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HHLou's
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Daily News and Thoughts: Pictured above is the view of the famed twin spires from the Clocker's stand on the backside at Churchill Downs. May 22, 2006 We saw a very sad development in the Triple Crown on Saturday when Barbaro broke down leaving the gate on Saturday. It was a sad day for racing but that's racing. In my forty years on the race track I have witnessed many break downs of both good horses and cheap horses. It is sad that this fine colt has been injured and faces a serious chance of losing his life, but as I said that is one of the realities of racing. I myself think that this could have been prevented if the vet working the gate had of exercised his due diligence. I saw two reasons why they should have looked him over before putting him back in the gate after he broke through. One was that Prado had warmed this colt up more than usual before the race which made me think that he might have been showing some stiffness and Prado was trying to get him loosened up. The second thing I saw was that he took a bad step with his right hind as they led him back to the gate. He seemed to be trying to tell some one he was hurting. I guess there is a lot of blame to go around on this incident and I am sure there will be some soul searching around the tracks in the world trying to find out what happened, but the sad thing is that it is basically horse racing. Horses of all calibers break down and the only reason he is alive today is because he is a Derby winner and and a very valuable horse. That is the reason they are trying to save him without a thought what the cost will be and the vet said that he never saw an injury like this because most horse who have serious injuries like this never make it to the hospital because they are put down on the track. Let's all say a prayer and hope that he makes it. March 17, With the uproar about the milk shaking out west we are finally getting some attention on the drug problem that exists from coast to coast, We as players have long been what Jeff Mullins called idiots and addicts. Whether we want to admit it or not, Jeff was correct. Most horse players I know don't even worry about what goes on behind the scenes they just continue to bet into the pools like they know something. I admit I have been doing it for forty years and still continue to try and beat an unbeatable game. When the trainer in California Valida Cerin said that the owners who pays the bills are the only ones who need to know if a horse has had an operation that will make him breath better he tipped his hand. Trainers regularly do things to horses to improve their performances and we as players are not privy to that information. For instance, how many times have you seen on a program that a horse has been gelded since his last start? That is the ultimate equipment change, but we never hear about it until he has ran a couple times. Sometimes in California they will announce it, but those of us playing in the simulcast centers across the country don't hear that tidbit of information. There are many more things being done to horses than milk shaking, but we will never hear about it. I for one think it is time for the treating vet to be posted on the program. Some of you have made disparaging remarks about me on other boards, but every thing I print I can prove. Let's face facts, we are playing in a fixed game and doing it everyday. Nothing is going to change, sure some jurisdictions are going to make noises like they are doing things to fix the game, but truth be told, they don't want to shut down their cash cow. Jeff Mullins and Dale Romans are cheaters and you can't prove me wrong, but we will keep betting into his pools so he can live high and mighty in California and call us idiots and addicts and we will do nothing about it. If you have anything you want to discuss with me, don't put it on the New Orleans board or somewhere else. E-mail me at hhlou@aol.com. Be a man, don't hide behind screen names.
December 11, It is that time of year when we try to out think the so called experts and figure out who should get the Eclipse awards. Mine are as follows: 2yo filly- This one is a nom brainier as Sweet Cantomine stands alone in this category. 2yo male- This one is wide open for debate, but it seems that if Declan's Moon wins the Hollywood Futurity he will be the winner. If he should get beat, then we have several candidates including Rockport Harbor, Wilko, Afleet Alex and Defer. 3yo filly- Ashado seems to have this hands down as she won both the KY Oaks and the BC Distaff. 3yo colt- Another lock in Smarty Jones who wowed us in his Triple Crown run. Older filly or mare- You can choose either Sightseek or Azeri and not be to far wrong. Personally, I choose Azeri. Her run in the BC Classic wasn't all that bad against the best older horses in training. Older Male- Ghostzapper was outstanding and gets my vote here. Sprinter- Speightstown-His only loss came in the Vosburg where he stumbled at the start. Other than that he was perfect. Turf F & M-This one was a hands down winner also in Ouija Board. Her run in the F&M Turf at the BC was awesome and she is just a 3yo. Wait until next year. Turf Male- Although I am not a big fan of his connections, Kitten's Joy was very good all year including the rough trip he had in the BC Turf. Steeplechaser- I can't give you a winner here because I never saw enough of them over the year. Trainer- Todd Pletcher. He had a great year and although Steve Asmussen set a record for wins, Todd competed at a higher level all year and was very solid. Jockey- John Velasquez- Riding first call for Pletcher may have helped his cause, but he was consistent and has a chance to break Jerry Bailey's earnings record. Apprentice rider- Brian Hernandez wins this hands down. A solid young rider with a future. Breeder- Ken and Sarah Ramsey. They bred both Kitten's joy and Rose's In May who both had great years along with a lot of other top stock. Owner- This one so close, but I giveit to Frank Stronach. He bred Ghostzapper and raced him at a high level all year. Horse Of The Year- This one is a toss up. Either you go for the early part of the year or the fall. I go for Smarty Jones because what he did for the sport through the Triple Crown. Now we get to look forward and hope for the 2yos to turn into winning 3yos. We have Declan's Moon who at this writing is undefeated. How about Wilko who shipped over from Europe to win then BC Juvenile? Rockport harbor is trained by John Servis who trained Smarty Jones to thrill us early in the year, but he suffered a nasty cut in the Remsen and it will be a couple months before we see if he comes out of it OK. What about the New York bred Galloping Grocer? He had a pretty nice year and pushed Rockport Harbor pretty had in the Remsen. Add to that Defer, the Danzig colt who won the Laurel Futurity, Rush Bay who was 2nd in the KY Jockey Club at Churchill. Maybe we can add Boston Glory to our list, or Premium Tap or Shorty Knudtson trained by John Kimmel. A few more newcomers to watch, Noble Causeway, Benjamin Baby, Get Down, Harington, High Fly, Wahran, I'magambler, and One Smart Deputy. One last one we must have on our list is Fusaichi Samurai. He is 15-1 in Bally's future book and hasn't even started. He does start this weekend, so let the hype begin.
May 15, I know Howard Dennis very well and I agree with him 100% when he posted on the Derby list about drugs in racing today. The drugs issue is one that must be addressed, but I doubt it will happen soon. He now still works his magic with Dale Romans' horses on a daily basis year round. He simply takes over as barn when he runs it, doing the work on every horse and charging inflated prices. Romans is just a figure head trainer now as Allday is the man in that barn. When Dr, Harthill comes out against him then it is really bad. Like I said, I agree that something must be done, but with simulcast racing and year round racing the officials of most tracks don't want to do anything that will slow down racing. The come back from trainers and vets is always that they need medication to keep their horses sound. That is why we don't have many trainers coming on the scene as we do vets with a chemist degree running the show of young trainers. I tried to get an organization started a few years back with the horse players, but as always they do not care what is going on with their betting dollar, they just want action. Until the betting dollar is interrupted, things will go on as status quo. That is the way I see it from where I set. July 17, It won't be long now and Saratoga and Del Mar will start their premier summer meets. It will pay off big dividends to know the players at each meet. At Saratoga we will have Todd Pletcher leading the way with his high powered barn full of not only top handicap horses but a strong contingent of 2yos to draw from. In every outfit you have a group of talented people behind the scenes who keep then outfit running. In Todd's place his has his father the very solid horseman in Jake Pletcher. Jake runs a farm in Ocala and sends out 2yos ready to run. Steve Asmussen is another that bears watching, He leads the nation in wins so far this year and is a run away winner at most meets he sets his sights on. He already has 5 training titles to his credit this year with wins at Fair Grounds, Sam Houston, Sunland Park, Keeneland, Churchill and has his sights set on more with strings at Arlington and 30 head on the way to Saratoga. Dale Romans is another that must be reckoned with as long as he stays connected to Dr. Steve Allday. Allday runs Romans' barn and does a very good job of it. It pays to know which vet is doing the work if you get my drift. Dr. Allday was the driving force behind the rise and fall of Patrick Bryne in his brief but meteoric rise to prominence. When they had a falling out, Byrne's stock dropped tremendously. Nick Zito is a solid horseman, but he listens to a local druggist in Louisville as to what to give his horses to keep them competitive. The game today is a chemist's dream and you either play by those rules or finish up the track. In California, Bob Baffert was known in his early days to use anything he could get by with to further his cause and I for one don't think much has changed with him. Then tests are better, but the cheaters get smarter as time goes on. My advice, be careful out there, the water is dangerous for bettors that don't figure in the use of drugs in their handicapping. That
is the way I see it from where I set.
