It's been over a month since I introducted the Top 5, and there are some changes to the list. In mid-Feb, the list will expand to Top 7 and by March will be at the Top 15. The goal is by the begining of the final preps to really have the Top 20 set up and ready to go. For now, here is the first Top Five list of the new year.
1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway)- Dad was so close of winning the Classic as 3yo 12 years ago this year. Mom was an amazing horse, and with some buzzy horses coming out of California, I'm actually liking his chances more.
2. Algorimthms (Bernardini)- Defeated the 2yo Champ Hansen today in the Holy Bull. Here's the thing, he might not be Todd Pletcher's strongest bullet.
3. Dullahan (Even the Score)- There's just something that I love about him that I didn't about his brother. I'm very excited to see what he does down in FL.
4. Gemologist (Tiznow)- This horse could be a freak. Why is he ranked so low? I'm too scared that I will curse him if I put him higher then 4th.
5. Union Rags (Dixie Union)- Alot of people are rooting for this guy, six years after his trainers most famous and beloved charge won the Run for the Roses (today is the fifth aniversary of Barbaro's death).
Dropped off: Hansen (Tapit), Liasion (Indian Charlie)
Others Considered: Sabrecat, Out of Bounds, Midnight Transfer
It's a shame that the Shackleford's little bro, Stephanoatsee is injured and off the TC trail (would have loved to see what Oatsee did with a distance stallion). The Oaks Top 5 will be released later this week.
Finally, San Pail was named HOY last night and a very happy 6th birthday to Rachel Alexandra! (She and baby is currently at Rood and Riddle, but could be going home soon).
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Will San Pail get his crown?
Yes this is a Thoroughbred blog, but for one night I want to talk about Standardbreds. One horse in particular in matter of fact. Who may that be? Why it's the one and only San Pail! Tomorrow night is the O'Brien Awards which is the Canadian Standardbred version of the Soverign Awards (which in turn are the Canadian Thoroughbred version of the Eclipses). It has already been announced that San Pail was the unanimous winner for Older Male and is the heavy favorite to be named Horse of the Year. There is also a huge chance that he could be named the Dan Patch (US Standardbred Awards) HOY as well. Here are some of his races:
His third Maple Leaf Trot in a row
The Nat Ray on Hambo day
Credit Winner nailing Lucky Jim on the wire and setting a new track record in the process
The crowing achivement of his year defeating two Europeans in the Breeders' Crown
The OBrien's are tomorrow night at 9pm, I'll be watching online and rooting for San Pail to be named HOY!
His third Maple Leaf Trot in a row
The Nat Ray on Hambo day
Credit Winner nailing Lucky Jim on the wire and setting a new track record in the process
The crowing achivement of his year defeating two Europeans in the Breeders' Crown
The OBrien's are tomorrow night at 9pm, I'll be watching online and rooting for San Pail to be named HOY!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Breeders' Cup returns to it's roots
After spending the past couple of years on ABC and ESPN, the Breeders' Cup is returning to it's orginal television home. NBC who had shown the BC up to 2005 (with ESPN starting in 2006) will be the "new home" for the BC. Well technically speaking, NBC will be showing just the Classic, with the NBC Sports Network (formally known as OLN and Versus) will be showing the rest of the races. This is the big boost for a network whose been struggling lately with it's scripted shows (the very much hyped Playboy Club was a bust, Whitney isn't funny and Up All Night hasn't lived up to it's early high ratings).
So what went wrong at ESPN? The producer who had brought the BC to the station left shortly afterwards. I also think that putting Football specialist Chris Fowler and then Boxing specialist Joe Tessitore instead of Basketball specialist Reece Davis as the main anchor also hurt (before Chris and Joe where part of the racing coverage, Reece was the second host behind Kenny Mayne). It didn't help that Jim McKay (RIP) and Al Michaels, both who worked racing on ABC where no longer part of the Disney family. Lastly, many people don't like Trevor Denman.
