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“I want to run,” Romans said. I believe we will run,” he continued; “but I have to see that he has retained all of his energy, all of his conditioning, all of the good form we saw in the Derby and Preakness.
In the Kentucky Derby, Shackleford showed good overall speed, took the lead entering the stretch but faded late to finish fourth about 3-3/4 lengths behind stretch running Animal Kingdom.
In the Preakness, Shackleford shook off the early pressure put on him by the sprinter FLASHPOINT, took command of the race in the upper stretch and had enough left to hold off Animal Kingdom’s spirited late rally.
Those two classic races were run at 1-1/4 miles and 1-3/16 miles respectively and now they will be followed three weeks later by the grueling 1-1/2 mile Belmont Stakes, a race properly billed as the Test of the Champion.”
While there will be no Triple Crown winner for the 33rd straight year since AFFIRMED held the gallant ALYDAR at bay in all three races, the matchup between a Derby and Preakness winner has its own special niche in racing history.
During the past 22 years, there have been five such rubber matches in the Belmont Stakes and all five have been won by the Preakness winner.
In 1988, Derby winner WINNING COLORS set the pace in the Belmont under intense pressure, but faded late while Preakness winner RISEN STAR went on to a comfortable victory.
In 1991, Preakness winner HANSEL settled his rivalry with Derby winner STRIKE THE GOLD with a hard fought win in their Belmont Stakes.
In 1994, Preakness winner TABASCO CAT did the same in the Belmont to claim superiority over Derby winner GO FOR GIN. Despite their domination of the Triple Crown that year, neither Tabasco Cat, or Go For Gin was voted champion of the division, or Horse of the Year. Both of those honors went to fellow 3 year old Holy Bull, who won several major stakes during the summer and fall.
In 2001, Preakness winner POINT GIVEN easily handled Derby winner MONARCHOS in the Belmont to take a strong forward step towards a string of Grade-1 stakes victories and 2001 Horse of the Year.
In 2005, Preakness winner AFLEET ALEX also convincingly won the Belmont Stakes’ over Derby winner GIACOMO to earn an Eclipse Award as the nation’s top 3 year old.
Romans, who has gone on record saying that he believes the 3 year olds competing in this year’s Triple crown series are better than commonly rated, realizes that championships usually are decided during the summer and fall—in the Haskell Invitational and Travers Stakes during the summer and the Breeders’ Cup in the fall.
“I will only run Shackleford if I think he will handle the task of these three races in five weeks,” Romans said. “The Triple Crown is our showcase, but we don’t want to empty (Shackleford) out when there are several very important races to come.”
At the bottom line, the Romans’ trained Preakness winner only will run in the Belmont if he passes the trainer’s private, comprehensive evaluation after tomorrow’s workout. Should he go in the Belmont along with Animal Kingdom and the other horses presently being prepared for the race, this Belmont could have the top seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby in the field. That has never happened, not even once.
Want to bet on Shackleford? The Bodog Racebook has all your Belmont Stakes odds for the race that goes down on Saturday, June 11.
Added Note: The first Belmont Stakes was run in 1867; the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 and the first Preakness in 1876.
In the Kentucky Derby, Shackleford showed good overall speed, took the lead entering the stretch but faded late to finish fourth about 3-3/4 lengths behind stretch running Animal Kingdom.
In the Preakness, Shackleford shook off the early pressure put on him by the sprinter FLASHPOINT, took command of the race in the upper stretch and had enough left to hold off Animal Kingdom’s spirited late rally.
Those two classic races were run at 1-1/4 miles and 1-3/16 miles respectively and now they will be followed three weeks later by the grueling 1-1/2 mile Belmont Stakes, a race properly billed as the Test of the Champion.”
While there will be no Triple Crown winner for the 33rd straight year since AFFIRMED held the gallant ALYDAR at bay in all three races, the matchup between a Derby and Preakness winner has its own special niche in racing history.
During the past 22 years, there have been five such rubber matches in the Belmont Stakes and all five have been won by the Preakness winner.
In 1988, Derby winner WINNING COLORS set the pace in the Belmont under intense pressure, but faded late while Preakness winner RISEN STAR went on to a comfortable victory.
In 1991, Preakness winner HANSEL settled his rivalry with Derby winner STRIKE THE GOLD with a hard fought win in their Belmont Stakes.
In 1994, Preakness winner TABASCO CAT did the same in the Belmont to claim superiority over Derby winner GO FOR GIN. Despite their domination of the Triple Crown that year, neither Tabasco Cat, or Go For Gin was voted champion of the division, or Horse of the Year. Both of those honors went to fellow 3 year old Holy Bull, who won several major stakes during the summer and fall.
In 2001, Preakness winner POINT GIVEN easily handled Derby winner MONARCHOS in the Belmont to take a strong forward step towards a string of Grade-1 stakes victories and 2001 Horse of the Year.
In 2005, Preakness winner AFLEET ALEX also convincingly won the Belmont Stakes’ over Derby winner GIACOMO to earn an Eclipse Award as the nation’s top 3 year old.
Romans, who has gone on record saying that he believes the 3 year olds competing in this year’s Triple crown series are better than commonly rated, realizes that championships usually are decided during the summer and fall—in the Haskell Invitational and Travers Stakes during the summer and the Breeders’ Cup in the fall.
“I will only run Shackleford if I think he will handle the task of these three races in five weeks,” Romans said. “The Triple Crown is our showcase, but we don’t want to empty (Shackleford) out when there are several very important races to come.”
At the bottom line, the Romans’ trained Preakness winner only will run in the Belmont if he passes the trainer’s private, comprehensive evaluation after tomorrow’s workout. Should he go in the Belmont along with Animal Kingdom and the other horses presently being prepared for the race, this Belmont could have the top seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby in the field. That has never happened, not even once.
Want to bet on Shackleford? The Bodog Racebook has all your Belmont Stakes odds for the race that goes down on Saturday, June 11.
Added Note: The first Belmont Stakes was run in 1867; the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 and the first Preakness in 1876.
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As the Belmont Stakes nears debate heats up on who will win the 2011 “Run for the Carnations”. Nehro is back after skipping the Preakness and promises to be a runner to watch. Nehro was profiled here at the Beat prior to the Kentucky Derby where he finished a strong second.
Now that he is considered one of the three horses to beat in the Belmont it might be illuminating to review what the thinking was on him prior to running at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Notes
• Ranked third in most handicappers’ lists until the withdrawal of Uncle Mo when he moved to second
• Time and form had been better in each race leading up to the Kentucky Derby
• Strong finisher
• Mineshaft pedigree well suited to the Derby
• Concerns however were that the Derby would mark his fourth race in five weeks and would he be rested enough
Kentucky Derby Performance
It looks like the handicappers had it right with Nehro finishing a strong second to Animal Kingdom instead of Dialed In. Nehro looked good in the finish as expected and seemed to be fine from an energy and stamina point of view particularly considering that he started from the 19th stall. All in all an excellent performance.
Belmont Prospects
The decision to not run in the Preakness was much debated. Ultimately it was felt that given the amount of recent work Nehro had seen that it might be too much to expect him to win at Pimlico. Some of the thinking here also might have been around his speed given the shorter Preakness track in which he would face new, rested, and potentially faster challengers.
The above seems to point towards the decision to rest Nehro for the longer Belmont Park which would suit his strengths and finishing skills. The expectation is that Nehro has the stamina and the power of Animal Kingdom and as such should outlast the likes of Shackleford. Saturday will tell the true mettle of Nehro but by all logic he should be a strong contender.
Bet on the Belmont Stakes at Bodog's online Racebook now!
Now that he is considered one of the three horses to beat in the Belmont it might be illuminating to review what the thinking was on him prior to running at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Notes
• Ranked third in most handicappers’ lists until the withdrawal of Uncle Mo when he moved to second
• Time and form had been better in each race leading up to the Kentucky Derby
• Strong finisher
• Mineshaft pedigree well suited to the Derby
• Concerns however were that the Derby would mark his fourth race in five weeks and would he be rested enough
Kentucky Derby Performance
It looks like the handicappers had it right with Nehro finishing a strong second to Animal Kingdom instead of Dialed In. Nehro looked good in the finish as expected and seemed to be fine from an energy and stamina point of view particularly considering that he started from the 19th stall. All in all an excellent performance.
Belmont Prospects
The decision to not run in the Preakness was much debated. Ultimately it was felt that given the amount of recent work Nehro had seen that it might be too much to expect him to win at Pimlico. Some of the thinking here also might have been around his speed given the shorter Preakness track in which he would face new, rested, and potentially faster challengers.
The above seems to point towards the decision to rest Nehro for the longer Belmont Park which would suit his strengths and finishing skills. The expectation is that Nehro has the stamina and the power of Animal Kingdom and as such should outlast the likes of Shackleford. Saturday will tell the true mettle of Nehro but by all logic he should be a strong contender.
Bet on the Belmont Stakes at Bodog's online Racebook now!
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The last pieces of the Belmont puzzle are falling into place as post positions were drawn today for the 12 entrants. With post position always affecting a race, bettors were keen to know the details before making their moves.
This year’s Belmont Stakes post positions will add a little bit of drama to an already heavily anticipated duel between Shackleford and Animal Kingdom.
Shackleford got the long end of the stick when he drew the 12th stall meaning that he will have more track to cover on what is already a long course. Animal Kingdom did slightly better when he drew the 9th stall which means less jockeying for position at the start of the race.
