Horse Racing 2022

[DevilHorse]

Tomorrow at 11am they will draw the post positions for the 2022 Belmont.
Here is a rundown of the probable horses that will be in the race:
https://www.americasbestracing.net/t...now-the-horses
Ethereal Road and (my favorite name) Howling Time are recent drop outs.
Bobby Flay, who is a top chef and apparently has a keen eye for horses, just bought into the Peter Pan winner We The People. I didn't realize that he already owned a piece of 2016 Belmont winner Creator! Pretty good "Track" record.

This Belmont marks the 50th anniversary of the Belmont win of the horse that saved Meadow Stables.
No, not Big Red, but Riva Ridge who won the KYD and Belmont the year before, but was over-shadowed by his more flamboyant stablemate who was voted the horse of the year as a 2YO that same year 1972. How a horse is more flamboyant, I'll never know; maybe went to some horse bars or something to hang with Joe Namath. But according to Kate Tweedy, it was Riva Ridge who won the needed money and taught her mom Penney Tweedy how to run a stable and farm, which was totally glossed over by the (Secretariat) Disney movie, where Riva Ridge didn't even get a mention. Riva Ridge might have won the Triple Crown that year, except for a muddy Preakness day; RR apparently was famously not built for the slop. RR won the Belmont by 7 lengths in 1972; pretty good by (almost) any measure.

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

Tomorrow at 11am they will draw the post positions for the 2022 Belmont.
Here is a rundown of the probable horses that will be in the race:
https://www.americasbestracing.net/t...now-the-horses
Ethereal Road and (my favorite name) Howling Time are recent drop outs.
Bobby Flay, who is a top chef and apparently has a keen eye for horses, just bought into the Peter Pan winner We The People. I didn't realize that he already owned a piece of 2016 Belmont winner Creator! Pretty good "Track" record.

This Belmont marks the 50th anniversary of the Belmont win of the horse that saved Meadow Stables.
No, not Big Red, but Riva Ridge who won the KYD and Belmont the year before, but was over-shadowed by his more flamboyant stablemate who was voted the horse of the year as a 2YO that same year 1972. How a horse is more flamboyant, I'll never know; maybe went to some horse bars or something to hang with Joe Namath. But according to Kate Tweedy, it was Riva Ridge who won the needed money and taught her mom Penney Tweedy how to run a stable and farm, which was totally glossed over by the (Secretariat) Disney movie, where Riva Ridge didn't even get a mention. Riva Ridge might have won the Triple Crown that year, except for a muddy Preakness day; RR apparently was famously not built for the slop. RR won the Belmont by 7 lengths in 1972; pretty good by (almost) any measure.

Larry
DevilHorse

I saw Riva Ridge win the Bluegrass at Keeneland then 9 days later win the Ky. Derby in 1972. He was the super horse that year, and ran even after he was four years old, not something we see today. Eventually Keeneland had to move the Bluegrass to early April, as like the Derby Trial, horseman no longer wanted to race on a date that close to the Derby.

I know we have debated this issue before, but I see changing the schedule for the Triple Crown races following the same path.

Even though Riva Ridge was successful in winning the Bluegrass and the Derby, the next year the same owner and trainer sent Secretariat to the Wood as his last prep race. You have to wonder if they somehow blamed RR’s lose in the Preakness for having run him in races too close together.

[DevilHorse]

I saw Riva Ridge win the Bluegrass at Keeneland then 9 days later win the Ky. Derby in 1972. He was the super horse that year, and ran even after he was four years old, not something we see today. Eventually Keeneland had to move the Bluegrass to early April, as like the Derby Trial, horseman no longer wanted to race on a date that close to the Derby.

I know we have debated this issue before, but I see changing the schedule for the Triple Crown races following the same path.

Even though Riva Ridge was successful in winning the Bluegrass and the Derby, the next year the same owner and trainer sent Secretariat to the Wood as his last prep race. You have to wonder if they somehow blamed RR’s lose in the Preakness for having run him in races too close together.

RR's loss in the Preakness was definitely blamed on the sloppy track. According to all the sources I could find:
http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/riva-ridge.html
Many of which may be the same source, his biology just didn't work for mud; he couldn't grip it.

Compare a New York minute to Kentucky. They took 1/2 hour to pull the pills for the KYD (ok, 20 horses) but at 8 minutes passed the hour, (and it didn't start at 11am) the Belmont field was selected (8 horses). No Miss Kentucky needed to sashay down the row to put up numbers.. There it is.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

What is happening Friday at Belmont?

This will be a fun weekend, but there are a few stakes on Friday. Here are a few pointers:

For you turfers is the Belmont Gold Cup:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
Abaan is the class of the race. You have 3 capable euros in here who must be loving the money to smaller field ratio.

The True North Handicap has Jackie's Warrior on the prowl:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Baby Yoda and Sound Money will be the underweighted challengers.

The New York Stakes has an intriguing horse in this headlining turf race:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Bleecker Street is undefeated in 6 races. Prat rode BS in her last race, but Prat took Chad Brown's horse (could be trainer loyalty). Don't feel sorry for BS because she gets Irad! Virginia Joy also could be right there.

Here's an early look at the Belmont Stakes post positions and odds:
https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne..._line_odds_123

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

On Thursday at Belmont, the first big Stakes race for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Thursday June 9, 2022 - Race 8, PPs ]
What a mishmash of interesting horses. All winners of their only previous start. All going longer than before.
No Nay Hudson might be a lukewarm favorite because of his trainer , breeding, highest price yearling, and other factors. But you can pick almost any of these horses and not be wrong.
Stayhonor Goodside is a precocious Honor Code; that is a contradiction. Great jockeys, except perhaps for a couple of lesser knowns, but they are the only ones back on their mounts (an advantage). Valenzan has a race over the track, but his jockey in that race picked Two Of A Kind. I'd have to wait and see how these horses look to make my choice; could be a longshot here. I'd remember that these horses really improve and change the second time out, they all learn so much, so which one learned the most in their first race? Don't expect any bridge jumping here.

Here is your Belmont Stakes PPs, for advanced handicapping:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above, June 11, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
A lot of the Stakes races are on this page.. I'll have more to say about them later.
This is a fantastic card! Perhaps one of the top 5 cards of the year if not better.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Saturday will be one of the great days of racing this year. There will be a few, but at the very least it will define the landscape of a number of the divisions of thoroughbred racing and set up some big contests for later in the year. I will speak about the divisions as we go through the races, but this post may have to be broken up because it just might get too long.

