Railbird 2004–2019

Archive for 2008

Today’s Longshot Flyer

SAR, R4: Special Detail (ML 12-1). Starts off a dismal debut in which the Johar filly was beaten by more than 33 lengths, but I’m intrigued by the distance and surface switch.
Results: Bet down to 6-1, which totally killed my interest in this filly, and good thing, since she tracked the pace early, then dropped like a rock to last in the stretch. The winner was 2-1 favorite High Cry, a Street Cry filly debuting for trainer Todd Pletcher, now 4-for-12 with 2-year-old first-time starters at the Spa (and all four of those wins with rider John Velazquez up). I did get to feel smart in the second at least, sticking with Digger off his odd claim last out in a race with conditions (“For three year olds and upward which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2006-08”) that seemed beautifully suited. He went to post as the fourth choice, willingly waited for the dueling leaders to tire, and paid $9.20 to win by two lengths.
Thanks to 6-1 Raffie’s Treasure in the feature, trainer Dominic Galluscio avoided “getting the duck” this meet, scoring his first win after four seconds and two thirds over the past couple weeks. If I Lost My Choo hadn’t scratched, it’s possible Galluscio would have added another second to his record, but with the overwhelming likely favorite out, the homebred filly was free to race clear on the outside, avoiding the flying mud, then draw away to a visually impressive 9 3/4 length win over the sloppy track (final time for the 1 1/8 miles, 1:53.48). “We were very fortunate that [the race] came off the turf,” said Galluscio (Daily Gazette).

Raffie’s Treasure entering the winner’s circle after the ninth.

Posted in Handicapping on August 7, 2008

Activist Punter

… organizes complaints online about the going over UK turf courses, accuses tracks of misleading readings, gains support. Progress lies ahead, reports the Guardian:

This goes back to our conversation on Monday, neatly demonstrating how technology has changed the relationship between racing and its fans by giving people an easy way to connect, wherever they might be, whatever the issue …

Posted in International, Racing & Technology on August 7, 2008

Duck, Duck

– I think we all knew it was an unlikely August meeting, but a Blood-Horse report confirms. Big Brown will not race against Curlin at Saratoga:

The Jockey Club Gold Cup isn’t in their thinking either, but Pompa did say they hoped to meet Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the race Jess Jackson hedged on while talking to the media in the Tuesday NTRA teleconference. “We’d like to go there but that’s an untested surface and I’m very uncertain about it,” he said, when asked about bringing Curlin to Santa Anita. “We’ve been invited to race in Japan, Hong Kong and other venues in the U.S. We’re keeping all those options open.” Yeah, these two are never going to race against each other, although I do agree with Jackson that it is up to Big Brown’s connections to make any such meeting happen. Curlin is burnishing his reputation this year, and has nothing to prove chasing the 3-year-old …
– Speaking of Curlin, here he is, hanging out and enjoying some hay in his Oklahoma stall, looking content and a little bit curious about all the attention he was attracting (I was not alone in stopping by Asmussen’s barn this morning to admire the handsome Horse of the Year, under the watchful eyes of his personal guard):

– Met Mile winner Divine Park, bravely being pointed to the Woodward despite Curlin’s plans, worked four furlongs in :47.36 over the Saratoga main track. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet the champ,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “It would be great for Divine Park if he happens to beat him, and if we finish second or third it’s still a positive” (DRF). Nick Zito also plans to be sportsmanlike and enter freshly-minted millionaire Wanderin Boy in the race.

Posted in Saratoga on August 6, 2008

Curlin’s Next Start

… will be the Woodward at Saratoga on August 30, owner Jess Jackson announced this afternoon. After the turf experiment that resulted in a second-place finish in the Man o’ War last month, the colt is returning to dirt, “where he’s a champion,” said Jackson, who didn’t rule out another attempt at running Curlin over grass or taking a shot at the Arc next year (noting though that there’s only a “slim” chance that Curlin will race as a 5-year-old). The move is terrific news for NYRA, which historically has struggled to attract a crowd during the final weekend of the meet. Now, if only Dutrow and IEAH could be enticed into sending Big Brown — at that point, four weeks off his Haskell win — to meet Curlin at the Spa, we’d really have an exciting entry on the calendar.
As for what happens after the Woodward, Jackson indicated the Breeders’ Cup Classic was a possibility, “but it’s an untested surface,” referring to the Pro-Ride track being installed at Santa Anita, and said several several other races were under consideration, including the MassCap, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Japan Cup. “We’re going to keep all those options open,” said Jackson. “We certainly want to show Curlin off at his best.”
Aside: How great is it for Suffolk Downs that Commentator, Big Brown, and Curlin have all been mentioned as possible starters for the Massachusetts Handicap on September 20? That the race is being considered as a Breeders’ Cup Classic prep for horses of that caliber after being forced into hiatus in 2005 and losing its G2 status in 2007 speaks to the excellent work that the track, under owner Richard Fields, has done to revive New England’s signature race.

Posted in Horses on August 5, 2008

Restored

– Big Brown wins the Haskell, Brash Dutrow returns:

In his favor, Big Brown won off an eight-week layoff after the worst race of his career, digging deep to get past Coal Play — loose on the lead from the start and running the best race of his career — in the final yards and earning a Beyer speed figure of 107, and he did at least somewhat restore his reputation as the division leader. But he didn’t resemble the dominant colt that romped through the spring — on Sunday, he looked badly beat at the eighth pole — much less look ready to take on the reigning Horse of the Year, and the drifting out was worrisome (especially in light of that last work on the turf), suggesting whatever ached or bothered in the Belmont continues to cause trouble.
IEAH co-president Michael Iavarone said the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita is the year-end goal for Big Brown, with the late September MassCap at Suffolk Downs under serious consideration as a final prep:

After the Whitney, trainer Nick Zito also mentioned the MassCap as a possible next start for gallant Commentator. The 7-year-old gelding isn’t quite super horse Curlin, but his preferred running style and occasional brilliance raises the specter of a very interesting stretch run should the two meet up at Suffolk …
That is, if Big Brown gets even close to East Boston. There’s also talk of a turf try and while Dutrow said the colt looked “great” leaving Monmouth Park, backstretch ‘birds whisper Big Brown exited the Haskell sore and that it’s a matter of mere days until his retirement is announced.
– It was standing room only this morning when trainer Carl Nafzger, jockeys Edgar Prado and Milo Valenzuela, and horses Inside Information, Ancient Title, and Manila were inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. As part of the ceremony, after Dr. Dean Richardson delivered a funny and modest welcome address, the 19 living members of the Hall present in the audience were called before the crowd, their accomplishments and names recited. Among them, rider Laffit Pincay, making his first trip ever to the Hall.

As usual, on scene Brooklyn Backstretch has a full report.

Posted in Saratoga on August 4, 2008