Horse Racing 2021

[DevilHorse]

The Fall Meetings have started in a couple of places, and are ending with a bang in others.

Looking through what is on tap for the weekend, I had a slightly prejudiced observation. The quality of turf racing horses to the value of the purses is at a very low point. There are million dollar or half million dollar races that I've noticed being "constructed" in an attempt to attract horses, perhaps from oversees, and they are barely filling, or filling with some horses that are not even stakes worthy. Some of the names of these 'newer' races have names straight out of the Random Horse Race Name Generator. One of the great races in New York used to be the Jockey Club Gold Cup. "Jockey Club" "Gold Cup" check. Throw in words like "Oaks" "Derby" "Grand Prix' "$TrackName", you get the idea. Sequence that so that "Oaks" and "Derby" are last, or some such thing and you get the 'garbage' that passes for the slate of turf races at Belmont this weekend.

Saturday, Belmont Race 4, on the Turf, the Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational Stakes.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 4, Ultimate PPs]
You have one legitimate long distance horse offering you free money if you want to be a bridge jumper, in Lone Rock.
$300K, and you have one other legitimate horse Moretti whose last race was NOT an Optional Claimer. That exacta might pay $3.20.

Saturday, Belmont Race 9, for $700K, I give you the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 9, Ultimate PPs]
If you believe the name, they invited horses from around the world and 7 horses answered, including 3 that have no more than 1 or 2 races in the US, another that won her maiden in ONLY her 3rd start, and another who won her 2nd race in an optional $25k claimer ($25k not a typo). $700k, not a typo.

Saturday, Belmont Race 10, on the Turf, the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Brad Cox URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 10, Ultimate PPs]
Bolshoi Ballet looks good, half the field has credentials to be in a stakes race, but for $1M? I get that this is for 3YOs, but this is really all they could get for that kind of money?

I suggest that these tracks (and Belmont isn't the only one) name these races after a legendary horse, or at least one that did something great at their track that corresponds to the turftype and distance.

For the rest of us, the lesson is.. if you want to make a ton of money, get a half-way decent turf horse (myracehorse.com anyone?). You only have to be mediocre. Claim one off Baffert or Cox's failures and you have a shot. <I'll take my finder's fee in small bills>

I noticed the naming and big funding trend weeks ago, but this card was the last straw. Had to say something.

I did find a couple of interesting races at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening:

Churchill Downs, Race 7, The Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Romans URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 7, Ultimate PPs]
Bango and Just Might are late developing 3YO sprinters of interest. Granted, this is a 6 furlong race, and not at classic distances. Also of interest is an attempt by the connections of 2YO sensation Dennis' Moment to come back again after an encouraging 2nd last time out after a layoff; they are determined to try and prove that this horse is the real deal. We'll see.

Churchill Downs, Race 9, the Iroquois for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 7, Ultimate PPs]
Stellar Tap and Major General bring their Saratoga reputations with them. Others could also contend for a price.

Churchill Downs, Race 10, the Locust Grove for Fillies:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Brad Cox URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 10, Ultimate PPs]
Shedaresthedevil looks to be a little better than Envoutannte and Crystal Ball.
I'm sure if this was on the turf it would be a $700k instead of $400k race

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

The Fall Meetings have started in a couple of places, and are ending with a bang in others.

Looking through what is on tap for the weekend, I had a slightly prejudiced observation. The quality of turf racing horses to the value of the purses is at a very low point. There are million dollar or half million dollar races that I've noticed being "constructed" in an attempt to attract horses, perhaps from oversees, and they are barely filling, or filling with some horses that are not even stakes worthy. Some of the names of these 'newer' races have names straight out of the Random Horse Race Name Generator. One of the great races in New York used to be the Jockey Club Gold Cup. "Jockey Club" "Gold Cup" check. Throw in words like "Oaks" "Derby" "Grand Prix' "$TrackName", you get the idea. Sequence that so that "Oaks" and "Derby" are last, or some such thing and you get the 'garbage' that passes for the slate of turf races at Belmont this weekend.

Saturday, Belmont Race 4, on the Turf, the Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational Stakes.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 4, Ultimate PPs]
You have one legitimate long distance horse offering you free money if you want to be a bridge jumper, in Lone Rock.
$300K, and you have one other legitimate horse Moretti whose last race was NOT an Optional Claimer. That exacta might pay $3.20.

