Curlin romps in the Stephen Foster for his 5th straight win (Sarah K. Andrew)
Congrats and thank you to Curlin & co for another sublime performance!
More soon.
Posted by dana on Jun 14 2008
Filed Under: Churchill Downs, Steve Asmussen, 2008, 4yo, Sarah K. Andrew, Robby Albarado, Let Horses Race, Curlin, Inspirational, Racing
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Loading ...Pyro that is! He just cruised to a gorgeous victory in the Norther Dancer, winning handily over My Pal Charlie in second and Visionaire in 3rd. Had I been able to wager I would have had the exacta, which only payed $35.20, but that’s not the point, plus I would have wagered more than $2.
I’m surprised by Recapturetheglory, I would have imagined him to be in the mix up front, but not today.
At any rate, I’m really glad to see Pyro back on form!
And needless to say, go CURLIN!
Posted by dana on Jun 14 2008
Filed Under: Churchill Downs, Shaun Bridgmohan, 2008, Twinspires, Sweet Vindication, Pyro, Curlin, Simulcasting, Come Back, 3yo, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...I had fully intended to play the Stephen Foster card at Churchill today. I assumed I would be able to do so by using Twinspires. Not the case. I then moved on to my YouBet account. Again, no luck.
Truth be told it’s probably for the best, I haven’t exactly been on fire at the windows. The good news is that I can watch the card using the pretty snazzy beta of Twinspires TV (I wish their race replays used the same interface, which would make them larger and easier to see). The other bit of good luck is that I’ll be able to watch the Stephen Foster on the aforementioned Channel 71 as the race day will be over at Belmont.
Naturally I didn’t discover this until I had gotten pretty far into my handicapping. I was uninspired by the 6th (Hysterical Lady just crushed) but here are my thoughts on the Regret and Northern Dancer.
In the Regret I’m not convinced by Pure Clan as the favorite. CJ’s Leelee, Zee Zee and Magical Theater is where I would be looking and given the current odds I might focus on Magical Theater.
As for the Northern Dancer, we all know I love Pyro and the pace looks to be right up his alley. I’m bummed that Tiz Now Tiz Then scratched as I think he might have helped to tire out Recapturetheglory. That being said, if I had access to some wagering I would probably take a shot with Pyro over Unbridled Vicar. Unbridled Vicar had a nice confidence builder last out and can close off a slow pace. I’m not convinced Visionaire and Texas Wildcatter will like the pace.
Ok, they’re loading in the gate for the Regret. Good luck to all!
Update: my inability to access wagering is already working out for the best as Pure Clan just won the Regret! CJ’s Lee Lee and Zee Zee placed and showed respectively.
Posted by dana on Jun 14 2008
Filed Under: 2008, Twinspires, Picks, Signal Wars, Churchill Downs, Technology, Handicapping, OTB, Simulcasting, Pyro, Racing
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Curlin all alone at the finish line in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (~ RAYMOND)
Dear NTRA,
I was chatting with a few friends this morning and there’s something we’d like to share. We thought that it would be of particular interest to you as one of your mission statements is to “Leverage television assets and yearlong promotional programs with ESPN to promote big event days and create stars”
This Saturday Churchill has a fantastic card headlined by Curlin, our reining horse of the year, in the Stephen Foster. Not only is Curlin undefeated in 4 starts, has won 9 out 12 starts, and never been out of the money. Most importantly he’s the horse racing equivalent of a big foot sighting as a horse with a successful 3yo campaign returning for a 4yo campaign. I’m sure you know all this.
What I’m writing to tell you is that this was a GREAT and TIMELY opportunity to build on the skyrocketing viewership of the Belmont just last weekend by marketing and televising this card on ESPN or ESPN2. Few got what they wanted out of the Belmont, which leaves a wide gaping whole of yearning for a kick ass horse race to be filled. The Stephen Foster provides just such an opportunity.
And think of the excellent story that Curlin makes on the heals of Big Brown. He was last year’s Big Brown, going into the Derby undefeated with only 3 starts. While his path didn’t take the same trajectory as Big Brown’s, look at him now, poised to potentially sweep in to the international scene and prove that America can produce great horses that can race and win in drug free circumstances abroad. It’s a story of redemption all the way around, and one that could let casual fans know that Big Brown is still a good horse with a shot to come back later in the year for his shot at redemption.
