Before the third race at Newmarket on Friday, the going was officially changed to ‘soft.’ Hooray was dipping her toe in uncharted waters and trainer Sir Mark Prescott had doubts about his filly’s propensity to handle soft ground. Fans, however, were unwavering in their faith and Hooray was the best fancied in the 1200-meter Cheveley Park Stkes, a Group I Contest for freshman girls. The Sir Mark Prescott trainee,coming off a romp in Kempton's Sirenia Stakes, was the 7/2 favorite.
Seb Sanders got away well and in a matter of strides, Hooray established control. The margn widened as the race developed. Sanders had little or no work to do as Hooray went on to win by four and one half lengths in a time of 1 14.09 seconds. That was Hooray's fourth win in seven starts. Hooray is by Invincible Spirit out of Hypnotize who's by Machiavellian.
Natagora and Special Duty, winners of the Cheveley Park Stakes in recent years, have gone on to win the English 1000 Guineas the following year. Will Hooray follow in their footsteps? Sir Mark Precott tried to answer that question. "I did not think she would handle the ground. When they are useful as she is on fast ground, you worry. She has been improving. We stopped restraining her and let her go on. It has been the making of her. She was very impressive although I believe she will not be an effective miler," Sir Prescott averred.
Jockey Sanders expressed his opinion. "She is improving all the time. Her best performances have been on fast ground but she handled today's ground."
The other Group I race at Newmarket on Friday was the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes. It was a race over 1200 metres for two year-old (entire) colts. Dream Ahead, coming off a facile victory in the Prix Morny at rain-softened Deauville, was going for a hat trick and was the 5/4 favorite. William Buick had the David Simcock trainee held up in the rear of the eight-runner field. Strong Suit, Richard Hughes up, drew first blood as they raced into the dip. Dream Ahead was seen making quick headway. As the leader was sighted coming out of the dip, it was Dream Ahead who had said 'goodbye' to the field. Despite veering across the track,the Diktat colt won drawing away by nine lengths in 1 14.28 seconds.The time tells you how (very) soft the ground was. Strong Suit edged Approve for the runner-up berth. Land of Dreams (by Cadeaux Genereux) is the dam of Dream Ahead. The Middle Park win gave Dream Ahead a three for three career record.
The Racing Post called Dream Ahead's effort a 'barnstorming performance.' Dream Ahead was introduced to the 2000 Guineas market as a 4/1 chance. Trainer Simcock spoke about how much his colt loves soft ground. "He won't run with any 'firm' in the description this year. He is an exciting horse. It is very much a relief and we are lucky to find one like him."
Jockey Buick spoke. "He's an amazing horse. He gave me a feel that no other horse has ever given me.He will be hard to beat. Bring on next year," he exulted.
Here are tidbits that you should find interesting. Blame arrived in New York early Friday afternoon. He had a workout at Keeneland before being put on the plane.
Belmont Park cancelled Friday's card. Saturday's weather forecast is encouraging.
Grand Couturier has been retired. The son of Royal Lodge earned $1,449,701. He was a hard nut to crack on the grass. Trainer Robert Ribaudo talked about the physical problens that plagued his pupil. The announcement came on Thursday. Grand Couturier won the Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational in 2007 and 2008. He also won the 2008 edition of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
In England on Friday, Richard Hughes won with Scottish Boggie, the 5/4 favorite, at Newmarket. Paul Hanaghan had one winner, the 11/8 favorite, Haylaman, at Wolverhampton. Hanaghan has a nine-win lead going into Saturday's races.
Maxime Guyon clicked with three winners at Saint Cloud on Friday. The going was extremely soft. Jockey Guyon won with Golden Lilac, the 4/5 favorite trained by Andre Fabre. The duo won again with the 59/10 Kreem. Guyon's third winner was the 23/10 favorite, trained by E Leenders. Guyon is among the leaders in the riding department in France.
Sha Tin had two big races on Saturday. Sacred Kingdom, a multiple Group winner, made a worthwhile addition to his tally. The ultra quick Sacred Kingdom landed the 1000-metre Grade III Sha Tin Sprint Trophy as the 9.4 favorite. The time was 55.95 seconds on the Sha Tin turf course. Brett Prebble rode for trainer P F Yiu.
The other event, the National Day Cup over 1400 metres (turf) was taken by Lucky Nine who was the 27/20 favorite. Caspar Fownes, who has strong India connections, trains Lucky Nine. It was another high profile win for jockey Brett Prebble.
In the next blog, we'll look at Saturday's Newmarket action. There are big fields and wide open races. Three races have 20 or more runners. The feature is the Group I Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes over 1600 metres for fillies and mares. The Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap) has 35 runners and it is a 1800-metre race.
Longchamp has four Group II races on Saturday. We will look at the results briefly. America has a boatload of stakes action.
Saturday at Longchamp was damp and discouraging and there was a 5000-strong crowd. The skies are clearing in Paris and the forecast calls for dry weather until late Sunday. The rainfall has been so heavy that the going is likely to be soft. The Arc is supposed to attract 50,000 fans. A large throng is expected from Ireland and England.
October 2, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Heavy rain in France and England as big races draw close: Freshman boys and girls hold center stage on Friday at Newmarket
Rain is dampening enthusiasm and causing drastic changes in the plans of big racing stables as major races are looming large in Europe. Newmarket has two Group I races, the Middle Park Stakes and the Cheveley Park stakes, that will be the co-features on Friday. There has been heavy rainfall and more rain is on the way.
Across the channel, rain is playing havoc in Paris. Doubts have been expressed about some well-backed contenders running at week’s end. The Arc on Sunday is likely to have 20 runners but there is every chance that a smaller field will go postward.
Here is news that is headline material. Goldikova may not run in Sunday’s Prix de la Foret. Freddie Head, Goldikova’s trainer, issued a statement on Thursday. “We’ll wait until the last possible moment. If it rains a lot, Goldikova won’t run in the Foret and she will go directly to the Breeders’ Cup Mile on November 6. The mare is in great form.”
Two high profile withdrawals were announced on Thursday. Snow Fairy, Ed Dunlop’s dual Oaks-winning filly, will not travel to the French capital. She was scheduled to go in the Prix de l’Opera. Trainer Dunlop cited deteriorating weather in Paris. Native Khan, the unbeaten (two starts) freshman, will not line up for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Dunlop has said that Snow Fairy may take her chances in Newmarket’s Champion Stakes on October 16. Native Khan’s next target is either the Dewhurst Stakes or the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
There is one British contender for the Arc who has been given the green light. Workforce, a disappointment in the King George after a romp in the Epsom Derby, worked satisfactorily on Thursday at Newmarket and will be in Sunday’s Arc field. There was an immediate shake up in the Arc market.
Let us a take a look at Friday’s Newmarket plums. The third race is the 1200-metre Group I Cheveley Park Stakes. It is for freshman girls. Eleven run. Hooray looks for three wins in a row and is owned by the sponsors of the race. Although she needs to find more, Hooray has shown a progressive trend and may be able to manage the step-up. The soft going will have a big impact on several runners.
The fourth race is the Group I Shadwell Middle Park Stakes. It is also a 1200-metre contest for entire (freshman) colts. Dream Ahead is two for two in his career. After making a winning debut, Dream Ahead, trained by David Simcock, won the Group I Prix Morny at Deauville next time out. Soft going will help Dream Ahead’s cause. William Buick will ride Dream Ahead. Eight colts will go to the starting gate.
Blame faces seven rivals in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup to be run at Belmont Park (New York) on Saturday. Trainer Al Stall Jr, has exuded optimism about his trainee and is using Saturday’s race as the prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Blame seeks his sixth consecutive win. The Stephen Foster and the Whitney are Grade I races that Blame has won this year.
Racing at Belmont Park on Thursday was cancelled because of heavy rain. The flight bringing Blame to New York from Kentucky was cancelled as well. The flight has been scheduled for early Friday. Paddy O’Prado, favorite in the Grade I Hirsch Turf Classic, will travel in the same plane. There are three other Grade I races on Saturday. Females will go on the turf in the Flower Bowl. Then there is the Beldame for fillies and mares on the dirt. Finally, the Vosburgh over 1400 metres on the dirt will also be run. There are eleven races on Saturday at Belmont Park. Dry weather is forecast for Saturday.
Fly Down, Mythical Power, Tranquil Manner, Dry Martini, Haynesfield, Hold Me Back and Rail Trip will oppose Blame in the Gold Cup to be run over 2000 metres. This is the first time that Blame will run over 2000 metres.
