It's a Racing Festivus!

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Since it's December 23rd, what could be a better way to celebrate this year's racing calendar, but with a touch of Festivus. As you know, Festivus comes but once a year and features such things as "Feats of Strength" and the "Airing of Grievances." I couldn't think of a better year to highlight some Festivus memories and thoughts when it comes to Racing 2009.

"Feats of Strength"

- The Ladies Raise the Roof. Can you think of two races wherein the roofs came off their respective homes, than Rachel Alexandra's Woodward at the Old Spa or Zenyatta's magnificent stretch run in becoming the first equine female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic? Nope, neither can I.

- Bird is the Word. Any other year and Summer Bird is being mentioned in Horse of the Year. Winning the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup were truly feats of strength. And let's not forget the little engine that could. "Who is that horse coming up the rail?" was heard in more than one living room on the First Saturday in May.

- Wood-tastic. I Want Revenge's performance in the Wood Memorial at the Big A in April was truly a feat of strength. After overcoming an awful gate stumble, IWR made up some serious lost ground with a furious close. One of the year's better races.

- Four in a Row. If winning four (count 'em) straight Grade I turf races isn't a feat of strength, than I'm Kobe Bryant (news flash: I'm not.) Gio Ponti served notice on the racing public that he is for reals after his fourth consecutive win in the Arlington Million in August.

Ok, so those are my feats of strength.....but I'm sure this is what you can't wait for...

"The Airing of Grievances"

- Jerry Hollendorfer. One of my brethren (blogger and beancounter) lights up the Tote Board on J-Holl. This one is simply: Game. Set. Match. Speaking of tote boards.....

- NYRA. Let's hope Santa brings some light bulbs to NYRA on Friday, as well as a copy of the American Racing Manual, so we can get Go For Wand's name right on the 2010 banner....

- Transparency in the Stewards' Booth. Yeah, you've heard me beat this drum before. I'm not stoppin any time soon. Take a page from our counterparts overseas and publish the stewards' reports and announce to the fans the results of inquiries.

- HANA Pool Party. Did they let the water out of the pool? Show us some results from the reverse-boycott. Did it work? I jumped in the pools and posted on my sidebar....but what say you, masters of the low takeout?

- NTRA blog comments. Welcome to the 21st century, it should take only a few minutes to moderate blog comments and have them show up. This turns off readers and bloggers alike. It's not that difficult (this grievance was brought to you by a non-techy).

- Aqueduct VLT contract. I Heart NY.

If you have any of your own grievances to air, today is the day, so giddy up and leave them in the comments. Thank goodness, that Santa Anita opens on Saturday so I can finally get my fix and wager on horse racing from the Great Race Place as my post-Festivus celebration continues.

JB Part Deux: Getting Closer

Tweet Today's guest post is the second of a four part series (I just made that up) from Saratoga Springs veteran handicapper JB who enters the Space Station for a recap of his thoughts as we progress down the road to Louisville. Thanks to JB for filling in for me while I'm searching for every last deduction...

With less 2 weeks 'til Tax day and 4 weeks until we hear a still smarting University of Louisville Marching Band play my "Old Kentucky Home" in front of a 150,000 plus at Churchill there have been major developments on the road to the roses. Quality Road fresh off a very professional performance in the Florida Derby has developed a quarter crack in his right hind hoof and, according to the most under the radar trainer in the business, James Jerkens, he is very concerned about QR's making it to the Derby. Looking back at QR's stylish 1 1/8 mile performance on a Gulfstream surface listed as fast he clearly established himself as a top tier contender who must be seriously considered by racetrackers preparing their Derby picks.

Todd Pletcher wasn't as impressed, claiming track maintenance staff worked the dirt course up to favor front running speed horses which favored the stalking QR and disadvantaged the closers. Dunkirk, Toddy's best hope for wearing a rose boutonniere in early May, is a closer. Anyone who witnessed the race had to be visually impressed with Dunkirk's sweeping move, Garrett Gomez up, inhaling all but one horse on the far turn. But he wasn't able to match QR down the stretch and settled for a disappointing place finish. I like Dunkirk and I believe his 150K in graded earnings will be enough to get him in the Derby field. But I'll be watching who Go Go choses to ride in the big race. That's because Bob Baffert's Pioneerof the Nile will be heading to the Bluegrass state as the reigning Santa Anita Derby champion. Although he was a handful (rating uncomfortably would be putting it mildly) he prevailed over a Pamplemousse-less field last Saturday to stake his claim as the west coast's finest. But not so fast. A closer examination of this nearly pace-less race reveals the emergence of a Giacomo-type runner who just might get the pace scenario he needs to have his photo taken under the twin spires. Chocolate Candy closed REALLY well despite not having a lot go his way. I will be doing more research and writing on this horse as the big day approaches.