How many people thought Curlin’s spirit could have been broken after his gut wrenching performance in last year’s Belmont at the end of a grueling Triple Crown season where he had NO 2yo foundation? Then to have him return in the Haskell to turn in a mediocre performance, leading us all to believe that perhaps we only got a brief glimpse of what could have been.
But then came the Jockey Club Gold Cup… where he ran down the Lawyer Ron, who was looking like the horse of the year, in a thrilling stretch battle that sent the memo, “don’t count me out yet, I’m just getting my game back”!
This performance led to his current string of impressive, indomitable wins in the BC Classic, Jaguar Trophy Handicap and Dubai World Cup. HE’s our horse, and we should be marketing him as such.
Certainly there are other great story lines to be had as well. As some of my friends pointed out, like building a Curlin/Einstein rivalry as it seems likely they will meet again in the Arlington Millions as Curlin will need a grass prep for the Arc. This could also play out as an Asmussen/Pitts rivalry.
The bottom line is that this was a very timely missed opportunity to help us build that new era.
Your friend,
Dana Byerly
P.S., another friend wants you to know about another opportunity before it’s too late.
Posted by dana on Jun 12 2008
Filed Under: 2008, Dubai World Cup, Churchill Downs, Mainstream Media, 4yo, Industry, Einstein, Big Brown, Raymond Haddad, Turf, NTRA, Curlin, Belmont, Let Horses Race, Fans, Triple Crown, Belmont Stakes, TV, Marketing, International Racing, Racing
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Curlin and Pancho survey the land at Churchill (JerryLewis)
Since we’re fortunate enough to have Curlin running in the US weekend, I thought I’d take a moment to help us all transition from the long and tiring Triple Crown by way of a Curlin palate cleanser, if you will.
Curlin is set to break from the first post position in the Stephen Foster this weekend, despite his weight assignment. The entire card is action packed so it looks like I won’t get that handicapping break I was thinking of taking!
Fellow TBA-er Superfecta nominates Curlin as our ambassador as he prepares to gallivant around the globe. I agree! She also points out that he has a foundation, which is a part of his site, which has a section about Pancho! (below the human caregivers, which are also nice to see).
Who? Curlin’s stable pony! You may remember that Bloodhorse’s Morning Line Goes to Dubai blog had a post on him as he accompanied Curlin to Dubai.
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer for Curlin was quoted as saying:
You can tell Curlin relaxes when Pancho is by his side. Curlin is so big, but Pancho doesnt get intimidated. Hes even bigger than Curlin and hes so seasonedhes been everywhere with the stable.
And back at the Go Curlin site, the following post World Cup heartwarming scene was described:
After being festooned with a bright red fringed cooler proclaiming him the winner of the worlds richest race, Curlin made his way out of the crowded enclosure, the intensity of the race still vividly on his face. Yet when he saw Pancho, his ears shot up, and the pair walked out together, sharing in a small way this win that they both had worked so hard to achieve.
I was first alerted to Pancho by Swifty, who, on one of our many phone calls, told me to search Pancho in the Facebook groups (without telling me what that meant)… I quickly found out. Curlin also has a fan page on Facebook.
Here are some highlights to get you in mood for Curlin this weekend (sans last year’s Triple Crown, we want to stay focused on moving forward). And just remember, after all is said and done, he gets to come home to Pancho afterwards! We should all be so lucky!
Jockey Club Gold Cup - the performance that answered any remaining questions I had about Curlin
Breeders’ Cup Classic - “an absolutely stylish performance”
RIP George Washington
Jaguar Trophy - his warm up for the Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup - stunning
(Note: I felt bad for my beloved Premium Tap and I’m sure that’s the last time we’ll lay eyes on him)
I hope you’re now feeling prepared for the next course, I know I am!
Posted by dana on Jun 11 2008
Filed Under: Churchill Downs, TBA, George Washington, Internet, Dubai World Cup, 4yo, 2008, :), BC Classic, Curlin, Let Horses Race, Premium Tap, Race Replay, YouTube, International Racing, Racing
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