The Next Invasor?

re: The Next Invasor?

Mike Relva — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:01:21 GMT

Plodderman

Don't care how good a horse is if he doesn't have anywhere to run. He didn't run bad considering. Wouldn't throw the towel in just yet.

re: The Next Invasor?

plodderman — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:38:34 GMT

Nice tip Mr Haskin.

Did you read the news? They recently re-named the horse INVISIBLE, after INVASOR.

Actually, he did not runntoo bad, considering he was between horses for much of the race and was trying to run for more than a good 1/2 mile, which explains his dull effort through the lane. Maybe next time.

re: The Next Invasor?

ksweatman9 — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 22:56:49 GMT

I wanted to take a moment to comment on Hansen and why I believe the colt is not running in the race most feel he belongs in. I think the Derby was a wake up call for the good doctor, and he realized that his colt is not unbeatable. Fact is, they are ALL beatable, the good, and the very best can be beaten on any given day. So perhaps he is being overly cautious, or extremely smart. Since American ponies run a limited number of races and race an average of 2 to 3 years, the horse MUST win. Anything else is considered a failure. The competition, toughness of the race, it's all overlooked when a value is stamped on the horse. It's all about getting to the winner's circle. Why risk losing the Haskell against speed balls, when you can win the Virginia Derby without busting your butt? I think Dr. Hansen is wise. Take the win, save the horse. Horse racing is no longer a sport, it's a business. The glory of it all has faded to dollars and cents. One of the greatest thoroughbreds to ever race was Red Rum, yet he only actually won 27 of his 110 races. Try to translate that into our horse racing, it's not possible. Good luck in the Virginia Derby, Hansen, I'm a fan. I'll see you in a big one later this year I presume, and you should be in good form, free from injury and burn out, that's the goal. Keep him healthy and happy doc, but don't lose faith in him. He is a talented colt and can still beat the best IF given the chance.

re: The Next Invasor?

JayJay — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:50:59 GMT

Camorrero : Watched that youtube you posted, is it just me or was the jockey really using his hand to "whip" Brujo ? or did he lose the whip towards the end. Yeah, that race was pretty impressive but we'll have to see how he likes the tracks and competition here in the US.

Just like any other import, we all take a look at them, wait one race to see how they do and if they do well, we become fans. I don't think SteveH ever compared this horse to Invasor (I actually read the whole article), but I think it was smart to use "Invasor" in the headline... who could resist an article with Invasor in the headline AND written by the great steve...

re: The Next Invasor?

Alex'sBigFan — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:30:51 GMT

Linda in Texas,

Thanks for the Mountaineer mileage info! I'll have to settle for Monmouth on Sunday though. Why on earth are they running Hansen in WVA and not the Haskell? If he is to compete at Saratoga shouldn't he NOT be avoiding the competition and facing the likes of Paynter??? I guess Dr. Hansen knows better the reasoning behind it. I wanted to see Hansen so bad but to quote our famous doctor here, "that's the way the cookie crumbles!" I'll wave to y'all if I get near a camera. I want Paynter to win so the Baffert family does not have to endure another Grade I second, I want Dullahan to win for Romans, and I want Handsome Mike to win just because IHA's jock Mario Gutierrez is up. Guess I'll be rooting for all 3 but dressed for Hansen, oh well.

There are only six in the Haskell field, pitiful showing. We've lost 3 to injury and one to fever, IHA, Rags, WTDayWell, Bode (the feverish one).

Fran,

Daughter of Afleet Alex running on Sunday at Monmouth too! 5 yr. old Afleeting Lady! Yippee-i-a, yippee-i-o!!! That race goes off at 5 PM.

Good luck to all and all come home safe. Happy Haskell Day. I read where Baffert is not going to be there but watching from CA. Hope he is well, they always go and love the Haskell in NJ. Hope he just decided to take a rest. It's not the same without Baffert there.

re: The Next Invasor?

Linda in Texas — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 23:47:25 GMT

Correction. - It is only 283 miles from Pimlico to Mountaineer. I never was good at directions. I added an extra thousand miles.

Have a good week end of racing everyone and be safe.

Linda

re: The Next Invasor?

ksweatman9 — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:36:15 GMT

Sounds like another good pony, I love them all, but right now I'm really in love with Danedream. Not only did she set a new record for the Arc, but she managed to win the King George in what I considered to be a less than a perfect trip. A small horse in stature, she's all heart. She didn't feel well, and "wasn't herslf" last month in the St. Cloud, according to her connections, but obviously they saddled her anyway. That must only happen abroad, because it doesn't happen here in this day and age. She redeemed herself, as I knew she would. I hope the little gem from Germany continues to shine. I love her.

re: The Next Invasor?

plodderman — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:41:22 GMT

Nice article, Steve.

