The Shedrow

Louisiana Derby preview

2008-03-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Lousiana Derby, scheduled for this Saturday at the Fair Grounds, is shaping up to be the competition. Among the entrants are Pyro, Majestic Warrior, Tale of Ekati. The Louisiana Derby is a G2 event, with a purse of $600,000.

And now, for a little book reccomendation! :) I just finished reading Merryland, a book by Josh Pons of Maryland's Country Life Farm. The book is a diary of two years in the life of a training farm, and it's a must for any racing fan. It's a fast-paced, cover-to-cover read, with beautiful, poetic detail alongside the truths of the racing world. Go pick it up; you won't regret it. :)

Sham Stakes

2008-03-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita was won by Colonel John. The Tiznow colt beat El Gato Malo by a half-length in the $200,000 race. Colonel John and Garrett Gomez went the nine furlongs in 1:50. Third was Victory Pete. Colonel John is trained by Eoin Harty and owned by WinStar Farms.

Big Cap

2008-03-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

Santa Anita held the $1 million Big Cap (Santa Anita Handicap [G1]) this past Saturday, with Heatseeker winning by 3/4 of a length. Going the 1 1/4m in 2:00 2/5, Heatseeker beat the likes of Go Between and Monterey Jazz. Heatseaker is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who expects big things out of the colt.

In other racing news, Curlin made his four-year-old debut at Nad Al-Sheba on Thursday. He won the $175k, 2000-m handicap by 2 3/4, Robby Albarado sitting chilly in the irons. The race was used as a prep for the Dubai World Cup, to be run on March 29.

Fountain of Youth stakes

2008-02-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

Cool Coal Man captured Saturday's Fountain of Youth stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Nick Zito-trained three year old handled the 1 1/8 well, striking from a few back in the pack to win by a half-length. The son of Mineshaft exhibited tactical speed and confidence, waiting until the time was right to swing three-wide and win.

War Pass, also trained by Nick Zito and sired by the speedster Cherokee Run, kept his record perfect in his three-year-old debut. He romped by 7 1/2, handling the $60k allowance company with excessive ease. I viewed a recap of the race, and was quite impressed. War Pass rocketed from the gate and kept the lead the whole time, the picture of a horse dead on the muscle. War Pass is all class.

War Pass & allowance

2008-02-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Some of the nation's top three-year-olds are entered in Sunday's Fountain of Youth (G2) stakes at Gulfstream Park. War Pass, winner of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) is in on Sunday as well, but not in a stakes race. Trainer Nick Zito has chosen to run War Pass in a $60,000 allowance, at the distance of 1m. What do you think of this? Do you think it shows uncertainty on Zito's part of War Pass's ability? Will you still have the same amount of respect for War Pass if he remains unbeaten in an allowance, while others are currently gaining G1 & G2 experience? I can understand using the race as a stepping stone, but I think War Pass loses an advantage of experience by using allowance company as a prep. Of course, he showed ability against G1 competiters in the BC Juvenile, but did he make it through the turn of his third year without that ability being affected? Shouldn't he be able to perform in G1 events if he's headed for the Derby? Tell me what you think :)

Derby Trail loses one

2008-02-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Crown of Thorns, the Richard Mandella-trained three year old, has dropped off of the Derby trail due to a stress fracture. Until he's ready to return to training, Crown of Thorns will rest at his owner, B. Wayne Hughes's farm.

Best wishes to Crown of Thorns and connection for a safe recovery. :)

In other news, the late Irish star George Washington is the reported sire of a filly born at the Irish National Stud this February 4th. The filly, out of Flawlessly (by Rainbow Quest), is the only reported offspring of George Washington.

George Washington ran and won against G1 company and was a Cartier Award winner. The aforementioned filly was probably conceived during George Washington's brief stint at stud before he returned to campaign for Aidan O'Brien. George Washington broke down int the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic--Powered by Dodge (gr1), and was euthanized immediately.

Winning Colors

2008-02-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

Winning Colors, the lovely gray filly who won the 1988 Kentucky Derby, has passed away. She was euthanized Sunday, February 17, due to colic. Winning Colors, 23 at the time of her death, was in foal to Mr. Greeley.

Rest in peace, Winning Colors. You will be missed.

