ThoroughbredZone.Com

Rachel Alexandra Gliding Home With Ease

Rachel Heading To Winners Circle

Rachel Before Mother Goose

Rachel Alexandra Coming Back After Mother Goose Win

Jess Jackson

It was a super day at Belmont Park for the 13,000 plus came out to see Champion Filly and Preakness Stakes Winner Rachel Alexandra put on a dazzling display of speed and class as she easily defeated two other fillies in the Mother Goose Stakes (GI). She relaxed behind a sizzling pace set by Flashing and Malibu Prayer. She tracked them throughout fast fractions, and took over on her own coming around the bend. She easily kicked clear with mild urging from Calvin Borel and began to accelerate, running away from both of them for an ultra decisive 19 1/4 length win. She also established a new stakes record for the mile and one eighth distance in a sizzling 1:46.33 that was previously held by Lakeway (1:46.58) and also broke the Mother Goose Stakes record for margin of victory which was 13 1/2 lengths set by the all-time great and legend Ruffian. And the best is yet to come from this one. She really is a super talented Thoroughbred and it was a pleasure to watch her roll like that.

Does ThoroughbredZone agree with Jess Jackson’s call not to run Rachel Alexandra in this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita? Absolutely. ThoroughbredZone does agree with his call not to run her. There is absolutely nothing to gain by running her on it. Nothing. She is a monster on dirt, but that surface is a fake surface. Everyone is quick to rip Jess Jackson; maybe they should take a closer look at why the BC is being run back-to-back years over a synthetic surface.

Jess Jackson has done a lot of good things for racing over the past few years. He brought back Curlin to run as a 4-year-old. He purchased the wonderful Rachel Alexandra, and she treated us to a spectacular display of speed and class in the Preakness Stakes. He understands the game and is a fan of it, and its history. He should be applauded for his decision not to run her instead, not be ridiculed.

He ran Curlin last year, knowing it was not a race he had anything to gain by running him in it and there was a good chance he would not run as good on a synthetic surface, as he had on dirt. He ran good on turf, but not nearly as well as he had on dirt. There was a risk—a big risk—and he ran him anyway. He gets a big kudos for that as well. He knows and understands that Thoroughbreds belong on dirt, not on some man-made, synthetic surface. Win, lose, or draw…Should a 5-million-dollar championship race be run on a synthetic surface in the first place?

Two consecutive years in a row some of the best horses in the country will be deprived an opportunity to be their best and/or take part in racing’s richest day, because of the surface. What’s wrong with that picture?

What about Fabulous Strike, one of the fastest sprinters in the country, if not the fastest? The Connections have already stated they will skip the BC this year as well because of the surface, and last year’s poor effort over it. Wait a second, what’s the point of having the Breeders’ Cup, if the best of the best won’t even show up because of the racing surface?

Don’t blame the Connections, blame the plastic. The synthetic surfaces have begun to impact the sport in a very profound way, and people in the industry should sit down and a take a real close look, if this truly is the best thing for the sport.

The World Championships of Thoroughbred Racing is going to be missing some great ones this year. It’s unfortunate. The good news it returns to Churchill Downs in 2010. It will be back on dirt, the way it should and was meant to be.

It’s time California finally starts to think about going back to dirt.

The good news is Rachel Alexandra is running, and she is running this Saturday at Belmont Park on dirt in the Mother Goose. And if one is close by or in the area, stop by. It’s free admission and the train is back. ThoroghbredZone will post pictures from Saturday, and have some other surprises are planned for Saturday. Stay tuned!

***ThoroughbredZone still thinks it is a strong possibility that Rachel Alexandra will be pointed the Haskell Invitational on August 2,2009 at Monmouth Park…We Will Know Soon***

Joey P was ready to defend his title in the Charles Town Dash tonight at Charles Town, but he will not be able to do it. He will miss tonight’s big race after undergoing emergency surgery Thursday night…Full DRF Article He was cranked and ready for a big try tonight. Really looked forward to his race. He should make a full recovery and start training with in 60-90 days. Getter better Joey P!

