It's a great time to be a racing fan. For the first time in five years, the leading three-year-old was not retired to the breeding shed at the end of the season -- last year's Champion Three-Year-Old Male, Curlin, has remained in training for 2008.
Curlin had an unorthodox but impressive prep race for the Dubai World Cup (gr. I) last month in the Jaguar Trophy Handicap in Dubai, which he won under a hand ride while shouldering 132 pounds, clocking the 1-1/4 miles in a laudable time of 2:00.6. But the colt still had his work cut out for him Saturday. He would meet rivals from all over the globe, including Japan's Vermilion (a winner of four consecutive grade I's), Godolphin's up-and-coming Jalil who had strung together three straight victories since coming to Dubai, former American grade I winner and last year's World Cup runner-up Premium Tap, and horse-for-course Asiatic Boy who had won the UAE Derby (UAE-II) over the same oval.
But Curlin made mincemeat of his World Cup rivals, attending an active pace while three-wide before drawing off down the stretch to score by a record 7-3/4 lengths. Winning with his ears pricked, he sped the distance in 2:00.15, the third-fastest running of the race.
"What a horse," said his jubilant rider Robby Albarado. "Curlin is like a limousine, and I am just along for the ride."
And yet, the effort that should have had people talking for weeks played second fiddle when, some four hours later, three-year-old Big Brown remained undefeated in taking the Florida Derby (gr. I) in just his third lifetime start. Big Brown had first made headlines last summer at Saratoga, when he won a maiden special on the turf by 11-3/4 lengths. Setbacks caused the colt to miss the rest of the season, but he turned heads in his sophomore debut earlier this month when he cruised in an off-the-turf allowance contest by more than a dozen lengths, getting the mile distance in an eye-catching 1:35 3/5 despite having only a two-work foundation going in.
Then came last Saturday's Florida Derby, which turned skeptics into believers (myself included). Breaking from the twelve-hole --and becoming the first horse to win doing so since Gulfstream's inane reconfiguration four years ago-- Big Brown set daring fractions of 22 and 45 and change for the opening quarter and half-mile. Despite the quick pace, Big Brown left his rivals reeling and drew off down the stretch to win by five lengths while getting the 1-1/8 miles in a snappy 1:48 1/5.
"He's a major talent, possibly the best horse I've ever ridden," enthused winning rider Kent Desormeaux, who rode both Fusaichi Pegasus and Real Quiet to victories in the Kentucky Derby. Desormeaux has also won grade I's on a variety of mounts, including Desert Stormer (a dirt sprinter), Kotashaan (a turf router), and Corinthian (a dirt miler).
"He's a freak," says Hall of Fame trainer John Nerud simply.
Despite the one-year age difference, the similarities are startling: It was at this time last year the then-undefeated Curlin was a favorite for the Kentucky Derby, having gone from a dazzling maiden winner to the commanding ten-length victor of the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) in the span of two months. He even had similar superlatives thrown at him last year after going from maiden winner to Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) hero in the span of a season. But even the eventual Horse of the Year was unable to win the Derby off of three lifetime starts, though he did finish an admirable third behind Street Sense and Hard Spun after encountering traffic trouble down the lane.
Big Brown will now likely go off favored in the Run for the Roses, having outdazzled fellow three-year-old and Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Risen Star (gr. III) winner Pyro from the top spot of Derby contenders. Curlin, meanwhile, will remain in light training in Kentucky until a future start can be determined, his hold on the title Horse of the World secure. The two will follow different paths, but it is never too early to start dreaming of the collision course that may come to fruition this fall.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A vacant throne
The distaff division took a huge blow in the form the recent retirement of Belmont Stakes heroine Rags to Riches, who re-aggravated an old injury while working for a return to the races. However, even without her presence the division is set for an all-star cast this year of some very exciting and talented fillies and mares.
Who: Ginger Punch
Why She’s Noteworthy: The Champion Older Mare and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner of 2007 fired a bullet recently while working in company with Bobby Frankel's sophomore star Country Star. Her only outing this year was an unchallenged, one-sided victory in the restricted Sunshine Millions Distaff.
Where to See Her Next: In the April 5th Apple Blossom (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park.
Who: Magnificience
Why She’s Noteworthy: The comebacker made two lifetime starts last spring caused a sensation, has been working up a freak storm at Santa Anita in recent weeks. After blitzing a bullet five furlongs in 0:58 flat on the 17th, she came back yesterday morning to run another near-bullet, clocking the same distance in 0:58.60.
Where to See Her Next: Likely to return in a stakes at Hollywood Park.