While many people are happy that the BC is returning, NBC Sports Network is not as well known as ESPN. The station is a baby (started in 1995), and up until a few years ago was not really that well known station (at the time Comcast's OLN (which now owns NBC, but didn't at that time) and NBC teamed up to secure US tv rights for the NHL). However, thanks to the success of last year's Saratoga meet (ratings where good) and the fact that NBC's crew will be used is a win (although someone will have to fill in for Tom Hammond that weekend at Notre Dame as the Irish are home).
As for ESPN, it's obvious that they have moved on to focus on football, basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer (although for the latter they will also have comp. from the said NBC Sports Network). As disapointing as that is, the hit on losing viewers for them won't be great.
The biggest plus of all though? No more Hank!
So what went wrong at ESPN? The producer who had brought the BC to the station left shortly afterwards. I also think that putting Football specialist Chris Fowler and then Boxing specialist Joe Tessitore instead of Basketball specialist Reece Davis as the main anchor also hurt (before Chris and Joe where part of the racing coverage, Reece was the second host behind Kenny Mayne). It didn't help that Jim McKay (RIP) and Al Michaels, both who worked racing on ABC where no longer part of the Disney family. Lastly, many people don't like Trevor Denman.
While many people are happy that the BC is returning, NBC Sports Network is not as well known as ESPN. The station is a baby (started in 1995), and up until a few years ago was not really that well known station (at the time Comcast's OLN (which now owns NBC, but didn't at that time) and NBC teamed up to secure US tv rights for the NHL). However, thanks to the success of last year's Saratoga meet (ratings where good) and the fact that NBC's crew will be used is a win (although someone will have to fill in for Tom Hammond that weekend at Notre Dame as the Irish are home).
As for ESPN, it's obvious that they have moved on to focus on football, basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer (although for the latter they will also have comp. from the said NBC Sports Network). As disapointing as that is, the hit on losing viewers for them won't be great.
The biggest plus of all though? No more Hank!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Early 2015 TC Favorite!
He's here!!!!! The product of 2 time Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medagalia d' Oro) was born this afternoon at Stonestreet Farm in KY. Here is a picture that was posted on both Twitter and Facebook.
Of course the stakes will be high for him considering who both his parents are. Since the announcement on Derby day last year, that Rachel was carring a colt, I had pegged this little guy to be the early favorite for the 2015 Triple Crown. If all goes according to plan, he will be making his first start sometime in 2014 when he is 2.
Of course right now the most important thing is that it appears that both son and mother are doing well. Rachel will be bred to 2006 3yo Champion Male Bernardini this year. This is the second major mare announced to visit him this year in the past two weeks. Blind Luck will also be visiting him for her first foal, and of course Zenyatta is currently in foal to him and will be due shortly.
Of course the stakes will be high for him considering who both his parents are. Since the announcement on Derby day last year, that Rachel was carring a colt, I had pegged this little guy to be the early favorite for the 2015 Triple Crown. If all goes according to plan, he will be making his first start sometime in 2014 when he is 2.
Of course right now the most important thing is that it appears that both son and mother are doing well. Rachel will be bred to 2006 3yo Champion Male Bernardini this year. This is the second major mare announced to visit him this year in the past two weeks. Blind Luck will also be visiting him for her first foal, and of course Zenyatta is currently in foal to him and will be due shortly.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Eclipse Recap
Here are the results for the Eclipse, as well as my thoughts.
2yo Male: Hansen- Say what you may about him, the right horse won the award. He beat Union Rags on the track where it counts.
2yo Female: My Miss Aurelia- Nice that we heard from her namesake, but Barbara Banke was just as bad as her late husband when it comes to length.
3yo Male: Animal Kingdom- Three votes separated him and Caleb's Posse, and becomes the first Derby winner since Big Brown to win the award. However, I didn't agree with the decision (I was saying on both Twitter and Facebook that it was BS). Caleb won 2 G1's over a BC race winner from the year before and a TC race winner. Plus he defeated Archarcharch earlier in the year. Animal Kingdom got a great ride in what turned out (at least to me) the worst Derby in quite a while. I'm hoping that Caleb kicks butt this year while I believe Animal Kingdom will struggle. Especially with where he's going.
