Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Susan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:44:20 GMT

I LOVE this horse. I have been following him since I first saw him race. I fell in love when he ran in Saratoga at the Kings Bishop and am now completely depressed to think I missed him at Saratoga this year. It is incredibly difficult to search when particular horses are running and that is frustrating. Vineyard Haven will be an unforgettable name, just watch!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Ann in Lexington — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:40:25 GMT

Vineyard Haven was never anybody's idea of a stallion prospect. His sire Lido Palace stayed well enough (Premio St. Leger in Chile - a race also won by his half-sister - and good seconds in the JC Gold Cup and Suburban) but the damside is sprint-oriented. US breeders are painfully xenophobic when it comes to pedigrees with names they don't recognize, so Lido Palace was never going to get the mares his racing prowess (a Whitney, two Woodwards) earned him. And he is small, too; the fashion is for big horses. VH's dam has the blue-est of blue collar pedigrees; you have to go back to the fifth dam to find one gotten by a first class racehorse and sire, and back to the seventh dam to find one that produced any kind of black type horse before Princess Aloha showed up. Interestingly, VH's grey coat goes straight up the female line to his sixth dam, sired by the grey sprinter-miler and chef-de-race Abernant. But I digress.

VH was not purchased as a stallion prospect. He had shown his heels to the best East Coast 2yos so was spoken of as a leading Derby prospect and that prompted his sale to Godolphin. These are the same people who overpaid for so many decent Derby prospects like Ruler's Court. Their concept of money is different from ours.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

peggy7 — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:43:44 GMT

So wonderful to see that a horse from my old mare's family finally vindicated my hopes that she or a daughter would get lucky and come up with something of highest class. Endurance on the part of his breeder should be highly commended as she had faith in her foundation mare,kept breeding her daughters to the best available, had good management and won!

Interestingly, all the produce are gray that I know about, except one, and they are all nice movers that look very much alike. My Spectacular Bid mare from that group looks extremely similar to VH. Gold is where you find it!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

annie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:59:36 GMT

VH.....such a beautiful horse!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

thomas — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:35:53 GMT

Ranagulzion

coldfacts is still mad due to the fact sidney's candy didn't even hit the board in the derby.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

thomas — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:32:41 GMT

bellwether

bobby frankel tricked godolphin into paying 12million for VH. they were originally going to buy him for 3 million but frankel said he would win the derby if all goes well. then they offered 6million for VH. Then bobby said he could win the triple crown. thats when the 12 million came in and that was there final offer and bobby agreed.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Ranagulzion — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:12:07 GMT

COLDFACTS,

Most race fans enjoy "watching the ride" when the jockey is Calvin Borel, therefore you should take your own advice when viewing The Haskell and save your money (be a super saver dude).

Having mentioned Todd Pletcher's history of success in this "Midsummer Classic" a la Bluegrass Cat / Any Given Saturday of yesteryear it should really be a no-brainer for you that Super Saver will likewise improve off his Kentucky Derby form, but alas, you've drawn another unpredictable conclusion. I wouldn't knock First Dude but that colt is becoming a habitual "bridesmaid" (not knowing how to be in front where it matters most. I wish you luck 'cause you're gonna need it friend.

Never mind the excuses for Ice Box in the Derby, a 2 1/2 lengths beating suggests that Super Saver has his measure, not to mention the reduction in distance and that Monmouth Park is kinder to front-running and stalking types. Looking At Lucky and Afleet Again are Super Saver's main dangers.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Ranagulzion — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:07:01 GMT

COLDFACTS,

As always I enjoy sparring with you on th subject of classy thoroughbreds. You should temper your criticism of a good horse in terms of the weak opposition that shows up against them, as you've done with Vineyard Haven. Think about it.

We're agreed on Friend Or Foe for the Jim Dandy but I believe that Super Saver will cause you to smell crow in the Haskell.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Trebloc — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:08:14 GMT

RA to the Personal Ensign. Let's hope Zenayatta is on the next plan to Saratoga. Enjoy the weekend!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

2:24 — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:17:45 GMT

LDP, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing that. I love the owners and trainer of LAL.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Coldfacts — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:35:17 GMT

Jason,

VH is a nice horse that has been overpowering weak opposition and I do not think he merits the attention you have given to him. That said he was visually impressive in his last victory. How could you enquire about Desert Party and not Regal Ransom who defeated him the last two times they met? I have been out of the loop so pardon me if had missed the announcement of his retirement. He is by far the faster of the two.

A horse I think you should be focused on is Skipshot. He seems to be improving along a similar line to that of his late sire Skip Away. Skip Away certainly got better with at late 3 and was a monster as a 4YO. Skipshot is by a rarely seen Sonny’s Halo broodmare which makes him a very interesting colt. Every talented horse sires at least one brilliant prodigy and I think he is the one for the brilliant Skip Away.

Another colt of interest is my pick for the Jim Dandy, Friend or Foe. I predicted sometime ago that Friends Lake will eventually turn out to be A.P. Indy’s best son at stud. A. P. Indy was sired by a HOY (Seattle Slew) and his dam was sired by a HOY (Secretariat) Friends Lake was sired by a HOY (A. P. Indy) and his dam was sired a HOY (Spend A buck) Friend or Foe has no business running 7F in 1:21 and change. His sire Friends Lake was no sprinter and sires of his first and second dams, Unbridled and Crystal Waters were G1 winning routers.

