Showing posts with label Sprint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sprint. Show all posts

Friday, October 30, 2015

Saturday Preview

Sadly I don't have time to do a preview for all the races on Saturday. Terrible, I know. However, here are my picks for tomorrow's races.

Juvenile Fillies- Rachel's Valentina, Songbird, Tap To It
Turf Sprint- Bobby's Kitten, Marchman
Filly and Mare Sprint- Taris, Judy the Beauty, Floretti
Filly and Mare Turf- Photo Call, Legatissimo, Hard Not to Like
Sprint- Runhappy, Barbados, Limousine Liberal
Mile- Tepin, Mshawish, Karakontie
Juvenile- Riker, Brody's Cause, Swipe
Turf- Big John B, Golden Horn, The Pizza Man
Classic- American Pharoah, Smooth Roller, Honor Code

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Summit of Speed Preview

Note: Because of the holiday and because of family comittments I was unable to do my usual previews.

The Summit of Speed returns after taking last year off with two WAYI's. Lets take a look at the Smile and the Princess Rooney.

10th Race - Gulfstream Park - Sunday, July 5th, 2015 STAKES. 6 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $250,000. Princess Rooney S. (Grade 2). FILLIES AND MARES, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. Any horse that has participated in a race at Gulfstream Park since December 6, 2014, will be charged no fees to enter or start. All other horses shall pay $2,500 to pass the entry box and $1,000 additional to start, with $250,000 Guaranteed. After payment of 1% to all owners of horses finishing sixth through last, 62% of the remaining purse shall be paid to the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, and 3% to fifth. Weight: Three Year Olds 120 lbs; Older 123 lbs. Non-winners of a grade I stakes since January 1 allowed 2 lbs.; a grade II or $60,000 twice since January 1, 4 lbs.; a sweepstakes since January 1, 6 lbs. Supplemental nominations are made at the time of entry. All horses that are nominated or supplemented may be subjected to out of competition testing prior to the running of the race. Closed Sunday, June 21, 2015 with 25 nominations.he running of the race. This race will be limited to 14 starters, with also eligibles. If more than 14 entries pass the entry box, preference will be given to graded stakes winners, then highest career earnings. (05:12 PM)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Phaniebdancing 4 F L 117 Gonzales Jonathan J. Wolfson Martin D.
2 Kiss To Remember 4 F L 117 Espinoza Victor Wolfson Martin D.
3 Little Michelle 4 F L 119 Gaffalione Tyler Vaccarezza Carlo
4 Sweet Basil 4 F L 119 Prado Edgar S. Nicks Ralph E.
5 Flutterby 4 F L 119 Panici Luca Bozzo Jerry
6 Merry Meadow 5 M L 119 Castellano Javier Hennig Mark A.
7 R Free Roll 5 M L 119 Zayas Edgard J. Mitchelhill Sally
8 Tea Time 4 F L 117 Saez Luis Matz Michael R.
9 Naval Command 3 F L 114 Leyva Juan C. Kaplan William A.
10 Nesso 4 F L 117 Rios Jesus M. Hernandez, Jr. Sandino R.

R Free Roll towers over this field. Tea Time though is interesting in that she comes in from the Northeast. Watch out for Sweet Basil as she has a great rider and could pull the upset.

Win- R Free Roll
Place- Sweet Basil
Show- Fluttery

11th Race - Gulfstream Park - Sunday, July 5th, 2015 STAKES. 6 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $250,000. Smile Sprint S. (Grade 2). THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Any horse that has participated in a race at Gulfstream Park since December 6, 2014, will be charged no fees to enter or start. All other horses shall pay $2,500 to pass the entry box and $1,000 additional to start, with $250,000 Guaranteed. After payment of 1% to all owners of horses finishing sixth through last, 62% of the remaining purse shall be paid to the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, and 3% to fifth. Weight: Three Year Olds 120 lbs; Older 123 lbs. Non-winners of a grade I stakes since January 1 allowed 2 lbs.; a grade II or $60,000 twice since January 1, 4 lbs.; a sweepstakes since January 1, 6 lbs. Supplemental nominations are made at the time of entry. All horses that are nominated or supplemented may be subjected to out of competition testing prior to the running of the race. Closed Sunday, June 21, 2015 with 29 nominations.testing prior to the running of the race. This race will be limited to 14 starters, with also eligibles. If more than 14 entries pass the entry box, preference will be given to graded stakes winners, then highest career earnings. (05:43 PM)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Favorite Tale 4 G L 117 Zayas Edgard J. Preciado Guadalupe
2 Wildcat Red 4 C L 117 Castellano Javier Garoffalo Jose
3 City Of Weston 5 H L 119 Espinoza Victor Walder Peter R.
4 Alsvid 6 G L 121 Landeros Chris Hartman Chris A.
5 Grande Shores 7 H L 119 Castro Eddie Gold Stanley I.
6 Falling Sky 5 H L 117 Prado Edgar S. Wolfson Martin D.
7 Singanothersong 5 H L 117 Leyva Juan C. Pellegrini Ronald
8 Work All Week 6 G L 117 Geroux Florent Brueggemann Roger A.
9 Ledokol 5 G L 117 Cotto, Jr. Pedro L. Navarro Marcial

