Storm Boot Gold & Gary Contessa in the paddock at Belmont before the 2006 Evan Shipman

I decided last night to take a pass on handicapping any races this weekend. It’s been a long month or so and it’s not like I’m on a winning streak.

After the Breeders’ Cup I had decided that, for the most part, that winter racing at Aqueduct would be my break from New York racing. I follow it closely in the spring, summer and fall but winter would be my time to (sporadically) follow Derby preps and have some downtime.

With spring kind of in the air, I took a peak at the Aqueduct card and noticed Storm Boot Gold was running in the Instant Friendship. My first trip to the track, and real introduction to horse racing, was July 22nd, 2006 at my beloved Belmont and Storm Boot Gold was the morning line favorite in the Evan Shipman.

Swifty and I had been talking about going to the Belmont for a while. He had gone to the track with his grandpa as a kid and had recently been back to accompany a friend of a friend who traveled from out of town for a Seabiscuit giveaway at Belmont. (Yes, I can trace my path to being a fan back to a NYRA giveaway… I guess they do work!).

When we arrived at Belmont I was immediately taken by the 70’s vibe of the “decor”, which was comprised of mostly signage indicating the bar or betting slips.

I also loved the layout, we quickly established the routine of going to the paddock, to the parade to the windows to the seats… all with relative ease and efficiency. My record keeping wasn’t so hot so I can’t tell who was the first horse I ever bet on. I only actually wrote down of a couple of my bets but I know I wagered on every race (I was there, right?).

From what I have written down, in the 3rd I did a $1 tri box on 1-7-10 and 7-2-10 came in. In the Oaks I put $10 on Pine Island to win, Swifty had the winner, Wonder Lady Anne L.

While I didn’t write it down, I know I put money on Storm Boot Gold to win the Evan Shipman, Swifty did too. Spite the Devil ended up winning and Storm Boot Gold came in last. I’m rooting for him today, as I do every time I notice that he’s running.

When we first arrived at Belmont, we approached a big simulcast results board crowded with older gentleman wearing large glasses. While making the ‘Welcome to Fantasy Island’ hand gesture Swifty said, “Welcome to your future”… and he was right! I’m really looking forward to getting back out to Belmont… it’s classy and a classic!

I didn’t come away a winner on the day but definitely felt an Instant Friendship, if you will. It wasn’t until a couple of months later when I went back in the Fall and tripled my money that I fell in love, but that’s a story for another time. Until then, here’s the full photo set from the day.

Rafael Bejarano after winning the Distaff at this year’s Breeder’s Cup (Charles Pravata)

Rafael Bejarano was thrown from a horse at Santa Anita today. The horse, Parisian Art, apparently had a heart attack in the stretch and died.

From the Bloodhorse article:

Track officials reported that he was talking and moving his arms and legs, but was in a great deal of pain in his neck and shoulders.

RIP Parisian Art and best of luck to Rafael for a speedy recovery.

Update: he suffered some minor cracks and should be back in a month… full update here. [DRF]

The Take Back the Race! petition has sparked quite a lot of debate and discussion! There have been times when the discussion has become a bit heated and others where it seemed downright tense. However, for the most part, it’s all been relatively respectful and in the spirit of camaraderie.

I’m all for debate, I’m all for discussion and I’m all for difference of opinions… it’s healthy and usually ensures that all angles are at least considered. In fact, it’s one of the things that makes America grrrrrr-eat!

However, in every group of people with different opinions you can always manage to find that one person who, consciously or unconsciously, lacks an awareness of the boundary between expression of one’s opinion versus straight up provocation.

Is it simply meant to be inflammatory or is it just a poorly argued point? I can’t tell, but then again it’s been so long since I’ve watched Fox News (or All in the Family re-runs!).

With that in mind, I’d like to go on record with something. In addition to being a Lady, I’m also a big old Homo! I just wanted to “come out” with that in case anyone wanted to share their cogent, well thought out points on the many ways Homos are contributing to the downfall of racing.

In other bra burning news, the petition is getting a lot of signatures, and from not only the fairer sex!

Here are a few samples from the singers of the male variety:

They events should be mixed between the days. Otherwise, like the Oaks and BES, they will not draw like the Derby and Preakness (and they deserve to be on equal footing).

I go further. Scrap ladies day altogether. it is demeaning to have all Filly & Mare races on Friday. Shame on them all

You guys have lost your way. John Gaines is spinning.

Preserve the tradition

change the name back and get rid of the female-only card on Friday – both were stupid ideas. The idiots who run our sport clearly have no clue how to promote racing. The friday card – and the great horses, trainers and owners involved – has been made a second class citizen. And the cross-promotional ideas only add insult, not legitimacy to the whole thing.

Keep those signatures coming Ladies & Gentlemen, we’re on a roll!

Visionaire winning the Gotham at Fogeduct (Sarah K. Andrew)

To pick your 3 supplemental draft horses for Road to the Roses!

I’m leaning towards Visionaire, Denis of Cork & Elysium Fields.

