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2011 Horse of the Year? Game On Dude

November 10, 2011 By 3 Comments

Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Invasor, Saint Liam and Ghostzapper.

Those are the last six horses given the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. You wont find an animal in 2011 that is comparable or even close to any of them.

I cant recall a year that had such parity in graded stakes racing as the year 2011. A truly top older horse never emerged.

The debate for 2011 Horse of the Year is a rather lame one and I love the way Charles Dickey, trainer of Flat Out, put it. Quite candidly, Dickey said, “I don’t think there is one.”, when asked about Horse of the Year by Jay Privman of Daily Racing Form.

Even though, based on the lofty standards of the past, no one truly deserves to be called Horse of the Year, we still have to make a choice and so I will give my two cents.

One of my best hits this year came in the Metropolitan Mile where I nailed the winner, Tizway. The exacta, which I cold decked, paid $378. Tizway ran a very quick race going faster than Quality Road did a year prior and posting the best time since Langfuhr in 1997. Times are always relative to how a track is playing at any given moment, but that is still impressive.

After the Met Mile, Tizway won the Whitney Handicap. He looked poised to take the Jockey Club Gold Cup and make a big run at the Breeders Cup Classic, but in the end he couldn’t stay healthy. Just days before the race he sustained a strain of the suspensory ligament of his left foreleg.

It is also worth noting that Tizway finished third in a very contentious edition of the Charles Town Classic in April.

I can’t like Tizway on the basis of two Grade 1 wins even though they were very strong. Had he done more earlier in his 2011 campaign or stayed healthy and hit the board in the Classic, I might have taken him.

Next, we have the filly, Havre de Grace. She toyed with her competition to win the prestigious Apple Blossom Handicap. That win was wedged between two Grade 3 victories.

Her next big race was in the Delaware Handicap where the lass engaged in one of the best stretch duels in the history of horse racing with her arch rival Blind Luck. She narrowly missed. Then the connections tried the boys in the Woodward. She thrashed a strong group including future Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out there.

Her penultimate race was the Beldame Invitational where she rocked a field that included next out Ladies Classic winner Royal Delta.

Things were setting up for her to be Horse of the Year, but she failed in the Breeders Cup Classic. She finished fourth in that race. She had a very strong 2011 campaign to be sure, and I cant argue with those that say she deserves it, but she isn’t my pick.

My selection for 2011 Horse of the Year is none other than Game On Dude. The hard working front running gelding put together the strongest campaign this year. Bob Baffert and Chantal Sutherland did great things with the son of Awesome Again.

Game On Dude’s second race of the year was a huge victory in the Santa Anita Handicap where he narrowly defeated Setsuko and put away Twirling Candy. After that he was second in a very deep and contentious Charles Town Classic that included the likes of Tizway, Acclamation, Tackleberry, Rule and Awesome Gem.

The Hollywood Gold Cup was a classic race this year and Game On Dude finished second in it. He had forged ahead to the lead after besting Game On Dude, only to be nipped by stablemate First Dude.

Game On Dude’s second big win of 2011 was in the Goodwood where he set grueling fractions and drew away with a fair amount of ease. It looked as if he would do the same in his last start, the Breeders Cup Classic, but Drosselmeyer closed furiously to run him down. Game On Dude also owns head to head wins over Tizway, Havre de Grace and Acclamation.

Given all that he has done with wins in the Santa Anita Handicap and Goodwood Stakes along with excellent second place finishes in the Charles Town and Breeders Cup Classic, Game On Dude is the most deserving candidate for Horse of the Year. However, it may be more appropriate to simply vacate the award for 2011.

**Join us at 8 PM EST as we live blog the Eclipse Awards!!**

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Rachel Alexandra bred to Curlin

February 23, 2011 By 2 Comments

Jess Jackson has high hopes for the yet to be born foal that will result from yesterdays mating of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin. Jackson owns and campaigned both horses. The breeding reportedly went off without at hitch at Lanes End Farm in Lexington,KY where Curlin stands for a fee of $40,000. Quite a deal for a regally bred and conformed two time HOY if you ask me.