Saturday, Belmont Race 9, for $700K, I give you the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 9, Ultimate PPs]
If you believe the name, they invited horses from around the world and 7 horses answered, including 3 that have no more than 1 or 2 races in the US, another that won her maiden in ONLY her 3rd start, and another who won her 2nd race in an optional $25k claimer ($25k not a typo). $700k, not a typo.

Saturday, Belmont Race 10, on the Turf, the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Brad Cox URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Belmont - Race 10, Ultimate PPs]
Bolshoi Ballet looks good, half the field has credentials to be in a stakes race, but for $1M? I get that this is for 3YOs, but this is really all they could get for that kind of money?

I suggest that these tracks (and Belmont isn't the only one) name these races after a legendary horse, or at least one that did something great at their track that corresponds to the turftype and distance.

For the rest of us, the lesson is.. if you want to make a ton of money, get a half-way decent turf horse (myracehorse.com anyone?). You only have to be mediocre. Claim one off Baffert or Cox's failures and you have a shot. <I'll take my finder's fee in small bills>

I noticed the naming and big funding trend weeks ago, but this card was the last straw. Had to say something.

I did find a couple of interesting races at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening:

Churchill Downs, Race 7, The Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Romans URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 7, Ultimate PPs]
Bango and Just Might are late developing 3YO sprinters of interest. Granted, this is a 6 furlong race, and not at classic distances. Also of interest is an attempt by the connections of 2YO sensation Dennis' Moment to come back again after an encouraging 2nd last time out after a layoff; they are determined to try and prove that this horse is the real deal. We'll see.

Churchill Downs, Race 9, the Iroquois for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 7, Ultimate PPs]
Stellar Tap and Major General bring their Saratoga reputations with them. Others could also contend for a price.

Churchill Downs, Race 10, the Locust Grove for Fillies:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Brad Cox URL above, Saturday September 18, 2021, Churchill Downs - Race 10, Ultimate PPs]
Shedaresthedevil looks to be a little better than Envoutannte and Crystal Ball.
I'm sure if this was on the turf it would be a $700k instead of $400k race

Larry
DevilHorse

With football in full swing I didn’t watch all the races. The main thing I noticed was the 2 yo filly blew out her competitors by over nine lenghts in the Pocahontas AND ran a full second faster than Pletcher’s colt in the Iroquois. These two year olds are so lightly raced it makes it hard to really judge. I don’t remember who the best 2yo filly was at Saratoga, but the gal at Churchill should be watched in the Breeders Cup.

Churchill Downs is a mess right now with the turf courses torn up, but the big purses will continue to attract some good horsemen. I have a love/hate with Churchill Downs the company. They have closed more race tracks than anybody. I went to Hollywood Park once. I believe they sold it before it closed, but they didn’t do anything with it while they owned it. Next they sold Calder, which I never attended. From everything I read, Arlington is DOA. They own a casino in Chicago they value more than horse racing at Arlington. I know it’s a business, but one would hope they would be more supportive of the horse racing industry. Well that’s my rant for today.

I look forward to your continued reports on upcoming races of note.

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

One other comment, I watched some of the Keeneland sales last week. I have a friend who sold a filly, Into Mischief/Best of Times, hip 633 (I think). She went for 200K and since he hasn’t posted on Facebook I suspect he was disappointed. I was surprised by how many horses sold for over $500K. These buyers have to be the biggest gamblers in the world, since we know how few of these yearlings will ever win back their purchase price. But I guess it’s like a mere mortal buying a lottery ticket. A small handful will win some grade 1’s and be worth millions as sires or broodmares. I may invest a few hundred in Myracehorse.com. at sometime in the future. That’s a lot smaller gamble and would give me some thrills, hopefully. Of course the horse I buy into might never race or get injured, sick, etc. I used to bet a little on Duke, but came to believe my bets were a jinx, so the same might apply to the ponies.

[DevilHorse]

One other comment, I watched some of the Keeneland sales last week. I have a friend who sold a filly, Into Mischief/Best of Times, hip 633 (I think). She went for 200K and since he hasn’t posted on Facebook I suspect he was disappointed. I was surprised by how many horses sold for over $500K. These buyers have to be the biggest gamblers in the world, since we know how few of these yearlings will ever win back their purchase price. But I guess it’s like a mere mortal buying a lottery ticket. A small handful will win some grade 1’s and be worth millions as sires or broodmares. I may invest a few hundred in Myracehorse.com. at sometime in the future. That’s a lot smaller gamble and would give me some thrills, hopefully. Of course the horse I buy into might never race or get injured, sick, etc. I used to bet a little on Duke, but came to believe my bets were a jinx, so the same might apply to the ponies.

