Horse Racing News

Rachel Alexandra gunned down by Persistently in the Personal Ensign

August 29, 2010 By Ryan 3 Comments

I remember handicapping a race earlier in the Saratoga meet in which Persistently was the morning line favorite. I was unimpressed with her form, but the Phipps filly was under the care of one of the best trainers in the nation, Shug McGaughey. Perhaps his tutelage is the reason she won that race and then returned to win the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes over champion filly Rachel Alexandra on Sunday.

Persistently is out of the Phipps mare Just Reward who won once from three starts and finished second twice while earning $43,000. Just Reward is a daughter of Grade 1 winner Deputy Minister. Her sire, Smoke Glacken, was a Grade 1 winner who won 10 of 14 starts and finished off the board just once.

She certainly lived up her to prestigious breeding by winning this race. The Alan Garcia piloted filly benefited greatly from Life At Ten dueling Rachel Alexandra through swift fractions. Trainer Shug McGaughey also campaigned the undefeated namesake of the race.

It appeared as if Rachel Alexandra hit a wall in the last furlong. It seems pretty clear she doesn’t want to go the classic distance. I’m a huge of the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, but I have to wonder if serious changes are coming. If I owned or trained her I’d be aiming for the Ladies Classic rather than the Breeders Cup Classic. As much as I didn’t want to believe it until today, she probably isn’t capable of taking down the boys like she did three times last year.

Regardless of what the future holds for her, the past has cemented Rachel Alexandra as a legend. Nothing can change that.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: persistently, personal ensign stakes, rachel alexandra

Fly Down & A Little Warm head contentious Jim Dandy Stakes

July 29, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

“Look at Bernardini! He didn’t break a sweat, and its 90 degrees!”

The Jim Dandy Stakes is contested at 9 furlongs on the dirt for three-year-olds at Saratoga. It is a Grade 2 event and is typically used as a springboard towards the more important Grade 1 Travers Stakes the following month. Last year’s Jim Dandy was taken by Kensei. The colt was on a hot streak at the time and hasn’t done much since. Before Kensei it was Macho Again, Street Sense, and Bernardini. All three of those winners had or went on to have excellent careers. I have a feeling this years winner could be destined for bigger things too.

The race is headlined by Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes winner Fly Down. He took the Dwyer two back by a massive 6 lengths before finishing second to Drosselmeyer in the Belmont Stakes. With a better trip Fly Down could have been the victor over Drosselmeyer, as he was when he beat him in the Dwyer. Trainer Nick Zito has Fly Down working up a storm. His latest workout was a :47 1/5 four furlong move that was the fastest of 77 works. The son of Mineshaft has won two times from three starts at the Jim Dandy distance. He will be favored and for good reason. Fly Down is a fast racehorse. However, if he wants to win he will have to best a colt who finished in front of him in the Louisiana Derby.

That colt is A Little Warm. He is trained by Anthony Dutrow and will be ridden by John Velazquez. The son of Stormin Fever was given a respite after failing to gain enough earnings to compete in the Kentucky Derby. That respite ended with an allowance win at Delaware over a decent competitor in Miner’s Reserve. That win was very important because it showed that A Little Warm could relax behind the leaders in a route race. All in all the race was very solid, especially so given that he hadn’t raced since late March. A Little Warm is a classy colt. He finished second in the Louisiana Derby and Hutcheson Stakes. He won the ungraded Spectacular Bid Stakes. The Virginia bred looks ready to run a career best race. He will have to do so if he wants to win against this competitive field!

Afleet Express comes into the Jim Dandy with a good reputation, but he won’t be one of the top two betting choices. The son of Afleet Alex took a nw2l (non-winners of two lifetime races) event two back by 7 3/4 lengths. The James Jerkens trainee earned a massive 113 BRIS figure for that effort. He validated that win by taking the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes over Afleet Again, and Jackson Bend. He has the benefit of hot jockey JJ Castellano riding him. Despite his strong efforts it is likely that he will need to move forward yet again if he wants to come out on top here.

Steinbeck will be racing for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The trainer is like the European version of Todd Pletcher. His colt will be racing on nine days rest after finishing 2nd in a Group 3 event at Leopardstown. Shipping across the pond on nine days rest means he is a total non-factor in my handicapping. I won’t include him on any tickets. He is still a nice colt, but he has too much to overcome.

