of Street Cry on the track!

Test of Champions draws nigh

The Belmont Stakes is truly a Test of Champions; not only for horses but for handicappers too. Several factors play a role in finding a winner in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Most important for me is finding a horse who is bred to run all day and could be coming into his best race. Pedigree is also important to a certain extent. In some cases the fresh horses will run best. This year Mine That Bird and Flying Private will be the only ones to have participated in all three Triple Crown races.

The 1 1/2 distance is tricky to figure out, because most colts have never been that far and will never go that far ever again. Pedigree only goes so far and can sometimes be put to the wayside in cases like Musket Man. In terms of pedigree I think Chocolate Candy is bred to run all day. He is a son of of Candy Ride who went 1:59 flat for 10 furlongs when he won the Pacific Classic over Medaglia d’Oro. His damsire is Seattle Slew, who won the Triple Crown in 1977. He recently worked six furlongs in 1:13.47 with Garrett Gomez in the irons. I think he is set to run a career best, and I wish his owner, Jenny Craig, the best of luck. However it is a bit ironic her colt is named Chocolate Candy since she made her fortune from weight loss products.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Arkansas Derby third place finisher Summer Bird are both sons of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. Summer Bird was putting in a nice run late in the Kentucky Derby and needed the experience. He has proved he can handle the surface and should appreciate the extra distance. If he improves he could find himself in the winners circle. Mine That Bird removed all doubt with his second place finish in the Preakness, but could be getting tired at this point. Only two horses this decade, Point Given and Afleet Alex, have won the Belmont Stakes after racing in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Racing three times in 35 days certainly takes a toll.

Charitable Man is a son of 1999 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid. That tells me he wont have a problem with the distance. He is 3 for 3 over dirt surfaces, and won the Grade 2 Futurity and Peter Pan over the Belmont surface. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin took the Belmont in 2006 with Jazil, and says this colt is one of five best three year olds in the country. He is going to have to put his  money where his mouth is in the Belmont Stakes; no one will be surprised if he wins.

After running poorly in the Kentucky Derby, Todd Pletcher’s Dunkirk is expected to return to contest the Test of Champions. His closing style  could benefit him, but I am perplexed as to why he ran so poorly in the Kentucky Derby. I’ve heard from people close to the barn that he had lost weight and wasn’t comfortable Churchill Downs. If that was the case and he is back to his old self at Belmont it could all be over but the shouting. I can see him romping home or running up track.

Federico Tesio Stakes winner Miner’s Escape is probable along with Mr. Hot Stuff, Flying Private, and Luv Gov.

Alexandra the Great

I can’t say I’m surprised. While I tried to beat Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, I did have a feeling she would win. I knew she was the best horse, but I was trying to pick up a trifecta that I would have to sign for. Congratulations to Jess Jackson and the connections for taking the Preakness. I hope they decide to sit out of the Belmont. They should give her a good rest and make the Travers and Ladies Classic the main targets for the rest of the year; or atleast that is what I would do.

I told my dad before the race that if Mine That Bird wins, I’ll never bet another race as long as I live. He didn’t quite win, but he did win me over with a second place performance. I guess his Kentucky Derby win wasn’t a fluke after all. I’m eager to see how he runs in the Belmont Stakes. I also expect good things from the other bird (Summer Bird). He was putting in a good run towards the end of the Kentucky Derby and he needed the experience.

Watching Rachel Alexandra made me think about some of the great fillies of all time. Two names that come to mind are Winning Colors and Personal Ensign. Both were great in their own right. Winning Colors went wire to wire in the Kentucky Derby, and Personal Ensign also bested the opposite sex when she won the Whitney Handicap. The two met in the 1988 Breeders Cup Distaff. I won’t ruin the finish for you, but lets just say this is one of the best races I have ever seen. The video is below.

