Me:
JJ is probably playing a little poker to see if he can get NYRA to sweeten the pot
The Internet:
Mine That Bird had this to say:
And if you’re looking for something else to read about, try Randy Moss’s new blog at DRF!
Posted by dana on Aug 24 2009
Filed Under: Bud Morton, Geldings, 2009, Twitter, Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Internet, Sportsmanship, NYRA, Wooo!, 3yo, :), Randy Moss, Racing
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
One of the points used to prove that Jess Jackson is not a sportsman is that he stated that he wished the Woodward purse was a bit higher.
Is he being a persnickety rich guy or pointing out a genuine inequity in a purse structure that favors breeding your talented 3yos versus campaigning them at 4? He’s probably being a persnickety rich guy (not that I care, see points 1-3), but this also raises an interesting point.
Who among us has not bemoaned the retirement of a talented 3yo colt bound for the shed? Who among us doesn’t want to see our “stars” (because 3yo colts are the only ones marketed to a mainstream audience) race longer?
Let’s face it, there’s no financial incentive for owners to return their talented 3yo to the track and the purse difference between the $1M Travers or $1M Pennsylvania Derby vs the $500k Woodward couldn’t be a better example.
Our friend Frank at That’s Amore Stables elaborated brilliantly last year:
Consider this: on the same weekend that Big Brown contested the $2 million Kentucky Derby, the richest race at Churchill for four year-olds was the $500,000 Turf Classic.
At Pimlico, older males ran in the $250,000 Pimlico Special while Big Brown was cleaning up in the $1 million Preakness.
And in New York, while Big Brown tries to secure the Triple Crown in the $1 million Belmont, older males will tussle on the turf in the $400,000 Manhattan.
In other words, while Big Brown was running for $4 million in purses, your older horse — call him Old Grey — topped out at $1,150,000. Old Grey was running for less than 30 percent of the purses available to Big Brown.
While JJ is probably playing a little poker to see if he can get NYRA to sweeten the pot, he inadvertently highlights systemic measures in place to support the “bred to be a stallion” phenomena. Now there’s something to complain about!
Posted by dana on Aug 23 2009
Filed Under: 4yo, Industry, Big Brown, 2009, Sportsmanship, 3yo, Breeding, Let Horses Race, Retirement, NYRA, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Curlin posing after a bath at Saratoga (wendyu)
Instead of regaling you with thoughts and memories about Curlin, I’m going to point you other places doing a fine a job of it, at least for now. Perhaps I’ll muster something up at another point, but for now I’ll just share last year’s Jockey Club.
Of all his races I’d have to say last year’s Classic was my favorite, but what I love about the Jockey Club (besides cashing my first Pick 4 because of Curlin!) was that it was the beginning of what was to come. The Curlin that we all know now was not apparent to most at this point, and even after this race there were plenty of folks who weren’t sold. This race sold me hook, line and sinker on Curlin.
Kevin, the world’s biggest Curlin fan, has a fitting and touching tribute. I’ve never fallen for a horse that hard (and secretly hope I never do, but I’ve already got a big crush on that Hard Spun/Zoftig offspring!). Geno also has a nice tribute.
Bill Finely covers it in the Times and Paulick has a post too. I’ll continue to add posts as I spot them.
I was lucky enough to see Curlin in person 4 times, and I’m as thankful for that as I am to Jess Jackson for keeping him in training this year (even if he really didn’t really have many other options).
Either way, thank you Curlin, it was a true pleasure… and I hope your beloved Pancho accompanies you wherever you end up!
Updates:
Mary Forney has a great video of Curlin schooling the paddock at Santa Anita!
Moran notes that there’s now a gaping hole in the 2009 season (except for Zenyatta)
Brooklyn Backstretch points out the similarities between Curlin’s announced retirement and his career.
Superfecta sums it up.
Crist considers Curlin.
Railbird on Valuing Curlin.
Duh, Raceday360 Wire is gonna have all the Curlin posts as they happen, just go to the Curlin tag.
Posted by dana on Nov 16 2008
Filed Under: Sportsmanship, 2008, 4yo, Farewell, YouTube, Retirement, Curlin, Race Replay, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
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
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Zarkava at Longchamp last October (kanzebu)
Zarkava made short work of the impressive Arc field today, which prompted Raceday360 to declare the this the “Year of the Chick“.
TRNY member and pal Carol also noted that the “Z” girls really have it this year. Indeed, now if they would just run our “Z” girl in the Classic.
Gloat note: I had the exacta in the Arc… those payouts were nice! Ah, money in the pools.
Now in English thanks to E’s head’s up! It includes the parade as well, the race starts at around 3:40.
Posted by dana on Oct 05 2008
Filed Under: Sportsmanship, Exacta, 2008, Zenyatta, Impressive, YouTube, Turf, Breeders' Cup, Race Replay, International Racing, Inspirational, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Loading ...