Sam F. Davis stakes

2008-02-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

Fierce Wind, a colt by Dixie Union , won the Sam F. Davis stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The charts for the Sam F. Davis read that Fierce Wind "just lasted" the 1 1/16m. Second was Big Truck, then Smooth Air.

And naturally, here's another Kentucky Derby contender for you to consider :)

Z Fortune
c., 2005. Siphon (BRZ) x Fortunate Faith (Fortunate Prospect)
4-3-1-0, $120,000 graded earnings. O:Zayat Stables, LLC;T:Steve Asmussen;J:Garrett Gomez;B:Delehanty Stock Farm

Z Fortune has a near perfect record and has shown he can handle graded (G3) company, and a little distance. He's run up to 1 1/16m, and was 2nd to Pyro in the Risen Star Stakes (G3).

Z Fortune is sired by Siphon, a Brazilian-bred horse who was brilliant on the track, winning $3.2 million dollars. Siphon showed versatility, winning both sprints and routes, which gives Z Fortune a distance edge. Z Fortune's dam, Fortunate Prospect, was a stakes winner of $251,635 and has sired 6 winners of 7 foals to race.

2008-02-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

Just forging ahead with Derby analysis :)

Majestic Warrior
b.c., 2005. A.P. Indy x Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold)
3-2-0-0, $158,000 graded earnings. O:Kinsman Farm;T:Bill Mott;J:Garret Gomez;B:Kinsman Farm

Majestic Warrior is unbeaten in 2/3 of his starts. The only time he's been out of the money is a poor 6th in the Champagne Stakes (G1). He chased the pace the entire 1m in that race, but didn't fire when asked. It leaves me to wonder if 1m was too long for Majestic Warrior, but his pedigree suggests otherwise.

Majestic Warrior is by A.P. Indy, one of the finest sires of the last fifteen years. A.P. Indy will not only get you talent, but he will get you staying power. Majestic Warrior has some staying power in his bottom line as well, with the millionare Seeking the Gold mare Dream Supreme. Both A.P. Indy and Seeking the Gold contribute distance ability to a horse, but when Majestic Warrior was asked to go the extra furlong, he couldn't. Relying on Majestic Warrior's awesome pedigree, and the fact that he has won a G1 (the Hopeful), I'll chalk that bad 6th up to some other factor.

Pyro
dk.b./br. c., 2005. Pulpit x Wild Vision (Wild Again)
5-2-2-1, $660,000 graded earnings. O:Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC;T:Steve Asmussen;J:Shaun Bridgmohan;B:Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

What strikes me first about Pyro's record is his experience. He's had about 2 more starts than most of the other Derby contenders, 2 being G1 events. While Pyro finished 2nd in both of those G1s, he showed a tremendous turn of foot in both. He cut War Pass's ten-length down to about half in the final furlongs of the Breeders' Cup Juveline--it was quite the electrifying performance to watch. Pyro has raced up to 1/16m and done well.

Pyro is by the lovely Pulpit, who has sired 32 stakes winnersin 9 years at stud, including recent Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Corinthian. Pyro is Wild Vision's only racing foal to win, but I believe in this case he's outrun that bottom line.

War Pass
dk.b/br. c, 2005. Cherokee Run x Vue (Mr. Prospector)
4-4-0-0, $1,320,000 graded earnings. O:Robert V. LaPenta;T:Nick Zito;J:Cornelio Velasquez;B:Cherry Valley Farm, LLC

War Pass is one of my favorites for the Derby. He's 4 for 4, with two G1 wins, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He won the Juvenile in impressive style, leading the entire 1 1/16m to win by 4 3/4. War Pass is commanding, confident, and handles G1 company with ease.

War Pass is by Cherokee Run, an awesome Darley stallion who, like Pulpit, has sired 32 stakes winners in the past 10 years. What bothers me about Cherokee Run is that he's known for his speed, being a champion sprinter at 4. He did handle up to 1 3/16m in his 3 year old campaign, though. With some Mr. Prospector on his bottom line, hopefully War Pass will be able to run through his pedigree.

Two races...in 48 hours?

2008-02-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

Go check out the Daily Racing Form's website and read the front-page article on Richard Dutrow. Mr. Dutrow plans to run Stormin' Normandy in the $75k Hollie Hughes Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday. If the Hollie Hughes goes well, Stormin' Normandy may well run in Monday's $300k General George Handicap at Laurel Park. Sorry, Mr. Dutrow...I know of your experience and knowledge as a trainer, but those are not acceptable tactics. I'm a little upset, a little sad for Stormin' Normandy. Hopefully he makes it okay.