However due to the track at Belmont Park being wider and longer than most traditional thoroughbred tracks, post position should have a lesser effect on the race. Interestingly enough, the stall with the most wins in the Belmont Stakes is the number 1 stall which is usually a dreaded post position at most tracks. It has the most Belmont wins at 23. The 3rd and 5th stalls are next with 13 wins respectively.
Without further ado here are the post positions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes:
1. Master of Hounds
2. Stay Thirsty
3. Ruler On Ice
4. Santiva
5. Brilliant Speed
6. Nehro
7. Monzon
8. Prime Cut
9. Animal Kingdom
10. Mucho Macho Man
11. Isn't He Perfect
12. Shackleford
To pick your Belmont Stakes winner visit Bodog’s online Racebook. You can’t win if you don’t bet!
This year’s Belmont Stakes post positions will add a little bit of drama to an already heavily anticipated duel between Shackleford and Animal Kingdom.
Shackleford got the long end of the stick when he drew the 12th stall meaning that he will have more track to cover on what is already a long course. Animal Kingdom did slightly better when he drew the 9th stall which means less jockeying for position at the start of the race.
However due to the track at Belmont Park being wider and longer than most traditional thoroughbred tracks, post position should have a lesser effect on the race. Interestingly enough, the stall with the most wins in the Belmont Stakes is the number 1 stall which is usually a dreaded post position at most tracks. It has the most Belmont wins at 23. The 3rd and 5th stalls are next with 13 wins respectively.
Without further ado here are the post positions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes:
1. Master of Hounds
2. Stay Thirsty
3. Ruler On Ice
4. Santiva
5. Brilliant Speed
6. Nehro
7. Monzon
8. Prime Cut
9. Animal Kingdom
10. Mucho Macho Man
11. Isn't He Perfect
12. Shackleford
To pick your Belmont Stakes winner visit Bodog’s online Racebook. You can’t win if you don’t bet!
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The best possible storyline for horse race betting fans heading into the Belmont Stakes would be for one of the entrants to have a shot at the Triple Crown.
That's unfortunately not the case this year, but we at least get the next best thing – a showdown race between the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the winner of the Preakness Stakes.
Animal Kingdom raced to the win in the Kentucky Derby last month, with Nehro finishing in second place, and Mucho Macho Man ending up in third place. Shackleford had to settle for fourth place at Churchill Downs.
Shackleford, though, would get his revenge next time out in the Preakness Stakes, holding off the hard-charging Animal Kingdom to win that race.
So now we have Animal Kingdom vs. Shackleford on Saturday at the Belmont Stakes, with the Kentucky Derby winner sitting as the -175 favorite on the Bodog matchup odds against the Preakness champ (+145).
On the main Bodog odds board, Animal Kingdom is again the favorite at 5/2, with Nehro (7/2) squeezing just ahead of Shackleford (5/1) on that list. Nehro's owners decided to rest him instead of racing him in the Preakness last month.
Rounding out the top contenders for the Belmont are Master of Hounds at 6/1 and Mucho Macho Man at 15/2. Master of Hounds finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and also skipped the Preakness. Mucho Macho Man, third at Churchill Downs, was sixth at Pimlico.
Brilliant Speed and Santiva both sit at 14/1 odds for the weekend; Santiva was sixth at the Kentucky Derby, and Brilliant Speed was seventh. The odds for the rest of the entrants: Prime Cut (20/1), Stay Thirsty (20/1), Monzon (30/1), Isn't He Perfect (40/1), and Ruler On Ice (40/1).
Get all your horse racing odds at Bodog.
That's unfortunately not the case this year, but we at least get the next best thing – a showdown race between the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the winner of the Preakness Stakes.
Animal Kingdom raced to the win in the Kentucky Derby last month, with Nehro finishing in second place, and Mucho Macho Man ending up in third place. Shackleford had to settle for fourth place at Churchill Downs.
Shackleford, though, would get his revenge next time out in the Preakness Stakes, holding off the hard-charging Animal Kingdom to win that race.
So now we have Animal Kingdom vs. Shackleford on Saturday at the Belmont Stakes, with the Kentucky Derby winner sitting as the -175 favorite on the Bodog matchup odds against the Preakness champ (+145).
On the main Bodog odds board, Animal Kingdom is again the favorite at 5/2, with Nehro (7/2) squeezing just ahead of Shackleford (5/1) on that list. Nehro's owners decided to rest him instead of racing him in the Preakness last month.
Rounding out the top contenders for the Belmont are Master of Hounds at 6/1 and Mucho Macho Man at 15/2. Master of Hounds finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and also skipped the Preakness. Mucho Macho Man, third at Churchill Downs, was sixth at Pimlico.
Brilliant Speed and Santiva both sit at 14/1 odds for the weekend; Santiva was sixth at the Kentucky Derby, and Brilliant Speed was seventh. The odds for the rest of the entrants: Prime Cut (20/1), Stay Thirsty (20/1), Monzon (30/1), Isn't He Perfect (40/1), and Ruler On Ice (40/1).
Get all your horse racing odds at Bodog.
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So it is time to settle the score. It’s time to find out which horse is better—Animal Kingdom or Shackleford—or whether one of the other 10 horses who have been entered in the Belmont Stakes today, can push them both, or defeat them.
Today, at the demanding 1-1/2 mile distance, the stars of this year’s Triple Crown series will settle their private rivalry or find themselves wanting after running two enterprising races in the 1-1/4 mile Kentucky Derby and the 1-3/16 mile Preakness. But, as stated above, there are several 3 year olds in this Belmont who will have plenty to say about the outcome. Should any of them win, the 3 year old division will need more races down the road to shake out the proper pecking order.
After the Triple Crown, comes the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and even the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall when the best of the 3 year olds will face the best older horses in training, including some from Europe and Asia.
Get your Belmont Stakes odds before the big race now!
Indeed, there are no fewer than six other horses who raced in the Derby who are back for the climactic rematch.These include somewhat forgotten NEHRO, who finished a respectable second at Churchill Downs, May 7. We also have MUCHO MACHO MAN who was third that day and will join the Derby and Preakness winners as the only other horse to compete in all three races this year.
Beyond the above top four finishers in the Derby, we have three other horses who finished noses apart in fifth, sixth and seventh place. Each of these are serious upset threats having the proper long distance breeding and overall talent to launch their respective bids.
Fifth place finisher MASTER OF HOUNDS, certainly made a positive impression weaving between horses in the Derby while rallying for his finishing position in his first start on a dirt track after doing well on grass and synthetic surfaces in Europe and Dubai. That he is back for more after traveling back and forth to Ireland suggests thatv his connections have high hopes.
A similar view can be taken with respect to sixth place finisher SANTIVA, who had won a Graded stakes as a 2 year old last year and is proven on dirt and at distances beyond a mile. So far this year, he has had no real xdhance to show what he can do.
Seventh place finisher BRILLIANT SPEED also rallied well in the 19 horse Derby field and is so lightly raced and so well bred for the Belmont distance that an argument can be made on his behalf as well.
If you’re counting, that’s the first seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby that are back for this “Test of the Champion,” an historic race that was first run in 1867.
I also would not be dismissive of a few others in the field, most notably RULER ON ICE, who has some natural speed and was finishing fastest of all in the 1-1/8 mile Sunland Park Derby in March and then showed similar form when second in the Frederico Tesio at Pimlico on May 7.
There is some quality there and considerable promise for the future. Those who choose to bet him Saturday are merely saying they think that his future is now!
Also, PRIME CUT, a colt who has not run a bad race in four tries at one mile or longer is another deserving a closer look. He, among all the horses in the field, probably has enough early speed to push Shackleford out of his comfort zone and if he does go for the lead, the nature of this Belmont will change dramatically.
At the bottom line, the rubber match at Belmont Park today has everything you could possibly want in a horse race. It has a speed horse in Shackleford who will try to control the pace as long as he can and it has a stretch runner in Animal Kingdom, patented rally will have everybody looking to the rear of the pack to see if he uncorks his eye catching run.
Some of the other horses we mentioned could light up the tote board. Yes, the end of the Triple Crown season is upon us; It is time to settle the score and time to make one as well.
Bodog Sportsbook
Today, at the demanding 1-1/2 mile distance, the stars of this year’s Triple Crown series will settle their private rivalry or find themselves wanting after running two enterprising races in the 1-1/4 mile Kentucky Derby and the 1-3/16 mile Preakness. But, as stated above, there are several 3 year olds in this Belmont who will have plenty to say about the outcome. Should any of them win, the 3 year old division will need more races down the road to shake out the proper pecking order.
After the Triple Crown, comes the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and even the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall when the best of the 3 year olds will face the best older horses in training, including some from Europe and Asia.
Get your Belmont Stakes odds before the big race now!
Indeed, there are no fewer than six other horses who raced in the Derby who are back for the climactic rematch.These include somewhat forgotten NEHRO, who finished a respectable second at Churchill Downs, May 7. We also have MUCHO MACHO MAN who was third that day and will join the Derby and Preakness winners as the only other horse to compete in all three races this year.
Beyond the above top four finishers in the Derby, we have three other horses who finished noses apart in fifth, sixth and seventh place. Each of these are serious upset threats having the proper long distance breeding and overall talent to launch their respective bids.