July 2, Tomorrow’s 15th running of the Grade II Firecracker Breeders Cup has drawn a solid field of good grass horses. We have a field of nine going one mile on the turf course at Churchill. Below are the entries and comments: 1. Royal Spy- Robby Albarado- This one is a solid performer who was 3rd in his last start at Keeneland. He as off a year since he won the Makers Mark last year. He has had three starts this year, flashing speed in all three races and stopping. Speed is always dangerous and must be considered with his connections. 2. Puget Sound- Daniel Coa- Has a win over this course in early May but that was a non-winners other than. This is a big step up for him. I doubt he will have an impact. 3. Senor Swinger- Pat Day- Trained by Bob Baffert, this four year old colt by El Prado is undefeated here at Churchill. He is definitely the horse to beat. 4. Perfect Soul- Larry Melancon- Winner of the Makers Mark at Keeneland he ran up the track in the Turf Classic on Derby Day, but is the program favorite here. I think he is a bet against as rain is predicted and he seems to not like a soft course. A very good bet against. 5. On The Course- John McKee- Ships in from Arlington with a solid record. A dangerous long shot. 6. Mr. Kinsley- Craig Perret- Has ran some solid races against lesser company but has a shot to hit the board. 7. Quantum Merit- Shane Sellers- Ships in fron New York off of two ins, dangerous. 8. Everything To Gain- Mark Guidry- Has two wins from six starts over Churchill’s turf course. Would be a surprise if he won, but could hit the board. 9. Majestic Thief- Jose Castanon-Another one with a solid record over Churchill’s turf course, with three wins, two seconds and two thirds from eight starts. His numbers are a little light, but could be close. I lie number four, Senor Swinger in here as he has shown a liking for this course and gets Pat Day. I am going to use him with Royal Spy, Perfect Soul, On The Course, Quantum Merit and Everything To Gain. The play looks like this, #3 with 1-4-5-7-8 first and second in the tris and exactas.
June 10, This year’s Triple Crown is over and we are left again with a empty feeling as Smarty Jones gave it a great effort but came up 1/5 of a second short of getting the job done. We can make excuses for him, but the final reason most likely was that he just didn’t have anything left after the 3 races in a row and the 1 ½ mile was just a little too much for him. Now we shift our focus to the Breeders Cup in the Fall at Lone Star Park and await to see if Smarty is good enough to take on older horses. Word is from Philadelphia is that he will most likely try the Haskell at Monmouth and then the Pa. Derby at his home track on Labor Day before trying the older horses in the Breeders Cup Classic. He could have one race against older horses before the BC, but n nothing is set in stone yet. Smarty has done a lot of good for racing and we must all remember that he is a horse and horses get out run sometimes. Don’t blame Jerry Bailey or anyone else for his downfall, it just wasn’t meant to be. Stay tuned now for the rest of the year we will have Saratoga in the summer to discuss plus all the races leading up to the Breeders Cup. All this information will be in the members area as well as a free pick daily from New York. We are well ahead of the game so far for the year so get on board for a fee of only $10 a month by signing up through the PayPal loge on the front page. Good luck, and as always, wager wisely.
May 21, Are you ready for a huge Smarty party? I am and so is most of the country as we try to get through three weeks before we move on to Elmont, NY with our new hero. Most of Philadelphia will be there and many others from across the country. We have made this trip 5 times in the past 7 years and came away disappointed, but I think we will be vindicated this time. Smarty Jones is a smallish colt, only standing 15.2 hands with the looks of a sprinter, but looks are deceiving. He has done everything asked of him in his career, winning eight races at five different tracks over eight different distances, defeating 77 rivals in the process by a total of 47 ¾ lengths. He is a very tractable horse, breaking sharp and doing whatever his rider wants to gain the upper hand on the opposition. He has now ran the past four races in the same fashion, breaking sharp, getting position and putting all rivals away as they turn for home with ease. The Smarty story line is a feel good one from the owners who are up in age and one in a wheel chair on oxygen, the trainer who is a small time trainer with the weight of the world on his shoulders right now, but seeming to handle it well. The rider’s past was brought up as the media always have to dig for dirt in any story, but Stewart Elliot has shut them up with his truthful responses and forthright answers. The only sorry thing about this Triple Crown seems to come from California where racing’s bad boy Patrick Valenzuela who just settled his case for failing to live up to his contract with the stewards is now considering filing another appeal so he can ride Rock Hard Ten in the Belmont. Will it never end with this guy? He continues to beat the system and here again is a blatant attempt to circumvent the rules of racing. I for one are tired of Mr. P. Val and all his BS. Stand up and take your medicine. Enough of that, I don’t want to ruin this great story about them little horse that could. I will be rooting for him on June 5 like no one else. It is time we had a champion we can hang out hats on. Go Smarty go!!!!
April 19, Updated earnings list for the Derby through today: Kentucky
Derby 130 - Earnings in Graded Stakes April 13, Kentucky
Derby 130 - Earnings in Graded Stakes April 11, All but one of the Derby preps are over and we finally have an idea who will be favored. Yesterday's big three races left us with three top contenders and maybe more. First of all, Tapit was very impressive in winning the Wood Memorial but we must wait and see how he comes out of the race as he was just getting over a serious lung infection and could suffer a set-back from his race yesterday. Let's hope that doesn't happen as he is an exciting horse to watch. In the Blue Grass, The Cliff's Edge was also impressive closing from far back to get the money. It looks like Zito is going to get to the Derby finally with a little luck as he has had a long spring. In Arkansas, the winner, Smarty Jones is the people's choice as the PA bred son of Exclusive Quality just keeps winning and doing it with a relatively unknown rider aboard. His trainer said after the race that there will be no change for the Derby alluding to Tony D'Amico being taken off of a top contender last year. This colt is undefeated and his last two races have been extremely impressive. Add to the mix Master David who was second in the Wood, Lion Heart second in the Blue Grass and Borrego second in the Arkansas Derby and we have some nice horses for the run for the roses on May first. Now is the time of year I wait for as they must all come to me and train here at Churchill Downs for their final three weeks. I will be watching all the works and taking pictures which I will be posting in my Members area for you to enjoy as the big day approaches. For just $10 you can join for a month and enjoy the show. Sign up thru the PayPal logo on the top of the front page and get your username and password so you don't miss any of the action.
March 12, This weekend's round of 3yo races will give us a little more insight on who is a contender and who is a pretender. Headed up by the $1,000,000 Grade I Florida Derby we should see some fireworks in the division. On the west coast we will have last year's 2yo champion make his second start of the year in Sunday's San Felipe at SAnta Anita. His first race was just a prep race and he was ridden that way with David Flores setting still for most of the race and then closing wide into slow fractions to be 4th beaten a little over 2 lengths. I look for a much more aggressive ride in Sunday's race as it is time to get serious if you want to win the Derby. Back to the Florida Derby, we have a solid field of 10 with the leading contender in Florida in the race. Read The Footnotes trained by Rick Violette ran a huge race in the Fountain Of Youth and should be tough to handle here if he didn't knock himself out with that performance. Nick Zito sends one of his contenders with The Cliffs Edge who comes in off a 2nd place finish in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs in his last where he lost a lot of ground at the short price of 1/2.Zito comments that he thinks this colt can hold his own with anyone and will be tough in the race. Shane Sellers ships in from the Fair Grounds to ride. The field is as follows: 1. The Cliff's Edge Shane Sellers 6-1 2. Friends Lake R. Migliore 20-1 3. Read The Footnotes J. Bailey 7/5 4.Tapit E. Prado 7/2 5. Farnum Alley P. Day 50-1 6. Sir Oscar J. Garcia 20-1 7. Notorious Rouge J. Bravo 30-1 8. Value Plus J. Velasquez 9/5 9. Frisky Spider E. King 50-1 10. Smoocher J. Santos 20-1 This race sets up as a rider's race as both Value Plus and Frisky Spider have blazing speed. Frisky Spider was undefeated until he ran in the Fountain Of Youth and adds blinkers which means he will be gunning for the lead. Value Plus was a very impressive winner in an allowance race on the under card Fountain Of Youth day and could be very dangerous if he can set just off Frisky Spider and get the jump on Read The Footnotes. Another very dangerous horse is Tapit who is trained by the "mad genius" Michael Dickinson who has this undefeated colt ready off a series of works at his own training center in Maryland. Dickinson is well know for his magical training feats and if he thinks Tapit is ready then he must be watched. He did say that this is not a race to win at all costs and that could mean he is merely running him to get him ready for bigger things up the road. My take on the race is Value Plus is the one to beat if he can get the distance. I am going to key him first and second with The Cliff's Edge, Friends Lake,Read The Footnotes, Tapit. The numbers are 8 with 1-2-3-4 first and second. On the under card we have the Swale Stakes with Zito's Eurosilver heading up the race. He is joined by Todd Pletcher's Chapel Royal. Zito is looking forward to Kentucky and the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland with this colt. It is getting to the interesting time of the year as the 3yos that are going to be ready for May first must start showing there talent. I still think that the Derby winner will come out of either the Wood Memorial or the Blue Grass Stakes that are both ran on the same day in April. Stay tuned right here as we will be watching when the contenders get to Churchill for their final preps for this year's Derby. This is the last posting here until after the Triple Crown so if you want to enjoy my following of the road through the Triple Crown you will have to sign up in the members area by clicking on the PayPal logo and paying $10.00 per month with your credit card. You will not only get all the scoop on the 3yos but everyday there will be a free selection in the members area. Sign up, it is money well spent. I don't like to brag but you made a nice score if you followed my selections the 8 with 1-2-3-4 first and second. The exacta paid $221.50, the tri paid $1,052.10 and the super paid $3,004.00. The numbers came back 2-8-1-3.
