Will Shack keep the streak alive? The past three winners of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes have come back to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. Lookin at Lucky, Rachel Alexandra and Big Brown completed the double in the last three years.
If you throw in Point Given and War Emblem, we've had five complete the double in the last 10 years. Do you see a pattern here?
I think I made the right decision in the Belmont by throwing him out when I was trying to decide what to do with him. You have to think he gets a pass after drawing an outside post, running in the slop and with the added distance of the Test of a Champion.
He does has some formidable competition with Belmont winner Ruler On Ice, stable mate Pants on Fire and Preakness third place finisher Astrology in the field. Kiaran McLaughlin throws Rattlesnake Bridge into the mix and the Tesio winner Concealed Identity will run his second race over the Jersey Shore strip after finishing third in the Grade 3 Pegasus behind Pants on Fire.
This time I think Shack gets it done and takes the lead position in the fight to be this year's 3-year old champion. By the way, those last three Preakness-Haskell double doers? They all took home a 3-year old champion Eclipse trophy.
There will be a Shack warning on the Jersey Shore this weekend...
It's Tricky crosses the wire in front of Plum Pretty in the CCAO
The voicemail that our pal G-Money played back for us Saturday morning was succint and to the point. "Send it in."The message arrived some time after midnight from Vegas Billy (a/k/a The Bossman). "The 8 horse in Race 5," he went on. "It's like walking into the vault." We laughed for a good hour over a fine breakfast at Shirley's, a cool diner on the west side of town.
It became the motto for the rest of the day and into the evening as we capped off a great opening two days at the Spa.
Unfortunately Self Control just didn't show the same things he did in his first race where he was caught badly in traffic and we sent it in on bad tip. "Tips, Schmips" was the Saratoga Resident's reply. We should all know better as we continued to play the voicemail throughout the rest of the card. "Send it in on Aptphilly ($16.80) in the 8th!"
I recovered to end the weekend in the black thanks to a $5 exacta in the Coaching Club. Caught up with a lot of folks, racing fans and made some new friends over the course of the weekend.
Some random thoughts from the cobwebs...
* I don't care much for the new Jim Dandy bar configuration, the Saratoga Resident was quick to point out it has more of an airport feel to it. * I do like the new beer prices - $3 domestic and $4 import for a 12 oz. * I do not like that they tossed Bud and Bud Light....what? * I like the bands playing at the Paddock Bar after the last race on Fridays. * I liked that the press box had air conditioning. * I really liked having my first Genny Cream Ale in over 25 years with the WNY Horse Racing crew based out of Rochester. * The Coaching Club American Oaks was a serious horse race. I loved every minute of that stretch drive. Plus, I sent it in!
Take a gander over a few pictures I shot over the course of the weekend with the Space Gal's pink camera....always a good chuckle, but it does the trick.
The Toddster and Mike Repole in the paddock
Steve Asmussen tending to My Miss Aurelia ($8.40), a solid first time winner
A dapper D. Wayne Lucas awaiting Bourbonesque in the paddock stall
Canadian based trainer Mark Casse with NBC's Tom Hammond chillin before Race 3
Johnny V on Stopshoppingmaria who finished third
Julien Leparoux on My Miss Aurelia
Mmmmm.
Corey Nakatani on Jackson Bend ($18.80) before the James Marvin S.
Kent Desormeaux on Laurie's Rocket ($16.20) who took it to the favorites in Saturday's Race 2.
The well-bet Pletcher/Valezquez tandem finished third with How Do I Win
Welcome to the Charlotte International Airport.
WNY Horse Racing Group making a Genny commercial
Aptphilly completed a nice double for me
Martin Garcia on the Kentucky Oaks champ Plum Pretty
They're Off in the CCAO!
Kiaran McLaughlin really likes his "nice filly."
Time to send it in with a little Rev Run...because, you know, It's Tricky.
That's Todd A. Pletcher saddling Caixa Electronica in the paddock yesterday before the Marvin. More pics to come early next week of Toga's opening weekend.
All of the Toga Party IV picks have been posted, with 19 entries. Believe it or not, yours truly was within 30 folks of the opening day attendance figure of 25,155. See the link in the right sidebar for 2011 Toga Party to see the final submissions.
Today I like Self Control (7-2) in Race 5, the Chad Brown 3-year old by Lemon Drop Kid, was coming late in his maiden voyage and was caught in all kinds of traffic trying to get through. He has a fabulous work on July 16 and has Javier Castellano aboard to attack the inner turf. The only downside is the outside post.