I attended Keeneland one year and saw the gavel brought down on the Seattle Slew stallion Houston out of the great mare Smart Angle . Sale topper, probably worth the money, but not the top colt in a year with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. My wife and I enjoyed the back side of the sale, looking at the horses "hands on" and getting the free refreshments. The sales ring was beautiful and we saw the top trainers of the day hard at work reloading their powerful stable (yes, D Wayne Lukas was the man at that time). You couldn't visit the stud farms because all of the hands were at the sales handling the yearlings. Fresh memories.

Owners are some of the Handicappers as well as Gamblers. They pick these young horses based on pedigree, physical conformation, x-rays, and now the tape of their gait in the field. No owners, no sport.

I will be scarce on the list for a while do to a death in my immediate family.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

With football in full swing I didn’t watch all the races. The main thing I noticed was the 2 yo filly blew out her competitors by over nine lenghts in the Pocahontas AND ran a full second faster than Pletcher’s colt in the Iroquois. These two year olds are so lightly raced it makes it hard to really judge. I don’t remember who the best 2yo filly was at Saratoga, but the gal at Churchill should be watched in the Breeders Cup.

Churchill Downs is a mess right now with the turf courses torn up, but the big purses will continue to attract some good horsemen. I have a love/hate with Churchill Downs the company. They have closed more race tracks than anybody. I went to Hollywood Park once. I believe they sold it before it closed, but they didn’t do anything with it while they owned it. Next they sold Calder, which I never attended. From everything I read, Arlington is DOA. They own a casino in Chicago they value more than horse racing at Arlington. I know it’s a business, but one would hope they would be more supportive of the horse racing industry. Well that’s my rant for today.

I look forward to your continued reports on upcoming races of note.

Here are the Pocahontas results, with the winner Hidden Connection:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Secretariat is the broodmare sire of the 4th dam, so he gets all of the credit. The sire, Connect, is by Curlin out of a Holy Bull mare.

The big race this weekend appears to be the Pennsylvania Derby:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL Above, September 25, 2021, Parx Racing, PPs]
Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and Medina Spirit. Americanrevolution, that nice looking son of Constitution, is taking a big step up to run with these horses. Not sure if he's ready, but we'll see. A couple of mystery horses in I Am Redeemed and Speaker's Corner who also have a few wins, but no obvious class are in there with some early year stakes winners like Weyburn. Bourbonic and Keepmeinmind are like the red shirted star trek guys on the search party who don't have names and get killed; yet they come back each episode, hmm. No obvious early speed from the non-favorites, so I don't see a longshot stealing the race unless Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and/or Medina Spirit duel it out on the front end and spit the bit; that could be the core of your trifecta.

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

I attended Keeneland one year and saw the gavel brought down on the Seattle Slew stallion Houston out of the great mare Smart Angle . Sale topper, probably worth the money, but not the top colt in a year with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. My wife and I enjoyed the back side of the sale, looking at the horses "hands on" and getting the free refreshments. The sales ring was beautiful and we saw the top trainers of the day hard at work reloading their powerful stable (yes, D Wayne Lukas was the man at that time). You couldn't visit the stud farms because all of the hands were at the sales handling the yearlings. Fresh memories.

Owners are some of the Handicappers as well as Gamblers. They pick these young horses based on pedigree, physical conformation, x-rays, and now the tape of their gait in the field. No owners, no sport.

I will be scarce on the list for a while do to a death in my immediate family.

Larry
DevilHorse

My condolences for your loss. Take care of your family.

[DevilHorse]

Here are the Pocahontas results, with the winner Hidden Connection:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Secretariat is the broodmare sire of the 4th dam, so he gets all of the credit. The sire, Connect, is by Curlin out of a Holy Bull mare.

The big race this weekend appears to be the Pennsylvania Derby:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL Above, September 25, 2021, Parx Racing, PPs]
Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and Medina Spirit. Americanrevolution, that nice looking son of Constitution, is taking a big step up to run with these horses. Not sure if he's ready, but we'll see. A couple of mystery horses in I Am Redeemed and Speaker's Corner who also have a few wins, but no obvious class are in there with some early year stakes winners like Weyburn. Bourbonic and Keepmeinmind are like the red shirted star trek guys on the search party who don't have names and get killed; yet they come back each episode, hmm. No obvious early speed from the non-favorites, so I don't see a longshot stealing the race unless Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and/or Medina Spirit duel it out on the front end and spit the bit; that could be the core of your trifecta.

