Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sea The Stars is Great But Maybe Not That Great
Racing Post historian and statistician John Randall gives his perspective on the historical ranking of Sea The Stars compared to other Classic Champion Thoroughbreds.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Great Racehorses Of The Decade
In a new series of articles for the British Horse Racing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott is profiling Great Racehorses of the Decade.
While Ribot was the Classic Champion Thoroughbred associated with the 1950’s and Sea Bird was the wonderhorse of the 1960’s, the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard dominated the 1970’s.
Scott profiles Sinndar in week one and Montjeu in week two.
While Ribot was the Classic Champion Thoroughbred associated with the 1950’s and Sea Bird was the wonderhorse of the 1960’s, the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard dominated the 1970’s.
Scott profiles Sinndar in week one and Montjeu in week two.
Bourbon, Grey Stakes Racing Roundup
Trainer Todd Pletcher will be looking for his third win in the $125,000 Bourbon Stakes (G3) at Keeneland today as he sends out morning line favorite Interactif (5-2) and Exhi (5-1). Bittel Road won the Bourbon for Pletcher last year and Twilight Meteor won it for him in 2006.
Interactif had been scheduled to run in the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont last weekend but was scratched when the race was taken off the turf because of heavy rain. Interactif comes into the Bourbon with a 4 ¼-length win in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.
Exhi comes into the Bourbon with a 4-length win in a 1 1/16 mile maiden race at Belmont.
Asphalt, along with Exhi, is also listed at 5-1 morning line odds. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Asphalt has never run a route race and comes into the Bourbon with a 7-furlong win by a neck on the turf at Belmont.
Family Foundation (6-1) comes into the Bourbon with two impressive wins on the turf at Arlington Park.
Billions Boy (8-1) also comes into the Bourbon after being scratched out of the Pilgrim. After two previous attempts, Billions Boy finally broke his maiden last out going gate-to-wire in a 1 1/16 mile turf race on firm ground September 7 at Saratoga. In that race, Billions Boy defeated runnerup Eskendery who later flattered Billions Boy’s victory by winning the Pilgrim stakes last weekend.
An interesting long shot is the Mark Hubley-trained Codoy (15-1) who broke his maiden last out winning by a neck in a 1-mile maiden race on the all-weather track at Turfway Park. Codoy, in his three previous attempts on the turf, has two seconds and a third place finish. He’s seems to be improving with every race and he’s been working out good at Keeneland.
Interactif, Exhi and Billions Boy look tough in the Bourbon. But at 15-1 morning line, Codoy may be worth a win, place bet.
My selections:
Codoy
Billions Boy
Interactif
Exhi
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Trainer Sid Attard’s Ghost Fleet heads a field of seven horses entered in today’s $250,000 Grey Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old thoroughbreds at Woodbine Racetrack. During its 103-year history the Grey Stakes has produced the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: Kennedy Road, Sunny’s Halo, Dancer’s Image and this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Ghost Fleet, the 5-2 morning line favorite, comes into the race with a win in the Vandal and Swynford Stakes and Attard hopes that his charge will give him his first Grey Stakes win.
Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s William’s Kitten is the 7-2 morning line second choice and he comes into the race with an easy 4 ¾ -length win in the Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs.
Trainer Reade Baker’s Bear Tough Guy is the 4-1 third choice and he comes into the Grey Stakes with a 1-mile maiden win on firm turf at Woodbine.
Trainer Gregory de Gannes sends Ring My Surprise (6-1) and Mobthewarrior (8-1) to the starting gate.
Rein King (6-1) is shipping in from New York for the Grey Stakes. Trained by John Terranova, Rein King comes into the race with a half-length win in a 1-mile maiden race at Belmont.
Trainer Daniel J. Vella switches Korvette Kid (8-1) from the turf to the polytrack to see if he can get a graded stakes win. Korvette Kid comes into the race with a sixth-place finish in the Summer Stakes.
My selections:
William’s Kitten
Ghost Fleet
Rein King
Bear Tough Guy
Interactif had been scheduled to run in the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont last weekend but was scratched when the race was taken off the turf because of heavy rain. Interactif comes into the Bourbon with a 4 ¼-length win in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.
Exhi comes into the Bourbon with a 4-length win in a 1 1/16 mile maiden race at Belmont.
Asphalt, along with Exhi, is also listed at 5-1 morning line odds. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Asphalt has never run a route race and comes into the Bourbon with a 7-furlong win by a neck on the turf at Belmont.
