Mike Welsch,
Daily Racing Form
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Thirty minutes after suffering the agony of Take the Points disqualification from first in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, trainer Todd Pletcher experienced the thrill of one of the most impressive performances in the history of the storied Grade 1 Donn Handicap when his Quality Road drew off to a record-setting 12 3/4-length victory over Dry Martini and seven other overmatched rivals Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Quality Road, a son of Elusive Quality owned by Edward P. Evans, completed a mile and one-eighth in a track-record 1:47.49 seconds, eclipsing his own record of 1:47.72 set last winter in the Florida Derby. His winning margin was easily the largest in the 52-year history of the event.
Quality Road was the beneficiary of a perfect trip under regular rider John Velasquez.
"The race unfolded just the way we thought it would," said Pletcher.
Quality Road broke first but then rated kindly for John Velazquez off the expected pace of Past the Point, who set realistic splits of 23.21, and 46.02 seconds for the opening quarter and half. Quality Road stalked the leader from the outset, moved readily to command while still in hand midway on the second bend, edged well clear while kept wide turning for home, then steadily increased his advantage under urging to the end.
Dry Martini rallied from well back along the rail to finish second, a length in front of Delightful Kiss. Mambo Meister drifted steadily through the final furlong and checked home another head further back in fourth.
Quality Road paid $2.80.
"Not too much you can say about a performance like that," said Pletcher. "That was pretty awesome, especially considering he was spotting six to nine pounds to the other horses. The race unfolded just like we anticipated. He showed up today and ran one of his best races."
Pletcher said the plan was to bring Quality Road to Florida for the winter and run him in the Hal's Hope - which he won by 2 3/4 lengths - and Donn and then freshen him up and point for the Met Mile at Belmont Park this spring.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Green but talented Tiz Chrome gets tested
By Jay Privman
Daily Racing Form,
With Lookin At Lucky, trainer Bob Baffert has the most accomplished prospect for this year's Kentucky Derby. But his 3-year-old bench is deep and will be on display on Saturday at Santa Anita when Baffert sends out the exciting Tiz Chrome as well as Macias in the Grade 2, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
Although he has raced just twice - tying him for the least-experienced runner in the seven-horse field - has yet to race around two turns, and is making his graded-stakes debut, Tiz Chrome might very well go favored in the Lewis based on his eye-catching local debut in the restricted Stuka Stakes going six furlongs at Hollywood Park on Dec. 19. Tiz Chrome wowed Baffert that day with a four-length victory only hours before Lookin At Lucky took the CashCall Futurity.
"I didn't think he would run like that at Hollywood Park," Baffert said. "He blew them away that day. He's a laid-back kind of horse. He shows you a lot more in the afternoon than in the morning."
He will be easy to spot before the 1 1/16-mile race. Tiz Chrome gets his name from the generous patches of white covering his legs and face.
"He looks like a Budweiser horse," Baffert said.
Tiz Chrome won first time out at Churchill Downs, after which he was privately purchased by a partnership headed by gaming executives Terry Lanni and Ernie Moody. With Tiz Chrome having so little experience, Baffert said he believes the Lewis offers a stern test.
"This is the first prep where you can really get a line on horses," he said. "It's a pretty strong bunch."
The biggest challenger to Tiz Chrome should be American Lion, like Tiz Chrome a son of Tiznow. American Lion won the Hollywood Prevue going seven furlongs on Nov. 21, then was purposely kept out of the CashCall Futurity by trainer Eoin Harty because of the presence of Lookin At Lucky and a growth spurt American Lion was going through.
"He's grown a lot," Harty said. "He's quite an imposing horse now. He was unfurnished. He's filled out nicely."
Both Tiz Chrome and American Lion have been on similar work patterns in recent weeks. Both were taken across town to drill at Hollywood Park last month in order to stay on schedule when wet weather impacted training at Santa Anita. Like Tiz Chrome, American Lion will be racing around two turns for the first time.
"It's a tough race," Harty said. "I think he'll run better than he trains. He's not a good work horse in the morning, so I'm basing my opinion on that."
Macias, Baffert's other runner, was fourth in the Prevue, but has won three of his other four starts and is 2 for 2 at Santa Anita.
