Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to race against Breeders Cup Classic winner Zenyatta in the $5 million Apple Blossom

It’s really going to happen.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is set to face off against Breeders Cup Classic winner Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap on April 9 at Oaklawn Park. Both parties have signed off on the race. Charles Cella, owner of Oaklawn Park, has agreed to move the race back in order to allow both more time to get a prep race in before the big showdown. This will be the biggest race since Seabiscuit faced War Admiral at Pimlico Racecourse in 1938.

The race will take place the day before the Arkansas Derby. I’m so excited I can hardly type! I plan to be on site for the race come hell or high water. Zenyatta will prep next month at Santa Anita. Rachel Alexandra’s connections plan to race her in the middle of next month. I would imagine her comeback race will take place at Fair Grounds. I want to see both get a nice and easy prep before the Apple Blossom.

The racing on April 9-10 at Oaklawn Park is going to be electrifying. There are very few things in the racing world better than this.

“The race is a go,” a delighted Charles Cella told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “Both parties have signed off on it. I feel like we’ve been through the ringer on this thing. Now, we’re really excited about it.

“This is truly a race for the ages.”

“I’ve never had so much trouble giving $5 million away,” Cella said. “We’ve got a solid commitment, assuming, of course, their health continues.”

Click here to read more!

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird transferred to Tim Ritchey

I was very surprised while reading the news today when I came across an article detailing the switch of Summer Bird from the barn of Tim Ice to that of Tim Ritchey. The four-year-old son of Birstone is owned by Drs. K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman. They said a “lack of communication” was the reason they were removing 2009’s champion three-year-old colt and 24 other horses from Ice’s barn.

Many will recall Tim Ritchey as the trainer of Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex. He is obviously very happy and excited about having such a talented colt join his stable. I’m sure he will do a wonderful job, but I can’t help but feel bad for Tim Ice. 2009 was his first full year as a trainer and he did big things with Summer Bird. He was able to win the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup with Summer Bird. This was despite the colt having raced just four times before taking his first Grade 1 event.

I’m disappointed with the Jayaramans. They have had over 89 trainers. That alone tells me that the problems lies with them and not Tim Ice. They have no reason to be unsatisfied with the work he has done. It’s a shame they can do this to him after all that he has done for them. Hopefully Tim Ritchey doesn’t become another name on the list of fired trainers.

Tim Ice’s barn has been reduced to just six horses, but he plans to find new clients.  He also plans to relocate and campaign horses on the New York circuit. I’m sure he will come out of this fine. He is still an excellent trainer and a large factor in success of Summer Bird. Below is a quote from Tim Ice published by the Associated Press.

Summer Bird means the world to me,” he said. “I would love for him to make a full recovery, and the new trainer is getting a very nice horse. He’s brought my career a long way, and he’ll always forever have a place in my memory.”

Summer Bird is recovering at Oaklawn Park from an injury suffered in Japan. It will be interesting to see where he races next. I’m looking forward to seeing him race against Quality Road again. I believe Quality Road was compromised by off tracks when they met twice in New York last year. If the race takes place on a fast track I think Quality Road will take him down. That will certainly be a great betting race.

How do you feel about Tim Ice losing Summer Bird? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Justin Vitek, jockey, dead at 36

I was saddened when I learned that journeyman jockey Justin Vitek had succombed to acute myelogenous leukemia early Thursday morning. He was diagnosed with the illness two years ago. I had a chance to meet and have a brief chat with Justin a short time after he received his diagnosis. He seemed in good spirits despite the hand he had been dealt. After meeting him I posted links and mailing information for the Justin Vitek Fund.

Vitek won 763 races from 8,209 mounts and he earned in excess of $9.88 million. He was able to ride four times while his cancer was in remission. I can remember like yesterday watching him ride Model’s Memo at Turfway Park in early 2009. The biggest win of his career came in the 2000 Grade 2 Goldenrod Stakes aboard Miss Pickums. Justin Vitek is survived by his six year old daughter Bree and his mother Kathy.

If you are interested in sending money to the Justin Vitek Fund the mailing address is listed below. I’m sure the money could be used to help his young daughter or to help cover funeral costs. Horse racing will miss you Justin!

The Justin Vitek Fund

c/o JoLynn Johnston

5394 Taylor Mill Rd.

Taylor  Mill, Ky 41015

Click here for a DRF story about Justin Vitek by Marty McGee.

Papa Clem to stand at Legacy Ranch in California

Recent winner of the Grade 2 San Fernando Stakes, Papa Clem, has been retired due to a minor injury and will stand for $7,500 at Legacy Ranch in California. He is a son of leading sire Smart Strike who has also produced Curlin, English Channel, and Lookin at Lucky. His mare, Miss Houdini, is a Grade 1 winning daughter of Grade 1 winning sire Belong To Me and multiple Grade 1 winning mare Magical Maiden. Shares of the stallion are being sold for $40,000.

