Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

NASCAR PRO — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:15:01 GMT

Karen in Texas I read what is probably a rumor on horseracing nation,that Discreet Dancer is being pointed for the Timely Writer.Are they going to pull this race out of the archive attic and run in late in March of 2012 at Gulfstream?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

NASCAR PRO — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:42:52 GMT

Well Rags it is.Last year the fav was UM now it is UR,what a difference a year makes.Draynay if you bet 2000 on UM to win the classic why didnt you bet 3000 to win on UR,stll down 900,but your pick is the undisputed leader on paper as of today.Those that dont think so might have to take up a 2nd sport such as NASCAR racing.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

thesnowleopard — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:46:29 GMT

Everyone wants Union Rags. What a great story that would be.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

ZORRO — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:57:16 GMT

Hello all Im new and will join the trail at this point.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

thesnowleopard — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:01:05 GMT

Sharjyl and DeltaLady: Moody has decided to bypass the Golden Shaheen (AND the Tapeta, AND Rocket Man, AND Kinsale King, AND Sepoy, AND Frankel later this year in the UK) to rest and ship Black Caviar to the UK for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. I'd guess they'll go for the 20-win record in some Australian G2, ship to Ascot and hope for a win there before deciding to pursue the Global Sprint Challenge and bonus ($1 million for most points and a win on 3 continents). This gives Moody an option for Japan, then a final appearance at Flemington (more points) and, if all goes perfectly well, either retirement or a decision to go to Hong Kong for the Sprint if the Challenge is winnable. All the remaining choices are then on turf. Moody says the all-weather is not the reason, and if you believe that, then you sure can believe that the Dubai field - RM and KK won the last two Golden's on the Meydan Tapeta and Sepoy is a distinct threat - is surely the reason. I'm disappointed - I'll be there :( - for the horse as it may affect her legacy to win out against lesser competition. If it all works out, Black Caviar will still be regarded as "special," but "great" may be a stretch. To be the best, I believe you have to beat the best. It's why I believe Zenyatta enhanced her standing in her final race, which was only a decent ride and a nose from victory on a surface she never set hoof on.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:39:20 GMT

I believe this year is the best chance Darley/Godolphin has ever had at winning the KY Derby. Out of Bounds should not be slighted for being by a sire that had immense talent at 1 mile. I think some people are forgetting about the dam's side of his pedigree. The San Felipe should finally vault this stout colt to the top of any KY Derby watch list. Discreet Cat is off to a hot start at stud and his offspring deserve respect at any distance.

Alpha is also one of my favorite colts and he is going to love a race at 1 1/4 miles. Maybe he is not flashy enough for some, but his staying power and sustained finish are strong.

The private purchase of high priced colts like Vineyard's Haven, Buffum, and Tahitian Warrior were a complete bust. So changing tactics and sending out homebreds might do the trick.

Desert Party was trained by McLaughlin, not Harty.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Slew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:41:47 GMT

Jon R : Chief Seattle, a multiple grade I stakes-placed son of Seattle Slew, was found dead in his paddock at Lake Shore Farm near Scottsburg, Indiana in November of 2011.

His son, Bold Chieftain (love him) last month retired to stud after a great career, mostly at Golden Gate. They had a special retirement party for Bold Chieftain on Jan 22nd at Golden Gate. He then left for Vacaville to begin his new career as a stud at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds farm.

I'm so glad that Godolphin is leaving their treasures in the more than capable hands of the trainers who brought them along so well. Of course, they have to be thrilled with Albertrani for Bernardini, and Godolphin seems to also be purchasing as many Bernardini's as they can.

There's a special feeling when seeing the Godolphin Blue, or the Juddmonte or Coolmore silks in races in America. (Castaway looked great in those purple silks. The SW felt like BC day.)

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Rachel NH — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:54:48 GMT

Steve, you are a gem to all of us and you have witty, pithy titles, but I see nothing warranting the honor of red, white and blue freedoms here...

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Chicagofan — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:24:39 GMT

Really good news to this fan! And interesting to hear the background of how this change came to pass.

Have to throw in a comment about Discreet Cat, one of my favorites of all time. I was fortunate enough to visit him at Darley about a month after he was one of the "big four" (with Street Sense, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday) who were retired to stand there. Before I saw him in person I thought he was exceptional, but his personality won me over even more. Great to hear he is passing on his kind disposition.

Was also impressed with Mama Kimbo the other day. I am so excited about the future of this stallion. And even more so knowing that more of his progeny may stay right here with this new philosophy from the Sheikh and Godolphin.

Thanks for your blog about these decisions. I would think this really stengthens the possibilities of Godolphin blue being the prominent - if not prevailing! - color on a Derby day in the near future.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Jean in Chicago — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:47:56 GMT

Anna12:

Definitely send an e-mail to Winstar or to Advice's breeder (listed as Mr & Mrs Samuel H. Rogers, Jr in Florida). Many breeders now note on a horse's registration papers that they are to be contacted if the horse's future is in doubt. (Especially after what happened to Ferdinand.) I couldn't find 'Langfield' listed in pedigreequery so I don't know who his breeder was. Good luck.

But don't blame Winstar (or any big operation) too much. It would be a more than full time job to try to keep track of every horse that passes through their gates. And they aren't in any legal position to tell another owner when a particular horse should be retired.

