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