Shake the Bank in the parade for the 2008 Manhattan (Paul Pierson)

Looking around DRF last week I noticed this little piece about Dutrow/Zito - Arson Squad/Commentator and the upcoming Clark. It seems as though Dutrow is considering entering a rabbit to help Arson Squad (who I love).

Dutrow said one of his emerging stable stars, Arson Squad, “is doing unbelievable right now” after romping to victory in the Oct. 3 Meadowlands Cup but “probably will need a little help” if he is to win the Grade 2, $500,000 Clark when running against Commentator.

“I just can’t let that horse go out by himself,” Dutrow said Wednesday regarding Commentator. “I’m going to have to use a couple rabbits to try to beat him.”

Zito was unphased saying that he planned on running Commentator in the Clark regardless of what Dutrow has planned.

The first time I encountered the concept of the rabbit was Better Talk Now’s rabbit Shake the Bank, who eventually went on to run his own races on occasion! While the concept of the rabbit bums me out a bit, I’ve certainly been able to capitalize on it from a handicapping perspective, particularly when the rabbit helps someone other than it’s entry mate (cough, Tale of Ekati in the Wood, cough).

I did a little research to see if I could track down any information on the history or origin of rabbits. While I didn’t come up a fabulous set of texts that details the origins or uses of rabbits (as I’m sure some of my more history minded blog-temporaries could if they were so inclined), I was able to find some fun stuff.

In a piece for the NY Times published on July 14th 1992, Joseph Durso waxes poetically of rabbits as such:

One of the unsung heroes of racing history is the “rabbit.” He is the speedball who breaks out of the gate and runs like the wind with one mission in life: to set up the race for a stablemate who does his best running late in the race.

The rabbit does this by firing a burst of early pace that forces the other speed horses in the race to run faster and longer than they’d like, thereby setting the stage for his pal to execute his customary finishing kick with drama and effect and with dwindling opposition.

The rabbit does all this without glory or renown. But he is the hero’s hero, the star’s star. And some of the best horses in racing history were abetted by some of the best rabbits in racing history.

Gallant Man had his Bold Nero, whose mission was to wear down the great Bold Ruler in the 1957 Belmont Stakes, and he did, opening the way for Gallant Man to win by eight lengths. Damascus had his Hedevar, who helped the superstar of the stable outrun Dr. Fager in the Woodward Stakes in 1967 and eventually win the title as Horse of the Year. And Buckpasser had his Great Power the same year, which may have been when the racing rabbit reached a historic peak.

He goes on to discuss Zito’s plan to enlist Loach to assist Strike the Gold in a battle with Pleasant Tap and Sultry Song in the 1992 Suburban.

Here’s Loach bravely performing his duty for Strike the Gold:

While it didn’t work out exactly way the way Zito had hoped, at least Strike the Gold placed.

In another piece published in the Times, Joe Drape discusses Tabor/Smith’s strategy of entering Spanish Chestnut in the 2005 Derby to aid Bandini against Bellamy Road.

Spanish Chestnut certainly held up his end of the bargain but Bandini finished 19th and Bellamy Road finished 7th.

Perhaps the most recent, and ridiculous, high profile use of a rabbit was Tabor/Smith’s MAIDEN rabbit Red Rock Canyon for Soldier of Fortune in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Should a maiden really be allowed to be entered in a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup race?

It didn’t pan out for Tabor/Smith as maiden Red Rock Canyon reported for duty but Soldier of Fortune was MIA finishing 4th. Although, sometimes a rabbit’s hard work is not for naught and the stable mate is able hold up their end of the bargain.

Shake the Bank sets up Better Talk Now for his hard fought victory in the 2005 Man O’War… ah team work.

Whether the rabbit is entered to ensure a strong pace or wear down a front running foe, do you think all is fair in love and war? Should there be more parameters on rabbit entry, such as limiting maiden entries in Grade 1 events?

In our last poll, Most Impressive BC Win 2008, Goldikova romped taking 33 votes, Zenyatta was the next closest with 25, Raven’s Pass had 11, Midnight Lute (last year’s winner) had 10, Ventura, Stardom Bound & Desert Code all had 3, Midshipman & Donativum had 2 and Maram had 1 vote.

As always, thanks for participating!

Posted by dana on Nov 09 2008    
Filed Under: Running Style, Tale of Ekati, Zenyatta, Stardom Bound, Pace, Poll, Midnight Lute, Sportsmanship, 2008, Racing

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I can’t remember the last time I sat in front of the idiot box for 6 hours. The only thing I can say for certain is that it’s a good thing I donated my bank roll this year (more to come on that!). Mind you, this didn’t stop me from losing a little money as I had a little bit sitting around in my twinspires account… not any more!

Michael has the right idea, there’s always tomorrow to take up the arguments, debates, head scratching and opining (such as, can Swifty and I employ an Enron-like scheme to purchase Stardom Bound with credit based on projected future earnings?).

In the meantime, who did you think had the most impressive Breeders’ Cup win? The winner of last year’s poll was Midnight Lute, who is not only up for the honors again, but is the only repeat winner from last year.

As for the last poll, 28 of you said your biggest issue with the BC was the surface, 23 said it was all of the above, 22 said it was Filly Friday, 14 of you said it was the name change, 11 of you said it was the 2 day format and 9 of you said it was saddle cloth color. In hindsight, perhaps I should have added it an option to vote for “it’s too damn hard to handicap 14 races in 2 days”!

As always, thanks for participating!

