Buddy’s Saint, potential star and confirmed New York hype horse! (Melissa Wirth)

While it was a great long weekend of racing of every kind, I decided to pay more attention to 2yo racing than normal. Thanks to Val of Foolish Pleasure / Fillies First for alerting me to the Stars of Tomorrow card on closing day of Churchill, there were definitely some notable performances there.

In my opinion it’s too early to hop on any bandwagons for Kentucky Derby 2010 but it’s never to soon to put a horse in your watch list! Here’s what caught my eye this weekend generally speaking, not necessarily just from a Derby perspective.

Carrington Village - Debut Winner at Churchill 11/26th, 8th race:

This gets my vote for most impressive effort overall and most impressive win. He pulls an Evening Attire out of the gate (#5), and remains unhurried down the backstretch. Coming very wide into the stretch he made up ground quickly and once he cleared the leaders Desormeaux stopped asking and he kept right on going. I’m looking forward to seeing what this McPeek trainee does next out.

Down with Dixie - 3rd in a MSW at Churchill on 11/28th, 7th race:

Watch gate 11, Down with Dixie stumbles and then gets squeezed out. He drops in at the back of the pack and you’ll see him start his run on the outside going into the far turn (white hat). Fly Down’s effort should be noted too, but I thought Down with Dixie was the more impressive. However, both showed that they can deal with traffic and that they have heart. While that was Down With Dixie’s 5th start it’s only his 2nd start on dirt, a surface he definitely seems to like more than than synth. It was Fly Down’s second start and first time with blinkers.

Sassy Image - Golden Rod at Churchill

Sassy Image sat off a solid pace and came wide to duel with a game Decelerator but had enough left to kick at the end and look great doing it. She’s owned by Dale Roman’s brother, who was advised by Roman’s precocious son Jake to shot a with her.

Super Saver - Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill

If it wasn’t for Williams Kitten putting in a decent run himself you’d think the rest of the field was just falling off but Super Saver, who was getting leg weary going into the stretch, kicked again after setting solid fractions. I think this Winstar colt’s win was more impressive than American’s Lion Hollywood Prevue.

Buddy’s Saint - Remsen at Aqueduct

While Buddy’s Saint was nothing to sneeze at, I think Super Saver’s performance was more impressive. Buddy’s Saint sat behind a dawdling pace and was the beneficiary of a front end hook up between Homeboykris (who should definitely learn to rate!) and Citrus Kid. Yes, Buddy’s Saint did it insanely easily, but I’d like to see him overcome adversity before I get super jazzed… the good news is that there’s plenty of time for that!

Tizahit - Demoiselle at Aqueduct

Similar to Buddy’s Saint, Tizahit was the recipient of a very patient ride and a pace meltdown up front, this time courtesy of Oh Diane. What was more impressive about Tizahit’s win was 1) the pace was faster than in the Remsen and 2) she held off closing rivals in Protesting and Fuzzy Britches. And not to pick too much on American Lion but in my opinion Tizahit was the more impressive Tiznow offspring of the two of them this time out.

It was also interesting to note the difference in coverage between Super Saver and Buddy’s Saint. I thought the Super Saver article at DRF seemed almost too understated compared to the Buddy’s Saint article which was lavishly entitled “Buddy’s Saint sure looks like a Derby Contender”. Within the same article the sub-head for Tizahit was “Tizahit gets dream trip”… and Buddy’s Saint didn’t? It’s interesting to note the difference in reporting both between reporters and even between very similar races by the same reporter.

Update: Here’s another you can file under ‘it’s only just begun’, The Saint Makes a Heavenly Statement. I’d have to do a little research before I named what I thought was the best performance by 2yo male all year but I’d take Carrington Village’s debut win of the ones I have listed here!

Not to continue to rain on the parade but Crist provides some fractional comparisons between all the Aqueduct races from Saturday:

The Demoiselle was slow-early/fast-late while the Remsen was the reverse. Buddy’s Saint was not under pressure winning the Remsen but any enthusiasm for his 4 3/4-length victory has to be tempered by his unimpressive final furlong of 13.49 and final three-eighths in about 39.50.

And here are two more the list, Dan Ilman points out Conveyance winning an allowance at Hollywood Park and Val points out Maximus Ruler.

At any rate, a special thanks to Churchill for making ALL of their replays available AND embeddable on YouTube!

Posted by dana on Nov 29 2009    
Filed Under: Remsen, Demoiselle, Hype, Impressive, Super Saver, 2009, Churchill Downs, Aqueduct, Race Replay, Derby Trail, Maiden, 2yo, YouTube, Racing

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Curlin arrives in California (Charles Pravata)

This break in 1994 profiling is brought to you by disbelief. There I was, in the middle of my mid-afternoon malaise, when I noticed this item announcing the Eclipse winning photo for the year. Surprised, I immediately tweeted “There are many more deserving photos than this one”. Others agreed.

