Belmont's Super Saturday...Was It Truly Super?

I want to start off by apologizing for not handicapping enough races this weekend. Life happened and my computer AND tablet decided it would be cool to die on my. : | Not cool guys, not cool....

But now with the TVG Super Saturday behind us, it's time to look forward to the October 31st and November 1st Breeders' Cup. This Saturday alone had ten grade one stakes and nine of them we're "Win & You're In" races, the Keslo Handicap was the loner.

Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes

It was obvious who was the winner here. Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy-Unfold the Rose) dominated the field with a 1 3/4 length win over Abaco and Viva Rafaela. As this was her first win of the year, I'd consider Stephanie's Kitten a pretty tough contender in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

"We've been working backwards from the Filly & Mare Turf, and believed this filly could get there all year as on of the horses to beat." Chad Brown, trainer, told BloodHorse. "She got a beautiful trip, and I'm really proud of this filly: she deserved to get a good clean trip. That's the third race in a row for us that I felt she ran terrific. She was a little unlucky in the Beverly D. and Diana, and this time Johnny got away from the gate really well and gave her a beautiful trip. The filly did the rest."

Stephanie's Kitten is a homebred for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, owners of Ramsey farm. She is to be offered at the Fasig-Tipton Keeneland Fall Mixed Sale along side Kitten Kaboodle, another homebred of Ramsey Farm.

Vosburgh Invitational Stakes

The Doug O'Neill trainee, Private Zone (Macho Uno-Auburn Beauty), pulled a very gutsy race, battling from the gate to the finish with Dads Caps. In the final strides though, Private Zone proved he was the worthier horse with a head win. If the gelding can take his style to the Xpressbet Sprint we have a clear winner. Perhaps the more important note of this race is that Private Zone is now two-for-two in the Vosburgh.

Private Zone was saddled by trainer Alfredo Velazquez for O'Neill. Velazquez said, "They didn't want to ship (Private Zone) back to California (after racing him at Parx Racing). I've trained for some of (the owners) before, and Rene Douglas is the best friend I've got. They decided to leave the horse with me to run in this race.

"If he ran good, they were going back to the Breeders' Cup. I don't know if I'm going to keep him or if they're sending him back to (O'Neill). He did a good job with the horse."

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational

Imagining lead the field for the majority of the race before being overtaken by Main Sequence (Aldebaran-Ikat) in the final strides, raising his grade one wins to three in a row. Main Sequence has punched his ticket to a spot in the starting in the Breeders' Cup Turf. 

A replay showed that both Main Sequence and Twilight Eclipse made solid contact. Jockey Rajiv Maragh spoke of the inquiry, "When he made the lead, it was a little sooner than we wanted. He starting loafing a little bit; I tried to make him see the other horse and a little contact happened. I felt like I was going to be OK on the inquiry, but it was nerve-wracking."

It has been confirmed that the chestnut gelding's next start will be at Santa Anita in the Breeders' Cup Turf on November 1st. "I was kind of sick, to be honest (during the inquiry)," Main Sequence's trainer, Graham Motion said. "I thought it would have been a bit cruel to take it away, but he definitely bumped the other horse. I feel bad for West Point (owner of Twilight Eclipse). I train for them and that horse has run three big races and he's come out on the wrong end of them."

Jockey Club Gold Cup

Time for me to eat my words...Tonalist (Tapit-Settling Mist) won the JCGC by 1 3/4 lengths. Perhaps the colt can run well but he just needs to run at Belmont, where all of his grade one wins have come. Around the turn Wicked Strong stumbled after clipping heels with the Whitney winner, Moreno, and unseated jockey, Rajiv Maragh, just as he was beginning to make his move. Thankfully, though, the loose horse managed to avoid contact with the rest of the field. 

"I probably should have removed the blinkers before the Travers," Christophe Clement, trainer of Tonalist, said. "He obviously was a bit too aggressive in the Travers. He doesn't need the blinkers anymore. I should have realized before that he was more mature."

An inquiry was filed aginst Moreno and the stewards ruled Moreno, winner of the Whitney Handicap, cut off Wicked Strong's path, causing the spill. Moreno was disqualifed from fourth to last. Tonalist has earned an official spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic and Clement said it was likely the next stop for the colt. Zivo's trainer Chad Brown said the same for Zivo.

Beldame Stakes

Winning by almost eight lengths, Belle Gallantey (After Market-Revealed) now has two grade on wins on her record. A former claimer, the mare won the race in an impressive wire-to-wire domination. Belle Gallantey broke alertly from post seven. She had opening fractions of :24.18 and :47.51 and led early by two lengths.

Rudy Rodriguez, trainer of Belle Gallantey, spoke of the mare, "I told Jose, 'You've got the outside and you've got the option to see what everyone else is doing, so take it from there. If they leave you alone, take it.' I think she's a pretty versatile filly where she can sit and come from behind. When they left them alone and they went in :24.18, I was very happy. She's a very nice filly and she show it today."

All-in-all, Super Saturday had really good races but I think it was lacking something. Perhaps if so many horses hadn't retired it would have been more action packed but I can't change that now. Congratulations to all of the horses that won yesterday.

Until next time,

Madison

Jockey Club Gold Cup 2014

Last Gunfighter wins the Pimlico Special.