Fifth place finisher MASTER OF HOUNDS, certainly made a positive impression weaving between horses in the Derby while rallying for his finishing position in his first start on a dirt track after doing well on grass and synthetic surfaces in Europe and Dubai. That he is back for more after traveling back and forth to Ireland suggests thatv his connections have high hopes.
A similar view can be taken with respect to sixth place finisher SANTIVA, who had won a Graded stakes as a 2 year old last year and is proven on dirt and at distances beyond a mile. So far this year, he has had no real xdhance to show what he can do.
Seventh place finisher BRILLIANT SPEED also rallied well in the 19 horse Derby field and is so lightly raced and so well bred for the Belmont distance that an argument can be made on his behalf as well.
If you’re counting, that’s the first seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby that are back for this “Test of the Champion,” an historic race that was first run in 1867.
I also would not be dismissive of a few others in the field, most notably RULER ON ICE, who has some natural speed and was finishing fastest of all in the 1-1/8 mile Sunland Park Derby in March and then showed similar form when second in the Frederico Tesio at Pimlico on May 7.
There is some quality there and considerable promise for the future. Those who choose to bet him Saturday are merely saying they think that his future is now!
Also, PRIME CUT, a colt who has not run a bad race in four tries at one mile or longer is another deserving a closer look. He, among all the horses in the field, probably has enough early speed to push Shackleford out of his comfort zone and if he does go for the lead, the nature of this Belmont will change dramatically.
At the bottom line, the rubber match at Belmont Park today has everything you could possibly want in a horse race. It has a speed horse in Shackleford who will try to control the pace as long as he can and it has a stretch runner in Animal Kingdom, patented rally will have everybody looking to the rear of the pack to see if he uncorks his eye catching run.
Some of the other horses we mentioned could light up the tote board. Yes, the end of the Triple Crown season is upon us; It is time to settle the score and time to make one as well.
Bodog Sportsbook
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2006/12/07
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It was one of the most anticipated Belmont Stakes in years and it didn’t disappoint! The running was frenetic from the get go but in the end longshot Ruler on Ice crossed the wire first winning in a valiant battle down the stretch.
In second place was Stay Thirsty who ran probably the race of his career. In third place was Brilliant Speed who showed that he did indeed have the talent that many thought he did running a gutsy race in the mud.
Animal Kingdom was the heavy favorite but was clipped and stumbled shortly out of the gate and finished sixth.
The focus now shifts to the $1,000,000 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August. The Travers Stakes is the oldest major thoroughbred race in the United States and goes a long way to deciding the Horse of the Year. In addition to the Travers Stakes race there are also two other Grade 1 races with the King’s Bishop and The Ballerina Stakes preceding the main event with a combined purse of $750,000.
The following is the official race result for all horses.
1. Ruler on Ice
2. Stay Thirsty
3. Brilliant Speed
4. Nehro
5. Shackleford
6. Animal Kingdom
7. Mucho Macho Man
8. Santiva
9. Monzon
10. Master of Hounds
11. Prime Cut
12. Isn't He Perfect
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In second place was Stay Thirsty who ran probably the race of his career. In third place was Brilliant Speed who showed that he did indeed have the talent that many thought he did running a gutsy race in the mud.
Animal Kingdom was the heavy favorite but was clipped and stumbled shortly out of the gate and finished sixth.
The focus now shifts to the $1,000,000 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August. The Travers Stakes is the oldest major thoroughbred race in the United States and goes a long way to deciding the Horse of the Year. In addition to the Travers Stakes race there are also two other Grade 1 races with the King’s Bishop and The Ballerina Stakes preceding the main event with a combined purse of $750,000.
The following is the official race result for all horses.
1. Ruler on Ice
2. Stay Thirsty
3. Brilliant Speed
4. Nehro
5. Shackleford
6. Animal Kingdom
7. Mucho Macho Man
8. Santiva
9. Monzon
10. Master of Hounds
11. Prime Cut
12. Isn't He Perfect
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2006/12/07
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It was in the end a fascinating Triple Crown season. Although there was no possibility of a Triple Crown winner, there was plenty of drama in all three races to make it compelling viewing. The pundits called 2011 one of the hardest seasons to handicap as favorites faded and longshots came home.
1. It all began with early surprises in the Kentucky Derby. Leading up to the race Uncle Mo was the favorite but was pulled at the last minute due to an intestinal infection leaving highly touted Dialed In as the frontrunner. However the race belonged to a little known 20-1 underdog named Animal Kingdom who stunned the field and experts alike. The charge by Animal Kingdom down the stretch to overtake the front runners will indeed be remembered as an inspiring moment in Triple Crown history.
2. The Preakness featured a mix of both Derby veterans and new challengers. The shorter track would favor the speedsters although both Dialed In and Animal Kingdom were still considered the horses to beat. It was however the amazing run by Shackleford that will be remembered as he led from the start and never let up despite a near comeback by Animal Kingdom. The colt’s gutsy win and Animal Kingdom’s near shot at a Triple Crown made for riveting racing.
3. The last highlight is perhaps the one that never was. Dialed In was considered to be of championship caliber according to trainer Nick Zito, but the horse failed to materialize as a contender in either the Kentucky Derby or in the Preakness. Finishing a disappointing 8th and 4th respectively, Dialed In seemed to suffer from both poor rides and a lacklustre effort and surprised all by failing to compete.
Although there have been much more famous Triple Crown seasons in the past, 2011 proved to be an exciting one nonetheless and demonstrated that there may be more parity in thoroughbred racing now than ever before.
To bet on horseraces from around the world make sure to play at Bodog's online Racebook!
1. It all began with early surprises in the Kentucky Derby. Leading up to the race Uncle Mo was the favorite but was pulled at the last minute due to an intestinal infection leaving highly touted Dialed In as the frontrunner. However the race belonged to a little known 20-1 underdog named Animal Kingdom who stunned the field and experts alike. The charge by Animal Kingdom down the stretch to overtake the front runners will indeed be remembered as an inspiring moment in Triple Crown history.
2. The Preakness featured a mix of both Derby veterans and new challengers. The shorter track would favor the speedsters although both Dialed In and Animal Kingdom were still considered the horses to beat. It was however the amazing run by Shackleford that will be remembered as he led from the start and never let up despite a near comeback by Animal Kingdom. The colt’s gutsy win and Animal Kingdom’s near shot at a Triple Crown made for riveting racing.
3. The last highlight is perhaps the one that never was. Dialed In was considered to be of championship caliber according to trainer Nick Zito, but the horse failed to materialize as a contender in either the Kentucky Derby or in the Preakness. Finishing a disappointing 8th and 4th respectively, Dialed In seemed to suffer from both poor rides and a lacklustre effort and surprised all by failing to compete.
Although there have been much more famous Triple Crown seasons in the past, 2011 proved to be an exciting one nonetheless and demonstrated that there may be more parity in thoroughbred racing now than ever before.
To bet on horseraces from around the world make sure to play at Bodog's online Racebook!
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But, as we move towards summer, the pace of high quality racing hardly seems to be slipping into a lower and slower pace.
This weekend for instance—particularly on Saturday—we will see seven Graded stakes at four tracks, including four at Churchill Downs, most notably the Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap.
The Foster, which has become the annual late spring anchor to the Churchill Downs’ spring meet, has attracted a very good 11 horse field of hard hitting performers. Among them are the 122 pound highweight GIANT OAK; the second highweight CROWN OF THORNS at 121 pounds and a trio assigned 118: MISSION IMPAZIBLE, DUKE OF MISCHIEF and APART. All six of the above named horses have won Graded stakes this year and the rest of the field weighted at 113 to 117 pounds respectively and have run well in high class company throughout their careers.
Frankly, this edition of the nine furlong Foster seems to be the strongest and deepest race or older horses at any distance beyond one mile at any track in America this year.
The race will be supported by a trio of Graded stakes—the Grade-3, $100,000 Jefferson Cup for 3 year olds at 1-1/16 miles on the turf, (weather permitting); the $125,000 Matt Winn for 3 year olds at 1-1/16 miles on the main track, and the Grade 3, $125,000 Regret Stakes for 3 year old fillies at 1-1/8 miles on the grass, again pending the weather in Louisville on Saturday.
BANNED, winner of the Grade-2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill May 6, is the probable Jefferson Cup favorite as the only Graded stakes winner in the eight horse field.
JOE VANN, winner of the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne in Apr., is the only stakes winner among the eight entered in the Matt Winn, but he will break from the outside post with a short run to the first turn and will be meeting several lightly raced, improving horses capable of an upset.
In the Regret, lightly raced DIVA DASH and multiple stakes winning KATHMANBLU will vie for favoritism, although neither holds a decisive edge over their seven rivals, all of whom have earned competitive Beyer Speed Figures and/or have run well in turf races this year.
At Hollywood Park, a horse not named ZENYATTA will win the Grade-1, $250,000 Vanity Handicap for the first time in four years, as the 2010 Horse of the Year finally retired last fall. But this year, the race could prove to be a key race in determining which of the fillies and mares will be the strongest contender to replace Zenyatta as America’s top female racehorse.
The top contenders in this 1-1/8 mile event on the synthetic Cushion track are: BLIND LUCK, champion 3 year old filly of 2010; ST TRINIANS and SWITCH, both of whom gave Zenyatta tough battles last year. Actually, St. Trinians almost won this race last year when Zenyatta caught her at the wire and Switch was just as close to an upset win over the great race mare at Del Mar last summer. Beyond those three top notch performers, the Vanity field includes Grade1- winning MISS MATCH and the speedy AMERICAN STORY, who surely will be a fleet target for the field to chase.
