Meyer On Fire...Again

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Cassandra.Says — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:32:33 GMT

If it's not Rapid Redux, I still think it's Animal Kingdom.

It's British, but then I'm Canadian. I think the Horse of the Year is the one that would beat all the others on his best day. (Real best day, not imaginary, like Mo's.)

Nothing all year shook the belief that Eskendereya was the best of his crop, but he didn't ratify that impression in a major race. Animal Kingdom did. His Derby was excellent (last half in 47 & 1), his Preakness confirmatory (Shackleford wanted it more), and the move he made in the Belmont on a fractured hock was unforgettable. (Or so I thought.)

The door was open for something to have a great back half and erase that impression, but nothing has.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

trackjack — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:18:22 GMT

Thanks Steve for another great article, taking us right into the story, painting a beautiful mosaic of the winners and their feelings. It was good to see you on the backside at CD at the Breeders' Cup.

Tuesday we'll be touring WinStar as part of the prize for winning Road To The Roses in 2010.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Coldfacts — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:20:50 GMT

Steve,

Your statements below are not strongly support the 14-1 at which Drosselmeyer left the gates.

“But from the public’s standpoint, Drosselmeyer was not much more than an afterthought, a horse who for the better part of the summer and fall was being pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (gr. III) after a disappointing 4-year-old campaign that saw him win only an overnight stakes at Belmont in six starts.”

In your blog titled “Countdown to the Cup: Think Twice About Classic Rankings” you listed 12 likely contender in the BCC. Drosselmeyer was listed at #12. The fact that he made your list is an indication that you were not the part of that public perception. I certainly was not! Listed below is an extract from initial post on the aforementioned blog:

Drosselmeyer

“If there is an upset in the BCC this will be the horse assuming he is entered. He was force out of training for 9 months after his Belmont win. He must now be as tough as nails. His performance in JCGC reflects and almost 3 seconds improvement over his previous effort at the distance. He must be sitting on a big race.”

I followed up that post with another below:

RANAGULZION,

“Drosselmeyer is too slow for the Classic”

My dear colleague you have just deflated my long shot balloon with your statement above. Drosselmeyer is the horse I intend place a substantial wager on in BCC. In fact, he will be in all my exotics as I am very confident he will be right there with the more fancied contenders. Why I am I confident this 4YO will perform creditably? Well a number of indicators, some historic and others recent performance.

Firstly, 4YOs lead with 11 victories it he BCC the most by any age group. In the last five BCC, four of the top four finishers excited the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Bernardini won the 2006 JCGC and finished 2nd to Invasor. Curlin won the 2007 JCGC and went on to win the 2007 BCC. Curlin won the 2008 JCGC and went on to finish 4th in the BCC. Blame finished 2nd in the 2010 JCGC and went on to win the 2010 BCC. Drosselmeye broke his maiden at CD and worked the fastest of the Mott contingent. He rarely works a half mile in 47 and this could be an indicator that he loves the track. His performance in the 2011 JCGC is a lot better than it appeared as the Belmont track on that day did not favor closers. He will stay 10F better than all in the field. He has made two starts at the distance of 1 1/4M. In his first on a 3+ track he won in a time of 2:06.27. The second was the JCGC and he got beat by 2 plus lengths in 2:03.07. His time on his second attempt at the distance he improved about his time by about 2.5 seconds. His JCGC effort was the fastest of his career for any distance. He then works 47 for half mile. Watch out he is a live long shot.

I followed through with my plan and made a substantial amount recover losses on his stable mate THS and the flop Alpha. The 14-1 was irresistible.

NB: Never count out horses from the Raise A Native sire line when they establish dominance in a race.

Alysheba (1988); Unbridled (1990); Black Tie Affair (1991); Volponi (2002); Curlin (2007); Raven Pass (2008) Zenyatta (2009) Drosselmeyer (2011)

Of the 28 BCC contested to date RAN line horses have won 8 (28.57%)

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Linda in Texas — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:41:53 GMT

ABF - i bet if anyone who frequents this blog is saying, i hope that woman was not watching The Long Island Grade III Race No. 8 at Aqueduct today. But i was!:) A super mare named Hit It Rich ridden by Castellano, trained by Mr. McGaughey and owned by Mr. Stewart Janey III won it.

Watch the race and see her pick up speed and haul to the wire. I know haul isn't a horse racing term, but she did haul you know what!!

She hauled it all! I so often watch horses lead the races and set the pace only to tire and be beaten, this time it did not happen. Nice win. Oh yes, she is a Gray!!! She is 3 years old and it was a mile and a half on turf.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Moodygirl — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:30:03 GMT

It is a shame that people need to denigrate someone's faith in God as part of the story of Drosselmeyer and his connections. God builds our faith in victory and sustains us in loss. I think it great that Steve dared to include that aspect of the story in this time of PC. Also the aspect of the closing of Springhill Farm and Chris and Diana Baker moving to Winstar was interesting. It the fleshing out of these subtexts of racing that make it so interesting and a "real" world. I so much appreciate Steve's ability to do this!