Papa Clem victorious in Preakness

With a powerful run up the middle of the track, Gary Stute’s  star colt Papa Clem claimed the second leg of the Triple Crown with ace jockey Rafael Bejarano in the irons. The Preakness was Papa Clem’s second Grade I win, and the first time Bejarano has won a Triple Crown race. Papa Clem’s sire, Smart Strike, has sired 2 of the last 3 Preakness winners.

Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra was sent off the heavy favorite at 1-1, but was no match late in the race. Perhaps the two weeks rest caused her demise? Regardless, she is still an excellent runner and will win many more races before her time on the track comes to an end.

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I think its going to go something like that. I’m probably wrong, but what the hell. I’m ready to watch the race.

This is one of the most evenly matched fields I have seen in a long time.  I won’t be surprised regardless of who wins. I’m a bit worried about jumping off the Friesan Fire bandwagon after he worked :58 and change, but hopefully I won’t come to regret it. In the end, I felt like the Kentucky Derby was a good race to watch. I’m glad I stuck with my gut decision and didn’t invest too much. There is no way I could have come up with Mine That Bird.

This one isn’t as bad, and it can be hit. However, I don’t recommend investing too much. The value is probably in the Pick 3’s and 4’s. Use many horses in the Preakness and hope for a bomb. Good luck!

Mine That Bird en route to Pimlico

It has finally sunk in; Mine That Bird is the 2009 winner of the Kentucky Derby. As hard as I find that to believe, it was not a dream, he actually did it. His 6 3/4 margin of victory was the largest since Assault won the Triple Crown in 1946. His trainer, Bennie “Chip” Wooley, is determined to prove that the win was not a fluke. Driving his Ford F-450 Lariat, with exercise rider Charlie Figueroa riding shotgun, Wooley began the 10 hour drive from Churchill Downs to Pimlico Race Course.

“I have about 115 gallons and hauling the trailer I get about 8 ½ miles a gallon,” Woolley said. “This will be about like our first day coming here when we went from El Paso on Lone Star Park (in suburban Dallas). We won’t need to stop for gas. When we stop to eat, I’ll open the top of the window and let him look out and take things in. He’s a good shipper. Nothing bothers him.”

As you can see in the picture above, Bob Baffert rode his stable pony Leo to watch Wooley load up Mine That Bird.I don’t know why, but that picture makes me laugh.

“I just want to see how this is done,” Baffert said with a laugh.

One part of me wants to root for Mine That Bird, but another does not. On one side you have the cowboy trainer who defied all odds to win the Kentucky Derby, but on the other you have an owner who plotted to keep Rachel Alexandra out of the Preakness. To be the best you have to beat the best, and attempting to keep the filly out of the race was just down right wrong. They claim that they just want their jockey back, but losing a jockey is just a fact of life. Mike Smith has been named the backup rider and is more than capable of getting the job done. I would prefer him to Borel if it werent for the fact that Borel rode him to his win in the Kentucky Derby. Regardless of the circumstances, I can’t wait to watch the Preakness on Saturday.

Cowardice

Ahmed Zayat, owner of Pioneerof The Nile, plans to enter more horses in the Preakness strictly to keep Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra out of the race. I can’t remember the exact number, but I believe he has 21 horses that are eligible. I hope its not true, but if it is, it would be quite an act of cowardice.

If Rachel Alexandra were able to compete against the Kentucky Derby winner in the Preakness it would do much to gain interest from people who do not normally watch horse racing. I have no doubt that this would be one of the most watched Preaknesses in years with her in the starting gate. If you don’t think your colt is good enough to beat her, why not race somewhere else? Personally, if he were my colt, I couldn’t feel like he was the true champion if he did indeed win without her in the race.

It’s a gutless move, plain and simple. Let her race!

UPDATE: Zayat Reconsiders

Grade II Mervyn Leroy Handicap

The Mervyn Leroy Handicap will feature just six horses this year.  It’s hard to get excited about a field that short, because the exotic pay outs will probably be low. Despite that, the race feature an undefeated son of Jump Start named Rail Trip. Let’s take a look at the field.

