Saturday, December 19, 2009

Let's Talk Derby

Now that the CashCall Futurity is history, Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert claims his fifth win in the Futurity and moves ahead of D. Wayne Lukas as the trainer with the most Futurity wins.

Lookin At Lucky is pretty much a lock to win the Eclipse Award for 2-year-old champion and, if he isn’t there already, moves to the top of most people’s 2010 Kentucky Derby list.

The Holidays have put me behind but I hope to post my Derby list sometime before the start of the New Year.

In the meantime, if you are snowed in and suffering from a bad case of cabin fever or you’ve just been Derby dreamin, you may want to check out the Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds website Sunday for a live 2010 Kentucky Derby Chat at 4 p.m Eastern Standard Time. It’s easy to attend the chat. Just visit the website and click on Chat located on the tool bar located beneath the Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds banner.

The chat is hosted by my friend Laura who is the creator of Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds and also a frequent poster on the Daily Racing Form FormBlog hosted by Dan Illman. Laura regularly has chats at her website and most of the chatters are the railbirds that make posts on Illman’s FormBlog.

Noted author and pedigree analyst Rommy Faversham has visited Laura’s chat room and Mr. Illman (also a noted author and he’s pretty good on pedigrees too) occasionally stops by for a visit.

I don’t know if Faversham or Illman will be at Sunday’s chat but one thing is for sure: talking Derby is good medicine to cure your cabin fever blues and jumpstart you on the 2010 Kentucky Derby trail.

I’ll see you at the chat.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Emotional Conformation Is Key To Success

I love to study Thoroughbred pedigrees and follow the juveniles on the Triple Crown Trail. Every year I find two or three horses I like, with nice pedigrees, but for one reason or another they do not live up to their breeding and their performance on the track is mediocre at best.

Thomas Herding Technique founder Kerry Thomas, in his essay Breeding for Behavior in the Hybrid Thoroughbred; Emotional Conformation, reapplying natural selection, says that in addition to physical conformation, Emotional Conformation is one of the keys to producing a successful equine athlete.

“It is not physical genetics alone that generate the successful athlete; it is the combination of both, Emotional Genetics and Physical Genetics. EthoGrading is an important aspect of the process for emotional genetics are revealed within the Emotional Conformation of the horse, and this is a key to adopting a more natural selection process to the mating program. There is a standard natural mantra that should not be forgotten that nature has provided for us: The mental capacity of the equine controls the physical output of the athlete.”…

“Nature provides the animal with the mental capacity it needs, exactly fitted to the requirements necessary to use the body in the environment it lives in. Think of the differences in horse size and mentality from breed to breed. Look back in history and you will see that the successful species was always matched naturally, mind to body. Indeed, for species on the move forward, the mental capacity is greater than the physical ability on its own; this allows for growth in evolution, this is what you should be breeding for in your thoroughbred athlete. This is the pure definition of natural selection; mental capacity, agility and focus that are best fitted to the needs within a given environment to survive. The artificial environment does not provide the canvas for nature to paint this picture as we select by paper quite often just who is mated to who and for what reason.”…

“When we select our breeding for success, we must remember how the process of evolution actually occurs. We like to look at pictures and we are fascinated by the changes in species physically through time. We also breed our race horses with how their physical make-up will operate in a given environment, or better said, what am I breeding for physically, turf, dirt or synthetic? It is not so much how the body is made to move over a given surface (environment) or how fast, as it is how the mental capacity is equipped to interpret the stimulus received. Physical evolution is secondary to mental evolution. Decision making ability stimulates physical change, not the other way around. The horse has an incredible ability to assimilate mentally and the thoroughbred is equipped to react very quickly to the directions given it. This is why understanding your individual horse’s Emotional Conformation and having a Psychological Profile plays an integral part [in producing the successful equine athlete].”

I like Thomas’ perspective on how to produce the champion Thoroughbred. To learn more about Emotional Conformation you can read the rest of the essay here and you can visit his website here.

Sid Fernando and Frank Mitchell recently posted blogs about Thomas and Emotional Conformation. Youbet’s Derek Simon also has a very good interview with Thomas on his radio show "Simon Says."

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott profiles Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week nine, Scott profiles Great Races of the Decade.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Breeding For Behavior In The Hybrid Thoroughbred

Thomas Herding Technique Founder Kerry Thomas, in his essay Breeding for Behavior in the Hybrid Thoroughbred, says that Emotional Conformation and reapplying natural selection in breeding practices is important for the improvement of the breed.

“You cannot continually remove the natural selection element from the process and expect great results without weakening the breed itself. …Emotional Conformation and Psychological Profiling of the individual horse being proposed for mating can provide the extra information needed to increase the probability of a more successful outcome. Just because you mate two incredibly talented athletes with outstanding pedigrees doesn’t mean that their progeny will be as outstanding. Because this is true, the result is over-breeding and a saturation of the industry with far too many trash-can horses, deemed unworthy of financial support because they don’t win, or are unsound and breakdown.”

For the entire essay please click here.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott profiles Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week eight, Scott profiles The Best of Britain and France.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hollywood Prevue Stakes Racing Roundup

A field of eight 2-year-old juveniles has been entered in today’s $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) but it looks like the 7-furlong sprint could become a three-horse race.

Winstar Farms’ American Lion is the 7-5 morning line favorite and he comes into the race with an impressive maiden win by 6 ¾ -lengths in a 7-furlong sprint at Keeneland. Trainer Eoin Harty should have American Lion ready for another big performance and jockey Julien Leparoux returns for the mount.

American Lion's second grandsire, Relaunch, sired Star Of The Crop who won the Prevue in 1991 and his third grandsire, In Reality, sired Judge Smells who won in 1985. American Lion’s damsire, Storm Cat, is the grandsire of Lion Heart who won the Prevue in 2003 and Roll Hennessy Roll who won in 2002.

Win or lose, I will be watching to see how well American Lion performs when he stretches out to a route race.

Hall Of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert won the Hollywood Prevue with Massive Drama in 2007 and he’s looking for another victory with a pair of nice colts, Indian Firewater (5-2) and Macias (3-1).

Indian Firewater has been training well recording several bullet works at Hollywood Park and the Prevue looks like the next best step in his progression. His sire, Indian Charlie, won the Santa Anita Derby and sired the 2006 Eclipse Champion Fleet Indian and 2007 Eclipse Champion Indian Blessing. Indian Firewater’s grandsire, In Excess, sired the 1996 Prevue winner In Excessive Bull. Indian Firewater’s damsire is 1997 Belmont winner Touch Gold and Miswaki, the sire of Indian Firewater’s second dam Bay Barrister, sired the 1993 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea.

So, Indian Firewater looks like another one to keep an eye on when he stretches out to a route race.

Zayat Stables’ Macias is the only colt in the field with a stakes win to his credit. He has good speed and won the 6-furlong Jack Goodman Stakes last out in a final time of 1:08.98. If Macias can carry the speed to 7-furlongs he will be tough. Zayat Stables won the Prevue with Massive Drama in 2007 and Belgravia in 2006.

Tribal Face (15-1) looks like an intriguing long shot. After four starts, Tribal Face finally broke his maiden last out and appears to be improving. Tribal Face has only been out of the money once and he has a third-place finish in the hotly-contested I’m Smokin Stakes. His grandsire, Storm Cat, is the grandsire of Prevue winners Lion Heart and Roll Hennessy Roll. His damsire, Memo, sired the 1999 Prevue winner Grey Memo who was the 2002 California Champion Older Horse with over $1 million in career earnings.

So at 15-1 morning line odds, he may be worth a small win, place bet.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade: Ballydoyle Stable

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott profiles Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week seven, Scott profiles Ballydoyle Stable.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade: Sea The Stars

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott profiles Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week six, Scott profiles Sea The Stars.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Vale Of York On Track To Kentucky Derby

The fantastic upset victory by Vale Of York (IRE) in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has given Godolphin dreams of another conquest in next year’s Derby.