Stormy’s Majesty and Friend Or Foe enter the race undefeated. Both have won three races. Friend Or Foe easily won the statebred Mike Lee Stakes last out over eventual New York Derby winner Ibboyee. That race was at seven furlongs. He will have to be something special to win this race going two turns for the first time. Stormy’s Majesty won a statebred optional claiming event last out by a whopping eight lengths going one mile. Both colts are up against it, but the have bright futures after this race.

Aikenite will race for Todd Pletcher. He made a failed try at Preakness Stakes two back before taking an allowance race. This son of Yes It’s True has plenty of talent, but he probably isn’t ready for this type of competition just yet. I’m a bit surprised that Pletcher entered him. David Cohen will retain the mount. Don’t count him out. Looks can be deceiving, but I don’t see it happening.

Calvin Borel will return as the pilot of Miner’s Reserve for this race. The Nick Zito trainee has run two strong races prior to the Dandy. He finished second to A Little Warm after setting the pace last out. Before that he won an allowance race at Belmont Park. It will be up to Miner’s Reserve to ensure an honest pace. Can he get brave on the lead and keep going? I guess we will have to wait to find out.

The last runner I haven’t mentioned is Winslow Homer. He looked like a top Kentucky Derby contender after a strong win in the Holy Bull Stakes. Sadly, he fell off the trail because of an injury. He returned to the races with a third place finish behind Concord Point who freaked to win the Iowa Derby by 9 lengths for trainer Bob Baffert. I think you can forgive Winslow’s Homer’s effort. He will enter this race a bit under the radar after failing to win his comeback race, but he is every bit as good as he ever was. A win from him wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Who is your top pick to win the Jim Dandy Stakes? Leave a comment and discuss! You can get my selections for the Jim Dandy, Diana, Haskell, and many other races this weekend by purchasing my selections below. Purchasers of any Saratoga package will also get picks for the Haskell Invitational!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: a little warm, afleet express, aiden o'brien, aikenite, buy picks, fly down, friend or foe, jim dandy stakes, miners reserve, steinbeck, stormys majesty, winslow homer

Maybesomaybenot wins Sanford for deserving connections

July 26, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

After starting two horses in the Kentucky Derby this year, trainer Mike Maker has emerged with yet another star racehorse. This time it is the gelded son of Sunday Break named Maybesomaybenot. He went wire to wire under jockey Julien Leparoux in the Grade 2 Sanford Stakes on Sunday at Saratoga. Prior to that win he took a maiden race at Churchill Downs. Maker said there are no plans for his next race at this point in time. The favored Bail Out the Cat missed the break.

Maybesomaybenot is owned by Arthellor and Carolyn Scisney. They have a daughter-in-law who is battling Lupus which is an autoimmune disorder. The disorder causes a persons immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue within the body. There is no cure for Lupus, but it can be effectively treated.

Their daughter-in-law, Karen, has been in and out of the hospital. Arthellor and Carolyn have given Karen a 25% stake in the horse and they are hoping the win will lift her spirits. Arthellor has stated that he wouldn’t take $400,000 for the gelding given the circumstances. I hope he continues to do well for the connections, and especially for Karen.

Celebrities such as Seal, Micheal Jackson, and Cindy Crawford all suffer or suffered from Lupus. I know the topic here on this website is horse racing, but I felt like this was a great opportunity to shed light on what is relatively little known medical problem.

Click here to donate to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: lupus, maybesomaybenot, mike maker, sanford stakes

Saratoga and Del Mar are BACK!

July 20, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

The two greatest things about summer for racing fans are the meets at Del Mar and Saratoga. Combined with Keeneland, these three boutique meets are arguably the best in thoroughbred racing. The horses are of the highest quality, the crowds are great, and the betting pays dividends when you’re right.

I would probably visit Del Mar over Saratoga if given the choice. The track sits right on the Pacific Ocean and the beach is stunningly beautiful. There are few things in the world that I like more than horse racing and beaches. Saratoga is no slouch though. The track has tons of historical value as it has been around since 1863.

Some of the races we can look forward to at Saratoga are the Whitney Handicap, Jim Dandy Stakes, Traver Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and Alabama Stakes among many more.

