Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Feb 23-24

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
February 23-24

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.

Rachel's road to recovery as of February 20: Stonestreet Farms
 

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The racing action heats up this weekend with several key races for horses and fillies on the road to the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks. The new points system for qualifying for both races gets richer and will have serious implications for those who wish to be in the starting gate on the first Friday and Saturday in May. Undercard action will also be exciting for older horses in a few races as well.  Here's Jon and Joel's look at the two big ones this weekend:  TCI Insider - Jon and Joel handicapping video

NOTE:  For coverage of international racing, see below the Featured Races.  Australia has three Group 1 events, which will be run late Friday evening and early Saturday EST.

RACING AT THE FAIR GROUNDS, SATURDAY
On an undercard, I'm really pulling for OPTIMIZER. He seems to like the turf, and hopefully he has found his niche after much trial and error. He's in an undercard feature at the Fair Grounds on Risen Star day in the FAIR GROUNDS HANDICAP. Race 7 goes off at 4:25 EST.

On another undercard race, winning machine DAISY DEVINE will be running in Race 5, the BAYOU HANDICAP.

Then, in the MINESHAFT HANDICAP, several familiar faces will meet up, including GOLDEN TICKET, MARK VALESKI, HERO OF ORDER in Race 8, 4:55 ET.

In a Kentucky Oaks prep, the RACHEL ALEXANDRA STAKES will feature Gary Stevens flying in to ride Tom Proctor's MIDNIGHT BALLET, and Rosie Napravnik will be aboard a Pletcher trainee, UNLIMITED BUDGET. 


Stevens is also scheduled to ride PROUD STRIKE for Steve Asmussen in the Risen Star. Some of the Derby hopefuls expected in the RISEN STAR will include NORMANDY INVASION, DEPARTING, OXBOW, & cross-entered in both the Risen Star and the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream, HE'S HAD ENOUGH, with Mario Gutierrez riding. Wherever He's Had Enough winds up, LAVA MAN is expected to be there as his coach!! GO LAVA MAN!! He brings his own star power! Last news report indicated Team O'Neill will opt for the Fountain of Youth over the Risen Star because of a more favorable gate draw in the FOY.   Risen Star nominees PPs

In honor of my "hero", here is Mucho Macho Man's Risen Star triumph in 2011:  Risen Star stakes - 2011 - Vido replay

GULFSTREAM FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

The Grade 2 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH is one of three graded stakes on Saturday’s card along with the $250,000 DAVONA DALE for 3-year-old fillies and the $150,000 CANADIAN TURF.

The large field, which includes favored  VIOLENCE and late entrant HE'S HAD ENOUGH, even caught racing secretary Dan Bork a bit off guard.

“We were expecting somewhere in the range of six to seven horses for the race, so obviously we had a few late additions, which naturally came as a pleasant surprise,” Bork said.  Read more at source

DRF provides free PPs for the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Saturday: Click here 
Downey Profile - Dick's Picks Fountain of Youth

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Thoroughbred Racing Roundup - Feb. 19, 2013
A look at weekend Thoroughbred racing - 2-21
TCI Insider - Jon & Joel handicap the Southwest at Oaklawn - Video

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - WEEK 8 - click here
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Haskin Derby Dozen - Feb. 19
The Downey Profile
Brisnet's Dick Powell gives his Handicapping Insights
Dan Illman gives his take on Gary Stevens along with Derby trail

If you are serious about keeping up with the horses, standings, race outcomes, etc. on the Derby Trail, don't miss the recap by Jeremy Plonk at DRF.  Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard   Scroll down under the Point Standings to a list of the Derby Prep races. Click on the race, and read Jeremy's re-cap. Very enlightening, because Jeremy sees things I would never see and points them out. We are moving into the next phase of the preps, where the points to be earned will put the winner in the starting gate of the KY Derby, and the secondary points to the next three finishers can earn some important points as well. From Feb. 23 thru March 24 is the first leg of the Championship Series in which the races will be worth 85 points, with 50 pts to the winner, and 20-10-5 to the next 3 finishers. I'm betting that from here on out, the starting gate for each of these races should see full or near-full fields.

For info on the Oaks prep series, go to the Kentucky Derby Oaks site: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/oaks Standings and horse profiles, along with replays can be found there.


TRIPLE CROWN: Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI: Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival

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Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

February 16-18

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
February 16-18

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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ON THE DIRT IN JAPAN!
Think dirt racing is only in the U.S.?  Think again. Some great racing will take place in Japan this weekend.  Japan’s horseracing schedule includes about 50% of its races on dirt, left-handed, like in the U.S. 

Three stakes races -- the Hyacinth, the Amethyst, and the Grade 1 February Stakes (1 mile on dirt, left-handed), will take place on Sunday.  The Grade 1 FEBRUARY STAKES will see a couple of American connections in the starting gate.  WONDER ACUTE, a son of Charismatic, who stands in Japan, and TESTA MATTA, a U.S. bred of Tapit, winner of last year’s edition of the February Stakes.  Preview and details for February Stakes  

Time difference between U.S. EST and Tokyo,  is 13 hours ahead, so to watch "live", you will need to set your alarm for 2:00 a.m. EST for the February Stakes feature.

You can watch live on TwinSpires (need an account), or watch the replay at the Japan site.  Post race video will be available at home page of Japan Racing:  Japan Racing main page - Videos on right side of page   Videos of races of interest world wide are usually posted in English the following day.

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Update on Rachel   Stonestreet Farms Facebook page - update video available
Thoroughbred Racing Roundup - Feb. 11, 2013
A look at weekend Thoroughbred racing
TCI Insider - Jon & Joel handicap the Southwest at Oaklawn - Video

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - WEEK 7 - click here
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard
Haskin's Derby Trail: Locked and Loaded
Haskin Derby Dozen - Feb. 11
The Downey Profile

TRIPLE CROWN: Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI: Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival

FLASH: FREE LIVE STREAMING GOLDEN GATE FIELDS click here
FLASH: FREE LIVE STREAMING LAUREL PARK for GENERAL GEORGE  click here

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Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

DUBAI 2013

ALL THINGS DUBAI!

 

 SUPER SATURDAY! WEEK 9!

American Stars Challenge the World on Rich Super Saturday

Final preps before the World Cup Day on March 30.

For the first time in the history of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, American stars will take on the world during the Super Saturday program of seven rich stakes.

Note: For U.S. RACING INFO go to separate blog post:

Eclipse Award-winning trainer Dale Romans has taken the bold initiative of entering LITTLE MIKE and DULLAHAN, both three-time Grade 1 winners, in a pair of key group stakes on the Super Saturday, March 9, the primary prep day for the Dubai World Cup program on March 30. Only two-time Horse of the Year Curlin previously raced in Dubai prior to World Cup competition, and even he did not run on the very competitive Super Saturday card.
Post time for first race on Super Saturday will be at 8:05 a.m. EST, with Dullahan’s race at 10:25 and Little Mike’s at 11:00. Average number of runners in each race is a dozen, and average purse value of each contest is over $250,000.
Other American connections on the program include Besilu Stables’ Unbridled Ocean in the Burj Nahaar. Former Todd Pletcher assistant Seth Benzel will saddle South African Group 1 winner August Rush in the Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), a prep for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Read more at source
And, Marcus Hersh of the DRF sets the table for the significance of this final prep weekend, which will have implications for which race Little Mike winds up in on March 30, as well as some others in this Super Saturday card.  Dullahan and Little Mike prep for World Cup on Super Saturday card







SATURDAY, MARCH 9 - WEEK NINE
Links:  Race ENTRIES - Super Saturday - March 9
Super Saturday Race ENTRIES - DRF format 
PAST PERFORMANCES - March 9 - Super Saturday
Super Saturday FORM guide - March 9
PAT'S PICKS - Pat Cummings handicaps Super Saturday
Dubai Carnival RACE REPLAY VIDEOS all races to date
RACE RECAPS, RESULTS, Dubai Carnival races to date
Dubai RACING NOTES/BLOG/NEWS
Little Mike and Dullahan set for local World Cup prep races
Dullahan takes the stage in Burj Nahar
Igugu, Delpech reunite for Jebel Hatta
Dubai Racing Comprehensive - from AmWest Enertainment

FEATURED RACES

Printable time ordered ENTRIES - click here
8:05 a.m. ET  Race 2 Al Bastakiya, Listed Stakes, 9.5 furlongs AWT
Pats Picks: Given the likely early gallop being a legitimate one, Snowboarder is the selection.
1st - #4 SNOWBOARDER, 2nd - #2 ZAHEE, 3rd - #10 ELLEVAL
8:40 a.m. ET  Race 3, Meydan Sprint, 5f, Turf
Pat's Picks: 1st - #14 SHEA SHEA, 2nd - #6 SOLE POWER, 3rd - #8 RUSSIAN SOUL

9:15 a.m. ET  Race 4, Mahab Al Shamaal, G3, 6f, AWT
Pat's Picks: 1st - #2 KRYPTON FACTOR, 2nd - #8 AUGUST RUSH, 3rd - #10 BALMONT MAST

9:50 a.m. ET  Race 5, Dubai City of Gold, Turf, 12f
Pat's Picks: 1st - #2 AWAIT THE DAWN, 2nd - #5 MASTERSTROKE, 3rd - #8 LAAJOOJ

10:25 a.m. ET  Race 6, Burj Nahaar, G3, 8f
Pat's Picks: 1st - #4 MOONWALK IN PARIS, 2nd - #11 BARBECUE EDDIE, 3rd - #5 AFRICAN STORY (Race also features Dullahan)

11:00 a.m. ET  Race 7 second flight, Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 3, Grade 1 10F
Little Mike, Monterosso meet at Meydan
Pat's Picks: 1st - #4 HUNTER’S LIGHT, 2nd - #7 SAINT BAUDOLINO, 3rd - #1 LITTLE MIKE

11:35 a.m. ET  Race 8, Jebel Hatta, Group 1, 9f
Pat's Picks: 1st - #5 IGUGU, 2nd - #4 CITY STYLE, 3rd - #10 THE APACHE

Friday, February 8, 2013

February 9-10

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
February 9-10

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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NO OFFICIAL DERBY PREPS? NO PROBLEM! BIG RACING SATURDAY NEVERTHELESS!

There are a couple of preps for the KENTUCKY OAKS:  the MARTHA WASHINGTON (click here) at Oaklawn, and the CALIFORNIA OAKS (click here) at Golden Gate fields.

No official Derby preps this weekend, but take a break, pull up a chair, and get set for some of the best racing you are likely to see all year. No kidding! With over $1 Million in purses for 4 graded stakes races, including two Grade 1s, the lineup at Gulfstream looks to knock your socks off with some top notch older horses!

One of the most interesting and exciting races we are likely to see all year will be a part of the Gulfstream Park line up on Saturday!  DRF will live stream the full card at Gulfstream. 

"It's not every day you see a 7-year-old horse and an 8-year-old horse competing in a grade I stakes. In fact, it's rare to see accomplished horses that age running anywhere in this era of horses being rushed off to stud....In fact, it's pretty unusual in that not one of the 10 horses entered is a gelding."

Steve Haskin sets the table for us for the $500,000 GRADE 1 DONN HANDICAP, Race 11, at Gulfstream. He's talking about FLAT OUT, POOL PLAY, TAKE CHARGE INDY, BOURBON COURAGE, ULTIMATE EAGLE, CSABA, FAST FALCON and three others. Old Timers Flat Out, Pool Play clash in Donn    Donn has 10 entrants, Csaba, Take Charge Indy draw wide    Mike Watchmaker makes the case for Bourbon Courage in the Donn

ANIMAL KINGDOM and POINT OF ENTRY start off the festivities in the $300,000 Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf H in Race 8. Animal Kingdom vs. Point of Entry in GP Turf Handicap  Andrew Beyer: Animal Kingdom being given chance to make history

Next up, BAHAMIAN SQUALL and FORT LOUDON head up the Grade 3 $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship. Watchmaker makes the case for Fort Loudon in the Sprint C'ship

The fillies/mares get in the act in the Grade 3 $150,000 SUWANNEE RIVER S with INGLORIOUS the 2011 Queen's Plate winner, and ROMACACA, whose last win was in December in the South Beach S.       Romacaca heads Suwannee River Stakes

To cap off the day will be the Grade 2 $150,000 SAN MARCOS at Santa Anita, set to go off at 7:38 EST, with a full field of 14 including RICHARD'S KID and SLIM SHADEY, ridden by Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Stevens, who will be looking for his first stakes win in his comeback. Slim Shadey hopes to stand up in San Marcos  Mike Watchmaker makes a case for an Argentine transplant to Ron McAnally's barn (remember Suggestive Boy?), INTERACTION, along with RICHARD'S KID. Interaction can step up in the San Marcos

Thoroughbred Racing Roundup - Feb. 4, 2013

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - WEEK 6 - click here 
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard

TRIPLE CROWN: Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI: Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival

FLASH: FREE LIVE STREAMING GULFSTREAM PARK  click here

Races listed below in time ordered format with cards.  Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Feb 1-3

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
February 2-3

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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A look at weekend horse racing around the world!
Another important round of Kentucky Derby preps is on tap in weekend racing.

At the center of the action: I'll Have Another won the 2012 Robert B. Lewis Stakes en route to victory in the Kentucky Derby and Saturday, HE'S HAD ENOUGH starts down the same path.

The $200,000, Grade II ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES at Santa Anita is one of a quintet of Kentucky Derby preps around the country. Also on tap are Saturday's $200,000, Grade III SAM F. DAVIS at Tampa Bay Downs; the $150,000, Grade II HUTCHESON STAKES at Gulfstream Park; the $200,000, Grade III WITHERS at Aqueduct; and the $50,000 96ROCK STAKES at Turfway Park in Kentucky.

The weekend also has turf sprints at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds, the $200,000, Grade II STRUB STAKES for 4-year-olds at Santa Anita, graded events for turf-running fillies and mares at Tampa Bay and Santa Anita and Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs. 

In Dubai, trainer Mike De Kock fought off the Godolphin machine Thursday to capture the featured UAE Group 2 Al Rashidiya at 1,800 meters on the turf -- a prep for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night. Read more at source

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - WEEK 5 - click here
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now      Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard

TRIPLE CROWN: Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI: Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival

FLASH:  FREE LIVE STREAMING SAM DAVIS S - Tampa Bay! click here
FLASH:  FREE LIVE STREAMING ROBERT LEWIS S - Santa Anita!  click here



Races listed below in time ordered format.  Come back here after the race to watch race replat at the Card link.