Hillside Turf course at Santa Anita (Charles Pravata)

News of the Pyro deal prompted some excellent posting by a couple of my esteemed colleagues. Jen at the Down The Stretch takes a look at racing to the breeding shed while Superfecta compares and contrasts the early retirement ages of race horses in different countries.

Kevin at The Aspiring Horseplayer is featuring a “best of the TBA” that includes a nice collection of posts. One of the posts I contributed was along the same lines as Jen & Superfecta’s.

You can count on Alan at Left at the Gate to have all the latest about the Spitzer “situation”. The comment thread on the current post is stellar, as always. Everyone I’ve encountered (at the deli and my laundromat) was laughing about what an idiot he is, but clearly there are racing implications too (not just poking fun at elected officials).

The Breeders’ Cup has just announced a new sponsor, Sentient, a private aviation company (not the hottest name, when did being sentient become a differentiator in the aviation space?).

Sentient will also provide Breeders’ Cup with a variety of customized private travel programs for its constituents.

Does this mean they’re going be making more enticing arrangements for overseas horses? I hope so!

In thinking about Indian Blessing potentially missing the Oaks I had a couple of thoughts…

1) was it me or did Gomez give her the same kind of ride he gave Hard Spun in the Belmont (i.e., not working with her natural speed) and 2) not a bad move really. Unlike the colts with the Derby she probably doesn’t “need” the Oaks as much to up her value (I feel gross even typing that) + it’s nice to see someone not feel like they “have to” run in an event if it doesn’t feel right for the horse.

Speaking of 3yo colts, I’m not ready to throw in the towel on Majestic Warrior and Tale of Ekati just yet, particularly Majestic Warrior. He had come to come 3-4 wide in both turns, I bet he improves off the effort. Also, J Be K wasn’t allowed to harness his early speed, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got a longer distance as well.

I leave you with the very foggy Gotham, well done to race caller John Imbriale… “when last seen Saratoga Russell was leading…”

Nashoba’s Key in the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita (Charles Pravata)

Nashoba’s Key didn’t get a chance to throw down with the undefeated Zenyatta, but she looked pretty good putting away the field in the Santa Margarita!

Next time darling, next time.

This just in: Pyro to Darley (which is pretty much the same thing as saying “This just in: puppies and kittens are cute”).

From the press release:

Winchell Thoroughbred’s Pyro, impressive winner of yesterday’s Louisiana Derby (G2), and one of the favorites for this year’s Kentucky Derby, will stand at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley in Lexington at the conclusion of his racing career.

However Bloodhorse frames it like this:

According to a press release from Darley America, Pyro will continue to be campaigned in Winchell’s colors through this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

We all know what “…at the conclusion of his racing career” means, but did Bloodhorse get a special press release? The official one from Darley didn’t state anything about a time frame. Again, not that I’m hopeful about anything past this year’s BC.

War Pass is already married off to Lane’s End. The issue of early retirement is gonna be the next one I try to get fans to get involved and organized around. I’ve actually had the domain lethorsesrace.org registered since around the time Hard Spun was snatched up. Stay tuned Ladies & Gentleman, stay tuned.

Update: Mike Curry at Thoroughbred Times fills in some detail:

After the Breeders’ Cup, Sheikh Mohammad will decide whether Pyro will remain in training or be retired to stud, said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley America.

If anyone can incur some risk it’s Sheikh Mo, no? Perhaps if we ask nicely?

Barry Irwin of Team Valor and Jan Rushton at Aqueduct discussing the Gotham (Sarah K. Andrew)

Congrats to Barry Irwin and all the connections of Visionaire for their win in the Gotham yesterday… and a special thanks to Mr. Irwin for signing the Take Back The Race petition!

I’m obsessed with the reading the comments that petition signers are leaving at Take Back The Race. They’re as diverse as the fan base. Some people focus on the name of the race, others don’t like a two day format while still others either want a Saturday/Sunday format OR a championship day and non-championship day. In my mind this is making the point about a Fan Committee.

As I’ve been making the rounds publishing the link to the petition I noticed at least one other point that we didn’t broach in the petition, but again, a Fan Committee would identify…. purse structure. If the new format is indeed “two separate but equal championship days” as stated by Peter Land, chief marketing officer for Breeders’ Cup, then why is the “Ladies’ Classic” purse not also increased to reflect that “equality”?

Here’s a sample of some the comments…

Most folks work Friday – no plans to wager or attend. Seen every BC race since the very first one, losing interest with the dilution of the categories, (“everybody gets a ribbon”), useless syn tracks, terrible sites like last year, etc. The Ladies Day angle seems rather gay. Racing suffers – marketers win…..in the short term.

I am not all that excited about watching a race that sounds as if it is named after a razor. As well, I am not able to take a Friday off work to devote to watching all my favorite filles and mares race. I guess I should only pay attention to the colts from now on.

This is not a good idea. The greatest thing about the BC was its diversity in racing. Without the females racing it changes everything.

This is a disgrace to the pagentry and tradition that makes up the Breeder’s Cup. Most years the Distaff is just a competitive and exciting as the Classic. Changing its name and pushing back ALL the filly and mare races to one day is just moronic. What a snub to all the great fillies, mares, and their owners and trainers.

