At 7 a.m. on the morning of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Jack Wolfe of Starlight Partners got the phone call that every owner dreads, the one the trainer informing you that your horse is lame and can’t compete in that afternoon’s big race, one that would have been their colt’s penultimate prep for the Kentucky Derby.
Flash forward to today’s Gotham Stakes where the Starlight group, and everyone else for that matter, watched as Hansen and My Adonis, the second and third finishers to Algorithms in the Holy Bull, finished ahead of 11other rivals in the mile and a sixteenth Gotham.
But it was the juvenile champion Hansen who redeemed himself in his second start of the year. The rating experiment that often fails with speed horses worked, and when Ramon Dominguez, who already had won three races on the program, asked him for his life, he responded generously.
“He really took the step forward,” Dominguez said. “He did it better than I expected. Coming to the three-eighths pole when he switched to his left lead and I got after him, he went on beautiful. Awesome. Galloped out like a freight train, too.”
“He settled nice and that’s what we were looking for, said trainer Mike Maker. “More impressive, he lost all that ground and wasn’t rank behind horses and settled. Ramon said [on] his gallop out, he had to call the outriders to come and get him. He did everything perfect today, and I don’t have to be embarrassed after his last race.”
Not at all, Mr. Maker, not at all.
Three lengths behind Hansen and six lengths in front of Finnegans Wake was runnerup My Adonis. “Hansen is a nice horse,” said My Adonis’ trainer, Kelly Breen. “They don’t win Breeders’ Cup races for nothing. Hopefully we’ll see him in four weeks [in the Wood Memorial] and we’ll do all that we can do to try and turn the tides.”
Maybe that’s what the Starlight group is thinking, too. Maybe we can meet them both, in six months, in Saratoga, in the Derby of Midsummer.
Castellano, McPeek, Pants On Fire Hot at Gulfstream
Two classy 3-year-olds of 2011 made their 4-year-old debuts at Gulfstream Park today, South Florida hero Little Mike--five for six on the local lawn--returned in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Handicap but it was Javier Castellano who grabbed the headlines by riding five winners on the program.
The meet’s leading rider beat his previous session-best days having won four races on a card twice. The all-time record for most wins belongs to Jerry Bailey with seven.
Of the upmarket returnees, Pants On Fire was the much better of the two, as 2011 Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby favorite Dialed In rallied late to finish fourth, beaten a tad over 7 lengths in a more than respectable 1:35.94.
“I thought it was very good,” said Kelly Breen from New York, in Gotham for the Gotham, where he saddled Holy Bull third finisher My Adonis. “I thought he was training so well I didn’t think he’d need a race. It’s nice when they run like you think they should.”
A tactical speedster who does his best racing from close range, Pants On Fire showed his freshness and sat in the pocket beneath Paco Lopez as frontrunners Dash Dot Dash and Sky Venture set the table nicely for him.
Not wanting to get trapped with an armful of Thoroughbred, Lopez tipped out three wide on the turn and virtually sat there as the Louisiana Derby winner took command at the quarter pole and drew off while being ridden out.
Hunter Bay, the picture of glowing health in the paddock, finished well for place but Dialed In’s rally was disappointing. Given the circumstances, he never would have finished ahead of the top two finishers but should have won the show photo from Meistersinger.
“They went so slow,” said trainer Nick Zito. “That’s the closest he’s been in a long while and he likes to come from way out of it and kick in, but they were going so slow, they went in :24.”
To be precise it was even slower than that; 24.67. But the first fraction in mile races out of the chute, like 6 furlong races at Pimlico, always come up “slow” because the gate is stationed very close to the timing pole and horses don’t get a good running start as they do in most cases.
Ironically, it was Julien Leparoux who nipped Dialed In, ridden for the first time by Castellano, who replaced Leparoux aboard the even money favorite.
Not Today Mikey
Little Mike, forced to set a pressured pace by Trend, tired and finished fourth to Doubles Partner, who was making his first start since Derby Day 2011. The Todd Pletcher returnee was ridden to the minute by Leparoux to win the Canadian Turf Stakes by 3/4s of a length in 1:32.56 over the firm ground, Trend holding very gamely for the place…
Pletcher was in New York to saddle, among others, Calibrachoa to win to win the G3 Tom Fool…Gulfstream training star of the day was Ken McPeek, saddling three winners...State Of Play gamely won the Battaglia Memorial by a nose over a stubborn Ill Conceived at Turfway Park.
04 Mar 2012 at 08:06 am | #
I guess taking the blinkers off the speedy Hansen worked well. White lightening on a tiring track. And what about the ever so sharp Bill Mott shipping the Greek west to score the Big Cap. Wonder what that says about that division out west? Excitement around every corner this time of year for sure. This sport sure does have it’s highs and lows JP.