Ranagulzion,

I see you are maintaining your confidence in Super Saver. Emotions must not be a substitute for cold facts. Ice Box was stopped numerous times on horrible track in the derby and still had the best finishing kick. This suggests that SS was a shade lucky to emerge the victor. Do you really believe he will be capable of out running this colt with hopefully less perils? It’s possible but only if Ice Box has regressed. Mr. Pletcher is good but he is not magician. Outside of SS being average, there is a bit of history going against him. Only two derby winner have won the previous 42 runnings of the Haskell. (Big Brown/War Emblem) If you have suddenly dropped into despair, here is bid of information that should reverse your state. Your trainer has won two of the last four running. (Any Given Saturday/Bluegrass Cat) Do you think SS’s ability is comparable to the aforementioned colts? I wagered on First Dude in the Preakness as he looked the best in the post parade. He was in receipt of a horrible ride from the grossly overrated but very average Ramon Dominguez. I am happy that Mr. Romans has come to the realization that you cannot select a boy to do a man’s job. Wager First Dude and WATCH THE RIDE.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Bellwether — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:24:42 GMT

THEY PAID WAY TO MUCH FORE HIM...BUT THEY GOT A LOTTA HEART FORE THEIR BUCKAROO$...ty...

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

thomas — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:19:58 GMT

i hope they stretch him out he's bred for distance

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

jayjay — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:43:42 GMT

I'm just glad they brought back Gayego to the states. From his last race, I think it's pretty obvious he doesn't like synthetics and looking forward to his race in the Vanderbilt.

Haskell picks : Since there's a chance of rain and a sloppy track, I'll definitely stick with IceBox with SS, FD and Trappe Shot and LAL. I had LAL for 2nd in the other blog but with that draw, not sure if he can overcome it specially if the track comes up sloppy (almost like Kentucky Derby again.)

Jim Dandy : Fly Down/Afleet Express with Aikenite and Friend Or Foe. DRF reports Winslow Homer will be running in the Curlin.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

LDP — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:13:50 GMT

2:24

Lucky, IMO, could've been that horse with some cleaner trips. He's never really had an "off" day, just bad trips, excuse me horrible trips. Even with just normal trips we may have had a huge star this spring. Cleaner trips could've left him fresher for the rest of the TC and I have no doubt he would've been right there, if not the winner, if he had run in the Belmont. He may not blow people away by margins, but neither does Zenyatta.

IMO he never really got the chance to show what he was made of this year, because he was so hindered. By the time he did get a decent trip, I would say it was safe to say that some of the spark had been taken out of him.

Hopefully a fresh, more mature, and lucky, Lucky will prove me right in the Haskell.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Footlick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:37:10 GMT

I don't usually give picks, but here they are:

In the Haskell I'll take Uptowncharliebrown, Lookin At Lucky and Our Dark Knight

In the Ruffian I'll take Tasty Temptation, Unrivaled Belle and Malibu Prayer(almost typed Barbie)

In the Diana I'll take Phola, Forever Together and Proviso

In the Jim Dandy I'll take Winslow Homer, Fly Down and take a flyer with Steinbeck even though he probably won't run a lick on dirt.

Good luck everyone!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Pedigree shelly — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:27:55 GMT

2.24 ,I posted my blog before I read yours ! You must have been reading my mind !

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Pedigree Shelly — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:20:30 GMT

I cant't wait for the Haskell !! This should be Trappe Shot's coming out party ! This years 3yr old crop has been boring to say the least ! If Trappe Shot wins the Haskell , we'll have some exciting new blood in the 3yr old division :)

trappe Shot's coming out party !!

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

2:24 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:12:00 GMT

You're right LDP, LAL is a classy horse. I'd like to see one of the others become a blow me away superstar though.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

LDP — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:59:25 GMT

Well, the Haskell is one tough race to try and handicap. My top three are LAL, First Dude, and ODK.

Other horses racing on the Monmouth card I'm interested in watching are Rated Fiesty and Charitable Man. Both have show they can run well, but don't always put forth their best effort.

For the Jim Dandy, I like Afleet Express, Fly Down, and Winslow Homer.

I know the Diana is chalky, but I'm not good at capping turf races. I'll go with Maram, Proviso, and FT.

In the Ruffian I'll take UB, MP, and TT.

Thats all the races I've done for now.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Cowboy Adventure — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:20:28 GMT

Thank you for this interview. I love Vineyard Haven and have been waiting for him to race. That would be great if he made it to the Breeder's Cup. Though I hope he doesn't run against Big Drama - I can't choose between the two! I'd have to go with Big Drama!

Did Rick mention anything about Vale of York? I miss him...I saw him race in the Breeders Cup; he galloped out right in front of me and I knew right then he was going to win the race - what happended to him?

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

In aint easy being good! — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:07:49 GMT

K another question for you guys. With a field for the haskell being very competitive dont you think First Dude has an advantage over everyone else? He has a better post than LAL and Trapp Shotte and has a 4 lbs wieght break on LAL and supersaver. My question is will 4 lbs make a big difference?? I feel like First Dude has a huge advantage over the field.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Paula Higgins — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:54:57 GMT

I like Vineyard Haven too but I don't know that he is the second fastest horse out there right now. That remains to be seen.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Ted from LA — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:43:58 GMT

Try as I may, I cannot think of one clever thing to say between the Belmont Stakes and the Travers. Do you know why dogs lick their own genitals? The answer is so obvious it is embarrassing that I even asked the question. But it does remind me that I need to take up Yoga. However, since I am not really from LA the nearest Yoga joint is probably 640 miles from my nearest mule.

Ted from LA is going into seclusion to try to get in touch with his inner hairy man.

re: Vineyard Haven Should Finally Get His Breeders' Cup Shot

Betsy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:07:49 GMT

Good question about Girolamo - his whole season has been a giant waste of time. I hate that they skipped the whole year with him (with all of these horses) just so they can get maybe 2 or 3 races into them. I haven't heard one peep about Girolamo from Godolphin....frustrating.