Superfectablog v3.0 » Curlin

History, Achieved

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:20:00 +0000

Opportunities to bask in the glow of historical perspective abound in Rachel Alexandra’s win in the Woodward – it’s difficult to imagine anyone else even close to Horse of the Year after such a performance – but the chance to see her become the first 3-year-old filly to hold that position since 1945 has been worth the wait.

The full magnitude of what she accomplished today may take some time to set in; beyond the very few historical comparisons (most notably Twilight Tear and Busher in 1944 and 1945 – or going all the way back to Lady Primrose winning the Manhattan in 1887 – when she only carried 104 pounds), the sheer speed of the opening quarters was enough to torpedo most great horse’s chances. Indeed, it took a toll on the merely good – Past the Point and Cool Coal Man were the final two official finishers after pressing the pace, and Da’ Tara was eased in the stretch – he did not even officially finish. The early speed was such that Rachel Alexandra’s winning time was a full second faster than Curlin’s in the same race, and just a shade off Ghostzapper’s result (both of whom won at age 4).

This now means we have a Rachel Alexandra victory to suit any occasion – and that is just looking at this season:

For utter dominance, her Kentucky Oaks victory:

For getting a glimpse of what she could do when pressed – the Preakness:

Winning for fun in the Mother Goose:

Sheer class and the most picture-perfect finish I’ve ever been lucky enough to see in person at the Haskell:

And today – the true grit and determination of a storied champion; enjoy your 2009 Woodward champion, Rachel Alexandra:

Rachelmania

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:57:00 +0000

It’s a rare year in which the Woodward could determine Horse of the Year; we are lucky enough to be living through one of them now. While some have scoffed at the level of competition Rachel Alexandra (pictured yesterday in the paddock at Saratoga – courtesy of NYRA) will be facing in the race, others have continued to note how unusual a win would be – Jeremy Plonk cites Lady’s Secret and Shuvee, who each had a single victory against males in multiple starts. Bill Finley points out how impressive those horses dispatched by Rachel Alexandra have proven in their next Rachel-free outings – and it’s a strong list.

The Woodward field may not be quite as strong as the Pacific Classic field this year, but it’s still got plenty of firepower – recall that Past the Points really made Curlin work for his victory in this race last year. And Macho Again is no slouch – although you have to respect West Point’s Terry Finley’s attitude toward the horse’s participation in the race:

“How many times do you get a shot to really be part of history?” said West Point president Terry Finley, who estimates the 17 partners in Macho Again will bring about 500 friends and family members to the race. “I would hope that in 50 years people would talk about the 2009 Woodward.”

and

“He hasn’t really garnered a ton of attention to this point,” Finley said. “So what do you do to market a stallion? One way is to be in a race that the whole world is going to be looking at.”

I like the fact that ‘Second to Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward’ could appear in the Stallion Register at some point down the line – and that it would be a selling point. Summer Bird can use his second in the Haskell and Musket Man should feel no shame in listing his third-place finish in the Preakness.

Bullsbay has also come into his own of late – the Whitney winner has been improving against the tougher company he’s been facing recently. Asiatic Boy may not have been able to maintain his Dubai form Stateside, but he’s talented – he just seems to prefer to express that talent in second-place finishes. I’m presuming that Da’ Tara is in here as a rabbit for Cool Coal Man – I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cool Coal Man hit the board, but I think that honor will more likely go to Macho Again and Bullsbay. It’s a Bird has had ups and downs lately, but he seems more like a solid G2 contender.

Even the DRF has Rachelmania; they ran a nice article on her exercise rider, Dominic Terry. And Gary West proclaims that seeing her is ‘as close to greatness as we will see’ (a notion which my fellow Haskell attendees would agree with).

