Paddy o’Prado working at Churchill for the Derby (Jamie Newell)

Paddy o’Prado goes postward as the favorite in this weekend’s Virginia Derby, a race that would normally be the second leg of the Grand Slam of Grass. The what? (see here) In short, it’s a turf racing series comprised of the Colonial Turf Cup, Virginia Derby, Secretariat Stakes with a big fat bonus for anyone who can sweep the series and then win the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

As discussed at length before, even if a 3-year-old could sweep the series, winning the BC Turf might possibly be more challenging than sweeping the series. This year in particular could be additionally tough with the main track races on dirt, meaning all the talented euro-turfers would remain on turf. Two time winner Conduit has been retired but Starspangledbanner or Fame and Glory could show up. And let’s not forget Gio Ponti.

After Paddy o’Prado won the Colonial Turf Cup I headed over to the Colonial Downs site to check on the Grand Slam of Grass but could only find last year’s page. I emailed them and confirmed that there is no Grand Slam this year but they hope it will be back next year. Could this be the year with a viable contender and no series? Only time will tell. Whatever the outcome, I hope Paddy o’Prado crushes it and comes back next year. He’s been nothing but impressive so far.

Somewhat related, I happened upon an interesting blog yesterday. The Morning Line follows Marshall Blevins on her travails working at Colonial Downs for the summer. It’s mainly pictures (good ones!) but it’s an enjoyable glance into life on the backstretch.

And one of my favorite annual events is back, the Equispace Toga Contest! If you love Saratoga there’s no reason you shouldn’t be playing along.

Best of luck to Paddy o’Prado, and best of luck to you with any online horse betting you have planned for the weekend!

Posted by dana on Jul 16 2010    
Filed Under: 2010, Grand Slam of Grass, Breeders' Cup, Racing

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Flanders crushing in the Frizette (Jason Moran)

Sad news today that at some point this month, 1994 Champion Juvenile Filly Flanders was euthanized due to complications from a paddock incident. Glad that Paulick brought us this news but why are we just finding out?

I don’t have enough time to do Flanders justice with a well researched post but I encountered her when I did my 1994 series. She easily made her way to the top of my “favorite horses I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing” (also including Landaluce, Cigar, and Pebbles to name a few).

Here are all of her replays from YouTube… enjoy her brief but brilliant career:

1994 Maiden Race:

1994 Spinaway:

1994 Matron:

1994 Frizette:

1994 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies:

Rest in peace, and here’s hoping we see that Bernadini colt.

Posted by dana on Mar 01 2010    
Filed Under: Jason Moran, Racing History, 1994, 2010, Farewell, Legend, Breeders' Cup, Race Replay, :(, YouTube, Racing

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(Sarah K. Andrew)

I’m no investigative journalist (or any kind journalist for that matter) however I am a Facebook user. And on Facebook I uncovered (just happened to notice) that a Facebook friend (i.e., someone I don’t know otherwise) who works for a horse transportation charter said their phones were ringing off the hook this morning with people wanting to ship their horses to California.

And who can blame them after how well shippers did yesterday. Cowboy Cal and Gitano Hernando shipped in to California while Court Vision, Diamondrella and Negligee all shipped in to Keeneland for the win.

While it doesn’t look like there are any local preps left at Santa Anita, perhaps Cowboy Cal’s win yesterday has emboldened connections to throw caution to wind against B-list euro shippers such as Gitano Hernando.

Speaking of which, who knows what the heck is going to come over from Europe. This little passage in the Thoroughbred Times Goodwood article hints at what’s to come.

If the Goodwood is an indicator of how the Breeders’ Cup Classic will unfold in four weeks, the American contenders could be in trouble after Gitano Hernando, Group 3-placed in England, turned aside some of the strongest Classic contenders. Last year, European-based runners Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator finished first and second, respectively, in the Classic, and this year superstar Sea The Stars and Group 1 winners Rip Van Winkle and Mastercraftsman are among the potential European contingent for the Classic.

You can always check in here to find out more about the euros.

Since I doubled my money yesterday, primarily because of the Oak Tree races (and a whole lotta luck… parade handicapping seems to be surface agnostic!), I’m looking forward to seeing who and what turns up in California. It should be interesting… that is if you’re willing to look at it the whole affair as it’s own particular set of circumstances. If not, you’re probably going to be miserable and probably not even bet on the Breeders’ Cup… it’s your choice!

