Horse Racing 2025

For all of you Luis Saez fans out there, he is off his suspension and is now in some sort of parole situation. Evidently anger management was involved.

TDMMDI is surely happy to know that Disco Time joins the KYD dance and won the Lecomte:
That was about as wide a turn as I've seen taken by a winner of a race. And boy was it muddy. Fortunately, Disco Time ended up on the crown of the racetrack (likely to be the least muddy) and the stretch at the Fair Grounds is almost the longest in North America. Los Alamitos has the longest stretch (1380 feet) vs. the Fair Grounds (1346); compare that to Aqueduct (1155 feet), Churchill Downs (1234 feet), Gulfstream Park (only 921 feet), Pimlico is 1152 feet, Santa Anita and Monmouth at 990 feet, Oaklawn Park at 1155 (same as Aqueduct) and Belmont Park is 1097 feet (doesn't seem that way, but it is a long run from the starting line of the Belmont to the first turn). But I digress.. This was a full field of 13 horses, so traffic conditions were pretty bad. I know TDMMDI loves all things Not This Time (Disco Time's sire) and he seems to be coming into his own. Built was a very good 2nd.

The Silverbulletday was won by Simply Joking:
Simply Joking went to the front and never looked back; the rail was not the best part of the track. Simply Joking's sire Practical Joke's name keeps appearing and must continue to be watched. Chasten didn't like something and was flat.

Running Away ran away with the Busanda Stakes:
My Sherona could not close. Running Away is by Gun Runner and has a pedigree that is built for classic distances.

Hit Show used his patented come from behind move to win the Louisiana Stakes:
Again, the crown of the track was golden.

Larry
DevilHorse
Some Beyer Speed Figures from the Fair Grounds yesterday:

78 - Disco Time
87 - Simply Joking
98 - Hit Show

Larry
DevilHorse
 
Based on speed figures now questioning how good a group these colts were. On the other hand Simply Joking may be an excellent filly. Those speed figures make the next big preps at Fairgrounds even more interesting. The television handicappers pay a lot of attention to speed figures. I personally am all over the place with them. It would be so simple to look at the top of the racing form and pick the horse with the best figures. Of course you would lose a lot of money. Just another reason handicapping horses is so appealing to me. So many different ways to assess the horses and no single way has proven to be successful. If only the horses could talk like my favorite television horse, Mr. Ed, and tell us how they’re feeling before the races.
 
Based on speed figures now questioning how good a group these colts were. On the other hand Simply Joking may be an excellent filly. Those speed figures make the next big preps at Fairgrounds even more interesting. The television handicappers pay a lot of attention to speed figures. I personally am all over the place with them. It would be so simple to look at the top of the racing form and pick the horse with the best figures. Of course you would lose a lot of money. Just another reason handicapping horses is so appealing to me. So many different ways to assess the horses and no single way has proven to be successful. If only the horses could talk like my favorite television horse, Mr. Ed, and tell us how they’re feeling before the races.
Speed Figures are a one dimensional way of looking at things. Track Conditions, pace, traffic problems, jockeys, horses for courses, breeding, race length, class, and odds are all legitimate considerations. Considering if a race is a throw out or not is another. For standardbreds, my trainer used to say that you don't know what a horse is until he has 20 starts under his belt. Unfortunately, these 3YOs have 2-5 races under their belt (horses at this stage used to have more starts). The better colts rarely have above 20 starts. There are a lot of variables. Lots to consider in any race for any horse.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
There are a couple of races that award KYD and KYO points this weekend:

All races are occurring this Saturday:

At Oaklawn Park there is the Southwest Stakes for 3YOs:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 10; PPs ]
The lightly raced, but well regarded Patch Adams makes his seasonal debut. Since his 10 length maiden victory he has been working out quite well. He has a different rider, but Flavian Prat is super capable. Pedigree suggests that he can handle 2 turns. Gaming has a bit more experience, but is not quite exceptional. His greater experience against top competition gives him a class edge. Tiztastic is the top money earner in the field, but that was the result of 1 race with a suspect field. Gaming over Patch Adams.

