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!
**************************************
TWO YEAR OLDS still have time to work on getting a foundation and avoiding the Apollo Curse*. This weekend will see a number of contests both maiden and graded stakes for two year olds to help them sharpen their skills for the Derby Trail ahead. On Saturday, among the races for juveniles are the G2 REMSEN at Aqueduct, CORONATION FUTURITY at Woodbine, and the G2 KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB at Churchill Downs. On Sunday, the two year old turfers can test the grass at Del Mar in the CECIL DE MILLE stakes. The FILLIES have a few options as well with the G2 DEMOISELLE at Aqueduct, the G2 GOLDEN ROD at Churchill Downs, and the G3 JIMMY DURANTE at Del Mar.
On Friday, the SEABISCUIT HANDICAP on the turf at Del Mar will see MR. COMMONS (8/1) try to break his dry spell against 5/2 favorite TOM'S TRIBUTE and others that include ZA APPROVAL, PURE TACTICS, and BIG BANE THEORY.
The $300,000 Grade 1 MATRIARCH for 3+ fillies and mares on Sunday at Del Mar includes a cross-entry by Lexie Lou, however, she is expected to run in the Hollywood Derby.
Now for the Marquee Events for the weekend:
The $500,000 Grade 1 CLARK on Friday represents an opportunity for the sophomores to meet their elders in a renewal that dates back to the opening of Churchill Downs, where it was first contested in 1875. HOPPERTUNITY and CONSTITUTION are co-favorites at the morning line odds of 7/2. Others expected to have a say in the outcome are DEPARTING and PRAYER FOR RELIEF.
The G1 $500,000 CIGAR MILE Saturday at Aqueduct will feature SECRET CIRCLE (2/1), PRIVATE ZONE (3/1), ITSMYLUCKYDAY (5/1), TRANSPARENT (6/1), VYJACK (8/1) as the single-digit favorites, with 4 others expected to complete the 9-horse lineup.
Sitting atop the weekend fare is the much anticipated clash of dual Classic winner, CALIFORNIA CHROME, and the Canadian QUEEN'S PLATE winner, LEXIE LOU meet 4 others in the $300,000 G1 HOLLYWOOD DERBY at Del Mar.
INTERNATIONAL: Sunday, Group 1 JAPAN DERBY
The 34th Japan Cup, the richest race of the Japan Racing Association -- about $4 Million USD -- fetched 19 nominations, including three from abroad – Trading Leather, Ivanhowe and Up With the Birds – and 13 Grade 1 winners. While past results in the Japan Cup have been near even with the hosts winning 19 times and the visitors 14, Japanese horses have owned the 2,400-meter competition in recent years, having won the last eight races. Alkaased, under Lanfranco Dettori, was the last champion from overseas in 2005 when he set the race record of 2 minutes, 22.1 seconds which still holds today. Top Japanese horses include the world's top ranked horse, JUST A WAY, GENTILDONNA (2 time winner of Japan Cup), HARP STAR, DENIM and RUBY, ISLA BONITA, SPIELBERG. Read more at source...
Handicapper's report on Japanese horses
Training report - foreign horses
*Since 1882, no horse has won the Kentucky Derby who did not run as a Juvenile. Named for the last horse to accomplish that feat, it has been known ever since as the "Apollo Curse".
DRF will LIVE STREAM the full card at DEL MAR on SUNDAY - click here
After a race has been completed, you can return here to watch replay at BloodHorse available through the CARD link.
FEATURED RACES
Racing Index
THURSDAY
2:42 ET Fall Highweight H G3, Aqu, $300,000, 3+, 6f R8 CARD4:22 ET Hollywood Turf Cup G2, Dmr, $250,000, 3+, 1 1/2mT R7 CARD
5:00 ET Falls City H G2, CD, $200,000, 3+, F&M, 1 1/8m R11 CARD
FRIDAY
3:48 ET Go For Wand H G3, Aqu, $300,000, 3+, F&M, 1m R9 CARD5:35 ET Clark H G1, CD, $500,000, 3+, 1 1/8m R11 CARD
6:30 ET Seabiscuit H G2, Dmr, $250,000, 3+, 1 1/16mT R7 CARD
SATURDAY
1:24 ET Comely S G3, Aqu, $400,000, 3yo, F, 1 1/8m R4 CARD
3:19 ET Demoiselle S G2, Aqu, $400,000, 2yo, F, 1 1/8m R8 CARD
3:49 ET Remsen S G2, Aqu, $400,000, 2yo, 1 1/8m R9 CARD
4:17 ET Cigar Mile H G1, Aqu, $500,000, 3+, 1m R10 CARD
4:30 ET Native Diver H G3, Dmr, $200,000, 3+, 1 1/8m R3 CARD
4:35 ET Golden Rod S G2, CD, $200,000, 2yo, F, 1 1/16m R9 CARD
4:42 ET Coronation Futurity R, WO, $250,000, 2yo, 1 1/8m R8 CARD
5:20 ET Hawthorne Gold Cup H G2, Haw, $250,000, 3+, 1 1/4m R8 CARD
5:35 ET Kentucky Jockey Club S G2, CD, $200,000, 2yo, 1 1/16m R11 CARD
6:00 ET Jimmy Durante S G3, Dmr, $150,000, 2yo, F, 1mT R6 CARD
7:00 ET Hollywood Derby G1, Dmr, $300,000, 3yo, 1 1/8mT R8 CARD
Results/Replays
Patience pays oiff as Condo Commando romps in Demoiselle
Private Zone goes wire to wire in Cigar Mile
California Chrome sparkles in Hollywood Derby
California Chrome dominates Hollywood Derby
Ben's Cat takes Fabulous Strike for third straight year
Red Rifle scores in Hawthorne Gold Cup
El Kabeir narrowly prevails in Kentucky Jockey Club
Private Zone impossible to catch in Cigar Mile
Leave the Light On shines in Remsen Stakes
West Coast Belle wins Golden Rod to stay perfect
Private Zone impossible to catch in Cigar Mile
Leave the Light On shines in Remsen Stakes
Condo Commando takes command in Demoiselle
Snowbell draws off in Comely Stakes
Mr. Jordan answers distance question in Smooth Air
SUNDAY
6:00 ET Cecil B Demille S G3, Dmr, $150,000, 2yo, 1mT R6 CARD
7:00 ET Matriarch S G1, Dmr, $300,000, 3+, F&M, 1mT R8 CARD
International - Japan
Japan Cup G1 Tokyo $4 Million+, 3+, 1 1/2 mi R CARD
This will be a fabulous Japan Cup!!! I will be staying up to watch this. Time is 1:55 a.m. EST, so on the West Coast that translates to 10:55 p.m. Saturday night! The race has attracted an international cast including Ivanhowe (GER), Up With The Birds (CAN), and Trading Leather (IRE), plus the Japan stars of Gentildonna, Isla Bonita, Harp Star (currently the world's highest ranked horse). I believe nearly all the entries are Grade 1 winners.
EPIPHANEIA Powers to by 4 lengths
Video replay - English version will be posted on Monday
http://japanracing.jp/en/index.html Check in on Monday afternoon for English replay of race
********************************
NEWS
The World Descends on Hong Kong
Updated: 4:31 PM ET (First posted: 4:21 PM ET)
Able Friend winning the G2 Jockey Club Mile
Able Friend winning the G2 Jockey Club Mile
© HKJC.com
A total of 25 overseas horses and 22 International Group 1 winners have been invited to compete in the Longines Hong Kong International Races to be held Sunday, Dec. 14 at Sha Tin Racecourse.Names most recognizable to the racing public include Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), who will be making his fifth appearance at the International Races and comes off his best effort at the meeting having finished 1 1/2 lengths adrift of the victorious and now-retired Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in last year’s G1 Hong Kong Cup. The 8-year-old has had another successful season in 2014, with a pair of Group 1 successes and a runner-up effort G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. He’ll face a stiff challenge in the 2000-meter affair, primarily from the locals, including Hong Kong Horses of the Year Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), and Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), who caused a mild upset in the G2 Jockey Club Cup this past weekend.
Guide to Jumps season - ATR
No comments:
Post a Comment