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Horses Archive

Dear Bill Finley

Are you kidding? Send Big Brown to the Arc?

We already know that Big Brown can handle the grass. He’s bred for it and he broke his maiden by 11 1/4 lengths on the grass last year at Saratoga…. And, obviously, Big Brown has the quality and class to beat a field of international stars.

Yes, obviously, based on … what, exactly?

Posted in Horses on June 29, 2008

Ranking Curlin

Jason Shandler puts Curlin at #7 on a list of the top 10 of the past 30 years, while Jon White crams the Horse of the Year in at #72 on a list of the 100 all-time greats. Me? I’m reserving judgment until his career concludes.

Posted in Horses on June 24, 2008

Harry Aleo, 1919-2008

Harry Aleo (in the cowboy hat) with Lost in the Fog in the Golden Gate winner’s circle after the 2005 Golden Bear. Photo by ibison4.

Reports the Blood-Horse:

Harry J. Aleo, the crusty Northern California Thoroughbred owner who burst into national prominence with 2005 champion sprinter Lost in the Fog, died at his San Francisco home on the afternoon of June 21. He was 88.

Aleo campaigned many good horses in northern California with trainer Greg Gilchrist, but the late champion Lost in the Fog was his big horse, the one who brought Aleo to racing’s pinnacle, although not the Kentucky Derby. Displaying sense and restraint, qualities rarely seen among people with exquisitely talented 3-year-olds in the barn during Triple Crown season, Aleo refused to enter then-undefeated Lost in the Fog in the 2005 spring classics, recognizing his colt was a brilliant sprinter, dazzling in the way he muscled his way out of the gate to snatch the early lead, repelling all challengers. Before Lost in the Fog finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint that year, he ran his record to 10 straight wins, including the King’s Bishop Stakes:

That was one of the best races I saw at Saratoga that summer, and I remember it felt like a gift all that year, seeing Lost in the Fog do over and over again what he did so very well. My thanks to Aleo for the happy racing memories, and my sympathies to his family and friends.

Posted in Horses, Owners/Owning on June 22, 2008

Monday Morning Links

– Curlin could be Arc-bound. Time to start planning an October Paris sojourn …
– Dear NTRA: Free “Web 2.0” advice worth following.
– Check out the Paulick Report, now live.
– San Felipe winner Georgie Boy, who missed the Kentucky Derby with a pulled muscle in his hind, is back in training and prepping for races later this year.
– Enjoy Met Mile winner Divine Park while you can: Stud plans for the 4-year-old son of Chester House are set.
– Posting will be light this week, but I’ll back in full swing soon, looking toward to the upcoming Saratoga meet.

Posted in Horses, International on June 16, 2008

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