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Jockey Club Gold Cup Wet Pictures…Click Link

ThoroughbredZone — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:18:56 +0000

It was a flat out lousy day at Belmont Park on Saturday. The racing was as good as it could be under the lousy weather conditions. The weather has not been kind on the big racing days this year. The Kentucky Derby, Haskell, Travers and Gold Cup day were all sloppy messes. A sparse crowd was on hand to see the 5 Grade I Races. I was unable to make any tweets. NYRA does not have Wi-Fi. Quality Road was a game second place finisher to Summer Bird in the Gold Cup.

Here are some of the snap shots from a wet Jockey Club Gold Cup Day

Quality Road

Summer Bird

Quality Road

Macho Again

Gio Ponti

Interpatation

Picture Says it All

Deluge

Music Note

Fabulous Strike

Rainy

Up There

Gloomy

Paddock Peeps

Kodiak Kowboy Beats Fabulous Strike

Moneycantbuymelove

Musketier

Pure Clan

Wet and Lonely

Die Hards

Last Race

Jockey Club Gold Cup Preview & Pick 4 – Go Quality Road!

ThoroughbredZone — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:25:10 +0000

The Vosburgh (GI) – Fabulous Strike heads a compact field of five quality sprinters. Simply put, he is the horse to beat. Fabulous Strike will not run in this years Breeders’ Cup Spring, so this race is thee race of the year for this horse. He is fast, and if the track is off, he should love it. Is he a single? I love Fabulous Strike, but I also love Go Go Shoot. I have been a huge fan of this horse since his first start at the Meadowlands. Go Go Shoot ran his eyeballs out last time in the Vanderbilt at Saratoga, giving Fabulous all he could handle, right up until the end, but Fabulous Strike prevailed. I will use both of these horses. The one mistake might be leaving off the classy and reliable Kodiak Kowboy, who is a solid sprinter, but it seems 7 furlongs is better suited for him. Munnings is also entered, who has had a fine season up until now. He will be cutting back to 6 furlongs for this.

The Flower Bowl (GI) – This is the key race in this Pick 4 sequence, and offers the best chance for a horse to score at a decent price. You will need a horse that offers some value, in order to make this Pick 4 attractive. The classy Pure Clan makes her first start, since a 3rd place finish to Dynaforce in the Beverly D (GI). She is a proven commodity on a soft turf course. Dynaforce makes her first start since winning the Beverly D (GI). She is a classy girl who has also proven a soft turf is no issue. She won the Flower Bowl last year on a yielding turf course. Criticism will go to the lead, and try to take this group as far as she can. If she is left alone, she could be a huge danger. I think she prefers a firm course, but she is rested, and has class. Christophe Clement will run an entry of Caribbean Sunset and Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire). Caribbean Sunset ran a strong second to Forever Together in the Diana at Saratoga, and must respected. Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire) makes her first start in the United States and will add blinkers and lasix. Moneycantbuymelove (Ire) will make her first start in the Unites States as well, for trainer Michael Bell. She will also get lasix for the first time. She ran third in the Nassau Stakes (GI) at Goodwood in Britain in her last race at Britain. I will use her.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – This is the race where I will make a single. I am sure a lot of other people will make a single as well. Gio Ponti is on the top of his game right now, and has won four consecutive Grade I races. This will be his first try at a 1 ½ miles, but this one should be even better with the added distance. He will run either in the Breerders’ Cup Turf or in Classic. He looks good tomorrow. Presious Passion loves a firm course, probably will not get it, and with that will not use him. Grand Couturier (GB) is the only horse in the field that could offer Gio Ponti his biggest challenge. The defending Turf Classic champion has run well on yielding courses, but faces a daunting task in defeating Gio Ponti. Grand Couturier (GB) has class. That is always something to keep in mind. Grand Couturier (GB) is not scheduled to run in this years Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) – The biggest race of the day, offers to be one of the best as well. Summer Bird the Belmont Stake and Travers winner will be the expected post time favorite. He is a known commodity at the distance, and has been working very well. Macho Again will be making his first start since his gut busting second place finish to super filly Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward at Saratoga. Will he bounce back from that? He will be making his third start off the layoff, and has shown a wet track is no obstacle. He will make his usual late bid. Asiatic Boy (Arg) is a bit of an enigma. He will be making his 4th career start in the Gold Cup tomorrow, while adding blinkers for the first time. He had a nice 47 breeze on September 27. Since coming to the United States, he has not won a race yet, he has run well, but hung in the Stephen Foster (GI) and Suburban (GII). I still think he could be dangerous. He is still somewhat of a fresh horse, who is capable of running a race good enough to win here. There is no horse in this race that is working better than Dry Martini. He has put together a string of very sharp workouts since his last race, the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga on August 8, 2009. A two-time winner at Belmont is three races and a winner at the distance. This horse will offer the most value in this race, and certainly should not be totally overlooked. And than there is Quality Road, my main man, and Kentucky Derby pick, that was not to be. He is back again to try a 1 ¼ quarters. Can he win this race? Absolutely. He will be making his second start at this demanding distance, and there are some that think he cannot get the distance. I say he can, but this race could very well tell us that. He has been flying a tad under the radar up until now. It’s been pretty quiet on the Quality Road front, but he could make a whole lot of noise tomorrow. Quality Road is still a huge and dangerous threat to give this bunch something to worry about. He will go right out, and brush off any early threat, such as Tizway. An off track is a big concern however, he did not move over it as well at Saratoga, and it is supposed to be wet tomorrow. One key element is the fact that Saratoga mud is not the same as Belmont mud. As a son of Elusive Quality, Smarty Jones dad, he has a chance to do the next best thing in getting Birdstone back, by beating Summer Bird. It would be even more fitting if he got him at the wire, however I expect Quality Road to be in front, and Summer Bird to stalk. I still have the utmost faith in Quality Road. Let’s do it!