Last Gunfighter (First Samurai-Saratoga Cat) is the one of the older horses in the field. In his last start he came 6th. The horse has won the Excelsior Stakes (1 1/8 mile). Pimlico Special Stakes (1 3/16 mile), Philip H. Iselin Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (1 1/4 mile). He is by First Samurai, winner of the Hopeful Stakes (7 furlongs), Champagne Stakes (1 mile) and the Fountain of Youth (1 1/8 mile). He came 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1 1/16 mile). Giant's Causeway, sire of First Samurai, won 'Weight For Age Stakes' races overseas before coming 2nd to two-time winner, Tiznow. Freddie Frisson, dam of Last Gunfighter, was 7-for-24. She was by Dixieland Band, winner of the 1983 Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). He also won the Massachusetts Handicap (1 1/8 mile). I do like Last Gunfighter's Chances here and the payout might be pretty.

Prayer for Relief (Jump Start-Sparklin Lil) won mainly at 1 1/8 mile and 1 1/16 mile with his maiden coming at 6 furlongs. In the Pimlico Special, he beat rival Moreno with his 2nd place. Sired by Jump Start, who won at distances of 5 1/2 furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. He came 11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 2nd in the Champagne Stakes. A.P. Indy, grandsire of Prayer for Relief, went unbeaten for seven starts before coming 5th in the Molson Export Million Stakes (1 1/8 mile). The colt won the 1992 Belmont Stakes and the 1992 Breeders' Cup Classic. Sparklin Lil, dam of Prayer for Relief, won between 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 mile and 70 yards. She was sired by Mr. Sparkles, who was stakes placed. All-in-all this isn't my favorite horse but he has stamina on his sire's side.

Zivo wins the Suburban Handicap.

Zivo (True Direction-American Skipper) is an obvious threat to this race. The only time he finished worst than third was in the Woodward Stakes, which also happened to be his first attempt at the grade one level. His sire wasn't the best of racers and neither was his dam but I can't wait to see what Zivo does in this grade one.

The Jim Dandy winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun-Moyne Abbey) will be joining the field. He will wear his blinkers again. His latest win was the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile) over Tonalist and Kid Cruz. During the Triple Crown he managed a fourth in the Derby (1 1/4 mile) and the Belmont (1 1/2 mile). He won the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile) and came ninth in the Holy Bull Stakes (1 1/16 mile). He is sired by Hard Spun. He was three for three as a two-year old. He won the LeComte Stakes (1 mile),  Lane's End Stakes (1 1/8 mile), King's Bishop (7 furlongs) and the Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (1 1/8 mile). His other accomplishments include a 2nd in the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 mile), 3rd in the Preakness (1 3/16 mile), 4th in the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 mile), 1st in the Haskell Invitational (1 1/8 mile) and a 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile), beating Derby winner Street Sense but losing to Preakness winner Curlin. Hard Spun is a very talented stallion who could win at distances between six to nine furlongs. He is sired by the three-for-three sire, Danzig. Wicked Strong's dam only won her maiden (1 1/16 mile) race out of twelve starts. Wicked Strong proved he has the pedigree and that he can compete with these horses.

As of now I still believe Tonalist (Tapit-Settling Mist) is a fluke and luck has just been on his side but if he can win this one I'll be on his side again. He won the Peter Pan (1 1/8 mile) and the Belmont (1 1/2 mile) before managing a 2nd in the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile). He is by Tapit, out of Settling Mist. Tapit won the Laurel Futurity (1 1/16 mile) and the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile). He came ninth in the Kentucky Derby and the Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). The grandson of Seattle Slew, Pulpit is the grandsire of Tonalist. He, like Tapit, won the Fountain of Youth, came second in the Florida Derby, won the Toyota Blue Grass (1 1/8 mile) and 4th came in the Kentucky Derby. Settling Mist won one out of nineteen races. Tonalist for sure has the pedigree but will his luck wash away?

V.E. Day (blue silks) scores a narrow victory over
Wicked Strong in the Travers Stakes.

V.E. Day (English Channel-California Sunset) just won his first graded stakes. He started five times; his worst placing was a fifth in a maiden. He won his maiden (1 mile) five months into the year. In July V.E. Day won an allowance (1 1/8 mile) before winning the Curlin Stakes (1 1/8 mile), beating Charge Now and Viva Majorca. English Channel won the Virginia Derby (1 1/4 mile), Canadian Turf Handicap (1 1/16 mile), Woodford Turf Classic (1 1/8 mile), United Nations Stakes (1 3/8 mile), and the Breeder's Cup Turf (1 1/2 mile). California Sunset is unstarted. She is by Deputy Minister, the 2-Year Old Eclipse Award winner. V.E. Day has the pedigree but I'm a little worried about a slow pace working against him.

Moreno (Ghostzapper-Danceinthesunlight) has an exciting pedigree that includes multiple G1 winner Ghostzapper and Belmont winner A.P. Indy. Danceinthesunlight never raced, but Moreno certainly has, having won only 3 of his 20 starts. However two of those were the Dwyer (G2) and the Whitney (G1). While Moreno is a hard knocking horse, I think he got off on an easy lead in the Whitney. Because I know he has the real speed to use if needed, I'm counting him in as a contender.

His last win was in 2012 so I'll take a stab in the dark and say that Stephanoatsee (A.P. Indy-Oatsee) is a major pretender. Micromanage (Medaglia d'Oro-Catnip) would be a dark horse for me due to the fact that his last time going head to head with grade one company was third. Speak Logistics' (High Cotton-Miss Sabrina) last win was an Allowance Optional Claiming on November 1st, 2013. Long River (A.P. Indy-Round Pond) hasn't won anything since January so I'm going to toss him. For Big Cazanova (Giant's Causeway-Gem Bob) all I have to say is bye, bye!