Presious Passion Wins The Monmouth Stakes

Presious Passion

Banrock- Desormeaux Up

Banrock- Desormeaux Up

Strike A Deal -CC Lopez Up

Strike A Deal

Grand Couturier - Bravo Up

Proudinksy Gets Lip Service

Presious Passion

Kiss The Kid Acting Up

Kiss The Kid Is A Handful

The Mayor

Phipps Stable's Profitable

Stronach's Devil's Victory

Devil's Victory

Raising Timber

IEAH's Michael Iavarone

Michael Iavarone Signs Big Brown Bobble Heads

Newest Banner

Gate Break

From Picnic Area

Big Brown Bobble Head

These snap shots are from June 13, 2008. It was Big Brown Bobble Head Day. It was a decent crowd, rain came late. Michael Iavarone signed snap shots of Big Brown and bobble heads for about an hour, and Big Brown became the newest member of Monmouth Parks Hall of Champions and the newest banner dropped. During the time he was signing one of IEAH’s horses, Please Impress won an off the turf race. Told him before the race, his horse looked superb on the track as he galloped alone without a pony…

The Monmouth Stakes was a spectacular race. Once again Presious Passion ignored on the board, took the lead opened up, hooked at the bend and passed, but dug in to regain the lead and fended off Banrock, in one of the most exciting races of the year so far.

Race 6 was a maiden special weight that ThoroughbredZone went over. Easy Gallop was scratched. Bounty Heroes in fact did run in New York. He was fractious before the start of the race and did not want any part of the gate. Raced into contention, but could not get to the winner late. Raising Timber, was well bet. Raced decent, but did not have enough late. Nice looking colt, has speed and Stronach Stable’s Devil’s Victory got off to a poor start, and was never a factor finishing up the track. He did however, looked super in the paddock. There is a pic above of him. Would think this race was a toss. He should run better next out.

**Could not get a Wi-Fi connection, so no tweets were made**

Race 6 is a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park…And some look ready to go at first asking

Stronach Stable’s Devil’s Victory has been working strongly over the pas several months in preparation for his debut. His last work was a strong 1:00 flat handy gate work. He is by Devil His Due and trained by Joe Orseno, who is once again training horses for Frank Stronach. Devil’s Victory has 12 listed workouts dating back to 2/28/09. He has the most works of any 1st timer in the race. 3-year-old 1st time starter is a late to the track, are as the rest of this group, but looks good off the sharp works.

The other 1st time 3-year-old I am interested in seeing today is George and Lori Halls Raising Timber. An $180,000 yearling purchase, he is by Forest Wildcat. He has had two quick 3 furlong works in May. His last two works were very sharp drills, a strong 5-furlong breeze from the gate in 1:01 and a strong 4-furlong handily in 47. Kelly Breen is batting .500 at Monmouth Park and has solid strike rate with 1st timers starters. They go to their main man, Joe Bravo. Horse looks well meant for his 1st start. The board could give a clue, but these guys are always backed.

Bounty Heroes has been working very fast for Golden Goose and IEAH. Bounty Heroes has been burning up the track at Belmont Park in the mornings. He has some very sharp am drills, including a 47 breeze on June 8, 2008. John Terranova trains him and his sire is Cuvee. Bounty Heroes is cross entered in race 2 at Belmont Park today, where connections have another 3-year-old names Burley’s Gold who looks ready to go for Rick Dutrow. So Bounty Heroes could very well make the start today at the shore, and if he does, he must be respected and used in pick tickets if he goes. The works are fast. (Could run at Belmont instead)

Easy Gallop breaks from the 1 hole for Patrick McBurney, not always the best place for a 1 timer to break from. With that said Easy Gallop is another who has shown ability in the mornings. Back to back fast works over Monmouth Park, and has had 2 strong gate works. The gate works will help in breaking from the 1 hole. He is by Forest Wildcat and was a Keeneland September 2007 $85,000 purchase. Patrick McBurney does not have good success with 1st time starters, but he also might not have had one good enough yet to score 1st out. Based on the way he has worked in the am, he should be respected. All four of these 1st timers have shown solid ability in the morning. All 4 should be covered in pick plays.

