As noted below, my 13-year-old daughter published a book last month, "Down to the Wire." We have applied for an ISBN# for the book to be listed in directories worldwide and then it can be sold on Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc. We are very excited about this.
If you are interested in self-publishing, then check out lulu.com. It is an awesome site. There are no start-up fees, and it is a very easy process.
For more information on "Down to the Wire," here is the link:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/book_view.php?fCID=957449
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Down to the Wire
My 13-year-old daughter just published her first book. She absolutely loves horses and horse racing. The name of her book is called "Down to the Wire." It is about a horse on his way to being a Triple Crown winner. It is an awesome book, so if you enjoy horse racing, you would enjoy this book.
Here is a description of the book:
I'm Not Evil is the fastest horse that Marvin and his dad, Nick, have ever seen. When Evil is on the track, it seems like he could run all day. The black colt is just as big as he is fast. Evil's desire to run burns so strongly-no rider on his back or bit in his mouth can ever tame it. Can Evil win the Triple Crown and other big races? Will any other horse ever catch him?
Check it out here:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/book_view.php?fCID=957449
Here is a description of the book:
I'm Not Evil is the fastest horse that Marvin and his dad, Nick, have ever seen. When Evil is on the track, it seems like he could run all day. The black colt is just as big as he is fast. Evil's desire to run burns so strongly-no rider on his back or bit in his mouth can ever tame it. Can Evil win the Triple Crown and other big races? Will any other horse ever catch him?
Check it out here:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/book_view.php?fCID=957449
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Kentucky Derby Horses!!!
1.) Street Sense
Jockey – Calvin Borel
Trainer – Carl Nafzger
Owner – Jim Tafel LLC
Pedigree – Sire: Street Cry; Dam: Bedazzle
Dark bay almost black colt seems to get better with age. Street Sense won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by ten lengths, the largest winning margin in the history of the race and second longest margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup altogether. As a two year old, Street Sense was still very immature. When he turned three, Carl Nafzger, his trainer, said Street Sense had grown into a man and was no longer an immature boy. Street Sense has never finished worse than third in his life. A good thing that will help him in the Derby is that Churchill Downs is his home and favorite racetrack. Sired by the Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry and out of the mare Bedazzle, he was bred to go a mile and a quarter.
2.) Curlin
Jockey – Robby Albarado
Trainer – Steven Asmussen
Owner – Stonestreet Stables, Padua
Stables, George Bolton
Pedigree – Sire: Smart Strike; Dam:
Sherriff’s Deputy
Undefeated chestnut colt has been very impressive in every start of his career, including a win in the Arkansas Derby by 10½ lengths. If he can just get by Street Sense in the Derby, he can sweep the Triple Crown. Curlin likes to sit slightly off the pace, but the question is out the window how he’ll beat Street Sense at the rival’s home track. Curlin is also trying to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby having not raced at two.
3.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Jockey – Cornelio Velasquez
Trainer – Barclay Tagg
Owner – Elizabeth Valando
Pedigree – Sire: Albert the Great; Dam:
Nightstorm
Nobiz Like Shobiz possesses the kind of pure talent that excites fans of the game. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been rank, fighting his rider for the whole race. That is something he can’t do in the Derby. In the Wood Memorial, his last race, he had to dig down deep to hold off Sightseeing, who was closing fast. He wore himself out by fighting the rider in that race. He needs to relax a little if he’s going to have a good chance of withstanding the mile and a quarter.
4.) Scat Daddy
Jockey – Edgar Prado
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – James Scatuorchio, Michael
Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Johannesburg; Dam: Love
Style
Florida Derby winner figures to follow in the great Barbaro’s footsteps. Scat Daddy is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is the Eclipse Award winning trainer for the third straight year, but has never won a Kentucky Derby (0 for 14). The first stakes winner sired by Johannesburg, Scat Daddy has never finished worse than fourth in his career. The handsome dark bay colt is ridden by Edgar Prado, who just won his second straight Florida Derby and his looking for his second consecutive Kentucky Derby (he rode Barbaro to victory in the 2006 Derby).
5.) Circular Quay
Jockey – John Velazquez
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Michael and Doreen Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Thunder Gulch; Dam:
Circle of Life
This beautiful chestnut colt is another Todd Pletcher horse who is trying to become the first horse in a VERY long time to win the Derby off of an eight-week layoff or longer. He has a tendency to find trouble in his races, and comes from very far behind. When he’s in the clear, he can really run. His sire, Thunder Gulch, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1995, nearly sweeping the Triple Crown.
6.) Cowtown Cat
Jockey – Fernando Jara
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Winstar Farm Bill Casner, et al
and Gulf Coast Farm
Pedigree – Sire: Distorted Humor; Dam:
Tom’s Cat
Impressive winner of the Illinois Derby gets better with every race. ANOTHER Todd Pletcher horse with tons of talent.
7.) Hard Spun
Jockey: Mario Pino
Trainer: Larry Jones
Owner: Fox Hill Farms; Inc.
Pedigree: Sire – Danzig; Dam – Turkish
Tryst
Extremely talented colt has only been beaten once in his career, but that was because he did not like the track. He seems to like Churchill Downs, which is a plus. Hard Spun has posted a bullet fast work at Churchill, and that should help him.
