Nov. 27-30

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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Ann Maree's Time Ordered Races / Entries - printable file
 

 

 

FOUR JAM PACKED DAYS OF RACES!

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. 

Nov. 22-23

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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Ann Maree's Time Ordered List and Entries - Printable file 

 

DELTA DOWNS JACKPOT DAY
The Delta Downs Jackpot is the centerpiece of an 11-race program that will feature eight stakes races, two graded stakes and more than $2.3 million in total purse money.

Mr. Z, who hails from the barn of Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for the 12th running of the track's signature event. Fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile most recently, the Malibu Moon colt has finished second in three graded stakes this year, including the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland two starts back. Paco Lopez will pick up the mount. Read more at source

Take Charge Brandi looks to strengthen credentials for end of year honors in the Delta Princess

 



STARS COME OUT FOR THE HONG KONG TRIALS

Overview Hong Kong International Races  Sunday's races are considered the Trials for the upcoming HKIR on December 14.

From TDN:  The three most recent Horses of the Year in Hong Kong, as well as almost every other important horse in the region, will prep for the Longines Hong Kong International Races in Sunday’s course-and-distance trial races at Sha Tin, a program sponsored by BOCHK Wealth Management.

In the G2 Jockey Club Cup over the 2000 meters, reigning Horse of the Year DESIGNS ON ROME (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will look to move forward off an eighth-place effort behind 2012-13 Horse of the Year MILITARY ATTACK (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) in the Sha Tin Trophy H. Oct. 26, where he finished a one-paced eighth as the even-money favorite. Last year’s Hong Kong Derby and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner had some things against him, however, as the 1600-meter trip was shy of his best and the pace never materialized, blunting his normally strong finish. To be fair, Military Attack is also best over 10 furlongs, and, despite racing first-up in the Sha Tin Trophy, carried Zac Purton to victory at 13-1. He should come on for the effort while trying to save something for the big day in a little more than three weeks.

The race has also attracted two-time G1 Hong Kong Cup hero CALIFORNIA MEMORY (Highest Honor {Fr}). In the Jockey Club Mile, GOLD-FUNGold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) and one-time HOY AMBITIOUS DRAGON (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) will square off looking to improve on their second- and third-place finishes in the Sha Tin Trophy last time out. Gold-Fun was runner-up in last year’s G1 Hong Kong Mile, while Ambitious Dragon, winner of the latter event in 2012, was having his first run for 18 months after nearly being retired with a tendon injury. If either of those stub their toe, ABLE FRIEND (Aus) (Shamardal) should be there to pick up the pieces.

Japan:  Kyoto Racecourse will feature the Group 1 Mile Championship on Sunday, which has drawn a field of 18 runners, and boasts six G1 winners, including previous Mile Championship winners Sadamu Patek (in 2012) and Tosen Ra, NHK Mile Cup champions Grand Prix Boss and Mikki Isle.   The field of 6 Deep Impact-sired runners is topped by Fiero and Tosen Ra.

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For North American races, return here after a race has been run for replays at the CARDS.  Many of the international races will have replays at their sites - follow the links for the cards.