Caracortado is unbeaten in four starts, and though he is facing his toughest test yet, he did win at this distance Dec. 26 in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes.
Dave in Dixie was a powerful debut winner at Del Mar, then headed straight into the Norfolk Stakes and ran a deceptively good race. This is his first start since then. He has plenty of upside.
Daily Racing Form,
With Lookin At Lucky, trainer Bob Baffert has the most accomplished prospect for this year's Kentucky Derby. But his 3-year-old bench is deep and will be on display on Saturday at Santa Anita when Baffert sends out the exciting Tiz Chrome as well as Macias in the Grade 2, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
Although he has raced just twice - tying him for the least-experienced runner in the seven-horse field - has yet to race around two turns, and is making his graded-stakes debut, Tiz Chrome might very well go favored in the Lewis based on his eye-catching local debut in the restricted Stuka Stakes going six furlongs at Hollywood Park on Dec. 19. Tiz Chrome wowed Baffert that day with a four-length victory only hours before Lookin At Lucky took the CashCall Futurity.
"I didn't think he would run like that at Hollywood Park," Baffert said. "He blew them away that day. He's a laid-back kind of horse. He shows you a lot more in the afternoon than in the morning."
He will be easy to spot before the 1 1/16-mile race. Tiz Chrome gets his name from the generous patches of white covering his legs and face.
"He looks like a Budweiser horse," Baffert said.
Tiz Chrome won first time out at Churchill Downs, after which he was privately purchased by a partnership headed by gaming executives Terry Lanni and Ernie Moody. With Tiz Chrome having so little experience, Baffert said he believes the Lewis offers a stern test.
"This is the first prep where you can really get a line on horses," he said. "It's a pretty strong bunch."
The biggest challenger to Tiz Chrome should be American Lion, like Tiz Chrome a son of Tiznow. American Lion won the Hollywood Prevue going seven furlongs on Nov. 21, then was purposely kept out of the CashCall Futurity by trainer Eoin Harty because of the presence of Lookin At Lucky and a growth spurt American Lion was going through.
"He's grown a lot," Harty said. "He's quite an imposing horse now. He was unfurnished. He's filled out nicely."
Both Tiz Chrome and American Lion have been on similar work patterns in recent weeks. Both were taken across town to drill at Hollywood Park last month in order to stay on schedule when wet weather impacted training at Santa Anita. Like Tiz Chrome, American Lion will be racing around two turns for the first time.
"It's a tough race," Harty said. "I think he'll run better than he trains. He's not a good work horse in the morning, so I'm basing my opinion on that."
Macias, Baffert's other runner, was fourth in the Prevue, but has won three of his other four starts and is 2 for 2 at Santa Anita.
Caracortado is unbeaten in four starts, and though he is facing his toughest test yet, he did win at this distance Dec. 26 in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes.
Dave in Dixie was a powerful debut winner at Del Mar, then headed straight into the Norfolk Stakes and ran a deceptively good race. This is his first start since then. He has plenty of upside.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Zenyatta, Rachel matchup worth $5 million
Mary Rampellini,
Daily Racing Form
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - In the boldest move yet to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time in a race, Oaklawn Park president Charles Cella announced Thursday that the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom will be raised to $5 million if both horses start.
If the matchup fails to materialize, the purse for the Grade 1 stakes will remain at its originally scheduled $500,000.
The race will now be called the Apple Blossom Invitational, with its distance extended from a mile and a sixteenth to a mile and an eighth. For fillies and mares 4 years old and up, the Apple Blossom was scheduled to be a handicap, but if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta go, all horses will carry 123 pounds and the field will be limited to 10.
Cella said he has had multiple conversations with Jess Jackson, majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, the Horse of the Year, and Jerry Moss, the owner of Zenyatta, the champion older mare who is 14 for 14 in her career.
"Both of them have told me they embrace the idea," he said.
If both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start, the $5 million purse would put the Apple Blossom on a par with the Breeders' Cup Classic, the richest race in North America. The additional purse money of the race would be financed by Cella and the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
Steve Asmussen, who trains Rachel Alexandra, and John Shirreffs, who trains Zenyatta, were both pleased with the announcement Thursday.