8.) Tiago
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss
Pedigree: N/A
The Santa Anita Derby winner shows talent, but has only won once against G1 company, and that G1 field was extremely soft. Tiago is a half-brother to Giacomo, the 2005 Kentucky Derby winner. Both horses have a similar running style.
9.) Great Hunter
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Trainer: Doug O’ Neill
Owner: J. Paul Reddam
Pedigree: N/A
Robert B. Lewis winner had a bad trip in the Blue Gass Stakes last time out, when Teuflesberg drifted out widely in the stretch, forcing Corey to check him sharply. Was third to Street Sense in the BC Juvenile, and has been shown to approve of Churchill Downs. He will a threat if he gets a lane.
10.) Any Given Saturday
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Winstar Farm; Padua Stables
Pedigree: N/A
This horse may be a little tired going into the Derby. He lost a hard battle with Street Sense in the Tampa Bay Derby, then Nobiz Like Shobiz ran him ino the ground in the Wood Memorial. He has great talent, but he might be too exhausted in the Derby. If he’s not, he has a great chance.
Other horses entered in the Derby with jockeys:
Dominican – Rafael Bejarano
Storm in May – Juan Leyva
Teuflesberg – Stewart Elliott
Liquidity – David Flores
Bwana Bull – Javier Castellano
Imawildandcrazyguy – Mark Guidry
Zanjero – Shaun Bridgmohan
Sam P. – Ramon Dominguez
Stormello – Kent Desormeaux
Sedgefield – Julien Leparoux
Jockey – Calvin Borel
Trainer – Carl Nafzger
Owner – Jim Tafel LLC
Pedigree – Sire: Street Cry; Dam: Bedazzle
Dark bay almost black colt seems to get better with age. Street Sense won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by ten lengths, the largest winning margin in the history of the race and second longest margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup altogether. As a two year old, Street Sense was still very immature. When he turned three, Carl Nafzger, his trainer, said Street Sense had grown into a man and was no longer an immature boy. Street Sense has never finished worse than third in his life. A good thing that will help him in the Derby is that Churchill Downs is his home and favorite racetrack. Sired by the Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry and out of the mare Bedazzle, he was bred to go a mile and a quarter.
2.) Curlin
Jockey – Robby Albarado
Trainer – Steven Asmussen
Owner – Stonestreet Stables, Padua
Stables, George Bolton
Pedigree – Sire: Smart Strike; Dam:
Sherriff’s Deputy
Undefeated chestnut colt has been very impressive in every start of his career, including a win in the Arkansas Derby by 10½ lengths. If he can just get by Street Sense in the Derby, he can sweep the Triple Crown. Curlin likes to sit slightly off the pace, but the question is out the window how he’ll beat Street Sense at the rival’s home track. Curlin is also trying to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby having not raced at two.
3.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Jockey – Cornelio Velasquez
Trainer – Barclay Tagg
Owner – Elizabeth Valando
Pedigree – Sire: Albert the Great; Dam:
Nightstorm
Nobiz Like Shobiz possesses the kind of pure talent that excites fans of the game. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been rank, fighting his rider for the whole race. That is something he can’t do in the Derby. In the Wood Memorial, his last race, he had to dig down deep to hold off Sightseeing, who was closing fast. He wore himself out by fighting the rider in that race. He needs to relax a little if he’s going to have a good chance of withstanding the mile and a quarter.
4.) Scat Daddy
Jockey – Edgar Prado
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – James Scatuorchio, Michael
Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Johannesburg; Dam: Love
Style
Florida Derby winner figures to follow in the great Barbaro’s footsteps. Scat Daddy is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is the Eclipse Award winning trainer for the third straight year, but has never won a Kentucky Derby (0 for 14). The first stakes winner sired by Johannesburg, Scat Daddy has never finished worse than fourth in his career. The handsome dark bay colt is ridden by Edgar Prado, who just won his second straight Florida Derby and his looking for his second consecutive Kentucky Derby (he rode Barbaro to victory in the 2006 Derby).
5.) Circular Quay
Jockey – John Velazquez
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Michael and Doreen Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Thunder Gulch; Dam:
Circle of Life
This beautiful chestnut colt is another Todd Pletcher horse who is trying to become the first horse in a VERY long time to win the Derby off of an eight-week layoff or longer. He has a tendency to find trouble in his races, and comes from very far behind. When he’s in the clear, he can really run. His sire, Thunder Gulch, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1995, nearly sweeping the Triple Crown.
6.) Cowtown Cat
Jockey – Fernando Jara
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Winstar Farm Bill Casner, et al
and Gulf Coast Farm
Pedigree – Sire: Distorted Humor; Dam:
Tom’s Cat
Impressive winner of the Illinois Derby gets better with every race. ANOTHER Todd Pletcher horse with tons of talent.
7.) Hard Spun
Jockey: Mario Pino
Trainer: Larry Jones
Owner: Fox Hill Farms; Inc.
Pedigree: Sire – Danzig; Dam – Turkish
Tryst
Extremely talented colt has only been beaten once in his career, but that was because he did not like the track. He seems to like Churchill Downs, which is a plus. Hard Spun has posted a bullet fast work at Churchill, and that should help him.
8.) Tiago
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss
Pedigree: N/A
The Santa Anita Derby winner shows talent, but has only won once against G1 company, and that G1 field was extremely soft. Tiago is a half-brother to Giacomo, the 2005 Kentucky Derby winner. Both horses have a similar running style.