January 17, The quest for the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown gets underway today with two major prep races, one in Florida at Gulfstream Park in the Holy Bull Stakes and the other at Santa Anita in the Santa Catalina Stakes. In Florida the race is headed up by Second Of June who is coming into the race off a five length win in Calder's What A Pleasure Stakes where he defeated the favorite Silver Wagon. Silver Wagon also returns in this race and is capable of turning things around as trainer Ralph Ziadie said he wasn't fit for the December 13th race. Jerry Bailey returns aboard Silver Wagon so he must be taken seriously. Second Of June is a late foal as he is named for his birthday so he is behind the others as far as age goes. Silver Wagon was a very impressive winner last year at Saratoga in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes. Another interesting colt is the New York bred colt Friends Lake who comes in off a win in the Sleepy Hollow at Belmont. Interestingly enough that is the same route that Funny Cide took last year in his quest for the Derby. Trained by John Kimmel he is by A. P. Indy and out of a million dollar winning mare Antespend. Nick Zito has another Derby prospect to add to his collection in El Prado Rob giving him four prospects along with Birdstone, Eurosilver and Cliff's Edge. He had a rough trip in the Remsen in his last start, stumbling at the start and then being bumped around during the race to finish sixth. Another interesting colt is Hopefortheroses, a half brother to Florida Derby winner Hal's Hope. He comes in off a win at two turns at Calder in an allowance race. The race seems to be wide open, but I am sticking with my favorite from last year in Silver Wagon. He is trained by a top trainer in Ralph Ziadie and most likely needed the What A Pleasure race. It is hard to get fired up by these races because horses turning three have a tendency to improve in leaps and bounds so don't be surprised if someone new jumps up and throws his hat in to the ring. At Santa Anita the race is headed up by Master David who was the runner up in the Remsen after shipping over from Europe. Formerly trained by Brian Meehan, he is in the hands of record setting trainer Bobby Frankel now and looks like the colt to beat. John Velasquez ships out from Florida to ride him so that means somebody likes him. The favorite however is St. Averil who was second in the Hollywood Futurity behind Lion Heart. He is ridden by Tyler Baze and must be respected. That's An Outrage who was third in the Hollywood Futurity is also entered with Gary Stevens aboard. This race looks as wide open as the Florida race, but I will bite the bullet and take a chance with longshot Preachinathebar trained by Bob Baffert who comes in off a maiden win.. It is going to be a long five months until May so stay tuned as we track the prospects and see where it leads us. I am putting this edition on this page, but the rest of the Triple Crown coverage will be in the members area for the paying customers. Sorry, but I have to pay for the page.
January 1, 2004 We start a new year and the beginning of a year of hopes for the newly turned 3yos and their Derby chances. The same cast is loaded for bear once again with Nick Zito being hailed as having the best group. Baffert is loaded as usual and of course Wayne Lukas has plenty of young horses to start the year with. Add in Todd Pletcher, Ralph Ziadie and a few others and it should be an interesting year. Aside from the 3yos we have a few problems we should address. The rampart use of drugs goes on unchecked as the bad guys stay ahead of the good guys in the race for the winners circle. Certain vets are on top of the list as being the ones who are most wanted to work on the big name outfits. For the sake of legal concerns I can't name names, but you can figure it out if you watch the papers close enough. When trainers turn over their barns to a vet to run the horses where ever he wants and let him do all the work while you don't show up at the barn to mid-morning, then something is wrong. In Kentucky we have an outfit who has risen to prominence and the trainer was just a so so horseman until this certain vet took over his barn. The sad thing about it is that they are training for the heads of the racing commission so the game gets even more sour. Racing has always been a game where the guy with the best "stuff" got the job done and it is just getting worse as the technology gets better and better. The states don't have or won't spend the money to fight the game the way it should so they are outmannned before the game starts. Hopefully things will work out and some of the cheaters will get caught and be slowed down. The commission here in Kentucky has now instituted a new test that pretty much covers every thing out there, but the problem is the cost of testing for certain things. With the vets being told what they are testing for before they run then they can use the right drug on any given day. It is a sorry mess and only going to get worse. Stay tuned, I will print the truth as I know it when it happens, what are they going to do, sue me? That's funny. October 11, I was out bright and early this morning to watch Perfect Drift have his final work for the Breeders Cup Classic. He did it in fine style on the 7/8 mile training facility track that Churchill has across town from it's main track. He went 5/8 in 1:01 1/5 and galloped out the 3/4 in 1:13 3/5 and finished the 7/8ths in 1:26 1/5. It was the way he did it that impressed me. Jockey Joe Deegan who is his regular workout partner was aboard and he didn't let him run an inch until the 1/8 pole and he finished with a florish, moving like a machine. He could have went much faster in my eye but they got just what they wanted out of the work. Trainer Murray Johnson was jovial as he came by me on his spotted pony along side his star. I have known Murray for many years and he was kidding me about not being out much any more but concerned about my health. He is a good guy and I wish him the best of luck in California. Below are a few pictures I got of him but I couldn't get any close ups, sorry.
September 6, The preps for the Breeders Cup start in earnest today as Belmont runs three Grade I events back to back as the 7th-8th and 9th races. In the first one carded as the 7th we have the Grade I Gazelle with Lady Tak the morning line favorite, but she has some competition. Spoken Fur from Bobby Frankles's barn is on the rail and the Alabama winner Island Fashion in the three hole. Jerry Bailey in a rare move does not ride Frankle's horse but instead is on Lady Tak. Cornelio Velasquez replaces him on Spoken Fur. John Velasquez returns aboard Island Fashion. Another danger is Alchemist from Shug McGaghey's barn with Edgar Prado. This is a very good race, but I am leaning toward Island Fashion. In the 8th race we have the Grade I Man Of War with Frankle's Denon as the morning line favorite. He has some competition also Lunar Soverign from Kiran McLaughin's barn. From across the pond we have the mighty barn of Adrian O'Brien in Carpanetto with Edgar Prado aboard. This is a wide open affair and I am going to use Denon and Carpaneeto in exactas and tris with several others. In the ninth race we have a very good race with only five entries in the Grade I Woodward stakes with Minshaft the 2/5 favorite. O'Brien shps another across the pond in the impressive Hold That Tiger from last year's Breeders Cup Juvenile. It will be interesting to see how good he is. It is going to be a great day of racing and a lot of fun. We could make a nice little pick-3 to make it more interesting. use the following numbers, 1-3-5-8 with 2-5. Good luck, and as always, wager wisely.
August 5, August looks to be a very good month for racing. First of all we have Azeri trying to stretch her winning streak to 11 as she goes Sunday August 10 in the Clement Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar with 127 pounds. She figures to draw a small contingent of opponents as she has beat up on most of the fillies and mares in California and no one from the east is going to ship across country to take her on in her own back yard. On August 23rd we will have the Travers with Empire Maker trying to regain his winning form after being beaten Sunday in the Jim Dandy. Strong Hope the colt with five straight wins will return, but the distance of 1 1/4 miles might be a little too far for the $1.7 million yearling purchase. He will be in front, but the distance is suspect. Joining him will be Sky Mesa who was 2nd in the Haskell on Sunday, Eye Of The Tiger, Jerry Hollendorfer's colt shipping across country from Del Mar along with Ten Most Wanted to take them on. The Derby winner Funny Cide came out of the Haskell with a temperature and a swollen eye so he is doubtful to make the race. So it should be a small but loaded field for the race. Haskel winner Peace Rules will ship out west to take on his elders on the Pacific Classic on August 24th. That should be a very good race with Congaree waiting for him along with his own stable mate Milwaukee Brew trying to repeat in the race he won last year. The topper will come in September when we get back to Belmont and Medaglia d'Oro and Mineshaft lining up for the Grade I Woodward on September 6th. WE are loaded with some good races in the next 6 weeks so stay tuned and we will try to break each of the races down and see if there is any chance of pulling off an upset somewhere and make some money. Good luck, and as always wager wisely.
