JC / Railbird

Triple Crown Archive

Preakness Bound

– A very happy Calvin Borel after the Kentucky Derby:

– And in white tie, on his way to meet the Queen.
– Trainer Carl Nafzger is downplaying Preakness talk, even telling reporters that the race isn’t “even on the radar now” (USA Today), but the Derby winner is almost definitely bound for Baltimore, where he’ll probably meet up with Hard Spun and Curlin again. Others considered possible for the race are Chelokee and Xchanger. Past performances for likely Preakness starters are up on DRF.
– A Street Sense-Hard Spun rivalry is blooming, with trainer Larry Jones appearing to relish the role of potential Triple Crown spoiler. “There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978, and there won’t be one this year either, if I have my say” (Baltimore Sun). Hard Spun was one of the horses I had trouble figuring out before the Derby and I’m not so sure I see him turning the tables on Street Sense the next time they meet. But then, both colts progressed well, earning new career-best Beyers in the Derby, and it’s unlikely Street Sense will get the same golden rail trip in “Pino land” as he did at Churchill. One curious thing about Street Sense’s Derby run was the way he moved back to the rail after passing Hard Spun, on his own, rather than continuing to run straight in the two-path. That move, combined with the ducking in during the Bluegrass when Street Sense was forced to run off the rail, certainly suggests a tactical weakness …

Posted in Triple Crown on May 7, 2007

Belmont Day Results

– As usual, Alan at Left at the Gate has a superb post up covering all of Saturday’s stakes action at Belmont, and Steve Haskin painstakingly details Jazil’s Belmont victory in the Blood-Horse. About all I have to add is that Jazil earned a 102 Beyer speed figure for his Belmont win, and that the colt will be pointed toward the Travers at Saratoga on August 26, as will runner-up Bluegrass Cat and third place finisher Sunriver.
– Gary West wraps up this year’s Triple Crown season: “It was a long five weeks.”
– Lava Man became a Grade I winner on the dirt and turf on Saturday with a brilliant wire-to-wire victory in the Charlie Whittingham at Hollywood. “He reminds me of a horse like John Henry,” said jockey Corey Nakatani of the gelding, claimed for $50,000 in 2003 and now undefeated in four starts for trainer Doug O’Neill and with earnings of more than $2.5 million.

Posted in Triple Crown on June 12, 2006

Belmont Day

It looks like a beautiful afternoon in New York, but 300 miles to the north, heavy rain is falling for the fourth day in a row and Suffolk Downs is closed due to a power outage, so I’m watching the races at home and playing along on TVG. So far, the racing on the Belmont undercard hasn’t disappointed. (The Just a Game was especially exciting, the way Gorella pounced on pacesetter Pommes Frites in the final yards to win by a neck.) I’m playing a Pick 4 today — a rare wager for me — and won the first leg with Songster in the Woody Stephens. In the Acorn, I’m playing Bushfire, Teammate, and Ermine; in the Manhattan, Relaxed Gesture, Grey Swallow, and English Channel; and in the Belmont, just Bob and John. That’s right — I’m leaving out both of trainer Todd Pletcher’s starters, passing on Steppenwolfer, and singling Bob and John. I’m willing to forgive him for finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby …

Posted in Triple Crown on June 10, 2006