Racebook Insider

The Sunshine Millions 2009

2009-01-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

The Sunshine Millions 2009 is held on the January 24th at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The brainchild of prominent horseman Frank Stronach, half of the eight Sunshine Millions races are run at one track and half at the other.

The Classic is one of four Sunshine Millions races that will be run at Gulfstream Park. The other four races, including the $500,000 Turf, will be run at Santa Anita. Total prize money is $3.6 million.

The Sunshine Millions matches California-breds against Florida-breds, but in the entries taken at both tracks on Monday the Florida-breds led by a wide margin, 59-34.

In the four races at Gulfstream Park, just seven California-breds were entered, compared to 39 Florida-breds. The Classic has just two California-breds, compared to 13 Florida-breds, three of whom wound up on the also-eligible list.

At Santa Anita, the spread was equitable, with 27 California-breds and 20 Florida-breds making up the 47 entries in four races.

Here are the race post times and tracks.
Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes - Gulfstream Park, Race 7 (Post time 4:07 )
Sunshine Millions Fillies & Mares Sprint- Gulfstream Park, Race 8 (Post time 4:36 )
Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf- Gulfstream Park, Race 9 (Post time 5:05 )
Sunshine Millions Turf - Santa Anita, Race 6 (Post Time: 2:15 )
Sunshine Millions Oaks - Santa Anita, Race 7 (Post Time: 2:45 )
Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes - Santa Anita, Race 8 (Post Time: 3:15 )
Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes - Santa Anita, Race 9th (Post Time: 3:45 )
Sunshine Millions Classic - Gulfstream Park, Race 10 (Post time 5:45 )

Kentucky Horse Racing Industry Struggles

2009-01-13T15:24:00.000-08:00

It's a wager on the horse racing industry. Some lawmakers are betting that slot machines in racetracks will boost Kentucky's signature sport. House Bill 158 would allow video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks.

Supporters say the race is on to pass this bill because Indiana and other states are becoming more competitive for horsemen. Indiana allows other gaming revenues, like slot machines and video poker. Also off track betting sites are becoming a big competition.

"A lot of trainers and owners are starting to move their horses out to Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia," said Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park.

Geary says horsemen are passing up Kentucky venues for states with more racing purses. Fifteen other states have alternative gaming.

"We really need this legislation in order to stay in business and also to keep our signature industry," Geary said.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo filed the bill and says the plan could bring in $700-million into Kentucky. The new bill could be voted upon by mid-February. Unlike last year's gambling proposal, this year's effort in Frankfort wouldn't require amending the Kentucky state constitution.

Local leaders say the bill could save what some call a struggling industry.

"It's apart of the very fabric that makes up the state of Kentucky. The thoroughbred industry is part of this fabric that we call Kentucky and gaming goes along with the industry," said Sandy Watkins, Henderson County Judge Executive.

The bill calls for revenues to be spent on problem-gambling treatment, elementary education and drug-treatment programs.

Equine Herpes Virus

2009-01-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

An outbreak of a common horse virus is causing some concern in the racing community. In late December, veterinarians found a number of horses in Louisiana had contracted equine herpes and several tracks there have now quarantined their barns.

Equine herpes disease is highly contagious among horses and can be contracted through the air or even from people's clothes. It can cause a host of problems for horses, including causing mares to abort, respiratory illness and neuro-muscular failure. In its most deadly and virulent form, the disease can lead to peracute pulmonary vasculitis, a lung disease which can kill an adult horse in 24 hours. It is not dangerous to humans, but can cause neurological problems including inability to stand or walk. If left untreated it can be fatal.

On January 4th, Oaklawn Park became the first horse racing track in the nation to ban the shipment of horses from Louisiana race tracks, an attempt to stem the potential spread of the equine herpes virus. A horse at New Orleans' Fair Grounds racetrack tested positive for the disease on Dec. 24.

Oaklawn's ban was quickly picked up by the Texas Racing Commission, and other tracks are considering similar action.

California horse racing chairman steps down

2008-12-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

California Horse Racing Board Chairman Richard Shapiro resigned his position yesterday at the board's monthly meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

“No one asked me to do this; to the contrary, I have been asked to stay,” Shapiro said in a 10-paragraph statement announcing his resignation that came as a surprise to fellow board members.

The Shapiro-led board of the past four years could not be criticized for inactivity. It mandated synthetic racing surfaces for the state's major tracks and took an aggressive stance regarding drug testing and enforcement of penalties, especially in the areas of excessive carbon dioxide levels – so-called milkshaking – and more recently steroids.

However, on Shapiro's watch the Bay Meadows track in San Mateo has been closed for commercial development and Hollywood Park appears destined for the same fate in the next year or two.

Shapiro is the third board member to step down in 2008 following Marie Moretti on March 31 and John Amerman on May 28.

In early July, Governor Schwarzenneger appointed David Israel and Bo Derek to replace Amerman and Moretti.

Shapiro, 55, from Hidden Hills, is a former president of Western Harness Racing. He owns and serves as president of Winco Real Estate Services Inc. in Calabasas.

Board membership is essentially a voluntary position although there is some monetary compensation.

Curlin's Ownership Remains Divided

2008-12-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

Ownership of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin remained divided Monday after a judge's surprise ruling rejecting a proposed sale that would have consolidated control of the horse under winemaker Jess Jackson.

Judge Crittenden stated that the $4 million offer by majority owner Jess Jackson was canceled because the minority owners and former clients did not approve of the transaction. Attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham, Jr., the minority owners, have been disbarred for improper conduct in the representation of more than 400 clients who sued the manufacturer of the diet drug fen-phen.

That means Curlin's ownership likely will remain split when he stands as a stallion next year at Lane's End Farm, collecting a $75,000 stud fee. Jackson announced last week that he had picked the Versailles, Kentucky, farm owned by Will Farish, a former U.S. ambassador to Britain, as the horse's new home.

Curlin's career includes wins at the Preakness Stakes, Jockey Club Classic, Stephen Foster Handicap and Dubai World Cup. His winnings of $10.5 million have passed Cigar to make him North America's richest race horse in history.

Steve Asmussen breaks own record for wins with No. 556

2008-11-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

Trainer Steve Asmussen eclipsed his own record for most North American victories in a season when Prophesy rallied from off the pace to win the opening race on Sunday at Remington Park.

Prophesy’s victory gave Asmussen his 556th win of the year. He set the previous record in 2004 when he amassed 555 victories.

Asmussen trains more than 200 horses, and has stables at tracks around the country, including Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York and Texas. He trains claimers as well as Grade 1 stake horses.

"The success we've had with the Curlins and the Pyros has been fantastic," Asmussen said. "But we came from a small, midwestern track, and I like to think that we remember where we came from."

Asked about reaching 600 wins before the end of 2008 horse racing season, he said "Churchill closes this week and Woodbine and Remington are right behind them, so there aren't a lot of opportunities. Five-ninety, maybe."

Raven's Pass Wins Breeders' Cup Classic

2008-10-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Defending Breeders' Cup Classic champion Curlin gave it his best run, but came up short in today's big race. In dramatic fashion, the win would go to Raven's Pass, who handled the synthetic surface quite nicely at Santa Anita.

Raven's Pass was recently purchased by Sheikh Mohammed and ran in the Classic in the colors of Sheikh Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya of Jordan. It was rider Frankie Dettori who took this magnificent colt across the finish line first.

"I now have a very cheekie Italian jockey," said trainer John Gosden. "Look at him! He's throwing goggles everywhere!"

Raven's Pass paid $29.00. Henrythenavigator and Tiago took second and third.

Get all your Breeders' Cup results and updates at the Bodog Racebook.

Curlin Named Horse of the Year Again

2008-10-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

Although it hasn't been made official yet, Curlin winning the Horse of the Year award is as close to a 'sure thing' as you're going to see. If Curlin is named Horse of the Year for the second year in a row, he will become the first since Affirmed in 1978 and 1979 to win the award in consecutive years.

Some may argue that Curlin's wins on the year have not been by huge margins and therefore he may not be the definitive choice for Horse of the Year, but 7 out of his 11 wins have been Grade 1 stakes and he's made quite a name for himself. And let's not forget about the weekend's big race: the Breeders' Cup Classic. Curlin is in it to defend his title -- and to win.

"Racing is blessed to have such a magnificent athlete among us," owner Jesse Jackson said. "He's brilliant, durable and always shows up, always gives his best, loves to run, rarely disappoints. The only time he's been beaten really is when race tactics or his own physical condition prevented him from winning."

The 2008 Breeders' Cup is being held at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 24th and 25th. Curlin is currently the favorite to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, which goes at 6:45 PM on Oct. 25th and is televised on ESPN.

2008 Breeders' Cup betting doesn't get any better than this!

Curlin Draws Post 9 for Breeders' Cup

2008-10-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Breeders' Cup betting has moved one step closer as the fields for the 14 Breeders' Cup races were drawn today at Santa Anita Park. Curlin, the morning line favorite at 7/5 odds to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, will be running from post position 9.

The morning lines favorites for the following Breeders' Cup races have been set:

Ladies' Classic: Zenyatta at 3-5
Breeders' Cup classic: Curlin at 7-5
Breeders' Cup Turf: Soldier of Fortune at 7-2
Filly and Mare Turf: Wait a While at 3-1

Here are you post positions for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, Filly and Mare Turf, Breeders' Cup Turf, and Breeders' Cup Classic:

Ladies’ Classic
1. Zenyatta
2. Hystericalady
3. Cocoa Beach
4. Music Note
5. Carriage Trail
6. Ginger Punch
7. Santa Teresita
8. Bear Now

Filly and Mare Turf
1. Sealy Hill
2. Vacare
3. Forever Together
4. Visit
5. Wait a While
6. Dynaforce
7. Mauralakana
8. Halfway to Heaven
9. Folk Opera
10. Pure Clan

Breeders’ Cup Turf
1. Better Talk Now
2. Red Rocks
3. Grand Couturier
4. Soldier of Fortune
5. Winchester
6. Dancing Forever
7. Red Rock Canyon
8. Spring House
9. Conduit
10. Out of Control
11. Eagle Mountain

Breeders’ Cup Classic
1. Go Between
2. Casino Drive
3. Tiago
4. Duke of Marmalade
5. Henrythenavigator
6. Smooth Air
7. Student Council
8. Raven’s Pass
9. Curlin
10. Fairbanks
11. Colonel John
12. Champs Elysees

The 2008 Breeders' Cup happens this weekend! Get all your Breeders' Cup odds now!

Red Giant, Tropic Storm Out of Breeders' Cup

2008-10-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

With the 2008 Breeders' Cup betting expected to pick up steam this week, two more horses have been taken out of the running.

Red Giant, one of the favorites to win the US $2 million Turf race, is running a fever and is experiencing a loss of appetite. These symptoms were cause enough for trainer Todd Pletcher to pull his horse from the Breeders' Cup.

"The timing of it, six days before the race, gave him no time to recover and no time to work," said Pletcher. In light of this news, owner John Fort has instructed Pletcher to make breeding plans for Red Giant, effectively putting an end to Red Giant's racing career.

Over at Hollywood Park, trainer Craig Dollase has also confirmed that his horse, Tropic Storm, has suffered a soft tissue injury and won't be running in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and and Turf Sprint races.

Get your Breeders' Cup odds!

Curlin to Defend Breeders' Cup Title

2008-10-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Big Brown's season-ending injury may be bad news for the horse racing industry, but with Curlin now entered to defend his title in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic, horse racing fans and bettors still have a lot to look forward to.

Jesse Jackson, the majority owner of Curlin, announced Tuesday afternoon that Curlin has been pre-entered in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park. The 2007 Horse of the Year will be defending his title, as he won the Classic last year. With Big Brown out of the running, this means Curlin will be the horse to watch and bet on.

"I think I owed it to the horse," Jackson said on a national teleconference. "Curlin tells us he's fit, and when a top athlete is ready, he wants to compete. And I do want to help enhance the fan base and give hardcore fans a chance to see him one more time."

So, rather than looking at the Breeders' Cup Classic as a Curlin vs. Big Brown main event, Santa Anita Park officials are calling the race "Curlin vs. The World."

They don't call it the "Breeders' Cup World Championships" for nothing. The Breeders' Cup showcases the best of the best in thoroughbred racing, with competitors coming from all over the world to take part in this championship competition.

Betting on the Breeders' Cup? Bet on Curlin to win!

Big Brown Out of Breeders' Cup

2008-10-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

In what is being called a complete fluke, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner suffered a season-ending injury on Sunday. According to Big Brown's co-owner, Michael Iavarone, the thoroughbred tore a three-inch piece of flesh off of his right front foot during a workout. Part of the hoof was also missing.

"This was a complete fluke," Iavarone said. "He hadn't had issues with his feet for awhile and to have him come up just like this was a shock to all of us."

The injury to the Breeders' Cup contender will take at least two months to heal, which means he'll have to take a pass on this year's big event at Santa Anita Park. This will no doubt have a huge effect on the betting public's interest, but any horse racing fan knows the importance of winning a race like the Breeders' Cup Classic, with or without Big Brown.

Get all your Breeders' Cup odds here!

Churchill Downs Awarded 2010 Breeders' Cup

2008-10-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy Breeders' Cup betting then you'll enjoy today's news. With the 2008 Breeders' Cup just weeks away, it was just announced that the 2010 Breeders' Cup will be held at Churchill Downs, home to some of the world's most prestigious (and lucrative) horse races. The 14-race event will be held over the two days (Nov. 5 and 6) and will have a total purse of $25.5 million. Additionally, it will be broadcasted globally on ESPN and ABC.

This isn't the first time Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders' Cup, however. It also has held the races in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, and as recent as 2006.

"The return of the Breeders' Cup to Churchill Downs in 2010 is wonderful news for our track and Kentucky's signature horse industry, as well as the business owners and the state and local governments that will benefit from the economic boost this major international event will provide to our city and region," Churchill Downs Inc. president and CEO Robert Evans said in a news release. "Our state, industry and our Churchill Downs team take great pride in the unparalleled record of success of the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. The bold idea that became the Breeders' Cup was unveiled in our city by visionary breeder and Breeders' Cup founder John Gaines, and we are excited to officially start the countdown to the first visit by this great event in its new two-day format to Churchill Downs in 2010."

