The unheralded, but usually significant Tampa Bay Derby (GrII) will be run this Saturday at 1 1/16th miles.
Don't know why they don't stretch out the extra sixteenth?
It's an interesting field, run under allowance conditions.
1 1 Prospective (KY) 3/C L L Contreras 120 M E Casse 8/1
2 2 Golden Ticket (KY) 3/C L M R Cruz 116 K G McPeek 10/1
3 3 Twin (FL) 3/G L D Centeno 116 P Maestre 30/1
4 4 Chief Energy (KY) 3/C L P Lopez 116 J J Toner 12/1
5 5 Tell All You Know (KY) 3/C L L R Goncalves 116 C J Stewart 15/1
6 6 Cozzetti (KY) 3/C L J Lezcano 116 D L Romans 12/1
7 7 Battle Hardened (KY) 3/C L J R Leparoux 120 E Kenneally 9/2
8 8 Ravelo's Boy (KY) 3/C J Sanchez 116 M J Azpurua 12/1
9 9 Spring Hill Farm (VA) 3/C L J Castellano 116 T A Pletcher 5/2
10 10 Take Charge Indy (KY) 3/C L C H Borel 116 P B Byrne 3/1
11 11 Fox Rules (NY) 3/G L H Villa-Gomez 116 M A Ferraro 30/1
12 12 Cajun Charlie (LA) 3/G L T J Hebert 120 B S House 15/1
Spring Hill (Pletcher) comes up from Gulfstream off a one turn allowance win on a sloppy track. He's intalled the 5/2 favorite. Ridiculous.
Sam Davis winner Battle Hardened and runnerup Prospective should rule the day. Prospective was wide around and should turn the tables.
Speedball Tell All You Know is 2/2 over the track and will take them as far as he can.
Calvin comes in to ride on Gulfstream shipper Take Charge Indy off a big number allowance win.
They will have thoroughbred races back at the Meadowlands this year with 10 all turf cards spread between the spring and fall, which is pretty cool. Even better - 4 Twilight Racing nights on Thursdays in August, look forward to going to some of those straight from work
Re: Tampa Bay -- Maybe Borel can duplicate his feat with Street Sense. Stakes record, too.
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There's a TV show on History Channel called "American Restoration." The employees own a shop and specialize in sprucing up old items for customers. One guy who called himself a former professional gamble brought in a 1930s-style roulette wheel with about 10 horses. The type of wheel that had a flap and landed in between nails. In between each horse, about ten, were what looked to be about four options to wager. Apparently, it was once a game of chance but he wanted it restored and paid close to $5,000. The final result was impressive -- a glossy black wheel, the silks on the horses were individually colorized as was other features. I'm not sure what he planned to do with the final product but... somewhere there's probably a smoky backroom of a bar with a lot of cheering and derision.
Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year, became one of America's most beloved new moms when she delivered a healthy dark bay colt at about 10:10 p.m. EST March 8 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The colt is a son of Bernardini. Mother and son were reported doing fine at Lane's End Farm.
1. Union Rags (Michael Matz, trainer; Julien Leparoux, jockey): Worked 4 furlongs in 50.76 seconds over the weekend at Palm Meadows in first breeze since Fountain of Youth (G2) win. ... Next start: Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream, March 31. ... Derby future wager odds: 4-1.
2. Hansen (Mike Maker, Ramon Dominguez): Near-white colt back in Kentucky after Gotham (G3) win. ... Next start: Wood Memorial (G1), Aqueduct, April 7. ... Odds: 9-1.
3. El Padrino (Todd Pletcher, Javier Castellano): Risen Star (G2) winner may be Pletcher's top Derby horse. ... Has won three of five starts, 2-for-2 this year. ... Next start: Florida Derby. ... Odds: 12-1.
4. Creative Cause (Mike Harrington, Joel Rosario): Won San Felipe (G2) against tough field. ... Norfolk (G1) winner was third behind Union Rags and Hansen in BC Juvenile (G1), and third in San Vicente (G2) in 3-year-old debut. ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita, April 7. ... Odds: 17-1.