No. Not the Epsom Derby, the Kentucky Derby.

“He handled the synthetic surface well,” said Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford in a Racing Post news article. “We don’t know whether or not he will handle the dirt at Churchill Downs as well, but we certainly will give it a try.”

Coronation Futurity Racing Roundup

Hotep is a 2-year-old thoroughbred that I have had on my watch list for some time and today, along with six other juveniles, he will make his stakes debut in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine.

Hotep is a full brother to this year’s Canadian Queen’s Plate winner Eye Of The Leopard and I’m eager to see how well he performs in the Coronation. So far, with a win in his maiden debut last month, Hotep is farther along that his older brother who did not race as a 2-year-old and just started racing this past April.

Both Eye of The Leopard and Hotep are trained by Mark Frostad who won the Coronation in 1999 with Dixieland Diamond.

I like it that Hotep’s maiden win came in a 1-mile, 70-yard route race and his pedigree suggests that he will relish going even farther.

Hotep comes into 9-furlong Coronation as the 5-1 morning-line-third-choice. His major competition will most likely come from the 6-5 morning line favorite Hollinger who won the 8.5-furlong Cup And Saucer Stakes on the turf last month at Woodbine.

Undefeated in three starts, Hollinger is trained by Roger Attfield who won the Coronation three times with Ablo in 2004, Talkin Man in 1994 and Norcliffe in 1975.

Stormy Lord (6-1) finished second to Hollinger in the Cup And Saucer Stakes and I look for him to be in the mix at the finish. His sire Stormy Atlantic sired Leonnatus Anteas who won the Coronation in 2006 and went on to become the Canadian Champion Two Year Old Colt.

Another horse that probably should be used in the exotics is Vicar Street (8-1) who narrowly lost to Hotep by a neck in his last outing. His damsire, At The Threshold, sired the 1992 Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee and his second damsire, Norcliffe, won the 1975 edition of the Coronation.

Ghost Fleet is the 4-1 second-choice but he failed as the favorite in his last race when stretching out to a route in the Grey Stakes (G3) and I'm not too keen on him in this race.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Racing Roundup

Jockey Julien Leparoux had a great day Friday with a first-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, a first-place in the Filly and Mare Sprint and a third-place in the Filly and Mare Turf. Hopefully, Leparoux will be primed for another great day Saturday and that should bode well for Aspire who is my longshot pick to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

I think that Leparoux is a good fit with Aspire. He rode him in his first two starts and regains the mount for the Juvenile.

In three starts, Aspire (20-1) has never been out of the money and although he has yet to win a Graded Stakes race he has been racing in good company. He has a second-place finish in the Hopeful (G1) and a third-place finish in the Champagne Stakes (G1).

Aspire had a nice work out over the track surface earlier this week and his Brisnet Speed Figures have steadily improved with each race. His 97 in the Champagne is his best yet and he could be ready for a big move forward.

Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert is hoping to claim his third Juvenile victory with Lookin At Lucky who is the prohibitive 8-5 morning line favorite. Undefeated in four starts, Lookin At Lucky has a stakes win in the Best Pal (G2), the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and the Norfolk Stakes (G1).

D’ Funnybone is the 5-2 second choice. D’Funnybone has yet to run in a route race and he comes into the Juvenile with impressive performances in the Saratoga Special (G2) and Futurity Stakes (G2). D’Funnybone has two triple-digit Brisnet Speed Figures and if he can carry that speed to a route race, he most likely will be the winner.

Another horse that I believe needs to be included in the exotics is Noble’s Promise (8-1). He was the impressive winner of the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last month and he has the speed to be competitive in the Juvenile.

In addition to the win, place, wager on Aspire, I’ll use him with Lookin At Lucky, D’Funnybone and Noble’s Promise in the exotic wagers.

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, I like Codoy (15-1) for my longshot pick. He’s never been out of the money in five starts and in his last outing he was gaining on Interactif in the Bourbon Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. His 93 Brisnet Speed Figure last out was his best yet and he could be ready for another move forward.

Bridgetown (8-1) went gate-to-wire in the Summer Stakes (G3) last out and I would not be surprised to see him do that in the Juvenile Turf. Bridgetown comes in the the racer with a 2-1-0 record in threee starts. With Speightstown as his sire and Tabasco Cat as his damsire, he has the speed and stamina to be a very competitive middle-distance runner.

Interactif (4-1) now has a win in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) and Bourbon Stakes (G3) on both firm and yielding ground. He’s recorded his best speed figures since switching to the turf and I expect him to be in the money in the Juvenile Turf.

Of the European invaders, I like Viscount Nelson (6-1). He’s never been out of the money in four starts and he comes into the race with a narrow defeat in the Champagne Stakes (G3) at Doncaster. I expect that jockey Johnny Murtagh will have Viscount Nelson in the mix at the finish.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Iroquois Stakes Racing Roundup

Soaring Empire, owned by University of Louisville Basketball Coach Rick Pitino and Ol Memorial Stable, is a 2-year-old colt that has been on my watch list for some time. Sunday he will make his stakes debut in the $100,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3) in the opening day of the fall meet at Churchill Downs.

In just his second start, with 15-1 morning line odds, I have no idea how well Soaring Empire will perform in the Iroquois. But if his maiden debut at Monmouth Park on September 26 is an indication, Pitino and his partners may have a contender for the 2010 Triple Crown Trail.

Soaring Empire came from way off the pace, angled out four-wide midway on the turn, and rallied to win going away by 3 ¼ -lengths with a final time of 1:04.80 in the 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Monmouth Park.

I really like the pedigree of Soaring Empire, but you never know how well juveniles will do until they’ve raced a few times. Sometimes they live up to their breeding and sometimes they don’t. I’ve had my share of horses that I liked and for some reason they did not live up to their breeding.

It definitely is a step up in class for Soaring Empire who will face the likes of Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Dublin. However, I like Soaring Empire for my longshot pick. He has the breeding to win the Iroquois but only time will tell if Soaring Empire will develop into a nice racehorse.

I also like Dublin who is the 4-1 morning line favorite in the field of 11 horses. But, with his low odds and my small bankroll, I will only use him with Soaring Empire in the exotics.

Although he’s never ran in a route race, Uh Oh Bango (5-1) looks like he could be tough in this spot. He comes into this race with a 10 ½ -length romp in the 6-furlong Prairie Meadows Freshman Stakes, September 18 at Prairie Meadows. Uh Oh Bango’s final time of 1:09.26 earned him a 102 Brisnet Speed Figure for that performance which is the highest speed figure of all the horses entered in today’s race. If he can carry that speed to a route he could be in the mix.

Another horse I like is the Todd Pletcher-trained Three Day Rush (8-1) who comes into this race with a win in the Monmouth Park-NATC Furturity.

My selections:

Soaring Empire
Dublin
Three Day Rush
Uh Oh Bango

Friday, October 30, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade: Zarkava

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott profiles Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week five, Scott profiles Zarkava.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Breeders' Cup By The Numbers

Daily Racing Form Publisher Steven Crist recently wrote an excellent post for his blog profiling the Thoroughbreds who have sired the most Breeders’ Cup winners since its inception in 1984.

That’s the kind of reporting that I really appreciate.

For several years now, I have been keeping similar statistics for my own records and I have found them to be valuable in keeping up with historical trends as well as potential handicapping angles.

In order to put the Breeders’ Cup statistics into perspective, an overview of American horseracing is necessary. I don’t, yet, have the exact numbers but a vast majority of thoroughbred champions in the last half of the 20th Century trace back to the sire line of Darley Arabian through his descendents Whalebone, Stockwell, Phalaris, Native Dancer and Nearco.