Will try to give an update on how these Thoroughbreds look in the paddock on Twitter

Dunkirk

Dunkirk

Mine That Bird

Charitable Man

Fabulous Strike

Fabulous Strike

Fabulous Strike

Strike Beats Benny The Bull

Fabulous Strike

F. Strike In The Winner’s Circle

Two Step Salsa

Benny The Bull

Better Talk Now

Better Talk Now

Cowboy Cal

Gio Ponti

Phil The Power

Munnings

Kensei

Kensei

Kensei

Hull

Hull

Munnings

JV After Win

Alan Garcia & Angel Cordero

Jockey Charity Snap Shot

What You Lookin At ?

Before True North

Jody MacDonald

Which Way?

Back Packed

Before Manhattan

The Hardware

Outside Betting Windows

Before The Manhattan

Summer Bird Wins The Belmont Stakes With A Strong Late Rally To Go Past Mine That Bird And Dunkirk…Dunkirk (ThoroughbredZones’s Pick) Runs A Solid 2nd After Leading Most Of The Way Fighting off Charitable Man Through The Stretch…Charitable Man Weakened In The Final Furlong To Finish 4th…Dunkirk Dug In Along The Rail And Looked Strong…Mine That Bird Made A Strong Rally Around The Bend And Took The Lead In The Stretch Dueling With A Determined Dunkirk… Before Summer Bird Surges  To Go By Both…

*****

Fabulous Strike Was Ready To Roll And Does Going All The Way In A Near Track Record At Belmont Park For 6 Furlongs  In The True North…Benny The Bull Can’t Get Him In His Return Race…Runs 2nd

2009 Belmont Stakes Video

ThoroughbredZone’s Belmont Stakes Preview And Play

ThoroughbredZone’s top  pick to win the Belmont Stakes is Dunkirk.  Dunkirk looks primed to make a strong bounce back run after his dull Kentucky Derby effort.   And a tremendous amount of respect to Mine That Bird who has every right to be pegged for the top spot in the Belmont Stakes.  This is a tough call, and ThoroughbredZone has labored over this for awhile.  I really like MTB and it would be great for the sport, and to see Calvin Borel win all three Triple Crown races would be something else.  Below is a close up of each horse, and how they might do.  And further down are a few ways you might want to play these guys.

Chocolate Candy: Chocolate Candy is an honest horse who has done all of his best running on a synthetic surface out in California.  He will be running for the first time tomorrow on a fast, dirt surface. (track could still be wet) He has been pointed to the Belmont Stakes since he finished the Kentucky Derby.  Super trainer Jerry Hollendorfer must be respected.  He has put some nice stamina-building works into this horse, and a solid effort is expected.  He was very wide in the Santa Anita Derby and still finished a fast rallying second to Pioneerof the Nile.  His Kentucky Derby race was a poor effort, but that race is throw out, like it’s been for so many other horses.  He will be making his 11th career start and has a good bottom to him.  He is a solid  finisher who should rebound off his Kentucky Derby effort.  User Under

Dunkirk: The Kentucky Derby was a disaster from start to finish.  The race is a complete toss.  The 3.7 million dollar purchase has class, and talent.  ThoroughbredZone covered his debut race back in January.  He ran a powerful race against the top rated and ThoroughbredZone’s #1 Kentucky Derby Prospect Quality Road in the Florida Derby back in March.  He launched a powerful move to hook and pass Quality Road, who was able to dig in and turn Dunkirk back on a very speed-favoring surface.  Dunkirk did gallop out past Quality Road in the Florida Derby, which was a positive sign.  There is no doubt that Quality Road was the best 3-year-old colt in the land at the time.  Connections skipped the Preakness Stakes for the Belmont Stakes.  Dunkirk has had three published workouts since the Kentucky Derby.  He has had two fast breezes, followed by a slower breeze.  And another positive sign is the fact that Todd Pletcher has indicated he has gained some weight since the Kentucky Derby.  He looks sharp and ready to go.  A much-improved effort is expected in the Belmont Stakes.  Top Selection

Mr. Hot Stuff: He had a disaster of trip in the Kentucky Derby.  He has still yet to run on a fast dirt surface.  He has been working well over the Keeneland poly surface.  He ran a good third in the Santa Anita Derby, but still would have to take it up several notches here to be considered a legitimate threat for top prize.  However, he is eligible to improve in his first try on a fast dirt track.  He looks to be a late developer.  User Under

