This just in: Pyro to Darley (which is pretty much the same thing as saying “This just in: puppies and kittens are cute”).

From the press release:

Winchell Thoroughbred’s Pyro, impressive winner of yesterday’s Louisiana Derby (G2), and one of the favorites for this year’s Kentucky Derby, will stand at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley in Lexington at the conclusion of his racing career.

However Bloodhorse frames it like this:

According to a press release from Darley America, Pyro will continue to be campaigned in Winchell’s colors through this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

We all know what “…at the conclusion of his racing career” means, but did Bloodhorse get a special press release? The official one from Darley didn’t state anything about a time frame. Again, not that I’m hopeful about anything past this year’s BC.

War Pass is already married off to Lane’s End. The issue of early retirement is gonna be the next one I try to get fans to get involved and organized around. I’ve actually had the domain lethorsesrace.org registered since around the time Hard Spun was snatched up. Stay tuned Ladies & Gentleman, stay tuned.

Update: Mike Curry at Thoroughbred Times fills in some detail:

After the Breeders’ Cup, Sheikh Mohammad will decide whether Pyro will remain in training or be retired to stud, said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley America.

If anyone can incur some risk it’s Sheikh Mo, no? Perhaps if we ask nicely?

Posted by dana on Mar 09 2008    
Filed Under: Pyro, Greed, 2008, War Pass, Breeders' Cup, Let Horses Race, Retirement, Hard Spun, Fans

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A spate of posts, comments and Facebook wall post conversations about Pyro, “bandwagons” and the time of year have brought up some interesting things (for me at least).

It started this morning with some comments I received on my Pyro = Real Deal post. The post itself was rather vague and had only 2 sentences:

I think a bandwagon just pulled up in front of my apartment… holy crap I can’t wait to watch that replay again. That was one serious win!

When online pal and frequent reader Dave shared a “it’s kind of early sentiment” I was a little surprised… had I just broadcasted that Pyro would win the Derby? Does bandwagon have more a “blind follower” connotation that I realized?

The same sort of thing happened at the TBA Facebook Group when I posted a similar vague and enthusiastic pro-Pyro thing. It sort of felt that unless I had a wait a see approach that it meant that I unequivocally thought that Pyro would the Derby. Odd.

Here’s part of my reply there:

I think Pyro dispelled the myth that he’s a bridesmaid… he clearly wants to win, which is important. And, he can get around horses and excel on queue. All I can say for certain is that I think he’s got a legit a shot and I couldn’t say that before this weekend.

[snip]

At any rate, at least I feel more engaged than I did prior to the weekend, I’m still waiting to see Court Vision, War Pass and Majestic Warrior… the others that I’m expecting to be real contenders and am excited to see who else emerges. (Editors note: I forgot to list National Pride, I’m also waiting to see him, if he’s even in the States).

There are many things I love about horse racing. I love handicapping, the analytical challenge and life long learning opportunity was what drew me in. I love the races themselves, they’re thrilling and a great reminder that it’s not over till it’s over. But probably the biggest surprise to me is that I love being a fan, something I’ve never been, or at least let myself be… ever.

I deplore hype, at the faintest whiff of hype I will find as many reasons as possible to dismiss the hyped object. It’s different with the ponies, for whatever reason I let myself get jazzed about a horse or horses. It’s fun for me, almost like walking on the wild side or seeing how the other half lives. “So this how people who get excited about things are… fascinating” (and really pretty fun!).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still analytical… and while I am jazzed I also know it’s early. I guess that’s the other thing, just because I’m jazzed about Pyro doesn’t mean I won’t be jazzed about others along the way (while still being jazzed about him).

Last year I liked Hard Spun & No Biz going into the Derby and was definitely a fan of both throughout the year. But I also came around to Curlin without feeling any less of a fan of the other two. I guess I’m the multiple bandwagon type, or maybe I’m just willing to at least try to be a fan and horseplayer… not necessarily the most natural fit.