Modern-day horseracing as we know it would not exist if it was not for Phalaris and his three sons – Sickle, Pharos and Pharamond II. Born in 1913, Phalaris was a champion sprinter in 1917 and 1918 with a career-record 16-2-1 in 24 starts. However, Phalaris' greatest contribution to horse racing was as a sire and he was selected by Timeform as the sire of the 20th Century.

The greatest impact Phalaris and his sire line have had on horseracing has been by his great-great grandson Native Dancer and grandson Nearco.

Native Dancer, an outstanding champion, 21-1-0 in 22 starts, was sired by Polynesian out of the line of Sickle and that line produced Mr. Prospector which is one of the leading sire lines in the industry today.

Nearco, a champion racehorse, undefeated in 14 starts, was sired by Pharos and the line of Nearco has given us most of our modern-day thoroughbred champions. Nearco's greatest contribution comes from his two sons, Nasrullah and Royal Charger, and his two grandsons, Northern Dancer and Bold Ruler.

There are five sire lines descended from Phalaris that have had a major impact on the Breeders' Cup races. Those sire lines are: Mr. Prospector who is a descendent of the Native Dancer line; Nasrullah, Royal Charger, Northern Dancer and Bold Ruler who are descendents of the Nearco sire line.

Since 1984, a total of 194 Breeders Cup races have been run and 160 (82%) of them have been won by horses out of the sire line of Phalaris and his descendents. Of those 194 Breeders’ Cup races, 117 (60%) of them have been won by horses out of the sire line of Phalaris’ grandson Nearco and his descendents: 58 winners are out of the line of Nearco's grandson Northern Dancer; 40 winners are out of the line of his son Nasrullah and 18 of those are out of the line of Nasrullah’s son Bold Ruler; 15 winners are out of the line of Nearco's son Royal Charger and 10 of those winners are out of the sire line of Royal Charger’s grandson Hail To Reason; four winners are out of the line of Nearco’s son Nearctic.

The Mr. Prospector line has produced a total of 41 Breeders’ Cup winners. Of those 41 winners, 10 (24%) are from the line of his son Fappiano and eight (20 %) are from the line of his son Gone West.

This Breeders' Cup statistics chart shows the impact that the bloodline of Phalaris, and his descendents, has had on all of the Breeders' Cup divisional races since 1984. I have also included a second chart that shows the Breeders’ Cup winners produced by the top sire lines of the descendents of Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, Royal Charger, Nasrullah and Bold Ruler.

In all of the divisional races, the Northern Dancer sire line has the most winners (refer to chart one) in four divisions: Juvenile Filles (7), Turf (10), Fillies & Mare Turf (8) and Mile (14). The Mr. Prospector sire line has the most winners in the Juvenile (7) and Sprint (8) divisions.

Classic Division

The sire line of Mr. Prospector has produced five winners: Raven’s Pass (2008), Curlin (2007), Volponi (2002), Black Tie Affair (1991) and Unbridled (1990). The sire line of Northern Dancer has also produced five winners: Ghostzapper (2004), Cat Thief (1999), Awesome Again (1998), Cigar (1995) and Ferdinand (1987).

Ladies’ Classic Division

The sire line of Northern Dancer has produced the most winners with a total of six: Ginger Punch (2007), Round Pond (2006), Adoration (2003), Escena (1998), Ajina (1997) and Dance Smartly (1991). The sire line of Mr. Prospector has produced five winners: Zenyatta (2008), Pleasant Home (2005), Azeri (2002), Unbridled Elaine (2001) and Spain (2000). The Bold Ruler line has also produced five winners: Beautiful Pleasure (1999), Bayakoa (1990 and 1989), Sacahuista (1987) and Lady’s Secret (1986).

Juvenile Division

The Mr. Prospector sire line leads the Juvenile Division with a total of seven winners: Midshipman (2008), Street Sense (2006), Anees (1999), Unbridled’s Song (1995), Timber Country (1994), Rhythm (1989) and Tasso (1985). The Bold Ruler line produced five winners: Stevie Wonderboy (2005), Vindication (2002), Boston Harbor (1996), Is It True (1988) and Capote (1986). The Northern Dancer line has produced three winners: Wilko (2004), Johannesburg (2001) and Chief’s Crown (1984). The Royal Charger line has also produced three winners: Action This Day (2003), Answer Lively (1998) and Brocco (1993).

Juvenile Fillies Division

The Northern Dancer sire line has the most winners with a total of seven: Sweet Catomine (2004), Storm Flag Flying (2002), Silverbulletday (1998), Countess Diana (1997), Storm Song (1996), Go For Wand (1989) and Open Mind (1988). The Nasrullah line produced four winners: Indian Blessing (2007), Dreaming Of Anna (2006), Eliza (1992) and Brave Raj (1986). The Mr. Prospector line produced three winners: Halfbridled (2003), Cash Run (1999) and Flanders (1994).

Turf Division

The Northern Dancer line leads the Turf Division with a total of 10 winners: Red Rocks (2006), High Chaparral (2003 and 2002), Chief Bearhart (1997), Pilsudski (1996), Northern Spur (1995), Fraise (1992), In The Wings (1990), Theatrical (1987) and Manila (1986). The Nasrullah line produced eight winners: Conduit (2008), Better Talk Now (2004), Fantastic Light (2001), Kalanisi (2000), Daylami (1999), Tikkanen (1994), Kotashaan (1993) and Lashkari (1984).

Filly & Mare Turf Division

The Filly & Mare Turf was inaugurated in 1999 and in the past 10 years, the Northern Dancer has produced eight winners: Forever Together (2008), Lahudood (2007), Ouija Board (2006 and 2004), Intercontinental (2005), Islington (2003), Starine (2002) and Banks Hill (2001). The Royal Charger line produced the two remaining winners: Perfect Sting (2000) and Soaring Softly (1999).

Sprint Division

The Mr. Prospector line leads the Sprint Division with a total of eight winners: Midnight Lute (2008 and 2007), Speightstown (2004), Cajun Beat (2003), Squirtle Squirt (2001), Artax (1999), Gulch (1988) and Eillo (1984). The Northern Dancer line produced five winners: Reraise (1998), Lit de Justice (1996), Desert Stormer (1995), Sheikh Albadou (1991) and Dancing Spee (1989).

Mile Division

The Northern Dancer line has dominated the Mile with 14 winners (56%): Goldikova (2008), Artie Schiller (2005), Val Royal (2001), War Chant (2000), Spinning World (1997), Barathea (1994), Lure (1993 and 1992), Opening Verse (1991), Royal Academy (1990), Miesque (1988 and 1987), Last Tycoon (1986) and Royal Heroine (1984). The Mr. Prospector line has produced five winners: Kip Deville (2007), Miesque’s Approval (2006), Six Perfections (2003) and Da Hoss (1998 and 1996).

In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup committee added the Filly & Mare Sprint, Juvenile Turf and Dirt Mile to the roster of Breeders’ Cup races. In 2008, the Marathon, Juvenile Fillies Turf and Turf Sprint were also added to the roster. Every one of those races, except for the 2007 and 2008 Dirt Mile, has been won by horses descended from the Mr. Prospector sire line.

Here are the statistics (refer to chart two) of the Breeders’ Cup winners produced by the top sire lines of the descendents of Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, Royal Charger, Nasrullah and Bold Ruler.

Mr. Prospector

The sire line of Mr. Prospector’s son Fappiano produced 10 winners: Classic – Volponi (2002) and Unbridled (1990); Ladies’ Classic – Unbridled (2001); Juvenile – Midshipman (2008), Anees (1999), Unbridled’s Song (1995) and Tasso (1985); Juvenile Fillies – Halfbridled (2003); Sprint – Midnight Lute (2008 and 2007). Fappiano sired two winners (Unbridled and Tasso) and his son Unbridled sired three winners (see Crist’s blog).