Breeders' Cup Chairman William S. Farish Jr. echoed Evans' sentiments:

"We are delighted to be returning the Breeders' Cup to Churchill Downs and to our great supporters in Kentucky and throughout the region. Churchill Downs has proven to be an outstanding Breeders' Cup venue and is extremely popular with our horsemen and fans from around the world."

This year's Breeders' Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 24 and 25.

Your Breeders' Cup odds are up!

Curlin Testing out Santa Anita Pro-ride Track

2008-10-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

Curlin won the 2008 Jockey Club Gold Cup Saturday at Belmont Park and became the first horse in North America to top $10 million in career earnings. Curlin headed to California Sunday to test out Santa Anita synthetic racetrack for a possible start in the Breeders' Cup.

Curlin had his first training after the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Wednesday. It was a typical first day back at the track following a race for Curlin. On a warm morning when it was 75 degrees at sunrise, Curlin walked or jogged the wrong way along the outside rail after stepping onto the track at 6:35 a.m., then turned around for a gallop. Fairly routine stuff. But every step he takes, every move he makes, will be watched closely over the next few weeks, because how Curlin adapts to Santa Anita's synthetic Pro-Ride surface will be the determining factor as to whether majority owner Jess Jackson gives the green light for Curlin to defend his title in the Classic, which he won last year at Monmouth Park.

Curlin Will Break Cigar's Record?

2008-09-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

Cigar's record of $9,999,815 is on the verge of being broken by Curlin, who would surpass the $10 million mark in earnings with a victory in Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. While a win would enable Curlin, currently at $9,796,800, to become the all-time money-earner as far as horses based in North America are concerned, the Japanese-based T.M. Opera O is Thoroughbred horse racing's all-time money leader with $16,200,337.

Curlin vs. Cigar Match-up
Curlin                          Cigar
3-25-04     Birth               4-18-90
Kentucky    Born                Maryland
10-2-2      Overall             19-4-5
2:00        Fastest*            1:59 2/5
119         Beyer               121
6           Gr. 1 Wins          11
5           Streak              16
1           Horse of the Year   2
$9,796,800  Earnings            $9,999,815
*At 1 1/4 Miles

The economics of racing is one reason why Curlin is in position in just his 15th lifetime start to surpass Cigar, who raced 33 times, winning 19, including 10 Grade 1's. When Cigar won the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996 the purse was $4 million, of which $2.4 million went to Cigar. When Curlin won it last March, the purse was $6 million, of which Curlin earned $3.6 million. When Cigar won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic, the pot was $3 million, of which he earned $1.56 million. Last year, it was $5 million, of which Curlin earned $2.7 million.

Big Brown Won the Monmouth Stakes

2008-09-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

Big Brown captured the $500,000 Monmouth Stakes on Saturday in his final prep race for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Big Brown was challenged by Proudinsky the entire length of the stretch and won by a neck. This is Big Brown's seventh victory in eight starts.

Big Brown covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.20 in returning to the grass for the second time in his career. Unlike the romp in his first grass start, Big Brown was all out to win in his first race against older horses.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20 as the 3-5 favorite in the field of nine. Proudinsky paid $3 and $2.40, while Shakis finished third and was worth $2.80 for show.

Big Brown Post Positions at Monmouth

2008-09-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

Big Brown will run in the Monmouth Stakes on Sept. 13, his first start on grass since breaking his maiden at Saratoga last year, for preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Big Brown co-owner Michael Iavarone said the 1 1-8 mile race will serve as the final tune-up for the 3-year-old colt before the Classic, which will be held on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita on October 25.

Monmouth Stakes Details
Date: September 13th
Post Time: 4:52 EST
Location: Monmouth Park, New Jersey
Track: 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Contenders: 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $500,000
Morning lines and horse betting odds will be posted shortly.

9th Race

Post # Horse                 Jockey 
1 Nightscape                 Flores E 
2 Hotstufanthensome          Lezcano J 
3 Shakis (IRE)               Bravo J 
4 Big Brown                  Desormeaux K J 
5 Kiss the Kid               Trujillo E 
6 Proudinsky (GER)           Dominguez R 
7 Drum Major                 Carmouche K 
8 Get Serious                Fragoso P 
9 Fagedaboudit Sal           Cotto P L Jr 
10 Ballonenostrikes          Centeno D E 
11 Silver Tree               Castro E

Eight Bells Memorial

2008-09-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, people gathered to pay tribute to Eight Bells at her memorial service at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The 3-year-old broke both front ankles moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and was euthanized on the Churchill Downs track. The sudden, freakish death started a debate that has led to talk of major reform in an industry slow to change.

Flowers and cards surrounded the plaque above her grave, including a small bouquet of red roses from the Fans of Barbaro, a support group formed after 2006 Derby winner Barbaro broke down during the Preakness.

Larry Jones, thoroughbred trainer, held back tears as he lead the ceremony. Jones, who along with jockey Gabriel Saez came under heavy fire after the Derby, received a standing ovation while he spoke.

"It's a tribute to how many people really care about this sport," said Eight Belles owner Rick Porter. "Eight Belles touched a lot of hearts."

Steroid Ban Now in Effect

2008-09-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

Late last night the word was out in the state of Kentucky: Stop using steroids now.

An emergency regulation signed by Governor Steve Beshear is now banning the use of anabolic steroids in Thoroughbred and Standard bred horse races effective immediately.

"This is a historic day in Kentucky racing," Beshear said in a statement. "This action demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the integrity of racing and the safety of its competitors."

While the ban is in place now, trainers will get a 90 day grace period and testing for steroids will begin in 30 days, with the Keeneland fall meet. Trainers will be notified of positive test results but there will be no penalty assessed.

The new drug rule sets acceptable levels, based on the sex of the horse, of three naturally occurring steroids, boldenone, nandrolone and testosterone.

Horses can still be given steroids therapeutically, but they can't race for 60 days afterward, must notify the racing commission and must present a clean test result.

Travers Stakes Post Positions

2008-08-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

The 139th running of Travers Stakes is at Saratoga tomorrow August 23.
- Post Time: 5:45 pm (EST)
- TV Coversage: ESPN 4:30 - 6:00 (EST)
- 2007 Winner: Street Sense

$1M Travers Stakes Post Positions and ML
PP Horse           Jockey          Trainer             ML
1 Tale of Ekati    Prado E S       Tagg Barclay      20-1
2 Colonel John     Gomez G K       Harty Eoin         8-1
3 Da' Tara         Garcia Alan     Zito Nicholas P    8-1
4 Tizbig           Velasquez C     Jerkens H Allen   30-1
5 Macho Again      Leparoux J R    Stewart Dallas     6-1
6 Cool Coal Man    Velazquez J R   Zito Nicholas     15-1
7 Amped            Chavez J F      Zito Nicholas P   30-1
8 Harlem Rocker    Coa E M         Pletcher Todd A    4-1
9 Mambo in Seattle Albarado R J    Howard Neil J      5-1
10 Tres Borrachos  Baze T C        Greely C Beau     15-1
11 Pyro            Bridgmohan S X  Asmussen Steven    7-2
12 Court Vision    Desormeaux K J  Mott William I    12-1

Pryo is a ML favorite. Bet Pyro to win Travers Stakes !

Curlin is running for the Woodward Stakes

2008-08-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the Graded 1 Travers Stakes, the highlight of the Saratoga meeting and the oldest major thoroughbred race in America. Already this week, racegoers have had the chance to participate in a hot dog eating contest and on Tuesday an ice cream eating one at Travers Festival.

As good a race as the Travers is sure to be though, it is the Woodward Stakes next Saturday that is really catching the imagination with the proposed appearance of 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin. Curlin worked seven furlongs in 1:24.84 under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas as he prepares for the $500,000 Woodward Stakes here August 30. Curlin worked in company with stablemate Hawaii Calls, breaking off about a half-length in front of that horse while on the inside. Curlin is heading back to dirt for his next race, but his majority owner says that doesn't necessarily mean the turf experiment is over. Check out horse betting odds and Curlin's odds to win the Woodward Stakes!

Big Brown's Trainer Has a Really Big Mouth

2008-08-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

The latest news coming out of Big Brown's stable smells a lot like dirty trash talk to me...

"Curlin couldn't win the Derby, we could," said Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow. "Curlin couldn't win the Haskell. We could. Curlin got beat by a filly. We haven't. Our horse is undefeated on grass. Curlin isn't. I don't know why people think Curlin is such a good horse. We're way better than Curlin."

If I owned Big Brown I'd have a little heart-to-heart with my trainer, Rick Dutrow. It seems the outspoken Maryland native has talked himself into a corner with the first punch coming from none other than Curlin's owner Jesse Jackson.

"I think it's bad for racing to have trash talk," Jackson said. "To run down another guy's horse, I don't think it's right. It demeans the industry. I'd like to meet Big Brown, preferably on the dirt, which is each one's best surface, but I think they're considering retiring Big Brown before we have a chance to meet him."

It would be one thing if Jackson didn't play into Dutrow's hand by keeping quiet. But here's what Jackson said about his beloved 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin:

"I don't know that there is any horse his equal right now and I loved to match Big Brown," Jackson said. "I never thought he (Big Brown) was as good but I've always wanted (to) ... who finds out? At the wire you find out. That's when you know what you have."

The only way for this fight to be decided is by pitting the two horses against each other. Will Curlin race Big Brown in the 2008 Breeders' Cup? Bet on it!

Breeders' Cup Big Brown's Next and Last Big Race

2008-08-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

Big Brown's win on Sunday was huge for co-owner Michael Iavarone and trainer Rick Dutrow, but when asked what was next -- neither could make any commitments.

"I think right now Rick will evaluate him and we'll plan a sensible campaign," said Iavarone. "The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate goal."

Although jockey Kent Desormeaux was pleased with the way Big Brown ran this race, he told reporters that at one point he thought Big Brown was going to be beat.

"He found a new gear and just kept sticking his neck out," Desormeaux said. "I knew he was going to get there. At the top of the stretch that horse (Coal Play) took off, but Big Brown took off after him. Today, he showed he's a warrior."

So it isn't certain whether or not Big Brown will run the Travers at Saratoga on August 23, but it looks like the winning colt will make one last run at the Breeders' Cup Classic before retiring to stud.

Big Brown Wins Haskell Invitational

2008-08-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Big Brown is back, baby!

In his first race back since his Belmont Stakes bomb, Big Brown beat a field of seven to take the $1 Million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park this afternoon. In second place was Coal Play and coming in third was Cool Coal Man.

Stay tuned for comments from trainer Rick Dutrow and jockey Kent Desormeaux following Big Brown's big win...

Get all your online horse racing odds here!

Big Brown Favored to Win Haskell Invitational

2008-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Big Brown will race from post position 4 at the Haskell Invitational.

With a 15-day suspension for a Kentucky Derby incident on appeal, trainer Rick Dutrow is focusing now on this weekend's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

This time around Dutrow isn't guaranteeing a win by Big Brown, but he is saying that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes horse looks great and by all accounts should put in a great run on Sunday. Big Brown is currently the odds on favorite to win.

"He looks amazing," Dutrow said. "He's shiny, he's happy. He looks as good as he always has."

Big Brown has been stabled at Aqueduct and according to Dutrow, is scheduled to have a three-furlong blowout on Friday morning and then ship to Monmouth on Saturday.

Prior to the Belmont Stakes, Big Brown was unbeaten in five starts.

Here's the prospected field of seven for this Sunday's $1 Million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park:

Magical Forest
Cool Coal Man
Alaazo
Big Brown
Nistle's Crunch
Coal Play
Atoned

Get all your horse racing odds and Breeders' Cup odds here.

Big Brown Helps to Make Belmont Stakes History

2008-07-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Belmont Stakes may go down as one of the most nail-biting events for horse racing fans, and the most disappointing loss for Big Brown...what with that illusive Triple Crown on the line. Nonetheless, the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner and 2008 Preakness Stakes winner did help to set some impressive on-track wagering numbers.

On-track wagering for the 2008 Belmont Stakes was the second highest in Belmont Park history, a 49.9% increase over 2007 ($13,256,019 from $8,843,720 in 2007). The total handle increased by 32.6% to $100,378,472 (up from $75,686,429 in 2007).

"Despite a downturn in the economy and softness in the thoroughbred racing industry, we're pleased with the modest increase of the Belmont Park Spring/Summer meeting," NYRA president and chief executive Charles Hayward said in a statement. "Clearly a big driver of the numbers was Big Brown's Belmont Stakes Triple Crown attempt, but this was somewhat offset by the loss of a racing day."

Perhaps one of the more impressive numbers was the attendance for Belmont Stakes Day. A crowd of 94,476 was on hand to watch Big Brown make a run for the Triple Crown (compared to an attendance of 46,870 in 2007).

Next up: the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships!

Bo Derek Appointed Commissioner of California Horse Racing Board

2008-07-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Derek's first strike as commissioner? Banning anabolic steroids in time for the 2008 Breeders' Cup.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week appointed Hollywood actress Bo Derek to commissioner of the California Horse Racing Board. Derek, an animal rights activist, along with six other CHRB panelists, will help govern the state's $4 billion racing industry, including its many controversial issues in wagering, medication and safety.

When asked if she intended to 'rock the boat' with her own personal opinions on animal welfare, Derek said: "Definitely not. I don't think I have to. I don't think it's necessary. I think we are all like-minded."

One of the first accomplishments of the newly formed board was banning the use of anabolic steroids, which will be in effect by the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on October 24-25. That will make the 2008 Breeers' Cup the first "anabolic-free Breeders' Cup in the history of the event," said Rick Arthur, the board's medical director.

Knowing that, you have to wonder what kind of an effect that will have on Rick Dutrow's decision to run Big Brown in the Breeders' Cup. (Dutrow maintains his horse doesn't need steroids to run a strong, fast race.)

Read more on Bo Derek's appointment to the CHRB and how the new ban may affect the upcoming Breeders' Cup here.

Get all your Breeders' Cup odds here.

Curlin Beaten In His Turf Debut

2008-07-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Curlin finished second to Red Rocks when odds-on favorite for the Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, his first race on turf.

Trainer Steve Asmussen stresses "all options" are open to Curlin as he recovers from his run behind Red Rocks in Saturday's Man o'War Stakes.

