Almost Immortal, Part II

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.

Japan Cup

If there is a nation of people who love horses more than Americans it might just be the Japanese. These people are wildly crazy about the sport and boast some of the most impressive purses you will ever see. The most prestigious American race is the Kentucky Derby, but which race is the pride of Japan?

The Japan Cup which takes place near the end of November is one of the best year-end races in the sport. The purse is among the largest in the world at $4.6 million and the spectacular event takes place at Tokyo Racecourse. To qualify a horse must be 3 years or older. The distance is 2400 meters (around 12 furlongs) on the turf.

Bonuses are provided if the winner of certain stakes races can win the Japan Cup. Among these races are the Dubai World Cup, Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby. The bonus for winning the Japan Cup along with one of those is $1.1 million. A tier below is the Arlington Million, Canadian International, along with a few others. If you can combine one of those races with the Japan Cup it is worth an extra $840,000.

The 2006 winner was a champion sired by another champion. Deep Impact, by Sunday Silence added the race to his amazing resume which already includes the Japanese Triple Crown. He defeated perhaps the greatest turf mare racing has ever seen in Ouija Board and long time nemesis Heart’s Cry. The win propelled him to his second Horse of the Year award in Japan.

The 2007 victor Admire Moon was sired by Forty Niner. He also reigned victorious in the Takarazuka Kinen, and the Dubai Duty Free which established his dominance on an international stage. He has since been retired to stud duty.