Mike Smith is a truly talented, hard working & a great jockey, AND shows so much class. He's a gift to the sport. Also is there any doubt who is Trainer of the Year? Bill Mott. Why don't the other trainers have the common sense to come early to the track to accustom their horses to this particular track surface?

As much as I admire O'Brien's training skills, even he falls short on this respect. I think So You Think, a great horse, would have preformed so much better! He only had one brief exposure to the track after coming out of the quarantine barn. Plus it has been a long time since running on dirt in Australia. What was he thinking?

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

ksweatman9 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:00:45 GMT

Bellwether made an interesting comment about Game On Dude and Zenyatta thinking that they won but they "forgot to stop at the winner's circle". Certainly not the case for Cigar when he lost after winning 16 in a row. Cigar tried to bull his way over to the winner's circle. The horse was so distraught that day he even refused his treats. Perhaps Cigar was as intelligent as he was talented. What a shame he couldn't have passed his bloodline on.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Slew — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:51:35 GMT

By the way, has anyone figured out was 5stardayy was trying to say? or is it just peanut butter on his keyboard?

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Slew — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:18:53 GMT

Abigail Anderson: I think I might shrivel up and die without HRTV. The lack of coverage on mainstream channels is abhorrent. At least this year, NBC via Espn, Versus, and ABC did cover the Triple Crown, Saratoga, Keeneland and the BC. That's much more coverage than we've had in many moons.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Agnes — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:18:55 GMT

Mike Smith only rode Drosselmeyer once before in last year's Belmont, yet he knew the horse didn't like to slow down, liked to get going and keep going. How did he get to know that? It fascinates me how jockeys find the key to success with horses they don't know well.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

derblin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:51:49 GMT

Mucho Macho Man had a very good return to the races today. Hopefully he is back on his game, will stay healthy and have a great year next year.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

The Deacon — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:46:04 GMT

Steve: Nice writing Steve, a couple months ago you could some time off (well deserved). My turn now, this sport and these past 2 days of Breeders Cup races has left me speechless. Our beloved has hit rock bottom in my opinion. Drosselmeyer wins what 2 races in 2 years and it's the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders Cup Classic. Just look at the ridiculous upsets, who could any of these. Our breeding is terrible, we retire our horses way to soon and it seems that most of our top runners are hurt every season. I would say only Our Miss Aurelia and Royal Delta were the only 2 winners that made any sense to me. So discouraging, time to just walk away.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

5stardayy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:37:10 GMT

well first the CLASSIC excpet for firt quater was DOG SLOW anbd ojne worst classi EVER.

DROSSY always has the stamina and grinding run look loke was flying home but in reality everybody else was dead. i myself bet RULER on ICE who ithought do what winner did.

so proud of MOTT as i got few horse with a former working with him BRENDA HILL.

Steve we need to talk about few other horses from CUP, one GIO PONTI who its ashame they never tried REAL DIRT with orse after doing all he could do on turf. would love to seen him in the CLARK latet this month then rire him.

as far as JUVY go, UNION RAGS awful ride first turn JAVIER had easy throttle back get over but he chose not to, he been able then run on up been great postion. horse in race i think could be big shot in DEGBY TAKE CHARGE INDY who still green and i like to see him in Rremsen or at Delta Downs before year out. needs more perience, but was also gave bad ride way to far out of it and made up a ton ground not wanting to switch leads.

in closing NEXT SEASON all bout ANIMAL KINGDOM domnating his division and ROYAL DELTA hers and then these 2 meet hople last season in NY GOLD CUP and for sure CLASSIC.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Paula Higgins — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:59:37 GMT

Pedigree Ann, I don't disagree at all with yur idea of running horses earlier on at 10F. A really good point. But I think with Uncle Mo, his conditon this year was so dicey they weren't going to do that or much else. Clearly, he has to be retired. Whenever he is stressed with a big race his liver enzymes elevate. Not good. He has a liver problem that may be congenital, and if so, it isn't going to get appreciably better if they continue to race him. If it isn't congenital, the horse needs a solid year off of no racing. They do need to retire him. Steve, even if the horses racing aren't the second coming of Secretariat or Zenyatta, they almost always have stories. Secretation said it well. You are an amazing story teller. ksweatman9, I don't think they are praying for money, they are praying for victory and safety. People like Elliot don't pray for money. What abt the Amazombie story? Talk about a Cinderella/Cinderfella story!

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

derblin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:10:40 GMT

Sure hope the new owners of Royal Delta keep Bill Mott as her trainer. Please dont send her to Pletcher.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Danny UK — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:15:49 GMT

Never mind the classic, you're all missing the important thing here...

St Nicholas Abbey kicked it!! Oh yeah!! I've been trying to tell you all for 2 years that he was coming. Do you see what I mean now?

Hope someone listened to my rants.

P.s Watch the last furlong of the BC Turf - that's classy.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Karen in Texas — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:08:14 GMT

Beautifully written story on the Classic, Steve, with your characteristic "grace of expression"! Saying a prayer for Drosselmeyer or any other horse in any race seems perfectly appropriate to me. God is omnipotent and omniscient and able to listen to all communications that come His way. Asking for a horse's safety seems a fairly basic request to me.