In general, there are some trends in Tbred racing that are becoming too obvious with this race card. I've mentioned that the foal crops are getting smaller, yet the stakes schedule has not. The result then is to either have less quality in the stakes races, some bad horses in with good, or small fields; on Saturday, there are many small fields. But they are really good small fields!!! 8 Grade I races and a Grade II MMM mmmm.

In Race 3 at Belmont, The Grade I Acorn:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 3, PPs ]
Echo Zulu should be tighter after her last defeat in this 5 horse race. Maybe 1 1/8 miles was too long for EZ, maybe she wasn't quite in shape yet, who knows. But this first race in the Triple Tiara for fillies is only a 1 turn mile, so she will be plenty strong enough at the end of this race. She will be challenged by the 8Belles winner from the same day that EZ last raced, and that's Matareya. I expect EZ to go to the front and to try and steal the race; Matareya will try to stalk, but if she doesn't trigger early, EZ will be long gone. Bet the EZ/M exacta for a nice $2.40.
"
In Race 4 at Belmont, on the turf the Just A Game:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs ]
Regal Glory, Speak Of the Devil, Leggs Galore are all riding win streaks. In Italian just finished 2nd. Great race. BTW, "In Italian" is also the name of an expensive SBred that started her career this week.

In Race 5 at Belmont, the Grade II Brooklyn Stakes at 1.5 miles:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs ]
Is it quicker to Brooklyn or by bus?
A standard question, but at 1.5 miles, it certainly will take a while to get there.
Distance specialist Lone Rock is favored, and why not, he won this race last year. But the last horse to beat him at a long distance, Locally Owned, is in the field.

In Race 6 at Belmont, the Grade I Woody Stephens:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 6, PPs ]
Woody Stephens won 5 Belmont Stakes in a row, and his horses didn't do too badly either... but I digress.d
6 3YO will contest this one. These guys are from all different strata of the sophomore ranks.
Jack Christopher continues his comeback tour; the undefeated colt has proven that 7f is to his liking. Who can beat this super sprinter?
Wit may be up to it. This colt, also a 2YO sensation, got back to his winning ways in the Bay Shore on Wood Memorial day. He showed that 7f is to his liking.
Morello had an excuse in the Wood Memorial, will have a chance to show if he should have been in the KYD and is meant for more serious stuff or not.
Pappacap is still trying to catch the 3YO train, but hasn't found the answer yet. Jack Christopher looks to have the edge here.

In Race 7, at Belmont, the Grade I Ogden Phipps for older mares:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs ]
Any of these 5 mares can win this and it would not be an upset; they are all good.
Letruska is best of them by reputation and accomplishment; she's had 2 starts this year. Is she ready for this test? She will be on the front!
Malathaat is the rising 3YO champion, who now has a race under her belt. She beat Bonny South who is also in the field.
Clairere lost to Letruska in the Apple Blossom.
Search Results has the best last speed figure.
I think that youth will be served and Malathaat beats Letruska.


In Race 8, at Belmont, on the turf is the Grade I Jaipur:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
11 horses will contest it. Arrest Me Red has a lot of ones...

In Race 9, at Belmont, drum roll please, is the Grade I Metropolitan (Mile) Handicap:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Check out the weights for this most anticipated race on the card (yes, more than the Belmont).
Speaker's Corner - 125, Flightline - 124, Aloha West - 123, Happy Saver - 122, and Informative - 116???
I don't think the handicapper knew what to do with this race. Darts were thrown.
Flightline is likely to take to the front and Speaker's Corner will stalk. Can Speaker's Corner keep up? If Flightline is healthy, I don't think so. Flightline's pedigree says he wants to go longer; so does the end of all of his races. Both have great jockeys that have only moderate experience at Big Sandy. This could be a blowout or a race for the ages. If there is no crazy hook-up early, then the other horses shouldn't be in the picture.

In Race 10 at Belmont, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs ]
Fitting that this occurs on the calendar between the two Manhattenhenges!!!
Gufo, Santin, Highland Chief.


In Race 11 at Belmont, the Grade I Belmont Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
There is one horse with early speed (yes for 1.5 miles) and that horse is We the People. If he is unchallenged on the lead, the race could be over. Rich Strike benefited from an insane early pace in the KYD. If one of the horses sacrifices themselves and challenges We The People early, then anything can happen; it just depends on who is left. These are good horses, most of them with Belmont winners in the pedigres (Curlin, A.P. Indy, Ghostzapper) so anyone could pick up the pieces. Nest has more of a distance pedigree than a sprint, so she is taking a shot here instead of the Acorn, but probably outclassed. I'll pick We The People, Rich Strike, Mo Donegal. Why do I pick Rich Strike to finish second, because the KYD tends to let quality come to the top no matter what.


Bonus, "where are they now" race.
At Santa Anita, Race 8, The Affirmed Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Santa Anita Park o- Race 7, PPs ]
So remember Newgrange? He was undefeated in the Rebel in February for Baffert and then disappeared. Well Saturday he reappears, under new management. His toughest competition will be Doppelganger who finished 2nd to Forbidden Kingdom (another horse missing from this generation). He must have a myracehorse page somewhere.

Remember all bets/predictions could change based on weather conditions, scratches, jockey changes, how a horse appears in the paddock/on the race course. Don't bet too early because valuable information comes in late.

Comments and predictions are welcome.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

I found the following comments supporting changing the Triple Crown inter-race timing in an interview today from Randy Moss (the NBC Equine commentator, not the former NFL player) who was in a round table podcast with other journalists through the Thoroughbred Daily News:

People say, 'It's always been that way,'@ he said. No, it's been
that way since 1960, which was the year that it changed to the
current two-week, three-week [break] format. But in the 1940s,
when there were four Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway, Assault,
Count Fleet and Citation, and all four of them had four weeks
between the Preakness and Belmont. In the 1950s, there were
three instances where there were three weeks between the
Derby and Preakness and six in which there were four weeks
between the Preakness and Belmont. It's not as if this current
spacing that we've had for the last 62 years was handed down in
stone tablets or anything like that. I've gone back and looked for
articles in the past about Triple Crown spacing, and it was never
an issue. No one ever talked about it. The Triple Crown as a
concept was to pit the best horses of a generation against each
other in three successive races. That makes the Triple Crown
what it is, not the spacing necessarily.

You learn something new everyday. I thought this would add to the discussion.