And regardless of what you think about any of this, racing got some big time mainstream sports coverage yesterday…

Can I get some love from the racing tweeps. Two Big Time races were part of college football on ESPN yestrday. That’s huge…

And I thought it was played very well - seeing Lou Holz talk about horse racing “trifectas” was an unexpected gem

Huge? Indeed.

Posted by dana on Oct 11 2009    
Filed Under: Industry, Keeneland, 2009, Twitter, Internet, Court Vision, Breeders' Cup, Santa Anita, Sarah K. Andrew, Mainstream Media, Racing

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Pyro and Kodiak Kowboy in the Forego (Adam Mooshian)

Yours truly has been under the weather the past few days, and is now playing a little catch up. What did I miss? Stuff you already know and possibly even forgot about such as the fabulous come backs of Ventura, Regal Ransom and Theregoesjojo(?). There was also a timely reminder about not getting carried away plus the return of one of my favorite tweeters!

Filed under “not more of the same”, Breeders’ Cup 360 launched late last week, a site designed and developed by Jessica of Raceday 360. Congrats to the BC and Jessica on the launch and be sure to check out the stats section!

While no doubt folks can still find things to grouse about re: the Breeders’ Cup, they’ve been making a nice effort this year to not only include fans and players in the feedback process, but to cater to them with things like evening out the two days a bit and creating two all BC Pick 6s, creating a site specifically for players and announcing a Friday TweetUp (or Tweeters Cup as Ernie calls it). While I still hold out hope that by this time next year the Ladies Classic will be renamed the Filly & Mare Classic, I’ll also give them props for listening and starting to make changes.

The R2 Collective, brain child of Dean from Pull the Pocket, quietly launched last week. Dean’s idea is to have a specific place to discuss marketing, technology and new media as it pertains (or doesn’t yet!) to racing. I have a few ideas for posts kicking around but Dean is on fire, check him out!

Also notable, pals and former colleagues from the TBA have taken up over at the NTRA to cover the Breeders Cup. Val of Foolish Pleasure & Fillies First wins the best author photo!

And finally, War Echo returns! The stunning 3yo 3/4 sib to my beloved Pyro (a.k.a. the new Kodiak Kowboy) made a triumphant debut as a 3yo in the Silverbulletday (who was inducted in the Hall of Fame this year). Shortly after she was sidelined with an injury. She jumped out at me in the parade and looked a lot like Pyro in that long Fairground stretch.

Back before Rachel Alexandra unleashed her torrent of kick ass on the racing world War Echo seemed like a promising up and comer. Will she be able to put it together in time to get to the 2009 Breeders’ Cup? Check her out in the 3rd at Belmont tomorrow and then stay tuned!

Posted by dana on Sep 22 2009    
Filed Under: 2009, Fairgrounds, War Echo, Twitter, Rachel Alexandra, Pyro, YouTube, Belmont, Breeders' Cup, Race Replay, Come Back, Racing

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(Sarah K. Andrew)

Much to the delight of this horseplayer, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that it’s finally adopting the standard saddle cloths! Anyone who’s read this blog for any length of time knows that this is an issue I’ve been whining about discussing for quite some time. So a hearty “Thank You” to Breeders’ Cup for listening to fan feedback and taking action!

The Breeders’ Cup made its decision to switch to the standard colored system following discussions with its Fan Advisory Council and with horseplayers across the U.S. and Canada and as part of the long-range planning being undertaken by the organization.

A big thanks also goes out to all who signed the Take Back the Race Petition last year. Because of the petition a few of us were lucky enough to be some of the horseplayers to meet with the Breeders’ Cup face to face to discuss many issues effecting fans.

Point 2 of the Take Back the Race Petition stated:

Create a fan committee representing the diversity of the racing audience to provide ideas and feedback on proposed changes and marketing plans to the Breeders’ Cup

The Fan Advisory Council, which they mention in the press release, is just that. I’m lucky enough to be a member along with Patrick of TBA/Handride, Ernie of TRNY, some HANA members and a wide cross section of fans and players. No doubt there are more changes that we’d all like to see, but the changes have started and there’s a mechanism for feedback and dialog.

It’s nice to have something to be cheerful about, especially in combination with some of the other recent unexpected good news. As Swifty is fond of saying, who deserves it more than us?

Posted by dana on Aug 11 2009    
Filed Under: Industry, 2009, HANA, Take Back the Race, :), Fans, Breeders' Cup, Sarah K. Andrew, Racing

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