04 Mar 2012 at 08:14 am | #
Nothing that I write is new, in fact most babble has been said numerous times at HRI already. Think of my comments as a text book that has been printed again, with a revision here or there.
We are well into a new race year and it is the same ole, same ole. One year repeated over and over again with pretty much the same characters: Pletcher, Zito, Mott, Baffert, etc. Just like Easter Sunday, the story never changes. What is changing from year to year is attendance and handle.
At one time I wrote that I feel that I am in a race with the Thoroughbred industry; which one of us will die first. I believe that I have won, as the racing industry is clearly on life-support being fed intravenously by slot revenue; pull the line out and the majority of racetracks would be out-of-business instantly, would flat-line.
What upsets me is that nothing is being done and that I simply cannot understand how a slot machine is more entertaining to people than horses coming down the stretch. And, why turf writers have such a narrow vision of the racing industry, selecting only a few stake races a year to comment on.
Two days ago, I had two legs in of a pick three, and I believed I had the winner of the third leg.
The anticipation I felt waiting for the third race was awewome, and when the horses turned for home I was thrilled and very excited as my horse was right there. Where is the antipation, the thrill, the excitement when pushing money into a slot machine; if there is any excitement playing slots isn’t it after the bells start whistling - anticipation is nonexistent. Yet slots are funding racing; simply beyond belief.
So, what’s the problem? Pulleeese don’t say it is takeout. It seems obvious to me that a) the racing industry does not know how to promote itself; b) the industry still suffers from an image problem; c) turf writers, who are the current sales arm of the industry, are content to write about a few stake races, a handful of trainers, and a few stake horses; d) the breeders and horse owners, who control racing, refuse to admit that the betting window is the real draw, not the horse, and are not willing to concede that racing is not a sport; content on accepting the casino dole to keep purses inflated - purses that they win! Thus no national advertising/marketing program is even on the drawing board.
And here I sit, totally amazed and perplexed knowing that I am enjoying the greatest gambling vehicle on earth, while thousand of people sit comatose in front of slot machines unaware of the anticipation, thrills, and excitement a race offers and the gambling options available along with the payouts. And numerous racetracks, that present identical racing day-in and day-out with the same anticipation and thrills remain below the radar of turf writers.
BTW, where are last years ‘stars’ that consumed most of the ink from turf writers throughout the year?
04 Mar 2012 at 09:49 am | #
There was a quote from one of last years stars owners:My horse would beat Frankel anytime,anywhere!!!Ya right,go drink some more of your water....The turf writers only know how to chase what they are told by owners,trainers...same circle of people every year,same results every year.Your average fan does not have a clue about the sport let alone how to bet...but every year about this time the bull-#### machines are started up and the news is the same as last year, just different names for the horses..then the chump goes to the off track to bet on a sure thing that all of the (in) people are promoting,and guess what you lost your chance about this person from coming back.This is a sport that all teams should have coverage,do some articles on the smaller tracks around the country while they are still here..what about the trainers and jocks from the small tracks? The Derby will probably have 20 starters again this year. There will be a couple hundred reporters looking for the real story.99% of the ink will go to the usual players, we all know the names.Every year after the race has been run,another favorite was taken down,then the writers scramble for news from who? Here is a quote from a very good trainer from Churchill Downs a few years ago,prior to the Derby:The idiots(writers)every year interview the same people,ask the same questions,while the trainer of the Derby winner to be looks on and smiles.Him and about 15 other trainers never get their story told...you want to grow the sport,better start talking and writing about the 99%....
04 Mar 2012 at 10:02 am | #
Wendell, just SO many reasons for the decline. There’s nothing one can do about slots; they’re here and thinking is just too much for too many Americans. The dumbing down is nearly complete. The intellectual terrorists have won.
I’ve told you in chapter and verse before, too. You give turf writers too much credit. If we can’t get people interested in the sport’s best, what chance is there to have them relate to a 10K claimer. Let’s keep that part of it real.
The stories don’t change because owners who want to win put the best horses in the hands of people who get results. There are plenty of good trainers that don’t have the stock the Pletcher’s and Baffert’s have. Just like the Yankees, or Phillies, Patriots or Giants, etc. It is what it is.
Turf writers who work for industry media will not rock boats since they have families to feed. The traditional media, on balance, could care less. One SoFla newspaper I could name barely covers GP. Why bother? Because they don’t want to screw with the ad buys. Talk about same old, same old…
DH, the gray horse was terrific and Ron has raised his game; thank you Bill Mott. More on Ron the Greek and the West Coast horses in Wednesday missive.
Thanks gents.
04 Mar 2012 at 10:49 am | #
How about that Hansen cold exacta; it stuck out like a sore thumb. Should have paid $6.00 in my estimation.
