News of super Ladies has been pouring in all day, some good and some not.

Several folks have nice tributes to Genuine Risk, formerly the oldest living Derby winner. I first learned of the “big beautiful chestnut filly” here, when Val did the timely piece that the mainstream media missed (again) by doing a tie in to Rags to Riches’ Belmont win. Rest in peace Genuine Risk.

For those who may have missed it, check out Jessica’s excellent account of the post Alabama scene in the winner’s circle. Great stuff. She also has a nice day after post and Geno has a nice set of shots from what looks to be the perfect Saratoga weekend.

Country Star made her triumphant return with an allowance win on the Turf at the Spa.

And in crazy news, my jaw dropped when my phone buzzed and I read this!

Anyone who pays even moderate attention to racing in New York knows that Linda Rice is the queen of turf sprints but this is almost unbelievable… and it’s not like it was a small field!

And what makes it even more super that you can’t tell from the chart is that the first, second and forth place finishers were fillies and the 3rd place finisher was a colt. Seriously super all the way around. Does anyone know how often a trainer sweeps a super?

And just because I haven’t posted anything since Saturday’s races, GbG horse of interest National Pride showed up and won the 1st on Saturday holding off a hard closing and impressive looking Posse Cat. Thanks to his unfortunate stumble out of the gate last out he paid $8.10, which is you guessed it, super!

Posted by dana on Aug 18 2008    
Filed Under: Superfecta, Country Star, 2008, Proud Spell, Impressive, National Pride, Farewell, Saratoga, Come Back, Turf, Legend, Racing

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Fellow TBA-er Quinella Queen of Turf Luck left a comment on my recent post about Go For Wand pointing out the Breeders’ Cup Top 25 Moments Poll. To quote her exactly, “My goodness, check out the race by Pebbles in the ‘85 Turf!”

Regular reader ljk also pointed out Tiznow’s 2001 Classic. With two comments pointing towards notable efforts, I finally made my way over there. I started at the top in chronological order. It didn’t take long too get to Pebbles in the 85 Turf…. WOW!

I had never heard of Pebbles. I thought by now I had probably at least heard of most, if not all, of the great horses of the past 25 years but apparently not! Perhaps it’s because she’s a Brit, or as the announcer called her, Britain’s Super Filly.

Naturally I wanted to see more so I headed over to YouTube. The first clip I found was a compilation of Pebbles winning the 1,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, Champion Stakes & Breeders’ Cup Turf.

I also found this excellent profile of her at NTRA by Jim Tierney written a month after she passed away in 2005, 20 years after her incredible Breeders’ Cup victory. The feat, her only race on American soil, won her our Eclipse Award for Outstanding Turf Female (or is that Lady?).

Tierney writes of her:

Pebbles’ scintillating performance left the Aqueduct crowd and millions watching on NBC breathless.

In 1985, Pebbles defeated the winners of the Epsom Derby, Prix del Arc de Triomphe, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes, English Champion Stakes, Epsom Oaks, Arlington Million, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Pebbles defeated Lashkari, who won the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1984, along with Theatrical, who would go on and win the Breeders’ Cup Turf two years later at Hollywood Park.

I also found these two clips marked as “Story of Horse of the Year Pebbles, commented by Ian Carnaby, Clive Brittain, Steve Cauthen, Capt. Lemus, Pat Eddery.”

Part 1:

Part 2:

It should also be noted that the person who posted the two part series has an interesting archive of racing videos.

If all this international footage and hearing of accents gets you in the mood for some Royal Ascot (a bit late, but who’s counting), check out fellow TBA-er Superfecta as she’s been keeping tabs on all of the action.

I was so blown away by Pebbles that I haven’t even made it to Tiznow’s race yet!

Posted by dana on Jun 20 2008    
Filed Under: YouTube, Legend, TBA, Turf, International Racing, Breeders' Cup, Race Replay, Racing

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Go For Wand & Randy Romero after the 1990 Mother Goose (budmeister 26.2)

I just noticed that Dan Ilman did a nice post on the great filly Go For Wand that chronicles her career with links to racing highlights that’s definitely worth a look.

“Having by this time gained enormous respect and affection for her, New Yorkers bet Go for Wand down to 1-10 in the Beldame Stakes on October 7 and were rewarded with a typical tour de force. She raced nine furlongs in a track-record 1:45 4/5 to win by almost five lengths from some hard-hitting fillies and mares including Colonial Waters, the runnerup, winner of more than $1,000,000.”

Here’s the 1990 Beldame Stakes:

Turning our attention to current rapidly improving fillies, you probably noticed that Zaftig (excellent picture here) was sidelined with a foot bruise. This means she’ll miss the Mother Goose, which was to be her match up against Oak winner Proud Spell. Hopefully she’ll be ready for the Coaching Club Oaks on July on 19th.

Did I mention Mushka is back on the work tab?

Posted by dana on Jun 19 2008    
Filed Under: Mushka, 2008, Proud Spell, Dan Ilman, Legend, Race Replay, 3yo, YouTube, Racing

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Closing weekend at Bay Meadows (Dave Ibison)

As usual, there are a lot of great blog posts out there. And, as usual, they tend to align topics across blogs. Here’s a Friday night sampler platter of posts by (mostly) TBA bloggers.

Filed Under “let horses race”, Val at Foolish Pleasure looks at some Endings and Beginnings, and what struck me was a comment that someone made about the number of horses currently running that have won more than 3 G1 races… hint, it’s a low number. Frank at That’s Amore Stables highlights an issue that rarely gets pointed out in one of my favorite overall topics, “we need to create incentives for horses to race past 3″, in his post 30 cents on the dollar.

Also, check out Frank’s take on the Government’s new found interest in racing.

Filed under “nice to see some deserving trainers get some ink”, Teresa at Brooklyn Backstretch recounts a lovely evening honoring the lifetime achievements of Allen Jerkins. Over at The Rail, Steve Zorn of Castle Village Farms profiles one of the their trainers, the great Bill Turner.

Filed under “I know there are those who need their Casino Drive fix”, Michael at Thoroughblog compiles the complete and exhaustive Casino Drive video history!

And last but not least, please welcome 3 new members to the TBA. Colin’s Ghost, Equispace and Equine Project… check them out, they’re excellent and welcome additions to our growing alliance!

Posted by dana on May 30 2008    
Filed Under: TBA, 2008, Industry, Legend, Belmont Stakes, Let Horses Race, Triple Crown, Racing

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What makes a horse a legend? Is breaking a long standing record enough? In my mind, she’s definitely a legend but I don’t have a very expansive sense of the history of the sport… so tell me your thoughts dear readers, is she a legend? And if not, why?

The previous poll on Ladies Day was the most voted on poll so far here at GbG with 53 votes to date. It was a squeaker between “Good god, Ladies’ Classic? Are you crazy?” with 13 votes while “Change Ladies’ Classic name back to Distaff and I’m good” was a close second with 12. “Well intentioned but needs some work!” got up for a show by a nose with 11 while “Love it as is!” came in with 9 and “Feels a bit icky & sexist…” came in with 8. All and all, a tightly bunched pack… well done!

Posted by dana on Mar 24 2008    
Filed Under: Poll, 2008, Legend, Rags to Riches, Fans

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