Family Foundation (6-1) comes into the Bourbon with two impressive wins on the turf at Arlington Park.
Billions Boy (8-1) also comes into the Bourbon after being scratched out of the Pilgrim. After two previous attempts, Billions Boy finally broke his maiden last out going gate-to-wire in a 1 1/16 mile turf race on firm ground September 7 at Saratoga. In that race, Billions Boy defeated runnerup Eskendery who later flattered Billions Boy’s victory by winning the Pilgrim stakes last weekend.
An interesting long shot is the Mark Hubley-trained Codoy (15-1) who broke his maiden last out winning by a neck in a 1-mile maiden race on the all-weather track at Turfway Park. Codoy, in his three previous attempts on the turf, has two seconds and a third place finish. He’s seems to be improving with every race and he’s been working out good at Keeneland.
Interactif, Exhi and Billions Boy look tough in the Bourbon. But at 15-1 morning line, Codoy may be worth a win, place bet.
My selections:
Codoy
Billions Boy
Interactif
Exhi
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Trainer Sid Attard’s Ghost Fleet heads a field of seven horses entered in today’s $250,000 Grey Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old thoroughbreds at Woodbine Racetrack. During its 103-year history the Grey Stakes has produced the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: Kennedy Road, Sunny’s Halo, Dancer’s Image and this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Ghost Fleet, the 5-2 morning line favorite, comes into the race with a win in the Vandal and Swynford Stakes and Attard hopes that his charge will give him his first Grey Stakes win.
Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s William’s Kitten is the 7-2 morning line second choice and he comes into the race with an easy 4 ¾ -length win in the Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs.
Trainer Reade Baker’s Bear Tough Guy is the 4-1 third choice and he comes into the Grey Stakes with a 1-mile maiden win on firm turf at Woodbine.
Trainer Gregory de Gannes sends Ring My Surprise (6-1) and Mobthewarrior (8-1) to the starting gate.
Rein King (6-1) is shipping in from New York for the Grey Stakes. Trained by John Terranova, Rein King comes into the race with a half-length win in a 1-mile maiden race at Belmont.
Trainer Daniel J. Vella switches Korvette Kid (8-1) from the turf to the polytrack to see if he can get a graded stakes win. Korvette Kid comes into the race with a sixth-place finish in the Summer Stakes.
My selections:
William’s Kitten
Ghost Fleet
Rein King
Bear Tough Guy
Friday, October 9, 2009
Champagne Stakes Racing Roundup
Inaugurated in 1867, the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park is one of the oldest, and a favorite of mine, prep race for 2-year-old thoroughbreds whose connections have hopes for Triple Crown glory.
Speaking of glory, the Champagne honor roll of previous winners is a who’s who of Classic Champion Thoroughbreds. The Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Count Fleet as well as Birdstone, Sea Hero, Easy Goer, Spectacular Bid, Foolish Pleasure, Riva Ridge, Grey Lag, Colin and Ben Brush all won previous editions of the Champagne Stakes and would later become Classic Champion Thoroughbreds.
This year, trainer D. Wayne Lukas, whose last Champagne winner was Grand Slam in 1997 and Classic Champion Thoroughbred was 2000 Belmont Stakes winner Commendable, is hoping that his charge, Dublin, will eventually put him back in the Classic Champion winners circle.
Dublin (Afleet Alex-Classic Mirage by Storm Bird) is the 8-5 morning line favorite and heads a short field of six horses entered in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes which is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Division. Dublin comes into the race with a 4-length triumph last out over favored Backtalk in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Two other juveniles that I like in the Champagne are Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft-Pretty Discreet by Private Account) and Super Saver (Wavering Monarch-Supercharger by A.P. Indy). Both have nice pedigrees but only time will tell if they can live up to their breeding.
In his last outing, Discreetly Mine (7-2) finished second, beaten by 4 ¾ -lengths, to D’Funnybone in the Belmont Futurity (G2). Two races back, Discreetly Mine defeated Super Saver (4-1) by 6 ¼-lengths in a 6 ½-furlong maiden race at Saratoga.
Super Saver, trained by Todd Pletcher, is the only horse to travel a route of ground. Last out, he broke his maiden in a 7-length romp, 1-mile maiden race on a sloppy track at Belmont.
Another horse to keep an eye on is Aspire (3-1). He has been working out good and he finished a respectable second last out, beaten 2-lengths by Dublin in the Hopeful.