Larry
DevilHorse

Another good one on Saturday at Belmont:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, September 25, 2021, Race 4, Belmont, PPs]
Life Is Good returns after his losing duel with the great Jackie's Warrior. He's now in better shape and faces lesser competition in the Kelso.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Here are the Pocahontas results, with the winner Hidden Connection:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Secretariat is the broodmare sire of the 4th dam, so he gets all of the credit. The sire, Connect, is by Curlin out of a Holy Bull mare.

The big race this weekend appears to be the Pennsylvania Derby:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL Above, September 25, 2021, Parx Racing, PPs]
Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and Medina Spirit. Americanrevolution, that nice looking son of Constitution, is taking a big step up to run with these horses. Not sure if he's ready, but we'll see. A couple of mystery horses in I Am Redeemed and Speaker's Corner who also have a few wins, but no obvious class are in there with some early year stakes winners like Weyburn. Bourbonic and Keepmeinmind are like the red shirted star trek guys on the search party who don't have names and get killed; yet they come back each episode, hmm. No obvious early speed from the non-favorites, so I don't see a longshot stealing the race unless Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, and/or Medina Spirit duel it out on the front end and spit the bit; that could be the core of your trifecta.

Another good one on Saturday at Belmont:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, September 25, 2021, Race 4, Belmont, PPs]
Life Is Good returns after his losing duel with the great Jackie's Warrior. He's now in better shape and faces lesser competition in the Kelso.

Larry
DevilHorse

In the $1M it was Hot Rod Charlie with a 111 Beyer:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1441886820627714048
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Midnight Bourbon second and the rapidly improving Americanrevolution third.

Also at Parx, I missed Jackie's Warrior (avoiding Life Is Good, or the other way around) winning the Gallant Bob with a 110 Beyer:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1441868727675355138
Talk about a jockey not moving!


Watch Mind Control come back on Silver State in the Parx Dirt Mile.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1441843644789497862
I've loved Mind Control for a while and he's coming into his own this year. 104 Beyer.

At Belmont, Life Is Good looked very good!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1441836116580077581
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
There were only 2 other horses that finished the race, so I don't know what this start told us. Credible time though.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Monomoy Girl was retired this week and arrived at Spendthrift where she'll be bred to ... Into Mischief (stud fee a mere $250k).

Here is an interesting question. Beholder or Monomoy Girl?
https://twitter.com/DailyRacingForm/...716686/photo/1
PPs are provided above.

I think the answer is obvious. Opinions?

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Some interesting races and horses..

on Friday October 1, 2021:

At Santa Anita:

The Chandelier for 2YO Fillies:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 1, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 6, PPs]
The apparent superstar Grace Adler is in for Baffert.

The American Pharoah for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 1, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs]
Corniche, Joker Boy, Rockefeller are all in for an interesting west coast throw down. Missing is Pinehurst.. Corniche with the big Yearling Price Tag and Beyer in his last/only start.

on Saturday October 2, 2021:

At Belmont, the interesting filly Kinchen starts again in the Miss Grillo Stakes (on the turf):
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs]
She's still a maiden, but showed well at Saratoga.

At Belmont, the Champagne for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs]
Wit tries to redeem himself after a lackluster effort in the Hopeful; still hasn't had a fast track in 3 starts. Jack Christopher could be the class of the field. My Prankster and Gunite both are sharp.

At Belmont, the Woodward for older horses:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs]
Looks like Maxfield against Art Collector. If you are a devotee of the Bounce, give Maxfield the nod, otherwise Art Collector. I'd put Code Of Honor into the trifecta.

At Santa Anita, Medina Spirit will be taking on older horses in the Awesome Again:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 2, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs]
Tough race for MS with Tizamagician, Midcourt, and Express Train in the mix.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Some interesting races and horses..

on Friday October 1, 2021:

At Santa Anita:

The Chandelier for 2YO Fillies:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 1, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 6, PPs]
The apparent superstar Grace Adler is in for Baffert.