9.) Great Hunter
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Trainer: Doug O’ Neill
Owner: J. Paul Reddam
Pedigree: N/A
Robert B. Lewis winner had a bad trip in the Blue Gass Stakes last time out, when Teuflesberg drifted out widely in the stretch, forcing Corey to check him sharply. Was third to Street Sense in the BC Juvenile, and has been shown to approve of Churchill Downs. He will a threat if he gets a lane.
10.) Any Given Saturday
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Winstar Farm; Padua Stables
Pedigree: N/A
This horse may be a little tired going into the Derby. He lost a hard battle with Street Sense in the Tampa Bay Derby, then Nobiz Like Shobiz ran him ino the ground in the Wood Memorial. He has great talent, but he might be too exhausted in the Derby. If he’s not, he has a great chance.
Other horses entered in the Derby with jockeys:
Dominican – Rafael Bejarano
Storm in May – Juan Leyva
Teuflesberg – Stewart Elliott
Liquidity – David Flores
Bwana Bull – Javier Castellano
Imawildandcrazyguy – Mark Guidry
Zanjero – Shaun Bridgmohan
Sam P. – Ramon Dominguez
Stormello – Kent Desormeaux
Sedgefield – Julien Leparoux
133rd Kentucky Derby Field
133rd Kentucky Derby Field
Post Horse Jockey trainer M/L
1.) Sedgefield Julien Leparoux Darrin Miller 50-1
2.) Curlin Robby Albarado Steven Asmussen 7-2
3.) Zanjero Shaun Bridgmohan Steven Asmussen 30-1
4.) Storm In May Juan Leyva William Kaplan 30-1
5.) Imawildandcrazyguy Mark Guidry William Kaplan 50-1
6.) Cowtown Cat Fernando Jara Todd Pletcher 20-1
7.) Street Sense Calvin Borel Carl Nafzger 4-1
8.) Hard Spun Mario Pino Larry Jones 15-1
9.) Liquidity David Flores Doug O’ Neill 30-1
10.) Teuflesberg Stewart Elliott Jamie Sanders 30-1
11.) Bwana Bull Javier Castellano Jerry Hollendorfer 50-1
12.) Nobiz Like Shobiz Cornelio Velasquez Barclay Tagg 8-1
13.) Sam P. Ramon Dominguez Todd Pletcher 20-1
14.) Scat Daddy Edgar Prado Todd Pletcher 10-1
15.) Tiago Mike Smith John Shirreffs 15-1
16.) Circular Quay John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 8-1
17.) Stormello Kent Desormeaux Bill Currin 30-1
18.) Any Given Saturday Garrett Gomez Todd Pletcher 12-1
19.) Dominican Rafael Bejarano Darrin Miller 20-1
20.) Great Hunter Corey Nakatani Doug O’ Neill 15-1
From a handicapping view - - -
Horses with best posts: Street Sense, Hard Spun,
Nobiz Like Shobiz, Cowtown Cat
Horses with worst posts: Sedgefield, Curlin, Great Hunter,
Dominican
Predicted winner – Street Sense
Post Horse Jockey trainer M/L
1.) Sedgefield Julien Leparoux Darrin Miller 50-1
2.) Curlin Robby Albarado Steven Asmussen 7-2
3.) Zanjero Shaun Bridgmohan Steven Asmussen 30-1
4.) Storm In May Juan Leyva William Kaplan 30-1
5.) Imawildandcrazyguy Mark Guidry William Kaplan 50-1
6.) Cowtown Cat Fernando Jara Todd Pletcher 20-1
7.) Street Sense Calvin Borel Carl Nafzger 4-1
8.) Hard Spun Mario Pino Larry Jones 15-1
9.) Liquidity David Flores Doug O’ Neill 30-1
10.) Teuflesberg Stewart Elliott Jamie Sanders 30-1
11.) Bwana Bull Javier Castellano Jerry Hollendorfer 50-1
12.) Nobiz Like Shobiz Cornelio Velasquez Barclay Tagg 8-1
13.) Sam P. Ramon Dominguez Todd Pletcher 20-1
14.) Scat Daddy Edgar Prado Todd Pletcher 10-1
15.) Tiago Mike Smith John Shirreffs 15-1
16.) Circular Quay John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 8-1
17.) Stormello Kent Desormeaux Bill Currin 30-1
18.) Any Given Saturday Garrett Gomez Todd Pletcher 12-1
19.) Dominican Rafael Bejarano Darrin Miller 20-1
20.) Great Hunter Corey Nakatani Doug O’ Neill 15-1
From a handicapping view - - -
Horses with best posts: Street Sense, Hard Spun,
Nobiz Like Shobiz, Cowtown Cat
Horses with worst posts: Sedgefield, Curlin, Great Hunter,
Dominican
Predicted winner – Street Sense
Monday, April 23, 2007
Kentucky Derby - in 12 days!!!!