Hoosier Park hosts the Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby on Saturday. Hoosier Park is in Anderson, Indiana and is a three-hour drive from Chicago. Looking At Lucky takes on eight sophomores in the 1700-metre test on the dirt. A Bob Baffert trainee, Looking At Lucky won the Preakness in May and the Haskell Invitational in early August. Martin Garcia comes in from southern California to ride. Despite missing a month of training owing to an illness, Looking At Lucky has had four workouts since September 8.
Also on tap on Saturday at Hoosier Park is the Grade II $200,000 Indiana Oaks. There are other big prizes in that Hoosier Park card.
Now we come to Zenyatta. The Street Cry mare is heavily favored to win the Grade I Lady’s Secret on Saturday at Hollywood Park. She is 18 for 18 and a victory on Saturday will put her on par with Pepper’s Pride who retired with a 19 for 19 record. Zenyatta faces five adversaries.
Jockey Mike Smith talked about Zenyatta getting good this time of year. “She seems to get good at this time of year the last few years, The way she is going, she seems like she can do it again this year.”
Trainer John Shirreffs said, “she has been so consistent all the time. She has been the same all year long. It is unbelievable.”
There are 10 races at Hollywood Park. There are three other Grade I races. You have the Norfolk Stakes for freshmen. There is the Yellow Ribbon on the turf for distaffers. Goodwood Stakes, for three year-olds and up, will also be showcased.
Here is an update on the English riding title. Paul Hanaghan won with Heartbreak, a 3/1 chance trained by Richard Fahey, at Ayr. Richard Hughes rode two winners at Kempton for Jeremy Noseda. It was a twilight meeting. Hughes scored with Zip Lock, the 10/11 chalk and with Illustrious Prince, a 4/1 chance. Hanaghan leads Hughes 162-153.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Across the channel, rain is playing havoc in Paris. Doubts have been expressed about some well-backed contenders running at week’s end. The Arc on Sunday is likely to have 20 runners but there is every chance that a smaller field will go postward.
Here is news that is headline material. Goldikova may not run in Sunday’s Prix de la Foret. Freddie Head, Goldikova’s trainer, issued a statement on Thursday. “We’ll wait until the last possible moment. If it rains a lot, Goldikova won’t run in the Foret and she will go directly to the Breeders’ Cup Mile on November 6. The mare is in great form.”
Two high profile withdrawals were announced on Thursday. Snow Fairy, Ed Dunlop’s dual Oaks-winning filly, will not travel to the French capital. She was scheduled to go in the Prix de l’Opera. Trainer Dunlop cited deteriorating weather in Paris. Native Khan, the unbeaten (two starts) freshman, will not line up for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Dunlop has said that Snow Fairy may take her chances in Newmarket’s Champion Stakes on October 16. Native Khan’s next target is either the Dewhurst Stakes or the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
There is one British contender for the Arc who has been given the green light. Workforce, a disappointment in the King George after a romp in the Epsom Derby, worked satisfactorily on Thursday at Newmarket and will be in Sunday’s Arc field. There was an immediate shake up in the Arc market.
Let us a take a look at Friday’s Newmarket plums. The third race is the 1200-metre Group I Cheveley Park Stakes. It is for freshman girls. Eleven run. Hooray looks for three wins in a row and is owned by the sponsors of the race. Although she needs to find more, Hooray has shown a progressive trend and may be able to manage the step-up. The soft going will have a big impact on several runners.
The fourth race is the Group I Shadwell Middle Park Stakes. It is also a 1200-metre contest for entire (freshman) colts. Dream Ahead is two for two in his career. After making a winning debut, Dream Ahead, trained by David Simcock, won the Group I Prix Morny at Deauville next time out. Soft going will help Dream Ahead’s cause. William Buick will ride Dream Ahead. Eight colts will go to the starting gate.
Blame faces seven rivals in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup to be run at Belmont Park (New York) on Saturday. Trainer Al Stall Jr, has exuded optimism about his trainee and is using Saturday’s race as the prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Blame seeks his sixth consecutive win. The Stephen Foster and the Whitney are Grade I races that Blame has won this year.
Racing at Belmont Park on Thursday was cancelled because of heavy rain. The flight bringing Blame to New York from Kentucky was cancelled as well. The flight has been scheduled for early Friday. Paddy O’Prado, favorite in the Grade I Hirsch Turf Classic, will travel in the same plane. There are three other Grade I races on Saturday. Females will go on the turf in the Flower Bowl. Then there is the Beldame for fillies and mares on the dirt. Finally, the Vosburgh over 1400 metres on the dirt will also be run. There are eleven races on Saturday at Belmont Park. Dry weather is forecast for Saturday.
Fly Down, Mythical Power, Tranquil Manner, Dry Martini, Haynesfield, Hold Me Back and Rail Trip will oppose Blame in the Gold Cup to be run over 2000 metres. This is the first time that Blame will run over 2000 metres.
Hoosier Park hosts the Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby on Saturday. Hoosier Park is in Anderson, Indiana and is a three-hour drive from Chicago. Looking At Lucky takes on eight sophomores in the 1700-metre test on the dirt. A Bob Baffert trainee, Looking At Lucky won the Preakness in May and the Haskell Invitational in early August. Martin Garcia comes in from southern California to ride. Despite missing a month of training owing to an illness, Looking At Lucky has had four workouts since September 8.
Also on tap on Saturday at Hoosier Park is the Grade II $200,000 Indiana Oaks. There are other big prizes in that Hoosier Park card.
Now we come to Zenyatta. The Street Cry mare is heavily favored to win the Grade I Lady’s Secret on Saturday at Hollywood Park. She is 18 for 18 and a victory on Saturday will put her on par with Pepper’s Pride who retired with a 19 for 19 record. Zenyatta faces five adversaries.
Jockey Mike Smith talked about Zenyatta getting good this time of year. “She seems to get good at this time of year the last few years, The way she is going, she seems like she can do it again this year.”
Trainer John Shirreffs said, “she has been so consistent all the time. She has been the same all year long. It is unbelievable.”
There are 10 races at Hollywood Park. There are three other Grade I races. You have the Norfolk Stakes for freshmen. There is the Yellow Ribbon on the turf for distaffers. Goodwood Stakes, for three year-olds and up, will also be showcased.
Here is an update on the English riding title. Paul Hanaghan won with Heartbreak, a 3/1 chance trained by Richard Fahey, at Ayr. Richard Hughes rode two winners at Kempton for Jeremy Noseda. It was a twilight meeting. Hughes scored with Zip Lock, the 10/11 chalk and with Illustrious Prince, a 4/1 chance. Hanaghan leads Hughes 162-153.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Frankel atop freshman division in England: Hughes in striking range of Hanaghan in English jockeys' race
Here is an update on the jockeys’ title race in England. Richard Hughes rode at Salisbury on Wednesday. He had a book of excellent rides and was able to connect with three winners. One of the winners came in a match race. It was a 23-1 treble and Hughes now trails Paul Hanaghan by 10 winners, 151-161.
Jockey Hughes is getting a large number of live horses and there’s every reason to think he can catch Paul Hanaghan. Hughes has to serve a day’s ban on October 12. The English flat season runs until Saturday, November 6, 2010. The last meeting will be held at Doncaster.
“I would have been gutted if I had not ridden three winners as I came to the course with some really good rides. It is obviously important to keep myself rolling in the right direction and a treble helps to do that,” said Hughes referring to the title race.
Stan James, a bookmaking outfit, offers 8/15 on Paul Hanaghan, 11/8 on Richard Hughes and 13/8 on Ryan Moore.
We will turn our attention to Frankel who is all the rage in the ante post market for the 2011 English Guineas and the Epsom Derby. Frankel hails from Sir Henry Cecil’s yard and is the property of Khalid Abdullah who won the 2010 Epsom showpiece with Workforce. A Galileo colt out of Kind by Danehill, Frankel made a winning debut on August 13 in a 1600-metre race at Newmarket. The going was soft and Frankel was the 7/4 favorite. With only two adversaries next time out at Doncaster on September 10, Frankel made no mistake as the half money choice. The going was good and the race was over 1400 metres. The third race was the Group II 1600-metre Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot last Saturday. Only five freshmen answered the starter’s call and the Henry Cecil trainee, ridden by Tom Queally, was the 3/10 favorite. Jockey Queally had Frankel held up and let the colt loose with about 400 metres out. Frankel swept into the lead and the winning margin was 10 lengths. The time was 1 41.73 seconds.