What’s wrong with the winning photo you ask? Nothing. It’s a perfectly nice photo, perhaps too perfectly. In fact I think it’s the image equivalent of a press release. As Patrick points out, it’s not like there aren’t plenty of other photos of Dettori hopping off a horse when he wins.

I’d like to humbly submit the following 20 photos that made an impression on me at some point during this year for your consideration. While I have no idea what the criteria is for an Eclipse award is besides probably, at the very least, being published somewhere other than GbG, I chose shots that 1) were taken this year and 2) felt like solid stand alone images that either spoke to an event this year or what makes racing great overall.

I put this list together relatively quickly and it’s by no means comprehensive. Sorry that I can’t put it in a slide show, they’re not my images!

Big Brown the day after winning the Derby - Charles Pravata

Big Brown in the Belmont - Corrado Photography

Alan Garcia after the Belmont - Raymond Haddad

Big Brown in the paddock at Monmouth - Sarah K. Andrew

Casino Drive greets the kids of Anna House - Sarah K. Andrew

Fairgrounds Racing - Championship Racing

Fairgrounds Racing - Championship Racing

Jackie Davis with dad former jockey Robbie Davis after her first race - Kristen Davis

Ginger Punch out of the gate in the Go For Wand - Jessie Holmes

Zaftig and Indian Blessing in the Acorn - Jason Moran

Notional and Joe Bravo after winning the Salvatore Mile - Sarah K. Andrew

Outrider captures a runaway at Saratoga - Sarah K. Andrew

Ocean Colors after finishing last in the Schuylerville - Sarah K. Andrew

Evening Attire’s retirement party - Melissa Wirth

Zenyatta after winning the Clement L. Hirsch - Charles Pravata

Curlin arrives in California - Charles Pravata

Curlin working at Santa Anita - Charles Pravata

Larry Jones and Old Fashioned before the Remsen - Sarah K. Andrew

We need more of this - Jason Moran

If you had to pick one of Dettori at the BC - Rick Samuels

It’s a tough call if I had to pick one. I love them all but I can narrow it down to Casino Drive with the Anna House kids, Big Brown in the paddock at Monmouth, Evening Attire’s retirement and Larry Jones with Old Fashioned.

What images did you like this year? I’m sure I’ve overlooked some great ones!

Update, check out Patrick’s post… I hadn’t noticed but Juvenile is misspelled!! After thinking about it this morning, I would have to concur with GbG pal and commenter Kevin of Colin’s Ghost on 2 points 1) the pic of Big Brown’s butt losing the Belmont should win and 2) the award should go to a photographer, not a single photograph.

Posted by dana on Dec 29 2008    
Filed Under: Raymond Haddad, Indian Blessing, 2008, Remsen, Jessie Holmes, Big Brown, Jason Moran, Zenyatta, Casino Drive, Frankie Dettori, Mainstream Media, Kentucky Derby, Breeders' Cup, Derby Trail, Curlin, Belmont Stakes, Notional, Sarah K. Andrew, Charles Pravata, Alan Garcia, Racing

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Flanders winning the Frizette (Jason Moran)

1994 was not wanting for talented 2 year olds or competitive fields, that’s for sure.

Before we get started there are a few small caveats to keep in mind that apply to the entire series. In fact, I will probably mention them in every post just make sure you’re paying attention!

I’ve tried to display race replays and compile the list of races in chronological order starting with the beginning of the year. I was rarely able to find an actual date as opposed to a “usually run in the late fall” or “run in the beginning of march”. My goal was try to lay out the racing year as it unfolded. Please leave a comment or contact me if you can help put these races in the right order! Distance and race grade reflect the race in 1994 and again, if you can help correct any errors, let me know.

This is clearly and by no means a complete record, it’s what I could put together over the weekend. If there’s a race you’d like to see listed, let me know and I’ll see what I can track down. I’d love for it to be as complete as possible.

Let’s start off with the Colts. On the east coast you had Montreal Red. By the time racing was nearing an end at Saratoga he was undefeated in 3 races and poised to make history if he could win the Hopeful by becoming one of the few horses to sweep the 2yo series at Saratoga. He had won the Sanford and the Saratoga Special but the Hopeful was not to be for Montreal Red as he placed to Wild Escapade (wish I could find that replay!). He did go on to win the Futurity at Belmont.