3yo Female: Royal Delta- No surprise, she deserved it, but Awesome Feather got a few votes? Really?
Older Male: Acclamation- In the end his win in a G1 nullified his G3 last place finish. Deserved it over the two other candidates who had good, but not great seasons. HOY Finalist
Older Female: Havre de Grace- Was there ever a doubt? Was very surprising that Maria got a vote instead of just Grace and Clover. HOY Finalist
Turf Male: Cape Blanco- Another not surprising choice, I had heard some people voted for Acclamation, so I figured that the vote would be close, but it wasn't. HOY Finalist
Turf Female: Stacelita- Did her owner really have to give her life story? Another non surprise, but I somewhat hoping that Perfect Shirl would have pulled off the upset.
Male Sprinter: Amazombie- I feel bad for Caleb, he didn't have a chance in this category and he lost his other category by a very slim margin. This was the biggest cheer I heard all night, at least to me it was.
Female Sprinter: Musical Romance- Honestly this was the award that I wasn't a 100% who would get it, but I'm not sure if the right horse won. Then again I was hoping that Sassy Image would be the winner.
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey- Really glad they won and not Team Valor. Hopefully Stephanie's Kitten does well for them this year.
Breeder: Adena Springs- This. Is. BS. Really, I can't name a single Adena bred who won a stakes race this past year (not saying there where none, just at the top of my head I can't think of any). I find it funny that when the awards are on his station, Frank Stronach actually shows up (he usually lets his wife handle the awards).
Trainer: Bill Mott- The right person won, you can't take away who Drosselmeyer and Royal Delta did this year in the BC. Just like in 1995, he wins the Eclipse for Trainer.
Apprentice Jockey: Kyle Frey- The most heartwrenching as he was griving the loss of his grandfather. A superstar could be born at Phila, I mean Parx.
Jockey: Ramon Domingez- The Mid-Atlantic is the place to be. Sure he's based in New York now, but he dominated Delaware for years and rode Grace in all, but 1 of her wins in 2011 (Obeah was ridden by Gabriel Saez since it was the same day as the Belmont, Gabe rides her in morning workouts).
HORSE OF THE YEAR: There where three finalists, all deserving of the accolade to make it to this list. Acclamation, Cape Blanco and Havre de Grace. All three of them had the same amount of G1 wins, 3. All three had faced the best of their division, and all three where the winners of their division's Eclipse. In the end though only one horse could win, and that horse was....
2yo Male: Hansen- Say what you may about him, the right horse won the award. He beat Union Rags on the track where it counts.
2yo Female: My Miss Aurelia- Nice that we heard from her namesake, but Barbara Banke was just as bad as her late husband when it comes to length.
3yo Male: Animal Kingdom- Three votes separated him and Caleb's Posse, and becomes the first Derby winner since Big Brown to win the award. However, I didn't agree with the decision (I was saying on both Twitter and Facebook that it was BS). Caleb won 2 G1's over a BC race winner from the year before and a TC race winner. Plus he defeated Archarcharch earlier in the year. Animal Kingdom got a great ride in what turned out (at least to me) the worst Derby in quite a while. I'm hoping that Caleb kicks butt this year while I believe Animal Kingdom will struggle. Especially with where he's going.
3yo Female: Royal Delta- No surprise, she deserved it, but Awesome Feather got a few votes? Really?
Older Male: Acclamation- In the end his win in a G1 nullified his G3 last place finish. Deserved it over the two other candidates who had good, but not great seasons. HOY Finalist
Older Female: Havre de Grace- Was there ever a doubt? Was very surprising that Maria got a vote instead of just Grace and Clover. HOY Finalist
Turf Male: Cape Blanco- Another not surprising choice, I had heard some people voted for Acclamation, so I figured that the vote would be close, but it wasn't. HOY Finalist
Turf Female: Stacelita- Did her owner really have to give her life story? Another non surprise, but I somewhat hoping that Perfect Shirl would have pulled off the upset.