I'll also be taking a hard look at Jimmy Sims in the 9th which looks like a highly competitive allowance race. He'll run for the first time for Anthony Dutrow after previous being conditioned by Roger Attfield's Woodbine operation.
I picked Plum Pretty in The News' Friday blog, just hoping she doesn't get hooked in a speed duel with It's Tricky in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
All signs point towards racing tomorrow even with anticipated high temperatures. I happened to be on a 3:59 excursion in August of 2006 when the one and only cancellation happened at Saratoga Race Course due to the high heat index that Wednesday morning.
The (former) Saratoga Resident, G-Money and I will be heading out first thing in the morning for the Spa and some weekend action at my favorite place in the world.
I wrote an advance article for The Buffalo News that was in this morning's paper on the coming meet where I highlighted some of my favorite things about the 'ole Spa. Check tomorrow morning's Sports, Ink blog for my handicap of the very competitive Coaching Club American Oaks, which features the winning fillies of the Kentucky Oaks, Black-Eyed Susan, Acorn, Mother Goose and Fantasy Stakes. It should be a terrific initial Grade 1 to kick off the meet. NBC will televise the CCAO with an hour broadcast Saturday afternoon.
I missed my first opener in five years last year due to family and business obligations, but we're re-starting the streak tomorrow. I spent time before this blog looking back at pictures of my first opener in 2006 and my first attendance at morning workouts at the main track.
If you haven't got your Toga Party IV picks into me, I'll extend them to emails received prior to post time tomorrow. Most of the usual cast of characters are back, but the more the merrier!
As for tomorrow's card, the James Marvin looks like a tremendous betting race. Leaning towards Here Comes Ben and Jersey Town. As for the Grade 3 Schuylerville, I like Vuvovar (8-1 ML) off a sharp workout for conditioner Eric Guillot. After picking consecutive winners publicly in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, let's hope I can keep it rollin' in the US and A.
Enjoy opening day, there's no other place to be...
FORT ERIE -- On a sunny Sunday afternoon across the Peace Bridge at the border oval in Fort Erie, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown was won by my Post Time News selectionPender Harbour ($10.30) for trainer Mike DePaulo. Jockey Luis Contreras has now taken the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown after winning the Queen's Plate on Inglorious. He'll be looking for the jockey triple in the Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine on August 7.
Trainer Mike DePaulo sees no reason why he won't take a shot at the third leg in August, "His sire's sire is Kris S so he should love grass. He is very ratable so he doesn't have to go to the lead." He was very happy when I talked to him about grabbing Contreras as his jock at the draw last Wednesday, but he was glowing about his money jockey after the big race. "It was a genuine victory," said DePaulo, "Luis gave him a great ride."
We made it over by Race 3 after little trouble at the bridge, although once over the bridge I realized I had handicapped the card on Saturday night on my iPad, which wasn't in my possession. A quick technology lesson with the Space Gal had my selections over to me by the fourth race and we were in business.
There was a terrific crowd on hand due to the beautiful day dished up by the Southern Ontario weather gods. A nice breeze blew threough all day to keep it real and not a total sweatbath. TBA'er Jennifer Morrison was handling the simulcast handicapping along with Fort Erie Media maven Elissa Blowe for both of the stakes races.
Luis Contreras took four mounts on the day and New York Ranger Dan Girardi was on hand to judge hat contests and hand over the winning Prince of Wales trophy as the official draw master of the event.
It was great to see so many people at the track, the Tiki Bar was jammed and their wasn't a seat to be found in the (air conditioned) Race Book.
Local jock Krista Carignan took the $30K Fort Erie Slots Cup (in the 6th) on local favorite My Natalie over entry mate Gee Pari with Contreras aboard. Trainer Marty Drexler (who was a fabulous 7 for 9 going into the race) nabbed the trophy after My Natalie outlasted Gee Pari in the stretch.
Here are some photographs from the day's activities...
Jennifer Morrison and Elissa Blowe
working the simulcast
Contreras before his ride
on Magnificent Tiger in the 4th
Tapit's Brew started my
day off quite well
The Race Book was jamming
The Tiki Bar was hopping all day
Tiki location just before
the FE finish line
Jockeys head to their
mounts in the Fort Erie Slots Cup
Conditioner Marty Drexler
(no relation to the Glide)
gives Carignan and Contreras
instructions before the Slots
(finished 1-2)
I spent the early afternoon on Wednesday across the Peace Bridge for the Post Position Draw for the 76th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes. The $500,000 race will be held Sunday afternoon at the border oval at 1-3/16 miles on the dirt as seven horses will attempt to grab the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.
