Racing Archives - Page 25 of 26

April 10, 2015April 11, 2015

Last Chance Derby

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Thoroughbred U is 100 days old today. I am really enjoying my subject matter and all the experiences and people this blog has lead me to. Thank you to all of my followers, friends and family that have contributed to my success in this process. Tonight I want to give to all of you a tip for tomorrow’s race but I want to catch up on the road to the Kentucky Derby as well.

In my earlier stories Like Superbowl for Thoroughbreds and Cabin Fever, I wrote about a few of the horses I favored and the process for qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. Tomorrow (April 11, 2015), that process ends with two final races. The Coolmore Lexington race will take place at Keeneland in KY as 5:18 pm EST and the Arkansas Derby will post at 7:18 pm EST in AR at Oaklawn Park.

At Keeneland, they will run the grade III stakes in race #10 worth a purse of $250,000. The track is 1 and 1/16 miles on the dirt. The points awarded are 10-4-2-1. Divining Rod (26) , Comfort, Quimet, Tiznow RJ (28), Henry Jones, Fame and Power, and my scratched buddy from Thursday, Donworth, will compete. The horses in top contention for Derby have their rank posted in parentheses by their names.

At Oaklawn they will have a grade I stakes in race #11 with a million dollar purse. The race is 1 and 1/8 miles. The points are 100-40-20-10. Featured horses are The Truth or Else, Mr. Z (24), Bridget’s Big Luvv, Madefromlucky (21), Bold Conquest (23), American Pharoah (9), Far Right (19) and Win the Space.

See The Road to the Kentucky Derby for a full listing of the top contenders. My early favorite Carpe Diem is currently third.

If you can make it to the races tomorrow (April 11, 2015) have a great time. I understand the weather should be nice in KY. My handicapper says for race 7 at Keeneland go with #11 Free as a Bird, she has won six in a row and I see no reason she can’t win seven.

Update: Unfortunately, Free as a Bird came in fourth for her race. That has my tipster picking the first place winner 60 % of the time, just 5 races in on my blog. The return is greater than the investment and it is fun. I am looking forward to sharing the next tip. Let’s all hope we get lucky!

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April 9, 2015April 10, 2015

More Bang for your Buck

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Just in: Stay Tuned won first place today!

Update: Same trainer, same race and number but the horse is , Stay Tuned! For race 5, horse 6 today (4/10/15) at Keeneland choose Stay Tuned.

I hope you all caught yesterday’s tip. Kitten’s Queen dominated in Keeneland’s third race to win. My handicapper actually did a fantastic job calling yesterday’s races. Here is our next chance…

Stay Tuned has an awesome trainer. Wayne M. Catalano, is on fire. He wins 27% of his maiden claimers and is 6-1.

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April 8, 2015April 9, 2015

Four for Four

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UPDATE!

Scrap my tip below. Donworth has been scratched from Keeneland’s eighth race today. He will be racing Saturday in The Lexington instead.

My tipster now states that the entry of Kitten’s Queen and Emotional Kitten at Keeneland in positions 1 and 1 A will be tough to beat in race 3!

Great, I love the kitten and cat named horses.

For the fourth day, I bring you my fourth tip. At Keeneland race track tomorrow (April 9, 2015), for day 4 of the Spring meet, my handicapper is in favor of race #8, horse # 4, Donworth.

He is a 3 year old colt that won first in his only start, at Gulfstream last month. His jockey is Joel Rosario.

Sired by Tiznow, the only two time winner of the Breeders’ Cup classic. His dam is Temple Street by Street Cry, quite a fine racer and sire, this horse has the pedigree to win.

Hope you have fun and success at the races tomorrow!

Recap: I hope you all made the bet because she was indeed a winner. Kitten’s Queen came in 1st place! Her jockey was Julien Leparoux. She lead most the race and when the pack pulled up close Leparoux sat down and guided her home. It was such a beautiful, warm and dry day. Check in for the next tip and more Thoroughbred stories.

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April 7, 2015April 8, 2015

Third Time’s a Charm

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Tomorrow is the 3rd day of live racing for Keeneland’s Spring meet, and the third day I have offered up a tip. Pictured above is Wisecracker in the paddock before winning last Saturday. He was the play of the day I suggested in my last tip and he ran first place! So in preparation of tomorrow’s racing, here is my best bet of the day, from my favorite tipster. At Keeneland, on Wednesday April 8,2015, go for Rapscallion. He is the #1 horse in race 3.

Go baby, go! I hope we all win big. Have a great day tomorrow.

Update: Not today, my friends. I did spend some up close and personal time with Rapscallion in the paddock before the third race today but, he did not win this time. I will give you an update if there is any news on his claiming, etc. Otherwise, it was a gorgeous day, both warm and dry until the races stopped. Here is my paddock picture of Rapscallion…(what a beauty)

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s tip!