At Belmont Park in New York, the spotlight on Saturday will fall on the Grade-1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at 1-1/16 miles around one turn for experienced fillies and mares.
Among the horses entered is LIFE AT TEN, the Todd Pletcher trainee who has struggled to regain her Grade 1 form since failing to run a step in the controversial Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill last fall. At the bottom line, Life At Ten is one more disappointing performance away from retirement, or one good performance away from reclaiming a spot among the top female racehorses in training. Her resume does include a win in this race last year.
In either case, Life At Ten will be meeting the Billy Mott trained UNRIVALED BELLE, who finished second to Life At Ten in the 2010 Phipps and subsequently won the BC Ladies Classic. More recently, Unrivaled Belle finished a good second to the 2010 champion filly Blind Luck in the La Troienne at Churchill last month.
Also in this strong but compact field is the speedy ABSINTHE MINDED; the improving PAYTON D’ORO and two more Pletcher trained horses with good form: AWESOME MARIA and SUPER EXPRESSO. Awesome Maria has won three straight stakes and might go off as the betting favorite here.
In New Jersey on Saturday, Louisiana Derby winner PANTS ON FIRE will be the favorite in the Grade-3, $200,000 Pegasus for 3 year olds at 1-1/8 miles. Until about 6:45 PM last Saturday, Pants On Fire was the top horse in trainer Kelly Breen’s barn. But that was before RULER ON ICE won the Belmont Stakes at 24-1 to complete the roller coaster ride we all were on throughout the 2011 Triple Crown series. Get all you horse betting in the Bodog's online Racebook today.
This weekend for instance—particularly on Saturday—we will see seven Graded stakes at four tracks, including four at Churchill Downs, most notably the Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap.
The Foster, which has become the annual late spring anchor to the Churchill Downs’ spring meet, has attracted a very good 11 horse field of hard hitting performers. Among them are the 122 pound highweight GIANT OAK; the second highweight CROWN OF THORNS at 121 pounds and a trio assigned 118: MISSION IMPAZIBLE, DUKE OF MISCHIEF and APART. All six of the above named horses have won Graded stakes this year and the rest of the field weighted at 113 to 117 pounds respectively and have run well in high class company throughout their careers.
Frankly, this edition of the nine furlong Foster seems to be the strongest and deepest race or older horses at any distance beyond one mile at any track in America this year.
The race will be supported by a trio of Graded stakes—the Grade-3, $100,000 Jefferson Cup for 3 year olds at 1-1/16 miles on the turf, (weather permitting); the $125,000 Matt Winn for 3 year olds at 1-1/16 miles on the main track, and the Grade 3, $125,000 Regret Stakes for 3 year old fillies at 1-1/8 miles on the grass, again pending the weather in Louisville on Saturday.
BANNED, winner of the Grade-2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill May 6, is the probable Jefferson Cup favorite as the only Graded stakes winner in the eight horse field.
JOE VANN, winner of the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne in Apr., is the only stakes winner among the eight entered in the Matt Winn, but he will break from the outside post with a short run to the first turn and will be meeting several lightly raced, improving horses capable of an upset.
In the Regret, lightly raced DIVA DASH and multiple stakes winning KATHMANBLU will vie for favoritism, although neither holds a decisive edge over their seven rivals, all of whom have earned competitive Beyer Speed Figures and/or have run well in turf races this year.
At Hollywood Park, a horse not named ZENYATTA will win the Grade-1, $250,000 Vanity Handicap for the first time in four years, as the 2010 Horse of the Year finally retired last fall. But this year, the race could prove to be a key race in determining which of the fillies and mares will be the strongest contender to replace Zenyatta as America’s top female racehorse.
The top contenders in this 1-1/8 mile event on the synthetic Cushion track are: BLIND LUCK, champion 3 year old filly of 2010; ST TRINIANS and SWITCH, both of whom gave Zenyatta tough battles last year. Actually, St. Trinians almost won this race last year when Zenyatta caught her at the wire and Switch was just as close to an upset win over the great race mare at Del Mar last summer. Beyond those three top notch performers, the Vanity field includes Grade1- winning MISS MATCH and the speedy AMERICAN STORY, who surely will be a fleet target for the field to chase.
At Belmont Park in New York, the spotlight on Saturday will fall on the Grade-1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at 1-1/16 miles around one turn for experienced fillies and mares.
Among the horses entered is LIFE AT TEN, the Todd Pletcher trainee who has struggled to regain her Grade 1 form since failing to run a step in the controversial Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill last fall. At the bottom line, Life At Ten is one more disappointing performance away from retirement, or one good performance away from reclaiming a spot among the top female racehorses in training. Her resume does include a win in this race last year.
In either case, Life At Ten will be meeting the Billy Mott trained UNRIVALED BELLE, who finished second to Life At Ten in the 2010 Phipps and subsequently won the BC Ladies Classic. More recently, Unrivaled Belle finished a good second to the 2010 champion filly Blind Luck in the La Troienne at Churchill last month.
Also in this strong but compact field is the speedy ABSINTHE MINDED; the improving PAYTON D’ORO and two more Pletcher trained horses with good form: AWESOME MARIA and SUPER EXPRESSO. Awesome Maria has won three straight stakes and might go off as the betting favorite here.
In New Jersey on Saturday, Louisiana Derby winner PANTS ON FIRE will be the favorite in the Grade-3, $200,000 Pegasus for 3 year olds at 1-1/8 miles. Until about 6:45 PM last Saturday, Pants On Fire was the top horse in trainer Kelly Breen’s barn. But that was before RULER ON ICE won the Belmont Stakes at 24-1 to complete the roller coaster ride we all were on throughout the 2011 Triple Crown series. Get all you horse betting in the Bodog's online Racebook today.
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2006/12/07
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Having won the La Troienne at Churchill Downs May 6 after a bad start, Blind Luck gave a strong hint that she was ready to recapture her position atop America’s female race horses, but she needed to win the Vanity to confirm that impression.
So, all she did was go from last to first against a slow early pace to defeat SWITCH and ST TRINIANS in the Vanity, two female performers who gave 2010 Horse of the Year ZENYATTA all she could handle in two races last year.
In fact, St., Trinians was a close second to Zenyatta in this very stakes last year, the third straight year the great race mare won the Vanity. For her part, Switch was the betting favorite in this Grade-1 stakes based in part on her victory over Blind Luck in their only meeting on this track in the 2010 Hollywood Oaks.
This time, Blind Luck uncorked her patented late surge to beat Switch by 1/2 lengths in a moderate 1:50.89 for the nine furlongs that included a powerful final furlong clocked in 11.40 seconds. That closing fraction rarely is seen in a race beyond one mile for males or female Thoroughbreds.
St.Trinians, who finished fourth in the Vanity only 2-1/4 lengths behind the winner, probably was inhibited by the slow pace, an excuse Blind Luck did not need. The victory was Blind Luck’s 11th in a terrific 20 race career and newly elected Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he might run her in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 16, or wait for the $300,000 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar, Aug. 6. No matter which race he chooses, Blind Luck is back, all the way back.
A filly who is not back by any means is LIFE AT TEN, who turned in another perplexing effort in the Grade-1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Saturday.
Remember, Life At Ten is the filly who should have been scratched from the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill Downs last fall when jockey John Velazquez thought she was not traveling 100 percent sound and said so to ESPN color commentator Jerry Bailey. Unfortunately, Velazquez did not officially report his concerns to the track vet or the Churchill stewards. Instead, he merely guided Life At Ten in last place around the track far out of contention to protect her, while unfortunately millions of dollars in wagers were lost on the highly regarded filly.
Since that race, trainer Todd Pletcher has handled Life AT Ten as if he believes she will recover her Grade-1 winning form. After all , she did win the Ogden Phipps last year. But to date, that has not occurred, although she did stalk the pace Saturday for almost a mile before she wilted to a well beaten fourth.
No tears should be shed for Pletcher, however. He’s loaded with top flight horses. For example, in the Phipps on Saturday, Pletcher’s AWESOME MARIA controlled the pace of the nine furlong stakes most of the way and won by open daylight for her fourth straight stakes victory.
Here are four more Graded stakes results from Saturday, all at Churchill Downs:
$561, 300 Stephen Foster Handicap, at 1-1/8 miles.
POOL PLAY a 36-1 shot, making his 28 –th career start and his first ever on a dirt track, rallied from far back to upset a good field of 10 rivals in this highly prized Grade-1, stakes. MISSION IMAZIBLE was second by a neck and APART was third.
$106,215 Jefferson Cup at 1-1/16 miles on turf.
BANNED, the prohibitive 1-5 odds on favorite, easily defeated three rivals in this Grade-3 stakes and is likely to point for the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs next month and/or the $400,000 Secretariat stakes at Arlington Park in late August, or the turf series for 3 year olds at Del Mar. Right now, Banned ranks among the top 3 year old turf horses in America.
$138,000 Matt Winn Stakes, at 1-1/16 miles.
SCOTUS, an 8-1 shot trained by red hot Ken McPeek and ridden by NY based Alan Garcia, won this Grade-3 stakes (in his stakes debut) by a length over INFRATTINI and JOE VANN to continue McPeek’s consecutive winning streak of Graded Stakes victories at Churchill.