Curlin is reported to have taken the race in his stride but connections, who had been considering an audacious crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, are in no hurry to plot their next move.

Asmussen said: "Physically, he came out of the race great. There is no time frame - the evaluation will be continual. Our options are open."

Jess Jackson, of owners Stonestreet Farm, said those options could include another start on turf, which if successful, could send Curlin to Longchamp for the Prix Foy on September 14 ahead of the Arc.

Leopardstown's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes was also mooted as a possibility.

Curlin Workout for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

2008-07-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

Curlin, ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, covered seven furlongs in 1 minute 31.30 seconds in his inaugural test on turf at Churchill Downs. The workout was the first step in what could be a trip to Paris to run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 5.

If Curlin runs in that race, it's unlikely he would also run in the Breeders' Cup Classic less than three weeks later. Big Brown's status up in the air and Heatseeker having retired mean the Classic field could lack a big-name attraction.

For now, trainer Steve Asmussen is pointing Curlin toward a racing debut on turf July 12 in either the Grade I, $500,000 Man o' War Stakes at New York's Belmont Park or the Grade III, $200,000 Arlington Handicap at Chicago's Arlington Park.

All of Curlin's races have been on dirt, which made Tuesday's work on grass a critical step toward the Arc de Triomphe. The most recent major American horse to star on dirt and then make the trip to Paris for the Arc de Triomphe was 1961 Kentucky Derby winner Carry Back, who finished 10th in a field of 24.

Congress to Investigate Horse Racing Industry

2008-06-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

After witnessing one of the most disappointing and puzzling losses in the history of American thoroughbred horse racing, the United States Congress will begin hearings on the ethics of this $40 billion US industry. It seems the tragic death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby, followed by the poor running of Big Brown at the Belmont Stakes, was enough to raise more than a few eyebrows.

Every year some 5,000 horses die or are put down at the racetracks. It's gotten to the point where horse racing fans cringe at the start of each race, hoping that each horse makes it to the finish line without injury. The use of steroids also has many people questioning the need for horses to take performance enhancing drugs.

"When you talk about the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, Preakness, the whole country focuses on those, they attract stars from Hollywood, and it's all pretty romantic and wonderful," says US Rep. Ed Whitfield (R) of Kentucky, who holds hearings Thursday. "But in everyday racing, there are horses going down, and then the horses unable to fulfill their promise going to slaughter. The greed has trumped the concern for the horse, it's trumped the safety of the jockeys, and it's trumped the integrity of the sport."

Read more on what Congress intends to do about these and other issues facing the horse racing industry today. And drop me a line -- what do you make of the whole thing? Should we do away with horse racing entirely? Is it really that dangerous a sport?

Trainer Blames Jockey for Belmont Bust

2008-06-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's been three days since Big Brown's shocking last-place finish at the 2008 Belmont Stakes and trainer Rick Dutrow is still blaming jockey Kent Desormeaux for the loss.

"I don't want to hurt anyone, especially Kent," Dutrow told The Associated Press on Tuesday morning in his barn at Aqueduct. "But I still don't understand what happened. I don't see the horse with a problem, so I have to direct my attention toward the ride. That's all I can come up with."

Big Brown was the big favorite going into last Saturday's race and by all accounts the horse was healthy and raring to go. With the Triple Crown on the line Dutrow had all the confidence in the world and even went so far as to guarantee a win. But after a good start coming out of the gates, Big Brown started to lose ground at around the 3/4 mark and with "no horse" to speak of, jockey Desormeaux felt he had no choice but to pull back on Big Brown. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The plan right now is to run Big Brown in the Travers Stakes on Aug. 23 at Saratoga and then the Breeders' Cup later in the fall.

Ah well. There's still plenty of great horse racing to bet on!

Big Brown Finishes Last at Belmont Stakes

2008-06-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

On national television trainer Rick Dutrow guaranteed a win by Big Brown today at Belmont Park but that didn't happen. Not only did the favorite not win, but he finished the race in dead last. And when asked what happened out there today, jockey Kent Desmoreaux had "no idea".

"He was keen to go on early," Desmoreaux said. "He stumbled a bit but I have no idea what happened...I had no horse."

The 38/1 longshot, Da' Tara, took the lead early and held on to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes. Nick Zito is one happy trainer.

In what will likely go down as one of the hugest upsets in the history of horse racing, the 2008 Belmont Stakes was denied a Triple Crown.

For more information on the Belmont Stakes, the Triple Crown and all upcoming races...check the Bodog Racebook.

Belmont Stakes Update: Casino Drive Scratched

2008-06-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

For Big Brown, the news is good; for Casino Drive the news couldn't be worse. Earlier this morning manager Nobutaka Tada made a last-minute decision to take (second favorite to win) Casino Drive out of the Belmont Stakes because of a bruised hoof. The hoof injury occured yesterday during a walk around the Belmont Park track.

“It’s not serious, it’s just a matter of timing,” Tada said. “The horse is OK.”

A crack in Big Brown's front left hoof threatened to take the Triple Crown hopeful out of today's race, but the injury has since been repaired and by all accounts the hoof is as good as new.

Casino Drive's injury, however, will not be repaired in time for today's race. It's crushing news for horse racing fans hoping to see a head-to-head race between the two horses.

“It’s very sad,” Tada said. “Many people support us. It’s sad that we couldn’t meet the expectations.”

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!

Hooters To Sponsor Triple Crown Contender Big Brown

2008-06-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hooters has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of Big Brown. UPS, the brown-themed shipping company that was was originally the sole sponsor of the horse, inexplicably allowed Hooters to slide in just before Big Brown is set to achieve the pinnacle of its publicity.

Sponsorship deals involving racehorses and jockeys are rare. At the Derby, NetJets, a private aviation company, sponsored the jockeys in the race.

Kelly Wietsma, the president of Equisponse, which represents IEAH Stables, said, "Big Brown has been on the national news, the morning shows and all over the media. There will be 40 million people watching to see of this horse can win the Triple Crown and if he does he's going to be one of the most celebrated athletes in 30 years. And UPS and Hooters will ride the publicity wave with him."

Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown, is tomorrow. Big Brown can make history, don't miss it out! The Belmont post time is 6:25 PM Eastern and it will be broadcast on ABC from 5.

Big Brown to Race from No. 1 Post Position

2008-06-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

The post positions for the Saturday, June 7th Belmont Stakes have been drawn and the favorite at 2/5 odds to win, Big Brown, will be breaking from the No. 1 post position. Nine other horses will be competing for the victory at Belmont Park, but with the Triple Crown on the line all eyes will be on Big Brown.

There was some concern last week as to whether or not Big Brown's cracked hoof would be healed in time for the weekend's big race, but trainer Rick Dutrow has reassured doubters that his horse will be good and ready to race -- and to win.

"He's in better shape now than he has ever been," Dutrow said Tuesday.

Japanese-bred Casino Drive, will start from the No. 5 post. He is the 7-2 second choice to win the Belmont Stakes.

Here is the complete field for the 2008 Belmont Stakes, including post position, horse's name, and odds to win:

1. Big Brown 2/5 odds
2. Guadalcanal 50/1 odds
3. Macho Again 20/1 odds
4. Denis of Cork 12/1 odds
5. Casino Drive 7/2 odds
6. Da'Tara 30/1 odds
7. Tale of Ekati 20/1 odds
8. Anak Nakal 30/1 odds
9. Ready's Echo 30/1 odds
10. Icabad Crane 20/1 odds

It's been 30 years since we've seen a Triple Crown winner. Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!

Big Brown Jumps Big Hurdle

2008-06-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

With only a few days to go until the Belmont Stakes, talk around the stables these days is heating up over whether or not Big Brown will be ready to win the Triple Crown.

Last week the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner had a crack in his front left hoof repaired by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay. After taking a few days off his training to allow the hoof to heal, Big Brown underwent his first pre-Belmont Stakes workout and passed with flying colors; he ran five furlongs in a minute. But trainer Rick Dutrow has been put under the microscope by critics for pushing his horse to the limits. McKinlay says the idea of Dutrow doing anything to jeopardize Big Brown's life is "absolute nonsense".

"I don't like people accusing Rick or accusing this industry of just taking horses and throwing them to the wolves for money. These guys love these horses," McKinlay said Monday. "Yes, there's a lot of money at stake, but they're not going to do it. They'd be an idiot to do it. He's certainly worth a lot more alive than he is dead."

By all accounts, Big Brown's hoof is healing up nicely and held up well in the workout. There's no cause for concern coming from trainer nor specialist.

"He jumped over a big hurdle today," Dutrow said.

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!

Big Brown's Foot Heals, Two Competitors Step Up

2008-05-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Big Brown underwent a simple, 10-minute procedure earlier today to repair the quarter crack to his front left hoof and is expected to return to the track at Belmont Park to complete his prep work prior to the June 7th Belmont Stakes.

But fast on his heels is Casino Drive, who won a stakes race earlier this month at Belmont, and Denis of Cork, who earlier today turned in an impressive breeze during his pre-race workout. Is Big Brown's trainer or the specialist who worked on his injured hoof concerned about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes' chances of winning? Not really.

"I've done this procedure on horses that have won on the same day," hoof specialist Ian McKinlay said.

Photos of the quarter crack once it has been repaired, then cleaned and sealed with adhesive.

Trainer Rick Dutrow echoes McKinlay's optimism for Big Brown's injury and recovery time. "Just a little hiccup on the way over there that's all it is," Dutrow said. "The time that he has missed means nothing to me or him."

Big Brown is still the big favorite to win the Belmont Stakes and is on track to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

Big Brown vs. Casino Drive: A Match Race?

2008-05-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

After a convincing win at the 2008 Kentucky Derby and an even greater victory at the 2008 Preakness Stakes, Big Brown is a clear favorite to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Or is he?

A new horse has entered into the mix and it's got a lot of people talking...and for good reason. Japanese-owned Casino Drive has the same bloodlines (out of the same mare) as the last two Belmont Stakes winners -- Jazil and Rags to Riches. Add to that an impressive win at the Peter Pan Stakes on May 10th at Belmont Park and you've got the makings of a serious competitor.

But is Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr., worried? If he is he's not letting on that he's the slightest big concerned.

"He has no chance of beating our horse. None," Dutrow told reporters on Wednesday. "I'll be running to the winner's circle when Big Brown hits the quarter pole."

So what does Casino Drive's racing manager, Nobutaka Tada, have to say about Dutrow's confidence in Big Brown?

"It sounds like he likes talk, so let him talk. It's OK. We will see the result."

Unlike Dutrow, Tada says he prefers to keep his feelings to himself and would rather stay quiet on the issue. "It's not the Japanese way," he explains.

The added international competition for the upcoming Belmont Stakes can only mean good things for horse racing fans on a global level. Although much of the attention will continue to focus on Big Brown's quest for the elusive Triple Crown, Casino Drive will surely cause more than a few bettors to wager accordingly.

June 7th is the day, folks. It's looking like Big Brown vs. Casino Drive for the win at Belmont. And if Big Brown wins? Well then that means we get our first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

Preakness Stakes Results: Resounding Win for Big Brown

2008-05-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Big Brown keeps Triple Crown hopes alive!

“He just set sail,” winning jockey Kent Desmoreaux said, “He just kept kicking his legs up and went riding for the wire. There was not a grain of sand in face.”

And just like that, the 1-5 favorite Big Brown wins the 2008 Preakness Stakes. Taking second was Macho Again and the third place finish went to Icabad Crane.

When asked if he was nervous before today's race, Desmoreaux admitted that he was. "I was nervous as nuts," he said.

The Belmont Stakes is in three weeks and Big Brown will be fresh and ready to run as he aims to make history in becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

At Pimlico track on Friday, 6-year-old Student Council ($16.40 to win) took the Grade I Pimlico Special and Sweet Vendetta ($17.40) captured the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies.

Preakness Stakes: Countdown to Post Time

2008-05-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

We're only a few hours away from post time and with Big Brown settling in nicely in his corner barn suite occupied each year by the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Pimlico Race Course is finally ready for the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes.

The favorite to win the Preakness, Big Brown arrived in Baltimore three hours late on Wednesday night and was accompanied by police escort to Pimlico. Clearly the only celebrity in attendance at this race (the Kentucky Derby attracts Hollywood celebrities), Big Brown has everyone hoping and believing in a big win. A Preakness victory, after all, would open the door to a Triple Crown win at the Belmont Stakes three weeks later. And that, according to his trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., would be "awesome". (Read more on Big Brown's big arrival at Pimlico here.)

Once again, here are the race details on today's Preakness Stakes classic:

TV: NBC
POST: 6:09 p.m. EST WEIGHTS: 126 pounds. DISTANCE: 1 3/16 miles.
PURSE: $1 million (First place: $650,000).

PP Horse, Jockey, Trainers, Odds
1 Macho Again, Julien R. Leparoux, Dallas Stewart, 20-1
2 Tres Borrachos, Tyler Baze, Beau Greely, 30-1
3 Icabad Crane, Jeremy Rose, H. Graham Motion, 30-1
4 Yankee Bravo, Alex O. Solis, Patrick Gallagher, 15-1
5 Behindatthebar, David Romero Flores, Todd Pletcher, 10-1
6 Racecar Rhapsody, Robby Albarado, Kenneth McPeek, 30-1
7 Big Brown, Kent J. Desormeaux, Richard Dutrow Jr., 1-2
8 Kentucky Bear, Jamie Theriot, Reade Baker, 15-1
9 Stevil, John R. Velazquez, Nick Zito, 30-1
10 Riley Tucker, Edgar S. Prado, William Mott, 30-1
11 Giant Moon, Ramon A. Dominguez, Richard Schosberg, 30-1
12 Gayego, Mike E. Smith, Paulo Lobo, 8-1
13 Hey Byrn, Charles C. Lopez, Eddie Plesa Jr., 20-1

Stay tuned to my blog for Preakness Stakes race results following this afternoon's nail biter at Pimlico.

Derby Contender Gayego to Run in Preakness

2008-05-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

The lone Kentucky Derby contender to give Derby winner Big Brown a run for his money, Gayego, will be racing in this weekend's 2008 Preakness Stakes.