Contenders-

-Moreno

-Last Gunfighter

-Prayer for Relief

-Tonalist

-Wicked Strong

-V.E. Day

-Zivo

Pretenders-

-Long River

-Big Cazanova

-Stephanoatsee

-Speak Logistics

-Mircomanage

Good luck guys!

Madison

Pennsylvania Derby 2014

The long, anticipated wait of the 2014 Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, is finally upon us and he shoould be given a run for his money. The year has a small, but tough field.

Bayern (Offlee Wild-Alittlebitearly) showed he wasn't just a sprinter with his wire to wire Haskell win but he showed he can't take a classic distance as he showed in the Travers. Offlee Wild won the Holy Bull Stakes (1 1/16 mile). But didn't have much luck in grade one races, not winning for another year. His first grade one victory came in 2004 when he beat Funny Cide in the Massachusettes Handicap. He was challenged by four other horses in the Breeders' Cup Handicap. During his final win Offlee Wild, once again, beat Funny Cide in the Suburban Handicap. Offlee Wild is by the Icecapade stallion, Wild Again. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4th mile). Alittlebitearly was unraced. Yes, Bayern has proved himself. Yes, he is an amazing racer. But will Chrome catch him in his final strides?

Since finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby, Tapiture (Tapit-Free Spin) has been the clear winner of his past two races, the Matt Winn Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the West Virginia Derby (1 1/8 mile). He has yet to win any of his grade one starts but he has proven to be consistent at the grade two level. Tapit won the Laurel Futurity (1 1/16 mile) and the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile). He came ninth in the Kentucky Derby and the Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). The grandson of Seattle Slew, Pulpit is the grandsire of Tonalist. He, like Tapit, won the Fountain of Youth, came second in the Florida Derby, won the Toyota Blue Grass (1 1/8 mile) and 4th came in the Kentucky Derby. Free Spin has only won at 6 and 6 1/2 furlongs. Tapiture did well in the WV Derby but last time out against Chrome he came fifteenth.

Candy Boy (Candy Ride-She's an Eleven) came second in both of his last races, losing the West Virginia Derby to Tapiture.  Other than his maiden, his only win was the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (1 1/16 mile). Candy Ride raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Candy Ride raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). He went six-for-six and concluded his racing career in 2003. She's An Eleven broke her maiden before wining the Melair Stakes (1 1/16 mile). She came fifth in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (1 1/8 mile), fourht in the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (1 1/16 mile) and sixth in the Lady's Secret Stakes (1 1/16). Candy Boy may not win and it'd be something special if he did but he can be a threat in the the top four.

Protonico (Giant's Causeway-Alpha Sprint) won the Smarty Jones Stakes (1 mile 70 yds) and came third in the Curlin Stakes (1 1/8 mile). Giant's Causeway won eleven Weight for Age Stakes and came second in the Breeder's Cup Classic. Alpha Sprint never won. I'll put Protonico to the side for now. So I feel bad turning down a Michigan-bred because they never win anything but Nobel Moon (Comet Moon-Mambo Bell) has never placed better than fourth and he has yet to start in a black-type or graded stakes. Classic Giacnroll (Giacomo-Classic Women) may be begging for a break soon. He raced less that eighteen days ago. While he is graded stakes placed I'm going to close the door on him. C J's Awesome (Awesome Again- C J's Leelee) will be tossed as well.

Now that we've gotten those horses out of the way, let's look at the even-money favorite and the reason Parx Racing will be so packed. California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit-Love the Chase). He needs little to no introduction but the son of Lucky Pulpit won the Graduation Stakes, King Clorious Stakes, California Cup Derby, San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes before dead heating for 4th in the Belmont Stakes.  Lucky Pulpit never won a graded stakes but placed two of them. Love the Chase won a maiden claiming on her fourth attempt. So if Chrome can get a perfect start, not get in too much traffic and not get injured it's pretty clear who the winner is.

Contenders

-Candy Boy

-California Chrome

-Tapiture

-Bayern

Pretenders
-Protonico

-Nobel Moon

-Classic Giacnroll

-C J's Awesome

Good luck this weekend to all of those

who are betting,

Madison

Whitney Handicap 2014

For this race, I got the amazing Allison W, who is extremely talented and dedicated to the sport of horse racing. In this blog post, the first paragraph for the horse is written by Allison and the second is wrote me. 

Itsmyluckyday (Lawyer Ron-Viva La Slew, by Doneraile Court), Lawyer Ron has won at distances ranging from a mile to a mile and an eighth. His most popular wins include the Risen Star, Arkansas Derby, Oaklwan Handicap, Woodward Stakes, and Whitney Stakes (won at 1 1/16 of a mile to 1 1/8 of a mile, respectively). He did run at 1 1/4 mile several times, finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, 9th in the Breeders' Cup Classic, and 2nd in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, followed by a 7th place finish in the BC Classic as a four year old. Itsmyluckyday's graded stakes wins have come in the Holy Bull (G3), and the Salvator Mile (G3). He has been unlucky in his G1 attempts, but with Palace Malice out of contention I believe he has a shot. The Lawyer Ron colt also gets blinkers for the first time, and my guess is he'll be a lot closer to the lead than usual. Contender.

