Railbird 2004–2019

Archive for 2008

Close Call

… not just between Curlin and Zenyatta for Horse of the Year, but for 3-year-old filly division honors. Will the champion be Proud Spell or Music Note [or Indian Blessing*]? Consider:

– Proud Spell went 4-for-8 in 2008, with two Grade 1 wins in the Kentucky Oaks and Alabama Stakes. In those races, she beat 13 rivals, including Music Note (by a head in the Alabama) and Indian Blessing. After finishing second in the Cotillion in September, trainer Larry Jones declared Proud Spell done for the year and the filly didn’t start in the Breeders’ Cup.

– Music Note wrapped up the year 4-for-6, with three Grade 1 wins in the Mother Goose, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Gazelle Stakes. All were at Belmont Park, in short fields; she beat 10 others in those races, including Proud Spell (by 3 1/2 lengths in the Mother Goose, a perhaps misleading margin due to traffic problems suffered by ‘Spell) and Little Belle. Unlike Proud Spell, Music Note did run in the Breeders’ Cup, finishing a very game third behind Zenyatta and stablemate Cocoa Beach in the Filly & Mare Classic.

If I had a vote, I’d lean toward Music Note, but Proud Spell has a strong claim.

Posted in HOF/Awards on October 30, 2008

Hello, Aqueduct

Aqueduct
The Big A opens Wednesday. (Hooray!) First post, 12:30.

Posted in Aqueduct on October 28, 2008

SAFC Reports

… for August and September are now online. We received 38 submissions in those two months, which were compiled and sent to a dozen industry organizations. The response has been positive (and not only from the BC). Racing executives are listening to fans like never before (and making promises to keep doing so); SAFC is one way to make sure your views are represented. We’re not gatekeepers, we’re gatherers, and we want to hear your ideas, gripes, and praise. Share your thoughts now.
Related: The Take Back the Race petition will be sent to BC officials early Friday morning. On the eve of “Ladies’ Day,” why not add your signature? [Friday update: The Take Back the Race petition was sent to the Breeders’ Cup this morning with 240 signatures. Thanks to all who participated!]

Posted in Fan Committee on October 23, 2008

Today’s Longshot Flyer

BEL, R4: I haven’t done one of these in a while, but while handicapping the $1 million Pick 6 carryover at Belmont this afternoon, a longshot caught my eye in the very first leg. In a field stocked with well-bred and well-meant babies, Cellar Dweller (20-1 ML) hardly stands out coming from a low-percentage barn and possessing an insubstantial auction price, but the first-time starter does have a super workout pattern, with his last move a bullet three furlongs out of the gate, and a decent turf pedigree. A son of Rahy (15% with turf starters), Cellar Dweller is also half to three winners over the turf, including stakes placed filly Savage Beauty. And while this little detail may end up not too relevant today, it is certainly interesting and merits some attention that Cellar Dweller’s pedigree includes full siblings Glorious Song (dam of Rahy) and Devil’s Bag (via dam side). Glorious Song was 1980 champion older female, winner of multiple graded stakes, and also the dam of turf champion Singspiel; Devil’s Bag was 1983 champion juvenile and the early favorite for the 1984 Kentucky Derby before he was retired due to injury and sent to stud with a record syndication deal. [2:15 pm update: Should have checked the scratches earlier … Cellar Dweller is out.]
For the Pick 6, a ~~$240~~ $192 caveman special: R4 #4/6/3/12/8; R5 #1(A)/3/4; R6 #1(A)/6; R7 #6 (the sole single); R8 #7/6; R9 #7/10. [Results: 1/1/1/2/1/3, or 4-of-6, or nothing (this time). Considering that I have not been handicapping or playing much recently, though, not bad.]

Posted in Handicapping on October 22, 2008

Corrective

What CMO Peter Land said during a Blood-Horse chat when asked about using standard saddle cloth colors in the Breeders’ Cup:

There are some within our organization that support your point of view and others who believe the tradition of the purple saddle cloths is one that separates us out from every other event and is core to our identity. Frankly, the solution is Trakus, which would allow the wagerer/fan to track the horses without worrying about the color of the saddle cloth.

What Brooklyn Backstretch said in response over on Green but Game:

Frankly, the solution is the end of your relentless and ineffective self-promotion at the expense of race fans’ most basic and fundamental interest: where their damn horse is!

I couldn’t possibly improve on that statement, although I will admit that I agree with Land that to have Trakus would be tremendous. Too bad Santa Anita doesn’t have the system installed, though, so using Trakus isn’t an option next week and fans will have to suffer through yet another year of purple saddle cloths. Frankly …

Posted in Breeders' Cup, Marketing on October 17, 2008

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