All of those races were very memorable in 2009. The Travers saw Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird romp over Quality Road. We got to see Careless Jewel destroy her foes in the Alabama. Who can forget Rachel Alexandra digging in and holding on to beat older males in the Woodward? That performance will be hard for any horse to top this year.

We can expect to see Rachel Alexandra, Blame, and Quality Road race at the Saratoga meet this year. Rachel Alexandra will race Saturday at Monmouth Park in the Lady’s Secret, but her next start is likely to be in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga. Blame and Quality Road will meet in the Whitney Handicap next weekend. The victor of that matchup will be solidified as the top older male in the country.

Del Mar will feature the San Diego Handicap, Pacific Classic, Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar Oaks, and Eddie Read Stakes. Last year we got to see Richard’s Kid take the Pacific Classic at a big price for trainer Bob Baffert. The master trainer also took the Del Mar Futurity with future Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky. The biggest attraction for this meet will be the undefeated mare Zenyatta who is likely to compete in the Clement Hirsch Handicap.

I’m already counting down the minutes for these two great meets. Del Mar will begin on Wednesday. Saratoga starts on Friday. I’m going to be watching every race to get a feel for how the track is playing. Be sure to join me on this handicapping adventure! For just $10 per card or $69 for the entire meet (each) you can have all my picks for Saratoga and Del Mar. I thrive on this type of racing and I expect to cash some very nice exotic and win tickets. Don’t miss the action!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: blame, Bob Baffert, del mar, horse racing picks, Lookin at Lucky, quality road, rachel alexandra, saratoga, Zenyatta

A. U. Miner ($30.60) closes with a furious rush to take $250,000 Greenwood Cup as my top pick!

July 18, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

Alyssa Spakowski/EQUI-PHOTO

The Clark Hanna trained and Frankie Pennington ridden A. U. Miner closed with a rush from dead last to narrowly take the $250,000 Greenwood Cup over the favored Brazilian-bred Alcomo at Philadelphia Park on Saturday. He returned $30.60 to win as my top selection. The Greenwood Cup is contested at 12 furlongs and is a “Win And You’re In” event for the $500,000 Breeders Cup Marathon.

A. U. Miner didn’t get much respect at the windows and was a much larger price than he should have been. I loved the fact that he was dropping out of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap. That was arguably the strongest race of the year for older horses thus far in 2010. The son of Mineshaft didn’t disgrace himself, but he also proved he wasn’t ready for that caliber of competition yet.

The Greenwood Cup was the perfect class drop for him. He should continue to do well in the Marathon races thanks to his great stamina which can probably be attributed to his sire, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Mineshaft. A. U. Miner has Buckfinder on his dam’s side. He is most well known for being a half brother to the famous Ruffian.

I love the way A. U. Miner performed in this race. He had poor fractions to chase and with a four furlongs left in the race he was still dead last. It’s really incredible that he was able to put together a tremendous Zenyatta-like rally to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Is the last sentence a bit too cliche? Yes, but A. U. Miner deserves it.

I had a nice win bet on A. U. Miner, as did many of my clients. You could have played along for just $10/week or $35/month. Don’t miss out on the action next week! Saratoga will be in full swing by this time next week, and the stakes action will be intense. I know I’m ready. Are you?

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: a. u. miner, greenwood cup, philadelphia park, win and your in

Regal Ransom & I Want Revenge top Suburban Handicap

July 1, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

Click here for information on how to get my picks for this race.

The Grade 2 Suburban Handicap contested over 9 furlongs on the dirt for three-year-olds and upward has quite a strong field for its 2010 edition. 2009 Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge is back for his first start since scratching as the morning line favorite in the Kentucky Derby on the day of the race. Regal Ransom, winner of the Grade 2 Super Derby, is back for his first start since setting the pace and fading in the Breeders Cup Classic back in November. It could be another and perhaps sharper horse that wins the Suburban Handicap though.

Haynesfield scored his third consecutive win and seventh win from ten career starts last out in his 2010 debut. The son of Speightstown has excellent tactical speed. He went wire to wire in his last score against allowance optional claiming company, but when he won the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap before that he sat in second most of the way before taking over in the stretch.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Haynesfield is his ability to go a route of ground. He is two for two at the Suburban Handicap distance of 9 furlongs. Speightstown’s progeny are typically sprinters. Steve Assmussen and Ramon Dominguez are two of the best in racing at what they do. The top two in this race would be well advised not to ignore the New York bred Haynesfield. He holds a strong hand.