TTT
04 Mar 2012 at 11:15 am | #
Dear W M Corrow:
Got one for you today in the 4th at Fonner Park, in beautiful Grand Island, Nebraska. 1-Sea of Beauty will have it all his own way. Use 2-Costume Ball for the exacta, and round out the trifecta with 7-Indys Prospector. These are maidens so be careful. Trained by Jerry Gourneau (0 for 14) and ridden by Jake Olesiak (6 for 32) How do you like me now? You are aware that they weigh the jockeys on a bathroom scale at Fonner, and the buggies they pulled to get the owner to the track are not allowed in the paddock area.
1-Sea of Beauty (3.46)
2-Costume Ball (4.13)
7-Indys Prospector (7.89)
TTT
04 Mar 2012 at 02:13 pm | #
Russ,
You talk to the trainers of the likely race favorites, why? Because that’s who the majority of bettors are risking their money. Just look at handle figures; better races and better horses attract the most handle. It’s simple, you follow the money.
Interesting to note how when I do my share of feature-type pieces, no one cares to comment. It’s only when controversial subjects, or famous horses are discussed, do most fans then take the time to offer their opinions. And that’s my job, to engage the fans as best I can.
If a savvy writer asks the right questions, he gets the answers, one way or another. It’s up to the writer to report what the principals say. Then in a column, after he’s made up his own mind--just like most players--and shares that opinion. What you do as a reporter, or a handicapper, or a turf writer, is to follow the money. It’s no more complicated than that.
It’s up to the industry to save itself, not the people who whose responsibility is to observe it, report, and comment on it.
JP
04 Mar 2012 at 03:56 pm | #
JP, I know that I am flippant, and a jerk at times, but you must know that I appreciate your reporting, your thoughts, and your writing style and ability. Keep it up champ.
TTT
05 Mar 2012 at 07:42 am | #
In trying to be humorous, I assume, a commentator at HRI using the nom de guerre Top Turf Teddy gave me three horses running at Fonner Park. I certainly would have scanned the day’s entrants at Fonner Park if their past performances appeared in the Daily Racing Form I had in hand.
It appears that TTT has no regard for thoroughbreds racing at Fonner Park, or for that matter thoroughbreds racing at many other racetracks, being IMO schooled and programmed from what has been written by turf writers over the years.
I ask all you readers at HRI to contemplate the following:
a) if eight Gulfstream thoroughbreds and eight Fonner thoroughbreds were placed in a corral with no halters on, could you immediately identify the eight Gulfstream horses? or would an examination of the lip tattoo be required for identification?
b) would there be any difference in the walking ring, the post parade, or the actual running of the race. Sure, the Gulfstream horses will run faster, but since the human eye cannot discern any difference in speed during the race how can a race be judged a claimer or a stake race when watched?
c) are Gulfstream horses easier to handicap?
d) do Gulfstream races offer more anticipation, excitement, and thrills?
e) will one win more races at Gulfstream than Fonner?
There simply is no substantial difference in racing from one racetrack to another when looked at from a gambler’s point of view Unfortunately, Thoroughbred racing suffers because turf writers have decided that racing at certain racetracks is the best.
Trainers seek the largest purses and place their horses hopefully where they can win, thus thoroughbreds find their level of competition; and the anticipation, excitement, and thrills follow no matter where one gambles.
05 Mar 2012 at 10:10 pm | #
Dear W M Corrow:
You can’t judge a person’s intent based upon some corny old lines used to describe what once was a romantic small-town racetrack. If you must know, I love all God’s creatures, from the blue whale, to the ant, and everything in the middle. Have a special place in my heart for horses, and more particularly race horses; all calibers. However, must tell you that I find no pleasure in wagering on the cheap ones. Again, to each his own. God bless America!
TTT
06 Mar 2012 at 05:54 am | #
WMC, a trained eye can spot the difference. GP and FP is a bogus comparison. Since I have no experience beyond every major track in America except Del Mar (my loss, but I have a conflict) I can safely separate, in the paddock, five stakes horses ready to run vs. five claiming horses ready to run. THe difference is like night to day.
So:
b) is yes
c) yes and no, depends on the race, but the pools are much bigger. This is important an distinction.
d) most definitely, not even close. I and most gamblers I know from the tracks and OTBs where I play, almost ALL prefer classy horses to cheaper stock--and I respect claimers; I owned one most recently.
Like TTT said, they are all God’s creatures and love them equally, which is the way most people feel about their relatives; they love them, just don’t want to hang out with them every day.
e)depends on the individual horse, or handicapper, not sure what you’re referring to here.
06 Mar 2012 at 07:28 am | #
Mr. Pricci: I seriously doubt that you can pick out the stake horses from claiming horses if they were in a corral without halters; they all are brothers and sisters, so to speak, all have the same bloodlines and can be traced back to the same sires.
