Beware of the Second Wave

re: Beware of the Second Wave

katherine — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:24:02 GMT

TRAPPE SHOT!!! TRAPPE SHOT!!!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Fran Loszynski — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:37:31 GMT

Dr. D. after reading your blogs and reading your expertise I'm so glad you too feel Alex will have a Triple Crown foal someday. Could even be next year folks!

Cheryl: You're in it as a true fan of Alex. I'm editing it and will get the okay from the owners (to be sure everything is correct) before I publish it. I'm hoping to have proceeds to go to Alex's Lemonade Stand and the owners of Alex. I have everything I could possbily want in life. I met the fastest racehorse in my lifetime-Afleet Alex.

mz---I never met Ruffian but when I made my first trip to the Belmont track I knew she was there. What a fitting tribute to be buried under the Belmont flag. A Fred Jones -Wow!

Deborah- Plan in advance the hat you'll wear come Triple Crown Day. I would think a nice "peppermint-color!" for Alex.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Exactabox — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:11:50 GMT

Afleet Alex had 2 winners yesterday - both trained by Tim Ritchy, Alex's Vision in an ungraded stakes at Philadelphia Park and Elite Alex the 2Yr old - (Take him to Saratoga Tim!) won!! There were also at least 3 second place finishes on the first crops..Syo Defenceman for one.

I have never been attached to a breeding line...but as a huge fan of Alex's...this is getting interesting!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Gary — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:30:21 GMT

Afleet Express looks like he will only get better and I know Golden Itiz looks like he could be a monster. If he takes to real dirt, Watch Out!!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Footlick — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:29:46 GMT

Matthew W- I hate to burst your bubble but Zarkava is firmly cemented in history. If it isn't American racing history, or your own personal history, then it isn't. But I can assure you there isn't a historical crack big enough in European racing history to swallow her up and be forgotten.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

berttheclock — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:22:36 GMT

@Matthew W, interesting the mention of Charlie and Bobby complaining to the racing secretaries. Yes, Charlie could storm the offices of Jimmy Kilroe?, the boss of Lew Elkins and demand weights be lightened. However, weight almost cost him the day Herat got away at 110 pounds and Charlie's steed was all out to nose him in the Big 'Cap. Or, Charlie complaining that Greinton should have less than Hooper's great runner. But, the funny thing about this, when Charlie and Bobby were asked by a LA Times reporter to comment for his article on weight, they both pooh poohed extra weight. Charlie spoke of the horses being large animals. Bobby said weight might make a difference out of the gate. So, it was one thing to the paper and, quite another behind closed doors of the respective racing secreataries.

Speaking of Melair, I still remember the day she was to run at HP. There was a buzz around the track and all tout sheets raved about her. All, except for Baedecker's, where the father picked another. The day following her fast victory, I stopped by and asked one of his sons why she had not been picked. His comment was "Can't pick 'em all".

However, if it had not been for tout sheets, Loesser would have never come up with "Can Do" for his great "Fugue for Tinhorns", fondly remembered by one and all as "I got the horse right here. His name is Paul Revere".

re: Beware of the Second Wave

PattiShuvee — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:30:35 GMT

Steve, I think you missed a good late blooming 3YO: KY-bred Sporty (trainer: Carl Nafzger; owner James Tafel; rider Calvin Borel...yes, the Street Sense gang). Just grabbed a NW1x $54K turf allowance 1 1/8m at CD today (July 1, Race 8) after finishing a good 2nd in his prior CD outing. Was 6th through the running until moving into 4th at top of stretch, then pulled away to win by 1 1/4. Off odds 3.20 (3rd choice) He's by Smarty Jones out of a Quiet American mare and is gelded, so he may be around for a while.

Sporty should definitely be on your watch list!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

drfager01 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:19:28 GMT

splits you silly! cigar was a fit horse going against a 80% fit horse holy bull. cigar went 16 in a row beating less than stellar compettition. holy bull was that, broken down, have you sprained your ankle, well when a horse sprains his ankle it could be life threatening. last i remember holy bull with his big heart was being sent to the lead by mike smith when he got hurt. if holy bull dont get hurt, they would be no cigar. sadly even today cigar is not known for anything out side his streak 16. its a shame he couldnt run a lick on turf either.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Big Ric — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:58:56 GMT

Steve,

Rachel Alexandra should be running at Saratoga in the Ruffian and not in the Lady's Secret at Monmouth. This is a travesty and needs to be addressed. A Grade 1 at Saratoga the same weekend where she is stabled ???? Please investigate this and discuss.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Matthew W — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:56:40 GMT

I would bet on Melair over Housebuster--but in no way would I even consider her in his shadow---Housebuster was, to me, an all-time great....same goes with Zarkava--maybe she was best, but she will fall through history's cracks--Goldikova will be talked about for generations....because what they do on the track trumps everything....

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Matthew W — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:52:53 GMT

AND Quality Road carried 7 lbs more that Musket Man--but why, pray tell were Quality Road and Musket Man so lightly weighted? I know Whittingham and later Frankel were famous for challenging the handicapper in public--and it (obviously) worked! Affirmed (Laz) shunned 130 v Spectacular Bid--I get that, but Forego would've been in that starting gate! Just wish they ran them like they used to--weights are the great equalizer, and they were a barometer for greatness--either go all equal or weight them--but don't meet 1/2 way--there is no 1/2 way.....