The best we can hope for is that someday every owner has enough compassion that they try to do what is best for the horse and not run him to death, either for profit or because they are enamored with the idea of owning a racehorse.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

skyfire — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:46:21 GMT

What happened to Rick Mettee as a result of Godolphin's shift in tactics? He did a good job of taking their horses and re-acclimating them to US racing.

If I was Godolphin, I would follow Coolmore's lead and give a few to Bob Baffert! I think the Derby road runs thru California this year.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Stellar Jayne — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:53:01 GMT

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the excellent article about Darley/Godolphin re: their new tactic of leaving horses with dirt pedigrees here and with their established trainers. I love all of the horses you fleshed out in the article. It will be difficult to ID who will be the best in the TC races. Hopefully we will have no fallout due to injury or illness.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

jbluesbeatle — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:34:18 GMT

The problem with "so many good horses" is that there isn't a standout, so there won't be a Triple Crown winner. Usually, the Triple Crown winners stood out from their peers in a way that stamped them as great. Secretariat was one example as 2 year old horse of the year. Seattle Slew went undefeated..and so on.

I am concerned about Union Rags because Matz trains him, and my fear is that the whole Barbaro disaster made him overly cautious, as he was with Lentenor, who finished 4th in the Florida Derby, and then dropped off the Derby Trail. So, if anyone else were training Union Rags, I'd be more optimistic, instead of worrying that the trainer will be too conservative. Interestingly, Lentenor finsihed just behind Rule in the Florida Derby, who did well in the Woodward...so that was a waste of talent. No wonder the Jacksons made that decision.

My favorite 3 year old this year is My Miss Aurelia, who looks like she could be very competitive with the colts. I would hope to see her appear in the Derby before we get a bunch of equally matched colts and another year without a Triple Crown winner.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Abigail Anderson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:18:00 GMT

Hi Steve. I really enjoyed reading this article and was, of course, thrilled to see Out of Bounds and Discreet Dancer figure so prominently. I didn't realize that the Darley-Godolphin crew had all been snatched from their American trainers in the past, but glad to know that circumstances have weighed in to assure that this won't be something that continues. Of course, the "wintering in Dubai" is a signature for them, even with their British runners. But I'm just so excited by the prospect of Alpha & the Discreet Cat duo showing up on Derby Day. Here's hoping they don't de-rail along the way!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Karen in Indiana — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:06:44 GMT

I agree with sharjyl - very nice article, Steve. And Darley and Godolphin have played a big role in the horse industry in the US. It does make more sense to leave horses doing well, any horse no matter who the owner, with the trainer who got them to that point. Horses like routine and changes in routine and handlers can ruin many who would otherwise have continued to prosper. So here is hoping the best for all of the Darley and Godolphin trainers and horses and the new philosophy.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Deltalady — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:11:46 GMT

Thank you, Steve. Your perspectives are always "must reads" for me.

Also off topic, agree with Sharjyl... would love your perspective on Black Caviar, given that she is headed into uncharted waters with an overseas trip or trips, if she goes to Dubai as well as to Ascot. Would love some background on what is taking place behind the scenes with her ownership and managing owner appearing to differ slightly with Moody's objectives for her. From what I have been able to discern in public statements, the managing partner apparently is over-riding Moody, as Moody was quoted as saying he didn't favor going to Dubai, at least initially. Now it appears that Moody is taking a reconnaisance trip to Dubai soon. BC is certainly in a class by herself. Wish her and her connections all the very best. This is a great story, still unfolding.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Malcolm Lawrie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:27:21 GMT

The greatness of Godolphin and the Sheikh is the ability to see what's not working and CHANGE. That is why they will get the Roses some day and someday soon!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

JON R — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:33:06 GMT

I'm still a little angry, years and years later, that Godolophin purchased Chief Seattle after his very good two-year-old season and whisked him off to Dubai. I knew that would be the end for the potentially excellent son of Seattle Slew. We'd never really hear from him again. And we didn't. At least Godolphin is now leaving highly regarded prospects in America to prepare for the classics.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

sharjyl — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:37:06 GMT

Very nice article Steve. Darley and Godolphin are playing a big role in American racing. I wonder without them, how big of a gap there would be. The quality produced by Sheikh Mohammad's operations is just spectacular. Wish them all the best.

I know its off the topic Steve, but I want to hear something from you on Black Caviar. What she is doing is just not ordinary in any sense. Thanx

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

Baby Jane Towser — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:33:15 GMT

I like Alpha, he looks like he can go a mile and a quarter and he has the pedigree. Discreet Dancer and Out of Bounds on the other hand, are by Discreet Cat, an exciting young sire who is highly unlikely to ever sire a Derby winner.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

edrul427 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:27:24 GMT

This seem to be a wonderfull year for horse racing.Almost every weekend you get to see some new spectacular colt flying down to the finish line.We all are in for some great races.Keep them coming.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue

anna12 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:19:31 GMT

hi i know that this is getting offsubject. but i think its a pity that a colt like advice who ran in the derby in 2009 ended up running in a 3500dollar claimer at turf paradise less than a month ago and struggled to finish the race and in that same race the former grade one winning langfield plodded along in forth. which i had sent an email to winstar farms about advice. even though they dont own advice anymore. but its total BS that such a top owner and trainer would throw away a horse like advice over giving him to old friends or the ky horse park.