The sire line of Mr. Prospector’s son Gone West produced 8 winners: Classic – Raven’s Pass (2008); Turf – Johar (2003); Sprint – Speightstown (2004), Cajun Beat (2003); Mile – Da Hoss (1998 and 1996); Filly & Mare Sprint – Maryfield (2007); Juvenile Turf – Nownownow (2007). Gone West sired four winners (see Crist’s blog).

Northern Dancer

Of all the descendents of Northern Dancer, the sire line of his son Danzig has produced the most Breeders’ Cup winners with a total of 16: Ladies’ Classic – Adoration (2004), Dance Smartly (1991); Juvenile – Chief’s Crown (1984); Juvenile Fillies – Countess Diana (1997); Turf – Chief Bearhart (1997), Pilsudski (1996); Filly & Mare Turf – Forever Together (2008), Ouija Board (2006 and 2004), Intercontinental (2005), Banks Hill (2001); Sprint – Sheikh Albadou (1991); Mile – Goldikova (2008), War Chant (2000), Lure (1993 and 1992). Danzig sired five winners (see Crist’s blog).

The Sadler’s Wells sire line produced 9 winners: Turf – Red Rocks (2006), High Chaparral (2003 and 2002), Northern Spur (1995), In The Wings (1990); Fillies & Mare Turf – Lahudood (2007), Islington (2003); Mile – Artie Schiller (2005), Barathea (1994). Sadler’s Wells sired six winners (see Crist’s blog).

The Deputy Minister sire line produced 8 winners: Classic – Ghostzapper (2004), Awesome Again (1998), Ladies’ Classic – Ginger Punch (2007), Round Pond (2006); Juvenile – Wilko (2004); Juvenile Fillies – Silverbulletday (1998), Go For Wand (1989), Open Mind (1988). Three winners were sired by Deputy Minister and four were sired by his son Awesome Again (see Crist’s blog).

The Nijinsky sire line produced 7 winners: Classic – Ferdinand (1987), Ladies’ Classic – Escena (1998), Ajina (1997); Turf – Fraise (1992); Sprint – Dancing Spree (1989); Mile – Val Royal (2001), Royal Academy (1990). Nijinsky sired three winners and his grandson Strawberry Road sired three winners (see Crist’s blog).

Royal Charger

The sire line of his grandson Hail To Reason produced 10 winners: Classic – St. Liam (2005), Sunday Silence (1989); Ladies’ Classic – Ashado (2004), Hollywood Wildcat (1993); Juvenile – Action This Day (2003), Answer Lively (1998), Brocco (1993); Turf – Prized (1989); Filly & Mare Turf – Perfect Sting (2000), Soaring Softly (1989). Royal Charger’s second-great grandson Kris S. sired five winners (see Crist’s blog).

Nasrullah

The sire line of his grandson Blushing Groom produced 8 winners: Classic – Invasor (2006); Juvenile – War Pass (2007); Juvenile Fillies – Dreaming of Anna (2006), Eliza (1992); Turf – Fantastic Light (2001); Sprint – Orientate (2002), Cherokee Run (1994); Mile – Silic (1999). Blushing Groom’s son Rahy sired two winners (Dreaming Of Anna and Fantastic Light). Blushing Groom’s Son Mt. Livermore sired two winners (Eliza and Orientate).

Bold Ruler

The sire line of his great-grandson Seattle Slew produced 9 winners: Classic – A. P. Indy (1992); Juvenile – Stevie Wonderboy (2005), Vindication (2002), Boston Harbor (1996), Capote (1986); Juvenile Fillies – Stardom Bound (2008), Tempera (2001); Sprint – Silver Train (2005), Thirty Slews (1992). Seattle Slew sired three winners (see Crist’s blog).

Some statistics that really stand out for me:

The sire line of Phalaris and, most significantly, his grandson Nearco have produced the most Breeders’ Cup winners (117).

Despite the fact that the sire line of Mr. Prospector has dominated the American Classics (that’s the subject of another post), Nearco’s grandson Northern Dancer has been dominant with 58 winners – especially in the Mile (14) and Turf (10) divisions.

While compiling these statistics, the biggest surprise was that of all the descendents of Northern Dancer, the Danzig sire line has been the most productive with a total of 16 winners.

The Fappiano line has been the most productive Mr. Prospector sire line with 10 winners. The sire line of Nearco’s great-grandson Hail To Reason has also produced 10 winners.

This statistic was another surprise: If you include 18 winners from the Bold Ruler line, the sire line of Nasrullah has produced 40 Breeders’ Cup winners compared to Mr. Prospector’s 41.

Nine of the 18 Bold Ruler sire line winners are descended from the sire line of Bold Ruler’s great-grandson Seattle Slew.

The Filly & Mare Turf Division was inaugurated in 1999 and in the past 10 years, five of those winners have been produced by the sire line of Danzig.

Half of the Deputy Minister sire line winners were sired by his son Awesome Again.

Sixty-Seven percent of the Sadler’s Wells sire line winners were sired by Sadler’s Wells.

As you can see, despite having raced only a few years, the Breeders’ Cup has a rich history of superb horseracing and, next to the American Classic races, it’s my favorite two days of racing.

Good luck with your selections!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sea The Stars: Move Over

British Isles flat racing fans, bemoaning the loss of racing sensation Sea The Stars, recently retired to stud, may have a new horseracing star in the making with St. Nicholas Abbey who devasted a very good group of 2-year-old juveniles in the 1-mile Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster Saturday.

Held up in the rear early on, jockey Johnny Murtagh took St. Nicholas Abbey to the lead with one furlong left and cruised to an easy 3 ¾ -length victory over runnerup Elusive Pimpernel and Al Zir who finished third another 2 ½ -lengths back.

“This is a very special horse,” said St. Nicholas Abbey’s trainer Aidan O’Brien in a Racing Post news story. “He’s one of those unique horses who is bred to stay but who has speed. When you look at the turn of toe he showed today – it was effortless.”

St. Nicholas Abbey is now undefeated in three starts. In his last outing he won the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Group 2) – which was also won by Sea The Stars last year. But so far, with a Group 2 and Group 1 win to his credit, St. Nicholas Abbey is further along than Sea The Stars who was 2-0-0 in three starts at this time last year.

St. Nicholas Abbey is definitely one to keep an eye on in next year’s flat racing season.

“We will be looking at the Guineas and all the Classics next year,” said O’Brien.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

IEAH Stables Buys Radiohead, Will Send Him To Breeders' Cup Juvenile

The Racing Post reports that IEAH Stables has purchased controlling interest in Radiohead, an impressive winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot this summer, and will send him to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita next month.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade: Week Four

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott is profiling Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week four, Scott profiles Dylan Thomas.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Full Brother To Queen's Plate Winner Wins Debut

A 2-year-old thoroughbred I have on my watch list, Hotep, a full brother to this year’s Canadian Queen’s Plate winner Eye of The Leopard, won his maiden debut today at Woodbine for trainer Mark Frostad.

Hotep covered the 1 mile 70 yard maiden special weight race in 1:42.54 and paid $16.70 for the win, $9.70 to place and $4.10 for the show.

Frostad also trains Eye Of The Leopard who earlier this year gave Frostad his third Queen's Plate win.

It's a long way off to the 2010 Queen's Plate, but if Hotep remains healthy and keeps winning he would be a good one to keep an eye on.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Great Racehorses Of The Decade: Week Three

In a new series of articles for the British Horseracing Authority, turf writer Andrew Scott is profiling Great Racehorses of the Decade.

