Nov. 28-Dec. 1

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
 

Nov. 28-Dec. 1
 

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

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END OF YEAR STILL HAS RACING ACTION THAT COULD DECIDE CHAMPIONSHIPS!

A number of big races in the U.S. include the CLARK and the CIGAR MILE, both Grade 1s, which could have a say about the end of season championships. Lots of two-year-old races, some which will have points to the top 4 finishers to qualify for the first Friday and Saturday in May. 

CLARK HANDICAP, Friday, Churchill Downs:  Game On Dude and Will Take Charge each will be looking for some redemption for losing out in the Breeders' Cup Classic.  Game On Dude's performance is still puzzling and the Clark may provide him with some end of year honors.  Will Take Charge nearly took the Classic away from Mucho Macho Man in his late run, and a win in the Clark could help his end of year honors case.

CIGAR MILE, Saturday, Aqueduct:  Groupie Doll, in what may well be her final career start, could possibly ensure the Sprint title with a win in the Cigar Mile, which she came close to winning last year. Goldencents took the Breeders' Cup Dirt mile in impressive fashion, so will be looking to reinforce his credentials and a possible say in the end of year hardware.

FALL HIGHWEIGHT, Thursday, Aqueduct: The ever impressive 7 year old Caixa Eletronica is seeking to defend his title of his impressive win last year in this event.  His most recent victory was in the Duck Dance in October.  For the year, he has 4 wins and a second in 8 starts.  A throwback to horses of a bygone era, his overall record of 68 starts, 23 firsts,  9 seconds, and 11 thirds, a bankroll of $1,848,505, has made him a fan favorite. 
 

Also this week and next will see some international action, including the JAPAN SUPER JOCKEY SERIES will take place on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 with Jockey GARY STEVENS representing the U.S. and also on Dec. 1 is the JAPAN CUP DIRT, with PANTS ON FIRE the only foreign shipper.  
 

Another Jockey Challenge will take place in Hong Kong on Dec. 4 at Happy Valley, and representing the U.S. will be jockeys GARY STEVENS and MIKE SMITH!
 

On Dec. 8, Hong Kong's GREATEST SHOW ON TURF, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES (HKIR) take place.  MOONLIGHT CLOUD heads an outstanding cast of 27 overseas raiders for the Sha Tin spectacular on Sunday, 8 December with Freddy Head’s brilliant French mare seeking to end a perfect year with a seventh top-flight win of her career in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.  Details to follow. Whether they all show up remains to be seen, but, also expected are U.S. LITTLE MIKE, CIRRUS DES AIGLES, SKY LANTERN, MILITARY ATTACK, RED CADEAUX, DANDINO, THE FUGUE, LUCKY NINE and as they say, "many more."

I don't know about you, but I am coming to enjoy and appreciate overseas racing more and more.  I love the TURF, love the NO RACEDAY MEDS, and in general the atmosphere surrounding overseas racing is upbeat.  More variety in types of races -- overseas, at least half of the races are 1 1/2 miles or longer, not just a bunch of sprints.  We constantly hear that the U.S. sport is declining, by some estimates at the rate of 4% per year, while in much of the rest of the world, it is thriving and growing!!!

A.P. Indy fans:  Indy has two daughters in the Demoiselle on Friday, America and Got Lucky; and Centring, another filly, in the Go For Wand, also on Friday; and Honor Code in the Remsen on Saturday.

More on holiday weekend racing - UPI

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UPI Racing Roundup last weekend

Featured races listed below in time ordered format with a link to view the card.  After the race is run, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay (U.S. races).   Check out my printable time ordered list and entries:  Click here

Nov. 23-24

LET'S GO TO THE RACES

Nov. 23-24
 

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

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TWO YEAR OLD'S SHINE IN THE U.S. WHILE GROUP 1 JAPAN CUP IS WEEKEND RACING AT THE TOP LEVEL
 

A hometown victory is expected in Sunday's Japan Cup, but most people can't seem to agree on whether it will be delivered by Gentildonna or Gold Ship.  While local race fans can't envisage a foreign victory, success for Gentildonna will be a win of sorts for Europe.  She will be piloted by England's top hoop Ryan Moore, who is replacing her regular partner Yasunari Iwata, the 2005 Melbourne Cup winner.   Read more at source

 

From Robert Kierkheffer's Weekend Roundup
The Japan Cup and a whole bunch of American races for 2-year-olds highlight the weekend racing schedule.

Sunday's Japan Cup, worth $5.8 million plus potential bonus money, drew three foreigners to take on a somewhat depleted home team.  The North American 2-year-old races are keyed by the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and the $500,000 Delta Downs Princess. Under the former graded stakes earnings system, the Grade III races formerly were a virtual "get in free" card for the winners for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. In the new points system, the money is more the thing.

 Additionally, Churchill Downs Saturday offers the Grade III River City Handicap at 9 furlongs on the turf. Saturday's four-race New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct includes juvenile events for 2-year-old state-breds.  Read more at source

DELTA DOWNS LIVE STREAMING SATURDAY - click here

Delta Downs Jackpot draws 10 including O'Neill's Rum Point

BAHNAH will run in the $500,000 Delta Downs Princess for 2 yo fillies, on Delta Downs Jackpot day. Hope she does well. She had bad luck on two recent starts, one in the My Trusty Cat at Delta Downs in October saw her win but she was DQ'd for bumping another horse on the far turn. At Saratoga in September in the Spinaway, she led to the stretch but was pushed out on a sloppy sealed track and lost momentum and faded. Maybe this will be her chance to get back to her early form in her first three races. Her debut she won by 6 and dead-heated in her second. She's a tiny little thing but she is a fighter!

Featured races listed below in time ordered format with a link to view the card.  After the race is run, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay (U.S. races).   Check out my printable time ordered list and entries:  Click here

Nov 16-17

LET'S GO TO THE RACES

Nov. 16-17

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

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Three graded stakes on the turf and still more juvenile tests highlight U.S. racing this weekend while overseas action centers in Asia.

 

Three-year-olds colts and fillies get separate heats on the Churchill Downs grass at 1 1/16 miles. The older set finds 11 furlongs of turf on the agenda at Aqueduct.  With the first Kentucky Derby futures pool only a week away, 2-year-old races at Laurel and Woodbine will be duly noted, though the latter is a restricted event. State-bred events in several jurisdictions also could turn up a surprise or two.  Among the juvenile fillies, the featured event is Saturday's Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood Park, with two recent maiden winners representing trainer Bob Baffert.  Read more at source

 

INTERNATIONAL RACES - SUNDAY, NOV. 17

HONG KONG

There's a lot on the line and plenty of stiff competition in these prep races on Sunday at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.  The three international G2 races are the premier preparatory races leading into the internationally renowned four-race LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 8.

Sunday's three Group 2 stakes events at Sha Tin prepare the local contingent for the onslaught of a formidable group of overseas shippers for the four big Group 1 races on December 8.  None other than the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, MILITARY ATTACK, will be making only his second start of the season this Sunday, having finished behind GOLD-FUN recently.  

Sunday's HK G2 Jockey Club Cup at 2,000 meters (1 1/4 mi) leads to the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup December 8.  MILITARY ATTACK won't have to worry about Gold-Fun, however, as Gold-Fun will be looking to secure a hat trick in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, instead.  Military Attack was 5th in last year's Hong Kong Cup, but followed up with impressive wins in the G1 QE II Cup at Sha Tin along with the G1 International Cup at Kranji.  On the other hand, Military Attack will need to be wary of the winner of last year's edition of the Jockey Club Cup.

CALIFORNIA MEMORY, last year's winner of the G2 Jockey Club Cup, was also the back-to-back winner of the Hong Kong Cup in 2011 and 2012.  The 7 year old US bred gray gelding is looking to defend both last year's success in this prep and to turn in an unprecedented trifecta of the Hong Kong Cup on December 8.   

Hong Kong champion stayer LIBERATOR and last year's HK Group 1 Hong Kong Derby winner AKEED MOFEED should make for a very exciting matchup in this very contentious Group 2 prep.

Sunday's Group 2 Jockey Club Mile is a prep for the G1 Hong Kong Mile. GOLD-FUN faces eight rivals, among them last season’s G1 Champions Mile one-two-three, DAN EXCEL, HELENE SPIRIT and PACKING WHIZ. Also in the line-up, BLAZING SPEED and EXTENSION,  all known locally on the stakes front.  As mentioned elsewhere, Gold-Fun will be looking to garner a third straight win in this event.

Also on Sunday, the G2 Jockey Club Sprint leads to the G1 Hong Kong Sprint.  AMBER SKY (turning right for the first time), EAGLE REGIMENT will likely face CERISE CHERRYM, CAPTAIN SWEET, TIME AFTER TIME, STERLING CITY, and FREDERICK ENGELS, each with something to prove.

The races the above events are pointing to on December 8,

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES

Hong Kong Cup G1, $1.6 Million,  1 1/4 mi (2000 meters)

Hong Kong Mile  1 mile (1600 meters)
Hong Kong Vase  1 1/2 mi (2400 meters)
Hong Kong Sprint   6 furlongs  (1200 meters) 

Related Website：

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races



JAPAN - AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL RACES 2013

 

More information
Nov. 10    Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Kyoto, $2.1 Million, 3+ f/m 2200 m T
        Result: Winner Meisho Mambo wins her third G1    Replay Video - English

Nov. 17    Mile Championship G1, Kyoto, $2.3 Million, 3+, 1600m T - Result and video - English version available on Monday

Nov. 24    Japan Cup G1, Tokyo, $5.8 Million, 3+, 2400m T
Dec. 1      Japan Cup Dirt G1, $3 Million, 3+, 1800m T
Nov. 30-Dec. 1  World Super Jockeys Series - Hanshin

Japan Autumn International - Overview
Kyoto will be the site Sunday Nov. 17 of the G1 Mile Championship, to be followed a week later by the Group 1 Japan Cup November 24, with the series concluding, on December 1 with the Group 1 Japan Cup Dirt.  No foreign invaders are expected in the Mile Championship, with the locals TOSEN RA, and DANON SHARK rated highest in the field.

The foreign shippers expected for the GROUP 1, $5.7 MILLION USD JAPAN CUP November 24 include JOSHUA TREE, DUNADEN, and SIMENON.  RED CADEAUX will sit out the Japan meet to await the Hong Kong International Races December 8.  ORFEVRE and KIZUNA, fresh from their Paris appearances in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, are not expected, however, last year's winner GENTILDONNA, GOLD SHIP, and EISHIN FLASH will appear. Gentildonna will have a rider change to Ryan Moore in hopes of getting her back to her three year old form and in an attempt to become the first-ever two-time winner of the Japan Cup.

Pants On Fire on schedule for Japan Cup Dirt Dec. 1
Pants on Fire touched down at Narita International Airport east of Tokyo shortly before 11 a.m. Friday and arrived at the JRA Horseracing School quarantine facilities at 1:45 p.m. in line for his bid in the G1 Japan Cup Dirt. The American runner is set to add some much-desired international color to the Japan Cup Dirt for the first time in four years and Tizway's participation in 2009. The 1,800-meter race, this year in its 14th year, will be held on Dec. 1 at the Hanshin Racecourse west of Osaka.

The 5-year-old Kentucky-born Pants on Fire is sired by Jump Start and is out of the Cape Town mare Cabo de Noche. Pants on Fire is owned by George & Lori Hall and bred by K & G Stables.

Dance to Bristol retirement ceremony Laurel Park

Featured races listed below in time ordered format with a link to view the card.  After the race is run, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay (U.S. races).   Check out my printable time ordered list and entries:  Click here

Nov 5 - Melbourne Cup

 

Tuesday, November 5

(U.S. Monday, 11:00 p.m. ET)

Gai Waterhouse wins her first Melbourne Cup, and tragedy struck the Aga Khan's prized mare, Verema, who was euthanized on the track when she broke down. My favorite, Simenon, got 4th, not bad in a 24-horse field that included so many Group 1 winners. Dandino was 5th.

Official finishing order and betting

Full race coverage, result, finish - click here

Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of New York.  The race takes place 3 pm Melbourne time.  which will be 11:00 p.m. Monday evening, ET.  Ten races, first race at 6:20 p.m. ET, Monday in U.S.

Flemington Racecourse - Melbourne

The Melbourne Cup is widely regarded as Australia’s major thoroughbred horse race. Held annually on the first Tuesday of November, the Melbourne Cup attracts some of the best horses in the world, all vying for a chance to claim some of the $6 million prize money that is offered each year. Known as ‘the race that stops a nation’, the Melbourne Cup is run over a distance of 3,200 metres and is the richest and most prestigious ‘two-mile’ handicap in the world. It is also one of the richest turf races worldwide and is the feature race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Held at Melbourne’s famed Flemington Racecourse, which is under the operation of the Victorian Racing Club, the cup is a handicap race open to all horses aged three-years-old and above.

The first ever horse to win the Melbourne Cup was named Archer. Archer also won the second running of the Melbourne Cup and was favourite to win the third before the owner failed to submit the entry form on time and Archer was not allowed to run. Other notable winners of the Melbourne Cup include Carbine in 1890, Night Watch in 1918, Phar Lap in 1930 and Light Fingers in 1965. Makybe Diva is famous for being the first and only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three years in a row from 2003 to 2005. Read more at source

There are three mares in the Melbourne Cup 2013 field including Dear Demi who is out to become the first of her kind to win the iconic handicap since the mighty Makybe Diva made it a triple in 2005.  Since the Melbourne Cup was inaugurated in 1861 a total of 13 mares have taken it out, most recently Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005) who remains he only triple Melbourne Cup winner in history.   Read more at source

WATCH the Melbourne Cup:
TwinSpires/TV  - Requires registration
HRTV - Available in some areas from cable provider; also, live streaming online w/paid subscription
Racing Network Australia - Live and replays

Handicapping Videos
Melbourne Cup Preview Show - Part 1
Melbourne Cup Preview Show - Part 2
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Monday evening, Flemington, Australia, post time: 11:00 p.m. EDT

EMIRATES MELBOURNE CUP-G1, A$6,000,000, 3yo/up, 3200mT, R7
Field - Melbourne Cup Race 7

Full fields for all races Melbourne Cup Day
Field and Barrier draw - Melbourne Cup

THE HORSES Rating the runners - Horse by horse analysis
Dandino improves into Melbourne Cup

Can Dandino repeat Makybe Diva path from Caulfield Second to win the Cup
Dance is hopeful that Dandino can become the first horse since champion mare Makybe Diva in 2004 to win the Melbourne Cup after finishing second two and a half weeks earlier in the Caulfield Cup.

Mucho Macho Man

MUCHO MACHO MAN RETIRED!  To stand at Adena Springs

 

 Following is a retrospective about my favorite horse!

 

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MUCHO MACHO is 'THE MAN'!

 

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face!!! I have had a love affair with this horse for nearly 3 years.  So happy for him and his connections, and all who had a part in bringing him to this point in his long career! So many people to thank for giving us this wonderful horse to fall in love with and admire, who have loved and cared for him, given him time to grow into his lanky 17.2h frame, have never pushed him to go beyond what would keep him happy and healthy.