"It's great to see how much interest there is in the mares, and hopefully it will come together," Asmussen said. "From a timing standpoint, it's less than optimum."
Rachel Alexandra, now 4, has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Woodward over older males at Saratoga in September. Last Sunday she had her first work of the year, breezing a half-mile in 52 seconds at her base of Fair Grounds.
Jackson said making the Apple Blossom will be tight for Rachel Alexandra.
"As you have heard me say many times before, a number of factors must be considered when deciding where to race the horse, the number one factor being the condition of the horse," he said in a release. "Rachel will tell us when she is ready to start her 2010 campaign and we humans must agree she is in top form. ""If she is in top form and it fits our schedule, we will be there."
Zenyatta, 6, won the Breeders' Cup Classic in her last start Nov. 7. She breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, and following the work her connections said she could make her first start of the year in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita at Santa Anita on March 13. Last month, when Zenyatta came out of retirement, Moss said a spring goal for her could be the Apple Blossom.
"It sounds very exciting," Shirreffs said of the Thursday announcement.
"It's a race we've been thinking about going to no matter what happens."
Oaklawn is an appealing venue to both parties, with Jackson having said in the past that he prefers dirt, the surface at Oaklawn, over a synthetic track, and Moss noting that Zenyatta ran a memorable race in her one start at Oaklawn. Zenyatta's lone start outside of California came here in 2008 when she won the Apple Blossom. Rachel Alexandra is 2 for 2 in Hot Springs, having accounted for both the Grade 2 Fantasy and the Martha Washington in 2009.
If both start, 50 percent of the purse will go to the winner. If Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta fails to start in the Apple Blossom, some of its conditions will change. The distance, however, will remain a mile and an eighth and the base weight wll stay at 123 pounds, but there will be weight allowances for nonwinners of a graded stakes. Further, the field size will not be limited to 10.
Nominations for the Apple Blossom close March 10, with pre-entries for the race to be taken on March 17. Final entries for the race are March 31.
Oaklawn's offer is one of two significant pitches in the region to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together. Sam Houston Race Park in Houston will put up a maximum purse of $2 million if the two were to start in the tracks Gallery Furniture Distaff that has a tentative, negotiable date of March 27.
Daily Racing Form
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - In the boldest move yet to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time in a race, Oaklawn Park president Charles Cella announced Thursday that the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom will be raised to $5 million if both horses start.
If the matchup fails to materialize, the purse for the Grade 1 stakes will remain at its originally scheduled $500,000.
The race will now be called the Apple Blossom Invitational, with its distance extended from a mile and a sixteenth to a mile and an eighth. For fillies and mares 4 years old and up, the Apple Blossom was scheduled to be a handicap, but if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta go, all horses will carry 123 pounds and the field will be limited to 10.
Cella said he has had multiple conversations with Jess Jackson, majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, the Horse of the Year, and Jerry Moss, the owner of Zenyatta, the champion older mare who is 14 for 14 in her career.
"Both of them have told me they embrace the idea," he said.
If both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start, the $5 million purse would put the Apple Blossom on a par with the Breeders' Cup Classic, the richest race in North America. The additional purse money of the race would be financed by Cella and the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
Steve Asmussen, who trains Rachel Alexandra, and John Shirreffs, who trains Zenyatta, were both pleased with the announcement Thursday.
"It's great to see how much interest there is in the mares, and hopefully it will come together," Asmussen said. "From a timing standpoint, it's less than optimum."
Rachel Alexandra, now 4, has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Woodward over older males at Saratoga in September. Last Sunday she had her first work of the year, breezing a half-mile in 52 seconds at her base of Fair Grounds.
Jackson said making the Apple Blossom will be tight for Rachel Alexandra.
"As you have heard me say many times before, a number of factors must be considered when deciding where to race the horse, the number one factor being the condition of the horse," he said in a release. "Rachel will tell us when she is ready to start her 2010 campaign and we humans must agree she is in top form. ""If she is in top form and it fits our schedule, we will be there."
Zenyatta, 6, won the Breeders' Cup Classic in her last start Nov. 7. She breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, and following the work her connections said she could make her first start of the year in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita at Santa Anita on March 13. Last month, when Zenyatta came out of retirement, Moss said a spring goal for her could be the Apple Blossom.
