Page 22 of 23 FirstFirst ... 1220212223 LastLast
Results 421 to 440 of 444
  1. #421
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    We've got some good races on Saturday.
    At Aqueduct:

    The Remsen for 2YOs:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Pletcher URL above, Saturday December 4, 2021, Aqueduct - Race 8, PPs]
    Frankly, in a race that once gave you Alydar vs. Believe it, there isn't much it would appear; but who knows.
    The best it would appear has some issues. Who Hoo Thats Me has highest figure, but it is on an off track in a state restricted event. Sire Keen Ice was hit or miss.
    I'll vote for Mo Donegal. Trained by Pletcher with Irad Ortiz up. Won his maiden last out.

    The Cigar Mile looks to be the pick race of the weekend:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Pletcher URL above, Saturday December 4, 2021, Aqueduct - Race 10, PPs]
    American Revolution, Independence Hall, Following Sea, Code Of Honor, and Ginobli each have a shot at top honors.
    While Independence Hall and Code of Honor have the back class, American Revolution and Following Sea are young developing horses that were not fatigued by the Triple Crown trail.
    This race has very contrasting horses. Speed types and closers; younger/older; sprinters/distance; all trying to go a mile. Really interesting. Independence Hall is the class of the race, but horses like American Revolution or Ginobli have not shown their full class yet.
    The weather will let this be a fast track, so I'll go with Independence Hall over American Revolution or Ginobli.

    At Los Alamitos, the Starlet for 2YO fillies is being run:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [Baffert URL above, Saturday December 4, 2021, Los Alamitos TB - Race 8, PPs]
    Grace Adler, a $700k wonderhorse trained by Baffert, who failed miserably last time out, tries again. Was it a fluke, or is she just flawed?
    Flawed or not, Cairo Memories, who finished 9th in the BC Juvenile, but only 2 lengths back, may be the best horse in the race anyway.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    In the Remsen, Mo Donegal won a heated stretch run over slightly favored Zandon and was awarded an 89 Beyer figure.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1467228156654505988
    These two pulled way ahead of the rest of the pack in the stretch.

    In the Cigar Mile, Americanrevolution stalked the pace and ran a spirited stretch to run down Following Sea and earn a 104 Beyer:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    <stretch run is shown in this interview of Pletcher>
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1467247889118375937
    Independence Hall clipped heels with another horse. This was IH's last start before going off to stud.


    In the Startlet, Eda put in a gritty stretch run to win over Cairo Memories and Tonito's:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    Also at Aqueduct, in the Go For Wand, Lady Rocket had the Beyer of the day at 106.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1467220035135488004

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  2. #422
    Join Date
    Nov 2009

    Medina Spirit Dies

    Medina Spirit, the Thoroughbred who won the 2021 Kentucky Derby under suspicious circumstances, has died according to Jeff Blea, the California Horse Racing Board's Equine Medical Director.

    The three-year-old racehorse collapsed after a workout at Santa Anita Park on Monday morning, during which he completed five furlongs. It was his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

    https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/st...g-post-workout

  3. #423
    Quote Originally Posted by CameronDuke View Post
    Medina Spirit, the Thoroughbred who won the 2021 Kentucky Derby under suspicious circumstances, has died according to Jeff Blea, the California Horse Racing Board's Equine Medical Director.

    The three-year-old racehorse collapsed after a workout at Santa Anita Park on Monday morning, during which he completed five furlongs. It was his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

    https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/st...g-post-workout
    Just heard. Wowzer.
    Autopsy will be interesting.

    He died doing what he no doubt loved to do; not a bad way to go.

    Great loss to the breed. His sire Protonico has thrown nothing else like him.

    Echo's of when Swale died.

    Whatever you think about Baffert, the horse was innocent.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  4. #424

    More On Medina Spirit

    For those of you who want more information on equine heart attacks, here is an article that addresses it:
    https://www.paulickreport.com/horse-...ttacks-happen/

    Also, for those of you who are conspiracy theorists, here is something to feed your fire:
    baffert1.jpg

    The track doctor said in a quote that Medina Spirit died after crossing the finish line in a 5f workout. Tissue samples were taken and a full toxocology report will be taken as well as tissue samples (etc..).

