Tag: Brody’s Cause

Posted on

Breakdown for the Belmont

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

IMG_5226

One more day to go to reach the crowning jewel!  Tomorrow, Saturday, 6/11/16, is the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes.  It is the third leg of the Triple Crown of U.S. Thoroughbred  racing.  The “Test of the Champion”  will post at 6:32 P.M. EST at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

A lucky 13 horses will compete.  Only 4 of these contenders did not run in at least one of the prior legs of the Triple Crown.  The field is as follows, by post/horse/jockey/trainer/ owner:

  1. Governor Malibu/Joel Rosario/Christopher Clement/Jump Sucker Stable and Oak Bluff Stable
  2. Destin/Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher/Twin Creeks Racing Stabel and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
  3. Cherry Wine/Corey Lanerie/Dale Romans/William Pacella, Frank L. Jones, Jr. and Frank Shoop
  4. Suddenbreakingnews/Mike Smith/Donnie Von Hemel/Samuel F. Henderson
  5. Stadivari/John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher/John Gunther, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith
  6. Gettysburg/Paco Lopez/Steve Asmussen/WinStar Farm
  7. Seeking the Soul/Florent Geroux/Dallas Stewart/Charles Fipke
  8. Forever d’ Oro/Jose Ortiz/Dallas Stewart/Charles Fipke
  9. Trojan Nation/Aaron Gryder/Patrick Gallagher/Julie Gilbert and Dr. Aaron Sones
  10. Lani/Yutaka Take/Matsunaga Mikio/Koji Maeda
  11. Exaggerator/Kent Desormeaux/Keith Desormeaux/Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners/ Rocker O Ranch
  12. Brody’s Cause/Luis Saez/Dale Romans/Albaugh Family Stable
  13. Creator/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Steve Asmussen/WinStar Farm

Notice that there are a lot of repeats on trainers and owners.  If the horse’s last race out was the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes, check my old stories to limit repetition.

Derby Deciphered

Preview Pimlico’s Preakness

Governor Malibu did not run the KY Derby or the Preakness.  He is a New York bred horse so he is right at home.  He has raced at Belmont 3 times of 7 starts in his career.  He won twice, placed on 4 occasions and showed once as well.  It took him 4 races to break his maiden.  Most recently he finished 2nd in the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes.

Destin finished 6th in the KY Derby.  He will likely position himself near the lead.

Cherry Wine was second in the Preakness Stakes.

Suddenbreakingnews came in 5th in the KY Derby.

Stradivari was the 4th horse to finish in the Preakness.  He is know to run in the lead.  Post position 5 is where American Pharoah broke from last year to win.

Gettysburg has had 7 starts.  He has one win, one 2nd place and 1 third place finish in his career.  His sire is Pioneer of the Nile who sired last year’s Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah.  Gettysburg is grey and he finished 5th in both the Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Arkansas Derby.  In his last race he was 3rd at Belmont.  He is a front runner.  He has a fun Twitter personality.

Seeking the Soul has only raced 3 times, breaking his maiden in his last race at Churchill Downs. At the same track, he placed 5th in his prior race on KY Derby day.

Forever d’ Oro is sired by Medaglia d’ Oro who was 2nd in the 2002 Belmont Stakes.  The winner of the 2002 Belmont is pictured above in my #Flashback Friday photo.  That is Sarava!  I met Sarava last summer at Old Friend’s Farm In Georgetown, KY.  Forever d’ Oro’s maternal grandsire was Lemon Drop Kid who won the Belmont Stakes in 1999.  Forever d’ Oro has a nice family history but jut like Seeking the Soul he has only raced 3 times.  He also broke his maiden in the last race, however it was at Belmont Park.  He got his start at my home track, Keeneland!

Trojan Nation was 16th in the KY Derby.

Lani is my favorite Twitter character  in the race.  He has a nice following of fun stories, memes and videos.  He was 9th in the KY Derby and 5th in the Preakness.  He is the 1st Japanese horse to go for all three legs of the Triple Crown.

Exaggerator is the favorite.  He was 2nd in the KY Derby and he won the Preakness Stakes.

Brody’s Cause was 7th in the KY Derby.

Creator finished lucky 13 in the KY Derby.  He takes post position 13 which has never had a Belmont Stakes winner.