As is well documented the Queen's Plate winner, the filly Inglorious has taken a pass in efforts to prepare for a date at the Spa and the Grade I Alabama Stakes in August. However, her jockey Luis Contreras has jumped aboard Pender Harbour, the third place finisher in attempts to pull off a jockey triple.
I caught up with Pender Harbour's trainer Mike DePaulo and he granted me a few moments to discuss his horse's chances on Sunday, as well as the jockey change from Chantal Sutherland to Contreras. "Luis has worked the horse for me, even before the Victoria Park, where the horse ran dynamite. He had some trouble in that race. Chantal rode well, but didn't really know him and left him with too much to do," said DePaulo. "He came out of the race in great shape and he should have no trouble with the dirt and certainly no issue with the distance," DePaulo stated.
I asked him what the strategy on Sunday would be and he replied, "It'll be up to Luis, but I don't see him up there early, he's a stalking type horse, but he'll be closer to the group than in the Plate." He also mentioned that the border oval's long stretch drive should benefit Pender Harbour, "The stretch is longer than Toronto's (Woodbine), which should be to our advantage with a smaller field there should be less trouble.
I'm leaning towards the Philanthropist gelding who went off at odds of 15-1 in the Plate and finished strong. With the red-hot Contreras on board he should be a contender late.
Fellow TBA'er Jennifer Morrison sets the morning line at Fort Erie and establish Hippolytus as the 2-1 morning line favorite. Two Fort Erie jocks have mounts on two Wales horses. Krista Carignan, last year's leading rider at the Fort has the mount on Oh Canada and Emile Ramsammy will ride Oban.
New York Ranger defenseman Dan Girardi, a local from Welland, Ontario served as the Draw Master.
Here are some random shots of the day's festivities...
Track Announcer Mike Dimoff & NY Ranger Dan Girardi
Trainer Mike DePaulo answering questions
from Channel 4's Paul Peck and Channel 2's
Adam Benigni
The Prince of Wales Board (impressive)
It was a fun day and a bonus that I was able to spend some time with my pal Keith McCalmont who came down from Toronto to cover the event for the Woodbine Media Department. The race should be very competitive and a solid betting race with four horses less than or equal to 4-1 on the morning line.
It's time to tango, Space Cadets! We're opening up Toga Party IV for submissions right up until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday July 21st. Everyone loves a Toga Party, right?
If you've been around this blog (or you just stumbled upon it by googling "bird poop good luck") you know there are two constants (and neither one is baseball): (1) the annual Derby spreadsheet and (2) the annual Saratoga meeting contest.
We had 17 brave souls enter last year and the winner had six correct answers out of 15. Six correct also won Toga Party II, so it seems to be the magic number.. Last year's final standings and correct answers can be found here.
So here are the Space rules:
Rules: I've broken it down to 5 meet questions, 5 race or raceday specific questions and 5 winners of major stake races for this year's Saratoga meeting. 1 point per correct answer. Stakes race winner selections are not due until midnight on the Friday before the race. I will have the spreadsheet up and running on the right side bar before opening day. Remember there's no Price is Right rules in effect (you can go over - it's closest to the correct number). Either email me: budmanbflo[at]hotmail.com your selections forquestion 1-10 items only and the tiebreaker or leave them in the comment section by next Thursday at midnight (opening day eve) with your email address (if I don't already have it). I will email the group on Thursday before the stakes races to remind you of the race selections (items 11-15)
So here goes (open to all, we don't discriminate here in Space Land):
Meet questions
1) Leading Trainer
2) # of Wins - Leading Trainer
3) Leading Jockey (wins)
4) # of Wins - Leading Jockey
5) Total turf races for entire meet
Race/Raceday questions
6) Opening day attendance
7) Travers day attendance
8) Wins by #8 horse on 8/8/2011 (It's a Monday)
9) $2 Trifecta payout on the Travers
10) $2 Exacta payout on the Woodward
Stakes Race Winners - Do not send these to me now (due Friday midnight B4 the race)
11) Jim Dandy winner
12) Whitney winner
13) Alabama winner
14) Travers winner
15) King's Bishop winner
Tie-breaker
XX) Which jockey will top the jockey earnings for the meet?
Grand Prize: 2 Tickets to Bills game in December (just kidding) Real Grand Prize: Choice of Handicapping or Racing Book currently in print (not kidding)
Defending Champs:
Toga I: Foolish Pleasure (2008) Runnerup: Green But Game
Toga II: EquiSpace (2009); Runnerup: Saratoga Spa (*)
Toga III: Tony Bada Bing (2010); Runnerup(s): SpaceBro, Floppydog
Toga IV: Insert Your Name Here
(*) Your host deferred victory to runnerup SS who won tie-breaker over Triple Dead Heat and Green But Game.