Posted by dana on Feb 11 2008    
Filed Under: War Pass, Pyro, Court Vision, 2008, Majestic Warrior, Derby Trail, Fans, Hard Spun, Curlin, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Racing

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1979 Mattel Horse Racing Analyzer and gift from Swifty!

I had fantastic luck yesterday… with the subway. Every time I arrived on the platform the train was arriving. I even hopped across the platform to catch the arriving express train after one stop, making my normal 30+ minute door to door to the office 15 minutes. This luck was with me for each of my four subway rides, the subway equivalent of a Pick 6 given it a was a Saturday. This was where the luck ended.

I had the right selections in the Tiffany Lass but didn’t bet it right. I chose an exacta of Tizaqueena over Jolie The Cat & Highest Class and put a little bit on Highest Class to win. I had a nagging feeling that I should select Jolie The Cat to win but stuck with my choice. I was surprised to see her set the pace but someone had to do it. I thought it might be Syriana’s Song or Timely Reflection. She looked great on the lead and got the job done when asked after setting a nice slow pace. I still like Tizaqueena as well and will be keeping an eye on both her Jolie the Cat.

The LeComte was the subway luck equivalent of being stuck in a train that’s not moving in a car where the PA doesn’t work. I dismissed Z Fortune altogether, I’m not sure if it’s because his prior races were for state breds or that his last speed figure was 16 points lower the prior one but he looked really strong and is clearly one to keep an eye on. Lesson of the day: don’t mess with Asmussen at Fairgrounds! I’m also interested to see Smooth Air’s next out given that He’s Eze came in 4th here. I’m wondering if he could be a one surface wonder in the slop, like one of my sentimental favorites, Slew’s Tizzy. I really, really wish they’d send him to California or just run him on synthetic surfaces, isn’t it clear by now he doesn’t like the dirt?

Swifty was lamenting that the LeComte was where he fell in love last year. While I haven’t fallen in love yet (I have trust issues), I’m definitely looking forward to a second date with El Galo Mato! I didn’t bet this one correctly either, which is extra annoying due to my pre-office selections including the winning exacta. Nevertheless, that bad cat is the first 3yo colt that I think I could I really fall for… it was, however, love at first sight with Mushka, but I don’t want to digress too much.

In the San Pasqual Zappa looked really good to me in the parade and my note about him was that he could be ready to jump in class. I boxed him with Thousand Words and ran back to the window to get a win bet on him but just missed it. He looked really great as well sitting perfectly off the pace. I always love to see a claimer jump up in class.

And finally, in the subway luck equivalent of trudging to the station in the pouring rain to find your train not running at all, only to have walk several blocks to another line that doesn’t even put you within 4 four blocks of your final destination, we have Air Commander in the San Fernando! Jessica at Railbird points out the Dan Illman nailed Air Commander in the OTB channel’s live handicapping show… naturally one of the only times I didn’t watch it. Well done though! My long shot across the board was Big Bad Leroy Brown, who came in last! But what’s interesting to me is that of the remaining crop of last year’s 3yos, the ones that are improving are surprising. Take Pink Viper’s 107 Beyer in the Brush Up at Aqueduct. While not the same class of horses as the San Fernando, the speed figure is still quite an improvement.

Both Pink Viper and Air Commander were on the Derby Trail last year. Who else is out there improving greatly I wonder, and are horses like Ravel and Great Hunter going to improve? Time will tell. Dominican was back on the work tab this morning breezing 3F in :38:80 and Sedgefield is entered in the 7th at Gulfstream today, a 62K allowance optional claimer at 1 mile on the turf (not entered for a tag). Dawn after Dawn is running in the El Encino today at Santa Anita… I can’t wait to see her return, she’s been training nicely and I’ve got my fingers crossed for a stellar 4yo campaign… stand clear of the closing doors!

