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Dave in Dixie Belmont Stakes bound

May 28, 2010 By 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?

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Challengers lining up to face Pletcher and Borel’s Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment


For the third time in four years Calvin Borel rocketed his mount to the front of the pack in the Kentucky Derby. In 2007 it was aboard juvenile champion Street Sense. He did it on super long shot Mine That Bird in 2009. This time it was on Super Saver. The Cajun jockey held three fingers to the sky after the race to signify these three horses.

Soon after he boldly stated that the son of Maria’s Mon would win the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher said that Super Saver’s next race would come in the Preakness (shocking, right?). Calvin may believe he has the 12th Triple Crown winner of all time, but several challengers will line up to oppose him.

The first one that leaps out to me is Grade 2 Louisiana Derby runner up A Little Warm. He was very impressive stretching out in distance for the first time in that race. He appeared to be a sprinter, but he proved his doubters wrong by digging in and holding on for second after he came under attack early in the stretch run. If he can improve on that effort he would be dangerous in the Preakness. If Bob Baffert doesn’t send Conveyance his chances will be increased. Conveyance would likely burn him to a crisp on the lead.

I also like Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis winner Caracortado. The gelded son of Cat Dreams has had excuses in his last to races. In the Grade 2 San Felipe he had no fractions to chase and Sidney’s Candy easily pulled the wire job. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he had to check sharply after the Gomez-Espinoza incident where Lookin at Lucky was slammed into the rail. If he goes to the Preakness and the fractions are sharp you can bet your ass he will come flying late. The only thing working against him is that Pimlico Racecourse favors speed.

The Kentucky Derby favorite, Lookin at Lucky, would have a heck of a chance if Bob Baffert decides to send him. He has encountered plenty of trouble in his three-year-old campaign, but has handled it well. He rallied to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes after clipping heels. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he was unable to overcome being slammed into the rail, but still finished third. He put in a nice rally in the Derby but couldn’t overcome his rail post position. If Garrett Gomez can navigate a clean trip he will be loaded for bear turning for home and could mow them all down.

Others considering the race are Kentucky Derby third place finisher Paddy O’Prado. He is the definition of the “now” horse. He continues to improve with every start. Nick Zito and Bob LaPenta are toying with idea of starting Kentucky Derby runner up Ice Box in the Preakness, but will probably save him for the Belmont Stakes. Ice Box was easily the best colt in the Derby, but didn’t win because of an awful trip. Their other horse, Jackson Bend, is likely to go.

Other Kentucky Derby also rans’ considering the Preakness are Dublin, Make Music For Me, and Conveyance. New shooters include the Grade 3 Derby Trial first three finishers Hurricane Ike, Aikenite, and Pleasant Prince. Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby runner up Schoolyard Dreams and Grade 3 Illinois Derby fourth place finisher Turf Melody wrap up the list of potential challengers. Super Saver will undoubtedly be in with a huge shot, but these horses won’t make it easy on him.

Who is your early pick for the Preakness? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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Horse Racing lessons apply to everyday life

January 13, 2010 By 1 Comment

Horse racing is a very complex sport with various plots and subplots. It is very much like life in many ways. Horses are like people in many ways. Every horse has its own unique personality. I’ve learned a lot of things from thoroughbred racing that can be applied in real life situations. Let’s take a look at a few.

#1) Horses that break poorly are often eliminated at the start; but not always. A bad start in a horse race and a bad start in life will not prevent those with supreme determination from finding the winners circle. Whether Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes or projected first round pick Mardy Gilyard who was homeless at one point in his collegiate career, getting back on track is possible for those with the spirit and grit.

#2) No matter how great the odds, everyone has a shot. Mine That Bird shocked the world when he slipped up the rail to a powerful win in the Kentucky Derby. Giacomo also won the Run for the Roses at impossibly long odds. The same holds true in everyday life. Who would’ve ever thought that a black man named  Barack Obama would be President of the United States of America? Love him or hate him, the odds were a million to one.

#3) Age takes its toll on all of us. There is no avoiding father time. However, just because your old doesn’t mean you can’t do great things! Look at John Henry. The famous gelding won the Arlington Million and was Horse of the Year at the ripe old age of 9. Cloudy’s Knight was a desperately close second in the Breeders Cup Marathon last year at the age of 9. Brett Favre is having the season of his life. He won the Super Bowl when I  was in kindergarten. Who would’ve thought his next Super Bowl triumph might possibly come when I was in college? Certainly not I. While I’m sure most of us would prefer to be in our prime, it is still possible to do very great things in the latter stages of life.

#4) Sometimes making a few changes is all that is need to do your best. Many horses can’t run a lick on dirt but are lights out when you put them on the grass. Others can’t run well over long distances, but are speed demons at sprint distances. Furthermore some horses aren’t using the most optimal running style or equipment. We all remember what happened when Calvin Borel took Mine That Bird off the lead and decided to close in the Kentucky Derby. The next time you encounter trouble try and think objectively about what you can do differently to solve the problem.

#5) The people you surround yourself with are very important. Many horses have done poorly for one trainer or jockey but for some reason respond very well to another jockey or trainer. I hate to keep coming back to the same example, but this is very true for Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird.

Can you think of any lessons that horse racing has taught you which can be applied in everyday situations? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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