Since the Lawyer Ron colt ran in the Kentucky Derby I have been hooked on him. Itsmyluckyday's best races have been the Preakness (1 3/16 mile), the Florida Derby (1 1/8 mile) and the Whitney Handicap (1 1/8 mile), all of which he came second. In his past three races the colt has gone undefeated. Lawyer Ron won the Risen Star (1 1/16 mile), Rebel Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the Arkansas Derby (1 1/8 mile). He came 12th in the Kentucky Derby before a 2nd in the Super Derby (1 1/8 mile). He ran in the 2006 & 2007 Classic (9th & 7th), the '07 Classic was his final race. Lawyer Ron is by Met Mile winner, Langfuhr. In '96 he won all but one of his grade one stakes, losing to Lit de Justice in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (6 furlongs). The dam of Itsmyluckyday, Viva La Slew, won twice out of twenty tries. Her wins were at two furlongs and one mile. I am very high on this horse and the last time he raced against these horses he came 2^nd. Contender.

Long River (A.P. Indy-Round Pond, by Awesome Again), Is by the famous sire A.P. Indy, winner of the Hollywood Futurity (G1), San Rafael Stakes(G2), Santa Anita Derby(G1), Peter Pan Stakes(G2), Belmont Stakes(G1), and Breeders' Cup Classic(G1). Long River's dam Round Pond was also a succesful stakes winner, having won the Fantasy Stakes (G2), Acorn Stakes (G1), The Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3), and the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). However Long River has not been able to live up to his lineage, having no graded stakes wins. Pretender.

Long River hasn't won anything since January so I'm going to toss him. Pretender. 

Micromanage (Medaglia d'Oro- Catnip, by Flying Paster), Medaglia d'Oro is also a stakes winner, who won the San Felipe Stakes (G2), Jim Dandy Stakes(G2), Travers Stakes(G1), Strub Stakes(G2), Oaklawn Handicap(G2), Whitney Stakes(G1), and the Donn Handicap(G1). Catnip never won a graded stakes, but Micromanage has won a single graded stakes in the G3 Skip Away. He also won his most recent start, the ungraded Birdstone Stakes at an unusual 1 3/4 mile. I'm not sure he'll be ready for this kind of race, but he does seem to like Saratoga, where he won both his maiden and the Birdstone. His works have been average, and I'm going to say. Pretender.

The only graded stakes win Micromanage has to his name is the grade three Skip Away Stakes (1 3/16 mile) and while he did beat Norumbega I have a good feeling he is going to be a Pretender.

Moreno (Ghostzapper-Danceinthesunlight, by A.P. Indy), Has an exciting pedigree that includes multiple G1 winner Ghostzapper and Belmont winner A.P. Indy. Danceinthesunlight never raced, but Moreno certainly has, having won only 3 of his 20 starts. However two of those were the Dwyer (G2) and the Whitney (G1). While Moreno is a hard knocking horse, I think he got off on an easy lead in the Whitney. Because I know he has the real speed to use if needed, I'm counting him in as a contender.

Moreno is by one of my favorite sires, Ghostzapper, but I am not too excited about this colt's races this year, other than his Whitney win over Palace Malice. He beat Prayer for Relief, Last Gunfighter and Romansh with his 2nd in the Suburban Handicap (1 1/4 mile). In the Charles Town Classic Stakes (1 1/8 mile) he came 3rd to Imperative and Game On Dude. Ghostzapper won the Vosburgh Stakes (6 1/2 furlongs), Tom Fool Handicap (7 furlongs), Breeders' Cup Handicap (1 1/8 mile), Woodward Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile) and, his final race, the Met Mile (1 mile). Sire of Ghostzapper is Awesome Again, winner of the 1998 Stephen Foster (1 1/8 mile), '98 Whitney Handicap (1 1/8 mile), '98 Breeders' Cup Handicap, '98 Hawthorne Gold Cup, both 1 1/4 mile, and the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile). Danceinthesunlight, dam of Moreno, was unraced. She was by 1992 Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic winner A.P. Indy. I do really like Moreno's pedigree for this race. Contender.

Prayer For Relief (Jump Start-Sparklin Lil, by Mr. Sparkles), At the ripe old age of six, prayer For Relief may just be praying for some relief after the Woodward. He hasn't won a graded race since 2010 as a three year old, and he finished fourth in the Whitney last out. Sire Jump Start only raced five times, winning the Saratoga Special (G2). Dam Sparklin Lil won a handful of stakes, but none of them were graded. Going back a bit on Jump Start's side we have A.P. Indy and Storm Cat, and for that reason alone I'm going to count him a Contender.

Prayer for Relief won mainly at 1 1/8 mile and 1 1/16 mile with his maiden coming at 6 furlongs. In the Pimlico Special, he beat rival Moreno with his 2nd place. Sired by Jump Start, who won at distances of 5 1/2 furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. He came 11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 2nd in the Champagne Stakes. A.P. Indy, grandsire of Prayer for Relief, went unbeaten for seven starts before coming 5th in the Molson Export Million Stakes (1 1/8 mile). The colt won the 1992 Belmont Stakes and the 1992 Breeders' Cup Classic. Sparklin Lil, dam of Prayer for Relief, won between 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 mile and 70 yards. She was sired by Mr. Sparkles, who was stakes placed. All-in-all this isn't my favorite horse but he has stamina on his sire's side. Contender.

Romansh (Bernardini-Cologny, by Go For Gin), His only graded win was the Excelsior Stakes (G3), but his sire Bernardini was a lot more successful, winning the Withers Stakes (G3), Preakness Stakes(G1), Jim Dandy Stakes(G2), Travers Stakes(G1), Jockey Club Gold Cup(G1), and finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic(G1). Cologny was stakes placed, but she never won a graded race. Romansh doesn't appear to be a factor here, so I'm going with Pretender.