I am working on some Kentucky Derby prospects and here is a description of the first six:
1.) Street Sense
Jockey – Calvin Borel
Trainer – Carl Nafzger
Owner – Jim Tafel LLC
Pedigree – Sire: Street Cry; Dam: Bedazzle
Dark bay almost black colt seems to get better with age. Street Sense won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by ten lengths, the largest winning margin in the history of the race and second longest margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup altogether. As a two year old, Street Sense was still very immature. When he turned three, Carl Nafzger, his trainer, said Street Sense had grown into a man and was no longer an immature boy. Street Sense has never finished worse than third in his life. A good thing that will help him in the Derby is that Churchill Downs is his home and favorite racetrack. Sired by the Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry and out of the mare Bedazzle, he was bred to go a mile and a quarter.
2.) Curlin
Jockey – Robby Albarado
Trainer – Steven Asmussen
Owner – Stonestreet Stables, Padua
Stables, George Bolton
Pedigree – Sire: Smart Strike; Dam:
Sherriff’s Deputy
Undefeated chestnut colt has been very impressive in every start of his career, including a win in the Arkansas Derby by 10½ lengths. If he can just get by Street Sense in the Derby, he can sweep the Triple Crown. Curlin likes to sit slightly off the pace, but the question is out the window how he’ll beat Street Sense at the rival’s home track. Curlin is also trying to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby having not raced at two.
3.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Jockey – Cornelio Velasquez
Trainer – Barclay Tagg
Owner – Elizabeth Valando
Pedigree – Sire: Albert the Great; Dam:
Nightstorm
Nobiz Like Shobiz possesses the kind of pure talent that excites fans of the game. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been rank, fighting his rider for the whole race. That is something he can’t do in the Derby. In the Wood Memorial, his last race, he had to dig down deep to hold off Sightseeing, who was closing fast. He wore himself out by fighting the rider in that race. He needs to relax a little if he’s going to have a good chance of withstanding the mile and a quarter.
4.) Scat Daddy
Jockey – Edgar Prado
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – James Scatuorchio, Michael
Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Johannesburg; Dam: Love
Style
Florida Derby winner figures to follow in the great Barbaro’s footsteps. Scat Daddy is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is the Eclipse Award winning trainer for the third straight year, but has never won a Kentucky Derby (0 for 14). The first stakes winner sired by Johannesburg, Scat Daddy has never finished worse than fourth in his career. The handsome dark bay colt is ridden by Edgar Prado, who just won his second straight Florida Derby and his looking for his second consecutive Kentucky Derby (he rode Barbaro to victory in the 2006 Derby).
5.) Circular Quay
Jockey – John Velazquez
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Michael and Doreen Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Thunder Gulch; Dam:
Circle of Life
This beautiful chestnut colt is another Todd Pletcher horse who is trying to become the first horse in a VERY long time to win the Derby off of an eight-week layoff or longer. He has a tendency to find trouble in his races, and comes from very far behind. When he’s in the clear, he can really run. His sire, Thunder Gulch, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1995, nearly sweeping the Triple Crown.
6.) Cowtown Cat
Jockey – Fernando Jara
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Winstar Farm Bill Casner, et al
and Gulf Coast Farm
Pedigree – Sire: Distorted Humor; Dam:
Tom’s Cat
Impressive winner of the Illinois Derby gets better with every race. ANOTHER Todd Pletcher horse with tons of talent.
Will be adding more soon!
1.) Street Sense
Jockey – Calvin Borel
Trainer – Carl Nafzger
Owner – Jim Tafel LLC
Pedigree – Sire: Street Cry; Dam: Bedazzle
Dark bay almost black colt seems to get better with age. Street Sense won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by ten lengths, the largest winning margin in the history of the race and second longest margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup altogether. As a two year old, Street Sense was still very immature. When he turned three, Carl Nafzger, his trainer, said Street Sense had grown into a man and was no longer an immature boy. Street Sense has never finished worse than third in his life. A good thing that will help him in the Derby is that Churchill Downs is his home and favorite racetrack. Sired by the Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry and out of the mare Bedazzle, he was bred to go a mile and a quarter.
2.) Curlin
Jockey – Robby Albarado
Trainer – Steven Asmussen
Owner – Stonestreet Stables, Padua
Stables, George Bolton
Pedigree – Sire: Smart Strike; Dam:
Sherriff’s Deputy
Undefeated chestnut colt has been very impressive in every start of his career, including a win in the Arkansas Derby by 10½ lengths. If he can just get by Street Sense in the Derby, he can sweep the Triple Crown. Curlin likes to sit slightly off the pace, but the question is out the window how he’ll beat Street Sense at the rival’s home track. Curlin is also trying to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby having not raced at two.
3.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Jockey – Cornelio Velasquez
Trainer – Barclay Tagg
Owner – Elizabeth Valando
Pedigree – Sire: Albert the Great; Dam:
Nightstorm
Nobiz Like Shobiz possesses the kind of pure talent that excites fans of the game. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been rank, fighting his rider for the whole race. That is something he can’t do in the Derby. In the Wood Memorial, his last race, he had to dig down deep to hold off Sightseeing, who was closing fast. He wore himself out by fighting the rider in that race. He needs to relax a little if he’s going to have a good chance of withstanding the mile and a quarter.
4.) Scat Daddy
Jockey – Edgar Prado
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – James Scatuorchio, Michael
Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Johannesburg; Dam: Love
Style
Florida Derby winner figures to follow in the great Barbaro’s footsteps. Scat Daddy is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is the Eclipse Award winning trainer for the third straight year, but has never won a Kentucky Derby (0 for 14). The first stakes winner sired by Johannesburg, Scat Daddy has never finished worse than fourth in his career. The handsome dark bay colt is ridden by Edgar Prado, who just won his second straight Florida Derby and his looking for his second consecutive Kentucky Derby (he rode Barbaro to victory in the 2006 Derby).
