ThoroughbredZone.Com

It’s Almost That Time of Year Again.  ThoroughbredZone Will Track The Kentucky Derby Hopefuls From The Big Prep Races All The Way To The Starting Gate That First Saturday May At Churchill Downs—Cap The Kentucky Derby And Tell You Who We Think Will Win The Roses.  Last Year ThoroughbredZone’s Top Pick To Win the Kentucky Derby Never Made It To The Starting Gate—Quality Road Missed The Race Due To Nagging Quarter Cracks.  (A Horse ThoroughbredZone Said To Mark Down & Has A Bright Future After His Blockbuster Maiden Win)— After That I Want Revenge Became The Top Pick—He Never Made It—Scratched The Morning Of The Derby.  After These Two Were Out No Selection In 2009 Was Made—This Year Will Hopefully Be Different.  And As Always We Will Keep A Close Eye On Those Youngsters Ready To Show Up On The Scene And Make Some Noise!   

ThoroughbredZone’s Kentucky Derby Picks Over The Years

2009 - I Want Revenge Scratched Morning Of Derby

2008 – Big Brown 1st

2007 – Hard Spun 2nd

2006 – Barbaro 1st

2005 – Afleet Alex 3rd

2004 – Smarty Jones 1st

2003 – Empire Maker 2nd

2002 – Buddha Scratched Morning Of Derby

2001 – Point Given 5th

2000 – Fusaichi Pegasus 1st

1999 – Cat Thief 3rd

1998 – Real Quiet 1^st

ThoroughbredZone’s Kentucky Derby 12 Debuts In February

****

Kind Regards And Arrr Pirates Booty Never In Solid Contention—Finish In 6th And 7th —Rule by Night Was An Impressive Winner And The Smarty Jones Kid, Lloydobler finished 2nd at 20/1

Mr. Grievance Dominates Again In Race 7 At Aqueduct–Follows Up 17 Length Maiden Breaker Win With Another Run-A-Way Win

First Time Starter Alert— 1/23/10 Race 4 At Aqueduct

This is a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds.  Homebred Kind Regards will be debuting for Darley Stable in the 4th race on Saturday.  Kind Regards has the look of a horse that is ready to fire first out.  Kind Regards sports some very sharp 4-furlong workouts.  He had a strong 4-furlong breeze 1/31—it was the fastest of 138 horses to work that morning at that distance, and was followed by a solid 4-furlong handily gate work.  Kind Regards is a son of Pulpit—who is a B 1st-time sire according to Brisnet.  Almost all of Kind Regards works in the morning have been fast.  His dam is Season’s Greetings, who has had two runners—both were winners.  Her sire is Ezzoud, who is a multiple Grade (I) champion on grass in Europe at age 3, 4 and 5.  Kind Regards does have a gap in his work pattern from the end of 9/27 to 11/30.  Has worked very well since that break.  Kiaran McLaughlin trains and has had some success with first-time starters.  Mike Luzzi gets the mount.  He looks fit and ready—breaks from post position 8.

There is also another interesting first-time starter in this race as well.  Arrr Pirates Booty debuts for Repole Stable.  He is a son of Indian Charlie, who is an A 1st-time Sire according to Brisnet.  Arrr Pirates Booty was a $200,000 purchase.  He is also working forwardly for his debut with a sharp 5-furlong gate breeze on 1/13.  Arrr Pirates Booty is part of an entry with Never Content, who was bet in his debut on 12/18 at Philadelphia Park.  He finished 6th by 16 lengths.  He is trained by Bruce Levine and The Mig will have the mount.  Interesting to see if both parts of the entry will run.

And my boy Smarty Jones has a firster in here—Lloydobler who has a few nice drills.