We have been anticipating this introduction for some time now. Imagine what possibilities those two super horses might produce. – Jess Jackson, Associated Press

I wonder what they will name the horse. Perhaps Lin Alexandra would be a good name for a filly. I’ve got no idea what I would name the foal if it turns out to be a colt. Either way I can’t wait to watch it race someday. Do you have any name ideas for the first foal of Rachel Alexandra and Curlin? I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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HOY Rachel Alexandra retired from racing

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

What goes up must come down. All good things must end. As the filly’s trainer Steve Asmussen likes to say, you get paid for what you do, but you pay for what you do. Rachel Alexandra has been retired from racing.

Rachel Alexandra reached a pinnacle that was so high in 2009, many called her the greatest three-year-old filly in the history of thoroughbred horse racing. For some reason she just wasn’t the same horse in 2010.

I never in my life imagined I’d see a jockey hop off a Kentucky Derby winner to ride a filly in the Preakness Stakes. I couldn’t fathom such a thing until Rachel Alexandra hit the scene. The way she won the Kentucky Oaks left racing fans across the country breathless. She followed that win up by downing the boys in the Preakness, proving Calvin Borel right. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro beat the boys again in the Haskell, and in the Woodward. Minus the Woodward, she made it look like childs play every time.

Keeping her in training was an admirable thing to do by owner Jess Jackson. Especially after he did the same with Curlin, who also regressed during his four-year-old campaign. I hope he does the same with future stars.

Never has a three-year-old filly of her calibur existed in the past, and I highly doubt we will ever see one like her in the future. What she did was unprecedented. If I did not know for a fact that it actually happened, I’d think her campaign was something out of a cheesy unrealistic Hollywood movie. Here’s to wishing her the best of luck in retirement. I can’t wait to see that Curlin x Rachel Alexandra baby for the first time!

What’s your favorite Rachel Alexandra memory?

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Rachel Alexandra gunned down by Persistently in the Personal Ensign

August 29, 2010 By 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.

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Saratoga and Del Mar are BACK!

July 20, 2010 By 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.

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Preakness Stakes Selections and Picks

May 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

Are you counting yet? It’s only 355 days until the Kentucky Derby. Between now and then two nearly as important races will be contested. Those races are the second and third jewels of the Triple Crown better known as the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Gradedstakes.com will be here to help you handicap as always. Below are just a few of the winners we had on this years Derby trail.

  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes ($6.20)
  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes ($9.60)
  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby ($9.60)
  • Caracortado in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes ($11.00)
  • Pleasant Prince in the Grade 1 Florida Derby ($26.40 to PLACE)

Our expert picks will be available for just $5.99. Those who purchase this years picks for the Preakness will get picks to WIN, Pick 3, Pick 4, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta plays. We will provide complimentary picks for the Belmont Stakes if we don’t pick at least 3 winners, an exotic worth $250 or more for a $1 wager, or the winner of the Preakness. You haven’t got much to lose!

Included in this year’s package are picks for the following races:

  • Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
  • Preakness Stakes
  • Hirsch Jacobs Stakes
  • Dixie Stakes
  • William Donald Schaefer Stakes
  • Gallorette Handicap
  • Maryland Sprint Handicap

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My Thoughts on Rachel Alexandra’s Loss

March 16, 2010 By 5 Comments


My heart sank in my chest as I watched Zardana go by Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes. It seemed improbable if not impossible. How could the filly that bested the boys in the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward fall to a second stringer from California? I can observe two obvious reason.  Let’s analyze why the giant that is Rachel Alexandra fell in her 2010 debut.