Summer Bird: Summer Bird is a lightly raced colt.  He will add blinkers for the first time in the Belmont Stakes.  He was closing well in the Arkansas Derby at a mile and an eighth at Oaklawn in April.  The Kentucky Derby was a disaster, as it was for so many others.  He would still have to improve a great deal to win.  A strong pace and a late kick will help his cause.  He should be a square price.  10-cent supers will be on the betting menu for the Belmont Stakes, and this horse fits the bill in the fourth spot at a big price. User Under

Luv Gov: He is one of two D. Wayne Lukas colts ready for action.  He should be one of the early pacesetters along with Miner’s Escape.  Luv Gov will me making his 12th career start, but he has yet to run a race that would indicate he could win a race of this magnitude.  Luv Gov will go as far as he can on, or near the lead.  Hanging in there late will be difficult.  Sports a good 6 furlong work since the Preakness Stakes.   Not Using

Charitable Man: The runaway winner of the Peter Pan Stakes last month is clearly the talk of the Belmont Stakes.  Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has exuded confidence in him, stating that he would not change places with anyone.  He will be making his third start off a lengthy layoff.  He is eligible to improve, but ran a strong race in the Peter Pan just a month ago.  He will have to come back and run another strong race to win the Belmont Stakes.  He was behind a hot pace set by Hello Broadway in the Peter Pan, who eventually faded.  Charitable Man looks like he could be on or near the lead in a stalking position.  At some point during the stretch, he should have the lead, but will have to fend off Dunkirk and the hard charging Mine That Bird.  That final furlong could be his undoing.  Talent is there, and the confident connections are a plus.  He is an interesting prospect.  There are a combination of pros and cons with this horse.  User Under

Mine That Bird: The upset Kentucky Derby winner, and hard charging runner-up in the Preakness Stakes is ready to give it another go in the mile and a half Belmont Stakes.  And there is nothing to indicate he will not be ready to make another power packed late run.  He proved his class in the Preakness running behind the best 3-year-old filly in the land Rachel Alexandra.  He is a well-seasoned gelding who raced as a 2-year-old.  Calvin Borel is extremely confident in this horse ability and has already stated he is the winner.  In addition, ThoroughbredZone is confident in his ability.  Mine That Bird is the most likely winner if Dunkirk cannot stay on for the mile and a half.  If he once again comes with that same strong kick, he has shown in his two previous races, he is a huge threat to win two thirds of the Triple Crown.  He has more pros than cons, of any other horse in the race.  Who ever has the lead late will have to fend him off.  Being a May foal, this guy might actually be getting better at this time of year.  Some have indicated he is not a wise win play as a favorite, which is not the wisest way to handle the best horse in the race.   I hope he runs well.  User On Top And Under

Flying Private: The other D. Wayne Lukas entry.  One of only two horses in the Belmont Stakes to run in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.  The other being Mine That Bird.  This horse has been improving throughout the spring.  He had some issues in the stretch of the Preakness Stakes, yet finished strongly to finish fourth.  The Derby was a disaster and a throw out race.  He will be making his 13th start of his career in the Belmont Stakes, making him the most experienced horse in the race.  He also fired off a career best speed figure in the Preakness Stakes.  Another strong rally in the long Belmont Stretch, and he could make an impact.  I feel this horse could pose the biggest upset threat of any horse in the race.  D. Wayne Lukas has had success in the Belmont Stakes with four wins.  Flying Private has all the indications he is ready to run another good race.   User, and If he is better than 10/1…A Saver win bet.

Miner’s Escape:  Miner’s Escape is coming off a front-running win in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico on May 2, 2009.  There is little doubt he will be forwardly placed right out of the gate in the Belmont Stakes, to help set up a late run of Brave Victory, who is by the same owner Robert LaPenta and trained by Nick Zito.  Nick Zito has been the man in recent years with upset wins in the Belmont Stakes, and both of his horses tomorrow will be over bet.  Miner’s Escape will go as far as he can on the front end, and looks to duplicate Da’Tara’s front running Belmont win of a year ago.  To say that for him to go gate to wire in an impossibility might be an over statement, but that is exactly what the plans are with him.  He has a good foundation and you know Nick has had his eyes on the Belmont for a while.  User Under