Although he placed a disappointing 17th, Gayego's trainer Paulo Lobo says his dark bay colt really didn't overexert himself at the Derby and came back from the race with a healthy appetite and disposition.

"He came back very well," Lobo said. "He's been eating everything. He's feeling happy."

Gayego is expected to arrive at the Pimlico Race Course stables on Wednesday afternoon. If both horses get the green light for Saturday, it will be only the sixth time that two Kentucky Derby horses have moved onto the Preakness to compete in the classic. The last time was back in 1980 (and bettors may be interested to note that the challenger, Codex, defeated the Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk).

It's a great time to get in your Preakness Stakes betting!

Kentucky Derby Winning Jockey to Ride Big Brown at Preakness

2008-05-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Jockey Kent Desmoreaux, who rode Big Brown to an impressive victory at the 134th Kentucky Derby, will once again hop on top of the 3-year-old colt at the upcoming Preakness Stakes on May 17th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey has won more races in a single year than any other jockey. But more importantly, Desmoreaux's masterful ride atop Big Brown at the 2008 Kentucky Derby was more than enough to convince Big Brown's trainer and owner that he is the man to take Big Brown to victory at the 2008 Preakness. After all, he did take Real Quiet to victory in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes back in 1998 so he knows a thing or two about riding a potential Triple Crown winner.

Although none of Big Brown's Derby contenders are listed to saddle up at the upcoming Preakness, the field of horses is expected to be stronger, which should make for an interesting race.

You can get all your Preakness Stakes betting here. Big Brown is favored to win again, so it's going to be a great race!!

Kentucky Derby Results: Big Brown Wins, Eight Belles Euthanized

2008-05-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

In what would be a day filled with both great joy and great sadness, Big Brown proved to be every bit the victor in winning the 134th Kentucky Derby in front of 157,770 fans at Churchill Downs yesterday. Big Brown's first-place finish was 4 3/4 lengths ahead of the only filly in the race, Eight Belles, who took second place.

But then the unthinkable happened.

Just as the horses were making their victory walk around the track, Eight Belles collapsed on the track, the ankles on her front hind legs clearly broken.

The loud cheers immediately stopped and gasps of shock filled the air.

"The injuries were catasrophic," said Dr Larry Bramlage, the track's "on call" veterinarian. "She didn't have a front foot to stand on. She was immediately euthanized. I have never seen anything like this before at the end of a race."

The tragedy brought back memories of Barbaro's fall at the 2006 Preakness. Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, shattered his right leg at the start of the race and was euthanized several months later (despite several surgeries to save the colt's life). And just like Barbaro, Eight Belles had won the hearts of many horse racing fans because she was the sole filly among a field of colts.

"This horse showed you his heart," winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "and Eight Belles showed you her life for our enjoyment today. I'm deeply sympathetic to that team for their loss."

Here is the finishing order:

Big Brown
Eight Belles
Denis of Cork
Tale of Ekati
Recapturetheglory
Colonel John
Anak Nakal
Pyro
Cowboy Cal
Z Fortune
Smooth Air
Visionaire
Court Vision
Z Humor
Cool coal Man
Bob Black Jack
Gayego
Big Truck
Adriano
Monba

Rest in peace, Eight Belles.

Betting on the 2008 Kentucky Derby: Horsing Around

2008-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Horseplay is always a good thing. When you’re looking for a championship thoroughbred, you’re looking for a winning attitude as well as superior genetics – same as any human athlete, for that matter.

Big Brown’s cult of personality was in evidence Thursday at Churchill Downs, as crowds gathered to watch the 3-1 Derby favorite tear off three furlongs in 35.4 seconds, the fastest of 19 horses to do so. His demeanor was cool and confident, every bit the king in this Sport of Kings. Big Brown could run for President of the United States – although they’d have to lower the minimum age from 35 to three.

Second favorite Colonel John (5-1) isn’t being talked about in the same poetic terms as Big Brown, but trainer Eoin Harty also noted how relaxed and confident his horse was after Thursday morning’s work. There may be value in Colonel John simply because the public hasn’t fallen in love with him – yet.

Get all your Kentucky Derby betting done here.

Kentucky Derby Field Set, Post Positions Drawn

2008-04-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Undefeated in three career starts and with a total earnings of $662,700, Big Brown is the 3/1 morning line favorite heading into this weekend's 2008 Kentucky Derby. Let's hope Big Brown and jockey Kent Desormeaux can win it from the far outside post (post 20) and under wet conditions. The forecast for Friday calls for a few thunderstorms and isolated thunderstorms are on tap for Saturday.

Here are the post positions for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. The complete field, with Post Position, Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Morning-Line Odds are listed below:

1 Cool Coal Man, Julien Leparoux, Nick Zito, 20-1
2 Tale of Ekati, Eibar Coa, Barclay Tagg, 15-1
3 Anak Nakal, Raphael Bejarano, Nick Zito, 30-1
4 Court Vision, Garrett Gomez, Bill Mott, 20-1
5 Eight Belles (f), Gabriel Saez, Larry Jones, 15-1
6 Z Fortune, Robby Albarado, Steve Asmussen, 30-1
7 Big Truck, Javier Catellano, Barclay Tagg, 50-1
8 Visionaire, Jose Lezcano, Michael Matz, 20-1
9 Pyro, Shaun Bridgmohan, Steve Asmussen, 6-1
10 Colonel John, Corey Nakatani, Eoin Harty, 4-1
11 Z Humor, Rene Douglas, Bill Mott, 30-1
12 Smooth Air, Manoel Cruz, Bennie Stutts Jr., 20-1
13 Bob Jack Black, Rich Migliore, James Kasparoff, 20-1
14 Monba, Ramon Dominguez, Todd Pletcher, 15-1
15 Adriano, Edgar Prado, Graham Motion, 30-1
16 Denis of Cork, Calvin Borel, David Carroll, 20-1
17 Cowboy Cal, John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 20-1
18 Recapturetheglory, E.T. Baird, Louie Roussel, 20-1
19 Gayego, Mike Smith, Paulo Lobo, 15-1
20 Big Brown, Kent Desormeaux, Rick Dutrow Jr., 3-1

The Saturday, May 3 post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:10 p.m. EST and you can catch all the action on NBC. It's the "Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" so don't forget to get your Kentucky Derby betting done before it's too late!

Technorati Tag: Kentucky Derby betting

Kentucky Derby News - Jockey Prado Inducted to Racing Hall of Fame

2008-04-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Jockey Edgar Prado rode Barbaro to victory at the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Can he do the same with Adriano at this year's Derby?

"I'm just speechless," said Prado upon receiving the news that he'd just been inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. "I'm shaking like a leaf."

The 40-year-old Prado grew up in a racing family of 11 children in Peru and began his riding career there at age 16. Now, with over 6,040 victories from 31,539 starts and earnings of $205,283,461 to his name, Prado ranks seventh on the career earnings list and became just the fourth rider in history with more than 500 victories in a season when he rode 535 in 1997.

Last week Prado announced that he was going to be riding Adriano at the 2008 Kentucky Derby. When asked why he chose to ride this particular thoroughbred, Prado replied, "It was a tough decision." Adriano is the winner of the Lane's End Stakes and the 16/1 odds to win the 2008 Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag: Kentucky Derby Odds

Kentucky Derby Opening Odds and Top Contenders

2008-04-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

Heading down the stretch, who are the top Kentucky Derby contenders?

War Pass, last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and undefeated 2-year-old champion, was the early favorite but the best he's been able to do recently is second (in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 5). Pyro was all the rage a couple of months ago when he took the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, but then placed a disappointing 10th in last weekend's $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. There's also Colonel John, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby; and let's not forget about Big Brown, the big winner at the Florida Derby. But which of these horses is the leading contender? Who knows...

If nothing else, the Derby prep races have shown us that nothing is for certain and that come May 3 we can expect the unexpected.

Top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders:

Big Brown 3/1
Colonel John 6/1
Pyro 8/1
War Pass 10/1
Monba 16/1

Get your Kentucky Derby odds while there's still some great value to be found!

Technorati tag: kentucky derby odds

Kentucky Derby Futures - Pool 3 Wagers

2008-04-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last chance to get your best 2008 Kentucky Derby odds

Kentucky Derby Futures and Kentucky Oaks Futures Wager Pool 3 opens today at noon (EST) and will close at 6 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, April 6. This really is your best and last chance at getting great odds on the upcoming May 3 Kentucky Derby. If you wait until Derby Day to bet on your favorite Kentucky Derby contenders you'll be faced with lesser odds.

Now in its 134th running, the Kentucky Derby is by far the most illustrious horse racing event in North America. Over 150,000 horse racing enthusiasts are expected to attend this prestigious event at Churchill Downs, with millions more catching the action on television.

This year's Derby contenders have been prepping for the big race, with names like Big Brown, Pyro, War Pass and Colonel John (among others) making the Top 10. (Check out the complete Derby power rankings here.)

Get in the best Kentucky Derby odds today, before it's too late.

Technorati tag(s): Kentucky Derby Odds

Kentucky Derby Prep Races - Lane's End Stakes Results

2008-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Coming off a poor performance at last month's Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Adriano surprised the oddsmakers and critics to capture Saturday's $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park. Lane's End is one of the few remaining major Kentucky Derby prep races left on the schedule.

Owned by Courtlandt Farms, Adriano's prize on the day was a cool $300,000.

"This is a very proud moment," said owner Donald Adams of Courtlandt Farms. "We've been in the business a long time and we haven't had major success. Days like this make up for the lean years. He's very, very big and he's just starting to grow into himself. He has that stride that just eats up the ground. Edgar (Prado) rode a beautiful race."

As to whether or not Adriano will be racing at the Kentucky Derby, trainer Graham Motion isn't ready to make that call yet.

"We've still got to talk about it some more," Motion said Monday from Florida. "I wanted to get the horse back here to train while I'm in Dubai. I'll see how he's doing when I get back and assess it further. The Derby? It's unlikely at this point, but like I said before the race, never say never. Let's get him back here and see how he's doing."

If you're looking for more Kentucky Derby contenders, check out the Bodog Racebook.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby, Adriano

Kentucky Derby News - Iron Chef Bobby Flay Heats Up the Derby

2008-03-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Award-winning chef Bobby Flay knows a thing or two about horses. He's owned several race horses over the years and has developed quite an interest in the Sport of Kings. This year, however, he'll be taking his culinary magic to Churchill Downs where he'll be cooking up a storm for all those hungry pre-race Kentucky Derby party goers.

"The Kentucky Derby is a one-of-a-kind springtime sports party that showcases a unique blend of food, fashion and Southern hospitality against the backdrop of America’s oldest continuously held sporting event," Flay said. "As a horse racing enthusiast, I love attending the Kentucky Derby in person, and I also enjoy throwing Kentucky Derby parties for family and friends. I am excited to work with Churchill Downs Incorporated on the launch of its official Kentucky Derby Party program and Web site, which offers party hosts and hostesses everything they need to know about Kentucky Derby entertaining."

The Kentucky Derby Party program, which includes a website loaded with bushels of great Derby party ideas and recipes, is geared towards people who won't be able to attend the Kentucky Derby in person, but will still be watching the races at home with their family and friends. And what better way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby than with Iron Chef Bobby Flay to help you every step of the way?

"Churchill Downs is thrilled to partner with Chef Bobby Flay on our Kentucky Derby Party program, as we look for ways to extend the Kentucky Derby experience to sports fans around the world," said Casey Cook, senior director of marketing for Churchill Downs Incorporated. "The Kentucky Derby has a tremendous following because it's more than just a sporting event. The Derby encompasses fantastic cuisine, eye-catching fashion and lavish entertaining – as well as the 'Greatest Two Minutes in Sports'.

For Kentucky Derby party recipes and Kentucky Derby party ideas, visit the new Kentucky Derby Party website.

And if you're ready to bet on the Kentucky Derby, check out the Bodog Racebook.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby, Bobby Flay

Road to the Kentucky Derby: Lane's End Stakes

2008-03-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

Today's $500,000, Grade II Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky will not include many of the top Kentucky Derby contenders, but that doesn't mean it's not an important race for those horses competing. On the contrary, this is an opportunity the 12 lesser-known 3-year-olds in the field to make a name for themselves in their quest for a spot in the Derby

Trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses running today: Chitoz and Duke of de Buqe.

"Duke of de Buqe is a horse we always thought would like the turf," Pletcher said, "and since he's a half-brother to Balto Star, who could run on both dirt and turf, we think Duke of de Buqe will handle the Turfway Polytrack well. The Lane's End is a good option for him."

Here is the full field for the Lane's End Stakes in post position order:

Duke of de Buqe, Julien Leparoux 12-1; Macho Again, Miguel Mena 10-1; Chitoz, Rene Douglas 8-1; Rich Young Ruler, Thomas Pompell 30-1; Adriano, Edgar Prado 6-1; Racecar Rhapsody, Robby Albarado 6-1; Halo's King, Jesus Castanon 50-1; Halo Najib, Kent Desormeaux 7-2; Cannonball, Alex Solis 9-2; El Aleman, Orlando Mojica 99-1; Turf War, Patrick Husbands 5-1 and Medjool, Michael Baze 8-1.

With only a handful of Derby prep races left (at Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Aqueduct and Keeneland), you can expect to see all the big names back on track in the weeks to come.

Ready to throw down on the Kentucky Derby futures?

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby Futures

Kentucky Derby Contenders: El Gato Malo Profile

2008-03-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

El Gato Malo was coming off a 1 1/2-month layoff when he won the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 12. The colt then came in second to Colonol John at the $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. Even though it wasn't a win, it definitely wasn't all that bad for the Derby contender.

“We thought we were the best horse in the race,” trainer Bob Carper said. “We think if he hadn’t gotten trapped along the rail, he would have won the race.”

Kentucky Derby Contender: El Gato Malo
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Jockey: David Flores
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Graded Earnings: $90,000
Race Record: 4-3-1-0

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

Currently in the Bodog Racebook, El Gato Malo is listed at 12/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Court Vision Profile

2008-03-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Things are looking pretty good for Bill Mott-trained horse Court Vision. During Wednesday's workout Court Vision breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 at the Payson Park Training Center. It was his first work since the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

"He trained well for his return, and in the running, I thought he closed well after having to race a little far back in the early stages because he was shuffled back on the first turn," trainer Bill Mott said. "He made up a lot of ground over a track that many other horses couldn't that day. It was a good race and starting point for a horse that had been off for awhile, and I look for improvement next time."

