Clark Handicap Analysis

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Carlos in Cali — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:58:48 GMT

Jason, delete RuPaul's,Andy Dick's & Carmen Electra's # from your cellphone immediately.Just in case! :( remember,what u do in SoCal,stays in SoCal.....

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Householder — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:36:20 GMT

So what do we do with Ventura? Informed Decision is 7 for 7 on the synthetics. Do we hold this against her?

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

LDP — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:21:30 GMT

Carolyn and Laz,

No problem at all. Just because she is not my favorite does not me I don't like her, in fact I love her. If you want to watch the speeches and end of the parade go to Youtube and search for "Zenyatta Day". There are three parts and I think the one I put up was the second.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:48:55 GMT

LDP

Thanks for giving us the You Tube video, re: Zenyatta's day at Holly Park. This is special to a lot of people. I give you a Double Grade A and no homework for the rest of the week. Have a fun day.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Householder — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:55:59 GMT

Zenyatta ran past Ginger Punch like she was a 62,500 claimer on dirt. 4 1/2 length victory...looked more like 5-1/2. But hey this is not the last 50 seconds of the USC-UCLA game.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Householder — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:51:15 GMT

The Usual QT. Let's hear if for Cal Breds and geldings! I think 2 Cal Breds won Breeder's Cup races as well.

I watched the TVG Zenyatta DVD. I bet on Gio Ponte and Einstein, who appeared to be forwardly placed, and ran a very poor race during the BC after his Santa Anita Handicap score. After his last effort over the weekend, I find this very difficult to understand. His trainer really hasn't said much about his poor effort. It obviously wasn't too serious.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

steve s — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:57:29 GMT

The fastest turf horse is The Usual QT in America-Also most likely Pressios Passion is faster than Gio Ponti

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Mike Relva — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:55:43 GMT

HOUSEHOLDER

Thanks! Wish I was there yesterday.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

carolyn — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:04:14 GMT

Thankyou, LDP.

Enjoyed it so much.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Householder — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:17:51 GMT

Mike Relva. Zenyatta's 4 1/2 length win on DIRT was only her fourth start, first grade 1, and came against the defending Eclipse award winning mare on a track OUTSIDE of CA. This is what my Zenyatta sign I picked up yesterday at Hollywood Park says.

I'm glad to see Bo was present in the Winner's Circle for the Usual QT. I think Take the Points has seen enough of California. The crowd was none to pleased with Gov. Square Jaw.

Kind of an emotional weekend for Zenyatta fans as well as Bobby Frankel fans.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

GunBow — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:56:11 GMT

The next step for the Breeder's Cup to be the true World Thoroughbred Championships is to draw horses from Asia and Australia. Of course, the Euros think racing starts and ends in Europe, and while we North Americans have expanded our knowledge to the Euro scene, most still pay relatively little attention to racing in Asia and Australia(us on this blog being an exception since we are true fans). However, there can be little doubt after watching yesterday's Japan Cup, and the last 15 Japan Cups for that matter, that Japanese horses can compete anywhere in the world. Conduit appeared absolutely sluggish facing a pace featuring multiple horses travelling at breakneck speeds. I have absolutely no doubt that Vodka, with her great tactical speed and ability to carry it at least 12 furlongs, could be an absolute superstar in the States. And Oken Bruce Lee put in a final 2 furlongs at least in the ballpark with Zarkava and Zenyatta.

The problem for N.America and Europe in attracting Japanese horses is that outside of prestige and national pride, Japanese owners have little incentive to leave the Far East. The purses in Japan and even Hong Kong for its big festivals are so good that most of the Japanese horses in yesterday's Japan Cup had made at least $4 million.

As a side note, look at the past performances of the Japan Cup and notice how many of the Japanese horses were aged 5 or older. When purses from racing are at least close to breeding profits, owners keep their horses in training longer. Figure that.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

LDP — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:28:05 GMT

Third times a charm. I can't believe how long this is taking, lol. Here you are Carolyn, this is the ACTUAL parade.

www.youtube.com/watch

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Tiznowbaby — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:49:34 GMT

Steve S, I think Gio Ponti is the best turf horse in America -- at least up to 1 1/4.

I don't think Conduit can be considered an American horse.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

gw_bushwacker — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:56:42 GMT

nay nay,

So ya picked one winner. Big deal, he was the 2nd choice so i suppose that's an improvement for you who usually picks favorites. I see it was back to the same when VH got whipped. Another one of your can't miss picks misses. Keep tooting your own horn, it's the only way it's going to get blown.

Zenyatta HOY!!

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Emily — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:54:03 GMT

Soldier Course - I agree with you about the two year old preps. Super Saver cut pretty impressive splits for a 2yo, and then was able to re-kick beautifully. I thought they had him on the turn. In the Remsen, it was almost as though the rest of the field was backing up, instead of Buddy's Saint accelerating. Big strided horses can give that impression though sometimes even when it's not true!

