Hey there! I know it's been two weeks, and I apologize for that, but I have been fighting several illnesses and have been out of the office a bit. I am back and that means I need to challenge you all in order to make up for lost time. So, I have a few blog ideas that should be fun.
There are a lot of rating web sites out there to find out if you are "Hot or Not" or "Do You Like?" and other measures. So let's take a moment and see how you all view my picks for the Derby...so far.
I am going to revisit my picks and discuss where they were as 2YOs and see where they stand now. Then I'll follow up with some of the lovely "dozen" mentioned by Steve Haskin.
Let's start with the three first crop 2YO sires that had me captured last year. Via our own Maiden Watch blog I fell in love with Medaglia d'Oro and Congaree. I already liked Smarty Jones. His runners developed a bit late, yet one was a Breeders' Cup contender. Be Smart, Alma d'Oro, Precious Beans, Smarty Marty, and a slew of others were in my sights. The Breeders' Cup held great promise for Medaglia d'Oro and Smarty Jones. Too bad Oconee (Congaree), and Shoe Strap (Birdstone) are not on my Derby radar, but I still follow them.
As for those on the radar, lets see where they are moving. First, we have the Candy Rides. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Candy Ride at Hill 'n' Dale. I really had no expectations at all, and was greatly surprised. I said to myself "Ah ha, no wonder Capt. Candyman Can and Chocolate Candy were successful." I think Candy Ride has a bright future. Here is a great blog by Jason Shandler on Chocolate Candy.
Some others I like and hope you will learn more on include:
Giant Oak, Hello Broadway, and Imperial Council
Giant Oak
A Giant's Causeway that I think is going to do very well this year. Despite his Risen Star Stakes (gr.III) fifth place finish flattening out, he will come back and beat Friesan Fire in the future. I am hoping Giant Oak will make it to the Derby.
Hello Broadway
Reliable. This horse is reliable and with a 2nd place finish in the Hutchenson Stakes (gr.II). More or less I have always liked the horse but not enough to follow him. However, my coworker Sabe convinced me to give Hello Broadway more of a chance, and Hello Broadway is now is growing on me.
Imperial Council
Okay, granted this horse is not named after the Imperial Council of Star Wars...but you all know how much of a Empire Maker fan I am.
Where are Terrain, Atomic Rain, Beethoven, and Notonthesamepage?
Well I was enthusiastic about Terrain, but now he has not raced so far this year. So I am thinking he is off of the Derby trail. His last race was the Dec. 5th Delta Jackpot when he finished fifth.
Atomic Rain is still on my list, even if he finished seventh in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. II). There is still time to peak, and I am banking on him peaking near the Derby. I don't see him winning the Derby, but can bet on him being in the money. With mentioning Atomic Rain, I must point out that this weeks edition of The Blood-Horse, February 25th, has a feature on Atomic Rain's owners. It is a great story and Esther did a wonderful job on it. Make sure you grab this weeks magazine and read more on Atomic Rain and company!
I can live with Beethoven's fourth place in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II). I feel similar to how I view Atomic Rain, except I like Beethoven more and think he will bring music to my ears in the Derby.
A speed horse who finished first in the Spectacular Bid Stakes has a race coming up. Owned by the Ramseys, I want to see Notonthesamepage hit the board in Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), which also will feature Beethoven.
Newcomers on my radar...Rachel Alexandera
I knew of Rachel's success in 2008, because she is a Medaglia d'Oro...but I did not have her on my watch. I think she will race in the Kentucky Oaks against Stardom Bound and maybe Be Smart. Hear me now, I believe if there is a horse that can beat Stardom Bound, Rachel is by far talented enough, if not more talented. After winning the Martha Washington Stakes, I expect big things from Ms. Rachel. Handicappers have to love the life time 7-4-2-0 record.
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So apparently there are a decent amount of people that are enjoying the new TV series Jockeys. Here is a very recent interview with Chantal.
You can watch full episodes on the Animal Planet website now.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/jockeys/index.html
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Side Notes:
Arrrrr has won his first race this year!
February 22, 2009 at PHILADELPHIA PARK in Race 6.
He is now 4-1-1-0 with $15,234 for 2009
Pireatesonthelake barely finished second to Hellvelyn in an incredibly fast race at Gulfstream Park today. It was a GREAT race.
Workouts:
Horse name Atomic Rain
Notes Derby Potential
Activity type Workout
Activity date 02-26-2009
Track Palm Meadows
Surface Dirt
Distance 3 Furlongs
Workout type Handily
Workout time 0:35.80
Track condition Fast
Horse name Terrain
Notes Derby Potential
Activity type Workout
Activity date 02-25-2009
Track Fair Grounds
Surface Dirt
Distance 5 Furlongs
Workout type Breezing
Workout time 1:00.40
Track condition Fast
Horse name Capt. Candyman Can
Notes Derby Potential
Activity type Workout
Activity date 02-25-2009
Track Palm Meadows
Surface Dirt
Distance 4 Furlongs
Workout type Breezing
Workout time 0:50.00
Track condition Fast
Big Bad Leroybrown
Date: February 26, 2009
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:20 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 15/48
Frank the Barber
Date: February 24, 2009
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 34:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 1/7
Obi Wan Kenobi
Date: February 23, 2009
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:20 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 10/27