Racing for the first time since November won’t be a problem for Regal Ransom. He won first out going seven furlongs at Saratoga as a two-year-old. When he won the Super Derby he was racing for the first time in over four months. Not only has Regal Ransom shown the ability to run on rest in the past, but he is working up a storm. His last work was a :58 4/5 B five furlong move that was the second fastest from 23 works. Prior to that he worked six furlongs in 1:11 B and five furlongs in :58 2/5 B.

If the son of Distorted Humor is able to get loose on the lead he may gallop home. Don’t expect Ramon Dominguez and Haynesfield to let that happen though. Rick Dturow has entered the claimer Pictural to run on the lead with Regal Ransom as a rabbit. Regal Ransom may be classy enough to win even with a pressured pace. Alan Garcia rides for Bin Suror Saeed.

The fact that Joe Talamo saw fit to hop on a plane and pick up the mount on I Want Revenge is very encouraging. It may be that he is attached to the horse, but it may also be that I Want Revenge is ready to run a big race. Perhaps he is coming out of loyalty to IEAH. Regardless of why, I like that he will be here to pilot “his” colt. The son of Stephen Got Even is a perfect one for one at the distance of nine furlongs with his only race being a win with a troubled trip in the Wood Memorial.

I Want Revenge has more than enough speed to be forwardly placed, but he proved in the Wood that he also has the ability to close with a rush if that is needed. I expect Joe Talamo to take sit behind horses and make a move entering the stretch. If I Want Revenge is ready to go he will be tough to hold off in the lane. Regardless of his performance in this race, if I Want Revenge can return to his 2009 form he will be a player in the older horse division.

Other contenders include Eldafeer and Convocation. The latter was last seen finishing fourth behind Quality Road in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap. I’m not sure he wants to go this far. Eldafeer was third with a wide trip last out in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap. The gelded son of AP Indy could be an exotics factor, but I have a hard time believing he can win this race. Pictural and Unbridled Danger round out the field.

Who do you like? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Click here for information on how to get my picks for this race.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: convocation, eldafeer, haynesfield, i want revenge, joe talamo, regal ransom, richard dutrow, steve asmussen, suburban handicap

Saratoga Racecourse to offer free grandstand admission on opening day

June 29, 2010 By Ryan 3 Comments

Although New Yorkers already had plenty of reasons to visit historic Saratoga Racecourse during the summer, they will now have another. At least on opening day that is. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) stated today that the $3 grandstand admission fee will be waived on opening day July 23. The clubhouse fee of $5 will be reduced to $2 on opening day. This isn’t the only good news for Saratoga.

Pick 6 pools on Thursdays will now have a guaranteed pool of $100k. On days without carryovers last year the pool averaged just over $61k. If the pool does not reach $100k naturally then the NYRA will have to supplement the difference. This is great news for bettors that are going for the big score. I’m sure I will play the Pick 6 at Saratoga several times this year.

Perhaps the best news is that the late Pick 4 on Saturdays will have a guaranteed pool of $500k. I’m very glad to hear this because the races on the late Pick 4 at Sarotaga on Saturday are often full of stakes calibur horses. Regular followers of this website know I do my best handicapping in stakes quality races. I am what many would call a “stakes specialist”.

Check out Saratoga Springs, NY fan page on Facebook by click here!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: saratoga

Concord Point wins Iowa Derby in huge weekend of racing at Prairie Meadows

June 27, 2010 By Ryan Leave a Comment

Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia have hooked up to win yet another graded stakes event. This time it was the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows with Concord Point. Martin Garcia has had quite the hot hand lately and this race was no different. He stalked the early pacesetter and drew off to an easy 8 1/2 length win over Thiskyhasnolimit and Winslow Homer.

Concord Point broke the track record with a final time of 1:40.37 for the 8.5 furlongs distance. The son of Tapit easily bested the old time of 1:40.82 set in 2003 by Excessivepleasure.

