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  1. #1

    Horse Racing 2022

    We will start looking forward to the new year of racing with this thread.

    I ask if there are subjects that either folks prefer to emphasize vs. subjects you prefer to see less of.
    I'm fine with doing less if it is taking up people's eyeball time.
    I seem to get 50-60 clicks when I post something new; perhaps it is one or two of you re-reading 20 times.. I don't know.
    There's only a few of you who interact. I'd like to hear a bit more from you to know what content I can provide or ignore.

    Based on observation of the other more active threads, if Mandaloun had been named Mandalorian this would have drawn more interest.. or not.

    On to the subject of more interest.

    There are a number of 3YO races on Saturday January 1, 2022, only 3 of which are awarding KYD points (all of the 10-4-2-1 for the first 4 places):

    At Aqueduct, is the Jerome Stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...1/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Aqueduct - Race 8, PPs]
    Cooke Creek, Courvoisier, Mr. Jefferson, and Hagler look like the contenders. Cooke Creek was soundly beaten by Rockefeller in the Nashua, but Rockefeller is in another Saturday race and is not the favorite there, so that speaks to the apparent relative quality of this race.
    Cooke Creek has shown the best, but Courvoisier has a big upgrade in jockey. The track might be off on Saturday. None of the favorites show any off-track lines, but Mr. Jefferson has Constitution as a sire and they have run well on the off-track. It is interesting that Todd Pletcher doesn't have a horse to enter this race at one of his home tracks.

    At the Oaklawn Park is the Smarty Jones. Of course, Smarty Jones raced out of Pennsylvania, and stood stud in Pennsylvania, but name the race for him in Arkansas. Just like the Secretariat Stakes is/was at Arlington Park on turf in Illinois, his favorite place and surface, but I digress...
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 9, PPs]
    All In Sync, Ben Diesel, and Home Brew should be favored in this full field of 14. These lightly raced horses are sure to create a lot of traffic. Dash Attack is an undefeated son of Munnings (who had a great year last year). All 3 of these horses will have above average jockeys on them. Kavod did 'eh' in a lot of stakes in the fall, was CLAIMED for $50k (plus allowances), but seems to have put it together and has won 2 straight races. This chestnut could have finally put it together for the new owners; he'll have to pick it up in the last quarter to be competitive. If Ben Diesel can work out a trip, I give him a chance.

    At Santa Anita, is the race named for the horse that broke the Preakness speed/track record in 1973, except for the horse in front of him, the Sham Stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Santa Anita Park - Race 7, PPs]
    Rockefeller appears here and is not the favorite. Mackinnon may grab that spot or Oviatt Class in this small field of 5. Baffert trains Rockefeller and has Flavian Prat on his back. Oviatt Class has been chasing Corniche and Mackinnon has been doing well, but on the turf.
    Oviatt Class beat Rockefeller in the American Pharoah earlier this year by 3 lengths. I say he does it again.


    At Gulfstream Park, there are a number of 3YO races, but only one that isn't a sprint. None of these races provide KYD points, but some may feed horses into races that do.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Gulfstream Park - Race 10, PPs]
    In the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, Race 10, there are a bunch of relatively unknown colts. The biggest unknown is Strike Hard who has a sprint/miler pedigree. The others have some races under their belt, but aren't scaring the big boys who aren't here.

    We'll see if anything exciting happens on the GP undercard that moves a horse up to varsity for the next round of races.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  2. #2

    Happy Birthday

    Happy Birthday to all of the race horses in all of the breeds in the world. Be safe and bring it home.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  3. #3

    For Arrogate Fans

    Which sire's progeny won the most money in the world yesterday? It was the 2YO crop of Arrogate!
    https://edge.twinspires.com/racing/f...oost-arrogate/

    Yes, the ill fated Arrogate, who left us too soon with only 2 crops of foals to leave a racing legacy, doubled his number of winners yesterday. Interestingly mostly with foreign owned/raced horses. But with the foals getting older, and the races getting longer, these horses are starting to look a bit more like the old man.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  4. #4
    Here is a year in review through the pictures of Barbara Livingston:
    https://youtu.be/JN5U2y0Fu80

    Believe me, you will recognize at least 60% of the horses in photo montage if you've kept up with this thread throughout the year.
    Put on your favorite NFL game tomorrow in the background, put on mute, and let this go for 17 minutes.

    If you love horses, and not just racing, add extra stars.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    We will start looking forward to the new year of racing with this thread.

