On the road to the 2012 Kentucky Derby

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Toadie’s mom;6145656]
Thanks Glimmerglass! I wonder if John Oxley (owner and Tulsa oilman) has anything to do with SandRidge?[/QUOTE]

Could be, I don’t know. He sold his primary oil & gas firm in 2003 and then started up another - Oxley Resources - which would seemingly be in direct competition with this sponsor. I didn’t know that John C. Oxley’s father (John T. Oxley) was a 1994 Polo Hall of Fame inductee.

Ten entries for Golden Gate Field’s (Race 8 - Saturday) $200k El Camino Real Derby (Grade III)

Note that breaking from the 10-post will be the filly - Lady of Fifty (partially owned by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer) - with Russel Baze up.

As of today still no word on the Southwest Stakes being two races or not. Indications are they have 21 entries for the race which makes it awkward as the two races (I assume) need to be “even steven”. Racing in one version with 10-starters and the other 11-starters isn’t even

Familiar connections with one would-be entrant: Stewart Elliott has the mount on Adirondack King, who is a son of Lawyer Ron, and is trained by John Servis.

A nice payday for jocks to potentially ride in back to back graded stakes races on Derby-pointed runners. Example:

Bob Baffert has sent Secret Circle and Castaway in for the race, and said Rafael Bejarano has the mount on Secret Circle. If the Southwest is split, Bejarano will also be able to ride Castaway, as horses who have the same owner or trainer will run in different divisions. Bejarano is the regular rider on Secret Circle, and in November guided him to a win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint.

[Glimmerglass]

Because its the" in" thing and expected these days …

Twitter account was created for Union Rags

In regards to Julien Leparoux I failed to cite that his fiance, Shea Mitchell, is daughter of California-based trainer Mike Mitchell. Her sister is McCall Rounsefell, married to Australian-based bloodstock agent Craig Rounsefell. I really doubt we’ll see Julien leave the horse business even if that riding doesn’t work out

This week’s (Feb 15) DRF “Hot/Not” in regards to the Derby openly suggests doubts we’ll see Ever So Lucky on the First Saturday in May:

He was scratched from the Hutcheson last weekend at Gulfsteam and is not scheduled to race now until next month’s Swale. Considering that, and the circumspect nature of his connections regarding making the Derby, his chances of being in the Derby are remote.

Alas from the earnings perspective it will be difficult this year even with the Also-Eligible system. March 10, 2012 is the Swale (G3) but for just $150k. The most current graded earnings for TC-nominated horses (2-16-12) pegs ‘ESL’ at #49th with $33,502 in graded money.

#21, who would be outside looking in if the race was run today, Mr. Bowling has $115,848 in graded money. Winning the Swale won’t even bring Ever So Lucky into the top 30. Although who knows if he wins the Swale maybe he’d appear in one of the $1M races like the Wood or Florida Derby.

[Glimmerglass]

Speaking of Hansen … originating from Dr. Hansen’s blog on the Courier-Journal, there is a potential contest to dye his mane and tail a color chosen by a fan for the KY Derby.

And the New York Racing Association has said no to the color idea with no ambiguity in their position. Excerpt from the letter

We appreciate your reasoning to promote Hansen, and possibly “draw attention to horse racing in a positive and fun light”. Though this practice may stimulate some new interests in a novel fashion, we feel there is no sustaining merit to the request.

Granting your request would endorse an entirely new practice that any trainer/owner could use, and there would be no guidelines or standards to ensure uniformity. Clearly, Hansen would be highlighted by this color change, and we would expect similar requests from other owners.

Dr. Hansen for his part - and making the NYRA reply as open as he has - is without any malice towards the Stewards for their denial.

I’m reminded of this advertisement (video)

[Glimmerglass]

What about the Southwest Stakes? Monday’s G3 Southwest Stakes won’t draw until Saturday (2/18) afternoon. So everyone will have to sit tight until then to see if it splits.

Field of just 6 for Sunday’s Grade 2 $150k San Vicente Stakes - Race 7 at Santa Anita:

PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer

1. Let’s Get Crackin, V Espinoza, 118, C Dollase
2. Creative Cause, J Rosario, 123, M Harrington
3. Drill, M Garcia, 123, B Baffert
4. Smoking G, C S Nakatani, 118, P Miller
5. American Act, M A Pedroza, 118, J Carava
6. Captain Obvious (IRE), M Gutierrez, 118, B D Cecil

Blinkers Off: Let’s Get Crackin; Blinkers On: Captain Obvious

[Glimmerglass]

And then there were two Southwest Stakes (Grade 3) at $250,000 each - Monday @ Oaklawn Park!

Race 8 (Mon 2-20) - Southwest Stakes - field of 11 - off at 4:41pm

PP. Horse - Weight

1. Red Jack - 115lbs
2. Unbridled’s Note - 115lbs
3. Jake Mo - 117lbs
4. Majestic Stride - 115lbs
5. Longview Drive - 119lbs
6. Junebugred - 122lbs
7. No Spin - 119lbs
8. Reckless Jerry - 115lbs
9. Ring It Up - 115lbs

10. Laurie's Rocket - 117lbs
    

11. Castaway* - 115lbs
    

*owned by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith

Race 9 (Mon 2-20) - Southwest Stakes - field of 10 - off at 5:15pm

PP. Horse - Weight

1. Z Rockstar - 115lbs
2. Adirondack King - 117lbs
3. Scatman - 115lbs
4. Apprehender - 115lbs
5. Chalybeate Springs - 115lbs
6. Pee H Dee - 115lbs
7. Cyber Secret- 115lbs
8. King Coral - 115lbs
9. Secret Circle - 117lbs

10. Big Wednesday - 117lbs

[Glimmerglass]

At Golden Gate Fields in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real, 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta, it was the shippers Daddy Nose Best and Lucky Chappy (IRE) taking 1-2 with about a nose in between them.

Certainly it was worth the effort to get Julien Leparoux to travel out to California for the effort. He was slated to also ride Goofy Foot for Jerry Hollendorfer in the 6th but that horse was scratched.

Tomorrow (Sun) Julien’s back in FL for Gulfstream with 4 mounts, then Monday out to Arkansas for Oaklawn with 2 mounts including Unbridled’s Nose for Steve Asmussen in the G3 Southwest Stakes … then back to FL.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;6148480]
Field of just 6 for Sunday’s Grade 2 $150k San Vicente Stakes - Race 7 at Santa Anita:[/QUOTE]

Eh, lame. Sorry about that but that’s how is I see it.

Just 4-horses racing in that graded race. Come a few weeks before the Derby you’ll see in the owners of would-be contenders b*tching about not having enough graded earnings - yet a soft as the Pillsbury dough boy race like this one goes off with just 4 runners. Sad.

Anyhow yet again a Bob Baffert combo with a once-high-flyer mixed with a big-league hitter take up 50% of the field. What happens?

Video replay: 2-19-12 San Vicente Stakes

Again, not unlike Liaison - you have Creative Cause who did’t fire (shock, aw? nope) and runs like a $10k claimer in a graded race. So Drill wins, but over whom? A horse that wasn’t on anybody’s radar in an unremarkable race. Point being - it appears, for now, nobody should look for a West Coast horse to rock the world come the first Saturday in May.

I’m far more happy to look forward to seeing more real, battle tested 10 (and 11) horse fields of talent running at Oaklawn Park in a Graded Stakes race on President’s Day.

[Glimmerglass]

Next Saturday’s (Feb 25th)

Risen Star Stakes (Grade 2) for $300k at Fair Grounds, already drawn

PP Horse Weight

1. Afford - 116lbs
2. Optimizer - 116lbs
3. Mr. Bowling - 120lbs
4. Z Dager - 116lbs
5. Ted’s Folly- 120lbs
6. Adena’s Chance - 116lbs
7. Hero of Order - 116lbs
   8. El Padrino- 116lbs
8. Mark Valeski - 116lbs

9. Shared Property -	120lbs
   

11 . Tizanexpense - 116lbs

A - Coupled Entries - Mr. Bowling, Mark Valeski

[Glimmerglass]

Race 8 (Mon 2-20) - Southwest Stakes - field of 11 - off at 4:41pm

Worth pointing out for country music fans is that in the R8 version of the Southwest Stakes today will be Reckless Jerry breaking from the 8 post position.

He is owned by singer Toby Keith

Keith, Billboard’s Country Artist of the Decade, races his horses under the ownership name of Dream Walkin’ Farms.

“He’s blooming now,” Keith said of Reckless Jerry in a Triple Crown Talk session with Blood-Horse magazine and website.

Keith owns a 330-acre farm in Oklahoma. He also has more than 100 mares at the farm and gets heavily involved in sales and as a pin-hooker (buying horses and turning around and selling them for a profit).

He reportedly has plans to breed most of his mares to Cactus Ridge and Ice Box.

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Rumours on the backside that should Reckless Jerry win today, in addition to the nice graded earnings, there will most definitely be beer for the horses … :winkgrin:

Loved the stretch duel in the El Camino Real - gutsy!

[Glimmerglass]

GGF: video replay - Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby, 1 1/8 miles

The filly Lady of Fifty didn’t threaten as expected, but a damn fine stretch drive regardless of the 1-2 finishers.

For Daddy Nose Best his owners have seen a nice return on their purchase:

Owned by Bob and Cathy Zollar, his first career stakes victory increased his bankroll to $233,623 from his 9-3-2-1 record.

Bred by Patricia Ann Elia Trust in Kentucky, Daddy Nose Best didn’t sell when bringing a bid of $34,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November. At the same venue the following September, he went to his current owners for $35,000.

[Glimmerglass]

Grade 2 $150k San Vicente Stakes winner, Drill, will not be pointed to the Derby. No shock as 1 1/4-mi is not within his wheelhouse.

My mistake in the prior posting was suggesting that poor-effort runner by Creative Cause was trained by Bob Baffert

Before the San Vicente, trainer Mike Harrington said the $500,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17 would be an option for Creative Cause. Monday, he backed away from that specific plan, saying a decision will be made in coming weeks.

Of course, the long-term goal for Creative Cause and Empire Way is the Kentucky Derby on May 5. The third-place finish in the San Vicente did nothing to derail those plans.

“I got what I wanted out of it,” Harrington said of the San Vicente. "Obviously, I would like to have won. He’s not really a seven-furlong horse.

[Glimmerglass]

A solid crowd of 29,313 were on hand at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the double Southwest Stakes that came up all Bob Baffert. Each winner added $150,000 in graded money to their respective tallies.

Video replay - $250k Southwest (G3)(1st Div.) 2-20-12

1 - Castaway - owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith
2 - Jake Mo
3 - Reckless Jerry

Rest of the field: Ring It Up, Majestic Stride, Longview Drive, Junebugred, No Spin, Unbridled’s Note, Laurie’s Rocket and Red Jack.

Video replay - $250k Southwest (G3)(2nd Div.) 2-20-12

1 - Secret Circle - owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman
2 - Scat Man
3 - Adirondack King

Rest of the field: Pee H Dee, Cyber Secret, Z Rockstar, Chalybeate Springs, King Coral, Apprehender, and Big Wednesday

[Glimmerglass]

Worth adding that folks might not want to be so quick to count the Augustin runner out from a Derby start … Mike Welsch, DRF’s clocker tweeted 2-21-12 a short time ago:

Ever So Lucky is back. Worked 5/8’s in 1:00.64 w/mate, shading :12 for the final furlong around to the mile pole. Looked very sharp.

[Glimmerglass]

Post Southwest Stakes bits and pieces:

Castaway earned a Beyer Figure of 92 in his winning effort; Secret Circle earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 102 in his winning effort.

One of them or maybe both will return for the Grade 2, $500,000 Rebel on March 17.

Scatman, who finished 2nd and earned a 101 Beyer for it, is a probable for Rebel as is 3rd place Adirondack King, who earned a career high 91 Beyer.

Where do the would-be Derby horses look in terms of graded-earnings after this weekend’s three graded stakes? Updated $$ chart (as of 2/21) here

Notable movements with Southwest winners, Secret Circle (now #13 with $170k) and Castaway (#17 with $150k); El Camino Real winner - Daddy Nose Best (#19 with $145,558) although everyone can move up a slot as Drill, despite the San V. victory on Sunday and now @ #8 with $300k, is not expected to try the Kentucky Derby.

Next weekend the Risen Star will put some $180k in graded money (out of the $300k total purse) into the winner’s tally. Thus vaulting a new horse not in the top 20 with earnings into a tie for #12.

[Glimmerglass]

It’s unclear where El Camino Real winner Daddy Nose Best will appear next but it almost certainly it will be on dirt. As for the head-bob runner up Lucky Chappy is now off to Dubai. That Golden Gate Fields run was more of a test on the surface and distance. He’ll be entered into the $2 million UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup card in Dubai.

I believe Sunday’s $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) will draw tomorrow (THUR) - in addition to Union Rags and Algorithms will be the Zito/Bob LaPenta runner Casual Trick, who flopped last time out.

An aside - Union Rags new jockey Julien Leparoux and Shea Mitchell have plans for their wedding to be in December.

As a bonus just in case anyone forgot this old nugget from just over 20 years ago … (video clip) Seinfield - “The Subway” (aired Jan 1992) with Golden Gate Field’s Michael Wrona calling the race at the OTB Trivia: The horse that Kramer bets on, Papanick, was named after the show’s key grip, Pete Papanickolas.

[Glimmerglass]

While small(er) the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) it should be a rather interesting race with the quality of contenders. It is at 1 1/16 miles - a distance not seen in the last eight editions of the race.

The race brought in the unexpected entry of Discreet Dancer, now to be rode by Pletcher’s first call of John Velazquez. ‘Dancer’ previously was ridden by Javier Castellano but as we know he already chose to skip the mount of Union Rags (let alone Discreet Dancer) for the chance to be on Pletcher’s Algorithms

Sunday Feb 26th - Race 11 (off at 5:13 pm EST) - Fountain of Youth

PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer

1. Neck 'n Neck (KY), J Lezcano, 116, I R Wilkes
2. Algorithms (KY), J Castellano, 120, T A Pletcher
3. Fort Loudon (FL), R Maragh, 120, S I Gold
4. Casual Trick (KY), C S Nakatani, 116, N P Zito
5. Discreet Dancer (FL), J R Velazquez, 116, T A Pletcher
6. News Pending (KY), K J Desormeaux, 116, D L Romans
7. Union Rags (KY), J R Leparoux, 122, M R Matz
8. Csaba (KY), P Lopez, 116, P A Gleaves

[Glimmerglass]

An interesting twist on the Tailgate (yes that’s the tongue in cheek name for for it) dust up regarding Dr. Hansen and trying to inject some color into the game: Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago/Cicero, IL said it’s “ok” with color if Hansen is raced in the Illinois Derby.

Image: an artists rendering of the blue-tailed Hansen

Mr. Jim Miller, (Hawthorne, asst. GM) did the leg work and to quote him is his letter to me:

“I went to speak with our stewards, and they in turn spoke with our racing commission. I was very pleased with their response! [b]The stewards and racing commission, knowing your charitable efforts, said they would be willing to allow you to color Hansen’s tail, and possibly mane, if you chose to run in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.[/b] They stated the concerns that may arise surrounding others that would want to do the same, but also felt that if there was a donation being made to charity in regards to your horse that they would be supportive.”

(The “you can do it … but only for some cash” is pure Chicago!)

Illinois Derby (Grade 3) $500,000 April 7, 2012 @1 1/8 miles. Same day as the Wood Memorial (Grade 1) at the Big A in NY for $1,000,000 also at 1 1/8 mi.

[WhiteCamry]

@Glimmerglass;6159398

While small(er) the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) it should be a rather interesting race with the quality of contenders. It is at 1 1/16 miles - a distance not seen in the last eight editions of the race.

The race brought in the unexpected entry of Discreet Dancer, now to be rode by Pletcher’s first call of John Velazquez. ‘Dancer’ previously was ridden by Javier Castellano but as we know he already chose to skip the mount of Union Rags (let alone Discreet Dancer) for the chance to be on Pletcher’s Algorithms

Sunday Feb 26th - Race 11 (off at 5:13 pm EST) - Fountain of Youth

Why the different weights?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=WhiteCamry;6160420]
Why the different weights?[/QUOTE]

From the Fountain of Youth Nomination form:

Weight: 122 lbs. Non-winners of a grade I or II stakes at a mile or over allowed 2 lbs.; of a grade III or $60,000 at a mile or over, 4 lbs.;
of two races other than maiden or claiming, 6 lbs.;

Algorithms @ 120lbs was allowed the 2-lb deduction meeting the 2nd condition; where as Union Rags @ 122lbs is at the ‘standard weight’

An aside - going back to Julien Leparoux’s win in the El Camino Real at Golden Gate Fields on Daddy Nose Best over Lucky Chappy: Julien tweeted this win photo … almost a dead heat.