After watching the July 24th episode of That Handicaping show, the Equiform peeps had Obi Wan Kenobi as a good price in his upcoming race. The suggestion was to play him as money potential on an exacta and with Obi Wan's past performances, that is a smart bet. After reading the PDF with their predictions I just had to return to a topic which is an oldie but a goodie for me.

The first Star Wars posts were inspired by my good friend Jedi Code. So I delved in and did some research on the far reaches of the Star Wars horse galaxy.

View previous topics here: A Racing Empire, Jedi Powers, A Jedi Enters Keeneland, Jedi Code

BUT FIRST

The video also mentions another favorite horse of mine to follow, Giant Gizmo. I remember handicapping his race during Kentucky Derby day and told Jason Shandler I liked his numbers. Jason liked a different horse but we combined skills and bet some exactas with who we liked. I am not going to lie, the name really helped too, but my handicapping paid off and that is my first real "by the numbers" win for me, which was very exciting. I wish him well and a quick, healthy recovery.

BACK ON TOPIC

So the Equiform pick is listed as: Taking Demarcation to win at 8-1 or greater, boxing him first and second in exactas with equally fast Obi Wan Kenobi (10-1) and Yate’s Black Cat (9-2).

I dived into researching Obi Wan Kenobi, because I remembered he was a stakes winner and he was by Skywalker. Skywalker also made me more curious, because surely he can not have just one Star Wars horse running around, I mean his name simply begs for more related names.

So here are my results from this epic search for Obi Wan Kenobi and Skywalker's histories:

Obi Wan Kenobi by Skwalker out of Sugah:

Breeder: Arthur B. Hancock
Owner: Arthur B. Hancock
Trainer: Frank L. Brothers

Racing Stats:

Won the Tri-State Handicap at Ellis Park Turf on 9/1/2007
2005 at 2 yrs had 2 starts and finished 1st in a MSW at Turfway Park
2006 at 3 yrs had 5 starts with two 1st place finishes and one 2nd place finish
2007 at 4 yrs had 10 starts with three 1st place finishes and three 3rd place finishes
2008 at 5 yrs has 3 starts with one 2nd and one 3rd place finish

Total: 20-6-2-4

Skywalker won 1993 California Leading Sire
Racing History: 20-8-3-3 for $2,226,850 in earnings 1984-1987

Skywalker's Kids with Star Wars related names:
Galaxy Guy - Wnr
Rebel Alliance - Wnr
Jedi Sky - Unraced
Jeddai Judy - Wnr
Luke Skywalker - Wnr
Princess Leia - Unraced
Amidala - Pl
Han Solo - Wnr
Obi Wan Kenobi - SW

Skywalker's Breeders' Cup Classic Win:

Research:

With the help of the Jockey Club, I have done a more indepth research of Star Wars horses in existance. With their website, you can use their search as a very useful tool for naming. The Jockey Club search, searches by name entered, and will give you all horses close to the name. Once you have the name, then search for the specific name on a pedigree site, or past performance site.

There are many Star Wars names out there. I was impressed with how many horses had done well and won big enough races to have their name permanently reserved. Fun Searches are, of course, Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi, Pirate ect... Try finding celebrities, characters and heros you are a fan of. The Jockey Club Rule Book for naming.

Jedi Code:
Referring back to Jedi Code briefly, I forgot to mention a horse I have previously met and saw on my trip to Magdalana.

Ling Ling Qi. I met him when he raced against Jedi Code for the first time. However, he just happens to be based at Kenny McPeek's training facility. So I was able to see him again and ask him how he was doing. Ling Ling Qi has been in some quality races and a great horse to follow. Of course I rather follow Jedi Code, and Ling Ling Qi did beat Jedi Code.

Lets watch Jedi Code break his maiden one more time:




Side Note:

Other naming conventions that prove interesting can be found on this article about the Kentucky Derby contenders and their names.

There was a very fun post on here about naming conventions and names you find interesting out in the industry also, so go read up on that. 

Sorry about the delay, but it has been busy since the crew and I returned from Derby Day.

To read part 1 and catch up with my Derby experiences from the rail, during the Derby race, and to read about my experiences surrounding Eight Belles, click here.

Photo: Robert Bolson

Einstein Solves the Problem:

Photo: Amanda Duckworth

I am a turf fan, if you read my blog you know this by now. So you can naturally guess I was very excited about Einstein and the Woodford Mile. As a huge Einstein fan and saw his race at Keeneland against the turf king, Kip Deville. I watched all the competition in the paddock, but Einstein was just looking great. A beautiful horse with that tongue action going on. Pyro, Tiago and so many others just enjoy that tongue sticking out. I will write a later blog on that.

I had media credentials and wandered across the dirt track to watch the race from the turf-side rail. Meaning I was right at the turn, just past the finish line. The area might be better known as photographers alley, which I did meet a lot of great photographers.

The starting gate position allowed the horses to pass by twice, once as the exited the gate and then twice as they crossed the finish line. Both turns allowed me to be closer to the action than I have ever been before. I felt the wind as the Woodford field romped by and felt the ground shake as the strides hit the ground. It was one of the greatest experiences and who knows when or if I will receive that opportunity again.

Photo: Amanda Duckworth

Read about Einstein and the race here.

Photo: Amanda Duckworth

Photo: Amanda Duckworth

No Gremlins for 'Gizmo:

The previous day, Oaks Day, I called horse number five to win in the Alysheba. Why you ask? Because he is a Giant's Causeway and yes, he won on dirt! Well, it was slop, but still, I called it. Giant Gizmo's name is what sold me, but the numbers on the page looked great as well. 'Gizmo's history at Churchill Downs and on wet dirt tracks was a good indicator that he would have an advantage over his competition.

Of course I had to go put him in an exacta and not go with my gut bet on him to win. I need to get out of the exacta habit. None the less, I say this was a defining moment as a great handicapping sucess.

Read more on Giant Gizmo's brilliant race here.

The first race of Oaks day and several other races throughout Friday and Saturday held many good strides in my handicapping knowledge and gain. I have to give a shout out to Jason Shandler for some of his help in that growth of racing wisdom.

The Stars are Out:

Among the races were lots of celebrities, and I saw most of them. I was able to work the red carpet and was thrilled to see several people in entertainment. Of course the A+ lister was Hef and his ladies, but seeing Lennox Lewis, Fred Willard, Greg Grunberg, Smoky Robinson, Dr. J. and several other celebrity/reality/sports stars was a blast. I have never had that experience before and do not know if I ever will again.

Watch the entertaining sights and sounds of the red carpet from Derby Day here.

Now they are not quite red carpet celebrities, but people who wore crazy hats entertained me almost just as much. It just seems like there was something everywhere. It was an experience that was a blast.

The most fun, hands down, was watching the races on the rail and having access inside the paddock for the week. It was amazing.

Fun BloodHorse.com Video: ATO and other Derby sights and sounds:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/Videos/SectionVideo/2840586e-8164-415c-ae45-ea1e8ffd783c.htm
http://www.bloodhorse.com/Videos/SectionVideo/c4480ae0-a3d9-4cdd-8b66-5e1762ef0519.htm

Derby Sights and Sounds Photo Gallery by Robert Bolson.