5.) Circular Quay
Jockey – John Velazquez
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Michael and Doreen Tabor
Pedigree – Sire: Thunder Gulch; Dam:
Circle of Life
This beautiful chestnut colt is another Todd Pletcher horse who is trying to become the first horse in a VERY long time to win the Derby off of an eight-week layoff or longer. He has a tendency to find trouble in his races, and comes from very far behind. When he’s in the clear, he can really run. His sire, Thunder Gulch, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1995, nearly sweeping the Triple Crown.
6.) Cowtown Cat
Jockey – Fernando Jara
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Owner – Winstar Farm Bill Casner, et al
and Gulf Coast Farm
Pedigree – Sire: Distorted Humor; Dam:
Tom’s Cat
Impressive winner of the Illinois Derby gets better with every race. ANOTHER Todd Pletcher horse with tons of talent.
Will be adding more soon!
Friday, April 6, 2007
World Cup night wrap-up
The night of the Dubai World Cup was sure exciting. With great entertainment and even better races it was a memorable night. I will now run over the races and winners.
Godolphin Mile
The USA based Spring at Last ridden by Garrett Gomez romped home a winner in the Godolphin Mile. Second went to Parole Board. This win also gives Gomez and Doug O' Neill their very first World Cup night wins.
UAE Derby
We may never see a UAE Derby performance like this again. Asiatic Boy romped home by 9 1/2 lengths, thus sweeping the UAE Triple Crown. He may come to the U. S. for the Breeders' Cup Classic at year's end. He is too old for the American Triple Crown.
Golden Shaheen
It wouldn't be any fun without Frankie Dettori winning one, wouldn't it? Another reason for Kelly's Landing to win. Americans finished one-two-four in the sprint, with Friendly Island second.
Sheema Classic
Hong Kong racing had yet to win a World Cup race heading into March 31st. That all changed when Vengeance of Rain won the Sheema Classic by 1 1/4 lengths. Americans didn't do so well, all finishing near the back of the field.
Duty Free
Lava Man has never won outside of California, and now he never will because he will never leave. When the field broke for the Duty Free, Lava Man went out to the lead under jockey Corey Nakatani. He kept the lead past the half mile pole, but suddenly quit in the stretch. He faded back to last, where he would finish. Meanwhile, Admire Moon, the Japanese invader, was an easy winner.
Dubai World Cup
Going into the race, we all thought it was a two-horse race between reigning Horse of the Year Invasor and the undefeated Discreet Cat. That match race didn't occur between those two, but Invasor still would not be denied. Discreet Cat broke a small step slow, letting Invasor actually break in front of him. Invasor was quickly rated by Fernando Jara while Premium Tap went to the lead. Discreet Cat was having a problem, not showing as much speed as usual. Frankie Dettori was forced to take up the reins near the back of the pack, a place totally unfamiliar to Discreet Cat. Turning into the stretch, Premium Tap still led, but Invasor was gaining on him. He finally managed to pass the other U. S. invader and win by two lengths. Discreet Cat finished last, 23 lengths behind Invasor. It was later found out after the race that Discreet Cat had a throat obstruction, an infection in his respiratory tract. It restricted the air flow to his lungs and barely let him breathe. This is probably why he ran so poorly. I still think he showed gameness in still chasing after the other horses.
Godolphin Mile
The USA based Spring at Last ridden by Garrett Gomez romped home a winner in the Godolphin Mile. Second went to Parole Board. This win also gives Gomez and Doug O' Neill their very first World Cup night wins.
UAE Derby
We may never see a UAE Derby performance like this again. Asiatic Boy romped home by 9 1/2 lengths, thus sweeping the UAE Triple Crown. He may come to the U. S. for the Breeders' Cup Classic at year's end. He is too old for the American Triple Crown.
Golden Shaheen
It wouldn't be any fun without Frankie Dettori winning one, wouldn't it? Another reason for Kelly's Landing to win. Americans finished one-two-four in the sprint, with Friendly Island second.
Sheema Classic
Hong Kong racing had yet to win a World Cup race heading into March 31st. That all changed when Vengeance of Rain won the Sheema Classic by 1 1/4 lengths. Americans didn't do so well, all finishing near the back of the field.
Duty Free
Lava Man has never won outside of California, and now he never will because he will never leave. When the field broke for the Duty Free, Lava Man went out to the lead under jockey Corey Nakatani. He kept the lead past the half mile pole, but suddenly quit in the stretch. He faded back to last, where he would finish. Meanwhile, Admire Moon, the Japanese invader, was an easy winner.