    I ask if there are subjects that either folks prefer to emphasize vs. subjects you prefer to see less of.
    I'm fine with doing less if it is taking up people's eyeball time.
    I seem to get 50-60 clicks when I post something new; perhaps it is one or two of you re-reading 20 times.. I don't know.
    There's only a few of you who interact. I'd like to hear a bit more from you to know what content I can provide or ignore.

    Based on observation of the other more active threads, if Mandaloun had been named Mandalorian this would have drawn more interest.. or not.

    On to the subject of more interest.

    There are a number of 3YO races on Saturday January 1, 2022, only 3 of which are awarding KYD points (all of the 10-4-2-1 for the first 4 places):

    At Aqueduct, is the Jerome Stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...1/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Aqueduct - Race 8, PPs]
    Cooke Creek, Courvoisier, Mr. Jefferson, and Hagler look like the contenders. Cooke Creek was soundly beaten by Rockefeller in the Nashua, but Rockefeller is in another Saturday race and is not the favorite there, so that speaks to the apparent relative quality of this race.
    Cooke Creek has shown the best, but Courvoisier has a big upgrade in jockey. The track might be off on Saturday. None of the favorites show any off-track lines, but Mr. Jefferson has Constitution as a sire and they have run well on the off-track. It is interesting that Todd Pletcher doesn't have a horse to enter this race at one of his home tracks.

    At the Oaklawn Park is the Smarty Jones. Of course, Smarty Jones raced out of Pennsylvania, and stood stud in Pennsylvania, but name the race for him in Arkansas. Just like the Secretariat Stakes is/was at Arlington Park on turf in Illinois, his favorite place and surface, but I digress...
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 9, PPs]
    All In Sync, Ben Diesel, and Home Brew should be favored in this full field of 14. These lightly raced horses are sure to create a lot of traffic. Dash Attack is an undefeated son of Munnings (who had a great year last year). All 3 of these horses will have above average jockeys on them. Kavod did 'eh' in a lot of stakes in the fall, was CLAIMED for $50k (plus allowances), but seems to have put it together and has won 2 straight races. This chestnut could have finally put it together for the new owners; he'll have to pick it up in the last quarter to be competitive. If Ben Diesel can work out a trip, I give him a chance.

    At Santa Anita, is the race named for the horse that broke the Preakness speed/track record in 1973, except for the horse in front of him, the Sham Stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Santa Anita Park - Race 7, PPs]
    Rockefeller appears here and is not the favorite. Mackinnon may grab that spot or Oviatt Class in this small field of 5. Baffert trains Rockefeller and has Flavian Prat on his back. Oviatt Class has been chasing Corniche and Mackinnon has been doing well, but on the turf.
    Oviatt Class beat Rockefeller in the American Pharoah earlier this year by 3 lengths. I say he does it again.


    At Gulfstream Park, there are a number of 3YO races, but only one that isn't a sprint. None of these races provide KYD points, but some may feed horses into races that do.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [URL above, Saturday January 1, 2022, Gulfstream Park - Race 10, PPs]
    In the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, Race 10, there are a bunch of relatively unknown colts. The biggest unknown is Strike Hard who has a sprint/miler pedigree. The others have some races under their belt, but aren't scaring the big boys who aren't here.

    We'll see if anything exciting happens on the GP undercard that moves a horse up to varsity for the next round of races.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    The new year greeted us with the sad news that Billy Turner Jr. had passed.
    https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...dies_at_81_123
    Billy was the trainer of the great Seattle Slew. A quiet, soft spoken man, who took that rarest of thing, an inexpensive yearling, and turned it into champion. Perhaps the horse turned him into a great trainer, who knows. Turner had other great horses, but he will always be linked to Slew.
    Seattle Slew's legacy is now largely carried on through his son A.P. Indy, but that is now huge as that sire is proliferating in many classic winners and contenders.

    As far as yesterday's new shooters are concerned:

    At Aqueduct's muddy track, they ran the Jerome:
    Courvoisier came from behind and comfortably won, scoring a 73 Beyer. Smarten Up came from waaaay back to finish second and should be watched.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1477383819112206352

    At Oaklawn Park, in the Smarty Jones, also on an off track:
    Dash Attack came from well off the pace to remain undefeated.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1477410428896485377
    The Munnings magic continues.

    At Santa Anita, in the Sham Stakes:
    A classic case of "the pace makes the race" as Newgrange took to the front in slow fractions and sprinted home:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1477422155772035072
    The time for the race was slow, but no matter, New Grange collects all of the winner's purse.