Despite the short field, this is a tough race and I especially like Dublin and Discreetly Mine. However, I believe there are several in the race who could step into the winners circle.
My picks:
Discreetly Mine
Dublin
Super Saver
Aspire
Speaking of glory, the Champagne honor roll of previous winners is a who’s who of Classic Champion Thoroughbreds. The Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Count Fleet as well as Birdstone, Sea Hero, Easy Goer, Spectacular Bid, Foolish Pleasure, Riva Ridge, Grey Lag, Colin and Ben Brush all won previous editions of the Champagne Stakes and would later become Classic Champion Thoroughbreds.
This year, trainer D. Wayne Lukas, whose last Champagne winner was Grand Slam in 1997 and Classic Champion Thoroughbred was 2000 Belmont Stakes winner Commendable, is hoping that his charge, Dublin, will eventually put him back in the Classic Champion winners circle.
Dublin (Afleet Alex-Classic Mirage by Storm Bird) is the 8-5 morning line favorite and heads a short field of six horses entered in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes which is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Division. Dublin comes into the race with a 4-length triumph last out over favored Backtalk in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Two other juveniles that I like in the Champagne are Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft-Pretty Discreet by Private Account) and Super Saver (Wavering Monarch-Supercharger by A.P. Indy). Both have nice pedigrees but only time will tell if they can live up to their breeding.
In his last outing, Discreetly Mine (7-2) finished second, beaten by 4 ¾ -lengths, to D’Funnybone in the Belmont Futurity (G2). Two races back, Discreetly Mine defeated Super Saver (4-1) by 6 ¼-lengths in a 6 ½-furlong maiden race at Saratoga.
Super Saver, trained by Todd Pletcher, is the only horse to travel a route of ground. Last out, he broke his maiden in a 7-length romp, 1-mile maiden race on a sloppy track at Belmont.
Another horse to keep an eye on is Aspire (3-1). He has been working out good and he finished a respectable second last out, beaten 2-lengths by Dublin in the Hopeful.
Despite the short field, this is a tough race and I especially like Dublin and Discreetly Mine. However, I believe there are several in the race who could step into the winners circle.
My picks:
Discreetly Mine
Dublin
Super Saver
Aspire
Dixiana Breeders' Futurity Racing Roundup
Thousands of horseracing fans throughout the region will make the fall pilgrimage this weekend to Keeneland racetrack in Lexington. Located in the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass country, Keeneland is a beautiful racetrack and the fall meet is always a festive affair. Racing fans, especially the ladies, like to dressup for the occasion.
Track officials have done a good job in filling Saturday’s 10-race card with full fields but the highlight for me will be the $500,000 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for 2-year-old thoroughbreds. The 1 1/16-mile Dixiana is a Breeder’s Cup automatic qualifier for the Juvenile Division and for many of the horses entered in the race this will be their first attempt at a route race and the all-weather racing surface.
The Tom Amoss-trained Backtalk, winner of the Bashford Manor (G3) and Sanford Stakes (G2), is the 4-1 morning favorite and heads a full field of 14 horses. In his last outing, the previously undefeted Backtalk finished fourth to D. Wayne Lukas’ Dublin in the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes (G1). Backtalk starts from post two but in the Hopeful, he broke from post 12 and was further back in the earlier going than he had been in previous races.
Wayne Catalano’s Dixie Band ships in from Arlington Park and has been made the 5-1 second-choice co-favorite with Todd Pletcher’s Aikenite. Undefeated in three starts, Dixie Band comes into the Hopeful with a win in the Spectacular Bid Stakes and the Arlington-Washington Furturity (G3). After getting off to a slow start in his last outing, Aikenite finished a respectable third in the Hopeful beaten 3 ½ lengths by Dublin.
In his last outing, The Gregory Sacco-trained Piscitelli (15-1) finished third to Dixie Band in the Arlington-Washington Futurity.
Alexis Barba ships in from Del Mar Make Music For Me (6-1) who twice finished second to Lookin At Lucky in the Best Pal (G2) and Del Mar Futurity Stakes (G2).
Two horses who have already raced 1 1/16 miles is the Michael Maker-trained Stately Victor (8-1) and Roman Invasion (12-1) who is trained by Kelly Breen. Stately Victor has been working exceptionally well and he comes into the race with an easy 4 ½-length maiden win on the turf last out. Roman Invasion comes into the race with a 10 ¾-length maiden win last out on a wet-fast track Delaware. However, his time was a slow 1:46.44.
