Showing posts with label thoroughbred horse racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoroughbred horse racing. Show all posts

Thursday, June 13, 2019

One New Foal - # 54 - And Maximum Security Will Race Again on 16 June

On Sunday, 9 June, Little Bit o'Joansie and Ace's Black Tie Affair  presented the world with a bouncing baby boy - a bay pinto - first seen by Captain Dan Davis.  I love the foal's tail...  (The third photo shows his tail and the proof he's a boy.)  -  Thanks, Captain Dan Davis!!



And, after his disqualification while winning the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security and his connections have decided to run him in the Father's Day edition of the Pegasus Stakes.  The race is 1 and 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) and has a purse of $150,000.  He is expected to race against a field of six other colts at Monmouth Park.  (And since it's Father's Day, all men have Free Admission to the race course.)  The owners of Maximum Security are awaiting a date to be set for the court hearing regarding the disqualification of their horse from first place to seventh place....

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Last Kentucky Derby Prep Races and Latest Point Standings

Omaha Beach won by a length over a sloppy track in yesterday's Arkansas Derby.  The final time for the 1 and 1/8 mile race was 1:49.91.  Jockey Mike Smith gave his usual masterful ride on the Dick Mandella trained colt to beat Improbable, who was 5 3/4 lengths ahead of third place Country House.  Laughing Fox followed a length behind Country House to finish fourth.
   Owendale surprised most folks by winning the Lexington Stakes in a time of 1:44.14 over the 1 and 1/16 miles race.  Owendale finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Anothertwistafate, who was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Sueno.  Knicks Go crossed the finish line 5 lengths behind Sueno for fourth place.
  Then, too, the Ben Ali had a surprise winner in Bourbon Resolution, who bested Nun the Less by 4 1/2 lengths, covering the 1 1/8 mile course in 1:38.45.  Nun the Less was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Third Day, who finished 3/4 length ahead of Just Whistle.
   Omaha Beach wins the Arkansas Derby:

Owendale wins the Lexington Stakes:

Bourbon Resolution wins the Ben Ali:

Depending on which owners and trainers decide to run in the Kentucky Derby, several jockeys will have to make difficult decisions.  A lot of jockeys are the regular riders of two or more of the colts who have qualified for the Run for the Roses on May 4.  It will interesting to see which jockeys pick which of their regular mounts to ride....

Yesterday's two races, the Lexington Stakes and the Arkansas Derby were the last two races in which horses could win points to enter, and run in, the Derby.  This is the order of point standings after those two races:
   1.   Tacitus
   2.   Omaha Beach
   3.   Vekoma
   4.   Plus Que Parfait
   5.   Roadster
   6.   By My Standards
   7.   Maximum Security
   8.   Game Winner
   9.   Code of Honor
  10.  Haikal
  11.  Improbable
  12.  War of Will
  13.  Long Range Toddy
  14.  Tax
  15.  Cutting Humor
  16.  Win Win Win
  17.  Country House
  18.  Gray Magician
  19.  Spinoff
  20.  Master Fencer (JPN)
  21.  Bodexpress
  22.  Signalman
  23.  Anothertwistafate
  24.  Sueno
  25.  Bourbon Way
  26.  Instagrand
  27.  Mucho Gusto
  28.  Knicks Go
  29.  Owendale
  30.  Outshine
 Remember that only 20 entries are allowed in the Kentucky Derby - as we draw closer to the first Saturday in May, trainers and owners will be watching their horses carefully, and deciding whether or not they believe their colts will be able to put in a good race over 10 furlongs, which none of them have done before.  May the gods of racing look kindly upon this bunch of young thoroughbreds!

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Results of Pegasus World Cup Invitational Races

The results of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational were - interesting.  The day was a washout, quite literally, with rain falling for much of the day.  A lot of horses were making their final race before entering stallion or brood mare duties.  And the two huge purses - $7 million for the Turf and $9 million for the dirt - drew a lot of interest.   ...   Let me get down to business.

