Superfectablog v3.0 » Cacique http://superfectablog.com Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:34:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Let The Sunshine In http://superfectablog.com/2008/01/let-sunshine-in.html http://superfectablog.com/2008/01/let-sunshine-in.html#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:25:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=329 Sunshine Millions weekend is upon us, but there are still questions as to whether the Santa Anita surface will be functional by race day or if the California half of events might have to be cancelled (or moved somehow); Steve Specht, trainer of McCann’s Mojave, suggested an alternative:

“I pushed to have it at Golden [...]]]> Sunshine Millions weekend is upon us, but there are still questions as to whether the Santa Anita surface will be functional by race day or if the California half of events might have to be cancelled (or moved somehow); Steve Specht, trainer of McCann’s Mojave, suggested an alternative:

“I pushed to have it at Golden Gate; maybe they should have listened,” said Specht, who also is at Santa Anita this week. “They know they got a major problem with this track, and horses have shipped in from all over the country, and they might have to cancel. It’s a joke. This isn’t a matter of trying to beat the other guy; it’s a matter of will they even run. There is no miracle cure; it’s a screwed-up mess.”

And for another special ‘well done,’ check out Magna’s Sunshine Millions website which 1) does not render properly in Firefox and 2) features an article about last year’s pre-entries on its front page. Well played, sirs.

But provided all the surface issues are worked out, it should be an exciting weekend of racing; Nashoba’s Key is back in the Filly & Mare Turf and speedster Georgie Boy is featured in the Dash. If my iPod’s picks are anything to go by (and they usually are not, but there you are), he should be unbeatable — why else would it have played ‘Georgie Boy’ by Jack L[ukeman] so many times? Ginger Punch makes her 2008 debut as well. Don’t forget to check the TBA homepage for all your Sunshine Millions PP needs.

For your general amusement, I include my picks for the day:

Sprint (Gulfstream)
Cobalt Blue
Benny the Bull
Storm in May

F&M Sprint (Santa Anita)
Tiz Elemental
Shaggy Mane
Cher Ami

Oaks (Gulfstream)
Phantom Income
American Country
Billie Bob

F&M Turf (Santa Anita)
Nashoba’s Key
Quite a Bride
Snow Cone

Distaff (Gulfstream)
Ginger Punch
Leah’s Secret
Peach Flambe

Dash (Santa Anita)
Georgie Boy
Afleet Rumor
Winsome Charm

Turf (Gulfstream)
Icy Atlantic
Soldier’s Dancer
War Monger

Classic (Santa Anita)
Diamond Stripes
McCann’s Mojave
Gottcha Gold

In news beyond the Sunshine Millions, Asiatic Boy is back in a big way; you can catch video from his race over here. Cacique added to his family’s legacy this week with a little help from an Irish mare; his first reported foal is a colt. Last weekend, his full brother Champs Elysees became the latest of Hasili’s offspring to win here in the US as well as in Europe. Three-year-old Raise the Flag is next up, and there’s a yearling filly in the bunch as well.

Finally, as to the Barbaro art, well, think of it this way — imagine the uproar had the artist in question gone in a more Damien Hirst direction…

]]> http://superfectablog.com/2008/01/let-sunshine-in.html/feed 2 Big Round-Up http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/big-round-up.html http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/big-round-up.html#comments Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:01:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=80 Cacique looked great in the Man O’ War with some fine efforts from Go Deputy and Showing Up as well. Showing Up did stumble slightly at the start and looked a little rank early on, but I’d say this bodes well for his future against top-class turf horses. Coming in a few jumps [...]]]> Cacique looked great in the Man O’ War with some fine efforts from Go Deputy and Showing Up as well. Showing Up did stumble slightly at the start and looked a little rank early on, but I’d say this bodes well for his future against top-class turf horses. Coming in a few jumps behind Cacique (who will be heading to Banstead Manor for stud duty next year) is certainly no disappointment in my opinion. (Let’s gratuitously mention Cacique’s dam Hasili here again — what a phenomenal mare). It was also nice to see Miesque’s Approval back in the Red Bank Stakes – it should be a good Mile as well.

Pine Island and Teammate’s duel in the stretch of the Gazelle looks like a legitimate rivalry now; it’s nice to see some life in the three-year-old filly division at long last this year.

Although I don’t like to think too much about the 2-year-olds yet, I must admit I now have a sneaking admiration for Horse Greeley after his win in the Del Mar Futurity — although I suspect that has more to do with his name than anything else.

In European news, the Irish Champion Stakes was another fantastic effort against the boys for Ouija Board. Dylan Thomas just got there for the win — and the news that Dylan Thomas may end up in the Classic rather than facing Hurricane Run in the Turf is interesting. I’d be tempted to place Ouija Board there as well, although she is still pointing toward the Filly & Mare Turf. Shirocco also may head to the Classic rather than the Turf. There’s a great article here on Ouija Board and her durability.

The other news from across the pond was not so positive – Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist died from an apparent heart attack, just days after a problem was detected. In other medical news, Lost in the Fog began his chemotherapy; UC Davis will be providing updates as they are available. Finally, Barbaro is ‘starting to blossom‘ according to Gretchen Jackson, although she emphasizes her opinion is not a medical one. Still, it’s nice to have a positive end to our medical round-up!


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]]> http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/big-round-up.html/feed 0 Turf, Turf and More Turf http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/turf-turf-and-more-turf.html http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/turf-turf-and-more-turf.html#comments Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:31:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=79 This weekend’s Man o’ War marks Showing Up’s first outing against older horses, and it’s quite a field – Cacique, Go Deputy and Relaxed Gesture are all pointed toward the race as well. With this much talent in the turf division, both the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Filly & Mare Turf (with Ouija Board [...]]]> This weekend’s Man o’ War marks Showing Up’s first outing against older horses, and it’s quite a field – Cacique, Go Deputy and Relaxed Gesture are all pointed toward the race as well. With this much talent in the turf division, both the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Filly & Mare Turf (with Ouija Board and Gorella as just two of the standouts) are shaping up to be the ones to watch. It’s no wonder that Better Talk Now will be taking his chances Down Under in the Melbourne Cup.

It will be interesting to see a North-American-based horse in that race — but will he get to take Shake the Bank with him? It will also be odd to see someone other than Makybe Diva in the winner’s circle — but at least they have commissioned a statue of her to place at the track. (In other Makybe Diva news, we should discover later this month whether or not she is officially in foal to Galileo).

Kieren Fallon has withdrawn his application for a license to ride in the US for the Breeders’ Cup as his legal woes around a race-fixing scandal continue. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority is apparently “relieved” at this latest development. But at least there will be a voice (and a familiar one for most racing fans) for the Breeders’ Cup – Trevor Denman has been hired.


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]]> http://superfectablog.com/2006/09/turf-turf-and-more-turf.html/feed 0 Arlington Million Turf Challenge http://superfectablog.com/2006/08/arlington-million-turf-challenge.html http://superfectablog.com/2006/08/arlington-million-turf-challenge.html#comments Thu, 10 Aug 2006 18:48:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=67 Being a slightly less fussy contest than the Road to the Roses, the Arlington Million Turf Challenge allows you to pick eight horses, two trainers and one jockey. While I would prefer two jockeys, at least all your picks are active for the big day and there’s no need to agonize over leaving someone [...]]]> Being a slightly less fussy contest than the Road to the Roses, the Arlington Million Turf Challenge allows you to pick eight horses, two trainers and one jockey. While I would prefer two jockeys, at least all your picks are active for the big day and there’s no need to agonize over leaving someone in your stable out. It seems these one-day contests could be a useful promotional tool if expanded to other major race days.

For the Beverly D., Gorella is my favorite and I’ve also got Film Maker and Honey Ryder. My Million horses are Cacique (partially out of respect for his wondrous dam, Hasili) and Better Talk Now. I like English Channel, so I’ve included him as well, although I’m less confident in his chances. In the Secretariat, Showing Up is the no-brainer, and I’ve added Go Between as a second choice. There is some nice commentary from trainers Graham Motion and Barclay Tagg here if you’re looking for more professional guidance in making your selections. One thing about the Million is certain at this point — Kieren Fallon won’t be riding in it. There is more local coverage of the event here, with an emphasis on the European contingent.

The NY Times also has a prominent story on Barbaro’s encouraging recent progress; the Jacksons are interviewed here as well.


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]]> http://superfectablog.com/2006/08/arlington-million-turf-challenge.html/feed 0 Difficulties http://superfectablog.com/2006/07/difficulties.html http://superfectablog.com/2006/07/difficulties.html#comments Wed, 12 Jul 2006 19:28:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=58 Superfecta is back from her family emergency and normal updates will now resume.

It has been a busy news week; obviously Barbaro’s condition is the biggest worry right now. The Washington Post details the latest surgery and the problems in the other hind leg; the NY Times covers much the same territory, but with [...]]]> Superfecta is back from her family emergency and normal updates will now resume.

It has been a busy news week; obviously Barbaro’s condition is the biggest worry right now. The Washington Post details the latest surgery and the problems in the other hind leg; the NY Times covers much the same territory, but with some additional details. The local news is also keeping up with events; there is also a slightly cheerier article on his little brothers. But the official word is that his condition is ‘guarded‘ — fingers crossed it’s only a temporary setback. Let’s remember that Barbaro’s great-grandsire, Hail to Reason, fully recovered from shattering both sesamoids in one of his forelegs, largely through his own good temperment as the state of veterinary medicine at the time was not what it is now. One thing is certain, though — the Maryland Racing Commission has determined that Barbaro’s injury was officially ‘bad racing luck.’

In other news, Lava Man’s win in the Hollywood Gold Cup means he is definitely off to the Pacific Classic in August. The exciting finish of the United Nations saw English Channel beat Cacique (this time around); it will be exciting to see them continue their rivalry. Speaking of grass, Showing Up will be skipping the Virginia Derby in favor of resting up for the Secretariat; it should still be a fine race — I’m looking forward to seeing Steppenwolfer on the turf.

This weekend’s racing at Delaware Park should be quite good; Fleet Indian certainly looks the part for the Del Cap. If the weather isn’t awful, I should put in an appearance.

A few other items worth mentioning: Brass Hat’s bad luck continues — he’s out with a cracked sesamoid and it will be unclear for months whether he will make another comeback. War Emblem still doesn’t have an eye for the ladies in Japan although it’s rumored some US farms that specialize in ‘problem stallions’ have expressed an interest in him. It will be interesting to see where that leads.

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