Belmont Stakes Post Positions and Betting Odds

The 151st running of the Belmont Stakes will take place just before 7 pm (EDT) on Saturday, 8 June.  The first Belmont Stakes was run in 1867 at the old Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx.  This year, the race will be run over the traditional distance of 1 and 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) at Belmont Park, the track who's nicknames include "the Big Sandy" and "the Graveyard of Champions."  Ten horses will compete on Saturday in the third leg of the Triple Crown for a guaranteed purse of  $1,500,000.  Each of the 3-year-old colts will carry 126 pounds.  We'll see if any contestants can equal the course record set by Secretariat in 1973, when he won the race by 31 lengths in a world record time of 2:24.
   There are ten entries this year - nine bred in Kentucky, and Master Fencer in Japan.  There are five bays or browns, three chestnuts, and two greys or roans. Tax is a gelding and the rest are colts.  Seven of the ten ran in either the Kentucky Derby and/or the Preakness Stakes.  Intrepid Heart is making only his fourth start in a horse race. Three of the ten starters are sons of Tapit: Bourbon War, Intrepid Heart, and Tacitus.

   A little bit about each horse and his connections follows.  The number is his gate position drawn for the Belmont Stakes....
   1.   Joevia  -  a dark bay or brown colt; sired by Shanghai Bobby, out of the War Front mare Peace Process.  Trained by Gregg Sacco, ridden by Jose Lezcano.   Winner of the Long Branch Stakes.  Morning line odds: 30 to 1

   2.   Everfast  - a bay colt;  sired by Take Charge Indy, out of the Awesome Again mare Awesome Surprise.  Trained by Dale Romans, ridden by Luis Saez.  Second in the Preakness Stakes.  Morning line odds: 12 to 1

   3.   Master Fencer (JPN) - a chestnut colt; sired by Just a Way (JPN), out of the Deputy Minister mare Sexy Zamurai.  Trained by Koichi Tsunoda, ridden by Julien Laparoux.  7th in the Kentucky Derby.  Morning line odds: 8 to 1

   4.   Tax - a dark bay or brown gelding; sired by Arch, out of the Giant's Causeway mare Toll. Trained by Danny Gargan, ridden by Irad Ortiza Jr.   14th in the Kentucky Derby.  Morning line odds: 15 to 1

   5.   Bourbon War - a bay colt; sired by Tapit, out of the Artie Schiller mare My Conquestadory. Trained by Mark Hennig, ridden by Mike Smith.  8th in the Preakness Stakes.  Morning line odds: 12 to 1

   6.   Spinoff  - a chestnut colt; sired by Hard Spun, out of the Gone West mare Zaftig.  Trained by Todd Pletcher, ridden by Javier Catellano. Second in the Louisiana Derby; 18th in the Kentucky Derby.  Morning line odds: 15 to 1

   7.   Sir Winston - a chestnut colt; sired by Awesome Again, out of the Afleet Alex mare La Gran Balladora.  Trained by Mark Casse, ridden by Joel Rosario.  Second in the Peter Pan Stakes.  Morning line odds: 12 to 1

   8.   Intrepid Heart - a grey or roan colt; sired by Tapit, out of the Touch Gold mare Flaming Heart.  Trained by Todd Pletcher, ridden by John Velazquez.  Third in Peter Pan Stakes; the Belmont will be his fourth start.  Morning line odds: 10 to 1

   9.   War of Will - a bay colt; sired by War Front, out of the Sadler's Wells mare Visions of Clarity (IRE).  Trained by Mark Casse, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.  Winner of the Preakness Stakes; horse and jockey caused all of the problems in the Kentucky Derby, causing the disqualification of Maximum Security, and a 15 day suspension for his jockey.  Morning line odds: 2 to 1

  10.   Tacitus - a grey or roan colt; sired by Tapit, out of the First Defence mare Close Hatches.  Trained by Bill Mott, ridden by Jose Ortiz.  Third in the Kentucky Derby.  Morning line odds: 9 to 5