Work All Week will try to rebound from his first dirt loss. However Falling Sky and Wildcat Red won't be easy to beat. Favorite Tale also has a big chance.

Win- Work All Week
Place- Falling Sky
Show- Wildcat Red

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Sprint Recap

Undefeated on conventional dirt, Midwest Thoroughbred's Work All Week (City Zip) showed that is his favorite surface when he won the Sprint over the defending champion Secret Circle (Eddington) and Private Zone (Macho Uno). Florent Geroux rode and Roger Brueggemann trains.

Race Replay



Out of the mare Danzig Matilda (Repriced), his record is 15 starts with 12 wins, 2 seconds and 0 thirds with earnings of $1,357,571.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Sprint Preview

Next preview is for the Sprint. I should note, that this is the first of what will be several very long videos, because I have a lot to say about each of these horses. I apologize for that, but after all it is the Breeders' Cup! Here is this year's field:

 2014 Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 1 4:02 PM PDT

Post Horse Jockey Trainer
1 Seeking the Sherif Edwin Maldonado Ronald W. Ellis
2 Indianapolis Mike Smith Bob Baffert
3 Wind Fire Jamie Spencer David Brown
4 Secret Circle Martin Garcia Bob Baffert
5 Private Zone Martin Pedroza Alfredo Velasquez
6 Rich Tapestry Olivier Doleuze Michael CW Chang
7 Mico Margarita Rosie Napravnik Steven M. Asmussen
8 Palace Cornelio Velasquez Linda Rice
9 Salutos Amigos Javier Castellano David Jacobson
10 Big Macher Tyler Baze Richard Baltas
11 Bakken Gary Stevens Chad C. Brown
12 Fast Anna John R. Velazquez Kathy Ritvo
13 Work All Week Florent Geroux Roger A. Brueggemann
14 Bourbon Courage Ricardo Santana, Jr. Kellyn Gorder
AE Bahamian Squall Rafael Bejarano David Fawkes
AE Indexical Mario Gutierrez Ben D. A. Cecil

Seeking the Sherif (Officer): Won the Katella and was 3rd in the Pirates Bounty. Before his 3rd in the Bing Crosby was on a 4 win race streak.

Indianapolis (Medaglia d'Oro): 3 for 3 in his career. Won the San Pedro in his second start.

Wind Fire (Distorted Humor): 5th in the Petit Couvert and 7th in the King George. Dirt debut.

Secret Circle (Eddington): Defending champion of the race. 2nd and 3rd in his two races this year, Palos Verdes and SA Sprint Championship.

Private Zone (Macho Uno): Defended his Vosburgh title and 4th in the Turf Monster. 10th in last year's Sprint.

Rich Tapestry (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)): Won the Santa Anita Sprint and 8th in the Sprint Cup in Hong Kong. 5 for 6 on what the US considers main track (dirt or synth).

Mico Margarita (Run Away and Hide): Won the Remington Sprint Cup and Byrd Memorial. Hasn't been worse then 4th since July of last year.

Palace (City Zip): 3rd in the Vosburgh and won the Forego. Has won 3 out of last 5 races.

Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge): 4th in the Vosburgh and 2nd in an Allowance. 3rd in two other NY sprint stakes races earlier this year.

Big Macher (Beau Genius): Won the Bing Crosby and then 6th in the Pat O'Brien. Winner of 3 out of 5 races.

Bakken (Distorted Humor): Won an allowance and 2nd in the True North. ½ brother to the dam to last year's Juvenile winner New Year's Day.

