Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

TerriZ — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:40:04 GMT

Oops, I forgot to add Larry Jones retirement and return to racing. He had problems with Aluminum toxicity effecting his memory.

And he surely made her an even stronger filly, as he gallops on her with his weight of 200 lbs.

She really has flourished since she has come under his care from Anthony Dutrow.

And how about the acceptance of towards racing fillies against the boys since Zenyatta has raced? Poor Larry Jones and Rick Porter were the scapegoats of the unfortunate breakdown of Eight Belles.

October 15th has been declared as Harve de Grace Day by the govenor of Delaware.Rick Porter will be at Delaware Park to sign autographs on that date.

If she wins the Classic, it most certainly prove the existance of the Racing Gods.

What a fascinating story surrounding all of her connections.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

TerriZ — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:22:11 GMT

Dear Mr. Haskin, The story of Harve de Grace and her connections is a story begging for you to tell it.

It starts with the tragic death of Saint Liam after his catestrophic injury at Lane's End in 2006. His owners, the Warrens, tried to acquire as many of his progeny as possible. William Warren said that they all resembled his sire.

Then, Eight Belles, having her same trainer and owner, has to be euthanized at the Kentucky Derby due to her two fractured front ankles.

Last year, Saint Liam's breeder, Edward Evans died fairly quickly.

And now, Saint Liam's trainer, Rick Dutrow, has been suspended for 10 years.

And here is the second filly to be running in the Classic whose sire won it in 2005.

And to boot, Rick Porter has stated that he doesn't breed horses. I wonder, if a private sale and or partnership will be set up with the Warrens and Mr. Farish along with Mr. Porter.

Wouldn't it be something if after racing, she ends up at Lane's End.

Isn't this an interesting time to be alive? I haven't seen any female who resembled her father so much as Terlingua to Secretariat or Layla Ali to Mohammad Ali.

There is a terrific Steve Haskin story in all of this.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Slew — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:41:20 GMT

Jersey Boy...QR ran the Woodward in 1:50:00. It was 1:48.88, losing to Blame by a nose hair, in the Whitney.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Cris — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:45:30 GMT

Both of these fillies are coming towards the Breeders Cup in good form. This should be a great match up. When it comes to my $2 it will be on Blind Luck. She has great courage and speed, and she has dodged no one. I want to see their best on BC day and not one minute before.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Paula Higgins — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:42:47 GMT

Calm down everyone. No one is going beserk saying "my horse is better than your horse." It was a very good natured back and forth/discussion. There is enough love for every horse, but of course we are all entitled to our favorites :). There is no harm in that at all. jamesb, I understand your point about Havre de Grace's competition, but even still, it was an impressive performance. Zenyatta used to get the same comments about not having tough competition and yet she was able to step it up when she had to. I think Blind Luck and Grace are two tough chicks.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Fran Loszynski — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:59:33 GMT

I love it when a winning jockey salutes the jockey that came in second, that's class. He knows he had a worthy competitor. I know a racehorse does the same, "oh yes he does!" (a little DeNiro, Analyze This jargon, watching that DVD too much!) listen how they snort at each other riding back to the paddock. Look at Barbaro and Zenyatta, we loved them both and yet you really couldn't say one was better than the other, really how could you. Larry Jones trained Hard Spun if I remember, what a handsome horse was he! and his foals no doubt are awesome. Larry Jones is a fine trainer. Each racehorse is great in his own right, but then again there has to be a "winner", it's a race! Hey Steve, your articles are better than ever, Yeah! into the album.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Slew — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:54:47 GMT

Bellesforever...though I agree with you to a point, don't forget that horse racing itself began when one man said to another, "My horse is better than your horse."

So perhaps we should be grateful for that mentality.