Tacitus the morning line betting favorite for the Belmont Stakes

The Preakness Stakes 2019 - The 144th Black-Eyed Susans

On Saturday, 18 May, the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown races will once again be run at Pimlico Race Course, Old Hilltop, outside of Baltimore, Maryland.  This year, the Race for the Black-Eyed Susans has a post time of 6:48 EDT, and a field of 13 colts will race for a guaranteed purse of $1,650,000.00.  The race is 1 and 3/16 miles long (9.5 furlongs), and all entries will be carrying 126 pounds.  The race record was set in 1973 by Secretariat, who won the distance in 1:53 flat.
   After the Kentucky Derby controversy, Maximum Security is not running in the other Triple Crown races.  Country House, who was declared the winner, is being treated for virus and will also miss both races.  War of Will, who was shown to have run up into Maximum Security, kicking and cutting his hind legs for five strides - and finally placing a knee in the leader's testicles, causing him to run out - will be there. (See my blog from May 11, and look at the video embedded in the news story.)
   So twelve colts and one gelding are entered to run in the Preakness.  Ten were bred in Kentucky, Win Win Win and Warrior's Charge were bred in Florida, and Alwaysmining was bred in Maryland. Alwaysmining is the only gelding entered.  Eleven of the horses are bays or dark bay-browns, and there are two chestnuts - Improbable and Laughing Fox.  The thirteen entries represent twelve stallions - two are sons of Into Mischief.  And four of the colts ran in the Kentucky Derby - Improbable, who finished 4th; War of Will, who finished 7th; Win Win Win, who finished 9th; and Bodexpress, who finished 13th.*  All of the horses in the Kentucky Derby actually finished one place farther back than listed, since Maximum Security, who was the horse that was actually fouled, was moved back to 17th place. *
   Listed below are the post positions drawn by the entrants; the entry's name; the morning line betting odds;  (1) the sire; (2) the trainer; and (3) the jockey:
  1.   War of Will          4 to 1     (1) War Front     (2) Mark Casse     (3) Tyler Gaffalione
  2.   Bourbon War      12 to 1    (1) Tapit            (2) Mark Hennig   (3) Irad Ortiz Jr
  3.   Warrior's Charge   12 to 1    (1)Munnings    (2) Brad Cox      (3) Javiar Castellano
  4.   Improbable           5 to 2     (1) City Zip       (2) Bob Baffert     (3) Mike Smith
  5.   Owendale            10 to 1     (1) Into Mischief   (2) Brad Cox    (3) Florent Geroux
  6.   Market King       30 to 1     (1) Into Mischief   (2) D Wayne Lukas   (3) Jon Court
  7.   Alwaysmining      8 to 1      (1) Stay Thirsty  (2) Kelly Rubley   (3) David Centeno
  8.   Signalman           30 to 1      (1) General Quarters   (2) Kenny McPeek  (3) Brian Hernandez Jr
  9.   Bodexpress          20 to 1      (1) Bodemeister   (2) Gustavo Delgado  (3) John Velasquez
 10.  Everfast               50 to 1      (1) Take Charge Indy  (2) Dale Romans  (3) Joel Rosario
 11.  Laughing Fox      20 to 1      (1) Union Rags    (2) Steve Asmussen   (3) Ricardo Santana
 12.  Anothertwistafate   6 to 1     (1) Scat Daddy    (2) Blaine Wright   (3) Jose Ortiz
 13.  Win Win Win       15 to 1     (1) Hat Trick (JPN)  (2) Michael Trombetta   (3) Julian Pimentel

Kentucky Oaks Post Positions and Morning Line Odds

Well, it was 74 degrees here in Boulder, Colorado yesterday, and I am sitting at my PC, watching snow fall past the window at 10:40 this morning... 
   The Post positions for the Kentucky Oaks were drawn at 11 a.m. EDT today.  Only 14 entries are allowed in the gate for the 1 and 1/8 mile (9 furlong) race at Churchill Downs on Friday, 3 May.  The fillies will carry 121 pounds, and the guaranteed purse is $1,250,000 - with the winner getting $750,000.  This is the current line-up; there are two fillies waiting in the wings in the event of any scratches before the start of the race.
   1.   Out for a Spin           15 to 1
   2.   Chocolate Kisses      20 to 1
   3.   Lady Apple               20 to 1
   4.   Bellafina                    2 to 1
   5.   Flor de La Mar         20 to 1
   6.   Positive Spirit          30 to 1
   7.   Jaywalk                     8 to 1
   8.   Motion Emotion       15 to 1
   9.   Liora                         20 to 1
  10.  Champagne Anyone    6 to 1
  11.  Jeltrin                        15 to 1
  12.  Street Band               15 to 1
  13.  Serengeti Empress     8 to 1 
  14.  Restless Rider            6 to 1

The Kentucky Derby post position draw will occur tomorrow, and I will post that when it is available.

Great Racing At Gulfstream Park, With 2 Pegasus Races Worth a Total of $16 Million

Today, or tomorrow, depending on when and where you are reading this, on 26 January, Gulfstream Park Race Track will conduct 12 races for thoroughbred horses.  Many are stakes races, with big money purses, and they have drawn top horses from around the country.  The two Pegasus Invitational races have drawn entries from around the world, and the races are drawing world-wide television coverage.  NBC will be covering the two Invitational Races live, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. EST.

For the two Pegasus races, I am listing: Post position; Horse's name; (Sire's name); age and sex; assigned weight; and morning betting odds.

