Lollygagging

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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.

Cup Thoughts

Tweet With the 26th annual Breeders' Cup (yes, Kenny Mayne I have the apostrophe in the right spot) now less than two weeks away, I have some thoughts that have been banging around the noggin all weekend. But instead of making an ill-advised rant about things I know not of, I asked a friend who is connected to the Breeders' Cup about a few things that have been on my mind.

My first thought (or question) relates to a post I wrote last week regarding calling the BC a "world championship." I went to the official website and it touts the weekend as "showcasing Thoroughbred racing at the highest level of international competition." What that means is, we basically fund it, we hold it on our territory, but you're invited if you want to come and supplement, go for it. I asked my comrade if the Committee would ever considering moving the event outside of North America, to England, France, Australia, or Japan, for example? The retort was basically that the event is supported by American breeders and bettors, so don't make any travel plans soon to jump across the pond. Fair enough answer for me, although they probably would be better off being called the North American Championships, in my humble opinion.

Next, I have been reading several posts that predict that this is the last time we'll see the Breeders' Cup on synthetics and how horrible of a mistake it was to hold it two years in a row at Santa Anita. While, I don't disagree with the two year thing, I don't think the Committee would out and out skunk tracks with synthetic surfaces. The main response here from the representative was that track surface is just one factor in many in determining a location. "It's more about the venue, market and financial deal that can be arranged" my source confirmed. Del Mar and Santa Anita are two of the warmer weather spots that can host an event that occurs in late October or early November. (See freezing CD '06, rain-soaked MTH '07 for examples). I'm with Richard Eng on this one, it would be wise not to bar the event at such places as Keeneland, Woodbine, Arlington or Del Mar. They are all capable of handling the logistics and have the capacity required. Synthetic surfaces are currently in play, so we just have to deal with it.

I am intrigued by the Tweeters' Cup planned for BC Friday and had wondered if the BC was funding this event and the photo shoot held on Friday with six LA techies/twitterers promoting the TC event (not your normal group at the track by any stretch of the imagination). But, these folks are "influential tweeters" in the LA gossip universe and you have to give the BC credit for pulling out all of the stops using the social networking craze to boost attendance any way they can. When the only cost to the event is the photographer, I'd say it was a good investment in tech-happy LaLa land and they now have several influential gossip bloggers touting the big event (well played, BC). I may even stop by to see what it's all about.

It seems to me that Zenyatta running in the Classic should be a no-brainer. It would lock up her category by avoiding a date with Music Note or Careless Jewel in the Ladies' Classic, even if she does finish up the track in the big event. Regardless, she's THE story for this year's Cup, and I am super excited to see her in action live.

Between Clubs...

Tweet Anyone who has played golf has endured the dreaded "between clubs" dilemma. For me it's 120 yards out where I'm between my pitching wedge and nine iron and it usually drives me crazy trying to decide which club to hit (the hard wedge or the easy nine). Gayego, the 2008 Derby hopeful, returned to the races Monday at Saratoga on Monday, winning an $61K allowance optional claiming race going six furlongs.

Richard Mettee, Godolphin's North American racing manager said his ideal distance sprinting is seven furlongs, so the Vosburgh (G1) on October 3 at Belmont Park would likely pit him in against Fabulous Strike at six furlongs, and a trip to California to run in the Ancient Title (G1) on October 11 at the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita would mean facing Zensational on a synthetic surface. “Which one would you rather do?,” Mettee asked. “You pick your poison. Against the good horses, he’s going to need seven (furlongs). He’s kind of a tricky horse to place. He’s won on synthetic. There are races at Keeneland.” One possible long-term goal that has been mentioned is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, which will be run on the Pro-Ride synthetic surface at Santa Anita. Gayego is clearly between clubs. Let's hope he tries what should shape up to be a very competitive BC Dirt Mile.

I'm definitely having Saratoga withdrawal after a fun couple of days last week. Today was bombs away with some big payouts creating a $178K Pick Six carryover into Thursday's card. Another point in the Toga Party contest becomes available on Saturday for the 129th running of the Alabama Stakes (G1), which has attracted a couple of talented fillies from the Great White North in Careless Jewel, winner of the Delaware Oaks (G2) and Milwaukee Appeal, runnerup of the Prince of Wales in a photo at Fort Erie. Woodbine regular jockey Rob Landry will make a rare appearance at the Spa to ride the Jewel. It will be the first Alabama I'll miss in four years, as I will be watching from the Nittany mountains this weekend. It's shaping up to be a very good race, remember last year Music Note and Proud Spell scared off all comers and it was a four horse race by post time.

Mettee quote source: NYRA Communications