Saturday, February 28, 2015

Feb. 28 thru Mar 1


LET'S GO TO THE RACES  Feb 21-22, 2015



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 are welcomed & would be appreciated.  Thanks!


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No official Derby preps this weekend, but several nice races for three year olds. 



 

TODAY!  DRF LIVE, WITH MATT BERNIER AND DAN ILLMAN

Horton considers Rebel for Take Charge Brandi - 2-25-15
Take Charge Brandi early favorite in Oaks Future Wager

Triple Crown - Kentucky Derby
Haskin: Derby Preps - No Need for Speed - 2-25-15
Brisnet James Scully - Derby Report 2-25-15
Steve Haskin Derby Dozen - Feb. 24, 2015
Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown
Courier-Journal's national media Kentucky Derby poll
Keelerman: What happened to Frosted and other stories?
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - Feb. 17
Kentucky Derby.com  -  Updated points posted to Oaks and Derby qualif. races
DRF Road to the Derby - Preps, winners, replays
Derby Watch     Mike Watchmaker & Jay Privman keep a weekly tally on what's happening with their Top 20 Derby horses

DUBAI CARNIVAL
Check up on Thursday's racing results and race replays - click here
There are races this Saturday, as well.  AmWest Entertainment - Watch live racing


FEATURED RACES
Time Ordered Races / Entries - printable file
Entries Index

SATURDAY
2:30 ET  HERECOMESTHEBRIDE S. G3, GP, $150,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT  R5   CARD
5:00 ET  SWALE S. G2, GP, $200,000, 3yo, 7f  R10   CARD
5:30 ET  PALM BEACH S. G3, GP, $150,000, 3yo, 1 1/16mT  R11   CARD
7:00 ET  SANTA YSABEL S. G3, SA, $100,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m   R8   CARD
8:40 ET  John Battaglia Memorial, TP, $125,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m  R6   CARD
10:46 ET  Maxxam Gold Cup, SH, $100,000, 4&up, 1 1/8m  R9   CARD

SUNDAY
Hankyu Hai G3  JRA  $723,000, 4+  7f T     CARD
Nakayama Kinen G2  JRA $1,085,000 4+  9f T      CARD

3:00 a.m. EST HONG KONG GOLD CUP-G1, Sha Tin US$1,289,353, 3yo/up, 2000mT  R7 CARD*
*A replay will be available at this link after the race is completed - English

Friday, February 20, 2015

Feb. 21-22, 2015

The winter of 2015
LET'S GO TO THE RACES  Feb 21-22, 2015



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 are welcomed & would be appreciated.  Thanks!


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TRIPLE CROWN TRAIL HEATS UP!  

BIG RACE DAY ON SATURDAY The sophomore colts and fillies get a big leg up on the points for the preps, except for the Sunday SOUTHWEST STAKES which retains its original points of 10-4-2-1.  The other two preps for the colts, RISEN STAR at the Fair Grounds, and the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH at Gulfstream will each dole out 50-20-10-5 to the top 4 finishers of those races.  The same point count will be in effect for the three OAKS qualifying races:  the DAVONA DALE at Gulfstream, the BUSHER at Aqueduct, and the RACHEL ALEXANDRA at the Fair Grounds.
 
Battle of the Ortiz Bros. in the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH at Gulfstream on Frosted and Upstart, and also this is the re-match of the top two finishers in the Holy Bull last month.  The top three in the Lecomte meet up again in the RISEN STAR at Fair Grounds.

Mike Smith is riding at the Fair Grounds on Saturday in several races, and at Oaklawn in the SOUTHWEST on Sunday (Far Right).  Corey Nakatani is a new rider for Mr.Z on Sunday in the SOUTHWEST, hoping a rider change will help him stay more focused.

From Brisnet:  For the past century, the Whitney name and Eton blue and brown silks that have accompanied it to racetracks around the world rank among the most recognizable, and successful, in thoroughbred racing.

They will be on display again Saturday when Marylou Whitney homebred GORGEOUS BIRD (Unbridled's Song) steps up to stakes company for the first time in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park.  Read more

SUNDAY'S SOUTHWEST HAS ELEVEN AT OAKLAWN 
 
Far Right (Notional) is the horse to beat following his Smarty Jones S. victory at the Hot Springs, Arkansas track on January 19. Trained by Ron Moquett, the colt rallied to score by 1 3/4 lengths after posting a third in the Delta Jackpot (G3) in his juvenile finale. Mike Smith retains the mount on the likely favorite.

Bayerd (Speightstown), Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) and Private Prospect (Discreet Cat), respective second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the Smarty Jones, are all back for the Southwest as well. Bayerd is one of two runners from the Steve Asmussen stable along with Bold Conquest (Curlin), who rates as a dangerous challenger in his 2015 bow.

Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) will break from the far outside with new rider Corey Nakatani, who will attempt to maintain a straight path aboard the D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt. Mr. Z, who owns only a maiden win but has placed in six stakes, veered toward the grandstand with a clear lead in the stretch drive of the Smarty Jones, likely costing himself a victory.  Read more

HRTV Replay Southwest Stakes  Time was 1:47.50

DRF's Matt Bernier and Dan Illman handicap the SOUTHWEST - video

UNDERCARD
Undercard activity includes Main Sequence seasonal debut in the MAC DIARMIDA at Gulfstream on Saturday.

From Jeremy Plonk:  "Undercard Tilts
The big undercard player comes Sunday in Gulfstream Park Race 5 when Royal Delta‟s kid bro KHOZAN (Todd Pletcher) makes his much anticipated second start in ALW company. An expected delivery here puts him on the path to the G1 Florida Derby a la stablemate Constitution a year ago."

"Saturday's Risen Star Day card at Fair Grounds also includes a must-see Race 2 MSW sprint featuring the debut of HOW ABOUT HIM (Larry Jones), half-brother to Kentucky Oaks heroine Believe You Can. He meets the regally bred Candy Ride-Twist Afleet second-timer APOCALYPSE (Neil Howard)."
"A MSW is offered in Race 3 at FG as well, including the debut of Triple Crown nominee and blue-blood GANDONO (David Carroll).

"Santa Anita on Sunday, Race 5, MSW, SMART TRANSITION (J Shirreffs) by Smart Strike ex. Zardana; also Z BESHA is Judy The Beauty's brother."

Handicapping with Matt Bernier and Dan Illman - DRF - Videos
             Fountain of Youth
             Davona Dale
             Gulfstream Park Sprint
             Mac Diarmida Stakes

TCI Insider - Video - Jon & Joel on the preps Saturday/Sunday

HRTV's Pursuit of the Crown - video with Lafitt Pincay and Christine Blacker

Triple Crown - Kentucky Derby
Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown
Courier-Journal's national media Kentucky Derby poll
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - Feb. 17
Kentucky Derby.com  -  Updated points posted to Oaks and Derby qualif. races
DRF Road to the Derby - Preps, winners, replays
Derby Watch     Mike Watchmaker & Jay Privman keep a weekly tally on what's happening with their Top 20 Derby horses

DUBAI CARNIVAL
Check up on Thursday's racing results and race replays - click here

DOWN UNDER:  Prep for the Golden Slipper in April, the Silver Slipper will be run this SaturdaySilver Slipper - About the race and the card  16-hour time difference, so the race will be run about 11:35 p.m. EST tonight, Friday, Feb. 20 in the U.S.  The Golden Slipper in April is billed as the world's richest race for two year olds, with a purse of about $2 Million USD.

RESULTHEADWATER treated some of Sydney’s best two-year-old with contempt and vaulted to Golden Slipper favouritism with a brilliant win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.      
      
The Group 2 $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) had been the most anticipated juvenile race of the season with five unbeaten youngsters clashing but the race turned into a procession with Headwater leading from the start and winning easing down.

“That was a great performance,’’ said in-form jockey Blake Shinn. “The win speaks for itself. He did everything right and beat some quality horses.

“He did everything you could ask for leading into the biggest two-year-old race of the season.
“This colt jumps, he travels, he can sit behind, he has acceleration, he has the looks — he is the complete package.’’  Race replay and write-up

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Return here after the races to watch the replays at the CARD.

FEATURED RACES

Time ordered races - printable file
Racing Index

SATURDAY
2:00 ET  RAMPART S G3, GP, $100,000, 4&up, f&m, 1m  R4   CARD
2:18 ET  Busher S, Aqu, $100,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m  R3   CARD  #
2:30 ET  VERY ONE S G3, GP, $150,000, 4&up, f&m, 1 3/8mT R5   CARD
3:00 ET  GP SPRINT C’SHIP G3, GP, $100,000, 4&up, 6 1/2f  R6   CARD
4:00 ET  DAVONA DALE S G2, GP, $200,000, 3yo, f, 1m R8   CARD #
4:30 ET  MAC DIARMIDA S G2, GP, $200,000, 4&up, 1 3/8mT R9   CARD
4:38 ET  Spring Fever S, OP, $100,000, 4&up, f&m, 5 1/2f  R8   CARD
4:55 ET  MINESHAFT H G3, FG, $125,000, 4&up, 1 1/16m  R8   CARD
5:00 ET  CANADIAN TURF S G3, GP, $150,000, 4&up, 1mT  R10   CARD
5:24 ET  FAIR GROUNDS H G3, FG, $125,000, 4&up, abt 1 1/8mT  R9   CARD
5:30 ET  FOUNTAIN/YOUTH S G2, GP, $400,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m  R11   CARD *
5:54 ET  R'EL ALEXANDRA G3, FG, $175,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m  R10  CARD#
6:25 ET  RISEN STAR S G2, FG, $400,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m  R11   CARD *
7:00 ET  Sensational Star S (r), SA, $100,000, 4&up, abt 6 1/2fT  R8   CARD
7:24 ET  Mine That Bird Derby, Sun, $100,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m  R9   CARD

*Derby Points = 50-20-10-5
#Oaks Points - 50-20-10-5

HRTV RESULT REPLAY VIDEOS/Brisnet write-ups:
Fountain of Youth       It'saknockout elevated to 1st in Fountain of Youth
              Mike Watchmaker comments on the controversial DQ of Upstart
Risen Star          Intern'l Star rallies up rail for Risen Star; Imperia 5th
Rachel Alexandra         I'machatterbox rallied to win easily
Davona Dale                 Ekati Phaeton guts out Davona Dale victory
Mac Diarmida Handicap     Main Sequence maintains winning habit
Fair Grounds Handicap      Chocolate Ride takes foes for a ride
Mineshaft Handicap          Street Babe has all the cred in the Mineshaft
Busher S                Condo Commando dashes to Busher victory
Rampart Stakes      House Rules survives inquiry & stretch duel keeps stakes record in tact
Canadian Turf            Long on Value proves just that in Canadian turf
Gulfstream Park Sprint        C. Zee posts mild upsedt in GP Sprint
The Very One S     Irish Mission accomplishes possibly final one in The Very One

More on todays races
Fountain of Youth rematch of top two in the Holy Bull
Frosted looks to turn tables on Upstart in Fountain of Youth
Upstart an expected heavy favorite in Fountain of Youth
Condo Commando makes Sophomore debut in Busher
I'machatterbox, Angela Renee square off in Rachel Alexandra
Wedding Toast formidable favorite in Rampart
Ring Weekend uncertain in Canadian turf
Jacaranda looks to pace herself in Davona Dale
Jacaranda puts perfect mark on line in Davona Dale
Main Sequence gets back in the picture
Main Sequence starts another championship drive in Mac Diarmida
Risen Star attracts top three from Lecomte
International Star breaks from outside in Risen Star

SUNDAY
5:42 ET  SOUTHWEST S G3, OP, $300,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m R8  CARD *
*Makeup Derby Prep - 10-4-2-1 qualifying points

HRTV Replay Southwest Stakes  Time was 1:47.50

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Saturday, February 14, 2015

Feb. 14-16, 2015

LET'S GO TO THE RACES  Feb 14-16, 2015
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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 are welcomed & would be appreciated.  Thanks!


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CONGRATULATIONS TO GARY STEVENS ON HIS 5000th North American win!  Brian Zipse posted a retrospective of Gary's illustrious career with a look back at many of his key races:  Gary Stevens Career Highlight Reel

This is the last weekend for the 10-4-2-1 Derby qualifying points.  The Southwest  on Monday and the El Camino Real Derby on Saturday for three year olds.  Southwest Stakes and El Camino Real Derby preview -TCI Insider video  FAR RIGHT, BAYERD, MR. Z meet up again in the Southwest.   WAR STORY was scratched and is probable for the Risen Star on Feb. 21.

RIDE ON CURLIN takes on a little stakes action in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn after posting a seasonal debut win in January in an allowance:  Ride On Curlin returns a winner at Oaklawn 1-15-15

Claire Novak and Tom LMara handicap the $300,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Saturday:  Video

AWESOME BABY (8-1) makes her seasonal debut in the G2 $200,00 Santa Maria S on Saturday.  She will face WARREN'S VENEDA (5-2), TIZ MIDNIGHT (3-1), THEGIRLINTHATSONG (3-1), and YAHILWA (6-1).

International
Kizuna Returns  The 2013 G1 Japanese Derby winner and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fourth Kizuna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is expected to make his long-awaited return in Sunday’s G2 Kyoto Kinen. The 5-year-old hasn’t been seen since May, when he ran a disappointing fourth in the G1 Tenno Sho and was later discovered to have suffered a stress fracture in his hind leg. The previous year, Kizuna defeated subsequent Japan Cup hero Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) in the G1 Tokyo Yushun [Japanese Derby] before embarking on a history-making trip to France as the first 3-year-old from Japan to tackle the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The dark bay posted a dazzling victory in his prep race, the G3 Prix Niel, holding off the likes of Ruler Of The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Spiritjim (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}). Three weeks later, he ran a creditable fourth behind an unapproachable Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}).

Kizuna will face 10 rivals Sunday at Kyoto racecourse, including another former 3-year-old Arc contender in Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The filly missed the break at Longchamp last year and had tons of ground to make up turning for home, yet she displayed an impressive turn of foot to finish sixth. She was a fast-finishing fifth to Epiphaneia in the G1 Japan Cup on her next start.

Result:  Lovely Day upstages Kizuna, Harp Star in Kyoto Kinen   Race Replay

Handicapping - Matt Bernier, Dan Illman, DRF - videos
                  Santa Maria - Saturday, Santa Anita
                  Hurricane Bertie - Saturday - Gulfstream
                  Barbara Fritchie - Saturday - Laurel Park
                  El Camino Real Derby - Saturday - Golden Gate
                  Pick 4 Saturday at Laurel

Haskin podcast - 2-10-15
Handicapping Insights - Dick Powell 2-13-15

Triple Crown - Kentucky Derby
TCI Insider - Southwest Stakes & Undercard races - Jon & Joel discuss the Southwest
Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown *
Courier-Journal's national media Kentucky Derby poll
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - Feb. 10
Texas Red:  How a second place horse can still be first
Kentucky Derby.com
DRF Road to the Derby - Preps, winners, replays
Derby Watch     Mike Watchmaker & Jay Privman keep a weekly tally on what's happening with their Top 20 Derby horses

Note on Jeremy Plonk's Countdown: 
Monday’s Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park will enter Friday after Countdown’s deadline. Join our mailing list on the Horseplayernow.com homepage or come back Sunday to download a FREE Southwest Stakes Wager Guide! * Monday’s holiday feature is expected to include a rematch of Smarty Jones Stakes runners FAR RIGHT (Ron Moquett) and MR. Z (D. Wayne Lukas) among a field that also will include J.S. BACH (Todd Pletcher) from Gulfstream.

* Here is Countdown's Sunday look at the Southwest Stakes on Monday at Oaklawn

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DUBAI?  Catch up on all the Dubai Carnival action at my recent post.  All of the stakes races and the video replays are posted.  Burning up the track are Reynaldothewizard, Mubtaahij, Maftool, Frankyfourfingers, Mastermind, and many others:  2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival

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FEATURED RACES

Come back here once a race is completed to watch replay at the CARD.

Time Ordered Races / Entries - printable file
Racing Index

SATURDAY
3:27 ET  John B Campbell H, LP, $100,000, 3+, 1 1/8m  R7  CARD
3:57 ET  Barbara Fritchie H (G2), LP, $300,000, 3+, f&m, 7f   R8  CARD
4:13 ET  Broadway S (r), Aqu, $100,000, 4+, f&m, 6f  R8  CARD
4:27 ET  MD Racing Media S, LP, $100,000, 3+, f&m, 1 1/8m  R9  CARD
5:00 ET  Hurricane Bertie S (G3), GP, $150,000, 4+, f&m, 6 1/2f  R10  CARD
5:44 ET  Peppers Pride S (r), Sun, $85,000, 4+, f&m, 1m  R9  CARD
6:09 ET  Essex H, OP, $100,000, 4+, 1 1/16m  R9  CARD
6:45 ET  El Camino Real Derby (G3), GGF, $200,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m  *  R7  CARD
7:00 ET  Santa Maria S (G2), SA, $200,000, 4+, f&m, 1 1/16m  R8  CARD

Results/write-ups/replays
Merry Meadow romps in Hurricane Bertie
Metaboss wins the El Camino Real Derby
Lady Sabelia takes the Barbara Fritchie at Laurel
Warren's Veneda wins the Santa Maria impressively


 SUNDAY

International - Japan            14 hr time difference EST
Kyoto Kinen, G2, $1,000.000, 4+, 2200m T   CARD
 


Result:  Lovely Day upstages Kizuna, Harp Star in Kyoto Kinen   Race Replay

International - Hong Kong
3:00 a.m. EST Chairman's Sprint Prize, G1, $850,000USD, Sha Tin, 1200M T R7  CARD
It's GOLD-FUN in the CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE! Replay

4:10 a.m. EST Hong Kong Classic Cup, G1, $775,000USD, Sha Tin, 4 1800M T R9  CARD
Hong Kong Classic Cup
Hong Kong Classic Cup replay and result - Thunder Fantasy

Gold-Fun, Thunder Fantasy prevail in thrillers at Sha Tin

North America
5:42 ET  Bayakoa S (G3), OP, $100,000, 4+, f&m, 1 1/16m  R8  CARD

More on today's race
Pippin rematch in Bayakoa

MONDAY
3:27 ET  Wide Country S, LP, $100,000, 3yo, f, 7f  R7  CARD
3:57 ET  Miracle Wood S, LP, $100,000, 3yo, 1m  R8  CARD
4:13 ET  Evening Attire S, Aqu, $100,000, 4+, 1 1/16m  R8  CARD
4:27 ET  General George H (G3), LP, $250,000, 3+, 7f  R9  CARD
6:09 ET  Southwest S (G3), OP, $300,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m  *  R9  CARD POSTPONED
6:30 ET  Buena Vista S (G2), SA, $200,000, 4+, f&m, 1mT  R7  CARD

 * = KY Derby points = 10-4-2-1

Southwest cancelled due to weather.  To be re-scheduled for Feb. 21 or 22.

More on today's races
Far Right faces 10 in Southwest
Handicapping the Southwest at Oaklawn

Friday, February 6, 2015

Jan 7-8, 2015

LET'S GO TO THE RACES  Feb 7-8, 2015

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 are welcomed & would be appreciated.  Thanks!



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Three Year Old division
Two Derby prep races take place on Saturday.  Dortmund and Firing Line are the favorites for the Robert Lewis at Santa Anita, and El Kabeir will be the highweight for the Withers at Aqueduct.  Derby points worth 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers are up for grabs for each of these contests.  Matt Bernier and Dan Illman handicap the Robert Lewis
 
Older Horse division
Billed as a rematch but only their second meeting will be at Santa Anita Saturday for the $500,000 Grade 2 San Antonio Invitational , newly crowned Horse of the Year California Chrome and Shared Belief will square off with another 4 year old hoping to play spoiler, Hoppertunity, trying to have a say.  Matt Bernier and Dan Illman video handicapping this race
 
At Gulfstream, a lineup of 10 older horses will contest the $500,000 Grade 1 Donn Handicap, including Constitution (Tapit), Commissioner (A.P.Indy), and Lea ( is the defending champ, and will likely be the one to beat.  Matt Bernier and Dan Illman of DRF handicap this race Donn Handicap - Video     Lea in good form coming into Donn
 
The Jockey Club on Fox launches its 2015 focus on the handicap division with a two-hour broadcast, beginning Saturday at 5:30 Eastern Standard Time.
 

Case for (and against) California Chrome in the San Antonio Stakes
Hopportunity seeks to spoil San Antonio party
Steve Haskin:  Chrome and Belief ready for battle
Shared Belief ready for San Antonio

JOCKEY CLUB TOUR ON FOX!  SATURDAY! click here



BloodHorse That Handicapping Show - video - San Antonio
Around the World - Class of 2014 ready to hit the track again
British runners abroad hit an all-time hight but not because of North America

What happened last weekend - Complete wrap up

Triple Crown - Kentucky Derby
TCI Insider - Jon & Joel discuss the Withers and the Robert Lewis, two races with qualifying Kentucky Derby points 10-4-2-1
Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown
Courier-Journal's national media Kentucky Derby poll
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - Feb. 3
Texas Red:  How a second place horse can still be first
Kentucky Derby.com
Derby Watch


Note:  After a race has been completed, check back here at the CARD below for a results and video replay.