Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Fran Loszynski — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:37:54 GMT

Your tribute to Blind Luck was awesome Steve. You give so much to us fans that love racehorses. Blind Luck appears to be a "workhorse" with heart. Because of your story I will watch her more. I'm always trying to match Afleet Alex with a great mare. I bet the two of them would produce a horse with unbeatable stamina.

Just a note: Go Afleet Again, Go Afleet Express, Go Admiral Alex,

bring it home for Dad!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Zookeeper — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:03:45 GMT

Mr. Haskin,

Just watched the new edition of "and...They're Off", good show! I sure hope you're right about the new dirt track at Santa Anita and like you, I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that they do it right and make it as safe as humanly possible.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Zookeeper — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:44:46 GMT

I should have added "...and so is Blind Luck" at the end of my last comment.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Zookeeper — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:08:47 GMT

Paseana,

And I thought I was lucky because I live ONLY 25 miles away! I'm distraught over the fact that Oak Tree will be conducted at Hollywood Park this year and after that who knows?... I always looked forward to the horses coming back to SA every October after having been gone for what seemed a lot longer than 5 months. In miles, HP is not much farther for me, but in traffic hassle it might as well be a hundred miles away. I live in the San Fernando Valley so you know what I'm talking about... the dreaded 405 Freeway! GRRRR!

sherpa & Dr D.,

I'll probably have more to say after I come back from DM. The event is after the races on Thursday, so I'll spend the night in the area and watch him exercise Friday morning. Can't wait!

NJTrotter,

Not every blog has to be a Zen connections bashfest. I'm sure Zenyatta is very happy with her life and is not pining for a change of ownership & trainer. Believe me, she IS where she belongs.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Secretariat — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:53:28 GMT

You don't go from 14th to 1st (with a half mile left to run in the Kentucky Oaks) unless your one hell of a filly.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Diane D — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:42:53 GMT

This is off the subject(and a grand subject it is!), but did you notice a 2 yr old "Private Rules " on 8/14/10 at Saratoga in the 2nd race? He seemed very classy and mature. Any thoughts anyone?

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Paseana — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:08:10 GMT

Wow Carl! With all due respect, it seems to me that your comment on Churchill Down's surface is over-generalizing at the least. I prefer to think that you are referring to the Kentucky Derby itself and not to Churchill Downs generally. And even then, the problem you mention with horses not being able to run to form has infinitely more to do with the 18-19-20 horse fields of the last decade or two than any problem with the surface itself. Many horses don't run to form in there because they're either bounced around like ping-pong balls, or, specifically in the case of a front-runner type like Sidney's Candy from the 20-hole, is carried impossibly wide for the first 3/4s to a mile and has NO chance.

The point is that you can't blame the form reversals that we've seen in recent years in the Derby on Churchill Downs' surface. 2001 is the only year, in my opinion, where the surface itself had a real impact on the result.

Sorry Steve for going off topic here a little bit, but I needed to respond to Carl's general comment on Churchill Downs.

And I'm left-coast! I live about 2 miles from Santa Anita! LOL!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:36:00 GMT

Thanks for keeping us updated !!!!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

sherpa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:14:32 GMT

ZK - thank you for posting some news about Runflatout! I've wanted to ask, but these blogs move so fast (or sometimes comments updated so slooooowly) that I rarely see a response to my posts until the next evening. And by then, the conversation has moved on..

I have complete confidence that your patience and faith in him will be rewarded!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Zookeeper — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:30:58 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

LOL!!! It was clear before. Now I'm completely confused and befuddled!

I'll be at Del Mar on Thursday. There's an event with the partnership that I want to attend and OF COURSE I want to see Runflatout. They tell me he looks terrific and working towards his first start AGAIN. I think it was JAJ who warned me that it could be longer than anticipated for him to get back where he was before he got sick. JAJ was right. We'll see when he works again. His last work was shorter and slower, on purpose. He's not being rushed, for which I'm very grateful.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

NJTrotter — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:01:23 GMT

Too bad that Blind Luck's connections don't own Zenyatta. Then maybe we would see "the queen" in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga where she belongs. Racing needs more horses like Blind Luck. The kind that doesn't need to take her track (or polytrack) with her.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

sodapopkid — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:38:39 GMT

I don't live on the West Caost by far, But I love all race horses , Its just I love the closers more, They just bring something thrilling to the race when they are in it.

I am a Zenyatta fan to the end and beyond, BL will be my girl to . I will follow her next year and let her fill my taste for the closers in the female division like Zenyatta has for the past three years.

Steve, your story on BL is great, makes you love her even more.

Her and Zenyatta, both were the little funny looking foals no one wanted and look how they have turned out. Unbelievable... Just goes to show, "The prettiest isnt always the best".