But perhaps nothing is more telling than Andrew Beyer’s take on the race – it seems rare enough for Beyer to praise a modern horse, so his words about Rachel Alexandra should not be taken lightly:

Rachel Alexandra can lock up the horse of the year title with a victory, but she can also earn an even rarer distinction. While other members of her sex have won the sport’s top honor without beating the best males, this will be the first time in the postwar era that a filly, running on dirt, will be regarded as America’s best racehorse, regardless of gender.

It almost seems unfair that she gets a weight break (for both age and sex). That’s not to say she’s unbeatable – any horse can have an off day – but here’s hoping for another decisive victory on Saturday.

Both Sides Now

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:11:00 +0000

I get it, I really do – after the debacle with Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup, I can see why Jess Jackson doesn’t want to bring Rachel Alexandra to the Breeders’ Cup this year. But two facts don’t quite fit in with his firm anti-’plastic surfaces’ viewpoint. The first is that Curlin always seemed to perform better over a surface (any surface) the second time around – so can we be sure he would not have taken to Santa Anita in the long term? You can argue that the fact he clearly didn’t love racing on grass (despite the fact that his sire has produced some strong turf runners) suggests he would never have taken to it, but it’s hard to know for certain.

Secondly, and more importantly for the argument at hand, Rachel Alexandra has already raced and won over a synthetic track, at Keeneland. If anything, I would take that as another point in her favor as far as versatility – she can win a 6 furlong sprint over synthetics, or she can excel at a 1 1/8 on dirt. Both are Good Things. In that regard, her record is almost the mirror image of Zenyatta’s – Big Z has one win over real dirt, with the rest on synthetics. That suggests that both fillies could be even more capable than they’ve already demonstrated – but good luck trying to find out!

While I’m annoyed that it’s extremely unlikely that Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra will ever face one another, I think that we have a lot to look forward to from the Rachel Alexandra camp, especially with the suggestion that she will continue to face top-level competition later this season, perhaps in the Travers, and that we should see her next year if all goes well. (Obviously for my own convenience I’m hoping for a Del Cap/Travers combo – and it sounds as though that is not beyond the realm of possibility). And while I believe Zenyatta is an amazing horse, it seems that she will probably not get the chance to really demonstrate her prowess – unless she does go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (and against a horse like Einstein, who is proven on any sort of surface you’d like to throw at him – couldn’t that be a breeding goal?). That, in my opinion, is the most unfortunate part of this situation – Zenyatta will never get the recognition she is (probably) due. But if skipping the Breeders’ Cup means we see more of Rachel Alexandra next year, then hey, whatever works – although I think that’s got a lot more to do with her humans than with her talents.

I’d also add that I don’t subscribe to the notion that there’s something inherently wrong with synthetic surfaces – I don’t believe the data is there to support that they are necessarily safer than a good dirt surface, but I enjoy the races run on them. This is largely because I’m a fan of Australian and European turf racing and I’m quite content to see their horses come over and beat ours – I think it serves as a useful reminder that there’s more than one way to breed and train and that it’s worth considering those options. True, some horses will never take to it – but let’s not make assumptions ahead of time over which will and which will not.

But that’s a discussion to revisit a little later in the year – this weekend, we still get to see two great fillies in action, even if it’s not against one another (or, in fact, much of anything). I really like NYRA’s microsite supporting Rachel Alexandra’s visit – the graphic design work featuring her name in yellow would make for a much better logo than the very plain white and pink design that’s currently available in shirt form. By contrast, there’s very little out there discussing Zenyatta’s run this weekend. She does get a press release and short video on the Hollywood Park website, but that’s about it – and the mainstream media certainly doesn’t care at all. I’m sure the buildup to this race will be documented on ‘Jockeys,’ but by the time these episodes air, there will be precious little time left to see Zenyatta live – if any at all.

Here’s hoping both fillies destroy their current competition and remain healthy – and that even if they never face one another, they will take on some tough horses this year wherever they go. If Horse of the Year is the goal, Rachel Alexandra is already ahead in that contest (although there’s more to do – don’t forget Einstein, Well Armed or Mine That Bird) – and she’s miles ahead of poor Zenyatta in the Wider Public Awareness Stakes.

