ZENYATTA PROVES STRONG; CURLIN DISAPPOINTS HIS FANS
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Starting three days ago were the Breeders' Cup World Championship races. First Friday, then Saturday.
On Friday, the Filly and Mare Sprint went to Ventura.
Forever Together won the Filly and Mare Turf.
Stardom Bound won the Juvenile Fillies.
Maram won the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
In the last race, Zenyatta surprised everyone when she won the Ladies Classic from last place. We knew she could do it, yet we didn't have enough belief that she really could.
She was the favorite breaking from post number one. She broke slowly, and jockey Mike Smith slowed her even more to last place as they went around the first turn in a little over 23 seconds. Ginger Punch, who was supposedly Zenyatta's biggest rival, was fourth.
The half mile was slow, in just over 58 seconds (generally half miles are run in 47 or under).
Coming around the far turn, it looked as if Zenyatta wouldn't do it. But she was not about to let everyone down. She gave all she had, passing horses and going five wide around the turn. Going so wide took away a lot of time, and by the time she was around the far turn, the other fillies and mares were about four or five lengths ahead. It looked as if this would be the first loss for the undefeated four-year-old.
But Zenyatta still had more.
After about two suggestive whips from her jockey, she reached into herself and pulled out a little bit more speed. With her ears pricked forward, looking for more competition, the speed she had given was enough to move her in front and past the finish pole.
Zenyatta had done it again.
On Saturday, Muhannak captured the Breeders' Cup Marathon.
Donativum captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
Conduit won the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Albertus Maximus won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Goldikova, a filly, won the Breeders' Cup Mile in a surprising race.
Midshipman won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Midnight Lute captured the Breeders' Cup Sprint for a second time (he won it last year).
Desert Code captured the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
And, as many of you know, Curlin disappointed everyone (except me) when he was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
He was in the nine starting position. Right from the start, he wasn't the same Curlin. He broke slowly, and he was rather far back for most of the race. When the last turn came, jockey Robby Albarado pushed Curlin to his top speed. Curlin came somewhat wide, in a race much like that of Zenyatta; he was leading halfway down the stretch, and then Raven's Pass, Henrythenavigator and Tiago began to gain on him. It looked as if Henrythenavigator would win, but Raven's Pass gave an extra effort at the end and won the race. This was jockey Frank Detorri's second win today.
Most say that the synthetic surface of the racetrack, which Curlin had never raced on, was what had happened. Some say he was pushed to early. But I personally think that yes, the synthetic was the problem, and also his jockey was probably under a lot of pressure, so was more likely to make a mistake, like he did in pushing Curlin too early. I also think Big Brown could've won it. He's raced and won on turf, which is almost exactly like synthetic. Curlin never has.
The leading jockey of the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships was Garret "Go-go" Gomez. He won four Breeders' Cup races.
Now for the Kentucky Derby!! ~Equine Lover
Monday, October 27, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
CURLIN PULLS POST NINE
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Horse of the Year and defending champion of last years Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) Curlin drew post nine October 21.
The son of Smart Strike, he is the current favorite at 7-5 odds. He will be facing eleven rivals in this year's Classic. Unfortunately, as we all know, these rivals do not include Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI).
Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Curlin, stated it was a perfect position. "It's a fine draw; there is plenty of run to the first turn. It's a perfect spot."
The Classic will be run at 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride synthetic surface. This marks the first time that the race will be run on this surface.
Curlin made his last start September 27 in Belmont Park's Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI), which he won by three quarters of a length. He is stabled and worked at Santa Anita, but has never been run on synthetic surfaces. This apparently does not phase him or his fans, however.
Asmussen stated, "He's trained on the synthetic, here and at Keeneland. I think a higher percentage of horses train well over it than run over it. However, we are excited about the opportunity to race here."
Asmussen will also send out Grade I winner Student Council, who drew the number seven post and won the Pimlico Special (GI).
Curlin races for Stonestreet Stables and the stable's principal, Jess Jackson. Barbara Banke, his wife, said at the post position draw, "This is a great field, but we have confidence."
When asked if this would be Curlin's last race, she replied, "We hope not, but that's up to my husband. We'll see. Let's get through Saturday first."
Among the eleven challengers are Raven's Pass (odds of 6-1), Henrythenavigator (10-1), and Duke of Marmalade (10-1). These are all European horses, and are in the quarantine barn to avoid the spread of foreign diseases. Duke of Marmalade is rated as the top Thoroughbred in Europe, but he surrendered to the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in which he finished a disappointing seventh.