Brave Victory: The other half of the uncoupled Nick Zito/Robert LaPenta entry.  Brave Victory will be making his fourth start off a layoff, and looks to be cycling to a top effort in the Belmont Stakes.  He has had two nice breezes since his good third place finish to Charitable Man in the Peter Pan Stakes.  Another move forward is more than possible, as Nick Zito has probably mapped out a path to the Belmont Stakes some time ago. A top effort is expected.  Whether that top effort is good enough for the win remains to be seen, but an on the board finish is not out of the question for Nick Zito who knows how to get one ready for the Belmont.  Both of Nick Zito’s horses will probably be over bet considering his recent success in the Belmont Stakes.  User Under

Belmont Stakes Plays

Dunkirk - Top Pick For The Win

Dunkirk-Mine That Bird Exacta Box

Flying Private - Saver Win Bet

10-Cent Supers are on the betting menu, and they offer an opportunity to spread around with some price horses.  So going with the 10-super could very well be a way to go…

2,7 / 1,2,6,7,8,9,10  /1,3,4,8,9,10 / 1,3,4,8,9,10  $28

And a Super Saver Play With Belmont Boys On Top

8,9,10/8,9,10/2,6,7/2,6,7  $3.60

All in all a real blockbuster day of racing at Belmont Park.  6 stakes races.  The True North, Just A Game, Woody Stephens, Acorn, Manhattan and The Belmont Stakes to cap it off.  There is also a 1 million dollar Pick 4 and Pick 6.

Fabulous Strike looks primed in the True North…

We will give some updates at Belmont if there is anything of importance.  Also try to get some tweets from the paddock if any horse in particular stands out.  And an eye will be on Monmouth Park of course. 

Dave Johnson Master of Ceremonies

Maylan Studart

New York Post’s John DaSilva

Karen M. Johnson (Her New Book)

Dave Johnson

Belmont Stakes Super Fan Bill Lynch

These were taken on Tuesday June 2nd. 

The Kentucky Derby has come, and it has gone, but the Haskell Invitational and Travers Stakes are still on the horizon.

Race 7 at Belmont Park  could produce an entrant, if not more.  Race 7 is a 6 and one half furlong long maiden special weight, and there are some regally bred, very fast working colts ready to go at first asking.

This is as solid a maiden special weight race as you will see anywhere.  The race is packed with some very fast working, and regally bred thoroughbreds ready for their debut.

Colors Flying debuts for the Phipps crew.  The January foal will be making his first career start, and he has been working very well.  He has spent most of the winter down in Florida at Payson Park, and has since shipped north and has posted some very sharp gate works.  He is by A.P. Indy and his dam is the champion Storm Flag Flying.  He has posted 12 works in all, and a lot of them have been fast.  This one will generate interest, and looks ready for a solid first time try.

Shadwell also has a fast working firster in Istisharry.  A $1 Million dollar purchase out of the hot first time sire Distorted Humor and the dam is by Seattle Slew.  He has posted some very fast a.m. drills at Palm Meadows, before shipping north, and continued to drill fast in New York.  He looks like he is ready to go.  This outfit likes to score first out, and Kiaran McLaughlin has been hot.

Of this talented group of well-bred firsters, Gridiron has had some of the most impressive works of them all, and in this field, that is saying a lot.  A $100,000 purchase, he has been drilling lights out for John Terranova and Sovereign Stables.  He shows some very fast works, and that fast 59 gate work on April 19, 2009 is a serious work.  He spent the winter drilling at Palm Meadows.  A son of the hot Giant’s Causeway, he looks like another one, who is ready for a big effort at first asking tomorrow.

On a side note, of the ones who have raced in here, also command respect. Winged Hero and Intrepid ran strongly in their first career starts.  Wanted Alive will be making his third career start, and his last race was a sharp try at Aqueduct, where he was in the same race with Intrepid.

This is a deep, talented field assembled for this maiden special weight at Belmont Park tomorrow.  Juddmonte Farm’s home-bred Action Plan, a son of Empire Maker is another horse, who has had a strong 6-furlong work in preparation for this one.  Action Plan will break from post position one. 

Hoopoe is another one with nice breezes who will debut for Nick Zito.