Who: Zenyatta
Why She’s Noteworthy: The undefeated filly has vanquished her foes convincingly in all three of her starts, including an easy score in the El Encino (gr. II). An unspecified injury caused her to miss a date in the Santa Margarita (gr. I) with Nashoba's Key but she is presently back on the worktab.
Where to See Her Next: Hollywood Park meeting
Who: Nashoba's Key
Why She’s Noteworthy: A formidable competitor in her own right, the recent Santa Margarita (gr. I) winner has won five graded stakes on both turf and synthetic surfaces. The Santa Margarita was her first start with Garrett Gomez back aboard following a questionable ride by former pilot Joe Talamo on Sunshine Millions Day.
Where to See Her Next: Currently resting, she is likely to resurface at the Del Mar meet.
Who: Eight Belles
Why She’s Noteworthy: She’s easily routed her members of her own sex in two races at Oaklawn, including her last in which she ran 1-1/16 miles just as quickly as the colt Sierra Sunset who won the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at that distance later in the day.
Where to See Her Next: Eight Belles is likely to run next in the Fantasy (gr. II) versus fillies, though she has been nominated to the Arkansas Derby (gr. II).
Who: Country Star
Why She’s Noteworthy: Her two tallies last fall in the Alcibiades and Hollywood Starlet (both gr. I) had some folks talking Kentucky Derby. Jockey Robby Albarado recently gave up the mount on Derby hopeful Denis of Cork to maintain the ride on the blue-blooded filly, and she just fired a bullet working in company with the aforementioned Ginger Punch.
Where to See Her Next: In the Ashland (gr. I) at Keeneland on April 5th.
Who: Hystericalady
Why She’s Noteworthy: Hard-knocking California-based mare gave Ginger Punch a run for her money in last fall’s Distaff. Still had a very productive last season despite running over synthetic surfaces she is not crazy about; look for her to improve this year if she makes most of her starts on conventional dirt tracks.
Where to See Her Next: Hystericalady will try to turn the tables on Ginger Punch in the Apple Blossom on April 5th.
Who: Ginger Punch
Why She’s Noteworthy: The Champion Older Mare and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner of 2007 fired a bullet recently while working in company with Bobby Frankel's sophomore star Country Star. Her only outing this year was an unchallenged, one-sided victory in the restricted Sunshine Millions Distaff.
Where to See Her Next: In the April 5th Apple Blossom (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park.
Who: Magnificience
Why She’s Noteworthy: The comebacker made two lifetime starts last spring caused a sensation, has been working up a freak storm at Santa Anita in recent weeks. After blitzing a bullet five furlongs in 0:58 flat on the 17th, she came back yesterday morning to run another near-bullet, clocking the same distance in 0:58.60.
Where to See Her Next: Likely to return in a stakes at Hollywood Park.
Who: Zenyatta
Why She’s Noteworthy: The undefeated filly has vanquished her foes convincingly in all three of her starts, including an easy score in the El Encino (gr. II). An unspecified injury caused her to miss a date in the Santa Margarita (gr. I) with Nashoba's Key but she is presently back on the worktab.
Where to See Her Next: Hollywood Park meeting
Who: Nashoba's Key
Why She’s Noteworthy: A formidable competitor in her own right, the recent Santa Margarita (gr. I) winner has won five graded stakes on both turf and synthetic surfaces. The Santa Margarita was her first start with Garrett Gomez back aboard following a questionable ride by former pilot Joe Talamo on Sunshine Millions Day.
Where to See Her Next: Currently resting, she is likely to resurface at the Del Mar meet.
Who: Eight Belles
Why She’s Noteworthy: She’s easily routed her members of her own sex in two races at Oaklawn, including her last in which she ran 1-1/16 miles just as quickly as the colt Sierra Sunset who won the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at that distance later in the day.
Where to See Her Next: Eight Belles is likely to run next in the Fantasy (gr. II) versus fillies, though she has been nominated to the Arkansas Derby (gr. II).
Who: Country Star
Why She’s Noteworthy: Her two tallies last fall in the Alcibiades and Hollywood Starlet (both gr. I) had some folks talking Kentucky Derby. Jockey Robby Albarado recently gave up the mount on Derby hopeful Denis of Cork to maintain the ride on the blue-blooded filly, and she just fired a bullet working in company with the aforementioned Ginger Punch.
Where to See Her Next: In the Ashland (gr. I) at Keeneland on April 5th.