On the distaff side is the Martha Washington for 3YO fillies:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 9 PPs ]
Quietside would seem to be the class of this bunch; she does not have the services of Luis Saez.
Take Charge Milady is improving. Gowell's Delight has license to improve and is a daughter of Practical Joke who is having a good start this year.

At Gulfstream Park there is huge number of races for older horses. Of most interest is the Pegasus World Cup:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 13 PPs ]
Locked looks like he has come back from his long absence and is the one to beat. White Abarrio has ability but you don't know if he'll show up or not; we know he likes Gulfstream Park. Saudi Crown is another horse with ability, but doesn't always show up. Skippylongstocking can hit the board with his best effort.

There are a load of other races, many of them turf, that can be found on this page:

Larry
DevilHorse
 
There are a couple of races that award KYD and KYO points this weekend:

All races are occurring this Saturday:

At Oaklawn Park there is the Southwest Stakes for 3YOs:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 10; PPs ]
The lightly raced, but well regarded Patch Adams makes his seasonal debut. Since his 10 length maiden victory he has been working out quite well. He has a different rider, but Flavian Prat is super capable. Pedigree suggests that he can handle 2 turns. Gaming has a bit more experience, but is not quite exceptional. His greater experience against top competition gives him a class edge. Tiztastic is the top money earner in the field, but that was the result of 1 race with a suspect field. Gaming over Patch Adams.

On the distaff side is the Martha Washington for 3YO fillies:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 9 PPs ]
Quietside would seem to be the class of this bunch; she does not have the services of Luis Saez.
Take Charge Milady is improving. Gowell's Delight has license to improve and is a daughter of Practical Joke who is having a good start this year.

At Gulfstream Park there is huge number of races for older horses. Of most interest is the Pegasus World Cup:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 13 PPs ]
Locked looks like he has come back from his long absence and is the one to beat. White Abarrio has ability but you don't know if he'll show up or not; we know he likes Gulfstream Park. Saudi Crown is another horse with ability, but doesn't always show up. Skippylongstocking can hit the board with his best effort.

There are a load of other races, many of them turf, that can be found on this page:

Larry
DevilHorse
Just started looking at PP’s. Thanks for the links. A couple of early observations. As Brad Cox is riding Pratt on Patch Adams this makes me think he may leave Geroux on Disco Time. Of course it is really early in the year and either or both horses may regress and other hotter horses may become available for one or both jockeys. Flavien will definitely get to ride a Derby horse unless his horse scratches the last few days before the big race.

In looking at the Martha Washington noticed that Leparoux is having a very good Oaklawn meet winning almost 25%. Julien is a mystery to me. He is still young just 42, yet he hasn’t been near the top of the jockey wins at any track the last several years. He is a jockey with multiple Breeders Cup victories. He went through a period where he dominated in wins at Churchill and Keeneland. But since I started watching racing seriously during Covid he doesn’t ride a lot of winners. Glad to see a trainer like McPeek give him some opportunities. I am wondering if his style of riding where he doesn’t really hustle the horse out of the gate is unpopular right now. I really never thought much about this but Migliore’s comments on NYRA racing caught my attention. When Mig was at his best I wasn’t paying any attention to horse racing except to watch a few Triple Crown races and maybe the BC. I assume he was an excellent gate rider.

Kenny McPeek’s choice of jockeys is also fascinating. His go to guy is Brian Hernandez, Jr. a good rider but not at Irad status. He has Julian riding in the Martha Washington. Maybe he thinks all he needs is a really competent rider who won’t screw up the race and he will train his horse to do the rest. I take the same angle in handicapping. I don’t try to pick winners based on who is riding. If I think two horses are equal the choice of riders might make a difference. Another angle is anytime Irad gets on a horse, or Gafflione gets on a horse in Kentucky, you get poorer odds.
 
Speed Figures are a one dimensional way of looking at things. Track Conditions, pace, traffic problems, jockeys, horses for courses, breeding, race length, class, and odds are all legitimate considerations. Considering if a race is a throw out or not is another. For standardbreds, my trainer used to say that you don't know what a horse is until he has 20 starts under his belt. Unfortunately, these 3YOs have 2-5 races under their belt (horses at this stage used to have more starts). The better colts rarely have above 20 starts. There are a lot of variables. Lots to consider in any race for any horse.

