Sunday, June 15, 2008

Normalcy Returns

An very formful day in the major racing action on Saturday as Curlin - the best dirt runner in the world - returns with an easy victory in the 31st Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. The three major older filly and mare stakes are all won easily by the favorites - Ginger Punch in the Phipps at Belmont, Unbridled Belle in the Obeah at Del Park, and Hystericalady in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill. The Pick-Six at Churchill yesterday - an all-stake Pick-6 - paid a whopping $48.00 for six with a conso of $2.80 for picking five winners. Biggest price was Tizdejavu winning the Jefferson Cup at 3-1 second favorite.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Older Filly & Mare Day in America

Three stakes for fillies and mares three & up today - the fields line up this way:

Belmont - Ogden Phipps - 300k- Grade I-40th running (formerly Hempstead Handicap) - 1 1/16 - 6 runners (Spring Walt - half of the Stronach entry is a non-runner)

Churchill - Fleur de Lis Handicap - 300k -Grade II- 34th running -1 1/8 - 5 runners (Cowgirls Don't Cry is a non-runner)

Delaware - Obeah Handicap - 150k - Grade III- 1 1/8 - 7 runners (Adorable Jane is a non-runner)

Plenty of opportunity for the trainers to dodge other horses and earn black type for the owners and breeders. No industry coordination to a national bet on these races or to change the stakes schedule so that it is not so overloaded for this type of race today. The only two races in this division that are in any sense "national" attracting a diverse field from all points are the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in April and the Del Cap in the middle of July at Delaware Park.
Winning Colors' daughter wins first start

Looking very much like her mother, Derby winner Winning Colors, the two year old filly Ocean Colors broke very fast from the gate. fended off a challenge from the favorite the Zayat filly Jehan at the top of the stretch and drew off in the lane to win by 5 1/4 at 3-2 yesterday in the 4th race at Churchill. She is trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by her breeders and owner of Winning Colors when she was a broodmare Gainesway Thoroughbreds. Winning Colors has one more foal to race - a yearling filly by Mr. Greenley.

Winning Colors also won her first start with a wire to wire win during the August 1987 Saratoga meeting defeating eventual Breeders Cup filly winner Epitome.

Another nice post Triple Crown story to go along with Curlin's return to American racing today.