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

steve s — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:51:20 GMT

I know who is best tuf horse in America-The Usual QT

Since he hot now-send to Dubai for the Easy money-most likely could have given Vodka arun for Japen cup

Conduit gave America a bad showing and he ran his best while running 4th

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

The Phantom — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:55:38 GMT

Kudos to Draynay for his[i assume he' a he]] pick of Blame.Einstein put in a great finish.Buddy did look impressive, lets hope he improves next year when new 3 yr old Phenom Phantoms will make the scene.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Mike Relva — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:04:12 GMT

LDP

Hey! Glad you had a good Thanksgiving. Mine was ok,thanks! Will be flying Tuesday to Calif. to visit my gf and going to spend a few days in Palm Springs. Did you like New Moon? BTW I also watched Zenyatta yesterday.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

carolyn — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:38:04 GMT

LDP,

Do you or anyone else have a link to Zenyatta being paraded. I wasn't home and didn't get to watch it. If anyone has a link to pictures or video of that could you please paste it or write it on here for me, You too Jason, if you have a link. Thankyou

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Pasturelands — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:44:55 GMT

"In the future I promise to be a little more careful throwing around my amazing talent and ability"-- Very funny, Dray, so funny. Congrats on the Call on Blame, that was a lucky one! Blame did win the Clark!

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

GunBow — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:35:44 GMT

While Buddy's Saint was visually impressive in the Remsen, the final time was only 1/5th faster than the Demoiselle and 2 seconds slower than Flashing's Gazelle. This translated into an 80 Beyer for Buddy's Saint, which combined with the slow final fractions, tempers my enthusiasm. As for Flashing, this dual grade 1 winner(Test + Gazelle) lost to Rachel by how much in the Mother Goose? So much for any talk of Rachel's "weak" competition. Both Rachel and Zenyatta faced the very best, and beat them each time(Zenyatta for her entire career, for Rachel starting in last year's Golden Rod).

Just as visually impressive to me as Buddy's Saint, and much more so according to times, was Super Saver in the Kentucky Jockey Club. As should be expected, his time was almost 2 seconds faster than what the juvenile fillies posted in the Golden Rod. The fact he was close to the pace but was able to re-kick in the stretch should make him a threat throughout the Derby prep season.

The Cigar Mle was certainly an exciting race. Bribon, a horse I saw run poorly last out in the Woodbine Mile, ran back to his Met Mile win with a game 2nd. Vineyard Haven was equally as game, and is proving himself one of the toughest frontrunners around. However, it was Kodiak Kowboy getting up for the win, his 3rd gr.1 of the year. The Eclipse Award for top sprinter is totally in the air with Kodiak, Zensational, Fabulous Strike, California Flag, and Dancing in Silks all contenders. While valliant, I just wouldn't be able to vote(if I had one) for Fabulous Strike, given that he repeatedly came up just a little short in the big events. This, even though he is the most consistent 6 furlong dirt horse of the bunch.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

GunBow — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:18:08 GMT

Wow, another female racehorse wins one of the world's biggest races. Ho-hum.

Actaully, Vodka win seemed to strike the same chord in Japan that Zenyatta's win in the Classic and Rachel's win in the Woodward struck in the US. As Steve Haskin noted, we've had Makybe Diva, Zarkava, Goldikova, Rachel, Z, Vodka, and Ventura win gr.1s over males all over the world(Australia, Europe, US, Japan, and Canada).

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

GunBow — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:13:55 GMT

Great to see Zenyatta at the track today, although I waited for about 5 minutes in the paddock area. Having been at Hollywood all weekend, the track didn't make it clear where she would making her entrance(on the backstretch and then the clubhouse turn and down the stretch the wrong way before turning around). Compared to Breeder's Cup day, Zenyatta was amazingly docile, except when Mike Smith climbed aboard for a few minutes. That's when she started pawing with her right front leg, with Smith egging on the crowd as each round of cheering brought more pawing. These horses defintely know who are on their backs.

As for the Hollywood Derby, The Usual QT is 100% the legit real deal. He absolutely dominated by far the deepest field of 3 year old turfers, winning for the 5th straight time since being put back on turf after running 2nd on turf in a maiden race earlier in the year. Again, while Fluke was impressive winning the Citation with a 104 Beyer, the male turf division in Cali is not the strongest, and a horse like the Usual QT could have another big year in 2010. Interestingly, geldings ran 1-2 in the Hollywood Derby(Battle of Hastings 2nd) and Unusual Heat Cal-breds ran 1-3(Acclamation), and horses exiting the Oak Tree Derby ran 1-2-3.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

Kat — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:08:33 GMT

I'd like to see grass female go to Ventura.

re: Clark Handicap Analysis

LDP — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:03:57 GMT

Mike,

Hey! How are you? I had a fairly decent Thanksgiving. No parties, just me and the rest of the family in a nice quiet (for once) dinner. We got out of school and went to see New Moon, which was REALLY good, lol. I got to play with my little cousin, he is just too cute! I was able to spend some time with my dirt/dust ball horses. The only thing that would make it better is I and some others could actually learn to shut up and stop arguing, blog wise. To top it off, I got to, not live, see Zenyatta parade. I didn't get to see Curlin last year, and even though she is not my favorite I still actually like her. It was such a treat that I'm going to write about it on my blog.

Well that just about wraps up my Thanksgiving vacation, lol. How did yours go?