On the west coast there was Timber Country, the first horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and then go on to win a Triple Crown race (the Preakness). In the fall he was sent east to compete a rousing rendition of the Champagne, check out that field size!

Not only did you have Montreal Red, the east coast buzz horse that had only been defeated once coming off a win in the Futurity, but there was the undefeated west coaster On Target in the mix as well as Hopeful winner Wild Escapade and Mr. Greeley (who really didn’t do much at 2). Timber Country had to fight for it but he secured his spot as the favorite going into the Breeders’ Cup.

The 1995 Derby winner, Thunder Gulch, improved as the year went on winning the Remsen in the late fall. West Coaster Afternoon Deelites also made the end of the year interesting capturing both the Hollywood Prevue and the Hollywood Futurity. He still holds the record for the Futurity at 1:40:74.

Futurity:

Champagne:

Remsen:

Hollywood Futurity:

As for the Fillies, I have one word. Flanders. She’s one of the best kept secrets of 1994 and if I had to pick the most impressive horse of 94, it would be her. She had both speed and guts, digging down to repel bids and win stretch battles like an old war horse.

Going into the Spinaway, her firsts stakes race, Stormy Blues was the big buzz horse from the same barn as Montreal Red. Flanders broke quickly and was able to get the lead. Favorite Stormy Blues and Adirondack winner Seeking Regina sat off of her grueling pace but were “never gonna catch her today” as Durkin put it. She still holds the record at 1:23.

In the Matron, Flanders makes the lead early but sets a more moderate pace. Stormy Blues and Phone Caller both move on her at the top of the stretch and for a moment it looks like Flanders isn’t going to be able to hold on. She digs down and not only repels the bid of Stormy Blues, but finds enough to pull away and win by 2 or 3. Impressive.

Not too many takers in the Frizette, and Flanders easily crushes the 4 horse field by almost 20. On the west coast the impressive Serena’s Song was revving up by winning the Landaluce and Oak Leaf to make sure Flanders had some competition by the time the Breeders’ Cup rolled around.

Serena’s Song and Flanders shared two things beyond their talent, they both had similar running styles and they were both trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Flanders never ran again after the Breeders’ Cup. Given what Serena’s Song went on to do, one can only wonder what Flanders might have been able accomplish given the chance.

Serena’s Song winds up the year with a win in the Hollywood Starlet. Stay tuned to see how how our Juveniles fared in the Breeders’ Cup (the last post in the series). The next post will be 3yos.

Adirondack:

Spinaway:

Matron:

Frizette:

Oak Leaf:

Demoiselle:

Hollywood Starlet:

GbG pal and frequent commenter Jason has some excellent photos from 1994, and all of the 90s for that matter. I’ll be featuring them on my posts but you can see them all here.

Were you there? Was 1994 as fantastic as it looks? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you… share some of your racing history, won’t you?

Posted by dana on Dec 22 2008    
Filed Under: Impressive, Remsen, Jason Moran, 90s, 1994, Demoiselle, Champagne Stakes, Race Replay, Tom Durkin, 2yo, YouTube, Racing

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(Barking Madcaz)

Bandwagon jumpers, believers, non-believers, and hype haters… we’re all looking for the same thing, right? To fall in love. But we’re skeptics… hurt so many times in the past, afraid to open our hearts again and be made a fool of. So we’re cautious, asking our intendeds to jump through hoop after hoop after hoop before we’ll say with certainty “I love [horse name]!”.

Maybe I don’t believe in monogamy… I believe it’s ok to love one and bet on another, or even multiple others! I like to have an open relationship with a horse. I may love you with all of my heart, but if your odds are too low I’m probably not going to bet on you. Sorry honey!

It’s close enough to the big dance now that I can start to evaluate my Derby suitors. For the most part I’ve seen enough to know who’s just a fleeting interest and who’s got some real potential.

Just a crush? Let’s be friends? Or I really think we could be something special… only time will tell! Until then, here’s how they’re stacking for me.

Pyro:
He caught my eye as a two year old, putting in very game efforts in both the Champagne and Breeders’ Cup.

But he really won me over in the Risen Star with his shocking turn of foot and insane final quarter. And just to prove that he’s no one trick pony, he stayed involved in the Louisiana Derby, sitting much closer to the pace and proving again that he can get around those others when he needs too.

Sure, he’s a hype machine and there’s always something, but he’s moved off my “prove it to me list” and on the confirmed “Like” list.

Sierra Sunset:
This guy just turned up on my radar yesterday but I’m definitely interested. Getting away from the polytrack has spiffed up this looker! He improved at a mile at Oaklawn when he placing to the also dreamy Denis of Cork and then stretched out beautifully to win impressively. I’m ready to see some more!

