THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

                                                                          It's Noor by a Nose over Citation - 1950! 

HISTORIC SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MARATHON CLOSES OUT SANTA ANITA MEET ON SUNDAY WITH BOURBON BAY SOLID CHOICE FOR REPEAT WIN

April 22, 2012

The SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO is the longest marathon race in the U.S. Can you believe this tremendous test of endurance carries only a $150,000 purse, and it has dropped from a Grade 1 to a Grade 2? This is just shameful in my mind. Just shows how low on the list of quality races marathons have fallen in the U.S. Today's tbs are too fragile and have less stamina than horses of the past. For most of its existence, the race has been run at either 1 1/2 (12 f) or 1 3/4 mi (14 f). Noor won the race in 1950.*

             Noor battles Citation down the stretch

In 1964 it was so over-subscribed that it was run in two divisions!!! The big favorite today, Bourbon Bay, won this race in 2010. It is for horses 4 yyears old and up. Mike Smith will be riding a Bill Mott trainee and Florida shipper, Harrod's Creek, seeking his first stakes win. The only other graded stakes winner in the 6-horse field is another Florida shipper, trained by Graham Motion, Eagle Poise.

Let's pay homage to the tough horses of a bygone era, and to these horses as they run today, because for the mere pittance being offered as a purse, it is strictly an "honor" thing for the horses and their connections! If you can't watch it live, then see the replay after the race: BloodHorse: CARD San Juan Capistrano - Video replay after race (This is the card which will have the replay after the race)
*Noor is famous for many reasons, mainly though, he was Citation's nemesis, beating the TC winner 4 times. Also, he beat Assault, another TC winner, becoming the first (and still only) horse to beat two Triple Crown champions. He raced 10 times in 1950, from 9f to 16f (2 mi), winning 6 times, with 3 seconds and 1 third. His third was the only time he finished behind Citation, who was second! He beat the 1950 HOY, Hill Prince, and he also defeated Ponder, the 1949 KY Derby winner! He is also famous for being owned by Charles Howard, Seabiscuit's owner.

Read more about today's race at:  Santa Anita - Press Release
Read more about Noor at several web sites:  Maggiemae - Noor 
Facebook page:  Noor: In Memory of a Champion
Noor's Wiki page

Brian Zipse on marathon racing in the U.S.

Is this the dawning of a new era in horseracing?

Some random thoughts as I look forward to the First Saturday in May.

Terry Zeitz, a friend on Facebook, had this to say: "I think the Triple Crown series this year is going to be something that we haven't witnessed since the 1970's when Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed were the kings of the sport."

Her words gave me pause and caused me to think about whether we could be at the dawning of a new era in the sport. We won't actually know how the 2012 crop will wind up the year until it has played out, and it's a crap shoot as to how they will run in the Derby. And some will go on to the Preakness and the Belmont. Some of our favorites may disappoint in the Triple Crown races but go on to greater glory later this year at the summer and fall races, like Stay Thirsty and a couple others did last year. We could even see a horse challenge the 34 year old dry spell we have had as far as a Triple Crown champion! I'm hoping with all my might!

I've had a few "theories" and have pondered about all of this. Many have decried the 3 year old crop of 2011 -- and as a whole, it was mediocre at best, although a few of those horses are continuing to thrill us on the track this year as 4 yr olds.
But, back to my "theory":

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Apr 11-15


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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BIG RACING OVER NEXT 5 DAYS!

Final Derby Preps, several important Grade 1 races for 3 year olds as well as for older horses over the next several days.  We are less than 4 weeks away from the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown races! 

Final Derby Preps:  Some big dollars on the line in a couple of important prep races.  In the $1,000,000 Grade 1 ARKANSAS DERBY, Bodemeister is the current favorite, and with only $60,000 in earnings, he really needs to win or place second to have a shot at the Kentucky Derby starting gate.  Optimizer, who also runs in the ARKANSAS DERBY, and Howe Great, who goes in the $750,000 Grade 1 BLUE GRASS STAKES, are other horses who need a bit more graded cash to assure themselves spots in the Derby starting gate. DRF: Derby contenders ranked by graded earnings  These two races will be broadcast on CNBC Saturday, 6-7 pm ET.

While Union Rags is still at the top of most Derby Top 20 lists, Hansen could snatch the top spot with a decisive win in a packed field on Saturday in the Blue Grass.  He drew post 4, which his connections surely have to be happy about, but he still has to go out and win the race. 



Plenty of action for the older generation, with several races for fillies/mares, as well as many for older horses.  Important races for the distaff group are the $300,000 Grade 1 Vinery at Keeneland Thursday, the Grade 1 $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on Friday; the Grade 1 $300,000 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on Saturday.  For the older males, important races include the Grade 1 $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile at Keeneland on Friday; $250,000 G3 Count Fleet Sprint H and the G2 $350,000 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn on Saturday; and the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic will wind up Saturday's fare.  Apple Blossom Preview - Mike Beer, Dan Illman DRF  THS: Preview of Blue Grass Stakes & Arkansas Derby  

Under each race description below, in addition to the card, in most instances, there are links to read more about a particular race and the runners.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN:   Everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-but-didn't-know-what-to-ask site!!  A must-read" is Jeremy Plonk's weekly rundown on the Road to the Derby.  DRF: Week 15 - April 13, 2012   [Link "live" on Friday, April 13] He covers the week that was as well as looking toward the upcoming weekend.  He also digs into some of the undercard action.  Includes videos of last weekend's races.

FLASH:  DRF will LIVE STREAM THE RACES AT THE FOLLOWING TRACKS:
Thursday, April 12:  Keeneland Card - Live Streaming Link  
Friday, April 13:  Keeneland Card - Live Streaming
Saturday, April 14: Keeneland Card - Live Streaming

Also, CNBC is expected to cover the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, and the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Saturday, April 14, 6-7 pm ET.

Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.

Just want a simple list of the races, time ordered?  Click here

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!