    In the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park:
    Simplification looks like he will be a contender for the bigger purses with a 4 length win:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    In the Cash Run at Gulfstream, for fillies, Kathleen O. looked really good taking that race by 8.5:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1477349229735645192

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 01-02-2022 at 09:08 AM.

  6. #6

    Violence as a Sire

    Noticed the name of Violence (the son of Medaglia D'oro) as a siring force, cropping up recently.

    He is the sire of Dr. Shivel, who most folks are familiar with if you read this thread, as a surprise runner up in the BC Sprint.

    Yesterday, he had a couple of notable winners:

    1) mentioned earlier in the thread, Newgrange, the winner of the Sham Stakes

    2) A maiden filly winner, Queen Of Thorns, also at Santa Anita.
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1477397031421423619
    This filly's 2 siblings both broke their maiden at first asking too, but this effort was exceptional, no?!

    Violence was a precocious 2YO won his first and only 3 starts, and finished 2nd in his only remaining start, losing to eventual KYD winner ORB in the Fountain of Youth. As with several sires, they may have taken several foal crops to figure out what kind of mares to breed to this horse to get real value. I'll be looking out for him. Last year he was #31 in total earnings nationally.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  7. #7

    O Besos Reappears

    In yet another "Where Are They Now" appearance, O Besos won an optional claimer yesterday, that contained another horse trying to reclaim former glory, Math Wizard (who finished last):
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    O Besos's last 2 starts included a 5th in last year's KYD followed by a 2nd to Fulsome in the Matt Winn (where did Fulsome go??).

    It is always to see how these former, early bloomers are doing. Perhaps they couldn't take all of that early stress and needed the long rest, or wilted because they peeked too early. We'll see if this is the start of a nice run for this horse.

    Speaking of Optional Claimers, a horse we followed last year, Collaborate, is running in one on Friday:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [URL above, Friday January 7, 2022, Gulfstream Park - Race 9, PPs]
    He's in against Last Year's Mucho Macho Man winner Mutasaabeq, who has not raced in a year since then. Interesting race!!!
    I don't think the capable claiming horse Strike Appeal has a shot against these two.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 01-03-2022 at 07:21 PM.

  8. #8
    Really slim pickings this weekend.

    First, let me mention that Rombauer has been retired from racing. He was the surprise winner of the Preakness this past year. His come from behind style was very exciting to watch and will be missed in the older ranks. He is by the under-rated sire Twirling Candy, who is a top 20/30 type sire who stands this coming year for $60k. Those Twirling Candys are around. Twirling Candy is by the potent Candy Ride (out of the Crytoclearance - Fappiano - Mr. Prospector line). Twirling Candy's best progeny, other than Rombauer was Gift Box. But Candy Ride gave us Shared Belief, Game Winner, and some horse named Gun Runner!!! So there is much potential for Rombauer to carry on some great things in this line.

    Second, is anything happening this weekend?

    For 3YOs, perhaps something that might lead into some 3YO KYD races down the line. No points being awarded though.

    On Saturday, at Turfway Park (not known as the home of the champions, yet), is the Turfway Preview:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [ URL above, Saturday, January 7, 2022, Turfway Park - Race 6 , PPs ]
    Kaely's Brother looks like the favorite for Brad Cox. And look, a son of Twirling Candy!!!
    This is a 6.5 furlong race, and this fellow is out of a Yes, It's True mare (sprint pedigree). Might have a shot.
    Note that Turfway Park is not on Dirt, not on Turf, but on Tapeta. No this is not the stuff in those non-meat burgers at Burger King.
    The definition is, "a synthetic surface consisting of a mixture of silica sand, wax, and fibres." This replaces the Polytrack surface they used to have; polytrack may well have been produced by Burger King
    The artificial surfaces, as I understand it, play a bit more like turf than dirt, so I might give #2 Nobals an extra look since he has done well on the turf.

    On to other things..

    If you like to laugh at Bob Baffert (I know there are a few of you out there), one of his $1.3M babies from 2 years ago, who is still a maiden, is now 4YO and in another trainer's barn and is trying again.
    American Admiral.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Saturday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 2 , PPs ]

    The Santa Ynez for 3YOFillies is on Saturday at Santa Anita:

    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Saturday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 8 , PPs ]
    Big Switch (Velasquez)and Under The Stars (Prat) should be co-favorites. John Velasquez is giving Flavian Prat a run for top jockey honors out there; should be an interesting meet between these two.