My picks:
Stately Victor
Backtalk
Dixie Band
Make Music For Me
Track officials have done a good job in filling Saturday’s 10-race card with full fields but the highlight for me will be the $500,000 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for 2-year-old thoroughbreds. The 1 1/16-mile Dixiana is a Breeder’s Cup automatic qualifier for the Juvenile Division and for many of the horses entered in the race this will be their first attempt at a route race and the all-weather racing surface.
The Tom Amoss-trained Backtalk, winner of the Bashford Manor (G3) and Sanford Stakes (G2), is the 4-1 morning favorite and heads a full field of 14 horses. In his last outing, the previously undefeted Backtalk finished fourth to D. Wayne Lukas’ Dublin in the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes (G1). Backtalk starts from post two but in the Hopeful, he broke from post 12 and was further back in the earlier going than he had been in previous races.
Wayne Catalano’s Dixie Band ships in from Arlington Park and has been made the 5-1 second-choice co-favorite with Todd Pletcher’s Aikenite. Undefeated in three starts, Dixie Band comes into the Hopeful with a win in the Spectacular Bid Stakes and the Arlington-Washington Furturity (G3). After getting off to a slow start in his last outing, Aikenite finished a respectable third in the Hopeful beaten 3 ½ lengths by Dublin.
In his last outing, The Gregory Sacco-trained Piscitelli (15-1) finished third to Dixie Band in the Arlington-Washington Futurity.
Alexis Barba ships in from Del Mar Make Music For Me (6-1) who twice finished second to Lookin At Lucky in the Best Pal (G2) and Del Mar Futurity Stakes (G2).
Two horses who have already raced 1 1/16 miles is the Michael Maker-trained Stately Victor (8-1) and Roman Invasion (12-1) who is trained by Kelly Breen. Stately Victor has been working exceptionally well and he comes into the race with an easy 4 ½-length maiden win on the turf last out. Roman Invasion comes into the race with a 10 ¾-length maiden win last out on a wet-fast track Delaware. However, his time was a slow 1:46.44.
My picks:
Stately Victor
Backtalk
Dixie Band
Make Music For Me
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Norfolk, Pilgrim Stakes Racing Roundup
This is the time of year that I really appreciate the most when it comes following 2-year-old thoroughbreds. A lot of the sprint races have been ran and the 2-year-olds begin to stretch out to route races to prepare themselves for their 3-year-old campaign.
On tap, a couple of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You Are In” races highlight today’s stakes racing action for 2-year-old thoroughbreds.
Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert will send 8-5 morning line favorite Lookin At Lucky in the $300,000 Norfolk (G1) at Santa Anita and Todd Pletcher sends out 5-2 favorite Interactif in the $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G3) on the turf at Belmont. Both races are run at 1 1/16 miles and the winner will stamp his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Turf races in November.
Undefeated Lookin At Lucky comes into the Norfolk with a pair of stakes wins in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) and Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Baffert holds the record for the most Norfolk wins with four to his credit and he should have Lookin At Lucky ready for a good effort. His sire, Smart Strike, is the sire of Curlin and his damsire, Belong To Me, is the sire of the multiple Grades Stakes Champion filly Forever Together so the distance should not be a problem.
A couple of horses I like in here to perhaps give Lookin At Lucky some competition is the John Sadler-trained Dave In Dixie (9-2) and Carla Gaines’ John Scott (6-1).
Dave In Dixie comes into the Norfolk with an impressive maiden debut win August 29 at Del Mar and, by the way, the Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book has Dave In Dixie currently tied with multiple graded stakes winner D’ Funnybone at 50-1 odds for the 2010 Kentucky Derby.
His sire, Dixie Union won the 1999 Norfolk and he also sired Dixie Chatter who won the Norfolk in 2007. His damsire, Wavering Monarch, is the grandsire of 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Interesting to note, Dave In Dixie’s grandsire, Dixieland Band, was the sire of Monarchos’ dam Regal Band.
Undefeated in two starts, John Scott comes into the Norfolk with a win in the I’m Smokin Stakes and retains regular rider Victor Espinoza who won the Norfolk in 2002 aboard Kafwain and Flame Thrower in 2000. John Scott’s sire, Bertrando, won the Norfolk in 1991 and his damsire, Deputy Minister, adds stamina to the pedigree.
