As measured by the speed figure makers, the Kentucky Derby field may be “solid, competitive … and slow,” but there’s a dominant figure in the Oaks.
Speaking of figures …
“Frankel’s performance can only be described as awesome,” said the official BHA handicapper for milers, apparently as awed as everyone else watching Frankel cheerfully gut the field running behind him from the start in the 2000 Guineas (replay). “He destroyed the others, not himself,” said trainer Henry Cecil. At the end what impressed almost as much as the ease with which the undefeated colt won was how hard his rivals had to run to even keep him in view. Timeform gave Frankel a provisional rating of 142, the third best ever; the Racing Post rated him 133, the highest ever on that scale.
Posted by JC in Racing on 04/30/2011 @ 7:42 pm / Tagged Derby Prospects, Frankel, International, Oaks Prospects, R Heat Lightning, Speed Figures / Follow @railbird on Twitter
A few photos from this morning at Churchill Downs …
Archarcharch
Santiva
Arienza
Bouquet Booth
Decisive Moment
Uncle Mo
Posted by JC in Racing on 04/29/2011 @ 5:57 pm / Tagged Churchill Downs, Derby Prospects, Oaks Prospects, Photos, Training / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Joe Drape on proposed federal legislation of drugs in racing:
Some of horse racing’s most influential stakeholders have known that the bill was coming and in recent weeks have called for the elimination of all illegal drugs as well as legal ones, like corticosteroids, that can mask an injury.
I had been wondering what gave rise to recent concord on the issue …
Posted by JC in Racing on 04/29/2011 @ 5:15 pm / Tagged Drugs in Racing, Federal Legislation, IHA, Raceday Medications, RCI / Follow @railbird on Twitter