I remember May of 2006 like it was yesterday. Invasor was entered at Pimlico and having seen he had run in Dubai, I looked up his past performances. I had already thought Discreet Cat was the best horse I had ever seen run. As a side note, I think with better handling and the whole desert training crap, I think had Discreet Cat would have broken every record ever run with better handling. He had more speed an talent than the best of them. Too bad though. ANYWAY - I remembered Invasors move on the last turn and knew he had talent, especially having run with the Cat. I grabbed my buddy and told him of the sure thing I had going at Pimlico. After the race, i told him to keep breeders Cup day open,as this horse was the best in training. Cut to the end. My friend (who I nick-named JINXY long ago)didn't want no parts of a horse he said had to work hard to win in Pimlico, so my future brother in Law joined me. Having never been to the races often we was very excited as we sat at the Delaware Park Restaurant bar and proceed to run up a huge bankroll. He knew we had a very big stack of tickets on the race and i assured him that it was a cold Excata of Invasor and Berbardibi, but we would be foregoing those bets for the tri's/supers and win bets only. Mind you, this is a quit guy I am with. Turning for home, my quiet brother in law sees Bernardini in front and Invasor moving quickly and proceeds to stun me by standing up and yelling at the top of his lungs..... "Run right by that piece of sh**!!! Embarassed, but really didn't care, as it tollk them 40 minutes to get the cash to pay us. I hope Brujo de Olleros is half as good as Invasor.

re: The Next Invasor?

Camorrero — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:48:44 GMT

If someone wants to take a look at Brujo´s last performance in Uruguay, just click below. It was an amazing performance, setting new track record (undisputed for over 70 years) and easily galloping, so he could have set a much better time. He also set the track 7 1/2 record. It was not about a lack of level of the others, it was about an inmense horse. It may not be the Next Invasor, but it may also well be better than him. Expect an easy ride next sunday. History will start on the 29th.

www.youtube.com/watch

re: The Next Invasor?

Linda in Texas — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:47:17 GMT

Read yesterday that Hansen is running in Chester, WV at Mountaineer not the Haskell, so i have looked up the mileage from some locations in case anyone wants to pack a lunch and drive!(some may need to take an

extra snack).

MILES FROM CITY TO CHESTER, WV

399 NEWARK

372 LOUISVILLE

39.7 PITTSBURG, PA (A DEAL)

344 INDIANAPOLIS

2436 SANTA ANITA

1306 STEPHENVILLE,TX

1174 CALDER RACE COURSE,FL

1283 PIMLICO MARYLAND

409 NEW YORK CITY

? BRAZIL (Jose from Brazil)

Google could not compute to

see how far it would be for

you from Sao Paulo to

Chester, WV.

Alex'sBigFan - You would no doubt make the local news if you go to Mountaineer in that blue frock!

I would love it and would hope it would be posted on Bloodhorse.com.

I am still trying to make you famous ABF. Dr. Hansen, are you

reading this?? We love the grays!

I know this is about Brujo but could not resist.

Jose from Brazil - Steve IS the Boss! :)

Linda

re: The Next Invasor?

Love 'em all — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:37:10 GMT

Really do appreciate the info on SA's official birthday for TBs. All this time, I've thought Aug. 1st was the date for all SH TBs.

Pretty sure Australia and New Zealand use Aug. 1st, but I could be wrong. I learn something everday at this site.

Thanks again.

re: The Next Invasor?

the brz — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:47:09 GMT

Love 'em all,

In South America its July 1st. I know that in South Africa its August 1st, don't know about Australia, New Zealand, etc.

But I can guarantee you about the other two. Now, why don't all SH thoroughbreds get older on the same day, I have no clue.

I know in S. American countries its July 1st and in S. Africa its different, only on the first day of August.

re: The Next Invasor?

the brz — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:41:23 GMT

Love 'em all,

In South America, the official birthday is July 1st, for sure.

I know that in South Africa its August 1st, but I don't know about New Zealand, Australia, etc.

South American horses get older every July 1st, I can guarantee you that. Breeding season down here obviously starts August 1st, but the official birthday is July 1st.

re: The Next Invasor?

Love 'em all — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:05:15 GMT

Re: Old Tune's birthday [post by Jose from Brazil on 7/24].

Always thought August 1st is the official birthday for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds ... not July 1st. No?

en.wikipedia.org/.../Thoroughbred

re: The Next Invasor?

