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 is very much an issue that is being looked at,” Paul Struthers, of the BHA, said yesterday. “The problem is that to be able to make realistic comparisons between GoingStick readings at different tracks, we need to compile sufficient data. At the end of this year, we will have two full years’ of readings, which should enable us to do just that.
“Use of the GoingStick will be required at all tracks from January 1, when we would also hope to encourage clerks to take readings much closer to racing, which could be published on our website.”
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 …
Ladbrokes Favorite
Here’s one Euro possible for a synthetic Breeders’ Cup:
Henrythenavigator, at 4-11, just held off Raven’s Pass in the Sussex Stakes, adding to his impressive record. “He won’t be beaten this year,” declared rider Johnny Murtagh after, to which Chris McGrath responds in the Telegraph:
That acquired the look of a very bold assertion when John Magnier, his owner, included the Breeders’ Cup Classic among the colt’s potential targets. The Coolmore boss reasoned that the race’s transfer to a new, synthetic surface this year made it even more tempting than when O’Brien had tried his luck with Giant’s Causeway, second in 2000, and, rather less successfully, with Galileo and Hawk Wing. As for the new distance, all concerned seem confident that Henrythenavigator will stay 10 furlongs. Ladbrokes make him 7-2 favourite for Santa Anita, but you can get 6-1 with Coral.
New distance to challenge, but what competition? Curlin may close his career elsewhere, Big Brown may or may not be in training, the remaining 3-year-old male and handicap horses struggle to distinguish themselves (except, of course, for awesome Commentator, also doubtful for the Breeders’ Cup). Henrythenavigator could be the best thing going in the Classic at Santa Anita. As for Sussex runner-up Raven’s Pass, connections are considering the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Man of Iron Faces First Test
Man of Iron, the 2-year-old half-brother of Rags to Riches, Jazil, and Casino Drive by Giant’s Causeway, debuts today in the first at the Curragh for Aidan O’Brien and Tabor et al:
He faces a tough introduction though, because Alyazwa was only just touched off at Leopardstown, Tomas An Tsioda ran well last Sunday, and Ballydoyle stablemates Drumbeat and Rip Van Winkle head a clutch of interesting newcomers.
I’m not quite sure what all that means, other than the spot turns up quite competitive. Post-time for the 15-starter baby race is 6:00 p.m. Irish time (1:00 p.m. ET).
[Results: Man of Iron, “always toward rear,” finished 13th, resembling his famous siblings in a so-so debut. Props to ace handicapper-commenter John S., whose amazing angle play led straight to the 3-1 winner, Rip Van Winkle, a Galileo colt also out of the O’Brien yard.]
More Top Hats, Please
I’m watching At the Races‘ live video stream of opening day at Royal Ascot and thinking, there just aren’t enough occasions for men to appear in top hats and morning coats (even racing pundit John McCririck, who I saw wandering around the Breeders’ Cup last fall wearing what looked like a large fleece blanket with a polar bear pattern, is cleaned up). Perhaps instead of making the Saratoga clubhouse dress code more casual this summer, NYRA should toughen it up, encouraging a renaissance in classy men’s wear.
More insightful, less sartorial, comment on the Ascot races available at the Guardian live blog …
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.
Checkbook Racing
No Dubai World Cup winners for Sheikh Mohammed, but his long-term prospects for racing success look good, if money spent is any indication: “Since the second half of last year he has blown, at a conservative estimate, close to a billion of his estimated £14 billion fortune on horses for racing and breeding, double the sum he is prepared to pay in his ongoing attempt to buy Liverpool FC …”
Curlin Dazzles, Walks on Water
Curlin, “the most impressive physical specimen at Nad Al Sheba,” worked half a mile in :50.16 on Monday, “dazzling onlookers with a show of contained power.” Assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who’s been overseeing Curlin’s preparation for the Dubai World Cup, called the move “perfect,” while jockey Robby Albarado, now in Dubai, gushed, “There’s so much power, so much confidence, so much ability.” Curlin is scheduled to burnish his reputation and secure his global legacy on Saturday when he lines up against 12 overmatched international challengers, then return to the US for a campaign culminating in a second Breeders’ Cup Classic victory. “I do not think he’s going to be the most tired horse cooling out [after Saturday’s race] by far,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, anticipating. “And we are expecting a very big second half of the year for him.”
Gorgeous George’s Only
The George Washington filly born February 4 at Irish National Stud may be the sole offspring of the late European champion, reports Blood-Horse:
Rumors circulating in the aftermath of the recent birth suggested that the filly, out of the Rainbow Quest mare Flawlessly, might be joined by another half-sibling. However, sources close to Coolmore said no more foals by George Washington are expected.
Dylan Thomas Wins Arc
I guess the ground, labeled very soft earlier this week, dried out enough for Dylan Thomas: The Irish colt survived a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to win the Arc by a head over Youmzain (Sporting Life), giving trainer Aidan O’Brien his first Arc win and jockey Kieren Fallon something to savor on Monday morning while sitting through his race-fixing trial at Old Bailey (Times). You can watch the replay on the official Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe site, or click on the YouTube video below.
Dylan Thomas will start next in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, O’Brien said after today’s trophy presentation (DRF). Previous Arc winners have not fared so well in the Breeders’ Cup, with the best finishes being 2001 Arc winner Sakhee’s second in the Classic and 1987 Arc winner Trempolino’s second in the Turf. O’Brien has won the Turf twice before, in 2002 and 2003 with High Chaparral.
Making his final career start, hot Arc favorite Authorized “was beaten before he started,” finishing tenth of 12. The Epsom Derby winner is headed to the breeding shed after making seven starts in two years; he’ll stand at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in 2008.
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Jessica Chapel writes and edits in Massachusetts. Railbird is a Thoroughbred horse racing blog published from June 2004 to July 2019. More / Contact
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