$138, 135 Regret Stakes, for 3 year old fillies at 1-1/16 miles.
The Ken McPeek-trained BIZZY CAROLINE scored a decisive 2-1/4 length win over EXCITED in this Grade -3 stakes to give McPeek five straight Graded stakes wins in the month of June at Churchill Downs.
McPeek won two G-3 stakes oin June 4—the G-3 Dogwood with SALTY STRIKE and the G-3 Aristides with NOBLE’S PROMISE and he won the G-3 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap with MY BABY BABY on June 11 and on Saturday he scored two more G-3 stakes victories with SCOTUS in the Matt Winn and BIZZY CAROLINE in the Regret.
Next weekend there will more stakes action at the premier tracks in America and the following weekend will be loaded with top flight stakes through the Fourth of July Holiday. Of equal importance, we are little more than a month away from the historic Saratoga and Del Mar race meets that annually attract national attention all the way to Labor Day.
Think you have a hot tip on the ponies? Get your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook today.
So, all she did was go from last to first against a slow early pace to defeat SWITCH and ST TRINIANS in the Vanity, two female performers who gave 2010 Horse of the Year ZENYATTA all she could handle in two races last year.
In fact, St., Trinians was a close second to Zenyatta in this very stakes last year, the third straight year the great race mare won the Vanity. For her part, Switch was the betting favorite in this Grade-1 stakes based in part on her victory over Blind Luck in their only meeting on this track in the 2010 Hollywood Oaks.
This time, Blind Luck uncorked her patented late surge to beat Switch by 1/2 lengths in a moderate 1:50.89 for the nine furlongs that included a powerful final furlong clocked in 11.40 seconds. That closing fraction rarely is seen in a race beyond one mile for males or female Thoroughbreds.
St.Trinians, who finished fourth in the Vanity only 2-1/4 lengths behind the winner, probably was inhibited by the slow pace, an excuse Blind Luck did not need. The victory was Blind Luck’s 11th in a terrific 20 race career and newly elected Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he might run her in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 16, or wait for the $300,000 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar, Aug. 6. No matter which race he chooses, Blind Luck is back, all the way back.
A filly who is not back by any means is LIFE AT TEN, who turned in another perplexing effort in the Grade-1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Saturday.
Remember, Life At Ten is the filly who should have been scratched from the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill Downs last fall when jockey John Velazquez thought she was not traveling 100 percent sound and said so to ESPN color commentator Jerry Bailey. Unfortunately, Velazquez did not officially report his concerns to the track vet or the Churchill stewards. Instead, he merely guided Life At Ten in last place around the track far out of contention to protect her, while unfortunately millions of dollars in wagers were lost on the highly regarded filly.
Since that race, trainer Todd Pletcher has handled Life AT Ten as if he believes she will recover her Grade-1 winning form. After all , she did win the Ogden Phipps last year. But to date, that has not occurred, although she did stalk the pace Saturday for almost a mile before she wilted to a well beaten fourth.
No tears should be shed for Pletcher, however. He’s loaded with top flight horses. For example, in the Phipps on Saturday, Pletcher’s AWESOME MARIA controlled the pace of the nine furlong stakes most of the way and won by open daylight for her fourth straight stakes victory.
Here are four more Graded stakes results from Saturday, all at Churchill Downs:
$561, 300 Stephen Foster Handicap, at 1-1/8 miles.
POOL PLAY a 36-1 shot, making his 28 –th career start and his first ever on a dirt track, rallied from far back to upset a good field of 10 rivals in this highly prized Grade-1, stakes. MISSION IMAZIBLE was second by a neck and APART was third.
$106,215 Jefferson Cup at 1-1/16 miles on turf.
BANNED, the prohibitive 1-5 odds on favorite, easily defeated three rivals in this Grade-3 stakes and is likely to point for the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs next month and/or the $400,000 Secretariat stakes at Arlington Park in late August, or the turf series for 3 year olds at Del Mar. Right now, Banned ranks among the top 3 year old turf horses in America.
$138,000 Matt Winn Stakes, at 1-1/16 miles.
SCOTUS, an 8-1 shot trained by red hot Ken McPeek and ridden by NY based Alan Garcia, won this Grade-3 stakes (in his stakes debut) by a length over INFRATTINI and JOE VANN to continue McPeek’s consecutive winning streak of Graded Stakes victories at Churchill.
$138, 135 Regret Stakes, for 3 year old fillies at 1-1/16 miles.
The Ken McPeek-trained BIZZY CAROLINE scored a decisive 2-1/4 length win over EXCITED in this Grade -3 stakes to give McPeek five straight Graded stakes wins in the month of June at Churchill Downs.
McPeek won two G-3 stakes oin June 4—the G-3 Dogwood with SALTY STRIKE and the G-3 Aristides with NOBLE’S PROMISE and he won the G-3 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap with MY BABY BABY on June 11 and on Saturday he scored two more G-3 stakes victories with SCOTUS in the Matt Winn and BIZZY CAROLINE in the Regret.
Next weekend there will more stakes action at the premier tracks in America and the following weekend will be loaded with top flight stakes through the Fourth of July Holiday. Of equal importance, we are little more than a month away from the historic Saratoga and Del Mar race meets that annually attract national attention all the way to Labor Day.
Think you have a hot tip on the ponies? Get your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook today.
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2006/12/07
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With the Triple Crown season at an end it might appear that most of the high points of the elite racing season are over. However as Bodog Beat racing expert Steve Davidowitz pointed out there is any number of exciting graded races ongoing. In addition, there are at least two more marquee events to come this season beginning with the Travers Stakes in August and the Breeders' Cup in November.
The Travers Stakes is the oldest thoroughbred race in the United States having first been run in 1864. It is currently in its 142nd season having missed a number of races early in the century and during the war years. The Travers is run over 1 ¼ miles at the illustrious Saratoga racetrack in New York State, and is open to three year old colts and geldings.
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The race has tradition and history to rival any of the Triple Crown venues. It has often been called the “Graveyard of Champions” as many Triple Crown winners have suffered defeats on the historic track. The legendary Secretariat lost here to the amusingly named Onion after coming off of his historic Triple Crown run.
This year’s Travers stakes promises to be as compelling and as challenging as the Triple Crown season given that many of the same horses will be competing. While there have been no confirmed entrants to date, one can reasonably expect Ruler On Ice, Shackleford, and Animal Kingdom to turn up along with the likes of Nehro. With that cast, it should promise to be an exciting day of racing!
The Travers Stakes is the oldest thoroughbred race in the United States having first been run in 1864. It is currently in its 142nd season having missed a number of races early in the century and during the war years. The Travers is run over 1 ¼ miles at the illustrious Saratoga racetrack in New York State, and is open to three year old colts and geldings.
To see all of the horseracing action visit Bodog's online Racebook and get your bet in!
The race has tradition and history to rival any of the Triple Crown venues. It has often been called the “Graveyard of Champions” as many Triple Crown winners have suffered defeats on the historic track. The legendary Secretariat lost here to the amusingly named Onion after coming off of his historic Triple Crown run.
This year’s Travers stakes promises to be as compelling and as challenging as the Triple Crown season given that many of the same horses will be competing. While there have been no confirmed entrants to date, one can reasonably expect Ruler On Ice, Shackleford, and Animal Kingdom to turn up along with the likes of Nehro. With that cast, it should promise to be an exciting day of racing!
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Ruler On Ice was a surprise winner of the Belmont Stakes coming home at 24-1. Although the Belmont is famous for having longshot winners, Ruler On Ice was on no one’s radar which made for great drama. What made the win even more exceptional is the fact that Ruler On Ice is a gelding, and only the second gelding to win the Belmont.
Rough estimates are that about 25% of male thoroughbreds are geldings. Ideally there is a great deal of money to be made from stud fees from winning race horses particularly ones that have won marquee events like the Belmont Stakes. However, very few horses reach that level and as such gelding is a legitimate option for many owners.
The only other gelding to win the Belmont Stakes was Crème Fraiche in 1985. Other famous geldings include Mine That Bird who won the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the legendary Kelso who won Horse of the Year honours five years running.
Animal Kingdom Injured
The training team of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom announced that the horse has a small crack in his cannon bone. Although Animal Kingdom was clipped out of the gate by Isn’t He Perfect, his support team and owners feared something else might have been at play during his failed Belmont attempt.
Scans of the leg were ordered which confirmed the cracked bone but happily it is neither life threatening nor career ending. The prognosis is that the bone should heal in a couple of weeks and that the horse will be ready to ride a few weeks after that. For the time being Animal Kingdom is grounded to ensure complete and optimal recovery.
Rough estimates are that about 25% of male thoroughbreds are geldings. Ideally there is a great deal of money to be made from stud fees from winning race horses particularly ones that have won marquee events like the Belmont Stakes. However, very few horses reach that level and as such gelding is a legitimate option for many owners.
The only other gelding to win the Belmont Stakes was Crème Fraiche in 1985. Other famous geldings include Mine That Bird who won the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the legendary Kelso who won Horse of the Year honours five years running.
Animal Kingdom Injured
The training team of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom announced that the horse has a small crack in his cannon bone. Although Animal Kingdom was clipped out of the gate by Isn’t He Perfect, his support team and owners feared something else might have been at play during his failed Belmont attempt.
