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Goldikova Back With A Bang

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Goldikova (l) does her winning thing

Last year, Goldikova finished seventh in the Prix d’Ispahan, her yearly debut; it seemed that the extra furlong and soft going were not to her taste. There were no such questions this year – the 5-year-old mare set a new stakes record in the same race, capturing her eighth G1 victory. It was a narrow margin, to be sure, over the up-and-coming Byword, but the rest of the field (including Stacelita, who may need to regain some conditioning) was some distance back. While a threepeat in the Breeders’ Cup Mile is her goal this year, her next race could be nearly as starry – she is being pointed to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, potentially taking on Paco Boy and Rip Van Winkle.

While the Breeders’ Cup is a long way away at this point, other Europeans to keep an eye on were in action last weekend – 3-year-old Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs was impressive in the Irish 2000 Guineas, while Ballydoyle has another strong group of colts, headed by Jan Vermeer (impressive winner of the Gallinule Stakes) and St Nicholas Abbey. The 3-year-old filly ranks look equally strong (or, perhaps, stronger – at least, in France) with the green-but-promising Sarafina just besting Deluxe in the Prix Saint-Alary. Both fillies may head to the Prix de Diane in June – and we may see one or both of them in the Breeders’ Cup at some point.

Given the somewhat scattered picture our own 3-year-olds paint, perhaps more overseas horses will consider heading to Churchill Downs this year – why not take the opportunity to show it can be good breeding and a lack of medication that win big races, rather than an affinity for Santa Anita? I’m of the opinion that the track surface played a smaller role than widely assumed in the European domination of the last two Breeders’ Cups, and would love to see that put to the test this fall. Of course, we have plenty of racing to look forward to before that point – but it’s always worth watching what’s going on abroad.

Here in the US, NYRA got a loan, which should keep things running for a while – and the Met Mile is on tap for the long weekend…in the meantime, why not celebrate Irish-bred Goldikova’s continued magnificence by purchasing The Divine Comedy’s new album, Bang Goes The Knighthood, out on the 31st?

Year-End Round-Up

admin — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:40:00 +0000

It’s year-in-revie w time, naturally (although that has not stopped Walmac from campaigning to become Barbaro’s new home via the press); given the amount of preparation I need to undertake to get ready for New Year’s Eve, here’s a quick list to hold you over until January when there will be actual prose again. NB: This list is best enjoyed with a nice winter warmer or other holiday-themed beer.

The 2006 List:

Biggest story: At least this one is obvious — Barbaro.
Best non-Barbaro story: Ouija Board.
Most underrated horse: Miesque’s Approval.
Most overrated horse: Bernardini. I’d be quite willing to re-evaluate that were he to un-retire.
Worst purchase: The Green Monkey wins, but Jalil is a close second — which is closer than either will ever be in a race.
Individual race: Barbaro’s Derby or Ouija Board’s Prince of Wales’ Stakes — you choose!
Worst decision: ESPN canning Wire to Wire. Hey, I’ve been watching since 1988 and am part of a desirable demographic — but alas, ESPN never bothered to find that out.

2007 Predictions:

I still like Teuflesburg — at least now I have something of a reason to do so!
Hard Spun will follow Lawyer Ron’s path – beating all comers despite lowish Beyers until around Derby Day. He’ll come back and run well later in the year after that.
Dreaming of Anna will rival Wait a While for versatility and consistency.
The path from South America to North American racing success will become more and more well-worn.
We will have no idea what the Derby field will look like until April.

Beyond Racing:

If you have not already bought Victory for the Comic Muse by The Divine Comedy, you should do so now.
Hasn’t the new Doctor Who been rather fabulous?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is back on television shortly…as is a new season of How I Met Your Mother.
Hot Fuzz will be the film of 2007. You heard it here first.

Tags:
Horse Racing

Plotlines

admin — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:25:00 +0000

Although Ouija Board was scratched from the Hong Kong Vase, there was a great story on the day in her absence. Collier Hill’s victory in the race no doubt seemed unlikely back in his steeplechase days. (Yes, he’s a former steeplechaser. Did we mention he’s eight years old and has raced with distinction in France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Dubai, Ireland, Britain and Hong Kong)? His record now is 45-15-10-6 — now that’s an iron horse.

The Guardian sums up both plotlines with finesse; it is nice to hear that Lord Derby will be putting out a Ouija Board book — that will certainly be on my wish list. Her date with Kingmambo looks to produce a grass monster (at least on paper). Here’s hoping.

If, like me, you still have no idea on whom you would bestow various Eclipse awards, there is some interesting reading here and Beyer checks in with his views here. While I am all in favor of the ‘Vote Barbaro’ headline from the NTRA, it keeps playing out in my head to the tune of ‘Vote Beeblebrox‘ from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy film (with vocals by Neil Hannon). Clearly, I need to get out more.

Tags:
Horse Racing, Ouija Board, Collier Hill, Barbaro

A Recommendation

admin — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 01:34:00 +0000

Indulge me, dear reader, in a slight departure before I get into the horse racing. Today the latest album by The Divine Comedy, “Victory for the Comic Muse,” is released in the UK and Ireland (it’s been out in Europe for a day or so already). I strongly urge you to purchase this album, either on import or directly from the UK e-commerce site of your choice. I have been a fan of Neil Hannon and his wonderful brand of orchestral pop with intelligent lyrics since 1995, when I first moved to the UK for grad school.

And how might this be relevant to you, the horse racing fan? Well, in the first instance, Neil wrote the theme song to ‘Father Ted‘ and later their spoof Eurovision song, ‘My Lovely Horse.’ It is a work of comedic genius. He also has a song called ‘The Dogs And The Horses’ (which you may or may not decide is a nod to the Jacques Brel song ‘The Girls And The Dogs’) that should find a spot on any playlist. In short, you should buy the new album and the entire back catalog. It’s worth it.

But to the horses…The Blood-Horse has rounded up what the next plans are for the 3-year-olds on the way to the Travers. Of note is the fact that both Showing Up (also owned by Barbaro’s owners, the Jacksons) and Stream Cat are pointing for the Colonial Turf Cup, which is oversubscribed this year. I’m always a fan of a horse that does well on both dirt and turf, so that sounds very interesting indeed.

Speaking of Barbaro (and I am rarely not doing so), there’s an article on the company that designs and builds the braces that go inside horse ambulances. There’s also a pedigree analysis by 15-year-old Carly Silver on Barbaro as well as Bernardini and Jazil which is interesting to read. Keep up the good work, Carly!

Tags: Horse Racing, Divine Comedy, Barbaro