Etched
ch. c., 2005. Forestry x Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song)
2-2-0-0, $64,680. O:Godolphin; T:Saeed bin Suroor; J:Frankie Dettori; B:Darley Stables

At first glance, Etched doesn't look like too bad of a prospect. He's undefeated in two starts. But there are a few problems: first, he's only made two starts. Second, the farthest he's been is one mile. He doesn't have too much experience, and his breeding is mostly speed.

Etched is sired by Forestry, who is infamous for his speed and the speed that he throws. While Etched has some classic distance on his bottom line (his dam won the Breeders' Cup Distaff), he'll have to work hard to run through the Forestry speed.

Into Mischief
dk.b./br. c., 2005. Harlan's Holiday x Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek)
3-2-1-0, $423,000 graded earnings. O:B. Wayne Hughes; T:Richard Mandella; J:Victor Espinoza; B:James T. Hines, Jr.

Into Mischief may not be undefeated like the aforementioned Etched, but I believe his record is more impressive. He's gone a 1 1/16m in a G1 (the CashCall Futurity) and won by 1 1/4 lengths.

Harlan's Holiday is Into Mischief's sire, and I'm into that. Harlan's Holiday was wildly successfuly on the track, making $3.6 million and hitting the board in 16 of 22 starts. Not only that, but Harlan's Holiday was a distance horse. Into Mischief's dam was also a stakes winner with a little bit of black type in her line. I'm into Into Mischief. :)

Green Monkey retired?

2008-02-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

The Green Monkey, an infamous colt by Forestry out of an Unbridled mare, has been retired. The Green Monkey was purchased for $16 million as a two-year-old in training when he clocked a bullet :09 4/5 seconds furlong work. The colt was retired after he didn't go on to train well after a pulled gluteal muscle.

Crown of Thorns
b.c., 2005. Repent x Crowning Touch (Thunder Gulch)
3-2-0-0, $120,000 graded earnings.
Owner: B. Wayne Hughes; Trainer: Richard Mandella; Jockey: Victor Espinoza; Breeder: Clover Leaf Farms, II, inc.
Crown of Thorns is near undefeated, with a maiden special weight win and a stakes win under his belt. He handled 1 1/16m well in the G3 Robert B. Lewis, stalking the pace and drawing clear to win by 2 1/2. While his record is quite pristine, Crown of Thorns lacks some of the experience of other Derby contenders, such as those who ran impressively in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1), or who have defeated or stayed against G1 fields.

Crown of Thorns is sired by Repent, a horse who made $1.2 million on the track, winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) and running second in the Travers Stakes (G1). Repent is Florida's #2 freshman sire of '07, gaving sire three stakes horses in his first crop. Crown of Thorns's dam is a Thunder Gulch mare, who didn't race and has only sired one winner. While Crown of Thorns's pedigree lacks some sparkle in my opininon, he has staying power coming from both lines: both Repent and Thunder Gulch showed ability over classic distances.

El Gato Malo
dk.b/br. c, 2005. El Corredor x One Bad Cat (Mountain Cat)
3-3-0-0, $90,000 graded earnings.
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Craig Dollase; Jockey: David Flores; Breeder: Kenneth C. Roberts
El Gato Malo is undefeated in three starts, with two stakes wins, one of which was a G3. The farthest he has been is 1m, therefore lacking the 1 1/18m or 1 1/16m experience that other contenders have.

El Gato Malo is sired by El Corredor, a stallion known for his speed. El Corredor never raced past 1m, but has produced 9 stakes winners (in three years) such as Dominican and Adieu. While there are not too many familiar names in El Gato Malo's bottom line, every one of his dam's foals (that have made it to the track) have been winners. While El Gato Malo's parents are certainly producers, we'll have to see whether El Gato Malo can become a stayer despite his pedigree.

Risen Star Stakes

2008-02-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

Pyro won the Risen Star Stakes this Saturday at the Fair Grounds, and he won it in style. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt made a stretch run from last to first to win by two, thus stamping his late-flying style that we saw in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Second was stablemate Z Fortune, and third was Michael Matz's Visionaire.