Scans of the leg were ordered which confirmed the cracked bone but happily it is neither life threatening nor career ending. The prognosis is that the bone should heal in a couple of weeks and that the horse will be ready to ride a few weeks after that. For the time being Animal Kingdom is grounded to ensure complete and optimal recovery.
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But, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert cancelled the trip when the 3 yr old filly spiked a fever several days ago. Instead, Plum Pretty is tentatively scheduled to run Saturday on the $150,000 Hollywood Oaks against a small but salty field that includes BIG TIZ and ZAZU.
Big Tiz was second in her last three starts, including tow Graded stakes, while Zazu was second to Plum Pretty in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. If Plum Pretty is still feeling any effect from her brief illness, either or both of those fillies could beat her. That is why Baffert may not let her run.
“She was fine a couple days after the fever,” Baffert said. “But I didn’t feel comfortable putting her on a plane.”
Now Baffert may be the one who is uncomfortable if Plum Pretty reproduces her 2011 stakes class form. Should she throw in a clunker, Baffert will have wished he had passed both races this weekend.
In the Mother Goose, there are only seven entered, including Graded stakes winners VICTORIA’S WILDCAT, SALTY STRIKE and JOYFUL VICTORY but every horse in the field has won at least one of their last two starts and all have competitive Beyer Speed Figures.
Splitting hairs, a good case can be made for the Larry Jones trained Joyful Victory who won the Fantasy at Oaklawn in April and was fourth to Plum Pretty in the Ky. Oaks. At the same time, lightly raced ALSERA defeated older allowance rivals in her a sprint win at Belmont on May 25— her first start of 2011. She also demonstrated an affinity for longer races when she scored at one mile on this track last September.
At Prairie Meadows in Iowa, the venerable 8 year old gelding AWESOME GEM seeks his 12th career victory and his second stakes win of the year in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap, Saturday night. This will be Awesome Gem’s 46th career start and he will have to at his best to pad his $2.5 million bankroll. There are many proven stakes horses among the 11 entered in this race.
At Hollywood and Belmont the respective jockey and trainers’ races are both very tight with less than a month before Del Mar and Saratoga open.
At Belmont through Wednesday, June 22, Todd Pletcher had 17 wins from only 58 starters; Linda Rice had 16 from 73 starters. Seven other trainers had 10 or more wins.
The top two Belmont jockeys—J.J. Castellano and Ramon Dominguez were tied with 45 wins apiece. Castellano earned his total from 184 mounts, while Dominguez had ridden 201 horses through Wednesday. Among other riders still in the mix, Cornelio Velazquez had 39 wins from 184 mounts and Jose Lezcano had 31 from only 143.
In Southern California, Bob Baffert had won 24 races to hold a slim lead over Mike Mitchell, who had 23. No other trainer is close to the top two, but Northen Cal based-Art Sherman had the highest win percentage, 29 percent for his 6 wins from 21 starters.
Among the jockeys, Rafaal Bejarano had 42 wins at Hollywood through Wednesday, while Joel Rosario and Joe Talamo each won 39.
Elsewhere, particularly at Woodbine in Canada, we will get to see just how good the best 3 year old Canadian breds are in 2011.
The occasion is the 152ND running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate, a race that sometimes is called “Canada’s Kentucky Derby.”
Trainer Roger Attfield, who has won his share of stakes on both sides of the Canadian-American border, will be seeking a record ninth Queen’s Plate triumph with the fast-improving Check Your Soul. Also, Jockey Eurico Da Silva will seek an unprecedented third straight Arlington feature race wins in this prestigious 1-1/4 mile race for 3 year olds bred in Canada. Of the 17 horses entered, one of the most logical threats is BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY, and the recent local stakes winner QUEENSPLATEKITTEN, a recent stakes winner over the Woodbine Polytrack.
The Queen’s Plate will the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run on Polytrack and be broadcast live Saturday on the Canadian Broadcast Channel from 4:30-6 p.m. The middle leg, the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, will be run on the dirt at Fort Erie July 17, and the series will conclude with the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes on the grass here Aug. 7.
“He’s ready,” Atfield said about Check Your Soul. “He came out of the [Plate Trial] great. . . “I think he’s an exciting prospect.”
Bowman’s Causeway was prepping for the Kentucky Derby when he was eased towards the finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in April. Now he is trained by Chad Brown who believes he can improve upon Check Your Soul’s fourth place finish, only three lengths behind the winner. Keep tabs on all your favorite horses by betting on horse racing in Bodog's online racebook.
Big Tiz was second in her last three starts, including tow Graded stakes, while Zazu was second to Plum Pretty in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. If Plum Pretty is still feeling any effect from her brief illness, either or both of those fillies could beat her. That is why Baffert may not let her run.
“She was fine a couple days after the fever,” Baffert said. “But I didn’t feel comfortable putting her on a plane.”
Now Baffert may be the one who is uncomfortable if Plum Pretty reproduces her 2011 stakes class form. Should she throw in a clunker, Baffert will have wished he had passed both races this weekend.
In the Mother Goose, there are only seven entered, including Graded stakes winners VICTORIA’S WILDCAT, SALTY STRIKE and JOYFUL VICTORY but every horse in the field has won at least one of their last two starts and all have competitive Beyer Speed Figures.
Splitting hairs, a good case can be made for the Larry Jones trained Joyful Victory who won the Fantasy at Oaklawn in April and was fourth to Plum Pretty in the Ky. Oaks. At the same time, lightly raced ALSERA defeated older allowance rivals in her a sprint win at Belmont on May 25— her first start of 2011. She also demonstrated an affinity for longer races when she scored at one mile on this track last September.
At Prairie Meadows in Iowa, the venerable 8 year old gelding AWESOME GEM seeks his 12th career victory and his second stakes win of the year in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap, Saturday night. This will be Awesome Gem’s 46th career start and he will have to at his best to pad his $2.5 million bankroll. There are many proven stakes horses among the 11 entered in this race.
At Hollywood and Belmont the respective jockey and trainers’ races are both very tight with less than a month before Del Mar and Saratoga open.
At Belmont through Wednesday, June 22, Todd Pletcher had 17 wins from only 58 starters; Linda Rice had 16 from 73 starters. Seven other trainers had 10 or more wins.
The top two Belmont jockeys—J.J. Castellano and Ramon Dominguez were tied with 45 wins apiece. Castellano earned his total from 184 mounts, while Dominguez had ridden 201 horses through Wednesday. Among other riders still in the mix, Cornelio Velazquez had 39 wins from 184 mounts and Jose Lezcano had 31 from only 143.
In Southern California, Bob Baffert had won 24 races to hold a slim lead over Mike Mitchell, who had 23. No other trainer is close to the top two, but Northen Cal based-Art Sherman had the highest win percentage, 29 percent for his 6 wins from 21 starters.
Among the jockeys, Rafaal Bejarano had 42 wins at Hollywood through Wednesday, while Joel Rosario and Joe Talamo each won 39.
Elsewhere, particularly at Woodbine in Canada, we will get to see just how good the best 3 year old Canadian breds are in 2011.
The occasion is the 152ND running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate, a race that sometimes is called “Canada’s Kentucky Derby.”
Trainer Roger Attfield, who has won his share of stakes on both sides of the Canadian-American border, will be seeking a record ninth Queen’s Plate triumph with the fast-improving Check Your Soul. Also, Jockey Eurico Da Silva will seek an unprecedented third straight Arlington feature race wins in this prestigious 1-1/4 mile race for 3 year olds bred in Canada. Of the 17 horses entered, one of the most logical threats is BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY, and the recent local stakes winner QUEENSPLATEKITTEN, a recent stakes winner over the Woodbine Polytrack.
The Queen’s Plate will the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run on Polytrack and be broadcast live Saturday on the Canadian Broadcast Channel from 4:30-6 p.m. The middle leg, the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, will be run on the dirt at Fort Erie July 17, and the series will conclude with the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes on the grass here Aug. 7.
“He’s ready,” Atfield said about Check Your Soul. “He came out of the [Plate Trial] great. . . “I think he’s an exciting prospect.”
Bowman’s Causeway was prepping for the Kentucky Derby when he was eased towards the finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in April. Now he is trained by Chad Brown who believes he can improve upon Check Your Soul’s fourth place finish, only three lengths behind the winner. Keep tabs on all your favorite horses by betting on horse racing in Bodog's online racebook.
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2006/12/07
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We here at the Beat often find ourselves debating the merits of a particular horse over different lengths of track with a horse like Shackleford being a prime example. Sure he was inspiring in the Preakness but could he handle the mile and a half of the Belmont monster? As history demonstrated he couldn’t despite a game performance and that awareness is the difference between a winning bet and a losing one.
But how would our Belmont champion Ruler On Ice do on a slightly longer track than the Big Sandy? Say how about a track just over 420 miles? To be fair he would be given ten days to complete it but chances are that he would probably lose in what is officially the longest horse race in the world- the Mongol Derby.
Also known as the Greatest Horse Race in the World, the Mongol Derby is a 1000 kilometer long race that has been best described as “hell on horseback”. The race emulates the “Yam” system set up by Genghis Khan in the 13th century which served as the communications lifeline of his immense empire. Stations with fresh horses, food, and riders were set up throughout the empire allowing messengers to literally continue riding around the clock in what was the fastest communications system of its day.