    On Sunday at Santa Anita, an interesting re-emergence of a nice filly. Beautiful Gift is starting again after being out for the better part of a year:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Sunday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs ]
    This is her first time on turf and first out since failing miserably since the Black Eyed Susan the day before the Preakness.
    Her workouts are unremarkable. But she has a turf positive pedigree. I don't expect her to win, but hopefully she runs sound.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 01-07-2022 at 09:08 PM.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post

    Speaking of Optional Claimers, a horse we followed last year, Collaborate, is running in one on Friday:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
    [URL above, Friday January 7, 2022, Gulfstream Park - Race 9, PPs]
    He's in against Last Year's Mucho Macho Man winner Mutasaabeq, who has not raced in a year since then. Interesting race!!!
    I don't think the capable claiming horse Strike Appeal has a shot against these two.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Collaborate for the easy win:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Mutasaabeq was ridden aggressively, but needed the start apparently.
    Strike Appeal could see the whooole race.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Washington, DC area
    Roughly how many horses do you track in this thread?

    I don’t follow closely enough to have any idea, but there do seem to be a lot of ‘em.

    -jk

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by -jk View Post
    Roughly how many horses do you track in this thread?

    I don’t follow closely enough to have any idea, but there do seem to be a lot of ‘em.

    -jk
    I track a lot of horses!

    On a very high level:

    I'm just trying to bring horses that are interesting to me and might be interesting to folks who follow this forum into my posts.

    I have tools (free and available to all - and I'm glad to talk about them on request), that you can put the names of race horses in and they tell you when they are racing and when they work out. So I can track any of our favorites that we talk about.
    Then, there is the Stakes Schedule, which is easy to find on the internet, and other places. That is where the better horses will congregate.
    Also, maiden races at the bigger tracks, where the bigger trainers hang out, is where I can look and see if there are interesting young starters. I don't know all the mares names, but I can tell that a $5k horse is not as interesting as a $2000k horse by Todd Pletcher.

    There are horses that are on the KYD trail..
    + Starts with the 2YO year. Folks on this thread who have spoken up have said that they are looking for their KYD animal to track and follow.
    + There are maybe 50 2YO and another 25-30 3YO races of interest leading up to the KYD.

    Twitter is good to get names of horses that are causing a 'buzz'.

    I come across lists of non-starters, by top trainers, who are looking good. Maybe a few of you enjoy being able to watch "The Next Great Horse" get their maiden victory, or maybe fall on their face. But it is an opportunity.

    There are the fillies too. There are the rare fillies who will try the KYD, so have to watch them too.
    But excellence is always worth watching.
    That also means, dare I say it, turf racing for the young horses. If there is an excellent horse there, I'll try to track that one too.
    International as well.

    Then of course, there are Big Stakes races, which are the showcases for the 3YOs that were on the Derby Trail. We watch our Duke Players in the NBA and the Olympics, so why not the Travers and big races in the fall. And of course, the Breeder's Cup. Besides, a favorite horse is a favorite horse.

    But above all, there are the stories. Those horses that came from no where that reward their faith from owners. The romance of the sport.
    I used to get 5 monthly and weekly periodicals, which have whittled down to 2. But there is still much electronic information out there.
    I also like and appreciate the breeding of the horses. Whenever I can, I try to bring you the back stories and some of the relationships of these horses to sires, mares, and other horses of yesteryear (it is what first attracted me to the horses).

    We can't buy an NBA, NFL, or MLB franchise, but believe it or not anyone out there can buy a horse in total or in partnership. Authentic had over a hundred owners. I owned a bunch of horses in partnership and had a great time!! People who enjoy this sport should consider getting involved, especially with some people who know the sport and can guide them through it, with some assurances of legitimacy.

    I've attempted to be as candid as I can with my opinions here. I've only gotten a little feedback. But it isn't really my forum; I just fill in the vacuum.

    For every race I mention, there is a horse you're rooting for which may be different than the horse you think is going to win, (and maybe a horse you hope will lose). I'd like to hear more opinions from you guys and why. Maybe I can provide more information to make this forum more interesting.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    Really slim pickings this weekend.


    For 3YOs, perhaps something that might lead into some 3YO KYD races down the line. No points being awarded though.