Belmont Stakes Fun Facts:

  • The purse is $1.5 million dollars
  • The drink is  The Belmont Jewel
  • The flower is the white carnation, thus “The Run for the Carnations” with a blanket of 700 carnations
  • The race is 1 and 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) on dirt
  • The song is “New York, New York”
  • The trophy is the August Belmont Memorial Cup by Tiffany and Co.
  • 5 other Grade 1 stakes are on Saturday’s Belmont card
  • NBC Sports Network will televise the event from 3 to 5 P.M. EST and 7 to 7:30 P.M. EST  while NBC will cover the live race from 5 to 7 P.M. EST

Unfortunately, this isn’t the year for a Triple Crown winner but it is still going to be a great day for racing.  Have a super weekend everyone.  I’ll find something new to bring you next week!

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Derby Deciphered

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

image(248)

It is hard to contain my enthusiasm with only 2 days to go until the 142nd Kentucky Derby.  Post time is 6:34 P.M. EST on 5/7/16 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.  The KY Derby Undercard can be watched from 12 PM to 4 PM on NBCSN and then NBC will broadcast coverage from 4 PM to 7:30 PM EST.

The Longines Kentucky Derby has taken place annually since 1875.  The race is held on the first Saturday of May.  The track is dirt and is raced 10 furlongs, 1 and 1/4 miles.  Contenders are 3 year old Thoroughbreds that were selected from a points system in 35 qualifying races.  Points are awarded to the 1st four finishers on those races.  The first race, on the road to the KY Derby, was the Iroquois held at Churchill Downs on 9/12/15.  The last race to qualify in was the Lexington at Keeneland on 4/16/16.  Last evening 22 horses drew post positions.  20 will race, the final 2 are “also eligible” if there is a scratch before 9 A.M EST on 5/6/16.  The field is as follows:

Post position. Horse/Jockey/Trainer/Owner

  1. Trojan Nation/Aaron T. Gryder/Patrick Gallagher/Julie Gilbert and Aaron Sones
  2. Suddenbreakingnews/Luis Quinonez/Donnie Von Hemel/Samuel F. Henderson
  3. Creator/Ricardo Santana Jr./Steven Asmussen/WinStar Farm LLC
  4. Mo Tom/Corey J. Lanerie/Thomas M. Amoss/GMB Racing
  5. Gun Runner/Florent Geroux/Steven M. Asmussen/Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Three Chimneys Farm LLC and Besilu Stables
  6. My Man Sam/Irad Ortiz Jr./Chad C. Brown/Sheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables LLC and Jay W. Bligh
  7. Oscar Nominated/Julien R Leparoux/Michael Maker/Ken and Sarah Ramsey
  8. Lani/Yutaka Take/Mikio Matsunaga/Koj Maeda/North Hills Co Limited
  9. Destin/Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher/Twin Creeks Racing Stables LCC and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
  10. Whitmore/Victor Espinoza/Ron Moquett/Robert LaPenta, Harry Rosenblum and Southern Springs Stables
  11. Exaggerator/Kent J. Desormeaux/J. Keith Desormeaux/Big Cheif Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC, Rocker O Ranck LLC, et al.
  12. Tom’s Ready/Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr./Dallas Stewart/GMB Racing
  13. Nyquist/Mario Gutierrez/Doug F. O’Neill/Reddam Racing
  14. Mohaymen/Junior Alvarado/Kiaran McLaughlin/Shadwell Stable
  15. Outwork/John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher/Repole Stable
  16. Shagaf/Joel Rosario/Chad C. Brown/Shadwell Stable
  17. Mor Spirit/Gary Stevens/Bob Baffert/Michael Lund Petersen
  18. Majesto/Emisael Jaramillo/Gustavo Delgado/Grupo 7 C Racing Stable
  19. Brody’s Cause/Luis Saez/Dale L. Romans/Albaugh Family Stable
  20. Danzing Candy/Mike E. Smith/Clifford W. Sise Jr./Halo Farms and Jim and Dianne Bashor
  21. “Also Eligible” Laoban
  22. “Also Eligible” Cherry Wine

Trojan Nation has not even broken his maiden in 6 starts but he received his qualifying Derby points when he finished 2nd in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on 4/9/16.  His dam sire, Summer Squall, was 2nd in the KY Derby in 1990.  Ferdinand was the last horse that won the KY Derby from post position 1 and that was back in 1986.