Posted by dana on Jan 13 2008    
Filed Under: Mushka, Dan Ilman, Wrap Up, Santa Anita, Fairgrounds, Steve Asmussen, 4yo, El Gato Malo, 2008, Ravel, 3yo, Slew's Tizzy, Hard Spun, Gambling, That's Why They Call it Gambling, Derby Trail, Handicapping, Great Hunter, Dawn After Dawn, Dominican, Racing

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Street Sense walking back to the barn after the Classic (o_crunk)

When I arrived home tonight I noticed a box in the “mail area” of the apartment. I sort of assumed it was from my mom given that she’s been sending me xmas presents for at least a week now.

When I looked at the box it it was from Bloodhorse. “Did my mom get me something from Bloodhorse?” “How would she know to get me something from Bloodhorse?” This confusion went on until I saw the ‘Open Immediately - 2008 Stallion Register enclosed’ (like it might go bad).

First of all, I didn’t know they even published such a thing (remember, green) and second of all I didn’t know they would just send one to all subscribers. I also recently got a fancy Coolmore catalog (why, I’m not sure)… marketing at this level of the game gives Haute Couture a run for it’s money (pun intended).

As I was thumbing through it, noting who I thought was cute (all of them), naturally went I looking for some of my favorites. I was hoping Invasor & Hard Spun would have the standard stately pose in front of an idyllic pasture with a perfectly aged fence (Storm Cat), or in front of a souped up Colonial with Georgian columns (Perfect Soul - IRE), but alas they’re newbies, so they have racing pictures.

Invasor’s pic is from the Breeders’ Cup, natch, while Street Sense’s is from the Derby. It sort of looks like the Yum Brand logo is a cartoon speech bubble coming out of Calvin Borel’s mouth as he reaches towards the sky right after crossing the finish.

Sure, it’s fun to analyze it as a marketing tool while simultaneously disturbing to observe it as an effective cog in a well oiled machine. But the real deal can’t be any more clear than it is on the Street Sense page… “Bred to be a Stallion”. Clearly a selling point and clearly problem number 1 in the long list of problems with thoroughbred horse racing as a sport.

This sentiment was also echoed in something that Alan at Left at the Gate pointed out over the weekend. It would be different in the case of the catalog if this sentiment was confined to the breeding industry, but it’s not… it’s clear that it’s the motivating factor for the majority of decisioning, at least for some… and definitely too many.

Posted by dana on Dec 11 2007    
Filed Under: 2007, Greed, Storm Cat, Invasor, Street Sense, Breeding, Let Horses Race, Hard Spun, Racing

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My inner 12 year old just chuckled as I wrote that headline…

Alan’s recent excellent post on gut feelings/over thinking and handicapping inspired the current poll question. I really wanted to do a poll on handicapping style and what y’all use as the most important factors (speed, pace, class, work out patterns, etc) but couldn’t come up with a pithy way to frame it.

My preferred PP is straight up DRF. I haven’t ventured into the pace figs yet and my all Mac home network precludes me from Formulator. My friend Joan likes the Brisnet Premiums with the Prime Power Numbers (or whatever they’re called) but I like to come to those conclusions myself.

I’m still trying to get a real system going with note taking. My current “system” includes keeping all of my scribbled on PPs in several growing piles around my desk. About 80% of the time I remember when I have notes on a race and am able to find said notes. I’ve also gotten better at actually remembering races and trips without the aid of my notes.

My sequence of events are: Handicap, look at ML odds, watch race replays, read/watch race analysis. I don’t always watch race replays or read/watch analysis, but as Alan points out, it usually serves to reinforce what I’ve already decided on… usually.

As a wrap-up for the last poll, Bernardini was your preferred sire for Octave somewhat closely followed by Hard Spun (my choice). Interesting, there were not votes for Any Given Saturday or Street Sense.

Posted by dana on Dec 03 2007    
Filed Under: 2007, Any Given Saturday, Bernardini, Octave, Handicapping, Hard Spun, Street Sense, Breeding

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