Kentucky Derby Contender: Court Vision
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Owner: IEAH Stables & WinStar Farm LLC
Graded Earnings: $221,872
Race Record: 5-3-1-1

Court Vision rallied from far back in his season debut while gaining experience. The winner of three in row last year, it is expected that Court Vision should progress nicely this season.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

Currently at the Bodog Racebook, Court Vision is listed at 20/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Cool Coal Man

2008-03-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Trainer Nick Zito is a familiar name to horse racing fans. With four of the top 18 Kentucky Derby contenders running this season, you can be sure to see and hear much more of this experienced trainer as he preps his horses for this year's big race. One horse in particular, Cool Coal Man, looks particularly promising:

Kentucky Derby Contender: Cool Coal Man
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Kent Desmormeaux
Owner: Robert V. LaPenta
Graded Earnings: $212,767
Race Record: 7-4-1-0

Cool Coal Man is the winner of the $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. His stamina will be put to the test as he looks towards the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Grade 1) on April 12 at Keeneland Race Course, which would be his first attempt over an artificial surface.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

"If he runs back in the Florida Derby, it would give him three tough, mile and one-eighth races in a row without any separation," explained Zito. "By waiting for the Blue Grass, it gives him a little extra time. And running over the Polytrack at Keeneland certainly wouldn't be a problem. It worked for Street Sense last year. He wouldn't necessarily have to win the race, just get something out of it."

Get your Kentucky Derby odds early!

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Pyro Profile

2008-03-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

One of the favorites heading up to the Kentucky Derby, Pyro last weekend proved why he's a serious Derby contender. And no one could be happier with his performance as of late than his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

"It looks like we're right on target," Asmussen said following Pyro's impressive win at the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

If you're like most people and you're considering wagering on Pyro, here are some good-to-know facts:

Kentucky Derby Contender: Pyro
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Graded Earnings: $760,000
Race Record: 5-2-2-1

Winner of Risen Star Stakes and currently a favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, Pyro's latest victory is the Louisiana Derby in which he muscled through an opening in the stretch and cruised to a three-length victory over 60-1 long shot My Pal Charlie. Although Pyro has been visually impressive in his two appearances at age 3, it's imporant to remember that he was beaten convincingly on three occasions by a combined 1 1/4 lengths by the still-undefeated War Pass.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

For Kentucky Derby odds, try the Bodog Racebook.

Technorati tag(s): kentucky derby, pyro

Kentucky Derby Contenders: War Pass Profile

2008-02-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

Early Kentucky Derby favorite War Pass Sunday picked up his fifth straight win at the $60,000 allowance race at Gulfstream Park. Owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Nick Zito both agreed the 2007 Eclipse Award winner never looked better or happier.

"He's a very happy horse," Jockey Cornelio Velasquez said. "He's the best horse in the country right now. He's better than last year, he galloped out really strong. He wanted to win today."

Zito showed obvious signs of relief following the race.

"You still have anxiety no matter how you look at it," the Hall of Famer said. "When horses haven't run for a long time, there are injuries every day, so I know how grateful I am.

"He's unbelievable. That's what we wanted for him. Three weeks from now (Tampa Bay Derby [G3] on March 15), it will be a little tougher. I was happy for the fans. I'm a fan myself. I'm grateful to Gulfstream Park for putting the race on. He broke like a rocket. It would have been nice if he had sat back, but as long as he keeps winning, I'm happy. He's a special horse, he really is."

With the win War Pass added $36,000 to his earnings, which now stands at $1,433,400.

A winner in maiden and allowances/optional claiming races at Saratoga to start his career, the colt dominated both the Champagne S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) en route to earning champion honors. He has won his five lifetime tries by a combined 22 lengths and has yet to be headed at any call.

An allowance race is a non-claiming event (horses are not for sale) intended either for younger horses not yet ready for stakes competition.

Technorati Tag(s): kentucky derby contenders, war pass

Kentucky Derby Hopeful Sidelined with Injury

2008-02-20T17:28:00.000-08:00

Considered to be one of the top contenders for the Run for the Roses, Crown of Thorns will miss the big race due to a sore left shin.

Crown of Thorns, who earlier this month won the Robert B. Lewis (G2) Stakes at Santa Anita Park, will be forced to withdraw from the 2008 Kentucky Derby scheduled to take place at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2008. Trainer Richard Mandella confirmed Wednesday that the colt's left shin is sore and he's worried it may be the start of a stress fracture.

"He'll be out a couple of months," Mandella said.

Mandella has never won the Kentucky Derby before and must now rest his hopes on Into Mischief, another B. Wayne Hughes' owned horse and winner of the $750,000 Cash Call Futurity.

Technorati tag(s): crown of thorns, kentucky derby

Kentucky Derby Betting: Pyro a Good Bet

2008-02-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

Even though "the field" (or "all others") is the favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Pyro drew the most attention this past Sunday to become the 5/1 odds to win.

Referred to as the "understudy" to War Pass, Pyro's impressive win at Risen Star last Saturday was the thoroughbred's second win of his young career but it seems to be good enough to make him one of the most talked about horses heading down the road to the Kentucky Derby. But is Pyro your best bet?

As far as Kentucky Derby futures bets go, at 5/1 Pyro doesn't offer much value but his odds may increase in the weeks to come. You may be better off betting on a horse whose odds right now are greater -- like Court Vision at 15/1 or Monba at 16/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby, Pyro

Kentucky Derby Futures: Field Set

2008-02-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

The field is set and we're still a few months away, but futures wagering starts now! The first future Wagers of 2008 starts Thursday, February 7 at noon (EST) and runs through Sunday, February 10 until 6 p.m. (EST). The second pool will go March 6-9, with the final pool set for April 3-6.

War Pass, Pyro and Court Vision are all listed at 12/1 in the morning line odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Here is the complete field:

1 Anak Nakal 20-1
2 Blackberry Road 20-1
3 Bob Black Jack 50-1
4 Colonel John 30-1
5 Court Vision 12-1
6 Cowboy Cal 20-1
7 Crown of Thorns 20-1
8 Denis of Cork 30-1
9 El Gato Malo 15-1
10 Etched 15-1
11 Georgie Boy 20-1
12 Giant Moon 20-1
13 Into Mischief 20-1
14 Majestic Warrior 15-1
15 Monba 30-1
16 Pyro 12-1
17 Signature Move 50-1
18 Smooth Air 20-1
19 Tale of Ekati 20-1
20 War Pass 12-1
21 Yankee Bravo 20-1
22 Z Fortune 20-1
23 Z Humor 15-1
24 Mutuel Field (All Others) 5-2

Keep your eyes on Pyro at this Saturday's Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds. The 134th Kentucky Derby will go Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Technorati tag(s): kentucky derby futures wagering

Kentucky Derby Odds: Derby Contenders

2008-01-29T17:46:00.001-08:00

The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on May 3, 2008 and while many horse racing fans are saying it's too early to predict which horse will win -- it's a great time to look at some of the thoroughbreds that have made a name for themselves in the early goings.

"Horses that have had the most success in recent Kentucky Derbies tend to have three or four 3-year-old starts before the Derby," said Dick Downey, who for the past 35 years compiled statistical data on the best chances of winning the Kentucky Derby.

"For the most part, Derby horses have their first start as a 3-year-old in February. They follow that up with a start in early March and almost always finish their preparations up in one of several grade 1 or 2 stakes in late March or April," Downey added. "Based on the last 35 years, horses with three or four starts as 3-year-olds are 5.09 times more likely to win the Derby than horses that have started fewer or more times."

Here's my list of Early Top Derby Contenders:

Anak Nakal
Blackberry Road
Court Vision
Cowboy Cal
El Gato Malo
Etched
Majestic Warrior
Pyro
War Pass
Country Star
Yankee Bravo

But it's like I said, there's still plenty of time for the field to fill out. You can expect this list to change over the coming weeks as I aim to provide you with updated information on new contenders competing for the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby Contenders

Australian Horse Racing is Hot

2007-12-21T14:50:00.000-08:00

Horse racing in North America gets pretty slow in winter, but it is still hot in Australia. Check out January stakes races in Australian racing.


DATE  LOCATION    RACE             GROUP  DISTANCE
1.1.  Ascot       BMW Perth Cup           2      3200
1.1.  Ascot       Summer Scorcher         L HCP  1000
1.1.  Flemington  Standish Handicap       3      1200
1.8.  Flemington  Bagot Handicap          L      2500
5.1.  Doomben     Bernborough Handicap    L      1615
12.1. Caulfield   Rubiton Stakes          3 WFA  1100
12.1. Caulfield   Barton Stakes           L      1400
12.1. Gold Coast  Magic Millions Classic  0 2YO  1200
13.1. Elwick  One Thousand Guineas        L 3YO F  1600
13.1. Geraldton   Geraldton Cup           0 HCP  2100
19.1. Flemington  Chester Manifold Stakes L  1400
19.1. Rosehill    GardensExpressway Stakes2 WFA  1200
20.1. Mungrup     Mungrup Sprint          0 HCP  1300
25.1. Moonee Valley  Carlyon Stakes       2 WFA  1200
26.1. Ascot       Australia Day Stakes    L HCP  1200
26.1. Caulfield   Zeditave Stakes         L 3YO SWP  1200
26.1. Caulfield   Arrowfield Blue Diamond Preview L 2YO C&G SWP  1000
26.1. Caulfield   Arrowfield Blue Diamond Preview L 2YO F SWP  1000
26.1. Royal Randwick  Frederick Clissold Stakes  3 QLTY HCP  1200
26.1. Royal Randwick  Royal Sovereign Stakes  2 3YO C&G SWP  1200
26.1. Royal Randwick  Light Finger Stakes  2 3YO F SWP  1200

The Melbourne Cup is the biggest horse racing event in Australia. It has been run on the first Tuesday of November at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne every year without fail since 1861.
Technorati tag(s): Australian Racing

Melbourne Cup - Autralian Racing

2007-12-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

Melbourne Cup Day is Australia's most famous Tuesday and Melbourne Cup is the biggest Australian horse racing event. At 3.00 pm AEST, on the first Tuesday in November, Australians everywhere stop for one of the world's most famous horse races - the Melbourne Cup.

It's a day when Australia stops whatever it's doing to listen to the race call, or watch the race on TV. Even those who don't usually bet, try their luck with a small wager or entry into a 'sweep' - a lottery in which each ticket-holder is matched with a randomly drawn horse.

One time favourite, Efficient ($23.29) made a surging late run from the outside to defeat Purple Moon ($1.82) and Mahler ($4.09). The striking grey stayer’s had struggled with mediocre form until the race, but he peaked at the right time to claim the Melbourne Cup.


2007 Melbourne Cup Winner
1st EFFICIENT (NZ)   Graeme Rogerson M Rodd  10 54.5    
2nd  PURPLE MOON (IRE)Luca Cumani  D Oliver 15  53.5    
3rd  MAHLER (GB)  Aidan O'Brien  S Baster 6 50.5

Technorati tag(s): Australian Racing

Changes in Graded Stakes 2008

2007-12-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

The eight World Championships races that existed before this year were all assigned grade I status at the outset.

Two Keeneland stakes were upgraded to grade I status: the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes and the First Lady Stakes, both on the turf. Also upgraded to grade I was the Just a Game Stakes on the grass at Belmont Park.

Upgraded to grade II status are the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland, Indiana Oaks at Hoosier Park, Lake George Stakes at Saratoga, Sands Point Stakes at Belmont, Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita Park, and Old Hat Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Downgraded from grade II to grade III in 2008 are the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita, Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park, and Nassau County Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Belmont.

The Belmont Breeders’ Cup Handicap and Genuine Risk Handicap at Belmont and Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Saratoga were not eligible for grading in 2008.

The new grade III stakes for next year are the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Stakes, Bryan Station Stakes, and Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland; Pilgrim Stakes and Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont; Southwest Stakes and Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn; Obeah Handicap and Robert G. Dick Memorial Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Delaware Park; Florida Oaks and Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs; La Habra Stakes and Tuzla Handicap at Santa Anita; Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs; Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap at Fair Grounds; Boyd Gaming Delta Princess Stakes at Delta Downs; Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park; and Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.

The five races downgraded from grade III to ungraded status for 2008 are the Arlington Classic Stakes at Arlington, Essex Handicap at Oaklawn, Aqueduct Handicap at Aqueduct, Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Bay Meadows, and Bayou Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Fair Grounds.

Technorati tag(s): 2008 Graded Stakes

Leading Horses in Thoroughbred Racing 2007

2007-12-05T15:49:00.000-08:00


LEADING HORSES
    Name                     Starts     1sts     Purses
 1. Curlin                        9        6     $5,102,800
 2. Invasor (ARG)                 2        2     $3,900,000
 3. Street Sense                  8        4     $3,205,000
 4. English Channel               7        4     $2,640,000
 5. Hard Spun                    10        4     $2,572,500
 6. Kip Deville                   7        3     $1,965,780
 7. Ginger Punch                  8        5     $1,827,060
 8. Cloudy's Knight               9        3     $1,762,868
 9. Lahudood (GB)                 5        3     $1,560,500
10. Lava Man                      8        3     $1,410,000

LEADING JOCKEYS
    Name                     Mounts     1sts    Purses
 1. Garrett K. Gomez           1176      248    $22,484,918
 2. Robby Albarado             1172      233    $18,557,621
 3. John R. Velazquez          1110      195    $17,946,404
 4. Cornelio H. Velasquez      1554      248    $15,750,618
 5. Rafael Bejarano            1391      227    $14,813,551
 6. Ramon A. Dominguez         1240      303    $14,649,311
 7. Edgar S. Prado             1061      200    $13,357,683
 8. Eibar Coa                  1526      265    $13,543,608
 9. Kent J. Desormeaux         1079      204    $13,108,208
10. Javier Castellano          1087      164    $12,467,638

LEADING TRAINERS
    Name                     Starts     1sts    Purses
 1. Todd A. Pletcher           1174      275    $27,879,345
 2. Steven M. Asmussen         2079      441    $22,324,707
 3. Kiaran P. McLaughlin        493      112    $12,575,297
 4. Robert J. Frankel           521      118    $11,448,455
 5. Doug F. O'Neill             981      148    $10,491,119
 6. William I. Mott             739      148     $9,372,817
 7. Richard E. Dutrow Jr.       631      158     $9,167,673
 8. Scott A. Lake              2180      453     $9,134,596
 9. Gary C. Contessa           1144      163     $7,010,136
10. Bob Baffert                 402       71     $6,939,792

Technorati tag(s): Top Racing Horses, Best Racehorses 2007

Jockey Hartack passed away at 74

2007-12-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

Hartack and fellow Hall of Fame rider Eddie Arcaro are the only jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby five times in horse racing history.