  The first Pegasus race is the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf Stakes.  The distance to be run is 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the turf course; the guaranteed purse is $7 million; and the post time is 4:51.    This is a handicap race, which takes into consideration the horse's age, sex, and past racing performances.  Assigned weights range between 112 pounds and 124 pounds for 10 entries.
  1.    Magic Wand (IRE)     (Galileo-IRE)             4yo filly       112        9 to 2
  2.    Yoshida (JPN)            (Heart's Cry-JPN)      5yo horse     124       5 to 2
  3.    Channel Maker          (English Channel)       5yo geld       117       12 to 1
  4.    Aerolithe (JPN)          (Kurofune)                  5 yo mare     112        8 to 1
  5.    Next Shares                (Archarcharch)           6yo geld       124        15 to 1
  6.    Fahan Mura                (English Channel)      5yo mare      119        30 to 1 
  7.    Bricks and Mortar      (Giant's Causeway)    5 yo horse     124       5 to 1
  8.    Delta Prince               (Street Cry-IRE)          6yo horse      124       15 to 1
  9.    Catapult                      (Kitten's Joy)               6yo horse     124        7 to 2
 10.   Dubby Dubbie            (Ice Box)                      4yo geld       124       30 to 1


  The second Pegasus race is the Pegasus World Cup Invitation Stakes.  The distance to be run is 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the main dirt track;   the guaranteed purse is $9 million; all horses are male, and all carry the same weight of 124 pounds in the race.  Post time is scheduled for 5:36 for 12 entries.
  1.   Bravazo                        (Awesome Again)       4yo colt          12 to 1
  2.   Something Awesome   (Awesome Again)        8yo geld         20 to 1
  3.   City of Light                (Quality Road)            5yo horse        5 to 2
  4.   Seeking the Soul          (Perfect Soul-IRE)      6yo horse        12 to 1
  5.   Accelerate                    (Lookin' At Lucky)       6yo horse         9 to 5
  6.   Tom's d'Etat                 (Smart Strike)              6yo horse        20 to 1
  7.   True Timber                 (Mineshaft)                  5yo horse        30 to 1
  8.   Gunnevera                   (Dialed In)                   5yo horse         8 to 1
  9.   Kukulkan (MEX)        (Point Determined)      4yo colt           30 to 1
 10.  Audible                       (Into Mischief)              4yo colt           10 to 1
 11.  Imperative                   (Bernardini)                  9yo geld          30 to 1
 12.  Patternrecognition       (Adios Charlie)             6yo horse        10 to 1

Have fun at the races!

 

Belmont Stakes Post Positions and Odds

The draw for Saturday's 150th running of the Belmont Stakes has taken place.  Once again, the forecast is for afternoon and evening thunderstorms.   Will Justify become the 13th Triple Crown winner in 100 years?  We'll see....   There will be ten entries in the gate, unless there is a scratch due to illness.  Besides Justify, only one other contender has been both the Derby and the Preakness, that being D. Wayne Lukas trainee Bravazo, who finished second in the Preakness.   Tenfold also ran in the Preakness, three weeks ago.  Four other entries ran in the Derby, and this is their first return to the races since then: Free Drop Billy, Hofburg, Vino Rosso, and Noble Indy.  Plus three new colts, Restoring Hope, Gronkowski, and Blended Citizen.  All ten colts were bred in Kentucky.
  Here are post positions drawn, sire, and morning line betting odds:
1.     Justify        Scat Daddy     4 to 5
2.     Free Drop Billy     Union Rags     30 to 1
3.     Bravazo     Awesome Again     8 to 1
4.     Hofburg     Tapit     9 to 2
5.     Restoring Hope     Giant's Causeway     30 to 1
6.     Gronkowski     Lonhro    12 to 1
7.     Tenfold     Curlin     12 to 1
8.     Vino Rosso     Curlin     8 to 1
9.     Noble Indy     Take Charge Indy     30 to 1
10.   Blended Citizen     Proud Citizen     15 to 1

Yesterday I wrote there were 23 horses who had won both the Derby and the Preakness, but not the Belmont Stakes.  Here is a listing, giving the year and the name of the colt:
1932    Burgoo King
1936    Bold Venture
1944    Pensive
1958    Tim Tam
1961    Carry Back
1964    Northern Dancer
1966    Kauai King
1968    Forward Pass
1969    Majestic Prince
1971    Canonero II
1979    Spectacular Bid
1981    Pleasant Colony
1987    Alysheba
1989    Sunday Silence
1997    Silver Charm
1998    Real Quiet
1999    Charismatic
2002    War Emblem
2003    Funny Cide
2004    Smarty Jones
2008    Big Brown
2012    I'll Have Another
2014    California Chrome

Today's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico

I remember when the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes got as much publicity as the Kentucky Oaks - but that was quite a few years ago.  These days, the second race in the Triple Tiara for Fillies is only a Grade II, with a total purse of $250,000.  It still covers a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles, or 9 furlongs, but it no longer has a luster to it's image.  All the fillies who ran carried 122 pounds; now it depends upon their race experience and wins....
   At any event, the post time for this year's running of the female counter-part of the Preakness Stakes is at 4:48 EDT in the afternoon.   Originally, there were ten entries, but Midnight Disguise, the only New York-bred filly was scratched with a bruised foot.  Of the nine fillies who enter the gate, all were bred in Kentucky, except Goodonehoney, who is from Maryland.  All of the fillies are bays, dark bays or browns, except for Red Ruby, who is registered as a grey or roan.
  Here is a listing of the post positions, the weight each filly will carry, her sire, and her morning-line betting odds:
1.     Tell Your Mama  116#      Blame         20 to 1
2.     Midnight Disguise    120#    Midnight Lute        4 to 1
3.     Coach Rocks    120#      Oxbow      7 to 2
4.     Red Ruby     118#      Tiznow      5 to 1
5.     Mihrab       116#       Tiznow       30 to 1
6.     C. S. Incharge     116#     Take Charge Indy     15 to 1
7.     Goodonehoney     118#      Great Notion       5 to 1
8.     Indy Union      116#       Union Rags       10 to 1
9.     Sara Street      116#       Street Sense       4 to 1
10.   Stakes On a Plane      116#      Run Away And Hide      20 to 1


