Farm Rest

Well I see that I haven't posted since early August, Arlington Million day to be exact. I got in the rut of life, you know, work, taking my son to practice, no time for the ponies or the blog. However work and life is now under control and one of my favorite tracks got under way recently, Tampa Bay Downs, and Gulfstream, Oaklawn and Santa Anita will be starting soon, so the interest is heating up again.



Before we know it it will be the first Saturday in May and then the Breeders Cup and the year will be over, such is life.



I look forward to getting back in the swing of things.

Arlington Million

I awoke to a down pour here in Metro Detroit, hopefully the rain has moved through the Chicago area and this race will remain on the turf.

#1 Einstein: Has hit the board ten out of the last eleven, the one time he missed was last years Million, when he stumbled badly at the start. Had a terrible trip last time out, looked like my rush hour drive home. Inside post doesn't bother me, I think Julien will have him pressing the pace nicely.

#2 Presious Passion: Will be on the lead early that's a fact. Jumped out to a huge lead in the United Nations and held on for the victory. Don't think he will have the ability to run away in this one, also coming off his lifetime best Beyer last out. May consider for a piece.

#3 Just As Well: Likes to stalk the pace and make a move around the turn. Won the Arlington Handicap for his first graded victory in July. Figures are a little light, in a little over his head I think. May put on the bottom of the tri tickets.

#4 Stotsfold: First Euro import that we have to handicap. I automatically throw out Euro's in there first North American dirt effort, however the same does not apply to the turf or synthetics. One stat that jumps out at me is that Stotsfold comes in the money about 45% of the time on the turf, the lowest percentage in the field today. Does have the first time Lasix angle going, however seems to dislike the left handed turn though.

#5 Mr. Sidney: Has won five of seven turf starts. Kent will have him pressing the pace. Seems to like the softer turf courses, something to consider with today's weather. Kind of a tweener in my opinion. If the turf is firm, not sure if he can cash any tickets, if the turf is soft may take the big check.

#6 Gio Ponti: The morning line favorite will let the race play out in front of him and try to strike down the stretch. Horse looks like he is coming into his own the last three races. Possible for the win and a definite play on all the tickets.

#7 Gloria de Campeao: Horse has competed mostly in the UAE and Brazil, never facing competition this tough. I will pass.

#8 Cima de Triomphe: Alot like Gloria de Campeao, never faced horses this class, Sea The Stars, excluded. Also never turned left. Look elsewhere.

#9 Recapturetheglory: Could have bought this colt less than a month ago for $62,500, I'll pass.

Here's the play firm turf: #1,#6 exacta box, #1,#6 #2,#3 tri box.

Throw in the #5 if the going is soft in the boxes.

Thanks Dolphus!

I wondered after the Preakness if running Rachel Alexandra had cost the fans a chance at a Triple Crown. Mine That Bird had validated his win in Lexington on the first Saturday in May with a runner up performance to Rachel in the Preakness. Had Rachel skipped the Preakness, Mine That Bird would have won the second jewel of the crown and been one victory away from eternal fame. It's a big assumption I know, but the opportunity would have been there.

After watching Rachel Alexandra win the Haskill over the weekend I am now convinced Rachel cost the fans a Triple Crown, Hers! Alright I know the filly had no say in the matter so lets blame Dolphus Morrison. Had Dolphus decided to run Rachel in the Derby, I don't know if this was even considered, she probably would have won. She won the Preakness and handled Summer Bird, the Belmont champ, fairly easily in the Haskill.

Alex Waldrop over at the NTRA and the board of director's at the Breeders Cup probably want to put a bounty on the head of old Dolphus. I imagine a few race track execs would chip in too. I can't even begin to estimate how much a Triple Crown winner, especially a filly, would have generated for the sport. Not only financially, but thoroughbred racing would have been in the national eye again.

So the sport is left to struggle along with just passing interest in Rachel from the people not really into the game and the rest of us wonder how much the take out is going to increase next year. Thoroughbred racing may not even survive in Michigan next year, but Dolphus doesn't have anything to do with that, or does he?

Saratoga Style

Today was opening day at the Spa, the 141 st. I wrote last week about the opening at Del Mar and my feeling that Del Mar oozes '40's class and style. Saratoga on the other hand makes me think of the early 1900's. Maybe it's the small town upstate setting, or just the layout of the place in general. Unfortunately like Del Mar I have not had the opportunity to attend the races at Saratoga, this is also on the bucket list.

I like the fact that the Spa has a dress code for the box sets, that you can reserve seats by simply placing the Form or a program on the seats you want, and a cooler on a picnic table. Saratoga is a step back in time, where proper attire and respect for others is still the norm.