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  5. #425

    Irad Ortiz Jr. Suspended For 30 Days

    Those of you who read my jockey comments know that I have great admiration for Irad Ortiz Jr. Over the weekend, there was some great race cards at Aqueduct, and some very contentious races. In the stakes races on Saturday, there were inquiries and objections in every race. Bumps and blindswitches (think pick and roll) were common.

    Because of his roll in most of these events, Irad Ortiz Jr. was suspended for 30 days at Aqueduct. I found the following description of 2 of his races:
    https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.co...d-for-30-days/

    The great Eddie Arcaro was suspended for a year because of dangerous race riding. He claimed that he changed his ways.
    Irad Ortiz Jr. just went to his native Puerto Rico and is riding there during the the 30 day suspension.
    KYD preps start in a month.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  6. #426
    A familiar name popped up on the race docket; Drain The Clock is in one of those 'cheap' optional claimers at Gulfstream Park on Friday.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Joseph Saffie URL above, Friday December 10, 2021, Gulfstream Park - Race 7, PPs]

    This top sprinter's only (real) blemish through mid-year of his 3YO campaign (he is still a 3YO) was a 2nd place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, which was perhaps too far for him. This has been a great, young sprinter! Then he took on the best older sprinters in training, including Jackie's Warrior, and finished 2nd and 4th; no shame in that for a horse who had a long campaign. Perhaps Saratoga didn't agree with him (he wouldn't be the first horse).

    But now he's been freshened since August and he's back to face a tough field for a $62.5k Optional Claimer (he's not in for a tag). Other horses are in shape, and have speed figures on the track. But if Drain The Clock is in shape, he wins.. easy (easily for the grammar police).

    BTW, Medina Spirit ran a 1:01 2/5 for the final 5f workout of his young life. That is leisurely for a horse of his immense talent.

    Here is a list of KYD odds for next year. Perhaps I should start next year's thread with this:
    https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...242_horses_123

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  7. #427
    This weekend's slim pickings for GREAT stakes action does have a few familiar faces:

    On Saturday:

    Dennis' Moment reappears in the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Saffie Joseph, Saturday December 11, 2021, Gulfstream Park - Race 10, PPs]
    After winning his last race, Dennis has given his owners some hope that he might win back some of his purchase price before he reaches social security age, but we'll see.

    At Oaklawn Park, the Poinsettia is being run and has some somewhat familiar names, but a competitive race with non-competitive jockeys:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [Into Mischief URL above, Saturday December 11, 2021, Oaklawn Park - Race 9, PPs]
    Super Stock (from the KYD trail) and Flash of Mischief should be good for an Exacta Box. Their jockeys have a single digit winning percentage (what? that's the best they could find? Is there a 3000 jockey colony or what?). Defeater has shown promise.

    The Los Alamitos Futurity might have a future KYD Trail horse or two in there:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [Into Mischief URL above, Saturday December 11, 2021, Los Alamitos TB - Race 9, PPs]
    Messier could be for real. Not sure what happened to Barossa in the BC Juvenile, but he gets another chance.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  8. #428
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    A familiar name popped up on the race docket; Drain The Clock is in one of those 'cheap' optional claimers at Gulfstream Park on Friday.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Joseph Saffie URL above, Friday December 10, 2021, Gulfstream Park - Race 7, PPs]

    This top sprinter's only (real) blemish through mid-year of his 3YO campaign (he is still a 3YO) was a 2nd place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, which was perhaps too far for him. This has been a great, young sprinter! Then he took on the best older sprinters in training, including Jackie's Warrior, and finished 2nd and 4th; no shame in that for a horse who had a long campaign. Perhaps Saratoga didn't agree with him (he wouldn't be the first horse).

    But now he's been freshened since August and he's back to face a tough field for a $62.5k Optional Claimer (he's not in for a tag). Other horses are in shape, and have speed figures on the track. But if Drain The Clock is in shape, he wins.. easy (easily for the grammar police).



