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.

ThoroughbredZone’s 2008 Tops

2-Year-Old Colt – Midshipman stamped himself as ThoroughbredZone’s top two-year old after wining the BC Juvenile Sprint at Santa Anita.  Darley Stables Sheikh Mohammed purchased him shortly after the win.  Old Fashioned had a big 2008 as well, going undefeated and capped the year by blowing away his foes in The Remsen.  He should appreciate the longer distances.  Larry Jones will be looking to be in the Derby for the third straight year.  Vineyard Haven also had a big 2008, winning the GI Hopeful at Saratoga and GI Champagne at Belmont.

2-Year-Old Filly – A few fillies had great 2008 campaigns.  The ThoroughbredZone’s top 2-year-old filly goes to Stardom Bound who captured 3 GI’s in 2008, including the BC Juvenile Fillies in a big performance. They paid big bucks for this girl, a whopping $5.7 Million.  She has yet to run a dirt course, but she has demonstrated a strong, late kick in all her races.  Sky Diva ran third in The BC Fillies after winning the GI Frizette.  Mani Bhaven was the winner of the GI Spinaway at Saratoga.  Springside was the runaway winner of the Demoiselle at Aqueduct in November; however, she suffered a fractured leg.  Maram was a perfect three for three on turf, and won the BC Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

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3-Year-Old Colt – 2007 was a year that had several candidates for top 3-year old.  2008 is not that difficult.  Big Brown is ThoroughbredZone’s top 3-year old.  Big Brown was a winner of 7 out of 8 races, including the GI Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Haskell.  Big Brown demonstrated his dominance, early and showed it throughout 2008.  He showed he could win with ease, and dig down when challenged.  Connections were a bit of a distraction, and many disliked the horse for this. Regardless how anyone feels, Big Brown was a champion racehorse in 2008.  His Kentucky Derby win was a tremendous performance in which he was able to win from post 20.  A foot injury eliminated any chance for him to run in the BC Classic in October.  His feet had plagued him from the beginning, and one has to wonder if the feet were one of the reasons for the Belmont debacle.  His Haskell win was impressive as well, digging in to beat a stubborn Coal Play who was loose on the lead.  Big Brown also defeated older in the Monmouth Stakes.  It was a gutsy effort in which Big Brown led every step of the way, and came home very fast to fend off game closers, Shakis and Proudinsky.  Da’Tara was the Belmont Stakes winner and Colonel John captured the GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga.  Tale of Ekati beat older in the GI Cigar Mile.  In addition, Gayego broke a track record at Santa Anita.  Big Brown, Tale of Ekati, Colonel John and Gayego were ranked 1 through 4 in ThoroughbredZone’s Kentucky Derby 12 last year.  Ravens Pass shipped over to win the BC Classic in a huge effort on the Pro-Ride.  Court Vision turned into a turf hero, taking the GI Hollywood Derby and GII Jamaica.

3-Year-Old Filly – Music Note is ThoroughbredZone’s top three-year-old filly of 2008.  Godolphin’s Music Note had a stellar 2008.  She was a three-time GI winner, taking the Mother Goose, Coaching Club American Oaks, and the Gazelle.  In addition, she ran a game third to the super Zenyatta in the BC Ladies Classic, formerly known as the Distaff.  Proud Spell had a big year; she captured the GI Kentucky Oaks and Alabama.  Last, and certainly not least, is the mammoth filly Eight Belles who ran huge in the Kentucky Derby behind Big Brown.  Had Eight Belles continued her campaign through 2008, there is no telling how many races she might have won.  She was a big, talented filly.  Unfortunately she had a tragic end in the Kentucky Derby.  Three-year-old Goldikiva (Ire) the super filly from France won the BC Mile in a big effort.

Fillies And Mares 4 and Up – Zenyatta stamped herself as ThoroughbredZone’s top older filly with her smashing win in the BC Ladies Classic.  There is not much to say about this one, other than the fact she was perfect 7 for 7 in 2008, winning all her races with her long, ground-covering stride.  And she captured the GI Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on dirt.  Her super year has also propelled her into the HOY picture.  She was simply dominant in all ways last year in a division filled with solid fillies and mares.  She was simply super in 2008.  Cocoa Beach (Chi) came on the scene in August and captured GI wins on turf and dirt.  She ran a game second behind Zenyatta in the BC Ladies Classic.  Ginger Punch ended her super career with earnings of almost $1.2 million in 2008 and was a three time GI winner.  Hystericlady bagged three GII’s and earned over $1.2 million in 2008.