The Vosburgh (GI) – Two of my favorite horses in the same race! Fabulous Strike heads a compact field of five quality sprinters. Simply put, he is the horse to beat. Fabulous Strike will not run in this years Breeders’ Cup Spring, so this race is thee race of the year for this horse. He is fast, and if the track is off, he should love it. Is he a single? I expect to see the very best Fabulous Strike, this is his Breeders’ Cup. I love Fabulous Strike, but I also love Go Go Shoot. I have been a huge fan of this horse even before his first start at the Meadowlands. He ran super that evening. I have followed this horse very closely, and here he is in the Vosburgh (GI). Go Go Shoot ran his eyeballs out last time in the Vanderbilt at Saratoga, giving Fabulous Strike all he could handle, right up until the end, but Fabulous Strike prevailed. I will use both of these horses. The one mistake might be leaving off the classy and reliable Kodiak Kowboy, who is a solid sprinter, but it seems 7 furlongs is better suited for him. Munnings is also entered, who has had a fine season up until now. He will be cutting back to 6 furlongs for this.

The Flower Bowl (GI) – This is the key race in this Pick 4 sequence, and offers the best chance for a horse to score at a decent price. You will need a horse that offers some value, in order to make this Pick 4 attractive. The classy Pure Clan makes her first start, since a 3rd place finish to Dynaforce in the Beverly D (GI). She is a proven commodity on a soft turf course. Dynaforce makes her first start since winning the Beverly D (GI). She is a classy girl who has also proven a soft turf is no issue. She won the Flower Bowl last year on a yielding turf course. Criticism will go to the lead, and try to take this group as far as she can. If she is left alone, she could be a huge danger. I think she prefers a firm course, but she is rested, and has class. Christophe Clement will run an entry of Caribbean Sunset and Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire). Caribbean Sunset ran a strong second to Forever Together in the Diana at Saratoga, and must respected. Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire) makes her first start in the United States and will add blinkers and lasix. Moneycantbuymelove (Ire) will make her first start in the UnitedStates as well, for trainer Michael Bell. She will also get lasix for the first time. She ran third in the Nassau Stakes (GI) at Goodwood in Britain in her last race at Britain. I will use her.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (GI) – This is the race where I will make a single. I am sure a lot of other people will make a single as well. Gio Ponti is on the top of his game right now, and has won four consecutive Grade I races. This will be his first try at a 1 ½ miles, but this one should be even better with the added distance. He will run either in the Breerders’ Cup Turf or in Classic. He looks good tomorrow. Presious Passion loves a firm course, probably will not get it, and with that will not use him. He could very well be scratched as well. Grand Couturier (GB) is the only horse in the field that could offer Gio Ponti his biggest challenge. The defending Turf Classic champion has run well on yielding courses, but faces a daunting task in defeating Gio Ponti. Grand Couturier (GB) has class. That is always something to keep in mind. Grand Couturier (GB) is not scheduled to run in this years Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) – The biggest race of the day, offers to be one of the best as well. Summer Bird the Belmont Stake and Travers winner will be the expected post time favorite. He is a known commodity at the distance, and has been working very well. Macho Again will be making his first start since his gut busting second place finish to super filly Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward at Saratoga. Will he bounce back from that? He will be making his third start off the layoff, and has shown a wet track is no obstacle. He will make his usual late bid. Asiatic Boy (Arg) is a bit of an enigma. He will be making his 4th career start in the Gold Cup tomorrow, while adding blinkers for the first time. He had a nice 47 breeze on September 27. Since coming to the United States, he has not won a race yet, he has run well, but hung in the Stephen Foster (GI) and Suburban (GII). I still think he could be dangerous. He is still somewhat of a fresh horse, who is capable of running a race good enough to win here. He has never raced on an off track. There are reservations about this horse tomorrow. There is no horse in this race that is working better than Dry Martini. He has put together a string of very sharp workouts since his last race, the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga on August 8, 2009. A two-time winner at Belmont is three races and a winner at the distance. This horse will offer the most value in this race, and certainly should not be totally overlooked. And than there is Quality Road, my main man, and Kentucky Derby pick, that was not to be. He is back again to try a 1 ¼ quarters. Can he win this race? Absolutely. He will be making his second start at this demanding distance, and there are some that think he cannot get the distance. I say he can, but this race could very well tell us that. He has been flying a tad under the radar up until now. It’s been pretty quiet on the Quality Road front, but he could make a whole lot of noise tomorrow. Quality Road is still a huge and dangerous threat to give this bunch something to worry about. He will go right out, and brush off any early threat, such as Tizway. An off track is a big concern however, he did not move over it as well at Saratoga, and it is supposed to be wet tomorrow. One key element is the fact that Saratoga mud is not the same as Belmont mud. As a son of Elusive Quality, Smarty Jones dad, he has a chance to do the next best thing in getting Birdstone back, by beating Summer Bird. It would be even more fitting if he got him at the wire, however I expect Quality Road to be in front, and Summer Bird to stalk. I still have the utmost faith in Quality Road. Let’s do it!