Fast Anna (Medaglia d'Oro): 2nd in the Gallant Bob and King's Bishop. Sire was 2nd in the Classic and dam won the Juvenile Fillies.

Work All Week (City Zip): Won the Phoenix and 2nd in the Addison Cammack. Undefeated on conventional dirt.

Bourbon Courage (Lion Heart): Allowance winner in his last and 6th in the Pimlico Special. Has had shown promise in the past.

Bahamian Squall (Gone West): Won allowance/optional claimer and was 3rd in the Tale of the Cat. 6th in last year's Sprint.

Indexical (Latent Heat): 5th in the SA Sprint Championship and 7th in the Pat O'Brien.

Picks

Win- Work All Week
Place- Rich Tapestry
Show- Secret Circle

Dark Horse- Fast Anna

Video Preview



Edit: My appologies to Wind Fire, I kept calling her a he. I should have looked at her sex when I was doing my preview more closely.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

SA Sprint Championship Recap

Flag of Hong Kong is flying high tonight in Arcadia, California as Cheung, Yuk Tak, Ho, Chi Keung, Wong, Tak Wai and Yang, Siu Shun's Rich Tapestry (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)) ran down two Breeders' Cup race winners, Dirt Mile winner Goldencents (Into Mischief) and Secret Circle (Eddington) to win the Santa Anita Sprint Championship. Olivier Doleuze rode the winner for trainer Michael Chang. This is the first time a horse based out of the island has won in the US.

Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm, the winner is out of the mare Genuine Charm (IRE) (Saddlers Wells). Rich's second dam Market Slide (Gulch) is a 1/2 sister to Breeders' Cup Classic runner up Twlight Agenda (Devil's Bag). His record is 27 starts with 7 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third and earnings of $1,449,533

Replay:
coming soon

Rich Tapestry has now earned a spot in this year's Sprint. 

Phoenix and Alcibiades Recap

Midwest Thoroughbreds homebred Work All Week (City Zip) remained undefeated on dirt in the Phoenix Stakes yesterday at Keeneland. C. Zee (Elusive Buff) was second and Bern Identity (Bernstein) was third. Florent Geroux rode for Roger Brueggemann.



Out of the mare Danzig Matilda (Repriced), Work All Week has a record of 14 starts with 11 wins, 2 seconds and 0 thirds with earnings of $532,571.

Work All Week has now earned a spot into this year's Sprint.

Qatar Racing's Peace and War (War Front) made her US and dirt debut a winning one when she came off the pace to win the Alcibiades. Top Decile (Congrats) was second and Paige (Sky Mesa) was third. Julian Leparoux rode the winner for Olly Stevens.



Out of the mare More Oats Please (Smart Strike), Peace and War was bred by Sally Andersen. Her record is 4 starts with 2 wins, 1 second and 0 thirds and earnings of $250,018.

Peace and War has earned a spot into this year's Juvenile Fillies.

Friday, October 3, 2014

SA Sprint Championship Preview

The final prep for West Coast horses is tomorrow in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship. Here is the field:

8th Race - Santa Anita Park - Saturday, October 4th, 2014
STAKES. 6 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $300,000. Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. (04:48 PM)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Secret Circle 5 H L 121 Garcia Martin Baffert Bob
2 Rich Tapestry (IRE) 6 G

119 Doleuze Olivier Chang C. W.
3 Goldencents 4 C L 121 Bejarano Rafael O'Neill Doug F.
4 Merit Man 4 C L 119 Nakatani Corey S. Hess, Jr. Robert B.
5 Indexical 3 R L 117 Gutierrez Mario Cecil Ben D. A.
6 Ankeny Hill 4 C L 119 Baze Tyler Glatt Mark

Secret Circle (Eddington): 2nd in lone start this year in the Palos Verdes and won the Sprint last year. Trying the Midnight Lute route in order to get his second Sprint win in a row.

Rich Tapestry (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)): 2nd in the Golden Shaheen and won the Mahab Al Shimaal. Has had two barrier races (practice races) in Hong Kong, this is his first US start.

Goldencents (Into Mischief): Won the Pat O'Brien and 2nd in the Bing Crosby. Was originally going to go to the Shadwell Mile, but re-routed here after a poor turf work.

Merit Man (With Distinction): Won the Green Flash and 4th in Allowance/Optional Claimer. Synth to dirt.

Indexical (Latent Heat): 7th in the O'Brien and 4th in the Crosby. Going the wrong direction.