The American Pharoah for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 1, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs]
Corniche, Joker Boy, Rockefeller are all in for an interesting west coast throw down. Missing is Pinehurst.. Corniche with the big Yearling Price Tag and Beyer in his last/only start.

on Saturday October 2, 2021:

At Belmont, the interesting filly Kinchen starts again in the Miss Grillo Stakes (on the turf):
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs]
She's still a maiden, but showed well at Saratoga.

At Belmont, the Champagne for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs]
Wit tries to redeem himself after a lackluster effort in the Hopeful; still hasn't had a fast track in 3 starts. Jack Christopher could be the class of the field. My Prankster and Gunite both are sharp.

At Belmont, the Woodward for older horses:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 2, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs]
Looks like Maxfield against Art Collector. If you are a devotee of the Bounce, give Maxfield the nod, otherwise Art Collector. I'd put Code Of Honor into the trifecta.

At Santa Anita, Medina Spirit will be taking on older horses in the Awesome Again:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[Baffert URL above, October 2, 2021, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs]
Tough race for MS with Tizamagician, Midcourt, and Express Train in the mix.

Larry
DevilHorse

In the Chandelier, Ain't Easy failed english but won with a respectable 81 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Grace Adler did not appear to be interested in running on this day; I expect we will see better from her.

In the American Pharoah, Corniche looked good winning, earning an 85 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Neither of the above races was particularly fast, so we will see how this plays out against tougher competition.

On Saturday:

Kinchen finished a respectable, closing 2nd.

In the Champagne, Jack Christopher won with ease and received a 93 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1444403941626859535
The second place horse, Commandperformance, also will need to be watched as he had a credible performance and will move forward.

None of the 2YO colt performances (Corniche and Jack Christopher) are awe inspiring. Either they were not all out, or they perhaps they were showing the limits of their pedigrees. Although they beat back their rivals, the times were not overly fast. Visually impressive to be sure, but didn't impress the clock. That's OK. Who wants to run a 2YO into the ground?!

In the Woodward, Art Collector was the lone speed and he controlled the race for the win:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Slower early fractions made it difficult for Maxfield to close to any better than 2nd. Dr. Post was 3rd.

In the Awesome Again, Medina Spirit put in an awesome performance against older horses, earning a 107 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
He won by 5 and was the lone speed in the race. Medina Spirit is likely to be closely tested, and will race in the Breeder's Cup (BC) as (still) the Kentucky Derby winner (what a black eye for racing that this thing has not been resolved).

Knicks Go had his own tune-up at the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, earning a 104 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Winning, also in typical front running style.

Medina Spirit, Knicks Go, and Art Collector each got away with moderate to slow early fractions as the lone speed in their races. In the BC Classic, they will obviously face each other and perhaps cancel each other out and set the race up for a closer, like Maxfield or a real longshot.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

If you're licking your chops for the Breeder's Cup, here is some fodder for you to consume. It is at the end of the month:
https://www.drf.com/breeders-cup

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

A few races/horses of interest on Saturday:

At Belmont, Race 5 is the Vosburgh for Sprinters:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs]
Everyone's favorite 'savage' horse Firenze Fire takes on Following Sea and Baby Yoda.
I expect that there will be no repeat incident tomorrow as the horses have been advised to maintain social distancing.

There is mostly turf to report, but some familiar names:

Golden Pal is in the Woodford at Keeneland
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Wesley Ward URL above, October 9, 2021, Keeneland - Race 6, PPs]
Lightning quick Golden Pal takes on all comers.

At Belmont, Japan, Gufo and Arklow tangle in the Hirsch:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs]

At Keeneland, Harvey's Lil Goil is in the First Lady:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 9, 2021, Keeneland - Race 8, PPs]


At Keeneland, back on the dirt, 2YOs in the Breeder's Futurity. I think Essential Quality won this last year.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs]
You can look for a new top dog here. Stellar Tap and Rattle N Roll have a shot here.

On Sunday,

Letruska is back on the track in the Spinster at Keeneland:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 10, 2021, Keeneland - Race 9, PPs]
It's on the dirt, against the likes of Dunbar Road

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

A few races/horses of interest on Saturday:

At Belmont, Race 5 is the Vosburgh for Sprinters:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs]
Everyone's favorite 'savage' horse Firenze Fire takes on Following Sea and Baby Yoda.
I expect that there will be no repeat incident tomorrow as the horses have been advised to maintain social distancing.