    On Saturday, at Turfway Park (not known as the home of the champions, yet), is the Turfway Preview:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [ URL above, Saturday, January 7, 2022, Turfway Park - Race 6 , PPs ]
    Kaely's Brother looks like the favorite for Brad Cox. And look, a son of Twirling Candy!!!
    This is a 6.5 furlong race, and this fellow is out of a Yes, It's True mare (sprint pedigree). Might have a shot.
    Note that Turfway Park is not on Dirt, not on Turf, but on Tapeta. No this is not the stuff in those non-meat burgers at Burger King.
    The definition is, "a synthetic surface consisting of a mixture of silica sand, wax, and fibres." This replaces the Polytrack surface they used to have; polytrack may well have been produced by Burger King
    The artificial surfaces, as I understand it, play a bit more like turf than dirt, so I might give #2 Nobals an extra look since he has done well on the turf.

    On to other things..

    If you like to laugh at Bob Baffert (I know there are a few of you out there), one of his $1.3M babies from 2 years ago, who is still a maiden, is now 4YO and in another trainer's barn and is trying again.
    American Admiral.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Saturday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 2 , PPs ]

    The Santa Ynez for 3YOFillies is on Saturday at Santa Anita:

    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Saturday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 8 , PPs ]
    Big Switch (Velasquez)and Under The Stars (Prat) should be co-favorites. John Velasquez is giving Flavian Prat a run for top jockey honors out there; should be an interesting meet between these two.

    On Sunday at Santa Anita, an interesting re-emergence of a nice filly. Beautiful Gift is starting again after being out for the better part of a year:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
    [URL above, Sunday, January - 7, 2022, Santa Anita - Race 8, PPs ]
    This is her first time on turf and first out since failing miserably since the Black Eyed Susan the day before the Preakness.
    Her workouts are unremarkable. But she has a turf positive pedigree. I don't expect her to win, but hopefully she runs sound.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Nobals won the Turfway Preview:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1479999825944858626
    Yes, the horse's name is pronounced "No Balls", and the horse is a gelding.
    There are rules that the Clerk Of The Course keeps when allowing the naming of horses. It is not supposed to be filthy, risque, curse words, or named after someone famous without their permission; there are length limits. But there are many names that slip through. I maintain a list, for my own amusement, of names of horses that have slipped through knowingly (or unknowingly) by these naming officials. Some more benign than others. I know of another gelding who was named Minus Two (not horrible). But I digress. Nice job by Nobals; no Beyer out. I expect we'll see him in a race with KYD points on the line.

    The Santa Ynez was won by Under The Stars:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1479978987657080835
    A 92 Beyer was awarded, but no points toward the Kentucky Oaks since Under The Stars is trained by prohibited trainer Bob Baffert.
    Under The Stars does get 1st place purse money though.
    The complexion of this race changed when Mimajoon, the expected early speed in this race, stumbled at the start; Flavian Prat jumped on this opportunity and used Under The Stars' speed to control the pace and hold on for the win; kudos to Pratt. Favorite Big Switch was never a contender.

    American Admiral finished a decent 2nd in his race (out of 5 horses).
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on


    Larry
    DevilHorse

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Franklin TN
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    I track a lot of horses!

    On a very high level:

    I'm just trying to bring horses that are interesting to me and might be interesting to folks who follow this forum into my posts.

    I have tools (free and available to all - and I'm glad to talk about them on request), that you can put the names of race horses in and they tell you when they are racing and when they work out. So I can track any of our favorites that we talk about.
    Then, there is the Stakes Schedule, which is easy to find on the internet, and other places. That is where the better horses will congregate.
    Also, maiden races at the bigger tracks, where the bigger trainers hang out, is where I can look and see if there are interesting young starters. I don't know all the mares names, but I can tell that a $5k horse is not as interesting as a $2000k horse by Todd Pletcher.

    There are horses that are on the KYD trail..
    + Starts with the 2YO year. Folks on this thread who have spoken up have said that they are looking for their KYD animal to track and follow.
    + There are maybe 50 2YO and another 25-30 3YO races of interest leading up to the KYD.

    Twitter is good to get names of horses that are causing a 'buzz'.

    I come across lists of non-starters, by top trainers, who are looking good. Maybe a few of you enjoy being able to watch "The Next Great Horse" get their maiden victory, or maybe fall on their face. But it is an opportunity.

    There are the fillies too. There are the rare fillies who will try the KYD, so have to watch them too.
    But excellence is always worth watching.
    That also means, dare I say it, turf racing for the young horses. If there is an excellent horse there, I'll try to track that one too.
    International as well.

    Then of course, there are Big Stakes races, which are the showcases for the 3YOs that were on the Derby Trail. We watch our Duke Players in the NBA and the Olympics, so why not the Travers and big races in the fall. And of course, the Breeder's Cup. Besides, a favorite horse is a favorite horse.