July 7, Churchill has drawn to a close so that means summer is finally here. Ellis Park opens next week and I don’t play there so I will switch my focus to New York for the rest of Belmont and Saratoga when the grand old lady opens on the 23rd. Saratoga is the meet of meets as far as horse players I know go. There is a mixture of horses from all over the country and it can be tough if you don’t have a line on it. I have played there for the past 10 or 12 years and know the trends and the players. Certain trainers point toward that meet to showcase their young horses as well as their stakes performers. It is very likely we will see the next Derby winner break his maiden there. We will have some great stakes to look forward to such as the mid-summer Derby in the Travers, the Test for 3yo fillies, and of course the wonderful grass racing presented for us. To play Saratoga you have to know the players and the players behind the players. Saratoga is ruled by trainers with top horses and top veterinarians. I think it should be a must that it be put on the program who the attending veterinarian is. Drugs are a big problem in racing whether the racing gods that rule want to admit it or not. Every time we have a new test brought out the vets are already working with a new drug. Epogin is the most abused drug out there today and although they have a new test in place, it is in it’s own testing stage and is considered not reliable in many circles. Epogin is a drug that raises the red blood cell count in horses therefore giving them more oxygen in their blood so they can perform at a higher level. It is the same principle that top flight bike races and long distance runners have used over the years or called blood doping. Horses that use epogin are at risk because their system secrets the drug naturally and when the body detects abnormal levels in the system the system shuts down secreting it and the horse becomes anemic if he continues to run on the human version that is artificially injected into his or her system. These horse perform at a high level for a period of about three months, like through the Triple Crown then they disappear from the scene for a period of four to six months to regroup. Kentucky and Louisiana are both using the new testing system and it is working. Certain top trainers who have dominated in the past have suddenly disappeared from the scene. They know who they are and know they will be severely dealt with if caught. In last months Blood Horse Barry Irwin from Team Valor wrote a column about the use of Clenbuterol and he was straight to the point although for legal reasons he didn’t name names. He talked about one of his trainers being approached by a vet to use the drug on horses although they weren’t sick. He refused and for good reason. Clenbuterol is a good drug for horses with breathing problems, but it does more harm that good when used on horses that do not need it. His call for a return of the old hay and oats will never be implemented, but it is a good idea. Trainers who want to race legally are forced to do illegal things to keep up with the ones that are using them. It is a tough call for a trainer, but he is in a business where winning is king if you want to stay competitive you do what you have to do. You see horses sent to top trainers from their regular trainers because the owners have no scruples and winning is the most important thing in their mind. There is a certain vet who is leading the charge now as he works for only a few trainers and they are all at the top of their game. He charges $500.00 to pre-race a horse and it is safe to say that means that he is using more that bute and lasix. I have to say the guy is a genius and works hard at his job and get results. In fact he has been quoted as saying that he succeeded by intelligence and hard work. I give him that, he is a hard worker and gets the job done. His history speaks for itself. He took a trainer who couldn’t get out of his way and made him an instant star training two champions in one year. After the split the trainer is merely surviving. He works for a trainer who now is leading trainer in Kentucky and believe me he lets the vet do all the work. If you can afford him, you will get success. For a short while he was the racing manager for one of the top outfits in the country and brought the aforementioned trainer he made from nothing with him. They lasted a little over a year as the man in charge discovered that the costs were prohibitive. He moved on to the place he is at now in Kentucky and the rumor is he now works for the top outfit in the country which speaks for itself. He is under constant surveillance yet has all the bases covered and has a crew working with him to warn of the security before they arrive. He is under constant surveillance yet stays in charge. People like this is what the game doesn’t need. I don’t know the answer to the question for what to do, but they will catch him sooner or later. I know who he works for so I will use that in my handicapping and it works, believe me. Horses that have been away for awhile come back running like a wild horse, especially if they have switched trainers. It is a damn shame you have to factor in the vet, but a winner is a winner however you get it. Racing has been my life, but I don’t like where it has gone, but you have to deal with what you have to work with. We will have some winners at Saratoga so join up in the members section as my daily selections section is $75.00 winner for a $2.00 win bet every day with many seconds, who I do not count in the final count. I suggest you use them in exactas and tris and they figure in some nice payouts. For $10 a month you sure get your money worth with not only the daily selections and all I know about the 2yos there, but I will cover all the main races ran there. I also will keep you updated on the behind the scenes things that go on, and there will be many.
June 9, The Triple Crown is over and again we are left wondering what could have been. Funny Cide and his connections run gave us a great thrill and something to root for, but it was not to be. I have been reading all over the racing boards where people blame Frankel and Bailey for spoiling their parade, but in essence it was racing as it was supposed to be. The best horse won. The Triple Crown is a tough series of races that take a certain kind of horse to win. It has been 25 years since we saw such a horse and it may be another 25 before another comes along. To win the Triple Crown you must first be the right horse on the first Saturday in May and then come back in two weeks to win the Preakness. Those that for some reason don't win the Derby have a tendency to set out the Preakness and wait for the Belmont, like the one-two finishers in this year's Belmont. That is simply doing what is right for your horse. Bobby Frankel is a great horseman although he seemed to not grasp the situation that you must first win the Derby before you take on the other two. He even stated that he was looking ahead to the other races and didn't bear down on Empire Maker like he should have. All this is hindsight and only a few trainers have the dubious reputation of training their horses hard for the Derby. You will never see Bob Baffert or Wayne Lukas babying their charges before the Derby because they both know what the the race string is all about. Both have been accused of being too tough on their charges going into these races, but they both have had chances to win the Triple Crown in the past few years and failed. To fail is to never have tried. Jerry Bailey has stated all along he thought he had the best horse throughout and rode him in the Belmont like he was the best. People have said he rode a great race, but in retrospect he simply rode the horse he was given. Any rider worth his salt could have won the Belmont on Empire Maker. Bailey is a great rider, but that is because he has earned the respect and like the 500 pound gorilla he can sleep where he wants to. He is in high demand and even commands a guarantee for riding some horses that exceeds what he would get if he won the race. A couple years ago he rode a horse called Talk Is Money in the Derby and commanded a $50,000 fee while the horse had little chance of hitting the board. I don't blame Bailey, take all the money you can get when you can get it, but some of the owners that buy into this are bad for the game. The problem with the game right now is the underside of it that never comes to the light of day. The out right robbery of owners at the sales is what gets me. Trainers or their representatives go to the consignor and buy the young horse before the sale at a fixed price and then bid the horse up on their own owner taking the difference as a commission for themselves. This is done at every sale at every level. When you see a horse with very little breeding bring an astonishing price you can bet that the trainer and consignor are profiting from the sale on the side. This is not new to racing, it goes on all the time. A few months ago Padua stable owner brought this thought up, but no one pursued it. This is only one of many problems with our sport and I am going to start writing about a few of them and see what comes of it. Drugs are another thing that needs to be addressed. I may get myself in trouble with some, but to hell with them, I haven't heard from any of them while I have been recuperating. I have spent my life in this game and I am tired of watching it disintegrate into the shape it is in. June 5, Belmont entries: Post Position, Horse, Trainer, Jockey, Morning-Line
Odds: Tomorrow's 135th running of the Belmont stakes is a study in history as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Affirmed's Triple Crown win and we have a strong candidate to duplicate that feat in Funny Cide, the New York foaled gelding sired by a Kentucky based stallion and foaled in New York. Trained by a crusty old jump rider turned trainer and his assistant who is also his girlfriend. They make a good team and this horse is a credit to their abilities. The race is a six horse field with several strong contenders. Empire Maker the royally bred colt who was thought to be setting in the seat of Funny Cide earlier in the year with his pedigree and connections. Unfortunately things have a way of changing as racing gets serious. A close up 2nd in the Derby Empire Maker decided to skip the Preakness and train for the Belmont. He has trained very well for the Belmont and he is in the spot to upset Funny Cide's run for history. A couple other runners need to be looked at also as the race is a strange race for these young 3yos as they most likely will never run this distance again. One of these would be Dynever another well bred colt who comes into this race off three straight wins after finishing second in his career start. He followed that up with a convincing nine length victory around two turns at Gulfstream, for his maiden win. In his next start he jumped up into the stakes ranks and quickly disposed of the competition and won in hand. In his last start he won the Lone Star Derby where he encountered trouble until deep in the stretch and exploded when he got loose to win by a length and one half. He is ridden by Edgar Prado who won this race last year with an extreme outsider and has developed into a top rider on the New York circuit. The wild card in the race in my opinion is Scimshaw, the Wayne Lukas trained colt who finished tenth in the Derby and then third in the Preakness. He has trained well since then and is ridden by Gary Stevens who rode Victory Gallop to an upset of Real Quite to thwart his Triple Crown hopes. These two are a dangerous pair anytime they show up in one of these classic races. Last but not least we have Ten Most Wanted who was the now horse going into the Derby and ran a dull ninth. He returned to California and had some work by a chiropractor to adjust his back which was diagnosed to have a bad back. He has trained well since then and has Pat Day aboard. He is a another danger in the race and must be considered. I am not going to bet the race myself unless the price on Scrimshaw is completely out of line. Then I will make a exacta and tri key with Scrimshaw first and second with Empire Maker, Funny Cide, Dynever, and Ten Most Wanted. At ten to one or better this would be a good bet. The numbers would be 3 with 1-4-5-6 first and second. That said I am hoping that tomorrow night about this time I hope we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Affirmed Triple Crown with another one. Funny Cide deserves this crown and it would be great for racing as he would be around to race for a few years to come. With the state of racing now and all the problems in the sport, it would be a bright light in the sport. Good luck to all of you and to Funny Cide, and as always, wager wisely.