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Turf Male – Einstein (Brz) is ThoroughbredZone’s top male turfer for 2008.  In a year with no clear-cut standouts in the turf male division, Einstein (Brz) put together a fine 2008.  Einstein (Brz) captured two GI wins on the grass, taking the GI Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and the GI Gulfstream Turf at Gulfstream.  He placed, behind top turf horses Kip Deville in the GI Makers Mark Mile, and Thorn Song in the GII Firecracker.  Conduit shipped over from England to win the BC Turf in a blockbuster effort, earning a huge speed figure.  Presious Passion had a busy 2008, racing 11 times.  He won the GI United Nations on the front end at Monmouth Park, and repeated winning the McKnight at Calder.

Filly And Mare Turf – Forever Together is ThoroughbredZone’s top female grasser this year.  She powered her way to win three GI’s with her big late kick.  In addition, she capped her big 2008 season the BC Filly and Mares on grass at Santa Anita.  Mauralakana also had a superb 2008 campaign as well, capped by winning the GI Beverly D on Arlington Million Day.  She was an earner of over $1 million dollars in 2008.  She showed her ability to close with her late kick, and more often than not, win.  Ventura also had a super year.  She was super in winning the BC Fillies and Mare Sprint, and ran huge in the Woodbine Mile against colts. Wait a While just missed in the BC Fillies and Mare turf.  She also captured the GI Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita.

Sprinter – Benny the Bull’s career was cut short, but before he retired with an injury, he wheeled off 4 straight victories in 2008, including the Golden Shaheen in Dubai.  Benny the Bull showed his powerful late-sprint kick in all 4 wins, and each time he was going away.  Benny the Bull is ThoroughbredZone’s top sprinter in 2008.  Fabulous Strike had a solid campaign as well.  Unfortunately, the Pro Ride surface at Santa Anita was not to his liking.  Fabulous Strike won the Fall Highweight and Gravesend at Aqueduct, each time carrying high weight.  Midnight Lute ended his career, winning the BC Sprint for a second consecutive year in smashing style with his ground-gobbling stride.  Bustin Stones was three for three and won the GI Carter at Aqueduct.  Indian Blessing ThoroughbredZone’s top filly sprinter had a great 2008 and might race against colts in 2009.  Street Boss won 6 races in 2008, including two GI’s.

Fillies And Mare Sprinter – Indian Blessing was a win machine in 2008.  She won 5 times in 8 starts in 2008.  She finished off 2008 winning the GI La Brea at Santa Anita.  Indian Blessing is ThoroughbredZone’s top Filly and Mare Sprinter.  She was more effective with her great speed at distances under a mile.  Not only was she that good in the filly department, she also should garner attention as top sprinter overall.  She won the three GI sprint races in 2008.  She was fast, and her speed showed it in her wins.  Ventura had a great 2008 as well.  She stormed home to win the BC Filly and Mare Sprint with a powerful late move.  She was also great in running second in the Woodbine Mile against males.  Ventura had a solid 2008.

Horse Of The Year – For the second consecutive year, ThoroughbredZone’s 2008 Horse of The Year is Curlin.  Curlin left no doubt, that not only is he Horse of The Year in 2008, but he also stamped himself as one of the top racehorses of our lifetime.  He broke Cigar’s earnings mark, going over the 10 Million dollar mark.  He amassed $5,399,000 in winnings in 2008.  Curlin won the world’s richest race, the Dubai Gold Cup, in a blowout.  Curlin put together four wins at four different tracks in 2008.  He captured the Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster, Woodward, and The Jockey Gold Cup all-GI events.  He lossed twice in 2008 was his 4th place finish in the BC Classic in which he actually ran a great race on a surface that was his top choice.  And he ran a game second in the GI  Man O’ War in first attempt on the Turf.  In any other year, Zenyatta’s accomplishments would have warranted serious HOY consideration.  Curlin however did some things that no horse has ever done.  He had a brilliant 4-year-old campaign and broke Cigar’s all-time earnings mark.  He was king of the biggest division in racing-the Handicap Division.  Running fourth in the BC Classic should not take away from this record setting year.  He was tops in 2008.  Zenyatta was spectacular in 2008, winning all 7 of the races she was entered in, including four GI wins.  In fact she is 9 for 9 overall, and has never lost a race in her brilliant career.  Big Brown crushed his division with ease, and a much-anticipated match-up with Curlin, did not happen as Big Brown suffered another foot injury after a workout.  Peppers Pride was a win machine, as she broke the record for most consecutive wins in 2008.  She won her 19th straight race in 2008.