Speaking of a big day, I Want Revenge's run in the Wood Memorial was the best demonstration of racing acuity by a 3yo in a major Derby prep in recent memory. WOW. Broke last by 4 lengths, relaxed and gained ground, started his move behind a wall of horses, sawed in half at the 1/8th pole, found a seem 5 wide in the middle (not traditionally the fastest part of the Big A oval) and prevailed after a vigorous handride. 19-year old Joe Talamo looked like Laffit Pincay. Nothing short of extraordinary. He is no doubt a deserving Morning Line Derby favorite, reinforced resoundingly by the bettors in Derby Pool #3.

Unfortunately, my Belmont horse, Imperial Council will not be going to the Derby after being up close and coming up empty under Edgar Prado to finish a winded 5th. Trainer Shug McGaughey stated that he knew he had his hands full after IC acted up terribly in the paddock. The paddock at Oaklawn is exactly where you'll find winterbook Derby favorite Old Fashioned being saddled under new rider Terry Thompson for this Saturday's Arkansas Derby. Ramon Dominquez lost his mount after a disappointing second place finish in the Rebel. Cagey Larry Jones must be respected for this decision. However, if Fashioned doesn't rate and fire in his final prep, Papa Clem, fresh off a very game second place finish to Jones' Friesan Fire in the Lousiana Derby, will be ready to punch his ticket to Louisville via the Arkansas Derby express.

Speaking of express; there will be an express first class delivery from Dubai of two Godolphin 3yo's with a big upside. Regal Ransom and Desert Party come off a 1-2 finish in Dubai's 2 million prep for 3 year olds (the UAE Derby). These two colts, ridden by rising star Alan Garcia and world class Frankie Dettori, respectively, are both wildcards to most American handicappers, including this one. But Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum; the most powerful force in racing worldwide has made no secret of his quest to capture America's most prestigious race. Watch out! Speaking of watching out, watch out for a late blooming 3yo colt posting Derby type speed figs on his way to capturing two major prep races won by past Derby champions Street Sense (Tampa Bay Derby) and War Emblem (Illinois Derby - h/t Wind Gatherer). Musket Man still might not be getting the respect he deserves, maybe because he's faced lighter caliber competition on less notable tracks, but with a little racing luck and a good post position he's versatile and fresh enough to be a factor on Derby Day.

JB's Derby Baker's Half Dozen plus 1:
1. I Want Revenge - His Wood performance commands respect
2. Friesan Fire - Hard Spun ran 2nd off a 6 week lay-off
3. Dunkirk - My gut says there's more
4. Pioneerof the Nile - Can he do it on dirt?
5. Old Fashioned - Best value in pool #3
6. Chocolate Candy - Good enough to pull off an upset
7. Musket Man - "Best chance ever for me in the Derby," Coa
Ones to watch: Regal Ransom, Desert Party

Dropping from JB's Derby Baker's Half +1:
Quality Road - Hind right hoof injury can't be good
The Pamplemousse - Leg injury puts him on the sidelines
Imperial Council - Would've loved to see Shug saddle one in the Derby

Heidi Game Flashback

Tweet It wasn't exactly the Heidi Game today in the Space Station, but close. I had blogged last evening about the deft clicking ability that would be necessary to navigate the five races between 5 and 6pm. One would have to deftly weave between NBC, TVG, HRTV and MSG+ to see all five races running during the dinner hour. All was well with Keeneland on TVG to see Stardom Bound get upset in the Ashland (G1) by Foolish Pleasure favorite Hooh Why. That's when my afternoon went haywire.

I think Alex must have been sticking pins in his SpaceMan voodoo doll as I maneuvered the channel to NBC to see what Gary Stevens and Tom Hammond had to say, when I saw the dreaded words. Telethon for {Insert Local Charity here}. Horse racing preempted for all day telethon in Buffalo. Damn. I had no Plan B. So I decided to flip over to MSG+ to watch the Wood, found out it's not part of my DirecTV package (even though I have the special sports package...wtf?) I sent out a tweet for help. My nine year old was on the computer in the Space Den. "Umm DJ, could I interrupt your Club Penguin session to watch a race?" His reply, "Sure Dad, for ten bucks." The boy is well trained.

We watched the Illinois Derby (track was reported to be fair by a very good source) and Santa Anita Derby together (he's convinced he won the SA trifecta and that I'm supposed to pay him - now I owe him $27.70). At least it was a good bonding session and he learned a few things about investing in horses. Special thanks to Alan H. who sent me a text on the goings on of the Wood after he saw my tweet of despair.