Ankeny Hill (Sharp Humor): Won the Pirate's Bounty and an Allowance/Optional Claimer.

Picks

Win- Secret Circle
Place- Goldencents
Show- Rich Tapestry

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Phoenix and Alcibiades Preview

Another major weekend, but this time it starts on Friday with 2 races at Keeneland with the Phoenix and Alcibiades. WAYI races for the Sprint and the Juvenile Fillies respectively. Keep in mind, these races are back on dirt not the Polytrack that has been at the track for several years. Here are the fields:

8th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 3rd, 2014
STAKES. 6 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $200,000. Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. (Grade 3). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. (04:42 PM)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 C. Zee 3 C L 118 Saez Luis Zito Nicholas P.
2 Bern Identity 4 C L 122 Lopez Paco Breen Kelly J.
3 Lemon Drop Dream 4 C L 122 Santana, Jr. Ricardo Asmussen Steven M.
4 Rainbow Heir 4 C L 122 Serpa Angel Perkins, Jr. Benjamin W.
5 Mr. Baker 5 H L 120 Bridgmohan Shaun Ziadie Kirk
6 Eastwood 4 C L 120 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.
7 Zee Bros 4 C L 120 Saez Juan C. Lukas D. Wayne
8 Work All Week 5 G L 122 Geroux Florent Brueggemann Roger A.

C. Zee (Elusive Buff): 8th in the King's Bishop and 2nd in the Amsterdam. Both of those races where his first two races outside of Florida. Lone 3yo going against older males.

Bern Identity (Bernstein): Winner of his last three races all of them listed stakes including last time out in the Dave's Friend. Only one start last year in the Holy Bull where he was 5th to Itsmyluckyday.  2nd in the Delta Jackpot to Goldencents and 3rd in the Hopeful to Shanghai Bobby as a 2yo. 

Lemon Drop Dream (Lemon Drop Kid): 5th in the Dave's Friend and 6th in the Vanderbilt. 2nd in the Maryland Sprint and won the Count Fleet earlier this year. This has been his first year competing in stakes races.

Rainbow Heir (Wildcat Heir): Won the New Jersey Breeders Handicap and Teddy Drone. Started his career 4 for 4 including a win in the Jersey Shore. Hasn't had success in graded stakes races since.

Mr. Baker (Imperialism): 3rd in a Starter Optional Claimer and won the Housebuster in his last two. 2 for 2 in stakes. This will be his graded stakes debut though.

Eastwood (Speightstown): 1st and 2nd in Allowance/Optional Claimers. 4th in the True North to Palace in lone graded stakes start. First start outside of New York.

Zee Bros (Brother Derek): 8th in the Vosburgh and 7th Forego. One week turnaround not the best idea. Has never finished on the board in a graded stakes race.

Work All Week (City Zip): 2nd in the Addison Cammack which snapped a 7 win race streak. Synth to dirt, but has stakes wins on dirt including his last win which was in the Iowa Sprint. First graded stakes start.

Picks

WinBern Identity
Place: Work All Week
Show: Mr. Baker

9th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 3rd, 2014
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt. Purse $400,000. Darley Alcibiades S. (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES, TWO YEARS OLD. (05:13 PM)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Fashion Alert 2 F L 118 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.
2 Milehigh Butterfly 2 F L 118 Hernandez, Jr. Brian Joseph Connelly William R.
3 Slava 2 F L 118 Court Jon Kenton Dorochenko Gennadi
4 Calamity Kate 2 F L 118 Lopez Paco Breen Kelly J.
5 Taylor S 2 F L 118 Lanerie Corey J. Romans Dale L.
6 Naval Command 2 F L 118 Leyva Juan C. Kaplan William A.
7 Innovative Idea 2 F

118 Graham James Harty Eoin G.
8 Pangburn 2 F

118 Castanon Jesus Lopez McPeek Kenneth G.
9 Top Decile 2 F L 118 Napravnik Rosie Stall, Jr. Albert M.
10 Paige 2 F L 118 Landeros Chris Von Hemel Donnie K.
11 Peace And War 2 F L 118 Leparoux Julien R. Stevens Olly
12 Take Charge Brandi 2 F L 118 Saez Luis Lukas D. Wayne
13 Gap Year 2 F L 118 Rosario Joel McLaughlin Kiaran P.