Many years ago, when Harvey had his television show, I tapped exactly twenty races, both stake and claiming races. When running the tape I placed a piece of adhesive tape over where the fractional times were shown. I then asked various astute ‘cappers who visited to select the claiming races from the stake races. Not one person ever even came close.
I had two particular tapes where one horse won by the length of the stretch, and another where two horses battled the entire race nose to nose many lengths clear of the rest of the entrants; both these races were claiming races and every viewer always selected them as stake races. I arrived at the conclusion that all races are pretty much the same by applying an empirical test, not guess work.
It is my concerted opinion that you and most gamblers prefer what you call ‘classy’ horses, because forty/fifty years ago the only reporting in newspapers was about stake horses.
I discovered in the late sixties, again from empirical gained knowledge (my wallet) that I did better financially when gambling on claiming races, the cheaper the better; primarily by noting that there is such a thing as a form cycle and class edge. And, I didn’t observe much difference when watching a stake race then, nor now.
06 Mar 2012 at 08:26 am | #
Dear W M Corrow:
“I discovered in the late sixties, again from empirical gained knowledge (my wallet) that I did better financially when gambling on claiming races, the cheaper the better; primarily by noting that there is such a thing as a form cycle and class edge. And, I didn’t observe much difference when watching a stake race then, nor now.”
Just because using your method (whatever that may be) of handicapping, you did better betting claiming races, does not mean that someone else’s method would come up with the same result. We all have different criteria for handicapping horses, and, perhaps, did you every contemplate that it is quite possible, that other individuals, using different methods, have come to the conclusion that using their method, it is far more lucrative to place wagers on expensive animals, that are usually better taken care of (unfortunately), and, therefore, more likely to run to their best potential. Food for thought W M Corrow.
TTT
06 Mar 2012 at 08:37 am | #
Dear W M Corrow:
“In trying to be humorous, I assume, a commentator at HRI using the nom de guerre Top Turf Teddy gave me three horses running at Fonner Park.”
I’ll have you know that it is more than a “nom de guerre,” all my friends call me “Top Turf Teddy,” or variations of same (use your imagination), my relatives, including my Mother, call me Top Turf Teddy. I introduce myself as Top Turf Teddy, my girlfriend, in the heat of passion, screams out “Top Turf Teddy,” I sign my name Top Turf Teddy, my CIA file is labeled “Top Turf Teddy,” and when I die, it will say on my tombstone “Top Turf Teddy,” king of the bridgw jumpers. I love this game.
TTT
06 Mar 2012 at 09:20 am | #
TTT: Regarding your comment #13, I am awkwardly trying to convey to people who might give Thoroughbred racing a moments look that there is little, if any, difference in gambling and excitement whether you are are Saratoga, Philly, Delaware, or Finger Lakes.
As to comment #14 by you, no matter who refers to you as Top Turf Teddy, you are commenting at HRI using a pseudonym.
Maybe you should also include on your tombstone what another inveterate gambler had engraved: A victim of fast women and slow horses.
Ah, my beloved Philly operating today, with two sets of pick three races that look very interesting: Races 3,4,5 and 6,7,8. And, I’m sure I will cover the bar bill by betting on Paucar at Beulah.
06 Mar 2012 at 09:57 am | #
Dear WM:
Gotcha. I’m with you. Love Delaware Park, loved it even more before the slots came. Love those antique-looking gambling wheels of fortune they have in the grandstand behind one of the bars. Never did well at Finger Lakes, although I enjoy being at any racetrack, as you implied. With respect to Philadelphia, I’ll just take W.C. Fields’ word for it.
TTT
06 Mar 2012 at 01:52 pm | #
Mr. Pricci: Not wishing to beat this current subject to death, the guys at the table at the local OTB joint, after hearing what I had to say about how you can pluck stake horses out of a corral of horse, wonder if you would have plucked Sunday Silence.
06 Mar 2012 at 03:02 pm | #
We’re getting on shaky ground, WM, when using the word plucking and my sophmoric sense of humor. Thanks for being such a good sport; I was just plucking with you.
TTT
06 Mar 2012 at 11:37 pm | #
W, Perhaps you and the boys ought to get out of the OTB once in a while and go to the paddock or watch a post parade, not the corral. It’s about athleticism, body language, their stride as they walk, hoping to see the hind leg walk into the hoof print left by the foreleg, etc.
There are various tapes that are informative; starting with Bonnie Ledbetter, and Jerry Bailey had an instructive one several years ago. It’s a fascinating study; you should try it sometime.
I don’t claim to be an expert, only better than the average guy. But it’s insulting to be called a liar. If I said I can tell the difference most times--certainly not all the time--you’ll have to take me at my word, or not. Guess you prefer the latter.
But why not try to see a few races in the flesh; you might learn something about the animals you risk your money on.