Horse Racing for 2009

[classicman2]

58th running of the Florida Derby (G1), Saturday, 3/28/09

1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000 - all horses will carry 122 lbs.

PP Horse Jockey Trainer ML

1 Toby the Coal Man, Lepareaux Zito 10-1

2 Quality Road, Velazquez Jerkens 2-1

3 Casey's On Call, Baird Fehr 15-1

4 Dunkirk, Gomez, Pletcher 9-5

5 Sincero. Trujillo Azpurua 20-1

6 Theregoesjojo, Desormeaux McPeek 5-1

7 Danger to Society, Madrid Dutrow 6-1

8 Europe, Decarlo Pletcher 22-1

9 Stately Character, Douglas Procino 20-1

This is the second of the major Derby prep races. I didn't post The Louisiana Derby, because I was in New Orleans to watch it.

Dunkirk, probably the most highly regarded 3-year old, must win to assure himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby. He has zero graded stakes earnings. Even a place would give him $150,000 and put him on the bubble.

I'm very impressed with Quality Road. He won the Flamingo Stakes - granted it was only a mile race.

btw: Saturday, the world's richest horse race, The Gold Cup, is run in Dubai.

[Maxflier]

Dude wtf...
Why didn't you say something? I was there as well, it would have been nice to meet a fellow DVDTALK'er at the track. The weather was shitty that day, but at least the rain stopped for the Derby.

Very interested to see how Dunkirk fares against better horses Saturday.

[classicman2]

We were planning to go to Hot Springs for The Rebel, but my nephew wanted to go to The Fairgrounds. He was the pilot - so....

Good day of racing at the fairgrounds. I was very impressed with Friesan Fire. I was very, very impressed with Rachael Alexandra. I saw her run at Oaklawn, and she set the stakes record. IMHO, she's the best 3-year old fillie out there. I'll admit I didn't have a stellar day at the windows.

[classicman2]

Dubai World Cup (Grade I) (G1)

About 1 1/4 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $6,000,000

Horse Odds

1 Muhannak (IRE), 20-1

2 Arson Squad, 15-1

3 Snaafy, 12-1

4 Asiatic Boy (ARG), 5-2

5 Happy Boy (BRZ), 10-1

6 Gloria de Campeao, 30-1

7 Well Armed, 6-1

8 Casino Drive, 6-1

9 Joe Louis (ARG), 50-1

10 Albertus Maximus, 2-1

11 Muller (ARG), 30-1

12 Anak Nakal, 30-1

13 Paris Perfect (SAF), 50-1

14 My Indy (ARG), 8-1



The problem with Albertus Maximus - I don't believe he's a mile & a quarter horse.

Asiatic Boy finished second behind Curlin last year.

Casino Drive is a threat if he returns to the form he showed at Belmont Park last year.

You can understand why owners & trainers are taking a shot - 6 million dollar purse. Fifth money isn't bad.

Next year with the opening of the new track the purse will be 12 million plus.

[Red Dog]

What times are these races and are they being televised live? I usually don't start paying attention to HR until after March Madness ends - whatever day the Wood, Blue Grass, and one of the other preps (Arkansas or Illinois) takes place. But I'll take a look at these races if I can.

[classicman2]

They're being televised live now.

Coming up in about 10 minutes in the UAE Derby.

It features Desert Party - assuming he wins, he'll be headed for Kentucky.

[classicman2]

Maybe he will not go to Kentucky. He finished second.

btw: Dish Network has done it again. They cut away for HRTV just as the horses were entering the starting gate. They make a habit out of this.

[classicman2]

Legal Ransom won the race. He showed real acceleration when Desert Party came up to him.

This track (Nad al Sheba) is very similar to Churchill Downs - kind of like The Fairgrounds & Oaklawn Park.

addendum: Goldphin (owns both horses) says that both horses are going to compete in the Kentucky Derby.

This makes it that much more important for Dunkirk to win the Florida Derby.

[classicman2]

The Americans finished strong. Well Armed won the Dubai World Cup - wire to wire. No other horse was close. Margin of victory was 14 lengths.

[classicman2]

Quality Road wins in the FL Derby in track record time.

Dunkirk (a really tired horse) finished second.

[Maxflier]

Figured Dunkirk was fucked when Hank Goldberg picked him to win.

[classicman2]

Todd Pletcher's excuse: 'They speeded up the track.'

[classicman2]

Sat. 4/4, Wood Memorial S. (G1) at Aqueduct

1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000

All horses will carry 123 lbs.


Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer ML

1 4 Atomic Rain, Bravo, Breen, 6-1

1A 5 West Side Bernie, Elliot,t Breen, 6-1

2 1 I Want Revenge, Talamo, Mullins, 4-5

3 2 Lord Justice, Lopez, Pletcher, 15-1

4 3 Cellar Dweller, Napravni,k Campo, 30-1

5 6 Imperial Council, Prado, McGaughey, 2-1

6 7 Just a Coincidence, Velazquez , Zito, 12-1

7 8 Lime Rickey, Castellano, Alexander, 20-1


I believe it's a 2-horse race between I Want Revenge & Imperial Council.

Apparently the ML bettors believe as ESPN's analysts do. Bailey & the crew seem to think I Want Revenge is the number 1 Derby horse. You can't make much money at 4-5.

[classicman2]

This is an indication of just how much trouble horse racing is in in this country:

A second Maryland developer has signaled his interest in buying both Pimlico and Laurel Park, but the developer, Carl Verstandig, has indicated that he wants the tracks solely for their real estate and would tear down Pimlico in Baltimore to redevelop the property, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The previous developer didn't indicate what he would do with the tracks.

Where will The Preakness be run if Pimilico becomes a shopping center?

Another indication: Wagering on Thoroughbred races in the U.S. continued to plummet in March compared to the same month last year, falling 13.9 percent, according to figures released by Equibase on Friday.

[Red Dog]

Maryland racing is in big trouble. Maryland finally legalized slots, but it happened at the absolute worst time - when the economy was tanking with Magna hemmoraging money. Magna failed to get their slots license bid in on time, which means they can't put slots at Laurel Park (or Pimlico). That's their story anyhow - some think that Magna purposefully didn't bid because the license cost $30M (non-refundable) and they didn't have the money.

The state has been talking about building and operating a new supertrack themselves and using that as The Preakness venue. Magna has the ability to sell The Preakness Stakes off, but the state of Maryland has the right to match any offer.

[classicman2]

Maybe the Maryland Racing Association could persuade the new owners not to tear down Pimilico until they get a new track built.

Remington Park (OKC) is owned by Magna. Although Magna says it's not for sale, the rumors are to the contrary.

One good thing - there is an Oklahoma law that says any purchaser who buys the casino must continue the racing at Remington Park.

[classicman2]

In addition, Magna is trying to sell the 1/2 interest that they own in HRTV. Churchill Downs Corp. (which owns the other 1/2) is challenging the sale.

Magna has gone from the penthouse to the outhouse.

[classicman2]

Santa Anita Derby (G1) - Sat. 4/4/09

1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $750,000

All the horses carry 122 lbs.


PP Horse Jockey Trainer ML

1, Chocolate Candy, Rosario, Hollendorfe,r 6-1

2, Z Day, Gryder, Mitchell, 15-1

3, Unbridled Roman, Baze T C, Paasch, 30-1

4, Pioneerof the Nile, Gomez, Baffert, 2-1

5, Mr. Hot Stuff, Nakatan,i Harty, 8-1

6, Feisty Suances, Espinoza, Vienna, 15-1


7, Take the Points, Decarlo, Pletcher, 10-1

8, Cape Truth, Baze M, O'Neill, 30-1

9, Gallant Son, Bejarano, Lucarelli, 15-1

10, The Pamplemousse, Solis, Canani, 9-5


The ML says it's a 2-horse race.

If The Pamplemousse runs like he did last time The Pamplemousse will win.

I'm not that impressed with Pioneer of the Nile. I don't like his running style - dead closer. I definitely don't like it in a 20-horse field at the Kentucky Derby.

It's not a very good betting race, IMO. However, you might take a shot on the Pletcher horse. I would feel more comfortable if John Velasquez was aboard, but he's at Keenland.

[classicman2]

The Pamplemousse has been scratched from the Santa Anita Derby.

[Red Dog]

Desourmeaux is on fire today at Keeneland. 4 wins out of 5.

[classicman2]

I wonder if any of the top 3-year olds will run next week in The Bluegrass?

I can't see why any trainer would run his horse in that race if he planned to run him in The Kentucky Derby.

[Red Dog]

Big upset in the Ashland.

Stardom Bound's streak comes to an end. I was wondering if she won, if they'd run her in the Derby. I assume she'll run in the Oaks now.

[classicman2]

You've just seen the favorite for The Kentucky Derby - I Want Revenge.

What a performance. Terrible trip and he wins easily.

[Maxflier]

Pretty damn impressive!

[classicman2]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Big upset in the Ashland.

Stardom Bound's streak comes to an end. I was wondering if she won, if they'd run her in the Derby. I assume she'll run in the Oaks now.

If I feel better, Tomorrow I'm going to Oaklawn and see the best 3-year filly, Rachel Alexandra, run in The Fantasy.

Stardom Bound simply peaked as a 2-year old, and has regressed as a 3-year old. She won in a photo finish her last race against a group of not exceptional fillies.

No excuses for her today. She got a perfect trip.