I’m sorry I’ll miss seeing both races live (and I will have to see if I can get home from my conference in time to watch the US take part in its first ever FIFA final, after Sunday’s and yesterday’s miracles), but I will certainly be monitoring both fillies and the soccer from TweetDeck while I’m away. There is much TiVoing to be done…

End of Part One

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:23:00 +0000

While the dust settles from the Triple Crown and many of the 3-year-olds take a little break (literally, in the case of Dunkirk, who is having surgery for a left hind fracture – although with luck he should be back in the fall – although it still adds fuel to the Unbridled’s Song = ‘soft bones’ thesis), the focus shifts back to the older horses.

This coming weekend’s big feature is the Stephen Foster, in which Einstein (pictured) has been assigned the high weight of 124 pounds. You may recall that Einstein finished second to ex-stablemate Curlin in this race last year, so I am very much hoping he finally wins it. There should be some serious competition from horses such as Arson Squad and I’m curious to see where Macho Again stands in relation to his elders (even if it occasionally seems he’s the only horse still in training from last year’s Triple Crown series). But perhaps the most interesting (non-Einstein) entrant will be Asiatic Boy in his US debut. He’s been sent from Dubai after a miserable finish in the Dubai World Cup but previous success in the desert under the care of Mike de Kock – will the Dubai bounce affect a horse who has never raced in the US before?

We will have more later in the week on Einstein and the other Stephen Foster participants, as well as a little bit of catching up with the 3-year-olds across the pond, so do check back.

Finally, Dana has clips of some amazing Super 8 footage of Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed in their respective Belmont post parades – check it out!

2009 Kentucky Derby: On the Record

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:07:00 +0000

It’s official – I’ve (almost) made some decisions. Without further ado, here is your official Superfecta Kentucky Derby handicapping exercise for 2009 – as ever, with the note that my recent successes with Smarty Jones and Barbaro are tempered by the fact that my last correctly-predicted winner was Winning Colors in 1988. You have been warned.

1) West Side Bernie
Upside: Seems to be improving, has some good seasoning. Second to I Want Revenge last time out.
Downside: Not sure he wants the distance – or if he’s fast enough

2) Musket Man
Upside: Keeps looking better and better in retrospect
Downside: Not a huge fan of jockey Eibar Coa

3) Mr. Hot Stuff
Upside: I like trainer Eoin Harty
Downside: Looks like a sprinter/miler

4) Advice
Upside: Nice move in his last race
Downside: Polytrack specialist

5) Hold Me Back
Upside: Not among the very best, but could hit the board
Downside: Does he also prefer Polytrack?

6) Friesan Fire
Upside: Love the breeding, love his versatility
Downside: Layoff could be a downside – or could leave him fresh

7) Papa Clem
Upside: Love his recent old-school workout and everything else
Downside: Rain?

Mine That Bird
Upside: Can win…
Downside: …but not in this company

9) Join in the Dance
Upside: Still looking for one
Downside: Rabbit

10) Regal Ransom
Upside: Love Alan Garcia on just about anything
Downside: UAE form still a question mark

11) Chocolate Candy
Upside: Great breeding, great form in California
Downside: First time on real dirt; wet track might not suit

12) General Quarters
Upside: Great story, continual improvement, love switch to Julien Leparoux
Downside: Is he fast enough?

13) I Want Revenge
Upside: Looks very, very tough to beat; like Joe Talamo
Downside: Mullins et al. do not appeal

14) Atomic Rain
Upside: Let me know when you find one
Downside: Yes

15) Dunkirk
Upside: Florida Derby performance; high Tomlinson rating
Downside: Curlin couldn’t do it with so few races

16) Pioneerof the Nile
Upside: California record; possibility that Bode Baffert will sing in the winner’s circle
Downside: Low Beyers – and the dirt question

17) Summer Bird
Upside: I like his pedigree…
Downside: …but not on 3 lifetime starts

18) Nowhere to Hide
Upside: Um…Nick Zito surprise? Likes an off track?
Downside: Seems entirely outclassed

19) Desert Party
Upside: Breeding, previous record
Downside: What did he beat in Dubai?

