Busy couple of days:
Art Collector won the Alydar easily:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
It was much easier than the 1.5 lengths suggests. It was mentioned on the broadcast that AC had some trouble in his first start back, but he is obviously over that now. Looking forward to seeing him challenge some of the big boys.
It was a delight to refresh my memory that Alydar won the Whitney at Saratoga as a 3YO as a prep for the Travers. I loved Alydar and had seen him in person twice. Once as a 2YO in the Hopeful (at Saratoga, losing to Affirmed), and again as a 3YO in the Remsen at Aqueduct (I cashed a nice ticket on Believe It). Alydar won the Travers that year on a disqualification on Affirmed for cutting him off on the backstretch. Alydar could only beat Affirmed by a DQ or by surprising him with a brush before Affirmed could react. But Alydar could outbreed Affirmed. You'd be surprised how many pedigrees he shows up in, although no sire line. They were related though genetically; Alydar was Affirmed's uncle. Alydar's sire Raise A Native was Affirmed's sire (Exclusive Native's) sire also. Alydar was killed for the insurance money in a scandalous episode from the bluegrass. But I digress.
Knicks Go is at the top of the division with a decisive win in the Whitney:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1424127892687048705
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
He went to the front and dared the other horses to come and get him; he earned a 111 Beyer.
Maxfield was second. I was waiting for Maxfield to fire on the turn and it never happened.
Swiss Skydiver was overmatched, but it was mentioned that she might be using this race as a prep for the Personal Ensign down the line.. Ugh; so what's next, use the Kentucky Derby as a prep for the Pennsylvania Derby???
The Test Stakes was won by
Bella Sofia:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Bella Sofia is a rapidly developing filly with only a few starts. She looked great.
At Del Mar, the Best Pal was won by
Pappacap:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
This colt won for fun under Jersey Joe Bravo. He shipped in for Mark Casse (father in law for Gabby Gaudet .. just for DevilMadeMeDoIt).
You don't usually see ship-ins to these California stakes races, so good to see.
And, in the $1M Hambletonian,
Captain Corey was a monster!
https://youtu.be/6xY2Lt9Tag0
He was pushed to a record 26.0 opening quarter, and was never given a breather.
Captain Corey, who is trained/driven by Ake Svanstadt (not one of the top drivers) was not going to give up the lead, and was good enough to ward off multiple challengers and remain standing at the end in 1:51.0. He paid $4.60 to the faithful.
Hambletonian was inbred to an English Thoroughbred who came to the USA named
Messenger, who could trot a bit. There is a Messenger stakes too. The same Messenger can be found in the 13th rank of
Secretariat's pedigree. So Messenger was some kind of horse. All Trotting and Pacing race horses descend from Hambetonian, that survive to this day, which is why he gets the BIG race!
We will end this note by paying homage to Steve Asmussen who broke the record for the most wins by a trainer in North America. He did this at Saratoga to full fanfare and with his family around him. It was quite a show.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...9sum%c3%a9_123
Steve, who burst onto the scene with such notables as Curlin, Rachel Alexandra (okay, so he took over after she showed she was the top 3YO filly), and Gun Runner, has been a detailed guy and is a dependable bet for first time starters for all of you punters out there. So we like Steve for that. He will continue to train for a long time to come, so like Mike Krzyzewski, he will set the bar for the next coach/trainer really high.
Larry
DevilHorse