The first running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes took place in 1919, with Milkmaid winning.  The race was then run at the distance of 1 and 1/16 miles - where it stayed until 1988, when the distance was lengthened to 9 furlongs.
   The third leg of the fillies Triple Tiara is the Mother Goose Stakes, at Belmont Park, the day before the Belmont Stakes.

The Preakness Stakes 19 May 2018

The second jewel of America's Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Racing will be run this Saturday, 19 May, at Pimlico Race Course, outside of Baltimore, Maryland.  The one and three-sixteenths mile long race is a little bit shorter than the Kentucky Derby, and 5/16ths shorter than the Belmont Stakes, the last part of the Triple Crown races.  The post positions have been drawn, and morning-line betting odds posted.  There are only 8 colts racing in this race, four continuing on from the Derby, and four newcomers.  All of these boys were born in Kentucky; everyone carries 126 pounds.
 In post position 1 is Quip, a dark bay or brown colt, sired by Distorted Humor; odds of 12 to 1.
 Post two is Lone Sailor, a dark bay or brown colt, sired by Majestic Warrior; odds of 15 to 1.
 Post three is Sporting Chance, a dark bay or brown colt, sired by Tiznow;  odds of 30 to 1.
 Post four is Diamond King, a bay colt, sired by Quality Road; odds at 30 to 1.
 Post five is Good Magic, a chestnut colt sired by Curlin; odds at 3 to 1.
 Post six is Tenfold, a bay colt sired by Curlin; odds at 20 to 1.
 Post seven is Justify, the chestnut colt by Scat Daddy; odds are 1 to 2.
 Post eight is Bravazo, a dark bay or brown colt, sired by Awesome Again; odds are 20 to 1.

Justify, who broke from post 7 and won the Derby, is back in post 7 for the Preakness.
Good Magic finished second in the Derby, breaking from post 6; he's in the 5 hole Saturday.
Lone Sailor broke from post 8 in the Derby, and finished eighth.
Bravazo broke from post 13 in the Derby and finished sixth.

Jockey Mike Smith will once again be riding Justify.
 

Kentucky Derby Odds and Post Positions

Sorry this is so late - I got caught up doing other things...
  There are a full twenty entries in Saturday's Kentucky Derby; with two alternate entries in case any of the original entries scratch before 11 a.m. Friday, 5 May.   The post positions and morning line betting odds are:

1     Lookin At Lee         20 to 1
2     Thunder Snow         20 to 1
3     Fast and Accurate    50 to 1
4     Untrapped                30 to 1
5     Always Dreaming     5 to 1
6     State of Honor         30 to 1
7     Girvin                      15 to 1
8     Hence                      15 to 1
9     Irap                          20 to 1
10   Gunnevera               15 to 1
11   Battle of Midway     30 to 1
12   Sonneteer                 50 to 1
13   J Boys Echo             20 to 1
14   Classic Empire           4 to 1
15   McCraken                  5 to 1
16   Tapwrit                     20 to 1
17   Irish War Cry             6 to 1
18   Gormley                   15 to 1
19   Practical Joke           20 to 1
20   Patch                        30 to 1
Alternate entries:
   Royal Mo                     20 to 1
   Master Plan                  50 to 1

More tomorrow!

Saturday's Nine Breeders Cup Races

I have made such disastrous betting picks over the last couple of years, that I have decided not to list my picks for this year's Breeders Cup races.  Instead, I will just give you the names of the races, distances, purse monies, post position of the entries, weight they will carry in the race, and the morning betting odds set by Mike Battaglia at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky.  All post times are Eastern Daylight Time in the US.  (Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday, or when you arise Sunday.)

Saturday's first Breeders Cup race has a post time of 12:05.  It is the Juvenile Fillies, for 2-year-old girls only, and each will carry 122 pounds over the main dirt track for 8.5 furlongs (! 1/16 miles).  The purse total is $2 million.
1     Land Over Sea           8 to 1
2     Tap To It                    8 to 1
3     Right There              30 to 1
4     Ma Can Do It           30 to 1
5     Forever Darling       30 to 1
6     Bold Quality            20 to 1
7     Nickname                  4 to 1
8     Dothraki Queen       10 to 1
9     Rachel's Valentina     9 to 2
10   Songbird                    7 to 5

