Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

ashelii51 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:43:11 GMT

it has really had an impact on me - at long last I am actually starting to understand it! I understood your writing! *having a eureka moment here!* Thank you

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

KY VET — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:40:29 GMT

BRILLANT SPEED CLOSED BLUEGRASS 22 CHANGE! BIG DEAL!! DIALED IN 22CHANGE IN HOLY BULL!! YOURE TRYING TO SAY THAT DIALED IN LOST THAT BAD BECAUSE OF PACE? REDICULOUS!!! THE DERBY WAS A 103...NOT GREAT!! AK RAN GOOD...YOURE TRYING TO MAKE HIM BETTER THAN HE IS....THEY CAME HOME FAST BECAUSE THEY WENT SLOW!!

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

BourbonCountyGal — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:39:54 GMT

This is how Dan Illman timed the final quarter of the Derby.

hrtv.com/.../White

He has Animal Kingdom coming home in 24.09, but Dialed In was faster. The slow early pace probably had a lot to do with the fast closing fractions but it's interesting considering that Dialed In is going for a major payday in the Preakness. And look at ol' Calvin closing on that "speed pedigree" horse! What a strange year this is. :)

23.79 Dialed In (finished 8th)

:24.01 Twice the Appeal (finished 10th)

:24.09 Animal Kingdom (finished 1st)

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Vanesa — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:15:57 GMT

Slew:

Thanks for the feedback! Makes you think, though, will the race officials keep waiting for a Secretariat or a Zenyatta to come by, every 30 years or so, to bring more fans to the sport? There has to be something that can be done to increase public and awareness to horse racing, right? And I am from Brazil, so you can multiply any drop in horse racing interest by at least a hundred. In the mean time, I'm truly hoping Animal Kingdom turns up to be a real TC threat and helps keep the current racing buzz going.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

ManO'WarMike — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:15:03 GMT

KY. VET, WHEN HORSES GO AS SLOW AS THEY DID IN THE DERBY, YES THEY COME HOME FAST, BUT HORSES DO NOT COME FROM 12TH PLACE AND WIN BY 3...GET IT...TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS A HORSE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THE FASTEST LAST HALFS AND LAST QUARTERS EVER.

DR. DRUNKKINBUM, CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I READ IT AT BUT I READ ANIMAL KINGDOM'S FINISH WAS SECOND ONLY TO SECRETARIAT.

DOES ANYONE FOLLOW THE RAGOZIN FIGURES? IF SO CAN YOU TELL ME THE TOP TWO OR THREE PICKS THIS YEAR IN THE DERBY, THANKS.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Linda in Texas — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:59:53 GMT

You are welcome Dr. Drunkinbum.

BTW, grew up watching The Honeymooners on Saturday nights as my dad's favorite entertainer besides John Wayne was Jackie Gleason and his shows. Some may not know, but Jackie Gleason was quite the musician. I have an old album 33 speed, named 'Kitten On The Keys' that was piano and instrumental by Jackie Gleason.

Those were the good ol' days. But these are the good ol' days for the youngsters of today who are in their 40's and 50's. Cherish them.

And Oldie, you are such a sincere and lovely person. I enjoy your posts so much. As well as Dr. D, Deacon, Paula, Slew, Zookeeper, Footlick and Karen In Texas, Zen's Auntie, Mike R. and i know i am leaving so many others out, sorry. And yes, even Draynay. I love to disagree with him and have no qualms about telling him.

Steve just attracts so many neat and interesting people and i really mean that and we all learn so much from him and everyone who responds to his works of art and excellent writing style. Sometimes i think about Will Rogers, a long time favorite, when i read Steve's things, because Steve slips in little things that make you ponder a little longer just like Roger's sayings. One of which is, "A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries." I thought that goes along with the title of Steve's Article.

Thanks, Steve. Now back to square one for who, what and how for The Preakness.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Danette — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:04:46 GMT

Thanks Steve for another wonderful article. As always you blend just the right amount of information with human interest stories. Your writing has a way of making me feel like I've been right along with you for the ride.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

lam1970 — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:37:50 GMT

Not to sound too repetitive, but excellent article as always, Mr. Haskin!! I thoroughly enjoyed this years Derby due to the fact that there wasn't any huge standout. It was a fairly even playing field and the best horse emerged from the crowd in the final furlongs. I'm excited to see where Animal Kingdom goes from here. He is certainly a "breath of fresh air", so to speak, with his European pedigree, turf running style, ability to handle dirt regardless of that running style, and has a look about him that says "champion".

It's also a breath of fresh air to hear those somewhat blunt comments by Barry Irwin. There is a time and place for every comment, and some may say the Derby Trophy presentation is not that place, but FINALLY someone spoke out publicly about the lies that float around horseracing. I used to be an owner (had a couple of racemares) and I was flat out lied to by my trainer about the condition of one of them which ended up costing me the horse. (Sent to a new owner.. not euthenized.) The point is, it is beyond important that trainers tell their owners the truth no matter what. And it's important that owners speak out when they are lied to. Thank you, Mr. Irwin.

Anxiously awaiting the Preakness!!