Larry
DevilHorse

Continuing this discussion about whether to change spacing in the Triple Crown or not, I heard some interesting comments on a TDN podcast. The thought was that changing the Triple Crown so there is 'a little more' spacing between races would not make much of a difference at all, so why do that? The reason for this comment is to look at how many horses this year from the KYD, who skipped the Preakness, who are still in training, but still did not enter the $1.5M Belmont?! I won't mention horses that should never have been entered, well regarded horses like Taiba, Crown Pride, Charge It, Tiz The Bomb, Simplification, White Abarrio, Cyberknife, Classic Causeway, Zozos, Tawny Port, and Zandon. You mean they wouldn't take a shot at $1.5M? What about Messier? OK, just by the numbers, some of these horses did not fair well in the KYD, but 5 weeks is enough time for a rest. Only 8 horses in the Belmont. These pedigrees are not sprint pedigrees.

So it isn't the spacing of the Triple Crown races! These particular horses just aren't up to it.

Just sayin'

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

Saturday will be one of the great days of racing this year. There will be a few, but at the very least it will define the landscape of a number of the divisions of thoroughbred racing and set up some big contests for later in the year. I will speak about the divisions as we go through the races, but this post may have to be broken up because it just might get too long.

In general, there are some trends in Tbred racing that are becoming too obvious with this race card. I've mentioned that the foal crops are getting smaller, yet the stakes schedule has not. The result then is to either have less quality in the stakes races, some bad horses in with good, or small fields; on Saturday, there are many small fields. But they are really good small fields!!! 8 Grade I races and a Grade II MMM mmmm.

In Race 3 at Belmont, The Grade I Acorn:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 3, PPs ]
Echo Zulu should be tighter after her last defeat in this 5 horse race. Maybe 1 1/8 miles was too long for EZ, maybe she wasn't quite in shape yet, who knows. But this first race in the Triple Tiara for fillies is only a 1 turn mile, so she will be plenty strong enough at the end of this race. She will be challenged by the 8Belles winner from the same day that EZ last raced, and that's Matareya. I expect EZ to go to the front and to try and steal the race; Matareya will try to stalk, but if she doesn't trigger early, EZ will be long gone. Bet the EZ/M exacta for a nice $2.40.
"
In Race 4 at Belmont, on the turf the Just A Game:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs ]
Regal Glory, Speak Of the Devil, Leggs Galore are all riding win streaks. In Italian just finished 2nd. Great race. BTW, "In Italian" is also the name of an expensive SBred that started her career this week.

In Race 5 at Belmont, the Grade II Brooklyn Stakes at 1.5 miles:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs ]
Is it quicker to Brooklyn or by bus?
A standard question, but at 1.5 miles, it certainly will take a while to get there.
Distance specialist Lone Rock is favored, and why not, he won this race last year. But the last horse to beat him at a long distance, Locally Owned, is in the field.

In Race 6 at Belmont, the Grade I Woody Stephens:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 6, PPs ]
Woody Stephens won 5 Belmont Stakes in a row, and his horses didn't do too badly either... but I digress.d
6 3YO will contest this one. These guys are from all different strata of the sophomore ranks.
Jack Christopher continues his comeback tour; the undefeated colt has proven that 7f is to his liking. Who can beat this super sprinter?
Wit may be up to it. This colt, also a 2YO sensation, got back to his winning ways in the Bay Shore on Wood Memorial day. He showed that 7f is to his liking.
Morello had an excuse in the Wood Memorial, will have a chance to show if he should have been in the KYD and is meant for more serious stuff or not.
Pappacap is still trying to catch the 3YO train, but hasn't found the answer yet. Jack Christopher looks to have the edge here.

In Race 7, at Belmont, the Grade I Ogden Phipps for older mares:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs ]
Any of these 5 mares can win this and it would not be an upset; they are all good.
Letruska is best of them by reputation and accomplishment; she's had 2 starts this year. Is she ready for this test? She will be on the front!
Malathaat is the rising 3YO champion, who now has a race under her belt. She beat Bonny South who is also in the field.
Clairere lost to Letruska in the Apple Blossom.
Search Results has the best last speed figure.
I think that youth will be served and Malathaat beats Letruska.


In Race 8, at Belmont, on the turf is the Grade I Jaipur:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
11 horses will contest it. Arrest Me Red has a lot of ones...

In Race 9, at Belmont, drum roll please, is the Grade I Metropolitan (Mile) Handicap:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Check out the weights for this most anticipated race on the card (yes, more than the Belmont).
Speaker's Corner - 125, Flightline - 124, Aloha West - 123, Happy Saver - 122, and Informative - 116???
I don't think the handicapper knew what to do with this race. Darts were thrown.
Flightline is likely to take to the front and Speaker's Corner will stalk. Can Speaker's Corner keep up? If Flightline is healthy, I don't think so. Flightline's pedigree says he wants to go longer; so does the end of all of his races. Both have great jockeys that have only moderate experience at Big Sandy. This could be a blowout or a race for the ages. If there is no crazy hook-up early, then the other horses shouldn't be in the picture.

In Race 10 at Belmont, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs ]
Fitting that this occurs on the calendar between the two Manhattenhenges!!!
Gufo, Santin, Highland Chief.


In Race 11 at Belmont, the Grade I Belmont Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
There is one horse with early speed (yes for 1.5 miles) and that horse is We the People. If he is unchallenged on the lead, the race could be over. Rich Strike benefited from an insane early pace in the KYD. If one of the horses sacrifices themselves and challenges We The People early, then anything can happen; it just depends on who is left. These are good horses, most of them with Belmont winners in the pedigres (Curlin, A.P. Indy, Ghostzapper) so anyone could pick up the pieces. Nest has more of a distance pedigree than a sprint, so she is taking a shot here instead of the Acorn, but probably outclassed. I'll pick We The People, Rich Strike, Mo Donegal. Why do I pick Rich Strike to finish second, because the KYD tends to let quality come to the top no matter what.


Bonus, "where are they now" race.
At Santa Anita, Race 8, The Affirmed Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Santa Anita Park o- Race 7, PPs ]
So remember Newgrange? He was undefeated in the Rebel in February for Baffert and then disappeared. Well Saturday he reappears, under new management. His toughest competition will be Doppelganger who finished 2nd to Forbidden Kingdom (another horse missing from this generation). He must have a myracehorse page somewhere.

Remember all bets/predictions could change based on weather conditions, scratches, jockey changes, how a horse appears in the paddock/on the race course. Don't bet too early because valuable information comes in late.

Comments and predictions are welcome.

Larry
DevilHorse

Thanks for all the links. A question for you, is my perception wrong that Baffert’s horses aren’t running as well with their new trainers. So is he that much better, or is there a more sinister reason? Maybe he is the Lance Armstrong of horse racing and has found a way to dope horses that is very difficult to detect. I know my obsession with Baffert get old, and normally I don’t believe in conspiracies, but something seems suspicious.

There is one rational answer. California racing is so bad this year that when his horses go to other trainers and race in the East, they just aren’t very good. Of course when his 90 day suspension is up if those same horses suddenly become competitive, then my original theory may be proved.