May 21, In the past few years we have had the chance for a Triple Crown winner a few times to fail in the last leg. This year it is Funny Cide's chance to reach greatness that has escaped several others in the past 25 years. His job will not be an easy one as he has several new shooters that were not in the Preakness to run at. Empire Maker who was 2nd in the Derby and elected to skip the Derby is in New York and working bullets as he just went 3/4 in 1:12 flat. In Kentucky Atwhatimtaslkinbouit worked a black letter half in 47 1/5 just last week. Another new shooter is the lightly raced Dynever who just won the Lone Star Derby last week end. He is in the hands of Christoph Clemente and is very dangerous. Funny Cide came out of the Preakness in fine shape and is hard to hold on the ground according to Barclay Tagg. The Triple Crown is a demanding three races and that is why we have been 25 years since the last winner of it and we have had some good ones try. Alysheba, Silver Charm, the list goes on and on. I hope Funny Cide has the grit to get it done, but it will not be an easy job. All we can do is wait the three weeks between races and hope everyone gets there healthy. It will be a long time to wait, but let's hope it is worth it. May 11, Just when we were settling down to enjoy the win of Funny Cide in the Derby along comes some loose horse reporter with more silly BS that they are so good at producing. Reporters today try to make the news, not report it. Here is my side of the story. I have looked at the pictures from every angel and can find no credibility to the reports. I have known Jose Santos since he first came to this country 20 years ago and I stand by him one hundred percent. His English is not very good either speaking or interpreting. I think that when the reporter called him he might have been ten minutes into the conversation before he realized the gist of what he wanted. At that point he hung up on the guy. He mentioned the bracelet that his wife had gave him just days before the race and thought that was what the idiot was talking about. If you look at the pictures you can see the ear of Empire Maker and Bailey's silks through the space between his thumb and hand. Also in the final sixteenth of a mile he twirled and switched his stick several times. That would be impossible with any other object in his hand. This is another story of a reporter trying to be the story rather than report it. I hope Jose is vindicated and sues the shit out of the paper, the reporter and the people that printed the picture. We don't need another black eye on the sport following close on then heels of the BC pick-6 scandal. May 7, Here it is Wednesday after the Derby and we have had time to reflect on the happenings surrounding the Derby. History was set as a New York bred gelding broke all barriers to win the 129th running of the run for the roses. We can make all the excuses for the horses we liked, but it comes down to one thing, the best horse won Saturday. I don't know if he is the best of this crop, but he was best on Saturday when it counted. He got a perfect ride and trip under Jose Santos to win the way he was supposed too. He stalked a hot pace between Brancusi and Peace Rules and took over turning for home and had enough left to hold off Empire Maker down the lane. Things may change at Pimlico, but for now he is king. Speaking of Pimlico, we have a projected field of 9 or 10 with the top 3 finishers running back along with several other runner-ups. Other than the top three we have Indian Express, Bob Baffert's colt who had ahorrible trip. He will have anew rider though, and Schimsaw who was 11th going on to Baltimore. Eye Of The Tiger he ran the best race of the long shots as he was a solid 5th for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Jerry has already shipped him back to Hollywood Park and will look for easier spots for the colt. Coming out of the Derby with a few problems were Buddy Gill who came up with a chip in his front ankle and will have it removed before he returns to racing. Others with slight problems was Ten Most Wanted with a muscle pull in his back, which ironically was the problem with his rider Derby week. Atwhatimtalkinbout will train at Churchill for a few weeks and then ship to New York for the Belmont, skipping the Preakness. Rumors are he will have a new rider as some of the top name riders are lobbying for the mount. Personally I think David Flores did what he had to do and should be given another chance. Another possibility is Senor Swinger who won on the grass on Friday before the Derby, but Bob Baffert said if he can get Pat Day to ride him back he will go in the Preakness too. The Derby is a funny race, with all the hype and hoopla that goes along with it funny things seem to happen on the first Saturday in May. Horses get in trouble or lose the cool with the big crowd and some get over it while some of them never recover. The Preakness is a different race and things will change, maybe we will have a different outcome and then again sometimes the Derby winner seems to sense that he is king of the world and runs back bigger than before. We will just have to wait and see how things play out. It would be funny if finally after 25 years we have a Triple Crown winner and he is a New York bred gelding. Good luck to all, and stay tuned for the next leg of the strange world of the Triple Crown, 2003 style.
April 19, This a freebie for the Lexington Stakes. Coolmore Lexington Stakes Today's 22nd running of the Coolmore Lexington Stakes will be the final prep for the Kentucky Derby unless someone feels like running something back in one week from the Derby Trial. A solid field of eight is entered with the favorite drawing the far outside in Trust In Luck. Below are the entries and comments: 1. Scrimsaw- Edgar Prado- Trained by Wayne Lukas we can never overlook anything he runs. This colt has speed and has the golden rail so look for him to be gunning away from there. This is Wayne's last chance so beware. He has used this prep before with good luck. A very dangerous colt. 2. Ministers Wildcat- Victor Espinoza- Trained by Neil Drysdale makes him all that more dangerous, not withstanding his pedigree. He adds blinkers and will be in the thick of it from the start. 3. Eye Of The Tiger- Robby Albarado- Trained by my good friend Jerry Hollendorfer, this one has two wins from 4 starts and if there is a trainer that is due some good luck on the Derby train it is Jerry. Don't leave him lout of your plays. 4. Most Feared- Mark Guidry- This colt had a good 2yo year, but has slipped back this year, He would have to wake up to make himself known. 5. Domestic Dispute- Jerry Bailey- Trained by Bob Baffert he was once one of his top 3yos, but has trailed off some. Bob is given him one more chance and he does have Jerry Bailey in the irons. Don't discount him. 6. Champali- Pat Day-The local hero, I don't like the rider change although Pat has ridden him before, he will have to be at his best to be competitive. 7. Ocean Terrace- Shane Sellers-Was 3 for 3 going into the Santa Anita Derby, but threw a cropper. The trainer blamed the rider and now he is back with a new rider. I don't think that will make any difference. 8. Trust N Luck- Cornelio Velasquiez- A fast colt that will have to use all his speeds to get to the rail. There are some quick ones inside of him so it will be a drag race to the first turn. If he gets to the lead he may use too much of himself. He is in a dammed if he does and a dammed if he doesn't predicament.
I am going to watch how the track plays out all day
and if the rail is golden as it has been in the past, then Schimsaw will
be my key horse. He is very dangerous at a price. March 10, The Louisiana Derby presented us with yet another new comer to the ranks of the contenders for the Road to the Roses. Bobby (Mr. Houdini) Frankel sent his Peace Rules to New Orleans at the last minute and he responded with a powerful race to win. Edgar Prado gave him a picture perfect ride to hold off Kafwain to win the 91st running and propel himself into the picture for the Derby. Frankel already has Empire Maker headed for the Florida Derby and reports are that after adding blinkers he has worked like a different horse. Frankel has never won the Derby or for that matter any of the Triple Crown races, but it is only a matter of time. This weekend 's Florida Derby is coming up light with only 6 or 7 starters mentioned as probable. Along with Empire Maker we have Lion Tamer as the one to beat. So far this year with all the injuries no one has stamped himself as a legit contender to make himself a favorite. This may be the year that a filly may be in the running with Bob Baffert thinking his Composure has the quality to run with the boys after winning the Santa Anita Oaks over Elloluv. She has shown she wants to run all day and with the Derby picture muddled, we might just see her in against the boys as the fillies seem to be stronger this year than in the past. It is going to be an interesting Spring so sign up for the members area and follow them all as we get closer to the first Saturday in May. January 28, The Eclipse awards were named last night and I don't see any surprises overall. They are as follows. 2yo colt- Vindication 2yo filly- Storm Flag Flying 3yo colt- War Emblem 3yo filly- Farida Amiga Older male- Left Bank Older female- Azeri Sprinter- Orientate Male turf- High Chaparral Female turf- Golden Apples Steeplechase- Flat Top Owner- Richard Englander Trainer- Bobby Frankel Jockey- Jerry Bailey Apprentice jockey- Ryan Fogelsonger Breeder- Juddmonte Farm Horse of year- Azeri Things went according to hoyle with the older male maybe being the one spot that could have been different, but I doubt that anyone was disappointed.
January 10, It looks as if the February 17 Fountain Of Youth will be the first big prep for the Triple Crown races as John Scanlan has done an about face and decided ti run Toccet in the race. His main competition seems destined Sky Mesa the undefeated colt from John Wards's barn who was a late scratch in the Breeders Cup Juvenile with a slight in jury. Trust In Luck, trained by local trainer Ralph Zaidie is also pointing for the race as is Ten Cents A Shine trained by Kenny McPeek. Todd Pletcher's pair of Brahm who was 2nd to Toccet in the Remsen and undefeated New York bred Funny Cide and Stronach's Stables Powerful touch also trained by Kenny McPeek. Waiting in the wings are two recent winners trained by Todd Pletcher in Indy Dancer and Lion Tamer. It looks like we are loaded for bear in south Florida and it will be interesting to see how things sort out before the winter and spring is over. This just a sample of what you will find in the members only area and I suggest you sign up and follow the 3yo train. Stay tuned we will keep up on all of them and see what shakes out.
