Friday, September 28, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES!
September 28-30

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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12 NOON PDT/3:00 EDT

www.Zenyatta.com will be live-streaming the festivities at Santa Anita Park, courtesy of HRTV.  According to the announcement at Zenyatta web site, the feed will be posted this evening, with the ceremony happening tomorrow at 12 pm PDT/3:00 EDT.  

Q&A with Sculptress Nina Kaiser on the Zenyatta statue

Simple LIST of races, time ordered format:  Click here
ENTRIES, time ordered format: Click here

FLASH:  SANTA ANITA SUPER SATURDAY - DRF LIVE STREAM - click here

TCI Insider - VIDEO - Jon and Joel, along with Ed DeRosa, handicap Saturday's big day
Mike Watchmaker's Weekend Warrior, handicaps Saturday big races

Here are the highlights that stand out for me.  To get more in-depth handicapping information, you will find many links here to see what the "experts" have to say.

SUPER SATURDAY:
The BELDAME at Belmont - Several of my favorites are ROYAL DELTA, IT'S TRICKY, and DISPOSABLEPLEASURE, all are talented and each can make the case they could win this Grade 1.  G2 KELSO:  Love several in this race, but the edge goes to SHACKLEFORD, then TO HONOR AND SERVE, and TRICKMEISTER.    G1 VOSBURGH at Belmont:  JUSTIN PHILLIP, FORT LOUDON, SEAN AVERY, THE LUMBER GUY, and the durable, hard-knocking 7 year old CAIXA ELETRONICA, my favorite, will be making his 56th start, after recently winning the Charles Town Classic and the True North Handicap. 

In the JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC, at 1 1/2 mile - LITTLE MIKE gets the edge as he's been winning everything in site this year, including the Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 1 Turf Classic, and the Sunshine Million.  POINT OF ENTRY has also been making his bid for an end of season Eclipse award, with two recent Grade 1s in the Man O' War and the Sword Dancer, and the Elkhorn.  All of these races have been at the 1 1/2 mile distance.  Aidan O'Brien's TREASURE BEACH has shipped in, with Jamie Spencer in the irons.   

Is there anything any bigger than the JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP?  Huge race with a 94 year old history behind it and the ghosts of Seattle Slew, Exceller, Affirmed all bringing a heightened excitement to this annual Fall classic.  The following all can make the case they can win:  RON THE GREEK, RULER ON ICE, STAY THIRSTY, FORT LARNED, ATIGUN, and FLAT OUT. 

In the ZENYATTA STAKES (formerly Oak Tree Lady's Secret), I will be pulling for SWITCH, who is the only horse in this race to have run against the race's namesale, Zenyatta.  Switch will be nearing the winding down of her career, and I would love for her to go out winning this big Grade 1.  Others to consider, with some of the connections to Zenyatta also making their bid, include STAR BILLING, who is trained by John Shirreffs; LOVE AND PRIDE, INCLUDE ME OUT, JOYFUL VICTORY, and the Chile sensation, AMANI, trained by Neil Drysdale. 

The G1 AWESOME AGAIN asks the question: Will GAME ON DUDE get back on his winning ways?  Also, RICHARD'S KID (he raced against Zenyatta, remember?) RAIL TRIP, NONIOS (love any of the Pleasantly Perfect progeny); SUGGESTIVE BOY (ARG) could have a say in the outcome.
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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!

Races in time ordered format with cards below.

FEATURED RACES

DRF Index of races over next several days
BloodHorse Index of races

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
9:55 a.m. ET Shadwell Fillies Mile (G1) Newmarket, $250,000, 2yo f, 1 miT (2:55) R4 CARD
7:38 ET  Eddie D S, (G3), SA, $100,000, 3yo+, 6.5f  R8  CARD

UPDATE:  CERTIFY takes the Shadwell Fillies Mile, virtually demolishing the field, looking for all the world like Zenyatta headed for the finish line!  The Kentucky-bred two year old filly is now four-for-four!
VIDEO - Certify takes the Shadwell Fillies Mile

More info on today's races:
9:55 Certify set for Mile test
        Shadwell Fillies Mile - PP chart
7:38 Eddie D audition for Breeders Cup Turf Sprint hopefuls
       Brisnet PPs for Eddie D

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Don't recognize some of the race names at Santa Anita?  See below for new/old name list!


Brisnet PPs for Belmont & Santa Anita races
2:58 ET  Beldame Inv’l S. (G1) Bel, $400,000, 3+, fm, 1 1/8 mi R5 CARD
3:30 ET  Kelso H. (G2) Bel, $400,000, 3+, 1 mi R6  CARD
4:04 ET  Vosburgh Inv’l S. (G1) Bel, $400,000, 3+, 6f R7   CARD
4:38 ET  Flower Bowl Inv’l S. (G1) Bel, $600,000, 3+, fm, 1 1/4 miT R8   CARD
5:12 ET  Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Inv’l S. (G1) Bel, $600,000, 3+, 12fT R9   CARD
5:46 ET  Jockey Club Gold Cup Inv’l S. (G1) Bel, $1,000,000, 3+, 1 1/4 mi R10 CARD  Brisnet PPs
6:36 ET  Chandelier S. (G1) SA, $250,000, 2yo, f, 1 1/16 mi R6  CARD
7:07 ET  Frontrunner S. (G1) SA, $250,000, 2yo, 1 1/16 mi  R7  CARD
7:38 ET  Zenyatta S. (G1) SA, $250,000, 3+, fm, 1 1/16 mi R8   CARD
8:08 ET  Rodeo Drive S. (G1) SA, $250,000, 3+, fm, 1 1/4 miT  R9  CARD
8:38 ET  Awesome Again S. (G1) SA, $250,000, 3+, 1 1/8 mi R10  CARD

More info on today's races
2:58 Royal Delta, It's Trickey are Beldame stars
3:30 Kelso brings together big two
4:04 Hard luck Justin Phillip choice in Vosburgh
4:38 Zagora takes on Euros in the Flower Bowl
5:12 Point of Entry meets Little Mike in the Joe Hirsch
5:46 Six grade 1 winners in Jockey Club Gold Cup
       Flat Out looks to end his losing streak in the Gold Cup
6:36 Executiveprivilege puts unbeaten mark on line in Chandelier
7:07 Know More smart pick in Frontrunner S
7:38 Include Me Out has competition in Zenyatta
       Jones on first foray to Santa Anita with Joyful Victory in Zenyatta S
8:08 Marketing Mix faces big field in Rodeo Drive
8:38 Game On Dude back home for Awesome Again

Steve Haskin: Countdown to the Cup: Gold Cup or Cold Cup - 9-26-2011
With the Jockey Club Gold Cup coming up this Saturday, a race incidentally big enough to rise above the roar of 9 other Grade 1 races taking place that day, I recalled a column Steve Haskin did last year and it seems appropos to revive it for this running of the historic 94 year old race. Something to think about.  "The harsh fact is that only three Gold Cup winners in 27 years have won the Classic, and only five Classic winners have even run in the Gold Cup. In addition, of the five Classic winners to have competed in the Gold Cup, two of them came when the Classic was run at Belmont." Steve Haskin, Sept. 26, 2011.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
4:02 ET  Matron S. (G2) Bel, $200,000, 2yo, f, 6f  R7  CARD
4:50 ET  Remington Park Oaks RP, $250,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16 mi  R6  CARD
5:06 ET  Futurity S. (G2) Bel, $200,000, 2yo, 6f R9  CARD
5:18 ET  Remington Park Sprint Cup S. RP, $200,000, 3+, 6f  R7 CARD
5:46 ET  Remington Green S. RP, $125,000, 3+, 1 1/16 miT  R8 CARD
6:14 ET  Oklahoma Derby RP, $400,000, 3yo, 1 1/8 mi  F9 CARD
8:08 ET  John Henry Turf C’ship S. (G2) SA, $150,000, 3+, 1 1/4 miT R9 CARD

More info on today's races:
4:02 Kauai Katie puts streak on line in Matron
5:06 Futurity Pletcher duo meets Carried Interest

Shippers invade Remington Park for OK Derby
Regional horses rock!  Like Noosa Beach is to Washington State, and like Star Guitar is to Louisiana, DIAMOND JOE is to Nebraska!  Diamond Joe is the winningest Thoroughbred racing in North America in 2012, with 9 consecutive victories to his credit.  It has been close to two decades since Nebraska last produced a horse capable of making a splash outside its borders. But that could change Sunday, when Diamond Joe seeks his 10th consecutive win in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.  The task will be a tall one. Grade  1 winner Willy Beamin is in from New York for the Oklahoma Derby, while Called to Serve, a close third in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby, touched down from Southern California on Tuesday morning. But the time is ripe for Diamond Joe, the winningest horse this year in North America, to be tested after a Nebraska season in which he won seven stakes by a combined margin of 50 lengths.  Diamond Joe, pride of Nebraska, faces tough test in OK Derby

NEW RACE NAMES AT SANTA ANITA THIS FALL
You may not recognize some of the race names at Santa Anita this fall. Several races that went under the Oak Tree banner when that group held the fall meet at the Southern California racetrack under-went name changes: Here are the new and the old names for the weekend of Sept. 28-30, 2012:

Stakes---------------------------Prior Name Date
Eddie D. Stakes-----------------Morvich Friday, Sept. 28
FrontRunner Stakes-------------Norfolk Saturday, Sept. 29
Awesome Again Stakes---------Goodwood Saturday, Sept. 29
Rodeo Drive Stakes-------------Yellow Ribbon Saturday, Sept. 29
Zenyatta Stakes------------------Lady’s Secret Saturday, Sept. 29
Chandelier Stakes---------------Oak Leaf Saturday, Sept. 29
John Henry Turf Champ---------Clement Hirsch Sunday, Sept. 30

BREEDERS CUP
Official web site for the Breeders Cup
BloodHorse horse profiles of probables for Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic horse profiles
Everything Breeders Cup at BloodHorse
DRF search results for Breeders Cup - Compendium of artices
More DRF on Breeders Cup

 NEWS
Derby qualifying race set for Newmarket
Sophomore class of 2012: Where are they now?
The Saratogian
Saratoga Race Course may be in downward spiral - Mike Veitch
Injured filly Potesta walking well 
Jennie Rees, Courier-Journal: Zenyatta statue to be unveiled SA opening day
Unbeaten Frankel headed to Champion Stakes
Why Grays are so great!
Orfevre completes prep before Arc bid
Dunaden targets Melbourne Cup double
Get Stormy, winner three grade 1s, retired
Denman inspires a new generation of race callers
The week that was:  Snow Fairy, Dreaming of Julia
The week that was - Week of September 10
Watchmaker:  Breeders Cup musings after Saturday's stakes
Camelot win of the Epsom Derby in June
Handicapping the English St. Leger - Video -
Another handicapping video - Another tipping video
Bill Finley, ESPN, tells story of a homecoming

BREEDING NEWS
Lady of Shamrock brings luck to Scat Daddy
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

INDUSTRY NEWS
Governor overrides committee decision; New medication rules take effect Sept. 4

UPCOMING RACES
Oct. 5
GI Darley Alcibiades S. KEE
GIII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. KEE
Oct. 6
GI Champagne S. BEL
GI Frizette S. BEL
GI Jamaica H. BEL
GI Shadwell Turf Mile KEE
GI Dixiana Breeders' Futurity KEE
GI First Lady S. KEE
GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship SA
GII Arroyo Seco Mile SA
GII Hawthorne Gold Cup H. HAW
GII Indiana Derby HOO
GII Indiana Oaks HOO
GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. KEE
GIII Woodford S. KEE
GIII Mazarine S. WO
Oct. 7
GI Spinster S. KEE
GIII Bourbon S. KEE
GIII Grey S. WO
GIII Miss Grillo S. BEL
GIII Pilgrim S. BEL


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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.

TIP:  If you enjoy watching overseas racing action, registration is free at www.AtTheRaces.com and the site has the fastest replay results along with full race cards.  Give it a try.  European races, especially those in Great Britain and Ireland, provide a wider view of the sport.  In Great Britain and other European countries, there are more middle distance and longer races.  In the U.S. a race of 1 1/2 miles is considered a marathon, however, in Great Britain and elsewhere, that is a middle distance race length.  Fully 50% of the races run overseas are over 1 1/4 miles, some as long as nearly 3 miles. 

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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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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