Although today’s race does not feature any related delights such as sacking cities, it does take place across the same terrain as the great Khan’s messengers rode and uses the same famed Mongol ponies. The race is so tough that you have to qualify for it first by undergoing three days of training- if you survive that then you are allowed to enter the race!
For all your non-Mongol betting needs visit Bodog's online Racebook!
But how would our Belmont champion Ruler On Ice do on a slightly longer track than the Big Sandy? Say how about a track just over 420 miles? To be fair he would be given ten days to complete it but chances are that he would probably lose in what is officially the longest horse race in the world- the Mongol Derby.
Also known as the Greatest Horse Race in the World, the Mongol Derby is a 1000 kilometer long race that has been best described as “hell on horseback”. The race emulates the “Yam” system set up by Genghis Khan in the 13th century which served as the communications lifeline of his immense empire. Stations with fresh horses, food, and riders were set up throughout the empire allowing messengers to literally continue riding around the clock in what was the fastest communications system of its day.
Although today’s race does not feature any related delights such as sacking cities, it does take place across the same terrain as the great Khan’s messengers rode and uses the same famed Mongol ponies. The race is so tough that you have to qualify for it first by undergoing three days of training- if you survive that then you are allowed to enter the race!
For all your non-Mongol betting needs visit Bodog's online Racebook!
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2006/12/07
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It appears Animal Kingdom’s cannon bone fracture wasn’t the only issue with the colt as his ownership team reported another more severe injury that means no racing for the rest of the year. This year’s surprise but worthy Triple Crown aspirant was diagnosed three weeks ago with a small fracture in his rear left cannon bone and was proscribed a few weeks rest.
However it was announced today by ownership group Team Valour International that there was a further fracture higher up on the same leg which would require surgery and rehabilitation. Although there will be no more racing this year for Animal Kingdom, his owner and trainers feel he will be ready for next year’s Dubai World Cup.
Joseph Cornacchia
Long-time horse racing enthusiast and champion horse owner Joseph Cornacchia passed away this week. Cornacchia was the co-owner of several illustrious equines most notably 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold, 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin, and 1996’s Preakness winner Louis Quatorze. Cornaccia made his fortune manufacturing the games Trivial Pursuit, Balderdash, and Pictionary.
Dr. Mark J. Gerard
The passing this week of Dr. Gerard marked the close of one of the most sensational racing scandals of the last thirty years. Dr. Gerard was a well-known and highly sought after veterinarian in the New York racing scene in the 1960's and 1970's tending to such superstars as Secretariat and Kelso. However all of that came crashing down in 1977 when he was caught substituting a ringer in a horse race at Belmont Park.
It appears that the good doctor had imported two horses from Uruguay one of which was a dud and one of which was a former national champion. He claimed that the champion horse had died in an accident soon after arriving in the States, but in actuality entered him in a race under the name of the untalented horse at odds of 57-1.
Suspicions soon arose however as the supposedly dud horse blew away the field and made Dr. Gerard over 80,000 dollars. An investigation ensued and the doctor was fined and sentenced to a year in jail. After serving his time Dr. Gerard moved to Florida where he established a successful polo pony practice.
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However it was announced today by ownership group Team Valour International that there was a further fracture higher up on the same leg which would require surgery and rehabilitation. Although there will be no more racing this year for Animal Kingdom, his owner and trainers feel he will be ready for next year’s Dubai World Cup.
Joseph Cornacchia
Long-time horse racing enthusiast and champion horse owner Joseph Cornacchia passed away this week. Cornacchia was the co-owner of several illustrious equines most notably 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold, 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin, and 1996’s Preakness winner Louis Quatorze. Cornaccia made his fortune manufacturing the games Trivial Pursuit, Balderdash, and Pictionary.
Dr. Mark J. Gerard
The passing this week of Dr. Gerard marked the close of one of the most sensational racing scandals of the last thirty years. Dr. Gerard was a well-known and highly sought after veterinarian in the New York racing scene in the 1960's and 1970's tending to such superstars as Secretariat and Kelso. However all of that came crashing down in 1977 when he was caught substituting a ringer in a horse race at Belmont Park.
It appears that the good doctor had imported two horses from Uruguay one of which was a dud and one of which was a former national champion. He claimed that the champion horse had died in an accident soon after arriving in the States, but in actuality entered him in a race under the name of the untalented horse at odds of 57-1.
Suspicions soon arose however as the supposedly dud horse blew away the field and made Dr. Gerard over 80,000 dollars. An investigation ensued and the doctor was fined and sentenced to a year in jail. After serving his time Dr. Gerard moved to Florida where he established a successful polo pony practice.
Bodog has paid out over 6 million dollars in winnings from its Racebook. Get in on your share of the action and place a bet today!
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2006/12/07
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Other than the aforementioned dogs, few animals have had the close knit relationship with humankind that horses have. As such we have an extremely well documented history of them which in turn makes for some very interesting reading. The following factoids should be memorized to impress family and friends, or strangers at the track.
The World’s Smallest Horse
The smallest equine in the world is aptly known as Thumbelina and stands at an astonishing 4 hands. Thumbelina is from the Miniature breed of horses which are of course already small and is thought to be a dwarf of that breed. Needless to say Thumbelina will not be giving rides out any time soon.
The World’s Oldest Horse
There exist several contenders but the best documented case was a Draught horse born in England in 1760. Originally called Billy and then necessarily Old Billy, this remarkable creature lived to be 62 years of age. For comparison, 18 is considered ancient in the paddock.
The World’s Biggest Horse
Like the oldest horse category there exist numerous claims to the title of biggest horse and again we go back to Merry Olde England for our winner. In 1846 there is record of a horse named Sampson who was held to be an incredible 23 hands tall! In comparison the world’s current biggest horse is just under 20 hands tall.
The World’s Oldest Horse Race
The Palio di Siena holds claim to being the oldest continuous horse race in the world. It has taken place every year since at least the early fourteenth century and takes place in the medieval city of Siena in Italy. The race is a contest between the 17 city wards and usually includes three laps of the main square. The riders ride bareback and the whole event resembles less of a horse race and more of a riot. The winning ward holds bragging rights for the next year.
The World’s Oldest “Classic” Horse Race
This particular honor belongs to the Doncaster Cup in England which has been running since 1760. The area however was well known for horse racing prior to that, and as early as 1600 boring town officials were complaining that the horse races there attracted “drunken ruffians”. Good to see that some things remain the same!
The World’s Smallest Horse
The smallest equine in the world is aptly known as Thumbelina and stands at an astonishing 4 hands. Thumbelina is from the Miniature breed of horses which are of course already small and is thought to be a dwarf of that breed. Needless to say Thumbelina will not be giving rides out any time soon.
The World’s Oldest Horse
There exist several contenders but the best documented case was a Draught horse born in England in 1760. Originally called Billy and then necessarily Old Billy, this remarkable creature lived to be 62 years of age. For comparison, 18 is considered ancient in the paddock.
The World’s Biggest Horse
Like the oldest horse category there exist numerous claims to the title of biggest horse and again we go back to Merry Olde England for our winner. In 1846 there is record of a horse named Sampson who was held to be an incredible 23 hands tall! In comparison the world’s current biggest horse is just under 20 hands tall.
The World’s Oldest Horse Race
The Palio di Siena holds claim to being the oldest continuous horse race in the world. It has taken place every year since at least the early fourteenth century and takes place in the medieval city of Siena in Italy. The race is a contest between the 17 city wards and usually includes three laps of the main square. The riders ride bareback and the whole event resembles less of a horse race and more of a riot. The winning ward holds bragging rights for the next year.
The World’s Oldest “Classic” Horse Race
This particular honor belongs to the Doncaster Cup in England which has been running since 1760. The area however was well known for horse racing prior to that, and as early as 1600 boring town officials were complaining that the horse races there attracted “drunken ruffians”. Good to see that some things remain the same!
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2006/12/07
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Excitement is starting to build with a little over six weeks to go until the next elite thoroughbred event. This year’s Travers Stakes will be even more critical than usual in selecting the 2011 champion three year old horse- with three different winners of the Triple Crown races there is no shoe-in candidate. Ironically enough, Uncle Mo is the horse with the most Grade 1 victories despite missing the entire Triple Crown.
Speaking of Uncle Mo, the colt is back to training and has been moved to Saratoga perhaps with the hope of running in the Travers? His condition, which has been now diagnosed as a rare liver disorder, seems to be healing well and trainer Todd Pletcher is said to be pleased with the horse’s progress.
Other possible contenders for the Travers look to include Ruler On Ice, Jaycito, Alternation, Brilliant Speed, and Stay Thirsty. Certainly Brilliant Speed and Alternation have some hype to live up to. Stay Thirsty showed good form in the Belmont and has to be considered a contender at the Midsummer Derby.
However some commentators seem to view this year’s Travers Stakes as a bit of a disappointment and reflective of the whole three year old group in 2011- no clear candidates for greatness or horse of the year. Whether that is the case or not remains to be seen with key races left to go in the season. But it is fair to say that it is probably anybody’s guess as to who the champion three year old will be.
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Speaking of Uncle Mo, the colt is back to training and has been moved to Saratoga perhaps with the hope of running in the Travers? His condition, which has been now diagnosed as a rare liver disorder, seems to be healing well and trainer Todd Pletcher is said to be pleased with the horse’s progress.