5. Gemologist (Pletcher, Castellano): Change in plans keeps colt out of Rebel (G2) and in Florida for 3-year-old debut. ... Was 3-for-3 as 2-year-old, winning Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) in November ....Next start: 1-mile allowance, Gulfstream, Friday. ... Odds: 23-1.
6. Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin, Dominguez): Withers (G3) winner worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 Saturday at Palm Meadows. ... Next start: Florida Derby. ... Odds: 18-1.
7. Bodemeister (Bob Baffert, Rafael Bejarano): Ran a strong second in San Felipe in third career start. ... Named for Baffert's youngest son, Bode. ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby. ... Odds: 29-1.
8. Secret Circle (Baffert, Bejarano): Worked 6 furlongs in 1:11:60 Saturday at Santa Anita. ... Won division of Southwest (G3) for fourth win in five starts. ... Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Saturday. ... Odds: 37-1.
9. Mark Valeski (Larry Jones, Rosie Napravnik): Risen Star runner-up has two wins in four career starts. ... Next start: Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, April 1. ... Odds: 38-1.
10. Howe Great (Graham Motion, John Velazquez): ... Won Palm Beach (G3) on turf over Dullahan. ... Has won four in a row on turf, but will be considered for Derby (on dirt). ... Next start: Blue Grass (G1), Keeneland, April 14. ... Odds: 3-1 (mutuel field).
Creative Cause was supremely impressive this weekend. He looked like he had a lot left in the tank at the finish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
But history points to not ignoring the Tampa Derby winner Prospective who although was challanged, looked to be hand ridden to the wire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Tragic story. 3 deaths while filming? Something doesn't seem right there.
Though it is fitting though, for a show to finally come along that just gets it right about the horse racing industry that you think is going to go really far - to stumble around the second turn and never to run again.
$500,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II, Race 10, 5:48 p.m.), 3YO, 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Unbridled's Note (KY), C Hill, 115, S M Asmussen
2. Scatman (KY), L S Quinonez, 117, M E Lauer
3. Cyber Secret (KY), R Albarado, 117, L S Whiting
4. Optimizer (KY), J K Court, 115, D W Lukas
5. Jake Mo (KY), M C Berry, 117, A Milligan
6. Sabrecat (KY), C S Nakatani, 119, S M Asmussen
7. Secret Circle (KY), R Bejarano, 122, B Baffert
8. Atigun (KY), T J Thompson, 117, K G McPeek
9. Reckless Jerry (KY), J Rocco Jr., 115, K P Smith
10. Ring It Up (KY), L Wade, 115, C Richard
11. Pee H Dee (KY), I Ocampo, 117, C Richard
12. Najjaar (KY), C H Borel, 117, D C Peitz
13. Adirondack King (KY), S Elliott, 117, J C Servis
Many of these come out of the split Southwest Stakes over the Oaklawn track, which were each run at a mile.
1 1/16th miles is the distance tomorrow. It may have an impact on the result.
Baffert's (who won both divisions) Secret Circle won the much faster division, and will be the odd's on favorite.
A look at the replay shows him bearing out late which suggests he may be vuneralbe to the added distance.
Several of these will be coming late led by: Adirondack King, who made a wide move in the Southwest, but will be wide again. Najjaar, a late bloomer with Borel who looks to want more distance. Cyber Secret, who switches to Albarado. Pee H Dee, who also gets a rider change.
Secret Circle is tough at the distance, but the weaving back and forth in deep stretch suggests that's his limit. Optimizer gave the winner a scare, but had terrible form coming in, which suggests the entire field is suspect.
^ I went back to check the 1996 Derby. Great race. Unbridled's Song was the favorite but had a hoof (as I recall) injury in the Wood and there was much questioning regarding how the trainer prepared for the Derby with the usage of shoes for the race. The 20 post didn't help either.
Terrific finish, I wonder if Baffert thought he won... looks to me like he said "We got it."
^ I went back to check the 1996 Derby. Great race. Unbridled's Song was the favorite but had a hoof (as I recall) injury in the Wood and there was much questioning regarding how the trainer prepared for the Derby with the usage of shoes for the race. The 20 post didn't help either.
Terrific finish, I wonder if Baffert thought he won... looks to me like he said "We got it."
Several good horses in the field, although the top two didn't accomplish much.