Dakota Phone- Bejarano/Hollendorfer is an excellent jockey trainer combination. He was second to probable favorite Rail Trip last out, and missed by just a nose. The extra half a furlong will work great for the closer. He boasts a record of 3 wins and 3 second place finishes from 6 starts at the distance. I like him to win at a square price around 3-1.

Fire Wood- The son of Woodman will be shortening up from 12 furlongs, and is win less from four starts at the distance. I don’t think he has much of a shot. Tyler Baze will be in the irons.

Ball Four- Biancone and Talamo will hook up to bring this old gelding to the track. He won the Grade 3 Fayette at big odds three back, but has been off for more than three months. The son of Gran Slam will be on or no near the pace.

Rail Trip- This gelding has a record of 5 wins from 5 starts after beating Dakota Phone by a nose last in a minor stakes race. Trainer Ron Ellis finally made the decision to test the graded stakes waters. Valdivia might try to rate him.  He could catch heat from Ball Four or Aggie Engineer if he chooses to gun for the lead. He will no longer be undefeated after today.

Unusual Suspect- This son of Unusual Heat will be racing for the first time since finishing third in the SunShine Millions Turf. I don’t know if this surface suits him, and he will be contending with the layoff.

Aggie Engineer- Registered a career best 100 BRIS figure last out in allowance company. He couldn’t handle Rail Trip earlier in his career, but he is more seasoned now. Alex Solis will be up.

Win: DAKOTA PHONE

Racing Legends: Point Given

Due to my young age, I wasn’t able to watch Point Given race personally. That hasn’t stopped me from taking an interest in the stunning horse. I’ve heard from friends and other fans about how tough he was during his racing career.  After doing a bit of research, and watching some old footage, I would have to agree. Prior to writing this post, all that I knew of him was that he was Horse of the Year at some point, stood a hulking 17 hands, and that he was a promising young sire. When this post is finished we will both know all about him!

Point Given is a son of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, who was campaigned by super owner Michael Tabor. Thunder Gulch is a son of Gulch, who won the Metropolitan Mile, Breeders Cup Sprint, and Wood Memorial. Gulch was an Eclipse winner for the Sprint division. Thunder Gulch counted the Belmont Stakes and Travers as his best wins after the prestigious Kentucky Derby. His best progeny include Spain, the all time leading female money earner, and Circular Quay, winner of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

Turkoman is his damsire. I’ve never heard of him until now, but his race record was superb. He won the Grade I Marlboro Cup Invitational, and finished third and second in the Breeders Cup Classic. Interesting names in Point Given’s pedigree include Mr. Prospector, Alydar, Storm Bird, Raise a Native, Jameela, Northern Dancer, Native Diver, Nashua, Round Table, and Nearartic. Point Given was certainly bred to be a star. I can’t think of any other horse with as many great runners in his pedigree.

Two future hall of fame members hooked up to train and ride Point Given. Bob Baffert was the trainer, and Gary Stevens was the pilot. I don’t know if I could think of any better combination to race a horse. Point Given was bred and owned by the now defunct Thoroughbred Corporation. The company was started and funded by Prince Ahmed bin Salman of the Saudi Arabian royal family. He campaigned many great horses including 2002 Kentucky Derby winner War Emblen, 2000 Breeders Cup Distaff winner Spain, and Oath, who took the 1999 Epsom Derby. This is just a short list of the some of the great Thoroughbred Corp. runners. Sadly, Prince Ahmed bin Salman died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 22, 2002. His horses will continue to have an impact on thoroughbred racing for many years to come.

Affectionately called “The Big Red Train” and “T-Rex” by fans, Point Given raced six times as a two-year-old. He won three of those races, and finished second in the others. He finished second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, and Champagne Stakes. His best win as a juvenile came in the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity. Gary Stevens had this to say of the victory: “The last sixteenth of a mile he was in a high canter, and he wasn’t extending himself any whatsoever,” Stevens said later. “He was running, it felt like to me, 65 or 70% of what he’s capable of the last sixteenth today. He wasn’t running at all. He was gearing himself down and just absolutely playing with ‘em”. The triumph was certainly a precursor of things to come.

