-Racing lost another champion this week. Although this time, we were fortunate enough to lose our champion to retirement.
In a Tuesday afternoon news release, owner Jess Jackson announced that his champion filly Rachel Alexandra, would be retired to a "less stressful life", and become a broodmare. Jackson also announced his intention to breed Rachel to his two time Horse Of The Year champion Curlin.
Rachel Alexandra retires winning thirteen of nineteen starts, and over three point five million dollars in earnings.
To me, the crowning achievement in her illustrious career will be the way she dismantled the 2009 Kentucky Oaks field. Her twenty length win will forever be etched in my mind as one of the most dominating racing performances I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. We may have to go back thirty six years, back to "Big Red's" thirty one length Belmont effort, to see anything better.
Her other notable wins included wins against males in the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward stakes. The latter considered by most to be the linchpin of her 2009 campaign, and subsequent Horse Of The Year honor.
Rachel's legacy in the racing world will stretch far beyond her prestigious wins on the race track. She will forever be remembered for her role in the well discussed, and often heated debate between Zenyatta and Rachel supporters. Racing's version of the "civil war". This time the demarcation wouldn't be along the Mason Dixon, but east, west somewhere along the Mississippi.
For the latter half of 2009, you couldn't talk about Rachel without mentioning the champion race mare Zenyatta. Nor could you avoid the question "who's better, Rachel or Zenyatta?" Being a Zenyatta supporter, I too found myself in the unenviable position of arguing against Rachel. A top class filly that is deserving of most accolades. Except Horse Of The Year!
Like others, I was holding out hope that the "great debate" would finally be decided on the race track where it should have been. At the year end championship of racing, the Breeders' Cup.
The summer and fall racing season could have been fraught with anticipation, as the impending match up of the two heavy hitting distaffers loomed on the horizon. Unfortunately, in a moment that may have changed racing history, Jess Jackson was able to purchase R.A. after the Kentucky Oaks for an undisclosed amount (reportedly in excess of ten million dollars), and the Breeders' Cup would not be in Rachel's future.
Supposedly being an outspoken opponent of synthetic racing surfaces, Jess Jackson made the decision not to bring Rachel to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup. A decision that was met with much dismay by some, but with much skepticism by me. The potential of defeat was too great for him to bring her out. His ego was still aching from his champion horse Curlin's disappointing fourth place finish in the previous Breeders' Cup Classic.
Unfortunately he was allowed to conspicuously "hide" from racing's championship day, and still garner a HOY trophy for his filly.
Zenyatta went on to make history in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Winning with her usual, electrifying stretch run, she made history by becoming the first female Classic winner in the twenty six year history.
Rachel's place among the greatest in racing is yet to be seen. She most definitely had one of the most memorable campaigns we've seen. Winning the Kentucky Oaks by twenty lengths, Belmont's Mother Goose by nineteen, and three grade 1 classics against the boys. What a career!
What a shame to think that possibly the two best fillies of our generation will forever be linked without ever lining up against each other. The legacy of Rachel Alexandra as well as racing's history books have forever been influenced by a billionaire's ego.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
"Enough Is Enough"!
-Jockey Christian Santiago Reyes made the news again this week. The 2009 Eclipse Award winner for top apprentice, is once again at the center of attention. This time, the California stewards have handed him a thirty day suspension for weighing out with a "prohibited item" prior to Hollywood Park's June 6th opening race.
Jockeys are required to "weigh out" before races to insure they will be carrying the proper weights. On this occasion, his horse Jenny Jenny Emily was assigned to carry 118 pounds. When Reyes first stepped on the scales, he was two pounds under the assigned weight. In a common practice, Hollywood clerk of scales Ruben Hernandez told Reyes' valet he would need to add two more pounds to his saddle to make weight. This is usually accomplished by placing lead weights, or pads in specially designed pockets in the saddle.
When Reyes returned, Hernandez noticed a bulge in one of Reyes' pant legs. After feeling the item through the pants, and questioning Reyes, Hernandez concluded that it was a one pound weight Reyes had stuck in to make the proper weight.
Odd, and perhaps unnecessary, Reyes' actions violated California Horse Racing Board rules regarding weighing out, and having a prohibited item in his possession when attempting to weigh out. Even the stewards had to question the reason for the deceptive action.
My thoughts are that Reyes felt he was gaining an advantage, as slight as it was, over his other riders by having the weight in his pants as opposed to the saddle. It's been a proven theory because of the rhythmic movement of horse and rider, that the weight of the rider (or in this case attached to) is easier for the horse to carry than "dead" weight in a saddle. Innocuous or not, he made a conscious effort to place it there for one reason only. He thought it would benefit him!
Reyes' suspension is scheduled to begin October 14th, but I wouldn't count on it. Having already amassed sixty three days of suspension (yet to be served), for six infractions since May, he and his tireless lawyer are almost certain to make these thirty days take their proper place in que. Giving new meaning to "working the system", lawyer Bing Bush is working overtime coming up with new ways to divert his client's suspensions.
It reminds me of Paco Lopez this summer. With the help of fictitious legal arguments from his lawyer, he was allowed to persuade a judge to rule in his favor on grounds that his rider would be irreparably harmed by serving his suspensions during the last few weeks of the Monmouth meet. A meeting that his client was leading rider at the time. A suspension that actually causes detriment to the offender. Why would anyone want that?
Very similar and self serving are the actions of the "super" trainers. Those poor, unlucky souls whose horses are found to have "magically" ingested some drug, or substance, that just happens to be a performance enhancer, or pain blocker. The same drugs that in some instances, are not even allowed on the track in the first place. There's always a reason why they can't be held accountable for the positive tests. Does anyone remember the "Poppy seed muffin" defense?
Am I really that old that I can remember when character mattered, and shame was a virtue? Where does integrity and fair play fit in today's society? Is it asking too much of people not to try and cheat their fellow competitors, and those who do "the right thing"? When will someone step up to say enough is enough? Unfortunately it's probably too late. The proverbial horse is already out of the barn. Our only hope may be to call a lawyer. At least he can get us an injunction.
Jockeys are required to "weigh out" before races to insure they will be carrying the proper weights. On this occasion, his horse Jenny Jenny Emily was assigned to carry 118 pounds. When Reyes first stepped on the scales, he was two pounds under the assigned weight. In a common practice, Hollywood clerk of scales Ruben Hernandez told Reyes' valet he would need to add two more pounds to his saddle to make weight. This is usually accomplished by placing lead weights, or pads in specially designed pockets in the saddle.
When Reyes returned, Hernandez noticed a bulge in one of Reyes' pant legs. After feeling the item through the pants, and questioning Reyes, Hernandez concluded that it was a one pound weight Reyes had stuck in to make the proper weight.
Odd, and perhaps unnecessary, Reyes' actions violated California Horse Racing Board rules regarding weighing out, and having a prohibited item in his possession when attempting to weigh out. Even the stewards had to question the reason for the deceptive action.
My thoughts are that Reyes felt he was gaining an advantage, as slight as it was, over his other riders by having the weight in his pants as opposed to the saddle. It's been a proven theory because of the rhythmic movement of horse and rider, that the weight of the rider (or in this case attached to) is easier for the horse to carry than "dead" weight in a saddle. Innocuous or not, he made a conscious effort to place it there for one reason only. He thought it would benefit him!
Reyes' suspension is scheduled to begin October 14th, but I wouldn't count on it. Having already amassed sixty three days of suspension (yet to be served), for six infractions since May, he and his tireless lawyer are almost certain to make these thirty days take their proper place in que. Giving new meaning to "working the system", lawyer Bing Bush is working overtime coming up with new ways to divert his client's suspensions.
It reminds me of Paco Lopez this summer. With the help of fictitious legal arguments from his lawyer, he was allowed to persuade a judge to rule in his favor on grounds that his rider would be irreparably harmed by serving his suspensions during the last few weeks of the Monmouth meet. A meeting that his client was leading rider at the time. A suspension that actually causes detriment to the offender. Why would anyone want that?
Very similar and self serving are the actions of the "super" trainers. Those poor, unlucky souls whose horses are found to have "magically" ingested some drug, or substance, that just happens to be a performance enhancer, or pain blocker. The same drugs that in some instances, are not even allowed on the track in the first place. There's always a reason why they can't be held accountable for the positive tests. Does anyone remember the "Poppy seed muffin" defense?
Am I really that old that I can remember when character mattered, and shame was a virtue? Where does integrity and fair play fit in today's society? Is it asking too much of people not to try and cheat their fellow competitors, and those who do "the right thing"? When will someone step up to say enough is enough? Unfortunately it's probably too late. The proverbial horse is already out of the barn. Our only hope may be to call a lawyer. At least he can get us an injunction.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
No Sleeping In Saturday
-This Saturday afternoon, Ascot racecourse will host three graded (grouped) mile races, with strong Breeders' Cup implications.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes could possibly produce the deepest, and most accomplished field of the season. Fourteen horses are pre-entered to race the eight furlongs. Of the fourteen, seven have finished first or second in their last race. All being at the grouped level.
The two expected to take most of the action will be Makfi, and Canford Cliffs. Makfi is a three year old son of Dubawi who has won four of five lifetime. Included in his wins are the 2000 Guineas in May, as well as his latest triumph, the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. Behind him that day was two time BC Mile winner Goldikova.
His last may have been his best yet as he was able to settle in behind Goldie who in turn, was drafting behind two pace making stable mates. When both were asked for their best, Makfi was able to out kick the million dollar mare to win very impressively.
Makfi should get his sternest test from three consecutive group 1 winner Canford Cliffs. When last seen, C.C. was running down multiple group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle in July's Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Canford Cliffs is a five time winner, and been in the money in all eight lifetime starts.
He has faced Makfi two times before. One being the aforementioned 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. A race where Canford Cliffs finished two lengths in arrears to his three year old counterpart. A loss he would later avenge while winning the St. James's Palace Stakes in Makfi's only defeat to date.
Among the other contenders with a great chance to knock off the top two, is multiple Group 1 winning superstar Rip Van Winkle. Ballydoyle's best contender, is a three time group 1 winner in his own right. His lack of early betting support may only be a result of who he's against, in lieu of what he's done.
In looking through his past performances, you see the names of arguably two, if not three legendary, and all time greats of our generation. He faced See The Stars three times, including a second place finish in last year's Eclipse Stakes, Zenyatta in America's Breeders' Cup Classic, and this year against Goldie in the Queen Anne Stakes. That's Racing's equivalent of Zeus, Venus, and Aphrodite over a fifteen month span. Not too bad.
If Cape Blanco decides to run this weekend, he will be another O'Brien contender to upset the top two, but it appears Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore boys may bypass the race and wait until next month's Arc De Triomphe. The twelve furlong distance of the Arc will probably be more suitable for the son of Galileo.
-Another feature Saturday at the suburban London racecourse will be the group 1 Fillies' mile. A Breeders' Cup "win and you're in" race for the Juvenile Fillies' Turf. It promises to renew the Coolmore, Goldolphin rivalry, as they have the two decided favorites in the race.
Goldolphin has the undefeated two year old filly White Moonstone. The Dynaformer filly is three for three winning a group 3 two back, and putting in a devastating performance to win the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last out.
Coolmore will send out a two year old filly by Galileo named Misty For Me. Fresh off a win in the group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, she is now two of four lifetime.
Both fillies seem to be up and coming, and should run a fine race. The Goldolphin runner, already being a winner at the distance, may hold a slight edge. Even so, the Coolmore runner does have a Group 1 win under her belt, so both fillies should give a good account of themselves, and produce an entertaining spectacle.
Given both teams' propensity to bring their runners over to the Breeders' Cup, it should heighten the interest for the North American audience.
-The other Group race of the day is the two year old colt equivalent. The group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes. A "win and you're in" race as well.
An interesting runner is the Galileo colt Frankel. Named after the late Hall Of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, he's an impressive winner of an allowance race at Doncaster earlier this month. Owned by long time Frankel owner Juddmonte Farms, the undefeated runner is two for two and looks to step up and become a stakes winner for the first time.
All three races will be shown in America on HRTV with the first of the stakes, the Royal Lodge set to go off at 9:30 ET in America. The Filly mile set for 10:05 ET, and the big one, the Q.E. II set for an 11:15 ET post time.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes could possibly produce the deepest, and most accomplished field of the season. Fourteen horses are pre-entered to race the eight furlongs. Of the fourteen, seven have finished first or second in their last race. All being at the grouped level.
The two expected to take most of the action will be Makfi, and Canford Cliffs. Makfi is a three year old son of Dubawi who has won four of five lifetime. Included in his wins are the 2000 Guineas in May, as well as his latest triumph, the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. Behind him that day was two time BC Mile winner Goldikova.
His last may have been his best yet as he was able to settle in behind Goldie who in turn, was drafting behind two pace making stable mates. When both were asked for their best, Makfi was able to out kick the million dollar mare to win very impressively.
Makfi should get his sternest test from three consecutive group 1 winner Canford Cliffs. When last seen, C.C. was running down multiple group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle in July's Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Canford Cliffs is a five time winner, and been in the money in all eight lifetime starts.
He has faced Makfi two times before. One being the aforementioned 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. A race where Canford Cliffs finished two lengths in arrears to his three year old counterpart. A loss he would later avenge while winning the St. James's Palace Stakes in Makfi's only defeat to date.
Among the other contenders with a great chance to knock off the top two, is multiple Group 1 winning superstar Rip Van Winkle. Ballydoyle's best contender, is a three time group 1 winner in his own right. His lack of early betting support may only be a result of who he's against, in lieu of what he's done.
In looking through his past performances, you see the names of arguably two, if not three legendary, and all time greats of our generation. He faced See The Stars three times, including a second place finish in last year's Eclipse Stakes, Zenyatta in America's Breeders' Cup Classic, and this year against Goldie in the Queen Anne Stakes. That's Racing's equivalent of Zeus, Venus, and Aphrodite over a fifteen month span. Not too bad.
If Cape Blanco decides to run this weekend, he will be another O'Brien contender to upset the top two, but it appears Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore boys may bypass the race and wait until next month's Arc De Triomphe. The twelve furlong distance of the Arc will probably be more suitable for the son of Galileo.
-Another feature Saturday at the suburban London racecourse will be the group 1 Fillies' mile. A Breeders' Cup "win and you're in" race for the Juvenile Fillies' Turf. It promises to renew the Coolmore, Goldolphin rivalry, as they have the two decided favorites in the race.
Goldolphin has the undefeated two year old filly White Moonstone. The Dynaformer filly is three for three winning a group 3 two back, and putting in a devastating performance to win the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last out.
Coolmore will send out a two year old filly by Galileo named Misty For Me. Fresh off a win in the group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, she is now two of four lifetime.
Both fillies seem to be up and coming, and should run a fine race. The Goldolphin runner, already being a winner at the distance, may hold a slight edge. Even so, the Coolmore runner does have a Group 1 win under her belt, so both fillies should give a good account of themselves, and produce an entertaining spectacle.
Given both teams' propensity to bring their runners over to the Breeders' Cup, it should heighten the interest for the North American audience.
-The other Group race of the day is the two year old colt equivalent. The group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes. A "win and you're in" race as well.
An interesting runner is the Galileo colt Frankel. Named after the late Hall Of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, he's an impressive winner of an allowance race at Doncaster earlier this month. Owned by long time Frankel owner Juddmonte Farms, the undefeated runner is two for two and looks to step up and become a stakes winner for the first time.
All three races will be shown in America on HRTV with the first of the stakes, the Royal Lodge set to go off at 9:30 ET in America. The Filly mile set for 10:05 ET, and the big one, the Q.E. II set for an 11:15 ET post time.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Old Friends, Courageous Fortitude, and New Beginnings
-With everything going wrong with racing, this past weekend gave us a little bit of what's right.
Saturday afternoon, September 11th, a day where most of us give at least a cursory glance to the calendar, a different type of drama was playing out in the heartland of American racing. That's the day Kentucky Downs was set to run the Kentucky Cup Turf.
You had the usual nondescript grade 3 performers lined up for the twelve furlong marathon. There were a few horses coming out of Optional Claimers, while others were also rans at the minor stake level.
Except for one.
Looking to become the first ten year old graded stakes winner, Cloudy's Knight came into the Kentucky Cup Turf off a grade 2 win.......eight and a half months ago. Before the layoff, he was an unlucky nose loser to Man Of Iron in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. Layoffs are not uncommon for the veteran warhorse. A winner of over two and a half million dollars, he won last year's renewal coming off a twelve month layoff as a spry nine year old. The runner up from last year, Rezif, was back to try and reverse the tables on his elder.
Reverse the tables indeed! This time, youth was served as Rezif was able to defeat the now ten year old in emphatic fashion. Rallying from far back, the five year old gelding made a furious four wide rally past Cloudy's Knight in the late stages to draw clear late.
Rezif's story is about as improbable as Cloudy's Knight's. He is now a winner of five of sixteen, with earnings close to one hundred eighty thousand. Not too bad considering his very humble beginnings.
After two atrocious defeats at two and three, his previous owner decided enough is enough, and unceremoniously gave Owner Trainer Matthew Jacobson the horse of his lifetime. Rezif's win was the first stakes win for Jacobson. Giving new meaning to "being in the right place at the right time."
It's also nice to see Cloudy's Knight continue to run up to his abilities without losing much due to age. Rider Rosemary Homeister had this to say following their second place finish. “When I asked him to run at the quarter pole, he gave me what he had. The winner was just much the best today, but Cloudy's Knight just loves it. He's very professional, loves his job. … Jonathan (Trainer Sheppard)did a great job with him.”
fittingly, Rezif was piloted by Greta Kuntzweiler. Herself trying to resuscitate her career after being suspended nearly five years for drug abuse, and associated legal issues. Kuntzweiler knows all too well what it means to have people believe in you, and being given a new lease on life. She became quite emotional after the win. Quite understandably considering where she's been, and where she's trying to get back to in the ever competitive life of a jockey.
Let's hope her, Rezif, and Cloudy's Knight can all continue to inspire us to succeed in spite of the obstacles in our way.
September 11th turned out to be an inspirational day of racing. We saw old friends, courageous fortitude, and new beginnings. Some of the best racing has to offer. Let us be our best on this day too, and never forget!
Saturday afternoon, September 11th, a day where most of us give at least a cursory glance to the calendar, a different type of drama was playing out in the heartland of American racing. That's the day Kentucky Downs was set to run the Kentucky Cup Turf.
You had the usual nondescript grade 3 performers lined up for the twelve furlong marathon. There were a few horses coming out of Optional Claimers, while others were also rans at the minor stake level.
Except for one.
Looking to become the first ten year old graded stakes winner, Cloudy's Knight came into the Kentucky Cup Turf off a grade 2 win.......eight and a half months ago. Before the layoff, he was an unlucky nose loser to Man Of Iron in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. Layoffs are not uncommon for the veteran warhorse. A winner of over two and a half million dollars, he won last year's renewal coming off a twelve month layoff as a spry nine year old. The runner up from last year, Rezif, was back to try and reverse the tables on his elder.
Reverse the tables indeed! This time, youth was served as Rezif was able to defeat the now ten year old in emphatic fashion. Rallying from far back, the five year old gelding made a furious four wide rally past Cloudy's Knight in the late stages to draw clear late.
Rezif's story is about as improbable as Cloudy's Knight's. He is now a winner of five of sixteen, with earnings close to one hundred eighty thousand. Not too bad considering his very humble beginnings.
After two atrocious defeats at two and three, his previous owner decided enough is enough, and unceremoniously gave Owner Trainer Matthew Jacobson the horse of his lifetime. Rezif's win was the first stakes win for Jacobson. Giving new meaning to "being in the right place at the right time."
It's also nice to see Cloudy's Knight continue to run up to his abilities without losing much due to age. Rider Rosemary Homeister had this to say following their second place finish. “When I asked him to run at the quarter pole, he gave me what he had. The winner was just much the best today, but Cloudy's Knight just loves it. He's very professional, loves his job. … Jonathan (Trainer Sheppard)did a great job with him.”
fittingly, Rezif was piloted by Greta Kuntzweiler. Herself trying to resuscitate her career after being suspended nearly five years for drug abuse, and associated legal issues. Kuntzweiler knows all too well what it means to have people believe in you, and being given a new lease on life. She became quite emotional after the win. Quite understandably considering where she's been, and where she's trying to get back to in the ever competitive life of a jockey.
Let's hope her, Rezif, and Cloudy's Knight can all continue to inspire us to succeed in spite of the obstacles in our way.
September 11th turned out to be an inspirational day of racing. We saw old friends, courageous fortitude, and new beginnings. Some of the best racing has to offer. Let us be our best on this day too, and never forget!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Champions, The Championship, and Derby Drama
-Cape Blanco took a highly accomplished, group one field on a stroll of the Leopardstown layout Saturday to win the Irish Champions Stakes in Ireland. Sent off as the third choice in a field of six, jockey Seamus Heffernan had little to worry about from the time the barriers opened as he negotiated the ten furlong event with an impressive four to five length margin throughout. Left in his wake were odds on, three time group one winner Rip Van Winkle, and highly regarded Twice over. Finishing second and third respectively.
Adding to the ever plenteous options of the brilliant Coolmore clan, Cape Blanco can justifiably sit alongside stablemates Fame And Glory, and Rip Van Winkle as top contenders for France's Arc De Triomphe, or any of the marquee Breeders' Cup events this fall. Although Fame and Glory has been given favoritism in Europe's early wagering pools for the Breeders' Cup Turf, my sources have indicated to me that Ballydoyle mastermind O'Brien is leaning towards the Breeders' Cup Classic for his talented four year old. If things stay in place, the end of the year championship is setting up to be a true classic with the likes of Zenyatta, Quality Road, Blame, etc. Here's hoping!
-Speaking of the Classic, Quality Road made another start this weekend in one of the premiere summer stake races for older horses, the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga. Won last year by "Horse Of The Year" Rachel Alexandra, this year's running lacked a little in quality, but the workman like win of Quality Road, reiterated the belief that he will be a major contender come November in the B.C. Classic.
-This year's rendition of the Del Mar Derby brought more scrutiny to the already questionable judging abilities of the Southern California stewards. Heavily favored Twirling Candy proved he was much the best against the obviously over matched field. Winning by a convincing three and three quarter lengths.
His performance left me in awe and amazement for two opposing reasons. The first being the ease in which he was able to re-gather himself, and dispose of the group of three year olds after making a move that can only be described as goofy when negotiating the transition from the club house turn to the backside. The second being how he was allowed to keep his athletic victory under questionable circumstances.
The incident in question occurred near the five eights pole as the field entered the back stretch. For reasons known only to Twirling Candy himself, he decided to make a right turn at the five eighths pole and ducked out very sharply into lapped on Summer Movie. After a Stewards' inquiry into the incident, they allowed the result to stand. Denying Summer Movie, his connections, and backers a fair shake. Justifiably so, Trainer Art Sherman was livid with the decision.
Spokesman for the three steward board, Scott Chaney, had three points in defending the ruling. The first being, "it happened five-eighths of a mile from the wire, which makes a disqualification less likely." I agree that most races aren't won or lost that far out from the finish, and if every incident was scrutinized, no result would stand, but at what part of a race is it ok to interfere with a horse to that extent and get away with it. I've seen plenty of disqualifications occur because of a less offensive incident at the start. Sometimes a foul is so egregious it warrants a D.Q. regardless.
Point two: "In our opinion it would have been an unjust result to disqualify a horse that was much the best in order to help a horse that finished out of any monetary placing." This one kind of goes back to what I mentioned earlier. At what point does a foul become a foul. There's no way any horse, with the best of trips could have beaten him this day, but sometimes it's about the integrity and fairness of the sport. When someone gets interfered with that severely, consequences need to be dealt with. This sport is not always fair, but the one thing it should strive for is even handedness across the board.
Point three: "Summer Movie was beaten 6 3/4 lengths for fifth, so it would be very speculative to say that he lost the 6 3/4 lengths for fifth ... on the backside." This is probably the most disturbing of the three. Of course it would be "speculating" to assume where Summer Movie would have finished. It's also "speculative" the incident DIDN'T cause S.M. to "grab" himself, or pull something causing his dismal finish. Taking into consideration S.M. was the third betting choice, and was traveling well enough at the time of the incident, to me it seems to be more of a stretch or "speculation" to believe that he would stagger home last so far from the pack without the incident occurring? Anyone with elementary knowledge of racing should recognize how much it DOES take out of a horse to lose that much position, then have to rush back into contention. Quite often resulting in a very tiring, and deceptive placing. Since when is it not ok for the stewards to "speculate" on a decision anyway? Ninety percent of the time when they rule to keep a number up, they "speculate" that "the interference did not alter the original order of finish." Haven't most of us have been on both sides of that phrase at one time or another? Their whole decision making process is based on "speculation"!
My "speculation" is we need to hold our stewards to a greater accountability, and uniformity in their judgments. Judging by the raucous reaction of the Del Mar crowd, as well as the horsemen to this decision, perhaps we can hold out hope for this to be a catalyst to some sort of steward referendum. Hopefully doubtful.............
Adding to the ever plenteous options of the brilliant Coolmore clan, Cape Blanco can justifiably sit alongside stablemates Fame And Glory, and Rip Van Winkle as top contenders for France's Arc De Triomphe, or any of the marquee Breeders' Cup events this fall. Although Fame and Glory has been given favoritism in Europe's early wagering pools for the Breeders' Cup Turf, my sources have indicated to me that Ballydoyle mastermind O'Brien is leaning towards the Breeders' Cup Classic for his talented four year old. If things stay in place, the end of the year championship is setting up to be a true classic with the likes of Zenyatta, Quality Road, Blame, etc. Here's hoping!
-Speaking of the Classic, Quality Road made another start this weekend in one of the premiere summer stake races for older horses, the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga. Won last year by "Horse Of The Year" Rachel Alexandra, this year's running lacked a little in quality, but the workman like win of Quality Road, reiterated the belief that he will be a major contender come November in the B.C. Classic.
-This year's rendition of the Del Mar Derby brought more scrutiny to the already questionable judging abilities of the Southern California stewards. Heavily favored Twirling Candy proved he was much the best against the obviously over matched field. Winning by a convincing three and three quarter lengths.
His performance left me in awe and amazement for two opposing reasons. The first being the ease in which he was able to re-gather himself, and dispose of the group of three year olds after making a move that can only be described as goofy when negotiating the transition from the club house turn to the backside. The second being how he was allowed to keep his athletic victory under questionable circumstances.
The incident in question occurred near the five eights pole as the field entered the back stretch. For reasons known only to Twirling Candy himself, he decided to make a right turn at the five eighths pole and ducked out very sharply into lapped on Summer Movie. After a Stewards' inquiry into the incident, they allowed the result to stand. Denying Summer Movie, his connections, and backers a fair shake. Justifiably so, Trainer Art Sherman was livid with the decision.
Spokesman for the three steward board, Scott Chaney, had three points in defending the ruling. The first being, "it happened five-eighths of a mile from the wire, which makes a disqualification less likely." I agree that most races aren't won or lost that far out from the finish, and if every incident was scrutinized, no result would stand, but at what part of a race is it ok to interfere with a horse to that extent and get away with it. I've seen plenty of disqualifications occur because of a less offensive incident at the start. Sometimes a foul is so egregious it warrants a D.Q. regardless.
Point two: "In our opinion it would have been an unjust result to disqualify a horse that was much the best in order to help a horse that finished out of any monetary placing." This one kind of goes back to what I mentioned earlier. At what point does a foul become a foul. There's no way any horse, with the best of trips could have beaten him this day, but sometimes it's about the integrity and fairness of the sport. When someone gets interfered with that severely, consequences need to be dealt with. This sport is not always fair, but the one thing it should strive for is even handedness across the board.
Point three: "Summer Movie was beaten 6 3/4 lengths for fifth, so it would be very speculative to say that he lost the 6 3/4 lengths for fifth ... on the backside." This is probably the most disturbing of the three. Of course it would be "speculating" to assume where Summer Movie would have finished. It's also "speculative" the incident DIDN'T cause S.M. to "grab" himself, or pull something causing his dismal finish. Taking into consideration S.M. was the third betting choice, and was traveling well enough at the time of the incident, to me it seems to be more of a stretch or "speculation" to believe that he would stagger home last so far from the pack without the incident occurring? Anyone with elementary knowledge of racing should recognize how much it DOES take out of a horse to lose that much position, then have to rush back into contention. Quite often resulting in a very tiring, and deceptive placing. Since when is it not ok for the stewards to "speculate" on a decision anyway? Ninety percent of the time when they rule to keep a number up, they "speculate" that "the interference did not alter the original order of finish." Haven't most of us have been on both sides of that phrase at one time or another? Their whole decision making process is based on "speculation"!
My "speculation" is we need to hold our stewards to a greater accountability, and uniformity in their judgments. Judging by the raucous reaction of the Del Mar crowd, as well as the horsemen to this decision, perhaps we can hold out hope for this to be a catalyst to some sort of steward referendum. Hopefully doubtful.............
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