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April 3, 2015April 5, 2015

Tip 2 thru the Tulips

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Fingers crossed, hoping for some prettier weather tomorrow (April 4, 2015) at Keeneland. If you can make it, the play of the day is Race 3, horse 8, Wisecracker. His trainer is Kiaran McLaughlin and this entry is the one to watch. Best of luck!

Update: I hope everyone followed this tip. After coming in second in each of the only 2 races this horse ran previously, Wisecracker won first place on Saturday! Keep watching this Triple Crown nominee, he is a winner!

Keep reading for more great race tips and information on all things Thoroughbred.

Happy Easter!

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April 2, 2015April 3, 2015

Tip Snip

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My blog on Thoroughbred horse racing wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include the occasional tip. I have mentioned before that the experience isn’t really about winning for me but, who doesn’t want a good tip, even if it is just for bragging rights? In addition to my educational blog, I am going to release occasional Tip Snips, just a little gift to my followers. My handicapping skills are rough at best but, I know some people with talent. The same friend, that I follow personally on most occasions, has suggested that on opening day of Keeneland’s Spring Meet… 4/3/15…you may want to consider…wait for it…the play of the day…Race #7 horse #4 Wild and Unbridled! Now good luck to us all!

If gambling is a problem for you, please, don’t do it. For help call 1-800-522-4700

UPDATE: Due to the bad weather today Keeneland closed moments before race 7 today. So sorry, you won’t be able to test my tip this time. No worries, more tips to come. Thank you all! Here is a picture of today’s muddy track and wicked sky minus the heavy rain, lightening, and tornado watch. Still a fun day.

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March 30, 2015March 30, 2015

Celebrate Spring!

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March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. At least, that is how the English proverb goes. That expression of weather lore is about as undependable as the previous month’s groundhog forecasting. Despite all the crazy predictions Spring officially arrived on the 20th this month and I am so happy to see it. On these final days of March, there is still a rapidly interchanging coolness to the air but today the sun and flowers are out. Since I last blogged, I have enjoyed all of the joy that March brings, St. Patrick’s Day, March Madness, and a quick getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Now just days away from April I am so excited for Keeneland’s Spring Meet!

My favorite holiday is St. Patrick’s Day. I am a marshal annually in the local parade. This year’s Grand Marshal was Tom Hammond. He was born in Lexington, KY and he is a sportscaster on the national level. He has a degree in animal science, specializing in equine genetics. He has done the broadcasting for the Kentucky Derby and many times for the Breeders’ Cup, for which he won an Emmy. He has other Emmys as well and was a former play-by-play announcer for Southeastern Conference basketball. Him and his wife, Sheilagh were very nice. I talked to the about my blog and they even posed for some pictures. Also, making a repeat performance this year as St. Patrick himself was, Sean McLaughlin. He was nice enough to snap a selfie with me. Sean is the brother of Thoroughbred trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin. Kiaran has trained some big winners, including the Breeders’ Cup, Dubai World Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes. Horses he worked with have won many awards including the number 1 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Ranking and U.S. Horse of the Year. Currently, he is training Kentucky Derby contender, Frosted, owned by Godolphin. This horse in ranked lucky 13 for May 2015’s Run for the Roses.

That brings us to March Madness. My University of Kentucky Wildcats are on fire. The men’s basketball team has won the SEC tournament and made it to the Final Four, in the NCAA tournament, with an undefeated season (38-0). Go CATS!

Basketball has the best fans and since we can’t all pack into the same stadiums I like to travel during the tournaments. I have found Las Vegas, NV does a fantastic job of highlighting the tourney. I also feel that Gatlinburg, TN has that little Vegas feel. I had a great time meeting new fans, representing my CATS, and taking in all the games among the endless variety of restaurants that fun town has to offer. No racetrack though.

That was OK because now it is about time for the Spring meet! New dress and jewelry bought (check), got my hair done today (woot woot), and my raincoat and umbrella will match (ugh, rains a lot this time of the year), means I am ready to roll. Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, KY will start live racing at 1:05 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd, 2015. Don’t be late, McLaughlin is the trainer for Dickinson, listed in the very first race of the day. This is a Maiden Special Weight race. The 3 year old horse however did stumble at Aqueduct on 3/22/15 while racing and did not finish so I am unsure if she is race day ready. I have a lot of work to do handicapping and so do you.

Happy Easter to all and I hope you have a great time at the track! If you have any great tips, please share. Thank you.