For the horse racing fan the next six weeks at Saratoga is what we live the other forty six weeks for, well o.k. maybe forty five, Derby week is special. From the handicappers prospective Saratoga can be very beneficial to the bankroll or it can be an agonizing grind. For the overall fan of the sport, the bloodstock that passes through the starting gates and the jockey and trainer colonies are beyond compare. I am really looking forward to the crop of juveniles ready to start the journey of there three year old campaign.

Let's hope the weather is kind and a little dryer than the Belmont meet, I really like the turf races and don't like them moved to the main track. I imagine Rachel will be at the Travers to face the boys again possibly a rematch with Mine That Bird. It should be an enjoyable meet.

Del Mar Daze

Tomorrow is opening day at Del Mar. The legendary Bing Crosby opened the gates in 1937 and first class thoroughbreds have been pounding the dirt and turf since, minus the WWII years.

When I think of the quintessential race track setting I think of Del Mar. I have never been to the place but it is on the bucket list for sure. Just hearing the name makes me think of the early forties and the Hollywood Elite that graced the grounds. It was the place to be seen. It has lost some of it's star appeal in recent years, but I kind of like that fact. I don't want to see pics of Lindsey Lohan or Kim Kardashian at the place, seeing the celebs at the Derby with no clue as to what's happening is annoying enough. Don't know if anybody saw the "Real Housewives of Orange County" episode that was shot there....UUGH!

My only concern is the condition of the All-Weather track, it's has been an issue the last few years. I would really like to see California get away from the poly track mandate, I don't think it is proven to be that much safer, and some may say it is actually less safe than the traditional surface. Hopefully it won't be an issue and the meet is safe for jockeys and horses alike.

This is my first time putting some effort into handicapping a So. Cal. track, usually the races are run to late for me to follow but with online wagering it's possible now, how great is this Internet thing! We'll see how it goes and hopefully make a little money while we are at it.

Del Mar is in the spotlight all by itself for about a week until the Spa gets going, what a great time of year to be a fan of this game.

Nicky's coming out party.

O.K. so the much anticipated graded stakes debut of Barbaro's little brother is this weekend. Nicanor will face a field of nine others in the grade II Virginia Derby on the turf at Colonial Downs. I have felt for awhile that if this colt was not Barbaro's full sibling we wouldn't even pay attention to him. I have never seen this much attention paid to a three year old with a maiden win and an allowance win under their belt in mid July. And now as I am looking over the web I see that Nicky is the morning line favorite at 7-2. Some one punch me I must be hallucinating. I am no odds maker, but seriously, he may be my fourth pick in this race.

Don't get me wrong I would not mind if Nicky won this race. I feel from a marketing stand point Nicky winning would be great for the sport. A successful late summer early fall campaign from Nicanor would be fantastic. Nicky heading to the Left Coast for the Breeders Cup is a nice thought.

It would not be surprising if late Saturday you see the Nicanor bandwagon unloading.

Pinnacle Pride

Took a little trip down to Pinnacle Race Course this past weekend on Friday July 3rd. I have been an outspoken poster on some blogs about the inferior quality of the facility and the horses at the track. The facility is basically a pole barn with a bar, a few betting windows and some bathrooms. I do have to give the pavilion a pat on the back for the individual televisions in the simulcast area and the numerous t.v.s in general. There are no seats, the temporary ones removed this season, and basically a big circus tent put up in the bleachers place. In fact when you drive up to the track, it's rural setting makes one think they are going to a county fair. They have about five betting windows and one indoor bathroom, yes one, there are several port a potties though. Yes I said port a potties at the track, ridiculous!

I tried to explain to my wife on the way down to Pinnacle, what exactly she was in for. The last track she was at was Churchill Downs, to say the two tracks are at opposite ends of the spectrum is a understatement. She told me she didn't care about the aesthetics, she just wanted to enjoy the day at the track.

I also explained that the horses are no where near the quality of horses that one finds at Churchill, Belmont and Gulfstream for example. Actually I think the ponies at Pinnacle are mostly from the Eeyore sire line. Again she simply listened to my rant and said lets just enjoy the day.

We arrived at the track about 25 minutes before the first race, bought a couple of programs and the Form, and found a table in a tent next to the pavilion and paddock. I briefly taught my twelve year old son how to read the Form, the horses walked the paddock and wagers for the first were placed. Me and the boy went to the rail to watch the post parade and the race. I told the boy about the odds and how to read the tote board, and my son looked and me and said one of the funniest things he has said in awhile. "You can make money at this!" he shouted, yea buddy that's why daddy make those extravagant spreadsheets and yells at his computer on the weekends.

We had a fantastic afternoon at Pinnacle, the beers were cold, the racing was exciting, and Pinnacle allows for a very up close environment. Second funny boy comment, asking what the little shed with the scale by the winners circle was. I explained that's were they, meaning jockeys, get weighed after the race. He looks at the shed and says "How do the horses fit in there?" Priceless!

