Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Householder — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:38:12 GMT

The Rock. I think Hollendorfer dropped Hystericalady into an optional allowance/claiming race against the boys at Bay Meadows long before she became the richest horse from Northern California. Take a look at her graded stakes record with wins over about 10 different tracks. Hollywood, Churchill, Oaklawn, Delaware, Monmoth, etc. etc. She almost took Ginger Punch in the Goo Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic time and then ran into that buzz saw Zenyatta.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

mz — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:24:30 GMT

I like regional horses.

Inglorious in the Alabama.

Where IS my boyfriend, Ted?

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

The Rock — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:12:48 GMT

Jason,

Any predictions for the football season that's starting next month?

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Weekend — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:36:37 GMT

So, Kathmanblu and Mo had the same ailment, both went to Winstar to get better, and are both training well at the Spa. I know going against Winter Memories is no easy task, and I expect Winter to roll, but Kat should have a much better showing now that she is healthy. She has gained more than 60 pounds since the Oaks, so leave her out of exotics at your own risk.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Bob from Boston — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:19:47 GMT

Thanks for the tip Jason. I'm on it. I miss Ted from LA. He was like a brother to me. I'm glad to hear he is still close to the horses. Does he mostly groom the front (Dr. D) or back (Dray) side of the horses?

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

GunBow — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:33:53 GMT

Next weekend is going to be epic.

The Saratoga races should be great, although for selfish reasons I wouldn't mind seeing Blind Luck go in the Pacific Classic rather than the Personal Ensign.

The Pacific Classic should have a real eclectic field. The headliners will be the top maintrack performers Game on Dude and Twirling Candy. But the field could be bolstered by turf stars Acclimation(3-time grade 1 winner) and Bourbon Bay(5-time graded stakes winner), as well as Caracortado and Jeranimo. Blind Luck would give the field a true superstar name, and make the race relevant to the Horse of the Year debate.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Matthew W — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:30:15 GMT

Don't run that little filly v males--heck, if they stay v fillies they could get HOY--only Tizway stands in their way right now--and how bout those Tiznows, like Well Armed, like Budroyale, Tizway gets better with age--and mind you, those were two monster performances--he looks like he'll stay like a mother in law at 1 1/4--good luck trying to beat him--1 1/4 one turn J C Gold Cup, then it's the two-turn test of the Classic--it's his (HOY) to lose, and good luck trying to beat him! I've been a Blind Luck guy since her Oak Leaf, I don't need to see her v males--as if Harve isn't enough of a challenge--she is! Keep those grand dames v each other, neither one belongs with males--especially Blind Luck!

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

GunBow — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:28:36 GMT

I usually keeps tabs of horses I get to see run in person, and I was able to see Star Guitar when he was 3rd in the 09' Alysheba at Churchill on Derby weekend. But, because he didn't go on to major stakes success, his name started fading from my memory.

Half a year later, I kept on seeing articles of Star Guitar winning Louisiana bred stakes; the name sounded familar, and I realized I had seen him run in person. Since then I have kept tabs on his career and have been rooting him on.

In the Ohio bred ranks, Catlaunch is like Star Guitar, but even older.

When I was in Michigan, there was a filly/mare named Valley Loot who captured 4 straight Michigan Sire Stakes(held each year). Unfortunately, with Pinnacle closed this year, I'm not sure if there will be any Michigan bred stakes races. Mt. Pleasant scraped some dates together, but so far they haven't offered any stakes.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Jason Shandler — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:12:51 GMT

Bob: I think Ted is now a groom for TC winner Caracortado. Try milling around his barn and you might run imto him.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Bob from Boston — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:46:10 GMT

Tiznowbaby and Linda in Texas, You two are the best cyber friends a basement dweller in his mother's house could ask for. I haven't seen the sunshine in 4 years accept on TVG. Jason, can you figure out a way to get Ted from LA back?

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Linda in Texas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:59:00 GMT

Jason i too chime in for Star Guitar and watch Louisiana Races all the time as many are trained in Texas and travel thru my little town all the time on their way to Louisiana.

I get to see lots of them parked at a Chili's and a chicken place that is well known and get to see some of them en route. Maybe not Star Guitar, but nonetheless troupers of the track to me.

And i agree there is no good reason to move Star Guitar anyplace else. Why ruin a good thing by vanning Star Guitar some place else? He's home, leave him be.