At 20-1 morning line odds, Seattle Ruler is an intriguing long shot. His trainer, Mike Harrington, won the Norfolk in 1998 with Buck Trout. His sire, Roman Ruler, won the the 2004 Norfolk and his damsire, A.P. Indy, is the grandsire of 2001 Norfolk winner Essence Of Dubai. After five previous attempts, Seattle Ruler finally broke his maiden in a three-length victory in the Barretts Juvenile Stakes September 20.
If I play this race, I might put a small win, place bet on Seattle Ruler and use him with Dave In Dixie and John Scott in the exacta and trifecta. Or, I may use those three with Lookin At Lucky in a superfecta box.
At 15-1 morning line odds, Shrimp Dancer looks like he could be a very live long shot in the Pilgrim Stakes. Shrimp Dancer is trained by David Donk who has won the Pilgrim a record three times and he retains regular rider John Velazquez who has the most Pilgrim wins with five to his credit. His sire is the 2004 Eclipse Turf Male Kitten’s Joy and his damsire is the multiple grade one champion Formal Gold.
Three other horses that I like in this race are Billions Boy (9-2), Eskendereya (8-1) and Mr. Vegas (12-1).
After two previous attempts, Billions Boy finally broke his maiden last out going gate-to-wire in a 1 1/16 mile turf race on firm ground September 7 at Saratoga. Making his maiden debut in that race, Eskendereya finished second to Bullions Boy tracking the leader behind traffic on the rail in fourth but he finally got clear and finished a fast closing second.
Mr. Vegas has never ran a route race but with Freud who is a full brother to Giant’s Causeway as his sire and Epsom Derby winner The Minstrel as his damsire he should not have a problem stretching out to a route.
Mr. Vegas was steadied and checked multiple times in his maiden debut last out but still managed to take first place honors with Edgar Prado on board. Prado also rode Eskendereya in his maiden debut but he will maintain the mount on Mr. Vegas for the Pilgrim.
Here’s the chart call for Mr. Vegas debut win:
“MR. VEGAS checked after breaking slowly, raced well back, was blocked in traffic on the turn, steadied while gaining at the three-sixteenths pole, checked in midstretch, split horses a sixteenth out and finished with a flourish to win going away.”
At 12-1 morning line odds, Mr. Vegas may be worth a small win, place bet. If I play this race, I’ll probably put a small win, place, bet on Mr. Vegas and Seattle Ruler and use them with Eskendereya and Billions Boy in the exotics.
On tap, a couple of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You Are In” races highlight today’s stakes racing action for 2-year-old thoroughbreds.
Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert will send 8-5 morning line favorite Lookin At Lucky in the $300,000 Norfolk (G1) at Santa Anita and Todd Pletcher sends out 5-2 favorite Interactif in the $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G3) on the turf at Belmont. Both races are run at 1 1/16 miles and the winner will stamp his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Turf races in November.
Undefeated Lookin At Lucky comes into the Norfolk with a pair of stakes wins in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) and Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Baffert holds the record for the most Norfolk wins with four to his credit and he should have Lookin At Lucky ready for a good effort. His sire, Smart Strike, is the sire of Curlin and his damsire, Belong To Me, is the sire of the multiple Grades Stakes Champion filly Forever Together so the distance should not be a problem.
A couple of horses I like in here to perhaps give Lookin At Lucky some competition is the John Sadler-trained Dave In Dixie (9-2) and Carla Gaines’ John Scott (6-1).
Dave In Dixie comes into the Norfolk with an impressive maiden debut win August 29 at Del Mar and, by the way, the Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book has Dave In Dixie currently tied with multiple graded stakes winner D’ Funnybone at 50-1 odds for the 2010 Kentucky Derby.
His sire, Dixie Union won the 1999 Norfolk and he also sired Dixie Chatter who won the Norfolk in 2007. His damsire, Wavering Monarch, is the grandsire of 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Interesting to note, Dave In Dixie’s grandsire, Dixieland Band, was the sire of Monarchos’ dam Regal Band.
Undefeated in two starts, John Scott comes into the Norfolk with a win in the I’m Smokin Stakes and retains regular rider Victor Espinoza who won the Norfolk in 2002 aboard Kafwain and Flame Thrower in 2000. John Scott’s sire, Bertrando, won the Norfolk in 1991 and his damsire, Deputy Minister, adds stamina to the pedigree.