In week three, Scott profiles Galileo.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

I Wish I Could Do This Every Day

In my perfect world, every day would find me with a longshot on my winning tickets. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world.

However, Saturday and Sunday was as near perfect as it can get.

Saturday, I forgot to mention Noble's Promise in my blog about the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity Stakes (G1) at Keeneland but in the comment section of my blog I made a post answering a question from a reader and said that Noble's Promise was a good longshot pick. Noble’s Promise crossed the finish line first and paid $27.80 for the win:

"Barry…A long shot I forgot to mention in the blog is improving Noble's Promise - trained by Kenny McPeak. He has some good speed and if he can transfer that to a route he may be in the mix. His pedigree says he should be able to go the distance but I would not expect him to go much farther."

Sunday, Codoy was my long shot pick in the Bourbon Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. Codoy came in second and paid $28.00 for the place:

"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."

Now if only I could win the lottery. Oh well, we have to have dreams, don’t we.

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.

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

************************

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

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

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.

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.

Monday, September 28, 2009

St. Nicholas Abbey Wins Juddmonte Beresford Stakes

Tracking in third with two furlongs left, St. Nicholas Abbey took the lead inside the final furlong and posted a comfortable three-quarter length win over runnerup Layali Al Andalus in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Group 2) at Curragh Sunday.

The triumph marks the second win in two starts for the Aiden O’Brien-trained Saint Nicholas Abbey and landed him atop the board as the favorite for the 2010 Investec Derby Stakes at Epsom Downs.

"Only time will tell if Aidan O'Brien's charge can emulate last year's Beresford winner, Sea The Stars, and go on to Epsom glory, but at this early stage he's a worthy favourite in our book," said Coral spokesman David Stevens in a Racing Post interview.

St. Nicholas Abbey (Montjeu-Leaping Water by Sure Blade) is a half brother to Grade Two winner Grammarian. His sire, Montjeu, sired the 2005 Derby winner Motivator and Authorized who won the Derby in 2007.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Goes International

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Challenge takes on an international flair Saturday with the running of the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Ascot. The Royal Lodge is a “Win And You Are In” race and the winner will stamp his ticket to compete at Santa Anita November 7.

A field of eleven will go to post in the one mile stakes.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/09/09/25/RACING_Lodge.html

In his video analysis of the race, Racing Post’s Mark Winstanley likes long shot High Twelve who recently broke his maiden with an impressive win at Sandown last out and noted that it will be “High Noon” for the bookies when High Twevle wins the Royal Lodge.

From a pedigree perspective, a horse that I am interested in is Godolphin’s Frozen Power (Oasis Dream-Musical Treat by Royal Academy).

Pedigree authority Jack Werk has recently blogged how Oasis Dream and, most notably, his sire line of Green Desert (by Danzig) is red hot in Europe. The outstanding Sea The Stars hails from that line via Cape Cross.

http://werk2.werkhorse.com/wordpress/index.php/2009/09/13/the-danzig-dynasty/

For the season, Oasis Dream has 18 SWs and three G1 winners. His 2-year-old Arcano upset favored Canford Cliffs to win the Group 1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville last month and depending on which book you refer to he’s favored in the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas.

Frozen Power comes into the Royal Lodge with three wins in four starts and gets the services of Frankie Dettori.

http://www.godolphin.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=4685

In the upcoming months, I’ll be keeping watch on how well the Oasis Dream 2-year-olds perform. Though a ways off, I’ll be looking here in the states for the debut of colts from the Danzig sire line Graded Stakes Champion Hard Spun and Classic Champion Thoroughbred Big Brown.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Rest In Peace Summer Squall

The Classic Champion Thoroughbred Summer Squall was euthanized Tuesday due to infirmities of old age. Summer Squall was 22.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/107470.html

Summer Squall finished second to Unbridled in the 1990 Kentucky Derby but turned the tables on Unbridled in the Preakness beating him by two and one-quarter lengths in a near-record time of 1:53 3/5.

Summer Squall sired Charismatic who won the 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Summer Squall was also the damsire of Summer Bird who won this year’s Belmont Stakes.

In case you have not seen this, here is a nice blog about Summer Squall from Glenn Craven at Fugue For Tinhorns:

http://fuguefortinhorns.blogspot.com/2009/09/advent-of-autumn-marks-last-day-of.html

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Futurity, Summer Stakes Racing Roundup

The Futurity Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park and the Summer Stakes (G3) at Woodbine Racetrack highlight today’s stakes racing action for 2-year-old thoroughbreds.

Since its inauragural running on Labor Day of 1888, the Futurity has produced several Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: Lemon Drop Kid (1998), Swale (1983), Riva Ridge (1971), High Echelon (1969), Bold Ruler (1956), Nashua (1954), Native Dancer (1952), Man o’ War (1919), Colin (1907) and the Triple Crown Classic Champion Thoroughbreds Affirmed (1977), Secretariat (1972) and Citation (1947).

A couple of talented, but prohibitive favorites, D’ Funnybone (6-5) and Discreetly Mine (9-5) head today’s edition of the $250,000 seven-furlong Futurity.

D’ Funnybone is trained by Dick Dutrow and he comes into the Futurity with a 10½-length romp in the Saratoga Special.

Discreetly Mine has yet to race in stakes competition but he comes into the race with an easy 6¼-length win in a maiden last out.

Barclay Tagg won the Futurity in 2007 with Tale of Ekati and he’s looking for another win with Insightful (15-1) who breaks from post five. The E Dubai colt already has a win at this distance but finished fourth to D’ Funnybone last out in the Saratoga Special.

Steve Asmussen has won the Futurity twice with Private Vow (2005) and Cuvee (2003) and he sends Thiskyhasnolimit (12-1) who was beaten 25¼ lengths by D’ Funnybone last out in the Saratoga Special.

A couple of interesting long shots who have both won last out at seven-furlongs is Grand Rapport (15-1) and Successful Score (10-1). Grand Rapport is trained by Gary Contessa and breaks from post four. Successful Score is trained by Dale Romans and starts from post eight.

Hear Ye Hear Ye (20-1) is another interesting long shot that fits a betting angle I like to play. He has a 100 Brisnet Speed Figure which is the highest of all entered in the Futurity and he is ranked third in the Brisnet Prime Power rating. In addition, his sire, Hear No Evil, is a descendent of the Mr. Prospector line which has won the Futurity nine times in the past 13 years. At 20-1 morning line odds, I may play a small win, place, bet on him and use him in the exotics with the two favorites D’ Funnybone and Discreetly Mine.

Discreetly Mine and D’ Funnybone look tough in this spot. Of those two, I like the pedigree of Discreetly Mine the most and look for him to get better with added distance.

**************************

At 5-2 morning line odds, Stormy Lord is the shortest price in the field of 10 entered in the $300,000 Summer Stakes at Woodbine. The Summer Stakes, run at a mile on the turf, is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race and the winner will secure his start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Looking for his first win in the Summer Stakes, trainer Mark Casse sends out 4-1 second choice Ruhtro. In his last outing, Ruhtro finished second to Stormy Lord in a seven-furlong turf race at Woodbine – beaten by 2½ lengths.

Daniel Vella won the Summer Stakes with Blazing Hot in 1995 and he sends out the 6-1 third choice Korvette Kid and Benestar (12-1). Korvette Kid comes into the race with a 1¾ -length win in a six-furlong debut on the turf. Korvette Kid’s sire, Lemon Drop Kid, sired Bear’s Kid who won the 2005 Summer Stakes.

Benestar, bred by former Kentucky Governor Brereton C. Jones, has a second and third-place finish on the turf at Woodbine.

