JC / Railbird

Racing Archive

A Dreamy Man

It’s impossible not to root for Mucho Macho Man after reading this story:

“We’ve got thousands of pictures and the smiles on their faces are indescribable. You have to understand some of the partners that came on initially from day one when we offered the horse, they came on for $800 a share. One percent of the horse was for $800 and now they are living their dream,” Hatzikoutelis said. “This is why they’ve gotten into the horse ownership part, and it just goes back to what we want to do and the experiences we want to have together…. It’s pretty humbling.”

His original name was Lazarus, which seems fitting for a Derby prospect who won the Risen Star and is pointing to the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

Speaking of the the New Orleans track, it’s the subject of a neat exhibit in which open letters written by backstretch workers and jockeys about their lives will be on display alongside photographs from the Fair Grounds. “This moment exists for five months of the year … then the moment doesn’t exist.”

That sentiment certainly resonates with me; capturing, in words, such a rich, but ephemeral scene is part of the motivation for Kentucky Confidential.

3/24/11 Addendum: That’s enthusiasm! Part-owner drives 12 hours without stopping to see Mucho Macho Man at the Fair Grounds.

Posted in Racing on March 23, 2011 / Tagged Derby Prospects, Fair Grounds, Mucho Macho Man, New Orleans, Projects, Writing

Hope Mo Loses?

Steve Haskin on the two-prep campaign era for Kentucky Derby prospects and the importance of at least one “gut check” before the big race:

Here is the kicker: of the four horses who have won the Derby off only two starts, three of them – Street Sense, Mine That Bird, and Super Saver — had at least one gut check, where they engaged in a head-to-head stretch battle. The only one who didn’t was Big Brown, who was, well, Big Brown, and who faced relatively weak fields in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby.

The Wood is Uncle Mo’s only chance to get dirty before May, and aside from Jaycito and Toby’s Corner, not many seem interested in facing the champion. A pity. If he were to lose, it might not be such a bad thing, writes Paul Moran:

If all this comes together, the month between the Wood and Derby will be an exciting time in New York…. An untimely defeat on April 9, though it may stun his supporters and connections and cool the fervor, may well serve Uncle Mo. Secretariat was upset by stablemate Angle Light in the Wood, leaving trainer Lucien Lauren if not the entire racing world dazed and speechless. Remember what happened after that?

Posted in Racing on March 22, 2011 / Tagged Derby Preps, Derby Prospects, Racing History, Triple Crown, Uncle Mo, Wood Memorial

Maclean’s Debut

It’ll be interesting to see what Maclean’s Music does in his second career start, after setting freakish fractions of :21.24, :43.48, and 1:07.44 in his debut at Santa Anita on Saturday. And what a Beyer speed figure — handicapper Andy Serling tweeted earlier today that the colt was given “the highest debut Beyer ever … 114.” ThoroTimes reporter Jeff Lowe added a bit of pedigree context to the number, noting that Maclean’s dam, “Forest Music, ran a similar race first-time out.” Put the Distorted Humor colt on your watch list — he may never run so well again, but the odds are good this one’s a serious racehorse.

(Replay via Hello Race Fans.)

Posted in Racing on March 21, 2011 / Tagged Debuts, Fast Fractions, Maclean's Music, Santa Anita, Speed Figures