Allen Jerkens and Tom Albertrani also have first time starters ready for their first race this afternoon.

Late bloomers on the 3-year-old scene, but nonetheless, bloomers ready to strut their stuff in a very competitive, and solid race maiden special weight who could very well make some noise later this summer.

*****

Monmouth Park features the John J. Reilly handicap for New Jersey Breds today, with Who’s The Cowboy and Joey P. heading the field.  And the Elkwood Stakes featuring two old war horses, Icy Atlantic and Silver Tree, in a very competitive renewal of that one.

ThoroughbredZone will give some live updates today from Monmouth Park via Twitter…And snap shots coming

ThoroughbredZone’s selection Rachel Alexandra rose to the occasion to deliver another brilliant front running win in the Preakness Stakes, holding off the surging upset Kentucky Derby winner Mind That Bird and a game Musket Man.

ThoroughbredZone nails down the winner and the Trifecta.  Long shot Flying Private, a horse ThoroughbredZone predicted would run well enough to hit the board, and if you played a super you rewarded nicely.  He filled out the super coming in 4th place.  Super paid almost $3,000 for a dollar.  Rachel Alexandra paid a nice $5.60 for the win.

This girl can run, and that is why she won.  Congratulations to the of team of Jess Jackson, Steve Asmussen, everyone involved and of course Calvin Borel for delivering, as promised it was a spectacular Preakness Stakes victory at Pimlico yesterday with a very special and talented filly.  To all the naysayers who said she does not belong, there is always next year!

Rachel Alexandra Win The Preakness Stakes

Thoroughbred racing had one of its greatest moments in a very long time yesterday.  There was very little doubt on this end thats the way the day would end.  Let the celebrations begin!  It was also one of the most exciting horse races I have ever seen.  Who said Thoroughbred racing is finished?  Who said Thoroughbred racing is done?  Rachel Alexandra certainly does not think so!  The best is yet to come!

Rachel Alexandra next up in the Haskell Invitational?  Why not?  The race fits her like a glove.  I expect her to be there, and ThoroughbredZone will be there as well!

Mine That Bird also ran a great race, finishing 2nd to Rachel Alexandra, proving he is not just a one hit wonder.  NJ’s Musket Man ran yet another great race.

Rachel Alexandra proved she not just a champion filly, but a champion thoroughbred in all ways, shapes and forms.

This is what Thoroughbred racing is, everything that happened that at Pimlico yesterday.

ReceiveA Free Picture Of Curlin

Preakness Stakes

Here we are.  Preakness Day 2009.  Who is going to win it is the question on many people’s minds.  If you follow ThoroughredZone, or even take an occasional glance at the Kentucky Derby Top 12, you will know we follow these three-year olds  closely.

A large field of 12 colts and one amazingly, fast, easy running filly has assembled down in Baltimore for a run for the Black-eyed Susans.  It is a competitive field, but from the handicapping aspect, one should not go bonkers playing it.  I for one have always felt, of the three Triple Crown races, The Preakness Stakes, always seemed to be one of the easier races to cap.

Preview And Pick

Big Drama: Speedball draws the rail and on any other day, minus Rachel Alexandra could be a threat to go all the way, but that is not the case tomorrow.  The rail spells doom for a couple of reasons.  Will have to get busy early and go right to the lead, easy running Rachel Alexandra will stalk at will, and will not be able to fend off the super talented and in form filly when she decides to join along.  And the Preakness distance is another concern for Big Drama. Not Using

Mine That Bird: The shocking upset Kentucky Derby winner will be up against again tomorrow.  Calvin Borel jumped horses to go back to his super girl knowing how special she is.  He has never run a race as nearly as good as his race in the Kentucky Derby.  He will have to do it again to win the Preakness.  A deep muddy track will aid his chances.  Cannot see lightning striking twice. Should go off between 5/1 and 8/1. I will put him in the tri however. Mud, or no mud, he did close fast. User In Tri

Musket Man: Ran 3rd in the Derby, but ThoroughredZone has drawn a line through that race.  Track conditions were very bad, and yet he still ran a solid race, worked a strong 46 at Monmouth Park on the 12th.  Another top effort and he is in there once again for a piece of the pie.  So far, he has out run his pedigree.  Musket Man has yet to really run a poor race.  He is consistent.  User