Not only did my TV session of racing nirvana get totally screwed up, but The Pamplemousse scratches and Imperial Council's got nothing in the tank, both horses in my futuracta box from Future Pool 2. About the only thing that went well today was that I wasn't wagering and that I think I scored pretty well in the R2R game. Two firsts (PoTN and Capt Candyman Can) and two seconds (West Side Bernie and Chocolate Candy) and Gomez/Baffert with Pioneer. With five horses available for selection on Monday, I can concentrate on the Blue Grass, Arkansas and Lexington with three horses and pick up two majors for the Derby.

I did watch the race replays tonight and was very impressed with Joe Talamo's ride on I Want Revenge. It looks like the Wienermobile will be making its way to Louisville, but a new driver will be navigating (Mullins).

Huge Hour of Racing Tomorrow

Tweet Covered over at the Crist blog are the five Grade I races going off between 5pm and 6pm EST tomorrow, including three HUGE Derby preps, the Illinois, the Wood and the Santa Anita. If you're watching or playing from home you'll have to have a quick trigger finger....if I've got it correctly it looks like TVG (Ashland at Keeneland) to NBC (Illinois Derby at Hawthorne) to MSG+ (Wood Memorial at Aqueduct) to HRTV (Skip Away at Gulfstream) back to NBC (Santa Anita Derby at SA) back to MSG+ (Carter Handicap at Aqueduct) back to HRTV (Apple Blosson at Oaklawn Park). Whew...that's some work right there. Good news that MSG+ will be also broadcasting five Saturdays from the Spa this summer!

Some quick picks for the Derby preps (free PP's at the TBA homepage):

Illinois Derby. I like Giant Oak to step forward in this one (will HAW have the track souped this year?) he's definitely bred for the distance. Nowhere to Hide was caught wide in the TB Derby and is his third race off a layoff. I'll try and beat Musket Man with these two, but should round out the trifecta. Longshot: Al Khali.

Wood Memorial. Guessing it's going to be wet tomorrow at the Big A (if it's anything like what's going on this side of the state) just like last year when Tale of Ekati won it in the slop. Going with the upset here. Lime Rickey, a Lemon Drop Kid with Javier up is going turf to dirt with good slop pedigree...his connections have him in here for a reason. Imperial Council will probably take quite a bit at the windows and will be an underlay, he needs the graded stakes money to qualify for the Derby so it'll be all out for this one. Lord Justice decided to stay east instead of going to Hawthorne and has some decent off track numbers (including a win). At least you can't say I'm not chalky playing against I Want Revenge who drew the rail with west coast rider Joe Talamo.

Santa Anita Derby. I think The P-Mousse is the real deal and will handle Chocolate Candy and Pioneerof the Nile easier than people think. I'm a Candy fan, but I think he's overmatched against the Mousse, even with the outside draw.

I had a decent contest day today at Keeneland picking 3 winners in the last 4 races (losing with Tweeter of all horses). My best winner being Heart of a King ($28.40) in the eighth. In real betting, we made a gigantic $2.95 (hey a positive day is a good day!). I like the $0.50 trifectas bets. Was rooting for one of Roman Ruler's first offspring, Supraman, in the second, who faded to fifth. I was a big Ruler fan and look forward to keeping an eye on more that he's sired. Boy, it sure looked cold there today, glad I'm not going til the end of the meet, hopefully it'll warm up by then.

Enjoy the big hour tomorrow and make sure your clicking hand is nimble.

JB in the House

Tweet With tax season still looming here for me and being the Commish for the annual office NCAA Calcutta starting tonight I've enlisted my guest blogger dude, JB, to provide us with some in-depth analysis over the next few weeks on the Road to Louisville. Let's give him a warm Space Station welcome, grab a little JB and diet and enjoy...

It's that time of year again when racetrackers from across the country catch Derby fever. I, for one, suffer from a more advance malady I like to call Triple Crown hysteria. So for the next few weeks I will be examining the horses getting set to run in the most exciting two minutes, or 1:59 if you're Secretariat, in sports. With the First Saturday in May still more than seven weeks away, which can either be an eternity or not enough time, depending on the condition of your horse, we'll have plenty of time to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Let me start out by saying the last two three year old crops have produced two racing freaks; Jess Jackson's magnificent Curlin and IEAH Stables Derby phenom, Big Brown. Compared to their respective Derby fields, both these horses were very lightly raced coming into the Triple Crown series, yet Big Brown, breaking from the 20 post and running wide the entire way, threw an anchor on the field at the top of the stretch and won VERY IMPRESSIVELY. Curlin ran a miraculous third in tight quarters behind a Churchill Downs loving Street Sense and dead game Hard Spun. So despite their lack of traditional Derby prepping both horses stepped up significantly on Derby day.