December 27, As the year winds down and we look forward to the coming Spring and the 3yo races it is time to reflect on my past year and where things are headed in this great game of ours. To say the year has been a tough one personally would be understating the facts. I had a horrible year at the windows and my health issues weren't the best. I suffered a slight stroke in October that has slowed me down and made me look at life in a different perspective. I have not made many wagers since Breeders Cup day and really don't have the feel for it right now. I have attended a couple of contests to try and qualify for the NTRA finals in Vegas, but that wasn't to be. I am planning on going to Vegas for the tournament at the Sun Coast to be held on the same weekend as the finals. I love to play tournaments and will probably confide most of my wagering from now on to tournaments. As far as the condition of our sport, it is in disarray in my opinion. The pick-6 scandal is far from over even though the three culprits have pleaded guilty. I am in the opinion that when the investigation is over we will find out we have been getting ripped off for a long time. Further more, with all the race tracks trying to get alternative gambling in place, the horse is going to be secondary. Slot machines and other forms of gambling are not for me and they are not a fix all for the game. And last but certainly not least is the ever presence of the drug issue. Permissive medication is taken on a whole new life as vets are staying ahead of the people that are in place to protect us. In the past couple of years, we have had several trainers suddenly take on a new lease on life with extraordinary win percentages. Here in Kentucky we have long had a reputation for being them most lenient of all the states, but it is a joke when certain trainers who don't do anything but turn their barn over to a vet and set back and reap the rewards. When a vet is given free reign to do what ever he wants to the horses then something is wrong. Vets that charge $500 to pre-race a horse most certainly are not just giving them bute and lasix. The commission will not do anything for the simple fact that most of the commissioners are owners who employ these same trainers. We need a commission made up of law enforcement type people that are beyond reproach. I don't pretend to know it all, but I am smart enough to know when the game is smelling to the high heavens. I have had my say, have a happy New Year and I hope things get better for us all in 2003. October 3, It has been a long summer, but now that Keeneland has arrived it is back to some top racing. Tomorrow is opening day and it starts with a bang. We have two graded stakes to bet on and 7 in the next three days. The 8th race is the $500,000 Winstar Galaxy, a Grade II event is at a 1 3/16 mile race on the turf and has ramifications on the BC F&M Turf race. Shipping in from California is Affuent who will be ridden by Pat Day. Bobbie Frankel has Surya to be ridden by Jerry Bailey who has won 4 of her five starts in this country but was beaten by Affluent in the Grade I Ramona at Del Mar. They should be the favorites, but the race has a few others with solid credentials. Snow Dance, trained by John Ward is a filly that always runs her race and is dangerous on her home course. She will be ridden by Craig Perret. Owlsley ships in from New York for Randy Schulofer and will be ridden by Edgar Prado. It should be an interesting race and could produce a solid contender for the BC race. Two races earlier on the program we have the Grade II Walmac International Alcibades for 2yo fillies going 1 1/16. Headed up by Bob Baffert's Atlantic Ocean who recently won the KY Cup Juvenile Fillies in impressive fashion. This is a good race with a solid favorite, but there could be some fillies in here to improve enough to be a threat. Final Round draws the rail and will be ridden by Jorge Chavez for Rusty Arnold. She has won her last two starts including the Jr. Championship at Monmouth. By Storm Cat she could be a nice filly. Kenny McPeek who won this race last year has Midnight Cry who gets lasix for the first time and looks like one who will appreciate the added distance. This will also be a very interesting race, but I am of the opinion that Baffert's filly is something special. The rest of the opening day card is a very good one as most cards at Keeneland are and will offer some good betting opportunities. They have rolling pick-3s in all the races staring with the first and two pick-4s. The pick-4s are the $1 bets and are 2nd through the 5th and the 6th through the 9th. It should be a great meet and a lot of fun if you can pick some winners. Good luck to all and check out my members area for daily information.
July 7, Today is closing day for the spring meet and I can't say I am sorry to see it go. I am looking forward to Saratoga and summer racing. The closing day feature as it has been for many years is the Grade III Bashford Manor for 2yo colts. We have a field of 7, but it is a star studded bunch. Following are the entries and comments: 1. White Cat- Jose Martinez- Trained by Kenny McPeek, this one broke his maiden in his last start going 5 1/2 in a nice time. He seems to be in a little over his head, but you can never tell about 2yos after they find the winning ways. 2. Wild Bid- Calvin Borel- Trained by Ronny Werner, he can't be overlooked as I said about yesterday's filly. This guy knows how to get the most out of his 2yos. He broke his maiden for $20,000 and then came back to run a solid second in an allowance race. Don't leave him out. 3. Boston Park- Robby Albarado- Trained by Wayne Lukas, who has won 5 runnings of this race and is going for a record sixth this colt is a two time winner already, breaking his maiden in his second start and then winning the allowance race where Wild Bid was second. He is a very dangerous colt. 4. Lone Star Sky- Mark Guidry- Trained by Tom Amoss, he is in good hands. He broke his maiden at Arlington and gets lasix for the first time. Anoter one to take a look at. 5. Air Lordon- Fabio Arguello- Could be considered an outsider here as it took him 4 starts to break his maiden and that was for claiming $70,000. Might be in the tri but that is the best I could hope for. 6. Posse- Donnie Meche- This is the favorite and rightly so. He has won two of three starts, with his last coming in the KY BC where he simply crushed the opposition. He will take a lot of beating. 7. Cooper Crossing- Jon Court- Trained by Patrick Byrne, he broke his maiden in a nice time at 10-1 odds. An outsider here, but you could use him in the tris and exactas on the bottom. This looks like a two horse race with Posse being the one to beat. I would have to give Boston Park a long hard look and if he is a price I might take a shot with him. There is not much value to the race, but if you must bet, use #3- Boston Park and #6-Posse on top with #2 Wild Bid, #4-Lone Star Sky and #7-Cooper Crossing. It doesn't cost much, just $12 for every dollar. The play looks like this, #3 and #6 with 2-3-4-6-7. You might want to make it first and second just in case one of the other three springs an upset. Good luck and remember, wager wisely.
July 6, Well I messed up the Firecracker by stopping a horse that had only been off the board in one time in his life, so I hope we fare better with the 2yos that make up the next and final two days of racing at Chruchill. Today's 102 running of the Debutante has a field of 7 nice bred 2yo fillies going 3/4 of a mile for a purse of $100,000 added. Below is the entries and comments: 1. D'Nile- Jose Martinez- A Kenny McPeek trained filly by Capote who broke her maiden in a rapid 57 flat for 5/8. She is one of the ones tto beat, but will have some company on the front end. 2. Bridget Sue- Larry Melancon- A Lone Star shipper trained by Paul McGee, she is by Patton and is also a speedy sort. Someone will have to give with all this speed in the race. 3. Blues In Seattle- Lonnie Meche-A homebred owned by Lazy Lane Farms and trained by Frankie Brothers, she is by the late great Seattle Slew and looks to be the class of the race. Her maiden win was impressive as she came from off then pace to win and that looks like the style that will win this, dangerous. 4. Vibs- Robby Albarado- This Beau Genius filly, trained by Dale Romans ran against the boys in the KY BC and finished 4th beaten 11 lengths in her last start behind Posse who figures to be the favorite in tomorrow's Bashford Manor. Could get a piece. 5. Miss Awesome- Willie Martinez- Trained by Angel Montano, she brioke her maiden for $80,000 in her last. May be a little over her head here. 6. Attemtress- Mark Guidry- Another Kenny McPeeek trained filly, she broke her maiden in her first start, but the time wasn't anything to get excited over. She does have three bullet works since trhen and may just bde coming into herself with a hot rider. 7. Awesome Humor- Calvin Borel- Trained by Ronny Werner, she is one you have to look at. She broke her maiden back at Keeneland in the spring and has had time to mature since then. Can't be overlooked. Blues In Seattle has the look of a very good filly with pedigree and running style to win this. She will be a short price, but is the one to beat. I would key her first and second with #2-Bridget Says, #4-Vibes, #6-Attemtress and #7-Awsome Humor first and second in the tris and exactas. Good luck and as always, wager wisely.