    But above all, there are the stories. Those horses that came from no where that reward their faith from owners. The romance of the sport.
    I used to get 5 monthly and weekly periodicals, which have whittled down to 2. But there is still much electronic information out there.
    I also like and appreciate the breeding of the horses. Whenever I can, I try to bring you the back stories and some of the relationships of these horses to sires, mares, and other horses of yesteryear (it is what first attracted me to the horses).

    We can't buy an NBA, NFL, or MLB franchise, but believe it or not anyone out there can buy a horse in total or in partnership. Authentic had over a hundred owners. I owned a bunch of horses in partnership and had a great time!! People who enjoy this sport should consider getting involved, especially with some people who know the sport and can guide them through it, with some assurances of legitimacy.

    I've attempted to be as candid as I can with my opinions here. I've only gotten a little feedback. But it isn't really my forum; I just fill in the vacuum.

    For every race I mention, there is a horse you're rooting for which may be different than the horse you think is going to win, (and maybe a horse you hope will lose). I'd like to hear more opinions from you guys and why. Maybe I can provide more information to make this forum more interesting.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Just checking in to say thank you for your good work. With crappy winter weather here in middle Tennessee, I’m not yet back in the game. With Comcast finally carrying the ACC network I dropped Hulu Live and now have to watch TVG in low definition, bummer. I watched a couple of races yesterday, the weather at Oaklawn was dreary. When the Derby preps get in full swing I’m sure too get more tuned in. In the meanwhile please continue my education on horse racing.

    I did watch the demolition derby in the feature at Aqueduct. Just glad no human or horse was injured.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by TheDevilMadeMeDoIt View Post
    Just checking in to say thank you for your good work. With crappy winter weather here in middle Tennessee, I’m not yet back in the game. With Comcast finally carrying the ACC network I dropped Hulu Live and now have to watch TVG in low definition, bummer. I watched a couple of races yesterday, the weather at Oaklawn was dreary. When the Derby preps get in full swing I’m sure too get more tuned in. In the meanwhile please continue my education on horse racing.

    I did watch the demolition derby in the feature at Aqueduct. Just glad no human or horse was injured.
    I saw the lead jockey put his hands on his hips to say the jam was over when he crossed the finish line.
    I loved roller derby growing up!
    Here is the race that TDMMDI is talking about:
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1479921448969912324

    Horses love the cold weather and most of them love to compete (they really do. As ponies they race all the time in the fields as a pack).
    There were only a couple of raps on the rear by the jockeys; mostly it was encouragement near the heads. These horses were after it.
    Here is the write-up:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Here are the PPs if you are interested in the quality of the horses. Very nice state-breds:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...6/summary.html
    [ URL above, Saturday, January 8, 2022 , Aqueduct - Race 8, PPs ]

    Note: it is a great example of horses running away from the whip. A lot of right handed whipping moved the horses towards the rail.

    My cable company keeps jumping between HD and Low Definition for TVG, but I also have the APP and TVG2. In between the basketball and TCM reruns of course.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Franklin TN
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    I saw the lead jockey put his hands on his hips to say the jam was over when he crossed the finish line.
    I loved roller derby growing up!
    Here is the race that TDMMDI is talking about:
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1479921448969912324

    Horses love the cold weather and most of them love to compete (they really do. As ponies they race all the time in the fields as a pack).
    There were only a couple of raps on the rear by the jockeys; mostly it was encouragement near the heads. These horses were after it.
    Here is the write-up:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Here are the PPs if you are interested in the quality of the horses. Very nice state-breds:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...6/summary.html
    [ URL above, Saturday, January 8, 2022 , Aqueduct - Race 8, PPs ]

    Note: it is a great example of horses running away from the whip. A lot of right handed whipping moved the horses towards the rail.

    My cable company keeps jumping between HD and Low Definition for TVG, but I also have the APP and TVG2. In between the basketball and TCM reruns of course.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Two observations from the PPs. First, Chestertown, a Tapit, a big $2million miss. We’ve talked about it before, but interesting to me how many Tapits are grey or roan just like daddy. Maybe you can help out, 50 years ago grey horses were listed as either grey or roans. Many times I couldn’t tell the difference. Now days they’re listed as both. When did that change come about? Greys always appealed to me because you could spot where they were running during the race, at least in the days before the jumbotrons at the track.

    My Boy Tate looks like age 8 years old has not diminished his competitive spirit. It was a spirited group, not a race for sissy horses. There’s always been something special about watching older geldings that like to run. You usually get a good effort which is what I as a bettor want from my horse.