Sir Cecil spoke, “he was very impressive. He has been ticking all the right boxes. In the last two months, he has started to improve, improve and improve. He has a lot of talent. I do not think I’ve had a better two year-old since Wollow and that is nearly 40 years ago.”
Benny The Dip was the last horse to win the Royal Lodge and the Epsom Derby. Reaction from the bookmakers was swift. William Hill made a 2/1 offer on Frankel for the 2000 Guineas and gave a 5/2 quote for the Derby. The Guineas is seven months away and the Derby is eight months down the line. Is Frankel that good?
The peerless Cecil responded. “I do not believe in ante post and do not encourage it. A lot of things can happen between now and then. I’m not sure if Frankel will stay the Derby distance. Kind, Frankel’s dam, is a fast mare and you know, female is the dominant sex. He has class and he is, I have no doubt, a Guineas horse.”
The Dewhurst Stakes and/or the Racing Post Trophy are two options that are being considered for Frankel’s last start as a freshman. Let me point out that Frankel refers to Robert Frankel, the California training icon who passed away recently. Bobby Frankel trained for Khalid Abdullah in America. Mr Abdullah named his colt after Bobby Frankel.
A colt I fell in love with but could not cash a ticket on during some of my trips to Europe has been retired. Now five, Tartan Bearer, a son of Spectrum and a pupil of Sir Michael Stoute, will be sent to the breeding shed. Tartan Bearer was owned by Ballymacoll Stud. He had lifetime earnings of 843,787 pounds. A full brother to Golan who was second to Galileo in the 2001 Epsom Derby after winning the 2000 Guineas, Tartan Bearer was also the bridesmaid to New Approach in the 2008 Derby.
The 11/10 favorite in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, Tartan Bearer, Ryan Moore up, was seriously interfered with by a trio from Aidan O’Brien’s yard and took third. Tartan Bearer was the last part in my three-horse parlay. The other two won. In 2009, Tartan Bearer was my strong choice in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Moore rallied but could not catch the Olivier Peslier-ridden Vision d’Etat. Tartan Bearer was second to Conduit in the 2009 King George.
We will take a look at a filly who won the Group II John Guest Diadem Stakes over 1200 metres at Ascot last Sunday. The Brian Meehan-trained sophomore was, at one time, a prominent prospect for the English 2000 Guineas after showing promise in her freshman campaign. Lady of the Desert won the Diadem Stakes going away. The margin was two and one quarter lengths. And the time was 1 14.13 on good to soft going. Sunday was a cold, damp day at Berkshire. Richard Hughes was aboard the Rahy filly who is out of Queen’s Logic by Grand Lodge. I must point out that it was the first time jockey Hughes rode the filly. Lady of the Desert was coming off a second place effort in Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup on September 4. Her last win came on August 20, 2009, in the Group II Lowther Stakes at York.
Trainer Meehan expressed delight. “I’m really pleased with her. She is a wonderful filly and has been throughout. We thought she had a big chance in the spring races. Things did not quite work out and she has come back as good as ever.”
Kieren Fallon received a two-day ban for his ride on Klammer in the Royal Lodge. The Irish reinsman is having an extremely productive season in England.
A paragraph on the Grade II (one million dollars) Pennsylvania Derby run last Saturday at Philadelphia Park. Morning Line, a 38/10 chance, beat First Dude in a tight finish. A close up third was A Little Warm. John Velasquez rode the Nick Zito-trained Morning Line. The Pennsylvania Derby was over 1800 metres on the main dirt track. Morning Line is by Tiznow out of Indian Snow who’s by A P Indy.
Trainer Zito said, “It is gratifying. I was so close in many of these big races. I’m human. This makes up for several losses.”
Blind Luck heads a five-filly field in Philadelphia Park’s $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion. It is a 1700-metre race to be run on Saturday. Joel Rosario rides Blind Luck whose key foe is Havre De Grace. Jeremy Rose will be on Havre De Grace who has lost two photo verdicts to Blind Luck this year.
Blame heads the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Saturday. It is a 2000-metre race. There are other Grade I races on that day at Belmont Park.
Newmarket hosts the Bahrain Sun Chariot stakes on Saturday. Traditionally, the Sun Chariot is simulcast in France and bets taken. The Cesarewitch is also scheduled on the same day at the Cambridge venue.
Longchamp has four Group II races on Saturday. There are seven Group I contests, including the Arc de Triomphe, on Sunday. Post time for the Arc is 4 05 PM (Paris time) and 7 35 PM Indian standard time. Sunday’s last race is the Prix de l’Abbaye which will be run on a straight 1000-metre course.
I have received several messages about my illness. I am grateful. The treatment is on-going. I am feeling better.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Jockey Hughes is getting a large number of live horses and there’s every reason to think he can catch Paul Hanaghan. Hughes has to serve a day’s ban on October 12. The English flat season runs until Saturday, November 6, 2010. The last meeting will be held at Doncaster.
“I would have been gutted if I had not ridden three winners as I came to the course with some really good rides. It is obviously important to keep myself rolling in the right direction and a treble helps to do that,” said Hughes referring to the title race.
Stan James, a bookmaking outfit, offers 8/15 on Paul Hanaghan, 11/8 on Richard Hughes and 13/8 on Ryan Moore.
We will turn our attention to Frankel who is all the rage in the ante post market for the 2011 English Guineas and the Epsom Derby. Frankel hails from Sir Henry Cecil’s yard and is the property of Khalid Abdullah who won the 2010 Epsom showpiece with Workforce. A Galileo colt out of Kind by Danehill, Frankel made a winning debut on August 13 in a 1600-metre race at Newmarket. The going was soft and Frankel was the 7/4 favorite. With only two adversaries next time out at Doncaster on September 10, Frankel made no mistake as the half money choice. The going was good and the race was over 1400 metres. The third race was the Group II 1600-metre Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot last Saturday. Only five freshmen answered the starter’s call and the Henry Cecil trainee, ridden by Tom Queally, was the 3/10 favorite. Jockey Queally had Frankel held up and let the colt loose with about 400 metres out. Frankel swept into the lead and the winning margin was 10 lengths. The time was 1 41.73 seconds.
Sir Cecil spoke, “he was very impressive. He has been ticking all the right boxes. In the last two months, he has started to improve, improve and improve. He has a lot of talent. I do not think I’ve had a better two year-old since Wollow and that is nearly 40 years ago.”
Benny The Dip was the last horse to win the Royal Lodge and the Epsom Derby. Reaction from the bookmakers was swift. William Hill made a 2/1 offer on Frankel for the 2000 Guineas and gave a 5/2 quote for the Derby. The Guineas is seven months away and the Derby is eight months down the line. Is Frankel that good?
The peerless Cecil responded. “I do not believe in ante post and do not encourage it. A lot of things can happen between now and then. I’m not sure if Frankel will stay the Derby distance. Kind, Frankel’s dam, is a fast mare and you know, female is the dominant sex. He has class and he is, I have no doubt, a Guineas horse.”
The Dewhurst Stakes and/or the Racing Post Trophy are two options that are being considered for Frankel’s last start as a freshman. Let me point out that Frankel refers to Robert Frankel, the California training icon who passed away recently. Bobby Frankel trained for Khalid Abdullah in America. Mr Abdullah named his colt after Bobby Frankel.
A colt I fell in love with but could not cash a ticket on during some of my trips to Europe has been retired. Now five, Tartan Bearer, a son of Spectrum and a pupil of Sir Michael Stoute, will be sent to the breeding shed. Tartan Bearer was owned by Ballymacoll Stud. He had lifetime earnings of 843,787 pounds. A full brother to Golan who was second to Galileo in the 2001 Epsom Derby after winning the 2000 Guineas, Tartan Bearer was also the bridesmaid to New Approach in the 2008 Derby.
The 11/10 favorite in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, Tartan Bearer, Ryan Moore up, was seriously interfered with by a trio from Aidan O’Brien’s yard and took third. Tartan Bearer was the last part in my three-horse parlay. The other two won. In 2009, Tartan Bearer was my strong choice in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Moore rallied but could not catch the Olivier Peslier-ridden Vision d’Etat. Tartan Bearer was second to Conduit in the 2009 King George.