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:51:52 GMT

Zookeeper

I think you're right. Devil May Care doesn't like 1 1/4. I was like Mr. Haskin, I thought she was ready for a breakout, monster performance and wouldn't lose. She'll be back. So will Lentenor, who came in 3rd today in his return race. I didn't like the ride he got. I still think he's very talented and will prove it. As far as Hollendorfer, I was a Gilchrist fan. It used to drive me nuts how Hollendorfer and Baze won so much. I was usually trying to beat them. He is a very successful trainer and I would assume belongs in the Hall of Fame. He will get there now that he has branched out more, the sportsman and or horseman that he is. I wonder if he ever used chewing tobacco. A horseman chews tobacco, and takes an occasional swig of whiskey. A sportsman smokes a cigar and has a martini or margarita or manhatten. They both drink beer. A sportsman is more likely to drink wine, but some horsemen will too. I hope that clears it up.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Smoking Baby — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:51:24 GMT

Jerry Hollendorfer and John Sherriffs are both horsemen. Ernest Hemmingway was a sportsman.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Carl — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:48:43 GMT

I know everyone is high on Paddy O'Prado, but what about Sidney's Candy in the mix for top 3 year grass runner. Maybe even top 3 year old, eventually. Sure he has mainly raced at the West Coast tracks, but after his dismal Derby, he has come back as a monster on the turf. He set a record (maybe even a track record) while laughing at the field in his first outing on turf. If he runs like that in the Breeders Cup Mile, he'll be hell to catch.

I always throw out the Kentucky Derby for winners and losers: ref Super Saver/Mine That Bird compared to horses like Point Given, and now Sidney's Candy. I actually think Churchill has a horrible surface that destoys a horses ability to run to form. How many dull performances and losing favorites have we seen over the years from Kentucky. Look at how Devil May Care bounced back to show her true talent after the Derby. Just an observation on my part.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:18:27 GMT

Rachel

You're right about Sham. Same with Alydar. How many horses if it weren't for one other horse would be considered major super stars? I've given more thought to "tenacious warrior." There are many ways a horse could be considered a tenacious warrior. Certainly setting fast fractions, then perservering through to the end with a great time is one way. Horses don't always have opportunites to go eyeball to eyeball with an opponent of equal talent. Sometimes they are just too good. They either set a suicidal pace (for everyone but them) or blow by the field. Certainly closers have no more claim to the title of tenacious than does a front runner or mid pack presser. Style is not the determining factor. Perserverence, and dogged determination is though. I'm looking forward to this year's Classic more than ever. One thing I do know- A tenacious warrior will win.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Rachel — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:11:30 GMT

All the Eastcoaster's around here are crazy over her and we're as east as you can get without getting into a boat...the only bias is in people's imaginations. ♥

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Zookeeper — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:11:20 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

HRTV had an interview with Hollendorfer the morning before the race on Saturday. Struck me as much more of a horseman than a sportsman. Believe me, if he didn't have the horse who can do it, he wouldn't be dragging her everywhere just for the sport of it.

I had only seen short glimpses of the man, so my impression was of a rather dour individual without much personality. That interview showed me a much more pleasant man... heck! he even smiled a couple of times. A "rock star" he's not, but he sure can train a horse and place it where it belongs. Southern Californians have learned the hard way that ignoring one of his horses can be a huge mistake. Now, when he ships, we pay attention. He can't sneak up on us anymore... we're no longer blind nor blind sided.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:09:41 GMT

Smoking Baby

That's a dream of mine too. So you're in if I ever get to do it. How about Haskinite Bar None Ranch? Haskin Blogger Dude and Dudette Ranch. I'm sure we could go on and on. I don't know if you were around when we were naming horses for Steve Haskin.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Sammi P — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:57:12 GMT

sodapopkid

You are right. Good things do come to the those who wait. And to those who deserve it. BL and Z have waited, and do deserve it.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Ed — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:48:54 GMT

Thanks Steve for a heart-warming piece on a great filly. Dr. Dedomenico and I chatted fondly about her win Sunday at Emerald Downs prior to the Longacres Mile. Many on the east coast still don't give her the credit she deserves. To me, she runs like Zenyatta, from behind with a relentless valiant push to be first at the wire.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Steve Haskin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:12:00 GMT

I have to admit I was one of those who thought Devil May Care was special and ready for her breakout performance. She had a perfect set-up and accelerated beautifully on the turn, but just ran a flat race after that for some reason. She's done it before, but I thought she was past all that. We'll see if an excuse surfaces at some point. With that said, I thought Blind Luck ran a fantastic race and she never ceases to amaze me. She always finds more when she needs it right before the wire. She no doubt is a very special filly.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Rachel — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:04:58 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum, good post about EJ...you know, it takes a "Jewel" to make a BL...without her we would not be talking the same way about either filly! Both wonderful...

I mean, think about it, no one but Sham was anywhere near Secretariat...Sham's class forced the Derby time that still stands today...he is the third horse to run under 2:00...but for him for Secretariat to run at, Monarchos might very well be holding that record!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Elizabeth — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:55:06 GMT

Dr. Drunkinbum:

Whole heartedly agree about the sportsman vs. horsemen angle. Best arguement for Zenyatta not shipping more and completly makes sense. The horse always comes first!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Blind Sided

Lucy — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:27:14 GMT

I really enjoy watching Blind Luck and she DOES remind me of Zenyatta, the way she comes from behind and wins, even when things don't really set up for her. She is a good filly with a great story and who knows? She may actually be a great filly! Let's see how she finishes out the year and what happens next season. I will be cheering for her.