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by TheDevilMadeMeDoIt View Post
    Two observations from the PPs. First, Chestertown, a Tapit, a big $2million miss. We’ve talked about it before, but interesting to me how many Tapits are grey or roan just like daddy. Maybe you can help out, 50 years ago grey horses were listed as either grey or roans. Many times I couldn’t tell the difference. Now days they’re listed as both. When did that change come about? Greys always appealed to me because you could spot where they were running during the race, at least in the days before the jumbotrons at the track.

    My Boy Tate looks like age 8 years old has not diminished his competitive spirit. It was a spirited group, not a race for sissy horses. There’s always been something special about watching older geldings that like to run. You usually get a good effort which is what I as a bettor want from my horse.
    Determining a horse's color, when it comes to roans vs. greys can be a bit of a challenge.

    Here are a couple of definitions from the internet:

    “Grey” is the gradual lightening of some other overall color of the horse's coat. “Roan” is a coloration pattern that remains constant throughout the life of the horse. Roan and Grey are completely different descriptors and are not interchangeable.


    Roan is a color pattern of intermingled white hair with the horse's base color, typically their head and extremities retain the base color. A gray horse progressively lightens its base color as it ages. A roan foal is born a roan, but a grey foal may be born chestnut, bay, brown or black and turn grey.

    If this doesn't clarify things, join the club. This leaves my feet firmly planted in mid-air.

    I know how confusing this subject is because I had a foal like this. Father was a grey (standardbred champion named Laag); mare was a bay. The foal looked bay when she was born, but something about the eyebrows looked a bit grey. As you may not know, foals shed out their baby hair later in the spring. At about 3-4 months, I went by the farm and saw my filly about 2-3 weeks after I saw her last and couldn't recognize her except for the white star on her head (unmistakable). Her brown bay body and legs were now all grey, except for some bay hair that was 'hanging on' on the sides like old drunk guy whiskers. But on closer inspection, there were some specs of black, and a few chestnutty hairs in there. Greys are only grey and black. This filly for 3 years had a black mane and tail (gorgeous). Greys usually turn white with age. Roan's might. There was a beautiful Strawberry Roan that was almost yellow that I saw once.


    The problem here is that you register the foal somewhere around when they are a yearling or early 2YO year. But they change so much (notice that second definition suggests that they change colors later in life if they are grey but not if they are roan). They don't re-register for the color. You the owner does the registering. You write down the color, the markings, propose a name, etc.. Nobody went out to the farm to check my work. So if I missed a white sock, or the horse was really a chestnut vs. a roan vs. grey, that was it. Re-registering for anything is extremely rare. Right after 9/11 there was a horse named Twin Towers that was allowed to re-register with a new name; that is one of the extremely rare cases I know of (and very understandable). BTW, I registered a horse (foal of my mare, half brother to the grey filly above) and he had a big white stripe right along his belly where no one could see it unless you were under him. But I didn't notice it till a year after I registered him (when he was much taller and reared up). The missing mark never came up as an issue and the horse eventually became a stud. No questions asked like, "you sure this is the right horse???".

    Horse coloring does involve more than 1 gene. There are genes to color hair in tails and manes (usually the same), also whether the leg hair is dark (black) vs. the same color as the body hair. Did you notice that Essential quality has black legs (ignore the white socks):
    EQ1.jpg

    This is the same gene (although on a grey) as this bay horse, and all light/dark bay horses like this guy:
    bayhorse1.jpg

    That is different than a brown horse (although sometimes they mix this with calling it bay) which has a homogeneous color throughout the body:
    brownHorse.jpg

    The internet says the grey gene in horses is dominant. I don't know but I won't argue. There are not that many grey mares, but there are about 50% grey foals from grey sires (I guess there are essentially no double grey allele grey sires).

    The more modern population has exploded with some better grey sires in the gene pool. Creative Cause and Holy Bull have injected a good number of greys into the breed. And even older Cougar II and Native Diver (the Grey Ghost). Spectacular Bid (who is white now) did not produce many good runners or mares. Frosted was a beauty, and as you know Tapit is spreading the beautiful greys everywhere. Essential Quality will continue that proud tradition. That horse will be white before long.

    Is it grey or gray? I don't know.

    I'll tell you this, put a grey horse in a field (grassy field, not race field) of other horses, and the brown ones will stay away from it. Maybe with more greys the foals of today are "smarter" but years ago, they were afraid of these 'ghosts'.