The morning line 8/5  favorite is a second-time starter, Rule By Night, who is trained by Steve Asmussen.  He was second by five lengths in his debut and breaks from the rail.  Others in the race are Ali’s Joy who makes his second career start after running 4th by 11 lengths in his debut after breaking slowly. Ken’s Cape is a first-time starter who is shipping in from Maryland for King T. Leatherbury whose works have been okay.  Known Gambler makes his 3rd career start after a two uninspiring efforts.  Ryan’s Gift rounds out this field and he will be making his second career start.  He ran 8th in a 9-horse field at Presque Isle Downs in September.  He had a snappy 5-furlong drill on 1/15.

Of the first-time starters Kind Regards is the one I like the most.  Strong works and a nice pedigree.  Arrr Pirates Booty also has the potential to run well in his debut.

*Weather forecast sunny low 40’s

Rachel Alexandra Wins The Eclipse Award For The 2009 Horse Of The Year

Guess The Name Of This Horse And Win A 2010 NYRA Calender

***First Person To Write Answer In Comments Wins*** (Hint 2006)

We Have A Winner–Edgar Castro Said It Was Henny Hughes And He Was Correct!

Support the Earthquake Recovery Efforts in Haiti

15 of the 17 catergories ThoroughbredZone tabbed as the best of 2009 won an Eclipse Award

ThoroughbredZone’s Best of 2009

2-Year-Old Colt – *  Lookin at Lucky is ThoroughbredZone’s top 2-year-old colt of 2009. Lookin at Lucky was a three time Grade I winner in 2009.  He  just missed winning The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Santa Anita running second to Godolphin’s Vale of York in a very tight finish. Noble’s Promise had a fine year and was runner-up to Lookin at Lucky in The Cash Call Futurity (GI) at Hollywood Park and finished third behind Lookin at Lucky in The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). Buddy’s Saint won all three of his career starts in 2009—including The Remsen (GII) at Aqueduct and The Nashua (GII) at Aqueduct.  D’ Funnybone won The Saratoga Special (GI) at Saratoga and The Futurity (GII) at Belmont Park.

2-Year-Old Filly – *  She Be Wild is ThoroughbredZone’s top 2-year-old filly of 2009. She Be Wild was a winner four times in her five career starts in 2009.  She was The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly (GI)winner. Blind Luck was a two-time Grade I winner in 2009. Blind Luck captured The Oak Leaf (GI) at Santa Anita and The Hollywood Starlet (GI) at Hollywood Park. Hot Dixie Chick won The Schuylerville (GIII) at Saratoga and The Spinaway (GI) at Saratoga.

3-Year-Old Colt – *  Summer Bird is ThoroughbredZone’s top 3-year-old colt in 2009. Summer Bird had a solid 2009 campaign.  A year that included wins in The Belmont Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park, The Travers Stakes (GI) at Saratoga and  The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park.  He ran second to Rachel Alexandra in The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park  and was a solid a fourth in The Breeder’s Cup Classic behind Zenyatta.  Speedy Quality Road was plagued by quarter crack issues in 2009 that forced him to miss The Kentucky Derby.  He came back to break two track records at Gulfstream Park in The Florida Derby (GI) and Saratoga in The Amsterdam (GII). Blame surged late in the season to win The Fayette Stakes (GII) at Keeneland  and The Clark  (GII) at Churchill Downs.  Pioneer of the Nile won Robert Lewis (GII), The San Felipe (GII) and The Santa Anita Derby (GI) all at Santa Anita Park.

Summer Bird

3-Year-Old Filly – *  Rachel Alexandra is ThoroughbredZone’s top 3-year-old filly in 2009.  She put together one of the most impressive campaigns of any 3-year-old filly in history.  She was a perfect 8 for 8 and defeated colts on three separate occasions in 2009—The Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico, The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park and the Woodward (GI) at Saratoga. Careless Jewel was a winner five times in her seven races in 2009.  She won The Delaware Oaks (GII) at Delaware Park and The Alabama (GI) at Saratoga. Flashing was two-time Grade I winner in 2009—winning The Test (GI) at Saratoga and The Gazelle (GI) at Belmont Park.