Dubai World Cup
Going into the race, we all thought it was a two-horse race between reigning Horse of the Year Invasor and the undefeated Discreet Cat. That match race didn't occur between those two, but Invasor still would not be denied. Discreet Cat broke a small step slow, letting Invasor actually break in front of him. Invasor was quickly rated by Fernando Jara while Premium Tap went to the lead. Discreet Cat was having a problem, not showing as much speed as usual. Frankie Dettori was forced to take up the reins near the back of the pack, a place totally unfamiliar to Discreet Cat. Turning into the stretch, Premium Tap still led, but Invasor was gaining on him. He finally managed to pass the other U. S. invader and win by two lengths. Discreet Cat finished last, 23 lengths behind Invasor. It was later found out after the race that Discreet Cat had a throat obstruction, an infection in his respiratory tract. It restricted the air flow to his lungs and barely let him breathe. This is probably why he ran so poorly. I still think he showed gameness in still chasing after the other horses.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Scat Daddy - Florida Derby Winner!!
Per ntra.com
Favored Scat Daddy put away his rival Stormello away soon after they reached the stretch and finished strongly to hold off the grinding Notional, capturing the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park in an impressive effort Saturday.
Winner of the track's Fountain of Youth (gr. II) with a breathtaking late run to overcome a wide trip and defeat Stormello by a nose March 3, there was no need for those kind of heroics Saturday from jockey Edgar Prado, who won his sixth race on the Gulfstream card in the Florida Derby.
This time the California invader Stormello, who set a sizzling pace (:23, :46 3/5, 1:10 4/5) under Victor Espinoza, was cooked by the time he led the field into the stretch. Scat Daddy, never far back while stalking the leader three wide, challenged Stormello, who fought back gamely along the inside but could not match strides. Notional, a second Golden State challenger, slowly gained through the stretch after moving into contention on the final turn, but came up one length short of Scat Daddy, who completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in a solid 1:49. Chelokee, who was squeezed off along the inside by Stormello while rallying in the lane for Ramon Dominguez, gathered himself to gain the show spot over Stormello.
Scat Daddy is not expected to race again until the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 5, and will try to duplicate Barbaro's feat of sweeping the Florida and Kentucky Derbys.
Owned by the partnership of Jim Scatuorchio and Michael Tabor and trained by Todd Pletcher, Scat Daddy, the son of Johannesburg-Love Style, by Mr. Prospector, captured last year's Champagne (gr. I) and Sanford Stakes (gr. II) before running fourth, 15 lengths behind Street Sense in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). The dark bay colt ran third in Gulfstream's one-mile Holy Bull (gr. III) Feb. 3 to begin his 3-year-old campaign before returning to capture the nine-furlong FOY one month later. He boasts a 5-1-1 record in eight starts and improved his earnings to $1,334,300 with Saturday's winning purse of $600,000.
With regular rider John Velazquez in Dubai with Pletcher, Prado rode Scat Daddy for the first time. Though Pletcher was blanked during the World Cup meet, he won five races on the Gulfstream card.
Alex Wend bred the winner, a $250,000 Keeneland yearling buy, in Kentucky.
Scat Daddy paid $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Notional, who won the Risen Star (gr. III) at Fair Grounds and the San Rafael (gr. II) in powerful fashion in his last two starts for trainer Doug O'Neill, returned $4.20 and $3, completing a $21.40 exacta. Chelokee, making his stakes debut for trainer Michael Matz -- winner of last year's Florida Derby with Barbaro -- was $3.80 to show.
The Florida Derby winner has gone on to take the Kentucky Derby three times in the past 12 years. Before Barbaro's win last year, Monarchos did it in 2001 and Thunder Gulch in 1995.
Favored Scat Daddy put away his rival Stormello away soon after they reached the stretch and finished strongly to hold off the grinding Notional, capturing the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park in an impressive effort Saturday.
Winner of the track's Fountain of Youth (gr. II) with a breathtaking late run to overcome a wide trip and defeat Stormello by a nose March 3, there was no need for those kind of heroics Saturday from jockey Edgar Prado, who won his sixth race on the Gulfstream card in the Florida Derby.
This time the California invader Stormello, who set a sizzling pace (:23, :46 3/5, 1:10 4/5) under Victor Espinoza, was cooked by the time he led the field into the stretch. Scat Daddy, never far back while stalking the leader three wide, challenged Stormello, who fought back gamely along the inside but could not match strides. Notional, a second Golden State challenger, slowly gained through the stretch after moving into contention on the final turn, but came up one length short of Scat Daddy, who completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in a solid 1:49. Chelokee, who was squeezed off along the inside by Stormello while rallying in the lane for Ramon Dominguez, gathered himself to gain the show spot over Stormello.
Scat Daddy is not expected to race again until the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 5, and will try to duplicate Barbaro's feat of sweeping the Florida and Kentucky Derbys.
Owned by the partnership of Jim Scatuorchio and Michael Tabor and trained by Todd Pletcher, Scat Daddy, the son of Johannesburg-Love Style, by Mr. Prospector, captured last year's Champagne (gr. I) and Sanford Stakes (gr. II) before running fourth, 15 lengths behind Street Sense in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). The dark bay colt ran third in Gulfstream's one-mile Holy Bull (gr. III) Feb. 3 to begin his 3-year-old campaign before returning to capture the nine-furlong FOY one month later. He boasts a 5-1-1 record in eight starts and improved his earnings to $1,334,300 with Saturday's winning purse of $600,000.
With regular rider John Velazquez in Dubai with Pletcher, Prado rode Scat Daddy for the first time. Though Pletcher was blanked during the World Cup meet, he won five races on the Gulfstream card.
Alex Wend bred the winner, a $250,000 Keeneland yearling buy, in Kentucky.