Posted by dana on Oct 25 2008    
Filed Under: Poll, Stardom Bound, 2008, Midnight Lute, Rescue, Breeders' Cup, Retirement

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Daaher & Midnight Lute in the Cigar Mile (Sarah K. Andrew)

A few days after the Cigar Mile I remembered seeing the headline “Midnite Lute scares away most Cigar Mile Nominees” prior to the race.

It’s too bad they didn’t show up, there were 2 1/2 lengths in between Daaher and Midnight Lute that any number of horses could have fit in. I’d like to think that if I were an owner (something I’d really like to be someday), that I wouldn’t shy away from competition… look at well at worked out for Daaher’s connections.

Posted by dana on Nov 28 2007    
Filed Under: Sportsmanship, Midnight Lute, 2007, Let Horses Race, Racing

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Court Vision & Eibar Coa win the Rodeo Remsen. (Sarah K. Andrew)

It was great to be back at “the office”, where Swifty and I spend the Aqueduct winter meet. I handicapped the 4th - 9th races + the De Francis Dash while Swifty had done races 8, 9 & 11 at Churchill + the Cigar Mile.

I was taken out of the Pick 6 immediately by Regal Prince, a first time starter in a state bred MSW. However my best play of the day followed shortly after with the trifecta of Now a Victor, Shopton Lane & Dr. V’s Magic in the G3 Discovery.

I wasn’t sold on Helsinki or Buffalo Man and could make a case for each of my trifecta picks. I really liked Shopton Lane as a front runner with some endurance works poised to make a jump up. Now a Victor was a deserving favorite and Dr. V’s Magic had a nice last race at the distance and two really nice last works. In addition to my tri-box I had Shopton Lane to win, and he almost did. I also have give props to Maggi Moss and her team as this time last year Shopton Lane was running as a claimer. They’ve done a great job bringing out his talent, prior to this race was 4 for 4 on the year and this was his stakes debut. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.

The most impressive runs of the day belonged to the youngins in the Demoiselle and the Remsen.

Empire Maker filly Mushka was incredibly impressive in the Demoiselle, she broke so slow that I thought she got pulled up. She sat really far back as if she wasn’t even gonna try and then came on with a giant run going about 4-5 wide around the field to blow by everyone and win by 4 1/2 lengths. Like all great horses, she made it look so easy and she definitely didn’t look like she was only running in her 3rd start. I didn’t have her in any of my combos but I did like her, specifically that she was the only one that had shown that she could sit off the pace and win, albeit not the 10 or lengths she sat today! Elusive Lady has to also get a nod here as she ran wide on both turns up close to the pace and held on well to place.

The Remsen was a like bumper car ride! Tide Dancer led about half of the way while heavily favored Court Vision was bottled up on the rail surrounded by Springs Road & Big Truck. Attoned was racing close but clipped heals on the first turn and fell back a bit while Trust N Dustan was pulling a Muska sitting way way back. Attoned got his run going and took over the lead going into the stretch just as Trust N Dustan came on wide, again almost replicating Muska’s run. Court Vision was squeezed while Trust N Dustan was banging into him going into the stretch. At this point Attoned was pulling away but Court Vision broke free and poured it on to catch him at the wire. What a tough bunch! I’m looking forward to seeing all them again!

I suppose Daaher was no surprise given that he went off at 2-1, and he looked great too. I felt bad for Midnight Lute struggling in the stretch. Speaking of BC sprinters, Benny the Bull finally had his day in the De Francis Dash. I had him over Miraculous Miss and Miraculous Miss to win but that pesky Talent Search put in a nice run and held on to place! I thought all three of them ran well and was kicking myself a bit for not playing that as a tri box.

I also ended up hitting the low paying late Pick 3 with the win of Premier Perfection in the 9th. While not a great day at the windows it was a great day to catch a glimpse of the excitement and talent coming our way.

Posted by dana on Nov 24 2007    
Filed Under: Mushka, Benny the Bull, Court Vision, Demoiselle, De Francis Dash, Remsen, Aqueduct, Midnight Lute, Handicapping, Gambling, 2007, 2yo, Wrap Up, Sarah K. Andrew, Racing

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Today is my first full day of playing since the BC, I’ve played a few hunches here and there but no concerted handicapping efforts. I’m going to play the 4th through the 9th at Aqueduct and the De Francis Dash. I’m also going to watch the baby races at Churchill and if I get a chance to really look them over I’ll play them as well.

Unlike the Cigar Mile, The De Francis Dash is a pretty well matched competitive field. While I think Talent Search will do better in this company than he has his last few starts, I think the pace scenario will favor closers. Benny the Bull is the natural pick here, I liked him at Saratoga and thought he did ok in the BC but I’m also really interested in Miraculous Miss. I thought she had one of the more impressive non-winning runs of the BC. This pace could be hot enough for her and if Benny the Bull isn’t on his game or doesn’t get a good trip I think she can do it. I’ll using both Benny the Bull & Miraculous Miss in a box and Miraculous Miss to win.

While I singled Midnight Lute in the Pick 6, I think Daaher has a reasonable chance. However, my fun wise guy play is Sir Greeley! He’s got a good record at the distance, loves to place, a decent last work and solid times at the distance. Do I think he can win? Not really, but anything is possible. Do I think he can place? Most definitely. I’ll be fooling around with combinations of those 3.

Good luck everyone!

Posted by dana on Nov 24 2007    
Filed Under: Aqueduct, Benny the Bull, De Francis Dash, Midnight Lute, Pick 6, Handicapping, 2007, Racing

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