Presious Passion

Presious Passion

Presious Passion Gets Frisky In Winners Circle

Banrock

Banrock

Court Vision

Strike A Deal And Brass Hat

Coal Play

Salvator Mile Gate Break

Coal Play An Easy Winner In Salvator Mile

Two Step Salsa

Smooth Air

Solar Flare

Kiss The Kid

Coal Play Is A Winner

Power Game

Dinner With DC Wins 1st Out For Breen

Debut Winner Dinner With DC

Dinner With DC

Cuba

Big Crowd

Clubhouse Teletheatre

Clubhouse Teletheatre

United Nations Day Re-Cap

It was another great day at Monmouth Park. Presious Passion exploded out of the gate and never looked back in route to winning the United Nations for the second consecutive year. In the process, he smashed the old course record of 2:12.89 held by English Channel. He eclipsed that mark by almost two full seconds in 2:10.97. He set blazing fractions throughout the race and was never headed as he hit the wire first. At one point, he opened up a 20-length lead as he cruised along all by himself. The 6-year-old son of Royal Anthem is getting better with age, as he turned in his best effort of his career in winning the United Nations. There was a nice crowd around the winner’s circle to greet the champion as he returned from winning. He was a bit frisky in the winner’s circle, as he reared up and kicked once, but settled down for the winning snap shots. Presious Passion paid $7.40 and was the second choice, behind favorite Court Vision. Lauro (Ger) was second two lengths behind. He also earned a trip to the BC at Santa Anita…

Coal Play went to the lead and never looked back, taking the Salvator mile in front running fashion. Last year’s runner up to Big Brown in the Haskell certainly likes Monmouth Park. Coming off a big win last out at Belmont Park, Coal Play was in solid form as he was no match for the rest of the field. He also earned a spot in the dirt mile at Santa Anita, although it is not dirt. Coal Play paid $14.40 and favorite Smooth Air finished second.

A crowd of 15,210 showed up for the 4th of July T-Shirt give-a-way and was treated to a super day of racing, capped with a course record setting win by the home town hero Presious Passion.

Presious Passion Wins The Monmouth Stakes

Presious Passion

Banrock- Desormeaux Up

Banrock- Desormeaux Up

Strike A Deal -CC Lopez Up

Strike A Deal

Grand Couturier - Bravo Up

Proudinksy Gets Lip Service

Presious Passion

Kiss The Kid Acting Up

Kiss The Kid Is A Handful

The Mayor

Phipps Stable's Profitable

Stronach's Devil's Victory

Devil's Victory

Raising Timber

IEAH's Michael Iavarone

Michael Iavarone Signs Big Brown Bobble Heads

Newest Banner

Gate Break

From Picnic Area

Big Brown Bobble Head

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

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

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

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

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?

Presious Passion[SinglePic not found]

Notional Wins Salvator Mile

Notional upsets Gottcha Gold in Salvator mile. Gottcha Gold went to the lead as expected and led the whole way until Notional made a big, sweeping rally to go by and win. Notional return to dirt was a winning one, as it is the only surface he has ever ran good on. Bravo rode the 7/1 shot to victory.

Maddy’s Lion Nails Joey P In Mr. Prospector

Joey P just misses in Mr. Prospector after his Charles Town Dash win. Maddy’s Lion launched a big rally fom behind to nail Joey P at the wire.  Joey P leading all the way began to tire as they closed in on the wire, and Maddy’s Lion was coming strongly to beat him at the buzzer.