Rachel Alexandra

Fillies And Mares 4 and Up – *  Zenyatta is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top older female.  She capped her perfect career by  winning  The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita with a stunning last to first move—becoming the first mare in history to win the race.  She was five for five  in 2009, which  included four Grade I wins.  Zenyatta won The Vanity Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar, The Ladies Secret (GI) at Hollywood Park.  She will retire with a perfect record of 14 wins in 14 races.  Simply put—she was super again in 2009. Life is Sweet was able to break through finally with the absence of Zenyatta by winning The Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (GI) with a strong effort. Music Note was a two-time Grade I winner in 2009.  She won The Ballerina (GI) at Saratoga and The Beldame (GI) at Belmont Park.  Seattle Smooth was a perfect three for three in 2009.  She won The Bed O’ Roses (GII) at Aqueduct, The Shuvee (GII) at Belmont Park and The Ogden Phipps (GI) at Belmont Park.  All of her wins were early in the year.

Turf Male – *  Gio Ponti is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top male turf horse. Gio Ponti was a four time Grade I winner in 2009, and placed twice in two other Grade I races.  He won The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita, The Manhattan (GI) at Belmont Park, The Man o’ War (GI) at Belmont Park and The Arlington Million (GI) at Arlington Park. Gio Ponti also ran a solid second in The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) Zenyatta. Presious Passion had another busy 2009—running 9 times in total.  He was a repeat winner of The United Nations Handicap (GI) at Monmouth Park.  He was an impressive front running winner in The Clement Hirsch (GI) at Santa Anita in his final race before The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) where he ran a strong second to Conduit. Conduit repeated as the Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) winner.  Midships was a winner of The San Luis Rey (GII) at Santa Anita, The San Juan Capistrano (GII) at Santa Anita and The Charles Wittingham Memorial (GI) at Hollywood Park.

Gio Ponti

Filly And Mare Turf – Ventura is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top Filly and Mare Turf horse.  The fabulous mare finished her racing career with a win in The Matriarch (GI) at Santa Anita—a win Bobby Frankel would have been proud of.  She was a three time Grade I winner in 2009—winning The Santa Monica (GI) at Santa Anita and shipped north of the border to defeat colts in The Woodbine Mile (GI) at Woodbine with a powerful rally.  In her three losses of 2009 she was solid—finishing behind the top male turf horse in the country Gio Ponti in The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita and was runner-up to the speedy top rated filly and mare sprinter in the country Informed Decision twice in The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI) and The Madison (GI) at Keeneland. Magical Fantasy had a superb 2009 campaign winning three straight Grade I events in California—The Gamely (GI), The John Mabee (GI) and The Yellow Ribbon (GI). *  Goldikova was fabulous again as she went on to win The Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) for the second consecutive year in a row with a powerful late rally.  She will try for three in a row in 2010. Diamondrella was a two time Grade I winner in 2009.  She won The Just A Game (GI) at Belmont Park and The First Lady (GI) at Keeneland.

Sprinter –  *  Kodiak Kowboy is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 sprinter of the year. This was one of the tougher categories to choose a winner. Kodiak Kowboy had a strong year.  He was a three time Grade I winner in 2009. Kodiak Kowboy won The Carter (GI) at Aqueduct, The Vosburgh at Belmont Park (GI) and The Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct. Zensational reeled of three straight Grade I wins in California—winning The Triple Bend Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Bing Crosby (GI) at Del Mar and The Pete O’Brien (GI) at Del Mar.  He was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) as the odds on favorite. Dancing In Silks was The Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) winner—making that his fourth straight win in 2009—the other three were California state bred races. Fabulous Strike won a pair of Grade II races—The True North (GII) at Belmont Park and The Vanderbilt (GII) at Saratoga.  He finished a close second twice to Kodiak Kowboy in The Carter (GI) at Aqueduct and The Vosburgh (GI) at Belmont Park.