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March 6, 2015March 6, 2015

Cabin Fever

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My staycation began with the fallout of over 17 inches of snow. Winter has not been kind in The Horse Capital of the World. Being stuck in the house gave me plenty of time to scour over the horses in contention for The Run For The Roses. While I warmed myself ,with my mother’s homemade potato soup, in my grandmother’s tea cup, I related my Irish pedigree with those hoping to make their mark in the 141st running of The Kentucky Derby.

Ireland is so important to Thoroughbred racing. They have a climate, lush grass, and limestone rich soil much like Kentucky. The Byerley Turk who used to race and battle in Ireland was one of the three stallions from which all Thoroughbreds descended. Horse racing can be traced to Ireland as far back as the 3rd century. At the time, the sport was chariot racing. The horses were raced in the area of Cuireach, an Irish Gaelic word for “place of the running horse”. The horses still run there, now called Curragh Racecourse , in County Kildare. It is the headquarters of flat racing in Ireland. Ancient Kings raced there in the early 18th century. This property includes over 1, 500 acres of facilities for training and is considered one of the finest places to train worldwide. Over 26% of all Thoroughbreds in Ireland train there. Ireland is the largest producer of Thoroughbreds in Europe and the 4th largest producer in the world. This track is run by The Turf Club founded in 1790. Like The Jockey Club, in the United States, this body governs the rules of racing and works for the well being and improvement of the industry. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland. They have their own Triple Crown made up of the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Irish Derby, and the Irish St. Leger. They are preparing for the 150th Irish Derby now. It is a three day event that kicks off on my birthday, June 26th. In addition to a winning horse they pick the most stylish lady and award her as well!

We are just eleven days away from my favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, and only fifty seven days from The Kentucky Derby! Warmer weather is just a wee bit away. Twenty horses will run in the Kentucky Derby. Currently, we are tracking 46 contenders. The last of the final fourteen, of the original thirty-five, qualifying races begin tomorrow. The final races end on April 11 with Oaklawn Park Arlington Derby and Keeneland’s Lexington race. I have my eye on a few horses and I see some luck of the Irish in them.

Donegal Racing has 3 horses in contention, Keen Ice, Rock Shandy, and Danny Boy. They are ranked 12th, 24th, and 38th. Donegal Racing is a partnership that started in 2008 and managed by Jerry Crawford. The name Donegal is both a family name and of the Irish County of their origin. They chose their silks to show their heritage and they like to give their horses Irish names. This groups’ Paddy O’ Prado was third in the 2010 Kentucky Derby as was their Dullahan in 2012.

Lucky Player is ranked 10th. Nothing says Irish like that name, and that is all that appears to have any Emerald Isle connection. He is trained by Steve Asmussen. Formerly, he trained the greats Curlin and Rachel Alexandra.

Finally, there are the offspring of Giant’s Causeway. This horse is an international famed sire. He was born in Kentucky but raced and began his life as a stud in Ireland. He is now back in Kentucky at Coolmore Stud. There is a natural wonder in Ireland named Giant’s Causeway, formed by a volcanic eruption. In 14th place for a chance at the Kentucky Derby is Carpe Diem. That is Latin for “seize the day”, the title of one of my favorite Avenged Sevenfold songs. He won 1st place in the Breeders’ Futurity, at Keeneland, this past October and 2nd place at San Anita Park’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile the next month. He is my favorite so far. #41 ranked Tough Customer is also a colt of Giant’s Causeway.

If you are trapped indoors, like me, please enjoy The Road to the Kentucky Derby and my mom’s potato soup recipe:

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/road

Potato Soup

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March 3, 2015March 3, 2015

Racing Renaissance

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The Breeders’ Cup trophy was delivered to the grounds of Keeneland race course in Lexington, KY today. On October 30th and 31st the Breeders’ Cup races will be held at Keeneland for the first time ever. Tickets go on sale at noon, Eastern Standard Time, tomorrow. Follow Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Facebook or @BreedersCup on Twitter for this picture and more up to date information. For now, let’s talk about this statue!

The Breeders’ Cup is a 2 day race that began in 1984 to showcase the best in Thoroughbred racing worldwide. This event marks the end of the racing season. Various race tracks in the United States, and once in Canada, have hosted the annual races. To run in the Breeders’ Cup, a Thoroughbred must win a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Qualifying race or, earn enough points in qualifying graded races or, be selected by a panel of experts. Each of the races has a maximum of 14 horses, except only 12 for the Dirt Mile. Seven horses come from the panel and 7 from those winners or, high point scoring horses from the qualifying races. Countries including the United States, France, Australia, England, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, Ireland, Canada and Germany have all had entries. Such a world renown event deserves a special trophy.