Male Sprinter: Amazombie- I feel bad for Caleb, he didn't have a chance in this category and he lost his other category by a very slim margin. This was the biggest cheer I heard all night, at least to me it was.
Female Sprinter: Musical Romance- Honestly this was the award that I wasn't a 100% who would get it, but I'm not sure if the right horse won. Then again I was hoping that Sassy Image would be the winner.
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey- Really glad they won and not Team Valor. Hopefully Stephanie's Kitten does well for them this year.
Breeder: Adena Springs- This. Is. BS. Really, I can't name a single Adena bred who won a stakes race this past year (not saying there where none, just at the top of my head I can't think of any). I find it funny that when the awards are on his station, Frank Stronach actually shows up (he usually lets his wife handle the awards).
Trainer: Bill Mott- The right person won, you can't take away who Drosselmeyer and Royal Delta did this year in the BC. Just like in 1995, he wins the Eclipse for Trainer.
Apprentice Jockey: Kyle Frey- The most heartwrenching as he was griving the loss of his grandfather. A superstar could be born at Phila, I mean Parx.
Jockey: Ramon Domingez- The Mid-Atlantic is the place to be. Sure he's based in New York now, but he dominated Delaware for years and rode Grace in all, but 1 of her wins in 2011 (Obeah was ridden by Gabriel Saez since it was the same day as the Belmont, Gabe rides her in morning workouts).
HORSE OF THE YEAR: There where three finalists, all deserving of the accolade to make it to this list. Acclamation, Cape Blanco and Havre de Grace. All three of them had the same amount of G1 wins, 3. All three had faced the best of their division, and all three where the winners of their division's Eclipse. In the end though only one horse could win, and that horse was....
Grace!!! Say what you may about who she ran against, and that she didn't win the Classic. However, she defeated the Ladies Classic winner and the F/M Sprint runner up. Plus her final duel with Blind Luck In the end, the right horse won the Award.
ESPN's Jeannine Edwards was the host, and considering the circumstances she did an okay job. HRTV on the other hand, did a poor job with making it look like a rush job, although it turned out to be a last minute addition as Jason Shandler writes. I do disagree with him about making it look like how the MLB, NFL and NBA does it. I feel that they do a poor job by stretching it out since we have to wait for a certin award to come if we don't care about the rest of them. NHL, I feel is the only one that does it correctly in holding a ceremony right after the Stanley Cup Finals are over. Maybe that is something that the NTRA should look at for future years down the road is to hold it right after the Breeders' Cup at a nice hotel near the host track.
In the end, awards are now over and we don't have to think about them again... until this upcoming November.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
On Fire Baby takes on Boys
Tomorrow's Smarty Jones at Oaklawn is not only the prep for the three big races at the track, but could be the begining of what could be an interesting year for On Fire Baby as she takes on the boys in this race.
8th Race - Oaklawn Park - Monday, January 16th, 2012
STAKES. 1 Mile Dirt. Purse $100,000. Smarty Jones S.. THREE YEAR OLDS. No nomination fee. $750 to pass the entry box and $1000 additional to start, Supplementary nominations may be made by the closing time of entries at a fee of $2,500 which qulifies to starts. $100,000 Guaranteed of which 60% to the Owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% to be divided equally between remaining starters. Weights: 122lbs. Non-winners of $40,000 twice allowed 3 lbs.; $30,000 once 5 lbs.; $15,000 once 7 lbs. (Maiden and Claiming races not considered.) In Allowance Stakes starting preference will be given to horses that have accumulated the highest earnings excluding money won in restricted races. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. The Owner of the winner to receive a trophy. Closed Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with 31 nominees. (04:33 PM) (12)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Laurie's Rocket 3 C L 117 Hernandez, Jr. Brian Joseph Stewart Dallas