Kodiak Kowboy Beat Fabulous Strike In Vosburgh

Filly And Mare Sprinter – *  Informed Decision is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top filly and mare sprinter.  She had a dominant year, winning three Grade I stakes at three different tracks.  She won The Madison (GI) at Keeneland, The Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill Downs and capped the year with a strong win over a determined Ventura in The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (GI). Informed Decision only lost once in 7 starts in 2009 over a sloppy track at Saratoga in The Ballerina (GI). Game Face had a solid 2009 campaign.   She was a winner of fours sprint stakes in 2009 that included The Princess Rooney (GI) at Calder and The Honorable Miss (GII) at Saratoga.

Horse Of The Year – *  Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are both ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Horse of the Year. These two very special horses dominated their competition in 2009 like no other filly and mare ever have. Rachel Alexandra was a perfect 8 for 8 in 2009. Rachel Alexandra was a winner of 8 races at 7 different tracks including five Grade I stakes races. Rachel Alexandra had the most dominant 3-year-old filly campaign in history.  She captured The Kentucky Oaks (GI) at Churchill Downs, The Preakness Stakes (GI), The Mother Goose (GI) at Belmont Park (GI), The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park and capped 2009 with a win against older males in The Woodward (GI) at Saratoga.  She became the first filly in 85 years to win The Preakness Stakes (GI) and the first filly ever to win the Woodward Stakes (GI) against older males.   No other 3-year-old filly has ever accomplished what Rachel Alexandra has in 2009. Zenyatta won five races in 2009, including four Grade I stakes races.  She won The Vanity Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar, The Ladies Secret (GI) at Hollywood Park and capped her perfect career by winning America’s richest race The $5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita with an unbelievable rally from last to first.  She finished her career with a perfect undefeated record—winning 14 races out of 14 starts.  To choose between either one of these two great champion thoroughbreds is nearly impossible.  Neither one of these great champions deserves to come in second—when they always come in first. They had a combined record in 2009 of a super 13-0! They both put together history making years that we might not ever see again in our lifetimes. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta were simply the best of the best in 2009—

***The Great Zenyatta Will Run In 2010—Retirement On Hold***

Rachel Alexandra

Older Male – *  Gio Ponti is ThoroughbredZone’s Top male turf horse of 2009. Gio Ponti put together a super year that included four straight Grade I wins. Gio Ponti won The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita, The Manhattan (GI) at Belmont Park, The Man o’ War (GI) and The Arlington Million (GI) at Arlington.  He also ran a game second to Zenyatta in The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), although that was not run on turf. Presious Passion had another busy and productive year in 2009.  He found his best form yet in 2009 by winning two Grade I stakes races.  He was a repeat winner in The United Nations (GI) at Monmouth Park and ran a super race in The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) finishing second to repeat winner Conduit. Presious Passion earned over 1.5 million on the sod in 2009. Conduit came back to do it again—win The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) at Santa Anita. Furthest Land won The Kentucky Cup Classic (GII) at Turfway Park and The Breeders’ Cup Dirt/Poly Mile.  Furthest Land won 6 races in 2009.

Steeplechase – *  Mixed Up is ThoroughbredZone’s top jumper in 2009.  He had a solid year winning four races out of eight starts in 2009 and led all jumpers with earnings of $184,495. Left Unsaid was a winner of three races from six starts and was third in earnings with $ 137,700.