We will take a look at a filly who won the Group II John Guest Diadem Stakes over 1200 metres at Ascot last Sunday. The Brian Meehan-trained sophomore was, at one time, a prominent prospect for the English 2000 Guineas after showing promise in her freshman campaign. Lady of the Desert won the Diadem Stakes going away. The margin was two and one quarter lengths. And the time was 1 14.13 on good to soft going. Sunday was a cold, damp day at Berkshire. Richard Hughes was aboard the Rahy filly who is out of Queen’s Logic by Grand Lodge. I must point out that it was the first time jockey Hughes rode the filly. Lady of the Desert was coming off a second place effort in Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup on September 4. Her last win came on August 20, 2009, in the Group II Lowther Stakes at York.
Trainer Meehan expressed delight. “I’m really pleased with her. She is a wonderful filly and has been throughout. We thought she had a big chance in the spring races. Things did not quite work out and she has come back as good as ever.”
Kieren Fallon received a two-day ban for his ride on Klammer in the Royal Lodge. The Irish reinsman is having an extremely productive season in England.
A paragraph on the Grade II (one million dollars) Pennsylvania Derby run last Saturday at Philadelphia Park. Morning Line, a 38/10 chance, beat First Dude in a tight finish. A close up third was A Little Warm. John Velasquez rode the Nick Zito-trained Morning Line. The Pennsylvania Derby was over 1800 metres on the main dirt track. Morning Line is by Tiznow out of Indian Snow who’s by A P Indy.
Trainer Zito said, “It is gratifying. I was so close in many of these big races. I’m human. This makes up for several losses.”
Blind Luck heads a five-filly field in Philadelphia Park’s $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion. It is a 1700-metre race to be run on Saturday. Joel Rosario rides Blind Luck whose key foe is Havre De Grace. Jeremy Rose will be on Havre De Grace who has lost two photo verdicts to Blind Luck this year.
Blame heads the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Saturday. It is a 2000-metre race. There are other Grade I races on that day at Belmont Park.
Newmarket hosts the Bahrain Sun Chariot stakes on Saturday. Traditionally, the Sun Chariot is simulcast in France and bets taken. The Cesarewitch is also scheduled on the same day at the Cambridge venue.
Longchamp has four Group II races on Saturday. There are seven Group I contests, including the Arc de Triomphe, on Sunday. Post time for the Arc is 4 05 PM (Paris time) and 7 35 PM Indian standard time. Sunday’s last race is the Prix de l’Abbaye which will be run on a straight 1000-metre course.
I have received several messages about my illness. I am grateful. The treatment is on-going. I am feeling better.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Rachel Alexandra retired: Twenty six left at first stage for Sunday's Arc
Twenty six horses were left in the preliminary confirmation stage for the Arc de Triomphe to be run at Longchamp on Sunday. The Arc field is limited to 20 runners. Lope de Vega, it has been reported, will be supplemented at a cost of 100,000 euros. The Arc carries a four million-dollar purse. Aidan O’Brien has seven runners. Fame and Glory and Cape Blanco head the Coolmore challenge. John Murtagh rides Fame And Glory and Christophe Soumillon will be aboard Cape Blanco. Bekhabad, owned by the Aga Khan and the Prix Niel winner, is the general 3/1 favorite. Christophe Lemaire, yet to win Europe’s most prestigious contest, took Bekhabad over Sarafina, the filly also owned by the Aga Khan. Gerald Mosse rides Sarafina who comes off a third place finish in the Prix Vermeille. Planteur has suffered two narrow losses at the hands of Bekhabad and will take his chances. Trainer Lellouche has expressed optimism about Planteur’s chances.
There has been rain in Paris since Sunday. More rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday. It is believed that the going will be soft on Saturday and Sunday. It is a two day meeting. Longchamp is a right handed course. From any part of Paris, there are convenient train and bus connections to Longchamp. Special buses (no fare) run from two prominent train stations to the course. France Galop, French racing’s administrative body, runs the meeting.
Here is news that is only hours old. Rachel Alexandra has been retired. At three, Rachel Alexandra won all her eight starts. In 2010, the Steve Asmussen-trained four year-old, could only win two of five starts. Her latest loss came in Saratoga’s Personal Ensign Stakes in which Persistently beat Rachel in decisive fashion. Calvin Borel was Rachel’s partner. Borel and I were at Los Angeles airport catching the same plane on the evening of the Breeders’ Cup (Saturday) last year. Borel told me that Rachel Alexandra will beat Zenyatta anywhere anytime. We never got to test jockey Borel’s assertion.
In recent days, Rachel Alexandra has been turning in smart times in her workouts. However, late afternoon on Tuesday, Jess Jackson, primary owner, issued a statement. “As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, she did not return to her 2009 form. I believe it’s time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. She will be bred to Curlin next year.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen took over Rachel’s training after her romp in the Kentucky Oaks. He spoke, “I’ve been blessed to have been part of history. We are all fortunate that she carried the banner following Curlin’s amazing success story. She had the most fluid and beautiful stride of any horse I have ever seen.”
By Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado) out of Lotta Kim by Roar, Rachel Alexandra won 13 times and was second five times from 19 starts. She earned $3,506,730.
Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 and made the cover of Time magazine. In 1977, Seattle Slew, who could have been bought for $17,500, swept the three big races. Affirmed, in the hands of the incomparable Steve Cauthen, accomplished the feat in 1978. Alydar was the bridesmaid and his duel with Affirmed in the Belmont Stakes (Affirmed won by the proverbial whisker) is a story one never gets tired of listening to. We move the clock to 1998. Real Quiet, a Bob Baffert pupil, won the Kentucky Derby beating Victory Gallop. The result was repeated in Pimlico’s Preakness Stakes. Real Quiet, Kent Desormeaux up, hit the front and looked like a winner 200 metres out in the Belmont Stakes. The record books were awaiting a new entrant but it was not to be. Chris McCarron inspired an incredible finishing burst out of Victory Gallop who caught Real Quiet in the last stride. If I talk of a bittersweet victory, that was it. Real Quiet was voted the top sophomore in 1998.
Real Quiet died on Monday. The 15 year-old, according to reports, fell and suffered fractured vertebrae. It was an accident in the paddock at the Penn Ridge Farm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At two, Real Quiet won the Grade I Hollywood Futurity serving notice of his future greatness. Real Quiet was by Quiet American out of Really Blue by Believe It.
Joseph Talamo will resume race riding when the Oak Tree meeting opens at Hollywood Park on Thursday. The 20 year-old broke his wrist in a fall at Del Mar a month and a half ago. “They said it was a good break. It was not displaced. A cast was put on it. I have turned into a biology major, “ Talamo joked.
Apart , a 23/10 chance in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs last Saturday, came through with a strong off-the-pace rush. Jesse Campbell rode for trainer Albert Stall Jr. The Grade II $500,000 race over 1800 metres (dirt) was run in 1 52.31 seconds. Apart was coming off a victory in the Super Derby Prelude on August 28 at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Stall also conditions Blame who is getting ready for a tilt at Belmont’s Jockey Club Gold Cup. Apart is by Flatter who is a son of A P Indy.
Trainer Stall was thrilled. “When he (Apart) broke maiden at Chirchill, I thought that he was Super Derby material. He has justified my expectation.”
The last Group I race in Germany was run on Sunday. Olivier Peslier flew to Cologne from Paris to partner the Andreas Wohler-trained Scalo in the 2400-metre Preis Von Europa. The air dash proved productive. Scalo was held up and outpaced Night Magic, the 16/10 favorite. Eight ran and Scalo timed 2 34.53 seconds on a soft course. Scalo, a 11/5 chance, was getting an encore. He was victorious in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville. Scalo is by Lando out of Sky Dancing who’s by Exit To Nowhere.
Trainer Wohler commented. “We always had the utmost confidence in this horse. He just ran two bad races this summer and we don’t know why. He proved today that he’s Germany’s top three year-old.”
There are three horses who won at week’s end. I will comment on one of them, Casamento. The other two, Lady of the Desert and Frankel, will be mentioned in the next blog.
A Mick Halford trainee, Casamento, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, made a winning debut. The second race was the National Stakes. Pathfork (rated the top freshman in Ireland this year) beat Casamento in a photo. Pat Smullen was aboard Casamento in Sunday’s Group II Beresford Stakes, a 1600-metre race at the Curragh. Seven freshmen went postward and Casamento was the 66/100 favorite. Casamento tracked the pacemaker and cruised up to take the lead in the lane and drew off to win by four lengths. The time was 1 43.52 on yielding to soft going. It was a bright and sunny day in Kildare County but there had been heavy rainfall in the hours preceding racing. Casamento was supplemented to the Beresford after his photo loss to Pathfork. Casamento got a 16/1 quote for the 2011 English 2000 Guineas.