Older Male – Curlin is ThoroughbredZone’s top older horse of 2008.  He towered over his division beating all, except for coming up short in a game try in the BC Classic.  We have mentioned Curlin’s 2008 accomplishments already.  Others that had a big 2008 were the venerable 7-year-old Commentator who continued to roll on the lead to win the GI Whitney and Mass Cap.  Einstein (Brz) showed he could be a winner on grass and dirt.  He was the winner of the GII Clark, beating Commentator the day after Thanksgiving.  Go Between established himself as a true poly horse, winning the GI Pacific Classic and the Sunshine Millions Classic.  Well Armed won the GI Goodwood, and was third in the Dubai World Cup to Curlin.

Steeplechase – Good Night Shirt had a huge 2008.  He was a five-time winner, all GI’s.  He is the clear-cut choice for ThoroughbredZone’s top jumper in 2008.

Races Of The Year – The Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby are ThoroughbredZone’s races of the year.  Big Brown, breaking from post 11 in the Florida Derby, took command and drew away from Smooth Air in a dominant effort.  He became the first horse to win from post 11 at the new Gulfstream Park.  He set fast fractions the whole way around and just missed the track record.  In the Kentucky Derby he did something even more amazing,-he was able to win from the unheard of post 20.  He was able to get over into position, and exploded when asked for run in the stretch.  These two races are the races of the year in 2008, and Big Brown happened to be part of both.

Top Trainer – Steve Asmussen continued his winning ways, and he broke his own record for wins 2008.  He won $24,235,247 in purse money.  $10 Million more than Todd Pletcher who was second.

Top Jockey – Garret Gomez again proved the best jockey in the land for 2008 amassing $23,344, 351 in purse money.  If not for a late season injury, he could have eclipsed Jerry Bailey’s year-end mark for winnings.  He missed Baileys mark by a mere $10,000.  Russel Baze led the nation with 403 wins in 2008.

Top Apprentice Jockey – Pascacio Lopez had a big 2008 and snags top apprentice in 2008.  He had a lot of suspensions, but when he was in the saddle, he won a lot.

Breeder – Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs is ThoroughbredZone’s top breeder for 2008.  Add Ginger Punch to the farm, as she was retired from racing.

Top Owner – Jess Jackson is ThoroughbredZone’s top owner in 2008.  Jess Jackson brought back Curlin as a four-year old, so the horse could accomplish great things, and he did.  For that Jess Jackson is tops in 2008.  Zayat Stables led the nation in earnings with $6,883,902, narrowly edging Stronach Stables who had $6,777,124 in earnings.

Top Sire – Smart Strike repeats as ThoroughbredZone’s top sire.  He led all sires with earnings of over $12 Million and had 12 stakes winners in 2008.  The son of immortal Mr. Prospector continues to be a force on turf and dirt.

Top Website – This is a new category, the winner for ThoroughbredZone’s top website in 2008 is Bloodhorse.Com.  They have continued to cover racing, as it should be.  The website is easy to read and is always packed with stuff a racing fans want to know.

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Best Moment in 2008 – ThoroughbredZone’s top racing moment of 2008 was the Haskell.  Happened to be there and it was a fine day.  A big crowd came to see the Derby Champ Big Brown win the Haskell.  The Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita was another bright spot in the 2008-racing season.  Covering two days, it showcased the worlds best, as the BC people continue to promote racing as a major sporting event in the United States.  The 2009 BC is slated for Santa Anita again.

Worst Moments in 2008 – The tragic breakdown of Eight Belles shortly after the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby was the certainly the worst moment in 2008. Wanderin Boy breaking down in the Cigar Mile.

Best Claim – Cuba was claimed for $18,000 at Gulfstream Park February by trainer Bobby Dibona, he went on to become a stakes performer, taking the Jim McKay Maryland Million Classic.

Lifetime Achievement – Evening Attire was retired at the ripe old age of 10.  He was  a fan favorite who gave it %100 he was out on the track.  Who will forget his casual walks out of the gate?