"It sounds very exciting," Shirreffs said of the Thursday announcement.
"It's a race we've been thinking about going to no matter what happens."
Oaklawn is an appealing venue to both parties, with Jackson having said in the past that he prefers dirt, the surface at Oaklawn, over a synthetic track, and Moss noting that Zenyatta ran a memorable race in her one start at Oaklawn. Zenyatta's lone start outside of California came here in 2008 when she won the Apple Blossom. Rachel Alexandra is 2 for 2 in Hot Springs, having accounted for both the Grade 2 Fantasy and the Martha Washington in 2009.
If both start, 50 percent of the purse will go to the winner. If Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta fails to start in the Apple Blossom, some of its conditions will change. The distance, however, will remain a mile and an eighth and the base weight wll stay at 123 pounds, but there will be weight allowances for nonwinners of a graded stakes. Further, the field size will not be limited to 10.
Nominations for the Apple Blossom close March 10, with pre-entries for the race to be taken on March 17. Final entries for the race are March 31.
Oaklawn's offer is one of two significant pitches in the region to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together. Sam Houston Race Park in Houston will put up a maximum purse of $2 million if the two were to start in the tracks Gallery Furniture Distaff that has a tentative, negotiable date of March 27.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Quality Road scares few away in Donn
Mike Welsch,
Daily Racing Form
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Despite the imposing presence of 123-pound highweight Quality Road, a surprisingly large field of 10 horses was drawn Wednesday for Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap, one of two Grade 1 stakes on the card along with the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.
Quality Road will concede from six to 10 pounds in a lineup that also includes graded stakes winners Kiss the Kid, Duke of Mischief, Dry Martini, Mambo Meister, and Delightful Kiss. The field also includes You and I Forever, Helsinki, Past the Point, and Dubai Gold.
Quality Road, who will break from post 4 under regular rider John Velazquez, won the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here last year at 3 and the Grade 3 Hal's Hope making his 2010 debut on opening day.
Kiss the Kid was somewhat of a surprise entry in the Donn considering he has won a pair of turf stakes, including the Grade 3 Appleton, and finished fourth in the Gulfstream Turf Handicap here last winter.
Past the Point, who finished second behind Curlin in the 2008 Woodward, figures to pressure Quality Road during the early stages of the race. Past the Point was a game second behind Custom for Carlos after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector earlier in the meet.
"We always felt he was a better horse going long," said Past the Point's trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin. "So we decided it's a Grade 1 and there's mainly one horse to beat, so why not give it a try."
Todd Pletcher, who trains Quality Road, will also send Take the Points in the 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Take the Points and Court Vision are the favorites in a field of six that also includes Yates Black Cat, Never On Sunday, Le Grand Cru, and Court Vision's uncoupled stablemate Adagio.
Court Vision, the highweight at 121 pounds, will attempt to give trainer Rick Dutrow back-to-back wins in the Gulfstream Park Turf. Dutrow won the race a year ago with Kip Deville.
Court Vision will be making his first start since finishing fourth behind Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He had won the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile in his previous start.
Take the Points won a pair of Grade 1 races at 3, the Secretariat and Jamaica Handicap, but will be facing older horses for the first time on Saturday.
The Grade 3, $125,000 Suwannee River for fillies and mares on the turf will close out Saturday's outstanding 11-race program.
Daily Racing Form
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Despite the imposing presence of 123-pound highweight Quality Road, a surprisingly large field of 10 horses was drawn Wednesday for Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap, one of two Grade 1 stakes on the card along with the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.
Quality Road will concede from six to 10 pounds in a lineup that also includes graded stakes winners Kiss the Kid, Duke of Mischief, Dry Martini, Mambo Meister, and Delightful Kiss. The field also includes You and I Forever, Helsinki, Past the Point, and Dubai Gold.
Quality Road, who will break from post 4 under regular rider John Velazquez, won the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here last year at 3 and the Grade 3 Hal's Hope making his 2010 debut on opening day.
Kiss the Kid was somewhat of a surprise entry in the Donn considering he has won a pair of turf stakes, including the Grade 3 Appleton, and finished fourth in the Gulfstream Turf Handicap here last winter.