Casamento is by Shamardal, the 2005 French Derby and the St James Palace Stakes winner. The dam is Wedding Gift.
Trainer Halford thought aloud. “Pat (Smullen) said that when he (Casamento) got the lead, he was idling. He’s still a big baby but it was important that he did everything right. I would not worry about him getting another two furlongs as he has still a bit of furnishing to do and he goes asleep in his races.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
There has been rain in Paris since Sunday. More rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday. It is believed that the going will be soft on Saturday and Sunday. It is a two day meeting. Longchamp is a right handed course. From any part of Paris, there are convenient train and bus connections to Longchamp. Special buses (no fare) run from two prominent train stations to the course. France Galop, French racing’s administrative body, runs the meeting.
Here is news that is only hours old. Rachel Alexandra has been retired. At three, Rachel Alexandra won all her eight starts. In 2010, the Steve Asmussen-trained four year-old, could only win two of five starts. Her latest loss came in Saratoga’s Personal Ensign Stakes in which Persistently beat Rachel in decisive fashion. Calvin Borel was Rachel’s partner. Borel and I were at Los Angeles airport catching the same plane on the evening of the Breeders’ Cup (Saturday) last year. Borel told me that Rachel Alexandra will beat Zenyatta anywhere anytime. We never got to test jockey Borel’s assertion.
In recent days, Rachel Alexandra has been turning in smart times in her workouts. However, late afternoon on Tuesday, Jess Jackson, primary owner, issued a statement. “As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, she did not return to her 2009 form. I believe it’s time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. She will be bred to Curlin next year.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen took over Rachel’s training after her romp in the Kentucky Oaks. He spoke, “I’ve been blessed to have been part of history. We are all fortunate that she carried the banner following Curlin’s amazing success story. She had the most fluid and beautiful stride of any horse I have ever seen.”
By Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado) out of Lotta Kim by Roar, Rachel Alexandra won 13 times and was second five times from 19 starts. She earned $3,506,730.
Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 and made the cover of Time magazine. In 1977, Seattle Slew, who could have been bought for $17,500, swept the three big races. Affirmed, in the hands of the incomparable Steve Cauthen, accomplished the feat in 1978. Alydar was the bridesmaid and his duel with Affirmed in the Belmont Stakes (Affirmed won by the proverbial whisker) is a story one never gets tired of listening to. We move the clock to 1998. Real Quiet, a Bob Baffert pupil, won the Kentucky Derby beating Victory Gallop. The result was repeated in Pimlico’s Preakness Stakes. Real Quiet, Kent Desormeaux up, hit the front and looked like a winner 200 metres out in the Belmont Stakes. The record books were awaiting a new entrant but it was not to be. Chris McCarron inspired an incredible finishing burst out of Victory Gallop who caught Real Quiet in the last stride. If I talk of a bittersweet victory, that was it. Real Quiet was voted the top sophomore in 1998.
Real Quiet died on Monday. The 15 year-old, according to reports, fell and suffered fractured vertebrae. It was an accident in the paddock at the Penn Ridge Farm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At two, Real Quiet won the Grade I Hollywood Futurity serving notice of his future greatness. Real Quiet was by Quiet American out of Really Blue by Believe It.
Joseph Talamo will resume race riding when the Oak Tree meeting opens at Hollywood Park on Thursday. The 20 year-old broke his wrist in a fall at Del Mar a month and a half ago. “They said it was a good break. It was not displaced. A cast was put on it. I have turned into a biology major, “ Talamo joked.
Apart , a 23/10 chance in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs last Saturday, came through with a strong off-the-pace rush. Jesse Campbell rode for trainer Albert Stall Jr. The Grade II $500,000 race over 1800 metres (dirt) was run in 1 52.31 seconds. Apart was coming off a victory in the Super Derby Prelude on August 28 at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Stall also conditions Blame who is getting ready for a tilt at Belmont’s Jockey Club Gold Cup. Apart is by Flatter who is a son of A P Indy.
Trainer Stall was thrilled. “When he (Apart) broke maiden at Chirchill, I thought that he was Super Derby material. He has justified my expectation.”
The last Group I race in Germany was run on Sunday. Olivier Peslier flew to Cologne from Paris to partner the Andreas Wohler-trained Scalo in the 2400-metre Preis Von Europa. The air dash proved productive. Scalo was held up and outpaced Night Magic, the 16/10 favorite. Eight ran and Scalo timed 2 34.53 seconds on a soft course. Scalo, a 11/5 chance, was getting an encore. He was victorious in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville. Scalo is by Lando out of Sky Dancing who’s by Exit To Nowhere.
Trainer Wohler commented. “We always had the utmost confidence in this horse. He just ran two bad races this summer and we don’t know why. He proved today that he’s Germany’s top three year-old.”
There are three horses who won at week’s end. I will comment on one of them, Casamento. The other two, Lady of the Desert and Frankel, will be mentioned in the next blog.
A Mick Halford trainee, Casamento, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, made a winning debut. The second race was the National Stakes. Pathfork (rated the top freshman in Ireland this year) beat Casamento in a photo. Pat Smullen was aboard Casamento in Sunday’s Group II Beresford Stakes, a 1600-metre race at the Curragh. Seven freshmen went postward and Casamento was the 66/100 favorite. Casamento tracked the pacemaker and cruised up to take the lead in the lane and drew off to win by four lengths. The time was 1 43.52 on yielding to soft going. It was a bright and sunny day in Kildare County but there had been heavy rainfall in the hours preceding racing. Casamento was supplemented to the Beresford after his photo loss to Pathfork. Casamento got a 16/1 quote for the 2011 English 2000 Guineas.
Casamento is by Shamardal, the 2005 French Derby and the St James Palace Stakes winner. The dam is Wedding Gift.
Trainer Halford thought aloud. “Pat (Smullen) said that when he (Casamento) got the lead, he was idling. He’s still a big baby but it was important that he did everything right. I would not worry about him getting another two furlongs as he has still a bit of furnishing to do and he goes asleep in his races.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
It is deja vu for Frankie Dettori: it is a quadruple for the Italian maestro at Ascot
It was in 1996 that Frankie Dettori had seven mounts at Ascot on Queen Elizabeth II day. Traditionally, this 1600-metre Group I contest is run on the last Saturday in September. Fourteen years ago, jockey Dettori won all the seven races. The Dettori bandwagon cost the British bookmakers dearly, a blow from which they took an inordinately long time to recover. Tsunami struck again on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Berkshire-based venue.
Racing began on a positive note for the layers as a longshot won the curtain raiser. Long Lashes, Dettori’s ride and a 11/2 chance, finished twelfth. Frankel, a Henry Cecil trainee, won the second race, the Group II Royal Lodge Stakes. The third race was the Group I Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile for freshmen. White Moonshine, a Godolphin-owned and Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly, came with a fluent run from the rear of the five-filly field to win despite drifting to the right in the waning yards. The Dynaformer (out of Desert Gold by Seeking The Gold) filly was the 4/5 favorite and was winning her fourth consecutive race. The time was 1 42.75 on a good to soft Ascot course.
White Moonshine broke her duck at Ascot on July 23 when winning a 1200-metre maiden event as a 15/2 chance. Then came a Group III victory at Newmarket on August 7 in a 1400-metre race and she was the 11/4 second choice. The third win came at Doncaster on September 10 in a 1600-metre Group II race. White Moonshine was the 8/11 chalk.
Jockey Dettori had steered the David Nicholls-trained Redford to an easy win in the Ayr Gold Cup on September 18. Redford, a five year-old gelding by Bahri, was a 14/1 chance at Ayr in the 26-runner field. The Ayr Gold Cup was over 1200 metres and Redford was back at Ascot on Saturday seeking an encore. The Nicholls pupil was the 7/1 favorite in the 28-runner field that went to post in the 1400-metre totesport.com Challenge Cup. Dettori was continuing the partnership. The field raced in three groups and Redford was the fastest when it mattered. Dettori produced the favorite with 200 metres left and the race was put to bed in a matter of moments. Redford won by a length and three quarters and timed 1 28.26 seconds.
Then came the QE II Cup. Makfi, the English 2000 Guineas hero and the conqueror of the mighty Goldikova in Deauville’s Jacques le Marois, was all the rage. On the High Street, Makfi was the 10/11 choice but minutes before the race, the odds drifted to 11/10. How does a fan interpret such a drift? Many consider it a negative but there are others believe that an opportunity is being presented. In the2007 QE II Stakes, Ramonti started at 5/2 and was at 9/2 when horses were being loaded. That is why racing and betting are such logic-defying endeavors. Ramonti won giving Dettori his fourth QE II winner.
