Wednesday, February 22, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Feb 25-26

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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LOTS OF RACING EXCITEMENT THIS WEEKEND: All eyes on UNION RAGS in his 2012 debut in the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH at Gulfstream on Sunday.  This will be his first race since losing to Hansen in the Breeders Cup Juvenile in November.  He faces some stiff competition in the unbeaten Algorithms, who took Hansen down a notch when he beat him in the Holy Bull, and in the unbeaten Discreet Dancer. A fly in the ointment might be the shorter stretch distance -- 568 feet.  Need to take that into account when trying to handicap this race.  Many more races, but the other biggie will be the RISEN STAR on Saturday, another Derby Prep, with six of the contenders in the Lecomte running in this one.  El Padrino is the universal favorite, with others hoping to pick up some graded earnings including Mark Valeski, Optimizer and Shared Property.  Read more at Jeremy Plonk's in-depth analysis.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN:  A "must-read" is Jeremy Plonk's weekly rundown on the Road to the Derby.  DRF: Week 8 - Feb 24, 2012  He covers the week that was as well as looking toward the weekend.  He also digs into some of the undercard action.  Videos of last weekend's races.

SPECIAL OFFER FROM BRISNET:  From February 23-29, you can get FREE Ultimate PPs from Brisnet!  Just go to http://www.brisnet.com/ and register.  Free registration, and many of their products are free anytime.  I also have an account with TwinSpires, but, again, the registration is free, you aren't required to place bets, and you won't be hounded to do so.  It is without a doubt the best online horse race viewing experience, and I also have an HRTV account, which is a paid service.  The ability to watch past races for the entries on a race card is great.  You can watch racing all over the world, including Australia and Japan!

Triple Crown talk:
BHorse: Can't Miss Weekend! Triple Crown Talk
Haskin: Red, White and Godolphin Blue
Haskin:  Veni, Vidi, Valor! 
Jennie Rees, Louisville Courier-Journal: Derby Preps starting to get serious
Thoroughbred Times: A menu of all the major races this weekend.

Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.
 FEATURED RACES:
Note:  Times may fluctuate.  All times adjusted for EST


3:28 ET  Fair Grounds H. | G3| Fairgrounds | $125,000 | 4&up | 1 1/8 miT | Race 6
BHorse: CARD - Repay VIDEO after race

3:49 ET  Sabin S. | G3| Gulfstream | $100,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 1/16 mi | Race 8
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Royal Delta faces Awesome Maria in Sabin

3:58 ET  Rachel Alexandra S. | G3| Fairgrounds | $200,000 | 3yo | f | 1 1/16 mi | Race 7
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

4:05 ET  Busher S. Aqu | $75,000 |3yo| f | 1 1/16 mi | Race 9
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

4:10 ET  Tampa Bay S. | G3| Tampa Bay | $150,000 | 4&up | 1 1/16 mi T | Race 9
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Duke of Mischief tries turf in Tampa Bay Stakes
Full field of 13 - Duke of Mischief, Successful Mission (half-brother to Algorithms).  Uptowncharlybrown on the AE list

4:24 ET  Miracle Wood S. | Laurel Park | $75,000 | 3yo | 7f  | Race 9
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

4:45 ET  The Very One S. | G3| Gulfstream | $100,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 3/8 miT | Race 10
CARD - Replay VIDEO aftere race
Field of 14: Perfect Shirl, Keertana, Casablanca Smile

4:55 ET  Mineshaft H. | G3| Fairgrounds | $125,000 | 4&up | 1 1/16 mi | Race 9
BHorse - CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Tres Borrachos, Pants On Fire, Mister Mardi Gras

5:13 ET  Davona Dale S. | G2| Gulfstream | $250,000 | 3yo | f | 1 1/16 mi | Race 11
Grace Hal begins Oaks quest in Davona Dale
Disposablepleasure, Grace Hall

           Derby Prep
5:55 ET  Risen Star S. | G2| Fairgrounds | $300,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi | Race 11
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Risen Star CARD - El Padrino heads 11 horse field
El Padrino, Mr. Bowling, Shared Property, Optimizer, Ted's Folly, Mark Valeski

           Derby Prep
6:30 ET  Turf Paradise Derby | Turf Paradise | $75,000 | 3 yo | 1 1/16 mi | Race 8
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race

6:36 ET  San Carlos S. | G2| Santa Anita | $200,000 | 4&up | 7f  | Race 7
San Carlos matches Amazombie and The Factor

             Derby Prep
6:45 ET  Borderland Derby | Sunland | $150,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi | Race 11
BHorse: CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Isn't He Clever favored in Borderland Derby

Sunday, February 26

4:45 ET  Mac Diarmida S. | G2| Gulfstream | $150,000 | 4&up | 1 3/8 miT | Race 10
 CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
10 year old Musketier makes his 2012 debut and is the high weight for the race.
BloodHorse: Musketier back for Mac Diarmida stakes

              Derby Prep
5:13 ET  Fountain of Youth S. | G2| Gulfstream | $400,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi | Race 11
CARD - Replay VIDEO after race
Pletcher pair work for Fountain of Youth
Casual Trick, Union Rags, Discreet Dancer
Algorithms was scratched

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News/Oaklawn:  The Azeri the starting point for Havre De Grace March 17

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:

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/Tampa Bay:  Andy Beyer: Tampa Bay Downs decline as sudden as its ascension

News/Palm Meadows:  Winter Memories back on the turf  Pointed to the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland April 14.  Goal after that is June 9 is Just A Game stakes on Belmont Stakes Day.

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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