Scat Daddy paid $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Notional, who won the Risen Star (gr. III) at Fair Grounds and the San Rafael (gr. II) in powerful fashion in his last two starts for trainer Doug O'Neill, returned $4.20 and $3, completing a $21.40 exacta. Chelokee, making his stakes debut for trainer Michael Matz -- winner of last year's Florida Derby with Barbaro -- was $3.80 to show.
The Florida Derby winner has gone on to take the Kentucky Derby three times in the past 12 years. Before Barbaro's win last year, Monarchos did it in 2001 and Thunder Gulch in 1995.
Invasor did it again!!
Invasor, 2006 Horse of the Year in the U.S., added a win in the Dubai World Cup to his growing list of accomplishments, wearing down a game Premium Tap to win the 12th running of the $6 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday at Nad Al Sheba.
Discreet Cat suffered his first career loss in the race, finishing last in the seven-horse field, beaten 23 lengths by the victorious Invasor. Bullish Luck, who was making his first start on dirt, finished third, followed by Vermilion, Forty Licks, Candidate, and the trailing Discreet Cat. Invasor's time of 1:59.97 for 2,000 meters is the second-fastest time in race history behind Dubai Millennium's 1:59.50 in 2000.
Discreet Cat suffered his first career loss in the race, finishing last in the seven-horse field, beaten 23 lengths by the victorious Invasor. Bullish Luck, who was making his first start on dirt, finished third, followed by Vermilion, Forty Licks, Candidate, and the trailing Discreet Cat. Invasor's time of 1:59.97 for 2,000 meters is the second-fastest time in race history behind Dubai Millennium's 1:59.50 in 2000.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Florida Derby and Dubai World Cup
Saturday, March 31, 2007, is the Florida Derby and Dubai World Cup. Last year's Florida Derby was when my daughter and I first saw Barbaro and knew he was one special horse. I will be back soon to update about these exciting races...
Monday, March 26, 2007
Kentucky Derby prospects
My daughter is an avid horse racing fan. Below she describes prospects, although I believe Ravel is no longer a prospect.
As March turns to April, horse racing fans everywhere are thinking Derby. The first Saturday in May is the ultimate goal for every horse, trainer, owner, and jockey. After Saturday and Sunday's hot stakes action, I have finally made my list of the top ten horses I think have a chance to win the Derby.
1.) Street Sense
This tall, handsome dark bay colt is an excellent horse. He proved on Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby against Any Given Saturday that the ten length Breeders' Cup Juvenile win was no fluke. I could not believe Calvin Borel got him through that itsy-bitsy spot on the rail. I do believe he can go the mile and a quarter of the Derby. I watched him win the Juvenile in person and there was just this presence about him.
2.) Circular Quay
Chestnut son of Thunder Gulch has a tendency to find trouble in his races, but when he was clear in the Louisiana Derby, he passed the leaders easily and went on to win. Has a nice closing stride and would have won the Juvenile if it hadn't been for Street Sense.
3.) Notional
I have taken a liking to this horse. His wins in the Risen Star and San Rafael Stakes were eye-catching. He has a gleam in his eye that is hard to miss. Though he didn't do as well as a two-year-old, he is hitting his good stride at three and trainers like that. Will face some serious competition in the Florida Derby against Scat Daddy.
4.) (T) Scat Daddy, Great Hunter
Scat Daddy is a class Pletcher horse that knows how to find the wire just in time. He was an impressive winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, barely beating Stormello by a nose hair. The dark bay colt is the first stakes winner sired by two-year-old champion Johannesburg.
Great Hunter showed incredible closing speed in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Has beaten Circular Quay and Street Sense, but has also lost to them in their most recent meeting. Likes the polytack of Keeneland, but that won't come into play at Churchill Downs, where the Derby is held and where he finished third to Street Sense and Circular Quay.
5.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Dark bay son of Albert the Great is most effective around seven furlongs and still erratic when stretching out to a mile. Doesn't handle two turns too well and lugs in and out in the stretch. Trainer Barclay Tagg says the horse can be "dumb" and "goofy", but still possesses the kind of raw talent that excites fans. He works in blinkers now and that has appeared to help a little. Impressive winner of the Remsen Stakes at two and the Holy Bull this year.
6.) Cobalt Blue
This chestnut colt is the newly crowned winner of the San Felipe Stakes. Some still believe he has something to prove against better horses, but I like him. He has had four different jockeys in his short four-race career, but now has a confident rider in Victor Espinoza. Could prove more if he goes to the Illinois Derby.
7.) Any Given Saturday
This other Todd Pletcher trainee puts in a good effort every time. Was second to Street Sense by an inch in the Tampa Bay Derby. Any Given Saturday had to go four wide while Street Sense had a ground-saving rail trip. He showed some guts in fighting the reigning two-year-old champion down to the wire.
8.) Stormello
The son of Stormy Atlantic has a typical front-running style that usually doesn't go very far in the Derby. Jockey Kent Desormeaux believes he will be a mile and a quarter horse. He showed he can handle two turns by just barely losing to Scat Daddy in the F. O. Y. Stakes by a centimeter.
9.) Ravel
Impressive winner of the Sham Stakes will face some heavy competition in the Santa Anita Derby, but definitely shows raw talent.
