The Great Mares
Monmouth is running the Miss Woodford stakes on Sunday as part of the undercard with the feature being the 63rd running of the Molly Pitcher starring the great mare Hystericalady. Miss Woodford was the best horse around - male or female - in 1884 with a perfect 9 for 9 year - part of a 16 race winning streak over three years beginning when she was three in 1883 and ending when she was five in 1885. Miss Woodford stakes on Sunday is at 6 furlongs - a distance that Miss Woodford probably didn't run past the age of two.
At least they keep running the Miss Woodford at Monmouth. Another great race mare Ginger Punch won the 61st Personal Ensign stakes at Saratoga on Friday winning a long stretch duel by a nose. Personal Ensign retired undefeated in 1988 with a perfect 13 for 13 record - obviously deserving the recognition of a Grade I race. But the stakes race now named for Personal Ensign was previously named for the great race mare Firenze from 1948 through 1984. Firenze was the best horse in the country - male or female - in 1888 when she race 22 times, winning 13 races and never finishing out of the money. The majority of her races were against males and she was owned by James Ben Ali Haggin whose silks can still by seen on the turf when his descendant Louis Lee Haggin III runs a horse.
I'm glad Monmouth honors a great mare whose name very few people now would recognize and I wish that NYRA would find a way to have to continue to honor a great race mare from the 19th century.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Whitney Day 2008
Watching the action from Saratoga today, horse racing looks very good on HD TV - Keeneland is broadcasting all their races in HD starting with the fall meet.
Winning Colors' 2nd to last foal - Ocean Colors - was practically distanced as the 13-10 favorite in the Schuylerville on opening day at the Spa. But today, Personal Ensign's final foal - Baronial wins a maiden race in her 4th start. Here is link to NY Times story by Bill Finley from opening day: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/sports/othersports/23racing.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Trainer Bret Calhoun won two turf stakes today - winning the Taylor's Special at Arlington with Mr. Nightlinger (winning his fourth straight race) and the San Clemente at Del Mar with Storm Mesa (winning her fifth straight race and third consecutive stakes).
The Daily Racing Form should expand the Watchmaker Watch to include breakouts of top 10 horses in each Breeders Cup division. Mr. Nightlinger would be included in the turf sprint division.
Watching the action from Saratoga today, horse racing looks very good on HD TV - Keeneland is broadcasting all their races in HD starting with the fall meet.
Winning Colors' 2nd to last foal - Ocean Colors - was practically distanced as the 13-10 favorite in the Schuylerville on opening day at the Spa. But today, Personal Ensign's final foal - Baronial wins a maiden race in her 4th start. Here is link to NY Times story by Bill Finley from opening day: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/sports/othersports/23racing.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Trainer Bret Calhoun won two turf stakes today - winning the Taylor's Special at Arlington with Mr. Nightlinger (winning his fourth straight race) and the San Clemente at Del Mar with Storm Mesa (winning her fifth straight race and third consecutive stakes).
The Daily Racing Form should expand the Watchmaker Watch to include breakouts of top 10 horses in each Breeders Cup division. Mr. Nightlinger would be included in the turf sprint division.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
July 14 - This Day in Racing History
1999 - TVG begins broadcasting.
1956 - Swaps wins the 17th Hollywood Gold Cup with Bill Shoemaker up giving Shoe the first of his 9 wins in the race.
1951 - Marta wins the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park – first sports event broadcast in color television in United States. Described by CBS as “first remote pick-up on a regular color video broadcast”, two races shown live in the first of four scheduled broadcasts from Monmouth during the summer.
1951 - Citation becomes the first horse to earn 1 million dollars by winning the 12th Hollywood Gold Cup.
1923 - In Memoriam wins the inaugural running of the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park setting a track record of 2:04 1/5 for the mile and a quarter.. Since Highball had won the American Derby in1904, there had not been a race of national importance run in Chicago. Former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson is among the estimated 35,000 in attendance.