Colonel John also appears, with Edgar Prado on top. He won the Travers Stakes by a nose over Mambo in Seattle, and although his owner thinks highly of him, the fans do not, and have put him at odds of 20-1.
Get ready for Saturday! ~Equine Lover
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
TOE GRABS BANNED AT CHURCHILL
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Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby (GI), has banned the use of toe grabs on their track.
The ban is in effect now. The policy applies to all horses in training and/or racing at Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, and Fair Grounds Race Course. It states:
"Front horse shoes which have toe grabs greater than two millimeters shall be prohibited from racing or training on all racing surfaces at all Churchill Downs Incorporated racetracks. This includes but is not limited to the following: toe grabs, bends, jar calks, stickers and any other traction device worn on the front shoes of Thoroughbred horses. Any hind shoe with a turndown of more than one-quarter inch will not be allowed on the dirt courses. Hind shoes with calks, stickers, blocks, raised toes or turndowns will not be allowed on the turf courses. This includes quarter horse shoes or any shoe with a toe grab of more than one-quarter inch.
"Our change in policy is another positive step toward improving the welfare and safety of our equine and human athletes, and it's consistent with the recommendations of The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee, TOBA's Thoroughbred Action Committee, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to address safety in horse racing," said Donnie Richardson, senior vice president of racing at Churchill Downs Inc. ~Equine Lover
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
BREEDERS' CUP POST TIMES ANNOUNCED
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The post times for the 14 (plus 8 others, not Breeders' Cup races) races in the Breeders' Cup World Championships were announced September 29.
The official race order of the 25th running of the events will be announced Thursday, October 16. Each race will feature a maximum of fourteen horses, with the exceptions of the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which will feature a maximum of twelve racers.
On the Friday program are a total of 10 races. Five of them are Breeders' Cup races. The first post time is 2:05 pm ET and 1:05 pm CT. The Breeders' Cup race post time begins at 3:35 pm ET, 2:25 pm CT. ESPN2 will host all five, which include the $1 million Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint; $1 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf; and the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.
On Saturday, October 25, eleven races will take place, nine of them Breeders' Cup races; they are: $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon; $1 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf; $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile; $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint; $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile; $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile, $2 million Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Sprint, $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf and the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Coverage will be on ABC at 1:00 pm ET, 12:00 pm CT. ~Equine Lover
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
BIG BROWN--INTERVIEW WITH MIKE IAVARONE
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Mike Iavarone, majority owner of Grade I winner Big Brown who was retired yesterday, made a speech at the NTRA teleconference October 13.
Big Brown had tore half of his foot off after a morning workout with stablemate Kip Deville. The anticipated match between Curlin and Big Brown will now not take place.
"Today was a tough day. The dream with this horse has always been to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic, and it kills me to see it get this close and not happen," said Iavarone. "We put everything into this race, and this is a tremendous blow to the gut. My heart goes out to all the partners and to Thoroughbred racing fans. He was a one-in-a-million horse.
"There are going to be more Big Browns that come down the road and it’s up to all of us – the owners and the media – that when you do get a horse like this to continue to advertise and market him. Horses like Big Brown and Curlin are great for racing and this is the unfortunate part of the game; we all have to live it and experience it. This is the first time we’ve experienced something as devastating as this. As long as we can market and publicize these kinds of horses the game is going to be OK. You can see how this horse has crossed over into the mainstream media. It’s a headline story on ESPN.
"I brought my wife and my kids out, along with (minority owner) Paul Pompa and a few of my friends. Everything seemed to go according to plan and we were all excited. Last night, my wife and I were up late and we were watching the replay of the Kentucky Derby, and all the lead-up to it, and it kind of brought a tear to my eye. I turned to my wife and said, 'Well, it’s not over yet. We still have one more big one (meaning the Breeders' Cup).'"
Iavarone continued. "Rick got more out of this horse in my eyes than any trainer in the world would have. I don't think we've ever gotten to the bottom of Big Brown. What we were starting to see was his change over from his utter brilliance to his heart. Because of the issues we faced with him, his training was somewhat inconsistent, so he never had the ultimate conditioning that he had leading up to the Kentucky Derby. But his heart became as big as his physical abilities, and if we could have gotten to the point where he could have put the two together I think we would have seen something breathtaking.
"But it's always been about the horse and his life after racing. Now is the time for us to reflect on all he's done for us, and not to feel sorry for ourselves and wonder what could have been."
Iavarone said that Big Brown would remain at Aqueduct for a month. "As he cooled out he was becoming more and more sore, and basically was reluctant to walk. So, we expect the next few days to be pretty rough on him. First and foremost, we have to take care of him.