Who: Hystericalady
Why She’s Noteworthy: Hard-knocking California-based mare gave Ginger Punch a run for her money in last fall’s Distaff. Still had a very productive last season despite running over synthetic surfaces she is not crazy about; look for her to improve this year if she makes most of her starts on conventional dirt tracks.
Where to See Her Next: Hystericalady will try to turn the tables on Ginger Punch in the Apple Blossom on April 5th.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Thrown away
On Friday, May 18th, 2007, almost everyone in the racing industry was fixated on Baltimore’s Pimlico Racecourse, where 133rd Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was favored to capture the second coveted jewel in the Triple Crown the following day. Few if any were aware that some 2800 miles away at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, California, former graded stakeswinner Inesperado suffered a catastrophic breakdown and had to be euthanized.
French export Inesperado made his American debut a winning one in the summer of 2003, surging through a hole at the rail to win the Cinema (G3) at Hollywood by a nose. After winning four of nine starts in France for his original owners, it would be his most lucrative season for new owner 2 Plus U Stable and new trainer Bobby Frankel. In addition to the Cinema, Inesperado also added wins in the La Jolla Handicap (G3), Sir Beaufort Stakes, and Del Mar Derby (G2) to his name, the latter over eventual Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Johar, now a stud in Kentucky.
Two years later and twelve races later, Inesperado was dropped in for a claiming tag and was taken by Round Table Stable. From there he continued to descend down the claiming latter, dropping from $80,000 to $35,000, to $22,500, to $7,000, and finally, in April of '07, to $4,000. By this time Inesperado was eight years old and a world away from the limelight which had shone so brightly on him during his three-year-old season. What is even more disheartening than the horse’s fall in stature was the arcane persistence in which he was raced.
At the time of his death, Inesperado had finished out of the money in ten of his previous eleven starts and had not won in over three years. If money were the object of desire, surely a stud career would have been a more enticing option for a multiple graded stakeswinner who was still entire in his sixth season of racing.
And while most of the blame falls on the horse’s last connections for running him despite the animal’s clear lack of competitiveness even at racing’s lowest level, one who has to wonder where were 2 Plus U Stable and Bobby Frankel during all of this time. Retiring a past-his-prime horse who earned well over half a million dollars in a single season of racing for his owner and trainer (Inesperado’s career earnings neared $700,000) seems like something any decent person would do.
It is time racing stops mishandling the very animals on which the sport itself exists. The fact that such a prominent stakeswinner of yesteryear faded into obscurity without so much as a peep from the racing community is deplorable. The horse had more than earned a retirement –even a stallion career, perhaps—but it is apparent now more than ever that racing is indeed a business and no longer a sport.
Inesperado deserved better.
French export Inesperado made his American debut a winning one in the summer of 2003, surging through a hole at the rail to win the Cinema (G3) at Hollywood by a nose. After winning four of nine starts in France for his original owners, it would be his most lucrative season for new owner 2 Plus U Stable and new trainer Bobby Frankel. In addition to the Cinema, Inesperado also added wins in the La Jolla Handicap (G3), Sir Beaufort Stakes, and Del Mar Derby (G2) to his name, the latter over eventual Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Johar, now a stud in Kentucky.
Two years later and twelve races later, Inesperado was dropped in for a claiming tag and was taken by Round Table Stable. From there he continued to descend down the claiming latter, dropping from $80,000 to $35,000, to $22,500, to $7,000, and finally, in April of '07, to $4,000. By this time Inesperado was eight years old and a world away from the limelight which had shone so brightly on him during his three-year-old season. What is even more disheartening than the horse’s fall in stature was the arcane persistence in which he was raced.
At the time of his death, Inesperado had finished out of the money in ten of his previous eleven starts and had not won in over three years. If money were the object of desire, surely a stud career would have been a more enticing option for a multiple graded stakeswinner who was still entire in his sixth season of racing.
And while most of the blame falls on the horse’s last connections for running him despite the animal’s clear lack of competitiveness even at racing’s lowest level, one who has to wonder where were 2 Plus U Stable and Bobby Frankel during all of this time. Retiring a past-his-prime horse who earned well over half a million dollars in a single season of racing for his owner and trainer (Inesperado’s career earnings neared $700,000) seems like something any decent person would do.
It is time racing stops mishandling the very animals on which the sport itself exists. The fact that such a prominent stakeswinner of yesteryear faded into obscurity without so much as a peep from the racing community is deplorable. The horse had more than earned a retirement –even a stallion career, perhaps—but it is apparent now more than ever that racing is indeed a business and no longer a sport.
Inesperado deserved better.
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