Suddenbreakingnews has raced 8 times with 7 times winning or placing.  He is experienced in 3 graded stakes races that are all KY Derby select races.  He got his points in the Arkansas Derby, 2nd, and the Southwest Stakes, 1st, while he was a disappointing 5th place finisher in the Rebel Stakes.  His dam sire, Afleet Alex, was 3rd in the 2005 KY Derby.

Creator also has 8 starts behind him.  He has finished in the top 3 in 7 races.  He is a lovely grey son of Tapit.  Juba, my favorite horse is sired by Tapit.  Lani and Mohaymen are also sired by Tapit.  Creator did better in both the Rebel, 3rd, and the Arkansas Derby, he was the winner, than Suddenbreakingnews who ran 5th and 2nd respectively.

Mo Tom has finished 1st or 3rd in 6 of 7 races.  He is the offspring of Uncle Mo as are Nyquist and Outwork.  Mo Tom ran in 4 KY Derby qualifying graded stakes races and gathered points in each of them.  He was 3rd in the KY Jockey Club, 1st in the LeComte, 3rd in the Risen Star and 4th in the Louisiana Derby.

Gun Runner, son of Candy Ride, has participated in 5 races and won all but the KY Jockey Club Stakes when he came in 4th, right behind Mo Tom.  He beat out Mo Tom in 2 other graded stakes when he won both the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby. He shares a trainer with Creator.  California Chrome won the KY Derby from post 5 in 2014!

My Man Sam has only raced 4 times.  It took him twice to break his maiden and he placed twice since then.  He has only been in one graded stakes and he finished 2nd.  It was the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on 4/9/16 that gave him his KY Derby points.

Oscar Nominated has finished 4th or better in his 7 races.  In his 3rd stakes race he won the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes and earned his KY Derby points.  The Ramsey’s are frequent winners at Keeneland and Churchill but they have never had a KY Derby horse yet.

Lani is another Tapit colt.  He is also a champ on an international level.  He has raced 6 times in Japan and in the United Arab Emirates.  It was his win in the U.A.E. Derby that qualified him to “Run for the Roses.  In all 142 KY Derbys he is only the 2nd Japan based entry.  Ski Captain was the other Japan based horse.  He came in 14th in 1995 in the KY Derby with the same jockey as Lani has now, Take.

Destin has 3 wins and 1 show finish is his 5 starts.  Two of his 3 graded stakes races were part of the KY Derby prep series.  He was 4th in the LeComte, where Mo Tom won, and he was 1st in the the Tampa Bay Derby.  He is a pretty grey.

Whitmore will be have the winner of the past 2 KY Derbys on his back, Espinoza!  Espinoza won with California Chrome and again with American Pharoah.  Whitmore has 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 1 third place finish out of his 6 races.  4 of his races were KY Derby prep stakes.  He earned no points in the Delta Downs Jackpot where he finished 5th.  He was 2nd in both the Rebel Stakes and the Southwest Stakes. In the Arkansas Derby he finished 3rd.  He lost to Suddenbreakingnews in the Southwest but beat him in the Rebel.  Whitmore beat Creator in the Rebel too.

Exaggerator has had a whopping 9 starts in his lifetime. 5 of these races were for KY Derby points.  He was 1st in the Santa Anita Derby and the Delta Downs Jackpot.  He took second in the Breeders’ Futurity.  He was 3rd in the San Felipe Stakes and 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.  He has beat out Whitmore in the Delta Down Jackpot.  Nyquist beat Exaggerator in the San Vicente Stakes.  Exaggerator’s sire Curlin was 3rd in the 2007 KY Derby.

Tom’s Ready has had 9 starts too.  He is a Pennsylvania bred horse. His dam sire, Broad Brush, was 3rd in the 1986 KY Derby.  He is owned by the same owner as Mo Tom.  He hasn’t won since he broke his maiden his 3rd time out.  He participated in 4 KY Derby preps.  He finished 8th in the KY Jockey Club.  He was 2nd in the LeComte and the Louisiana Derby and 7th in the Risen Star.  He finished behind Mo Tom in the KY Jockey Club and the Risen Star but bested him in the LeComte and the Louisiana Derby. Gun Runner has beat him in 3 prep races.  Tom’s Ready beat Destin in the LeComte.

Nyquist is the favorite to win and I have agreed with that for some time.  I have seen Nyquist on several occasions and written a great deal about him.  He is pictured at the top.  He is undefeated in seven races.  He drew lucky post 13 which is the post he won from in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, where I first saw him.  Three of his races were in the KY Derby prep series, the FrontRunner Stakes, the BC Juvenile and the Florida Derby.  He has beaten Exaggerator in the San Vicente and Mohaymen in the FL Derby.