There is mostly turf to report, but some familiar names:

Golden Pal is in the Woodford at Keeneland
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Wesley Ward URL above, October 9, 2021, Keeneland - Race 6, PPs]
Lightning quick Golden Pal takes on all comers.

At Belmont, Japan, Gufo and Arklow tangle in the Hirsch:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs]

At Keeneland, Harvey's Lil Goil is in the First Lady:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 9, 2021, Keeneland - Race 8, PPs]


At Keeneland, back on the dirt, 2YOs in the Breeder's Futurity. I think Essential Quality won this last year.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Pletcher URL above, October 9, 2021, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs]
You can look for a new top dog here. Stellar Tap and Rattle N Roll have a shot here.

On Sunday,

Letruska is back on the track in the Spinster at Keeneland:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[Chad Brown URL above, October 10, 2021, Keeneland - Race 9, PPs]
It's on the dirt, against the likes of Dunbar Road

Larry
DevilHorse

Let's start with the hunch bet of the day, of course that would be Muad'dib in the West Virginia Breeder's Cup Classic. With Dune coming out in less than 2 weeks, how could I miss that?

In the Vosburgh, it was Following Sea:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Runhappy gets his first graded stakes winner! He gets a 100 Beyer and looked very good doing it. Firenze Fire and Baby Yoda did not look to be on their game.

Golden Pal won the Woodford in come from behind fashion:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
The chart doesn't show it, but he fell back in the stretch and then came on.

In the Hirsch, Rockemperor surprised the favorites with a solid win:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Rockemperor is out of the little known sire Holy Roman Emperor who is a Secretariat broodmare credit.

Blowout won the First Lady:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Harvey's Lil Goil was a non-contender.

And in the Breeder's Futurity at Keeneland, Rattle N Roll won by 2 lengths and was awarded a pedestrian 81 Beyer figure:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
But he waited to make his move and looked impressive. So we'll see who else will challenge in the BC juvenile.
He is out of the first year stallion Connect, who is by Curlin. Connect has thrown runners but this is by far his best.

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

Let's start with the hunch bet of the day, of course that would be Muad'dib in the West Virginia Breeder's Cup Classic. With Dune coming out in less than 2 weeks, how could I miss that?

In the Vosburgh, it was Following Sea:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Runhappy gets his first graded stakes winner! He gets a 100 Beyer and looked very good doing it. Firenze Fire and Baby Yoda did not look to be on their game.

Golden Pal won the Woodford in come from behind fashion:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
The chart doesn't show it, but he fell back in the stretch and then came on.

In the Hirsch, Rockemperor surprised the favorites with a solid win:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Rockemperor is out of the little known sire Holy Roman Emperor who is a Secretariat broodmare credit.

Blowout won the First Lady:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Harvey's Lil Goil was a non-contender.

And in the Breeder's Futurity at Keeneland, Rattle N Roll won by 2 lengths and was awarded a pedestrian 81 Beyer figure:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
But he waited to make his move and looked impressive. So we'll see who else will challenge in the BC juvenile.
He is out of the first year stallion Connect, who is by Curlin. Connect has thrown runners but this is by far his best.

Larry
DevilHorse

Great racing at Keeneland this weekend. Letruska just keeps winning. I don’t see anyone beating her in the BC. I became a believer when she beat Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver last spring at Oaklawn.

In the 2 year old turf sprint, in her first start on the grass, Avery Jane won easily. Not sure of the Beyer, but she was on cruise control. Oh and she and her stable mate beat the boys.

Then in last race today I had Tiz the Bomb to win. When he broke through the gate I thought I had wasted money. He appeared uncomfortable but kicked in during the stretch to win. I have personally never had a horse who broke through the gate win before.

One other comment, I don’t often get excited about a $40,000 claimer but I watched a horse who just likes to win. Alberta Sun who wintered in Phoenix, went to Winnipeg, then to Minnesota came to Keeneland. She ran for $40 K and won for the 6th time in 9 races, 2nd twice and 4th once. More shockingly she paid $9.80. You gotta love a horse who loves to win at any level. I told my wife she would be claimed and sure enough Mike Maker claimed her.

I’ll play the rest of the Keeneland meet while I await the BC.

[DevilHorse]

Great racing at Keeneland this weekend. Letruska just keeps winning. I don’t see anyone beating her in the BC. I became a believer when she beat Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver last spring at Oaklawn.

In the 2 year old turf sprint, in her first start on the grass, Avery Jane won easily. Not sure of the Beyer, but she was on cruise control. Oh and she and her stable mate beat the boys.