Romansh is coming off of a 5th in the Suburban Handicap and a 7th in the Whitney Handicap, placing behind rivals Moreno (1st) and Prayer for Relief (4th). He is by Benardini, winner of the 2006 Preakness Stakes. Coming off of his Preakness win her won the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile), Travers (1 1/4 mile) and the Jockey Gold Cup (1 1/4 mile), Berndardini came second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bernardini is by '92 Belmont and Classic winner, A.P. Indy. Romansh is out of graded stakes placed Clonogny who came 2nd to Savorthetime in the First Lady Handicap (6 furlongs). She is by Go for GIn. GFG won the 1994 Kentucky Derby before coming 2nd in both the Preakness and Belmont. I like the colt's pedigree but his last win came in March against grade three company.

Zivo (True Direction-American Skipper, by Quiet American), He's unbeaten in five starts this year, including the Suburban (G2) last time out. True Direction won the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3), but was unsuccessful after that. American Skipper never won a stakes race, but her sire Quiet American won the San Diego handicap (G3), and the NYRA Mile Handicap (G1). Zivo seems one of the more talented horses in the field, and his works have been pretty good. Contender.

The True Direction five-year old, Zivo, may have only won one graded stakes race but he did it in a great fashion and beat rival Moreno. He has gone undefeated in six starts, all of which were one mile except his grade one win which was 1 1/14 mile. True Direction didn't do much with one graded stakes win, the Gr. III Fall Highweight Handicap (6 furlongs). There was nothing special about Zivo's dam so we can skip that part. She was sired by Quiet American. He won the San Diego Handicap and the NYRA Mile Handicap and came second in the Charles H. Strub Stakes and the Woodward Stakes. Zivo doesn't have the prettiest pedigree but he did well in the Suburban Handicap. Contender.

Norumbega (Tiznow-meghan's Joy, by A.P. Indy), Norumbega won the Brooklyn Handicap (G2), but finished an unassuming eighth in the Suburban(G2) last out. However he was able to beat Moreno rather decisively, and I believe he has enough talent to win if no one else fires. I trust Shug to have him ready to roll, and he's won at Saratoga before. Contender.

Norumbega  won the Brooklyn Invitational Stakes (1 1/2 mile), came second in the Discovery Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Skip Away Stakes (1 3/16 mile). Tiznow won the Affirmed Handicap (1 1/16 mile), Super Derby (1 1/4 mile), Breeders' Cup Handicap (1 1/8 mile), Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile, '00 & '01), Breeders' Cup Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the Santa Anita Handicap (1 1/4 mile). He came 2nd Swaps Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile) and the Strub Stakes (1 1/8 mile). Meghan's Joy was a multiple stakes placed horse. Her best races were the Moonlight Jig Stakes (1 1/4 mile) and Holly Beach Stakes (1 1/8 mile). I like Norumbega's pedigree. Pretender.

Last Gunfighter (First Samurai-Saratoga cat, by Sir Cat), Last Gunfighter has been successful at 1 1/8 of a mile, and he also won a race at 1 1/4 of a mile in the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2). Sire First Samurai won the Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, both G1 races contested at 7 furlongs and a mile, respectively. First Samurai also won the Fountain of Youth (G2), which was at the time run at a 1 1/8 of a mile. Saratoga Cat won 5 of 20 starts, but they weren't stakes. However her sire Sir Cat won the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2), Knickerbocker Handicap (G3), Tropical Turf Handicap (G3), and the Appleton handicap (G2). Last Gunfighter looks to be a rather nice horse, and he has a good pedigree for the 1 1/8 mile distance. I say Contender.

Last Gunfighter is the other 5-year old in the field. In his last start he came 9th. The horse has won the Excelsior Stakes (1 1/8 mile). Pimlico Special Stakes (1 3/16 mile), Philip H. Iselin Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (1 1/4 mile). He is by First Samurai, winner of the Hopeful Stakes (7 furlongs), Champagne Stakes (1 mile) and the Fountain of Youth (1 1/8 mile). He came 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1 1/16 mile). Giant's Causeway, sire of First Samurai, won 'Weight For Age Stakes' races overseas before coming 2nd to two-time winner, Tiznow. Freddie Frisson, dam of Last Gunfighter, was 7-for-24. She was by Dixieland Band, winner of the 1983 Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). He also won the Massachusetts Handicap (1 1/8 mile). I do like Last Gunfighter's Chances here and the payout might be pretty. Contender.

Stephanoatsee (A.P. Indy-Oatsee, by Unbridled), Again we have the classic winner A.P. Indy, but we also have Unbridled, damsire of Stephanoatsee. Unbridled was a very good horse, winning the Florida Derby(G1), Kentucky Derby(G1), and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Stephanoatsee hasn't won a stakes, but he finished second in an allowance lat out at Saratoga. Regardless, I don't think he's ready for the step up in class. Pretender.

His last win was in 2012 so I'm going to say Stephanoatsee is a pretender. 

Allison-

Contenders:
-Itsmyluckyday
-Moreno
-Prayer For Relief
-Zivo
-Norumbega
-Last Gunfighter

Pretenders:
-Long River
-Micromanage
-Romansh
-Stephanoatsee

Madison-

Contenders:

-Last Gunfighter

-Moreno

-Itsmyluckyday

-Norumbega

-Zivo

-Prayer for Relief

Pretenders:

-Long River

-Mircomanage

-Romansh

-Stephanoatsee

Pacific Classic Preview 2014

The 24th renewal of then Pacific Classic is going to be one to remember. The undefeated Shared Belief, last year's winner Game On Dude, Gold Cup winner Majestic Harbor and Gold Cup runner-up Clubhouse Ride will all be going head to head for California's most prestigious race.