At 20-1 morning line odds, Seattle Ruler is an intriguing long shot. His trainer, Mike Harrington, won the Norfolk in 1998 with Buck Trout. His sire, Roman Ruler, won the the 2004 Norfolk and his damsire, A.P. Indy, is the grandsire of 2001 Norfolk winner Essence Of Dubai. After five previous attempts, Seattle Ruler finally broke his maiden in a three-length victory in the Barretts Juvenile Stakes September 20.
If I play this race, I might put a small win, place bet on Seattle Ruler and use him with Dave In Dixie and John Scott in the exacta and trifecta. Or, I may use those three with Lookin At Lucky in a superfecta box.
At 15-1 morning line odds, Shrimp Dancer looks like he could be a very live long shot in the Pilgrim Stakes. Shrimp Dancer is trained by David Donk who has won the Pilgrim a record three times and he retains regular rider John Velazquez who has the most Pilgrim wins with five to his credit. His sire is the 2004 Eclipse Turf Male Kitten’s Joy and his damsire is the multiple grade one champion Formal Gold.
Three other horses that I like in this race are Billions Boy (9-2), Eskendereya (8-1) and Mr. Vegas (12-1).
After two previous attempts, Billions Boy finally broke his maiden last out going gate-to-wire in a 1 1/16 mile turf race on firm ground September 7 at Saratoga. Making his maiden debut in that race, Eskendereya finished second to Bullions Boy tracking the leader behind traffic on the rail in fourth but he finally got clear and finished a fast closing second.
Mr. Vegas has never ran a route race but with Freud who is a full brother to Giant’s Causeway as his sire and Epsom Derby winner The Minstrel as his damsire he should not have a problem stretching out to a route.
Mr. Vegas was steadied and checked multiple times in his maiden debut last out but still managed to take first place honors with Edgar Prado on board. Prado also rode Eskendereya in his maiden debut but he will maintain the mount on Mr. Vegas for the Pilgrim.
Here’s the chart call for Mr. Vegas debut win:
“MR. VEGAS checked after breaking slowly, raced well back, was blocked in traffic on the turn, steadied while gaining at the three-sixteenths pole, checked in midstretch, split horses a sixteenth out and finished with a flourish to win going away.”
At 12-1 morning line odds, Mr. Vegas may be worth a small win, place bet. If I play this race, I’ll probably put a small win, place, bet on Mr. Vegas and Seattle Ruler and use them with Eskendereya and Billions Boy in the exotics.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Horse Racing World Looks To Sea The Stars
All eyes of the horse racing world will look to Longchamp Racecourse Sunday as the brilliant Sea The Stars, winner of five Group One races this season, attempts to add his name to the honor roll of great Classic Champion Thoroughbreds that have won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Undefeated in 11 starts, the great English Triple Crown Champion Nijinsky also amassed five Group One races prior to the running of the 1970 Arc and, yet, even he came up short barely losing to a fresh Sassafras. Afterwards, trainer Vincent O’Brien speculated that the Arc had been too quick a turn around off Nijinsky’s St. Leger triumph.
Trainer John Oxx won the coveted Arc in 2000 with Sinndar for the HH Aga Khan IV and he is enthusiastic about the chance of his charge, Sea The Stars, to cross the finish line triumphant.
“He seems to be in very good form and is in no way down in himself or showing any effects of his campaign,” said Oxx in a Racing Post news story. “He is giving us the normal good signals that he has been giving all season.”
So, only time will tell if the campaign of Sea The Stars eventually proves to be too much for the brilliant Cape Cross colt.
Win or lose, Sea The Stars has already proven that he is one for the ages.After his Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) victory Sea the Stars was awarded a 140 Timeform rating putting him in the same league of the Group One Champion Dubai Millenium and the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds Dancing Brave, Shergar and Vaguely Noble.
Riding legend Lester Piggott, who rode Nijinsky in the 1970 Arc and has three Arc victories to his credit, thinks that Sea The Stars is deserving of the accolades.
“You have to compare Sea The Stars with the best we have seen, because the way he has run this year has been fantastic,” said Piggott in a Racing Post article. “He is a stand-out this year. He is such an easy-going horse, he has a wonderful temperament, and that is what has helped him along the way.”
A victory in the Arc would insure Sea The Stars a spot in the hallowed halls of turf racing. A lot of history has already preceeded him.
French Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Sea Bird II is considered by many to be the greatest Arc Champion. He cruised to an easy victory in the 1965 Arc defeating the undefeated French Derby winner Reliance by six lengths. Also in that field were the Preakness winner Tom Rofle, Irish Derby winner Meadow Court and Russian Derby winner Anilin. During his career, Sea Bird II was awarded a 145 Timeform rating which still stands today as the highest rating ever earned by a thoroughbred in flat racing.