1999 - TVG begins broadcasting.
1956 - Swaps wins the 17th Hollywood Gold Cup with Bill Shoemaker up giving Shoe the first of his 9 wins in the race.
1951 - Marta wins the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park – first sports event broadcast in color television in United States. Described by CBS as “first remote pick-up on a regular color video broadcast”, two races shown live in the first of four scheduled broadcasts from Monmouth during the summer.
1951 - Citation becomes the first horse to earn 1 million dollars by winning the 12th Hollywood Gold Cup.
1923 - In Memoriam wins the inaugural running of the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park setting a track record of 2:04 1/5 for the mile and a quarter.. Since Highball had won the American Derby in1904, there had not been a race of national importance run in Chicago. Former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson is among the estimated 35,000 in attendance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Big Brown Comparisons
In reviewing past Triple Crown race winners, the two horses that I would most compare him to are Seattle Slew and Majestic Prince. Big Brown started three times prior to winning the Derby - the least starts since Regret in 1915 (whose three prior races were all as a two year old). Seattle Slew started six times prior to the Derby (3 as a 2 year old and 3 preps prior to Derby). Majestic Prince started seven times prior to the Derby (twice as a 2 year old and 5 races in the run up to the Derby). Both Slew and Prince were undefeated coming into the Derby.
Other comparisons would be the ownership groups were somewhat new to racing ownership - Alberta oilman Frank McMahon owned Majestic Prince after buying him for a record amount as a yearling. The Slew Crew were a very young ownership group. IEAH Stable is rather a new phenomenon in racing ownership.
Majestic Prince's jockey - Bill Hartack - was attempting his second bid for a Triple Crown winner after missing out when Northern Dancer finished 3rd in the 1964 Belmont. Majestic Prince suffered a tendon injury in the Preakness and trainer Johnny Longden did not want to contest the Belmont but owner McMahon overruled him and the horse went on to New York to finish 2nd - 5 1/2 lengths back and never race again in his life - ending his career with a 10 starts - 9 wins - 1 second record.
In reviewing past Triple Crown race winners, the two horses that I would most compare him to are Seattle Slew and Majestic Prince. Big Brown started three times prior to winning the Derby - the least starts since Regret in 1915 (whose three prior races were all as a two year old). Seattle Slew started six times prior to the Derby (3 as a 2 year old and 3 preps prior to Derby). Majestic Prince started seven times prior to the Derby (twice as a 2 year old and 5 races in the run up to the Derby). Both Slew and Prince were undefeated coming into the Derby.
Other comparisons would be the ownership groups were somewhat new to racing ownership - Alberta oilman Frank McMahon owned Majestic Prince after buying him for a record amount as a yearling. The Slew Crew were a very young ownership group. IEAH Stable is rather a new phenomenon in racing ownership.
Majestic Prince's jockey - Bill Hartack - was attempting his second bid for a Triple Crown winner after missing out when Northern Dancer finished 3rd in the 1964 Belmont. Majestic Prince suffered a tendon injury in the Preakness and trainer Johnny Longden did not want to contest the Belmont but owner McMahon overruled him and the horse went on to New York to finish 2nd - 5 1/2 lengths back and never race again in his life - ending his career with a 10 starts - 9 wins - 1 second record.
Another tragic demise of a great race mare
Nashoba's Key - a 5 year old mare who had won 8 of 10 starts and was equally proficient on turf and synthetic - was put down this morning at after smashing her hind leg against the stall wall. Trainer Carla Gaines issued the following statement:
"In a freak accident at 5:30 a.m. this morning at Hollywood Park, Nashoba’s Key kicked the wall of her pen and broke her hind leg. She was euthanized shortly thereafter. She brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives that were lucky enough to be associated with her and we will all miss her very much."
She was without doubt the best horse that the talented Ms. Gaines has trained in her career.