Larry
DevilHorse
So do you think with AI someone will figure out a way to consistently pick winners?
 
So do you think with AI someone will figure out a way to consistently pick winners?
If yes, then not for long. The horses never know what their odds are, and you always get only 1/3 favorites winning. If AI was picking more likely winners I imagine that the odds shift would change the way people bet. Still, things like 'how a horse feels', quick changes in track conditions, jockey choices, etc.. will make each race unique. With 20% or so take-out, I'd be surprised if a positive ROI was in the cards. Unless of course AI says not to bet; then you are guaranteed to break even.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
The Eclipse Awards took place last night. This is the year end 'Best Of' awards for thoroughbred racing:

Ages in parentheses.

  • Two-Year-Old Male: Citizen Bull
  • Two-Year-Old Filly: Immersive
  • Three-Year-Old Male: Sierra Leone
  • Three-Year-Old Filly: Thorpedo Anna
  • Older Dirt Male: National Treasure (4)
  • Older Dirt Female: Idiomatic (5)
  • Male Sprinter: Straight No Chaser (5)
  • Female Sprinter: Soul of an Angel (5)
  • Male Turf Horse: Rebel’s Romance (IRE) (6)
  • Female Turf Horse: Moira (5)
  • Steeplechase Horse: Snap Decision (10)
  • Owner: Godolphin LLC
  • Breeder: Godolphin
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat
  • Apprentice Jockey: Erik Asmussen
  • Trainer: Chad Brown
  • Horse of the Year: Thorpedo Anna
My impressions:
Thorpedo Anna was a deserving Horse of the Year.
2YO filly Immersive was impressive, but is injured at the moment and is off the KYO trail.
National Treasure as the top older dirt horse made me scratch my head; was the older dirt horse division that bad that this horse won?
Sierra Leone was a good choice for 3YO of the year; he danced every dance and cashed checks.
Irad might be upset that Flavian got Jockey of the Year, but I can't argue.
Tough to argue with Godolphin as top Breeder and Owner; nice blue silks.
Chad Brown being Trainer of the Year is bittersweet for me because he no longer has a Briswatch page for PPs. What, he doesn't have enough money? Shame shame Chad. Your fans want better.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
I saw this cartoon form Remi Belloq this morning and laughed:
Saez2.gif
Then I realized that Paco Lopez was returning to riding after a 50 day suspension for hitting a horse in the head long after the finish line. Lopez is returning at Laurel Race Course, just outside of Washington D.C.. Hmmmm.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
The Eclipse Awards took place last night. This is the year end 'Best Of' awards for thoroughbred racing:

Ages in parentheses.

  • Two-Year-Old Male: Citizen Bull
  • Two-Year-Old Filly: Immersive
  • Three-Year-Old Male: Sierra Leone
  • Three-Year-Old Filly: Thorpedo Anna
  • Older Dirt Male: National Treasure (4)
  • Older Dirt Female: Idiomatic (5)
  • Male Sprinter: Straight No Chaser (5)
  • Female Sprinter: Soul of an Angel (5)
  • Male Turf Horse: Rebel’s Romance (IRE) (6)
  • Female Turf Horse: Moira (5)
  • Steeplechase Horse: Snap Decision (10)
  • Owner: Godolphin LLC
  • Breeder: Godolphin
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat
  • Apprentice Jockey: Erik Asmussen
  • Trainer: Chad Brown
  • Horse of the Year: Thorpedo Anna
My impressions:
Thorpedo Anna was a deserving Horse of the Year.
2YO filly Immersive was impressive, but is injured at the moment and is off the KYO trail.
National Treasure as the top older dirt horse made me scratch my head; was the older dirt horse division that bad that this horse won?
Sierra Leone was a good choice for 3YO of the year; he danced every dance and cashed checks.
Irad might be upset that Flavian got Jockey of the Year, but I can't argue.
Tough to argue with Godolphin as top Breeder and Owner; nice blue silks.
Chad Brown being Trainer of the Year is bittersweet for me because he no longer has a Briswatch page for PPs. What, he doesn't have enough money? Shame shame Chad. Your fans want better.

