Recently I glanced at a horse classified section. There was an ad promoting a company that exists to help name horses. I thought to myself, "man, I really enjoy brainstorming and coming up with clever ideas and names. I want to get paid for doing something fun like that." So, the gears started turning in my head.

Some people look to name their horse by using names in the first or second generation of the horse's pedigree or by combining the names of the sire and dam. Yet others come up with clever themes and related names. Sometimes a meaningful name of a family member is used.

Some of the names that have come to pass, the great and outright strange. Some names have a historical or geographic significance, which are fun to research and discover.

Great examples of this are The Green Monkey, Giant's Causeway, Sir Shackelton, and Pollard's Vision. The Green Monkey is a golf course in South America; Giant's Causeway being pillars in Ireland; Sir Shackelton lead the arctic exploration; and Pollard's Vision refers to Seabiscuit's jockey and his vision impairment.

I was challenged to search out the meaning behind these names by an editor and the history behind them was very fun to discover.

My co-worker Marta really likes the name Belly Rub, because he is by Buddah.

For us newbies, there are rules that have to be abided by in these naming conventions. Racehorses must be registered, and the Jockey Club regulates their names. There are rotations (meaning names in use can eventually be reused), copy right issues, and many circumstances that exist.

A good example of a name that probably would not pass in America is Irish-bred Cute Ass. It passed in Europe, but the U.S. Jockey Club probably would not permit it. However, sometimes names get by in America because of clever innuendoes, clever spellings, or pronunciation.

To learn more about registering and naming in America, visit:
https://www.jockeyclub.com and for naming guidelines, read: Naming with the Jockey Club

Or maybe try visiting http://thoroughbrednamingspecialists.com/ 

Some hypothetical names I thought were fun:
Jedi Code - Risen Starlet = Death Star
Z Humor - Tickeled = Something Wonderful
Court Vision - Thumbelina = Short Vision
Kodiak Kowboy - Cosmogirl by Cosmonaut = Space Kowboy

One co-worker CN suggested : Wandering Prowler - Feisty = Andrew the Cat
and another co-worker ER suggested: Brass Hat - Painted Lady = Pain in the Brass

This must come full circle now. There are so many creative and fun names out there. What are some of your favorite names that currently exist?
What are some fun names you might want to create or see?
(Don't make it too vulgar or I can't publish the idea)
Any good stories behind a horse that you named?

Feel free to share!

Jedi Code entered the victory circle on Oct. 31st, 2007.  Churchill Downs felt good under his hoofs that day and race 7 was as sweet as can be.  He stalked the pack and won with a 3 1/2 widening lengths. Now the Churchill result does mention that he Stumbled at the start, but he is always slow at the start.  I didn't bet this race though, which may be the superstitious part of racing I have picked up on.

Juddmonte was proud of Jedi Code's efforts, they posted the event on their site the next day.  I have a printout of it.  It exclaimed "Another Impressive First Crop Winner for Empire Maker."

Breaking his maiden was such a lift.  Not that morale was down, but lifted further up so to say.  When entered in the right race, Jedi Code can perform and close a race.  I say that, because he needs some speed in the front and a distance to close with.  As he is on the road to the Kentucky Derby, it is nice to see he won at Churchill Downs, because that means he can be competitive on their track.

This win also led to Jedi Code being mentioned in his first auction listing in the Keeneland January Winter Mixed Sale.  Hip 483 Bay Filly (Empire Maker-Versailles Treaty) has him listed as a money earner for Empire Maker. 

Jedi Code's third race on November 24, 2007 held a 5th place finish for Jedi Code.

A fourth start awaited Jedi Code on a bleak day in Gulfstream.  I had been anticipating this race, while following his workouts for some time.  He did receive a bulleted workout previous to this race.  The hype had grown around the company also, there was a large plan to gather and watch this wonderful horse.  Even Seth Merrow, from Equidaily on the Capital OTB Network, mentioned he liked Jedi Code "as recommended by staff at the Blood-Horse."  So I have grown a lot of respect for Mr. Merrow through this public advertisement of Jedi Code.  Anyway,  the hype was growing.

Side note:
Can you name the most famous hype man of all time, arguably?  Hint, he has been on his own tv show for a while now.  Give Up?  Flava Flav, from Public Enemy was the correct answer for the hype man.

Hype is so exciting, I could not believe Jedi Code was being supported so well.   This is the first race where I was really taught how to read the PP's aka Past Performances and really see who had speed up front, if there was enough speed to set up Jedi Code, being a Stalker, or if the speed up front was too much for him to catch up to.  None the less, with Ling Ling Qi and a few other good horses, including Jerkins "the giant killer"'s entry, I felt comfortable Jedi Code had a chance.  So I placed a bet.  I couldn't help but think the last time I bet, he had lost, but that was his first start and I could not let that rattle me.  I believe in my boy!

Alas, it was time for the race and what happens?  There is a delay.  Why?  We did not know, for a full half hour there was a delay and his race was pushed back minute by minute. The cameras were not working and mass panic was amuck in the office and Mr. Merrow was exclaiming, "We have to see Jedi Code race."  Okay,  maybe not mass panic.  Finally a video feed came through the web...as the TV had to move on.  Yet the horses were still marching around in the paddock, what a bummer.  The time continued to be pushed back with the horses and jockeys not anywhere near a post parade.  Next the cameras revealed Jockeys and trainers hopping off and unstrapping horses.  The news came, power outages hit Gulfstream.  The last two races are cancelled for the day.  My heart sank, but Jedi's name is out there now, so not all is lost.  Alas, my betting must be cursed.