Denis Cork:
And doesn’t Sierra Sunset’s nice performance speak well of this young man? His performance in the aforementioned race was very professional, sitting just off the pace and then powering home. I’m really looking forward to his next outing.

Elysium Fields:
Another new guy on the scene, at least for me, his performance in the Fountain of Youth was full of promise. Just as it looked like Cool Coal Man was going to put some distance between them, he moved to the outside and turned it on… fighting back is a big turn on! Not only does this bode well for the distance but he kept going in the gallop out… this guy is the at the top of the list!

Majestic Warrior:
His performance in the Hopeful was indeed just that! He came out of the clouds to blow past the favorites. In his 3yo debut he ran wide and made big a move on the final turn but failed to fire. I believe in this handsome devil and am willing to give him another chance to prove himself to me.

Cool Coal Man:
As already mentioned, this guy looked very convincing in the Fountain of Youth but I still want a little more convincing before I say yes.

King’s Silver Son:
Here’s another new guy on the scene! He was really game and closing hard in the stretch in the Rebel. With a little more practice he could be a real heart stopper… I’ve got my eye on you!

Fierce Wind:
Obviously, I like to have a lot of suitors on deck… but that’s just because you can never be too sure! I found this guy’s performance in the Sam B. Davis as solid as any and for that I’m willing to keep him on the (apparently not so) short list to see what happens next.

Georgie Boy:
Dirt darling, dirt. That’s my only reservation but it’s one I can’t overlook, at least not for the Derby. Too bad too, he could be just the one for me otherwise!

Visionaire:
I wanted his Gotham win to impress me more than it did but 1) I couldn’t see what happened and 2) he was shipped there to avoid Pyro. I like a winner and a touch of mystery but I need to see more of what you’ve got before we go any further!

Court Vision:
He could pop right back up on the ‘Next Stop Like” list with ease but I thought he’d do a little a better in the Fountain of Youth… I mean he did close off a slow pace in that rowdy Remsen! Maybe we’ll just be friends, but really good friends!

El Gato Malo:
Hard not to like a bad boy, but this bad boy may not be that bad after all. And what will he make of the dirt? I may just keep him on my “call him when you’re in Cali” list.

Colonel John:
Admittedly, it takes a lot for me to pay attention to those Cali boys so perhaps I haven’t given this one a fair shake. He just hasn’t been on my radar.

Tale of Ekati:
I’m willing to give him another start off of his tough debut but Majestic Warrior gave me butterflies the first time I noticed him, not this guy.

J Be K:
He’s fast and I like that but can he stay in for the long haul? I don’t think he got fair shake at it last out as Kent D. didn’t harness his natural speed. I’ll believe it when I see it but think he should get another shot.

Big Brown:
There’s a lot of talk about this late comer, I’d like to get a look for myself before I believe any hype.

Cowboy Cal:
Again, another one from Cali… I can’t keep all you surfer dudes straight!

Tomcito:
I’ve been hearing rumors in the hallways that there’s a new student starting soon and he’s really something. You never know when some one exciting can show up and change everything!

War Pass:
Last year’s prom king, and deservedly so. But we’re older now and it’s time to get a little more serious, show that you can handle the distance. Everyone has a bad day… hey, that’s part of growing up. But you’re going to have buckle down and really bring it next time or you may not be the top of your class after all.

Attoned:
He’s an around the way guy, full of heart and as honest as they come… what’s not to like? I’ll be really happy for him if it works out but if not maybe we can hang out this summer?

Big Truck:
Ditto accept if I had to pick between the two of them, I’d pick this big guy. He’s improved every time since the Hucheson and now we know he doesn’t like slop! Regardless of how it all works out, I’ll be looking for him this summer.

Unbridled Vicar:
He won’t make it to the big dance but I bet he might get better with age!

Blackberry Road:
I dismissed him early because people seemed to think he was the next Street Sense (which wasn’t exactly the kind of thing to get me interested), but as it turns out I think this guy’s got some heart. Check you later on in the year!

Z Fortune:
Sometimes those rich guys are endearing when they mess up a little. Maybe his parents don’t have realistic expectations for him? Just because he won’t be a doctor doesn’t mean he won’t be good at something!

Anak Nakal:
I’m sure you’re a nice guy, and I don’t have anything bad to say about you… but from what some of my friends were saying about you I expected a little more. I do wish you the best of luck and maybe our paths will cross again some day.

Posted by dana on Mar 17 2008    
Filed Under: Remsen, 2008, El Gato Malo, Derby/Oaks Dating, Court Vision, Pyro, Derby Trail, Kent Desormeaux, Majestic Warrior, War Pass, 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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