Fashion Alert (Old Fashioned): Both of her starts have been stakes wins including the Schuylerville last time out.

Milehigh Butterfly (Sky Mesa): 3rd in the Pocahontas and 5th in the Prairie Gold Lassie.

Slava (Sharp Humor): 3rd in an Allowance/Optional Claimer and 7th in the P.G. Johnson.

Calamity Kate (Yes It's True): Broke maiden in her last, stakes debut.

Taylor S (Medaglia d' Oro): Won lone start, stakes debut.

Navel Command (Midshipman): Won the Happy Ticket and an Allowance in her last two.

Innovative Idea (Bernardini): Synth to dirt, 1 for 1 in her career.

Pangburn (Congrats): 2nd in the Pocahontas and broke maiden in her two lone starts.

Top Decile (Congrats): One start, one win in her career.

Paige (Sky Mesa): Won her last two, first stakes start.

Peace and War (War Front): First US start, 6th in the Albany two back.

Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway): 5th in both the Pocahontas and Adirondack.

Gap Year (Bernardini): 3rd in lone start in her career, same female family as Mi Sueno.

Picks

Win- Fashion Alert (was originally Pangburn, but she has now been scratched)
Place- Milehigh Butterfly
Show- Peace and War

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Vosburgh Recap

Good Friends Stable's Private Zone (Macho Uno) defending his Vosburgh title today at Belmont. Dads Caps (Discreet Cat) was a very game second and Palace (City Zip) was third as the favorite. Alfredo Velazquez trains the winner with Martin Pedroza riding. One of Private Zone's owners is 2006 BC Juvenile Fillies winning jockey Rene Douglas.

Replay


Out of the mare Auburn Beauty (Siphon (BRZ)), Private Zone was bred by Adena Springs. His record is 23 starts with 6 wins, 7 seconds and 1 third and earnings of $921,820. Private Zone has earned his spot into this year's Sprint.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Super Saturday Part 1

I've broken the WAYI races into three posts for Super Saturday. Races that are in this post are the Vosburgh (Sprint), Chandelier (Juvenile Fillies) and Front Runner (Juvenile).

Lets take a look at the fields:


8th Race - Belmont Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014
STAKES. 6 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $400,000. Vosburgh Invitational S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. (04:41 PM)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Palace 5 H L 124 Velasquez Cornelio H. Rice Linda
2 Coup De Grace 3 C L 122 Clark Kerwin D. Jones J. Larry
3 Zee Bros 4 C L 124 Rosario Joel Lukas D. Wayne
4 Salutos Amigos 4 G L 124 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Jacobson David
5 Dads Caps 4 C L 124 Castellano Javier Rodriguez Rudy R.
6 Happy My Way 4 G L 124 Bravo Joe Orseno Joseph F.
7 Private Zone 5 G L 124 Pedroza Martin A. Velazquez Alfredo
8 Ribo Bobo 6 G L 124 Lopez Paco Servis Jason

Palace (City Zip): Winner of last two the Forego and the Vanderbilt. Won the True North as well. Although he DNF'ed in his first start at Belmont, he has finished no worse then 2nd at the track since.

Coup De Grace (Tapit): 3rd in the King's Bishop and won the Amsterdam. Was 6th to Bayern in lone start at Belmont in the Woody Stephens, but also has a win in the Bay Shore. Was originally being pointed towards the Triple Crown, but a poor effort in the Holy Bull had him pulled from there.

Zee Bros (Brother Derek): 7th in the Forego and 2nd in an allowance in his two starts this year in the US. Had three starts in Dubai that really go according to plan. 5th in the Woody Stephens last year.

Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge): 2nd in an allowance/optional claimer and 3rd in the Belmont Sprint. 9th in lone other Belmont start which was last year.

Dads Caps (Discreet Cat): 2nd in the Troy and 4th in the Belmont Sprint. Won the Carter earlier this year. All of his starts have been in New York.

Happy My Way (Wilko): 2nd in the Vanderbilt and won the Maryland Sprint. Broke his maiden at Belmont in 2012, but not that successful in either stakes starts at the track. 2nd in the Sunshine Millions Sprint earlier this year as well.

Private Zone (Macho Uno): 4th in the Turf Monster and 2nd in the Cigar Mile. Defending champ of this race and was 10th in the Sprint last year.

Ribo Bobo (Louis Quatorze): 3rd in the Teddy Drone and 2nd in the Mr. Prospector. Last graded stakes start was 7th in the Sam Davis in 2011. Has won both the Maryland Millions and Sunshine Millions Sprint.

Picks
Win- Palace
Place- Happy My Way
Show- Zee Bros

6th Race - Santa Anita Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt. Purse $300,000. FrontRunner S. (Grade 1). FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS. (03:00 PM)

PP
Horse
A/S
M/E
Wgt
Jockey
Trainer
1
Texas Red
2 C
L
122
Desormeaux Kent J.
Desormeaux J. Keith
2
Lord Nelson
2 C
L
122
Garcia Martin
Baffert Bob
3
Sky Preacher
2 C
L
122
Baze Tyler
O'Neill Doug F.
4
Daddy D T
2 R
L
122
Bejarano Rafael
Sadler John W.
5
Red Button
2 C
L
122
Perez Fernando Hernandez
Glatt Mark
6
Reflected Star
2 C
L
122
Talamo Joseph
Cassidy James M.
7
American Pharoah
2 R
L
122
Espinoza Victor
Baffert Bob
8
Conquest Panthera
2 C
L
122
Smith Mike E.
Casse Mark E.
9
Skyway
2 C
L
122
Nakatani Corey S.
Casse Mark E.
10
Calculator
2 C
L
122
Trujillo Elvis
Miller Peter

Texas Red (Afleet Alex): First dirt start, won his maiden in his last. Sire was 2nd in the Juvenile in 2004.

Lord Nelson (Pulpit): Stretches out from 5 ½ furlongs in his first start which was a win. This is also his first dirt start.

Sky Preacher (Sky Mesa): 2nd in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf. Going from turf to dirt, but has experence on the latter.

Daddy D T (Scat Daddy): Won the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf which was also his maiden breaker. Turf to dirt.

Red Button (Distorted Humor): 6th in the Del Mar Futurity and won his previous race. Synth to dirt, has dirt experience.

Reflected Star (Eskendereya): Broke maiden in his last. First dirt start as his previous two where on synthetic.

American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile): Winner of the Del Mar Futurity. Synth to dirt runner.

Conquest Panthera (Kitten's Joy): One start, one win. Synth to dirt.

Skyway (Sky Mesa): Has the most stakes experience with 4th in the Del Mar Futurity, and a win in the Best Pal. Should enjoy the return to dirt.

Calculator (In Summation): The only maiden in the race, but was 2nd in the Del Mar Futurity. Synth to dirt starter.

Picks

Win- Sky Preacher
Place- Red Button
Show- American Pharaoh

10th Race - Santa Anita Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt. Purse $300,000. Chandelier S. (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES, TWO YEARS OLD. (05:00 PM)

PP
Horse
A/S
M/E
Wgt
Jockey
Trainer
1
Sunday Sonnet
2 F
L
122
Talamo Joseph
Breen Kelly J.
2
Conquest Eclipse
2 F
L
122
Nakatani Corey S.
Casse Mark E.
3
Danette
2 F
L
122
Desormeaux Kent J.
Desormeaux J. Keith
4
Angela Renee
2 F
L
122
Bejarano Rafael
Pletcher Todd A.
5
Sharla Rae
2 F
L
122
Van Dyke Drayden
O'Neill Doug F.
6
Maybellene
2 F
L
122
Napravnik Rosie
Baffert Bob
7
Morning Coffee
2 F
L
122
Gutierrez Mario
O'Neill Doug F.
8
Manahatta
2 F
L
122
Baze Tyler
Hollendorfer Jerry
9
Cruisingtheharbor
2 F
L
122
Maldonado Edwin A.
Miller Peter
10
Dad's Princess
2 F
L
122
Smith Mike E.
Cassidy James M.
11
Majestic Presence
2 F
L
122
Trujillo Elvis
Hollendorfer Jerry
12
Lutine Belle
2 F
L
122
Solis Alex O.
Hollendorfer Jerry

Sunday Sonnet (Any Given Saturday): 2nd in the P.G. Johnson. Broke maiden on dirt.

Conquest Eclipse (Malibu Moon): 3rd in the Del Mar Debutante. Dirt experience as she won her first race.

Danette (Curlin): A maiden with her best finish 2nd. Snyth to dirt.

Angela Renee (Bernardini): 3rd in the Spinaway and 2nd in the Adirondack. First start outside of NY.

Sharla Rae (Afleet Alex): 4th in the Sorrento, but is 2 for 2 on dirt including in her last the Barretts Debutante. First Santa Anita start.

Maybellene (Lookin at Lucky): Broke her maiden last time out over Danette. Synth to dirt.

Morning Coffee (Quiet American): Won her first race at Los Al. 4th in the Landaluce in career debut.

Manahatta (Old Fashioned): 6th in the Del Mar Debutante. Synth to dirt.

Crusingtheharbor (Rockport Harbor): 1 for 1 in her career. Synth to dirt.

Dad's Princess (Mineshaft): Maiden who was 4th in the Del Mar Debutante. Synth to dirt, her second dam is Breeders' Cup Distaff winner.

Majestic Presence (Majestic Warrior): Broke her maiden last time out. Synth to dirt.

Lutine Belle (Bellamy Road): 2nd in the Allowance/Optional Claimer at Golden Gate and broke her maiden at Santa Rosa. Has dirt experience.

Picks

Win- Majestic Presence
Place- Danette
Show- Conquest Eclipse

Video



I appologize for the fastpaceness of the video, but I wanted to get everything in. This will happen again in Parts 2 and 3.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Forego Recap

Antonino Miuccio's Palace (City Zip) picked up his second G1 win of the Saratoga meet with his win the Forego. Big Business (Eddington) was second and Vyjack (Into Mischief) was third. Clearly Now (Horse Greeley) was never in the race and finished 8. Palace (not to confused with the Classic contender Palace Malice) was ridden by Cornelio Velasquez and trained by Linda Rice.

Replay:



Out of the mare Receivership (End Sweep), Palace was bred by The Peter J. Callahan Revocable Trust. He has 21 starts with 11 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds and earnings of $1,309,550.

Palace has earned a spot into this year's Sprint.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Forego Stakes Preview

The final WAYI for Saratoga will be run on Saturday for a spot into this year's Sprint. Here is the field for the the Forego.

10th Race - Saratoga - Saturday, August 30th, 2014

STAKES. 7 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $500,000. Forego S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. (06:14 PM) (10)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Capo Bastone 4 C L o 124 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.
2 Big Business 6 G L 124 Alvarado Junior Jacobson David
3 Vyjack 4 G L 124 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Rodriguez Rudy R.
4 Zee Bros 4 C L 124 Rosario Joel Benzel Seth
5 Sensational Slam 6 H L 124 Ortiz Jose L. Quick Patrick J.
6 Palace 5 H L 124 Velasquez Cornelio H. Rice Linda
7 Falling Sky 4 C L 124 Prado Edgar S. Weaver George
8 Clearly Now 4 C L 124 Lezcano Jose Lynch Brian A.
9 Weekend Hideaway 4 C L 124 Castellano Javier Serpe Philip M.
10 Confrontation 4 G L 124 Maragh Rajiv Tagg Barclay

Capo Bastone (Street Boss): 5th in the Vanderbilt and 2nd in an Allowance/Optional Claimer. Won the King's Bishop on this surface last year and ran in the BC at both 2 and 3. 

Big Business (Eddington): 2nd in his last two which where both NY bred restricted (Morrissey and Shipman). This is his graded stakes debut.

Vyjack (Into Mischief): 4th in the Vanderbilt after being a DNF in the Suburban. Better as an early in the season horse then later.

Zee Bros (Brother Derek): 2nd in Allowance/Optional Claimer and 6th in the Golden Shaheen. Won last year's Chick Lang at Pimlico.

Sensational Slam (Grand Slam): 4th in the Teddy Drone and won the Diablo. Best finish in a graded stakes was 4th in the Toboggan earlier this year.

Palace (City Zip): Won the Vanderbilt and 2nd in the Belmont Sprint. Has only finished worse then 4th once in his career (which was a DNF).

Falling Sky (Lion Heart): 3rd in the Vanderbilt and 3rd in the LeVine. Move to the sprint distances has been hit and miss for him.

Clearly Now (Horse Greeley): Won the Belmont Sprint after finishing 5th in the Met Mile. Has ton of NY race experience, but this will be his Saratoga debut.

Weekend Hideaway (Speightstown): Won the Morrissey and Allowance. Best graded stakes finish was 3rd in 2012 Futurity.

Confrontation (War Pass): Won 2 Allowance Optional Claimers. This is his stakes debut and is 3 for 3 at Saratoga.