Papa Clem’s best win unquestionably came in the Arkansas Derby where he triumphed in a stunning stretch duel over Old Fashioned. He exited that race to post a strong 4th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He ended his three-year-old campaign with a third place finish in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. He has a strong pedigree and was obviously a great runner. I expect him to do well at stud.

2007 Breeders Cup Mile winner Kip Deville is recovering well from a deadly fight with laminitis at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. It is still very early and it will be a fight for his life, but it’s hard not to be encouraged by good signs. I wish him all the best. Here is what IEAH President Michael Iavarone had to say about Kipper:

“Every day has been better and better for him. He is walking around well, eating well, and is full of himself. He is clearly headed in the right direction, but it is important to never get too excited.”

On a more disheartening note, $2.2 million auction purchase Kinsella was euthanized after sustaining an injury during a workout on Santa Anita’s Pro Ride surface. The son of Mr. Greeley posted his best performance when he finished third in the Grade 3 Bryan Station over the turf at Keeneland in the spring of 2009. I hate reading about the death of our equine athletes who give us everything on the track. The only reward they ask for is a bucket of oats or an apple. They are the best athletes in the world. Every time I read news on the horse racing industry I cross my fingers and hope I won’t come across a story like this one.  Below is a quote from Team Valor International:

“We breezed him, and he finished the work right at the finish line,” said Team Valor’s Barry Irwin. “The injury to his front leg started at the cannon bone and went right through the sesamoids. They were shattered, and we put him down right there.”

Breeders Cup Classic winner and undefeated mare Zenyatta to race in 2010!

Trainer John Sheriffs confirmed what many of us suspected today when he said that champion mare Zenyatta will race again and put her perfect 14 for 14 record on the line in 2010. She last competed in the Breeders Cup Classic where she closed with a furious kick to rush past Gio Ponti. Owners Jerry and Ann Moss have said they are taking things race to race just as they have in the past.

One must think they are going to target new things. I could see the mare heading to Dubai to compete in the Dubai World Cup. I also must speculate about the chances of her facing Rachel Alexandra. I think the win in the Classic may have emboldened Zenyatta’s connections. I’m going to go on record right now and say the race will happen this year. I could be wrong, but I hope with all my being that it does happen for the sake of the sport.

What are your thoughts on this big news?

My 2009 Eclipse Award Ballot; Rachel Alexandra HOY

The Eclipse Award nominees are finally out. The Eclipse Awards are the highest honor in thoroughbred racing. Winners are voted on by the people at the NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Assocation), Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Assocation. I wish that I could have a say, but that is not meant to be this year. Perhaps in the future I will get a chance. Here’s a look at who I would pick in each category. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra- This one is a no brainer for me. The three-year-old filly won 8 races and 5 Grade 1 events this year. She beats the boys 3 times, including in the Preakness where she became the first horse to ever win from the 13 post position. She left Summer Bird in her wake when she took the Haskell Invitational. The two times that she faced her gender in Grade 1 events this year she won by a combined 39 1/2 lengths. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro even beat older males when she took down the Woodward Stakes. Her campaign this year not only makes her Horse of the Year, but the greatest three-year-old filly in the history of the sport.

Two-Year-Old Male: Lookin’ At Lucky- This is an easy choice. “Lucky” is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby and rightfully so. He couldn’t have won any easier last out in the CashCall Futurity where he beat fellow nominee Noble’s Promise. Vale of York can’t get my nod because I don’t believe in giving an Eclipse Award on the basis of a single race.

Two-Year-Old Female: She Be Wild- The Wayne Catalano filly got a perfect ride to slip up the rail and win the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. She also ran a strong race to finish second in the Alcaibidies this year. Blind Luck and Hot Dixie are also nominated. I could easily envision both of those fillies being better when its all said and done, but at this point in time it has to go to She Be Wild. I feel like Hot Dixie Chick is the one to watch out of these three. I look forward to watching all of these fillies leading up to next years Kentucky Oaks.

Three-Year-Old Male: Summer Bird- This is an easy pick. The son of Birdstone took the Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup this year. He also bested Mine That Bird and Quality Road in head to head matchups. I feel like at this point in time Quality Road has surpassed him, but based on their 2009 resumes Summer Bird was clearly the better horse.

Three-Year-Old Filly: Rachel Alexandra- Do I really need to say more? Check out the Horse of the Year section above for more information on this filly.