Larry
DevilHorse
Anna was the most exciting horse to watch last year. She blew away the girls and then came close to beating the boys. Will she race again this year? If so I expect trainer McPeek will try her against the boys again.

I am with you on National Treasurer. I couldn’t think of another older dirt horse which means I didn’t pay attention, I can’t remember or maybe that division wasn’t very exciting. Sierra Leone won by showing up and running well in every race. But as a win bet he let me down repeatedly. So mixed emotions on that one. Maybe some horse will show up this year and make us forget about Secretariat.

As far as Chad Brown, I soured on him the last few years. Why not give it to McPeek who gave us the best horse of the season? And McPeek did it without the money from the shieks or billionaires.
 
Anna was the most exciting horse to watch last year. She blew away the girls and then came close to beating the boys. Will she race again this year? If so I expect trainer McPeek will try her against the boys again.

I am with you on National Treasurer. I couldn’t think of another older dirt horse which means I didn’t pay attention, I can’t remember or maybe that division wasn’t very exciting. Sierra Leone won by showing up and running well in every race. But as a win bet he let me down repeatedly. So mixed emotions on that one. Maybe some horse will show up this year and make us forget about Secretariat.

As far as Chad Brown, I soured on him the last few years. Why not give it to McPeek who gave us the best horse of the season? And McPeek did it without the money from the shieks or billionaires.
A slight quibble on Anna, she beat all of the boys, except one :p

Somehow Sierra Leone's record reminds me a bit of Mandaloun; lots of checks. Needed a (very late) DQ to get his signature win.

Poor National Treasurer; even a Preakness winner gets secondary respect.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
A slight quibble on Anna, she beat all of the boys, except one :p

Somehow Sierra Leone's record reminds me a bit of Mandaloun; lots of checks. Needed a (very late) DQ to get his signature win.

Poor National Treasurer; even a Preakness winner gets secondary respect.

Larry
DevilHorse
Just looked at some of the charts from Sierra Leone’s races. Fierceness had an argument for three year old male horse. Five wins out of 9 starts lifetime while SL was 4 wins out of 9 starts. Fireceness run in the Kentucky Derby probably killed his chance enhanced by the fact SL beat him in the the BC race. They are both good race horses just not dominant like some in the past. I found workouts for SL but none for Fierceness so I assume he is retired. Wonder how long Sierra Leone will race this year? If he improves some he might be dominant among older horses.
 
Just looked at some of the charts from Sierra Leone’s races. Fierceness had an argument for three year old male horse. Five wins out of 9 starts lifetime while SL was 4 wins out of 9 starts. Fireceness run in the Kentucky Derby probably killed his chance enhanced by the fact SL beat him in the the BC race. They are both good race horses just not dominant like some in the past. I found workouts for SL but none for Fierceness so I assume he is retired. Wonder how long Sierra Leone will race this year? If he improves some he might be dominant among older horses.
Fierceness had an ankle procedure at the end of the year. He is expected in the barn to train in February.
Additional proof of this is that I saw a list of new stallions for 2025; no Fierceness. Rich Strike is in Pennsylvania at $6.5k live foal; not impressive for a KYD winner, but he didn't do much after the KYD.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
There are a couple of races that award KYD and KYO points this weekend:

All races are occurring this Saturday:

At Oaklawn Park there is the Southwest Stakes for 3YOs:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 10; PPs ]
The lightly raced, but well regarded Patch Adams makes his seasonal debut. Since his 10 length maiden victory he has been working out quite well. He has a different rider, but Flavian Prat is super capable. Pedigree suggests that he can handle 2 turns. Gaming has a bit more experience, but is not quite exceptional. His greater experience against top competition gives him a class edge. Tiztastic is the top money earner in the field, but that was the result of 1 race with a suspect field. Gaming over Patch Adams.

