JC / Railbird

Kentucky Oaks

Much the Best

Mike Watchmaker asks, “Seriously. How good is Forever Together?” (Beware: DRF+ link.) Just watch the Jenny Wiley stretch run for the answer:

Slow pace, late kick: After Kiss With a Twist takes the field through the first six furlongs in 1:17.12, Forever Together makes her move on the outside, going from sixth entering the stretch to a win in less than 30 seconds (with the final sixteenth in :6.13), all under a handride, becoming the latest Breeders’ Cup winner to return successfully this year. It’s going to be fun watching her campaign through the summer and fall …

Zenyatta too, whenever she debuts. The champion worked six furlongs in 1:10.60 on Saturday in prep for her eventual return. A race in May at Hollywood is a possibility, said trainer John Shirreffs, but nothing is set. Whatever the race, it seems safe to say it’ll be the most anticipated of the spring.

Oaks and Derby odds and ends: Ashland winner Hooh Why is under consideration for the Oaks; no decision yet on Stardom Bound, who gets a new rider in Garrett Gomez. Julien Leparoux picks up the mount on General Quarters, replacing rider Eibar Coa for the Derby. (The General gains a little more credibility with that move.) Pioneerof the Nile worked a bullet four furlongs handily in :46.20 at Santa Anita this morning, Papa Clem arrived at Churchill on Tuesday, and @derbyoaks tweeted that West Side Bernie jogged over the track for the first time today. Also on the grounds and out of quarantine, Desert Party and Regal Ransom. The duo will work over the weekend. Terrain is off the trail: “We just feel he’s not quite a Derby horse,” said trainer Al Stall, who said the gelding would be pointed to the Lone Star Derby instead. If only more connections had the restraint. Instead, come Derby day, “8 or 9 certainly won’t belong at Churchill.”

That gives me an idea: Who are five unlikeliest Derby prospects? The horses you think would be better pointing elsewhere? List below in the comments …

Posted in Racing on April 15, 2009 / Tagged Distaffers, Forever Together, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Zenyatta

Helmet Clues

Before the Kentucky Oaks, Jerry Bailey kept talking about jockey Gabriel Saez having only three pairs of goggles on his helmet, despite the sloppy track condition, inferring from that little detail that Saez planned to keep Proud Spell close to the pace. He did, and she came home an easy winner …

Posted in Racing on May 2, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Oaks

Thursday Evening Notes

– Quick Oaks picks: Pure Clan, Country Star, Rasierra. I’m leaving out likely favorite Proud Spell, based on her third place finish in the Ashland. It could well turn out that she just didn’t take to the Keeneland Polytrack last month and will return to the form she displayed at the Fair Grounds, but I suspect it’s more likely she peaked beating Indian Blessing in the Fair Grounds Oaks in March. [5/2 Addendum: It’s pouring at Churchill this afternoon and the track is a sloppy mess. Rethinking the Oaks, Proud Spell moves back into contention …]
– Here’s how the Wizard settled on his Derby pick: “Big Brown is brilliant. The others in this race are not.”
– Brilliant or not, Beyer tosses Brown for lack of experience and picks these three: “1. Pyro 2. Z Fortune 3. Gayego.”
– The big news out of Churchill this morning was Big Brown’s fast three furlong :35.40 blowout. Smooth Air also took to the track, going three furlongs in a pedestrian :38.20. Big Brown was headstrong, requiring an outrider to help pull up, which you can see for yourself by visiting Churchill’s video page, a fantastic repository of Derby work and gallop videos. Also of note: Big Brown appeared wearing front wraps, which trainer Rick Dutrow said were nothing to worry about.
– Beware the year of the cicada.

Posted in Racing on May 1, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Oaks

Kentucky Oaks Field

PP	Horse	Jockey	ML
1	Golden Doc A	Desormeaux	12-1
2	Absolutely Cindy	Leparoux	20-1
3	Awesome Chic	Albarado	20-1
4	Elusive Lady	Coa	30-1
5	Rasierra	Theriot	50-1
6	Country Star	Bejarano	4-1
7	Little Belle	Maragh	8-1
8	Proud Spell	Saez	7-2
9	A to the Croft	Borel	20-1
10	Bsharpsonata	Camacho	6-1
11	Pure Clan	Prado	6-1
12	Eight Belles	Dominguez	5-2

Posted in Racing on April 29, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Oaks