My personal favorite, though, is the undefeated dual Arc winner Ribot who, having previously won the Arc in 1955, capped off a brilliant 16-race career with a six-length triumph in the 1956 Arc.
Ribot was bred and owned by the great Italian breeder and trainer Federico Tesio – one of my all-time favorite breeders. Known as the “Wizard of Dormello,” Tesio bred and trained an incredible 21 Derby Italiano winners as well as the outstanding Donatello and Nearco. Without a doubt, Ribot was Tesio’s greatest racehorse. But, Tesio died of old age in 1954 and he did not live to see Ribot achieve fame and glory.
Ribot is a descendent of the St. Simon sire line which produced 17 Arc winners. St. Simon was one of Tesio’s favorite lines that he liked to breed to and, in fact, Ribot has seven strains of St. Simon in his pedigree.
Not only was Ribot an outstanding champion thoroughbred, but he also was an exceptional stallion and he sired the Arc winners Molvedo (1961) and Prince Royal (1964). His grandson Hoist The Flag sired the dual Arc winner Alleged who won the Arc in 1977 and 1978. Descendents of Ribot still continue to influence the breed to this day.
Bruleur was a leading sire in France for three seasons and another influential stallion in the history of the Arc. Bruleur is a descendent of the Byerley Turk sire line and he holds the record of having sired the most Arc winners: Ksar who won the Arc in 1921 and 1922, Priori (1925) and Samos (1935).
Ksar also became an influential stallion in the history of the Arc and instrumental in the success of the great breeder Marcel Boussac who won the Arc a record six times. In 1928 a mating by Ksar with Boussac’s broodmare Durban produced Tourbillon who later would become a leading sire in France that sired several Classic Champion Thoroughbreds for Boussac.
Tourbillon sired the 1942 Arc winner Djebel and Caracalla who won the Arc in 1946. Djebel sired the 1949 Arc winner Coronation.
The bloodstock operation of the Aga Khan also had an impact on the Arc. He won the won the Arc in 1948 with Migoli and Nuccio won it in 1952. Both horses were descendents of the St. Simon sire line.
The Aga Khan’s grandson, HH Aga Khan IV, has also had a lot of Arc success with four victories to his credit. His most recent win came Last year when his outstanding filly Zarkava crossed the finish line triumphant.
Of the previous Arc winners, most of them are descendents of the Darley Arabian sire line of Whalebone and his descendents Stockwell, Phalaris and Nearco. The sire line of Stockwell has produced 45 (52%) Arc winners. Of those 45 Arc winners, 35 (78%) of them are from the line of Phalaris and 28 are from the line of Nearco.
The sire line of Nearco’s son Nasrullah has produced 12 Arc winners and the line of his son Royal Charger produced two Arc winners. The sire line of Nearco’s grandson, Northern Dancer, has produced 14 Arc winners and in the past 15 years, 11 of those Arc winners are descendents of the Northern Dancer line.
Sea The Stars is a descendent of the Danzig line of Northern Dancer and the Danzig line has produced three Arc winners: Dylan Thomas (2007), Rail Link (2006) and Sinndar (2000). His dam, Urban Sea, won the 1993 Arc.
Sea The Stars comes from a family of Arc winners. But, it remains to be seen if Sea The Stars can carry on the family tradition.
Only time will tell.
Undefeated in 11 starts, the great English Triple Crown Champion Nijinsky also amassed five Group One races prior to the running of the 1970 Arc and, yet, even he came up short barely losing to a fresh Sassafras. Afterwards, trainer Vincent O’Brien speculated that the Arc had been too quick a turn around off Nijinsky’s St. Leger triumph.
Trainer John Oxx won the coveted Arc in 2000 with Sinndar for the HH Aga Khan IV and he is enthusiastic about the chance of his charge, Sea The Stars, to cross the finish line triumphant.
“He seems to be in very good form and is in no way down in himself or showing any effects of his campaign,” said Oxx in a Racing Post news story. “He is giving us the normal good signals that he has been giving all season.”
So, only time will tell if the campaign of Sea The Stars eventually proves to be too much for the brilliant Cape Cross colt.