While you are here reading Jason's article, please read the story about 'Union Rag's Special Win Hope For Sire's Line' written by Jason's fellow Bloodhorse.com writer Alan Porter. It is a nice story and it is real. You will see what devotion some owners will expend in the money department when they know a good thing.

Good Luck Union Rags (whose dam Tempo was a Gone West Mare), i find Gone West's name in a lot of bloodlines. Maybe Union Rags can carry on in his sire's footsteps.

Thanks Jason.

And Tiznowbaby - I agree with you, Bob from Boston's comments give one a minute of joy every time he posts. Thanks Bob from Boston.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Tiznowbaby — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:22:20 GMT

On this really lousy day, thank god for Bob from Boston. :)))

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Bob from Boston — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:30:59 GMT

Aspercel, It takes a big man/woman to admit you were in the wrong. I now respect you more than anyone else on this blog and in my real life. Nurse Drunkinbum, the famous Nurse Drunkinbum, is a close second. I actually no longer have a real life. I only live in cyberspace and order food and drink via the net too. I have 42 handles (43 counting Ted from LA). My favorite place to blog is on the Fiber One website. Blind Luck is Horse of the Year. I owned two horses who won more races than The Green Monkey... so I have that going for me.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

The Rock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:25:25 GMT

Householder,

Actually Hollendorfer has run his fillies against the boys a couple of times. Pike Place Dancer comes to mind. She won the Cal Derby before the KY Oaks. I'm sure he did the same thing with Lite Light. There was another big time filly he trained that he ran against the boys thats slipping my mind right now. But it wouldn't surprise me if he pointed to the Classic with her. This guy is fearless the way he's handled her with the cross country flights.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Slew — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:24:10 GMT

I always make it a point to watch Star Guitar's races...he is a great horse to watch.

Arian...why does he have to move on? He's a rock star in Louisiana, and he keeps on winning. I say more power to his connections who place him in races they feel are suited to him. And I hope I keep seeing Win Willy keep rocking the house at Oaklawn Park. Not all horses are grade 1 competitors, but some competitors still have a champion's heart.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

The Rock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:14:29 GMT

What's up everyone! Been M.I.A. for a bit. Busy getting this new business started. I've been able to play the ponies but not comment much.

How about the King's Bishop. Uncle Mo, The Factor & Flashpoint. That is going to be one hell of a race.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Householder — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:08:15 GMT

With Hollendorfer keeping Blind Luck at 1 1/4 do they have their eyes on the Breeder's Cup Classic and HOY? He rarely runs girls against the boys.

She certainly enjoys Churchill Downs.

Today's work at Del Mar:

6f 1:13 2/5

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:46:40 GMT

I stay up late to watch Star Guitar when he runs. Being in state-bred competition isn't a knock - he's doing great where he is, so why mess up a good thing? Peppers Pride stayed in New Mexico and did very well for herself as well. I hope he stays sound, keeps running well and reaches that record. That is an achievement his trainer and owners can be proud of.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Householder — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:50:10 GMT

It's nice to have horses who consistently bring thier "A" game and trainers who know where to place them.

As for the best female in the country, Blind Luck...Pacific Classic against a 1 1/4 suspect Twirling Candy or Personal Ensign against H-D Grace yet again?

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Arian Haxhillari — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:14:20 GMT

After all this success is time for Star Guitar to move to a graded stake race or retire. Doing other than means nothing. He has proven he can win in LA but not proven anything in the upper level. If this is what Louisiana has as a best ever I don't think the LA horses are where the breading program in this states intents to be.

Arian Haxhillari.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Cris — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:35:57 GMT

Year after year Quiet American throws the most exciting and impressive winners. Star Guitar is a true superstar in any state and is must be such a thrill to be connected with a horse like that.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Aspercel — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:50:27 GMT

sorry bob!

i'm just excited to have something louisiana to post about :)

i'll keep in mind next time.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

greyghost — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:16:06 GMT

I'm so glad that you chose to pay tribute to Star Guitar. He is truly special. To watch his bevy of races is to become a fan. I am delighted that he will be returning next year!

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

Bob from Boston — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:08:08 GMT

Aspercel,

You're on my list. The tradition here is nobody posts before Bob from Boston. Wecome aboard and get in line and everything will be just fine.

re: Star Guitar Still Strumming Along

calico cat — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:59:25 GMT

What a horse that Star Guitar!!! Thank you Jason for the heads up on a wonderful racehorse and his deserving connections. Love, love stories like that. It must be so rewarding to breed such a warrior, from a mare who was also home-bred.