Just last night I was lamenting the sale of Racecar Rhapsody to an unidentified middle eastern buyer. You may remember I really liked him in the Preakness (you know, the race where Big Brown showed up when I was betting he wouldn’t, just a race too early!).

This reminded me of another horse that I was intrigued by that was whisked off to Dubai after one impressive effort in the late fall. National Pride, made a notable debut on November 17th at Aqueduct, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over a Brooklyn Backstretch favorite, Saratoga Russell.

DRF reported:

On Nov. 17, National Pride won a six-furlong maiden race at Aqueduct by 1 3/4 lengths, covering six furlongs in 1:09.27 and earning a 92 Beyer. National Pride is a 2-year-old son of Macho Uno, the juvenile champion of 2000. Friday, National Pride arrived at Payson Park in Florida, where Rick Mettee oversees a string of Godolphin runners.

“He sustained a 3 1/2-furlong run in the race,” Mettee said. “It’s not like he ran for the final eighth of a mile and the field fell apart. You don’t see 2-year-olds do that too often.”

Mettee said National Pride would most likely begin a 30-day quarantine at Payson on Dec. 16 and ship to Dubai in mid-January.

So last night I made my way over to the Godolphin to see if I could find out anything about National Pride… had he raced again, was he in training? Nuttin’.

Imagine my surprise just a few moments ago when I went to my DRF virtual stable to see that he’s back on the work tab at Keenland!!! He breezed 3F at 36.4 (5/32) over a fast all weather track… AND, Numaany, who was also purchased by Godolophin around the same time must have worked with him as he posted a 3F breeze at 38 (20/32), his second at Keenland!

How exciting! I wonder what they’re training towards? Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps we’ll also see Racecar Rhapsody again, I hope so!

Fabulous Strike & Ramon Dominguez pulling an upset win in the Vosburgh at Belmont (Sarah K. Andrew)

Apparently Fabulous Strike scared them off at Delaware Park today. I just tuned into Twinspires TV to see Fab Strike effortlessly beat The Vin Man and Joey Carson in the Vincent Moscarelli Stakes as the other 4 would be opponents scratched.

Fellow TBA-er Quinella Queen of Turf Luck left a comment on my recent post about Go For Wand pointing out the Breeders’ Cup Top 25 Moments Poll. To quote her exactly, “My goodness, check out the race by Pebbles in the ‘85 Turf!”

Regular reader ljk also pointed out Tiznow’s 2001 Classic. With two comments pointing towards notable efforts, I finally made my way over there. I started at the top in chronological order. It didn’t take long too get to Pebbles in the 85 Turf…. WOW!

I had never heard of Pebbles. I thought by now I had probably at least heard of most, if not all, of the great horses of the past 25 years but apparently not! Perhaps it’s because she’s a Brit, or as the announcer called her, Britain’s Super Filly.

Naturally I wanted to see more so I headed over to YouTube. The first clip I found was a compilation of Pebbles winning the 1,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, Champion Stakes & Breeders’ Cup Turf.

I also found this excellent profile of her at NTRA by Jim Tierney written a month after she passed away in 2005, 20 years after her incredible Breeders’ Cup victory. The feat, her only race on American soil, won her our Eclipse Award for Outstanding Turf Female (or is that Lady?).

Tierney writes of her:

Pebbles’ scintillating performance left the Aqueduct crowd and millions watching on NBC breathless.

In 1985, Pebbles defeated the winners of the Epsom Derby, Prix del Arc de Triomphe, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes, English Champion Stakes, Epsom Oaks, Arlington Million, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Pebbles defeated Lashkari, who won the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1984, along with Theatrical, who would go on and win the Breeders’ Cup Turf two years later at Hollywood Park.

I also found these two clips marked as “Story of Horse of the Year Pebbles, commented by Ian Carnaby, Clive Brittain, Steve Cauthen, Capt. Lemus, Pat Eddery.”

Part 1:

Part 2:

It should also be noted that the person who posted the two part series has an interesting archive of racing videos.

If all this international footage and hearing of accents gets you in the mood for some Royal Ascot (a bit late, but who’s counting), check out fellow TBA-er Superfecta as she’s been keeping tabs on all of the action.

I was so blown away by Pebbles that I haven’t even made it to Tiznow’s race yet!

Eibar Coa at Belmont (~ RAYMOND)

Storm Caller just threw Eibar Coa coming out of the gate in the Yankee Victor at Belmont. Storm Caller didn’t go down and didn’t look to be injured. I couldn’t tell if Coa got up but he’s off his mounts for the rest of the day.

Hopefully he’s ok… more as it unfolds.

Update: Looks like he got away with just a few bruised ribs. I just saw this buried in an unrelated story at DRF (with about 4 or 5 other unrelated items as well, why do they do that?).

Jockey Eibar Coa sustained a bruised rib on his left side when he was unseated at the start of Friday’s $76,900 Yankee Victor Stakes.

Coa was scheduled to ride at Colonial Downs on Saturday and Woodbine on Sunday.

Coa, 37, was aboard Canadian shipper Storm Caller, who stumbled badly at the start of the race, tossing Coa. The horse then appeared to kick Coa once, possibly twice. Coa was transported by ambulance to North Shore University Hospital where X-rays did not reveal any fractures.

Get well soon!

Go For Wand & Randy Romero after the 1990 Mother Goose (Bud Morton)

I just noticed that Dan Ilman did a nice post on the great filly Go For Wand that chronicles her career with links to racing highlights that’s definitely worth a look.