While his two-year-old season was stupendous, he was just warming up compared to his three-year-old campaign. He kicked off the 2001 season with an easy win in the San Felipe Stakes.  Point Given raced wide most of the way, but won by just over 2 lengths as the 2/5 favorite. The raced would serve as a springboard for his run in the Santa Anita Derby.

Sent off the 3/5 favorite, Point Given won the Santa Anita Derby by an easy 5 1/2 lengths. His time of 1:47.77 for the 1 1/8 miles distance over the muddy track was stellar. This victory pinned him as the clear favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Opposing trainer Howard Zucker had nothing but the highest praise for Point Given: ”That horse is the real thing,” Zucker said. ”Bet your Triple Crown money now. If this horse doesn’t win the Triple Crown, there’s something wrong. I can’t say enough about this winner. He as scary when he won the San Felipe and he’s twice as scary now. Those guys back there better watch out. If anybody comes out of this race to go back there, they’re out of their mind. Look at him. He’s a tree. When you hook a horse like that, you don’t need excuses to get beat“. As you probably know, Point Given didn’t win the Triple Crown, but came damn close.

Bob Baffert and Gary Stevens must’ve have felt pretty good entering the Kentucky Derby as the 9/5 favorite. Point Given had tackled everything they could throw at him, and wasn’t even breaking a sweat. Unfortunately the best horse doesn’t always win, and Point Given ended up fifth on that day. I believe the ultra fast pace may have compromised his chances. This would be his only loss as a three-year-old.

Seemingly unfazed, the Point Given team headed to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes. Surely the Kentucky Derby was some sort of a fluke? How could this colt get beat? They couldn’t have been more right. Racing as the narrow 2-1 favorite over Kentucky Derby victor Monarchos, Point Given rallied from ninth to kick clear by 2 lengths. His 111 Beyer Speed Figure was a 12 point improvement over his last effort.

If you thought the Preakness was a good run, wait until you hear about his Belmont Stakes. Point Given absolutely crushed all comers, taking the race by 12 lengths. He left the Kentucky Derby winner in his wake for the second time. Gary Stevens had this to say after the race: “I’m always going to be bittersweet about both victories without the Kentucky Derby,” said Stevens. “But I’m not going to be greedy. I feel like he is a champion and should have ‘Triple Crown’ next to his name“.

Point Given would be allowed to rest for the next two months, and deservedly so. His return bid would come in the Haskell Stakes, a race his sire also won. The layoff slowed him down just a tad, but he was able to capture the race by a 1/2 length. Like many Haskell winners have done before him, Point Given was headed for the Travers.

If Point Given was going to win the Midsummer Derby, he would have to overcome the 1 1/4 miles distance that flattened him in the Kentucky Derby. Bettors figured this wouldn’t bug him, and bet him under 1-1. They were right, as Point Given romped home by 3 1/2 lengths, earning a BSF of 117. That would be the largest number of his career. Unfortunately this would be his last race.

Point Given entered stud for a hefty fee of $125,000 at Three Chimney’s Farm. His rate is down to $15,000 in 2009. His most successful foals to date are Pacific Classic winner Go Between, and Canadian Horse of the Year, Sealy Hill. Point Given is the only horse to have ever won four consecutive races with a purse of $1 million or more. He is also one of only five horses since 1900 to win the Preakness, Belmont, and Travers. The son of Thunder Gulch retired with 9 wins from 13 starts and $3,968,500 in career earngings. He was a deserving Horse of the Year in 2001, and unanimous selection for three-year-old colt of 2001. Point Given is arguably the best horse of this decade. Let’s hope he produces a foal even greater than he was.

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