Sunday, February 19, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Feb 18-20

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!) 

NOTE:   AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.
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THREE DERBY PREPS HIGHLIGHT THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Big weekend for racing, including three Derby preps:  The first, EL CAMINO REAL at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, the SAN VICENTE at Santa Anita on Sunday, and then on Monday, the SOUTHWEST STAKES will be split into two divisions to accommodate the 21 horse entries.  Each division will be run for a purse of $250,000.  Two Hall of fame trainers, D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert each have two runners in the separate divisions. 

Sunday, the DRF will LIVE STREAM the full race card at SANTA ANITA, including the SAN VICENTE STAKES, an important prep for the Kentucky Derby. No sign up or registration required. Just check in at DRF beginning 12:30 Pacific/3:30 Eastern today. www.drf.com

Creative Cause,  a Grade 1 winner as a two year old, and who is one of the top contenders on several Derby lists of contenders, is making his 2012 debut in the San Vicente.  Another Grade 1 winner as a 2yo will also contest the race. Drill, a Bob Baffert trainee, finished up his 2yo season on a couple of down notes, so the San Vicente will be a place to see if he's poised to resume his earlier form. Creative Cause and Drill are the two high weights in a field of six.

The featured races for the three-day holiday weekend are listed below, along with the Cards.  Check back to the Cards for a replay video of the race after the contest.


Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.

 FEATURED RACES:
Note:  Times may fluctuate.  All times adjusted for EST

Saturday, February 18
3:55 ET  Barbara Fritchie H |G2 | Laurel Park | $200,000g | 3&up | f&m | 7f  Race | Race 8
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

4:45 ET  Gulfstream Park Sprint Champ. S |G2 | Gulfstream | $150,000 | 4&up | 7f  | Race 10
CARD - Race replay VIDEO after race

6:02 ET  Bayakoa S | Oaklawn | $100,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 1/16 mi | Race 9
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

7:07 ET  Santa Maria S |G2 | Santa Anita | $200,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 1/16 mi | Race 8
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

            Derby Prep
7:43 ET  El Camino Real Derby |G3 | Golden Gate | $200,000 | 3yo | 1 1/8 | Race 8
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Russian Greek, Handsome Mike, filly Lady of Fifty

Sunday, February 19
4:45 ET  Hurricane Bertie S |G3 | Gulfstream | $150,000 | 4&up | f&m | 6.5f | Race 10
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Her Smile highweight for Hurrican Bertie

                Derby Prep
6:36 ET  San Vicente S |G2 | Santa Anita | $150,000 | 3yo | 7f | Race 8
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Creative Cause, Drill start season in San Vicente
Creative Cause drills smartly for San Vicente

20 February, Monday
4:24 ET  General George H | G2 | Laurel Park | $200,000 | 3&up | 7f | Race 9
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Toby's Corner lands in tough spot for return; Caixa Eletronica 5-2 favorite

              Derby Prep
5:41 ET  Southwest S |G3 | Oaklawn | $250,000 | 3yo | 1 mi | Race 8
BHorse: CARD - Southwest Stakes Division 1
Downey Profile for the first of two divisions for the Southwest
BHorse: Toby Keith on Reckless Jerry path to Derby

A Bob Baffert sweep at the Southwest with Castaway in the first group and Secret Circle in the second:  BHorse: Baffert rolls to a clean sweep in the Southwest  Jake Mo was a nice second after a not-so-good trip in the first division.

6:15 ET  (est)  Southwest S |G3 | Oaklawn | $250,000 | 3yo | 1 mi | Race 9
BHorse: Southwest Stakes CARD Division 2
 
7:07 ET  Buena Vista H | G2 | Santa Anita | $150,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 miT | Race 8

BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Cambina likely pick in full Buena Vista field

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News/Oaklawn:  Caleb's Posse, the only 3-year-old male to win two Grade 1 races in 2011, will begin his 2012 campaign with a start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap run over six furlongs on the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack on Gotham Day, Saturday, March 3, according to trainer Donnie Von Hemel.  Read more at source...