Mystery Train (Not For Sale-American Whisper) hasn't started in America yet but he has won at the grade one level. The Argentina ridgling may be a contender in others eyes but I am going to drop him.

Imperative (Bernardini-Call Her) got his big break with a second in the San Antonio Stakes (1 1/8 mile), a 3rd in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (1 1/4 mile) and a win in the Charles Town Classic (1 1/8), all of which he beat fellow runner Game On Dude. Bernardini was a rather accomplished runner with a win in the Withers (1 mile), Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 mile), Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile), Travers (1 1/4 mile) and the Jockey Gold Cup (1 1/4 mile). He came 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Call Her was a black-type winner but only had one win of the type. Imperative has the pedigree and has beat these horses at least once but he isn't a very consistent runner.

Sky Kingdom (Empire Maker- Sky Beam) attempted to beat grade one winners in the Hollywood Gold Cup but only managed a third, a very narrow third, out of a field of five. Empire Maker won the Florida Derby (1 1/8 mile), Wood Memorial (1 1/4 mile) and the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 mile). He came 2nd in the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 mile) and the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile). Sky Bean started seven times and never finished better than fourth. I don't think I like his pedigree but he would be a great dark horse.

Irish Surf (Giant's Causeway-Surfside) may run in the Pacific Classic but right now it seems he is headed to the Del Mar Handicap. A last minute entry, Ice Cream Truck, is yet another pretender in this race.

You Know I Know (Simon Pure-Magic Show) didn't race until he was a three-year old and during his first campaign he started in optional claimings and claimings. He has yet to win a graded stakes race but he came third in Hagyard Fayette Stakes (1 1/8 mile), San Diego Handicap (1 1/16 mile) and last year's Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Simon Pure never won a graded stakes with his best placing coming in the Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup Stakes (1 1/16 mile) in which he came second. Magic Show was unstarted. You Know I Know doesn't have the best pedigree but his last races were impressive.

Not getting his real potential tapped into until he was five, Clubhouse Ride (Candy Ride-Seeking Results) has impressed many people lately. As a five year old he only won the Californian Stakes (1 1/8 mile) but he came second in the San Antonio Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Santa Anita Handicap (1 1/4 mile) and the Charles Town Classic (1 1/8 mile). This year the stallion repeated his Californian Stakes win and included a second in the Gold Cup (1 1/4 mile). Candy Ride has another son in this race, the undefeated Shared Belief. He raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Seeking Results did not win any of her ten races. If Clubhouse Ride repeats what he has been doing lately it should be a great race.

Toast of New York (Thewayyouare-Claire Soleil) is going to be dropped. He started once in America which resulted in a sixth. I willing skipping over Frac Daddy (Scat Daddy-Skipper's Mate) because I don't feel he is getting the proper rest.

Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor-Champagne Royale) really got his career going with a win over Game On Dude. He won the Tokyo City Cup Stakes (1 1/2 mile) and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (1 1/4 mile). Rockport Harbor won the Nashua Stakes (1 mile), Remsen Stakes (1 1/8 mile) and the Essex Handicap (1 1/16 mile). Champagne Royale only won at the allowance optional claiming level with her only graded stakes attempt resulting in a seventh. If Majestic Harbor repeats his Gold Cup win he should have a great chance.

Shared Belief (Candy Ride-Common Hope) is undefeated in five races. He has started at grade one, two and three with an allowance race and, of course, his maiden race. His first graded win was the Hollywood Prevue (7 furlongs) with his next being the Cashcall Futurity (1 1/16 mile), where he beat Candy Boy and Tamarando. After a six month break due to an injury he came back and won an allowance race (6 furlongs) over older horses. Perhaps his latest win was his best win. In the Los Alamitos Derby Shared Belief stretched out to 1 1/8 mile and took the reins of his dirt debut, churning plenty of it into his competitors faces. Candy Ride  raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Common Hope won her maiden before retiring with five starts. As you know, Shared Belief will always be a contender in my eyes.

Game On Dude (Awesome Again-Worldly Pleasure) will be missing his regular jockey, Mike Smith, due to him choosing Shared Belief instead. He won the Lone Star Derby (1 1/16 mile), Santa Anita Handicap (1 1/4 mile), Goodwood Stakes (1 1/8 mile), San Antonio Stakes (1 1/8 mile), Hollywood Gold Cup (1 1/4 mile), Charles Town Classic (1 1/8 mile), and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Awesome Again won the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile), Stephen Foster (1 1/8 mile), Whitney Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile). Worldly Pleasure had the lifetime stats of 31: 8-4-4. Game On Dude is a contender here.

Contenders:

-Game On Dude

-Shared Belief

-Majestic Harbor

-Clubhouse Ride

-You Know I Know

Pretenders:

-Toast of New York

-Irish Surf

-Mystery Train

-Imperative

-Ice Cream Truck

-Frac Daddy

Until next time,
Madison

Tonalist May Take The Travers

The Travers Stakes is one race that shows the difficulty in handicapping a race. It features a lot of really, really good horses. It includes Belmont winner Tonalist, Haskell winner Bayern, Jim Dandy winner Wicked Strong and Derby runner-up Commanding Curve.

Viva Majorca, a home-bred by Tiago, has never started in anything about black-type. He came fourth in his first and only black-type, the Curlin Stakes (1 1/8 mile). This horse is no contender and you can quote me on this. The one race winner, Ulanbator (Offlee Wild-Ashapoo), is another horse I'm dropping.

