Early Breeders Cup Selections
August 6, 2008
Sprint: My early pick for the Breeders Cup Sprint will be Street Boss. He has been nearly unstoppable since he rolled on to the stakes scene in May. His latest victory in Bing Crosby was nothing short of awe inspiring. He came from last and went to the parking lot in the process, and STILL flattened the field. He will have no shortage of competition to overcome. Benny The Bull has showed no signs of slowing down, and Fabulous Strike is sharp as ever. It wont be easy, but I think Street Boss will show everyone who the boss is in the Breeders Cup Sprint.
Ladies Classic: This is without a doubt the most competitive division at the moment. With the likes of Music Note, Proud Spell, Hystericalady, Zenyetta and defending champ Ginger Punch vying for the win there is no shortage of talent. I am going to go with the undefeated Zenyetta as my early selection. She has already defeated Ginger Punch and will have home field advantage working for her. Any the fillies I mentioned could do it.
Classic: My pick here might surprise you. No, I don’t think Curlin will take this one, and no I don’t like Big Brown either. I’m going to go with Divine Park to win the Breeders Cup Classic instead. He has been a different horse since laying off the pace, and counts the Metropolitan Mile as his best win this year. He will be meeting up with Curlin in the Woodward on August 30th. Don’t get me wrong, Curlin is probably the better horse at the moment, but there is no guarantee he will even be in the race. As for Big Brown, I believe he is overrated.
Turf: Einstein is having the best year of his career. His most notable wins this year came in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes, both Grade 1 events. He will be my early pick to win the Breeders Cup Turf. His best challenger will probably be former winner Red Rocks. Though he hasn’t been very successful in Europe, he is highly contentious in the United States. Einstein’s next start will come in the Arlington Million, while Red Rocks is aiming for the Sword Dancer Invitational.
Mile: It’s going to be hard to wrest the title from Kip Deville. He hasn’t seen much activity this year, but he owns a win in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile. I like his chances of defending his title in the Breeders Cup Mile. The most likely horse to pull off an upset is Daytona. Minus his last start in the American Handicap, Daytona has been virtually unstoppable. He has wins in the Shoemaker Mile, and the Arcadia Handicap this year.
Racing Legends: Skip Away
July 21, 2008
Skip Away captures the Breeders Cup Classic in 1997.
Skip Away is one of the first horses I can recall watching or hearing about as a young child. Admittedly, I can recall little about him, so I decided to make a post about his awe inspiring career. Let’s take a look back to the 90s at one of the best horses to race in that decade.
Sired by Skip Trial, Skip Away was foaled on April 4,1993. Skip Trial earned $1,837,451 throughout his career while winning 9 Graded Stakes, including 3 Grade 1’s. His best victory came as a three-year-old in the Haskell Invitational. As a sire, Skip Away is far and away his best progeny. Other successful progeny include Grade 2 winner Federal Trial, and millionaire Best of the Rest. Skip Away’s dam is Ingot Way. She was sired by Diplomat Way and earned $66,149 while capturing two minor stakes in her career. Skip Away was far and away her best progeny. She also produced a colt named Seeking The Way, by Seeking The Gold that went on to win $471,650.
Born a beautiful gray colt, Skip Away was foaled in Florida. He was purchased by Hubert “Sonny” Hine for his wife, Caroline. She wanted a gray colt because vision problems made it difficult for her to view horses of other colors on the track. They purchased him for the relatively small amount of $22,500 as a yearling.
As a two-year-old, Skip Away won only a single race from six starts. He did flash some signs of future greatness by placing in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes. His first stakes victory would come as a three-year-old in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. He won in grand fashion, smashing the field by 6 lengths and setting a new track record of 1:47.20 for the 1 1/8 distance over the wet fast track.
Just as many colts before him Skip Away went into the Kentucky Derby with much hype. He would finish the race far back and without an excuse. He would press on to the Preakness, and a respectable second place finish to Louis Quatorze. Although Skip Away crushed Louis Quatorze in the Blue Grass, he couldn’t catch him this time, as Louis Quatorze would set a new track record. Skip Away would also finish second in the Belmont Stakes after a daring stretch duel with Editor’s Note.
After the Triple Crown races concluded, Skip Away’s connections opted for the Haskell Invitational, a race which his sire had been victorious in. He would take that race and continue forward to the Jockey Club Gold Cup for a rematch with Louis Quatorze, Editor’s Note, and Horse of the Year, Cigar.
Cigar was sent off the heavy 1/5 favorite. Skip Away took the lead as they turned for home, while Louis Quatorze who had relinquished the lead was fading. Jerry Bailey had Cigar fully extended for the drive home in third. Skip Away’s lead slowly diminished as they hit the wire, and he just barely beat Cigar to the finish.