20) Flying Private
Upside: *crickets*
Downside: Indeed

Preferences: I’d love to see a Friesan Fire/Papa Clem/Chocolate Candy/General Quarters superfecta.
Prediction – dry track: I Want Revenge/Friesan Fire/Papa Clem/General Quarters
Prediction – wet track: Friesan Fire/General Quarters/Dunkirk/I Want Revenge

Wagering to be determined tomorrow, probably en route to the Derby party I’ll be attending – check back later today for some semi-liveblogging of Kentucky Oaks day!

Let Me Count The Ways

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

If you’re a regular reader, you know how much we love Einstein here – and how much we appreciate his Big Cap victory over the weekend. It’s amazing how much he’s accomplished (and how much he’s been through) with so little respect accorded (which is why we chose him as ‘most underrated‘ for 2008). His Saturday success (much hoped for here on Friday – note our mentions of the rest of the trifecta as well), which made Helen Pitts-Blasi the first woman to train a winner in the historic race, should finally put him on everyone else’s radar.

Our interest in Einstein dates back a few years (something it’s increasingly difficult to say about a racehorse today) – his frightening fall in the Dixie on Preakness day in 2007 and his subsequent return from injury the following January was only one element that endeared him to us; being perceived as the leftovers from a Curlin smorgasbord made him the ultimate underdog.

We’ve mentioned previously what we like so much about his breeding – and the Brazilian-bred son of Spend a Buck (the Derby champion who famously skipped the Triple Crown to take the then-larger Jersey Derby purse, leading to the now-defunct Triple Crown bonus) continues to prove that it’s possible to win going short, going long, on dirt, on turf, on synthetics – you name it. It seemed like poetic justice that Einstein became the first east-coast invader to win the Santa Anita Handicap since Broad Brush – another stellar all-around performer whose sturdiness and versatility seemed to become less fashionable in American breeding.

While his dodgy owners dragged Einstein into endless litigation and annoying licensing issues, Helen Pitts-Blasi continued to bring him along patiently and put him in all the right spots (even finishing a memorable second to his ex-stablemate Curlin in the Stephen Foster, on a surface he didn’t love).

Whether by design or by accident (see ‘litigation’ above), to have a stallion of Einstein’s obvious quality continuing to race at the age of 7 and earning great wins under so many different circumstances should be applauded by everyone in the sport – he’s proof that stars can continue to run and win, if only someone paid them a little attention. Here’s hoping we see him back at Santa Anita in the fall for the Breeders’ Cup Classic – he deserves it.

Everyone’s a Hero

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:33:00 +0000

I didn’t actually watch the Eclipse Awards myself, since Monday night is sacrosanct – House and How I Met Your Mother both take precedence, even on TiVo. But it sounds like I didn’t miss much: Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year, all the expected names won in their respective categories (although I would argue Einstein deserved the Male Turf Horse trophy over Conduit), although it sounds like the IEAH crew were amusingly surprised to lose out to the Stronach crew for outstanding owner. I feel the insertion of a little Nelson Muntz action after that announcement would have added to the effect, but no matter.

The IEAH folks did try to spring their own surprise by announcing the Benny the Bull would be returning to the track instead of heading off to stud (apparently framed as some sort of reward for the award, if you follow that logic), but given the current state of bloodstock economics, I can’t imagine many deep-pocketed owners were lining up to pay more in stud fees than the obscurely-bred horse could earn at the track over the next few years – let’s recall that his sire stands for $2500 in Oklahoma. Still, I think he’s a fine sprinter and it will be nice to see him back, even with his dodgy connections.