There were ten entries in the Turf race, which was run on a "yielding" course.  The 1 3/8 mile race (11 furlongs) was won in a time of 1:54.59 by Bricks and Mortar, a 5-year-old horse by Giant's Causeway.  Bricks and Mortar was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Magic Wand, the 4-year-old Irish filly sired by Galileo.  Magic Wand was a neck in front of Delta Prince, a 6-year-old horse sired by Street Cry; who was 1 3/4 lengths before Catapult, a 6-year-old horse by Kitten's Joy. 
   A $2 win bet on Bricks and Mortar paid $7.60;  the same place bet paid $9 for Magic Wand (IRE); and a $2 show bet on Delta Prince paid $6.60.  The (all $2 bets) exacta paid $60.40; the trifecta paid $404; and the superfecta paid $2,396.80.
   The full order of finish - with dollar winnings - was: (1) Bricks and Mortar ($2,656,250); (2) Magic Wand -IRE ($796,875);  (3) Delta Prince ($575,521); (4) Catapult ($486,975); (5) Channel Maker ($442,708); (6) Yoshida - JPN, (7) Next Shares, (8) Dubby Dubbie, (9) Aerolithe - JPN, and (10) Fahan Mura. For finishers 6 through 10, the purse earning was $350,000.

   Pictured below, in order, are: Bricks and Mortar, Magic Wand, and Delta Prince:



The post time for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (dirt) race was moved up 7 minutes due to increasing darkness due to the rain storms.  The full field of 12 ran the 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs), with a winning time of 1:47.71 produced by City of Light, a 5-year-old horse sired by Quality Road.  City of Light finished the wet, muddy race 5 3/4 lengths ahead of Seeking the Soul, a 6-year-old horse sired by Perfect Soul (IRE).  One and a half lengths behind Seeking the Soul, was 6-year-old Accelerate, the son of Lookin' At Lucky, who was 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Bravazo, a 4-year-old colt by Awesome Again.
   Payouts for $2 bets were as follows:  a win bet on City of Light, $5.80; a place bet on Seeking the Soul, $19.20; a show bet on Accelerate, $2.80.  For the exotics: the exacta paid $82.20, the trifecta paid $210.40, and the superfecta paid $1,357.
   The full order of finish, with purse payouts, follows:  (1) City of Light ($4 million); (2) Seeking the Soul ($1.25 million); (3) Accelerate ($900,000); (4) Bravazo ($700,000); (5) Audible ($550,000); (6) Gunnevera ($250,000); (7) True Timber ($250,000); (8) Imperative ($250,000); (9) Tom's d'Etat ($250,000); (10) Something Awesome ($200,000); (11) Kukulkan - MEX ($200,000); and (12) Patternrecognition ($200,000).

The following photos are, in order, City of Light, Seeking the Soul, and Accelerate:




Saturday, November 3, 2018

Saturday's Breeders' Cup Winners Plus Two Stakes

   **  The paid-out prices for these races are listed for a $2 win, place, or show bet; and a $1 exacta, trifecta, or superfecta bet at Churchill Downs. **

The nine Grade I Breeders' Cup races today were enclosed by an ungraded stakes before the Filly and Mare Sprint, and a Grade II stakes after the Classic.  Both races had a guaranteed purse of $200,000. The first race was the Cherokee Run Stakes for 3 year olds, and was run at the distance of 7 furlongs; Dak Attack had been pointed at the Breeders' Cup, but opted for this race.  There were ten entries; it was handicapped, with eight entries carrying 118 pounds, while Still Having Fun was assigned 120, and Audible, the betting favorite carried 122.
   The 7 furlongs were run in 1:22.46, and Audible won by 2 lengths, over Honorable Treasure, who finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Principe Guilherme.  A 1/2 length back in fourth was Cowboy Creed.  The rest of the field crossed the finish line in the following order:  Still Having Fun, Kowboy Karma, Smart Remark, Aveenu Makainu, Dak Attack, and Super Sol.  A $2 win bet paid $4.60, a place paid $15.20, and a show paid $11.20.  A $1 extacta bet paid $73.20; a trifecta paid $1,034; and a superfecta paid $8,944.20.
   Bixby Lou's connections decided not to run in the Breeders' Cup, and entered the Grade II Chilukki Stakes, at 1 mile instead.  There were three scratches, leaving only five entries, so the Superfecta bet was pulled.  Divine Miss Grey won the race in 1:36.64, by a margin of 1 1/4 lengths over Berned.  Berned was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Pricedtoperfection, who was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Shenandoah Queen.  Bixby Lou, who erupted out of the gate and fought her jockey while on the lead, faded to last.  A $2 win ticket paid $3.60, a place ticket paid $3, and a show paid $2.80.  The $1 exacta paid $3.80; and the trifecta paid $13.70.

The Filly and Mare Sprint was the first Breeders' Cup race of the day, with a purse of $1 million for a distance of 7 furlongs.  There was a full field of 14 entries.  It was a close finish, in a time of 1:23.13, with Shamrock Rose a head in front of Chalon, who was a neck in front of Anonymity, who was a head in front of fourth place finisher Marley's Freedom.  Rest rest of the field crossed the finish in this order:  Golden Mischief, Happy Like a Fool, Finley'sluckycharm, Highway Star, Mia Mischief, Skye Diamonds, Stormy Embrace, Selcourt, Kirby's Penny, and Miss Sunset.  A $2 win bet returned $53.80, a place paid $14.60, and a show paid $15.60.  A $1 exacta paid $360; a trifecta paid $6,121; and a superfecta paid $28,058.60.