    Did you know there are VERY few black horses. They exist though. And a few freak white horses. I had followed the great Sodashi in Japan who was wonderful and the daughter of a freakish colored mother. The genetic mutation is similar to what produces the white buffalo that you hear about that portends events in the Native American nation.. but I digress.

    I hope this helped..

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Last edited by DevilHorse; 01-10-2022 at 08:04 PM.

  17. #17
    Not a lot going on.

    I didn't recognize a free money opportunity yesterday:

    A warrior from the KYD trail 2 years ago was in to go in an allowance race. Green Light Go had an easy time of it at Aqueduct:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Paid $3.70. I shoulda been paying more attention!!

    This weekend, there are some inconsequential 3YO races that are not even worth mentioning, so I'll wait till next weekend till the real derby trail starts up.

    We do see a race with an old derby trail name returns to the races:
    Concert Tour returns to the races in the Fifth Season stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [ URL above, January 15, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 8, PPs ]
    The winner of last year's Rebel Stakes was last seen finishing up the track in the Preakness. We'll see if he is sharp enough to take on Thomas Selby.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  18. #18

    Interesting Race Alert - Today (1/14/2022)

    Found an interesting Optional Claimer at Oaklawn Park today:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...4/summary.html
    [ URL, January, 14, 2022 , Oaklawn Park - Race 8, PPs ]

    It looks like free money for C Z Rocket, a Grade I sprinter denizen mentioned often in this forum (last in November's BC Sprint!!).
    He has gotten checks, but hasn't actually won since last April, thus fitting the specs for this race.
    There are a couple of other interesting horses in this 62K Optional Claiming race.
    Attachment Rate was in the Authentic KYD and raced against Maxfield last year; I didn't say he did well, but he was there. I'm not sure sprinting is going to be his forte'.
    Cazadero is an interesting horse; the 4YO, out since last June, raced against Jackie's Warrior in the Saratoga Special 2 years ago. But has had a spotty race record, primarily in sprints. Based on the works, they may have him work his way back into shape. But Rosario is up after a long absence; he may have other ideas.
    I expect C Z Rocket will be a short price and will win by daylight.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    Found an interesting Optional Claimer at Oaklawn Park today:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...4/summary.html
    [ URL, January, 14, 2022 , Oaklawn Park - Race 8, PPs ]

    It looks like free money for C Z Rocket, a Grade I sprinter denizen mentioned often in this forum (last in November's BC Sprint!!).
    He has gotten checks, but hasn't actually won since last April, thus fitting the specs for this race.
    There are a couple of other interesting horses in this 62K Optional Claiming race.
    Attachment Rate was in the Authentic KYD and raced against Maxfield last year; I didn't say he did well, but he was there. I'm not sure sprinting is going to be his forte'.
    Cazadero is an interesting horse; the 4YO, out since last June, raced against Jackie's Warrior in the Saratoga Special 2 years ago. But has had a spotty race record, primarily in sprints. Based on the works, they may have him work his way back into shape. But Rosario is up after a long absence; he may have other ideas.
    I expect C Z Rocket will be a short price and will win by daylight.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    OOof, that race didn't go as planned.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

    C Z Rocket got off slowly and was never a factor, although pushed to be in the Triple.
    Attachment Rate was never a factor.

    Onto today's less than interesting cards..

    Noticed a nice first time starter, 3YO filly by John Sadler at Santa Anita yesterday.
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Workouts were pedestrian, the race showed a similar relaxed style; Hail Columbia could be something if she progresses.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by DevilHorse View Post
    Not a lot going on.


    This weekend, there are some inconsequential 3YO races that are not even worth mentioning, so I'll wait till next weekend till the real derby trail starts up.

    We do see a race with an old derby trail name returns to the races:
    Concert Tour returns to the races in the Fifth Season stakes:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
    [ URL above, January 15, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 8, PPs ]
    The winner of last year's Rebel Stakes was last seen finishing up the track in the Preakness. We'll see if he is sharp enough to take on Thomas Selby.

    Larry
    DevilHorse
    Concert Tour didn't quite have it yesterday:
    http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
    Rated R Superstar won the Fifth Season. Noticed Silver Prospector was in there too.

    Big week coming up at the Fair Grounds as the LeComte will be run. Word is Pappacap will be in there.

    Midnight Bourbon and Mandaloun may be in action as well.

    Word is that Knicks Go is invited to the Pegasus later this month, but Flightline will take a pass.

    Larry
    DevilHorse

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