[DevilHorse]

Thanks for all the links. A question for you, is my perception wrong that Baffert’s horses aren’t running as well with their new trainers. So is he that much better, or is there a more sinister reason? Maybe he is the Lance Armstrong of horse racing and has found a way to dope horses that is very difficult to detect. I know my obsession with Baffert get old, and normally I don’t believe in conspiracies, but something seems suspicious.

There is one rational answer. California racing is so bad this year that when his horses go to other trainers and race in the East, they just aren’t very good. Of course when his 90 day suspension is up if those same horses suddenly become competitive, then my original theory may be proved.

TDMMDI,

1) The sample is too small to answer that question

2) I don't think we will ever know

But more horses will be going to Baffert for sure. I read that the owner of the horse that won the Dubhai Cup just sent an expensive horse to Baffert's Barn (Zedan?). So the beat will go on.

Larry

[DevilHorse]

On Sunday, the Matt Winn stakes will happen at Churchill Downs.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Sunday June 12, 2022, Churchill Downs - Race 8, PPs ]

The Matt Winn is an interesting race. Historically (the race has only been around since 2002) it has been an alternate place to go for KYD refugees who didn't want to tangle with the Belmont horses, but wanted to regroup. But wanted a piece of a $100k purse. There are some fine names on this list of winners who did race in the KYD in their respective years, like Maxfield, Gun Runner, McCracken, and Tapiture. This year, there are a couple of familiar names; Cyberknife was in the KYD, Howling Time, Trafalgar, and Rattle N Roll were on the KYD Trail for a spell. Would be interesting if Cyberknife won the same race his daddy Gun Runner won..

So where do all of those bigtime Baffert horses go when they are no longer BIG TIME?
You can buy a $1.3M dollar yearling for $50k, and he's already broken for you. No need to worry about those terrible 2's.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...4/summary.html
[ URL above, Sunday June 12, 2022, Santa Anita Park - Race 7, PPs ]
American Admiral is for you!

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

On Thursday at Belmont, the first big Stakes race for 2YOs:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Thursday June 9, 2022 - Race 8, PPs ]
What a mishmash of interesting horses. All winners of their only previous start. All going longer than before.
No Nay Hudson might be a lukewarm favorite because of his trainer , breeding, highest price yearling, and other factors. But you can pick almost any of these horses and not be wrong.
Stayhonor Goodside is a precocious Honor Code; that is a contradiction. Great jockeys, except perhaps for a couple of lesser knowns, but they are the only ones back on their mounts (an advantage). Valenzan has a race over the track, but his jockey in that race picked Two Of A Kind. I'd have to wait and see how these horses look to make my choice; could be a longshot here. I'd remember that these horses really improve and change the second time out, they all learn so much, so which one learned the most in their first race? Don't expect any bridge jumping here.

Here is your Belmont Stakes PPs, for advanced handicapping:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above, June 11, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
A lot of the Stakes races are on this page.. I'll have more to say about them later.
This is a fantastic card! Perhaps one of the top 5 cards of the year if not better.

Larry
DevilHorse

On Thursday, at Belmont:

Valenzan knew what he was choosing. Two of a Kind wins the Tremont (not Trement):
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535032753535692800


In the 2YO filly analog to the Tremont, Devious Dame made easy work of a pedestrian group:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535016478222737415

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

Saturday will be one of the great days of racing this year. There will be a few, but at the very least it will define the landscape of a number of the divisions of thoroughbred racing and set up some big contests for later in the year. I will speak about the divisions as we go through the races, but this post may have to be broken up because it just might get too long.

In general, there are some trends in Tbred racing that are becoming too obvious with this race card. I've mentioned that the foal crops are getting smaller, yet the stakes schedule has not. The result then is to either have less quality in the stakes races, some bad horses in with good, or small fields; on Saturday, there are many small fields. But they are really good small fields!!! 8 Grade I races and a Grade II MMM mmmm.

In Race 3 at Belmont, The Grade I Acorn:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 3, PPs ]
Echo Zulu should be tighter after her last defeat in this 5 horse race. Maybe 1 1/8 miles was too long for EZ, maybe she wasn't quite in shape yet, who knows. But this first race in the Triple Tiara for fillies is only a 1 turn mile, so she will be plenty strong enough at the end of this race. She will be challenged by the 8Belles winner from the same day that EZ last raced, and that's Matareya. I expect EZ to go to the front and to try and steal the race; Matareya will try to stalk, but if she doesn't trigger early, EZ will be long gone. Bet the EZ/M exacta for a nice $2.40.
"
In Race 4 at Belmont, on the turf the Just A Game:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs ]
Regal Glory, Speak Of the Devil, Leggs Galore are all riding win streaks. In Italian just finished 2nd. Great race. BTW, "In Italian" is also the name of an expensive SBred that started her career this week.

In Race 5 at Belmont, the Grade II Brooklyn Stakes at 1.5 miles:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs ]
Is it quicker to Brooklyn or by bus?
A standard question, but at 1.5 miles, it certainly will take a while to get there.
Distance specialist Lone Rock is favored, and why not, he won this race last year. But the last horse to beat him at a long distance, Locally Owned, is in the field.

In Race 6 at Belmont, the Grade I Woody Stephens:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 6, PPs ]
Woody Stephens won 5 Belmont Stakes in a row, and his horses didn't do too badly either... but I digress.d
6 3YO will contest this one. These guys are from all different strata of the sophomore ranks.
Jack Christopher continues his comeback tour; the undefeated colt has proven that 7f is to his liking. Who can beat this super sprinter?
Wit may be up to it. This colt, also a 2YO sensation, got back to his winning ways in the Bay Shore on Wood Memorial day. He showed that 7f is to his liking.
Morello had an excuse in the Wood Memorial, will have a chance to show if he should have been in the KYD and is meant for more serious stuff or not.
Pappacap is still trying to catch the 3YO train, but hasn't found the answer yet. Jack Christopher looks to have the edge here.

In Race 7, at Belmont, the Grade I Ogden Phipps for older mares:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs ]
Any of these 5 mares can win this and it would not be an upset; they are all good.
Letruska is best of them by reputation and accomplishment; she's had 2 starts this year. Is she ready for this test? She will be on the front!
Malathaat is the rising 3YO champion, who now has a race under her belt. She beat Bonny South who is also in the field.
Clairere lost to Letruska in the Apple Blossom.
Search Results has the best last speed figure.
I think that youth will be served and Malathaat beats Letruska.


In Race 8, at Belmont, on the turf is the Grade I Jaipur:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
11 horses will contest it. Arrest Me Red has a lot of ones...