Todd Pletcher won the Summer Stakes with Dubleo (2004) and Lismore Knight (2002) and hopes to pick up his third win with Italian import Fantastico Roberto (8-1) who finished fourth in his U.S. debut – the Spectacular Bid Stakes on the polytrack at Arlington Park. Prior to that, Fantastico Roberto dominated his first two starts on the turf in Italy. So the switch back to turf should benefit him. In addition, Fantastico Roberto has a fantastic turf pedigree. His sire, Refuse To Bend, was a champion turf horse in Ireland and Great Britain. His damsire was the two-time Horse of The Word and 2001 Eclipse Champion Turf Male Fantastic Light.

British import Yesnabay (8-1) comes into the Summer Stakes with a seven-length win in a six- furlong turf sprint July 20. Yesnabay gets first time Lasix and his sire, Grand Slam, sired the 2008 Summer Stakes winner Grand Adventure.

Two intriguing long shots are Becky’s Kitten (10-1) and Bridgetown (10-1).

After three attempts on the dirt, Becky’s Kitten may have finally put it together breaking his maiden in a 1 1/16 mile turf race on firm ground at Saratoga August 27. Becky’s Kitten is trained by Wesley Ward and he gets the services of Julien Leparoux who guided him to his maiden win last out. The sire of Becky’s Kitten is the 2004 Eclipse Champion Turf Male Kitten’s Joy. His damsire is the 1985 Eclipse Champion Turf Horse Cozzene.

Bridgetown comes into the Summer Stakes with a 5¼-length win last out and his 90 Brisnet Speed Figure for that effort is the fastest turf speed figure of all today’s starters. Bridgetown no doubt gets his speed from his sire Speightstown who was the 2004 Eclipse Champion Sprinter. But he also gets plenty of stamina on the distaff part of his pedigree from his damsire, Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Tabasco Cat, and Alydar who finished second to Affirmed in all three legs of the 1978 Triple Crown.

Trainer Michael Keough knows how produce a champion thoroughbred and he is looking for his first Summer Stakes win with Mobil Unit who breaks from post four. After thee attempts on Woodbine’s polytrack, Mobil Unit finally broke his maiden when Keough switched him to a six-furlong sprint on the turf last out. Mobil Unit came home with a time of 1:09 3/5 which is faster than what Ruhtro posted later that day. Mobil Unit has a bullet work on firm turf September 6 and his 12-1 morning line odds look good.

There are several horses that I like in this field and how I play this will depend on their final odds at post time.

Bridgetown may have the speed to go gate to wire and Mobil Unit also has some good speed figures on the Polytrack and turf. His 91 speed figure on the Polytrack is the highest of all entered in the Summer Stakes.

Like Mobile Unit, Becky’s Kitten may have found his ideal racing surface and could be ready for a big effort.

If the odds on Bridgetown and Mobil Unit remain in the double digit territory I will play a small win, place, bet on those two and use them with Becky's Kitten and Fantastico Roberto in my exactor and triactor bets.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Goldikova On Track To Breeders' Cup Mile

You may not get to see a matchup this year between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup, but if all goes well, Goldikova will return to Santa Anita to defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“Goldikova will be running in the Prix de la Foret [Group 1] at Longchamp and then, providing she runs well, she will be heading to Santa Anita,” said trainer Freddie Head in a Racingpost.com article.

“She is very well at the moment and I am very pleased with her. We decided that the best way to target her at the Breeders’ Cup would be to run her at Longchamp rather than going to Newmarket or Ascot."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/f-head-goldikova-to-tackle-foret-before-defence-of-mile/631491/

Pray For Rain

If you'd like to see the brilliant Sea The Stars compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic - pray for rain.

After viewing Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe trials held at Longchamp Sunday, trainer John Oxx is not worried about the potential competition that Sea The Stars may have to face in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. But, if the ground at Lonchamp comes up too soft, Sea The Stars will be pointed to either the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes or the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Here’s what Oxx said in Racingpost.com:

“If we miss the Arc we have to look at the two races that are left,” Oxx added. “Newmarket and Santa Anita, and the Classic rather than the Turf.

“The horse tells you what he wants to do and he’s been on the go since the Guineas, but if we missed the Arc we would have to seriously consider them.”

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/longchamp-longchamp-longchamp-sea-the-stars-john-m-oxx-oxx-arc-trials-produced-nothing-outstanding/631351/top/

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Swynford Stakes Racing Roundup

The $150,000 Swynford Stakes for 2-year-old thoroughbreds at Woodbine Racetrack has had its share of winners who went on to become Classic Champion Thoroughbreds.

Mine That Bird won the Swynford last year and he won this year’s Kentucky Derby. Sunny’s Halo won the Swynford in 1982 and he went on the win the 1983 Kentucky Derby. Touch Gold won the 1997 Belmont Stakes and he finished second to Holzmeister in the 1996 running of the Swynford.

Today, Vandal Stakes winner Ghost Fleet heads a field of five entered in the seven-furlong Swynford Stakes. Trained by Sid Attard, Ghost Fleet is the even-money morning line favorite. Attard is looking for his first Swynford win and he brings Ghost Fleet into the race off a disappointing sixth-place finish on the turf.

Trainer Graham Motion ships Turf Melody in from a third-place finish in the seven-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes at Arlington. Turf Melody, the 3-1 second choice, gets the services of Patrick Husbands who has won the Swynford three times.

Jenny’s So Great (6-1) is the only filly entered in the Swynford. Jenny’s So Great gets the services of Emile Ramsammy who also has won the Swynford three times.

Starting from post two, Suffoncified (7-2) was previously ridden by Ramsammy in his last two wins and will pick up the services of Eurico Da Silva for the Swynford.

Clear Turbulence (8-1) switches to the main track from the turf. Clear Turbulence is still a maiden and comes into the race with two fifth-place finishes.

Friday, September 11, 2009

European Juvenile Racing Roundup

Undefeated in three starts, Silver Grecian heads a field of seven Saturday in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Silver Grecian comes into the race with a win in the Group 2 Meydan Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in July.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/doncaster-champagne-stakes-silver-grecian-heads-seven-champagne-declarations/629798/latest/

Al Zir Is 2010 Investec Derby Co-Favorite

Al Zir cruised to an easy victory today in the Sands Venue and State Club Gainsborough Conditions Stakes at Doncaster.

Al Zir’s win made him the Victor Chandler 16-1 co-favorite with Coordinated Cut for the 2010 Investec Derby.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/al-zir-16-1-favourite-for-derby-after-easy-success/630307/top/

Sand Vixen Wins Flying Childers

Sand Vixen won the Group 2 Flying Childers today at Doncaster setting a new course record of 58.1.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/doncaster-flying-childers-doncaster-godolphins-sand-vixen-lands-flying-childers/630227/latest/

Canford Cliffs Out For Remainder Of Season

Trainer Richard Hannon said that impressive Coventry Stake winner Canford Cliffs will not run again this season.

Canford Cliffs was the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas betting favorite after his Royal Ascot win. But in his last outing he finished a disappointed third to Arcano in the Darley Prix Morny.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/r-hannon-guineas-hope-canford-cliffs-finished-for-season/629490/latest/

Monday, September 7, 2009

Juvenile Thoroughbred Stakes Racing Roundup

The Three Chimney’s Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at the Del Mar Racetrack highlight a full day of Labor Day stakes racing action for 2-year-old juveniles.

Undefeated Prince Rooney heads a field of 13 horses as the 9-2 morning line favorite in the $300,000 Hopeful Stakes. Prince Rooney (Tale Of The Cat-Rooney’s Princess by Deputy Minister) is trained by Steve Asmussen. He comes into the seven furlong Hopeful off a 15-length romp in the $85,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Stakes at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort. Here’s a look at the Mountaineer Juvenile:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/MNR/2009/8/1/1/mountaineer-juvenile-s

Asmussen also has entered Enumerate who finished second to Backtalk in the Sanford Stakes (G2) and Grand Slam Andre who finished third behind Backtalk in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3). Grand Slam Andre comes into the Hopeful with a pair of wins in the $75,000 Middleground Stakes at Lone Star Park and the $50,000 Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park.