These are only a few of the many excellent and diverse comments… won’t you go add yours?

A game Circular Quay training with Pleasant Strike at Belmont October 2006 (Sarah K. Andrew)

My apologies for all the typos in my rush job of a picks post… as usual I waited just a bit too long to before starting the post, not that unlike Evening Attire out of the gate!

While I didn’t have a stellar day (I’ve had worse), I did manage to cash 2 tickets, predict Daytona would show, Pyro would win and unexpectedly got to see a glimmer of hope for the handicap division!

As I feared, Euroears was the real deal… and an impressive real deal at that. I’m looking to forward to seeing him again, no doubt in graded company.

The New Orleans Handicap was both annoying and fantastic. During the parade I had noticed that Circular Quay looked great, really sharp and ready to go… Brass Hat on the other hand looked like he was ready for a nap. I literally laughed out loud but decided to keep with my plan (like an idiot), which was to box Silver Lord (who dumped his rider out of the gate) and Brass Hat… end annoying part.

With no Silver Lord it was Grasshopper and Magna Graduate setting the fractions. At one point Magna Graduate took over but a hard held Circular Quay was uncorked at the top of the stretch and the fantastic part of the race unfurled! What a stretch duel, going back and forth between them… Circular Quay is back on form!

It was fitting that his win came on the same day as the Louisiana Derby, the site of his last victory. As the guy beside me said, “now maybe Pletcher won’t be afraid to run him at two turns.” I should also mention that I had Reporting for Duty across the board, which didn’t even pay for the ticket since he showed (I didn’t really think that one through… back to annoying).

Moving on, I overlooked the winner of the Mervyn Muniz but had noted that he liked yielding turf and had won off taking a month off. I did have French Beret across the board, which significantly cut into my loses and as predicted Daytona set the fractions and then dropped. It looked like French Beret could have caught Proudinsky with a bit more distance.

For fun I boxed Acacia and Wisconsin Girl… what if Indian Blessing and Proud Spell had unseated their riders too? Go Proud Spell! I thought she would do it in the Silverbulletday but she did it today and she did it with authority.

As for the Louisiana Derby, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I would wagered differently had I thought J Be K would rate against soft fractions. I dismissed both My Pal Charlie and Yankee Bravo thinking that they needed a slower pace to perform well. At least I can take some solace in getting that right! Instead I put Pyro over Blackberry Road and Unbridled Vicar thinking they would benefit from a fast pace. Ugh. I also exacta boxed J Be K, Majestic Warrior and Tale of Ekati… basically my wildcard box.

Losing tickets aside, Pyro turned in a nice performance… I can’t wait to see him and War Pass duke it out! I’m willing to give Take of Ekati and Majestic Warrior another race, that wasn’t exactly the easiest spot for a debut.

Brass Hat winning the Mass Cap (Imfedore)

I was finally able to do some handicapping this morning and am off to “the office” to play the Fairgrounds card. Things over at Take Back The Race are progressing nicely, it’s really great to read all the comments. I’ll be posting some more banners here for folks to grab and display later this weekend… on to the picks!

Euroears looks tough and Noonmark looks promising but I’m going to go with Semephore Man. He’s held his own with both Bordonaro and Diabolical (who just crushed at Nad Al Sheba). His works are also fantastic! My questions about him are can he ship and can he rate? He’s definitely the horse for the distance and I’m gonna take my shot with him. King of the Roxy is a wild card to me here, he should do well at the distance and he’s won off a break so I may use him too.

Grasshopper looks tough to beat, but you know I’m gonna try… and I’m gonna try with Brass Hat! I think the pace will be on the slow side with Silver Lord leading the way and Brass Hat is the only one, aside from Grasshopper, who has done well off a slow pace. I would consider Magna Graduate but I think he needs a faster pace. Circular Quay is a bit of wild card but I’m hoping he takes some sentimental money (but I’m sure Brass Hat will too). Reporting for Duty has put in two nice efforts and could do well off a soft pace too.

I love a turf race when it’s soft! I liked Daytona last out and of course think he has a shot here but I really like Brilliant and Fracas. Both like it soft and both have gone up against some stiff competition. I love Brilliant’s odds and his last race Saratoga was on rock hard turf so I’m expecting him to really improve here + he’s improved off a break in the past. Fracas training pattern looks like he might run a big one + he’s placed to Dylan Thomas and likes it soft.

I’m taking a pass on the Fairground Oaks, it’s either gonna be Indian Blessing or Proud Spell, take your pick. If it’s one of the other two I’ll be supremely bummed that I didn’t have her.

Finally, a Derby prep with some pace! I’m not sure if what I’m gonna do here because Take of Ekati and Majestic Warrior are big wild cards. Both have been training well and will benefit from J Be K’s pace, as will Pyro. The pace should also help Unbridled Vicar and Blackberry Road so who knows! I think Pyro will win it but I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the aforementioned colts won. I’m not sure Stevil, My Pal Charlie or Yankee Bravo can handle what looks to be a fast pace.

Best of luck to all!