July 3, Tomorrow's 13th running of the Firecracker Breeders Cup Handicap is a talent laden field of 11 including the entry of Moon Solitaire and Touch Of The Blues which are both owned by Gainsborough Farm Inc. but trained by different trainers. Below are the entries and comments: 1.Moon Solitaire- Mark Guidry- Trained by Henry Cocharan he has two starts in this country with a win and a second. He comes in here off a win at Woodbine at a 1 1/8 mile on a soft course in the King Edward BC Handicap. Before that he was beat a nose in a conditioned allowance race at Churchill Downs. He could be considered a threat off his two performances in this country. 1A. Touch Of The Blues- Jose Valvidia- Trained by Neil Drysdale he must be considered just for that fact alone. He has kept good company and comes in here off a 8th place finish in The Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood. Will be running late. 2. Even The Score- Donnie Meche- Trained by Dallas Stewart, he has finished behind a couple of runners in here and it would be a surprise to see him in the winners circle. 3. Morluc- Garret Gomez- This is the speed of the speed, trained by Randy Morse he has 6 wins from 8 starts over the Churchill Downs turf course but they were all sprinting. He holds the track record here going 5/8 and is a fast colt. A world traveler he has run at the highest levels in Hong Kong as well as here in this country. He will be in front for a long time and it is uup to us to figure out if he can stretch his speed. I think that if the other riders leave him alone for the first 3/4, he may be a danger to hang on. 4. Dernier Croise- Craig Perret- Another one who likes thias course with 5 wins from 12 starts over it. His numbers are a little light and it would be a stretch to see him win. 5. Grampas- Lonnie Meche-He has ran one time in this country with a win over the Churchill course. That was in a nw-2 other than maiden or claiming. That was a good beginning but it might be a step to high for him in here. 6. Pyrus- Larry Melancon- This one won three in a roll back in the spring including the Fort Marcy Handicap at Aqueduct. He is the one that will have to put pressure on Morluc if the others are to have a chance. He has an outside chance himself. 7. Good Journey- Pat Day- Comes in here off a win over this course and is trained by Wally Dollase. He has always ran good and will run good here. One of the top contenders. 8. Classic Par- Calvin Borel- Dead heated for 2nd in the Louisville Handicap and was moved up for the win via disqualification. Will be running late. A threat. 9. Strut The Stage- Robby Albarado-This is my pick in here. He comes in off a close up third to the best grass horse in the USA Beat Hollow in the Manhattan Handicap, a Grade I event at Belmont. Trained by Mark Frostad he knows how top win and will be there late. 10. Aly's Alley- Jon Court-This is one of my old time favorites. He was trained by my late friend John Tammaro and just missed at 70-1 in the BC Juvenile. Those of you that have been with me for a long time remember that race. He ran third in this race last year with a lot of trouble. I would love to see him run big and I think he is a must use in the exotics. Like I said above, I like #9- Strut The Stager to win with exotics like this. #8 with 1-3-7-8-10 first and second. Good luck, have a good 4th and God Bless America.
June 28, Tomorrows 14th running of the Aristides Handicap brings out one of the favorite horses to run in these parts the last few years in old timer Bet On Sunshine a 10 year old gelding that doesn't act his age. He is going for a 3rd consecutive victory in the race he has ran in 4 times. He finished 3rd in the 1996 and 1997 editions and has won it the past two years. He heads up a small but select field with six runners named to enter the starting gate. The field from the rail out is: 1. U. S. Jets (114) Lonnie Meche 12-1 2. Orienta (118) Robby Albarado 3-1 3. No Armistice (116) Pat Day 2-1 4. Binthebest (114) Craig Perret 6-1 5. Bet On Sunshine (121) Calvin Borel 7/5 6. Twilight Road (113) Charlie Woods 12-1 Bet On Sunshine's main competition comes from trainer Paul McGee's brother in law's trained No Armistice. Ron Ellis is married to Paul McGee's sister Amy. He comes in here off a 7 length romp in an allowance race in California. He has a record of 4 wins, 4 seconds and a third. The other danger is the Wayne Lukas trained Orientate winner of the Commonwealth Breeders Cup at Keeneland. Binthebest was a fast closing 3rd in Churchill Downs Handicap and followed that up with a romp in an allowance race here. This is a start of a great week of racing at Churchill leading up to closing day Next weekend.
June 20, Sorry I haven't kept this page up to date, but I am having all kinds of problems. First of all I had the wreck last fall that has left me with serious back problems, then last week the lightning struck my PC and fried it. So you see things haven't been going so good for me. But then horse players aren't granted a fool proof life. With the Triple Crown over and the Saratoga meet next on the schedule we have a lot of work to do. In my members area I have started a World Championship page to follow all the races that lead to the World Championships at Arlington in the fall. Along with that we will be following Saratoga everyday that they run. so you see there are many things to look forward to. The daily selection is holding it's on with a plus of $38,40 for the year, which isn't to shabby considering we give a selection each and every racing day. That is for $2.00 bet on each and every play since Fair Grounds opened in November of last year. There are many good features in the members area for only $10 per month, not a bad deal if you ask me. My PC is back up and working fine now, my back isn't much better, but I can live through the pain to talk about horses. Come on down and join in on the fun, it's cheap and might even make you some money. May 7, I have returned from Las Vegas and I might say although it was an interesting trip I missed the crowd and all the hoopla of the Derby. I had a horrible day at the races, but those things happen. I knew War Emblem was going to be in front, but I thought, as did most of the rest of the world that he would be pressed, not get a half in 47. For all intents and purposes the race was over at that point. My hat is off to both Bob Baffert and Victor Espinoza as they both did a great job in winning this year's Kentucky Derby. Bob got the colt into his routine and it worked. Victor was a patient passenger and the rest is history. He had the field at his mercy after breaking sharply and the game was over. You could make a case for some of the others with all you what ifs, but the truth is, Bob sent over a horse ready to run and Victor put up a good ride. Mike Smith rode like he was just trying to get part of it, which he did. He had the speed under him to make things interesting, but he choose to set off the pace and try to run War Emblem down in the stretch, which wasn't to be. Perfect Drift was setting in the catbird's seat it seemed but he didn't have the answer when it came time to do the running. Medaglia D'Oro had a lot of trouble in the race or he might have had a shot of being 2nd, but I doubt if he was going to catch the winner. Now we go on to the Preakness with a full field waiting in the wings, including the 1-2-4 finishers and a host of new shooters including Sunday Break who has the talent to upset the winner. In fact, I doubt the winner will get away with a slow pace in the Preakness as you have Booklet headed that way and we all know we will be on the from the start. It will be an interesting race from the start to finish with a different winner likely. There is already trouble brewing in the partnership as the Prince and the former owner, Russell Reinaman at odds on how to split up the bonus of $1,000,000 for winning both the Derby and the Illinois Derby. Mr. Reinaman has a point when he says he should get 50% of the bonus because he owned the horse when he won the Illinois Derby. Bob Baffert has decided to do the right thing by splitting his share with the previous trainer. I am sure Victor Espinoza will do the same thing with Larry Sterling or at least he should. I am sure it will be worked out, but I sure hope the Price shows some class and does the right thing. I am back in Kentucky now and tomorrow we will have a $340,000 pick-6 to take a shot at. That's what I like about this game, one thing goes away and another one crops up. I have my form and have already started to handicap the card, damn this is fun. I will try to have my selection for tomorrow in the pick-6 so you can at least have a little bit of help. Speaking of the daily selection, it has become a nice winner with a ROI of about $1.65 not bad for a country boy. For $10 a month I don't know how anyone can go wrong, the selections are worth the money. Sign up now and get in on the action. Good luck to all of you and remember, wager wisely.
April 17, Quiet day at the Downs but that will change soon. Overnight we had several new arrivals with Bob Baffert shipping in a large contingent from California and Keeneland. Neil Drysdale also arrived with Sunday Break and Frankel brought Medagila D' Oro along from New York. The Godolphiin horse arrrived in Lexington yesterday and will clear quarantine by the end of the week and be vanned over. They brought the two fillies and Essence Of Dubai and a pony. Training hours will start to heat up soon. The musical chairs of the jockeys have already started as Jerry Bailey has accepted the mount on on of Adian O'Brien's horses, which ever one Mick Kinane decides to not ride. O'Brien said that most likely Kinane will stay with Johannesburg and Bailey will ride Castle Gondolfo. They are scheduled for a late arrival by getting to Keeneland on April 30t to clear quarantine before shipping over to Churchill. O'Brien has had some success with this move as he came over with Giant's Causeway just two days before the Breeders Cup in 2000 and ran a huge race. Jorge Chavez has accepted the mount on Easy Grades which means that Booklet is not likely to start for John Ward. It looks like the Derby fever is out in full force as Azzillion, the colt who finished last in the Blue Gras seems to be headed this way along with It'sallinthechase who finished 9th in the Arkansas Derby. I am sure the Lexington this coming Saturday will produce another runner or two bringing the 20 horse limit on earnings being brought in to play. Stay tuned, maybe I can get some pictures tomorrow and we can see what some of these critters look like. Tuesday April 16, We have only one more prep to watch before the big dance and that is the Lexington Stakes to be ran this coming Saturday at Keeneland. I doubt any serious contenders will exit that race, but I am sure there will be a couple that will think they belong here the first Saturday in May. The results of the three preps on this last Saturday left me just as confused as I was going in. In order of their position on Saturday are the following comments: Wood: Buddha was game in out dueling Medaglia D'Oro and Sunday Break under a typical Pat Day ride and although they came home slow, the 25 mile per hour cross wind may have contributed to that. All three are lightly raced colts and have every reason to move forward. Blue Grass: Harlan's Holiday won easily, but the time was the slowest since 1988. He didn't get much of a fight from his competition and if anything you could say he got a very easy prep for the Derby. Arkansas Derby: Private Emblem ran away from the field in Hot Springs, but his connections have all along said he can't get the distance of the Derby. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Preakness after skipping the Derby. There are plenty of pretenders wanting in to the Derby and the money earnings will come into play, following is the list as they stand now. 1. Essence
of Dubai $1,518,000 Stay tuned as I will start a day to day report on the
arrivals and workouts of all the contenders in the members area. Sign up
today if you haven't already.
