Friday, July 27, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - JULY 25 - 29

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. 
www.FollowHorseRacing.com
www.helloracefans.com/
www.cleanhorseracing.com
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HIGHLIGHTS:
FRIDAY
COUGAR II:  RICHARD'S KID, the 7 year old who was considered one of the favorites in 2009 in the Breeders Cup Classic that Zenyatta won, yep he's still around and not doing too badly for himself. He has a bankroll of $1.9 Million, and he gets in the winner's circle or close to it quite often. Dynamic Host and Balladry have faced Richard's Kid before, most recently in the Prove It, where they came in second and third. They are part of a six-horse field in the Cougar II, but their trainers are not optimistic about their chances. Asked what it would take to beat Richard’s Kid, Eoin Harty, who trains Balladry, said, "An act of God." Maybe this is Richard's Kid's time to win this one. He will have to work for it though: he's giving up from 3 to 10 pounds to his rivals! The race goes off at 10:00 EDT/7:00 PDT at Del Mar.
FLY LEXIS FLY (KY) is also entered in the COUGAR II! He will be making his eagerly anticipated U.S. debut for trainer Neil Drysdale. Fly Lexis Fly made a name for himself in Peru as a two year old when he won 2 legs of the Peruvian Triple Crown running against 3 yr olds.  The Cougar II is a 1 1/2 mile, Grade 3 event for 3 yr olds and up. Fly Lexis Fly has won at the 1 1/4 mi and 1 1/2 mile distances at two in Peru.

SATURDAY
The DIANA:  ZAGORA won the Diana Stakes (G1T) in 2011, but the 5-year-old mare faces a steep challenge this time around at Saratoga Race Course as TAPITSFLY, WINTER MEMORIES, HUNGRY ISLAND and two European invaders join the fray. Zagora in tough battle to defend Diana title   Ten Things to Know about the Diana Stakes

The JIM DANDY: Watch Claire Novak and Pete Denk handicap this great renewal. That Handicapping Show with Claire Novak and Pete Denk  Past Performances from Brisnet: Past Performances for Jim Dandy   ALPHA, LIAISON, MY ADONIS, TEETH OF THE DOG, PROSPECTIVE and NECK ‘N NECK. A deep, competitive field of eight will face off in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G 2 II) July 28 at Saratoga Race Course to determine who continues to the $1 million Travers Stakes (G I) Aug. 25. Read more at BloodHorse

Maybe we need to call the SAN DIEGO HANDICAP the "come back is possible " or the "hard luck horses" stakes! A couple have been away for more than 2 years, and others just haven’t had much luck getting to the winner’s circle!

TAKE CONTROL, the first foal out of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri, will make his second start after a layoff of 2 1/2 years in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 28 at Del Mar.  Then, there’s JOHN SCOTT, who has looked good in three starts this year, winning his past two and defeating Rail Trip by a half-length last time. The 5-year-old son of Bertrando had been away since finishing fourth in the 2009 Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) as a 2-year-old.  Seven-year-old TRES BORRACHOS ended a 13-race losing streak when he made a late charge to win last year's San Diego by 1 1/4 lengths. But the Ecton Park gelding has lost eight in a row since!  Grade I winner RAIL TRIP was a strong second to San Diego foe John Scott in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Hollywood June 28. The 7-year-old Jump Start gelding hasn’t been to the winner’s circle in eight starts since June of 2010.  PRAYER FOR RELIEF, KETTLE KORN, and MOBILIZED round out the field of seven horses for the San Diego, the eighth race on the Saturday Del Mar program with an approximate 5:30 p.m. PDT post time.  Read more at BloodHorse

SUNDAY
The HASKELL   Paynter heads $1 Million Haskell     Ten Things to know about The Haskell   Bob Baffert has won the race a record five times with horses such as Point Given, Lookin At Lucky, and Coil. This time out, it’s PAYNTER, an unlucky second in the Belmont, who will be the favorite and will start from post 3.  Team I’ll Have Another will be sending out the longshot, HANDSOME MIKE: "I don't know if anyone could replace the excitement of I'll Have Another," said trainer Doug O'Neill, who joins familiar forces with owner Paul Reddam and jockey Mario Gutierrez to send out maiden winner Handsome Mike for a longshot at the big-time. The son of Scat Daddy last raced fourth in the Vinery Spiral Stakes (gr. III) at Turfway Park March 24, but put in what O'Neill called "an unbelievable work" July 21 at Betfair Hollywood Park, going six furlongs handily in 1:11 3/5.

BING CROSBY
Sprint champion AMAZOMBIE and THE FACTOR will duke it out one more time in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I), the headline event at Del Mar July 29. Just five are entered in the six-furlong Polytrack race, which is the eighth on the Sunday program with a scheduled 5:30 p.m. PDT post. Another familiar face will be COMMA TO THE TOP who could keep The Factor company on the front end, will be gunning for his first stakes win since taking the CashCall Futurity (gr. ) in December 2010. Peter Miller has raced the Florida-bred 4-year-old Bwana Charlie gelding on turf in his last three races, including a third last time in the six-furlong Robert B. Kerlan Memorial Handicap July1 at Hollywood. Comma to the Top was scratched from an allowance race July 26 to run in the Crosby.  Read more at BloodHorse 

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Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.
Just want a simple list of the races, time ordered?  Click here
How about a Time Ordered list with the Entries?   Click here
 
DON'T FORGET:  Even if you can't watch the U.S. races live, you can come back here after the race has run, click on the CARD listed under the race, and watch a REPLAY!  Let's go to the races!

All times adjusted to EDT
Simple time ordered list of races:  Click here

FEATURED RACES:
Wednesday, July 25
5:30 ET  Lake George S | G2|$200,000|3 yo f| 1 1/16 mi|R9  CARD

Friday, July 27
6:22 ET  Curlin S, Saratoga, $100,000, 3yo, 1 1/8 mi, Race 8  CARD - Race result and REPLAY VIDEO
10:00 ET  Cougar II H. (G3) Dmr, $100,000g, 3&up, 1 1 /2 mi, Race 7 CARD - Result and REPLAY VIDEO

FLY LEXIS FLY (KY) is entered in the COUGAR II at Del Mar, Friday, July 27! He will be making his U.S. debut for trainer Neil Drysdale. Fly Lexis Fly made a name for himself in Peru as a two year old when he won 2 legs of the Peruvian Triple Crown running against 3 yr olds. The 3yo Badge of Silver ridgling (out of Becky Loves Silver by Silver Charm) has been on the worktab since late May. Most recent works have been on the AWT at Hollywood Park, with one work on the Turf. The Cougar II is a 1 1/2 mile, Grade 3 event for 3 yr olds and up. Fly Lexis Fly has won at the 1 1/4 mi and 1 1/2 mile distances at two in Peru.

More info on Friday's races:
           Brisnet PPs - Cougar II

Saturday, July 28
Free Brisnet PPs
5:12 ET  Diana S. (G1) Sar, $600,000g, 3&up, f&m, 1 1/8 miT, R9    CARD
5:45 ET  Jim Dandy S. (G2) Sar, $600,000g, 3yo, 1 1/8 mi, R10  CARD
7:30 ET Fleet Treat S, Del Mar, $200,000, 3yof, 7f, Race 6   CARD
8:30 ET  San Diego H. (G2) Dmr, $200,000g, 3&up, 1 1/16 mi, R8  CARD

More info on Saturday races:

Sunday, July 29
2:59 ET  Majestic Light S. Mth, $100,000g, 3&up, 1 1/16 mi, R7  CARD
4:04 ET  Teddy Drone S. Mth, $100,000g, 3&up, 6f, R9   CARD
4:37 ET  Matchmaker S. (G3) Mth, $150,000g, 3+, f&m, 1 1/8 miT, R10   CARD
5:08 ET  Molly Pitcher S. (G2) Mth, $200,000g, 3&up, f&m, 1 1/16 mi, R11   CARD
5:40 ET  Oceanport S. (G3) Mth, $150,000g, 3&up, 1 1/16 miT, R12  CARD
5:56 ET  Amsterdam S. (G2) Sar, $200,000g, 3yo, 6.5f, R10  CARD
6:17 ET  Haskell Invitational S. (G1) Mth, $1,000,000g, 3yo, 1 1/8 mi, R13 CARD
8:30 ET  Bing Crosby S. (G1) Dmr, $300,000g, 3&up, 6f, R8  CARD

More info on Sunday's races

Scorecard:
McAnally Argentine pipeline lives on in Suggestive Boy  
       Race result and replay for Suggestive Boy:  Result and video replay

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COMING UP:

UPCOMING MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN STAKES
Date Race Track
Aug. 3  GII Honorable Miss H. SAR
Aug. 4  GI Clement L Hirsch S. DMR
              GI Whitney Invitational SAR
              GI Prioress S. SAR
              GII West Virginia Derby MNR
              GIII Seagram Cup S. WO
Aug. 5  GI Vanderbilt H. SAR
              GII Best Pal S. DMR
Aug. 8  GIII Sorrento S. DMR
Aug. 10GII Racing Hall of Fame S. SAR
Aug. 11GII La Jolla H. DMR
              GII Fourstardave H. SAR
              GIII Gardenia S. ELP
              GIII Monmouth Oaks MTH
Aug. 12GII John C Mabee S. DMR
              GII Adirondack S. SAR
              GII Saratoga Special SAR
Aug. 18GI Arlington Million AP
              GI Beverly D S. AP
              GI Secretariat S. AP
              GI Alabama S. SAR
              GI Sword Dancer Invitational H. SAR
              GI Del Mar Oaks DMR
              GIII Philip H Iselin S. MTH
Aug. 19 GII Lake Placid S. SAR
               GII Sky Classic S. WO
              GIII Longacres Mile EMD
              GIII Rancho Bernardo H. DMR

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UPCOMING EUROPEAN GROUP 1 RACES
Date Race Track
July 29 Prix Rothschild Deauville
             Bayerisches Zuchtrennen Munich
Aug. 1 Sussex S. Goodwood
Aug. 4 Nassau S. Goodwood
Aug. 5 Prix Maurice de Gheest Deauville
             Preis der Diana Dusseldorf
Aug. 12 Prix Jacques le Marois Deauville
              Phoenix S. The Curragh
              Grosser Preis von Bayern Munich
Aug. 19 Prix Morny Deauville
               Prix Jean Romanet Deauville
Aug. 22 International S. York
Aug. 23 Yorkshire Oaks York
Aug. 24 Nunthorpe S. York

NEWS:
Cartier Awards - Great Britain - Current standing
Camelot exits Irish Derby in good order; St. Leger next

INDUSTRY NEWS
Horse racing industry on the brink - Ontario
Bill Finley: Racing's impending crisis
USADA head to address Jockey Club roundtable
NYRA reports handle increases for Belmont meet
Attendance, handle up on Saratoga opening day
Beyer: Horse racing thrives in Turkey, but it's a tough bet
Report reveals details of NYRA's rough year
Evan Hammonds discusses health of industry sales
Thoroughbred Daily News
Thoroughbred Times - TODAY
Training: Interval training
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
Steve Haskin: New Life for Holy Bull
Fate of the Holy Bull male line (Plaudit)
Street Cry colt commands seven figure price - half brother to Makybe Diva
BHorse: Mahubah's Corner - Star Guitar
BHorse: Transcend typifies Wild Rush record in Japan
John Sparkman's blog
John Sparkman on raceday meds
Profile: Hail To Reason

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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
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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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ENTRIES:
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:
Cloudy's Knight - Video 41 minutes

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

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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!!

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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 sign up for a free 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  Check frequently at DRF as they live stream many of the Derby Preps and marquee races:  http://www.drf.com/

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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. 
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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