In Race 9, at Belmont, drum roll please, is the Grade I Metropolitan (Mile) Handicap:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Check out the weights for this most anticipated race on the card (yes, more than the Belmont).
Speaker's Corner - 125, Flightline - 124, Aloha West - 123, Happy Saver - 122, and Informative - 116???
I don't think the handicapper knew what to do with this race. Darts were thrown.
Flightline is likely to take to the front and Speaker's Corner will stalk. Can Speaker's Corner keep up? If Flightline is healthy, I don't think so. Flightline's pedigree says he wants to go longer; so does the end of all of his races. Both have great jockeys that have only moderate experience at Big Sandy. This could be a blowout or a race for the ages. If there is no crazy hook-up early, then the other horses shouldn't be in the picture.

In Race 10 at Belmont, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs ]
Fitting that this occurs on the calendar between the two Manhattenhenges!!!
Gufo, Santin, Highland Chief.


In Race 11 at Belmont, the Grade I Belmont Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
There is one horse with early speed (yes for 1.5 miles) and that horse is We the People. If he is unchallenged on the lead, the race could be over. Rich Strike benefited from an insane early pace in the KYD. If one of the horses sacrifices themselves and challenges We The People early, then anything can happen; it just depends on who is left. These are good horses, most of them with Belmont winners in the pedigres (Curlin, A.P. Indy, Ghostzapper) so anyone could pick up the pieces. Nest has more of a distance pedigree than a sprint, so she is taking a shot here instead of the Acorn, but probably outclassed. I'll pick We The People, Rich Strike, Mo Donegal. Why do I pick Rich Strike to finish second, because the KYD tends to let quality come to the top no matter what.


Bonus, "where are they now" race.
At Santa Anita, Race 8, The Affirmed Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Santa Anita Park o- Race 7, PPs ]
So remember Newgrange? He was undefeated in the Rebel in February for Baffert and then disappeared. Well Saturday he reappears, under new management. His toughest competition will be Doppelganger who finished 2nd to Forbidden Kingdom (another horse missing from this generation). He must have a myracehorse page somewhere.

Remember all bets/predictions could change based on weather conditions, scratches, jockey changes, how a horse appears in the paddock/on the race course. Don't bet too early because valuable information comes in late.

Comments and predictions are welcome.

Larry
DevilHorse

The good news is some of the best horses in country running today. The bad news is small fields so small payoffs. There appear to be a lot of overwhelming favorites. The 7th with Letruska is an interesting race. While Malathat and Letruska appear best, if either falter their are three others who could win. But what are the odds both of the favorites run poorly, not good.

Not surprisingly the longer races are filled with Tapit kids or grandkids.

Good luck to all who bet today!

[DevilHorse]

What is happening Friday at Belmont?

This will be a fun weekend, but there are a few stakes on Friday. Here are a few pointers:

For you turfers is the Belmont Gold Cup:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
Abaan is the class of the race. You have 3 capable euros in here who must be loving the money to smaller field ratio.

The True North Handicap has Jackie's Warrior on the prowl:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Baby Yoda and Sound Money will be the underweighted challengers.

The New York Stakes has an intriguing horse in this headlining turf race:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, June 10, 2022 - Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Bleecker Street is undefeated in 6 races. Prat rode BS in her last race, but Prat took Chad Brown's horse (could be trainer loyalty). Don't feel sorry for BS because she gets Irad! Virginia Joy also could be right there.

Here's an early look at the Belmont Stakes post positions and odds:
https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne..._line_odds_123

Larry
DevilHorse

Loft won the Belmont Gold Cup - 96 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

Jackie's Warrior won the True North, easy as you please for a 107 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535371866939895808
Frankly, why isn't this horse in the Met Mile today. These horses were no competition.

Bleecker Street (#4) went from last to first to win the New York Stakes, also for a 96 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535380390269145089

As of yesterday, early betting on the Belmont had We The People at 8 to 1. He was the Morning Line Favorite at 2-1. Mo Donegal is getting a lot of play.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

The good news is some of the best horses in country running today. The bad news is small fields so small payoffs. There appear to be a lot of overwhelming favorites. The 7th with Letruska is an interesting race. While Malathat and Letruska appear best, if either falter their are three others who could win. But what are the odds both of the favorites run poorly, not good.

Not surprisingly the longer races are filled with Tapit kids or grandkids.

Good luck to all who bet today!

Although I wouldn't say Malathaat faltered, I'd say you were spot on and could have found value with Clairere (why don't they find names that I can spell without having to go back to the PPs??). That's why betting the favorites and going with good odds will win money.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

Saturday will be one of the great days of racing this year. There will be a few, but at the very least it will define the landscape of a number of the divisions of thoroughbred racing and set up some big contests for later in the year. I will speak about the divisions as we go through the races, but this post may have to be broken up because it just might get too long.

In general, there are some trends in Tbred racing that are becoming too obvious with this race card. I've mentioned that the foal crops are getting smaller, yet the stakes schedule has not. The result then is to either have less quality in the stakes races, some bad horses in with good, or small fields; on Saturday, there are many small fields. But they are really good small fields!!! 8 Grade I races and a Grade II MMM mmmm.

In Race 3 at Belmont, The Grade I Acorn:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 3, PPs ]
Echo Zulu should be tighter after her last defeat in this 5 horse race. Maybe 1 1/8 miles was too long for EZ, maybe she wasn't quite in shape yet, who knows. But this first race in the Triple Tiara for fillies is only a 1 turn mile, so she will be plenty strong enough at the end of this race. She will be challenged by the 8Belles winner from the same day that EZ last raced, and that's Matareya. I expect EZ to go to the front and to try and steal the race; Matareya will try to stalk, but if she doesn't trigger early, EZ will be long gone. Bet the EZ/M exacta for a nice $2.40.
"
In Race 4 at Belmont, on the turf the Just A Game:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 4, PPs ]
Regal Glory, Speak Of the Devil, Leggs Galore are all riding win streaks. In Italian just finished 2nd. Great race. BTW, "In Italian" is also the name of an expensive SBred that started her career this week.

In Race 5 at Belmont, the Grade II Brooklyn Stakes at 1.5 miles:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 5, PPs ]
Is it quicker to Brooklyn or by bus?
A standard question, but at 1.5 miles, it certainly will take a while to get there.
Distance specialist Lone Rock is favored, and why not, he won this race last year. But the last horse to beat him at a long distance, Locally Owned, is in the field.