Then in last race today I had Tiz the Bomb to win. When he broke through the gate I thought I had wasted money. He appeared uncomfortable but kicked in during the stretch to win. I have personally never had a horse who broke through the gate win before.

One other comment, I don’t often get excited about a $40,000 claimer but I watched a horse who just likes to win. Alberta Sun who wintered in Phoenix, went to Winnipeg, then to Minnesota came to Keeneland. She ran for $40 K and won for the 6th time in 9 races, 2nd twice and 4th once. More shockingly she paid $9.80. You gotta love a horse who loves to win at any level. I told my wife she would be claimed and sure enough Mike Maker claimed her.

I’ll play the rest of the Keeneland meet while I await the BC.

Here is the Averly Jane race:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1447305182837157892
Nice filly (for a turfer )
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

The Futurity at Belmont, won by filly Slipstream, over some colts and fillies, was an open 2YO on the Turf race similar to Averly Jane race.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Used to be a premier fall 2YO dirt race, like the Champagne, but squeezed out because of Breeder's Cup.
The Belmont Futurity was won by horses like Bold Ruler, Secretariat, Holy Bull, and Lemon Drop Kid. It was a Grade I race through 2003; now it is Grade III (and obviously on the turf). It has been run at various distances.

Letruska did win:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1447313510657142787
Looks ready to dominate the mares at the BC.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

Nice payoff on Tiz The Bomb:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

Obviously talent will be less at Keeneland, and other tracks, for the next couple of weeks since runners will not be BC horses.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Hats off to the great trotting mare Atlanta, who set a world trotting record of 1:49.0 for a mile at The Red Mile at Lexington yesterday, at the Age of 6.

Just some background. This was done around the same time of day as Letruska was demonstrating her dominance over at Keeneland, but Atlanta was doing it over all comers (males included). Just as the rare Thoroughbred female will match her male counterparts on the turf, the female trotter can best the males on the trot. Atlanta won the Hambletonian when she was 3 years old and has maintained her high level of fitness and competitiveness. Almost always racing in open company rather than restricted to the distaffs.

Doing this over the past 4 years is remarkable enough, but this year Atlanta has been in-foal. She will no doubt be retired soon, at the peak of her speed. I remember years ago another top trotter named Meadow Bright who beat the best trotters in the world while in-foal at the International Trot at Roosevelt Raceway. Most mares are timed to give birth after January 1st, by a decent margin, both to be sure that the foal is counted with a birthday next year (if born in December, you are a 1YO on Jan 1st, even if you are 2 days old) and you don't have to have your early days in the dead of winter. Mare bellies can get big and cumbersome as the embryonic horse grows, and that will be happening soon enough in the 11 month cycle. But a tip of the hat to one of the great all time mares in the sport.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Bob Baffert's horses (not Baffert himself, although a saliva test might be just desserts) will be given extra testing, and security, at this year's Breeder's Cup, according to this Daily Racing Form article:
https://www.drf.com/news/baffert-hor...y-breeders-cup

Additional security measures mentioned in the article might include (my speculation) having the horses sequestered in a separate barn, with only known/official (i.e., no owners/reporters/officials .. just licensed grooms/trainers/vets/tattoo_checkers) people going in/out, and perhaps watched via video. Also having an independent veterinarian provide any pre-race medications. Horses for big races have often been separated long before the race starts to assure that they are safe AND drug free. Baffert is stabled at the same track that the BC is being run, so this is certainly costly, but he and his owners can certainly afford it.

I would expect that Medina Spirit's last (very big) race was also watched closely by the State Commission.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

The connections of Maxfield have decided on passing the Breeder's Cup in favor of the Clark, later in November at Keeneland.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ssic-for-clark

Godolphin owns both he AND Essential Quality. So apparently they are not going to beat these horses against each other.

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

The connections of Maxfield have decided on passing the Breeder's Cup in favor of the Clark, later in November at Keeneland.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ssic-for-clark

Godolphin owns both he AND Essential Quality. So apparently they are not going to beat these horses against each other.

Larry
DevilHorse

Interesting since last weekend the the folks on TVG were discussing the fact that in Maxfield’s recent losses there was no pace to run into. Whoever was making that point thought Maxfield had an excellent chance to win the Classic. Any chance Maxfield will run as a five year old? To me Maxfield is the horse of missed opportunities.