The following week Jedi Code and most of the original field raced.  I definitely did not want to bet this race though.  I completely shut down Gulfstream with my last bet and two bets in a row on Jedi proved him to fail and then not permit him to even race.  So for a change in luck, I let other handicappers bet this race.  Maybe he would hit the board this time. He failed to hit the board finishing fifth again, but at least I am not afraid of my betting curse now.  This fifth place finish was close though, a neck off from nabbing fourth.  I struggle though, because Jedi's typical jockey, Calvin Borel, has switched tracks and a different jockey, who handled Jedi a little different, rode him.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

Jedi Code was nominated for the Derby (Feb 4, 2008).

I cannot tell you the last time I had been to the Keeneland racetrack, or if I ever had been inside the track.  So this was a big event for me, to run around at the track, actually knowing what was going on and what I was doing.  Observing Biancone walking around, after laying out so many stories about him and so many more faces and people I have come to know through my work.  I did not anticipate the price of ink pens though, that threw me off.  I will always bring my own ink pen from now on and that two bucks for the program.

Admittedly, I was intimidated by the betting window, so I opted for the electronic machines to buy my ticket.  The bet takers look so stern and serious, besides, I'm a tech savvy guy.  I first had to plan my strategy in the program, it took me some time, I can often be indecisive.  I had figured out what horse to put in my exacta...then box it...because I had no idea how things would roll with Jedi.  So I teamed him up with one of the favorites.

Alas, I approached the ticket machine, there was a security guard and a guy changing out printing paper...so I was nervous and messed up my first order attempt, so I had to step back because I had no idea what I really did on that machine, but nothing printed out or money was taken, too many choices.  I do know I successfully navigated to my race and to the horses I wanted to bet.  There are so many options and colors on these things, it is like playing a very complicated, text based strategy game.  I am a visual learner and still had problems.

After the security guard and plaid wearing 60s man changed out machines, a few people went up to order their tickets.  I attempted it again with much better luck.  Yep, but I do not know what I did again, but a ticket printed out with my money on it. So I humbly gave up and ventured toward the Newbie "Helpful" window for betting.  The lady looked like our everyday grandmother and was helpful, but she was super serious.  She asked if the ticket I had was a winning ticket, and of course it was, it had my ten bucks on it.  I liked how the ticket just slid down the front of the betting machine she had.

I walked out to the track, by the finish line.  I wanted to be close to the action. 

Jedi Code entered the post parade at Keeneland, on a brisk fall day.  My exacta box was in hand, I placed five bucks on it, to prove my loyalty to Jedi's first start.

After the post parade, I saw Jedi Code and his aura glowing.  He looked a little uptight though, and I should have known the signs before he was placed in the gate.  He did throw Calvin "the rail" Borel off three times and was putting up a fuss.  Jedi was holding up the race a bit and was making the natives a little nervous.  I liked that though, make the horses think you are a little crazy, they may avoid you more.  That was pretty entertaining and the crowd was amused by the antics, but I knew I liked that spark, but deep down felt he wasn't going to win this race.  I did not give up though.

Jedi Code did not do horrible.  It was exciting to see him at the turn and listen to the thunder approaching.  Being adjacent to the finish line was wonderful as he dashed across.  Jedi did not win, or place, or show or complete the superfecta, but he finished and that finished my day, so Jedi and I left knowing we started a new part of our lives.

But the next race will be different. 

Notable Mention:

So we had Cowboy Cal versus Why Tonto recently.  I have to admit, how could you not play that exacta on names alone, you feel me? 

Now let me take this one step further, and this blew my mind!  It appears these two comrades of the track have met before.  That is not the even the crazy part.  The January 1st, 2008 race was the Tropical Park Derby and Cowboy Cal finished in first place as Why Tonto grabbed second place. 

Fast forward to the Hallendale Beach Stakes on February 16, 2008.  Why Tonto finished first and guess who finished second...yep, Cowboy Cal placed second.  That solidifies my decision to always box an exacta on these two or bet that they will team up to dominate the races they are in together. 

So yeah, that is something new I learned and had to share.  The names alone call for the exacta, I just threw in the other stuff to further my argument.  Oh,  I can't forget to tell you that Cowboy Cal is by Giant's Causeway who I am a huge fan of.

 Jedi Code.

  The name captured me at the first mention.  I am a huge fan of Star Wars and have thoroughly investigated the many horses who have related names, but that is another story.  Jedi Code and I have a rich history and I have many stories to tell about him.  

  Jedi Code is by Empire Maker out of the Secretariat Mare, Listen Well.  I do like Empire Maker and who doesn't like Secretariat mares?  The name is clever in the sense that Jedi Code relates to Empire and Listen...because Jedi's are wise and counsel The Republic in Star Wars and Empire...well, that is self explanatory.

  He tends to be a stalker and will be slow from the gate only to catch up during the mid point of the races.  Jedi Code has been promoted by me often around the office and to all my friends.  It has kind of become a house horse, despite his humble representation on the track so far.  He has a spark and potential...his relatives were greater in their three/four year old racing days.

  My goal is for Jedi Code to race in the Kentucky, Derby.  I don't think he will honestly win, but just for him to be known and to have that under his belt.  I will never give up on him, he is my horse.  Where is Yoda to help in training when you need him?
 
Look for my first Keeneland race with Jedi Code's first start, The Maiden is Broken and Gulfstream Mischief.