Your 08 Derby pick?

[Glimmerglass]

Who knows if a filly won’t get entered into the Derby let alone win it this year

If you’re look for speed here is your gal - but she already was snatched up as is the case with any young horse who puts in a single jaw dropping run. One has to guess that Gary made at least 20 times his initial purchase in the sale:

excerpt from the article

It didn’t take long for Gary Contessa’s phone to start ringing after Thursday’s third race at Aqueduct [December 6]

Shortly after the 2-year-old Lovely Isle crossed the finish line 16 1/2 lengths ahead of the rest of the field in a starter allowance race, calls were coming from all over inquiring if the filly was for sale. Before noon Friday, Lovely Isle was sold to trainer Bobby Frankel. When the arrangements can be made, Lovely Isle will be flown to Southern California.

It was the second 2-year-old that Contessa and owners Steve Sigler, John Moirano, and Jennifer Contessa - Gary’s wife - sold this week. On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing purchased National Pride, a debut winning 2-year-old. The purchase price was not disclosed in either instance.

"You know that being in this business in a big way it’s a hard thing to do,’’ said Contessa, referring to selling talented young horses. "When you get offers like the ones that were made on [National Pride] you got to sell. I can’t disclose the price.’’

Contessa bought National Pride for $50,000 at auction and paid only $20,000 for Lovely Isle, who debuted for a maiden claiming tag of $50,000 at Aqueduct on Oct. 31.

Lovely Isle, a daughter of Double Honor, was visually impressive Thursday cruising to victory while under a snug hold from Ramon Dominguez. She covered six furlongs in 1:09.65 and was given a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 101. Not only was it the fastest of seven six-furlong races run on Thursday’s card, but it was nearly two seconds faster than Throbbin Heart’s final time in winning the Xtra Heat Stakes for 2-year-old fillies in 1:11.47.

Frankel was contacted by an agent in New York to look at the race and shortly after he contacted a New York veterinarian to examine her. Frankel said the new owner will be Mike Bello, best known as the owner of Megahertz.

"She ran fast,’’ Frankel said from California. "Go to a yearling sale and try to buy one. Here’s one that ran already.’’

[miss_critic]

@Glimmerglass;2854554

TVG did not have the rights to this race (HRTV did) so I have to go by what the final results are without seeing the run itself:

Let me tell you, it was a good one! Poor Golden Yank kind of got sandwiched though.

[Texarkana]

The Delta Jackpot vid is up on all the usual sites now (NTRA, Bloodhorse, etc.).

Wow, I’m surprised there weren’t more objections on Z Humor… he ran like, well, like a green 2 year old, zig zaggin’ all over the place. But man, they were all flying at the finish. Great race!

And although I didn’t get to see the race, By The Light won the Delta Princess and is now undefeated in 4 starts. This was her first race over 6f and the race comments make it sound like she still had fuel in the tank. Kentucky Oaks horse? Or maybe she will be one to run with the boys. She’s already won against them before…

[Glimmerglass]

I presume we’ll see both horses come Derby time, provided they are both healthy. Their graded earnings north of $400k already put them in the game:

Both runners pocketed $400,000 each from the Delta Jackpot. The Bill Mott-trained Z Humor has now earned $543,700 (not all “graded money”, but most) from a 5-2-0-2 line. The Mark Casse-conditioned Turf War shows a mark of 5-3-1-0, $518,548 (also, (not all “graded money”, but most).

The very hot pace appears to have burned out Cave’s Valley who was just a couple of strides off the leader in the final turn.

[Glimmerglass]

Turf War and Z Humor each took away $400k for their dead-heat in the Grade 3 Delta Jackpot and both given a 96 Beyer speed figure as well.

Turf War will work towards the Grade 2, $500,000 Lane’s End at Turfway Park on March 22 while being based out of Ocala, FL. With likely “3 races” before the Kentucky Derby.

Z Humor went back to Payson Park in Florida. Billy Mott has indicated they run him over the next few months in advance of the Kentucky Derby either in Arkansas/Oaklawn or possibly the Louisiana Derby in New Orleans.

Source: DRF Dec 11, 2007

[Glimmerglass]

Golden Yank to protest 3rd place finish in the $1M Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot Stakes

Whoa - not so fast Turf War and Z Humor with cashing those checks for the $1M Delta Jackpot! (By the way that is the richest Grade 3 race held in North America) A tight race and the difference between a $100k and $400k payday (and almost certain automatic entry into the Kentucky Derby) brings out legal action …

Appeal filed over Delta Jackpot
DRF/CBS Sports Dec 11, 2007

The owner and trainer of Golden Yank, who finished third in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot, have appealed the decision of the Delta Downs stewards to disallow a foul claim that the horse’s rider, Gerard Melancon, made concerning bumping in the late stages of the Dec. 7 race.

The appeal from the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust and trainer Gary Thomas was received by the Louisiana Racing Commission on Tuesday. It will be heard at the panel’s meeting in New Orleans on Friday, said Charles Gardiner, executive director of the commission.

“It appeals the inaction of the stewards rather than any particular action,” said Gardiner.

Golden Yank was part of a three-horse photo in the Delta Jackpot, which was won in a dead heat by Z Humor and Turf War. Golden Yank finished third by a neck after racing between the dead-heat winners in the late stages.

[miss_critic]

Interesting. If they change the order, what happens to payouts? I understand there is some controversy surrounding the payouts of the dead heat per LA’s regulations.

Here is some interesting trivia. According to HRTV’s hosts, this was only the 2nd time a race of 1 million + has ended in a dead heat. Can you name the other one (this might just be in the US, not sure)?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=miss_critic;2863469]
According to HRTV’s hosts, this was only the 2nd time a race of 1 million + has ended in a dead heat. Can you name the other one (this might just be in the US, not sure)?[/QUOTE]

2003 Breeders’ Cup $1M Turf at Santa Anita: Johar and High Chaparral in a dead heat

[Glimmerglass]

Maryland-owned and trained, Cave’s Valley, will focus on Northest tracks leading towards the Kentucky Derby. As has been a comment before regarding the Delta Downs track, his connections also said the surface was challenging (hence his poor effort):

Trombetta said Ramon Dominguez, who rode Cave’s Valley, told him following the race that he felt the horse was not quite as comfortable with the Delta surface as he would have hoped.

“It’s quite different than what he’s run on and what he trains over,” said Trombetta

Races under consideration for this excellent runner: Miracle Wood and Private Terms at Laurel, and the Whirlaway and Gotham at Aqueduct.

The only drawback is that the Gotham and Whirlaway aren’t fat with purse $$ so his ability to get into the Kentucky Derby may be compromised with those plans.

[Glimmerglass]

Interesting … Delta Jackpot results upheld, however:

Byron Bonck, the attorney representing the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust that owns Golden Yank, said Friday [Dec 14] he has recommended his client appeal the case to district court.

They still want to appeal this the Louisiana Racing Commission’s ruling? Why

[Glimmerglass]

Quite a bit of bravado from her jockey … time will tell

Houston Chronicle Dec 16, 2007

Country Star beat Grace and Power by 2 3/4 lengths in the $431,500 Hollywood Starlet at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Country Star covered 11/16 miles in a stakes-record 1:40.54, bettering the mark of 1:41.80 by Serena’s Song in 1994.

Country Star, the 2-year-old daughter of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, paid $4, $3 and $2.40. Country Star’s performance stirred talk of next year’s Kentucky Oaks, the Derby eve race for fillies, but Bejarano had other thoughts.

“Oaks? She’s going to be the next Kentucky Derby winner,” he said.

Country Star is owned by Bob and Janice McNair and trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. It was her second victory in three starts. Her first came in the Alcibiades at Keeneland in October.

[Texarkana]

We sure have some good 2 year old fillies this year. Maybe 2008 will be a year for the girls in the derby…

[Glimmerglass]

ESPN’s Bill Finley Dec 24, 2007 “Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders for 2008”

(I’ve condensed his listing to simply the sames; click on the above link for his commentary)

Seems like a good time to come up with one man’s list of the Top 10 contenders for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. In order, here they are:

1. Pyro
2. Cowboy Cal
3. War Pass
4. Into Mischief
5. Etched
6. Court Vision
7. Maimonides
8. Colonel John
9. Majestic Warrior
10. Check It Twice

[Glimmerglass]

Even though this Forum has seemingly become some sort of dumping grounds of topics from OTTB to breedings to a flood of ‘this and that’ unrelated to racing I though someone might find this article on the 2008 would-be Derby runners based in Florida of interest …

DRF Jan 1, 2008 “Fertile ground for Derby prospects”

excerpt

The Florida Derby series begins Saturday (Jan 5th) with the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at seven furlongs. The other 3-year-old races are the Feb. 2 Swale at 6 1/2 furlongs, the Feb. 24 Fountain of Youth at 1 1/8 miles, and the March 29 Florida Derby at 1 1/8 miles. The Holy Bull, once a January stepping-stone, has been moved to April 12.

Among the numerous other 3-year-olds eligible to come to the fore quickly is Tale of Ekati, the Belmont Futurity winner whose trainer, Barclay Tagg, won the Derby with Funny Cide.

Tale of Ekati is training at Palm Meadows because he didn’t seem to like the Gulfstream track, Tagg said. For that reason, Tagg is thinking of running Tale of Ekati in Derby preps at Fair Grounds or Tampa Bay Downs.

Zito has six of the 52 3-year-olds nominated to the Hutcheson Stakes this Saturday at Gulfstream, but two other trainers named even more, tipping off their depth. Todd Pletcher, perennially loaded, named nine, while Ken McPeek, who less than two years ago was still on a self-styled sabbatical from training, named 10.

[Glimmerglass]

A lovely run by Cowboy Cal in the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT) (Pletcher trained, Stonerside owned, John Velazquez ridden):

Cowboy Cal now has three wins in four lifetime starts. He was coming off a 6 1/4-length score in the Nov. 24 Laurel Futurity. Ridden by John Velazquez, Cowboy Cal won the 1 1/8-mile turf event for 3-year-olds in a final time of 1:46.95.

Plans for Pletcher with him: “We will definitely try Cowboy Cal back on the dirt, possibly the Fountain of Youth, and go from there.”

[Toadie_s_mom]

@Glimmerglass;2905659

Even though this Forum has seemingly become some sort of dumping grounds of topics from OTTB to breedings to a flood of ‘this and that’ unrelated to racing I though someone might find this article on the 2008 would-be Derby runners based in Florida of interest …

Well this forum did originate from a “show horse” magazine. The only races they report on are Steeplechases. I like this forum because the members don’t seem to be as argumentative as some on the forums that are strictly race related.

I will be watching the FL races (didn’t watch 2days yet tho) I usually reserve my Derby opinion 'til about a month out (can never seem to take advantage of those ‘future wagers’!). I was impressed with Country Star and I’m hoping Magestic Warrior comes back better next out.

[Glimmerglass]

7-furlong (sprint) Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes field is drawn for Sat January 5th

This race is for a $150k purse and with it being graded earnings it is a key race for those horses aiming towards the Kentucky Derby. HRTV will air the race at 5pm EST; TVG which is is serious trouble gets nothing.

PP. Horse, Jockey

1. Tiz It, John Velazquez
2. Grand Minstrel, Eibar Coa
3. Cool Coal Man, Cornelio Velasquez <-- Nick Zito trained
4. Halo Najib, Kent Desormeaux
5. Smooth Air, Manoel Cruz
6. Silver Edition, Rene Douglas
7. Big Truck, Javier Castellano
8. Notgivinmyloveaway, Edgar Prado
9. Golden Spikes, Eddie Castro
10. Coal Play, Cornelio <-- Nick Zito trained

[trakama]

It is a bit early, though, I like everyone else has been watching these 2y/o’s race. Some stay in the fore front for awhile and others seem to disappear only to reappear suddenly. I have a few though there is one I have not seen in awhile and hope to see again in the “race”…

Does anyone remember “The Roundhouse”, 1/2 to Circular Quay?

[Glimmerglass]

@Glimmerglass;2908266

7-furlong (sprint) Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes

8. Notgivinmyloveaway, Edgar Prado

Interesting bits regarding the trainee by Canadian Reade Baker":

Notgivinmyloveaway, a Pennsylvania-bred by Not for Love, showed promise in three races on Polytrack at Woodbine before shipping to Philadelphia Park and cruising to a five-length victory against statebreds in the Nov. 24 Pennsylvania Nursery. Baker said the colt has trained extremely well since then, first at Woodbine and more recently at Palm Meadows.

Baker, 60, has a lengthy and fascinating background in racing - and apparently with other animals, according to his website, Readebaker.com. The website profile says he has “been quite successful with his hobby of showing birds, mainly chickens and ducks, which you will see around the barn at Woodbine.”

People show chickens?

[WhiteCamry]

@Glimmerglass;2905812

A lovely run by Cowboy Cal in the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT) (Pletcher trained, Stonerside owned, John Velazquez ridden):

Plans for Pletcher with him: “We will definitely try Cowboy Cal back on the dirt, possibly the Fountain of Youth, and go from there.”

So they’re running CC on the Barbaro trail, then? First the Laurel F, then the TPD.