Mohaymen is another lovely grey sired by Tapit.  He has raced 6 times and was undefeated until his last race. Nyquist beat him in the Florida Derby where he can in a very unexpected 4th place.  His other 3 Derby preps were the Remsen Stakes, the Holly Bull Stakes and the Fountain of Youth Stakes where he dominated them all.

Outwork is a fine colt of Uncle Mo.  He has only 4 career starts.  He did 2 KY Derby preps.  He was 2nd in the Tampa Bay Derby and 1st in the Wood Memorial Stakes, when he beat Trojan Nation.  Outwork drew post 15, the post that American Pharoah won from last year!  Outwork’s dam sire, Empire Maker, was 2nd in the 2003 KY Derby.

Shagaf has the same trainer as My Man Sam and the same owner as Mohaymen.  Shagaf took on two KY Derby prep races in his slim 4 starts.  He won the Gotham Stakes but he scored no points in his 5th place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakes.  Trojan Nation beat him in his last race.

Mor Spirit is trained by Baffert, winner of last year’s KY Derby.  He has 3 1st place finishes and 4 2nd place races in his 7 starts.  5 of these were KY Derby prep races.  He was 2nd in the KY Jockey Club, San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby.  Mor Spirit was 1st in the Los Alamitos and Robert B. Lewis Stakes.  He has beaten Mo Tom, Tom’s Ready,Exaggerator and Gun Runner.

Majesto has raced 6 times.  It took 5 times out to break his maiden but then his next time out he was 2nd in the Florida Derby.  Nyquist beat him out that day but he still bested Mohaymen.

Brody’s Cause also has had 6 starts.  4 of them were on the road to the KY Derby.  He won the Breeders’ Futurity and the Blue Grass Stakes.  He was 3rd in the BC Juvenile and a sad 7th in the Tampa Bay Derby.  He has lost to Nyquist,  Outwork, Exaggerator and Destin.  He has beaten My Man Sam.

Danzing Candy has put in 5 races with 2 KY Derby preps.  He won the San Felipe Stakes but was 4th in the Santa Anita Derby.  He has lost to but also beaten both Exaggerator and Mor Spirit.

Finally, if there is a scratch by tomorrow morning there are 2 also eligibles and I will add an update if that happens.

KY Derby Fun Facts:

  • American Pharoah won last year
  • The record is held by Secretariat who finished in 1:59.40
  • The largest margin is 8 lengths held by 4 horses: Old Rosebud, Johnstown, Whirlaway and Assault
  • The song is My Old Kentucky Home
  • The Drink is the Mint Julep
  • The official flower is the red rose, thus “The Run for the Roses” and a garland of roses is draped on the winning horse
  • The purse is $2 million dollars
  • The trophy is 22 inches tall and gold on a jade base
  • May 17, 1875 was the inaugural race

I hope everyone has an opportunity to do something special for the Kentucky Derby.  I will be cheering for Nyquist as I could never get enough of watching him win.  Just as I mentioned with my KY Oaks story, you may want to bookmark Thoroughbred U for a quick reference for this information on race day.  Who is your Derby favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Nyquist Loves and Leaves Keeneland

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

image(242)

Over all too soon.  Yesterday was the closer for Keeneland’s Spring Meet.  Live racing took place from April 8-29, 2016.  I was there for the final day of racing and it was too much of a good time to be sad that it was all about to end.

image(246)

 

Keeneland’s meet was quite a success story with plenty of excitement and quality races, horses, owners, trainers and jockeys.  The handle was up over 23% versus last Spring and the attendance was up over 4%.  I had the pleasure of attending 6 times and the weather was quite pleasant each of those days.  Keeneland credits the appeal of the Breeders’ Cup, that they hosted in October, with the returning fans and Thoroughbreds.  They also believe that having Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby favorite, living and training on the grounds added a special attraction.  I certainly agree.  Nyquist had his last Derby prep work at Keeneland on closing day and then shipped to Churchill Downs today.  He is featured in most of the pictures throughout this post.  I watched him work once again prior to the races yesterday.  He breezed a mile in 1:41 with Mario Gutierrez on board.

image(239)image(243)