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Slew — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:46:15 GMT

Dr D: Seattle Slew won the Wood and the Derby and the Triple Crown. That's good enough to convince me that the "Wood curse" is only in the minds of folks looking for excuses.

What I find about this year's Derby is that we had a lot of good colts running, a lot of folks unsettled on any one specific winner, a lot of handicappers baffled, and no one disappointed by Animal Kingdom's win. In fact, people seem very proud that he and Motion won the first leg, and also seem to be anticipating a Triple Crown threat.

Vanesa: I think definitely, the fans that followed Zen and RA stuck around after their retirement because their fans simply became smitten with the sport, just like the rest of us.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Old Timer — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:02:40 GMT

Steve, great article and congrats on your pre-Derby article. You and George Costanza handed us the exacta on a silver platter. 5 horse box cost of $40 would have given a $300+ exacta. If only I had listened!

Great picks and great articles.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Vanesa — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:42:22 GMT

I would just like to add, brazilian that I am, how extremely proud of my country's Thoroughbred breeding I am. The Brazilian Thoroughbred industry is having a great moment through Animal Kingdom's sire, Leroidesanimaux.

Congratulations to breeders, owners, trainers, vets and all professionals involved in Leroidesanimaux's outcome as a racehorse and as a sire.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Vanesa — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:36:53 GMT

Without knowing it at the time, Velazquez was spot-on when he said he would "win it when he least expected it". I don't believe he could have expected it any less than this year, having had lost two consecutive favorite mounts previously AND Uncle Mo this year.

The racing Gods are truly in the mood for fun. And who knows, maybe we'll even have a Triple Crown winner, when we least expected it!!!!

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Karen in Texas — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:15:05 GMT

BourbonCountyGal---Not sure about a couple of the horses you mentioned, but Animal Kingdom's final quarter is shown as 23 4/5; Barbaro's as 24 1/5 (in an article in BH by Lenny Shulman); and Secretariat's as 23 1/5. So, yes, AK's is faster than Barbaro's.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Oldie — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:42:06 GMT

Just read this from AP:

"Jockey Robby Albarado is going to get rewarded after all.

After missing out on riding eventual winner Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby, Albarado is going to receive payouts from fellow rider John Velazquez and winning owner Barry Irwin of Team Valor International.

Irwin said Wednesday that Velazquez has decided to give a portion of his share of the purse money to Albarado. Team Valor will match that undisclosed amount.

The winner's share of the Kentucky Derby purse was $1,411,800, meaning that the standard 10 percent earned by Velazquez was $141,180."

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

TerriV — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:50:08 GMT

As always, your wordspinning is the icing on the cake, the whipped cream and cherry on a sundae. I love all the intimate details, you make me feel a real part of racing. This Derby was really special for me. I shared it with my 2 week old grandaughter. She watched from my lap - really she did! And I hope we share many more. My picks were Nehro, Mucho Macho Man and Shackleford so I got it partly right. I admit that I didn't pay close enough attention to Animal Kingdom - but my youngest daughter did. I was really impressed with Master of Hounds too and hope he runs in the Preakness and Belmont.

Before the Derby, I was really depressed at the general commentary that this is a weak and lackluster group. My take is that this year is just now coming into its own - there is quite a lot of potential out there. Animal Kingdom could surprise everyone but I expect a lot from MMM too.

Such a shame for AAA and his connections. I've really liked Jon Court since the Jockeys show and am so sorry his first Derby was a disappointment. Thankful that AAA is ok and also Battle of Hastings who is a favorite of mine.

We watched all the coverage of both the Oaks and the Derby - all day long. Versus did not do a bad job and I enjoyed most of it. One suggestion I have is that there be stories about the pedigree of the horses running in these races. I love to know who is the sire/dam/grandsire and back. Name all the really famous horses that will ring bells with those who only know the big names. I guarantee more old photographs, race footage, pedigree info and history will create more interest than dumb celebrity interviews. It's also fun to hear how people got involved with racing in the first place.

Despite all the early confusion this turned out to be a really fun and interesting Derby. It just goes to show that no matter what, the Kentucky Derby is something special!

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

marcy — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:47:59 GMT

Excellent recap. Been reading your columns for years, love your style.

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Vanesa — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:29:36 GMT

Dear Mr. Haskin,

Beautiful, beautiful column, as usual. I started following Bloodhorse a couple of years ago and have absolutely fallen in love with your writing. It's gotten to the point where no important issue in Thoroughbred racing seems to be final until I've read what you have to say about it. It was a visceral need to read your columns throughout the whole Rachel-Zenyatta ordeal, for the sake of balance and impartiality. And, of course, all Zenyatta articles by you are carefully copied and pasted into a file tagged ZEN on my personal computer.

I co-own an equine feed and supplement company in Brazil and (try) do a little writing of my own while updating the news on the company's site, and I must confess I always go to your columns, old and new, for inspiration.

Now, you brought many interesting twists regarding this year's Derby, but I wanted your opinion on something: before this year's record, the second-largest crowd in the Derby was in 1974, correct? Do you think it possible that the fact that both in 1973 (with Secretariat) and in 2010 (with Zenyatta) we had two horses dragging the general public's attention might have anything to do with that? I would love to hear what you think.