The Turf Sprint is the second race of the Breeders Cup, with a post time of 12:45.  This race is open to any horse over the age of three years,and of any sex.  This race is weight for age and sex, which means I'll put the weight each horse is to carry behind their name, and before the odds.  The race length is 5.5 furlongs (11/16 of a mile) on the grass course, and the total purse is $1 million.
1      Pure Sensation            126        6 to 1
2      Bobby's Kitten            126      15 to 1
3      Undrafted                    126        4 to 1
4      Jimmy Bouncer           126      15 to 1
5      Lady Shipman             121       5 to 2
6      Joe Franklin                124      30 to 1
7      Green Mask                126      15 to 1
8      Something Extra         126      12 to 1
9      No Silent                     126      15 to 1
10    The Great War            124      12 to 1
11    Marchman                   126      15 to 1
12    Ready For Rye            124      10 to 1
13    Stacked Deck              126      30 to 1
14    Mongolian Saturday   126      15 to 1

At 1:25, it will be post time for the Filly & Mare Sprint, a race restricted to the girls, aged 3 years and up.  This is also a weight by age race.  The total purse is $1 million, and the ladies will race 7 furlongs (7/8 mile) on the main dirt track.
1     Fioretti                     124      30 to 1
2     Dame Dorothy         124      10 to 1
3     Taris                        124      12 to 1
4     La Verdad               124        6 to 1
5     Artemis Agrotera    124      20 to 1
6     Super Majesty         122      10 to 1
7     Wavell Avenue       124      12 to 1
8     Stonetastic              124        5 to 1
9     Sweet Whiskey       124      30 to 1
10   Kiss To Remember  124     30 to 1
11   Judy the Beauty       124       6 to 1
12   Room For Me          124      15 to 1
13   Merry Meadow       124       20 to 1   scratched
14   Cavorting                 122       3 to 1

The Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf is next on the card, with a post time of 2:10.  Again, this race is for females only, ages 3 years and up; and, it, too, is a weight for age race.  The distance is 9.5 furlongs (1 3/16 miles) on the grass course, and the purse total is $2 million.
1     Hard Not to Like        124      10 to 1
2     Sentiero Italia             120      15 to 1
3     Legatissimo (IRE)      120        8 to 5
4     Sharla Rae                  120      30 to 1
5     Photo Call (IRE)        120       12 to 1
6     Queen's Jewel (GB)   120       12 to 1  scratched
7     Whatsdachances         124       20 to 1
8     Dacita (CHI)              124        8 to 1
9     Miss France (IRE)      124        6 to 1
10   Bawina (IRE)             124       15 to 1
11   Stephanie's Kitten      124       10 to 1
12   Secret Gesture            124       8 to 1
13   Elecktrum (IRE)         124      30 to 1
14   Talmada                      124      30 to 1

The fifth Breeders Cup race has a post time of 2:50, and is the Sprint.  This race  is open to any horse, aged  three and up; and it is a weight for age race.  The Sprint is 6 furlongs (3/4 mile) on the main dirt course, and the total purse is $1.5 million.
1     Alsvid                       126    50 to 1
2     Kobe's Back             126     15 to 1
3     Stallwalkin' Dude     126    15 to 1
4     Limousine Liberal    124    15 to 1
5     Runhappy                 124      3 to 1
6     Ivan Fallunovalot     126     30 to 1
7     Holy Boss                 124    15 to 1
8     Wild Dude                126    10 to 1
9     Masochistic              126     10 to 1
10   Salutos Amigos        126     12 to 1
11   Barbados                  124     20 to 1
12   Big Macher              126     20 to 1
13   Private Zone            126       5 to 2
14   Favorite Tale           126     12 to 1

The Turf Mile is scheduled to go to post at 3:30.  The race covers one mile (8 furlongs) on the grass course, naturally, and the total purse is $2 million.  Any horse aged 3 years, or older, may be entered, and it is a weight for age and sex race.  The entries are:
1     Grand Arch                 126     15 to 1
2     Recepta                       126     30 to 1
3     Make Believe (GB)    123      3 to 1
4     Mondialiste (IRE)       126     15 to 1
5     Impassable (IRE)        123       8 to 1
6     Tourist                        126      15 to 1
7     Tepin                          123       12 to 1
8     Obviously (IRE)         126       15 to 1
9     Esoterique (IRE)         120        7 to 2
10   Mshawish                    126      15 to 1
11   Karakontie (JPN)        126      12 to 1
12   Time Test (GB)           123        6 to 1

The Breeders Cup Juvenile has a post time of 4:10.  This race is for 2-year-old males only, and every one carries 122 pounds.  The distance is 8.5 furlongs (1 1/16 miles) on the main dirt track and the purse is $2 million.
1     Conquest Big E            30 to 1
2     Riker                             15 to 1
3     Greenpoint Crusader      4 to 1
4     Unbridled Outlaw         15 to 1   scratched
5     Cocked and Loaded      12 to 1
6     Rated R Superstar         15 to 1
7     Brody's Cause                 7 to 2
8     Tale of S'Avall              30 to 1
9     Exaggerator                    6 to 1
10   Ralis                              12 to 1
11   Isotherm                        20 to 1
12   Swipe                            15 to 1
13   Nyquist                           9 to 2
14   Waterloo Bridge (IRE)  30 to 1
15   Siding Spring                30 to 1