That had to be the worst ride of Mike Smith's career aboard Unbridled Song. He moved way too soon and had nothing left.
Thank God they finally got rid of Dave Johnson and his struggle to get through the field.
Secret Circle, who won the $150,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn last month, fended off D. Wayne Lukas-trained Optimizer and Scatman, who was the second finisher in the Southwest.
"We are real proud. We didn't get beat by much - only about a half-length. They only get longer and tougher from here. That's the way it goes," Lukas said.
Secret Circle paid $4, $3.20 and $2.80. Optimizer, ridden by Jon Court, paid $15.60 and $8.80, and Scatman paid $4.60. Secret Circle carried 122 pounds, giving up between 3 pounds and 7 pounds to the field.
The winner's share of the purse was $300,000, with $100,000 for second and $50,000 for third.
In addition to Watson, Secret Circle is owned by Michael E. Pegram and Paul Weitman.
Baffert bought the horse about a year ago for the trio at Ocala, Fla., Watson said.
Secret Circle was four back at the far turn but pushed forward and took over the race at the mile mark. Optimizer, with Jon Court riding, drove six wide into the stretch and eventually moved inside for the finish. Scatman, trained by Michael E. Lauer and ridden by Luis Quinonez, couldn't stay with the winners.
LOUISVILLE With his ailing left front foot taking a turn for the worse, Unbridled's Song is no longer a certain starter in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Jim Ryerson termed the colt's status "day to day" yesterday, but even if the prohibitive favorite for the race makes it into the starting gate, it's doubtful whether he'll be at his best.
Ryerson said the injury was aggravated by a protective bar shoe and was sensitive.
A bar shoe was placed on the hoof April 13. The equipment was necessary after Ryerson discovered a cracked heel, an injury that presumably happened in Unbridled's Song's win in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. A different form of bar shoe was placed on the foot yesterday, and Ryerson reported the horse was more comfortable.
Giant's Causeway—Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer
Yes, Union Rags is the sexy No. 1 pick and the most logical, but this guy right now is more battle-tested with two tough races, including an excellent sharpener sprinting, and has a bit more upside when it comes to getting the 1 ¼ miles. Both colts are trained by veteran conditioners who can read a horse with the best of them. Important thing with him is for the rider to stay away from the whip. He gives everything he has on his own and doesn’t need encouragement. That’s the only way he’s going to stay on a straight course.
2
Union Rags Michael Matz
Dixie Union—Tempo, by Gone West
Had an easy five-furlong breeze in 1:04 1/5. He will get a much-needed test from El Padrino in the Florida Derby, with the winner establishing himself as the solid Derby favorite. He has exhibited every trait you want in a Derby horse and his main asset is his superstar potential. Other quality opponents in the Florida Derby should make this the race of the year. Let’s see if Matz gives him a sharp work next week.
3
El Padrino Todd Pletcher
Pulpit—Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway
Breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5. He has two hard-knocking performances going two turns this year, in addition to a tough race in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen last year, so there is plenty of foundation under him and he’s been tested by good horses three times already. Like Creative Cause, he’s a hard-running horse who will not back down from a fight and should only get stronger the farther he goes.
a friend of mine is launching a spanish horse racing website... (soon to be in english too)... so far him and I will be making GB/IRL horse racing tips... thought you may be interested:
Finding horse racing broadcasting or live streaming online can be tough when you are searching for the 2012 Dubai World Cup. In the past, major U.S. broadcasting channels carried the race, but online, they are not directly advertising it this year. In the meantime, the Jockey Club is joining up with CBS, NBCSports, and other news channels for a new website that brings live horse racing coverage to Americans called FollowHorseRacing.com. However, what about international events like the 2012 Dubai World Cup?
On March 31, 2012, the world will be watching the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse to see which horse will win the $10 million dollar purse. This is, by far, the largest prize for winning a horse race this year and surpasses other races like the Breeder's Cup or the Kentucky Derby that offers $2 to $6 million maximum. There are other highlights to this race other than the big winning, like the Toni Braxton closing performance, but where to watch it on TV is the main question that horse racing fans are asking for.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 03-23-2012 at 09:49 PM.