In Race 6 at Belmont, the Grade I Woody Stephens:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 6, PPs ]
Woody Stephens won 5 Belmont Stakes in a row, and his horses didn't do too badly either... but I digress.d
6 3YO will contest this one. These guys are from all different strata of the sophomore ranks.
Jack Christopher continues his comeback tour; the undefeated colt has proven that 7f is to his liking. Who can beat this super sprinter?
Wit may be up to it. This colt, also a 2YO sensation, got back to his winning ways in the Bay Shore on Wood Memorial day. He showed that 7f is to his liking.
Morello had an excuse in the Wood Memorial, will have a chance to show if he should have been in the KYD and is meant for more serious stuff or not.
Pappacap is still trying to catch the 3YO train, but hasn't found the answer yet. Jack Christopher looks to have the edge here.

In Race 7, at Belmont, the Grade I Ogden Phipps for older mares:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 7, PPs ]
Any of these 5 mares can win this and it would not be an upset; they are all good.
Letruska is best of them by reputation and accomplishment; she's had 2 starts this year. Is she ready for this test? She will be on the front!
Malathaat is the rising 3YO champion, who now has a race under her belt. She beat Bonny South who is also in the field.
Clairere lost to Letruska in the Apple Blossom.
Search Results has the best last speed figure.
I think that youth will be served and Malathaat beats Letruska.


In Race 8, at Belmont, on the turf is the Grade I Jaipur:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 8, PPs ]
11 horses will contest it. Arrest Me Red has a lot of ones...

In Race 9, at Belmont, drum roll please, is the Grade I Metropolitan (Mile) Handicap:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 9, PPs ]
Check out the weights for this most anticipated race on the card (yes, more than the Belmont).
Speaker's Corner - 125, Flightline - 124, Aloha West - 123, Happy Saver - 122, and Informative - 116???
I don't think the handicapper knew what to do with this race. Darts were thrown.
Flightline is likely to take to the front and Speaker's Corner will stalk. Can Speaker's Corner keep up? If Flightline is healthy, I don't think so. Flightline's pedigree says he wants to go longer; so does the end of all of his races. Both have great jockeys that have only moderate experience at Big Sandy. This could be a blowout or a race for the ages. If there is no crazy hook-up early, then the other horses shouldn't be in the picture.

In Race 10 at Belmont, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 10, PPs ]
Fitting that this occurs on the calendar between the two Manhattenhenges!!!
Gufo, Santin, Highland Chief.


In Race 11 at Belmont, the Grade I Belmont Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Belmont Park - Race 11, PPs ]
There is one horse with early speed (yes for 1.5 miles) and that horse is We the People. If he is unchallenged on the lead, the race could be over. Rich Strike benefited from an insane early pace in the KYD. If one of the horses sacrifices themselves and challenges We The People early, then anything can happen; it just depends on who is left. These are good horses, most of them with Belmont winners in the pedigres (Curlin, A.P. Indy, Ghostzapper) so anyone could pick up the pieces. Nest has more of a distance pedigree than a sprint, so she is taking a shot here instead of the Acorn, but probably outclassed. I'll pick We The People, Rich Strike, Mo Donegal. Why do I pick Rich Strike to finish second, because the KYD tends to let quality come to the top no matter what.


Bonus, "where are they now" race.
At Santa Anita, Race 8, The Affirmed Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday June 11, Santa Anita Park o- Race 7, PPs ]
So remember Newgrange? He was undefeated in the Rebel in February for Baffert and then disappeared. Well Saturday he reappears, under new management. His toughest competition will be Doppelganger who finished 2nd to Forbidden Kingdom (another horse missing from this generation). He must have a myracehorse page somewhere.

Remember all bets/predictions could change based on weather conditions, scratches, jockey changes, how a horse appears in the paddock/on the race course. Don't bet too early because valuable information comes in late.

Comments and predictions are welcome.

Larry
DevilHorse

Long day for me. Started with Qualifiers at the Meadowlands in the morning (15 races) and in the evening a great card at Woodbine/Mohawk in preparation for the North American Cup and bunch of other races next week in the evening. But in between, I feasted on that Belmont card. Great joy. But I digress..

In Race 3, the Acorn, Echo Zulu was scratch (who was 1/5 at the time) because the jockey Rosario was concerned that she wasn't 'Right'. Good for him. But that meant the race was essentially a walk-over for Matareya:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Her 89 Beyer was the lowest of the Stakes races on the card; no insult, but she didn't have to try that hard.

In Race 4, the Just A Game, Regal Glory staked her claim as the best filly grass horse in the US:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
She trounced her rivals, was awarded a 103 Beyer, and was not the favorite, although she was the ML favorite.

In Race 5, the Brooklyn Stakes, Fearless won and was awarded a 95 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
This was an upset. Ghostzappers seem to love the distance races. Lone Rock faded in the stretch.

In Race 6, the Woody Stephens, Jack Christopher won by a resounding 10 lengths and was awarded a huge 107 Beyer (second biggest of the day):
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535694898208309250
This effort was worth the video. He just ran with the horses until the stretch, and then just pulled away.
He could be the best 3YO in training. It would be unfortunate if he doesn't take on the top 3YOs at a classic distance.

In Race 7, the Ogden Phipps, Clairere won by a head over Malathaat and was awarded a 106 Beyer in the best race of the day IMHO:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535705859615072259
There were 3 big lead changes in this race. Letruska went to the lead, as usual, but she wasn't alone. Search Results was the sacrificial lamb that took the starch out of her, and she did. Letruska was done at 6 furlongs. Search Results looked home free, but she was cooked within a furlong. Malathaat took over, but she was tracked by the older, and better conditioned Clairere. If Malathaat had another race in her, I think she would have won, but it was not to be. Great race.

In Race 8, the Jaipur, Casa Creed won for a second year in a row, and was awarded a 102 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
It looked like he was trapped on the rail coming into the stretch, but he found some daylight and managed to find a seem to make it to the finish line ahead of Arrest Me Red.
Mike Francesca is a follow-on partner to Casa Creed, and has puppies about this horse whenever he is on camera. Good to see him have luck with this horse; he's had a lot of duds, as have many other owners.

In Race 9, the Met Mile, Flightline showed his stuff and was awarded the top Beyer of the day, a 112:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535726588561707010
Unfortunately I could not find a video of the whole race. Flightline did not have things his way. He left the gate a bit slowly, losing perhaps 3/4 length. He caught up, but was inside of rivals, and had to pull back. Had to stop a second time. Once he was on the outside and was clear, he pulled even with Speakers Corner on the turn, and SC had no answer. The Track was NOT a fast track today, so the fractions of 45 and 108 and 2 were really moving and consumed Speakers Corner as Flightline roared by. Flightline then shut it down in the last 100 yards. Speakers Corner had to have been spent if he couldn't hold second. A lot firsts for Flightline conquered today. The legend grows.