Air Chief Marshal, a 66/1 outsider, set out on a fast gallop with Jamie Spencer. Rip Van Winkle, John Murtagh up, left alertly to track the leader. Aidan O’Brien had three runners. Makfi lay fourth. Dettori got away well and had Poet’s Voice switched off. Rip Van Winkle was the first to commit and raced past his stablemate to wrest the lead. Much to the chagrin of the favorite’s followers, Makfi was not responding to Christophe Soumillon’s call. Poet’s Voice began making headway on the outside. Red Jazz, prominent all the way, was tugging at Rip Van Winkle’s heels. It became clear that the Ballydoyle torchbearer would keep Red Jazz, a 40/1 longshot, at bay. Poet’s Voice had five, may be, six lengths to find with less than 400 metres to run. Dettori put the pedal down and the Dubawi colt began his rally. Rip Van Winkle had a cushion that seemed insurmountable and jockey Murtagh was driving hard as the line loomed large. Poet’s Voice was coming on. The two were locked together as they flashed past the post. Dettori raised his whip in exhultation but it was too close to call. The magic eye revealed that the Suroor trainee had denied Rip Van Winkle an encore in the QE II Stakes.
The margin was a nose and the time was 1 39.76 seconds. Poet’s Voice was a 9/2 chance. Half a length away in third was Red Jazz. Makfi was fifth of eight runners. By Dubawi out of Bright Tiara by Chief’s Crown, Poet’s Voice was coming off an easy win in the four-runner Group II Celebration Mile at Goodwood on August 28. Poet’s Voice is a three year-old colt and was providing Dettori with his fifth QE II Stakes win.
The QE II Stakes was followed by a Listed race over 1400 metres. Rainfall, trained by Mark Johnston, was taking a class drop and made the most of it by winning the race as the 7/4 favorite. The three year-old Oasis Dream made it a quadruple for Frankie Dettori.
Saturday’s finale at Ascot was the 3200-metre Gordon Carter Handicap. Ian Mongan rode Ermyn Lodge to an upset victory over Desert Recluse. Aaim To Prosper, the 11/4 favorite, was ridden by Dettori and salvaged minor honors. The margins were one half length and another one half length.
Frankie Dettori gave an interview. “It has been a supersonic day, fantastic. An unbelievable day. I always ask myself if I can do it again but to ride four winners is tremendous, especially the big ones,” he stated.
Yes, Dettori cornered all the glory but trainer Suroor did have his moment in the sun. He saddled three winners including the two Group I contests. Saturday’s four-bagger took Dettori’s tally to 103 wins for the 2010 season. All the winners of the three big races, the Royal Lodge, Fillies’ Mile and the QE II Stakes, will get starting berths in corresponding Breeders’ Cup races.
The bookmakers have estimated their damage on Saturday and it is in the five million-pound range. Aaim To Prosper’s loss in the finale was a silver lining in an otherwise cloud. I want to point out that Dettori is very popular in England. At Ascot, especially, thousands go to wager on Dettori’s rides.
I have seen in Racing Pulse that Colm O’Donoghue may be in India to ride for Dr MAM. I will call Colm in a day or two and find out.
However, Colm connected with two winners on Sunday at the Curragh. He was aboard the 16/1 Stage Master, trained by David Wachman, who won a 21-runner maiden race. Stage Master won in a photo. Colm’s other winner was the Aidan O’Brien-schooled Bright Horizon who, at 14/1, was a laughing five and one half length winner of a 3200-metre contest that had 23 runners.
Niall McCullagh has been an India regular for as long as I can remember. The amiable McCullagh had lady luck smile on him at week’s end. At Gowran Park on Saturday, Niall won with Shareen, a 9/1 chance. It was a 1900-metre Group II race for distaffers. Sharren, trained by John Oxx and owned by the Aga Khan, narrowly beat She’s Our Mark, the 7/4 chalk, ridden by Danny Grant. On Sunday at the Curragh, Niall won again. He was on the 20/1 That’s A Fret who won a 1200-metre handicap by a long neck. I will talk to Niall soon and ask him about his India plans.
A note about trainer Aidan O’Brien. When Cape Blance won York’s Dante Stakes in mid-May, O’Brien, not present at York, did not permit his deputies to appear before the stewards to answer questions about Cape Blanco’s possible lameness. That enquiry is pending before the British Horseracing Authority. On Saturday at Ascot, O’Brien had another incident that put him in bad light. There were three O’Brien runners in the QE II Cup. In the post parade, the program (number) order was observed but when the horses came out on the course, Rip Van Winkle followed his stablemates which is an egregious violation of English racing protocol. Trainer O’Brien did nlot contest the charge. The Ascot stewards fined O’Brien 1000 pounds. The British stewards are equal opportunity judges, don’t you think?
Chicago, September 26, 2010
Racing began on a positive note for the layers as a longshot won the curtain raiser. Long Lashes, Dettori’s ride and a 11/2 chance, finished twelfth. Frankel, a Henry Cecil trainee, won the second race, the Group II Royal Lodge Stakes. The third race was the Group I Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile for freshmen. White Moonshine, a Godolphin-owned and Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly, came with a fluent run from the rear of the five-filly field to win despite drifting to the right in the waning yards. The Dynaformer (out of Desert Gold by Seeking The Gold) filly was the 4/5 favorite and was winning her fourth consecutive race. The time was 1 42.75 on a good to soft Ascot course.
White Moonshine broke her duck at Ascot on July 23 when winning a 1200-metre maiden event as a 15/2 chance. Then came a Group III victory at Newmarket on August 7 in a 1400-metre race and she was the 11/4 second choice. The third win came at Doncaster on September 10 in a 1600-metre Group II race. White Moonshine was the 8/11 chalk.
Jockey Dettori had steered the David Nicholls-trained Redford to an easy win in the Ayr Gold Cup on September 18. Redford, a five year-old gelding by Bahri, was a 14/1 chance at Ayr in the 26-runner field. The Ayr Gold Cup was over 1200 metres and Redford was back at Ascot on Saturday seeking an encore. The Nicholls pupil was the 7/1 favorite in the 28-runner field that went to post in the 1400-metre totesport.com Challenge Cup. Dettori was continuing the partnership. The field raced in three groups and Redford was the fastest when it mattered. Dettori produced the favorite with 200 metres left and the race was put to bed in a matter of moments. Redford won by a length and three quarters and timed 1 28.26 seconds.
Then came the QE II Cup. Makfi, the English 2000 Guineas hero and the conqueror of the mighty Goldikova in Deauville’s Jacques le Marois, was all the rage. On the High Street, Makfi was the 10/11 choice but minutes before the race, the odds drifted to 11/10. How does a fan interpret such a drift? Many consider it a negative but there are others believe that an opportunity is being presented. In the2007 QE II Stakes, Ramonti started at 5/2 and was at 9/2 when horses were being loaded. That is why racing and betting are such logic-defying endeavors. Ramonti won giving Dettori his fourth QE II winner.
Air Chief Marshal, a 66/1 outsider, set out on a fast gallop with Jamie Spencer. Rip Van Winkle, John Murtagh up, left alertly to track the leader. Aidan O’Brien had three runners. Makfi lay fourth. Dettori got away well and had Poet’s Voice switched off. Rip Van Winkle was the first to commit and raced past his stablemate to wrest the lead. Much to the chagrin of the favorite’s followers, Makfi was not responding to Christophe Soumillon’s call. Poet’s Voice began making headway on the outside. Red Jazz, prominent all the way, was tugging at Rip Van Winkle’s heels. It became clear that the Ballydoyle torchbearer would keep Red Jazz, a 40/1 longshot, at bay. Poet’s Voice had five, may be, six lengths to find with less than 400 metres to run. Dettori put the pedal down and the Dubawi colt began his rally. Rip Van Winkle had a cushion that seemed insurmountable and jockey Murtagh was driving hard as the line loomed large. Poet’s Voice was coming on. The two were locked together as they flashed past the post. Dettori raised his whip in exhultation but it was too close to call. The magic eye revealed that the Suroor trainee had denied Rip Van Winkle an encore in the QE II Stakes.
The margin was a nose and the time was 1 39.76 seconds. Poet’s Voice was a 9/2 chance. Half a length away in third was Red Jazz. Makfi was fifth of eight runners. By Dubawi out of Bright Tiara by Chief’s Crown, Poet’s Voice was coming off an easy win in the four-runner Group II Celebration Mile at Goodwood on August 28. Poet’s Voice is a three year-old colt and was providing Dettori with his fifth QE II Stakes win.