The 5 1/2 furlongs $1 million Turf Sprint also had a full field of 14.  With a wicked duel in the stretch, Stormy Liberal won by a neck in 1:04.05.  World of Trouble finished 7 1/4 lengths ahead of Disco Partner, who was a length in front of Ruby Notion.  In order the rest of the field across the finish was:  Will Call, Chanteline, Lost Treasure (IRE), Bucchero, Rainbow Heir, Hembree, Conquest Tsunami, Havana Grey (GB), Vision Perfect, and Richard's Boy.  A win ticket paid $16; a place paid $3.80, and a show paid $3.40.  An exacta ticket paid $32.90; a trifecta paid $115.30; and a superfecta paid $1,910.30.

The Dirt Mile saw only 9 entries today, even with a $1 million purse.  City of Light crossed the finish line in 1:33.83, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Seeking the Soul. He was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Bravazo, who was 6 lengths ahead of Firenze Fire in fourth place.  Firenze Fire was followed by Giant Expectations, Catalina Cruiser, Trigger Warning, Seven Trumpets, and Isotherm.  A correct $2 win bet returned $7.20, a place paid $7, and a show paid $5.80.  The $1 exacta paid $22.20; the trifecta paid $244.30; and the superfecta paid $916.60.

A full field of 14 ladies graced the Filly and Mare Turf, run at 1 3/8 miles with a $2 million purse.  Sistercharlie (IRE) battled with Wild Illusion (GB) for a neck win.  Wild Illusion was only 3/4 length ahead of A Raving Beauty (GER), who had led most of the race; and she was 1 3/4 lengths in front of Magic Wand (IRE).  The field followed, in order:  Athena (IRE), Eziyra (IRE), Fourstar Crook, Mom's on Strike, Princess Yaiza (IRE), Santa Monica (GB), Fuhriously Kissed, Paved, Thais (FR), and Smart Choice (ARG).  A $2 win ticket returned $8.60' a place bet paid $4.80, and a show paid $6.40.  A correct exacta paid $18.60; a trifecta paid $150.80; and a superfecta paid $726.10.

A field of nine contended the $2 million 6 furlong Sprint.  There was a repeat champion crowned - Roy H won convincingly by 3 1/4 lengths over Whitmore, who was 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Imperial Hint, who had a 3/4 length lead on Promises Fulfilled.  The rest of the field crossed the finish in this order:  Limousine Liberal, B Squared, Distinctive B, Warrior's Club and Always Sunshine.  The $2 win bet on #9 paid $7.40, place (#1) paid $5.80, and show (#5) paid $2.60.  The $1 exacta returned $20.70; the trifect paid $62.60; and the superfecta paid $180.50.

Even with Hunt (IRE) and Polydream (IRE) scratched, there was a full gate for the Mile (Turf), with a purse of $2 million.  In an exciting finish, Expert Eye (IRE) won by a 1/2 length over Catapult, who was a neck ahead of Anazlyze it, who was only a nose in front of Divisidero.  The winning time was 1:39.80.  The field following Divisidero across the finish were: One Master (GB), Clemmie (IRE), Lightning Spear (GB), Happily (IRE), Gustav Klimt (IRE), Almanaar (GB), Mustashry (GB), I Can Fly (GB), Next Shares, and Oscar Performance.  A $2 win bet paid $13.80, a place paid $7.20, and a show returned $4.60.  The exacta returned $67.20; the trifecta paid $450.50; and the superfecta paid $14,643.

Eleven ladies raced in the Distaff, at a distance of 1 1/8 miles for a purse of $2 million.  Monomoy Girl was the winner in 1:49.79, by a length over Wow Cat (CHI). Midnight Bisou was third, a 1/2 length behind Wow Cat, and a head in front of Blue Prize (ARG).  The rest of the field finished as follows:  Mopotism, Verev's Tale, Champagne Problems, La Force (GER), Wonder Gadot, Vale Dori (ARG), and Abel Tasman.  Abel Tasman just didn't want to run today, and jockey Mike Smith had no idea why she didn't after the race.  A correct $2 win bet returned $5.60, a place bet paid $5.40, and a how paid $4.40.  The $1 exacta paid $18.80; the trifecta returned $90.10; and a superfecta paid $372.20.