However, once a horse is out of circulation, you might think it would stop. But then again, aren't we all looking for the next Secretariat..Seattle Slew...Citation...???? I have absolutely no objection to anyone cheering for their favorite horse. I do, however, strenuously object to denigrating the competition. It's just very...unsportsmanlike, and, unfortunately, the RA/Zen controversies seemed to breed more of our evil side than anyone wished to see. Now we have a competition between HDG and Blind Luck...but both mares, the sleek tall and graceful HDG vs the hard-knocking little mare, BL, with an amazing turn of foot. To me, both stand head and shoulders above the boys this year because both have earned the right to our accolades.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Smoking Baby — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:55:19 GMT

I'm with Ida Lee. While I do believe Havre de Grace is getting better and that Blind Luck would have her hands full when they face, I don't think they are avoiding her. I do get the feeling (just a feeling...no facts to back it up)that they are working against some physical issue that we don't know about that is derailing another trip back east for now. Hopefully, I'm wrong and it's just that they needed to get her away from Del Mar. I'm not sure why they didn't simply stable her at Hollywood or Santa Anita during the Del Mar meet. Probably just wanted the stable star close at hand.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Sharon — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:01:09 GMT

Mr. Haskin, I am so glad you are back!! Havre de Grace is one classy filly, love her!!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Racingfan — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:20:21 GMT

bellesforever: I totally agree with you about putting down horses that aren't our favorites - absolutely NOT necessary. However, the my horse is faster/better than yours will not go away since racing is exactly that - pitting horse against horse to see who is better....

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Erin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:05:27 GMT

@ PomDeTerte&Ida Lee

I agree with you both. Gteat mature and objective comments. HDG has sparked a wonderful conversation among us all. How exciting it is. How come the male horses are having such a difficult year again, one that really really really stands out like RA,GOLDIKOVA,ZENYATTA, BL,HDG,BLACK CAVIAR? No excuses now.Trainers and owners make racing decisions based on ability, stamina,race track and competing horses. Nothing is random in the overall goal for their horse. What is their horse really capable of and how far can we stretch the limits safely? What are our short term vs long term goals? For some, this may be their last attempt to achieve a place in history. Once again we are witnessing this truely fierce effort as the BCC is upon us. Such drama. What will we all do when it's over till Spring? I guess anticipate the new stars like John Shirreff's Eblouissante filly half-sistet to Zenyatta. And so it goes. I just love it.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Bill Two — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:00:22 GMT

No way are Blind Luck's connections avoiding anybody including Havre de Grace. After travelling to Havre de Grace's home track in the heat of the mid-Atlantic summer and beating her a dirty nose on the wire after Havre de Grace had everything her own way....well, I don't see why or how Hollendorfer would be avoiding her. He knows he can beat her at a mile and a quarter. The question is whether Blind Luck can also defeat this less than stellar handicap division and the answer is why shouldn't she?

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

markinsac — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:19:05 GMT

If it's a photo finish in the BC Classsic and Tizway, HDG, BL, and Stay Thirsty are involved, I'll take Blind Luck. She know's where the wire is.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Erin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:13:36 GMT

Well, hasn't this tremendous filly caused such an exhilirating reaction from us all? That alone speaks for itself. Who could ask for more. in this year of lackluster performances. No one horse hash

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Wil. E. Kayotay — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:00:41 GMT

I too hate the "my horse is better than your horse thing". I love all these beautiful animals and just want to see them race gallantly and return to the barn safely.

My input to this discussion is the potential match-up between Havre de Grace and Tizway? Tizway dazzled me with his last two wins, and he looks so much like his sire (maybe not as dark, but beautiful in his coat and conformation). We could see another Zenyatta-Blame type match-up if both go in the Classic. Can you imagine a blanket finish between Tizway, Havre de Grace, Blind Luck and Stay Thirsty? Wow! That idea gives me shivers.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Ida Lee — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:20:09 GMT

OH PLEASE...somebody give me a break. I love Havre, she's great BUT to say she's better than Blind Luck and her connections are starting to avoid Havre? Why? Hasn't BL beat HDG 5 out of 6 times they've met. Correct me if I'm wrong...

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

stelligan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:20:49 GMT

I was so disappointed that a match up of RA and Zenyatta never happened, but this rivalry between BL and HdG more than makes up for it. I started out in love with BL, but I have to give HdG her propers. Can't wait for the next race between them, ideally in the Classic!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Shutterbug — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:54:25 GMT

Hollendorfer has said that he is considering both the Beldame at Belmont and the Lady's Secret at Santa Anita for Blind Luck's final Breeders' Cup prep race. He will point to whichever race comes up easier. The fact that he would consider shipping her cross country again -- making it her 10th trip in 18 months -- rather than running at home in a prestigious Grade 1 leads me to believe that he might be apprehensive about Santa Anita's most recent dirt track. But it certainly does NOT sound like "the dance of avoidance".