45 horses that participated in the Breeders’ Cup in October returned to Keeneland this meet to race or train.  Ralis is seen in the top photo with Nyquist.  Other BC horses on the grounds this meet were Tepin, Ready for Rye, Barbados, Rachel’s Valentina, Nickname, Camelot Kitten, Ma Can Do It, Limosine Liberal, I’m A Chatterbox, Dacita, Azar, Thrilled, Private Zone, Land Over Sea, Bradester, Green Mask, Riker, Recepta, Holly Boss, Dothraki Queen, Fioretti, Gilding By, Red Rifle, Salama, Shinning Copper, Curlina, Right There, Grand Arch, Siding Spring, Catch A Glimpse, Wavell Avenue, Stopchargingmaria, Sheer Drama, Undrafted, Brody’s Cause, Da Big Hoss, Something Extra, Swipe, The Great War, War Envoy, Twilight Eclipse, Super Majesty and Tourist.

image(245)

As for the people who help make this sport awesome, many big names were present this meet.  Javier Castellano was the leading jockey with 17 wins.  He won that title last Spring as well.  Ken and Sarah Ramsey are owners who won 9 races at Keeneland this meet. They are Keeneland’s leading owners for the 17th time.  The leading trainer was won by Michael Maker, his 4th time earning this title.  Many more Hall of Fame, Eclipse Award and Graded Stakes winning jockeys, owners and trainers were in attendance for this Spring as well.

image(244)

I really had a great time at Keeneland, as always.  I am really going to miss the track that won’t have live racing again until October.  I thought that watching Nyquist work was a real joy.  I appreciate that the horse’s connections and Keeneland were kind enough to share the experience.  I wrote a story about a prior work a few weeks ago

My Eye On Nyquist

I hope Nyquist wins the Kentucky Derby next week on May 7th.  The success of American Pharoah has me eager for another Grand Slam.  Nyquist is a champion and he looks ready to win.  The 20 horse field won’t be finalized until Wednesday, 5/4/16.  Look for me to bring you the information you may need for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

image(240)

 

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Lucky 13

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

image(188)

I am on pins and needles about all of the fun things going on this weekend.  I am a marshal in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday!  It is March Madness time and I love the Kentucky Wildcats, go Big Blue Nation!  Finally, we have 2 of the 13 remaining Kentucky Derby prep races this Saturday too!

On March 12, 2016 we have the Tampa Bay Derby and the San Felipe Stakes.  We can watch some of our favorites and plenty of our less well known 3 year olds battle it out for KY Derby points to become one of the 20 contenders.  Each of these races will reward 50 points to the winner, 20 points for 2nd place, 10 points for third place and 5 points for the 4th place finisher.  Currently, Mohaymen is at the top of the leaderboard with 70 points followed by Gun Runner with 51 points and Shagaf with 50 points.  That being said, the winner of these races will take a nice jump near the top of the leaderboard.

The 36th Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, Grade II,  will be held at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida, race 11,  at 5:24 P.M EST on 3/12/16.  The purse is $350,000 and the race is 8 and 1/2 furlongs on the dirt.  This race was inaugurated in 1981.  Last year’s winner, Carpe Diem, was my 2015 KY Derby pick.  However, he ran 10th and American Pharoah kept on winning!  In 2007 Street Sense won both the Tampa Bay and Kentucky Derbys.  Street Sense still holds the speed record for the Tampa Bay Derby.  This year, the Tampa Bay Derby has 10 horses in competition.  Riker and Brody’s Cause competed against each other before, as seen in the photo above, in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2015.  Currently, Destin has 1 point on the leaderboard.  Riker has 10 points and Brody’s Cause has 14.  The full field, by post position, followed by jockey and trainer, is as follows:

  1. Morning Fire – Daniel Centeno – Keith Nations
  2. Rafting – Edgar Prado – H. Graham Motion
  3. Outwork – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
  4. Economic Model – Irad Ortiz,Jr, – Chad Brown
  5. Star Hill – Julien Leparoux – George Arnold, II
  6. Riker – Florent Geroux – Mark Casse
  7. Destin – Javier Catellano – Todd Pletcher
  8. Brody’s Cause – Corey Lanerie – Dale Romans
  9. Tale Of S’avall – Joe Bravo – Barclay Tagg
  10. Awesome Banner – Antonio Gallardo – Stanley Gold

As a side note, tune in earlier, at 3:54 P.M. to see Silver Magnolia in the Florida Oaks, race 8 and at 4:54 P.M. to watch Tepin in race 10, the Hillsborough Stakes, both at Tampa Bay.  Neither are  KY Derby prep races but Silver Magnolia won by 8 and 1/2 lengths in her last race at Tampa Bay.  While, Tepin is 5 years old and she is awesome.  She has won multiple graded stakes including the Breeder’ Cup Mile.  I really enjoy watching her.  The entire race card at Tampa Bay on Saturday should be fun.  It will be the biggest day of racing ever at that track.  Saturday is Festival Day at Tampa Bay with a total purse of $760,000.