Nashoba's Key - a 5 year old mare who had won 8 of 10 starts and was equally proficient on turf and synthetic - was put down this morning at after smashing her hind leg against the stall wall. Trainer Carla Gaines issued the following statement:
"In a freak accident at 5:30 a.m. this morning at Hollywood Park, Nashoba’s Key kicked the wall of her pen and broke her hind leg. She was euthanized shortly thereafter. She brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives that were lucky enough to be associated with her and we will all miss her very much."
She was without doubt the best horse that the talented Ms. Gaines has trained in her career.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
Divine Park ran down Commentator late to the win the 115th Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont today. Everyone calls the race the "Met Mile" - even track announcer Tom Durkin - but the stature of the race demands a more formal name.
The race began to be run on Memorial Day in 1956 when 2-5 favorite Nashua was upset by Midafternoon. When Memorial Day switched to the final Monday of the month from May 30 in 1971, NYRA moved the race to the Monday holiday.
Decoration Day (previous name for the holiday) - Memorial Day - Memorial Day Monday has always been a big day for racetracks since the holiday began after the Civil War. A crowd of 12,562 attended Belmont today - slightly down from the 60,000 throng of the early 1970s.
I'd like to do a comparison of attendance and handle figures of Memorial Days in the past - not only Belmont Park but the local track Canterbury Park. I believe it would clearly show the continued decline of the sport over the past four decades.
Belmont Stakes Day has now become the focal point for the meeting and attendance is always largest on that day.
Divine Park ran down Commentator late to the win the 115th Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont today. Everyone calls the race the "Met Mile" - even track announcer Tom Durkin - but the stature of the race demands a more formal name.
The race began to be run on Memorial Day in 1956 when 2-5 favorite Nashua was upset by Midafternoon. When Memorial Day switched to the final Monday of the month from May 30 in 1971, NYRA moved the race to the Monday holiday.
Decoration Day (previous name for the holiday) - Memorial Day - Memorial Day Monday has always been a big day for racetracks since the holiday began after the Civil War. A crowd of 12,562 attended Belmont today - slightly down from the 60,000 throng of the early 1970s.
I'd like to do a comparison of attendance and handle figures of Memorial Days in the past - not only Belmont Park but the local track Canterbury Park. I believe it would clearly show the continued decline of the sport over the past four decades.
Belmont Stakes Day has now become the focal point for the meeting and attendance is always largest on that day.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Irish 2000 Guineas & American 1000 Guineas day
88th running of the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh features a cracking rematch of the 1-2 finishing of the English 2000 Guineas - Henrythenavigator running for Coolmore and New Approach running for Sheikh Mo. The horses are actually by the principals' wives - Sue Magnier - wife of Coolmore tital John Magnier and New Approach runs in the name of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan - wife of Sheikh Mohammad. Nownownow - winner of the Breeders Cup Juve Turf race last fall at Monmouth - makes a rare United States invader appearance at the Curragh also. He is trained by David Wachman - John Magnier's son-in-law. TVG is the only ADW taking the action and will show the race live at 10:45 a.m. Eastern.
Arlington Park hosts the inaugural running of the American 1000 Guineas on the turf course today. Various tracks over the past 120 years have tried to duplicate the 1000-2000 Guineas classic races run over a mile in Europe here without any success. This is the latest effort - the most successful being the Withers stakes in New York that began in 1874 to be the American 2000 Guineas. Aristides - inaugural Kentucky Derby winner - completed the Withers-Derby double in 1875.
Arlington has one of the best cards of their meeting today - running three stakes with the 1000 Guineas, the 74th running of the Arlington Classic, and the Hanshin Cup with Spotsgone with Earlie Fires riding for brother Jinks looking for a repeat of last year's victory in the race.
The Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) closes the action late this evening on TVG with Reginetta looking to become the 5th filly to complete the Oka Sho-Yushun Himba (1000 Guineas-Oaks) double at Tokyo racecourse.