Also, there is nothing wrong with running in the BC Ladies Classic. Havre did it last year, and small-but-mighty Blind Luck beat her. It is not a second class race. And imo, the BC Classic this year will be won by a European shipper.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

rkieck — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:04:17 GMT

Snow Fairy, too.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Smoking Baby — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:18:54 GMT

I thought Havre de Grace might get beat the other day but she won with complete authority. If it's possible I think she's getting even better. As much as I like Blind Luck I think she may well have her hands full the next time these two meet.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

PomDeTerre — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:58:31 GMT

Such a shame Saint Liam had to be put down after his paddock accident- what a sire he would have become. Harve De Grace was amazing in the Woodward, and I disagree with the poster stating she must beat Blind Luck to "come out of her shadow". HDG has nothing to prove. She has beaten BL. Her connections were fully prepared to withdraw her from the Woodward IF Blind Luck entered the Personal Ensign. That did not materialize due to Blind Luck's connections, and now HDG has left BL in her dust after beating the boys. Don't be at all surprised when HDG goes to the BCC and Blind Luck gets entered in the Ladies' Classic. BL's connections have already begun the dance of avoidance.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

bellesforever — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:51:33 GMT

For you Ruffian and Zenyatta fans who say my girl would have beaten your girl. WE WILL NEVER KNOW AND IT'S KIND OF STUPID TO KEEP SAYING "I'M POSITIVE RUFF WOULD HAVE BEATEN ZEN OR VICE VERSA"

GIVE IT A REST!

Thank you!!!

I do not understand the the mentality that pits horse against horse on these blogs..can't we just root for them all and pick our favorites without decimating the competition?Afterall it is for the love of the horse that brings us all together?

Thank you for the nice article on our Grace Steve..she is indeed special!She does that cruising thing and she sure is a lot of fun to watch..Bless her human companions for bringing the Grace show to all of us.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Ida Lee — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:40:55 GMT

Havre...Havre...Havre...How much more fun was the Woodward with Havre in it? First, let me say that I don't think she's as good as Zenyatta or Rachel or my beloved Ruffian...who can be? But this drop-dead-gorgeous Filly (who looks so much like a "blond" Ruffian with her long legs and long slim body)is special in her own way and runs one mean race against anybody. P.S. Just a thought that I'm sure many have had...If she is as good as we think she is, exactly how great is Blind Luck?

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

Slew — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:08:05 GMT

I really like Havre de Grace, and have all year. I simply wish folks would stop talking about HOY so soon. She's beautiful, accomplished, and certainly worthy of consideration...but...I'm not ready yet to crown one horse...it's just too early...and we have so much more to see.

Some horses have huge puppy dog eyes, some have that distant look of eagles, and some have that spark of curiosity igniting them. HDG seems to have a frail oriental aloofness to her eyes. It's an aesthetic beauty that is compounded by her athletic grace and the ease with which she moves. She's so lovely to watch run.

Rachel Alexandra suffered a beat-down in her win in the Woodward. HDG rolled to triumph with ease. Perhaps it was the difference between a 3 yr old and a 4 yr old, perhaps it was the times..which was only a difference of 1:11 seconds, both faster times than Quality Road in 2010.

HDG certainly faced a group of seasoned veterans...but she showed them all how it should be done. All year, the fillies have been running better times than the colts. It should be an intriguing BC Championship!

(And before I forget...Rapid Redux won his 16th consecutive race this past weekend, equaling the record of Cigar. Just what is the difference between the two horses?

...How about $9,699,813.00)

re: Countdown to the Cup: Grace, Period!

barryaksarben — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:10:23 GMT

I have so enjoyed the girls (all of them) Quiji Board, Ashado. Rachel, Zenyatta,Rags,Goldie, Blind Luck etc, but as someone else said there was never one like Ruffian. To have seen her was to witness everything beautiful about horses and racing. She captured my heart and has never let it go making me root for evry gutsy gal since.