Switch over to the West coast for the next KY Derby prep race at 6 P.M EST.  Watch the San Felipe Stakes, Grade II,  at Santa Anita in California, part of Big ‘Cap Day!  This is the 7th race on the card for Santa Anita on 3/12/16.  The purse is $400,000.  This 8 and 1/2  furlong race on dirt has 7 horses entered.  The San Felipe was inaugurated in 1935.  Consolidator owns this race’s speed record, established in 2005.  Dortmund won the San Felipe stakes in 2015 and then showed third in the KY Derby.  In 2014 California Chrome won both the San Felipe and the KY Derby!  Right now, I Will Score has 2 points towards the KY Derby.  Uncle Lino has 4 points, Exaggerator has 16 points and Mor Spirit already holds 24 points.  Exaggerator was in the pack photographed above as well.  I focused on Exaggerator and Mor Spirit in my last story, seen here:

A Pinch Of Luck

There are some strong contenders in the San Felipe Stakes field, listed here:

  1. Uncle Lino – Fernando Hernandez Perez – Gary Sherlock
  2. Danzing Candy Mike Smith – Clifford W. Sise, Jr.
  3. Mor Spirit -Gary L. Stevens – Bob Baffert
  4. Cupid – Martin Garcia – Bob Baffert
  5. I Will Score -Rafael Bejarano – Jerry Hollendorfer
  6. Smokey Image – Victor Espinoza – Carla Gaines
  7. Exaggerator – Kent J. Desormeaux – J. Keith Desormeaux

I am thrilled to see how these last lucky 13 KY Derby prep races resolve.  I hope you all have a great weekend at the races.  If you are lucky enough to see these races live, tell us about it.  I would love for you to share your stories.  Please, follow and like my pages on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you in advance!

Update: Cupid has scratched.

 

 

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

100 Days Till Derby

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

image(147)

Wow!  I still can’t get over the rush of American Pharoah’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam wins.  Meanwhile, today marks only 100 days until the next running of the Kentucky Derby.  Just in time, the early nominees have been announced!  Will we get another big winner?  Will it be Nyquist, pictured above following his undefeated 2015 season after winning the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile?  He does look nice in the crown!

image(148)

On Saturday May 7, 2016 Churchill Downs will host the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby.  Early nominees for all 3 legs of the Triple Crown were due on 1/16/16.  Early nominees pay a fee of $600 while later nominees can enter until 3/21/16 but that fee is $6,000.  The fee jumps to a large sum of $200,000 if entered after that.  The deadline for the latest entry is 5/4/16.  Today, the 368 select 3 year-old Thoroughbreds were revealed.  Eclipse Award Juvenile Male, Nyquist, tops the list of contenders. He is owned by Reddam Racing, LCC.  His trainer is Doug F. O’Neill and his jockey is Mario Gutierrez.  He won twice at Santa Anita and twice at Del Mar prior to his BC win at Keeneland.  He had a nice workout at Santa Anita on 1/24/16.  Nyquist is preparing for the Saint Vincente Stakes on 2/15/16 at Santa Anita and he is a top nominee for the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on 4/2/16.

368 nominees are considered low for an early selection.  Brody’s Cause, Mor Spirit, Greenpointcrusader, Mohaymen, Hit It A Bomb, Ralis and Swipe are some of the other early favorites.  Swipe is seen at the top of the second photo just barely losing to Nyquist at the BC races. Only 3 fillies were nominated.  These little ladies are Northwest Tale, Royal Obsession and Flora Dora.

On the road to the Kentucky Derby, Nyquist leads in points with a score of 30.  He is followed by Exaggerator, Brody’s Cause, Mor Spirit, Flexibility, Swipe, Mo Tom, Airoforce, Mohaymen and Greenpointcrusader for the top 10 of 20 available positions.  Urban Bourbon is nominated from Bourbon Lane Stable.