Value Pick 4 – Will not go crazy here. Simple, economical and straight forward.

1,5 / 1,1A,4,5,7 / 1,1A / 3,6,7 $30

I have decided to leave out Asiatic Boy (Arg) and Macho Again for a couple reasons. They both would not be a shocker at all. However, in a sequence that could very well see a slew of favorites win, a $50 Pick 4 is just not smart. Macho Again could very well be the co-favorite as post time. You could always hedge if you get to the Gold Cup alive.

****Live updates from Belmont Park on Saturday via Twitter. You can check them out on Twitter or right here, by clicking the little tab in the upper left hand corner. Also will post some snap shots from “Super Saturday”****

****Get Serious will try to keep his winning ways alive in the Cliffhanger Stakes on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands. This will be the first Cliffhanger I will have misses in over 10 years. The Meadowlands will be running a day card tomorrow. The plans were to be at Belmont in the afternoon, and at the Meadowlands in the evening. Oh well, can’t be at both places at the sametime.****

No First Time Starter Alerts For Saturday

Latest NTRA Breeders’ Cup Entry on Behalf of The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance

Good Luck!

Don’t Blame Jess Jackson For Not Running Rachel Alexandra In The BC, Blame The Plastic

ThoroughbredZone — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:21:13 +0000

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***

Belmont Stakes Day 2009 Snap Shots

ThoroughbredZone — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:42:46 +0000

Dunkirk

Mine That Bird

Charitable Man

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

Cowboy Cal

Gio Ponti

Phil The Power

Munnings

Kensei

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 2008 Tops—Curlin Repeats As Horse Of The Year

ThoroughbredZone — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:55:18 +0000

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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.

[SinglePic not found]Prescious Passion

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?

Fabulous Strike Surges By True Quality To Win Gravesend…Wildcat Brief Runs A Strong Second In Debut

ThoroughbredZone — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:15:33 +0000

Wildcat Brief runs a strong second to Z Day in his debut today at Aqueduct. Wildcat Brief who was listed as 5/1 in the morning line, opened at 9/5. It seems there were a lot of folks who like him him today first out. He ran strong, but could not overtake the speedy Z Day who was making his 4th career start today for Anthony Dutrow. Z Day looked like the main speed of the horses who have ran. Z Day went to the lead, and Wildcat Brief ranged up to him making the turn for home. It looked as if Wildcat Brief would go by on Z Day’s outside. Wildcat Brief dug in, but Z Day was determined to stay on top. Z Day won by 1 1/4 length. The final time for the 6 furlongs was in 1:10.88 over a muddy track. It was a solid debut for Wildcat Brief who looks like he will get it done next time.

[SinglePic not found]Fabulous Strike After Vosburgh

Fabulous Strike might have looked like he might not get to True Quality, until jockey Ramon Dominguez asked Fabulous Strike for more in the stretch of today’s Gravesend at Aqueduct. And Fabulous Strike put his head up and took over in the late stages to cement himself as one of the best sprint horses in the country. A race that was cut in half due to 4 scratches. It was his 12th in win in 19 starts for the son of Smart Strike. True Quality broke on top and set quick fractions, turning for home it looked like True Quality had a chance for the win, but Fabulous Strike kicked in and went by with ease. The final time for the 6 furlongs over a good track was in 1:09.74

In a rare position, Fabulous Strike was the one stalking, instead of being stalked. It was a new dimension for the super sprinter…..

Wildcat Brief Sports Fast Works For Debut Saturday December 27

ThoroughbredZone — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 02:13:26 +0000

1ster Watch

Wildcat Brief, who’s sire us Forest Wildcat will debut this Saturday in race 3 at Aqueduct. Trained by Ben Perkins Jr. and owned by his father Ben Sr. Wildcat Brief has been working superbly for his debut, and that 1:00 breeze from the gate was a strong work. Ben Perkins numbers are not impressive with first time starters, but this one looks like he could very well be ready to go. Forest Wildcat also clicks a good win % with first time starters. Dominguez has the mount. Z Day from the 8 hole will go right to the front.

Fabulous Strike powers up for Saturdays Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct, Packing highweight of 126….

ThoroughbredZone 2008 Tops Coming Soon