88th running of the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh features a cracking rematch of the 1-2 finishing of the English 2000 Guineas - Henrythenavigator running for Coolmore and New Approach running for Sheikh Mo. The horses are actually by the principals' wives - Sue Magnier - wife of Coolmore tital John Magnier and New Approach runs in the name of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan - wife of Sheikh Mohammad. Nownownow - winner of the Breeders Cup Juve Turf race last fall at Monmouth - makes a rare United States invader appearance at the Curragh also. He is trained by David Wachman - John Magnier's son-in-law. TVG is the only ADW taking the action and will show the race live at 10:45 a.m. Eastern.
Arlington Park hosts the inaugural running of the American 1000 Guineas on the turf course today. Various tracks over the past 120 years have tried to duplicate the 1000-2000 Guineas classic races run over a mile in Europe here without any success. This is the latest effort - the most successful being the Withers stakes in New York that began in 1874 to be the American 2000 Guineas. Aristides - inaugural Kentucky Derby winner - completed the Withers-Derby double in 1875.
Arlington has one of the best cards of their meeting today - running three stakes with the 1000 Guineas, the 74th running of the Arlington Classic, and the Hanshin Cup with Spotsgone with Earlie Fires riding for brother Jinks looking for a repeat of last year's victory in the race.
The Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) closes the action late this evening on TVG with Reginetta looking to become the 5th filly to complete the Oka Sho-Yushun Himba (1000 Guineas-Oaks) double at Tokyo racecourse.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Near Miss Story
The eleven Triple Crown have great stories of their triumphs but there are even more great and probable unknown stories about the ones who reached the Belmont on the verge of the Triple Crown and suffered defeat. Steven Crist has a listing of them all on his blog on the DRF website:
http://cristblog.drf.com/crist/
My favorites:
June 3, 1944 - Calumet Farm's Pensive is defeated by Bounding Home while errant reports are being broadcast on radio that Allied Forces had begun the invasion of Europe. The track was preparing to cancel the rest of the card when word of the error came.
June 7, 1958 - The epic tale of Tim Tam has to go down as one of the most gallant stories in the history of the North American turf.
June 1, 1968 - Calumet Farm's Forward Pass is denied the "asterisk Triple Crown" by Greentree's Stage Door Johnny - also denied are the 2nd attempts of Trainer Henry Forrest (Kauai King in 1966) and Ismael Valenzuela (Tim Tam's rider) to win the Crown. Greentree wins their fourth Belmont.
June 6, 1998 - Real Quiet - ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trainer Bob Baffert's 2nd successive bid for the Crown - is denied victory in the final jump by Victory Gallop.
June 5, 2004 - The Whitney colors take their 7th Belmont when Birdstone runs down Smarty Jones in a driving rainstorm with track announcer Tom Durkin practically weeping during the stretch run.
The challengers for the Crown are a combined 11 for 29 in the Belmont Stakes.
The eleven Triple Crown have great stories of their triumphs but there are even more great and probable unknown stories about the ones who reached the Belmont on the verge of the Triple Crown and suffered defeat. Steven Crist has a listing of them all on his blog on the DRF website:
http://cristblog.drf.com/crist/
My favorites:
June 3, 1944 - Calumet Farm's Pensive is defeated by Bounding Home while errant reports are being broadcast on radio that Allied Forces had begun the invasion of Europe. The track was preparing to cancel the rest of the card when word of the error came.
June 7, 1958 - The epic tale of Tim Tam has to go down as one of the most gallant stories in the history of the North American turf.
June 1, 1968 - Calumet Farm's Forward Pass is denied the "asterisk Triple Crown" by Greentree's Stage Door Johnny - also denied are the 2nd attempts of Trainer Henry Forrest (Kauai King in 1966) and Ismael Valenzuela (Tim Tam's rider) to win the Crown. Greentree wins their fourth Belmont.