Past the Point, who finished second behind Curlin in the 2008 Woodward, figures to pressure Quality Road during the early stages of the race. Past the Point was a game second behind Custom for Carlos after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector earlier in the meet.
"We always felt he was a better horse going long," said Past the Point's trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin. "So we decided it's a Grade 1 and there's mainly one horse to beat, so why not give it a try."
Todd Pletcher, who trains Quality Road, will also send Take the Points in the 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Take the Points and Court Vision are the favorites in a field of six that also includes Yates Black Cat, Never On Sunday, Le Grand Cru, and Court Vision's uncoupled stablemate Adagio.
Court Vision, the highweight at 121 pounds, will attempt to give trainer Rick Dutrow back-to-back wins in the Gulfstream Park Turf. Dutrow won the race a year ago with Kip Deville.
Court Vision will be making his first start since finishing fourth behind Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He had won the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile in his previous start.
Take the Points won a pair of Grade 1 races at 3, the Secretariat and Jamaica Handicap, but will be facing older horses for the first time on Saturday.
The Grade 3, $125,000 Suwannee River for fillies and mares on the turf will close out Saturday's outstanding 11-race program.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
START WATCHING THE DERBY CONTENDERS!!
Whirlaway S.
Purse: $100,000 Distance: 8.5 Furlongs Age: 3-Year-Olds
Track: Aqueduct-Saturday, February 6, 2010 @ 4:00 PM ET
Three Day Rush to Whirlaway
David Grening,
Daily Racing Form
Trainer Todd Pletcher trains Tiger's Rock for Starlight Partners, an ownership group headed by Jack and Laurie Wolf. That trainer-owner combination will be represented again in Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes with Three Day Rush, who will attempt two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds.
Three Day Rush, a son of Harlan's Holiday, whom the Wolfs won the Florida Derby with in 2002, comes off a front-running victory in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream on Jan. 9.
"We're not a hundred percent he wants to go that far, but the basic idea that Jack Wolf and I talked about is let's go ahead and answer the question now instead of later," Pletcher said about the colt's distance capabilities. "If he does handle the two turns, then we got a lot of options. If he doesn't, then we can back up and focus on the shorter races."
Three Day Rush is out of the unraced mare Predictress, who is a half-sister to Prophet's Warning, who won the 1998 Ladies Handicap at 1 1/4 miles over the inner track.
A short field is expected for the Whirlaway, led by Eightyfiveinafifty, a 17 1/2-length maiden winner going six furlongs on Jan. 9. Others likely to run include Papa's Nice Cat, second in a New York-bred allowance last out, and Turbo Speed, who finished third in the Count Fleet, his first start around two turns.
Purse: $100,000 Distance: 8.5 Furlongs Age: 3-Year-Olds
Track: Aqueduct-Saturday, February 6, 2010 @ 4:00 PM ET
Three Day Rush to Whirlaway
David Grening,
Daily Racing Form
Trainer Todd Pletcher trains Tiger's Rock for Starlight Partners, an ownership group headed by Jack and Laurie Wolf. That trainer-owner combination will be represented again in Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes with Three Day Rush, who will attempt two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds.
Three Day Rush, a son of Harlan's Holiday, whom the Wolfs won the Florida Derby with in 2002, comes off a front-running victory in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream on Jan. 9.
"We're not a hundred percent he wants to go that far, but the basic idea that Jack Wolf and I talked about is let's go ahead and answer the question now instead of later," Pletcher said about the colt's distance capabilities. "If he does handle the two turns, then we got a lot of options. If he doesn't, then we can back up and focus on the shorter races."
Three Day Rush is out of the unraced mare Predictress, who is a half-sister to Prophet's Warning, who won the 1998 Ladies Handicap at 1 1/4 miles over the inner track.
