The great Zenyatta will go for her 18th straight win without a loss in the Clement L. Hirsch (GI) later this afternoon at Del Mar. Some fans are a bit disappointed that she is not running in a more ambitious spot against better horses. To those I say just be grateful this once in a lifetime mare is even running period at age 6.  Zenyatta has proven herself over and over again as to what kind of champion she is. Her connections have done right by her, and will continue to do right by her. I commend them for even bringing her back to race this year. She has nothing to prove to anyone. She is a special horse, and I am thrilled to see her run.  So sit back, relax, and let Zenyatta do her thing. It is a great joy to watch this mare in action.

2010 Clement L. Hirsch Replay YouTube–Zenyatta

The Quality Road show is warmed up and ready for another dazzling performance in the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga this afternoon.  He has been a special thoroughbred from day one when he broke his maiden at first asking in a dazzling effort at Aqueduct in November of 2008.  Today he makes his first start since his near track record setting effort in the Met Mile (GI) back in May.  Once again Quality Road is ready to threaten another track record on a track where he already has broken one. Haynesfield will look to offer him his biggest challenge today, but as good as I think Haynesfield will run today, it will be a very tall task indeed to beat the super fast Quality Road. Blame is running very well and he will be the 2nd choice in the betting. Blame has been rock solid throughout his career, and today he faces his biggest class test. And Musket Man is in there as well. An honest, reliable racehorse who has been a consistent  runner from day one. And how can I forget?  The 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will give the Whitney a shot. A very daunting task indeed for Mine That Bird just to hit the board today. Quality Road has given every indication today could be a day to remember.

Racing has some issues, but today is day to be grateful to have the opportunity to see these two remarkable athletes in action. And this is what this great sport is all about. Enjoy it.

2010 Whitney Replay YouTube–Blame Nips Quality Road

Impressive Florida Derby winner and Kentucky Derby would-be favorite Quality Road and the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird are definite for the mid-summer derby. The Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird is also set to go. The addition of Rachel Alexandra would make this race something we have not seen in a long time. If she runs, all three winners if this years Triple Crown races would show up at the same place at the same time on the same track. That would make this Travers Stakes a real showdown between the nations top 3-year-olds. Without much doubt in my mind the two best 3-year-old dirt horses in the United States would run against each other in a race that could be one for the ages. The kind of race you will be talking about for years to come.

Rachel Alexandra would be faced with a legitimate test in the likes of Quality Road. Quality Road was ThoroughbredZone’s Number 1 ranked Kentucky Derby horse for much of the spring based on his explosive wins in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. He missed the run for the roses due to his quarter crack issues. He since has been transferred from Jimmy Jerkens barn to Todd Pletchers barn. He returned earlier in the month, and showed no signs of rust, smashing a 30-year-old track record for 6 ½ furlongs held by Topsider in the GII Amsterdam at Saratoga on August 3, 2009. He displayed that brilliant, determined speed that he has had since day one. He stopped the clock in a spectacular 1:13.74.

He is Travers bound and will be the favorite and—without much doubt—be thee horse to defeat in this years Travers Stakes. That is if Rachel Alexandra does not show up. If she does, well look out. We have a horserace. A great horserace. This would not just be a horserace, but an event, an epic match up between a horse that has emerged as one of the greatest fillies of all-time, versus a fast horse that has the potential to be an all time great himself. There is little doubt that both these horses are the two best 3-years-olds in training on dirt right now in this country.

Many in racing are drooling over a potential match up of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, but the addition of Rachel Alexandra in this years Travers would trump that match up, for now anyway. This is the race I want to see, Rachel Alexandra and Quality Road in the Travers. This is a race that would be something else. It would be a blockbuster race in more ways then one. The drama would build to a fever pitch right up till the moment the gate springs open.

The chances of this happening are not overwhelming, considering the connections of Rachel Alexandra also own the fast-developing Kensei who is a certain starter in the 1 ¼ mile Travers Stakes next Saturday. However knowing Jess Jackson is a true sportsman, he could very well decide to go for it anyway. If he does, we are looking at a race for the ages, it would certainly be must see TV. A major network will hopefully step up and televise this race. This one would have to be on where people can see this race. That would be a real shame if this were not covered.

I would love to see this, but at the same time I really believe both horses are special, and actually if they stayed separated, that would be okay by me. I would hate to see either of these horses lose. They are both champions. They are both spectacular runners. If it does not happen, then so be it. It could also be a tough race on both, but that’s what would happen if the best of the best square off an a 1 ¼. The Travers Stakes will still be a great race with the field that has already been assembled, and Rachel Alexandra will find another spot, and that will be a great race to wherever she shows up. She is a true star. However if they do both run in The Travers that would be something else—a showdown between the best of the best. An epic match up that has the makings of an instant classic. You would never forget this one.

Travers Stakes Preview Next Week

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 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.
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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. 

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!

Calvin Borel guided him to his favorite place, the rail, and Mine That Bird did the rest, surging past Pioneerof the Nile and Musket Man, over a sloppy track to score the mammoth upset at 50/1.

I could not believe it.

Mine that Bird won the Kentucky Derby!

How stunning was this Kentucky Derby?

He was disregarded by just about everyone and anyone.

Obscure trainer Bennie Woolley Jr was reserved, and confident before the race, as he was being interviewed as he hobbled along on crutches during the walkover.

They knew they a had a horse, that was ready to deliver a big effort, but big enough to win the Kentucky Derby?

The most amazing part about this story was his purchase price.

Mine that Bird only cost an amazing bargain basement price of only$9,500! As a yearling…He was later re-sold for $400,000 by his current owners after his success in Canada.

Regardless the orginal purchase price was a bargain.  Who would have thunk it?

A $9,500 purchase zoomed home to win the Kentucky Derby!

In contrast, the $3.700,000 Dunkirk purchase ran up the track.

The rest of the field’s purchase prices totaled more than a whopping $8, 7000,000 combined!

A $9,500 gelding out ran them all.

He stormed up the rail like a rocket

Irony at it’s absolute best.

Here comes something up the rail!

He is rolling!

It is over!

This horse is moving, the race is over

Who is it?

Who is it?

Tom Durkin did not even know.

Holy cow, it’s Mine that Bird!

Holy cow, what a shocker!

Mine that Bird just delivered one of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history.

In fact, it is one of the biggest upsets in sports history period!

A 9,500 purchase, disregarded by public, roared past over $8,700,000 worth wonderfully bred thoroughbred’s for fun.

This was certainly one of the wildest days in Kentucky Derby history as well.

Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge was scratched early in the morning.  Another disappointment, in a spring where there were plenty of those.

We heard all about the contenders repeatedly.

The pros and cons of each.

It rained all night, and the track was sloppy and sealed.

It was a big handicapping mind bender.

Never can I remember a Kentucky Derby with as many unknown elements as this one.

In the end it was the 50/1 Mine that Bird who posted the shocking upset.