Race Of The Year – There were several great races in 2009 in the world of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.  2009 was truly the year of the filly and mare.  A few  races stand out in particular in 2009. Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes (GI) in a thrilling front running win at Pimlico holding off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.  She went to the lead with speedy Big Drama and put him away.  She ran through solid fractions all the way to the wire in a very impressive performance.  The Woodward (GI) was one of the most exciting races of the year, and one the most exciting races  in memory.  Saratoga erupted when she crossed the finish line first. Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to ever win The Woodward in an absolutely thrilling ding-dong battle over Macho Again.  She was on the lead most of the way as usual—ripping off snappy fractions.  It was a game win for the 3-year-old filly as she defeated older males.  The Breeder’s Cup Classic will go down as one of the most thrilling races in Breeders’ Cup history. Zenyatta, the home town hero was far behind in the early stages of the race and throughout and looked like she was seemingly out of it.  She then began to commence a stunning rally from last to first as she gobbled up ground with her huge stride. Zenyatta rallied down the middle of the track to the roar of the crowd at Santa Anita as she went on to win.  Her win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) was her biggest, most impressive wins of her career.  Both the Woodward and Breeders’ Cup Classic are ThroughbredZone’s races of the year for 2009.

Top Trainer –  *  Steve Asmussen is ThoroughbredZone’s top trainer in 2009.  He led the nation in earnings with $21,821,225 and wins with 648.  The Asmussen train rolled on in 2009.  Todd Pletcher was second in the earnings department with $15,358,011.  Scott Lake was second to Steve Asmussen in the win department with 307.

Top Jockey – Ramon Dominguez and * Julien Leparoux are both ThoroughbredZone’s top jockeys in 2009. Julien Leparoux had a super year. He was second in the nation in earnings with $18,560,565. Ramon Dominguez was third in the nation in earnings with $18,256,045 and was second in the nation in wins to Russell Baze with 388. He dominated almost all year in New York. Garrett Gomez— last years ThoroughbredZone’s  jockey of the year led the nation in earnings again with $18,571,171.

Top Apprentice Jockey – Luis Paez is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top Apprentice jockey in 2009.  He won 104 races out of 472 mounts and earned $1,715,887. Luis Paez won at an impressive rate of 22%.

 Breeder – *  Juddmonte Farms is ThoroughbredZone’s top breeder of 2009.  They had a stellar year that saw them win 6 GI stakes races in 2009 and amassing $4,413,243 in total purses.  Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs had another big year.  Adena Springs led all Breeders in starts, wins and earnings.  They had 3825 starters in 2009—with 550 winners and earnings of $12,721,458.

Top Owner – *  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin Stable  is ThoroughbredZone’s top owner of 2009.  Godolphin captured 8 Grade I stakes in 2009 and amassed $3,768,896 in total purse money.  WinStar Farm had a big year.  They won 41 races out of 231 starters and led the nation in total purse money with 7,138,456.

Top Sire - Birdstone is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top sire.  He produced the Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and The Belmont Stakes (GI), Travers Stakes (GI) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) winner Summer Bird.  He became the first sire in history to accomplish this.

Best Moment in 2009 – 2009 simply put was the year of the filly.  Four special fillies and mares proved they were champions by etching their place in the history books in 2009. Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Ventura and Goldikova all defeated males in Grade I stakes competition in 2009.  In no other year in memory have we seen such dominating fillies and mares compete in the same year.  They were all sensational and accomplished things we may never see again on the track.  They all produced memorable moments in 2009 that will most certainly last a lifetime.  Each time one of these special ladies stepped onto the track, they gave us all something to remember in 2009. Mine That Bird pulled off one of the most improbable upset wins in Kentucky Derby history.  He rallied along the rail to win at odds of 50/1 to become the 2nd-biggest  longshot to ever win the roses.

Better Talk Now was retired in 2009 at the ripe old age of 10. He was a true warrior and a great champion. He won a total of 11 Grade I races in his career and was a Breeders’ Cup Turf Champion. He earned $4,356,664 on the track.