A short field is expected for the Whirlaway, led by Eightyfiveinafifty, a 17 1/2-length maiden winner going six furlongs on Jan. 9. Others likely to run include Papa's Nice Cat, second in a New York-bred allowance last out, and Turbo Speed, who finished third in the Count Fleet, his first start around two turns.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Early Derby Dreams
By Dean Arnold
Dryfly wins the Smarty Jones, Winslow Homer wins the Holy Bull, and Worldly leaves me wondering…
Ok, I should mention that Ron The Greek won the Lecomte Stakes, but my eyes were on Worldly, the son of A.P. Indy and Kentucky Oaks winner Urbane. With breeding like that, you have the genetic making of the perfect Kentucky Derby horse. His prior siblings have been talents, like stakes campaigner Suave, but few have had enough precocity to be ready in time for a Triple Crown campaign. But Worldly was stakes placed at 2 in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. GII and, with 2-turn talent, he would seem to personify what you would want to see in a Derby contender.
Unfortunately, I forgot they have to run fast, too.
Worldly had a perfect trip tucked inside around both turns and had every chance to win. He finished an even 5th. Ron The Greek closed from out of the clouds to win going away, which is usually an indication of a pace meltdown rather than the sign of a new star in the 3-year-old ranks. Worldly is a regal specimen that needs to show he can kick it into a higher gear. I’ll reserve judgment when this group returns in the Risen Star Stakes.
Earlier in the week, Dryfly won the Martin Luther King Jr. Day feature at Oaklawn Park. Returning from a smart allowance win at Churchill Downs in late November, Dryfly ran gate to wire, carving out fast fractions early and hanging on late in an impressive yet slow mile of 1:41:3. This colt is trained by Lynn Whiting, who won the 1992 Kentucky Derby with Lil E. Tee. If Dryfly can continue to carry his speed over increasing distances, he has every reason to develop into a legitimate Derby contender. He’ll have to do better than a final half-mile in :54, but no one was challenging him in the Smarty Jones. There’s a good chance we will see even better performances in his future.
The Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park was a one-turn mile and came down to a “perfect pocket” trip for Winslow Homer beating out the Nick Zito-trained Jackson Bend, who took a 5-wide overland route to the wire. Jackson Bend had won his previous five starts completely dominating the Florida-bred ranks of Calder 2-year-olds before switching to the Zito barn this winter. Winslow Homer, on the other hand, showed his talent early, with a powerful win last summer in a Saratoga maiden race, and had since waltzed through an easy allowance tune-up at Philadelphia Park. Winslow Homer is the latest Fox Hill Farms Derby prospect and will follow in the footsteps of 2007 runner-up Hard Spun, 2008 runner-up Eight Belles, and 2009 Derby favorite Friesan Fire. The connections of both of these horses definitely know how to get a horse to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May, making both colts ones to follow throughout the spring.
Just as I shied away from backing any dirt horses running in the last two Breeders’ Cups on synthetic surfaces, I am reserving judgment on any of the talented sophomores running on the West Coast. Last year, early Derby favorite I Want Revenge was a nice yet unimpressive horse racing over synthetic surfaces, but blossomed when he shipped east and dominated the Gotham and Wood Memorial. While he never made it to the Derby, it was a reminder that synthetic form and dirt form often bear no resemblance to one another. For all we know, 2-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky will be able to run big on dirt. So far, he is a synthetic-only horse and hard to back with any confidence until he shows he can transfer his form to another surface.
It’s a long way to Churchill Downs in May. Always view Triple Crown trail races from two points of view: Handicap the race for who can win that particular event and bet accordingly. But also study the race from the perspective of the event being a stepping stone for horses building up to a mile and a quarter event several months from now.
In most prep races, there will be horses who are bred for better things down the road, and horses that are entered to seize the day (not to mention the generous stakes purses leading up to the Triple Crown).
It is perfectly acceptable to support a horse in a prep race while ruling it out as a Triple Crown contender. It is also okay to ignore a horse in your betting strategy while tabbing it for a better effort later. Treat each prep race as both a money-making opportunity and a demonstration of talent to be studied.
Dryfly wins the Smarty Jones, Winslow Homer wins the Holy Bull, and Worldly leaves me wondering…
Ok, I should mention that Ron The Greek won the Lecomte Stakes, but my eyes were on Worldly, the son of A.P. Indy and Kentucky Oaks winner Urbane. With breeding like that, you have the genetic making of the perfect Kentucky Derby horse. His prior siblings have been talents, like stakes campaigner Suave, but few have had enough precocity to be ready in time for a Triple Crown campaign. But Worldly was stakes placed at 2 in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. GII and, with 2-turn talent, he would seem to personify what you would want to see in a Derby contender.