March 19, It is time to start overhaul my list of Derby hopefuls. These are my most likely horses to be there the first Saturday in May. It is kinda like the pre-season is over and the tournament has started to eliminate the pretenders from the contender. 1. Johannesburg- BC winner, undefeated, lacks the distance pedigree but looks pretty good right now. Michael Tabor the owner reports he will have one prep in Ireland before the Derby. 2. Harlan Holiday- Moved ahead of his more publicized stablemate Repent with a smashing victory in the Florida Derby. Pointing for the Blue Grass. 3. Repent- Although his victory in the Louisiana Derby wasn't a thing of beauty, he still has the credentials to win the big dance with a few adjustments. Will run Saturday April 6 in the Illinois Derby. 4. Essence Of Dubai- Looks like Godophin has a contender on their hands. Reported to be shipping to Kentucky soon.
5. Mayakovsky- Was very impressive in winning the Gotham and is in very good hands. I am not sure he can get the distance, but he looks like a very good one. Will run in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday April 6. 6. Saarland- Was a very solid 2nd in the Gotham running against the grain as they say with his running style not fitting to the one mile one turn distance. Will only get better. 7. Easyfromthegetgo- Trained by Steve Asmussen, he has the pedigree to get the distance and will be dangerous, although I think he is a little behind the rest as far as ability. 9. Booklet- Trained by John Ward he is a gutsy little colt that could steal it if left alone on the lead. 10. Take Charge lady- The only filly so far on the list, but I think that maybe Belterra and Tempera may be as good or better than her before it is all over. 11. Blue Burner- Quietly sneaking into contention. In the very capable hands of Bill Mott he has finished 3rd in the Fountain Of Youth and 2nd in the Florida Derby. Could be a player. 12. Medaglia D'Oro- Won the San Felipe under Pincay. He has the Frankel factor going for him so that makes him dangerous. Need to see more though. Reported to be headed for the Wood. 13. Yougottawanna- Jerry Hollendofer deserves some luck. This might be the one for him. Headed for the Santa Anita Derby. Injured, out. 14. Sunday Break- Trained by Neil, Drysdale, he is a Japanese bred with a ton of ability. Was erratic in winning an allowance race at Aqueduct, but has the looks of a runner. Pointing for the Wood.
Tuesday March 19, After this weekend the picture is still in shambles. Kenny McPeek seems to be in the drivers seat and I am not sure he can handle that position. His Harlan's Holiday was very impressive with a Monarchos like move in the Florida Derby, but he had a perfect pace in front of him to make him look better than he really is. In the Gotham Mayakovsky looked super, but he has distance limitations in my opinion. Saarland may be the now horse as his race was against his running style yet he came running in the lane and this race will set him up to win the Wood Memorial and be a fresh hose for the Derby. The picture out west is muddled to say the least. Medaglia D'Oro comes into the San Felipe off a maiden win at oaklawn park and simply runs away from what competition there was. You have the Frankel factor here so anything is possible, but in my opinion the west is weak this year. The best looking 3yo I have witnessed run all spring has been Take Charge Lady, McPeek's filly, which by the way as of now is the only mount Tony D'Amico has left. I would love to see his stay on her and win the whole bag of marbles. McPeek is considering the Arkansas Derby with her which wouldn't be a bad idea as the group there isn't something to get excited by. Stay tuned as the barn area at Churchill is open now and the contenders will start trickling in soon. I will be covering all the preparations on the Triple Crown page in the members area with pictures and all the workouts and inside information you need to know to make your final decisions. If you are not members yet you can sign up through the Paypal logo located on the front page. By the way, the daily picks are up over $50.00 for a $2.00 bet per day since opening day at Fair Grounds in November. That section is in the members area also. Good luck to all, and as always, wager wisely.
Saturday March 2, I am off to New Orleans this morning for a week of good racing at the Fair Grounds. I will be there through the Louisiana Derby on March 10th. I love this trip every year as they really know how to treat you in New Orleans and at the race track. My only problem is the abundance of good food there. It is hard to pass on the great Cajun cooking and I will indulge, but hopefully I can control myself a little bit. This weeks racing there is full of good stakes with the New Orleans Handicap tomorrow and the Oaks and Derby next weekend. I will be covering them in my members area with pictures as I am taking my digital camera along with me. Also I will be working on the raffle for Randy Romero while I am there with tickets for the drawing for the entry to the Championship at the Orleans hotel and casino along with four days room and airfare for two from where ever you are at. You can sign up on line by sending me the money through the PayPal logo on the front page or mailing your check or money order to the address listed there too. Another interesting thing we are doing is auctioning off a print of Personal Ensign and Winning Colors in the photo for the Breeders Cup signed by Randy. We will be auctioning it off at the Hall Of Fame dinner at the Fair Grounds and I am trying to get another to auction off on this site. Randy is having a tough time right now and we need to ban together and try to get him some help. Good luck to all and remember, wager wisely. Tuesday February 18, Behind every top trainer there is a good assistant or assistances that runs the barn for him. Steve Williams was one of those guys that worked behind the scenes for trainer Paul McGee. He was a hard worker, quiet, and a good horseman along with being a good husband and father. He worked sometimes seven day a week long hours for 50 weeks out of the year. The other two weeks were reserved for a vacation with his family, wife Grace, sons Christian 7, and Robert 13. On Friday February 15th Steve and his family set out in the early morning hours to a week's vacation at Busch Gardens in Florida. Their trip ended just a few miles out of Louisville when a northbound Kroger truck lost control and crossed the medium, hitting the William's car head on and killing Steve, his wife Grace, and youngest son Christian. The oldest boy is in critical condition in a Louisville hospital. but is expected to live. Steve was one of the good guys you meet in life. Never a harsh word was heard from him as he went about his daily business of taking care of things around the barn for Paul. His wife Grace had suffered from leukemia and underwent a bone -marrow transplant last year and was doing well. She too had worked for McGee before her illness. They had just celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on Valentine's day, the day before their trip began. We sometimes take life for granted and go about our daily rituals never thinking about things like this happening to us, but when it happens to someone close, it makes you think a little about where you are headed in life. Steve and his family will be missed in our community as he was a big part of the morning life on the backside, not because he was loud and someone you heard all the time, but because his quiet demeanor on the rail every morning was something you took for granted. As Dr. Harthill's wife put it, the good die young. Our prayers go out to Robert and hopefully he will survive and carry on his father's legacy. Rest in peace Steve, Grace and Christian, you will be missed. Tuesday February 5, It is getting the time of year when we are supposed to have some idea who will be among the favorites on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs, but frankly to me it still is a wide open race. In the next few weeks we will get a better idea as the Fountain Of Youth, The Risen Star and The San Rafael are coming up. The top two horses on my list are still the top two finishers in the BC Juvenile last year, but neither of them have had a race this year. Repent is headed for the Risen Star as of now and Johannesburg is in Europe out of sight. Came home was very impressive in his return last weekend in the San Vicente, but I doubt he will get the distance with his breeding. There are a couple new comers to watch in Stephentown in Florida and Easyfromthegetgo in New Orleans. We have already had some defections as Labamta Babe who beat Siphonic in California is out of the picture with an injury. Things are starting to heat up and I will be following the Road to the Derby closely as the next couple months in my members area. I will be in Louisiana for the Derby and will have pictures on the web page of the contenders as they train up to the race and then when we get back here in Kentucky I will track them as they arrive at Churchill and have pictures and updates daily as they train toward the Derby. Click on the Paypal logo on the opening page and come along for the ride. The cost is a mere $10 per month or $100 for the year if you want a yearly membership as we will follow the Triple Crown and then point for the World Championships at Arlington this year. Sunday January 27, It is good to back home in the Blue Grass of Kentucky but I did have a great time at the finals. The overall winner was Herman Miller a landscaper from Northern California with a bankroll of $205.30 to take home the $100,000 check and the title of Handicapper of the year for 2001. Herman is a nice guy and like most horse players is confident he will be back on the winner's podium again next year. I spoke to him for a few minutes after the presentation and he is a very nice guy. He wife was with him and she was very proud of what he had accomplished. If nothing else, the tournament is a place you make a lot of good friends and renew old relationships. In addition to individual competition, players were also divided up into four-person teams representing the site where the qualified. A total $32,000 in prize money was up for grabs in the team competition which was won by the Keeneland "A" Team. The team was composed of yours truly, Don "Hee Haw" Alvey, Rich Nilsen, Tony Martin, and Tim Holland and we split the $20,000 first prize ($5,000 each) with a total of $506.10. I was responsible for |