Undefeated in three starts, Backtalk drew the far outside post 13 but trainer Tom Amoss is looking to add the Grade One Hopeful to his list of graded stakes wins. Backtalk is the 5-1 second choice and he comes into the race with a win in the Sanford and Bashford Manor Stakes.

Todd Pletcher has One Note Samba (15-1) and Aikenite (20-1) entered in the Hopeful. Both are coming into the race off maiden wins. One Note Samba broke his maiden in a 1:09 4/5 six furlong sprint at Saratoga and his pedigee shows that seven furlongs should not be a problem. At 15-1 morning line, One Note Samba may warrant a small wager.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has high hopes for Dublin (8-1) who finished fourth to Backtalk in is debut but came back 20 days later to break his maiden at Saratoga in a brisk 1:09 2/5 six furlong sprint. The stretch out to seven furlongs should not be a problem for Dublin and if he can repeat his maiden winning performance, he could be a factor in the Hopeful.

Backtalk’s final time in the six furlong Sanford was 1:10 but in all three of his previous races he has shown that he has the kick to get up in time for the win.

My selections: Backtalk, Prince Rooney, Dublin and One Note Samba.

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Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Del Mar Futurity eight times in the past 13 years and he is looking grab another win today and extend undefeated Lookin At Lucky’s winning streak in the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity. Made the 9-5 morning line favorite, Lookin At Lucky drew post one and comes into the Futurity with a three-quarter length win in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) over Make Music For Me (8-1) who is also entered in the Futurity and will start from post five.

Sterling Outlook is the 4-1 second choice. Trained by Peter Miller, Sterling Outlook has yet to race in stakes competition but finished second to Lookin At Lucky – beaten by three-quarters of a length – in a maiden race July 11.

Patrick Biancone’s Zip Quik, the 9-2 third choice, drew post two and comes into the Futurity with a second-place finish to D’ Funnybone in the Saratoga Special (G2).

Smiling Tiger (6-1) drew post four and comes into the race with a third-place in the Best Pal – two lengths behind Lookin At Lucky. Trained by Jeff Bonde, Smiling Tiger posted a bullet work on August 29.

A long shot that I like in this race is 20-1 Who’s Up. Trained by Kathy Walsh, Who’s Up is still a maiden and it will be a big stretch to step up into stakes company. But his Brisnet speed rating is the highest of all the horses in the race and his pedigree shows that seven furlongs should not be a problem. His sire Graeme Hall won the 2000 Arkansas Derby and Jim Dandy Stakes. His damsire Is It True won the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

So, at 20-1, I’ll give him a shot.

My selections: Who’s Up, Lookin At Lucky, Make Music For Me and Sterling Outlook.

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Also on the Del Mar card is the six furlong $100,000 I’m Smoking Stakes for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California.

Brewer Racing Stable’s Yogaroo is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Yogaroo is trained by Wesley Ward and his most recent outing was a ninth-place finish to Radiohead in a five furlong turf sprint at Royal Ascot Great Britain.

Trained by Carla Gaines, second choice John Scott (7-2) will start from post one and he comes into the race with a maiden win. His sire, Bertrando, sired the 1999 I’m Smokin Stakes winner Stormy Jack.

Grace Upon Grace (4-1) gets the services of Garrett Gomez and will start from post seven. He comes into the race with a second place finish in the Willard Proctor Memorial and Graduation Stakes but he was a disappointing fourth to Necessary Evil in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes.

Doug O’Neill’s Wolf Tail (9-2) comes into the race with a win in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes. Wolf Tail gets the services of Joel Rosario and will start from post five.

Daylight Storm (12-1) looks like an intriguing long shot. He’s been in the money five times in six starts with two wins, a second and two third-place finishes. He finished third to Wolf Tail after dueling for the lead in the Graduation Stakes. His sire, Stormy Jack, won the 1999 I’m Smokin Stakes.

My selections: Wolf Tail, Daylight Storm, John Scott, Grace Upon Grace.

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At Woodbine Racetrack a field 14 horses are entered in the $125,000 Simcoe Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings foaled in Canada.

This could be the best handicapping race of the day as 11 of the 14 horses entered are double digit morning line odds.

Six of the horses entered in the race have stakes racing experience but only Doctor Jack and Mobthewarrior are stakes-placed.

Doctor Jack, the 3-1 morning line favorite, drew the 13 post and gets the services of Tyler Pizarro. Doctor Jack comes into the race with a third-place finish in the $150,000 Clarendon Stakes.

Mobthewarrior (10-1) drew post four and he comes into the race with a third in the Vandal Stakes.

D’s Wando in post 11 is the 4-1 second choice. In his last outing he broke his maiden in a seven furlong sprint at Woodbine. I like the way he has been progressing and he has a nice pedigree too. His sire, Wando, is the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown Classic Champion Thoroughbred. His damsire, Bold Ruckus, is a Canadian Hall Of Fame Thoroughbred who has produced several stakes winners.

Legal Review drew post five and he is the 6-1 morning line third choice. Legal Review is trained by Mark Casse and he comes into the race with a three-length maiden win in a 5 1/2 furlong spint. His sire, Bold Executive, sired Legal Move who won the 2006 Simcoe Stakes. His grandsire is Bold Ruckus.

At 15-1 morning line odds, Bold Canadian looks like intriguing long shot. Bold Canadian’s sire Bold N’ Flashy was a multiple stakes winning sprinter and as a sire, in 10 crops of runners, he averaged 11% two-year-old winners.

Bold Canadian’s grandsire is Bold Ruckus and his damsire is the versatile Conquistador Cielo – winner of the 6-furlong Saratoga Special (G2), 12-furlong Belmont Stakes (G1), 8-furlong Metropolitan Handicap (G1), 9-furlong Dwyer Stakes (G2) and Jim Dandy Stakes (G3); Horse of the Year and 1982 Champion 3-year-old colt.

The sire of Bold Canadian’s third dam Periphery is the Hall of Fame Thoroughbred and Canada’s all-time leading sire Vice Regent. So Bold Canadian has the breeding and if he can put it together, he could be a good long shot bet.

Overall, I believe that most of these horses are evenly matched and there are several who could step up and win the Simcoe.

My selections: Bold Canadian, D's Wando, Legal Review and Doctor Jack.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Sapling Stakes, Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes Picks

Western Smoke heads a field of eight 2-year-old colts and geldings today in the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Western Smoke is the 2-1 morning line favorite and looks tough in this six furlong race. Western Smoke is coming into the race off a 12-length romp in the $100,000 Charles Town Juvenile Stakes. His sire, Smoke Glacken, was 1997 Eclipse Champion Sprinter and he also won the Sapling Stakes in 1996.

Not Macho Any More, trained by Richard Violette Jr. is the 3-1 second choice and Come From Behind, trained by Bill Mott, is the 4-1 third choice.

Daniel J. Ljoka’s Awesome Son is the 5-1 fifth choice and he could be a factor in the Sapling. He broke his maiden last out in a gate-to-wire six and one half length romp at Monmouth Park. His sire, Pure Precision, won the 2001 Sapling Stakes.

At 15-1 morning line odds, Virginia-bred Toccet’s Charm may be a good long shot bet. He’s coming into this race with a two and one half length win in the six furlong Jamestown Stakes at Colonial Downs.

I think that Western Smoke is probably the most likely winner but I may also play a small win/place bet on Awesome Son and Toccet’s Charm and use those three in my exacta’s and trifecta’s

**************************************

Undefeated in two starts, Dixie Band is the 9-5 morning line favorite and heads a field of seven horses entered in the one mile $150,000 Arlington-Washington Furturity (G3) at Arlington Park.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, Dixie Band is coming into the Futurity with a win in the seven furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes. His sire, Dixie Union, is especially hot this year with 48 percent Graded Stakes winners.