So is there a a proverbial freak in this years crop? Well if you're a tote board watcher (and who isn't) the odds-on favorite at the close of Derby pool #2 is the lightly raced, Todd Pletcher trained Dunkirk. Clearly he is not taking a traditional path to the Derby. Pointing to the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby on March 28th, and with $0 in graded stakes earnings, he'll need to step up huge to even make it into the field. If you're one of those accountant types [Editors Note: I think he just took a shot at me] who like to follow the money, even early money, you have to take notice. Speaking of taking notice, a trainer with great recent success in the 3YO colt (the aforementioned Hard Spun) and filly (Eight Belles and 3YO Filly Champ Proud Spell) divisions has decided to put off retiring and train two very capable Derby bound colts. Larry Jones is loaded and now we all know it. He is training both the royally bred (AP Indy) Friesan Fire, fresh off a sweep of Louisiana's Fair Grounds 3YO series; and a 5-6 lifetime speedball Old Fashioned (named after everyone's grandmother's favorite drink), ridden by the very talented and under-rated Ramon Dominquez. I love Friesan Fire. He is battle tested, running against fields of quality and size. He is bred for the Derby and Triple Crown distances. He can rate and relax off the pace, changes gears on command for stable rider Gabriel Saez and will get over 7 weeks rest before the Derby. I hold that he is the best and most proven of all the east coast runners on the triple crown trail. Old Fashioned is fast, very fast. But his last race, after chasing a very hot pace and making the lead, he was hooked by a bomb down the lane, handing him his first career defeat. Larry Jones said post race "the track was heavy." But with the game's most patient jock on his back, Old Fashioned must learn to to settle down right quick. Stay tuned for his next start in the Arkansas Derby on April 11th. I Want Revenge's breakout performance in the 1 1/16 two turn Gotham on the Big A's inner track was a head turner for sure. But my head was turned before he entered the gate. Revenge's trainer J-Mull aka Jeff Mullens shipped his first time dirt starter from the left coast with hot shot rider Joe Talamo. That was news. I can't remember the last time J-Mull shipped in a 3YO to Aqueduct. And I know I've never seen Talamo in a winter/spring stakes race in the Big Apple. So what gives? Revenge is a solid, mature race horse who was in complete control from the first call, making legitimate fractions while leaving plenty in the tank for his stretch run. Maybe it wasn't the most stellar field, certainly not compared to the Lousiana Derby, but there was one horse who caught my eye. Imperial Council, trained by Shug McGaughey, took a lot of money that day, maybe because everyone in New York gets excited when Shug shows up in the spring with a 3YO (we all loved Easy Goer). But Shug isn't the kind of trainer to bring a horse to Churchill unless he thinks he has a legitimate shot to make some noise. He closed very well in the Gotham. Maybe there will be a hotter pace for him to close into when he faces Revenge again in the Wood Memorial on April 4th.

Two very impressive California based runners are now on a collision course to lock horns in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4th, following Pioneerof the Nile's win (he was giving the field 5-7 lbs.) in the San Felipe and The Pamplemousse's 6 length victory in the Sham. Top notch trainer Bob Baffert and the world's #1 jockey Garret Gomez combine to make Pioneerof the Nile the west coast's best chance for meeting Kentucky's governor. Garret Gomez is riding like Jordan played in the Finals -- he is in the zone. So if Gomez is up on a horse with a shot, and Baffert, who is very well known for getting horses ready for Kentucky's annual rose party, Pioneer will be ready. The Pamplemousse has looked like a world beater in his 2009 season, taking down 2008 BC Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie and running comfortably on or near the lead in all his starts. But he has yet to be looked in the eye and go belly down in the stretch. A lot of horses look uncatchable when running up front. But inevitably, another horse will look them in the eye and reveal what's inside. The Pamplemousse has yet to show this dimension. As far as Cali horses going from synthetics to dirt, Colonel John's (Garret Gomez up) performance in last year's midsummer derby at the Spa demonstrated that a horse who runs big on synthetics with a legitimate dirt foundation in his pedigree, can win anywhere.