Luv Gov: Finally broke his maiden last out in his 10 start.  Looks overmatched, and on all scales simply not as fast as some of the others, could be the longest shot on the board.  There is no doubt he has improved as a three-year-old, but would have to make a huge jump up to make an impact here.  A user if you like names and numbers.  I’ll pass. Not Using

Friesan Fire: Got knocked around at the start of the Kentucky Derby and he was done.  Worked a fast 58 since, but still has more cons, than pros at this point, never past a mile and a sixteenth.  Larry Jones knows how to get a horse ready, and this guy might bounce back and make an impact.  Running style should have him not to far off the expected pace setters. Some of the other higher priced horses will offer more value than this guy.  Would like to see him run well however. Not Using

Terrain: Stalk/Rally type will have to make a huge move forward to make an impact in this race.  New shooters in the Preakness over the years have not done well, and this colt has yet to run a race that would be good enough to win here.  However could pass some up late in the race.  Sometimes in races where there is a standout, who comes in under can be a crap shoot as others get spent chasing.  Terrain could be one of those to fill out a tri or super at a price.  User in Tri 3rd

Papa Clem: Ran a decent 4th over the muddy strip at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.  At one point looked like a strong candidate to run a big race in the Preakness, but a slow breeze and some mixed signals, makes me wonder.  He ran a big race in the Arkansas Derby and could be tailing off, interesting prospect, but am leaning against using at this point in the top spot.  Slow work since, but not always the best indicator of a horses readiness since the Derby was only 2 weeks ago.  User in Tri 3rd

General Quarters: The feel good story of the spring.  Involved in a minor accident in the van ride over before the Preakness Stakes.  Worked okay since, will be making his 13th career start, more than any other horse in the race.  Would have to get the right set up, and make a strong closing bid.  A small share is possible.  User in Tri 3rd

Pioneerof the Nile: Looked like he was going to take over at the top of the stretch in the Kentucky Derby and give Bob Baffert another Kentucky Derby trophy.  He could not keep it going over the muddy track.  Has since had a strong 47 breeze in preparation for the Preakness Stakes.  Bob Baffert will be looking to snag another Woodlawn Vase.  It will not be easy, but everything indicates, that Pioneerof the Nile is ready for another strong effort in the Preakness Stakes, and is the one to fear if Rachel Alexandra can not get there first falters. Respect. User

Flying Private: Ate some mud at the start of the Kentucky Derby and had no interest from that point on, finishing way up the track.  He will be a big price in this field.  Ran a good second in the Lane’s End and ran respectable in the Arkansas Derby.  Winning would be a mammoth upset, but hitting the board at bananas is not out of the question.  Lukas confident Flying Private will run a good one.  We thought he would be a good underneath horse in the Derby, and that was a wash.  Give him another shot here.  User

Take The Points: Skipped the Kentucky Derby for The Preakness Stakes.  Will add blinkers for the first time in the Preakness Stakes and has been working lights out over the Belmont Training track.  Ran behind top horses Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse, in a race where some will start going backwards, he could be the one going forward.  Has a nice chance to hit the board with a big effort, and would not totally ignore. User

Tone It Down: The home town’s hope for Preakness Glory. The longest shot on the board would need many things to go right for an in the money finish.  Horse just does not look fast enough.  Kent D gets the mount in his return back to Maryland.  Just a year ago, it was Big Brown. Not Using

Rachel Alexandra: Not even the Kentucky Derby winner Mind That Bird could keep Calvin Borel away from her.  She is the fastest most talented horse in the race.  Since turning three years old, has developed into an easy, spectacular front running machine.  She is actually the oldest horse in the race being a January foal.  She breaks from the perfect post position 13 and will have her eyes set on Big Drama from the start.  Also gets a weight break.  There is nothing to indicate she cannot run well here against colts.  She is an incredibly easy runner who will get into the race without asking.  She goes like the wind.  She has never been asked for much, and if she is asked tomorrow, that spells trouble for the rest.  She is gifted runner who is ready and willing to put on another super show.  She is ready to prove she belongs today. Top Pick For The Win

Plays

Value in the win pool will be hard to find with Rachel.  Keying her on top with some price horses could be the way to go, but will need one of those big prices to run 2nd.  A cold exacta with Pioneerof the Nile is another option, but you are looking at possibly the top 2 choices.