“Having by this time gained enormous respect and affection for her, New Yorkers bet Go for Wand down to 1-10 in the Beldame Stakes on October 7 and were rewarded with a typical tour de force. She raced nine furlongs in a track-record 1:45 4/5 to win by almost five lengths from some hard-hitting fillies and mares including Colonial Waters, the runnerup, winner of more than $1,000,000.”

Here’s the 1990 Beldame Stakes:

Turning our attention to current rapidly improving fillies, you probably noticed that Zaftig (excellent picture here) was sidelined with a foot bruise. This means she’ll miss the Mother Goose, which was to be her match up against Oak winner Proud Spell. Hopefully she’ll be ready for the Coaching Club Oaks on July on 19th.

Did I mention Mushka is back on the work tab?

C-Span’s site has both parts of the today’s hearing up.

Part 1

Part 2

Also check out Ray Paulick’s live blogging account, entertaining and informative.

New York is sucking right now (ardenstreet)

At least not at the moment. Let’s review.

As Val’s comment indicated, one of Curlin’s imprisoned owners has an expired racing license and according to the newly launched Paulick Report, it’s looking like the New York State Racing and Wagering Board won’t be renewing Shirley Cunningham’s license in the “best interest of racing”. This means Curlin will not be racing in New York.

As mentioned yesterday, the new OTB bill boosts the take out on NYRA tracks by 1% starting in the fall. Here are some unsavory particulars…

For example, a New York bettor who makes a win bet on a race at Churchill Downs through NYRA’s account-wagering operation will be paid off as if the takeout is 17 percent, instead of 16 percent, the takeout charged by Churchill. NYRA would keep the difference.

So glad I never opened a NYRA account… thank you NYRA for never answering my email, which convinced me to never open a NYRA account!

Rest assured NYRA Rewards customers, “NYRA plans to increase rebates to customers of its NYRA Rewards Program”. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to watch race replays on NYRA’s site (hat tip to Power Cap). Currently displaying on NYRA’s race replay page:

For regulatory purposes, NYRA is not permitted at this time to provide a link to our race replays. NYRA understands and regrets this inconvenience for our fans who have come to rely upon these services.

Please be assured NYRA is doing everything within its power to work with the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to restore this link to our web site as soon as possible.

And there you have it. While I couldn’t wager on Churchill using Twinspires this weekend (things are strange all over), at least I can watch NYRA replays there! And will the 1% be added to my payouts via Twinspires on NYRA tracks since I’m a New York resident (and presuming I ever cash a ticket again)?

If you’re interested in learning more about the thievery known as take-out (look up breakage while you’re there too), check out Track Thieves and specifically his chart of the takeout rates at various tracks on various pools.

Have a nice day!

In Summation (inside) beats Greg’s Gold in the Bing Crosby at Del Mar (Charles Pravata)

It’s late, I’m tired… I’ll be pithy.

Outrageous! (for Ed).

An elaboration. Question, what about auctions? Cali’s doin’ it.

Not so bad.

Hopefully Thursday is firm.

Should be Fabulous!

Don’t wear an ascot unless you’ve been there.

And whatever you do, don’t hold back!

Thanks to all for the whopping 92 votes in the last poll… and a special thanks to equidaily and the NTRA for increased traffic!

The majority of you, 34 to be exact, thought Kent D’s ride didn’t really matter one way or the other because Big Brown didn’t show up. 20 of you, myself included, had mixed feelings about the ride, 16 of you felt it was prudent and you were glad he eased him, 15 of you thought it was a bad ride all the way around and 7 of you went so far as to say the ride was unsportsmanlike.

The new poll takes a look back… 1988 has been in the air lately. I first noticed it at Brooklyn Backstretch in a post entitled Phipps and Shug. The post features 4 races of the undefeated champion Personal Ensign, including her win against Gulch in the Whitney.

Then, news of Ocean Colors, daughter of Winning of Colors, breaking her maiden prompted Patrick to curate a little Winning Colors retrospective over at TBA site.

Winning Colors was one of only 3 fillies to ever win the Kentucky Derby. As I commented over at Brooklyn Backstretch, “Seriously, Winning Colors and Personal Ensign are all anyone needs to know about why fillies CAN run against colts”.

One of my all time favorite races was Winning Colors absolute romp in the Santa Anita Derby. While you can view the Distaff either at Brooklyn Backstretch or the TBA video section, I wanted to include it here, with a reminder to sign the petition to Breeders’ Cup about the name change of the Distaff… does this look a Ladies Classic to you?

Curlin in the beginning of the Stephen Foster (creepy_coyote)

Asmussen said he would work Curlin on the turf and find a grass race for him in North America on the weekend of July 12-13. He did not say if he had a particular race in mind. He would prefer a race over an international style course, such as those at Arlington Park, Belmont Park or Woodbine. Major turf races for older horses scheduled that weekend include the $500,000 Man O’ War (gr. IT) at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park and the Arlington Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/4 miles at Arlington Park.

That is, if he works well on the turf… fingers crossed!

Here’s a fun fact, in yesterday’s extremely satisfying chalk fest, favorites (with the exception of Pyro, who was a close second favorite) won by 35 1/4 lengths total!!

Fleur De Lis – Hysterical Lady – 7 lengths

Regret – Pure Clan – 2 3/4 lengths

Northern Dancer – Pyro – 1 3/4 lengths

Jefferson – Tizdejavu – 4 lengths

Stephen Foster – Curlin – 4 1/2 lengths

Mint Julep – Dreaming of Anna – 2 1/2 lengths

Obeah – Unbridled Belle – 5 lengths

Ogden Phipps – Ginger Punch – 7 3/4 lengths

I’m looking forward to seeing some races where there are actual stretch battles and one can find some betting value, but after the past few weeks I think we all deserved to see what real favorites and champions look like (even if they rarely compete against each other).