Holy Bull Stakes winner Winslow Homer had a great trip behind the speed, but when asked for his best run he did not respond. He was classy enough to grab third place. Thiskyhasnolimit rallied for second place honors after winning the Matt Winn Stakes last out at Churchill Downs.

It looks like Concord Point really loved the extra distance and traditional dirt surface. This bodes well for his chances of making a splash in the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs later this year. Look for Bob Baffert to campaign him masterfully until November.

The feature race of the day at Prairie Meadows was the Grade 2 Cornhusker Handicap and it was won by Shadowbdancing. The five-year-old son of Montbrook finished second in this race last year after setting the pace. This time he took a stalking position and it ended up in victory for jockey Eddie Razo Jr. Shadowbdancing won for the 10th time in 24 starts increasing his lifetime earnings $622,495.

Seeking The Title finally registered a break through win in the Iowa Oaks earlier in the card. She was piloted by jockey Calvin Borel. You may recall that she lost her jockey in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes a few months ago. Harissa was second.

Perhaps the most important horse to race at Prairie Meadows in terms of future potential this weekend was Majesticperfection. He won the Iowa Sprint Handicap EASILY on Friday night in 1:07.24 for six furlongs. Jockey Shaun Bridgmahon never asked him for his best run, but he threw a few crosses at the son of Harlan’s Holiday. Trainer Steve Assmussen has to be thinking Breeders Cup Sprint after that effort.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: Bob Baffert, concord point, cornhusker handicap, iowa derby, majesticperfection, martin garcia, prairie meadows, seeking the title, shadowbdancing, shaun bridgmahon, steve assmussen

Dave in Dixie Belmont Stakes bound

May 28, 2010 By Ryan 2 Comments

It looks like John Sadler’s Dave in Dixie will be racing in the Test of Champions on June 5. Owner Ike Thrash made the decision to send the colt to the Belmont Stakes. He was last seen finishing 5th in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby.

John Sadler has had a hot stable of late, taking the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and Grade 3 Derby Trial. Sadler is well known on the west coast and those on the east coast will soon know his name of they do not already. Some of his best runners include Hurricane Ike, Sidney’s Candy, Line of David, and Evita Argentina.

Dave in Dixie has flashed plenty of talent. He won first out and was then thrashed in his next start against graded company. He rallied to finish second behind Caracortado in the Robert Lewis Stakes earlier this year. It’s tough to say how he will fare against top competition in the Belmont Stakes. You certainly have to think he is on the outside looking in.

Dave in Dixie is a son of Dixie Union and out of a Wavering Monarch mare. Distance shouldn’t be a problem. However, class could be. This colt hasn’t been able to truly answer the bell in stakes company. Jockey Calvin Borel will be an asset as he tries to do so in the Belmont Stakes. Borel is riding hot right now and he fits the colts running style very well.

It would take a monumental effort for Dave in Dixie to win the Belmont Stakes. He could hit the board though. What do YOU think?

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: belmont stakes, calvin borel, dave in dixie, john sadler

General Quarters targets Foster Handicap and ultimately the Arlington Million

May 23, 2010 By Ryan 3 Comments

It looks like owner/trainer/one man show Tom McCarthy is sending his star colt General Quarters to contest Churchill Downs second most prestigious race; the Foster Handicap.

General Quarters was last seen scoring an upset victory in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Derby under card. It seems the son of Sky Mesa has found his home on the weeds. He will ultimately target the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

I think it was a great decision to put General Quarters on the grass. It made sense to give it a try since his biggest win came over a synthetic surface in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. Horses that run well on synthetic typically run well on turf, and vice versa.

General Quarters could find himself at the forefront of a division lacking in star power. The biggest names on the turf right now are Gio Ponti, Pressious Passion, and Courageous Cat. McCarthy’s colt has the potential to be better than all three.

Regardless of how good or bad he does in the Foster Handicap, this colt should stay on the turf. I think it is very clear to most of us that his best form shows up there. I’d hate to see him put in a strong second place or third place effort and then stay on the dirt. Sure, if he posts a stylish win there would be nothing wrong with keeping him on the dirt. However, I seriously doubt that will happen. With a little luck this colt could find himself in the winners circle for the Breeders Cup Turf later in the year.

What do you think about General Quarters? Where would you race him if he were yours?

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: arlington million, foster handicap, general quarters, tom mccarthy

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