Herecomesbert, trained by Steve Asmussen, is the 3-1 second choice and he comes into the Futurity with a three length win in a one mile maiden special weight at Arlington Park.

U Appeal To Me, trained by Michael Stidham, is the 4-1 third choice. U Appeal To Me comes into the Futurity with a second place finish to Dixie Band in the Spectacular Bid Stakes.

At 6-1 morning line odds, Piscatelli looks intriguing. His sire is Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop and he comes into the Futurity with a one length win in a one mile maiden special weight at Monmouth Park.

At 12-1 morning line odds, Kratisto looks like a good long shot bet. In his most recent outing – the Charles Town Juvenile - he finished second to speedster Western Smoke who is contesting the Sapling Stakes today at Monmouth Park. His sire Afleet Alex won the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes and his damsire Risen Star won the 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes. So the stretch-out to a mile should not be a problem.

I will definitely play a win/place bet on Kratisto. In addition I will use him with Dixe Band, Hercomesbert and Piscitelli in my exacta’s and trifecta’s.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Question Of Artificial Insemination

The Racing Post.com recently asked its readers the question: Q: Should the ban on artificial insemination in thoroughbred breeding be abolished?

By and large, the responses were opposed to artificial insemination:

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/home.sd?story=626944

In May, a Blood-Horse blog The Five-Cross Files by Scot Gillies also addressed this issue:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/scot/archive/2009/05/06/live-cover-vs-artificial-insemination-in-thoroughbred-breeding-why-the-jockey-club-has-it-right.aspx

It’s been a long-standing tradition that the British and American Jockey clubs will not register a horse that has been produced from artificial insemination.

I personally think that tradition is a good idea. Artificial insemination, in my opinion, would not improve the breed.

The great Italian Breeder and trainer Federico Tesio also was not in favor of artificial insemination.

In twenty years of study on this subject, Tesio noted in his book written in 1947 Puro-Sangue – Animale Da Esperimento (The Pure Blood – An Animal of Experimentation) that there had never been a Thoroughbred produced from artificial insemination to win a classic or semi-classic race anywhere in the world. His book has since been translated and published in 2005 by the Russell Meerdink Company, Ltd. as Tesio: In His Own Words.

As Science continues to make advances in genetics this most likely will continue to be an ongoing debate.

What do you think?

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Summer Bird Gets My Vote For Champion Male

Commenting on Summer Bird’s win in the Travers Stakes, David Grening of the Daily Racing Form said: He is no longer the other bird.

There is also talk that Summer Bird is now the leading contender for the title of champion 3-year-old male. If I had a vote, I’d cast it for him.

I’m happy that Summer Bird won the Travers and it’s good to see him finally get some respect. But respect is not handed to you on a platter. You have to earn it

Summer Bird, definitely, has earned it.

Summer Bird ran his first race in March and since then he has been playing catch up to the rest of the 3-year-old males on this year’s Triple Crown trail. Along the way, he has become a Classic Champion Thoroughbred winning the Belmont Stakes (G1), Travers Stakes (G1) and finishing second in the Haskell Invitational (G1). In just his third start of the year, Summer Bird finished a respectable third in the Arkansas Derby (G2).

Summer Bird is the 30th thoroughbred to win the Belmont-Travers double. The last to accomplish that was his sire Birdstone who won it in 2004.

In my mind, Summer Bird has always been The Bird. He was my favorite for the Kentucky Derby. I also backed him in the Belmont and Travers.

Every now and then when I’m studying pedigrees I have a “Wow” moment. In 2009 my “Wow” moment occurred in March while studying the pedigree of Summer Bird.

I was so impressed with the pedigree of Summer Bird that I thought he had the potential to become a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and here’s an excerpt of what I posted on the DRF FormBlog hosted by Dan Illman shortly before he ran in the Kentucky Derby:

At first glance, with only three life-time starts and $100,000 in Graded Stakes earnings, Summer Bird would not appear to be a likely Kentucky Derby winner. His Dosage Profile – a numbering system created by Dr. Steven A. Romans to measure the number of Chef-de-Race stallions in the first four generations of a horse’s pedigree – is a modest 16. Summer Bird’s great grandsire, Unbridled, is the only Chef-de-Race to be found in the first three generations. Dear Birdie and Weekend Surprise are the only Reines-de-Course (Queens of the Turf) mares found in the first three generations.

So, there is not a lot of Blue Blood up close in the pedigree of Summer Bird. But, appearances can be deceiving and upon further inspection, the pedigree of Summer Bird appears to be a who’s who of Classic Champions and important sires.

In the first generation of Summer Bird’s pedigree is his sire Birdstone – the Classic Champion Belmont winner who upset Smarty Jones’ bid to be the second undefeated thoroughbred to win the Triple Crown.

In the second generation are the Classic Champions Grindstone and Summer Squall. Grindstone was a strong closer and in the 1996 Kentucky Derby he rallied for the win – trailing by 15 lengths at the half-mile mark – to edge Cavonnier by a nose in the final stride. Summer Squall finished second in the 1990 Kentucky Derby losing by three and one-half lengths to his rival Unbridled. However, in the Preakness Summer Squall turned the tables on Unbridled beating him by two and one-quarter lengths in a near-record time of 1:53 3/5. Summer Squall did not race in the Belmont because of bleeding issues and Unbridled finished third. Also in the second generation is the Reine-de-Course mare Dear Birdie – the dam of Birdstone and 2006 broodmare of the year.

In the third generation are the Classic Champions Unbridled and Alysheba; two strains of the important sire Storm Bird and the Reine-de-Course mare Weekend Surprise. In addition to being the sire of Summer Squall, Storm Bird was also the sire of the influential sire Storm Cat; the grandsire of the 1994 Preakness and Belmont winner Tabasco Cat and the damsire of the 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch. Dubbed “America’s Horse” by racing fans, Alysheba won the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness en-route to an 11-8-2 career record in 26 starts and $6,679,242 in earnings. The outstanding broodmare Weekend Surprise was the dam of Summer Squall and 1992 Belmont winner and sire of sires A.P. Indy.

In the fourth generation is one of the most outstanding sons of Mr. Prospector and important sire Fappiano; the important sire Drone – damsire of the 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone and 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic; two strains of the sire of sires and Classic Champion Northern Dancer – winner of the 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness; the Classic Champion Secretariat – winner of the 1973 American Triple Crown and the Classic Champion Nijinsky – undefeated winner of the 1970 English Triple Crown. In addition to being a Classic Champion, Nijinsky was an outstanding stallion who sired the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand; Epsom Derby winners Golden Fleece (1982), Shahrastani (1986) and Lammtarra (1995); Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Lammtarra (1995) and Prix du Jockey Club winner Caerleon (1983). Nijinksy was also the grandsire of the Epsom Derby winners Kahyasi (1988) and Generous (1991); Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Marienbard (2002) and Belmont winner Bet Twice (1987). Also in the fourth generation is the legendary Alydar and if Affirmed had not been his rival, Alydar would have been the 1978 Triple Crown winner. Alydar was also an important stallion who sired the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba (1987); Kentucky Derby winner Strike The Gold (1991) and the Belmont winner Easy Goer (1989).

Posted by: Calvin Carter on April 25, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Summer Bird did not finish in the money in the Kentucky Derby but he did finish a respectable 6th place in just his 4th start. However, Summer Bird did come back later to win the Belmont.

Pedigree is no guarantee for success on the race track. Some colts live up to their breeding and some do not.

I’m glad that Summer Bird is doing well. I’d like to see him win the division title.