Underrated Racehorse of the Week — GENERAL CHALLENGE

I started this series with an East coast based runner, so this time I feature a favorite of mine from Cali, GENERAL CHALLENGE.
In 1999, Bob Baffert was the crown prince of the Kentucky Derby.  He had trained the previous 2 winners, SIlver Charm & Real Quiet, both of whom had come within inches of capturing [...]

Commentator smashes Whitney field + Battle ROyale week 1 RESULTS

The old man did it again, 3 years after his first Whitney victory, he galloped home once more 4.5 lengths in front.  The Zito-trained gelding showed that he loves longer distances, as long as he’s left alone on the lead.  He also gave me some much-needed points on the ROad to the BC contest.
Best run of [...]

Weekend Stakes Action BATTLE ROYALE PICKS

Edit: 7/26/2008 8:47AM
Saratoga’s opening weekend is jam-packed with Gr1 races and the return of some of my favorite horses, like BLACK SEVENTEEN in the A.G. VAnderbilt and WAIT A WHILE in the DIana.  Also, a 2yo with a pedigree to die for makes his debut, PRINCE OF WEALTH — by Empire Maker out of Dreams [...]

1st Semi-Annual Underground Handicapping Battle Royale

It never fails.  A girl gets a good little blog going, picking her horses with a moderate success, nothing serious, but she’s having fun.  Then along comes a guy who thinks he knows everything, and challenges her to a handicapping Battle Royale.
I’ve joined up with Glen Vargas over at The Borderland Totalisator for a six week contest [...]

Secretariat = Elvis??

I just got this article forwarded to me, from the Richmond Times-DIspatch in Virginia.   Skimming it, I could not help but notice the similarities in the legacies  of Big Red and Elvis Presley.
Secretariat was born in the Thoroughbred backwaters of Virginia.
Elvis was born in the Mississippi podunk town of Tupelo.
Secretariat was the king of racing.
Elvis is the King [...]

Coaching Club WOWZER

 
 

MUSIC NOTE annihilated her rivals in the CCA Oaks Saturday (so much for her “experienced” stablemate) by 11 lengths.  Little Belle was 2nd, followed by Flaming Slew.  Acoma came in 4th.  Music Note runs to her pedigree, and it will be exciting to see her against Zaftig if that filly comes back as good as [...]

CCA Oaks & Other Weekend STakes

The Coaching CLub American Oaks (Gr1) used to be the Belmont of the New York filly Triple Crown.  Such luminaries as Twilight Tear (1944), Ruffian (1975) and Mom’s COmmand (1985) have won the race in their Hall of Fame careers.  More recently, Ashado won the race enroute to her championship 3 yo season honors.  In 2001, [...]

Underrated Racehorse of the Week : LIDO PALACE (Chi)

Contrary to popular mythology, the racing world does not end after the Belmont Stakes.  Our greatest champions are not all Kentucky Derby winners.  Heck, some of the best horses of the last decade didn’t even win an Eclipse Award!  Starting today, I will profile a terrific, but sadly, Underrated racehorse each week(or as often as [...]

Last Call for Luke Kruytbosch, Churchill Announcer

I’m just floored.  Kruytbosch was a great caller, good voice, always got the crowd excited.  I looked forward to hearing him each time I went to the track, like I looked forward to the genuine mint julips.  He was only 46.  Just yesterday, I was listening to him call the Ellis Park races on TVG, [...]

Grass 1, Curlin 0 – Red Rocks rattles Man O’War

I still can’t get over that crazy Man O’War on Saturday.  The pacesetters, Mission Approved and Sudan, took off at the break and put 8-10 lengths on the rest of the field.  Red Rocks settled in an easy third, about a length ahead of Curlin and True Cause.  As expected, the sprinters gave out in [...]