Win or lose, Sea The Stars has already proven that he is one for the ages.After his Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) victory Sea the Stars was awarded a 140 Timeform rating putting him in the same league of the Group One Champion Dubai Millenium and the Classic Champion Thoroughbreds Dancing Brave, Shergar and Vaguely Noble.
Riding legend Lester Piggott, who rode Nijinsky in the 1970 Arc and has three Arc victories to his credit, thinks that Sea The Stars is deserving of the accolades.
“You have to compare Sea The Stars with the best we have seen, because the way he has run this year has been fantastic,” said Piggott in a Racing Post article. “He is a stand-out this year. He is such an easy-going horse, he has a wonderful temperament, and that is what has helped him along the way.”
A victory in the Arc would insure Sea The Stars a spot in the hallowed halls of turf racing. A lot of history has already preceeded him.
French Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Sea Bird II is considered by many to be the greatest Arc Champion. He cruised to an easy victory in the 1965 Arc defeating the undefeated French Derby winner Reliance by six lengths. Also in that field were the Preakness winner Tom Rofle, Irish Derby winner Meadow Court and Russian Derby winner Anilin. During his career, Sea Bird II was awarded a 145 Timeform rating which still stands today as the highest rating ever earned by a thoroughbred in flat racing.
My personal favorite, though, is the undefeated dual Arc winner Ribot who, having previously won the Arc in 1955, capped off a brilliant 16-race career with a six-length triumph in the 1956 Arc.
Ribot was bred and owned by the great Italian breeder and trainer Federico Tesio – one of my all-time favorite breeders. Known as the “Wizard of Dormello,” Tesio bred and trained an incredible 21 Derby Italiano winners as well as the outstanding Donatello and Nearco. Without a doubt, Ribot was Tesio’s greatest racehorse. But, Tesio died of old age in 1954 and he did not live to see Ribot achieve fame and glory.
Ribot is a descendent of the St. Simon sire line which produced 17 Arc winners. St. Simon was one of Tesio’s favorite lines that he liked to breed to and, in fact, Ribot has seven strains of St. Simon in his pedigree.
Not only was Ribot an outstanding champion thoroughbred, but he also was an exceptional stallion and he sired the Arc winners Molvedo (1961) and Prince Royal (1964). His grandson Hoist The Flag sired the dual Arc winner Alleged who won the Arc in 1977 and 1978. Descendents of Ribot still continue to influence the breed to this day.
Bruleur was a leading sire in France for three seasons and another influential stallion in the history of the Arc. Bruleur is a descendent of the Byerley Turk sire line and he holds the record of having sired the most Arc winners: Ksar who won the Arc in 1921 and 1922, Priori (1925) and Samos (1935).
Ksar also became an influential stallion in the history of the Arc and instrumental in the success of the great breeder Marcel Boussac who won the Arc a record six times. In 1928 a mating by Ksar with Boussac’s broodmare Durban produced Tourbillon who later would become a leading sire in France that sired several Classic Champion Thoroughbreds for Boussac.
Tourbillon sired the 1942 Arc winner Djebel and Caracalla who won the Arc in 1946. Djebel sired the 1949 Arc winner Coronation.
The bloodstock operation of the Aga Khan also had an impact on the Arc. He won the won the Arc in 1948 with Migoli and Nuccio won it in 1952. Both horses were descendents of the St. Simon sire line.
The Aga Khan’s grandson, HH Aga Khan IV, has also had a lot of Arc success with four victories to his credit. His most recent win came Last year when his outstanding filly Zarkava crossed the finish line triumphant.
Of the previous Arc winners, most of them are descendents of the Darley Arabian sire line of Whalebone and his descendents Stockwell, Phalaris and Nearco. The sire line of Stockwell has produced 45 (52%) Arc winners. Of those 45 Arc winners, 35 (78%) of them are from the line of Phalaris and 28 are from the line of Nearco.
The sire line of Nearco’s son Nasrullah has produced 12 Arc winners and the line of his son Royal Charger produced two Arc winners. The sire line of Nearco’s grandson, Northern Dancer, has produced 14 Arc winners and in the past 15 years, 11 of those Arc winners are descendents of the Northern Dancer line.
Sea The Stars is a descendent of the Danzig line of Northern Dancer and the Danzig line has produced three Arc winners: Dylan Thomas (2007), Rail Link (2006) and Sinndar (2000). His dam, Urban Sea, won the 1993 Arc.
Sea The Stars comes from a family of Arc winners. But, it remains to be seen if Sea The Stars can carry on the family tradition.
Only time will tell.
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