Did you know: William Hill offers in play betting on a huge number of markets especially on soccer.
So after six months, which horse is going to step forward and save this thoroughbred racing season? The fact that ESPN spent a solid 10 minutes on LAST year's Horse of the Year in its Hollywood Gold Cup broadcast and spent little time on the eight horses about to tackle the first Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the Classic division says a lot.
The Triple Crown season did in its biggest potential star in Animal Kingdom, who I am going to bet we've seen his last race. In addition, no clear-cut leader emerged to capture star status.
Who is going to capture our fancy by year's end or is this going to be one of the most lackluster years in recent times with parity being the biggest winner in racing circa 2011? Who has the best chance you ask? We'll tell you what needs to happen for one of these six horses to emerge.....otherwise you're going to hear a whole lotta Goldikova in November at Churchill as that will be the biggest story....
1. One of the Dudes. They've split the two big West Coast races of the year, so if one can snag the Pacific Classic and snag the BC Classic, we'll here mosre Dude references than you'd care to hear. Would be an entertaining horse either way and if Game On Dude emerges, the Chantal factor will also be a good thing for the sport.
2. Shack Attack. The best chance for a star coming out of the 3-year old division would be Shackleford, the Preakness champion. Wins in the Haskell and a return trip to Belmont in the Jockey Club Gold Cup could give him some star power heading into the Classic.
3. Havre de Grace. Think of the Zenyatta stuff ESPN could (and will) roll out if she continues to win during her 2011 campaign and tries the boys in the Classic. Best kept secret outside of inner racing circles...she's done nothing but win....where she goes from the Delaware Handicap should she win, will be telling...
4. Uncle Mo. He doesn't belong on this list but what if he wins the King's Bishop and goes on to win the BC Sprint or Dirt Mile, or does Repole and Pletcher swing for the fences by going to the JCGC? Intriguing to say the least and he does have name recognition.
5. TBD. Is there a horse out there that can still emerge and become a compelling mainstream story? The way this season has gone, it's totally possible.
I must say I've enjoyed relaxing and taking a break from racing over the past week, but man, I'm disappointed by the decision of the connections of Inglorious to skip the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Instead of tackling the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown at Fort Erie, a program for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, the siren of Saratoga has lured the Plate champion to the Spa.
The connections (Donver Stable and trainer Josie Carroll) have won the Alabama before, with Careless Jewel in 2009, so it's not all that surprising that they'll be headed down the NYS Thruway.
Sure hope Luis Contreras grabs a mount in the $500K Prince of Wales, I really like his riding style. Since the Fort is our home track's big race, I'm a bit out of sorts by the decision. I understand it's a restricted race versus the open company that she'll face at the Spa (off an eight week layoff!), but isn't their national Triple Crown something to shoot for? I hope she finishes DFL in Saratoga (enter evil Geno).
It's almost time for Toga Party IV, so start studying the past years' spreadsheets. The questions from 2010 are listed here and the last two contest results are listed on the right sidebar. Tony Bada Bing is the defending champ who had a nice run picking stakes winners last year en route to the crown in his rookie season.
Ok...back to lollygagging for another week...we'll post the contest rules and questions next week.
You didn't think I'd let you down did you? We've given you mid-year posts for the past three years and while we've taken our talents to The Buffalo News, we'll link to the semi-annual review with our top five and bottom five moments of 2011.
If you'd like to see our prior year posts (they are quite interesting to note where our head was at) you can click here for 2008, 2009 and 2010 mid-year analysis. Last year's is particularly interesting, especially the comments, where some horse named Blame seemed to be quite prominently mentioned. Hmm...looks like we had some pretty good prograstinating readers...so what about this year...
It’s halfway through the 2011 thoroughbred racing season and we’ve taken our mid-year post to the mainstream. It’s been mostly an uneventful six months when looking back at midpoints 2010 (Zenyatta fever), 2009 (Rachel Alexandra on the scene) and 2008 (Big Brown winning first two legs of the Triple Crown and Curlin dominating the handicap division), respectively.
I wouldn’t say the glass is half empty, as the sport has generated some positive press through the Triple Crown season. Racing has both momentum and intrigue as we head into the summer racing schedule with premier meets at Del Mar and Saratoga. Without further adieu…here are our thoughts on the best and worst moments in racing at the mid-point of the 2011 racing season.