10.) Hard Spun
This bay colt started his racing career at 4-0, but came in fourth in the Southwest Stakes to Teuflesberg. He didn't seem to like the racing surface at Oaklawn, though, and will likely make his next appearance in the Lane's End Stakes.
Other horses of consideration: Song of Navarone, Air Commander, Curlin, Liquidity, Sam P., Sports Town, King of the Roxy, Forefathers, Adore the Gold, Chelokee, Teuflesberg, Summer Doldrums, Flying First Class, Rags to Riches (filly).
Although all these horses are outstanding, none will ever compare to Barbaro, who sadly lost his life after winning the Kentucky Derby by 6 3/4 lengths after a battle with laminitis and other problems after breaking his leg in the Preakness Stakes. He would have never been beaten if he wouldn't have been hurt, and he is in many a heart one of the greatest horses of all time. He would have gone on to win the Triple Crown and probably Breeders' Cup Classic, and deserves to be honored in Racing's Hall of Fame.
For Barbaro, who will always be remembered.
As March turns to April, horse racing fans everywhere are thinking Derby. The first Saturday in May is the ultimate goal for every horse, trainer, owner, and jockey. After Saturday and Sunday's hot stakes action, I have finally made my list of the top ten horses I think have a chance to win the Derby.
1.) Street Sense
This tall, handsome dark bay colt is an excellent horse. He proved on Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby against Any Given Saturday that the ten length Breeders' Cup Juvenile win was no fluke. I could not believe Calvin Borel got him through that itsy-bitsy spot on the rail. I do believe he can go the mile and a quarter of the Derby. I watched him win the Juvenile in person and there was just this presence about him.
2.) Circular Quay
Chestnut son of Thunder Gulch has a tendency to find trouble in his races, but when he was clear in the Louisiana Derby, he passed the leaders easily and went on to win. Has a nice closing stride and would have won the Juvenile if it hadn't been for Street Sense.
3.) Notional
I have taken a liking to this horse. His wins in the Risen Star and San Rafael Stakes were eye-catching. He has a gleam in his eye that is hard to miss. Though he didn't do as well as a two-year-old, he is hitting his good stride at three and trainers like that. Will face some serious competition in the Florida Derby against Scat Daddy.
4.) (T) Scat Daddy, Great Hunter
Scat Daddy is a class Pletcher horse that knows how to find the wire just in time. He was an impressive winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, barely beating Stormello by a nose hair. The dark bay colt is the first stakes winner sired by two-year-old champion Johannesburg.
Great Hunter showed incredible closing speed in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Has beaten Circular Quay and Street Sense, but has also lost to them in their most recent meeting. Likes the polytack of Keeneland, but that won't come into play at Churchill Downs, where the Derby is held and where he finished third to Street Sense and Circular Quay.
5.) Nobiz Like Shobiz
Dark bay son of Albert the Great is most effective around seven furlongs and still erratic when stretching out to a mile. Doesn't handle two turns too well and lugs in and out in the stretch. Trainer Barclay Tagg says the horse can be "dumb" and "goofy", but still possesses the kind of raw talent that excites fans. He works in blinkers now and that has appeared to help a little. Impressive winner of the Remsen Stakes at two and the Holy Bull this year.
6.) Cobalt Blue
This chestnut colt is the newly crowned winner of the San Felipe Stakes. Some still believe he has something to prove against better horses, but I like him. He has had four different jockeys in his short four-race career, but now has a confident rider in Victor Espinoza. Could prove more if he goes to the Illinois Derby.
7.) Any Given Saturday
This other Todd Pletcher trainee puts in a good effort every time. Was second to Street Sense by an inch in the Tampa Bay Derby. Any Given Saturday had to go four wide while Street Sense had a ground-saving rail trip. He showed some guts in fighting the reigning two-year-old champion down to the wire.
8.) Stormello
The son of Stormy Atlantic has a typical front-running style that usually doesn't go very far in the Derby. Jockey Kent Desormeaux believes he will be a mile and a quarter horse. He showed he can handle two turns by just barely losing to Scat Daddy in the F. O. Y. Stakes by a centimeter.
9.) Ravel
Impressive winner of the Sham Stakes will face some heavy competition in the Santa Anita Derby, but definitely shows raw talent.
10.) Hard Spun
This bay colt started his racing career at 4-0, but came in fourth in the Southwest Stakes to Teuflesberg. He didn't seem to like the racing surface at Oaklawn, though, and will likely make his next appearance in the Lane's End Stakes.
Other horses of consideration: Song of Navarone, Air Commander, Curlin, Liquidity, Sam P., Sports Town, King of the Roxy, Forefathers, Adore the Gold, Chelokee, Teuflesberg, Summer Doldrums, Flying First Class, Rags to Riches (filly).
Although all these horses are outstanding, none will ever compare to Barbaro, who sadly lost his life after winning the Kentucky Derby by 6 3/4 lengths after a battle with laminitis and other problems after breaking his leg in the Preakness Stakes. He would have never been beaten if he wouldn't have been hurt, and he is in many a heart one of the greatest horses of all time. He would have gone on to win the Triple Crown and probably Breeders' Cup Classic, and deserves to be honored in Racing's Hall of Fame.
For Barbaro, who will always be remembered.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Kentucky Derby - in 42 days!!!!
Getting so excited about the Kentucky Derby. Will be back shortly to discuss prospects.
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