Karen in Texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:56:19 GMT

Jose from Brazil----Thanks so much for your information-packed post! I enjoyed it, and appreciate your insights on Brazilian and all South American racing. I will certainly be watching for Old Tune's North American debut. Siphon and Sandpit were two of my favorite SA imports from the '90's.

re: The Next Invasor?

Uncle Smiley — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 01:20:32 GMT

Pedigree Ann

Thanks for the Tip on The Racing Game. We will search it.

Red Rum, either the Grand National Champion, or the Genre of Mr. Francis. Like the disambiguation, as they say on Wiki.

Thanks for your help. With it we shall find what we seek.

Longtimeracingfan

Yet again, another who aids and abets ones fellow rail bird.

Now I think Amazon is a place to see what might exist out there.

Thanks to all!

re: The Next Invasor?

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 21:11:53 GMT

Dr. D.,

Too clever and cute!!! I feel like saddling up Old Paint and going on a trail ride with everyone. You're singing, Smarty's singing, Steve's got us all singing.

Steve,

You gave us the right date for the Haskell in this article, the 29th. Whoever wrote the "Stealcase Works" article said the Haskell is July 28, which sent me that day flying over to Monmouth's site to make sure I'm driving there on the right day. Thank goodness Steve is on the ball.

And I just reread this and realized I'll get to see this Brujo in person Haskell day! Yippee-i-a!!!!!

re: The Next Invasor?

the brz — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:02:01 GMT

Steve, nice article, great to know you take a look down at us once in a while.

Information for you: the ONLY country in SA that has ALWAYS banned lasix/salix and any other type of medication (race-day or not) in ALL graded stakes is Brazil. You might not be familiar with this, but all the horses who won Grade 1 races (or graded stakes) in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay in the last 10+ years ran, with very few exceptions, with lasix and bute, which is also allowed. OSAF (South American version of The Jockey Club) banned all medications in graded stakes by 2014.

A quick comment: guess what country didn't do anything because it was already following these regulations since always? Brazil. Obviously not all horses improve their performance with lasix and bute, but when you don't know the horse, you always think he might be a bleeder or he might deal with some kind of pain, who knows. When you allow the use of these things you are open to receivewrong judgement over a good horse, who might be 100% healthy despite running under medication.

Maybe that is the reason why the biggest weekend of racing in Brazil, in the first weekend of August, with 4 international Grade 1 races with the best purses in the continent, drew ZERO foreigners, because they know that if they come here they need to run "clean" so they prefer to keep their horses at home.

Another thing is that you are talking about Brujo de Olleros (Brz), a son of Wild Event, champion sire in Brazil and sire of two brazilian-bred and raced horses who shipped to the US and became Grade 1 winners recently: Double Trouble and Fluke. But you don' t mention OLD TUNE, a filly by Wild Event who became Triple Crowned in Rio de Janeiro this year in Brazil, just the fourth one to do so in over 30 years of the Triple Crown for fillies. Of the other three, you might remember one of them: Virginie, who was exported to the US and became a Grade 1 winner there too.

OLD TUNE was a top 2 year old filly, winning a Grade 1 at one mile in June. She ran her first two races on sand (the track is much deeper and slower than dirt): third in a 5 1/2 furlong maiden then second in a Listed at 6 furlongs. After that only Turf. Since she never ran on sand when she was at the top of her game, we can't say she is only a grass filly. About horses who ran well on sand in Brazil and transferred successfully to dirt in the US, three names are enough: Siphon, Riboletta and Pico Central.

OLD TUNE was in the money in Grade 1s at 8 and 9 furlongs next, before failing in a Grade 1 in October 2011 at 10 furlongs. She then came back in a Grade 3 at one mile in January 2012 and won impressively. The Triple Crown for fillies was next, with Grade 1s at 8 furlongs (Feb.), 10 furlongs (March), and 12 furlongs (April). She won the first two legs by half length, running mid pack and kicking in strong with a superb turn of foot in the last furlong, doing just enough to be the first to cross the wire. The third leg she did the same but took the lead in the last furlong before pulling away to win dominantly by 3 lengths.

OLD TUNE was exported in June, is a strong well-made filly (ran with around 1,100 pounds), good temperment, and arrives at her best form. She just turned 4 (our horses get older every 1st of July), but will most probably run as a NA 5 year old mare. If she is lucky, adapts to the Northern Hemisphere, American training methods, tracks, racing style among others, which is not easy, she might win Grade 1 races there. She definitely has the quality to do so.