* Eclipse Award Winner

***Digger Wins The Gravesend By A Nose Over Pashito the Che—Joey P. Runs Better But Faltered Late Finishing Far Back***

Speedy Joey P. will try to bounce back in his second race back from emergency intestinal surgery last spring.  Joey P. ran a lack luster 6th in the Valley Forge at Philadelphia Park on December 9.  The 7-year-old faces five others–including an entry in the Gravesend.  A win would put him over the 1 million dollar mark in career earnings.  The field will include Scott Lake’s hot Pashito the Che who has won three straight and ripped a strong 5 furlong breeze in 58 seconds on December 16.  Gold Trippi will be making his first start since November 4.  He ran  against some tough company last summer and cuts back to 6 furlongs.  Laysh Laysh Laysh a winner of three straight — two straight since being claimed by Sydney Dutrow– is one of two horses in the race to run over the Big A inner–Joey P. the other.  Starforaday was an impressive winner two back in the slop on the Big A’s main track.  Repole Stables sends out the entry of Digger and The Roundhouse.  Digger makes first start since October 29 and sports sharp works for his return.  Has plenty of speed and will look to use it early. The Roundhouse makes his second start in a row at 6 furlongs.  He ran well in his return to sprinting last time and makes his third start off the layoff for the hot Todd Pletcher.  He will look to rally late.  This is  a nice little race.  3-year-old Pashito the Che will try to make it four straight wins against a few salty veterans in the Gravesend.  Rain is expected–however everyone should have no issue running over a wet track.   The Gravesend is Race 3 at Aqueduct on Saturday.

Joey P.

Special to ThoroughbredZone | By Mike Doherty 

Bob Baffert had a big day at Hollywood Park yesterday taking home the featured Grade 1  Cash Call Futurity, the ungraded Stuka Stakes and 2 maiden special weight races.  Bob Baffert sent out soon to be named juvenile champion Lookin at Lucky to win the Futurity in a quite impressive fashion for long time owners Pegram, Watson and Weitman.

Lookin at Lucky, at odds of 1-5 broke sharply, settled behind a contentious pace and stormed home to hold off Noble’s Promise’s late bid. Marcello edged out The Program for 3rd.   The trainer indicated that Lookin at Lucky would be given some time off and make two prep races for the Kentucky Derby on conventional dirt surfaces.

Baffert connected with Tiz Chrome in the Stuka (4th) and Quiet Invader (2nd) for the Lanni Family and connections, and most impressively with Kaleem Shah’s Clutch Player (7th).  Clutch Player broke his maiden at first asking stopping the teletimer in racehorse time of 1:08 4/5.  All three winners would potentially join Lookin at Lucky along the derby trail as 3-year-olds.

The great debate amongst racing pundits and fans alike this year has been who should win the Eclipse Award for the 2009 Horse of the Year? And believe me, everyone has an opinion.  ThoroughbredZone is asking another question.  Who deserves to not win the Eclipse Award for the 2009 Horse of The Year?  I have not heard too many give their opinion on that.  As clear-thinking objective race fans, let’s step away from any bias or dislike for either horse or their connections for what ever the reason may be.  There has been no doubt that the two thoroughbreds that have accomplished the most in the racing world in the United States this year have been Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.  They put on a show in 2009 that nobody will forget. [Read more →]

Race 6 at Aqueduct today is a Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-old NY Breds going 6 furlongs on the inner.  I like to stick with 2-year-old maidens, but here is an exception.  The 1 horse Chicktowaga debuts and will break from the rail. The rail is not always the best place for a firster to break, but this one will get the benefit of the doubt.  Chicktowaga sports a very sharp 59 flat handily work from the gate on 12/5 and two nice breezes prior to that.  His sire is Candy Ride, and is out of a Langfuhr mare.  Candy Ride has been a successful first time sire.  He is a little late to the races, but today he makes his first start.  The two favorites in the race — Regal Coyote and Mr. Grievance will be making their first starts off layoffs of more then a year.  And the other ones who have ran, have not had much success.  Nearly There makes his second start after checking at the start in his debut.  Toss first race, eligible t o improve.

