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Unlikely Sight
Trainer Steve Asmussen on whether Curlin might start once more in 2008 before heading to stud next year:
Posted by JC, Nov 17, 2008 10:45 AM
Curlin's Next Start
... will be the Woodward at Saratoga on August 30, owner Jess Jackson announced this afternoon. After the turf experiment that resulted in a second-place finish in the Man o' War last month, the colt is returning to dirt, "where he's a champion," said Jackson, who didn't rule out another attempt at running Curlin over grass or taking a shot at the Arc next year (noting though that there's only a "slim" chance that Curlin will race as a 5-year-old). The move is terrific news for NYRA, which historically has struggled to attract a crowd during the final weekend of the meet. Now, if only Dutrow and IEAH could be enticed into sending Big Brown -- at that point, four weeks off his Haskell win -- to meet Curlin at the Spa, we'd really have an exciting entry on the calendar.
As for what happens after the Woodward, Jackson indicated the Breeders' Cup Classic was a possibility, "but it's an untested surface," referring to the Pro-Ride track being installed at Santa Anita, and said several several other races were under consideration, including the MassCap, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Japan Cup. "We're going to keep all those options open," said Jackson. "We certainly want to show Curlin off at his best."
Aside: How great is it for Suffolk Downs that Commentator, Big Brown, and Curlin have all been mentioned as possible starters for the Massachusetts Handicap on September 20? That the race is being considered as a Breeders' Cup Classic prep for horses of that caliber after being forced into hiatus in 2005 and losing its G2 status in 2007 speaks to the excellent work that the track, under owner Richard Fields, has done to revive New England's signature race.
Posted by JC, Aug 5, 2008 01:10 PM
Final Prep
Big Brown breezed three furlongs in :38.66 over the Aqueduct turf course this morning in a final prep for the Haskell on Sunday. Asked why the surface change, trainer Rick Dutrow told DRF, "just felt like doing it; no reasoning to it." Michael Iavarone gave Blood-Horse more:
Rising Moon was vanned off following the Whitney last week with an injury that turned out to be a bruise in his left front foot, and he's not the only horse Dutrow is having bad dreams about in the run-up to the Haskell:
What a change. Big Brown is training sharply and 1-2 on the Haskell morning line, but there are no hints of the "unbridled audacity" the trainer displayed through the Triple Crown season. The tension around the barn and the pressure Dutrow must feel to get a win on Sunday after the Belmont debacle has to be enormous. I don't envy him.
Posted by JC, Aug 1, 2008 04:00 PM
Curlin's Options Open
... said trainer Steve Asmussen after the champion finished second in the Man o' War. Why not help owner Jess Jackson decide what comes next? Via the Paulick Report:
Cast your vote here, any time before July 30. So far, returning to dirt or adventuring synthetic trail continuing on turf, which is what I'd love to see, with a fall campaign culminating in a tilt at the Breeders' Cup. Dana has a similar poll up on Green but Game; there, turf is a runaway.
Posted by JC, Jul 16, 2008 01:45 AM
Finally
Some good news from trouble-plagued trainer Rick Dutrow, reports ESPN:
Let's all enjoy the peace and quiet.
Related: Big Brown was unhurried in his first workout since the Belmont Stakes, going five furlongs in 1:06.73 at Aqueduct this morning. As in his work before the Belmont, Big Brown drifted out going into the turn. "Nice easy breeze," said Dutrow after. As for the quarter crack, "It's all good."
Posted by JC, Jul 2, 2008 06:15 PM
Curlin Takes to Turf
And Churchill Downs has posted video of the morning move. Or, I should say, has posted a video of Ashley Walker and Jill Byrne talking about Curlin trying turf, with snippets of the seven furlong work (in company, around dogs) interspersed among their analysis, but you can get an idea of how he went (very well, clocking 1:31.20) from those bits.
Posted by JC, Jul 1, 2008 03:45 PM
Dear Bill Finley
Are you kidding? Send Big Brown to the Arc?
Yes, obviously, based on ... what, exactly?
Posted by JC, Jun 29, 2008 08:15 PM
Ranking Curlin
Jason Shandler puts Curlin at #7 on a list of the top 10 of the past 30 years, while Jon White crams the Horse of the Year in at #72 on a list of the 100 all-time greats. Me? I'm reserving judgment until his career concludes.
Posted by JC, Jun 24, 2008 01:40 PM
Harry Aleo, 1919-2008
Harry Aleo (in the cowboy hat) with Lost in the Fog in the Golden Gate winner's circle after the 2005 Golden Bear. Photo by ibison4.
Aleo campaigned many good horses in northern California with trainer Greg Gilchrist, but the late champion Lost in the Fog was his big horse, the one who brought Aleo to racing's pinnacle, although not the Kentucky Derby. Displaying sense and restraint, qualities rarely seen among people with exquisitely talented 3-year-olds in the barn during Triple Crown season, Aleo refused to enter then-undefeated Lost in the Fog in the 2005 spring classics, recognizing his colt was a brilliant sprinter, dazzling in the way he muscled his way out of the gate to snatch the early lead, repelling all challengers. Before Lost in the Fog finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Sprint that year, he ran his record to 10 straight wins, including the King's Bishop Stakes:
That was one of the best races I saw at the Spa that summer, and I remember it felt like a gift all that year, seeing Lost in the Fog do over and over again what he did so very well. My thanks to Aleo for the happy racing memories, and my sympathies to his family and friends ...
Posted by JC, Jun 22, 2008 06:45 PM
Monday Morning Links
- Curlin could be Arc-bound. Time to start planning an October Paris sojourn ...
- Dear NTRA: Free "Web 2.0" advice worth following.
- Check out the Paulick Report, now live.
- San Felipe winner Georgie Boy, who missed the Kentucky Derby with a pulled muscle in his hind, is back in training and prepping for races later this year.
- Enjoy Met Mile winner Divine Park while you can: Stud plans for the 4-year-old son of Chester House are set.
- Posting will be light this week, but I'll back in full swing soon, looking toward to the upcoming Saratoga meet.
Posted by JC, Jun 16, 2008 09:15 AM
Nicanor's Odds?
I know it's nearly sacrilegious to discuss anything but the Belmont Stakes this week, but a hot debate has erupted in my office concerning what Nicanor's odds will be when he debuts.
For those who don't know, Nicanor is the late Barbaro's full brother. He's a two-year-old currently in training with Michael Matz at Fair Hill. The Blood Horse's Claire Novak has been maintaining a blog dedicated to the colt's development.
In discussing Novak's most recent entry, I said to a coworker that I am enjoying the hype because it will lead to Nicanor being the "bet-against of the millennium" when he finally debuts. My coworker disagreed saying that the public does not necessarily hammer pedigree plays first-time out.
To me, though, this is not a pedigree play so much as a hype play. The Green Monkey is the primary example of this. He was 1-to-2 in his debut despite the fact that it took 1 1/2 years for him to start following his record sale. His workouts were excruciatingly slow, and the backstretch whispers indicated that he couldn't beat any of trainer Todd Pletcher's most inferior workmates.
Still, the $16-million horse was finally in a race, and he was 1-to-2 when finishing third by seven lengths. He started twice more and was favored both times.
This is not meant as a commentary on what level of success Nicanor can achieve. Good horses run to or even out run their odds many times. For every Big Brown, who paid $29.40 when he won his debut, there is a Casino Drive, who was 1-to-5 when he won his debut.
I say Nicanor couldn't possibly be higher than even money when he runs, and if he debuts at Laurel or Delaware then 1-to-2 is probably the ceiling. My coworker says that no one could possibly make the projection without seeing how he's been training, who else is in the race, etc.
What say you?
Posted by Ed, Jun 4, 2008 10:21 AM
Sunday Morning Notes
- Zenyatta may be most exciting horse racing this year (and yes, I'm including Big Brown in the also-rans, since he's a comet that'll be seen no more after June 7). The 4-year-old filly ran her unbeaten streak to five in the G2 Milady at Hollywood on Saturday. Bumped and squeezed at the start, Zenyatta showed a super turn of foot, closing from last into a slow pace (the first quarter in :24.74, the first half in :48.19) and kicking away to a 2 1/2-length win. "She always makes everyone look like they stopped," said co-owner Ann Moss after. "It's like she's out for a gallop and everyone else is stopping" (LA Daily News).
- The power of having a Triple Crown contender in your barn made manifest: NYRA track superintendent John "Fast Track" Passero has adjusted Belmont track maintenance at the request of trainer Rick Dutrow, who was concerned about the recent condition of the dirt surface:
Passero said the track was graded less, harrowed more in the last week, giving it an additional quarter inch of cushion.
- Tale of Ekati breezed six furlongs in 1:11.19 this morning over the muddy main track in his final prep for the Belmont Stakes. "This was the move I was hoping for last week," said trainer Barclay Tagg. In other Belmont news, Tomcito is out with a "reaction" and Casino Drive worked in company with stablemates Spark Candle and Champagne Squall.
- Frank Amonte, now 72 and riding at Suffolk Downs, continues in his quest to be the oldest jockey to win a race.
- When Romenesko posted the memo from Lexington Herald-Leader publisher Tim Kelly announcing a voluntary buyout program meant to cut 4% of the newspaper's staff, I wondered if turf writer Maryjean Wall might be among those accepting the deal. Unfortunately for readers, she is:
Wall, who plans to finish her PhD in history and teach, landed the racing beat in 1973 and was one of the first women to cover the sport full-time. Given the state of the newspaper industry and declining racing coverage, she might also be one of the last to do the same ...
- Bill Handleman declines to get caught up in Triple Crown excitement: "I cannot bring myself to root for Big Brown ... I cannot bring myself to utter his name in the same breath with Affirmed and Seattle Slew, much less Secretariat."
Posted by JC, Jun 1, 2008 11:30 AM
Sunday Night Links
- The dress code at Saratoga will be more casual this summer. "It's the way the world is headed," said NYRA spokesman John Lee of the changes (Gazette). Men in tank tops will remain forbidden in the clubhouse. Thank goodness.
- Spin! "The truth of the matter is, once we eliminate use of anabolic steroids, we will have arrived at the European drug model with some variations." Those variations, so minor -- just Lasix, phenylbutazone, and cortiscosteroids.
- Magnificience returns triumphant from a 13-month layoff.
Posted by JC, May 18, 2008 11:40 PM
A Terrible Accident
According to the final necropsy results (PDF) released today by the KHRA, there was no "catastrophic event," no heart attack or pulmonary aneurysm that felled Eight Belles as she galloped out after finishing second in the Derby, causing her leg injuries. The report concluded that the filly suffered compound fractures in both front legs at the fetlock joints, for which she was euthanized on track, and noted that "no pre-existing bone pathology was observed." In other words: She was sound and what happened was a terrible accident.
5/16 Update: KHRA reports that Eight Belles tested negative for steroids and other substances.
Posted by JC, May 15, 2008 04:50 PM
Chicken or Egg
Abolishing horse racing would abolish the Thoroughbred whose purpose as a racehorse dominates any reason that it might otherwise exist.
I've read a couple articles about how horse racing has turned off some fans. I've yet to talk to anyone actually invested in the industry who has turned away from it. The breeding sheds were still open on May 4, the tellers took bets on the day's races, and Fasig-Tipton didn't cancel any of its upcoming sales.
The thing that astonishes me is that the whole situation seems to have surprised people. Barbaro's accident was only two years ago, and all the stats about horses breaking down were made available then.
While horse racing isn't as popular as it used to be, it's not a secret either. Anyone who really cares about the welfare of animals could have gotten involved in a number of ways before Eight Belles' demise. Sadly, many groups just see this as a chance for publicity.
Posted by Ed, May 6, 2008 03:58 PM
Rags to Riches Retired
Disappointing, but hardly unexpected: Rags to Riches has been retired. The hairline fracture that sidelined the champion filly in 2007 reappeared following a recent gallop at Palm Beach Downs. "We took some additional X-rays," said trainer Todd Pletcher, "and after discussing the situation with Mr. Tabor, we agreed it wasn't worth the risk of continuing on with her" (DRF). Rags to Riches will be bred to Giant's Causeway this spring. She exits with a record of 6-5-1-0, earnings of $1.3 million, and a place in racing history as the first filly to win the Belmont in 102 years:
Posted by JC, Mar 24, 2008 01:10 PM
Rags to Riches Works
Rags to Riches breezed three furlongs in :38.4 over a good track at Palm Beach Downs on Tuesday, according to a Watch Mail received this morning. After more than six months away, the Belmont Stakes winner finally may be on the comeback trail ...
Posted by JC, Mar 12, 2008 10:20 AM
Tagg on Funny Retirement
Posted by JC, Mar 7, 2008 08:00 AM
Notable Returns
Last seen finishing nearly 24 lengths behind Asiatic Boy in the 2007 UAE Derby, Nashua Stakes winner Day Pass returns in the second at Gulfstream on Sunday. Once more in trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's barn, the colt starts in the 7-furlong OC/N2X off a string of decent works, including two recent bullets at Palm Meadows, and goes back on Lasix.
At Santa Anita, Florida Derby runner-up Notional makes his first start since last March in the 6 1/2-furlong Daytona. The downhill turf handicap came up a tough comeback spot for the 4-year-old, who is also making his turf debut, with Desert Code, dropping out of graded stakes company and winner of two over the course, and Night Chapter, winner of the 2007 Daytona, among the 12 starters.
Posted by JC, Feb 16, 2008 11:30 PM
$16M Dud Heads to Stud
With a record of 3-0-0-1 and earnings of $10,240, The Green Monkey has been retired to stand stud at Hartley-De Renzo Thoroughbreds of Florida in 2009. The farm plans to build the 4-year-old Forestry colt his own barn and is considering offering tours to visitors interested in seeing the priciest thoroughbred ever purchased at auction:
No fee for The Green Monkey's services has been set yet, but De Renzo said it would be "reasonable" in hopes of attracting good mares.
Related: The Green Monkey has his very own, and very catchy, song. You're 16/Unrefundable/And you're mine ...
Posted by JC, Feb 11, 2008 10:30 PM
Magnificent Manifestation
The funniest thing I've read in weeks:
[Thanks, Dana.]
More poignantly, Jon White imagines what might have been if Barbaro had never been injured in the Preakness. I'm with him, right up to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Invasor would have totally beaten Barbaro, if the two had had a chance to meet on the track.
Posted by JC, Jan 31, 2008 09:00 AM
No Pressure, Guys
Glenye Cain Oakford reports that Barbaro's little brothers are progressing well, with 2-year-old Nicanor in early training at a Florida farm and "unnamed yearling" still gamboling in a Kentucky pasture.
Posted by JC, Jan 20, 2008 12:00 PM
Evening Attire's Top 10
Evening Attire's 10 most memorable races, as chosen by trainer Pat Kelly on the eve of the gray gelding's 2008 debut (DRF). [Link via the delightful Brooklyn Backstretch.]
Posted by JC, Jan 16, 2008 10:30 PM
Back in Training
The sensational three-year-old filly Magnificience returned to training two weeks ago and is about six weeks away from her first workout in months for trainer Bruce Headley, reports Daily Racing Form:
Magnificience attracted attention last winter with a brilliant debut win at Santa Anita, in which, after walking out of the gate and trailing the field by 10 lengths during the first quarter, she made a big move up on the outside and surged away to a 6 1/2 length lead (video). She followed up that scintillating performance with a record-setting romp in the Santa Paula Stakes (video). Considered a potential rival to Rags to Riches last spring, Magnificience was sidelined in April with a chip in her left front ankle. Much to prove, but very exciting to have this one back.
Posted by JC, Oct 31, 2007 08:00 AM
What Saps the Spirit
Posted by JC, Oct 9, 2007 05:30 PM
John Henry, 1975-2007
Photo courtesy of Horsephotos/NTRA.
John Henry, 32, was euthanized at 7:05 p.m. Monday at the Kentucky Horse Park (Herald Leader). The long retired champion had been in poor health since August and was suffering from Cushing's disease and kidney problems. "There was a real difference in his demeanor and his sparkle, between Friday and Sunday," said Horse Park executive director Jack Nicholson. "He seemed to be going in a downward cycle again." A public memorial service will be held on October 19 at 2:00 p.m. for the Hall of Famer who was a two-time Horse of the Year.
The great gelding will be much missed. "His spirit was so huge," said Cathy Roby, who cared for John Henry for more than 16 years (DRF). After John Henry's death, Roby and her staff remained at the park through the evening, calling fans who had asked to be notified by phone of his passing, rather than coming upon the news unawares in the papers.
More: Lifetime past performances are available from DRF and there are several videos on YouTube. Watch the 1984 Turf Classic, 1984 Hollywood Invitational, 1981 Arlington Million, 1981 Santa Anita Handicap, and others.
Posted by JC, Oct 8, 2007 09:00 PM
Tuesday Evening Notes
- After losing the Adirondack and Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga by a combined 50 lengths, Phantom Income returned to winning form on Saturday in the NATC Futurity at Meadowlands (Blood-Horse). Sent off at 8-1, the two-year-old filly pressed the early pace, then squeezed through on the inside to win by 4 1/2 lengths over New York City Girl. Final time for the six furlong race was 1:09. An impressive debut winner at Belmont in July, Phantom Income was declared a non-starter in the Adirondack after a gate incident marred the break, leaving the second favorite trailing the field by several lengths. Trainer Rick Violette told Thoroughbred Daily News last month that the incident had set the talented-but-temperamental filly back mentally, requiring gate-schooling anew. "It has been a big problem," he said. "We have had her back to the gate every day." The conditioner must be hopeful that Saturday's score is a sign Phantom is feeling good again.
- Undefeated Withers winner Divine Park, out of training since May with an injury to his left hind foot, worked three furlongs in :36.82 at Belmont Park this morning. Divine Park was expected to start in the Ohio Derby and was being pointed to the Haskell; no word yet on what trainer Kiaran McLaughlin might be planning for the Chester House colt in coming months.
- Over on FormBlog, Dan Illman gives a tutorial on spotting lead changes.
- I knew there was a reason I took a shine to Fabulous Strike at Belmont: The Vosburgh winner has Boston connections (Lowell Sun).
- Oh, and there were a few big Breeders' Cup prep races across the country this weekend. Check out Superfecta, Mann, and Crist for all the details.
Posted by JC, Oct 2, 2007 08:00 PM
'Riches Misses Work
Rags to Riches spiked a temperature this morning, forcing the cancellation of a scheduled work and imperiling her planned start in the September 8 Ruffian at Belmont. "She's acting perfect, she's bright, sharp and aggressive, but the thermometer's a little bit off," said trainer Todd Pletcher (DRF). Later in the day, Sherry Ross caught up with the conditioner, who reported that the fever was gone, the filly's bloodwork fine, and that he might breeze her on Wednesday, "but it's premature to make any decisions yet." Two things: Is anyone else beginning to doubt that we'll see Rags to Riches race again this year, never mind as a four-year-old? And is it possible that a mild bug is sweeping through Pletcher's New York barn? That would explain the trainer's Spa slump, which resumed in force after Wait a While's Ballston Spa victory.
Posted by JC, Aug 27, 2007 09:15 PM
Darley Snaps Up Another
Haskell winner Any Given Saturday will join Street Sense and Hard Spun in stud duties at Darley next year, reports the Thoroughbred Times:
Think the handicap division is thin now? Wait until next year.
Related news: Wildcat Bettie B, who really came into her own as a sprinter this year, has been retired following her win in last weekend's Xtra Heat Stakes, trainer Larry Jones announced. "She came out of the race with some small issues and let us know she wouldn't be ready for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint" (Blood-Horse). As we all know, there will be no more racing after the Breeders' Cup on October 26.
Posted by JC, Aug 15, 2007 07:00 PM
Today's Retirements
- Wilko, winless since the 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been retired to an unnamed Kentucky farm (Blood-Horse). He and Cash Included, also retired, have been entered in the Fasig-Tipton fall sale.
- Owing to an injury suffered in last Saturday's Test Stakes, Cotton Blossom has been retired (ThoroTimes).
Posted by JC, Aug 13, 2007 09:10 PM
Nobiz Aces Turf Test
- Nobiz Like Shobiz aced his first turf try in today's G2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, stalking pacesetter Sahara Heat through easy early fractions, taking the lead in mid-stretch, and then holding off a late-surging Marcavelly to win by half a length. The 6-5 favorite, Nobiz Like Shobiz paid $5.20. Final time for the 1 1/8 mile race run over very firm ground was 1:49.29.
- Any Given Saturday came out of the Haskell fine, trainer Todd Pletcher reported this morning, and is scheduled to arrive in Saratoga on Tuesday. Curlin was back in trainer Steve Asmussen's Spa barn this morning. "I'm disappointed in the run; he ran flat," Asmussen said today. "We'll evaluate him and have discussions with everyone involved with Curlin. From there, we'll decide what is best for Curlin" (NYRA). Why so much angst? The horse ran third off a layoff against some tough competition. It can't be concern about what another loss might mean for a stud fee, could it?
- Hard Spun will start next in the King's Bishop on the Travers Day undercard (Times Union).
Posted by JC, Aug 6, 2007 05:45 PM
Funny Cide Party Plans Set
Funny Cide's retirement party is all set for next Friday at Saratoga: The Kentucky Derby winner turned stable pony will parade for fans on the racetrack one last time, an oversized card will be available for signing, and NYRA will give away copies of a limited edition PEB poster commemorating the occasion, which will be autographed by members of Sackatoga Stable and jockey Jose Santos (who announced his retirement earlier this week) outside the silks room. "It's going to be a blast," said Jack Knowlton, managing partner for Sackatoga (Times Union).
Posted by JC, Aug 3, 2007 09:00 AM
'Riches Back at Belmont
The Belmont winner is back in her stall following a thorough physical exam at the New Bolton Center, but it sounds like she's iffy for the Alabama Stakes on August 18. "I would say it's 50-50 whether or not she will run here or not," said Pletcher (ThoroTimes).
Posted by JC, Jul 27, 2007 04:55 PM
Monday Evening Notes
- The loss of his apprentice bug on Saturday hasn't slowed Joe Talamo: The rider had three wins on Sunday, two more today at Del Mar, giving him seven wins for the meet's first five days (LA Times).
- Rags to Riches, pulled up during a Sunday workout, is sound, veterinarian Steve Allday said after examining the filly this morning, but she'll be sent to New Bolton for a complete physical anyway. "Although everything seems to be fine, in order to be thorough she will have a complete physical done," said trainer Todd Pletcher (Blood-Horse).
- "One of the biggest contests at Saratoga Race Course has nothing to do with the finish line" (Saratogian).
- Red Giant, the longest shot on the board at 37-1, won the Virginia Derby in a photo finish with lucky leading Colonial Downs rider Horacio Karamanos aboard (WashPost).
Posted by JC, Jul 23, 2007 09:30 PM
Friday Morning Notes
- The two best stakes races this weekend are at Colonial Downs on Saturday, where both the Virginia Oaks and the Virginia Derby drew full fields. In the Oaks, Dreaming of Anna, coming off a win at Arlington in the Double Delta Stakes, will try to regain her graded stakes form. The 9-5 morning line favorite, she'll face Ashland Stakes winner Christmas Kid and trainer Barclay Tagg's Bit of Whimsy, who finished in a dead heat with Rutherienne after a difficult trip in the Sands Point. In the Derby, Circular Quay tries turf for the first time. "This isn't necessarily a permanent thing, but we thought it was a good option at this stage. We thought it would be worth taking a shot," said trainer Todd Pletcher (DRF). Well, Circular Quay does have that late kick ... maybe he'll find that gear more useful on the grass than it's been on the dirt.
- Street Sense worked a brilliant five furlongs in :57.4 at Churchill on Thursday. "I had him on cruise control," said rider Calvin Borel. "He's got so much power to him now it's just unbelievable" (BRIS). The Kentucky Derby winner is scheduled to start next Saturday in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
- One Hot Wish, the two-year-old daughter of little-known sire Bring the Heat who set a world record winning her debut at Keeneland this April, returns to the track today in Del Mar's seventh (LA Times). Never mind: One Hot Wish will be scratched (DRF). She may start next Wednesday. Is it just me, or is getting hard to follow horses with all these scratches and retirements lately?
Posted by JC, Jul 20, 2007 09:00 AM
Discreet Cat Jogging
Cigar Mile winner Discreet Cat, found to have a throat abcess after his last place finish in the Dubai World Cup, is back on track. "He's jogging sound and we're real happy with him," said Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee. "He'll probably start galloping by the time we get up to Saratoga" (DRF). No plans yet for Discreet Cat's next start.
Posted by JC, Jul 18, 2007 10:40 PM
Rags to Riches out of Oaks
Never mind that bit about Rags to Riches working this morning or her exciting return to the races next Saturday: The Belmont winner is out of the Coaching Club American Oaks, trainer Todd Pletcher announced today, owing to a slight fever. "Her temperature was 101 degrees, which is not high, but a little beyond the normal range," said Pletcher. "She hasn't quite seemed herself the last couple of days. We won't breeze her without her being 100 percent." Rags to Riches will be pointed to the Alabama at Saratoga on August 18 (ending speculation that she might start in the Travers) and the Breeders' Cup.
Posted by JC, Jul 16, 2007 10:45 AM
Belmont Loves the Ladies
Rags to Riches and Curlin at the wire in the Belmont Stakes. Photo Adam Coglianese/NYRA.
Superfilly Rags to Riches is scheduled to work Monday morning at Belmont in preparation for her start in the Coaching Club America Oaks next Saturday, which will likely draw a short field despite the 23 nominations the race attracted since few trainers are eager to test their fillies against the Belmont winner. For Rags to Riches' first race since her historic victory, NYRA is offering free admission to women on Saturday and ESPN is bumping the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar to show the Oaks. "Rags to Riches is a story," explained ESPN producer David Miller (DRF). The San Diego will air live on TVG instead, to the disappointment of Del Mar officials (North County Times, hat tip to LATG).
Posted by JC, Jul 15, 2007 08:00 PM
Funny Cide Retired
"We decided that after the great fun and excitement of watching Funny Cide win the Wadsworth Memorial at Finger Lakes at the age of 7, it would be a good note on which to retire the horse," said trainer Barclay Tagg (Blood-Horse). Funny Cide goes out a winner, sound and happy; he'll remain at the track for now, and begin retirement as a stable pony in Tagg's barn. As for what's next for the Derby winner, I second Valerie's idea to make him racing's equine ambassador.
From Youtube: Funny Cide's 2003 Kentucky Derby and 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup victories ...
Posted by JC, Jul 13, 2007 10:00 PM
Green Monkey Nears Debut
The world's most expensive racehorse points toward a Saratoga maiden special weight debut. Trainer Todd Pletcher makes no promises about how the $16 million colt's first race might go: "I will do everything I can to have him as ready as I can first time out, and sometimes you can only do so much" (NY Times).
Posted by JC, Jul 13, 2007 09:45 AM
Top 3YOs Work
Prepping for the August 5 Haskell, Preakness winner Curlin worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Churchill Downs this morning in company with stablemate Tiz Wonderful (Blood-Horse). Curlin will ship to Saratoga on Thursday, enjoy the Spa for a couple of weeks, then head to Monmouth.
Hard Spun, another likely Haskell contender, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 at Delaware Park, also in company, with an unnamed filly stablemate. When the son of Danzig starts next, he'll have rider Mario Pino, dumped for Garret Gomez in the Belmont, back aboard. "I had a discussion with Mr. Porter and he said it's OK with him to have Mario back on the horse," said trainer Larry Jones. "So, I have given Mr. Pino certain dates to keep open. I feel good about this decision. It keeps everything on our team. Mario is part of our team and it's good to have him back" (News Journal).
On Sunday, Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense took to the Churchill track, working five furlongs in 1:00.40 with regular rider Calvin Borel up, and Belmont winner Rags to Riches did an easy five furlongs in 1:04.20 at Belmont. It was a slow work, but trainer Todd Pletcher was unconcerned. "It was very good," Pletcher said. "It was almost identical to what she did before the Belmont. She was nice and relaxed and galloped out real strong" (DRF). Rags to Riches will start next in the July 21 Coaching Club American Oaks; 23 fillies have been nominated to the race, six by Pletcher. "I don't mind a walkover, but I nominated enough horses to ensure they'd use the race," said the supertrainer.
Posted by JC, Jul 9, 2007 11:00 PM
Asmussen Goes for Double
Trainer Steve Asmussen will send out the likely favorites in both the Debutante Stakes and the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs this afternoon (Courier-Journal). In the filly stakes, he'll be represented by Wonderful Luck and Rated Fiesty, who looms over the rest of the field with a 102 Beyer earned in the G3 Kentucky Breeders' Cup, the race favored Ready's Image finished third in before winning the 5 1/2 furlong Tremont at Belmont last week by 7 3/4 lengths in 1:02.86, getting a 99 Beyer. In the more competitive Bashford, Asmussen will send out three, including Kodiak Kowboy, winner of an ungraded stakes at Woodbine and son of first crop sire Posse, 9-for-17 with his offspring so far this year. Also entered is the improving Blackberry Road, a Gone West colt out of Strawberry Reason, dam of 2002 champion juvenile Vindication, and the Todd Pletcher-trained Motovato, adding Lasix for the first time.
Posted by JC, Jul 7, 2007 09:00 AM
No Phantom
Impressive romp by the Rick Violette-trained Phantom Income in Belmont's second today. Making her debut, the two-year-old filly finished the 5 1/2 furlong maiden special in 1:03.79 under a handride and more than 10 lengths ahead of place horse Shining Sea, paying $11.60 to win. Todd Pletcher's firster, Crosswater, bet down to an absurdly low 3-4, finished third. Phantom Income, out of Catch the Ghost, a half-sister to 2004 champion Ghostzapper, is a daughter of Montbrook, who's 12% with debut winners and 5-for-11 with his two-year-olds to race so far this year.
Posted by JC, Jul 6, 2007 04:00 PM
Perfect Fleetheart
- The SoCal filly remains unbeaten after wiring Hollywood's Wednesday opener as the 3-2 favorite. Fleetheart could start next in a Del Mar stakes race. Considering how well she's handled everything asked of her so far (up in class, surface change, stretching out, etc.), it's exciting to contemplate how she might perform at the stakes level ...
- Trainer Steve Asmussen is the subject of a lengthy and sympathetic profile that gets right into the doping rumors: "People who say I'm a cheater? Well, that's the dumbest thing I ever heard," he says. "On average, mine cost a 100 [thousand], yours cost 10 [thousand], and you're wondering why I'm beating you? It ain't any kind of drugs or anything else. The horses are just faster." Well, that clears things up.
- Paul Moran is right: "[Invasor] may be the most under-appreciated superstar thoroughbred of the modern era." One of the things I write about in my book on great American racehorses, which I plan to finish this year, is how much Beyer and gang have altered our notions of greatness by making speed, defined by big figures and wide margins of victory, the dominant measure of ability. Invasor was a star on the verge of true greatness in the very classical sense of sheer class dominance. We don't see much of that anymore.
Posted by JC, Jun 28, 2007 08:30 AM
Scat, Daddy
Florida Derby winner Scat Daddy has been retired with a tendon injury: "Our vets told us he would need 90 days rest, so we would have run out of time to get him back for the major races this year, and the decision was made to retire him to stud,'' explained trainer Todd Pletcher (DRF). That 90 days was too long to wait for a minor injury to heal suggests owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith were planning to retire the son of Johannesburg at the end of the year anyway, which isn't all that surprising, but is still a bit disappointing. Maybe Bill Finley's onto something with his idea of restricting certain races to starters whose sires were at least five years old when the horse was conceived.
Elsewhere: Valerie at Foolish Pleasure argues it's fraud to retire Scat Daddy to stud with his current record. "Here is a colt whose daddy Johannesburg was a champion 2 year old but a total bust at three ... this horse proved nothing to me, except that, like his daddy, he could run successfully for a very short period ..."
Posted by JC, Jun 25, 2007 07:30 PM
Fleetheart Returns
- Fleetheart, emerging star of the SoCal allowance ranks, returns to the track in Hollywood's first race on Wednesday. The four-year-old filly is a perfect 3-for-3 since beginning her career last October and has shown considerable toughness and talent in all of her starts. She's stretching out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles for the first time and it looks like she'll have some competition from Fun Logic, breaking to her outside, who won at the distance two starts back. But Fleetheart also looks like the lone speed in this five-horse field, and she should have no problem handling the distance, being by Northern Afleet, sire of Afleet Alex, and out of Guarded Optomist, an unraced Spend a Buck mare with five winners out of six foals to race, including Guardianofthegate, winner of the 1 1/8 miles Columbia Stakes (on the turf) at Tampa back in 2003. If she wins on Wednesday, a Del Mar stakes appearance could be next on Fleetheart's schedule. "Hopefully, she'll do well and we'll have that thought to ponder," said trainer Vladimir Cerin (DRF).
- Steve Davidowitz writes of synthetic surfaces, "We are more than two years into American racing's experiments with artificial racing surfaces and it is impossible to make a single coherent statement about them" (TrackMaster, via). Actually, there is one coherent thing to be said about the synthetic experiment: Handicappers have to throw out everything they know about speed handicapping. It's not that speed is suddenly irrelevant on Polytrack or Cushion Track, but that class and pace -- especially class -- are more useful and reliable factors. More on this topic soon, with some of the research I've done on Hollywood and Keeneland this spring ...
Posted by JC, Jun 24, 2007 05:45 PM
Invasor Retired
Invasor, working with stablemate Like Now, on Saturday morning. Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA.
No! No! No! I haven't been this disappointed since Afleet Alex was sent to stud. It seems Invasor suffered a fracture of the sesamoid in his right hind leg during this morning's workout. He'll be moved to Shadwell Farm, where he'll stand in 2008. Blood-Horse has the edited press release.
Related: Invasor's retirement scrambles the early end-of-the-year honors picture considerably. Street Sense, Curlin, and Rags to Riches are the three-year-olds currently in the running for Horse of the Year; Corinthian leads a weak older horse division. (I realize the TBA standings contradict me, but Lava Man and Molengao are proven only in California.) Who will emerge in late summer and fall? And without Invasor, what does the Breeders' Cup Classic field look like? Might this open the way for Rags to Riches to face males again? (If she were to win the Classic, imagine the publicity!) Much as we'll all miss the reigning Horse of the Year, his absence certainly creates an interesting dynamic for the second half of the year.
Haskin gets it right about what was so great about Invasor: "He wasn't the fastest horse; he wasn't the most powerful horse; and he didn't blow you away with an explosive move. But he knew how to beat you."
Posted by JC, Jun 23, 2007 09:00 PM
Invasor Works a Bullet
Wrapping up his prep for next Saturday's Suburban Handicap, Invasor breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track in :59.2 this morning, in company with stablemate Like Now. The work was the fastest of 23 at the distance. Invasor is on a six-race winning streak, which includes last year's Suburban, and hasn't raced since winning the Dubai World Cup in March. So far, it looks like his toughest competition next Saturday will be Met Mile winner Corinthian. Now, that's a race to go to the track for ...
Posted by JC, Jun 23, 2007 11:30 AM
Remembering Ruffian
With ABC's Ruffian movie scheduled to air this Saturday, the magnificent filly is very much on racing fans' minds. Here's a reminder of what was so spectacular about Ruffian:
Over on Turf Luck, the Quinella Queen ponders the poetry of Ruffian's past performances, while John at Not to the Swift shows off a ticket he couldn't bear to crumple.
Posted by JC, Jun 8, 2007 08:30 AM
This Is Good News ...
An "on-track equine injury reporting system" will be implemented, as a pilot program, at 30 racetracks starting June 1 (Blood-Horse). To the 30 tracks that have signed on: Thank you. This a wonderful initiative that can mean only safer horses and fewer sad stories.
Posted by JC, May 30, 2007 09:15 PM
Barbaro Writes Back
Barbaro has received a lot of fan mail recently, and now, with a little help from his assistant Doreen Steinmetz, he's taking the time to write back:
Barbaro
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More seriously: Over on Slate, Meghan O'Rourke tries to explain why people care so much about Barbaro:
Posted by JC, Jun 1, 2006 09:00 AM
Barbaro "Officially 51%"
It's been more than a week since Barbaro had surgery on the hind leg he shattered in the Preakness and the colt couldn't be doing better, Dr. Dean Richardson said this afternoon:
Richardson, who said the colt's chances for recovery were 50-50 last week, felt good enough about Barbaro's progress to joke today that his chances were "now officially 51%," and said, "Seriously, every day that goes by is a big day."
Jockey Edgar Prado paid a visit to Barbaro at the New Bolton Center today. "I'm still heartbroken, and I will be for a long time, but I definitely feel a lot better after seeing him," Prado said after.
There has been no shortage of theories advanced to explain Barbaro's injury, most centering on the gate incident, since the Preakness, but Pimlico officials think they know what really happened: After studying video of the race, at times frame-by-frame, track president Lou Raffetto said that he is 80% certain that Brother Derek's right front foot hit Barbaro's right hind foot only a few yards into the race, forcing Barbaro's leg to twist. "It's a timing thing," Raffetto said. "It's incredible that it should happen like that. But that's what appears to have happened."
Jockey Alex Solis, aboard Brother Derek, isn't buying that explanation: "There's no way he could have struck Barbaro; I would have felt it," said Solis. "We were close behind him, but not that close. Getting that close to him and going that speed, if I had struck him I would have gone down."
Posted by JC, May 30, 2006 10:00 PM
Barbaro Naps, Scratches Ear
The news continues to be good about Barbaro: The colt enjoyed a nap, some crunchy treats, and felt comfortable enough standing on his injured right leg that he scratched his left ear with his left foot. "He is stable and happy," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who offered a "cautiously optimistic prognosis" for the colt on Tuesday. "Every day that goes by, the risk diminishes."
5/26/06 Update: Barbaro has been fitted out with a special shoe on his left hind foot. "One of the complications that can occur following leg fractures in horses is the risk of developing laminitis in the opposite foot from bearing extra weight," said New Bolton Center farrier Rob Sigafoos. "To reduce this risk, we applied a supportive shoe to Barbaro's left hind foot immediately following the surgery for the fracture of his right hind leg." As of Friday, five days after surgery, Barbaro remains in "excellent" condition.
Related: Barbaro's Preakness breakdown is prompting calls for improved safety. Rick Bozich writes that,
And John Clay argues for Polytrack.
Also: Slate explains why broken legs are bad news for horses (thanks to Bill at RacingFigures.com for the link), and Andrew Beyer runs the numbers: "The price of surgery itself is quite reasonable -- 'a pittance compared to surgery on people,' Bramlage said. A lengthy, complex procedure at a top facility, such as the operation on Barbaro, can cost $7,000 to $10,000. A relatively simple fracture might be repaired for less than $2,000."
Posted by JC, May 24, 2006 09:30 PM
Barbaro Doing Well
Barbaro continues to do well, two days after surgery on his fractured hind leg. "He's actually better today than he was even yesterday, and he was pretty good yesterday," said Dr. Dean Richardson.
Posted by JC, May 23, 2006 09:10 PM
Barbaro Bright, Frisky
"He got through the night very well, day one and into day two is going as well as expected," Corinne Sweeney, a veterinarian and the hospital's executive director, said Monday. "He is standing on the leg, and with the appropriate amount of weight on it.... He also showed appropriate interest in the mares, which means he's acting like a young colt should."
Posted by JC, May 22, 2006 03:00 PM
Barbaro in Surgery
Update: Barbaro is out of surgery and standing in an intensive care stall at New Bolton. "Things right now are good," said Dr. Dean Richardson. "He practically jogged back to his stall ... He's very comfortable right now." The news is about as good as can be hoped for, but Richardson did caution that Barbaro still faces a challenging months-long recovery from his injuries. "To be brutally honest, there's still enough chance for things going bad that it's still a coin toss even though everything went well."
Photos: Here's one of Barbaro coming out of the recovery pool and another of him walking back to his stall. The image below shows the x-ray of Barbaro's leg before surgery on the left; on the right is an x-ray of the leg after surgery:
Images courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania/New Bolton Center
Richardson put in a bone plate and 27 screws during surgery to reconstruct Barbaro's leg. The x-ray showing his incredible work is not only amazing but testament to how much equine medicine had advanced in the past couple of decades.
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Surgery on Barbaro's injured right hind leg began shortly after 12:30 today at the New Bolton Center and is expected to take at least three hours. "It's a very complicated procedure," said Dr. Dean Richardson. "We'll be attempting to fuse the entire joint. I don't want to give any prognosis for success until further review during the surgery."
It was revealed this morning that the injuries Barbaro suffered in yesterday's Preakness were more severe than initially reported: In addition to the cannon and pastern bone fractures, the colt also has a fractured sesamoid and his ankle was dislocated at the fetlock joint. Richardson called the damage "very, very serious," and said that he had not worked on a horse before with such catastrophic injuries. "You do not see this severe injury frequently because the fact is most horses that suffer this typically are put down on the race track," he said. "This is rare."
The news might be grim, but its sounds as though Barbaro has so far been the perfect patient ("He was very brave and well behaved under the situation and was comfortable overnight") and that he's getting the best possible care. And, as the Blood-Horse reassuringly points outs, while the situation is dire, "broken legs aren't death."
After surgery, surgeons plan "to place the leg in a sling and place Barbaro on a raft on a pool before the horse emerges from anesthesia." The pool is used to prevent a horse from reinjuring itself as it wakes from surgery. Here's a short video that shows another New Bolton equine patient waking from leg surgery in the recovery pool and then walking to his stall in a cast.
Posted by JC, May 21, 2006 02:30 PM
Return to the Winner's Circle
Funny Cide snapped an eight-race losing streak with a win on Sunday in the Kings Point Stakes at Aqueduct. "It has been a long time," said Sackatoga managing partner Jack Knowlton. "We're just happy to get him back into the winner's circle." The Kings Point was restricted to NY-breds; Sunday was the first time since his two-year-old season that Funny Cide raced in restricted company. After taking an early lead, Funny Cide faded in the stretch, but then showed his old fighting spirit, gamely coming back to put away Gold and Roses, who finished second.
Before Sunday, the last race Funny Cide won was the 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup, in which he appeared to stop as the field entered the final turn and then fought his way to the lead in the stretch. It was a thrilling victory, but one that was unfortunately followed by a string of performances so lackluster that many said the gelding should be retired. If nothing else, Funny Cide's Kings Point win proves he's still competitive. That he continues to race is good for the sport, and not just because Funny Cide can still draw a crowd. As Steven Crist writes in a recent column:
Posted by JC, Apr 30, 2006 06:00 PM
LITF Returns Saturday
- Sprint champion Lost in the Fog makes his four-year-old debut on Saturday in the Golden Gate Sprint. The race is the first for "the cool dude" since he finished seventh in the 2005 Breeders' Cup Sprint after winning his first 10 starts. Four others are entered in the Sprint, but only one -- Carthage -- appears to have the speed to challenge him. Carthage won his last two starts, earning Beyer speed figures of 108 and 105 for the efforts, and is coming off a two-month layoff, as opposed to Lost in the Fog's six-month break. Trainer Greg Gilchrist considers the race "strictly a prep" and warned bettors that Lost in the Fog might not win. "This will not be Lost in the Fog's best race," he said.
- In her first start since winning the Coaching Club American Oaks last July, champion filly Smuggler will also return to the track this Saturday in the Bed o' Roses Breeders' Cup Handicap at Aqueduct. "She's bigger and stronger than she was last year," said trainer Shug McGaughey. "I'm really looking forward to getting her started." Smuggler, who's been in and out of training because of illness, has previously won off a lengthy layoff.
- Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Silver Train was upset in the third at Aqueduct this afternoon. Sent off at 1-2 in a three-horse field, Silver Train finished second by one length to Spooky Mulder. "He ran a good race. It's a good set-up for his next race," said trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. "As long as he returns to form at Belmont, we're going to be good." Silver Train is expected to start in next month's Met Mile at Belmont. Spooky Mulder, a formidable eight-year-old gelding who's now won 25 and is 4-for-7 over the Aqueduct main track, was claimed for $100,000 out of the optional claiming/allowance race by trainer Patrick Reynolds for owner Paul Pompa Jr.
- Taking advantage of a narrow opening on the rail, Gorella pulled ahead in the stretch to win a turf allowance by 1 1/4 lengths over Sabellina at Keeneland on Wednesday. The four-year-old French filly finished third to Artie Schiller and Leroidesanimaux in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile and she'll challenge males again in her second start of the year, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard. "Why not?" said trainer Patrick Biancone. "She is very good right now."
- Oklahoma Training Track opened on Tuesday. About 100 horses are on the grounds so far, with another 100 or so expected by the start of next week.
Posted by JC, Apr 20, 2006 09:00 PM
Noted: March 15
- A record number of American horses are heading to the March 25 Dubai World Cup, including the unlikely Wilko and Donn winner Brass Hat, aka Cinderella. You can follow all the World Cup news on the Dubai Racing Carnival blog.
- Rockport Harbor's career could be over. The four-year-old reinjured the foot that caused so many problems last year in Saturday's Razorback Stakes, in which he finished fifth. Trainer John Servis said a small split appeared in the old wound's scar and that the site would be patched, but no decision would be made about Rockport's future until the extent of the damage was known. Retirement does seem like a strong possibility, however. "I want to be honest with you," owner Rick Porter wrote on Rockport's web site, "If he cannot become 100% better, I am going to retire him."
- Whitney winner Commentator, out with a shin injury since last year's Woodward, is ready to resume training, said trainer Nick Zito. "He'll be ready for his first breeze in about two weeks."
- Kentucky Derby rabbit Spanish Chestnut made his first start since that race on Friday, scoring a two-length win at Golden Gate.
- Paul Daley would like to know why Mom's Command isn't on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. "Mom has been overlooked for 21 years now. Pardon me for my cynicism, but I have to wonder if her exclusion has anything to do with ... owner Peter Fuller."
- Friends of Bay Meadows isn't ready to give up the fight to save the northern California track from development: "The heart of it is that old track is a beloved part of this community."
- Sherry Ross explains why the unraced two-year-old Forestry colt newly named The Green Monkey sold for $16 million: "In a word: ego." It could also be that the global rich are feeling particularly well-to-do lately.
Posted by JC, Mar 15, 2006 08:00 PM
Noted: February 22
- In his penultimate workout before the March 4 Santa Anita Handicap, Giacomo worked seven furlongs in 1:25 at Hollywood on Monday, the fastest of seven at that distance. "He was feeling very good this morning," said trainer John Shirreffs. Giacomo finished third in the February 4 Strub Stakes, which was his first start since last June.
- Happy Ticket's Saturday night return at Evangeline was nothing less than triumphant. In her first start since the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Happy Ticket easily won the Premier Night Distaff by 5 1/2 lengths, paying the minimum of $2.10 on a win ticket. "She didn't have to run hard at all. She works faster than that in the morning," said trainer Andrew Leggio, who won three stakes on the card.
- Buzzards Bay ran his best race in nearly a year on Monday, when the four-year-old won the All American Handicap by four lengths at Golden Gate.
- Owner Harry Aleo has nominated Lost in the Fog stablemate Frisco Star to this year's Triple Crown. "Insurance, really," Aleo said. "I had to put up $90,000 to run Lost in the Fog in the Breeders' Cup Sprint [because the horse wasn't an original nominee], so I did this just in case. It's a one-in-a-million shot, but you never know what will happen to other horses."
Posted by JC, Feb 22, 2006 06:00 PM
Too Late
"She was standing on her three good legs in the ambulance. Her eyes were bright. She didn't look to me as if she needed to be killed. The rubber floor of the ambulance she stood on was clean except for some clods of dirt that had fallen from her hooves, but there was no blood that I could see. My hopes rose. But then Ben, the trainer, came. He saw his horse and stepped away. He hung back, standing by my husband's truck. There were tears in his eyes."
Posted by JC, Feb 19, 2006 10:00 PM
Silver Train Works
Despite an uncertain future in the wake of owner Mahmoud Fustok's death last week: The Breeders' Cup Sprint winner worked six furlongs in 1:13 on Sunday at Gulfstream, prepping for a possible start in the March 4 Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Handicap. "He's in 'jail' right now because of the ownership situation," said trainer Richard Dutrow. "If things are cleared up by the time the race comes around, that's where we'll go."
Posted by JC, Feb 14, 2006 03:40 PM
Funny Cide Second in Return
And his connections couldn't be more relieved:
The race, an allowance, was Funny Cide's first start in many months after a dismal 2005 campaign, in which the now six-year-old Kentucky Derby winner ran five times and finished out of the money in each.
Posted by JC, Feb 3, 2006 10:45 PM
More on Alex's Retirement
Trainer Tim Ritchey believes Afleet Alex's stumble in the Preakness could have caused the injury that led to his retirement on Thursday:
Dick Jerardi allows that as one possibility, but also wonders:
Bob Ford argues the fault lies with the last.
More from me on this story later in the week ...
Posted by JC, Dec 3, 2005 12:00 PM
Afleet Alex Retired
Because of a recently discovered leg injury. The problem, a wedge-shaped bit of abnormal bone, was uncovered during a scan of the colt's injured left front leg, in which Alex was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of the cannon bone last July. Dr. Patricia Hogan described the wedge as "essentially an island of brittle bone that was once badly bruised, and over time has slowly lost its blood supply," and said,
Chuck Zacney, managing partner of Cash Is King stable, said everyone involved was "disappointed and frustrated":
If I may be allowed a moment of cynicism and snarkiness (I'm so disappointed at this news -- there's no horse I've wanted to see race again as much as I did Alex): It seems to me that any letdown the Cash Is King crew feels will be overcome by the giant piles of cash coming their way. No word yet on where Afleet Alex will stand at stud, but talk earlier this summer suggested the Preakness and Belmont winner was worth upwards of $20 million in the breeding shed.
Posted by JC, Dec 1, 2005 10:15 AM
Return to the Winner's Circle
Evening Attire brought his nine race losing streak to an end on Saturday with a win in the Stuyvesant Handicap at Aqueduct. "When he is up there, stalking horses, he is happy," said trainer Pat Kelly. "I was glad to see him up there. He is not done yet. He is hanging in there." Kelly said the seven-year-old gelding could start next in the Queens County Handicap on December 10.
Posted by JC, Nov 21, 2005 11:10 AM
Taste of Paradise Retired
Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up and Vosburgh Stakes winner Taste of Paradise has been retired. The six-year-old has a tendon injury, discovered by trainer Richard Mandella after a recent gallop:
Mandella had hoped to run Taste of Paradise in the Cigar Mile on November 26.
Posted by JC, Nov 11, 2005 03:45 PM
Alex Out Until 2006
The latest news on Afleet Alex is hardly surprising: Trainer Tim Ritchey was still talking about the Cigar Mile last week, but Cash Is King managing partner Chuck Zacney all but said Alex was done for the year. This weekend came the announcement that x-rays showed the colt's hairline fracture isn't completely healed and that he won't run again until 2006, when he may start in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita in January or the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream in February.
Despite Alex's long absence from the races, Ritchey believes the dual classic winner should be named Horse of the Year. "I'd like to congratulate (Breeders' Cup Classic winner) Saint Liam and his connections, but I think my horse should be Horse of the Year. He had the most dominating races of the year; I would love to see it." At least one voter agrees.
Posted by JC, Nov 6, 2005 06:10 PM
Saturday Notes
At Churchill Downs, Catcominacha won the Iroquois Stakes, earning himself a spot in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on November 26. In the way of anyone lucky enough to own a promising two-year-old, owner Thomas McCann can't help thinking about the Kentucky Derby in the wake of his improving colt's win. "This horse has taken us places we've never dreamed of, places we've never been before," McCann said. "Somebody said something about doing this again here the first Saturday in May. That sounds wonderful."
Favorite Flanders Fields, an impressive maiden winner at Belmont in September, was caught wide from the start and finished fifth.
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Two-year-olds were the highlight of the card at Suffolk Downs as well, with a field of 11 assembled for the Amelia Peabody Stakes. Longshot Auntie Millie won, finally breaking her maiden in her eighth start. The filly had finished second to favorite Flirt for Fame in her last race. Flirt for Fame finished fourth.
Posted by JC, Nov 5, 2005 09:00 PM
Either ...
Afleet Alex won't run again until 2006 ... or he'll start in the Cigar Mile on November 26. The owners hint at one plan, the trainer at another.
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Not coming back this year or next: Roman Ruler. The Dwyer and Haskell winner trained by Bob Baffert was retired to stud on Monday. He'll move into his new home at Hill 'n' Dale Farm on Wednesday.
Posted by JC, Nov 1, 2005 07:45 AM
Four Furlongs in :46
Wow: Afleet Alex worked four furlongs handily in :46 at Belmont this morning (Blood-Horse). "This work was to get some air in his lungs," [rider Jeremy] Rose said afterward. "We ran to the pole a lot more than last time just to make sure it was a consistent work. This was a lot stronger than his last work. I let him run the last half-mile and he seemed to enjoy it. He was really picking it up in the stretch." Next for Alex: A prep race.
Posted by JC, Oct 7, 2005 08:30 AM
Afleet Alex Works
Afleet Alex worked five furlongs handily in :59.8 at Belmont this morning, the fastest of eight works at that distance. It was his first workout since undergoing surgery for a hairline fracture in July. Trainer Tim Ritchey wasn't surprised by Afleet Alex's performance (Blood-Horse):
Ritchey said Alex would work again next week and may return to the races in mid-October. "I don't want a tough race for him, just kind of a building race. The Classic is more on my mind now after watching him work the way he did."
Cash Is King stable manager Chuck Zacney commented after the workout that, "Obviously, we need a prep race.... Right now, it looks like he has a 75 percent chance of making the Breeders' Cup" (Daily News). I don't want to get my hopes up, but, wow -- wouldn't that be amazing?
Posted by JC, Sep 30, 2005 10:30 AM
Kitten's Joy Retired
Turf champion Kitten's Joy has been retired to stud (New York Post). "The cartilage has worn through in his left knee where he had surgery [last November to remove bone chips]," said owner Ken Ramsey. "Dr. [Larry] Bramlage said the knee might have been bothering him when ran he ran second in the Arlington Million [his last start]. But I'm not complaining. We had a great ride, a great run." I give Ramsey credit for being so philosophical. Early in July, after Kitten's Joy won his 2005 debut, the Firecracker, Ramsey outlined a big year for his star. He'd run in the Arlington Million, the Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders' Cup, and the Japan Cup. "If he could win the Arc and that race in Tokyo, there would be nobody else they could compare him to as far as achievement goes," Ramsey said then. How quickly disappointment came.
Posted by JC, Sep 26, 2005 01:00 PM
Happy Ticket BC Bound?
Ballerina winner Happy Ticket, the Lousiana-bred filly with a 10-for-11 record, is being pointed to the October 1 Beldame at Belmont, and may go on to start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, said trainer Andrew Leggio (Daily Racing Form).
Posted by JC, Sep 21, 2005 01:00 PM
Another One Out
Add Commentator to the injured list (Thoroughbred Times). The Whitney winner is out for the fall season with a shin injury that was aggravated during the Woodward on September 10. Trainer Nick Zito had said after that race that Commentator would return to sprinting, which raised the exciting prospect of a matchup with Lost in the Fog in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. I'll guess we'll have to wait until next spring to see anything like that. You know, if all the horses (Bellamy Road, Afleet Alex, Giacomo, etc.) out with injuries come back in 2006 as promised, it will be very good year of racing.
Related: The return of Declan's Moon is on hold (Blood-Horse). The colt, who hasn't raced since winning the Santa Catalina in March, was scheduled to start in the October 14 Perryville Stakes at Keeneland, but will miss that race due to body soreness. Trainer Ron Ellis has "no plans for him" right now.
9/25 Update: Declan's Moon is out until 2006 (Blood-Horse).
Funny Cide is out for the rest of the year as well, with a sore back (Blood-Horse). He'll be prepped for a return during the Gulfstream meet. "We just have to give him a little time," said trainer Barclay Tagg.
Posted by JC, Sep 20, 2005 07:30 PM
Afleet Alex Gallops
Afleet Alex went out for his first gallop in nearly two months this morning at Belmont. "I spoke to Dr. Hogan and Dr. Bramlage yesterday, and they said the x-rays were really good," trainer Tim Ritchey said (Blood-Horse). Alex galloped with a pony today and will do so for the next two or three days before going out on his own. "He's a little eager, obviously," said Ritchey. The trainer said yesterday that he'd still like to try to get Afleet Alex to the Breeders' Cup Classic, which must be hoped for (although, obviously, I don't mean at the price of rushing him back or pushing too hard). The Classic field may shape up nicely with the impending return of Rock Hard Ten and the likely entry of horses such as Sun King, but no other starter will have Alex's star power, something the sport desperately needs this fall.
Posted by JC, Sep 16, 2005 03:40 PM
Afleet Alex Works
In his first workout since winning the Belmont Stakes on June 11, Afleet Alex breezed five furlongs in 1:00.9 at Belmont this morning. It's expected that Afleet Alex will make his next start in the August 7 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth.
Posted by JC, Jul 10, 2005 12:00 PM
Remembering Ruffian
It was 30 years ago today that the undefeated Ruffian met the 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in a match race billed as a "battle of the sexes." Ruffian was the perfect filly: "Raced 10 times. Won 10 times. Led at every call of every race. All those 1's made her past performance chart look like a picket fence" (Philadelphia Inquirer). Foolish Pleasure was a pretty good colt. Like much from the 1970s, all I know of Ruffian comes from photographs, fuzzy television footage, and other people's stories. ESPN Classic aired a "SportsCenter Flashback" episode on Ruffian this afternoon that filled in the gaps (ESPN), with interviews from her connections and film from the match race, including the scenes where Ruffian breaks down (previous documentaries about the race have blurred the images). The moment that really got me was when announcer Dave Johnson calls Foolish Pleasure taking the lead and then cries, "Ruffian has broken down." His voice glides from astonishment to grief in a second. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
Related: For Christy Cassady, a horse-crazy 16-year-old in 1975, "Ruffian symbolized something significant for a teenage girl trying to find her way in the male-dominated world of athletics. Ruffian didn't just win, she won big, taking the lead from the start and never looking back against the best fillies in the country" (Lexington Herald-Leader).
Posted by JC, Jul 6, 2005 06:00 PM
Triumphant Returns
Roman Ruler and Kitten's Joy both turned in impressive performances in their first starts off long layoffs, with Roman Ruler winning the Dwyer by half a length over a game Flower Alley in his first race in nearly four months, and Kitten's Joy blowing by the rest of the Firecracker field to win by a length in his first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Turf last October. The four-year-old has been out this year owing to surgery last fall for a bone chip in his knee. Trainer Dale Romans, delighted at the win, told Jennie Rees, "I think he's better than last year" (Courier-Journal). Owner Ken Ramsey has plotted out an ambitious campaign for the turf champ that will take him to the Arlington Million, the Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders' Cup, and then the Japan Cup. "If he could win the Arc and that race in Tokyo, there would be nobody else they could compare him to as far as achievement goes," said Ramsey.
After the Belmont Stakes, the three-year-old division looked a little lopsided -- there was Afleet Alex, and then there was everyone else -- but Roman Ruler's Dwyer victory serves notice that dual classic winner Alex can expect some competition for end of the year honors. In one of the best comeback races this year, Roman Ruler moved from the back of a tight pack to the lead at the top of the stretch, and managed to keep a challenging Flower Alley at bay through the final furlong, to the relief of trainer Bob Baffert. "It was a must win," he said after the race (New York Post). The Dwyer has Roman Ruler's owners excited at the possibility of taking on this spring's big horse:
Roman Ruler will stay in New York and may start next in the Haskell or the Travers.
The Times article also mentions that Bellamy Road is recovering well from a minor injury sustained in the Kentucky Derby, but probably won't return to racing before the end of the summer. "He's galloping right now," said trainer Nick Zito. "Maybe we'll have him ready by the end of Saratoga. The Travers is out. It's too much of a long stretch to make that, a mile-and-a-quarter race with him just getting back now."
Posted by JC, Jul 5, 2005 10:15 AM
Rider Change for Funny Cide
Jerry Bailey will ride Funny Cide in his next start, the July 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont. Longtime jockey Jose Santos was replaced with Bailey after the June 11 Brooklyn Handicap by trainer Barclay Tagg, who said of his decision, "I just think now and then a change of hands is good on a horse." (Daily Racing Form)
Posted by JC, Jun 24, 2005 11:50 AM
Horse Notes
Afleet Alex settles into barn 18 at Belmont. (Daily Racing Form)
Kitten's Joy is among the 36 nominees to the Firecracker Breeders' Cup. The race would be the 2004 turf champion's season debut and his first race since having knee surgery last fall. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Rock Hard Ten is back galloping. Trainer Richard Mandella is pointing him toward the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap, with the eventual goal of running in the Breeders' Cup Classic this October. (Blood-Horse)
And owner Rick Porter reports on rockportharbor.com that Rockport is back on the track. Trainer John Servis told the Daily Racing Form that the colt will not be ready for the Haskell, but could make the Travers.
Posted by JC, Jun 23, 2005 02:50 PM