June 6, 1998 - Real Quiet - ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trainer Bob Baffert's 2nd successive bid for the Crown - is denied victory in the final jump by Victory Gallop.
June 5, 2004 - The Whitney colors take their 7th Belmont when Birdstone runs down Smarty Jones in a driving rainstorm with track announcer Tom Durkin practically weeping during the stretch run.
The challengers for the Crown are a combined 11 for 29 in the Belmont Stakes.
June 7, 2008
Will be the 50th anniversary of Tim Tam's brave attempt to win the Triple Crown as the 3-20 favorite in the Belmont Stakes. The Calumet Farm horse was closing in on the lead at the quarter pole when he begun to swerve out. He would still finish 2nd in the race and walk into the ambulance that would take him away with his trainer Jimmy Jones in tears. He sufferd a fractured sesamoid in his right front leg and was retired to stud.
Will be the 50th anniversary of Tim Tam's brave attempt to win the Triple Crown as the 3-20 favorite in the Belmont Stakes. The Calumet Farm horse was closing in on the lead at the quarter pole when he begun to swerve out. He would still finish 2nd in the race and walk into the ambulance that would take him away with his trainer Jimmy Jones in tears. He sufferd a fractured sesamoid in his right front leg and was retired to stud.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Preakness Day 2008
I believe the last horse to go off at 1-9 in a Triple Crown race was Spectacular Bid in the 1979 Preakness - hopefully NBC or ESPN will confirm this fact today. The Bid was 3-10 in the Belmont when he was defeated by Coastal.
Two 100k sprints for 3 year old males today - the Matt Winn at Churchill and the Hirsch Jacobs at Pimlico - both aptly named for Triple Crown legends. The Jacobs looks like the tougher field with a rematch of the two quickest 3 year old males from Oaklawn - Lantana Mob and Force Freeze.
Both ESPN and NBC are going to be conducting "round table" discussions on horse racing during their broadcasts today.
I believe the last horse to go off at 1-9 in a Triple Crown race was Spectacular Bid in the 1979 Preakness - hopefully NBC or ESPN will confirm this fact today. The Bid was 3-10 in the Belmont when he was defeated by Coastal.
Two 100k sprints for 3 year old males today - the Matt Winn at Churchill and the Hirsch Jacobs at Pimlico - both aptly named for Triple Crown legends. The Jacobs looks like the tougher field with a rematch of the two quickest 3 year old males from Oaklawn - Lantana Mob and Force Freeze.
Both ESPN and NBC are going to be conducting "round table" discussions on horse racing during their broadcasts today.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Pick-Six winning tickets
On Sunday, May 4, there was one winning ticket for the Pick-Six at Hollywood Park paying $1,262,507. The ticket was bought at Santa Anita for a cost of $24,192.
On Wednesday, May 7, there was one winning ticket for the Pick-Six at Churchill Downs paying $1,127,774. The ticket was one of multiple tickets bought by the winner through the Nevada wagering hub that totalled exactly $106,000.
It is a very good idea to release this information - one of the better changes that racetracks have made in recent years.
On Sunday, May 4, there was one winning ticket for the Pick-Six at Hollywood Park paying $1,262,507. The ticket was bought at Santa Anita for a cost of $24,192.
On Wednesday, May 7, there was one winning ticket for the Pick-Six at Churchill Downs paying $1,127,774. The ticket was one of multiple tickets bought by the winner through the Nevada wagering hub that totalled exactly $106,000.
It is a very good idea to release this information - one of the better changes that racetracks have made in recent years.