Unfortunately, I forgot they have to run fast, too.
Worldly had a perfect trip tucked inside around both turns and had every chance to win. He finished an even 5th. Ron The Greek closed from out of the clouds to win going away, which is usually an indication of a pace meltdown rather than the sign of a new star in the 3-year-old ranks. Worldly is a regal specimen that needs to show he can kick it into a higher gear. I’ll reserve judgment when this group returns in the Risen Star Stakes.
Earlier in the week, Dryfly won the Martin Luther King Jr. Day feature at Oaklawn Park. Returning from a smart allowance win at Churchill Downs in late November, Dryfly ran gate to wire, carving out fast fractions early and hanging on late in an impressive yet slow mile of 1:41:3. This colt is trained by Lynn Whiting, who won the 1992 Kentucky Derby with Lil E. Tee. If Dryfly can continue to carry his speed over increasing distances, he has every reason to develop into a legitimate Derby contender. He’ll have to do better than a final half-mile in :54, but no one was challenging him in the Smarty Jones. There’s a good chance we will see even better performances in his future.
The Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park was a one-turn mile and came down to a “perfect pocket” trip for Winslow Homer beating out the Nick Zito-trained Jackson Bend, who took a 5-wide overland route to the wire. Jackson Bend had won his previous five starts completely dominating the Florida-bred ranks of Calder 2-year-olds before switching to the Zito barn this winter. Winslow Homer, on the other hand, showed his talent early, with a powerful win last summer in a Saratoga maiden race, and had since waltzed through an easy allowance tune-up at Philadelphia Park. Winslow Homer is the latest Fox Hill Farms Derby prospect and will follow in the footsteps of 2007 runner-up Hard Spun, 2008 runner-up Eight Belles, and 2009 Derby favorite Friesan Fire. The connections of both of these horses definitely know how to get a horse to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May, making both colts ones to follow throughout the spring.
Just as I shied away from backing any dirt horses running in the last two Breeders’ Cups on synthetic surfaces, I am reserving judgment on any of the talented sophomores running on the West Coast. Last year, early Derby favorite I Want Revenge was a nice yet unimpressive horse racing over synthetic surfaces, but blossomed when he shipped east and dominated the Gotham and Wood Memorial. While he never made it to the Derby, it was a reminder that synthetic form and dirt form often bear no resemblance to one another. For all we know, 2-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky will be able to run big on dirt. So far, he is a synthetic-only horse and hard to back with any confidence until he shows he can transfer his form to another surface.
It’s a long way to Churchill Downs in May. Always view Triple Crown trail races from two points of view: Handicap the race for who can win that particular event and bet accordingly. But also study the race from the perspective of the event being a stepping stone for horses building up to a mile and a quarter event several months from now.
In most prep races, there will be horses who are bred for better things down the road, and horses that are entered to seize the day (not to mention the generous stakes purses leading up to the Triple Crown).
It is perfectly acceptable to support a horse in a prep race while ruling it out as a Triple Crown contender. It is also okay to ignore a horse in your betting strategy while tabbing it for a better effort later. Treat each prep race as both a money-making opportunity and a demonstration of talent to be studied.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thoughts From the NHC
By ALEX WALDROP
I just spent a fascinating two days at the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship at the Red Rock Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas.
I met scores of dedicated, loyal horseplayers and talked to many about "the game" and what they believe horse racing needs to do to compete in the current environment. Here are my initial thoughts and impressions from the experience.
First and foremost, horseplayers are passionate, knowledgeable supporters of the horse racing industry whose voices (and accomplishments) are too often overlooked or ignored. That needs to change. Here is what they are saying.
- Their message to tracks: Price matters. They want the NTRA to find a way to eliminate or minimize federal withholding on winning wagers because withholding directly affects the amount they can wager. And our takeout rate is generally too high. According to one very knowledgeable race and sports book operator I spoke with in Vegas, they are seeing a steady migration of players from horse racing to sports betting and other gaming. Why? Lower takeout on casino games and sports betting are a big part of the reason.
- Their message to trainers: Safety and integrity matter. If you think the way you treat your horse is a private matter between you and your vet, think again. Players want a fair game and they resent horsemen who seem determined to bend the rules where drugs and medications are concerned. Bad horsemanship hurts the horse and the game.