There is also the news that we’ll get to see more of Leah’s Secret following her Sunshine Millions win last weekend. While I was entirely wrong about California winning the day, at least I predicted Leah’s Secret and Georgie Boy coming home victors – and I’m rather pleased about having mentioned the entire trifecta for the Sunshine Millions Turf – shame I didn’t actually bet anything, since that was a very nice payoff. Georgie Boy may point to turf next – a very interesting prospect indeed.

Check back later in the week for more on the upcoming (early) Derby preps…

Sometimes I Miss California Weather

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:53:00 +0000

While we shiver on the Right Coast, there’s fine racing action on tap in sunny California (and I’d like to take a brief moment to recommend that state’s Mount Shasta Brewing Company Mountain High IPA). The older horses are meeting up in the San Fernando and The Blood-Horse seems to like El Gato Malo, but I’ll be watching for Tres Borrachos and Slew’s Tiznow. I’m also curious to see if Nownownow returns to better form with Joe Talamo aboard.

Some of the newly-minted 3-year-olds will be kicking off their seasons as well; Evita Argentina towers over the field in the Santa Ynez (and is carrying a fair amount of weight as a result) while the boys are heading out in the San Rafael. Square Eddie (pictured) is getting the buzz, but I am most looking forward to seeing The Pamplemousse take to the track.

California isn’t the only venue with 3-year-old racing this weekend; Oaklawn opens today (with rather less pleasant weather) and it seems that D. Wayne Lukas is jumping on the Arkansas/Triple Crown Trail bandwagon. The Eliot-Spitzer-inspired Ninth Client, previously successful on grass (and a non-factor in the Juvenile), will try the (real) dirt there at some point this season, but Lukas will kick off things off with Fast Draw in the Dixieland Stakes. If you brave the Arkansas cold on Monday, you can pick up a Curlin bobblehead. One can only presume it’s what Dr. King would have wanted.

Managing Expectations

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Note: A revised version of this post appears at The Blood-Horse.

While there is much excitement in certain quarters over the upcoming debut of brother, Barbaro’s brother Nicanor, it’s a good idea to temper expectations with a bit of reality. Most horses never compete at racing’s highest level. Some show early promise that suggests they have what it takes – but more often than not, things don’t pan out. Let’s examine the case of another horse bred and (formerly) owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson – the once-promising filly Sweetest Kiss. They were quite high on her in 2007 (Roy, himself, expressed great enthusiasm for her at a work event and I’ve been tracking her ever since). Unfortunately for the horse and everyone’s bank accounts, she has never quite lived up to those early expectations.

Things began well; an auspicious turf debut at Laurel under the tutelage of Barclay Tagg, followed quickly by an allowance win on the Preakness undercard led to her inclusion in Globeform’s 50 to Follow list of 2007 (along with the likes of Curlin, Einstein, and Rags to Riches and Wait a While). Tougher allowance company did not seem to suit her in her next race, but she still managed to hit the board in two subsequent races with comparatively easier competitors.

2008 did not prove to be the highlight of her career; she did earn a little money at Gulfstream Park, then after another disappointing effort at Keeneland, she won her first claiming race. She was then claimed for $35,000 – and stopped winning (so far) altogether.

New owner Barry R. Ostrager (owner of Questroyal Stud in New York) first tried her at Saratoga with trainer Carl J. Domino, but she was a gate scratch in August (I don’t have details on why). He then moved Sweetest Kiss from the New York/Mid-Atlantic circuits to Suffolk Downs and into the care of trainer Michael J. Collins. She began there at the $20,000 claiming level, but didn’t get a share of any purses until her third race at the track – she finally picked up a show spot in late September, six days after her previous race. However, even sticking at the $16,000 claiming level did not seem to suit her talents; she lost her final three races of the year.