The penultimate Breeders Cup race is the Turf.  This race is on the grass course, and is the longest race on the card at 12 furlongs (1 1/2 miles).  The purse totals $3 million.  This race, too, is weight for age and sex, as the race is open to all horses aged three and up.  Post time is 4:50.
1     Golden Horn (GB)        122         4 to 5
2     Shining Copper             126       20 to 1
3     Big John B                    126       30 to 1
4     Slumber (GB)               126        8 to 1
5     Da Big Hoss                 126        30 to 1
6     Twilight Eclipse           126        20 to 1
7     Big Blue Kitten            126          8 to 1
8     Cage Fighter                 126        30 to 1
9     Found (IRE)                 119          8 to 1
10   The Pizza Man             126         15 to 1
11   Red Rifle                      126         10 to 1
12   Ordak Dan (ARG)        126        30 to 1

The "American Dream race," the Breeders Cup Classic is the final race on the card.  The race is worth $5 million in purse money.  It's run at the American classic distance of 10 furlongs (1 1/4 miles) on the main dirt track.  Any horse aged three, and up, may enter.  It is a weight for age and sex race.  The post time is 5:35.
1     Tonalist                   126       6 to 1
2     Keen Ice                  122      12 to 1
3     Frosted                    122      15 to 1
4     American Pharoah   122       6 to 5
5     Gleneagles (IRE)     122     20 to 1
6     Effinex                     126     30 to 1
7    Smooth Roller           126      15 to 1
8    Hard Aces                 126      50 to 1
9    Honor Code              126        6 to 1
10  Beholder                   123        3 to 1  scratched Thursday - endoscopy showed bleeding

Thirteen Horse Races Worth $24.5 Million

I manage to scrape by, and even take vacations, earning about $22,000 per annum.  Sometimes the numbers I spout off regarding horse racing seem completely from another world - even though I was on the edges of it when I worked at a thoroughbred farm in Ocala, and I attended the Ocala Breeders Sales every chance I had.  Thanks to my veterinarian, I was able to meet George Steinbrenner, who was only introduced to me as "George."  It wasn't until two days later that I realized I'd had a Coke and a hot dog with the George Steinbrennerand I called up Bobby, the vet, and told him how mortified I was.  Bobby laughed and said that Mr Steinbrenner had loved my views on pedigrees and movement - probably because they were so out of the ball park.
   Anyway.  We are nearing the Breeders Cup.  Starting post positions have been drawn, and Mike Battaglia has announced his morning betting odds. There have already been a few scratches.  Untapable is not running Friday in the Distaff, due to a temperature spike this morning.  There are entries from Japan, Argentina, Chile, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada and the United States participating in the races this year.  With the jockeys different riding styles, some of the races are bound to be complete thrillers.
   Here are the post positions, names of the entries and the morning betting odds for the four races on Friday.  The first race is scheduled for a post-time of 3:30 (EDT); the distance is 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the turf course; the purse is a total of $1 million; the race is restricted to 2-year-old males, all carrying 122 pounds.  The Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf :
1     Dressed In Hermes     20 to 1 odds
2     Azar                            10 to 1
3     Manhattan Dan           30 to 1
4     Shogun (IRE)             12 to 1
5     Highland Sky             30 to 1
6     Birchwood (IRE)       12 to 1
7     Ray's the Bar (GB)     20 to 1
8     Airoforce                     4 to 1
9     Sky Marshal               30 to 1
10   Conquest Daddyo       12 to 1
11   Hollywood Don          10 to 1
12   Camelot Kitten           12 to 1
13   Cymric                         7 to 2
14   Hit It a Bomb               9 to 2

  The second race covers 1 mile on the main dirt track; the total purse is $1 million; weight carried is determined by the horse's age and sex.  There are 11 entries, 8 of whom will carry 126 pounds; three younger horses will carry 123 pounds, and an asterisk (*) will follow their name.  The entries for the Breeders Cup Las Vegas Dirt Mile, with a scheduled post-time of 4:10 (EDT) are:
1     Red Vine                  6 to 1 odds
2     Bradester                10 to 1
3     Liam's Map               even
4     Mr. Z *                   50 to 1
5     Lea                           8 to 1
6     Street Strategy        50 to 1
7     War Envoy *          30 to 1
8     Wicked Strong         5 to 1
9     Tapiture                  10 to 1
10   Valid                       10 to 1
11   War Story *            50 to 1

  The third race on Friday afternoon, scheduled for a post-time of 4:50 (EDT) is the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.  The race length is 1 mile on the grass course,with a total purse of $1 million.  All entries are 2-year-old fillies, and all will carry 122 pounds.  The entries are:
1     Tin Type Gal              12 to 1 odds
2     Thrilled                       12 to 1
3     Alice Springs (IRE)     6 to 1
4     Catch a Glimpse          5 to 1
5     Ruby Notion               12 to 1
6     Andreya's Reward      30 to 1
7     Sapphire Kitten          10 to 1
8     Harmonize                   7 to 2
9     Nemoralia                  15 to 1
10   Illuminate (IRE)          9 to 2
11   Pricedtoperfection      20 to 1
12   Gliding By                  30 to 1
13   Mirage (IRE)              30 to 1
14   Last Waltz (IRE)        15 to 1