There are two other first time starters in the race – Fishing With Lance and Explosive Rocket.  Explosive Rocket had a nice gate work on 11/28.  Gold for Peace who has speed, looked to go to the lead, but has been scratched. Chicktowaga will try to break on top and take them all the way over a sloppy track.  He is also bread well for an off track.  This is not one of the strongest fields for a NY State bred maiden.  If he has some ability, he is a threat here.  He looks ready to go from the rail.  Morning line of 15/1 and Fragoso gets the mount.

****

***Chicktowaga Raced Uneasily Up Into Contention  Running Right Behind Mr. Gievence To The Half Way Point In 47.29 Who Eventually Drew Off To Win By 17  Lengths…Chicktowaga Who Never Settled Eventually Dropped Back To Finish 5th  After Breaking OK  But Off A Tad  Slow – All Things Considered He Ran Well In His First Start***

Two champions ended their superb racing careers with victories over the weekend.  Kodiak Kowboy capped his superb racing career with a win in the Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct.  Kodiak Kowboy has been one of the most reliable and winning sprinters in the country over the past couple of years.  The fantastic Ventura ended her stellar career in winning one for the late,  great Bobby Frankel in taking the Matriarch (GI) at Hollywood Park on Saturday.  Both of these thoroughbreds were champions who displayed brilliance on the track.  I for one will miss both of them. Ventura was one of my favorites, with her late explosive kick.  She was always there.  She was all class.

[Read more →]

It’s the great debate.  Who should win the 2009 Horse of the Year? Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra?  ThoroughbredZone will take a close look at this raging debate and give it’s opinion as to who should win the Eclipse for the top Thoroughbred of 2009.  However, the more important question might be, who deserves to lose?  Niether one…

***ThoroughbredZone’s Best of 2009 Coming in December…Last Year Curlin Repeated As ThoroughbredZone’s Horse of the Year For 2008 — Who Will Be The Best of 2009?***

Zenyatta’s Thrilling Classic Victory**Click**

Make it 14 for 14 for the Super Zenyatta.

She is simply spectacular, there is nothing more to say…

Perfection – entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings 

Breeders’ Cup Marathon

Last years BC Marathon winner is back, Muhannak will defend his title, but his form has been lacking this year. He recently ran 3rd in a GIII at Ascot right behind Red Rocks who will be in the BC Turf. Some old vets are in to, such as John Sheppard’s Cloudy’s Knight who will make a late rally. The top pick in the Marathon this year is Mastery. He is coming off an impressive win in the St. Leger Stakes (GI) at Doncaster, beating his more highly regarded stable mateKite Wood.  Man of Iron has raced in Europe this year in allowance races, and would need to really improve. Gangbuster will be a very big price on the board. He is coming in off a layoff, but has a big late kick and has won on the poly. He threw in the towel last race out against Nite Light at Turfway. Horses to use with Mastery are Father Time, Nite Light and Gangbuster at a big price (Ran 4th). Nite Lite is working very well for this spot and making his 3rd start off the bench.

Top Pick – Mastery

[Read more →]

Betting the Breeders’ Cup can be a challenging and an exciting task for veteran handicappers and newbie’s a like. Deciding on who you will bet is another issue—ThoroughbredZone will go over that in my (Breeders’ Cup Close Up and Preview) but how you bet is a very important factor. First, I would focus on the races you feel you have the best opinion on, and work around them. Decide in advance exactly how big your bankroll will be for the entire two days. How much money will you have to bet these races? And look at what races you feel the best about. This is a good starting point.

[Read more →]

It was a fun night at the Meadowlands on Saturday night, October 31, 2009. There was plenty of fun, food, laughs and even a couple of winners tossed in. These are some snap shots of the fun night. I gave Chuck Lopez a Nicaraguan cigar for all his front running scores.

Chuck C. Lopez!

Happy Meadowlands Halloween!

Howdy!

Handicapping Party!

***Breeders’ Cup Close up and Preview Coming***