News/Hollywood Park:  CREATIVE CAUSE, 3, gears up for San Vicente Sunday, Feb. 19, Santa Anita. The winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes in October and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November, Creative Cause worked six furlongs in 1:11.40 at Hollywood Park on Sunday, his final major exercise before the Grade 2 San Vicente over seven furlongs.  Creative Cause had the fastest of 17 recorded works at the distance. He has worked quickly at other times in recent weeks. On Jan. 28 at Hollywood Park, the colt worked six furlongs in 1:11.60, the fastest of 20 works at the distance.  Read more at source...

News/California:  TDN reported four time Argentine Group 1 winner SUGGESTIVE BOY (Arg) has arrived in the U.S. to continue his racing career with veteran Ron McAnally. The 4-year-old, heavily favored to be the 2011 Argentine Horse of the Year, joins Interaction, the 2009 Argentine Horse of the Year, at McAnally’s barn. All of Suggestive Boy’s wins came over turf and at San Isidro Racetrack under the tutelage of trainer Alfredo Gaitan Dassie.

BHorse: Acclamation named Cal-bred Horse of the Year

ZENYATTA TO GET A STATUE AT SANTA ANITA.  Zenyatta to get a statue across from John Henry at Santa Anita.  The unveiling is scheduled to take place at the 2012 Breeders Cup, scheduled at Santa Anita in November.  DRF: Zenyatta gets John Henry treatment at Santa Anita

I'LL HAVE ANOTHER—who cost just $11,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and $35,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training sale—is by Flower Alley  out of a mare by Arch  , both being horses who reached their peak over a distance of ground late in their three-year-old career.  Read more at source (includes race video)...  Trainer says the underestimation of I'll Have Another may have had to do with a conformational flaw that caused him to be overlooked.

News/Gulfstream:  AQSAAM -Blew the start in her maiden at Gulfstream, on a sloppy dirt track, she was supposed to have started on the turf at a mile, instead wound up at 7f in the mud.  BHorse: Results & Replay VIDEO - Sept 5, 2011

News/New Orleans: Disposablepleasure, heroine of last year's Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct, will not be coming to the Rachel Alexandra, a race which serves as the final designed local prep for the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks to be run March 31 on the penultimate day of the 2011-12 New Orleans racing season.  Risen Star, Rachel Alexander stakes taking shape

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Missed your favorite race?  BloodHorse has a searchable results page with Race Replay Videos by Date, Track, or Race Type.  BloodHorse Race Results page - Domestic & Internat'l
Thoroughbred Times Race Video Replays  Also, try:  Raceday 360 Videos
BHorse: Derby Preps Entries, Results & Replay VIDEOS 

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Links to past races for each horse entered
Graded Stakes Database - Powerful database / Race Videos
Thoroughbred Report - Companion to Graded Stakes Database

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UPCOMING RACES/CALENDARS:
 