In Race 10, Tribhuvan was a monster upset:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
It was one of those times when a horse went way out in front and the pack mis-timed trying to catch him. They never did.
Those turf racers have quite the sense of humor

Race 11 was the Belmont Stakes, and the bettors knew better than the Morning Line guy as hometown favorite Mo Donegal took the prize and was awarded a 98 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535756992840708100
Mo Donegal stalked the pace setters and had more than enough stretch to kick in and win.
It is interesting to note that although Tapit has been appearing in the pedigrees of Belmont winners, Tapit's sire Pulpit is the broodmare sire of Mo Donegal, so perhaps you can give Tapit partial (or parental ) credit. The A. P. Indy line (A. P. Indy is the sire of Pulpit) continues to bang out winners in the pedigrees of Classic winners.
Also worth a mention is that the top 2 finishers in the Wood Memorial this year finished in the photo were the Preakness and Belmont winners this year.

At Santa Anita, in the Affirmed Stakes, Hopper won, Newgrange was scratched:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

Larry
DevilHorse

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

Long day for me. Started with Qualifiers at the Meadowlands in the morning (15 races) and in the evening a great card at Woodbine/Mohawk in preparation for the North American Cup and bunch of other races next week in the evening. But in between, I feasted on that Belmont card. Great joy. But I digress..

In Race 3, the Acorn, Echo Zulu was scratch (who was 1/5 at the time) because the jockey Rosario was concerned that she wasn't 'Right'. Good for him. But that meant the race was essentially a walk-over for Matareya:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Her 89 Beyer was the lowest of the Stakes races on the card; no insult, but she didn't have to try that hard.

In Race 4, the Just A Game, Regal Glory staked her claim as the best filly grass horse in the US:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
She trounced her rivals, was awarded a 103 Beyer, and was not the favorite, although she was the ML favorite.

In Race 5, the Brooklyn Stakes, Fearless won and was awarded a 95 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
This was an upset. Ghostzappers seem to love the distance races. Lone Rock faded in the stretch.

In Race 6, the Woody Stephens, Jack Christopher won by a resounding 10 lengths and was awarded a huge 107 Beyer (second biggest of the day):
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535694898208309250
This effort was worth the video. He just ran with the horses until the stretch, and then just pulled away.
He could be the best 3YO in training. It would be unfortunate if he doesn't take on the top 3YOs at a classic distance.

In Race 7, the Ogden Phipps, Clairere won by a head over Malathaat and was awarded a 106 Beyer in the best race of the day IMHO:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535705859615072259
There were 3 big lead changes in this race. Letruska went to the lead, as usual, but she wasn't alone. Search Results was the sacrificial lamb that took the starch out of her, and she did. Letruska was done at 6 furlongs. Search Results looked home free, but she was cooked within a furlong. Malathaat took over, but she was tracked by the older, and better conditioned Clairere. If Malathaat had another race in her, I think she would have won, but it was not to be. Great race.

In Race 8, the Jaipur, Casa Creed won for a second year in a row, and was awarded a 102 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
It looked like he was trapped on the rail coming into the stretch, but he found some daylight and managed to find a seem to make it to the finish line ahead of Arrest Me Red.
Mike Francesca is a follow-on partner to Casa Creed, and has puppies about this horse whenever he is on camera. Good to see him have luck with this horse; he's had a lot of duds, as have many other owners.

In Race 9, the Met Mile, Flightline showed his stuff and was awarded the top Beyer of the day, a 112:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535726588561707010
Unfortunately I could not find a video of the whole race. Flightline did not have things his way. He left the gate a bit slowly, losing perhaps 3/4 length. He caught up, but was inside of rivals, and had to pull back. Had to stop a second time. Once he was on the outside and was clear, he pulled even with Speakers Corner on the turn, and SC had no answer. The Track was NOT a fast track today, so the fractions of 45 and 108 and 2 were really moving and consumed Speakers Corner as Flightline roared by. Flightline then shut it down in the last 100 yards. Speakers Corner had to have been spent if he couldn't hold second. A lot firsts for Flightline conquered today. The legend grows.

In Race 10, Tribhuvan was a monster upset:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
It was one of those times when a horse went way out in front and the pack mis-timed trying to catch him. They never did.
Those turf racers have quite the sense of humor

Race 11 was the Belmont Stakes, and the bettors knew better than the Morning Line guy as hometown favorite Mo Donegal took the prize and was awarded a 98 Beyer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1535756992840708100
Mo Donegal stalked the pace setters and had more than enough stretch to kick in and win.
It is interesting to note that although Tapit has been appearing in the pedigrees of Belmont winners, Tapit's sire Pulpit is the broodmare sire of Mo Donegal, so perhaps you can give Tapit partial (or parental ) credit. The A. P. Indy line (A. P. Indy is the sire of Pulpit) continues to bang out winners in the pedigrees of Classic winners.
Also worth a mention is that the top 2 finishers in the Wood Memorial this year finished in the photo were the Preakness and Belmont winners this year.

At Santa Anita, in the Affirmed Stakes, Hopper won, Newgrange was scratched:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on

Larry
DevilHorse

Thanks for the links and comments. I thought Flightline was the most impressive of the day. I admit to being a little leery of him. Evidently I wasn’t alone since he only paid 10 cents less to place than win. I actually bet him to place as I saw the pools were off. I am never sure with horses coming from California who run in small fields. You never know what they beat. In this case he was spectacular. He’s another Tapit so distance shouldn’t be a problem, although he certainty didn’t get daddy’s coloring. Would you assume if he stays healthy and has a few more races he will try the BC Classic?

I couldn’t believe what the Ortiz brothers did to Letruska. L is one of those horses who I never bet on the right days. It started against Monomoy Girl, and I have been wrong ever since.

I didn’t bet Mo to win, but had him in my exotics, admittedly with the wrong other horses. I bet right before they showed Rich Strike in the post parade. Had I have waited he wouldn’t have been on any of my tickets. I guess he didn’t care for NYC. So another billionaire won a horse race. No offense he seems like a good guy, and I like anyone who loves racing and helps support the industry and particularly the breeders with expensive purchases. Since Rich Strike has never won except at Churchill Downs maybe he can get back on track this fall. I am a sucker for the cheap horse who over achieves, which Richie didn’t yesterday. Was he just a one hit wonder? I guess we will find out later.

So I will be tuning out of racing until Stephen Foster Day at Churchill and then Saratoga.