On the distaff side is the Martha Washington for 3YO fillies:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Oaklawn Park - Race 9 PPs ]
Quietside would seem to be the class of this bunch; she does not have the services of Luis Saez.
Take Charge Milady is improving. Gowell's Delight has license to improve and is a daughter of Practical Joke who is having a good start this year.

At Gulfstream Park there is huge number of races for older horses. Of most interest is the Pegasus World Cup:
[ URL above; Saturday January 25, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 13 PPs ]
Locked looks like he has come back from his long absence and is the one to beat. White Abarrio has ability but you don't know if he'll show up or not; we know he likes Gulfstream Park. Saudi Crown is another horse with ability, but doesn't always show up. Skippylongstocking can hit the board with his best effort.

There are a load of other races, many of them turf, that can be found on this page:

Larry
DevilHorse

Speed King went to the front and never looked back in the Southwest Stakes:
I think this was a case of Pace Makes The Race. 1:39.x for a mile is not exactly winging it. Not obvious that speed will continue to hold up. Patch Adams was a disappointment, but the jockey chose to stay back into a soft pace; you're not going to close too much with that tactic.

Take Charge Milady took charge midway in the Martha Washington and dominated:
The pace was not quick here either. We'll have to see what the speed figures say. Quietside was an uninspired 2nd. The best jockey in the race (Julian Leparoux) won; go figure.

White Abarrio continues to do well under Saffie Joseph, winning the Pegasus World Cup:
Locked was a distant second, with Skippylongstocking third. Mystik Dan was a very disappointing 9th. A $4 exacta box on the top 2 favorites paid $12; not bad.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
I didn’t watch any of the Gulfstream races yesterday, too much good college basketball. Did look at the charts today. Most notable to me was that Charlie Appleby’s European invaders not only didn’t win but didn’t run well. This is a trend I started noticing last year. It may be too early to read much into this.

Seven of White Abarrio’s 9 wins are at Gulfstream. Horses for courses. Considering his last two victories last year including the BC Cup maybe he should have been voted older male horse of the year. I bet him in the Kentucky Derby where he didn’t run a lick. He has now won a lot of money. A little surprised he went off as the second choice.
 
I didn’t watch any of the Gulfstream races yesterday, too much good college basketball. Did look at the charts today. Most notable to me was that Charlie Appleby’s European invaders not only didn’t win but didn’t run well. This is a trend I started noticing last year. It may be too early to read much into this.

Seven of White Abarrio’s 9 wins are at Gulfstream. Horses for courses. Considering his last two victories last year including the BC Cup maybe he should have been voted older male horse of the year. I bet him in the Kentucky Derby where he didn’t run a lick. He has now won a lot of money. A little surprised he went off as the second choice.
Frankly, this is a weird time of year to keep a horse constantly in training. Yes, I know there are a couple of meets in the middle east (Saudi Arabia, Dubai) that are potentially big money (and historically knock horses out of use till May), and this Gulfstream Park Pegasus World Cup. Horses aren't machines; lots of trainers like to turn a horse out for several months, especially if they were worthy of the Breeder's Cup. Usually it takes as much time to train back as you take off (i.e., total of 4 months to get back to the races if you turn out for 2 months). Valuable horses pointing toward the Triple Crown Trail might have a different schedule in general. Big money is in the summer and fall for older horses, so giving the horse a break is important.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
Odd Happening at Oaklawn Park.

I noticed that the stewards at Oaklawn Park fined jockey Rafael Bejarano for striking his horse after the finish line. The odd/interesting part of this is that this particular race used a different finish line. Apparently, when Oaklawn Park runs a 1 mile race on its 1 mile oval, it will move the finish line up the stretch 1/16 of a mile to allow for more track at the start of the race before the turn (thus allowing horses to settle into a position before the turn, more easily). So if you didn't read/recognize that a particular race had a different finish line, then you either give up urging your horse or you're urging your horse after the race is over. Granted, there must be some way for the jockeys and public to know the position of the finish line for any particular race.

But looking at the PPs for that race, I did not see any indication of a different starting/ending position for a 1 mile race. As a potential remote bettor, this is insane (and easy to resolve). If I liked a come from behind horse for a race, I'd be upset if he didn't have that extra 1/16th of a mile in the stretch to deal with.