Derby/Road to the Crown Prep Races
DateGradeRaceRacetrackDistancePurse
1/7/2012    3Sham StakesSanta Anita Park1 Mile$100,000
Count FleetAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards$150,000
1/14/2012California DerbyGolden Gate1 1/16 Miles$100,000
1/16/2012Smarty JonesOaklawn Park1 Mile$100,000
1/21/2012    3LecomteFair Grounds1 Mile 70 Yards$175,000
1/29/2012    3Holy BullGulfstream Park1 Mile$400,000
2/4/2012    2Robert B. LewisSanta Anita Park1 1/16 Miles$200,000
    3WithersAqueduct1 1/16 Miles$200,000
    3Sam F. DavisTampa Bay1 1/16 Miles$200,000
2/11/2012    2HutchesonGulfstream Park7 Furlongs$150,000
2/18/2012    3El Camino Real DerbyGolden Gate1 1/8 Miles (S)$200,000
2/19/2012    2San VicenteSanta Anita Park7 Furlongs$150,000
2/20/2012    3Southwest (2 divs)Oaklawn Park1 Mile$250,000
2/25/2012Borderland DerbySunland Park1 1/16 mi$100,000
Turf Paradise DerbyTurf Paradise1 1/16 mi$100,000
    2Risen StarFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles$300,000
2/26/2012    2Fountain of YouthGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles$400,000
3/3/2012    3GothamAqueduct1 1/16 Miles$400,000
John Battaglia Mem'lTurfway Park1 1/16 Miles (S)$100,000
3/10/2012    3Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay1 1/16 Miles$350,000
    2San FelipeSanta Anita Park1 1/16 Miles$300,000
    2SwaleGulfstream Park7 Furlongs$150,000
3/11/2012    3Palm BeachGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles (Turf)$150,000
3/17/2012    2RebelOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles$500,000
3/24/2012    3Vinery Racing SpiralTurfway Park1 1/8 Miles (S)$500,000
RushawayTurfway Park1 Mile$100,000
3/25/2012    3Sunland DerbySunland Park1 1/8 Miles$800,000
3/31/2012    1Florida DerbyGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles$1,000,000
4/1/2012    2Louisiana DerbyFair Grounds1 1/8 Miles$1,000,000
4/6/2012    3TransylvaniaKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (Turf)$100,000
4/7/2012    3Bay ShoreAqueduct7 Furlongs F$250,000
    3Illinois DerbyHawthorne1 1/8 Miles$500,000
    1Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita Park1 1/8 Miles$1,000,000
    1Wood MemorialAqueduct1 1/8 Miles$1,000,000
4/14/2012    1Arkansas DerbyOaklawn Park1 1/8 Miles$1,000,000
    1Toyota Blue GrassKeeneland1 1/8 Miles (S)$750,000
4/21/2012    3Coolmore LexingtonKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)$200,000
    2JeromeAqueduct1 Mile$150,000
4/28/2012    3Derby TrialChurchill Downs1 Mile$200,000
5/5/2012    1Kentucky DerbyChurchill Downs1 1/4 Miles$2,000,000
5/19/2012    1PreaknessPimlico1 3/16 Miles$1,000,000
6/9/2012    1Belmont StakesBelmont1 1/2 Miles$1,000,000

These are not the only races a 3 year old might run in to get to the Kentucky Derby and the other Triple Crown races, but they are some of the most important. Among those horses that might qualify for the Derby, earnings then become important in deciding who gets to the starting gate.  Kentucky Derby Contenders ranked by earnings

For more on current racing activity, browse through the stories, videos and options at:  Daily Racing Form, BloodHorse, Thoroughbred Times.   HRTV Racing Calendar
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Useful tools:

HANGIN' WITH HASKIN
Sister Moon sets new track record - YouTube VIDEO

FUTURE - KENTUCKY DERBY / OAKS
Out of Bounds likely headed to San Felipe
Calvin Carter's 2012 Kentucky Derby Outlook
Hello Race Fans: Gettin' lucky in the Kentucky Derby
Brisnet: Discreet Dancer waltzes at Aqueduct
Brisnet: Alpha seizes Count Fleet victory 1-7-12
Brisnet: A.P. Indy daughter Captivating Lass takes the Busanda, companion to Count Fleet
DRF: Countdown to the Crown - News about the runup to the TC
DRF's companion web site for Triple Crown racing info
Horse Racing Nation 2012 Kentucky Derby Trail - Best site
DRF: Discreet Dancer dazzles again in second career start
DRF: Captivating Lass perseveres in Sweet Seventeen 1-7-2012
DRF: Alpha looks like Kentucky Derby contender in Count Fleet win
DRF: Out of Bounds upsets in the Sham 