The trophy is an ecorche horse. Ecorche is a term, from the French, to describe a figure depicted without its skin to show the appearance of the muscles. This particular ecorche horse is a reproduction of the bronze statue made by Giovanni de Bologna during the Renaissance era, in the late 1580s. It is thought that it may have been created as a study for the Duke Cosimo statue that was made and displayed in 1591 in Florence Italy at the Piazza della Signoria, where it remains even today. When the Breeders’ Cup began they asked Irene French, of Dorset, England, to sculpt an 11 inch replica statue, to be cast in bronze by Morris Singer Bronze Foundry in Basingstoke, England. These trophies are presented to the owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys of the winners in each race. The larger statue pictured above is circulated to each venue that is hosting the current year’s races. The original Statue is at The Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. They received the statue, with a large art collection, from Sir James Erskine of Torrie in 1836. Sometimes it is referred to as the Torrie Horse. He obtained the statue from Villa Mattei in Rome in 1803 where it had been since the 17th and 18th centuries. The trophies were made in bronze from the very start until 2008 when they made them in silver for just one year. After the return to bronze they switched to Lalique crystal, made in France, in 2012 and that continues even in 2015.

In addition to the statue, the winning horses get blanketed in yellow and purple flowers. The blanket includes asters, cremons, orchids and chrysanthemums. Since 1988 Kroger’s has made the 96 inch long blankets at their Floral Design Center in Louisville, KY.

I’m hoping for some warm weather soon. I have to get out and see this statue myself!

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February 24, 2015February 24, 2015

My Racing Pedigree

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Horse racing is truly in my blood. Although, we have only met on a few occasions, my great-uncle owned and bred Thoroughbreds. I have at-least one more relative in the business too. I got these 2 winner’s circle photos from my family. This particular horse was owned by my great-uncle and named for my grandfather.

C. Russell Run was bred in Illinois and born in 2001. He was a chestnut colored gelding, a sterile male horse. I do not know of his current whereabouts, or if he is alive, but naturally his pedigree stopped with him. He had a very nice breeding that included his great sire, Mr. Prospector. He was one of the best studs of all time, siring several big name winners and offspring that have run in all legs of the triple crown. When he died, in 1999, he was buried next to the great Secretariat at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. During his racing life, C. Russell Run, had 41 starts, 5 wins, 7 placing races, and showed 9 times. The breeder was my great-uncle.

C. Russell Run had at-least two owners, two jockeys and one or more trainers. Originally owned by my relative, by 2007, or before, he was owned by Patrick A. Blanchard. Blanchard has no top winnings in the past 12 months but has had several since 1991 or prior. Before he bought this horse, Eddie M. Essenpreis was the trainer. He still had horses running at Fairmount Park as late as September 2014. He has had 6 winners in the past 12 months and several since 1991. Many of those were stakes winners, some earning 6 figures. In the first photo, the jockey was Cynthia Medina. That win occurred in October of 2003. She had over a thousand wins before her retirement. That is a large number of wins for a female jockey. The second photo shows the horse winning with jockey Argelio “Gino” Velazquez. He worked for Essenpreis for 5 years as an exercise trainer before he was approved to be an apprentice jockey. At age 25, in July 2001, he road his first race at Fairmount. He rode for Essenpries. The partnership was still winning together at late as May of 2008. Essenpries still had horses run at Fairmount as late as this past September. This picture shows a win in May of 2004.

Both races pictured were from Fairmount Park in Collinsville, IL. It is one of just 3 Thoroughbred flat racing tracks in Illinois. Located close to St. Louis this race track opened in 1925. It is a dirt track made of sand and clay. Up until 1999 Standardbred harness racing took place there as well. The track has seen some rough times. They closed during the Great Depression, burnt in 1974, and now suffer competition with the casino riverboats. They have a live racing schedule for March through September 2015, but only 3 days per week. The track is open year-round for simulcasting too. The style was patterned after Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. That makes this track a great practice course for horses planning to run there. Fairmount is oval in shape and about a mile in length. Two chutes provide options for races of 6 furlongs or one and a fourth mile. The property has over a thousand stalls and the grandstands can accommodate two thousand fans. There are restaurants there as well. The Fairmount Derby used to run there as did the St. Louis Derby, but not after 2006. Several important horses have run there including Kentucky Derby winner, Whiskery.

The two other Illinois race tracks are Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course. Both are located near Chicago. Arlington, of Arlington Heights, was created in 1927. Hawthorne, in Cicero, opened in 1891. I would love to see any and all of the three tracks in Illinois. I have been to both St. Louis and Chicago, and had a great time in each city.

Great racers come from great breeding. I could bet that my love for Thoroughbreds came through my ancestry. Hopefully, I can make my mark in the industry and share that experience with you all.

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