My first real contender is Mr Speaker (Pulpit-Salute). He has only won on the turf. His lone dirt start resulting in a 7th place in the Holy Bull. I'd be willing to overlook that as a result of him not being ready for dirt racing. His next start was the Palm Beach Stakes (1 1/8) in which he came 2nd. His first turf victory was the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (1 1/16 mile). Three months later Mr Speaker jumped into grade one company for the Belmont Derby Invitational, paying $49 to win, $18.20 to place and $10.80 to show. He is by the 1994 stallion Pulpit. The Seattle Slew grandson entered stud in 1998 at Claiborne Farm. He currently stands for $50,000. Pulpit could win races between 8 1/2 to 9 furlongs. He won the Fountain of Youth (1 1/8 mile) and the Florida Derby (1 1/16). For his final race, he came 4th in the Kentucky Derby. Salute, Mr Speaker's dam, only won a maiden but she came third in the Tempted Stakes and second in the Demoiselle Stakes, both graded stakes. She was by Unbridled and out of Personal Ensign. Her dam won the Frizette Stakes, Rare Perfume Stakes, Beldame Stakes ('87 & '88), Shuvee Handicap, Hempstead Handicap, Molly Pitcher Handicap, Whitney Handicap and the Breeders' Cup Distaff.  Mr Speaker has the pedigree but will  McGaughey be taking a chance by entering him?

The Jim Dandy winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun-Moyne Abbey) will be joining the field. He will wear his blinkers again. His latest win was the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile) over Tonalist and Kid Cruz. During the Triple Crown he managed a fourth in the Derby (1 1/4 mile) and the Belmont (1 1/2 mile). He won the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile) and came ninth in the Holy Bull Stakes (1 1/16 mile). He is sired by Hard Spun. He was three for three as a two-year old. He won the LeComte Stakes (1 mile),  Lane's End Stakes (1 1/8 mile), King's Bishop (7 furlongs) and the Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (1 1/8 mile). His other accomplishments include a 2nd in the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 mile), 3rd in the Preakness (1 3/16 mile), 4th in the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 mile), 1st in the Haskell Invitational (1 1/8 mile) and a 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile), beating Derby winner Street Sense but losing to Preakness winner Curlin. Hard Spun is a very talented stallion who could win at distances between six to nine furlongs. He is sired by the three-for-three sire, Danzig. Wicked Strong's dam only won her maiden (1 1/16 mile) race out of twelve starts. Wicked Strong proves he has the pedigree and that he can compete with these horses but will he get caught up with a fast early pace set by Bayern/Kid Cruz?

As of now I still believe Tonalist (Tapit-Settling Mist) is a fluke and luck has just been on his side. He won the Peter Pan (1 1/8 mile) and the Belmont (1 1/2 mile) before managing a 2nd in the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 mile). He is by Tapit, out of Settling Mist. Tapit won the Laurel Futurity (1 1/16 mile) and the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile). He came ninth in the Kentucky Derby and the Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). The grandson of Seattle Slew, Pulpit is the grandsire of Tonalist. He, like Tapit, won the Fountain of Youth, came second in the Florida Derby, won the Toyota Blue Grass (1 1/8 mile) and 4th came in the Kentucky Derby. Settling Mist won one out of nineteen races. Tonalist for sure has the pedigree but will his luck wash away?

Bayern (Offlee Wild-Alittlebitearly) showed he wasn't just a sprinter with his wire to wire Haskell win. Offlee  Wild won the Holy Bull Stakes (1 1/16 mile). But didn't have much luck in grade one races, not winning for another year. His first grade one victory came in 2004 when he beat Funny Cide in the Massachusettes Handicap. He was challenged by four other horses in the Breeders' Cup Handicap. During his final win Offlee Wild, once again, beat Funny Cide in the Suburban Handicap. Offlee Wild is by the Icecapade stallion, Wild Again. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4th mile). Alittlebitearly was unraced. Yes, Bayern has proved himself. Yes, he is an amazing racer. But will he get stuck in a speed dual?

Commanding Curve (Master Command-Mother) has never won a race other than his maiden. I have a feeling that I am going to regret dismissing him but I will toss him as well.

The Lemon Drop colt Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid-Layreebelle) had a "perfect" final breeze. This year he has started seven times winning four of the them. His sire Lemon Drop Kid won the Futurity Stakes (1 mile), Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 mile), Travers Stakes (1 1/4 mile), Whitney Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Woodward Stakes (1 1/8 mile). His sire won races overseas. Layreebelle, Kid Cruz's dam, was unraced. Her sire is Tale of the Cat. He came 4th in the Haskell, 3rd in the Vosburgh (1997/98), 2nd in the Whitney and a 1st in the King's Bishop. Kid Cruz is full steam ahead in the Travers.

The Ontario-bred Coltimus Prime (Milwaukee Brew-Certainly Special) hasn't done well in America so I'll dismiss him.

V.E. Day (English Channel-California Sunset) hasn't won any graded stakes, forget starting in them. He started five times; his worst placing was a fifth in a maiden. He won his maiden (1 mile) five months into the year. In July V.E. Day won an allowance (1 1/8 mile) before winning the Curlin Stakes (1 1/8 mile), beating Charge Now and Viva Majorca. English Channel won the Virginia Derby (1 1/4 mile), Canadian Turf Handicap (1 1/16 mile), Woodford Turf Classic (1 1/8 mile), United Nations Stakes (1 3/8 mile), and the Breeder's Cup Turf (1 1/2 mile). California Sunset is unstarted. She is by Deputy Minister, the 2-Year Old Eclipse Award winner. V.E. Day has the pedigree but I'm a little worried about his black-type win being his stakes win.

Charge Now (Tiznow-Supercharger) is yet another one I will be dismissing.