    Larry
    DevilHorse

    Wow, quite a comeback race for Drain The Clock:
    https://youtu.be/ptTnWGrjxjQ
    If you bet the race, you got your money, and your money's worth. It was close. Not the way a 1/5 shot should win, but you can't be disappointed in the horse running a 1:08 3/5. But second place Gatsby was great and gave everything he had and really pressed Drain The Clock the whole race. Would the top horse be in shape to hold on and hold together? Yes indeed!
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    BTW, it is never easy for a horse that is pinned against the rail, so double kudos to Drain The Clock. Beyer was not available at this time.
    Also, the track record for 6f at Gulfstream Park is 1:08 1/5 (by Big Drama), so these horses were flying!!

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  9. #429
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    This weekend's slim pickings for GREAT stakes action does have a few familiar faces:

    On Saturday:

    Dennis' Moment reappears in the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Saffie Joseph, Saturday December 11, 2021, Gulfstream Park - Race 10, PPs]
    After winning his last race, Dennis has given his owners some hope that he might win back some of his purchase price before he reaches social security age, but we'll see.

    At Oaklawn Park, the Poinsettia is being run and has some somewhat familiar names, but a competitive race with non-competitive jockeys:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [Into Mischief URL above, Saturday December 11, 2021, Oaklawn Park - Race 9, PPs]
    Super Stock (from the KYD trail) and Flash of Mischief should be good for an Exacta Box. Their jockeys have a single digit winning percentage (what? that's the best they could find? Is there a 3000 jockey colony or what?). Defeater has shown promise.

    The Los Alamitos Futurity might have a future KYD Trail horse or two in there:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [Into Mischief URL above, Saturday December 11, 2021, Los Alamitos TB - Race 9, PPs]
    Messier could be for real. Not sure what happened to Barossa in the BC Juvenile, but he gets another chance.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Drain The Clock had a 94 Beyer.

    Officiating won the Mr. Prospector, with Dennis' Moment finishing 3rd (never in it).
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    Last Samurai beat our exacta box in the Poinsettia at Oaklawn Park:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    In the Los Alamitos Futurity, the poorly named Slow Down Andy beat the highly rated Baffert duo:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    The son of Nyquist raced greenly in his 3rd start and may want more ground in his victorious 3rd start.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  10. #430
    This weekend doesn't have much, but there is a 2YO race with some purse money. Perhaps it will produce KYD trail contender.

    On Friday, at Remington Park, is the Remington Springboard Derby:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Saffie Joseph URL above, Friday December 17, 2021, Remington Park - Race 12, PPs]
    Make It Big is undefeated. Concept has the highest speed number. Rowdy Rascal has won 3 in a row and has improved in each race. You'll get a good price in this competitive race; most of these youngsters have little experience and have license to improve.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  11. #431
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    This weekend doesn't have much, but there is a 2YO race with some purse money. Perhaps it will produce KYD trail contender.

    On Friday, at Remington Park, is the Remington Springboard Derby:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Saffie Joseph URL above, Friday December 17, 2021, Remington Park - Race 12, PPs]
    Make It Big is undefeated. Concept has the highest speed number. Rowdy Rascal has won 3 in a row and has improved in each race. You'll get a good price in this competitive race; most of these youngsters have little experience and have license to improve.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Remember the Remington Springboard Derby tonight. KYD Points will be awarded 10-4-2-1, but only to those horses NOT running on Lasix. A new world for some trainers.

    It occurs to me that the full slate of races that award points has not yet been posted here.
    Here you go.
    https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races

    How could I have missed Dry Stout taking the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun:
    https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne..._trail_win_123
    The great grandson of A.P.Indy is now 3 for 3 on the Japanese road to the KYD.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 12-17-2021 at 12:01 PM.

  12. #432
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    This weekend doesn't have much, but there is a 2YO race with some purse money. Perhaps it will produce KYD trail contender.