Trouble wasn’t far away for Skip Away. After two inexplicable defeats in the Philip H. Iselin Breeder’s Cup Handicap, and the Woodward Stakes jockey Shane Sellers was replaced by Jerry Bailey. With Bailey in the irons, Skip Away would adopt a front running style and win 9 consecutive races. Under another new jockey, Mike Smith, Skip Away would leave his greatest mark on racing.
Jerry Bailey wasn’t able to ride Skip Away in the 1997 Breeders Cup Classic, due to an obligation to ride another horse. Due to this, Mike Smith was given the mount. Facing the likes of Deputy Commander and Touch Gold, Skip Away would crush the competition in the Breeders Cup Classic. Unchallenged throughout, he would go on to win by 6 lengths and set a track and race record time of 1:59.16 for the 1 ¼ distance.
Skip Away would race a five-year-old claiming victory in five Grade 1’s, including the Hollywood Gold Cup, Pimlico Special, and Woodward Stakes. He was retired after his loss in the 1998 Breeders Cup Classic. Skip Away ended his career with $9,616,360 in earnings. He was named Champion Three-Year-Old in 1996, Champion Older Male Horse in 1997 and 1998, and Horse of the Year in 1998. He concluded his career with a race record of 38: 18-10-6.
As a sire Skip Away has had a fair amount of success. His most successful progeny is Crystal Violet, who was raced in Japan. In 2001, Gulfstream Park honored Skip Away by changing the name of the Broward Handicap, to the Skip Away Handicap. Skip Away has left a lasting mark on horse racing. Not only was he one of the best horses of his generation, Skip Away is one of the last great horses to race through their five-year-old campaign. Racing needs more horses like Skip Away.
Vote On Curlin’s Future
July 17, 2008
You really have to hand it to Jess Jackson. Not only did he keep Curlin in training as a 4 year old, but he is now letting fans decide the future of his colt. His website, which you can visit by clicking here, has four options to choose from. The first option is for Curlin to continue his campaign on the turf. I could see the upside of doing this. Not only would his value as a sire go even higher, but his legacy as one of the best ever would be cemented if he were to be successful. The second choice is for him to revert back to dirt. He has already done everything you can do on dirt, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him go back.
The third option that Jess Jackson provides us with is a synthetic campaign. I would like to see this on one condition. If Big Brown wins the Haskell and stays in training for the Breeders Cup Classic, I think Curlin should race against him. This would be a heavyweight bout of epic proportions if it were to take place. Everyone knows how good Big Brown is. If Curlin could take him down, he would become something of a legend. The last choice is for Curlin to retire. Nobody wants to see that happen. He is one of the only stars currently active in the sport. I can only imagine where the game would be if he hadn’t raced this year.
My top choice is for him to remain on the turf, given that Big Brown doesn’t race past the Haskell, but if he does I’d like to see Curlin gear up for a defense of his Breeders Cup Classic title. Make sure you head on over to StroneStreet Farms and let your voice be heard. What are you waiting for?!
Ramblings
July 7, 2008
I’m really looking forward to this weekend. Not only do we have the Summit of Speed to look forward to, but the Swaps, Man O’ War, and Barbaro just to name a few. I’m really interested to see how Benny the Bull runs. He just barely got up for the win last time out, and probably didn’t run his best race. I expect a massive improvement this weekend. He isn’t unbeatable, but is certainly the best. With the likes of Fabulous Strike, and Street Boss on the prowl, he will have to earn a win in the Breeders Cup.
I may head down to River Downs tomorrow. Going on a Tuesday probably isn’t very smart but some friends want to go, so what the heck. The races will probably be horrible so I doubt I’ll wager much, if it at all. Who knows, maybe I’ll just sit in the paddock and watch the horses. Check back later this week for stakes selections. I’m pulling out all the stops and putting my best foot forward this weekend. I’m going to bring it. Make sure to check the “Race of the Week” on the red toolbar. I’m not sure which race I will use this weekend, but I’m leaning towards the Man O’ War. I wonder if Curlin will win as easy on the turf as he does on the dirt? I guess we will just have to wait for Saturday!
Bad Day for Pletcher and Velazquez
June 30, 2008
Sunday was a bad day for Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez. They hooked up in the Tremont and Astoria Stakes with two highly regarded horses who totally flopped. Each were coming off of impressive victories on the Polytrack at Keeneland. That could possibly have been the reason for their bust.
Mr Mistoffolees is a son of Storm Cat, and he sold for $1,500,000 at the Keeneland sale in 2007. The DRF chart for the Tremont says the start was good for everybody but him. He stumbled badly at the break, and steadied early in the race. Mr Mistoffolees ended up 5th and last in the Tremont. He was sent off at odds of 1-5 after his emphatic victory at Keeneland first time out. He won by 9 lengths and covered the 4 ½ furlongs distance in a blazing :50. He just had some bad luck in the Tremont if you ask me. I would draw a line through this race the next time you see him.
Pride won first time out at Keeneland from the 12 hole. That is very difficult to do while racing at 4 ½ furlongs. She stumbled a bit at the break in the Astoria, but had no real excuse. Like I noted before, the fact that she was coming off the Polytrack could have played a role in her defeat. She ended up just missing for third.
The winner of the Tremont was Dagnabit with Cornelio Velasquez and Rick Dutrow hooking up on that one. The son of Freud raced wide and ended up winning by a ½ length. Bold Union was the victor in the Astoria. She drew off by 9 ¾ lengths under Stewart Elliott for trainer Kelly Breen. Her time was a second faster than the boys.
Pletcher and Velazquez swept the Tremont and Astoria in 2007 with Ready’s Image and Glacken’s Gal.
Online Wagering!
June 25, 2008
The main purposes of this blog are to handicap races, cover industry news, and provide informative articles. Handicapping races is my favorite part, and I consider it the most important. Providing you with my picks allows me to handicap and get better at something that I enjoy to the fullest. I have given several nice exotic winners, and win plays. Many people have emailed me thanking me for the picks and letting me know that they played them. Most, if not all of these people are wagering online. This is a key aspect to handicapping in the 21st century. Not only is there an infinite amount of information to help you, but you have a calm environment which will allow you to focus. Let’s take a look at two of the best race books that the internet has to offer.
BetUS- The first thing I noticed about BetUS was their amazingly beautiful calendar girls. All new members get a free calendar, and a “making of” video! Their current signup bonuses include a 50% Sign-up bonus, 50% Re-load bonus, 25% Refer-a-friend bonus. 10% Casino Chips bonus and 10% Gambler’s insurance. BetUs has been the #1 ranked American Sportsbook & Casino by Insiders Betting Digest magazine 8 years in a row. Click here to check it out!
BookMaker- These guys claim to have the largest selection of tracks on the internet. Yours wagers with them won’t go into the parimutual pool, and you will be eligible for an 8% rebate. Not bad at all for those of you who wager large amounts. Bookmaker is currently offering a 20% signup bonus. What are you waiting for, click here!
I’m scouring the internet trying to find the best deals for you. Stay tuned to Gradedstakes.com for latest.
Top 5 Active Jockeys
May 12, 2008
The United States racing circuits have seen many riders come and go. Most of these riders serve a niche at a smaller track such as River Downs. These jockeys are not at the top of the food chain, but they are more than capable. Tracks such as River Downs, serve as the training grounds for the future stars of the game. Rafael Bejarano got his start at River Downs, while Robby Albarado and Kent Desormeaux got their’s at Evangeline Downs. They are now at the top of the food chain. Let’s take a look at that top sector of jockey’s and I’ll give you my opinion on who is the best. Granted, they are separated by very little.
#1 Garrett Gomez- In 2007 Gomez broke Jerry Bailey’s record for stakes wins in a single year. I would call him the “now” jockey, but hell Garrett Gomez always rides this well. Some jockeys sadly are unable to overcome substance abuse, but this was not the case for Gomez. He decided what was important and changed his lifestyle after a substance abuse problem. Congratulations on that Garrett! In 2007 Garrett Gomez won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. Some of Garrett Gomez’s top wins and mounts in 2007 include: Rags to Riches (G1 Kentucky Oaks, G1 Las Virgenes, G1 Santa Anita Oaks), Any Given Saturday (G1 Haskell Invitational, G2 Dwyer, G2 Brooklyn H), Spring at Last (Godolphin Mile), Shakespeare (G1 Woodbine Mile), Indian Blessing (G1 Frizette, G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies).
#2 John R. Velazquez- One of the first things I can remember about horse racing is people talking about the “Pletcher-Velazquez” angle. I quickly learned why. When these two heavyweights teamed up the results could be epic. The pair teamed up to win their first Triple Crown race in 2007 with the phenomenal filly Rags to Riches. Velazquez has seven Breeders Cup wins, his most recent being with English Channel in 2007 (Another Pletcher horse). In 2005 he won the Dubai World on Roses in May. He has won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey twice, in 2004 and 2005. Top mounts in 2007 include: Octave (G1 Mother Goose, G1 Coaching Club American Oaks); Lawyer Ron (G1 Whitney, G1 Woodward), English Channel (G1 United Nations, G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic), Cotton Blossom (G1 Acorn, Florida Oaks).
#3 Mike Smith- I could hardly believe what I saw when researching Mike Smith. The guy has won 10 Breeders Cup races! Some of his biggest Breeders Cup winners were Cherokee Run in the 1994 Breeders Cup Sprint, and Skip Away in the 1997 Breeders Cup Classic. In 1993 and 1994 Smith won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding jockey, and was the top money earner. His biggest win came in the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 long shot Giacomo. Smith said that although he wasn’t expecting the win, he knew Giacomo had it in him. His top mount in 2007 was Tiago who won the Santa Anita Derby, Swaps, and Goodwood. He also rode Cry and Catch Me to victory in the Oak Leaf.
#4 Rafeal Bejarano- “Rafi” fell in love with horse racing in his native Peru, where he attended riding school, and won the apprentice title at a local track. Bejarano came to the U.S. in 2002 with the help of Dante Zanelli Sr. and quickly took over my hometown track River Downs. On March 13, 2004 he won a track record 7 races at Turfway Park, then followed that up with 5 more wins the next day. He ended 2004 with the most wins from any jockey, at 455. In 2005 he won riding titles at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, and Turfway Park, while finishing 4th in earnings that year. On only his second visit to Santa Anita he won 6 races on the card. He has relocated to California so he can ride first call for the great Bobby Frankel. Some of Bejarano’s marquee wins in his short career are the 2005 Filly & Mare Turf with Intercontinental, and the 2007 Breeders Cup Distaff with Ginger Punch.
#5 Kent Desormeaux- This jockey has traveled the world. He became the first foreign jockey to win a Japanese Classic. The race he won was the Japanese Oaks aboard Lady Pastel. Kent has won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice, and for Outstanding Jockey twice. His biggest success has come in the Triple Crown. He has won the Kentucky Derby 3 times on Real Quiet, Fusiachi Pegasus, and Big Brown. He followed up Real Quiet’s win with a win in the Preakness before losing the Belmont by a nose. His biggest wins in 2007 came aboard Corinthian in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, and Met Mile.
Almost Immortal, Part II
May 9, 2008
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.
Almost Immortal, Part I
May 8, 2008
Big Brown will seek to make history by becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to capture the Triple Crown. Many horses have come and gone since 1978, and they have been quite good. By my count 10 horses won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, only to falter in the Belmont. Maybe Big Brown is just that good, but lets take a look at the others who were not. Belmont betting could pay off big time this year.
Spectacular Bid (1979)- This horse is one of the greatest to step on the track. He won 26 of 30 races over his career and collected a then record $2,781,607. He counts Santa Anita Handicap, and the Strub series among his most impressive wins. After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, he lost in the Belmont after a freak accident in the paddock in which he stepped on a safety pin. Some also question the ride from jockey Ronnie Franklin. He lost the mount, and Bill Shoemaker rode Spectacular Bid for the rest of his career. Shoemaker says Spectacular Bid is the best horse he ever rode.
Pleasant Colony (1981)- Perhaps more notable for his accomplishments as a sire, this one finished third in the Belmont Stakes. He would go on to win the Woodward after his Triple Crown attempt. He sired 5 champions, including Pleasant Tap and Pleasantly Perfect.
Alysheba (1987)- This one had a less than spectacular 2 year old season and ended up in the Kentucky Derby with only one victory. He won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, but ran a dull 4th in the Belmont after racing without Lasix which was banned in New York at the time. He would go on to be a very successful older horse. His major wins include the Santa Anita Handicap, Woodward, and Breeder’s Cup Classic.
Sunday Silence (1989)- Perhaps one of the most balanced horses of all time. Not only was he amazing on the track, but he was Japan’s leading sire for many years. His stretch duel with Easy Goer in the Preakness is the favorite race of many fans. After beating Easy Goer twice, he was crushed by his foe in the Belmont. Sunday Silence would have the last laugh, defeating Easy Goer in what shaped up as another dramatic finish in the Breeders Cup Classic.
Silver Charm (1997)- I can remember Gary Stevens saying how let down he was when this horse didn’t win the Triple Crown. He also said this was the best horse he ever rode if I recall correctly. This horse was Bob Baffert’s first Kentucky Derby winner. After impressive victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown he finished second in the Belmont. He would go on to win the Clark Handicap, Kentucky Cup Classic, and Dubai World Cup. He now stands at stud in Japan.
Lets Get Rocked (Harlem Rocker)
May 4, 2008
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.