Contenders:

-Mr Speaker

-Tonalist

-Wicked Strong

-Bayern

-Kid Cruz

Pretenders:

-Charge Now

-V.E. Day

-Commanding Curve

-Viva Majorca

-Ulanbator

Thanks to all of you who read my blog. Yesterday I was on FlipBook apparently. I hope you guys like my new format, if so please comment down below. 

Until next time,

Madison

Arlington Million

The Arlington Million is a 1 1/4th mile race on the turf at Arlington Park. It will feature 2013 Breeders' Cup Turf winner, Magician, and last year's winner, Real Solution. But perhaps the most important horse in this field is Finnegans Wake. Dale Romans promises, "This horse has a big one in him" and "The field size is what made the difference."

Finnegans Wake is a talent five-year old by the Great Britain stallion Powerscourt. Finnegans Wake's latest win came at 1 1/4th mile over Admiral Kitten and War Dancer. That was his first win since an allowance race at Churchill Downs. If Finnegans Wake canf ollow in his sire's footsteps, we have our winner. Finnegans Wake came 4th in the Arlington Million last year. Powerscourt was disqualified to 4th in the 2004 'Million and then won the 2005 Million, beating Kitten's Joy. Both sire and son have had a good amount of starts resulting in a few wins. Powerscourt came 3rd to Better Talk Now and Kitten's Joy in the Breeders' Cup Turf (1 1/2 mile). The grandsire of Finnegans Wake is Sadler's Wells. He was unraced. On the female side of Finnegans is the Dale Romans trained Boat's Ghost. She broke her maiden, raced five more times and retired with one win to her name. She is out of Rocktheboat who won two races out of twenty starts. Finnegans Wake. He should be a pretty stiff contender here.

Hardest Core hasn't test the graded stakes water yet and I don't believe that this will be the race for him to try out his talents. His sire is Hard Spun. Hard Spun was an amazing racer. He won all of his races as a two-year old before winning the LeComte Stakes (1 mile) and coming 4th in the Southwest Stakes (1 mile). He also won the Lane's End Stakes (1 1/8 mile), King's Bishop (7 furlongs) and the Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (1 1/8 mile). His other accomplishments include a 2nd in the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 mile), 3rd in the Preakness (1 3/16 mile), 4th in the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 mile), 1st in the Haskell Invitational (1 1/8 mile) and a 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 mile), beating Derby winner Street Sense but losing to Preakness winner Curlin. Hard Spun is a very talented stallion who could win at distances between six to nine furlongs. He is sired by the three-for-three sire, Danzig. Hardest Core is out Lillybuster a 1996 mare who went for three years earning the stats of 12: 2-2-1. Her maiden came at 5 1/2 furlongs and her allowance was at 1 1/16 mile. Lillybuster is sired by Housebuster, a rather accomplished sprinter/miler. As a racehorse his wins include the Derby Trial, Withers Stakes, King's Bishop, Carter Handicap and the Vosburgh Stakes. He had career stats of 22:  15-3-1. I Hardest Core has the pedigree for this race but its a major class leap.

Smoking Sun has yet to start in America therefore I have to go off his pedigree. He is by Smart Strike. He only came out the money once, the Woodward Stakes (1 1/8 mile) in which he lost to Cigar. His graded stakes wins were the Salvator Mile and the Philip H. Iselin Handicap (1 1/16 mile). He is by Mr. Prospector, a multiple graded stakes placed sire. Smoking Suns's dam is not I'd be willing to gamble on even with the odds of 9/2.

The 7/5 Magician will break from post three. He won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf. He is by the Ireland-bred and -based Galileo who has a Timeform rating of 134. He won at distances between eight and twelve furlongs but he came 6th in the Breeders' Cup Classic to the two-time winner Tiznow. Absolutelyfabulous, dam of Magician, was unraced. I think Magician has a decent chance.

Up With The Birds seems to be a hot topic right now. He came 2nd in the Queen's Plate and won the Jamaica Handicap and the Nijinsky Stakes. He is sired by Stormy Atlantic. He won two allowances, the Harve de Grace Stakes and the Damitrius Stakes. He is by the graded stakes winner Storm Cat. Storm Cat won the Young America Stakes and came 2nd Breeders' Cup Juvenile, losing by a hair to Tasso. Up With The Birds dam won her maiden, raced in an allowance and retired. She is by Seeking The Gold, 2nd in the Gotham, Wood Memorial, Haskell, Travers, Breeders' Cup Classic and the Met Mile. I am willing to take a chance on Up With The Birds.

Real Solution is back to defend his title. His latest win was the Knob Creek Manhattan (1 1/4 mile). He is by Kitten's Joy. The stallion won the Virginia Derby, Secretariat Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Handicap. He came 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Arlington Million. Kitten's Joy is by sired by El Prado who won four out of nine races. Real Solution's dam won a maiden claiming. His damsire is Pulpit. His wins include the Fountain of Youth and the Toyota Blue Grass. I believe Real Solution maybe ready to just completely dominate this field.

Side Glance did come 3rd in last year's Million but I don't believe he is a true competitor. I will be tossing Side Glance into the trash.

Contenders:

-Real Solution

-Magician

-Finnegans Wake

-Up With The Birds

Pretenders:

-Side Glance

-Smoking Sun

-Hardest Core

So today I had a awesome experience where I got to talk to one of the members of Donegal Racing via Instagram. Everyone on the Donegal Racing team is amazing and they all believe this is Finnegans Wakes' big break. These people could not be anymore connected to their horses. They all truly believe in their horses and give their all for the sport. Good luck to them this weekend!

Until next time,

Madison