    On Friday, at Remington Park, is the Remington Springboard Derby:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Saffie Joseph URL above, Friday December 17, 2021, Remington Park - Race 12, PPs]
    Make It Big is undefeated. Concept has the highest speed number. Rowdy Rascal has won 3 in a row and has improved in each race. You'll get a good price in this competitive race; most of these youngsters have little experience and have license to improve.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Make It Big had a measured victory in the Remington Springboard Derby:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1472064243935502337

    The race was not terribly fast, so I don't know what the Beyer will be, and I don't know who this horse beat.
    Nor am I familiar with Make It Big's sire Neolithic, this is his inaugural crop, but his breeding is somewhat familiar being by Harlan's Holiday. That is the sire of Into Mischief!
    Make It Big's broodmare sire is Congrats (out of A.P Indy). There is some possible class based on the genetics, so this horse bears watching.

    In other news, disgraced Trainer Jorge Navarro received the maximum sentence of 5 years for doping his horses:
    https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ce-in-ped-case
    Navarro pled guilty. Still other trainers, like the trainer of Maximum Security, will be tried soon and is pleading not-guilty.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  13. #433
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    Make It Big had a measured victory in the Remington Springboard Derby:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1472064243935502337

    The race was not terribly fast, so I don't know what the Beyer will be, and I don't know who this horse beat.
    Nor am I familiar with Make It Big's sire Neolithic, this is his inaugural crop, but his breeding is somewhat familiar being by Harlan's Holiday. That is the sire of Into Mischief!
    Make It Big's broodmare sire is Congrats (out of A.P Indy). There is some possible class based on the genetics, so this horse bears watching.

    In other news, disgraced Trainer Jorge Navarro received the maximum sentence of 5 years for doping his horses:
    https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ce-in-ped-case
    Navarro pled guilty. Still other trainers, like the trainer of Maximum Security, will be tried soon and is pleading not-guilty.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Make It Big received an 84 Beyer for his efforts. Only the munching of hay can be heard on the backstretch.

    Interesting maiden 2YO winner at Aqueduct yesterday. A firster for Gun Runner trained by Chad Brown.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Early Voting looked good, but not yet dominating on a raw day in NY. More than hay munching could be heard off the Belt Parkway.
    Gun Runner is by far the top first year sire with twice the amount of earnings of the next sire on the list (Practical Joke), and almost double the number 2 horse for the lead for the year (Into Mischief) with fewer starters/foals; he has been a revelation. We'll see how they do at classic distances, but there is no reason why this top older horse, at classic distances, won't breed through to the american classics. He was durable and tough.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  14. #434
    Missed Caddo River in the 8th at Oaklawn Park today:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Good thing too as this puppy was DQ'd for interfering with the 2nd place horse. Bad Dog.

    Caddo River, if you recall, finished 2nd in the Arkansas Derby, then 5th in the Woody Stephens, and then ... vanished.
    He is still a 3YO for another 2 weeks.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  15. #435
    In off-track, non-horse news (do you guys like this?) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai was ordered to pay the equivalent of $730M to his wife in a divorce settlement, by a British court. (Details of the reasons for the divorce and the Sheik's treatment of his daughters are left to the interested reader).

    Perhaps this is a shoulder shrug to some of you, and 'who's that?' to others. Let me fill out the picture a little. This man is the owner of Darley and Godolphin Stables and enterprises. They own many of the major stallions (and runners) on the world stage today. Closer to us in this forum, we get many of our PPs through their sponsored Briswatch webpages. The Sheikh also probably spends more on horses, at auctions, than anyone else in the world (or at least has on some years).

    The KYD trail goes through Dubai via the UAE Derby which offers KYD points and is no doubt due to Sheik Maktoum. It has been won by horses like Essensce Of Dubai (showing up in a lot of pedigrees), Discreet Cat (KYD starter), Mendelsson (half brother to Into Mischief), and Thunder Snow (KYD starter). But I digress..

    Will the Sheikh pull a gambit and fold his British assets and shirk his responsibilities in that country? I don't know his other interests in that country, but perhaps this is not the end of that litigation or the story. (I doubt this). My guess is that he will continue to litigate. But suppose he does follow through on the court order.

    This court order to dissolve approximately 20% of his assets is probably no small thing. Will it affect his horse enterprise, which is his love and passion, and no doubt a source of pride for him and his country? I imagine he is going to be spending less on his horse interests, and perhaps selling off a few assets, which have no doubt been operating at a profit, to generate some cash. We'll see how this unfolds on the impact on the thoroughbred end.