The main risk right now for Big Brown is risk of infection at the site of the tear. "This was a pretty significant injury in regard to the tissue, and as long as we keep close touch and prevent infection, he should go on and live a happy life. Right now, there is nothing that can be done other than the natural process of healing and prevent infection. That's the one variable that can be a problem. As long as we can prevent that he'll heal. We have to clean out the area real good and give him as much antibiotics as possible."
Iavarone also stated that he would love to keep Big Brown in training, and to keep racing him, but he had to keep up with his agreement to Three Chimneys.
"The banter that had gone between us was almost like professional wrestling. Rick and I were having fun with it," says Iavarone. "We have no problems at all with Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen, and we think the world of their horse and their people. We were just creating some excitement and some anticipation for the race. Curlin is a special horse and I hope he makes it to the race. It'll still bring tremendous intrigue. For me personally, I'm devastated. This match-up was everything an owner dreams of, and words cannot describe what it like to know it's not going to happen.
"Curlin is great for the sport and if they want to give me a Curlin hat I'll wear it. Curlin and Big Brown have carried the sport in the media, and we need Curlin to go out in the right way, especially with the Euros coming in. He's representing America and I'm completely in Curlin's corner and in the corner of Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen."
Big Brown became the first horse ever to win the Kentucky Derby from the #20 post position. With seven wins out of eight starts, he also became the first horse since Regret in 1915 to win the Kentucky Derby with only three previous starts.
Almost all the horses Big Brown beat came back and won. They were winning horses, but Big Brown was more.
Good-bye, Big Brown. ~Equine Lover
Monday, October 13, 2008
Video of the Week
Hot Shot is a champion barrel racing horse. His time (for a junior) is extremely fast!
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!
BIG BROWN RETIRED
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Big Brown, 2008's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI) winner, was retired the morning of October 13 during a workout at Aqueduct race track with stablemate Kip Deville.
The colt ran six furlongs in a speedy 1:12 4/5, crossing the finish line beside his equally speedy stablemate. IEAH stables owner Mike Iavarone and trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. were all excited about the workout until the bay came back with half of his right front foot tore off.
"Big Brown has been retired," said Iavarone. "He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half the foot was torn off. We did everything we could to get to the Breeder's Cup. It's devastating. And what makes it even worse is that he worked great."
Greg Avioli, president and CEO of the Breeders' Cup, said, "We are disappointed that Big Brown will not be able to compete in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic but are glad to hear that he is expected to make a full recovery from the injury he sustained earlier today."
"My family and I are saddened to learn of Big Brown's career ending injury during his morning workout. I have always said what an incredible horse Big Brown is and that the bay colt brought energy and excitement to our industry, especially during his run at the Triple Crown," said Jess Jackson, majority owner of Horse of the Year Curlin. "I am equally disappointed that Big Brown and Curlin will never compete against each other. It was a dream of mine and thousands of other fans of the sport. Now, we all join together in wishing Big Brown a speedy recovery."
The bay colt was not apparently bleeding or limping as he was walked quietly down the shed row. He did not protest as the injury was bathed, however, this will not change the made-up minds of Iavarone and Dutrow.
At first, quiet talk went back and forth between Dutrow and Iavarone. Iavarone walked around Big Brown and said, "I don't like the look of it." Alex Leaf, the blacksmith who so calmly and patiently trimmed Big Brown's sore feet to perfection, spoke to Dutrow. And it was there that the decision was made: it was time for Big Brown's retirement.
A chunk of skin about three inches in diameter was torn off the leg. A portion of the hoof was missing, and although it was not bleeding, it was raw and jagged-looking.
Dutrow stated in his office, "His foot doesn't look any good. I think he is going to miss the race, the way things look right now. It looks like it happened in a bad spot, and it looks like it will need to grow out."
Because of an agreement to Three Chimneys Farm for Big Brown to become a stud in 2009, no one can bring the fiery colt back as a four-year-old.
So long, Big Brown. ~Equine Lover
Friday, October 10, 2008
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
PATRICK VALENZUELA--MILESTONE MET
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Jockey Patrick Valenzuela won his 4,000th race October 9th, aboard Burst of Light.
Valenzuela's career has been both troubled and brilliant, but he came home first by two lengths in Burst of Light's one mile allowance/optional claiming event.
After a good start, Valenzuela slowed his mount down and then began a steady advance along the rail throughout the rest of the race. Coming down the homstretch, he put a length between himself and the field, then two. When crossing the finish line, Valenzuela held up four fingers on his right hand--a single to everyone watching that Patrick Valenzuela had met a milestone: 4,000 races won.