Eight Belles
Much has been written about the tragic filly over the past week. I felt that Jim Squires and T.D. Thornton had the best views on the subject:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/sports/othersports/05rail.html?scp=16&sq=eight+belles&st=nyt
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/sports/othersports/07rail.html?_r=1&scp=15&sq=eight+belles&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Much has been written about the tragic filly over the past week. I felt that Jim Squires and T.D. Thornton had the best views on the subject:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/sports/othersports/05rail.html?scp=16&sq=eight+belles&st=nyt
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/sports/othersports/07rail.html?_r=1&scp=15&sq=eight+belles&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Double Delta Double
Owner Frank Calabrese won the Double Delta stakes today on Opening Day of the 81st season at Arlington with Dreaming of Liz taking the race after it was moved from the lawn to poly. Last year, his Dreaming of Anna started her current run of strong performances with a win in the same stakes on the grass. The stake was run in June last year.
Anna was named after his sister who died of cancer in the 1990s. I couldn't find who Liz is named after.
Owner Frank Calabrese won the Double Delta stakes today on Opening Day of the 81st season at Arlington with Dreaming of Liz taking the race after it was moved from the lawn to poly. Last year, his Dreaming of Anna started her current run of strong performances with a win in the same stakes on the grass. The stake was run in June last year.
Anna was named after his sister who died of cancer in the 1990s. I couldn't find who Liz is named after.
Oaks - Derby double payoffs
$2 Oaks-Derby double will-pays:
Proud Spell (No. 8) with:
1. Cool Coal Man, $436.00
2. Tale of Ekati, 312.20
3. Anak Nakal, 778.00
4. Court Vision, 132.20
5. Eight Belles, 212.00
6. Z Fortune, 143.60
7. Big Truck, 848.40
8. Visionaire, 235.60
9. Pyro, 55.80
10. Colonel John, 54.80
11. Z Humor, 644.80
12. Smooth Air, 369.60
13. Bob Black Jack, 514.80
14. Monba, 281.60
15. Adriano, 297.00
16. Denis of Cork, 224.20
17. Cowboy Cal, 593.80
18. Recapturetheglory, 578.60
19. Gayego, 227.00
20. Big Brown, 37.80
$2 Oaks-Derby double will-pays:
Proud Spell (No. 8) with:
1. Cool Coal Man, $436.00
2. Tale of Ekati, 312.20
3. Anak Nakal, 778.00
4. Court Vision, 132.20
5. Eight Belles, 212.00
6. Z Fortune, 143.60
7. Big Truck, 848.40
8. Visionaire, 235.60
9. Pyro, 55.80
10. Colonel John, 54.80
11. Z Humor, 644.80
12. Smooth Air, 369.60
13. Bob Black Jack, 514.80
14. Monba, 281.60
15. Adriano, 297.00
16. Denis of Cork, 224.20
17. Cowboy Cal, 593.80
18. Recapturetheglory, 578.60
19. Gayego, 227.00
20. Big Brown, 37.80
Oaks Day
Rain continues to pour down at Churchill causing the scratch of Prussian from the Crown Royal American Turf (9th race). Of course, this was after all the bets in the late Pick-4 on the 2nd biggest day of the year at the track had been taken. Another slap in the face of bettors. This can't be done before the start of the Pick-4 (8th race).
Chelokee broke down in the stretch of the Alysheba. Trainer was Barbaro's Michael Matz who has Visionaire in the Derby tomorrow. I'm sure NBC is preparing the tear jerker lead in right now.
Wall Street Journal had a very good story today about the widespread inbreeding of the Native Dancer bloodline leading to unsound horses who break down.
Rain continues to pour down at Churchill causing the scratch of Prussian from the Crown Royal American Turf (9th race). Of course, this was after all the bets in the late Pick-4 on the 2nd biggest day of the year at the track had been taken. Another slap in the face of bettors. This can't be done before the start of the Pick-4 (8th race).
Chelokee broke down in the stretch of the Alysheba. Trainer was Barbaro's Michael Matz who has Visionaire in the Derby tomorrow. I'm sure NBC is preparing the tear jerker lead in right now.
Wall Street Journal had a very good story today about the widespread inbreeding of the Native Dancer bloodline leading to unsound horses who break down.
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