NEWS/Older Horses: 
Mucho Macho Man confirmed for Gulfstream Park H March 10
BHorse: Royal Delta, Consortium in South Florida drills
DRF: Kilroe Mile next for Mr. Commons Mar 3
Star Guitar keeps on strumming - 4th consecutive Champions Day Classic
Amazombie posts bullet move at Santa Anita
Rapid Redux to be honored at Laurel Park Feb 18
Alternation back at Oaklawn in Essex Handicap
DRF: Mucho Macho Man ready for more
DRF: Game On Dude set to go again
DRF: Animal Kingdom headed to Tampa Bay for his World Cup prep
BHorse: Boys At Toscanova takes Gulfstream allowance
DRF: Animal Kingdom gets serious Palm Meadows turf work
BHorse: A lot to look forward to in 2012
DRF: Zito not rushing Dialed In
BHorse: Royal Delta winner on and off the track
BHorse: Keeneland spring stakes schedule announced
TTimes: Uh Oh Bango wins San Pasqual Stakes under Mike Smith
Brisnet: Hansen, Shackleford on Gulfstream worktab
Keeping track of who's staying on the track for 2012
BHorse: Big things expected from Stay Thirsty in 2012 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 
TTimes: Black Caviar stretches win streak to 17 - VIDEO
TTimes: Black Cariar could start in Dubai
BHorse: Dubai - Mahbooba headlines Cape Verdi Stakes
Australia: Trainers and Jockeys name top mounts to look for in 2012
BHorse: $38 Million Dubai Carnival begins
The Telegraph UK 
International racing news roundup

Videos worth watching: 
Chewin' the Fat is a new international show based in Australia covering horse racing.
BH: Australian racing's Chewin' the Fat - Ep 10 VIDEO
BH: Australian racing's Chewin' the Fat Ep 11 - Season finale - VIDEO
BH: And They're Off Turkey day edition - Steve and Lenny  

Cloudy's Knight - Video 41 minutes
The Story of Cloudy's Knight 

The story of Charismatic - ESPN
I've given a page to this story. Charismatic - 5 videos of the ESPn broadcast

INDUSTRY NEWS
California horse racing board to debate exchange wagering
BHorse: Can Horse racing truly harness social media
BHorse: Racing industry told to innovate or suffer
TTimes: Casner weighs the consequences of salix

BREEDING NEWS
BHorse: Mahubah's Corner - Star Guitar
BHorse: Transcend typifies Wild Rush record in Japan
John Sparkman's blog
John Sparkman on raceday meds


COOL TIP:  Come back here after the races and click on the cards for the featured races below and see the RESULTS and Order of Finish, as well as VIDEO REPLAY of the race.  Also:  to get the results for all the races on a particular day, this is BloodHorse's results page:  Race Results  There will be a "short list" but scroll down and click on "View Full List".  Most will have videos of the races!! Easy way to get a roundup of a day's racing action quickly!!

New to the sport or just want a place to learn more?
Check the following sites:
Stakes Entries - Video Replays


COMING UP
Seventeen stakes races with purses of more than $3 million are scheduled for the 26-day season, which commences November 10 and continues through December 18.
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WATCH VIDEO REPLAYS OF ALL STAKES RACES
BloodHorse has a great video replay site to watch all the stakes action:
You can watch all stakes races for a particular DAY, or by TRACK, or a combination.  You can also watch INTERNATIONAL and DOMESTIC racing action!  Because these are links and not embedded videos, the site loads quickly.
 
RECAP OF WEEKEND RACING ACTION: 
DRF: Weekend stakes preview - videos

WATCH RACING ONLINE!
Note:  There are free sites to watch online: check out
http://www.ntra.com/ or NTRA Live Stream or http://www.tvgfree.net/ or sign up for a free trial account at http://www.twinspires.com/content/video  You can also catch the replays right after the big races at http://www.raceday360.com/   Calracing has live coverage of races - Will need to register

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A really good site for the new fan:
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NOTE: In order to enjoy and use the functionality of the various sites below, some sites may require you to register, however, there is no charge for most of what you will want access to.  If you want to go to the next level and actually place bets and learn more about handicapping, some of these types of services have a fee, but this is strictly your choice whether to use these services.

DRF Grid: Today's Action - Upcoming & Prior Race Days - Click on any track "day", and pull up that day's entries for each of the races
DRF - Starts with ACTIVE tracks - Click on the DAY next to the track name to see that day's full race card. 

Simple Alpha List of American Graded Stakes by Stakes Name, by Grade I, II, III

This includes a list of all American tracks



Useful web sites 
Twin Spires Race viewer - One of the best individual race video sites - You will need to register, free

Links to blogs and other sites I have found useful:

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