Remembering some other good fillies who were exported to the US recently: Celtic Princess, Zardana, Colina Verde (Triple Crowned in São Paulo), Bubbly Jane, Éissoaí, Scalinatella, Equitana, and Great Hot. Some didn't become successful in the US, for various reasons: going from thin body-type to bad temperament, to failing to adapt to the Northern Hemisphere. Some trainers absolutely destroyed them with terrible management, bad judgement and wrong distances and/or running style. Sometimes it seemed like they just didn't care, insisting on mistakes, because I prefer to believe they are not that stupid, Hall of Fame trainers included.

I believe Old Tune is much better than all of the ones that are listed except Celtic Princess, which was a freak down here but failed to become a star in the US. A Grade 2 win at Hollywood Park was too little for such a talented female racehorse. Hopefully, Old Tune can do better than that.

Last, I suggest you follow closer our races because there are always good horses showing up. I think The Blood Horse should write about South American horse racing more often, at least the results of the Grade 1 races. The only news I read about Brazil regards shuttling stallions, and even that is extremely poor. In 2009, Elusive Quality, Northern Afleet, Linngari, Good Reward, Artax, Point Given, and Sinndar were here. In 2010, Elusive Quality, Shirocco, Good Reward, Artax, Peintre Celebre, Refuse To Bend, Macho Uno, Cape Town and others. In 2011, Manduro, Refuse To Bend, Shirocco, Peintre Celebre, Macho Uno, Cape Town, Pounced and others. In 2012, we will have Holy Roman Emperor, Shirocco, Roderic O'Connor, Drosselmeyer, and others. Some of them were bought, either 100% or SH breeding rights.

I only talked about shuttling stallions. There are plenty of great stories to be told about the present of Brazilian Horse Racing. The Grande Premio Brasil, our most important race to be run on the first sunday of August, will offer about US$ 450,000 of purse, with the winner taking around US$ 250,000, the biggest purse offered in any race in South America this year.

Show this comment to your boss, please. LOL! Hopefully he will consider what I pledge.

All the best,

Jose

re: The Next Invasor?

serenassong — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:09:16 GMT

Just as a side note to what I posted earlier in regard to Chuck Berry(ARG)- his name has been changed to Grand Berry- there may have been a problem with him running here with his original name. Good luck to Brujo de Olleros(URU)!

re: The Next Invasor?

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 01:42:46 GMT

The horses are the best by far so saddle up well, yippi-i, yippi-a, yippi-o. Spin is a cowboy yes siree, the best ever seen by you and me, yippi-i, yippi-a, yippi-o. Steve Haskin is the darn tootenest writer this side of the Atlantic and the other side too, yippi-a, yippi-o. He must like writing and horses and like them well or else he wouldn't be so doggone swell, yippi-i, yippi-a, yippi-o. We'll never forget the Triple R, yippi-a, yippi-i, yippi-o.

re: The Next Invasor?

El Kabong — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 20:57:19 GMT

Great story Steve.

And I will be the first to back you that a good header is essential to getting people to spend a moment to read these days. But alas, it does not mean that they will learn a thing even if they do.

Looking forward to watching him run.

re: The Next Invasor?

TimberRT — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:13:13 GMT

Great article and looking forward to see him race but for how long? The owners are retiring the colts at the age of 3 while the fillies race another year or two. Why?

re: The Next Invasor?

serenassong — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:35:11 GMT

Indeed a lovely horse, hope he does well. As a caveat to this, 2 great Argentine runners have landed in this country- Suggestive Boy(ARG)- who was second to Jeranimo in the Shoemaker Mile beating Little Mike and Mr. Commons- and will run in the Wickerr Stakes on 7/25 and Chuck Berry(ARG) who is in training with Bill Mott. Chuck Berry was second to Suggestive Boy(ARG) in their native country but only because his rein broke coming out of the gate. I have been long facinated by horses coming over here from South America and look forward to watching them run. Great article.

re: The Next Invasor?

Teag — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:06:03 GMT

If you've read the article and comments and haven't seen the video of his last race on YouTube, do it now. I don't care who he's beating, that's a world-class stretch run after a decent pace. Hope he stays sound for a fall campaign in the US.

re: The Next Invasor?

Slew — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:30:12 GMT

Steve, this is interesting..but, do we really need another miler?

I've been keeping an eye on Photon, a son of Invasor who was doing ok in Fla. Another hit the Arlington track this past month.

Invasor, himself, was magnificent. But when you're a fan of Bernardini, that BC Classic still pinches a bit. I thought Invasor won it because

1..he was better

2..he was older than Bernardini

We started this year with one of the strongest 3 year old crops in years...and then...injury after injury has taken the strongest of them out of the picture. What are we doing wrong?