When all is said and done I will go back, will Pinnacle receive large sums of my bankroll, no.
I apologize to Jerry Campbell and the entire staff at Pinnacle for making fun of the place. I also apologize to the horsemen and women at the track, this is their lively hood and passion, who cares if it's not major league.

Stephen Foster Handicap

This is my first attempt at a handicapping entry like this. I don't claim to be an expert, but hey, this game we play is far from an exact science, so here it goes.


#1 ALPHABET MAGIC: This boy has never faced a field this strong, in fact he was claimed for $40 k two back. Doesn't have the speed to compete at this level, best Beyer is an 89. Borel decided to look elsewhere, makes me do the same.


#2 MACHO AGAIN: Last two victories came on off tracks, albeit in graded stakes, also lifetime best two Beyer's. I just don't think this colt can run the race needed today to get a piece of the prize pool.


#3 EINSTEIN: Last time the veteran didn't hit the board was in August in the Arlington Million. The fact he almost fell on his face at the start played a big part in that one. Coming off his best lifetime speed figure, will he bounce? I think he is the class of this field.


#4 ARSON SQUAD: One in the money finish in his last ten outings, beaten by two in this race in that one. The long stretch at Churchill could help his closing style. Possible play on the bottom of the tri.


#5 RESEARCHER: Won his only start against graded company in the Queens Colony at Aqueduct. Gelding seems to be in the money in all his starts, cashed tickets in 15 of 17. Has the speed and could be on the early pace. Calvin climbs aboard. Could be the one.


#6 BULLSBAY: Reminds me alot of Researcher in that he hits the board a ton. 3 for 3 at Churchill and 4 in the money finishes at the distance out of 5 starts. My only concern is he will have to run his best and hope others don't.


#7 ASIATIC BOY: O K handicapping this horse is easy. He falls into one of my handicapping don'ts. I never wager any money on a horse that has not run at least one in North America, especially in this company, that comes from the UAE. This is just my game, I have been burned to often. Show me one here.


#8 FINALLYMADEIT: 44 lifetime starts and leaves Florida for only the second time. Will be on the early lead and is 4 2-1-0 at the distance. Hit the board in his last 4 graded stakes on the dirt, can he hold the early pace and finish? I think he does.

Belmont Thoughts

It's kind of funny to me but the thing that I keep playing over in my head is the totally ridiculous piece Jerry Bailey did on what would have happened if Calvin Borel would have had the mount on Mine That Bird in the Preakness. Jerry said and had nifty photo's and graphic animations to prove that with Borel rail ride Mine That Bird would have beaten Rachel Alexandra by about a length. Seriously, Jerry, was this piece your idea or did the idiots at the network put you up to this. Do you actually think that the other jocks would have let Calvin even sniff the rail if he was on Mine That Bird in the Preakness. The fact that Calvin couldn't get close to the rail and had to take the outside on the turn in The Belmont made the whole stupid piece seem even more ignorant.

With a third place finish in The Belmont on Saturday hopefully the curtain closed on the "Calvin Borel Show". I was a big Calvin fan on the first Saturday in May, I found his youthful excitement after the Derby victory enjoyable, as I did when he won on Street Sense. Come the Preakness and the guaranteed victory in a interview minutes before the race and the finger waging and showboating even before the finish line, my opinion was changing. I began to officially dislike Calvin when he worked Mine That Bird at Churchill and guaranteed a victory in the Belmont four days later. Off to the Big Apple it was, and a trip to the Letterman Show, countless interviews and plenty of media coverage. Apparently Calvin was to busy to grab some mounts at Big Sandy and become a little more familiar with the track. Well I hope you enjoyed your vacation in NYC Calvin and the fifteen minutes of fame.

On the track I found the actual race very exciting. The run from the top of the stretch to the finish was back and forth between Mine That Bird and Dunkirk, throw in Charitable Man and the champ Summer Bird and the stretch run brought me to the edge of my seat.

Hats of the the little gelding. He had a tremendous run the last month. I, like a lot of people threw him out of the Derby as soon as the past performances came out. He proved in the Preakness and The Belmont that he belongs. The fact Mine That Bird has no value as a sire hopefully we will see him for a couple years to come.

The 40 Year Old Jealous Guy

O. K. I admit it, I am jealous, yes jealous. The reason for my immature feelings right now is a simple one: reading blogs like Brooklyn Backstretch and The Bug Boys about the fantastic day had by all on Monday at Belmont. The weather was perfect, everybody was happy Grade I racing, the only thing that would have made it better would have been free beer. GOD, IF YOU WHERE THERE I HATE YOU RIGHT NOW! Thanks, I feel a little better.