The QE II Stakes was followed by a Listed race over 1400 metres. Rainfall, trained by Mark Johnston, was taking a class drop and made the most of it by winning the race as the 7/4 favorite. The three year-old Oasis Dream made it a quadruple for Frankie Dettori.
Saturday’s finale at Ascot was the 3200-metre Gordon Carter Handicap. Ian Mongan rode Ermyn Lodge to an upset victory over Desert Recluse. Aaim To Prosper, the 11/4 favorite, was ridden by Dettori and salvaged minor honors. The margins were one half length and another one half length.
Frankie Dettori gave an interview. “It has been a supersonic day, fantastic. An unbelievable day. I always ask myself if I can do it again but to ride four winners is tremendous, especially the big ones,” he stated.
Yes, Dettori cornered all the glory but trainer Suroor did have his moment in the sun. He saddled three winners including the two Group I contests. Saturday’s four-bagger took Dettori’s tally to 103 wins for the 2010 season. All the winners of the three big races, the Royal Lodge, Fillies’ Mile and the QE II Stakes, will get starting berths in corresponding Breeders’ Cup races.
The bookmakers have estimated their damage on Saturday and it is in the five million-pound range. Aaim To Prosper’s loss in the finale was a silver lining in an otherwise cloud. I want to point out that Dettori is very popular in England. At Ascot, especially, thousands go to wager on Dettori’s rides.
I have seen in Racing Pulse that Colm O’Donoghue may be in India to ride for Dr MAM. I will call Colm in a day or two and find out.
However, Colm connected with two winners on Sunday at the Curragh. He was aboard the 16/1 Stage Master, trained by David Wachman, who won a 21-runner maiden race. Stage Master won in a photo. Colm’s other winner was the Aidan O’Brien-schooled Bright Horizon who, at 14/1, was a laughing five and one half length winner of a 3200-metre contest that had 23 runners.
Niall McCullagh has been an India regular for as long as I can remember. The amiable McCullagh had lady luck smile on him at week’s end. At Gowran Park on Saturday, Niall won with Shareen, a 9/1 chance. It was a 1900-metre Group II race for distaffers. Sharren, trained by John Oxx and owned by the Aga Khan, narrowly beat She’s Our Mark, the 7/4 chalk, ridden by Danny Grant. On Sunday at the Curragh, Niall won again. He was on the 20/1 That’s A Fret who won a 1200-metre handicap by a long neck. I will talk to Niall soon and ask him about his India plans.
A note about trainer Aidan O’Brien. When Cape Blance won York’s Dante Stakes in mid-May, O’Brien, not present at York, did not permit his deputies to appear before the stewards to answer questions about Cape Blanco’s possible lameness. That enquiry is pending before the British Horseracing Authority. On Saturday at Ascot, O’Brien had another incident that put him in bad light. There were three O’Brien runners in the QE II Cup. In the post parade, the program (number) order was observed but when the horses came out on the course, Rip Van Winkle followed his stablemates which is an egregious violation of English racing protocol. Trainer O’Brien did nlot contest the charge. The Ascot stewards fined O’Brien 1000 pounds. The British stewards are equal opportunity judges, don’t you think?
Chicago, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Will not be writing a blog for the next several days
Hello
I have not written a blog since Wednesday September 15, 2010.
I will not be writing for another three or four days.
A medical problem has been haunting me and I am taking care of it.
It is serious enough to deserve my exclusive focus.
Thank you
Tom Krish
I have not written a blog since Wednesday September 15, 2010.
I will not be writing for another three or four days.
A medical problem has been haunting me and I am taking care of it.
It is serious enough to deserve my exclusive focus.
Thank you
Tom Krish
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bekhabad atop Arc pecking order: Peslier steers Sans Frontieres to Irish Field St Leger victory: Pathfork blazes new trail in freshman season in Ireland
There was a Group I race at Longchamp on Sunday. It was Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares. Twelve distaffers answered the starter’s call in the 2400-metre contest. Khalid Abdullah’s Midday won with a measure of comfort and the Oasis Dream filly was the 9/4 favorite. It was the fifth Group I victory for the Henry Cecil-trained four year-old. Jockey Tom Queally continued the partnership. Midday ran the 2400 metres in 2 32.4 on rain-softened grass. Plumania was second and the hitherto unbeaten Sarafina salvaged third. Midday’s form impressed the bookmaking fraternity so much that she was installed the even money favorite to get an encore in the Breeders’ Cup Filly-Mare Turf in November at Churchill Downs. Midday is out of Midsummer who’s by Kingmambo.
Sir Cecil explained his thinking. “I really needed to get another run into her to get ready for the Breeders’ Cup. I love the Arc but the Breeders’ Cup is her race. She did it nicely today, she only does enough.”
Jockey Queally expressed high optimism about the trip to Churchill Downs. “She ticks more boxes this year and if she turns up in America like this, I think she can win again.”
Midday was not the only filly to hit the headlines. Sariska was also part of the main story. She came under starter’s orders but planted when the gates sprung open. It was déjà vu for the Michael Bell-trained Sariska who had refused to race in the Yorkshire Oaks on August 19. It was double frustration for Sariska’s connections and the decision to retire her was not a hard one to make.
Trainer Bell, in a conversation with me on Million day at Arlington Park, had expressed the hope that his filly’s antics will not be repeated. Bell did not conceal his disappointment although he spoke about what the dual Oaks-winning filly had accomplished. “It has been a great journey but that’s the end of the road. We have done everything we could and she did not come out. So enough is enough.”
The 20009 Epsom Oaks left an indelible mark on my memory. In a stretch-long duel, Sariska and Jamie Spencer beat Midday and Tom Queally in a photo finish. There was a long inquiry and the result stood. The press conference in the Queen’s Stand was held up until the result was declared official. It was vintage Spencer.
Also in Sunday’s Longchamp card was the Group II Prix Niel, a traditional Arc trial, the importance of which has risen dramatically in recent years. Until Sunday, Aidan O’Brien’s Fame And Glory had been atop the pecking order in the Arc market. Sunday’s Prix Niel put a French runner at the head of the betting. Aga Khan’s Bekhabad was the 11/8 favorite to deliver the goods in the Prix Niel. Seven runners went postward in the 2400-metre race. Bekhabad and Christophe Lemaire needed every inch to get the better of Planteur in the waning yards. Vivre Libre, a 55/1 chance, set the pace with Samuel Fargeat. Planteur tracked the leader and hit the front in the lane and was immediately challenged by Bekhabad. In a ding dong battle, Bekhabad managed to get his head in front. The race was run in 2 30.8 seconds.
Bekhabad was made the 7/2 favorite for the Arc by the British and Irish bookmakers. Planteur was made a 6/1 chance. On July 14, Bastille Day, in Longchamp’s Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Bekhabad beat Planteur narrowly. The betting reflects the fact that Bekhabad has been the better of the two in two meetings. Bekhabad is by Cape Cross out of Behkara by Kris. Sinndar and Dalakhani, carrying the Aga Khan colors, won the Niel and the Arc in 2000 and 2003.
“He’s (Bekhabad) a nice horse and he will improve for this. In principle, both Bekhabad and Sarafina will run in the Arc, as at this stage of the season, it is not a problem to run a filly against the colts,” the Aga Khan commented.
Trainer Jean Claude Rouget was thrilled. “Everything went according to plan. He won well. He is a brave and a very good horse. This was only a comeback race and he will be spot on for the Arc.”
A two year-old in Ireland, Path fork, has gone to the top of the charts with a win in the Group I Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on Sunday at the Curragh. Jessica Harrington trains Pathfork, by Distorted Humor out of Visions of Clarity who is by Saddler’s Wells, and won her first Group I race. It was also the first win for jockey Fran Berry at the highest level. Casamento fought a valiant duel down the stretch to lose in a photo. Zoffany, the Ballydoyle runner, did not like the soft underfoot conditions and finished a non-threatening third. Pathfork ran 1400 metres in 1 27.95 and is now three for three lifetime.
Trainer Jessica Harrington said, “Fran (Berry) said he had to be very tough on him (Pathfork) as he did not like the ground. Pure class got him there. The real panic was that he was in front for so long.”
