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. 

Curlin might not be the King of Pop, but he is the King of Romp. I am determined to go to Churchill Downs Saturday to watch the ruling power of the race course in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).

It is also the fact he is racing against other favorites of mine that I am excited about, Einstein and Brass Hat! Not to mention Thorn Song, another favorite, has raced against Einstein a few different times and just won this past weekend at Churchill Downs. He just happened to beat Obi Wan Kenobi in his Churchill Downs race. In the race before, Thorn Song finished off the board behind Einstein in the Woodford Turf Classic (Gr. IT) on Derby Day.

Caption: Einstein after Woodford Reserve Turf Classic
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Now, like old friends in various touring bands, they get to play together in the same venue. I will continue to state how much I love turf racing, way more than dirt. But to see the royalty of the racing world against good competition on the dirt...even though it is a week late, that is a birthday present worth accepting without a doubt. The significant revelation made to me about this race is that Einstein is leaving the grass to play in the dirt.

How will the turf oriented power house run against the versatile Brass Hat and the ever dominating Curlin? I want to see how well he does. What a great thing it would be to see Einstein prove himself on the dirt and hit the board!

Brass Hat is a grade I winner on dirt, a stakes winner on Polytrack and grade II-placed on turf. I first heard his name when I started at Blood-Horse last July. Then followed his name and career through today.

Truth be told, Einstein may not race in the Stephen Foster, but one can hope and pray. He was ready to race in the June 7 Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) prior to the whole liscensing issue a week or so ago. So if he is ready, let's let him greet Curlin at the starting gate.

Read up on Churchill Downs release on the race here.
 

Video: Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (Gr. I) 2008

Video: FAIR GROUNDS, 2007-03-10, Race 7

Einstein:
Woodford Turf Classic - May 3, 2008 (as seen on youtube video): http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=32323
Maker's Mark Mile - April 11, 2008: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=31838
Gulfstream Turf S. - Feb. 23, 2008: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=31046
Muniz H. - March 10, 2007 (same as youtube video): http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=23983
Gulfstream BC Turf: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=16602

I could just as easily not mention the videos of Curlin or Brass Hat, but you can find their races on YouTube or RaceReplays.com also.


Caption: Funny Typo in Thorn Song's Paddock Sign Prior to Woodford Turf Classic
Photo: Amidala
 

---
Update:

Curlin Expected to Make Stephen Foster (Preview) 

Three Derby horses are also set to run in the Northern Dancer. Pyro, Recapturetheglory, and Visionaire are listed.
 

There are a great number of horses that hold cherished names from the Star Wars saga.  The more recent names are the heros and villains I will be touching on in this post.  Let's see if you recognize any of these talented four footed friends.

Dark Vader
Han Solo
Jadei Knight
Lord Vader
Obi Wan
Obi Wan Kenobi
Star Wars Legacy

Though there have been several horses with the name Obi Wan Kenobi, there are two that stand out.  First, there is an Obiwankenobi born April 9, 1975.  This is interesting, because the first movie release for Star Wars was not until May 25, 1977.  1977 is the first year that Obiwankenobi began racing.  His career spanned to 1982 with a total of 53 starts; including two non graded stakes.  Obiwankenobi's record holds four first place finishes, eight second place finishes and thirteen third place finishes.  The next horse I would like to examine is the horse born in 2003.  He is by Skywalker out of Sugah.  He won the Tri-State Handicap at Ellis Park.  So he is a stakes winner as well. 

Obi Wan, not to be confused with Obiwankenobi or Obi Wan Kenobi previously,  is a Gelding by Not For Love out of Hand Me a Star.  He is also a Stakes Winner.  He placed 2nd in the Power by Far Handicap and finished first in the Presidential Affair Handicap at Presque Isle Downs.

Han Solo is by Skywalker out of Risen Starlet.  I really do enjoy watching him race.  He recently won an Allowance race at Delta Downs on Feb. 14th.  Quoted as "Pressing the pace...dueled down the stretch"  What a great description of dueling.  He is 5 years old and had 14 starts.  2 First place, 1 second and 4 third place finishes.  Not too bad.  His most recent win paid 22.50.  Now his owners attempted to bump him up by entering him among a tougher crowd.  He didn't do too well his last race on February 24, 2008 at the Fair Grounds, but he just needs to push himself and he should compete.

Lord Vader is a 4 year old gelding by Devil His Due out of Brass Song.  He has had 8 starts and has a Win, a Place and a Show under his belt.  I remember watching him race at Hawthorne on December 29.  It was a fun claiming race.

Dark Vader has started 5 times with one win under his belt.  Dark Vader is by Point Given out of Saint Emilia (PER), and it is necessary for me to emphasize Point Given for my fellow horse enthusiast Jason Shandler.

Notable Mention:

Obi Wan Kenobi and Han Solo are both bred by Arthur B. Hancock.  Both horses are also by the stallion Skywalker.

I know there are more Star Wars themed horses out there, so help me find them and let's post our findings here.

Segue:

You may think that following Star Wars horses is a foolish task, but the theory of betting on names I have suggested, does pay.  Or it could be that Fred Craggs, mentioned in this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/od_nm/millionaire_dc_1), has seen past performances for these horses and knew who was doing well in 2008.

Either way, this story must be shared.  It is Beautiful.  After experiencing life for sixty years, what a way to celebrate! 

I read this recent article, forwarded by a coworker, from Reuters.  A man celebrating his sixtieth birthday became an instant millionare from $1 bets at a race track in England.  The two horses the article mentions are "Isn't That Lucky (GB)" and "A Dream Come True (GB)".  As a man celebrating his birthday, these horses would catch the eye for betting by name alone.

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.