Picks

Win- Palace
Place- Clearly Now
Show- Capo Bastone

Dark Horse- Confrontation

Thursday, July 10, 2014

BC Contenders: Clearly Now

This is the first post in a new series of posts called BC contenders. Twice a month, 2 horses (1 per post) will be featured for a division. These posts will include a profile, as well as pros and cons on winning the race.

Division: Dirt Mile/Sprint

Name: Clearly Now
Year Born: 2010
Sex: Colt
Sire: Horse Greeley
Dam: Bend
Broodmare Sire: Arch
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Owner: Up Hill Stable

Profile: Even though he has only won once this year, Clearly Now has only one the off the board finish (Met Mile). At his prefered sprint distances he has finished no worse than 3rd, that includes his win in the Belmont Sprint Championship (formally the James Marvin) in his last race. Even though he perfers a distance 7 furlongs or shorter, he did finish third in last year's Holy Bull. However his two G1 mile starts since didn't go as well.

Why He'll Win: The sprint division really has had a problem the past couple of years in that there has been no standout. Secret Circle, the defending Sprint champion hasn't raced since February. Points offthebench, the Eclipse Champion for the division sadly broke down before last year's Breeders' Cup and had to be euthanzied. In fact, no favorite has won the Sprint since Midnight Lute's first win in 2007 (he was not the favorite in his second win (08)). We really won't know the three year old picture until the King's Bishop towards the end of the Saratoga meet.

Why He Won't: If he where a female then the 7 furlong distance would be great for him. Sadly, he seems to be in a little bit of a pickle. The 6 furlongs of the Sprint might be too short for him, and even though the Dirt Mile on paper looks to be a better race for him, he might not be good enough to hang with the likes of Goldencents, Palace Malice (if he doesn't go to the Classic), Itsmyluckyday ect.

Which race will he go into?: I'm thinking he will more than likely the Sprint, but would not be surprised if does go in the Dirt Mile.


Will he win?: Which ever race he ends up in, I'm not sure he'll win the Sprint (unless he wins a race like the Vanderbilt) but he will def hit the board. The Dirt Mile could be loaded and he would be up against it.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Breeders' Cup Memories: 1996 Sprint

Note: Once a week till the week before the Breeders' Cup, this blog will be featuring a BC race in a new feature called Breeders' Cup Memories. This week's focus is on the 1996 Sprint.

After finishing third in the 1995 Breeders' Cup Sprint to Desert Stormer (Storm Cat), Evergreen Farms' Lit de Justice (El Gran Senor) returned for the 1996 season. Entering the Sprint, he hadn't run since August when he was 3rd to Alphabet Soup (Cozzene) in the Pat O'Brien. In the race held at Woodbine, he would face G1 winner Capote Belle (Capote), the hometown hero Langfur (Danzig) who won the Vosburgh, as well as Met Mile winner Honour and Glory (Relaunch) and Withers winner Appealing Skier (Baldski), both had run in the 95 Juvenile at Belmont won by Unbridled's Song (the latter also defeated Capote Belle in her first start against males).

Lord Carson (Carson City) took the early lead with Honour and Glory sitting second. Lit de Justice was sitting towards the back of the field with jockey Corey Nakatani. In the stretch it looked like that he was going to fall short once again, but he gobbled up ground very quickly to run down the longshot Paying Dues (Cure the Blues) and Honour and Glory held on for third. Lit also made history that day as his trainer Jenine Sahadi became the first woman to saddle a Breeders' Cup race winner (she would repeat the feat the next year in the Sprint with Elmhurst).
 Replay:

 

Lit de Justice would be named 1996 Champion Sprinter. The BC Sprint would be his final race before stud. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 22.

 * Something that didn't make the article was the horses that Lit de Justice finished ahead of in the 1995 Sprint. They included Our Emblem (Out of Distaff winner Personal Ensign ½ to Juvenile Fillies winner My Flag, uncle to Juvenile Fillies winner Storm Flag Flying and the sire War Emblem), You and I (sire of You), and Da Hoss (1996 and 1998 Mile winner, the first horse to win non-consecutive BC races). Finishing right ahead of Lit was Mr. Greeley who would go onto become a superstar sire including being the grandsire of Juvenile Turf winner Nownownow. Also Alphabet Soup would defeat 1995 Classic winner Cigar in the 1996 Classic, but the latter would be named Champion Older Horse and Horse of the Year honors.