Valenzuela has seven Breeder's Cup World Championship wins, and a win in both the Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI) aboard Sunday Silence, in 1989. He plans to be at the Fair Grounds meeting later this year. ~Equine Lover
Thursday, October 9, 2008
NEW Breeder's Cup Celebration Site!
Although I don't have everything done yet, you can now go and visit the Breeder's Cup Celebration site! Click on the lick to the right of this post to visit it!
~Equine Lover
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
DREAMING OF ANNA RETIRED
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Dreaming of Anna, a filly by Rahy out of the Broad Brush mare Justenuffheart, and a Breeder's Cup champion, has been retired to Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm. She will become a broodmare for owner/breeder Frank C. Calabrese. Breeding plans have not yet been secured.
A filly bred in Kentucky and a full sister to Lewis Michael (who will be retired to Three Chimneys in 2009), Dreaming of Anna's biggest win came in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) of 2006. She went unbeaten that same year. Eight other stakes wins included the Pucker Up (GIII), Hillsborough (GIII), Endeavor (GIII), and Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII). She placed in the 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (GII).
Dreaming of Anna's last race was the October 3rd First Lady Stakes (GIT) at Keeneland, in which she finished sixth.
"She came out of the race very good. We wanted her to go out a winner," says trainer Wayne Catalano, "but not as much as we wanted to see her go out happy and sound. She won some big races, but it's hard to top a Breeder's Cup win."
Dreaming of Anna finished her racing career with 10 wins and 4 placings out of seventeen lifetime starts. She earned a total of $2,024,550. ~Equine Lover
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Breeder's Cup Celebration!
In order to celebrate the Breeder's Cup, Horses and Friends will organize a quiz for those who think they know about horseracing! The winner's prize will be announced at a later date.
~Equine Lover
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
October Horse Sense Magazine Available!
The October 2008 Horse Sense Magazine is now available. There are two contests to participate in, in order to celebrate the first anniversary of this magazine.
Have fun!
~Equine Lover
Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day
PREPARE FOR THE BREEDER'S CUP
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For this year's Breeder's Cup, which will be held on October 24 and 25 (Friday and Saturday), there will be fourteen competitions: five on Friday and nine on Saturday.
ESPN2 (Directv channel #209) will host Friday's races, and ESPN (Directv channel #206) will host Saturday's. ABC (Directv channel #311 [I think]) will also host Saturday's races.
On Friday there are five races. These include:
Filly & Mare Sprint--6 furlongs on dirt--$1,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Filly & Mare Turf--1 3/8 miles on turf--Grade I--$2,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Juvenile Fillies--1 1/16 miles on dirt--Grade I--$2,000,000 purse--2-year-olds only
Juvenile Fillies Turf--1 mile on turf--$1,000,000 purse--2-year-olds only
Ladies' Classic--1 1/8 miles on dirt--Grade I--$2,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
On Saturday there are nine races. These include:
Classic--1 1/4 miles on dirt--Grade I--$5,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Dirt Mile--1 mile on dirt--Grade I--$1,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Juvenile--1 mile 70 yards on dirt--Grade I--$1,000,000 purse--2-year-olds only
Juvenile Turf--1 mile on turf--$1,000,000 purse--2-year-olds only
Mile--1 mile on dirt--Grade I--$2,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Marathon--1 1/2 miles on dirt--$500,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Sprint--6 furlongs on dirt--Grade I--$2,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Turf--1 1/2 miles on turf--Grade I--$3,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Turf Sprint--6 furlongs on turf--$1,000,000 purse--3-year-olds and up
Note that these races are in alphabetical order, not in order of their running.
Celebrated horses that will appear are:
Big Brown
Tiago
Curlin
Awesome Gem
Pyro
Student Council
Go Between
Mast Track
Well Armed
Zanjero
Colonel John
Two Step Salsa
Casino Drive
Fairbanks
Smooth Air
Some fillies include:
Zenyatta
Indian Blessing
Mani Bhavan
Get ready for Breeder's Cup Day! ~Equine Lover
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Racing Record
The Racing Record will not be available for a few weeks or maybe, at longest, a few months. This is due to a very large project that takes up all of my time on the internet. Once this project is finished, The Racing Record will resume.
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I apologize for the October issue of Horse Sense Magazine being overdue.
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I also wish to apologize for the fact that the Equine Daily was not available these past few days. There will be no Equine Daily today, either, but as far as I know there will be one tomorrow.
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~Equine Lover