Hartack won his first Derby with Iron Liege in 1957. He then won with Venetian Way in 1960, Decidedly in 1962, Northern Dancer in 1964 and Majestic Prince in 1969.

Hartack rode until 1974 and had 4,272 wins from 21,535 mounts. He won the Preakness aboard Fabius in 1956, Northern Dancer in 1964 and Majestic Prince in 1969. He won the Belmont Stakes with Celtic Ash in 1960.

Hartack, the Hall of Famer and five-time Kentucky Derby winner, was found dead in a cabin while on a hunting vacation in Freer. He was 74. He died Monday night from natural causes due to heart disease, said Dr. Corinne Stern, the chief medical examiner in Webb County.
Technorati tag(s): Jockey Hartack

Cigar Mile Horse Racing Results

2007-11-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

Daaher shook off TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute in early stretch and streaked clear to a 2 1/2-length victory in the $294,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Daaher, ridden by Mike Luzzi, was bumped at the start but quickly moved to the front and stayed there. When Midnight Lute challenged briefly, Daaher dug in and held off the big colt owned by Mike Pegram.

Daaher, owned by Shadwell Stable, covered the mile in 1:33.79, and returned $6.70 and $2.80. Midnight Lute, the 1-2 favorite, paid $2.10. Naughty New Yorker was third, followed by Xchanger and Sir Greeley. There was no show wagering.

Admire Moon Wins Japan Cup

2007-11-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

Admire Moon won the $4.4 million Japan Cup, giving the crowd at Tokyo Racecourse a home winner for the second year in a row after holding off a strong challenge from Pop Rock and favorite Meisho Samson in a photo finish.

Chosan held the lead before tiring with just over 200 yards remaining, with Admire Moon taking charge and finishing a head in front of Pop Rock, who was a neck ahead of Meisho Samson. Vodka was fourth in the 18-horse field.

A total of 18 horses were in the lineup today. Foreign horses have won the event 14 times to Japan's 12, with local thoroughbreds the champion in seven of the past 10 years.
Technorati tag(s): The Japan Cup, Tokyo Racecourse

Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 24

2007-11-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 24, will be the biggest day of Aqueduct’s Fall Meet, and one of racing’s biggest stars is expected to shine in his New York City debut during HolidayFest when Michael E. Pegram’s Midnight Lute goes to post in the 19th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile.

Daaher and Tasteyville are among those expected to face Midnight Lute. Xchanger may run here or in the Discovery Handicap, while Diamond Stripes and Istan are questionable.

The Japan Cup - Japan's premier horse racing event

2007-11-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Japan Cup is Japan's premier horse racing event of the year. As part of the World Racing Series, the Japan Cup showcases a wide array of international entries every year.

The Japan Cup is a 2,400 meter left-handed race on turf at the prestigious Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo for 3-year-olds and above thoroughbreds.

With prize money for the Japan Cup racing almost $4,000,000 US, this race always attracts top class horses, riders and trainers from all around the world.

Dylan Thomas, who ran so ineffectively on the soggy Monmouth Park turf course in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf on October 27th, is heading for the $4.8 million Japan Cup (G1) for his final career start.

Three other European horses have accepted invitations, with Halicarnassus and Papal Bull -- first and third in the Arc Trial at Newbury last time -- also possibilities along with German ace Saddex.

As part of the World Racing Series, the Japan Cup is formally recognized as one of the world's premier racing events.

Technorati tag(s): The Japan Cup

Curlin Won, George Washing Euthanized on the Track

2007-11-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Curlin put the finishing touches on a championship season with a stirring stretch run and splashed his way to victory in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The race was marred in the final yards when European star George Washington broke down and was euthanized on the track.

A son of Danehill, George Washington was pulled up around the sixteenth pole by jockey Mick Kinane. It was discovered after the race that he had suffered a fracture of the cannon bone in the right front fetlock joint. Trainer Aidan O’Brien immediately told attending veterinarians to euthanize the bay colt.

“He had an open fracture of the condyle,” said on-call veterinarian Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith. "The fetlock was dislocated with both sesamoids fractured as well. So it was a hopeless injury as far as repair, and he has been euthanized.”

George Washington, a 4-year-old, was bred by Lael Stables, who also bred and raced the late 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. On the day Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby, George Washington won one of Europe's biggest races, the G-1 2000 Guineas.

George Washington wasn't even supposed to race anymore. He was retired at the end of last year with plans to go to stud, but was found to be infertile and put back into training.

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Winner, George Washington

Breeders' Cup Day 2 Results and Payouts

2007-10-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

Horse betting payouts and results for each race in the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships

$2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
	Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
	4	Indian Blessing	$5.40	$4.80	$3.20
	10	Proud Spell		$8.80	$5.80
	7	Backseat Rhythm			$9.60

$2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
2	War Pass	$6.40	$3.80	$2.80
7	Pyro		$4.60	$3.60
3	Kodiak Kowboy			$6.40

$2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
6	Lahudood (GB)	$25.40	$11.40	$6.40
2	Honey Ryder		$6.60	$4.60
4	Passage of Time (GB)			$3.40

$2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
2	Midnight Lute	$7.00	$4.00	$3.00
7	Idiot Proof		$6.60	$4.60
4	Talent Search			$8.60

$2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
8	Kip Deville	$18.40	$7.20	$5.20
13	Excellent Art (GB)		$4.20	$3.00
7	Cosmonaut			$6.60

$2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
4	Ginger Punch	$11.00	$6.20	$4.40
12	Hystericalady		$9.60	$7.20
8	Octave			$5.00

$3 million John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
6	English Channel	$8.00	$4.40	$3.00
4	Shamdinan (FR)		$17.60	$9.40
2	Red Rocks (IRE)			$4.60

$5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge
Gate	Horse	Win	Place	Show
4	Curlin	$10.80	$5.20	$4.20
8	Hard Spun		$7.60	$5.80
6	Awesome Gem			$9.40

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Payouts, Breeders Cup Results

Breeders' Cup Day 1 Results and Payouts

2007-10-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

Breeders' Cup Results and Payouts - Day 1

Gate	Horse	Min	Win	Place	Show
4	MARYFIELD	$2	$18.00	$9.00	$6.00
2	MIRACULOUS MISS	$2		$37.40	$17.20
1	MISS MACY SUE	$2			$4.60

Gate	Horse	Min	Win	Place	Show
7	NOWNOWNOW	$2	$27.20	$8.60	$6.00
8	ACHILL ISLAND (IRE)	$2		$5.20	$4.20
2	CANNONBALL	$2			$7.80

Gate	Horse	Min	Win	Place	Show
7	NOWNOWNOW	$2	$27.20	$8.60	$6.00
8	ACHILL ISLAND (IRE)	$2		$5.20	$4.20
2	CANNONBALL	$2			$7.80

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Results

Breeders' Cup Day Weather - Not Favorable

2007-10-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

After a nice spring, an unreal summer and a comfortable autumn at the Jersey Shore, it figured to be a safe bet that the Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park would take place under ideal weather conditions.

But the races on Saturday, which will take place rain or shine — including the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, expected to be watched by a sellout crowd of 45,000 and a global television audience of millions — may indeed be run in the rain.

With 0.8 of an inch of rain having already fallen as of Thursday morning, and a forecast that calls for the possibility of another 1 1/2 inches by Saturday morning, Mother Nature seems intent on having an impact on this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships.

According to the Weather Channel, there was an 80 percent chance of rain on Friday and another 80 percent chance on Saturday, though Saturday's forecast called for thunderstorms as opposed to steadier precipitation.

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Day

Breeders' Cup Post Positions 2007 Drawn

2007-10-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

2007 Breeders' Cup post positions have been announcement.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Post Positions
Friday, October 26 • Monmouth Park • ESPN2 • 4:20 p.m. ET
$1,000,000 • 6 furlongs • 3yo and up, F&M
Post Horse
1 . Miss Macy Sue
2 . Miraculous Miss
3 . Dream Rush
4 . Maryfield
5 . Jazzy (ARG) (*15)
6 . Oprah Winney
7 . La Traviata
8 . Wild Gams
9 . Shaggy Mane
10 . Baroness Thatcher

Total Horses in Race: 10

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Post Positions
Friday, October 26 • Monmouth Park • ESPN2 • 4:55 p.m. ET
$1,000,000 • 1 mile (turf) • 2yos
Post Horse
1 . Your Round
2 . Cannonball
3 . The Leopard
4 . Cherokee Triangle
5 . Strike the Deal
6 . Gio Ponti
7 . Nownownow
8 . Achill Island (IRE)
9 . Prussian
10 . Preachin Man
11 . Texas Fever

Total Horses in Race: 11

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Post Positions
Friday, October 26 • Monmouth Park • ESPN2 • 5:35 p.m. ET
$1,000,000 • 1 mile, 70 yards • 3yo and up
Post Horse
1 . Discreet Cat
2 . Lewis Michael
3 . Wanderin Boy
4 . Forefathers
5 . High Finance
6 . Gottcha Gold
7 . Park Avenue Ball
8 . Corinthian
9 . Xchanger

Total Horses in Race: 9

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 12:30 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 1 1/16 miles • 2yo, fillies
Post Horse
1 . Phantom Income
2 . Clearly Foxy
3 . Tasha's Miracle
4 . Indian Blessing
5 . Irish Smoke
6 . Set Play
7 . Backseat Rhythm
8 . Izarra
9 . Smarty Deb
10 . Proud Spell
11 . Zee Zee
12 . Grace Anatomy
13 . Cry and Catch Me
14 . A to the Croft

Total Horses in Race: 14

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 1:10 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 1 1/16 miles • 2yo, colts and geldings
Post Horse
1 . Z Humor
2 . War Pass
3 . Kodiak Kowboy
4 . Slew's Tiznow
5 . Shore Do
6 . Overextended
7 . Pyro
8 . Shore Do
9 . Old Man Buck
10 . Tale of Ekati
11 . Dixie Chatter
12 . Salute the Sarge
13 . Wicked Style

Total Horses in Race: 13

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 1:55 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 1 3/8 miles (turf) • 3yo and up, F&M
Post Horse
1 . All My Loving (IRE)
2 . Honey Ryder
3 . Nashoba's Key
4 . Passage of Time (GB)
5 . Wait a While
6 . Lahudood (GB) (*09)
7 . Argentina (IRE)
8 . Timarwa (IRE)
9 . Danzon
10 . Arravale
11 . Simply Perfect (GB)
12 . Precious Kitten

Total Horses in Race: 12

Breeders' Cup Sprint Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 2:35 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 6 furlongs • 3yo and up
Post Horse
1 . Smokey Stover
2 . Midnight Lute
3 . Attila's Storm
4 . Talent Search
5 . Kelly's Landing
6 . Commentator
7 . Idiot Proof
8 . Benny the Bull
9 . Bordonaro
10 . Greg's Gold
11 . Forefathers

Total Horses in Race: 11

Breeders' Cup Mile Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 3:20 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 1 mile (turf) • 3yo and up
Post Horse
1 . Rebellion (GB)
2 . Icy Atlantic
3 . After Market
4 . Host (CHI) (*15)
5 . Jeremy
6 . Trippi's Storm
7 . Cosmonaut
8 . Kip Deville (*15)
9 . Nobiz Like Shobiz
10 . My Typhoon (IRE)
11 . Silent Name (JPN)
12 . Purim
13 . Excellent Art (GB) (*09)
14 . Remarkable News (VEN) (*15)

Total Horses in Race: 14

Breeders' Cup Distaff Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 4:05 p.m. ET
$2,000,000 • 1 1/8 miles • 3yo and up, F&M
Post Horse
1 . Balance
2 . Prop Me Up
3 . Tough Tiz's Sis (*09)
4 . Ginger Punch (*09)
5 . Lady Joanne
6 . Bear Now
7 . Lear's Princess
8 . Octave
9 . Teammate
10 . Indian Vale
11 . Unbridled Belle
12 . Hystericalady

Total Horses in Race: 12

Breeders' Cup Turf Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 4:50 p.m. ET
$3,000,000 • 1 1/2 miles (turf) • 3yo and up
Post Horse
1 . Fri Guy
2 . Red Rocks (IRE)
3 . Better Talk Now
4 . Shamdinan (FR)
5 . Grand Couturier (GB)
6 . English Channel
7 . Dylan Thomas (IRE)
8 . Transduction Gold

Breeders' Cup Classic Post Positions
Saturday, October 27 • Monmouth Park • ESPN • 5:35 p.m. ET
$5,000,000 • 1 1/4 miles • 3yo and up
1. Lawyer Ron
2. Street Sense
3. Any Given Saturday
4. Curlin
5. George Washington (IRE)
6. Awesome Gem
7. Diamond Stripes
8. Hard Spun
9. Tiago

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Post Positions

Showers Forecast for Breeders' Cup Saturday

2007-10-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

With showers forecast for Oceanport, N.J., on Saturday, the weather could be a factor on the second day of the Oct. 26-27 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park.

According to the Weather Channel Web site, weather.com, showers are possible Saturday, with a high temperature in the upper 60s and lows in the mid-50s. On Friday, when the three new Breeders’ Cup races will be part of the race card, the forecast is for partly cloudy skies with the same high and low temperature ranges as Saturday.

Because Monmouth’s main track is a traditional dirt surface, rain could result in a track labeled "good," "sloppy," "muddy" or in some cases, "wet fast." Some horses do not perform well on “off” tracks, while others have an affinity for them.

Rain also has an affect on the grass races; the condition of the course will be indicated by the terms “good,", “soft," or “yielding.” Europeans horses generally have more experience on such surfaces because of the weather pattern in Europe and the higher percentage of races run on the grass. If you bet on Breeders' Cup races, please consider the weather factors.