Next on the Derby prep lineup is the San Vicente Stakes, today at Santa Anita. Headliners in the G2 event are Into Mischief and Georgie Boy.

Now here's for some more Derby contender preview, with more later on other news in racing.

Court Vision
dk.b/br. c., 2005. Gulch x Weekend Storm (Storm Bird)
4-3-1-0, $221,872 graded earnings

Court Vision is quite a promising young horse, having never been worse than second in his four lifetime starts. After winning a maiden special weight race, Court Vision took the G3 Iroquois and the G2 Remsen. In the 1m Iroquois, Court Vision showed his tough side when he was swung seven wide and still closed in determined fashion. His toughness was proven when he won the 1 1/8m Remsen despite two bumps in the stretch.

Court Vision is by Gulch, an extremely successful stallion who lends distance ability to his horses, and certainly a sparkle as well: Gulch won over $3 million on the track. On Court Vision's bottom line is Weekend Surprise, an unraced mare by Storm Bird out of Weekend Surprise, the dam of such greats as A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. Court Vision's pedigree is full of the best, and his record is stellar. Excited about Court Vision? I think so.

Cowboy Cal
b. c., 2005. Giant's Causeway x Texas Tammy (Seeking the Gold)
4-3-0-0, $57,660 graded earnings

While Cowboy Cal has only been worst than first in one start, that start was his sole start on dirt. This worries me for his chances in the Derby: can he make the switch and handle the surface well enough to run?

Cowboy Cal's sire, Giant's Causeway, says distance to me, so 1 1/14m should be fine. However, Giant's Causeway also says turf: the "Iron Horse" spent all of his racing career in France, England, and Ireland. I don't mean to be prejudice against turf horses, but Cowboy Cal is not one of my favorites for the Derby.

Hi :)

2008-02-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

So this is where I begin my blog, and y'all read it, and hopefully enjoy it.

I figured a good way to start was to lay a foundation for this year in racing, 2008. The three-year-old season begins soon, with the Grade 3 Fountain of Youth coming up at EDIT: Gulfstream. (Thanks to Phil J. for the tip!) Soon we'll be enjoying the Lanes' End stakes, the Florida Derby, the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, and finally, on May 3, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Which horses are good? Who's bred the best, who's record is the best? I'll post two analyses of Derby contenders each day. Here are my thoughts. :)

Anak Nakal
dk.b/br. c., 2006. Victory Gallop x Misk (Quiet American)
3-2-1-0; $189,716 graded earnings

Anak Nakal has an impressive record, never having been out of the money in three starts--two of which were graded. He jumped straight from a maiden special weight victory at Belmont to a win the G3 Nashua. He seemed to handle the 1 1/16m well, being swung four wide on the far turn and winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

Anak Nakal is bred to be a stayer. His sire, Victory Gallop (who's sad that Victory Gallop is headed for Turkey? Me!), won the 1 1/2m Belmont Stakes, beating Real Quiet (who is interestingly enough a brother to Anak Nakal's first dam. We know Anak Nakal's top side is good (Victory Gallop gets an A- in my book), but what about his bottom? Some nice black type, with accomplished mares and a little Quiet American--who will certainly get you the classic distances.

Blackberry Road
b. c., 2005. Gone West x Strawberry Reason (Strawberry Road)
7-1-2-2, $93,417 graded earnings

Although Blackberry Road has only won once, his racing record is not terrible. Out of seven starts, he's been in the money five times. The other two starts were a fourth in the Bashford Manor (G3), and a seventh in the Arlington Washington Futurity (G3), in which he didn't fire. He's run a close second in a G2, but hasn't yet competed with a G1 field.

Blackberry Road is sired by Gone West, who tends to throw speed, as is apparent in Elusive Quality, Mr. Greeley, and Grand Slam. There is some value in Strawberry Reason, who herself won about $150k on the track. But: will she give Blackberry Road the distance ability he needs to run the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont? He's been a 1 1/16m, beaten a 1/2 length by Anak Nakal. We'll see if he can stay for the 1 1/4m. While Blackberry Road seems to be a trier, and a consistent one at that, he doesn't sparkle like some of the other contenders do.

-FurlongBaby

PS: If anyone notices any errors in information, please feel free to let me know. :)