Other possible contenders for the Travers look to include Ruler On Ice, Jaycito, Alternation, Brilliant Speed, and Stay Thirsty. Certainly Brilliant Speed and Alternation have some hype to live up to. Stay Thirsty showed good form in the Belmont and has to be considered a contender at the Midsummer Derby.
However some commentators seem to view this year’s Travers Stakes as a bit of a disappointment and reflective of the whole three year old group in 2011- no clear candidates for greatness or horse of the year. Whether that is the case or not remains to be seen with key races left to go in the season. But it is fair to say that it is probably anybody’s guess as to who the champion three year old will be.
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2006/12/07
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We have all heard of various celebrities and the super rich that collect luxury cars, artwork from the masters, and expensive homes around the world. Some however are also serious equine collectors and are willing to invest in the world’s best horses. Several have had horses that have competed in the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders' Cup, and other elite races.
It’s Hammertime
At one point MC Hammer owned many things and then shortly afterwards he didn’t. While this is not the time or space to talk about wise investing, it is of interest to point out that Hammer did in fact get into the thoroughbred business. Apparently passionate about horses, Hammer invested in and created his own Oaktown Stables. At one point Hammer owned multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Lite Light, and the aptly named 1992 Kentucky Derby third place finisher Dance Floor. Mr. Hammer is no longer in the horse racing business.
Off With Their Heads
Although she may not be conversant with the first Godfather film, Queen Elizabeth II is by all accounts a keen racing enthusiast. It is perhaps not unexpected that the head of English royalty is conversant with the sport of kings, but she has been a genuine lifelong devotee. The Queen has about 25 horses that are race ready each year, and although she has still to win a major race it is quite clear that she is game for it.
Atswhatimtalkingabout
Really. That is the name of the horse owned by Steven Spielberg. Although he probably didn’t name the horse, the mega movie mogul does lose points for owning a horse with that horrible of a name. However, the aforementioned horse did run in the Kentucky Derby in 2003 and finished fourth. Spielberg is also an investor with Biscuit Stables and regularly attends prestigious racing events.
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It’s Hammertime
At one point MC Hammer owned many things and then shortly afterwards he didn’t. While this is not the time or space to talk about wise investing, it is of interest to point out that Hammer did in fact get into the thoroughbred business. Apparently passionate about horses, Hammer invested in and created his own Oaktown Stables. At one point Hammer owned multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Lite Light, and the aptly named 1992 Kentucky Derby third place finisher Dance Floor. Mr. Hammer is no longer in the horse racing business.
Off With Their Heads
Although she may not be conversant with the first Godfather film, Queen Elizabeth II is by all accounts a keen racing enthusiast. It is perhaps not unexpected that the head of English royalty is conversant with the sport of kings, but she has been a genuine lifelong devotee. The Queen has about 25 horses that are race ready each year, and although she has still to win a major race it is quite clear that she is game for it.
Atswhatimtalkingabout
Really. That is the name of the horse owned by Steven Spielberg. Although he probably didn’t name the horse, the mega movie mogul does lose points for owning a horse with that horrible of a name. However, the aforementioned horse did run in the Kentucky Derby in 2003 and finished fourth. Spielberg is also an investor with Biscuit Stables and regularly attends prestigious racing events.
Visit Bodog's online Racebook which carries races from all over the world 24/7!
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2006/12/07
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Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is not only the king of barbecue and southern cooking but is also a keen racing enthusiast. The mega successful restaurant impresario is so passionate about the sport that he is also a long time thoroughbred owner with a winning track record.
Flay, who will be the keynote speaker at this year’s National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in August, struck gold again just over a week ago at Belmont Park. Flay’s horse Her Smile won the $250,000 Belmont Prioress Stakes which is a Grade 1 rated race and his first victory at the elite level.
Flay’s other major win came last year at the Breeders’ Cup when he won the Juvenile Fillies Turf Race with More Than Real and took home most of the million dollar purse. No word on the menu for the Hall of Fame induction dinner, but organizers will no doubt be on their toes with celebrity chef Flay in attendance.
In other horse racing news, trainer Todd Pletcher has confirmed that as rumored he will be looking to have Uncle Mo racing by August. Uncle Mo was scheduled to be moved from Kentucky to Saratoga yesterday in preparation for possibly the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes or the Travers Stakes. Both races will take place in August at Saratoga so it will be interesting to see which race Pletcher thinks is the best test of Uncle Mo’s health.
If Uncle Mo’s health holds up and he runs well in one of the races in August, it will go a long way to getting him ready for the Breeders’ Cup in November.
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Flay, who will be the keynote speaker at this year’s National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in August, struck gold again just over a week ago at Belmont Park. Flay’s horse Her Smile won the $250,000 Belmont Prioress Stakes which is a Grade 1 rated race and his first victory at the elite level.
Flay’s other major win came last year at the Breeders’ Cup when he won the Juvenile Fillies Turf Race with More Than Real and took home most of the million dollar purse. No word on the menu for the Hall of Fame induction dinner, but organizers will no doubt be on their toes with celebrity chef Flay in attendance.
In other horse racing news, trainer Todd Pletcher has confirmed that as rumored he will be looking to have Uncle Mo racing by August. Uncle Mo was scheduled to be moved from Kentucky to Saratoga yesterday in preparation for possibly the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes or the Travers Stakes. Both races will take place in August at Saratoga so it will be interesting to see which race Pletcher thinks is the best test of Uncle Mo’s health.
If Uncle Mo’s health holds up and he runs well in one of the races in August, it will go a long way to getting him ready for the Breeders’ Cup in November.
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2006/12/07
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Big news in the world of horse racing as the Breeders’ Cup executive committee announced that beginning in 2012 race day drugs will no longer be allowed in certain races. Further, the committee announced that there will be a complete ban of race day drugs in all Breeders’ Cup races from 2013 onwards.
The issue of race day drugs and in particular the use of Lasix has long been a contentious issue among the horse racing community and a hard sell to the public at large. Lasix has been in use for over 20 years and approximately 90% of all horses compete on the drug. Lasix is designated as a diuretic but in the 80’s was also found to prevent pulmonary bleeding in race horses. The drug became an instant hit with trainers and the logic has always been that it protected certain horses from lung damage.
However, there is also clear evidence that the drug can significantly improve racing performance as well. Therefore, it has been argued by many that this is the true reason for the drug’s prevalence in the sport. The other concern with Lasix is that it is also very effective at masking other drugs and as such there may be the possibility of further doping going on.
Currently the United States and Canada are the only countries that allow the use of race day drugs while the practice is banned in the rest of the world. Many feel that it has tainted the sport and in fact contributed to the decline of its popularity. Given public sentiment towards chemically enhanced performance in other sports it makes sense.
The Breeders’ Cup committee has agreed and has taken the brave first step in banning the practice. Given that horse racing in the U.S. has no central authority or commissioner, it remains to be seen if the initiative gathers any steam. This year it will only be applied to the Juvenile or two year old races at the Breeders’ Cup. It will also be very illuminating to see how the three years olds run without it in 2013.
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The issue of race day drugs and in particular the use of Lasix has long been a contentious issue among the horse racing community and a hard sell to the public at large. Lasix has been in use for over 20 years and approximately 90% of all horses compete on the drug. Lasix is designated as a diuretic but in the 80’s was also found to prevent pulmonary bleeding in race horses. The drug became an instant hit with trainers and the logic has always been that it protected certain horses from lung damage.
However, there is also clear evidence that the drug can significantly improve racing performance as well. Therefore, it has been argued by many that this is the true reason for the drug’s prevalence in the sport. The other concern with Lasix is that it is also very effective at masking other drugs and as such there may be the possibility of further doping going on.
Currently the United States and Canada are the only countries that allow the use of race day drugs while the practice is banned in the rest of the world. Many feel that it has tainted the sport and in fact contributed to the decline of its popularity. Given public sentiment towards chemically enhanced performance in other sports it makes sense.
The Breeders’ Cup committee has agreed and has taken the brave first step in banning the practice. Given that horse racing in the U.S. has no central authority or commissioner, it remains to be seen if the initiative gathers any steam. This year it will only be applied to the Juvenile or two year old races at the Breeders’ Cup. It will also be very illuminating to see how the three years olds run without it in 2013.
Visit Bodog's 24/7 online Racebook to get your bet in! Over 6 million dollars in payouts!
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2006/12/07
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Older than the Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby by six and eight years respectively, the Belmont Stakes is venerable institution. It shines particularly bright when a Triple Crown is on the line and has witnessed some incredibly dramatic moments. It was here that Secretariat not only clinched his Triple Crown in 1973, but also won by an astounding 31 lengths.
This year should provide compelling racing as Animal Kingdom looks for revenge against the speedy Shackleford. However Derby second place finisher Nehro will look to complicate things so expect a three- way horse race. Post position will be an important factor in giving a deciding edge.
Weather Forecast
The weather so far looks mixed, with sunny days leading up until the race but then a possibility of lightning and thunder on June 8th and 9th. It will remain to be seen what the weather will be for race day but make sure to check back for updated forecasts in the days leading up to the Belmont.
Party Trivia
The race is known as the “Run for the Carnations” and its signature drink is called the Belmont Jewel. Unfortunately it is made by taking very tasty, wonderful bourbon and then adding lemonade and pomegranate juice?? We really don’t have anything else to add here and will not provide the recipe.
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