The Classic outcome was a surprise to most, but some posters are saying that the entire BC was boring or uninteresting. I think the track surface was producing some slower times, but the surprises are what make racing what it is--a gamble. There were many interesting/exciting moments over the two day span. My Miss Aurelia stayed perfect, Amazombie looked great, Caleb's Posse came home lights-out, Shack gave his all as always, and how could anyone not think the BCJ was breathtaking? Hansen showed them his white tail all the way from gate to wire, first time on (sticky) dirt, only his third start, on a day when speed was not holding--with Union Rags bearing down outside! Perhaps some people are not happy because they lost bets, but I thought this BC was pretty inspiring. We have three or four juveniles who look quite promising as we approach the year's end.

I do wish ESPN had posted the complete order of finish for each race, and I don't remember hearing/seeing the final times, but maybe I just missed those.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Fran Loszynski — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:07:34 GMT

Great article Steve and I thought this Breeder's Cup was super exciting, always liked the Drossel and not interesting ? Come on folks, the big white beautiful Afleet Again came on like gangbusters on the final stretch and Cornelio rode him so well in the Marathon. Afleet Again deserved that Breeder's blanket and Butch Reid -awesome trainer. Afleet Again plodded that dirt like he was planting a garden. He loves Butch, you can see it when he prances up to him and-Of course God had everything to do with Drosselmeyer, yes there is a rail in heaven and God gets the Bloodhorse magazine regularly.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

smarie — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:52:07 GMT

I always pray for the safety of the horses and the humans before watching a race. There is no reason to criticize Elliot because of his beliefs. That is rather petty. As to the races this year, not one of my picks won. Good thing I didn't do any actual betting...

I have no idea who should be HOY. I really don't think there is one. Rapid Redux comes to mind, as he has a 19 race win streak going. He shows up at every race and wins. He doesn't know he isn't running in "graded" races. Only humans care about that. He just wants to win and he does!

The BC race coverage was so-so again. At least they didn't do the endless celebrity pandering to as they do every year at the Kentucky Derby. Kenny Mayne managed to rein himself in this year. I don't understand why the announcers never know the sex of the horses running in filly or mare competitions. They continually call the girls "him," or "he." When they are even more confused, they rely on that old standby, "it."

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

MikeM — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:26:10 GMT

I always felt that the races are more and exciting if you win, unless you are watching a historic race ie Zenyatta. It seems as if the only people complaining about the BC are the ones who only bet the chalk or the obvious contenders. The challenge is to read between the lines and to see what others do not.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

poormansracehorse — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:17:36 GMT

Sorry Steve, All my life I've lectured about the importance of being brief, and sometimes that takes hold at inappropriate times.

I really do love your work.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

JR — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:00:09 GMT

Steve, I have always enjoyed your articles and analysis. I have never felt the need to post a comment until now. Your comment to Secretation, how your predications have been of base since Volponi, you’re wrong Steve, it’s not only the win, but second, third and fourth for those of us who play the tri’s and super’s.

I had my radar on Dullahan and Indy; I also had Union, Hansen and Creative Cause. It was your article on the Keeneland Kiddies about Dullahan that cinched it for me. What an impressive performance from last to fourth. I would like to know your thoughts about him going forward.

Thanks for the tri Steve, I would have had the super, just didn’t key Hansen for the win.

Congratulations on your award couldn’t have gone to a better man.

Kind Regards,

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

deb — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:56:59 GMT

Mike Smith is a great rider. To feel shame for last year is silly. The best horse of the day won that day. Win or lose, Mike Smith, you will always be a great rider.

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Abigail Anderson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:53:41 GMT

SLEW: I SO AGREE WITH YOU REGARDING THE MEDIA COVERAGE ! If you REALLY want to go over the deep end, try Canadian racing non-coverage. Even coverage of races like the Queen's Plate here is absolutely shameful! But in the case of the BC, Canadian TSN cuts out pretty regularly on the Saturday for football, so you need a streaming channel on your computer to see anything at all. How I mourn the "good old days" when the BC was on for the whole Saturday on the mainstream channel!!!!

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Abigail Anderson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:48:33 GMT

STEVE: What I loved most about this article is the way you captured the drama and sub-plots of this particular BC Classic. It was a brilliant take by a wonderful narrator of the sport on what was a kind of mediocre event for me. (I am a So You Think fan and it was his presence in the Classic that made me negotiate the tricky Canadian television scheduling of the Breeders' Cup.) You have given me a story that will hold my memories of the BC Classic 2011 in place. Thank you!

re: Meyer On Fire...Again

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:43:18 GMT

One shouldn't have to wait for the BC Classic to find out if your horse can run 10f. At least 3yos still have the Travers, although they lost the Super Derby, which has become not-so-super at 9f. Older horses on the East Coast have been sabotaged by the tracks, which have shortened or eliminated their 10f graded races. A 4yo campaign shouldn't be like preparing for the Derby in the Spring of the 3yo year. These mature horses are able to run 10f all year long; test them early!