    If interested, check out the Darley stallions:
    https://www.darleyamerica.com/stallions/our-stallions
    Familiar names like Essential Quality, Maxfield, Nyquist, Hard Spun, Frosted, Street Sense, Medaglia D'oro

    Look up the Godolphin website to see his far flung enterprise in Europe, Australia, and Japan.
    https://www.godolphin.com/horses/dar...allions/europe

    Not bad.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 12-22-2021 at 07:57 AM.

  16. #436

    Sunday Stakes on 12/26/2021 Including the Malibu

    It looks like we will be wrapping up the year with a few interesting stakes races, although not as interesting as we would have hoped:

    All of these races will be on Sunday 12/26/2021.

    At Santa Anita:

    The Malibu Stakes was being looked forward to as a potential draw of some big names, but it came up short in name but not in talent:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 10, PPs]
    This 7f race was expected to draw the likes of Triple Crown big name Hot Rod Charlie, but instead it will give us a battle of late developing star Dr. Shivel vs. the big buzz Flightline.
    Last we saw Dr. Shivel,, he was losing the BC Sprint to an out of the clouds performance by Aloha West in the BC Sprint.
    Flightline, not quite as experienced, will be making only his 3rd start; but in his last start he won by 12 and was awarded a 114 Beyer!!!
    Jackie's Warrior never had a 114 Beyer!!! That is other worldly. What are we going to see in this race? Worth the price of admission.

    OK, so where is Hot Rod Charlie anyway?
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 6, PPs]
    Hot Rod Charlie will be appearing earlier on the card, in the San Antonio Stakes, against older horses, at 1 1/16 miles.
    He is ducking the sprinters for $100k less, but for an easier field. How about that? Free Money I think!!

    There is a really interesting maiden race on the card in the 4th race:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [Baffert URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 4, PPs]
    A couple of expensive Baffert three (yes 3) year olds, who will be turning 4 next week, one of them at least will still be a maiden (assuming no dead heat).
    Hopkins was a $900k yearling, showing 4 bullet workouts, with Juan Hernandez up.
    Shaaz is only a $1.1M yearling son of Uncle Mo, showing only 3 bullet workouts, with John Velasquez up; evidently JV will be based this winter out of Santa Anita.
    Which of these two johnny come latelies will get it done for BB? They both looked primed, although Shaaz has the better jockey/John and longer workouts.

    We turn to the Fair Grounds to see some 2YO news, the lead in to the KYD:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [BCox URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 11, PPs]
    This is the Gun Runner Stakes. Some lightly raced, but promising 2YOs, ready to turn 3. Tejano Twist and Rocket Dawg look like they have the best shot at moving forward on the Bayou trail to the KYD.


    For the 2YO fillies, is the Untapable:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...7/summary.html
    [Malibu Moon URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 10, PPs]
    California Angel closed nicely in the BC2YO filly Turf; let's see how she does on the dirt.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  17. #437
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    It looks like we will be wrapping up the year with a few interesting stakes races, although not as interesting as we would have hoped:

    All of these races will be on Sunday 12/26/2021.

    At Santa Anita:

    The Malibu Stakes was being looked forward to as a potential draw of some big names, but it came up short in name but not in talent:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 10, PPs]
    This 7f race was expected to draw the likes of Triple Crown big name Hot Rod Charlie, but instead it will give us a battle of late developing star Dr. Shivel vs. the big buzz Flightline.
    Last we saw Dr. Shivel,, he was losing the BC Sprint to an out of the clouds performance by Aloha West in the BC Sprint.
    Flightline, not quite as experienced, will be making only his 3rd start; but in his last start he won by 12 and was awarded a 114 Beyer!!!
    Jackie's Warrior never had a 114 Beyer!!! That is other worldly. What are we going to see in this race? Worth the price of admission.

    OK, so where is Hot Rod Charlie anyway?
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 6, PPs]
    Hot Rod Charlie will be appearing earlier on the card, in the San Antonio Stakes, against older horses, at 1 1/16 miles.
    He is ducking the sprinters for $100k less, but for an easier field. How about that? Free Money I think!!