2 Junebugred 3 C L 115 Bravo Joe Hobby Steve
3 Prince Cheval 3 G L 115 Kuntzweiler Greta Allen Gene
4 No Spin 3 C L b 119 Hill Channing Ice Tim A.
5 Fastestwhogetspaid 3 C L 117 Ocampo Israel Williamson Brian
6 Optimizer 3 C L 115 Thompson Terry J. Lukas D. Wayne
7 Copus 3 G L 117 Felix Julio E. Rainwater Bradlee
8 Jake Mo 3 C L 119 Berry M. Clifton Milligan Allen
9 Hard Nosed 3 G L 115 Santana, Jr. Ricardo Moquett Ron
10 On Fire Baby 3 F 117 Johnson Joe M. Hartlage Gary G.
11 King Coral 3 G L 117 Saez Gabriel Milligan Allen
12 Reckless Jerry 3 C L 117 Laviolette Shane Smith Kenny P
Jake Mo, No Spin, and Optimizer could be the ones to challenge her the most. Laurie's Rocket and Hard Nosed also have faced high quality horses. This won't be an easy race for On Fire Baby, especially since with those horses who I talked about. That being said, she is the class of the field and is undefeated on dirt. My one concern for her going forward is how far she really wants to go, but for now at a mile she is my pick for tomorrow. Should be the start to a fun year at Oaklawn!
Don't forget that the live chat is tomorrow night at 7:30 as the Eclipse Awards get underway at 8 on HRTV.
8th Race - Oaklawn Park - Monday, January 16th, 2012
STAKES. 1 Mile Dirt. Purse $100,000. Smarty Jones S.. THREE YEAR OLDS. No nomination fee. $750 to pass the entry box and $1000 additional to start, Supplementary nominations may be made by the closing time of entries at a fee of $2,500 which qulifies to starts. $100,000 Guaranteed of which 60% to the Owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% to be divided equally between remaining starters. Weights: 122lbs. Non-winners of $40,000 twice allowed 3 lbs.; $30,000 once 5 lbs.; $15,000 once 7 lbs. (Maiden and Claiming races not considered.) In Allowance Stakes starting preference will be given to horses that have accumulated the highest earnings excluding money won in restricted races. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. The Owner of the winner to receive a trophy. Closed Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with 31 nominees. (04:33 PM) (12)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Laurie's Rocket 3 C L 117 Hernandez, Jr. Brian Joseph Stewart Dallas
2 Junebugred 3 C L 115 Bravo Joe Hobby Steve
3 Prince Cheval 3 G L 115 Kuntzweiler Greta Allen Gene
4 No Spin 3 C L b 119 Hill Channing Ice Tim A.
5 Fastestwhogetspaid 3 C L 117 Ocampo Israel Williamson Brian
6 Optimizer 3 C L 115 Thompson Terry J. Lukas D. Wayne
7 Copus 3 G L 117 Felix Julio E. Rainwater Bradlee
8 Jake Mo 3 C L 119 Berry M. Clifton Milligan Allen
9 Hard Nosed 3 G L 115 Santana, Jr. Ricardo Moquett Ron
10 On Fire Baby 3 F 117 Johnson Joe M. Hartlage Gary G.
11 King Coral 3 G L 117 Saez Gabriel Milligan Allen
12 Reckless Jerry 3 C L 117 Laviolette Shane Smith Kenny P
Jake Mo, No Spin, and Optimizer could be the ones to challenge her the most. Laurie's Rocket and Hard Nosed also have faced high quality horses. This won't be an easy race for On Fire Baby, especially since with those horses who I talked about. That being said, she is the class of the field and is undefeated on dirt. My one concern for her going forward is how far she really wants to go, but for now at a mile she is my pick for tomorrow. Should be the start to a fun year at Oaklawn!
Don't forget that the live chat is tomorrow night at 7:30 as the Eclipse Awards get underway at 8 on HRTV.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)