My kindest regards,

Vanesa.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Mike Relva — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:29:18 GMT

DRAYNAY

You should stop knocking AK just cause he beat you.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

KY VET — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:03:48 GMT

PEOPLE MAKE SO MUCH OUT OF LAST QUARTER TIMES...LOOK, IF A HORSE GOES SLOW EARLY, THEY COME HOME FAST...IF THEY GO REALLY SLOW EARLY, THEY COME HOME REALLY FAST....IF THEY GO REALLY FAST EARLY, THEY COME HOME SLOW.....WHY DID I EVEN HAVE TO POST THIS?BECAUSE PEOPLE POST THINGS LIKE OH THAT WAS UNREAL. THE PACE WAS SLOWEST IN DECADES...AK CAME HOME FAST...GOOD EFFORT! STILL A 103!! HOW FAST DID DIALED IN GO EARLY? REALLY REALLY SLOW.....WHAT DOES A HORSE DO THAT DOES THAT? WHAT WAS HIS BEYER? WORST EVER FOR HIM! UNDER 90? AND PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SAY HE CLOSED GOOD? HE RAN BAD.....SHACKLEFORD RAN GOOD? REALLY? WHAT? NO EXCUSE FOR HIM....

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

KY VET — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:52:50 GMT

WOW.BUMPER2BUMPER SAID KENTUCKY DERBY WAS A PREP? HOW IGNORANT...HOW TO EXPLAIN THE LIGHT TRAINING SCHEDULE? EASY! DIALED IN HAS PROBLEMS! IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE PEOPLE! HE WAS ALWAYS TRAINED LIGHTLY..IF YOU WATCH THE HORSE RUN, HE SHOWS BAD SIGNS..LUGS IN EVERY TIME! BREAKS OUT AT START..ETC....HORSES CAN RUN WITH PROBLEMS...HE WAS VERY GOOD...BUT THE RACES ARE TAKING A TOLL.....AND PEOPLE THINK A WORKOUT WILL GET A HORSE IN SHAPE....HE IS IN SHAPE ALREADY!!! ...AS FAR AS IT NOT BEING A WEAK DERBY.....103 SAYS IT ALL!!! AK IMPROVED 9 POINTS...GOOD FOR HIM....NO ONE ELSE RAN OVER 100....103 IS ONE OF THE LOWEST....

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

BourbonCountyGal — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:25:09 GMT

Was Animal Kingdom's final quarter faster than Barbaro's? I have seen a few articles saying AK's final quarter was the fifth fastest behind Secretariat, Barbaro, Unbridled and War Emblem.

Thanks.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:40:51 GMT

My "oh no !!!" Derby Moment was hearing that Archarcharch was injured. My "fist pump of joy" Derby Moment was hearing that Archarcharch was going into surgery but would survive. Despite not cashing I was happy. I was disappointed that Shackleford got the lead so early. Even with reasonable fractions it's too tough to win The Derby wire to wire. Most of my bets focused on Shackleford being in the first three spots. I'm definitely concerned with Mo's health, and really hope that he'll be OK. Animal Kingdom, Barry Irwin, and Graham Motion have been a special treat. The Preakness will be a special race. Dialed In going for 5.5 million and Kingdom for the second leg, and he's already being crowned a Triple Crown winner if he gets the second leg. We'll see what the spoilers have to say about that. Slew or anyone else-Can you do something about The Wood curse? That is some whammy. A double whammy this year. Good luck the rest of the Triple Crown, and hope everyone stays safe and healthy. Just terrible that Michael Baze died so young. I feel for his family and all that knew him.

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Pedigree Ann — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:24:41 GMT

Oldie, I can consult someone from Germany on my 'pedigree geek' board, but my understanding is that you make your mark on the GAG (official handicap ratings) or you don't stand. It's not an unattainable standard; a listed win can be enough if the field is reasonably tough. Placing in a G1 after conditions wins can be enough. But it has to be at age 3 or older; 2yo racing is not emphasized, although most classic horses do race at 2.

Since breeding is not a big business with outsized stud fees or large foal crops, a promising horse who is injured would most often be nursed back to health and returned to the track to earn his GAG rating, perhaps a year or more later. This is what happened with Manduro, who was champion 2yo of his crop. His 3yo campaign was abbreviated, so he came back to race at 4 and 5, even though he was a group 3 winner at 3. And if a horse still can't make the grade after return from injury, TBs make excellent sporthorses; stadium jumping is the second-favorite spectator sport in Germany and dressage is major sport as well.

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tcc — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:57:17 GMT

Steve:

Someone had asked about Master Of Hounds.

O'Brien considering Belmont Stakes for Master of Hounds.

re: Haskin's Derby Recap: Kingdom Come

Timmy — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:54:48 GMT

Hello. I left a comment yesterday, but it was not posted. In Steve Haskin's article he states that Animal Kingdom is the first winner of the Kentucky Derby since Exterminator in 1918 with only four previous starts. Did not Big Brown win the Kentucky Derby in 2008 with only three starts? I know Steve is a good historian. I just want to make sure my facts are correct.

Thanks