    There is a really interesting maiden race on the card in the 4th race:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [Baffert URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 4, PPs]
    A couple of expensive Baffert three (yes 3) year olds, who will be turning 4 next week, one of them at least will still be a maiden (assuming no dead heat).
    Hopkins was a $900k yearling, showing 4 bullet workouts, with Juan Hernandez up.
    Shaaz is only a $1.1M yearling son of Uncle Mo, showing only 3 bullet workouts, with John Velasquez up; evidently JV will be based this winter out of Santa Anita.
    Which of these two johnny come latelies will get it done for BB? They both looked primed, although Shaaz has the better jockey/John and longer workouts.

    We turn to the Fair Grounds to see some 2YO news, the lead in to the KYD:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [BCox URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 11, PPs]
    This is the Gun Runner Stakes. Some lightly raced, but promising 2YOs, ready to turn 3. Tejano Twist and Rocket Dawg look like they have the best shot at moving forward on the Bayou trail to the KYD.


    For the 2YO fillies, is the Untapable:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...7/summary.html
    [Malibu Moon URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 10, PPs]
    California Angel closed nicely in the BC2YO filly Turf; let's see how she does on the dirt.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Just bringing this up to the top again, especially to point out the Malibu Stakes.

    We have been on Dr. Shivel since he was a 2YO running in restricted California company. He changed hands in a private sale. Stayed in the sprint ranks and was given time to grow. He appears to be on the verge of a sprint eclipse award (who else would you give it to?). But Flightline looks to be the little girl with the curl. He is Seattle Slew when he was a 2YO (if you remember back that far)? Everyone wants to see what this horse can do. Also in this field is a horse we have mentioned from his first start, Triple Tap, the undefeated Tapit half brother to American Pharoah.

    So who do the experts like in this race? Flavian Prat has been the regular rider of both Dr. Shivel and Flightline; he chose Flightline!

    Could it be a Flightline, Dr. Shivel, Triple Tap trifecta?

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  18. #438

    Flightline is a Monster

    Horses don't usually don't give you goosebumps. But I warned you about this guy:
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1474853590997024769

    Prat had goosebumps. He had this horse pulled up before the finish line.

    This race was won in 3.5 seconds faster than the Grade I La Brea at the same distance run earlier in the day.
    Those are some Grade I winners being left in the dust some 11.5 lengths back.

    Assuming the horse comes out of this race in good health, all races and distances are on the table according to trainer John Sadler. That includes the Met Mile and the rich Arab races.

    For those keeping score, Flightline is 5X6 to Secretariat, 4x5X5 to Mr. Prospector

    More tomorrow.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  19. #439
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    It looks like we will be wrapping up the year with a few interesting stakes races, although not as interesting as we would have hoped:

    All of these races will be on Sunday 12/26/2021.

    At Santa Anita:

    The Malibu Stakes was being looked forward to as a potential draw of some big names, but it came up short in name but not in talent:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 10, PPs]
    This 7f race was expected to draw the likes of Triple Crown big name Hot Rod Charlie, but instead it will give us a battle of late developing star Dr. Shivel vs. the big buzz Flightline.
    Last we saw Dr. Shivel,, he was losing the BC Sprint to an out of the clouds performance by Aloha West in the BC Sprint.
    Flightline, not quite as experienced, will be making only his 3rd start; but in his last start he won by 12 and was awarded a 114 Beyer!!!
    Jackie's Warrior never had a 114 Beyer!!! That is other worldly. What are we going to see in this race? Worth the price of admission.

    OK, so where is Hot Rod Charlie anyway?
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [Oneill URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 6, PPs]
    Hot Rod Charlie will be appearing earlier on the card, in the San Antonio Stakes, against older horses, at 1 1/16 miles.
    He is ducking the sprinters for $100k less, but for an easier field. How about that? Free Money I think!!