Older Male: Gio Ponti- This is a highly competitive division although 2009 was a down year for the older horses. I’ll go with Gio Ponti on the virtue of 4 Grade 1 victories and a runner up performance when switching surfaces in the Breeders Cup Classic. Einstein put together a good year, but lost twice to Gio Ponti. I feel like if Einstein had won the Donn and Clark he could’ve got my vote. I’m excited to watch Gio Ponti compete in 2010.

Older Female: Zenyatta- Anyone who doesn’t vote for Zenyatta to be Champion Older Female deserves to have their voting priveleges revoked. While she was lightly raced and beat soft fields most of the year, she answered the bell in the Breeders Cup Classic. The five-year-old mare would be a serious threat for Horse of the Year in my mind if she had taken on tougher competition other than in the Classic and won outside of California.

Male Sprinter: Kodiak Kowboy- If you had asked me earlier in the year, I would’ve said Zensational was a shoo-in. However, he couldn’t get the job done in the Breeders Cup Sprint. Kodiak Kowboy skipped the race, but had wins in the Carter, Vosburgh, and Cigar Mile in 2009. He only finished off the board once in 2009. Retired now at the age of 5, this horse was extremely consistent throughout his career. It’s rare that you find a horse that can win at the top level at 2, 3, and 4.

Female Sprinter: Informed Decision- She had her doubters in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, but she dismissed Ventura en route to an impressive win. In my eyes, that race sealed the title for her. She won 6 of 7 races in 2009, including 3 Grade 1 races. She is a polytrack specialist, and I would never bet against her on that surface. Informed Decision was also tough on “real” dirt where she won the Humana Distaff, but her only loss came on the surface in the Ballerina Stakes. Her 2009 campaign will be hard to equal in 2010.

Male Turf Horse: Gio Ponti- I’d like to give the nod to Presious Passion, but Gio Ponti had the better year. He has nearly unbeatable on the grass this year.

Female Turf Horse: Ventura- While she couldn’t get it done on Breeders Cup day, this mare was very consistent in 2009. She won two Grade 1 races on the turf this year. Her best performance came in the Woodbine Mile. I’d love to give the nod to Goldikova or Midday, but one race doesn’t make a year.

Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss- You have to give this couple the award after they stepped up to the plate and entered Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic. Regardless of whether or not Zenyatta wins Horse of the Year, this took guts. I salute them for stepping up and helping the sport.

Breeder: I’m fairly ignorant to this category so I will refrain from commenting.

Trainer:  Bob Baffert- There is something to be said for a guy that finishes 3rd in earning behind a guy who has nearly 6 times as many starts as he does. Bob Baffert is the most prolific trainer in thoroughbred racing right now. Anything he touches turns to gold. He had a great 2009 thanks to Indian Blessing, Lookin at Lucky, Gabby’s Golden Goose, Pioneerof The Nile, and many more. I predict 2010 will be even better.

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez- This was one of the toughest picks I had to make. Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, and Julien Leparoux all had wonderful years. I had to go with Ramon Dominguez. He dominated with a massive 23.6% winning percentage and he finished in the money 56% of the time. He amassed earnings of 18,348,422 for 2009. He won the Spring/Fall riding title at Belmont Park, and also took the title at Saratoga. I congratulate him in an excellent 2009 campaign.

Apprentice Jockey: Christian Santiago-Reyes- I’m a big follower of California racing, and I love betting this guy. He has broke into the big time fast and he is here to stay. He is fearless in the irons and I expect to see him winning big time races very soon.

Who do you like to win an Eclipse Award? Leave a comment and lets discuss!

Lava Man is one and done after comeback attempt

Largely considered to be the greatest claim in the history of thoroughbred racing, Lava Man has been retired after a brief comeback attempt. The gelding faded to last after setting the pace in the Grade 2 San Gabriel last month. Trainer Doug O’Neill said he came out of the race very tired and that Lava Man wasn’t fit enough for the race. He drank a bunch of water after the race, but O’Neill sounded excited about the future which now will involve something other than racing.

“I’ve thought a lot since that last race,” Steve Kenly said of the San Gabriel. “We were expecting more out of him. His ankles were better, but the thing that probably caught up with him was time.”

“We said that if he couldn’t compete at the highest level, we wouldn’t continue. That’s what made this decision possible. Obviously, he lost a step. It was his first race back in a year and a half. When the running really started, he couldn’t keep pace with the better horses.”-Daily Racing Form

The above quote is from Steve Kenly who co-owns Lava Man along with Dave Kenly, Tracy Kenly, and Jason Wood. I always hate to criticize owners and trainers, because its easy for me to sit here on the sidelines and say I would’ve done something different. However, I think Lava Man would’ve been better off competing in a California bred allowance race first off the shelf. Very few horses can return after time off and run well. I’m a huge fan of this gelding and I hope his next career goes as swimmingly as this one did.

Possibilites for Lava Man include retraining as a hunter-jumper or becoming a pony on the track. I’d personally like to see him go to the Kentucky Horse Park so that all of his fans can enjoy him. I plan on making the trip ASAP if that is where he ends up.

Tuscan Evening makes it look easy in the Monrovia Handicap; Gulfstream Park opens

 

I felt like Tuscan Evening had a chance in the Monrovia Handicap, but I went to another horse for better value. I guess I shoud’ve remembered the age old saying; take what you can get. This mare was an easy winner under jockey Rafeale Bejarano for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She is using this race as a springboard for the Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap on January 31. If she runs like she did in the Monrovia then she will have a huge shot. Evita Argentina is also aiming for the race after winning the Grade 1 La Brea last out. I’d have a hard time betting against Evita Argentina going 7 furlongs.

Sunday saw the opening of Gulfstream Park and the debut of a Kentucky Derby contender. Tahitian Warrior went wire to wire under jockey E T Baird. He finished the six furlongs in 1:09.96 while finishing the last furlong in under 12 seconds. Tahitian Warrior was clear by 4 3/4 lengths at the wire. He didn’t look like he was trying very hard. He beat a strong field that included 2 horses purchased for $500k or more. I’d definitely add this horse to my list of early contenders for the First Saturday in May.

That wasn’t the only news out of Gulfstream Park. Florida Derby winner Quality Road returned to the scene of the crime for the Hal’s Hope Handicap. He couldn’t have won any easier than he did. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he is the best older horse in training. The only horse I can see giving him trouble is Rail Trip, and we have no idea how he would handle a dirt surface. Quality Road had no trouble at the gate this time and will be pointing towards the Donn Handicap. If he is successful there I envision him heading to Dubai for the Dubai World Cup. I love this horse and I hope he gets it done every time out this year.

Any thoughts on this weekends racing? Anything on your mind in general? Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

M One Rifle fires in Malibu; Lava Man returns in San Gabriel

I had a really good feeling about M One Rifle in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. I thought that he was lone speed and he set unpressed fractions and won by an easy two and a half lengths. I bet him heavily and I was surprised that I got such a good price as he paid $16.20 for a $2 win wager. I was able to cash the Pick 4 where I had him singled along several other bets thanks to him. M One Rifle has a bright career ahead of him!

I’m looking forward to watching Lava Man race in the Grade 2 San Gabriel over 9 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita tomorrow. He was one of my favorite horses before he was retired over a year ago. This will be one of the few occasions where I put a few bucks on a horse and hope he wins without actually handicapping the race. I love Lava Man, and I hope he blows their doors off in the comeback. However, I don’t expect that to happen. He is bound to be a bit rusty in the return. I just hope the ol’ boy stays sound and runs a strong race.

I’d love to write more, but Turfway Park is calling my name as we speak! Check back tonight and tomorrow morning for more!

Blind Luck dazzles in Hollywood Starlet

Blind Luck provided a jaw dropping performance as she drew off by seven lengths under Rafael Bejarano in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes this weekend. The two-year-old daughter of Pollard’s Vision more than made amends for falling short in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies last out. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Rafael Bejerano both expected a good run from the filly, but even they were surprised at how well she ran. She is expected to make her next start in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes in February.

I hadn’t heard of Blind Luck’s sire, so I decided to do a little investigating. Pollard’s Vision is relatively new on the sire scene. He stands in Midway, KY for Wintergreen Stallion Station. Currently an 8-year-old, he is a son of Carson City. He won first out at Saratoga by a whopping 12 1/2 lengths. His best win came in the Grade 2 Illinois Derby. He also won three Grade 3’s during his career and finished second in the Grade 1 Pimlico Special. Blind Luck is far and away the best thing he has produced so far.

My top selection, Amen Hallelujah, finished third. She prompted the pace under jockey Alex Solis, but came up short when it was time to make a move. She didn’t run too bad considering that this was her first race since the Alcibiades. I definitely think she will be a good bet next time out. Miss Heather Lee rallied along the rail to get second at 19-1 for Bob Baffert. She seems to be improving. Baffert does very well with this type of runner.

Beautician went off the favorite and finished last for trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Garrett Gomez. I’m not sure what went wrong with her, but I expect her to come back strong next out. I would think that the blinkers are going to come off. A bit of rest will probably do the trick.

I’m eagarly looking forward to next weeks races. Any early thoughts on the WL McKnight Handicap? Leave a comment and be heard!

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