I've only witnessed one race in person where the finish line was not the usual finish line. This was at Laurel Racecourse in 1978 for the Laurel Futurity where Spectacular Bid was the winner. I remember the finish line being a string of flags over the track. I understand that in addition to Oaklawn Park and Laurel, there are other tracks that have used multiple finish line positions to accommodate different length races. Keeneland is another one.

If any of you know where the indication is on a PP for a rare starting position, kindly let me know. Obviously, I'm not the only one confused by this occasional configuration change; eh Rafeal?

In other news, Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Horse of the Year, will make her 4YO start on March 8 in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park. She is more likely to run in the Apple Blossom the following month (rather than going to the Saudi Cup).

Larry
DevilHorse
 
Big Big Weekend on the Triple Crown Trail. The 3YO picture takes shape in earnest with 3 KYD points races and 2 KYO points races on the menu.

On Saturday, for the boys:

At Aqueduct is the Withers:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Aqueduct - Race 7; PPs ]
Looks like a good betting race with several improving 3YOC's that seem evenly matched. Global Steve is undefeated and is by up and coming sire Bucchero (think Book'em Danno). Mo Quality was 2nd in a slow Smarty Jones, but shows better efforts in maiden races; Karmouche is a good replacement for Albarado. Captain Cook may have woken up for Dutrow. Omaha Omaha is a strong closer. Uncle Jim might be the early speed, but I don't expect a fast pace. If there is a pace, then Omaha Omaha might have a shot at a price. Captain Cook has Manny Franco aboard and that might be the determining factor.

At Gulfstream Park is the Holy Bull:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 11; PPs ]
This marks the seasonal debut for the well thought of, and expensive, Ferocious. He tailed off in his last start in the BC Juvenile, But he was closing from too far back to make a difference. Tappen Street has the services of Luis Saez and looked great in his only (winning) start; this is a big step up in company though. Guns Loaded has Irad; not Saez took Tappen Street probably because he likes riding Brad Cox horses (huge successful stable). I think an exacta box with Ferocious and Guns Loaded will do.

At Santa Anita is the Robert B. Lewis:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Santa Anita - Race 4; PPs ]
3 of the 5 starters are Baffert horses, including the top 2YOC, and BC Juvenile Winner from last year, Citizen Bull, making his 3YO debut. CB will likely will set the pace and is likely to increase his margin at the head of the stretch. Rodriguez had a big improvement, winning the 2nd time out; but the competition is significantly higher here. Rodriquez is perhaps the first top son of Authentic, and has won at this (1 mile) distance. Madaket Road is the 3rd Baffert entry, but may not be as capable as the other 2. Citizen Bull over Rodriguez in a $3 exacta.

For the 3YO fillies it is the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 12; PPs ]
Stunner looks to have the most class at this distance; she set the pace in her last/longer race and was nosed out she is likely to be strong enough to hold on in this 7f contest. This is her first time out this year. The Queens M G is making her seasonal debut too and starts with Irad. My Denysse has been steadily improving, but may want a longer route than 7f. I'll take Stunner over The Queens M G.

On Sunday, the Las Virgenes will be run at Santa Anita:
[ URL above; Sunday February 2, 2025; Santa Anita - Race 3; PPs ]
Tenma looks like the class here. Our Moonlight and Just As Fancy might be close with a top effort.

There are a number of other stakes, both on Turf and for 3YOs, available on the Briswatch pages provided above; thanks to Briswatch for providing these pages and PPs.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
Big Big Weekend on the Triple Crown Trail. The 3YO picture takes shape in earnest with 3 KYD points races and 2 KYO points races on the menu.

On Saturday, for the boys:

At Aqueduct is the Withers:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Aqueduct - Race 7; PPs ]
Looks like a good betting race with several improving 3YOC's that seem evenly matched. Global Steve is undefeated and is by up and coming sire Bucchero (think Book'em Danno). Mo Quality was 2nd in a slow Smarty Jones, but shows better efforts in maiden races; Karmouche is a good replacement for Albarado. Captain Cook may have woken up for Dutrow. Omaha Omaha is a strong closer. Uncle Jim might be the early speed, but I don't expect a fast pace. If there is a pace, then Omaha Omaha might have a shot at a price. Captain Cook has Manny Franco aboard and that might be the determining factor.