I know a grown man should not be jealous but I really cant help it. I live in Metro Detroit (Stop laughing) and thoroughbred racing finally returned to the area after a ten year hiatus in 2008. Pinnacle Race Course opened in July of last year and had a fairly successful first season. Unfortunately due to the state of the economy in Michigan the state racing commissioner is purposing cutting racing dates by about 65% to 25 live race dates. Several groups have gotten involved and it looks like some of the dates will be restored. ( for more on this check out Michigan Bred Claimer , Joe does a great job and has tons of information).

The status of live racing in Detroit aside, the media coverage of any thoroughbred racing other than the Triple Crown races, is non existent. Even the Triple Crown races only receive limited coverage. Last years Breeders Cup races on Saturday were not shown on the local NBC affiliate.

Even though I may be jealous and hate other bloggers at times, please keep up the good work for those of us who don't have the opportunity to have such great days.

Curlin + Rachel Alexander = "Superhorse"?

Listening to and reading quotes from Jess Jackson over the past few week's the ultimate plan with the filly is to bred her to Curlin. I'm all for that, and think it was one of the motivating factor's in the purchase of Rachel. I think it is a little premature to refer to the potential foal as a "Super horse" which is what happened during the Preakness coverage, I do not recall if Jess himself made the claim or if it was Bob Costas during an interview.

I am confident as the time gets closure for the "interlude" between Curlin and Rachel, I'm guessing sometime in early April of 2010, possible a romantic weekend in Napa at the vineyard, the deed will get mentioned in the Form, Bloodhorse, etc. If Rachel continues her winning ways at The Belmont, a victory in a match up against Zenyatta and possibly even a Breeder's Cup Classic win, her eggs may begin to feel the pressure of producing a "Super horse". The foal upon it's birth will receive press to the point of annoyance, not "Jon and Kate plus Eight" annoying, but annoying enough.

Jess need only look and his colleagues at Lael Stables, since the tragic death of Barbaro the Jackson's have bred Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge four times. Barbaro now has three full brothers and an undetermined full sibling on the way. The first full brother, Nicanor, is not even close to the talent that Barbaro was at the age of three. Nicanor was unraced at two and broke his maiden at Delaware Park in his fourth race on May 13th. Four races into his racing career, Barbaro was undefeated with two Grade III wins, a little more impressive wouldn't you say.

There is no way to predict the next great "Super horse". If things would have worked out differently at Pimilico, Mine That Bird would be one victory away from being a "Super horse". I doubt that anyone mentioned that before he was even conceived.

Preakness Thoughts

O.K. I will admit it that I was one of the many that thought the Derby victory of Mine That Bird was a total and complete fluke. Let me issue an apology to Bernie Wooley and the Owners of Mine That Bird, I thought the entry into the Derby was just an ego trip by owners and trainers bringing colts to the Derby who have no business being there. i.e Liquidity in the 2007 Derby. Rachel Alexandra aside, I think Mine That Bird was the story of the Preakness on Saturday. The betting public sent Mine That Bird off at $6.60 -$1, third choice behind Rachel and Pioneerof The Nile ( possibly more on Pioneerof the Nile in a later post, but can people please stop talking this horse up, average speed on synthetic tracks is all he has....and Bob Baffert, but enough of Pioneer). Back on track, Mine That Bird proved to the doubters, me included, that he is the best 3yr old colt in the country on Saturday. If someone would have told me on Derby Day the Mine That Bird would be the front runner for an Eclipse Award in two weeks I would have called to have them commited.

Even though I owe Bernie Wooley an apology regarding Mine That Bird, I still find something unlikeable about the guy, maybe it's me but I find him to be pompous and unrefined, not exactly the face that the NTRA wants in the lime light I feel.

I am a big Calvin Borel fan, I enjoy his unscripted enthusiasm when being interviewed after the Derby in 2007 and this year, some find it annoying I know. I find his "rags to ritches" story very inspiring in this day and age, however the finger waging and showboating even before crossing the finish line is getting on my nerves. Act like you've been there before Calvin because you have. To compare this to baseball the next time Calvin stepped in the batters box he would get drilled for sure.

And finally D. Wayne Lukas. One question D. Wayne, why bother. Seriously Luv Guv and Flying Private. First, Flying Private should not have even been in the Derby or The Preakness this year, see above D. Wayne. Secondly, Luv Guv, it took this guy ten tries to break his maiden, on Derby Day by the way, and now you expect him to beat the best three year old's in the country. D. Wayne I want to remember the glory days, I want to remember you as the trainer of four Derby Champions, five Preakness and four Belmont's, and to me the most impressive stat is six consecutive Triple Crown wins. That's the D. Wayne I want to remember not the currant one, it's like Willie Mays as a Met, Joe Montana as a Chief, O. J. Simpson in an orange jumper.