 The final Breeders Cup race on Friday will be the Distaff, for fillies and mares,at a distance of 9 furlongs (1 1/8 miles) on the dirt course at Keeneland.  The total purse is $2 million, and the post-time is listed for 5:35 (EDT).  This is a weight for age race, so the weight varies between 121 and 124 pounds.  The weight each horse carries will appear behind her name, and before the morning odds:
1     I'm a Chatterbox           121       8 to 1 odds
2     Frivolous                      124       30 to 1
3     Salama                          121      50 to 1
4     Stopchargingmaria       123        5 to 1
5     Calamity Kate              121      30 to 1
6     My Sweet Addiction    124       20 to 1
7     Wedding Toast             121         4 to 1
8     Curalina                        121       12 to 1
9     Stellar Wind                 121       12 to 1
10   Yahilwa                        124       20 to 1
11    Untapable                    124         5 to 1  scratched due to a temperature
12   Got Lucky                   124         6 to 1
13   Warren's Veneda         124        30 to 1
14   Sheer Drama               124          9 to 2
15   Peace And War           121             ?

Happy racing!


 

Friday's Breeder Cup Races

The four Breeders Cup races on Friday will be the Juvenile Turf, the Dirt Mile, the Juvenile Fillies Turf (all run at a mile in distance, for a purse of $1 million apiece) and the Distaff for Fillies and Mares, run at a mile and an eighth, for a purse of $2 million.  Taped coverage will be shown on the NBC Sports Network Friday evening/night; the nine races run on Saturday will have live coverage.More information regarding each race, including pedigrees and racing history, may be viewed at The Bloodhorse website at   http://www.bloodhorse.com/

  The first Breeders Cup race will be the Juvenile Turf; there are 14 entrants and 2 alternate entries, in case of a late scratch.  Listed are Post position, name of the horse, and morning betting odds.
1.    Wet Sail        15 to 1
2.    Daddy D T       15 to 1
3.    Luck of the Kitten      8 to 1
4.    Commemorative      8 to 1
5.    Hootenanny      3 to 1
6.    Conquest Typhoon    12 to 1
7.    War Envoy      9 to 2
8.    Offering Plan      20 to 1
9.    Aktabantay      12 to 1
10.  Startup Nation      12 to 1
11.  Imperia      6 to 1
12.  International Star      15 to 1
13.  Lawn Ranger      20 to 1
14.  Danny Boy      20 to 1
AE   Faithful Creek     20 to 1
AE   Pappacoolpappacool      30 to 1

  There are 10 entries in the Dirt Mile, including Goldencents, who won the race last year:
1.    Goldencents      6 to 5
2.    Carve      15 to 1
3.    Vicar's In Trouble      12 to 1
4.    Pants On Fire      6 to 1
5.    Handsome Mike      30 to 1
6.    Golden Ticket      15 to 1
7.    Bronzo      12 to 2
8.    Fed Biz      7 to 2
9.    Tapiture      6 to 1
10.  Big Bane Theory      15 to 1

In the Juvenile Fillies Turf, there are 14 entrants and 2 alternate entries:
1.    Partisan Politics      15 to 1
2.    Osaila      5 to 1
3.    Sunset Glow      7 to 2
4.    Lady Eli      6 to 1
5.    Isabella Sings      12 to 1
6.    Sivoliere      12 to 1
7.    Rainha Da Bateria      12 to 1
8.    Nicky's Miss Brown      20 to 1
9.    Lady Zuzu      15 to 1
10.  Quality Rock      20 to 1
11.  Conquest Harlanate      10 to 1
12.  Tammy the Torpedo      12 to 1
13.  Prize Exhibit      20 to 1
14.  Qualify      5 to 1
AE  Flying Tipat      20 to 1
AE  War Alert      20 to 1

The Distaff will be missing Beholder, who still has some inflammation in her lungs after spiking a fever last week.  Without last year's winner, there are  11 entries:
1.    L'Amour de Ma Vie      15 to 1
2.    Tiz Midnight      10 to 1
3.    Iotapa      6 to 1
4.    Belle Gallantey      6 to 1
5.    Unbridled Forever    20 to 1
6.    Stanwyck      20 to 1
7.    Don't Tell Sophia      5 to 1
8.    Valiant Emilia      20 to 1
9.    Ria Antonia      15 to 1
10.  Untapable      5 to 2
11.  Close Hatches      3 to 1

