Superfectablog v3.0 » Cocoa Beach

Breeders’ Cup 2009: Filly & Mare Classic

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:52:00 +0000

#, Horse, Trainer, Jockey, ML odds

1 Careless Jewel, Josie Carroll, R. Landry, 2-1
Looks absolutely outstanding here – and it would be great to see a female trainer score a big win.

2 Life Is Sweet, John Shirreffs, G. Gomez, 8-1
Although she has a chance to step out of stablemate Zenyatta’s shadow, this may not be her day.

3 Mushka, William Mott, K. Desormeaux, 12-1
Has a 2-win streak (of sorts – see below) and won over Keeneland’s synthetic surface – will she like this one?

4 Lethal Heat, Barry Abrams, A. Solis, 20-1
Her recent record of running in third and second will not help her here.

5 Proviso (GB), Robert J. Frankel, J. Velazquez, 8-1
Gave Mushka her Spinster Stakes win – by DQ – but that was her 1st US start. Winner in France.

6 Cocoa Beach (CHI), Saeed Bin Suroor, R. Migliore, 8-1
Second to Zenyatta in this race last year; her form this year isn’t quite up to last year’s standards.

7 Music Note, Saeed Bin Suroor, J. Castellano, 9/5
Reeled off 2 G1 wins in a row and will be a strong contender.

8 Rainbow View, John Gosden, J. Leparoux, 6-1
Second in her 1st North American start, she’s been a few lengths behind the very best European competition.

Picks: Careless Jewel, Music Note, Rainbow View, Life Is Sweet

More Quick Hits: Zenyatta, Mine That Bird, et al.

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Yes, it’s another Friday with too much going on – time for some quick hits!

Things New Yorkish/Canadian
Is Dublin a lock in the Champagne? Recall that Vineyard Haven and Munnings were 1-2 last year – is it becoming a prep for future sprinting success?

Should we be paying more attention to the Canadian 2-year-olds?

Things Californian
Will Spring House surprise Presious Passion in the Clement L Hirsch, or will Artiste Royal repeat?

Mine That Bird gets Calvin Borel back in the Goodwood, but faces a tough field – Chocolate Candy and British newcomer Gitano Hernando are the only other 3-year-olds taking on some quality older horses. Colonel John almost always shows up, but it would also be nice to see Tiago overcome his recent bad luck. As for shock Pacific Classic winner Richard’s Kid – who really knows?

Finally, of course, there is Zenyatta in the Lady’s Secret – will it be lucky 13 for her? She hasn’t faced much this year, but Cocoa Beach could make her work for it; Anabaa’s Creation got quite close last time out – it should be great fun to see what happens.

Travers Day

admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Travers weekend is upon us, and for once, we’ll get some decent mainstream television coverage on ESPN – although the Ballston Spa won’t be shown live, the other major stakes races on Saratoga’s Saturday card will be. There’s quite a bit to cover, so let’s get to it.

Ballston Spa
This is a really interesting one – Rutherienne is taking on Cocoa Beach and My Princess Jess, as well as the interestingly-named Teamgeist – how can I not like a horse who shares a name with a soccer ball? Rutherienne was deeply unlucky last time out in the Diana (she was, in retrospect, probably the best horse in the race, but had to contend with traffic, wet ground and general unpleasantness) and she should be in a better spot here. However, Cocoa Beach will be tough for her to beat; I’m a fan of the Chilean-bred mare and like her versatility – dirt or turf, short or longer distance – nothing seems to faze her. Captain’s Lover is taking a step up here, but I cashed a ticket on her last time out, so she warrants watching.

Ballerina
This year’s Ballerina has a shorter field, but it’s a talented one – Indian Blessing is looking to regain her good Saratoga form, but Informed Decision is red-hot at the moment and will likely be the deserving post-time favorite. Music Note is looking to make a return to the winner’s circle as well, but I wonder if this race is a little too short for her – it’s an interesting spot, in any case.

Kings Bishop
This race is another one that’s packed with quality (and blazing speed); Munnings will be toting the highest weight, but it’s a fine group of sprinters all around – Capt. Candyman Can is back to chase after Munnings, as is Big Drama, and Vineyard Haven has popped back up. Munnings should still be the overwhelming favorite, despite drawing the rail, and I’m a bit puzzled by Big Drama after the West Virginia Derby (although this race should set up more to his liking). I really like Capt. Candyman Can here – if Munnings is in any way compromised by his post position, I could see him picking up the pieces. Vineyard Haven is attempting a comeback as a sprinter after a long layoff – he will probably need a race.

Travers
You can listen again to my Travers ruminations, if you so desire, but here’s the short version: I like Summer Bird. That’s not to say I don’t like the rest of the field – Richard Eng points out that six of the field of seven are coming off triple-digit Beyer performances in their last races – so it should be very competitive. I am lukewarm-to-chilly regarding Our Edge, Charitable Man and, to a lesser extent, Hold Me Back, but I see a lot to like in Quality Road, Kensei and Summer Bird. Warrior’s Reward is my longshot pick – if either Quality Road or Kensei runs out of steam at the eighth pole, he may get a piece of the action. The classic distance is the real question mark for both Quality Road and Kensei – we know both are fast and talented, but it’s not clear (yet) if either one really wants to run a mile and a quarter. Summer Bird obviously has no distance questions, and although he was a distant second-place finisher to the best horse currently in training in the Haskell, he should have a better shot on Saturday. If nothing else, it would be nice to see a Belmont winner come back and do well in other races – that’s become something of a rarity in recent years.

Perhaps some good viewing figures this weekend will get the Woodward on national television – we can dream…

Returns and Farewells

admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:29:00 +0000

I spent most of the holiday weekend traveling up and down the Eastern seaboard, and as a result only got the news about Saturday’s somber day at Aqueduct after the fact. I’d seen the Cigar Mile results in brief and saw a few ‘what a shame’ comments, but initially thought the shame was the difficult DQ situation between Harlem Rocker and Tale of Ekati (the eventual official winner) – and the fact that Wanderin Boy (right) had finished at the back. Unable to really investigate at the time, I assumed initially it was going to be something of a throwout like his Woodward effort in 2007, or his earlier New Orleans Handicap last-place finish – no doubt he had another injury, but he’d be back again in good form, as ever.

Obviously, I was wrong.

If you have not already read Steve Haskin’s response to Wanderin Boy’s death, be sure you do; despite seemingly endless physical problems, the horse returned to the highest level of the sport again and again, and I can only agree with Haskin – it should not have ended the way it did. Having said that, horses can contrive to mortally injure themselves in the most benign settings, whether it be a stall or a field; given his soundness issues, it’s probably for the best he never went to stud, but it would have been lovely to see him have a long, healthy retirement. I recommend these parting glances from Green but Game, Brooklyn Backstretch and Gathering the Wind; it’s evident that Wanderin Boy will be missed.

Springside’s injury in the Demoiselle does lead one to wonder what was in the water at Aqueduct that day; while the early word is that she came out of surgery well and is expected to recover, it’s certainly jarring to see horses break down in two races on the same card. One hopes that lessons might be learned – whatever they might be.

As is so often the case in racing, Saturday’s dark events were followed by a thrilling performance on Sunday, when Cocoa Beach overpowered the retiring Precious Kitten in the stretch in the Matriarch at Hollywood Park. And let us not forget that Friday was a good day as well – fan favorite Einstein won the Clark Handicap. He seems to be getting better and even more multi-dimensional with age; if the ongoing legal silliness surrounding him and former stablemate Curlin at least serves to keep him in training, it can’t be all bad.

Finally, and not a moment too soon, the Holiday Classic returns at Post Parade! Don’t miss out on this annual tradition…

I Love a Parade

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:22:00 +0000

As the year winds down and the countdown to Curlin’s retirement deals in ever-smaller numbers, your chances to see him in racehorse condition are very limited. You do have the option to see him this weekend if you can make it to Churchill Downs, however – Curlin will be paraded between the fifth and sixth races as he bids his fans adieu.

While the mainstream media is largely ignoring the champ’s retirement, some racing fans are making sure the moment does not pass unnoticed. Curlin fan Libby will be compiling your comments and well-wishes onto a poster for his connections and passing it off to them on Saturday – so do get in touch with her at libbybar@gmail.com if you would like to contribute.

But Curlin will not be the only horse making a star turn this weekend; Zenyatta will also be celebrated at Hollywood Park on Sunday with her very own day. There will be posters. It should also be mentioned that in addition to her success on the track, Zenyatta is an accomplished artist; her work is part of this year’s Moneigh auction to benefit ReRun. Considering that she is still juggling her racing and art careers, it’s quite a mature work. Here’s hoping the day in her honor helps get trainer John Shirreffs, who had a bad fall last week, on the mend.

Zenyatta Day has some great racing on tap as well; the Hollywood Derby and the Matriarch should both be very interesting. Erstwhile Derby trail veterans Court Vision (who has been working bullets) and Cowboy Cal are set to re-emerge against European shippers Albahri (originally from the Aga Khan’s stables, but now in the barn of Patrick ‘King Cobra’ Biancone, so make of that what you will) and Midships. Local hope (and former claimer) Muny also features.

The bigger names will be lining up for the Matriarch; Precious Kitten is looking to defend her title in the race before heading into retirement, but she will have to get past the dangerous Cocoa Beach and Criminologist, both of whom have been supplemented for the race. In any case, it should be great fun (and I’m sure I’ll be checking eBay for a Zenyatta poster come Monday).

I’ll sign off for the holiday week here, so for all the non-Americans, sorry for the light week; for everyone else, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a productive Black Friday.

Remember the Mares

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:12:00 +0000

It’s a Distaff sort of day today; Zarkava took home the Cartier Award for Horse of the Year, Zenyatta has her own hat and there is the troubling news that Sunline is fighting laminitis.

First, let’s look more closely at the good news — Zarkava’s flawless season was rewarded by Cartier voters who chose to focus on an entire year, rather than the last month or so preceding the vote. Val at Foolish Pleasure notes that many Breeders’ Cup winners were not even nominated, and rightly so. I’m putting my money on Goldikova for next year’s Horse of the Year; she ran into a monster in Zarkava (pictured) in her rare defeats and could be one herself next season. Given Zarkava’s absence, I’m glad I still have Goldikova to look forward to.

Zenyatta might be busy taking a break before resuming her racing career next year, but she may make an appearance on the track on November 30th, when Hollywood Park celebrates Zenyatta Day — it’s more than enough enticement to get fans out to see the Matriarch and Hollywood Derby. It will also be your last chance to see Precious Kitten on the track – she will be retired after the Matriarch, but it will be a great opportunity to see how she stacks up against Cocoa Beach. I presume the newly-released Zenyatta hats will be widely available on the day, although I’m holding out for a t-shirt.

In less encouraging news, champion Kiwi mare Sunline is battling laminitis. A winner of 32 of her 48 starts (and in the money a further 12 times), Sunline was named Australian Horse of the Year three times — she won the Cox Plate twice and the Doncaster Handicap at ages 3 and 6, with 13 Group 1 wins in her career. She was also the first horse to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame while still in training. She developed laminitis after a bout with colic in July and is far from out of the woods; reports suggest she is more comfortable following some surgery, but it may be some time before we get better news. Again, I recommend a swing by Foolish Pleasure for more on Sunline.

But it’s not all gloom and doom; Rags to Riches joined Zenyatta, Serena’s Song and the great Ipi Tombe as the first female Moneigh artists; their work (along with that of a few well-known stallions and geldings) will hit eBay on the 23rd, with all proceeds benefiting ReRun as per usual. It’s a great gift for a great cause, so mark your calendars and get ready to bid!

Horses Racing?

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:52:00 +0000

Well, at least Godolphin managed to scrounge together a few bucks to keep some of their fillies and mares in training – I am genuinely pleased to hear that we will be seeing more of both Cocoa Beach and Music Note. In fact, we should get another chance to see Cocoa Beach before the end of the year; she is scheduled to switch to the turf for the Matriarch at Hollywood Park on the 30th. It will be her first race on the grass since her first lifetime race (and first win) in Chile last year, but this should be a considerably tougher field. Precious Kitten (who really put forth a great effort in the Mile to get up for fourth) and Wait a While are waiting in the wings to see how she takes to the surface.

I’m intrigued by Cocoa Beach in a number of ways, not the least in that her Chilean roots are quite deep on her dam’s side – her line has been there since the 1950s. As for her sire, Doneraile Court, he seems to do well with Chilean mares for some reason – he’s produced a number of big winners there beyond Cocoa Beach. Perhaps he’s just at his best on Southern Hemisphere time. I know where I’d rather invest my $7500.

And here’s hoping we get word that Cocoa Beach could face Zenyatta again next year…pretty please?