Sweetest Kiss is back to try her luck again tomorrow, this time at Beulah Park in Ohio, with a new trainer, Melinda Johnson, listed and at a new claiming price. Here are her current details:

Sweetest Kiss is entered to run on January 10, 2009 at BEULAH PARK.

Your comments for this horse were:

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Race: 4 Distance: Five Furlongs Surface: Dirt Age: 5 Sex: Mare
Race Type: Claiming Purse: $ 5,100
Jockey: Edgar Paucar
Trainer: Melinda Johnson
Race conditions: FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. Three Year Olds, 114 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs. Non-winners of a race since December 10, 2008 Allowed 2 lbs. A race since November 10, 2008 Allowed 4 lbs. Claiming Price $7,500 (Races where entered for $6,250 or less not considered In Weight Allowances) (Ohio Registered Foals Preferred).
Last Raced: 11/08/2008 at SUFFOLK DOWNS in Race 8
Finish Position: 9th
Last Reported Workouts:
12/15/2008-MOUNTAINEER CASINO RACETRACK & RESORT-Four Furlongs-Dirt Muddy-54:20 Breezing
08/18/2008-SARATOGA-Five Furlongs-Turf training Firm-1.03:00 Breezing
07/30/2008-SARATOGA-Four Furlongs-Turf training Firm-48:44 Breezing

Running against Ohio-breds for a share of a $ 5,100 purse is probably not what her breeders hoped for Sweetest Kiss, but there’s nothing unusual about her career – she’s just proven to be a typical racehorse, not a star. While her winnings are certainly respectable (over $84,000), she’s still not making good economic sense; her sire, Thunder Gulch, stood for $65,000 the year she was conceived (he’s down to $15,000 now), and of course there have been expenses for feed, vet visits, training, etc. – but at least she made it to the track in the first place.

Here’s hoping her first race of 2009 can get her back on a winning track – at least as a confidence-builder if not a money-spinner. And as for Nicanor, we’ll just have to wait and see – at least he is actually preparing for a racing debut, which is considerably further along than his older half-brother, Man in Havana, ever got in the racing game.

Update: Sweetest Kiss was scratched prior to post-time.

Stories of the Year, 2008 Edition

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:05:00 +0000

Performance of the Year: Zarkava
Simply the best. Imagine what she could have accomplished at 4 – oh well.

The Reigning Champ: Curlin
An easy Dubai World Cup win, a turf experiment, a broken earnings record – it was great to see him running at four.

Most Underrated Horse Out There: Einstein
Einstein has been forced to carry a lot more than most horses for the past few years – his complicated legal situation kept him running in some races for which he was ready to go, he was forced to switch from turf to dirt a few times and he even took on former stablemate Curlin. Each time, he gave it his all and proved a consistent threat – and often a winner. Here’s hoping we see him back as a 7-year-old – but with better owners (although still with trainer Helen Pitts, please).

Breeders’ Cup: Zenyatta and the Euros
Zenyatta’s easy victory only added to her illustrious year; Goldikova showed everyone what she’s capable of when Zarkava isn’t in front of her and the European contenders spanked their American counterparts at almost every opportunity. While the surface was the source of much griping by the defeated American contingent, I think the no-drug policy played nearly as a large a role – and that’s a good thing. I would also suggest that ‘Zenyatta and the Euros’ could be a great name for a Katrina and the Waves cover band.

Most Column Inches Generated: Big Brown
Way back in early 2008, when newspapers still covered racing, they knew they had a story. You may recall the heartwarming tale of a horse with sore feet from the wrong side of the tracks who was discovered by some Wall Street errand boys; after turning him over to am unknown trainer desperately trying to overcome his inglorious, drug-filled past, they won the Triple Crown. Or something like that. I can’t quite remember at this far remove.

So, there you have it – I recommend breaking out an Avery Ale to the Chief or Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale (if you can snag one) for your New Year’s celebration – here’s to a great racing year in 2009!