In regards to trainers, who have nominated horses, Bob Baffert leads with 35 entries.  He was the trainer for our 2015 Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah.  One of his entries this year is Southern Pharaoh, another colt sired by Pioneer of the Nile.  Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown, Mark Casse, D. Wayne Lukas (my favorite with 10 entries) and Mike Maker round out the top trainers, by number of entries.  Kellyn Gorder is entered with Torrontes.

Again we find the American Pharoah connection when we see the owners with the most entries.  It is Zayat Stables that owns 15 entries.  Zayat is followed by Calumet Farm, Charles Fipke and Keeneland’s biggest winners, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

Following the Kentucky Derby, the 141st Preakness Stakes takes place on 5/21/16 and then the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes is on 6/11/16. The full list of nominees for the Triple Crown is available here: 2016 Triple Crown Nominees

These 100 days are going to be so exciting.  I love watching all of the prep races and the leaderboard on the road to the Kentucky Derby.  Who is your favorite?  Please, share this and share with me.

 

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Wise and Winning

Share This:
Facebooktwitter

image(46)

For the remaining two days of Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend I had only two things on my mind, Wise Dan and “Win and You’re In”!  My objectives were fulfilled in whole and I was not disappointed with seeing the two times Breeders’ Cup champion or the automatic Breeders’ Cup entries.

image(51)

Right before and after Keeneland’s third race on Saturday, 10/3/15, Wise Dan, Breeder’s Cup Mile Champion in both 2012 and 2013 and now our retired and beloved OTTB (off the track Thoroughbred), was taken through the barns, into the paddock and walking ring and then paraded before the grandstands.  I was granted barn and paddock access and then watched from the J.E. Bassett, III box as fans clapped and cheered for Wise Dan!  I had been wanting to see him for so long.  It was truly a dream come true.

image(52)

As if I could stand any more excitement, I was treated to three “Win and You’re In” graded stakes that same day.  That term means that the winner of the race is automatically selected to race in this year’s Breeders’ Cup.  The Thoroughbred Club of America Grade II was won by Fioretti, seen above wearing orange #7.  She will race next in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Division at the month’s end.

image(53)

Two races later, featured The Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity for entry into the Juvenile Division of the Breeders’ Cup.  This race was won by #5, seen above in the green, Brody’s Cause.  He had a nice break from the gate and a good ride.

image(54)

The following race I watched as Grand Arch, #4, won The Shadwell Turf Mile to earn himself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile Division.  He was full of energy in the paddock and a strong leader on the wet turf.

image(55)

Returning to Keeneland on Sunday , I witnessed two more “Win and You’re In” stakes races.  The Dixiana Bourbon race allows the winner to participate in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Division.  Airoforce, seen in the brown #13, won this race!

image(56)

The next to last race, on Sunday, was The Juddmonte Spinster.  The winner, of this race, is guaranteed a place in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff Division.  #4, Got Lucky, truly got lucky or is one skilled race horse because she won!  Look at her racing into position shortly before the finish line on the top photo of the above collage.

image(57)

Finally, I can share with you some photos of most of the additions Keeneland has made for hosting the Breeders’ Cup.  The top and middle left of the photo collection above shows the new Breakfast Marquee located between the North Grandstand and Racing Office.  The top right picture and directly below it shows the Grandstand Loge Boxes.  The middle row on the far left is the underside of the Loge Boxes as seen from the ground level beneath the Grandstand.  The photo dead center and bottom left are views of the area where the Clubhouse Lawn Chalets and the Trackside Chalets are located.  The bottom right shows the Saddling Paddock Chalet.  Perhaps not pictured, is the Bourbon Lounge.  It is located at the entrance of the stretch furthest to the South of the Grandstands.  In the very middle picture, that last bit of white, in the right, could be a piece of that structure but I really must drive in and go left at gate 2 to get close enough to take a picture because it is too far from the general admission area to see it.

I hope I brought you all of the highlights each of you were hoping for.  Racing resumes this Wednesday, 10/7/15.  If there is anything you want a picture of send me a comment.  You can get more up to the moment info by following me on Twitter and Facebook.  Please, read my former posts as well.  Like and share away my fellow race fans!  Thank you in advance.

http://twitter.com/Thoroughbred_U

http://facebook.com/ThoroughbredUniversity

 

Share This:
Facebooktwitter