    There is a really interesting maiden race on the card in the 4th race:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [Baffert URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Santa Anita Park - Race 4, PPs]
    A couple of expensive Baffert three (yes 3) year olds, who will be turning 4 next week, one of them at least will still be a maiden (assuming no dead heat).
    Hopkins was a $900k yearling, showing 4 bullet workouts, with Juan Hernandez up.
    Shaaz is only a $1.1M yearling son of Uncle Mo, showing only 3 bullet workouts, with John Velasquez up; evidently JV will be based this winter out of Santa Anita.
    Which of these two johnny come latelies will get it done for BB? They both looked primed, although Shaaz has the better jockey/John and longer workouts.

    We turn to the Fair Grounds to see some 2YO news, the lead in to the KYD:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [BCox URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 11, PPs]
    This is the Gun Runner Stakes. Some lightly raced, but promising 2YOs, ready to turn 3. Tejano Twist and Rocket Dawg look like they have the best shot at moving forward on the Bayou trail to the KYD.


    For the 2YO fillies, is the Untapable:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...7/summary.html
    [Malibu Moon URL above, Sunday December 26, 2021, Fair Grounds - Race 10, PPs]
    California Angel closed nicely in the BC2YO filly Turf; let's see how she does on the dirt.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

    Evidently Hot Rod Charlie could have used the blinkers, as he was collared by Express Train at the wire:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    Shaaz won the battle of the 2 Baffert expensive horses:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    He was really green though; not changing leads till the last furlong. He's a good one.
    Hopkins too ran a very good race and will benefit from the conditioning.
    I was remiss in not pointing out another very well bred Homebred in the race. Q B One is an Uncle Moe out of the great Beholder who made his first start. The commentators did not like his chances based on his behavior and looks, but felt that with a couple of races under his belt he would improve. His pedigree is outstanding, but like these other late starting, 3YO maidens, they must have had some physical or maturing issues. See ya at 4 guys.

    In the Gun Runner, at the Fair Grounds, Epicenter trounced Tejano Twist:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    He looks like he is on his way to the triple crown path in the bayou.

    In the Untapable, North County edged out Fanny and Freddie:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    Finally, in the Malibu, accolades continue to pour in on Flightline's performance:
    https://www.sgvtribune.com/2021/12/2...takes-victory/
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    No Beyer figure out yet, but predicting it will be better than his awesome 114 last out.
    Although Essential Quality is a more accomplished son of Tapit, I'm not sure any of his wins have been more scintillating than what Flightline does on the track. Let the debate begin on which horse is the better son of Tapit!!

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 12-27-2021 at 10:33 AM.

  20. #440
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    Horses don't usually don't give you goosebumps. But I warned you about this guy:
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1474853590997024769

    Prat had goosebumps. He had this horse pulled up before the finish line.

    This race was won in 3.5 seconds faster than the Grade I La Brea at the same distance run earlier in the day.
    Those are some Grade I winners being left in the dust some 11.5 lengths back.

    Assuming the horse comes out of this race in good health, all races and distances are on the table according to trainer John Sadler. That includes the Met Mile and the rich Arab races.

    For those keeping score, Flightline is 5X6 to Secretariat, 4x5X5 to Mr. Prospector

    More tomorrow.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    The Beyer is in on Flightline's Malibu, an outrageous 118 !!!
    That is the best race of the year by any horse in North America.

    Here is an article from the Daily Racing Form to give some perspective:
    https://www.drf.com/news/flightline-...malibu-victory

    Here is a link to Formal Gold's PPs:
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHlFqu-X...name=4096x4096

    Also a few more for famous precocious horses:
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHlFrZHX...name=4096x4096
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHlFsKpX...name=4096x4096
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHlYSSCX...jpg&name=large

    I loved Lost In The Fog!

    But these horses didn't start this fast in their 3rd start, although they might have been younger at the time they started.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

Similar Threads

  1. Horse Racing 2020
    By DevilHorse in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 274
    Last Post: 05-26-2021, 07:28 AM
  2. Horse Racing - 2019
    By DevilHorse in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 53
    Last Post: 05-20-2019, 07:26 AM
  3. Car racing whaaaaa?
    By throatybeard in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 08-15-2014, 10:18 AM
  4. Open wheel racing truce
    By YmoBeThere in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-23-2008, 04:21 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •