Marcus Hersh, Daily Racing Form
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Helen Pitts spoke cheerfully enough - even if she really didn't want to talk. Sure, Pitts could speak for days on the merits and characteristics of Einstein, the best horse in her stable. But Pitts is feeling reticent this week.
"Couldn't you talk to Clement or to Mott or something?" Pitts wanted to know, reached by phone Wednesday. "I don't want the hex on me."
Pitts has reason to be gun-shy. Einstein was the focus of attention in the June 13 Stephen Foster Handicap but finished third after a brutal trip probably cost him victory. And last year in the Arlington Million, Einstein's luck ran little better: He stumbled at the start, raced wide around the far turn, and checked in fifth, beaten three lengths.
Pitts was hoping to fly in under the radar this week, but good luck with that. Einstein is one of the more accomplished and versatile horses of recent years, and where he goes attention is sure to follow.
En route from drying-out Churchill Downs to Arlington by van on Wednesday, Einstein was made the morning-line second choice to Gio Ponti for this year's Million, in which he will be attempting to win for the third time in 2009. In March, Einstein won the Santa Anita Handicap over synthetic going. In May, he won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic over wet turf at Churchill.
Much more is possible the second half of the season. Should things go well at Arlington this weekend, Einstein probably would be pointed to the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Pitts said. And looking farther into the calendar, a run at the Breeders' Cup Classic also is entirely possible.
"He loves that track at Santa Anita," Pitts said.
Pitts has been with Einstein since his first start and still regularly exercises the horse herself. Einstein's age reads as 7 in your Daily Racing Form, but he was born on Southern Hemisphere time in Brazil and foaled in October. The late birth date meant that Einstein remained a fairly immature horses when he began his career in 2005 at Keeneland. He finished fifth in his career debut but won second time out, and by winter 2006 he had truly figured out the game. When Einstein won the Gradeo1 Gulfstream Park Handicap in his sixth career start and stakes debut, Pitts realized she had a rare talent on her hands. Now, Einstein has won 11 of 26 starts and $2.6 million, with victories over dry dirt and wet, synthetic, and all kinds of turf courses.
"He's special," Pitts said. "There are so many horses that have talent that don't have the heart. I think it's hard to get this in a horse, and he just has so much will to win."
Einstein missed one day of training because of the torrential rain at Churchill, but Pitts is in no way worried about that. His major work already was done, and Einstein will get a couple days of training at Arlington.
All that's left is to run down speedy Presious Passion, outfinish top-class Gio Ponti, and avoid that dreaded hex.
Hansen makes graded stakes debut
Andy Hansen worked 16 years as an assistant to prominent Chicago trainer Gene Cilio, who had a fair number of stakes horses during his long career. But not even when he was with Cilio did Hansen dip a toe in a Grade 1 race, and during his own tenure as a head trainer, Hansen has never started a horses in a graded stakes of any sort. But out of the blue this summer came the 3-year-old Quite a Handful, who has landed Hansen in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday.
Quite a Handful was okay at age 2 and improved late last fall when Hansen stretched him out to routes. But his form shot forward in June when Hansen tried him on turf.
"On the grass, he's a totally different horse," said Hansen, a genial native of Omaha, Neb. "He's easier to handle; he's pretty much push-button."
Quite a Handful finished powerfully at odds of 17-1 when he won a first-level allowance race here almost two months ago in his turf debut. In the $211,000 Oliver Stakes over the Indiana Downs grass course, Quite a Handful had to await room twice, Hansen said, and finished strongly for a close second, giving Hansen ample reason to take a shot in a prestigious race at his home track.
"He's going to be 20-1, so it's not like all eyes are on us," Hansen said. "But I'm really excited, because he's doing so well. It couldn't be a better time to try him in something like this, because he's never been training better."
* What were you doing 10 years ago this week? One thing you weren't doing: making plans to attend the Arlington Million.
Although time has seemed to fade those bleak memories, Arlington was dark throughout the 1998 and 1999 seasons, primarily because of disputes with Illinois legislators over financial parameters governing the sport. Accordingly, all three International Festival of Racing were not run those two years, with their listed histories conspicuously skipping from 1997 to 2000.
* HRTV began its comprehensive onsite coverage of the Festival events Wednesday and will continue through race day, with Caton Bredar, Gary Stevens, and Jill Byrne providing news updates and analysis.
ESPN will have live coverage of the Million and Beverly D. on a 90-minute Saturday show that starts at 3:30 p.m. Central. Joe Tessitore and Randy Moss will lead the broadcast team.
* Arlington will offer $300,000 guarantees on several of its Saturday pools: the all-Festival pick three (races 7-9) and the trifecta pools on the Million and Secretariat, with the trifecta guarantees being contingent on the races maintaining a minimum of nine starters. The Beverly D., with just eight entries, is excluded from the trifecta guarantee.
* The Racetrack Chaplaincy of America is holding a silent auction Friday morning from 8-10 a.m. on the racetrack apron during a special presentation of "Breakfast at Arlington," hosted by John G. Dooley. Many top retired jockeys will be on hand.
* A one-hour "Dining With the Dynasty" autograph session with top retired jockeys is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Friday in the paddock area. Two more sessions also will be held Saturday.
* Alan Shuback of Daily Racing Form will be on hand Friday to sign copies of his book "Global Racing."
* A "mystery mutuel voucher" giveaway will be held for the first 2,500 fans here Saturday. Gates open at 10 a.m.
- additional reporting by Marty McGee
rachel
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
'Suspect Nets BC Marathon Slot in Cougar II
By Jack Shinar
Unusual Suspect, the second-longest shot on the board at 24-1, won a head-bobbing decision over Richard's Kid to capture the $150,000 Cougar II Handicap (VIDEO) at Del Mar and sewed up a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon.
Alonso Quinonez guided the California-bred 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat to the surprise win after the pacesetters in the 1 1/2-mile Polytrack event fell apart in the stretch run. That set it up for second choice Richard's Kid and Unusual Suspect to fight it out for the final furlong. Unusual Suspect, on the inside, appeared to get an extremely slight advantage in the final strides and he gutted it out under strong urging for a nose victory. The final time was 2:31.22 on the Polytrack racing surface.
Church Service, the 2-1 favorite in the field of veteran distance runners, closed from last in the final quarter-mile to edge Gangbuster, another closer for third by a half-length. Church Service was 1 1/2 lengths behind the first two.
The Cougar II is a "Breeders' Cup Challenge" race, guaranteeing an automatic berth in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon to Unusual Suspect. The 1 3/4-mile race will take place during the two-day championship event at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 6-7.
Barry Abrams trains and co-owns the dark bay horse with his brother David and Dyan Abrams, who bred him from the New Zealand mare Penpont (by Crested Wave). A grade III winner in a 2008 turf sprint, Unusual Suspect pocketed $90,000 for his eighth lifetime win in 38 starts. The victory boosted his career bankroll to $729,100.
The trainer won the first race on the Del Mar program with Bling Star Dreams, who paid $40.40 for a $2 win bet.
"I thought this was a weak field, and I believed my horse is good enough to win if he can go a mille and a half," Abrams said. "He did it. Alonso rode him perfectly. This horse has won on grass, dirt and synthetic and sprinting and now going a mile and a half.”
Ghetto, ridden by Joe Talamo, went directly to front and led by about 2 1/2 lengths early while going a fast pace for the distance. He was tracked by defending Cougar winner Zappa and Quarter Moon with Sir Dave rated in fourth. Fractional times were :24.24 for the opening quarter-mile, :48.42 for the half and 113.38 for six furlongs. The mile was completed in 1:38.98. Zappa was the first to drop out on the far turn, but Ghetto held tough to mid-stretch, overtaken first by Richard's Kid, ridden by Victor Espinoza on the outside, and then by Unusual Suspect. At the sixteenth pole, those two had left the others behind and fought it out to the wire.
Unusual Suspect was sixth with a quarter-mile to run, with Richard's Kid right in front of him.
“I was wanting to get him over to the rail, because he relaxes so well down there," Quinonez said after his second stakes win at Del Mar. "But I had to wait because there were so many horses inside me. But I got there and he was running easy. Near the far turn we started to pick it up and I got a good run from there. When I asked him, he gave me his all. He really fired. I thought I won it. But it was close, so close.”
“We did everything but win," lamented Espinoza. "He’s a different animal on this surface as opposed to the turf. He tried really hard today.”
Unusual Suspect had lost five straight races since taking the Silveyville Stakes on the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields Dec 26. He was coming off a close fourth-place finish on turf in the 1 1/16-mile California Dreamin' Handicap for state breds at Del Mar July 26. The Cougar II was his first try at the 12-furlong distance.
Abrams said he would consider the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) on turf Aug. 30 for Unusual Suspect's next start.
The winner carried 116 pounds and paid $51, $18.20 and $7.20, topping a $2 exacta worth $317.20. Richard's KId, seventh in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) on turf in his last start, returned $5.60 and $3.40. Church Service, with Garrett Gomez aboard, was $2.60 to show.
“He was acting like a horse that was only going to beat two or three of them," Gomez said. "I was back there pedalin’ and pedalin’ and we weren’t going anywhere. Then all of a sudden in the last sixteenth he came firing. What can you do?”
Gangbuster was followed by Ghetto, Quarter Moon, Sir Dave, Big Booster and Zappa. Mr. Big scratched.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Unusual Suspect, the second-longest shot on the board at 24-1, won a head-bobbing decision over Richard's Kid to capture the $150,000 Cougar II Handicap (VIDEO) at Del Mar and sewed up a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon.
Alonso Quinonez guided the California-bred 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat to the surprise win after the pacesetters in the 1 1/2-mile Polytrack event fell apart in the stretch run. That set it up for second choice Richard's Kid and Unusual Suspect to fight it out for the final furlong. Unusual Suspect, on the inside, appeared to get an extremely slight advantage in the final strides and he gutted it out under strong urging for a nose victory. The final time was 2:31.22 on the Polytrack racing surface.
Church Service, the 2-1 favorite in the field of veteran distance runners, closed from last in the final quarter-mile to edge Gangbuster, another closer for third by a half-length. Church Service was 1 1/2 lengths behind the first two.
The Cougar II is a "Breeders' Cup Challenge" race, guaranteeing an automatic berth in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon to Unusual Suspect. The 1 3/4-mile race will take place during the two-day championship event at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 6-7.
Barry Abrams trains and co-owns the dark bay horse with his brother David and Dyan Abrams, who bred him from the New Zealand mare Penpont (by Crested Wave). A grade III winner in a 2008 turf sprint, Unusual Suspect pocketed $90,000 for his eighth lifetime win in 38 starts. The victory boosted his career bankroll to $729,100.
The trainer won the first race on the Del Mar program with Bling Star Dreams, who paid $40.40 for a $2 win bet.
"I thought this was a weak field, and I believed my horse is good enough to win if he can go a mille and a half," Abrams said. "He did it. Alonso rode him perfectly. This horse has won on grass, dirt and synthetic and sprinting and now going a mile and a half.”
Ghetto, ridden by Joe Talamo, went directly to front and led by about 2 1/2 lengths early while going a fast pace for the distance. He was tracked by defending Cougar winner Zappa and Quarter Moon with Sir Dave rated in fourth. Fractional times were :24.24 for the opening quarter-mile, :48.42 for the half and 113.38 for six furlongs. The mile was completed in 1:38.98. Zappa was the first to drop out on the far turn, but Ghetto held tough to mid-stretch, overtaken first by Richard's Kid, ridden by Victor Espinoza on the outside, and then by Unusual Suspect. At the sixteenth pole, those two had left the others behind and fought it out to the wire.
Unusual Suspect was sixth with a quarter-mile to run, with Richard's Kid right in front of him.
“I was wanting to get him over to the rail, because he relaxes so well down there," Quinonez said after his second stakes win at Del Mar. "But I had to wait because there were so many horses inside me. But I got there and he was running easy. Near the far turn we started to pick it up and I got a good run from there. When I asked him, he gave me his all. He really fired. I thought I won it. But it was close, so close.”
“We did everything but win," lamented Espinoza. "He’s a different animal on this surface as opposed to the turf. He tried really hard today.”
Unusual Suspect had lost five straight races since taking the Silveyville Stakes on the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields Dec 26. He was coming off a close fourth-place finish on turf in the 1 1/16-mile California Dreamin' Handicap for state breds at Del Mar July 26. The Cougar II was his first try at the 12-furlong distance.
Abrams said he would consider the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) on turf Aug. 30 for Unusual Suspect's next start.
The winner carried 116 pounds and paid $51, $18.20 and $7.20, topping a $2 exacta worth $317.20. Richard's KId, seventh in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) on turf in his last start, returned $5.60 and $3.40. Church Service, with Garrett Gomez aboard, was $2.60 to show.
“He was acting like a horse that was only going to beat two or three of them," Gomez said. "I was back there pedalin’ and pedalin’ and we weren’t going anywhere. Then all of a sudden in the last sixteenth he came firing. What can you do?”
Gangbuster was followed by Ghetto, Quarter Moon, Sir Dave, Big Booster and Zappa. Mr. Big scratched.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Arlington Park receives Safety Alliance accreditation
Eric Wing, Special to NTRA.com
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, ILL., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Arlington Park is the seventh racing facility to be so designated by the Alliance. Churchill Downs and Keeneland were accredited in April; Belmont Park received accreditation in May; Delaware Park and Hollywood Park were accredited in June and Monmouth Park was accredited last week. Pimlico Race Course was granted provisional accreditation in May.
The accreditation of Arlington Park was the culmination of a lengthy certification process that began with the track’s completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Arlington Park hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. The on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, regulators and fans. The inspection team was comprised of Jennifer Durenberger, DVM; racing executive Stan Bowker and Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
"Arlington Park was reviewed on July 15-16 during its current meeting," said Ziegler. "They excelled in many areas, specifically in track security, their equine ambulances and protocols involved with care of injured horses and their medication and testing program, in affiliation with the Illinois Racing Board."
"Arlington Park has always prided itself on providing a safe environment for both our human and equine participants as underscored by our receiving full accreditation by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance," said Roy A. Arnold, President of Arlington Park.
The Alliance, formed last October with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen’s organization. Alliance certification standards cover five broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; and safety research. Within those five categories, specific standards focus on areas including:
Systematic reporting of equine injuries
Aftercare of racehorses
Pre- and post-race veterinary examinations
Post-mortem examinations
Health and safety of jockeys
Riding crops and their use
Horse shoes and hoof care
Safety research
Safety equipment for jockeys and horse handlers
Exogenous Anabolic Steroids
Alkalinizing agents (TCO2)
On-track emergency medical care for humans and equines
Out-of-competition testing
Freezing and retrospective testing of post race samples
Continuing education
Security assessment and training
The accreditation program initially will focus on human and equine safety, but will be expanded to cover additional areas, including wagering security.
Calder Race Course, Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course are among the next racetracks that will undergo Alliance review.
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com.
The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, serves as independent counsel of the Alliance and will provide public reports on Alliance progress in instituting safety and integrity standards.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, ILL., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Arlington Park is the seventh racing facility to be so designated by the Alliance. Churchill Downs and Keeneland were accredited in April; Belmont Park received accreditation in May; Delaware Park and Hollywood Park were accredited in June and Monmouth Park was accredited last week. Pimlico Race Course was granted provisional accreditation in May.
The accreditation of Arlington Park was the culmination of a lengthy certification process that began with the track’s completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Arlington Park hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. The on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, regulators and fans. The inspection team was comprised of Jennifer Durenberger, DVM; racing executive Stan Bowker and Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
"Arlington Park was reviewed on July 15-16 during its current meeting," said Ziegler. "They excelled in many areas, specifically in track security, their equine ambulances and protocols involved with care of injured horses and their medication and testing program, in affiliation with the Illinois Racing Board."
"Arlington Park has always prided itself on providing a safe environment for both our human and equine participants as underscored by our receiving full accreditation by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance," said Roy A. Arnold, President of Arlington Park.
The Alliance, formed last October with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen’s organization. Alliance certification standards cover five broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; and safety research. Within those five categories, specific standards focus on areas including:
Systematic reporting of equine injuries
Aftercare of racehorses
Pre- and post-race veterinary examinations
Post-mortem examinations
Health and safety of jockeys
Riding crops and their use
Horse shoes and hoof care
Safety research
Safety equipment for jockeys and horse handlers
Exogenous Anabolic Steroids
Alkalinizing agents (TCO2)
On-track emergency medical care for humans and equines
Out-of-competition testing
Freezing and retrospective testing of post race samples
Continuing education
Security assessment and training
The accreditation program initially will focus on human and equine safety, but will be expanded to cover additional areas, including wagering security.
Calder Race Course, Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course are among the next racetracks that will undergo Alliance review.
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com.
The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, serves as independent counsel of the Alliance and will provide public reports on Alliance progress in instituting safety and integrity standards.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Zenyatta signals she's ready to roll
Jay Privman, Daily Racing Form
DEL MAR, Calif. - The best filly in the country ran last Sunday in New Jersey. At the other end of the continent, the best mare in the country runs this Sunday.
One week after Rachel Alexandra's tour de force in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth, Zenyatta will put her unbeaten record on the line at Del Mar in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes, a race she won last year en route to an Eclipse Award as champion older filly or mare.
In an apparent indication of her readiness for this weekend's race, Zenyatta turned in a sensational workout on Sunday morning, effortlessly breezing five furlongs in 1:00 while outworking Green Cat, a stablemate in trainer John Shirreffs's barn. Of the 174 workouts on Del Mar's main track on Sunday morning, only two received breezing designations.
"She's sitting on go," said Steve Willard, the regular exercise rider for Zenyatta. "I've been doing this for 50 years, and I still get a kick out of it with a horse like her. She goes in a high cruising speed, at three-quarter throttle, but you know you can swallow the other horse whenever you want."
"Zenyatta looked really good," Shirreffs said. "With the race a week away, you don't want to do too much."
The Hirsch, at 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack, is expected to have a small field, in large part because the Hirsch is a stakes race instead of a handicap, and Zenyatta will carry 123 pounds and concede, at most, four pounds to her rivals. She carried 129 pounds when she won the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park in her last start.
Her rivals could include Life Is Sweet, who also is trained by Shirreffs. But her status became clouded after a sizzling five-furlong work, in company, in 57.60 seconds on Sunday morning, which Shirreffs thought was too fast. The time equaled the fastest of 85 at the distance.
Zenyatta, owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, and Life Is Sweet, owned by Pam and Marty Wygod, ran against one another at Hollywood Park, with Zenyatta prevailing in the Milady Handicap. Since then, Life Is Sweet finished third against males in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Life Is Sweet was being pointed to the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap last Sunday against males, but was pulled from consideration because Shirreffs was not satisfied with the way she trained when she first got to Del Mar this summer.
Since then, though, she has done better, Shirreffs said. Asked if waiting a week from the Hirsch to go instead in the Grade 1, $350,000 John Mabee Stakes on turf on Aug. 16 was an option - being as Life Is Sweet has run well on turf in the past - Shirreffs said, "Mr. Wygod is not interested in running on the grass."
In addition to Zenyatta, those certain for the Hirsch are Anabaa's Creation, Champagne Eyes, Dawn Before Dawn, and Lethal Heat.
Anabaa's Creation worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Sunday morning for trainer Julio Canani.
Briecat, Life Is Sweet, and Tidal Dance are possible for the race.
"We're going to enter and take a look," Peter Eurton, the trainer of Tidal Dance, said Monday morning.
DEL MAR, Calif. - The best filly in the country ran last Sunday in New Jersey. At the other end of the continent, the best mare in the country runs this Sunday.
One week after Rachel Alexandra's tour de force in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth, Zenyatta will put her unbeaten record on the line at Del Mar in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes, a race she won last year en route to an Eclipse Award as champion older filly or mare.
In an apparent indication of her readiness for this weekend's race, Zenyatta turned in a sensational workout on Sunday morning, effortlessly breezing five furlongs in 1:00 while outworking Green Cat, a stablemate in trainer John Shirreffs's barn. Of the 174 workouts on Del Mar's main track on Sunday morning, only two received breezing designations.
"She's sitting on go," said Steve Willard, the regular exercise rider for Zenyatta. "I've been doing this for 50 years, and I still get a kick out of it with a horse like her. She goes in a high cruising speed, at three-quarter throttle, but you know you can swallow the other horse whenever you want."
"Zenyatta looked really good," Shirreffs said. "With the race a week away, you don't want to do too much."
The Hirsch, at 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack, is expected to have a small field, in large part because the Hirsch is a stakes race instead of a handicap, and Zenyatta will carry 123 pounds and concede, at most, four pounds to her rivals. She carried 129 pounds when she won the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park in her last start.
Her rivals could include Life Is Sweet, who also is trained by Shirreffs. But her status became clouded after a sizzling five-furlong work, in company, in 57.60 seconds on Sunday morning, which Shirreffs thought was too fast. The time equaled the fastest of 85 at the distance.
Zenyatta, owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, and Life Is Sweet, owned by Pam and Marty Wygod, ran against one another at Hollywood Park, with Zenyatta prevailing in the Milady Handicap. Since then, Life Is Sweet finished third against males in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Life Is Sweet was being pointed to the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap last Sunday against males, but was pulled from consideration because Shirreffs was not satisfied with the way she trained when she first got to Del Mar this summer.
Since then, though, she has done better, Shirreffs said. Asked if waiting a week from the Hirsch to go instead in the Grade 1, $350,000 John Mabee Stakes on turf on Aug. 16 was an option - being as Life Is Sweet has run well on turf in the past - Shirreffs said, "Mr. Wygod is not interested in running on the grass."
In addition to Zenyatta, those certain for the Hirsch are Anabaa's Creation, Champagne Eyes, Dawn Before Dawn, and Lethal Heat.
Anabaa's Creation worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Sunday morning for trainer Julio Canani.
Briecat, Life Is Sweet, and Tidal Dance are possible for the race.
"We're going to enter and take a look," Peter Eurton, the trainer of Tidal Dance, said Monday morning.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Rachel Alexandra Routs Boys in Haskell Slop
By Jack Shinar
Rachel Alexandra turned in yet another dominating performance in a campaign for the ages when she captured the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) (VIDEO) on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park before a crowd of 37,009 Aug. 2.
With regular rider Calvin Borel at the controls, Rachel Alexandra raced three-wide just off the pacesetter Munnings, took charge leaving the final turn and drew off under some left-handed urging to win by six lengths. It was her second win over males -- she won the Preakness (gr. I) May 16 -- and improved her record to seven-for-seven in 2009. She has won eight races in a row.
The impressive winning time for the 1 1/8-mile test was 1:47 21, just two ticks off the track mark set by Spend a Buck in 1985 (1:46.80). Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird finished second, with two-time grade II winner Munnings third.
Winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who also captured the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) with Soul Warrior, and the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) with Kensei a day earlier, completed a sweep of major 3-year-old events during a dream weekend.
Owner Jess Jackson has indicated that he would like to run the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro once more against males this season in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
"We don't know," Jackson told TVG when asked about Rachel Alexandra's next start. "She'll tell us."
Because he doesn't care for Santa Anita's synthetic track, Jackson reiterated, "We're not going to the Breeders' Cup. I've said it and I meant it."
"I thought with her success in the slop, I felt very confident that she would be able to handle the surface today," Asmussen said. "The Haskell was our major goal, and we’re happy with the way she ran today. We’ll go back to Saratoga and breeze her back before we decide anything about the Travers."
Sent off as the 1-2 favorite against five rivals in the Haskell, Rachel Alexandra stalked in third on the outside of Munnings, who was intent on getting the lead while slightly of the rail, with Summer Bird to their inside. Fractions were extremely swift on the sealed track -- :22 4/5, :46 2/5 and 1:09 4/5. As they rounded the final turn, Rachel Alexandra blew past the leader, cleared and moved to the inside. Borel delivered a couple of left-handed taps through the stretch to keep the super filly's mind on business.
“This filly is just unbelievable," Borel enthused. "I can’t say how good she is. I don’t know. I gave her a few taps at the sixteenth pole, that’s it. I just wanted to keep her focused with a couple of taps. She started looking around at the crowd, so I just kept her busy to the wire; kept her focused.
“I really didn’t ask her for much run," he added. "We have not gotten to the bottom of her, that’s for sure. She’s an amazing athlete and I’m glad that I get to ride her.”
Summer Bird, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, outfought Munnings and John Velazquez for second by one length. Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner Papa Clem finished fourth, followed by Duke of Mischief, Atomic Rain and Bunker Hill.
Rachel Alexandra became the first filly 85 years to win the Preakness when she defeated Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird by one length. Her victories this year also include a 19 1/4-length romp over two rivals in Belmont's Mother Goose (gr. I) in her last start June 27, and a 20 1/4-length tally in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Rachel Alexandra earned $700,000, pushing her lifetime bankroll to $2,498,354 while compiling a record of 10-2-0 in 13 starts.
“To compare her races from the Preakness, to the Mother Goose, to today, it’s hard to determine her best effort," Asmussen said. "From changing barns and running over different surfaces and still showing her consistency. All of her races are very special for different reasons. She can handle the crowd, the weather, nothing surprises her."
Jackson's Stonestreet Stables owns Rachel Alexandra in partnership with Harold McCormick. Dolphus C. Morrison bred the bay filly in Kentucky. She is out of Lotta Kim, by Roar.
"We’d love to run against Zenyatta but it has to be on a neutral course," Jackson said. “When she’s ready, I don’t think there’s a horse in America that can beat her.”
Rachel Alexandra carried 117 pounds, five fewer than top-weighted Summer Bird, and paid $3, $2.20 and $2.10 while topping a $2 exacta of $10.40. Summer Bird, who won the Belmont by 2 3/4 lengths in his last start for trainer Tim Ice, returned $3.40 and $2.60. Munnings, whose prior stakes wins were at seven furlongs, was $3.20 to show.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Soul Warrior Splits 'Em in WV Derby Upset
By Tom LaMarra
It was indeed big drama in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on Aug. 1, but if the odds board was any indication, it was an unexpected result.
In the final eighth of a mile, Big Drama was in front on a diminishing lead. Mine That Bird was in the midst of a sustained rally in which he made up more than 10 lengths. But it was Soul Warrior who split those two to register a shocking win at 23-1.
Owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen, Soul Warrior gave jockey Dale Beckner the biggest victory of his career. Beckner replaced Miguel Mena, who reportedly had travel difficulties and failed to make any of his mounts on the program.
“They called me around the sixth race and said I’d be picking up the horse,” said Beckner, one of the leading riders at Presque Isle Downs & Casino in neighboring Pennsylvania. “It’s the biggest pickup mount I’ve ever had.”
Soul Warrior, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Lion Heart , secured the third spot in a six-horse field from the rail in the 1 1/8-mile race. He tracked front-running Big Drama, who had a 10-length lead at the half-mile mark, from the inside, with Monty’s Best to his outside.
Soul Warrior dropped back to fourth when Mine That Bird made his move from last, and in the lane, it appeared Mine That Bird had dead aim on Big Drama. He flattened out a tad, however, and Soul Warrior surged late between horses to get up by a neck.
Big Drama was a game second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird. The time on a fast track was 1:51.46 after fractions of :23.73 for the opening quarter-mile, :46.56 for the half-mile, 1:10.45 for six furlongs, and 1:37.13 for a mile. The tempo slowed considerably in the lane, with the final eighth of a mile in more than 14 seconds.
“I was concerned with how far (Big Drama) was in front, but I don’t think the track was that speed-favoring,” Asmussen’s assistant, Darren Fleming, said after the race. “(Soul Warrior) has been maturing through the year, and he ran a great race in Iowa. I guess this was just his time.”
Soul Warrior finished second behind Duke of Mischief in the Iowa Derby in his previous start. In June, he got his second win in an allowance test at Churchill Downs.
Bennie “Chip” Woolley III, who watched the Derby from the clubhouse apron, said right after the race he was concerned about how the track was playing, but more concerned about Mine That Bird’s trip.
“My horse needed to stay covered up on the backside,” Woolley said. “The same thing happened in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). (The strategy) had worked well in the (Kentucky) Derby and Preakness Stakes (gr. I)—keeping him behind and covered up. Until we do that, we’re going to have problems.
“To win, he still has to run his race.”
Mine That Bird moved outside of horses on the backstretch like he did in the Belmont. In the West Virginia Derby, he made up considerable ground under urging, but didn’t have the kick in the final sixteenth of a mile.
Jockey Mike Smith was happy with Mine That Bird’s run, but not his ride.
“It was just total rider error,” Smith said. “I don’t like the way I rode him at all. The track was playing really fast. I thought I had to give myself a chance going down the backside when I saw how far in front the other horse was. I knew I wasn’t going to get a spectacular win, but I thought I could pull it off. He just needs that one short run, and I used too much of him on the backside.”
Woolley, who questioned the allowance conditions of the Derby that gave Soul Warrior and Big Drama 11-pound weight breaks (Big Drama’s jockey, Eibar Coa, ended up riding at 115 pounds), said he and owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach would regroup and point toward the Shadwell Travers (gr. I) in four weeks.
“He was kind of climbing early; maybe he was too fresh,” Woolley said of Mine That Bird. “It was a big effort, but he showed he needs to be kept under wraps (until making his move).”
David Fawkes, who trains Big Drama for owner Harold Queen, said his colt was rank early, and once bothered, took hold of the bit. “I’m disappointed he didn’t win, but he ran a great race,” Fawkes said.
Big Drama will be pointed to the grade I King’s Bishop Stakes at seven furlongs. Fleming said it would be up to Asmussen to decide Soul Warrior’s next race.
The presence of Mine That Bird drew a larger-than-normal crowd to Mountaineer for the 40th Derby. The grandstand and apron were packed, and lines were long at concession stands and betting windows. As the afternoon wore on and the crowd grew, the number of shutouts increased.
Vehicles were parked on the grassy hill along the entry drive along the backstretch, and patrons walked around the far and clubhouse turns to get to the grandstand. For the first time in recent memory, parking was at a premium.
Mountaineer announced attendance of 21,218, a record for the West Virginia Derby. Total handle for the nine-race card was an all-time record of $3,600,116. On-track handle was $355,265.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
It was indeed big drama in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on Aug. 1, but if the odds board was any indication, it was an unexpected result.
In the final eighth of a mile, Big Drama was in front on a diminishing lead. Mine That Bird was in the midst of a sustained rally in which he made up more than 10 lengths. But it was Soul Warrior who split those two to register a shocking win at 23-1.
Owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen, Soul Warrior gave jockey Dale Beckner the biggest victory of his career. Beckner replaced Miguel Mena, who reportedly had travel difficulties and failed to make any of his mounts on the program.
“They called me around the sixth race and said I’d be picking up the horse,” said Beckner, one of the leading riders at Presque Isle Downs & Casino in neighboring Pennsylvania. “It’s the biggest pickup mount I’ve ever had.”
Soul Warrior, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Lion Heart , secured the third spot in a six-horse field from the rail in the 1 1/8-mile race. He tracked front-running Big Drama, who had a 10-length lead at the half-mile mark, from the inside, with Monty’s Best to his outside.
Soul Warrior dropped back to fourth when Mine That Bird made his move from last, and in the lane, it appeared Mine That Bird had dead aim on Big Drama. He flattened out a tad, however, and Soul Warrior surged late between horses to get up by a neck.
Big Drama was a game second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird. The time on a fast track was 1:51.46 after fractions of :23.73 for the opening quarter-mile, :46.56 for the half-mile, 1:10.45 for six furlongs, and 1:37.13 for a mile. The tempo slowed considerably in the lane, with the final eighth of a mile in more than 14 seconds.
“I was concerned with how far (Big Drama) was in front, but I don’t think the track was that speed-favoring,” Asmussen’s assistant, Darren Fleming, said after the race. “(Soul Warrior) has been maturing through the year, and he ran a great race in Iowa. I guess this was just his time.”
Soul Warrior finished second behind Duke of Mischief in the Iowa Derby in his previous start. In June, he got his second win in an allowance test at Churchill Downs.
Bennie “Chip” Woolley III, who watched the Derby from the clubhouse apron, said right after the race he was concerned about how the track was playing, but more concerned about Mine That Bird’s trip.
“My horse needed to stay covered up on the backside,” Woolley said. “The same thing happened in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). (The strategy) had worked well in the (Kentucky) Derby and Preakness Stakes (gr. I)—keeping him behind and covered up. Until we do that, we’re going to have problems.
“To win, he still has to run his race.”
Mine That Bird moved outside of horses on the backstretch like he did in the Belmont. In the West Virginia Derby, he made up considerable ground under urging, but didn’t have the kick in the final sixteenth of a mile.
Jockey Mike Smith was happy with Mine That Bird’s run, but not his ride.
“It was just total rider error,” Smith said. “I don’t like the way I rode him at all. The track was playing really fast. I thought I had to give myself a chance going down the backside when I saw how far in front the other horse was. I knew I wasn’t going to get a spectacular win, but I thought I could pull it off. He just needs that one short run, and I used too much of him on the backside.”
Woolley, who questioned the allowance conditions of the Derby that gave Soul Warrior and Big Drama 11-pound weight breaks (Big Drama’s jockey, Eibar Coa, ended up riding at 115 pounds), said he and owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach would regroup and point toward the Shadwell Travers (gr. I) in four weeks.
“He was kind of climbing early; maybe he was too fresh,” Woolley said of Mine That Bird. “It was a big effort, but he showed he needs to be kept under wraps (until making his move).”
David Fawkes, who trains Big Drama for owner Harold Queen, said his colt was rank early, and once bothered, took hold of the bit. “I’m disappointed he didn’t win, but he ran a great race,” Fawkes said.
Big Drama will be pointed to the grade I King’s Bishop Stakes at seven furlongs. Fleming said it would be up to Asmussen to decide Soul Warrior’s next race.
The presence of Mine That Bird drew a larger-than-normal crowd to Mountaineer for the 40th Derby. The grandstand and apron were packed, and lines were long at concession stands and betting windows. As the afternoon wore on and the crowd grew, the number of shutouts increased.
Vehicles were parked on the grassy hill along the entry drive along the backstretch, and patrons walked around the far and clubhouse turns to get to the grandstand. For the first time in recent memory, parking was at a premium.
Mountaineer announced attendance of 21,218, a record for the West Virginia Derby. Total handle for the nine-race card was an all-time record of $3,600,116. On-track handle was $355,265.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Quality Road gets back to work in Amsterdam
QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), impressive winner of the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2) earlier this year, makes his long-awaited return to action Monday when he faces five rivals in the $150,000 Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga. The 6 1/2-furlong contest, Quality Road's first since being transferred from trainer James Jerkens to Todd Pletcher, could be used as a springboard toward the August 29 Travers S. (G1), which would mark the Edward Evans' homebred's first attempt beyond nine furlongs.
A winner in three of four career starts, Quality Road stamped himself as the potential Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite with a strong 1 3/4-length tally in the Florida Derby on March 28. A quarter-crack in his right hind foot was discovered by Jerkens as the colt returned to the winner's circle after that race, however, and, after another quarter-crack developed in his right front hoof, the decision was made to withdraw the colt's name from consideration on the Monday before the Kentucky Derby. Slow to heal, Quality Road was forced to miss the entire Triple Crown series and was ultimately moved to the Pletcher barn in mid-June.
Quality Road, who won his debut at the distance at Aqueduct in November, drew post 4 for the Amsterdam and will attempt to keep pace with a strong group of sprint specialists. The most notable is CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]), who is three-for-four this season with scores in the Hutcheson S. (G2), Bay Shore S. (G3) and Matt Winn S. His only loss, to Quality Road in the one-mile Fountain of Youth, resulted in a distant fourth-place finish. Like most of the other main contenders in the field, the Ian Wilkes charge is likely using the Amsterdam as a stepping stone to the August 29 King's Bishop S. (G1) at seven furlongs.
EVERYDAY HEROES (Awesome Again), a brilliant winner of the Hirsch Jacobs S. (G3) on the Preakness S. (G1) undercard, was beaten into second by the talented Munnings (Speightstown) in the Woody Stephens S. (G2) on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard. The Woody Stephens has already developed into a key race, with Munnings returning to win the Tom Fool H. (G2) and third-placer Kensei (Mr. Greeley) taking the Dwyer S. (G2) in his next attempt. Both Munnings and Kensei were scheduled to run over the weekend, with Munnings stretching out in Sunday's Haskell Invitational (G1) and Kensei competing in Saturday's Jim Dandy S. (G2).
This, too, will mark Everyday Heroes' first start for a new trainer in Kiaran McLaughlin. The colt, who was privately purchased by Darley following the Hirsch Jacobs, made his final start for Tim Ritchey in the Woody Stephens.
CUSTOM FOR CARLOS (More Than Ready) enters the Amsterdam off a decisive 6 1/4-length score in the Jersey Shore S. (G3) over six furlongs, and will attempt to keep pace with both Everyday Heroes and CABARET COWBOY (Speightstown), who knocked out a maiden and an allowance win during the Belmont spring meet. The Amsterdam field is rounded out by CAPTAIN CHEROKEE (Sir Cherokee), whose two career victories at Fair Grounds last winter were at a mile or beyond.
There are two other stakes on Monday's program. The $80,500 Fleet Indian S. is for New York-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Last year's Matron S. (G2) winner DOREMIFASOLLATIDO (Bernstein) is one of two three-year-olds in the field, the other being the progressive KARAKORUM FUGITIVE (Ten Most Wanted). Three-time stakes winner DANCE GAL DANCE (Disco Rico) should show speed from the bell, while MORNING GALLOP (Victory Gallop) hopes to improve on her second-place finish in the 2008 Fleet Indian in her first start since early January.
Ten turf sophomores will travel one mile in the $70,000 Tap the Admiral S. JACK SPRATT (Candy Ride [Arg]), the winner of the Dania Beach S. in January at Gulfstream Park, has failed to make a impact in graded company, but the Mike Maker pupil comes off a third to Secretariat S. (G1)-bound Driving Snow (GB) (Verglas [Ire]) in the Oliver S. at Indiana Downs. Christophe Clement and Bill Mott have entered two apiece. Representing Mott are TAMBORIM (Belong to Me) and STRIKE AGAIN (Dixie Union), while Clement is responsible for GOLDEN MEXICO (Ire) (Daggers Drawn) and ENDYMION (Tapit). Tamborim and Endymion are both cross-entered to Sunday's Jersey Derby at Monmouth. Also likely to attract support in the Tap the Admiral is the well-bred A. P. RIDGE (A.P. Indy), who brings a two-race winning streak into his stakes, and turf, debut for Jonathan Sheppard.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
A winner in three of four career starts, Quality Road stamped himself as the potential Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite with a strong 1 3/4-length tally in the Florida Derby on March 28. A quarter-crack in his right hind foot was discovered by Jerkens as the colt returned to the winner's circle after that race, however, and, after another quarter-crack developed in his right front hoof, the decision was made to withdraw the colt's name from consideration on the Monday before the Kentucky Derby. Slow to heal, Quality Road was forced to miss the entire Triple Crown series and was ultimately moved to the Pletcher barn in mid-June.
Quality Road, who won his debut at the distance at Aqueduct in November, drew post 4 for the Amsterdam and will attempt to keep pace with a strong group of sprint specialists. The most notable is CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]), who is three-for-four this season with scores in the Hutcheson S. (G2), Bay Shore S. (G3) and Matt Winn S. His only loss, to Quality Road in the one-mile Fountain of Youth, resulted in a distant fourth-place finish. Like most of the other main contenders in the field, the Ian Wilkes charge is likely using the Amsterdam as a stepping stone to the August 29 King's Bishop S. (G1) at seven furlongs.
EVERYDAY HEROES (Awesome Again), a brilliant winner of the Hirsch Jacobs S. (G3) on the Preakness S. (G1) undercard, was beaten into second by the talented Munnings (Speightstown) in the Woody Stephens S. (G2) on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard. The Woody Stephens has already developed into a key race, with Munnings returning to win the Tom Fool H. (G2) and third-placer Kensei (Mr. Greeley) taking the Dwyer S. (G2) in his next attempt. Both Munnings and Kensei were scheduled to run over the weekend, with Munnings stretching out in Sunday's Haskell Invitational (G1) and Kensei competing in Saturday's Jim Dandy S. (G2).
This, too, will mark Everyday Heroes' first start for a new trainer in Kiaran McLaughlin. The colt, who was privately purchased by Darley following the Hirsch Jacobs, made his final start for Tim Ritchey in the Woody Stephens.
CUSTOM FOR CARLOS (More Than Ready) enters the Amsterdam off a decisive 6 1/4-length score in the Jersey Shore S. (G3) over six furlongs, and will attempt to keep pace with both Everyday Heroes and CABARET COWBOY (Speightstown), who knocked out a maiden and an allowance win during the Belmont spring meet. The Amsterdam field is rounded out by CAPTAIN CHEROKEE (Sir Cherokee), whose two career victories at Fair Grounds last winter were at a mile or beyond.
There are two other stakes on Monday's program. The $80,500 Fleet Indian S. is for New York-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Last year's Matron S. (G2) winner DOREMIFASOLLATIDO (Bernstein) is one of two three-year-olds in the field, the other being the progressive KARAKORUM FUGITIVE (Ten Most Wanted). Three-time stakes winner DANCE GAL DANCE (Disco Rico) should show speed from the bell, while MORNING GALLOP (Victory Gallop) hopes to improve on her second-place finish in the 2008 Fleet Indian in her first start since early January.
Ten turf sophomores will travel one mile in the $70,000 Tap the Admiral S. JACK SPRATT (Candy Ride [Arg]), the winner of the Dania Beach S. in January at Gulfstream Park, has failed to make a impact in graded company, but the Mike Maker pupil comes off a third to Secretariat S. (G1)-bound Driving Snow (GB) (Verglas [Ire]) in the Oliver S. at Indiana Downs. Christophe Clement and Bill Mott have entered two apiece. Representing Mott are TAMBORIM (Belong to Me) and STRIKE AGAIN (Dixie Union), while Clement is responsible for GOLDEN MEXICO (Ire) (Daggers Drawn) and ENDYMION (Tapit). Tamborim and Endymion are both cross-entered to Sunday's Jersey Derby at Monmouth. Also likely to attract support in the Tap the Admiral is the well-bred A. P. RIDGE (A.P. Indy), who brings a two-race winning streak into his stakes, and turf, debut for Jonathan Sheppard.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
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