- Their message to owners: Run your horses. Keep them in training. Horseplayers want full, competitive fields regardless of class or grade. They love to bet horses, especially when they have a chance to cash a big ticket.
- Their message to regulators: Be tough but fair in regulating the game. And be consistent. Explain why you are fining or suspending licensees. As one player told me, "It's not so much that punishment lacks severity. It's the lack of consistency, state to state."
Nothing will eliminate negative industry and societal stereotypes of horseplayers like a trip to the NHC. A room full of men and women, including young people and professionals, all totally focused on winning the $500,000 grand prize, was a sight to behold. It was one of the most positive racing experiences I have had in years.
The NHC started 11 years ago with a $100,000 grand prize. This year there were more than 100 qualifying tournaments and a total of more than 100,000 contestants vying for the 300 coveted NHC spots. Competition was fierce. No wonder. In the past week, we have distributed more than $1.1 million in prize money, including $500,000 to winner Brian Troop. Brian is an accountant from Ontario, Canada. He's an avid NHC Tour player who qualified at Turfway Park. Like the 10 NHC Champions before him, I have no doubt that he will be a terrific ambassador for our game over the next 12 months.
The NTRA is determined to continue growing the NHC. It will take broad industry support from tracks, horsemen, regulators and others to take it to the next level. Player input is also a key part of the process. Our NHC Players Committee is up to the challenge.
We are going to grow the NHC. It's going to happen. Everyone involved in racing should support the NHC The players deserve it. The industry needs it. Let's get it done.
I just spent a fascinating two days at the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship at the Red Rock Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas.
I met scores of dedicated, loyal horseplayers and talked to many about "the game" and what they believe horse racing needs to do to compete in the current environment. Here are my initial thoughts and impressions from the experience.
First and foremost, horseplayers are passionate, knowledgeable supporters of the horse racing industry whose voices (and accomplishments) are too often overlooked or ignored. That needs to change. Here is what they are saying.
- Their message to tracks: Price matters. They want the NTRA to find a way to eliminate or minimize federal withholding on winning wagers because withholding directly affects the amount they can wager. And our takeout rate is generally too high. According to one very knowledgeable race and sports book operator I spoke with in Vegas, they are seeing a steady migration of players from horse racing to sports betting and other gaming. Why? Lower takeout on casino games and sports betting are a big part of the reason.
- Their message to trainers: Safety and integrity matter. If you think the way you treat your horse is a private matter between you and your vet, think again. Players want a fair game and they resent horsemen who seem determined to bend the rules where drugs and medications are concerned. Bad horsemanship hurts the horse and the game.
- Their message to owners: Run your horses. Keep them in training. Horseplayers want full, competitive fields regardless of class or grade. They love to bet horses, especially when they have a chance to cash a big ticket.
- Their message to regulators: Be tough but fair in regulating the game. And be consistent. Explain why you are fining or suspending licensees. As one player told me, "It's not so much that punishment lacks severity. It's the lack of consistency, state to state."
Nothing will eliminate negative industry and societal stereotypes of horseplayers like a trip to the NHC. A room full of men and women, including young people and professionals, all totally focused on winning the $500,000 grand prize, was a sight to behold. It was one of the most positive racing experiences I have had in years.
The NHC started 11 years ago with a $100,000 grand prize. This year there were more than 100 qualifying tournaments and a total of more than 100,000 contestants vying for the 300 coveted NHC spots. Competition was fierce. No wonder. In the past week, we have distributed more than $1.1 million in prize money, including $500,000 to winner Brian Troop. Brian is an accountant from Ontario, Canada. He's an avid NHC Tour player who qualified at Turfway Park. Like the 10 NHC Champions before him, I have no doubt that he will be a terrific ambassador for our game over the next 12 months.
The NTRA is determined to continue growing the NHC. It will take broad industry support from tracks, horsemen, regulators and others to take it to the next level. Player input is also a key part of the process. Our NHC Players Committee is up to the challenge.
We are going to grow the NHC. It's going to happen. Everyone involved in racing should support the NHC The players deserve it. The industry needs it. Let's get it done.
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