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Classic Odds

Odds to win the 2007 Breeder's Cup Classic

2007-10-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

These are the Breeders' Cup winning odds by Bodog Racebook.

Breeders' Cup Classic 2007

Any Given Saturday 7/2
Awesome Gem 15/1
Corinthian 22/1
Curlin 3/1
Diamond Stripes 20/1
Fairbanks 40/1
George Washington 10/1
Hard Spun 6/1
Lawyer Ron 3/1
Lewis Michael 33/1
Magna Graduate 30/1
Spring At Last 30/1
Street Sense 4/1
Tiago 15/1
Wanderin Boy 25/1
Zanjero 25/1

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Classic Odds

Breeders' Cup Pre-Entries: Pletcher again has small army

2007-10-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

The deadline to submit pre-entries for the 11 Breeders' Cup races was Monday. The pre-entered fields will be announced on Wednesday. Final entries will be taken and post positions drawn for all 11 races next Tuesday at Monmouth Park, which will be hosting the Breeders' Cup for the first time. Three new Breeders' Cup races - the $1 million Juvenile Turf, $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint, and $1 million Dirt Mile - will be run on Oct. 26. The eight traditional Breeders' Cup races - topped by the $5 million Classic - will be run Oct. 27.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has 15 horses pre-entered. He set a record last year with 18 pre-entries. Breeders' Cup Ltd. will not release a complete list of pre-entries until Wednesday morning, but Pletcher indicated he has representatives for six of the 11 World Championships races.

Grade 1 winners Any Given Saturday and Lawyer Ron are Pletcher’s contenders for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic. English Channel, Icy Atlantic, Honey Ryder, and Sunriver are pre-entered in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf. Icy Atlantic, winner of the Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth on September 1, also is pre-entered in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile, and Honey Ryder has first preference in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Pletcher also has four pre-entries in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff —Indian Vale, Octave, Panty Raid, and Unbridled Belle. Panty Raid, winner of the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes on October 7, also is pre-entered in the Filly and Mare Turf with the Distaff as her first preference.

Wait a While is another Pletcher candidate for the Filly and Mare Turf, and Host (Chi), a stakes winner at Monmouth in May, is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Pletcher pre-entered stakes winners The Leopard and Why Tonto and maiden winner Cowboy Cal in the new Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Entries

Breeders' Cup Challenge Races

2007-10-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

There were 9 Breeders' Cup Challenge races last weekend at Balmoral Park, Keeneland, and Santa Anita Park. The follow horses were qualified for the 2007 Breeders' Cup Championship races to be held at Monmouth Park.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 06, 2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Champagne Stakes	I	Juvenile	Belmont Park	War Pass
	Shadwell Turf Mile	I	Mile	Keeneland	Purim
	Lane's End Breeders' Futurity	I	Juvenile	Keeneland	Wicked Style
	First Lady Stakes	II	Filly & Mare Turf	Keeneland	Vacare
	Phoenix Stakes	III	Sprint	Keeneland	Off Duty
	SUNDAY OCTOBER 07, 2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Juddmonte Spinster Stakes	I	Distaff	Keeneland	Panty Raid
	Ancient Title Stakes	I	Sprint	Santa Anita	Idiot Proff
	Oak Tree Mile Stakes	II	Mile	Santa Anita	Out of Control
	Lady's Secret Handicap	I	Distaff	Santa Anita	Tough Tiz's Sis

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Challenge

Breeders' Cup Challenge Winners Update

2007-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

The following horses have qualified for the Breeders' Cup World Championships via victories in Breeders' Cup Challenge races.

SATURDAY JULY 28,2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Whitney Handicap	I	Classic	Saratoga	Lawyer Ron
	Diana Stakes	I	Filly & Mare Turf	Saratoga	My Typhoon
	Alfred G.Vanderbilt H.	II	Sprint	Saratoga	Diabolical
	Go For Wand Handicap	I	Distaff	Saratoga	Ginger Punch
	SATURDAY AUGUST 11,2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Arlington Million	I	Turf	Arlington Park	Jambalaya
	Secretariat Stakes	I	Turf	Arlington Park	Shamdinan
	BeverlyD.Stakes	I	Filly&MareTurf	Arlington Park	Royal Highness
	SUNDAY AUGUST 19,2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Pacific Classic	I	Classic	DelMar	Student Council
	Pat O'Brien Handicap	II	Sprint	DelMar	Greg's Gold
	Del Mar Mile	II	Mile	Del Mar	Crossing The Line

	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29,2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Goodwood Handicap	I	Classic	Santa Anita	Tiago

	SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30,2007
	Race	Grade	Division	Track	Winner
	Jockey Club Gold Cup	I	Classic	Belmont Park	Curlin
	Beldame Stakes	I	Distaff	Belmont Park	Unbridled Belle
	Joe Hirsch Turf Classic	I	Turf	Belmont Park	English Channel
	Vosburgh Stakes	I	Sprint	Belmont Park	Fabulous Strike

Breeders' Cup Week Schedule and Post time at Monmouth Park

2007-10-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Monmouth Park will offer 12 stakes in addition to 11 Breeders’ Cup World Championships events during its four-day Breeders’ Cup meet Oct. 24-27.

Ten races are planned for Oct. 24-26, with 11 Oct. 27. The Oct. 26 program will feature three new $1-million World Championships events, with the eight regular Cup races set for Oct. 27.

Breeders' cup post time is 12:30 p.m. Eastern time Oct. 24-26, and 11 a.m. Oct. 27.

The Oct. 24 program features the $100,000 Rutgers University Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf and the $75,000 Girl Powder Handicap for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares.

The Oct. 25 program features the $100,000 Monmouth University Stakes on the turf, the $100,000 Revidere Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf, the $75,000 Garden State Handicap for New Jersey-breds, and the $75,000 New Jersey Breeders’ Handicap for state-breds.

Along with three Championships events, the Oct. 26 will include the $250,000 Epitome Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, the $250,000 Favorite Trick Stakes for 2-year-olds, and the $250,000 Inside Information Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Three Monmouth stakes will be run Oct. 27 prior to the start of the eight-race Breeders’ Cup World Championships card: the $250,000 Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds, the $200,000 Select Stakes for 3-year-olds, and the $200,000 Miss Woodford Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

From Oct. 24-26, parking gates will open at 10 a.m. and admission gates at 10:30 a.m. Betting windows open at 11:30 a.m.

On Oct. 27, parking gates open at 8 a.m. and admission gates at 9 a.m. Mutuel windows open at 10 a.m. The first Breeders’ Cup race, the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), will go off at 12:30 p.m.

On Oct. 24-25, admission will be $5 for the grandstand and $10 for the clubhouse. On Oct. 26, general admission is $10 for the grandstand and $15 for the clubhouse. Admission Oct. 27 must be pre-purchased and can be done by visiting www.breederscup.com.

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup Post Time

Breeders' Cup Qualifiers

2007-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hard Spun won a rematch of the one-two finishers from the Kentucky Derby when he edged Street Sense in the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. But Street Sense, the Derby winner, ran well in defeat. Then there is Tiago, who jumped into the Classic picture Saturday when defeating older horses in the Goodwood at Santa Anita. It may turn out that Any Given Saturday is the best of the bunch. He has won three in a row, including the Brooklyn on Sept. 22. Lawyer Ron is his stablemate, and still another Classic contender.

Preakness winner Curlin stated his case yesterday, beating Lawyer Ron by a neck after a riveting stretch duel in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

Curlin not only re-established his credentials as a leading 3-year-old, but could wind up as the favorite for the Classic based on his win against racing's top older horse, Lawyer Ron. In addition, Curlin won over the Classic distance of 1¼ miles, and has a race over the Monmouth Park track, site of the $23 million, 11-race, two-day Breeders' Cup on Oct. 26-27.

In three earlier “Win and You're In” Breeders' Cup qualifying races at Belmont, Fabulous Strike won the Vosburgh Stakes to qualify for the Breeders' Cup Sprint; English Channel won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic to grab a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf; and Unbridled Belle won the Beldame to earn a place in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Curlin ($6.20) easily covered the 1¼ miles in 2:01.20. The victory was worth $450,000 and boosted the colt's earnings to $2.4 million.

Technorati tag(s): Street Sense,Hard Spun, Curlin

Street Sense, Hard Spun to Meet in Kentucky Cup Classic

2007-09-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Derby runner-up Hard Spun will meet for the third time in next Saturday’s $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park.

Both 3-year-olds will use the 1 1/8-mile race on Polytrack as a prep for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park Oct. 27. The two multiple graded stakes winners lead the list of 27 nominees for the Kentucky Cup Classic.

Street Sense will be looking for his third consecutive victory after losing by a nose to Curlin in the Preakness Stakes May 19. Street Sense has never won on a synthetic surface. He finished third on the Keeneland Polytrack as a 2-year-old, then missed by a nose again at Keeneland in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes May 14.

Street Sense, who worked five furlongs Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs in 1:00.60, has won six graded stakes and earned more than $4 million in his career.

Hard Spun has raced once over Polytrack, a 3 1/4-length victory in the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway March 24. After racing in all three legs of the Triple Crown, the son of Danzig-Turkish Tryst placed second in the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap, and most recently won the seven-furlong Kings Bishop Stakes at Saratoga by a length-and-a-half.

Hard Spun worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Delaware Park Sept. 17 for trainer Larry Jones. He has earned almost $1.4 million in 11 starts.

The Kentucky Cup Classic will be one of five stakes on Turfway’s Kentucky Cup Day of Champions card.

Technorati tag(s): Street Sense,Hard Spun

Rags to Riches Out for Year With a Leg Injury

2007-09-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Rags to Riches, who in June became only the third filly to capture the Belmont Stakes, sustained a hairline fracture to her right front leg Saturday in finishing second in the Grade I Gazelle Stakes at Belmont Park.

Rags to Riches’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, said that the injury, which is in the pastern, was not career-ending and that the filly was expected to make a full recovery but would not race again until 2008.

On Saturday, in her first race since becoming the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes, Rags to Riches finished a half-length behind Lear’s Princess in the mile-and-an-eighth Gazelle.

“It appears as though she sustained the injury during the stretch run,” Pletcher said.

He said that “she cooled out fine following the race” but “appeared to be slightly off this morning.” X-rays discovered the hairline fracture.

Rags to Riches will ship to Ashford Stud in Kentucky for six weeks of stall rest, Pletcher said, before being re-examined to determine when, and perhaps whether, she may return to the racetrack.

Technorati tag(s): Rags to Riches

Shakespeare wins Woodbine Mile

2007-09-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare won the $1-million Woodbine Mile at Woodbine yesterday, slipping up the rail and surprising the leaders to win with authority by a length over Kip Deville. Long-shot Galantas, owned by Earle Mack - the New Yorker who owned Canadian Triple Crown winner Peteski - was third at odds of 21 to 1.

Shakespeare wrote an incredible chapter to his career with the win. He was an undefeated turf star who went into the Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Stakes two years ago as the second favourite, but it was the only dismal race of his career. He finished 12th, more than 45 lengths behind the winner, and spent 21 months on the shelf trying to recover from a tendon injury on his left front.

Justice said the six-year-old has completely recovered, but he's had only one start under his belt since October of 2005, and that was in an allowance race at Saratoga about a month and a half ago. He won it with determination, running his final quarter in a lively 222/5 seconds.

Shakespeare's next stop will be the Breeders' Cup Mile, when racing's big circus sets up its tent at Monmouth Park late next month. A grandstand full of duly impressed bettors at Woodbine probably would take 9-5 on him at Monmouth right now.
Technorati tag(s): Woodbine Mile Breeders Cup Mile

Mott wins 27 races at Saratoga

2007-09-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

SARATOGA SPRINGS - In the paddock before the Hopeful, the fans crowded around 3-5 favorite Ready's Image and 8-5 second choice Maimonides. As he was walked in the shade of one of the grand old trees, Majestic Warrior whinnied loudly and often, as if to say, "Hey, don't forget about me!"

He won't be ignored again. Storming from about 10 lengths back in the small field of four 2-year-old colts, Majestic Warrior ($15) ran down Ready's Image inside the eighth pole to win the 103rd running of the $250,000 Grade I stakes.

Owned by George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable, Majestic Warrior provided a giant cherry on top of trainer Bill Mott's six weeks of sundaes. Mott won a career-high 27 races at the Spa and won or tied for the meet training title for the ninth time. The homebred Majestic Warrior, a son of 2000 Test and Ballerina winner Dream Supreme, was the first Hopeful winner and only the second starter ever in the race for Mott, who until this summer was not known for winning with 2-year-olds.

"We came with the right one," he said. "Words can't describe (the meet) for me. This really tops it off."

Ready's Image, second by 2-1/4 lengths, was caught up in a front-end duel with Maimonides.

Technorati tag(s): Majestic Warrior Saratoga

More 2007 Breeders Cup Qualifiers from Del Mar

2007-08-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Breeders Cup Challenge leads to the $23 million Breeders' Cup World Championships, to be held this year at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on October 26 and 27.

Here are Breeders Cup contenders from Del Mar on Sunday August 19, 2007
Pacific Classic (Classic) : Student Council
Pat O'Brien Handicap (Sprint) : Greg's Gold
Del Mar Mile(Mile) : Crossing The Line

Technorati tag(s): Breeders Cup 2007, Del Mar

Breeders' Cup On Jambalaya Agenda

2007-08-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Breeders' Cup Challenge, which made its first stop two weeks ago at the Old Spa, visited Arlington Park last Saturday with three "Win and You're In" races on turf.

In the day’s marquee event, Canadian invader Jambalaya burst from between horses at mid-stretch and went on to win the 25th running of the Arlington Million by 3/4 length over last year’s winner and this year's favorite, The Tin Man.

Jambalaya, purchased for $2,500 as a yearling, earned $594,000 and an automatic berth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge.

Another automatic entry to the Classic went to French-bred Shamdinan, who rallied from off the pace to win the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds.

And Royal Highness, a German-bred mare, earned a spot in October’s $2 million Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Distaff with a dramatic, stretch-running victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes.
Technorati tag(s): breeders cup, jambalaya

Any Given Saturday Trying To Snatch A Spot in Breeders' Cup

2007-08-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

The Breeders' Cup races are 80 days away but already Marion County horses are trying to snatch their spots in some of its 11 prestigious races.