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Cheryl (Alex'sBigFan) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:26:31 GMT

Steve,

Thanks for the info on the second wave, I've been out of the country and just reading this. Yes, Hangin' With Haskin - we all wish we could gather 'round and hear horse tales and be enchanted by your stories. I loved your account

of Cigar at MSG!!!!!! I can't wait until Aug. 1 to see Lucky in the Haskell. Steve, Rachel is running at Monmouth July 24, why did they move the race from the Haskell Undercard day? And I agree with you about Zenyatta being something we have never witnessed before, as you stated in "And They're Off."

Fran L,

I am so happy you are in your glory with Alex's 2 kids! Don't forget I belong in your book.

I also feel Alex will be the sire

of a Triple Crown Winner, Alex all but was one, all but for one length in the 2005 Derby. If I had mares I would breed to Alex, Street Cry, and Hard Spun. I had high hopes for Dublin this year, but, alas, little Dublin thought the Preakness was run in the grandstand!!!!! (Referring ofcourse to his veering right out of the gate,poor baby).

Slew,

Where are you? Rachel is running in the Lady's Secret Monmouth July 24th. C'mon, write more funny stuff!

Happy Haskell everyone! It's coming!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

MonicaV — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:00:47 GMT

Matthew W,

You've been around as long as I have! The weight carrying days are over. You must remember when horses carried over 130, my gosh, Round Table carried in excess of 130 several times and set records doing it. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he carried 136. Weights are getting less and less. The 3 year olds still carry 126 for the TC races but that may change too.

The weight differences are one of the reasons I find it difficult to compare horses of today to the horses of 40 to 30 years ago. They carried a lot more weight then while horses of today carry 10 to 15 pounds less.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Eric — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:50:27 GMT

Thank goodness there's a second wave because the first wave were the definition of slow. We are talking about the slowest Derby and Belmont in years and beyers that high priced claimers could get. Here's to the second wave!

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Carlos in Cali — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:50:26 GMT

Any latest updates on Odysseus who annihilated Exhi @ Tampa the race before his gutsy TB Derby win?

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:40:21 GMT

Very interesting race July 3rd, Delaware -8th race, 2yo MSW. Debut race for Elite Alex-Sire-Afleet Alex, Broodmare Sire-Unbridled. Also debuting is Gaither Draw, sired by Smarty Jones. They are facing a Pletcher colt-Volcker who had a 93 Bris speed figure in his debut.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Footlick — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:34:36 GMT

and fourth in the Belmont

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:31:47 GMT

Matthew W, Key to the Mint finished third in the Preakness.

Slew, good question about Mendip. I will find out this weekend.

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Slew — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:21:34 GMT

Speaking of 3 year olds, Steve, what ever happened to Mendip. There has been no news on him since the meet at Meydan. I know they declined the Kentucky Derby, but I thought he was supposed to race in England. Can you find out his status?

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Matthew W — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:06:01 GMT

Steve, Key to The Mint did not run in a Triple Crown race--and almost won HOY in'72--'cept fot that big red two year old, of Meadow Stable, and did they ever get that right! I just hope they get that movie right cuz I was around then and Secretariat was all that--did everything but give weight but do they really do that anymore? When you cut your teeth on Ack Ack toting 130 in the Big Cap/134 in the Hol Gold Cup--kinda hard to get excited about Quality Road toting 124 in the Met--giving one whole pound to the 2nd place horse--and if Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra get less than 130 v fillies? Back in the 70's all three as well as Rail Trip would be proving it carrying 130....

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Matthew W — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:37:59 GMT

Yes Wajima beat Forego--he got more than ten lbs--when they raced weight for age, Forego outfinished him in the JC Gold....Wajima was a top horse and a stayer...another one season wonder who has been lost through the historic cracks---another reason to honor the multi season wonders--not that easy to repeat a great year--I've seen many who could not--hard to know how great they were when they retire early--never hard to figure out a horse like Forego--he was great then, great now, and he will be great long after I'm gone....

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Pedigree Shelly — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:45:01 GMT

mz , I have another Bold Ruler line stallion for you -

Florida based , Tour d'Or by Medaille D'Or by Secretariat by Bold Ruler . By the way that was an excellent question !

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Pedigree Shelly — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:21:44 GMT

mz , Bold Rulers sire line continues through

Glitterman by Dewan ,son of Bold Ruler

Yes It's True by Is It True , son of Raja Baba by Bold Ruler.

Bold Ruckus by Bold Reasoning by Boldnesian by Bold Ruler .

re: Beware of the Second Wave

mz — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:52:07 GMT

steve from st. louis: wasn't Wajima the highest priced yearling from his year? $600k, I think, at either Saratoga or Keeneland (when Keeneland had its select sale). I remember that I really really hated the Bold Rulers because it seemed no other horse could ever be champion sire and boom, he gets Wajima in '75 (?).

Except for the Seattle Slew's, though, I don't think Bold Ruler has bred on .. or am I wrong about that (too)?

re: Beware of the Second Wave

Pedigree Shelly — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:12:34 GMT

Minnesota Kid thanks for the Info :) I have a feeling that Trappe Shot is going to be a sprinter .

mz , I happen to be a Holy Bull fan ,and I think he would have given Cigar a run for his money if he didn't break down in the Donn :(