Olivier Peslier added a Group I race to his list of achievements with a well-judged ride on Sans Frontieres in the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh on Saturday. Jeremy Noseda trains Sans Frontieres who ran the 2800-metre race in 3 10.36 seconds. There was rain all afternoon and the grass was very soft. Sans Frontieres was the 13/8 favorite in the eight-horse field.
Jockey Peslier had his mount held up and waited as long as he could. Just doing enough to get past Profound Beauty and Pat Smullen, Sans Frontieres was full of running at the end. By Galileo, out of Lila by Shirley Heights, the Jeremy Noseda pupil gave every impression that he will be a worthy contender in the 3200-metre Melbourne Cup in early November. However, the Australian handicapper has given Sans Frontieres a penalty and that has prompted second thoughts about the trip to Melbourne.
“The trainer said to relax the horse and come late with your run. He did not like the ground but he did it well,” Olivier Peslier said.
On Sunday at the Curragh, there was a race of some consequence. It was the Group II Blandford Stakes over 2000 metres for fillies and mares. Eleanora Duse, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, was the 3/1 favorite. An Azamour filly, Eleanora Duse nosed out She’s Our Mark. Dan Grant was aboard She’s Our Mark. A three year-old filly, Eleanora Duse was third behind Midday in the Yorkshire Oaks in her last appearance.
Doncaster on Saturday hosted the Group II Champagne Stakes. Saamidd was the 5/6 favorite and toyed with his rivals. Coming off a seven-length win in his debut, Godolphin-owned Saamidd was so impressive in the Champagne Stakes that the bookmakers offered a quote of 8/1 for the 2011 English Guineas. It was the second win for trainer Suroor in the Champagne Stakes. His Poet’s Voice won in 2009.
Approve, winner of the Norfolk and Gimcrack Stakes, was the bridesmaid. It has been reported that Saamidd will be supplemented to the Dewhurst Stakes.
Winning jockey Frankie Dettori spoke. “For his only second start to beat the Gimcrack winner cannot be bad. Very exciting. I liked him when I sat on him the first time. I have always rated him very special.”
At Hanshin in Japan on Sunday, Dasher Go Go beat Green Birdie in the Grade II Centaur Stakes. It was a 1200-metre race on the grass. It was the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
There is news about Super Saver. The Kentucky Derby winner has been a disappointment in his subsequent races. Scans have shown cannon bone bruising in all four legs. Todd Pletcher expressed relief. “This explains a lot. I could not understand those last few efforts. He is gutsy. This takes care of a lot of head-scratching.”
Sir Cecil explained his thinking. “I really needed to get another run into her to get ready for the Breeders’ Cup. I love the Arc but the Breeders’ Cup is her race. She did it nicely today, she only does enough.”
Jockey Queally expressed high optimism about the trip to Churchill Downs. “She ticks more boxes this year and if she turns up in America like this, I think she can win again.”
Midday was not the only filly to hit the headlines. Sariska was also part of the main story. She came under starter’s orders but planted when the gates sprung open. It was déjà vu for the Michael Bell-trained Sariska who had refused to race in the Yorkshire Oaks on August 19. It was double frustration for Sariska’s connections and the decision to retire her was not a hard one to make.
Trainer Bell, in a conversation with me on Million day at Arlington Park, had expressed the hope that his filly’s antics will not be repeated. Bell did not conceal his disappointment although he spoke about what the dual Oaks-winning filly had accomplished. “It has been a great journey but that’s the end of the road. We have done everything we could and she did not come out. So enough is enough.”
The 20009 Epsom Oaks left an indelible mark on my memory. In a stretch-long duel, Sariska and Jamie Spencer beat Midday and Tom Queally in a photo finish. There was a long inquiry and the result stood. The press conference in the Queen’s Stand was held up until the result was declared official. It was vintage Spencer.
Also in Sunday’s Longchamp card was the Group II Prix Niel, a traditional Arc trial, the importance of which has risen dramatically in recent years. Until Sunday, Aidan O’Brien’s Fame And Glory had been atop the pecking order in the Arc market. Sunday’s Prix Niel put a French runner at the head of the betting. Aga Khan’s Bekhabad was the 11/8 favorite to deliver the goods in the Prix Niel. Seven runners went postward in the 2400-metre race. Bekhabad and Christophe Lemaire needed every inch to get the better of Planteur in the waning yards. Vivre Libre, a 55/1 chance, set the pace with Samuel Fargeat. Planteur tracked the leader and hit the front in the lane and was immediately challenged by Bekhabad. In a ding dong battle, Bekhabad managed to get his head in front. The race was run in 2 30.8 seconds.
Bekhabad was made the 7/2 favorite for the Arc by the British and Irish bookmakers. Planteur was made a 6/1 chance. On July 14, Bastille Day, in Longchamp’s Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Bekhabad beat Planteur narrowly. The betting reflects the fact that Bekhabad has been the better of the two in two meetings. Bekhabad is by Cape Cross out of Behkara by Kris. Sinndar and Dalakhani, carrying the Aga Khan colors, won the Niel and the Arc in 2000 and 2003.
“He’s (Bekhabad) a nice horse and he will improve for this. In principle, both Bekhabad and Sarafina will run in the Arc, as at this stage of the season, it is not a problem to run a filly against the colts,” the Aga Khan commented.
Trainer Jean Claude Rouget was thrilled. “Everything went according to plan. He won well. He is a brave and a very good horse. This was only a comeback race and he will be spot on for the Arc.”
A two year-old in Ireland, Path fork, has gone to the top of the charts with a win in the Group I Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on Sunday at the Curragh. Jessica Harrington trains Pathfork, by Distorted Humor out of Visions of Clarity who is by Saddler’s Wells, and won her first Group I race. It was also the first win for jockey Fran Berry at the highest level. Casamento fought a valiant duel down the stretch to lose in a photo. Zoffany, the Ballydoyle runner, did not like the soft underfoot conditions and finished a non-threatening third. Pathfork ran 1400 metres in 1 27.95 and is now three for three lifetime.
Trainer Jessica Harrington said, “Fran (Berry) said he had to be very tough on him (Pathfork) as he did not like the ground. Pure class got him there. The real panic was that he was in front for so long.”
Olivier Peslier added a Group I race to his list of achievements with a well-judged ride on Sans Frontieres in the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh on Saturday. Jeremy Noseda trains Sans Frontieres who ran the 2800-metre race in 3 10.36 seconds. There was rain all afternoon and the grass was very soft. Sans Frontieres was the 13/8 favorite in the eight-horse field.
Jockey Peslier had his mount held up and waited as long as he could. Just doing enough to get past Profound Beauty and Pat Smullen, Sans Frontieres was full of running at the end. By Galileo, out of Lila by Shirley Heights, the Jeremy Noseda pupil gave every impression that he will be a worthy contender in the 3200-metre Melbourne Cup in early November. However, the Australian handicapper has given Sans Frontieres a penalty and that has prompted second thoughts about the trip to Melbourne.
“The trainer said to relax the horse and come late with your run. He did not like the ground but he did it well,” Olivier Peslier said.
On Sunday at the Curragh, there was a race of some consequence. It was the Group II Blandford Stakes over 2000 metres for fillies and mares. Eleanora Duse, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, was the 3/1 favorite. An Azamour filly, Eleanora Duse nosed out She’s Our Mark. Dan Grant was aboard She’s Our Mark. A three year-old filly, Eleanora Duse was third behind Midday in the Yorkshire Oaks in her last appearance.
Doncaster on Saturday hosted the Group II Champagne Stakes. Saamidd was the 5/6 favorite and toyed with his rivals. Coming off a seven-length win in his debut, Godolphin-owned Saamidd was so impressive in the Champagne Stakes that the bookmakers offered a quote of 8/1 for the 2011 English Guineas. It was the second win for trainer Suroor in the Champagne Stakes. His Poet’s Voice won in 2009.
Approve, winner of the Norfolk and Gimcrack Stakes, was the bridesmaid. It has been reported that Saamidd will be supplemented to the Dewhurst Stakes.
Winning jockey Frankie Dettori spoke. “For his only second start to beat the Gimcrack winner cannot be bad. Very exciting. I liked him when I sat on him the first time. I have always rated him very special.”
At Hanshin in Japan on Sunday, Dasher Go Go beat Green Birdie in the Grade II Centaur Stakes. It was a 1200-metre race on the grass. It was the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
There is news about Super Saver. The Kentucky Derby winner has been a disappointment in his subsequent races. Scans have shown cannon bone bruising in all four legs. Todd Pletcher expressed relief. “This explains a lot. I could not understand those last few efforts. He is gutsy. This takes care of a lot of head-scratching.”
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