The latest was Any Given Saturday when the 3-year-old colt won the Haskell Invitational on Sunday, putting the son of Distorted Humor in the mix for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said on Wednesday morning that he would nominate Any Given Saturday to the $1-million Travers Stakes (G1) at the Spa on August 25, but that he is more likely to run back in the Brooklyn Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) on September 22 at Belmont Park.

Of the four horses that have won guaranteed spots in Breeders' Cup races, the only other Ocala horse to have a berth is Diabolical. The Artax colt was sold for $300,000 in the February 2005 Ocala Breeders' Company Sales auction.

Breeders Cup qualifying races will continue through Oct. 11

Technorati tag(s): breeders cup classic, any given saturday

Saratoga Horse Racing History

2007-08-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

Saratoga is known for the horses at the Saratoga Race Course. Before a crowd of 500, Lizzie W. became the first thoroughbred to win the race at the race track that William Travers, Leonard Jerome, and John Hunter had built in 1863.

A year later, the Travers Stakes was first run in honor of Travers, on the same four-day meet where the steeplechase course, another current-day favorite, was introduced. The Travers Stakes, now believed to be the nation’s oldest stake race in continuous existence, gave rise to the week-long Travers Festival which features various special events including the Travers Ball, which constantly draws celebrities in to this side of New York.

Two decades later, the Saratoga Race Course would suffer a slump that persevered until after the 2nd World War. In the 1880s, the horse racing crowds were split between Saratoga and the new Monmouth race track at New Jersey, although the latter was forced to close down in 1893 due to anti-gambling legislations. In 1911, Saratoga itself was forced to close for two seasons due to a law that had been passed making oral betting illegal. Following the outbreak of World War II in 1941, the Saratoga Meet was moved downstate to Belmont in 1943, and Saratoga remained dark until 1946.

When Saratoga celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1963, in style, it ushered in a new era for the race track that involved numerous enhancements to the delight of the race track’s most elite and countless fans.

More horse racing legends followed Lizzie W. to make history at the Saratoga Race Course: Longfellow; Man o' War, who suffered his only defeat in 21 starts when he loses to Upset in the 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga; Gallant Fox; Kelso; Cigar; Secretariat; Affirmed; Alydar; and Fourstardave, who won at Saratoga for eight straight years and had a street in Saratoga Springs named after him when he retired. Another favorite, Go For Wand, was buried in the Saratoga infield after breaking down at Belmont Park. Most recently, Birdstone, owned by Saratoga socialite MaryLou Whitney, earned an unexpected win at the 2005 Belmont Stakes before the biggest racing crowd in history and 33 million television viewers.

Now over a century and four decades old, the Saratoga Race Course is the earliest and widely considered as the most beautiful race track in North America. In this race track recently named among the “Top 20 Venues of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated, thoroughbred racing’s most elite meet from July through September to watch and bet on the biggest names in race horses.

Technorati tag(s): saratoga races, monmouth park

Lawyer Ron first to qualify for Breeders Cup Classic

2007-07-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

The followings are the results of the races at Breeders Cup challenge races at Saratoga and qualifiers for Breeders Cup - July 28, 2007

Whitney Handicap (Grade 1)
Off at: 5:46
Age Restriction: Three Year Old and Upward
Value of Race: $810,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface Type: Dirt Track Condition: Fast
Winning Time: 1:46.64

1 Lawyer Ron
2 Wanderin Boy
3 Diamond Stripes

Go for Wand Handicap (Grade 1)
Off at: 5:15
Age Restriction: Three Year Old and Upward
Sex Restriction: Fillies and Mares
Value of Race: $250,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface Type: Dirt Track Condition: Fast
Winning Time: 1:49.19

1 Ginger Punch
2 Miss Shop
3 Teammate

Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (Grade 2)
Off at: 4:43
Age Restriction: Three Year Old and Upward
Value of Race: $260,000
Distance: Six Furlongs
Surface Type: Dirt Track Condition: Fast
Winning Time: 1:08.67

1 Diabolical
2 Attila's Storm
3 Simon Pure

Diana S. (Grade: 1)
Off at: 4:12 Race Type: Stakes
Age Restriction: Three Year Old and Upward
Sex Restriction: Fillies and Mares
Value of Race: $520,000
Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
Surface Type: Turf Track Condition: Firm
Winning Time: 1:46.47

1 My Typhoon
2 Argentina
3 Makderah

Technorati tag(s): breeders cup odds, Lawyer Ron

Breeders' Cup World Championships Qualifying Race Schedules

2007-07-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

from Saratoga Race Course, July 28, 2007:
One week after Del Mar began its Polytrack era, horse racing’s best summer meet commenced on July 25, in upstate New York. Saratoga, which towers over its California counterpart in terms of quality, kicked off its six-week season with a 10-race program. Here are Breeders' Cup Challenge races running in Sataroga.
- Whitney Handicap Breeders' Cup Classic
- Go for Wand Handicap Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff
- Alfred G. Vanderbilt TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint
- Diana Handicap Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Arlington Park, August 11
- Arlington Million John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf
- Secretariat Stakes John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf
- Beverly D. Stakes Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf

Del Mar, August 19:
- Pacific Classic Breeders' Cup Classic
- Pat O'Brien Handicap TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint
- Del Mar Mile NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile

Oak Tree at Santa Anita, September 29:
- Goodwood Handicap Breeders' Cup Classic

Belmont Park, September 30:
- The Jockey Club Gold Cup Breeders' Cup Classic
- Beldame Stakes Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff
- Joe Hirsch Turf Classic John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf
- Vosburgh Stakes TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint

Keeneland, October 6:
- First Lady Stakes Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Shadwell Turf Mile NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile
- Lane's End Breeders' Futurity Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile
- Phoenix Stakes TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint
- Champagne Stakes Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Oak Tree at Santa Anita, October 7:
- Ancient Title Handicap TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint
- Lady's Secret Handicap Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff
- Oak Tree Mile NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile
- Juddmonte Sprinter Stakes Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff

Technorati tag(s): breeders cup odds, breeders cup classic

Breeders Cup Challenge was launched

2007-07-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

Officials of Breeders’ Cup Limited and six of the nation’s premier racetracks launched the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, a series of 24 officially sanctioned qualifying stakes races for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge, highlighted by its “Win and You’re In” format, will for the first time, automatically place the winners of the 24 stakes held between July 28 and Oct. 8 into a corresponding divisional race for the 11-race, $23 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held at Monmouth Park Oct. 26 and Oct. 27.

The first of the six Challenge events comes July 28 at Saratoga with a stakes buffet of the Whitney Handicap, Go for Wand Handicap, Alfred G. Vanderbilt and Diana Handicap that promises to attract some of the East Coast's best horses. ABC-TV will air all four races in a 4-6 p.m. broadcast.

The Challenge then shifts to Arlington Park on Aug. 11, when ABC will present the Arlington Million, Beverly D and Secretariat in a 4-6 p.m. program.

After that the scene shifts to Del Mar (Aug. 19), followed by Belmont Park (Sept. 30), Keeneland (Oct. 6) and Oak Tree at Santa Anita (Oct. 7). Each leg of the Challenge will be aired on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

Click here to check out the schedule of these races.

Technorati tag(s): breeders betting, monmouth park

Breeders' Cup World Championships 2007 Schedule

2007-07-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships
Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey

Friday, October 26, 2007

Race	Grade	Distance	Age	Sex	Purse
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile		1 Mile,70 Yards	3/up	open	$1 M
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint		6 Furlongs	3/up	Fillies & Mares	$1 M
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf		1 Mile	Age	Sex	$1 M

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Race	Grade	Distance	Age	Sex	Purse
Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies	1	Distance	2	Fillies	Purse
Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile	1	1 Mile,70 Yards	2	Colts & Geldings	$2 M
Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf	1	6 Furlongs	3/up	Fillies & Mares	$2 M
TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint	1	1 Mile	3/up	open	$2 M
NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile	1	1 Mile	3/up	open	$2 M
Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff	1	1 Mile	3/up	Fillies & Mares	$2 M
John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf	1	1 Mile	3/up	open	$2 M
Breeders' Cup Classic	1	1 Mile	3/up	open	$2 M

Also check out the Breeders Cup Challenge schedule!

Technorati tag(s): breeders betting, monmouth park

Rags to Riches Won't Be Against Boys

2007-06-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

Although no firm plans have been made for the Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches beyond her next scheduled start, it appears she may not face colts in the Travers Stakes or at any other time this year. Her next appearance will be against fillies in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park on July 21.

Michael Tabor, the co-owner of Rags to Riches, said "I know everybody would love to see her do it again, but, for me, she's already proven herself against the boys."

Rags to Riches is undefeated this year in five starts, and she became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years.

Technorati tag(s): horse betting, rags to riches

2007 Triple Crown Results

2007-06-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Triple Crown races were among the most competitive in recent memory, as the results prove. Here’s a look back at the 2007 Triple Crown results:

Kentucky Derby: Street Sense left 19 other horses in his dust. He rallied down the stretch to payout $11.80 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.60 to show, and finished 2.5 lengths ahead of runnerup Hard Spun. Previously unbeaten Curlin, the 5/1 second choice, finished another 5.75 lengths back. Hard Spun paid $9.80 to place and $7 to show. Curlin paid $5.60 to show.

Preakness Stakes: Curlin overtook Derby winner Street Sense on the last stride and paid $8.80 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.80 to show. The finish was one of the most thrilling in the 132 years of the Preakness. Street Sense returned $3.00 to place and $2.40 to show. Hard Spun paid $3.00 to show.

Belmont Stakes: Rags to Riches made history by becoming the first filly in 102 years to win the 1.5-mile Belmont. She nipped Curlin in a fantastic finish, paying $10.60 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.20 to show. Favorite Curlin paid $3.00 to place and $2.30 to show. Tiago paid $3.70 to show.

Belmont Winner, Rags to Riches

2007-06-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Under overcast skies at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 9, 2007, Rags to Riches crossed the wire a head in front of favored Preakness winner Curlin in the 139th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes and became the first filly in 102 years to win the longest and oldest leg of the Triple Crown. Her win ends long droughts in Triple Crown races for both her trainer and jockey - Todd Pletcher was 0-for-28 and John Velazquez was 0-for-20. Her winning time of 2:28.74 was well off Secretariat's track record of 2:24, but time doesn't matter this year. The race will be remembered for the fact that she's only the third filly in history to win the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion."

Technorati tag(s): horse betting

Asmussen Confident with Curlin on Belmont Eve

2007-06-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Trainer Steve Asmussen is confident that Curlin will finish strong in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

"He is a competitor," said Asmussen in his first meeting with the media at Belmont Park the morning of June 8. "I think our strategy (in the Belmont) is very similar to what we always do. You know your horse and you control what you can control. I hope he is away from the gate cleanly and I hope he goes well over the racetrack. From point A to point B he is a very tough horse to beat. I think the adjustments that need to be made will be made by other horses trying to beat him."

Curlin will break from post three under jockey Robby Albarado in the Belmont. The pair is listed as the 6-5 morning line favorite.

Technorati tag(s): belmont odds, belmont park

Belmont Stakes Contenders - Post Positions and Odds

2007-06-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Here's the final list of seven horses who will show up for the 139th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as their post positions and odds from Belmont Park.

1. Imawildandcrazyguy 20/1
2. Tiago 10/1
3. Curlin 6/5
4. C P West 12/1
5. Slew’s Tizzy 20/1
6. Hard Spun 5/2
7. Rags to Riches 3/1

Technorati tag(s): belmont betting, curlin

Belmont Stakes Betting: Hard Spun's Turn?

2007-06-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Twelve furlongs is a tough journey for a thoroughbred.

Only seven horses will make that journey this Saturday for the 139th running of the Belmont Stakes, a race that always finds it hard to draw the top horses when a Triple Crown is not on the line. The 1 1/2-mile trek around beautiful "Big Sandy" is the longest in North America, at least on dirt. Few horses have the stamina to be considered favorites at the Belmont.

Hard Spun is one of the masses. After finishing in the Top 3 at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, he’s pegged at 5-2 to win Saturday’s race, second to Curlin at 6-5. The third time could very well be a charm for this dark bay. But to win the Belmont, Hard Spun has to do two things he has never done: win a race against the top 3-year-olds, and win a race over 1 1/8-mile.

The first problem has mainly to do with Curlin. He was not in the field at either the Grade III Lecomte Stakes in January or the Grade II Lane’s End Stakes in March, Hard Spun’s two victories on the Triple Crown trail. His toughest opponents there were the likes of Teuflesberg and Sedgefield. Curlin is the favorite on Saturday for a reason: four wins, including the Preakness, and a third-place finish at the Kentucky Derby.

Hard Spun also faces the challenge of beating filly sensation Rags to Riches, the third favorite at 3-1. Which brings us to the second problem. Rags to Riches has that great Belmont-tested pedigree that bettors are drooling over: A.P. Indy via Seattle Slew. It’s a genetic formula brimming with stamina; it worked last year for Jazil, and it could work for his sister this year. Hard Spun’s pedigree, meanwhile, is further evidence that he is better off running shorter races on turf.

Both these obstacles can be overcome – but would you bet on it?

Technorati tag(s): belmont stakes betting, hard spun, belmont contenders

Filly Rags to Riches Ready for Belmont Stakes

2007-06-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

The fabulous filly will run Saturday in the Belmont Stakes, where she will attempt to become the first of her sex in 102 years to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

"We're going in because we think we have a chance to win," Pletcher said Tuesday morning outside his barn at Belmont Park. "The filly is doing very well."

"It should make it interesting," Pletcher said. "I'll be as excited as anyone else."

The 3-year-old filly is a daughter of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy and a half-sister to Jazil, last year's Belmont winner.

Rags to Riches would be the first filly in eight years and 22nd ever to run in the Belmont. Silverbulletday finished seventh in 1999, and two fillies have won Tanya in 1905 and Ruthless in 1867.

"Arguably, she has the best pedigree for this race any horse could ever have," Pletcher said.

Technorati tag(s): rags to riches belmont contenders