The Preakness Posts and Odds

Ten horses are scheduled to contest the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico.  One filly, one gelding, and eight colts will go to the post for the $1.5 million purse.  NBC will once again cover the Preakness live.  NBC Sports Network will televise several of the races on Friday, and those leading up to the Preakness on Saturday.  Eight of the entries were Kentucky-bred, with California Chrome in (of course) California, and Pablo Del Monte in Florida; there are three chestnuts and seven bays running... [Seven of the ten horses are related to *Forli, my favorite bloodline.]
  The Preakness is 1/16 of a mile shorter than the Derby, and is run in Maryland.  Only three horses that ran in the Derby are running in the Preakness, all the others are new entries.  California Chrome, who won the Kentucky Derby, is the betting favorite.  Most of the horses entered in the race are known to be fast breakers from the gate and are expected to battle for the lead early in the race; or they can get in front, and slow down, making it hard for California Chrome, or any late runners, to catch them in the home stretch...  With half the number of runners than were in the Derby, reinsmanship may be the main factor - so keep your eye on the jockeys!
  Following are the Post Positions, name of the entry, name of the jockey, and morning-line betting odds:
1.    Dynamic Impact,   Miguel Mina     12 to 1
2.    General a Rod,    Javier Castellano    15 to 1
3.    California Chrome,    Victor Espinoza     3 to 5
4.    Ring Weekend,    Alan Garcia    20 to 1
5.    Bayern,    Rosie Napravnik    10 to 1
6.    Ria Antonia,    Calvin Borel    30 to 1
7.    Kid Cruz,    Julian Pimentel    20 to 1
8.    Social Inclusion,    Luis Contreras    5 to 1
9.    Pablo Del Monte,    Jeffrey Sanchez    20 to 1
10.  Ride On Curlin,    Joel Rosario    10 to 1

Ria Antonia is the filly, and will carry 4 pounds less than the boys.  Ring Weekend is the gelding.  The horses not related to *Forli are: Dynamic Impact, Ring Weekend, and Social Inclusion.
   Who do I choose?  I'd like to see California Chrome become a Triple Crown winner....  I like the breeding of seven of the horses, and I like the looks of six of them.  I'll have to look at the horses as they're being saddled out in front of the stands at Pimlico, and see how the youngsters are responding to the (usually rowdy) infield crowd.  Then I'll place my bets - quickly.

The Kentucky Derby Field for Saturday, 3 May

There will be 20 colts running in Saturday's 140th Kentucky Derby, unless someone becomes ill, or is injured.  The race covers one and one-quarter miles on the main (dirt) track at Churchill Downs, outside of Louisville, Kentucky, and the purse is worth $2 million.  Starting time is estimated at 6:24 P. m. (EDT).  A few odd bits of information:
 Commanding Curve is a ridgling.
 Four colts are chestnut, sixteen are bay.
 Starlight Racing, owner of Intense Holiday, joined up with Skychai Racing, owner of Harry's Holiday, and together purchased General a Rod last week.
 13 colts were bred in Kentucky, 2 in Florida, 2 in New York, 1 in California, 1 in Louisiana, and 1 in Ontario, Canada.
 There are 5 grade 1 race winners, 6 Grade 2 winners, 4 Grade 3 winners, 1 Black Type winner, 1 Listed winner, and 1 colt each placed in a Grade 1, Grade 2, and a Grade 3 race.
 Twelve of the 20 colts entered have bloodlines that trace back to *Forli, the sire of our stallion of choice at Sleepy Hollow Horse Farm in Micanopy.
 California Chrome is the morning line betting favorite - he is a flashy chestnut with a blaze and four white stockings.  He has run in three races in his career, and has won all three by a (combined) total of 18 lengths.

 Following is the listing of entries for the Kentucky Derby; listed first by Post Position, then by name, then the name of the jockey, morning betting line odds, and, if the colt is related to *Forli, there will be an "*" between the Jockey's name and the odds (odds were set by Mike Battaglia of Churchill Downs):
1.   Vicar's In Trouble,  Rosie Napravnik  *   30 to 1
2.   Harry's Holiday,  Corey Lanerie  *   50 to 1
3.   Uncle Sigh,  Irad Ortiz Jr  *   30 to 1
4.   Danza,  Joe Bravo   10 to 1
5.   California Chrome, Victor Espinoza  *   5 to 2
6.   Samraat,  Jose Ortiz   5 to 1
7.   We Miss Artie,  Javier Castellano  *   50 to 1
8.   General a Rod, Joel Rosario  *   15 to 1
9.   Vinceremos,  Jose Rococo Jr   30 to 1
10. Wildcat Red,  Luis Saez   15 to 1
11. Hoppertunity,  Mike E Smith  *   6 to 1
12. Dance With Fate,  Corey Nakatani  *   20 to 1
13. Chitu,  Martin Garcia  *   20 to 1
14. Medal Count,  Robby Albarado  *  20 to 1
15. Tapiture,  Ricardo Santana Jr   15 to 1
16. Intense Holiday,  John Velazquez  *  12 to 1
17. Commanding Curve,  Shaun Bridgmohan   50 to 1
18. Candy Boy,  Gary Stevens   20 to 1
19. Ride On Curlin,  Calvin Borel   15 to 1
20. Wicked Strong,  Rajiv Maragh  *  8 to 1

  More information on all the colts and fillies racing in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, may be found at :  http://www.bloodhorse.com/