  • She just wasn’t ready. Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson didn’t give her enough time to prepare. I’m not sure, but I believe she had just 4-5 works before this race. That is not nearly enough work for a filly that had been out of training for several months. You may recall that Asmussen wasn’t totally satisfied with her last breeze. The Eclipse Award winning trainer was quoted saying that it is his job to have her ready and he failed in that job. It’s a mistake I don’t think he will make ever again.
  • Calvin Borel didn’t let her run. That wasn’t his fault though. The multiple Kentucky Derby winning jockey was instructed to wait until the latter stages of the race before getting after her. This could have been the difference in winning and losing.

Its not often in horse betting that a horse is bet down to 1-20 odds and runs second. I hope to see Rachel Alexandra come back better than ever. I won’t be surprised when she does and I expect her to do so. Don’t count this filly out after one bad race. The way people have hopped off her bandwagon reminds me of the “Rumble in the Jungle”. For those not familiar with boxing, Muhammad Ali was given 0 chance by pundits to beat undefeated heavyweight champ George Foreman in Zaire. Ali proved them all wrong and won the fight by KO. I’ve posted a cool video about the fight above. Ali wasn’t done; neither is Rachel Alexandra.

On a side note, Eskendereya is headed to Belmont Park for the Wood Memorial after taking the Fountain of Youth. The son of Giant’s Causeway is the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. It will be nice to see how he handles the track. Belmont Stakes betting should be effected depending on how he fares. I think the Belmont Stakes will suit him very well given his pedigree.

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

February 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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.”

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My 2009 Eclipse Award Ballot; Rachel Alexandra HOY

January 7, 2010 By 6 Comments

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!

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Moment of the Year? Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby

December 11, 2009 By 4 Comments

The NTRA Moment of the Year has everyone reflecting on what a wonderful year 2009 has been. We got to see two magnificent females win many Grade 1 races, and a shocker on the First Saturday in May. This year was far and away more  exciting than the one that preceded it. I’m already looking forward to 2010, but its always nice to take some time to reflect. What do you think was the best or most memorable moment of 2009? For me, it is an easy choice. Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby.

As long as I live, I will never forget the utter shock I felt as Calvin Borel surged up the rail on Mine That Bird to win going away in the Kentucky Derby. I had no idea who the horse was at first glance, and I think the same can be said for the track announcer. I spent many hours of the following days trying to figure how it could’ve possibly happened. A horse that had lost his last race at Sunland had won the Kentucky Derby. I also recall trainer Benny Wooley hobbling to the winners circle, acting as if he wasn’t surprised a single bit. After that happened I can truly say that ANYTHING can happen in this game.

After Mine That Bird’s victory, three other races come to mind. The first would be Well Armed drawing off to a very easy victory in the Dubai World Cup under jockey Aarron Gryder. I felt he had a great chance to win at 10-1, but instead of betting the last $10 in my online wagering account on him to win, I wheeled him over the field. Unfortunately for me, one of the longest shots in the race ran second, and I didn’t have him. If I had just $4 more I would’ve hit the $1 exacta for $500. Needless to say, that was a tough one to miss.

Another moment that comes to mind this year is Rachel Alexandra countless awe inspiring races. She ran several strong races, but the two that impressed me the most were  the Kentucky Oaks and the Woodward. True, the Oaks field wasn’t the greatest ever assembled, but she couldn’t have won any easier than she did. The margin of victory was simply incredible. I love the Woodward also. Rachel Alexandra set fast fractions, and it looked like she would be passed coming for home. I had a bad feeling in my stomach as I watched live, thinking the filly would finally lose. However, she re rallied and got the win. She is truly one of the greatest fillies to have ever raced.

Just as Rachel Alexandra brightened 2009, so did Zenyatta. While I opposed her in most of her races from a wagering standpoint, that doesn’t take away from her greatness. I simply couldn’t take her at short odds, and I didn’t think she could win the Classic. I couldn’t have been any more wrong as she stormed down the lane in the Breeders Cup Classic in what was a visually easy win. We were truly blessed this year to see a filly AND mare that will be counted among the all time greats.

What made 2009 special for you? What is your moment of the year? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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