Twelve boys and one filly ran in today's Turf race, run at a distance of 1 1/2 miles, for a purse of $4 million.   The female beat the boys.  Enable (GB) won in a time of 2:32.65, finishing 3/4 length ahead of Magical (IRE).  Magical was 9 lengths in front of Sadler's Joy, who beat Arklow by 2 lengths.  The field followed, in order:  Waldgeist (GB), Talismatic (GB), Robert Bruce (CHI), Hunting Horn (IRE), Hi Happy (IRE), Quarteto de Cordas (CHI), Channel Maker, Liam the Charmer, and Glorious Empire (IRE).  Enable paid $3.60 to win, Magical paid $6.80 to place, and Sadler's Joy paid $8.80 to show.  The $1 exacta returned $13.40; the trifecta paid $252.10; and the superfecta paid out $4,116.80.

The final Breeders' Cup race of the day was the $6 million Classic covering 1 1/4 miles.  There was a full field of 14.  After entering 45 horses in 45 various Breeders' Cup races over the years, trainer John Sadler won his first BC race with Accelerate, who's time was 2:02.93.  Accelerate finished 1 length ahead of Gunnevera, who was 3/4 length in front of Thunder Snow (IRE).  Thunder Snow was only a nose in front of Yoshido (JPN).  The field finished in this order:  Mendelssohn, Lone Sailor, West Coast, Discreet Lover, Axelrod, Pavel, Mind Your Biscuits, McKinzie, Catholic Boy, and Roaring Lion.  A $2 win ticket paid $7.40, a place paid $22.80, and a show paid $8.  A correct $1 exacta returned $180.80; a trifecta paid $1,613.10; and a superfecta paid $16,679.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Saturday's Breeders' Cup Scratches (So Far)

Dream Pauline has scratched out of the Filly and Mare Sprint...

Awesome Slew has been scratched from the Dirt Mile.....

Polydream  (IRE)  came back lame from a jog today and is scratched from the Mile (Turf)....
Hunt (IRE) had an elevated temperature and is also scratched from the Mile (Turf)....

   Withe the Mile Turf scratches,  Divisidero and Clemmie (IRE) are now in the race.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

This 'n' That

We had about three and a half inches of wet snow fall during the first half of Monday - Martin Luther King, Jr Day.  About one in the afternoon, I stepped out onto our balcony and used the dustpan to scoop the wet snow off the railings, and to uncover Penny and Wendell's solar batteries.  Nedi came out, but Lovey decided it was too wet for her little toesies.  This morning there's a think sheet of ice on the balcony floor, but that's all that's left.
   On Saturday, 28 January (my Mom's birthday), the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup will take place at Gulfstream Park in Florida.  Twelve people, or racing entities, each put up $1 million to enter a single horse in the race.  It will cover a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the main dirt track.  The names of the horses running were turned in yesterday.  I'm not sure when the draw for post positions will be held, but NBC is covering the race live from 4:30 until 6 p.m. EST.  The twelve declared runners are:  California Chrome; Shaman Ghost; Keen Ice; War Story; Neolithic; Breaking Lucky; Prayer for Relief; War Envoy; Ralis; Noble Bird; Arrogate; and Eragon.
    Well, as usual, I was tracking backwards on my family tree yesterday.  I had started with a woman named Miriam "Mary" Swett, who was born in 1672 and died in 1734.  As it got later, I was (honestly) hoping that her ancestors would disappear...  However, about 10:30 last night, I came upon one of her (and my) ancestors whose name was William de Braose.  He was known as "Black William" Baron of Abergavenny; he was born around 1204 and he died on 2 May 1230.  I had no problem with that.  However, under cause of death, it stated that he, Black Will, had been hanged inside his own castle, Aber Castle, by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.  Both of these men are my many-times-great-grandfathers....  I decided to stop investigating for the night.  I had already run into an ancestor, who, along with his son-in-law, were killed in battle at Blore Heath, the first battle in the War of the Roses....   Too much history.  (I'm currently reading an excellent account of the years 1775 & 1776 in and around Boston, Massachusetts, from both the English and American point of views.)
    I start taking care of Roxie and Finney today - as well as walking Rosie.  The first two are Brittany Spaniels, and Finney just returned from 4 weeks of Hunting School.  Not that her owners use her for hunting; she just has a huge drive to hunt and point at prey, so it was decided to use her energy in a non-harmful way.  She used to point at squirrels in the yard, and one had to grab her by the collar and pull her away to get her to break the point.  I'll have to see what we'll be doing while the owners are gone...
    I hope you have a great week!