JB's Baker's (1/2) Dozen Derby List:

1. Friesan Fire - Resting and Right
2. Dunkirk - Key him the Florida Derby
3. Pioneerof the Nile - Hasn't run his best race yet
4. Old Fashioned - Needs to discover patience is a virtue
5. I Want Revenge - Not going to get an easy lead in Wood
6. The Pamplemousse - Gut check next time out
7. Imperial Council - I wish there was a Derby Show pool. Belmont calling

Next Entry: Handicapping the Race

Wassup Around the TBA

Tweet Lots happening over at the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance, of which yours truly is a proud-standing member thereof.

First off, after the PP censorship came down late last week, we have your answer via DRF Formulator. Now, mind you, I am looking forward to trying this out myself (even though I am a twinspires.com member who can get the BRIS pp's for free). We have struck a fabulous deal for our TBA readers. You can pick up 10 cards for $10 by using the special TBA code found on the homepage. Check it out before the big prep weekend! DRF Formulator is now a welcomed sponsor of the TBA's 3yo Filly Divison (see TBA Standings on the left sidebar).

Secondly, the TBA's R2R Group (see R2R tab on the homepage and current standings at the bottom of the page) is off an running a month into the prep races. Handride has a nice recap of how things are shaking out and us bloggers need to pick up the pieces this weekend.

The group donated a handsome sum last year to Old Friends Retirement in the name of our Horse of the Year, Zenyatta. In addition to TwinSpires and DRF, we welcome OCD Pellets as our new sponsor of the 3yo Colt Division. We've had a spot in the BloodHorse Blog Stable since October where you can find many of the group's best blog posts. Check 'em out!

The Twitter and Twackle waves are full of TBA bloggers and we have our own feed (pick it up here), be sure to grab it to grab the latest links to our posts.

The Paulick Derby Index (poll includes 6 TBA bloggers) is out and as expected, a big jump up by I Want Revenge into the cleanup spot. I'm really looking forward to Chocolate Candy squaring off against Pioneerof the Nile this weekend in the San Felipe, should be a dandy.

Things have been very busy around the Space Ranch lately so after I initially laughed at LATG's wanting one of "those road to the triple crown guest blogger dudes..." comment, I went ahead and signed up my pal, JB, an excellent handicapper in his own right. JB was last seen on Belmont Day making a guest appearance in the background of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog's jaunt around the park. I won't give him away, but he's seen watching the monitors during one of the races rooting home is favorite sprinter J be K. He'll be guest blogging from time to time with his thoughts on the road to Louisville...looking forward to it as he is a real student of the game.

Go East Young Man

Tweet So how receptive was New York yesterday when west coast shipper I Want Revenge arrived at the Big A and stole the honors away from the locals [two major NY-breds Mr. Fantasy (3rd) and Haynesfield (6th)]. Based on the pictures I saw at another blog site, didn't look like anyone was there anyway. Smokin' Joe Talamo (sounds good doesn't it?) he of the big dorky grin lost only time yesterday as he flew in from Cali for the Gotham. Revenge, obviously is best served cold on the East Coast based on yesterday's performance. The second horse in as many weeks destined to move up the PDI ladder from last week's #20 ranking. Last week Quality Road came from off the board to cop the 4th spot.

Speakin of Smokin' Joes, I'll point the Wind Gatherer there to pick up some tax-free 'gars on his next WNY jaunt.

Speaking of WG, a few months ago he sent me a text message when my namesake Geno Green was running at the Big A, who I indeed wagered on and he lost badly. This week one of my handicapping pals, Double G, sent me an email notifying me that a horse named Geno was running at the Fair Grounds on Thursday in finale, a 6 furlong maiden claimer for $16K. The exact message was "There is a horse in the last at Fairgrounds Thurs named Geno, but dont (sic) bet him, he does not look good." Of course, this time of year it's easy for me to lose track of time, so I forgot to check the odds or make a hunch bet. Ends up he goes off at 60-1 and finishes third. Needless to say, he's now in my watch list.

Hit 1 of 3 on my Public Handicapper picks yesterday with Einstein ($12.00) in the Big Cap being my only winner to keep the lifetime winnings over the mendoza line. Mr. Fantasy (3rd) and Get Rich Quick (2nd) were my other two selections. I laid off the Kilroe. Not gonna win any contests this way though.

Of course, when going to the windows for the Big Cap yesterday I keyed-boxed Cowboy Cal instead of Einstein in my exacta play with Champs Elysses underneath also...Saratoga Resident Rule #234 "when you have a gut feel, stick with it."

I'm unsure of how I feel about the Bills signing TO yesterday. While he is already creating quite a buzz around Western New York (and Southern Ontario) his impact in the locker room is definitely a concern. However, he should do wonders for Lee Evans who saw double coverage for most of the last two years. Buckle your seat belts, it should be interesting.