Rachel Alexandra Top Pick For The Win

A 5 horse exacta box    3,9,10,11,13  $20

Triple Play   13/2,3,7,9,10,11/2,3,9,6,7,8,10,11  $42

Good Luck!

More Paranoia For Ya

ThoroughbredZone Felt Compelled To Respond To A Blog Entry From Left At The Gate Titled Rachel Risk/Reward Don’t Add Up

Here we are, just a few days away from one of the most anticipated Preakness Stakes in recent history, and yet some so-called racing fans are still spewing garbage all over the internet as to why a filly should not be running against the boys.  “Give me a break!” as Warner Wolf would say.  The fear mongering, baseless, and unwarranted hits keep on coming. 

Another basically useless post invoking the late, great Eight Belles, comes right before the Preakness Stakes, no less.  It is nothing more than fear mongering at its best.

This could very well be one of the worst, off base posts on any horseracing blog I have seen anywhere in a very long time.  A so-called fan of thoroughbred racing invokes PETA into the mix.  In the words of Paul Moran, “Let’s call PETA”.  PETA is no friend of thoroughbred racing, they never have been, and never will be. 

The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, and the world has a great opportunity to see a champion filly and the Kentucky Derby winner  go for greatness, and all some people can do is try to find a way to say, you know what?  She should not run.  It’s a bad thing for her and the sport.  Really?

No it’s not.  It’s actually a great thing! Fillies and mares have proved over and over again that they can, and do, beat colts. 

You know what’s madness is an ignorant, baseless post that attacks the integrity of some of the best horseman in the world.  Absolutely there is no need for things like this a few days before the second jewel of the Triple Crown.  Rachel Alexandra is there; she will be ready to go.  And as for any nonsense jibber-jabber of a raced-out horse is complete nonsense.  We should leave that up to the horseman, as to whether she is capable or not of running again two weeks after her literal public one-mile and one-eighth workout in The Kentucky Oaks. 

Any sensible racing fan should hope for the safe return of all of the horses—not just one.  No one really cares who one is rooting for either.  With blog entries like this, it’s no small wonder why—in some corners—racing continues to lag behind other sports for media attention.

There is a celebration of huge proportions going this weekend in Baltimore.  It’s a celebration of thoroughbred horse racing at its all-out best.  The Preakness is on.  The filly is ready to rumble.  Mine That Bird is looking for some respect, and the Pioneer is going to try and give the silver-haired Baffert another Woodlawn Vase to add to his collection.

The Preakness Stakes should be embraced by all—thoroughbred racing fans, and non-thoroughbred racing fans alike—for all of the great things the sport represents, and for all of the history and tradition that goes along with the Preakness Stakes.  Not some dopey opinions on why Rachel Alexandra should not be running.  She is running, there is nothing anyone can do about it, and that’s a great thing.

Ray Kerrison’s article is from today’s NY Post 

Rachel’s Wild, Bumpy Ride

Why is it that everyone has to question the wisdom of running Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes?  She is a champion thoroughbred, and that’s what they do—they run in championship races.

The Kentucky Oaks was nothing more than a public workout.  Her new connections would know if she was a spent horse, and they would not run her if they felt she could not handle it.  She is ready to rumble.

Ahmed Zayat made some comments—some positive, and some, well I feel were not needed, or warranted.

Bringing up the Eight Belles tragedy from last year was not needed in any way, shape, or form.  “Does our sport need another Eight Belles?”,  Ahmed Zayat asked.  He goes on, “We all know what happened to Ruffian“.  Why even go there a few days before the Preakness Stakes?

Every time a filly runs against the colts an impending disaster looms?  No.  It does not.  It’s almost fear mongering.

I don’t like it.  I have no issues with them entering as many horses as they want to keep her out.  They nominated their horses to the Triple Crown, so be it.  It’s a business.  They want to win, and they know she is talented, and a huge threat to win.  That’s the reason they attempted to do it.

Just leave Eight Belles and Ruffian out of it.  No place for that type of stuff.