[duketaylor]

I also had Mo in my exotics, which I lost. I did have the place and show horses in separate bets, but I lost most of my wagers. This prompts me to rethink how I bet.
I enjoy following this thread as I continue to learn the business of horse racing; I'm not far from going to work at Colonial Downs, about 30 minutes away and recently purchased by Churchill. This would be a retirement job just to glean more knowledge. (And maybe lose more money!!) Or not

[DevilHorse]

Thanks for the links and comments. I thought Flightline was the most impressive of the day. I admit to being a little leery of him. Evidently I wasn’t alone since he only paid 10 cents less to place than win. I actually bet him to place as I saw the pools were off. I am never sure with horses coming from California who run in small fields. You never know what they beat. In this case he was spectacular. He’s another Tapit so distance shouldn’t be a problem, although he certainty didn’t get daddy’s coloring. Would you assume if he stays healthy and has a few more races he will try the BC Classic?

I couldn’t believe what the Ortiz brothers did to Letruska. L is one of those horses who I never bet on the right days. It started against Monomoy Girl, and I have been wrong ever since.

I didn’t bet Mo to win, but had him in my exotics, admittedly with the wrong other horses. I bet right before they showed Rich Strike in the post parade. Had I have waited he wouldn’t have been on any of my tickets. I guess he didn’t care for NYC. So another billionaire won a horse race. No offense he seems like a good guy, and I like anyone who loves racing and helps support the industry and particularly the breeders with expensive purchases. Since Rich Strike has never won except at Churchill Downs maybe he can get back on track this fall. I am a sucker for the cheap horse who over achieves, which Richie didn’t yesterday. Was he just a one hit wonder? I guess we will find out later.

So I will be tuning out of racing until Stephen Foster Day at Churchill and then Saratoga.

Word from elements of the Flightline camp is that he most likely will retreat to California for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, rather than Saratoga for the Whitney. In either case, it will mean expanding the colt to a 2-turn race. We are probably looking at 2 more races before the BC. His options are limitless. Although he has a free ride in the BC Mile by virtue of his win on Saturday, I'm not sure what criteria is used to get into a BC race. What race would keep him out should they choose to run in it? I suppose he could try the turf just to make TDMMDI happy

I hope Stephen Foster Day isn't next week...

If it is Saratoga, then Football camps are opening!!!

I didn't realize that Mo Donegal was part of the Donegal Racing yada yada yada. Apparently this horse has 250 part owners, not too unlike Authentic did. It's great to see lots of people with a stake in racing. It is fun. Although the backstretch can get fairly crowded.

For me, one of the draws for Standardbreds over Thoroughbreds was that I was able to jog/train (on the track) my own horses. I spent many a wonderful Saturday morning jogging horses and putting in training miles (with stopwatch in hand). I wanted to get closer to these amazing animals and improve my horsemanship skills. You can't do that with a TBred as an owner unless you're built like a jockey. I even went race mile speed in a race bike a few times; not for the faint of heart.

Also consider that the biggest bet you'll ever make as horse person is when you pick out and own a horse. A little different than when you join a large partnership. Going to a yearling sale and selecting one yourself has a chancy and exciting feel to it. Also breeding your own. I've done both. Enjoyable, rewarding, hard.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

I also had Mo in my exotics, which I lost. I did have the place and show horses in separate bets, but I lost most of my wagers. This prompts me to rethink how I bet.
I enjoy following this thread as I continue to learn the business of horse racing; I'm not far from going to work at Colonial Downs, about 30 minutes away and recently purchased by Churchill. This would be a retirement job just to glean more knowledge. (And maybe lose more money!!) Or not

You'll have to share your impressions of Colonial Downs with us if you get there.

I'm not sure I'm happy about conglomerates like Churchill Downs buying up other tracks. If CD (ever) goes down, it would take a lot of other tracks with it.

Larry
DevilHorse

[DevilHorse]

On Sunday, the Matt Winn stakes will happen at Churchill Downs.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ URL above, Sunday June 12, 2022, Churchill Downs - Race 8, PPs ]

The Matt Winn is an interesting race. Historically (the race has only been around since 2002) it has been an alternate place to go for KYD refugees who didn't want to tangle with the Belmont horses, but wanted to regroup. But wanted a piece of a $100k purse. There are some fine names on this list of winners who did race in the KYD in their respective years, like Maxfield, Gun Runner, McCracken, and Tapiture. This year, there are a couple of familiar names; Cyberknife was in the KYD, Howling Time, Trafalgar, and Rattle N Roll were on the KYD Trail for a spell. Would be interesting if Cyberknife won the same race his daddy Gun Runner won..

So where do all of those bigtime Baffert horses go when they are no longer BIG TIME?
You can buy a $1.3M dollar yearling for $50k, and he's already broken for you. No need to worry about those terrible 2's.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...4/summary.html
[ URL above, Sunday June 12, 2022, Santa Anita Park - Race 7, PPs ]
American Admiral is for you!

Larry
DevilHorse

The Matt Winn was a doozy. It was won by Cyberknife, but by a lip:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1536087752583823360
If you haven't seen a rip roaring stretch battle, you owe yourself to watch this one with Howling Time. Both colts will move forward from this one.
Cyberknife's head was ahead for the bob only briefly; Howling Time was ahead before and after the finish line. How cruel, but just.

Here's the photo:
cyberknife1.jpg

And what of American Admiral?
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
Amazingly, he won on this day too. A long, sustained rally ground down the winner.

On the 2YO watch, in the 2nd at Santa Anita, a Bolt D'Oro colt named Agency made his first start a winning won:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/insta...e=inc&print=on
https://twitter.com/i/status/1536086229472509952
Watch this guy (#3) in the stretch, he's way out in the lane. He's green. Once he figures out he can run, he just blows by all of the other horses.
Bolt D'oro is now 4 for 9 with firsters. You can tell that this is a long leggy horse, just like his Dad. Perhaps it is just 2YOs, maybe Bolt D'oro was injured as a 3YO, but this tribe is a bunch of runners. The $20k stud fee will be a thing of the past ASAP very soon; breeding season is over in 2 weeks.
Did I forget to mention that Agency is by a Bernadini (a Belmont winner) mare, so he is bred 3x3 to A. P. Indy? I'd say this horse can go long. Delicious.

BTW, Mo Donegal is being pointed toward the Travers according to connections (I guess the NJ voters were outvoted). Jack Christopher is pointed toward the Haskell. The other 3YOs can pick their poison now that these heavyweights have weighed in. The Haskell is usually coincident with the Jim Dandy, so there are other opportunities to duck the monsters.

Royal Ascot starts tomorrow. I hope the Queen will be there on one of the carriages that rides in. That is a fun spectacle. There are quite a few American horses running this year, including Golden Pal tomorrow.

Larry
DevilHorse