At Gulfstream Park is the Holy Bull:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 11; PPs ]
This marks the seasonal debut for the well thought of, and expensive, Ferocious. He tailed off in his last start in the BC Juvenile, But he was closing from too far back to make a difference. Tappen Street has the services of Luis Saez and looked great in his only (winning) start; this is a big step up in company though. Guns Loaded has Irad; not Saez took Tappen Street probably because he likes riding Brad Cox horses (huge successful stable). I think an exacta box with Ferocious and Guns Loaded will do.

At Santa Anita is the Robert B. Lewis:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Santa Anita - Race 4; PPs ]
3 of the 5 starters are Baffert horses, including the top 2YOC, and BC Juvenile Winner from last year, Citizen Bull, making his 3YO debut. CB will likely will set the pace and is likely to increase his margin at the head of the stretch. Rodriguez had a big improvement, winning the 2nd time out; but the competition is significantly higher here. Rodriquez is perhaps the first top son of Authentic, and has won at this (1 mile) distance. Madaket Road is the 3rd Baffert entry, but may not be as capable as the other 2. Citizen Bull over Rodriguez in a $3 exacta.

For the 3YO fillies it is the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park:
[ URL above; Saturday February 1, 2025; Gulfstream Park - Race 12; PPs ]
Stunner looks to have the most class at this distance; she set the pace in her last/longer race and was nosed out she is likely to be strong enough to hold on in this 7f contest. This is her first time out this year. The Queens M G is making her seasonal debut too and starts with Irad. My Denysse has been steadily improving, but may want a longer route than 7f. I'll take Stunner over The Queens M G.

On Sunday, the Las Virgenes will be run at Santa Anita:
[ URL above; Sunday February 2, 2025; Santa Anita - Race 3; PPs ]
Tenma looks like the class here. Our Moonlight and Just As Fancy might be close with a top effort.

There are a number of other stakes, both on Turf and for 3YOs, available on the Briswatch pages provided above; thanks to Briswatch for providing these pages and PPs.

Larry
DevilHorse

Captain Cook ran onto his own island in the Withers under mild urging:
Captain Cook was awarded a 94 Beyer Figure. Surfside Moon was a longshot second. Both of these horses were way a head of the 3rd place horse. Nice race.

Burnham Square was fully in command winning the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park:
It's interesting to see the jockeys look at the big screen in the infield rather than under their arms to see who might be gaining on them. The early pace was brisk, which might explain why the lead horses folded. Ferocious was not ready. Burnham Square is a gelding, and there have been only 2 geldings to win the KYD in the past century (Funny Cide and Mine That Bird). Burnham Square is by Liam's Map. Liam's Map is a half brother to Not This Time. Their dam, Miss Macy Sue, died this past week at the age of 22.

There has been more than a slight bit of discussion about the closing of Gulfstream Park. The owners (the Stronachs) have stated that the land is too valuable; but they are still committed to TBred racing in Florida. This story has a lot of tentacles; there is an interdependance of the horse track with an onsite casino. But the Stronachs want to keep the casino but moving the track; not part of the agreement. We've seen Hialeah and Calder vanish, not to mention the last harness track in Florida, Pompano Park. Everything changes.

Citizen Bull was outstanding winning the Robert B. Lewis:
Baffert horses were 1,2,3. Rodriguez is a big horse and might develop further with more time.

For the fillies:

In the Forward Gal at Aqueduct, it was Eclatant:
Very fast fractions facilitated the come from behind win.

There were no PPs for the Ruthless at Aqueduct, for the 3YO fillies, so I didn't post about it. But the winner Volleyballprincess was eye popping:
The name just fits the 18 character naming limit for TBreds, but she had plenty of room at the end. She was awarded a 77 Beyer Figure.

Las Virgenes later today at Santa Anita for 3YO fillies.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
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