Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

JoyJackson21 — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:19:02 GMT

To Golden Gate:

Thank you so much for the information on Palace Rumor. It's much appreciated and puts me more at ease that she will have a good life ahead of her. Sentimentally, I would love for Palace Rumor & Mr. McBride to be reunited someday. He fiercely loves this mare - I'm sure he would adore having her back in his life.

And to Azeri1,

I totally agree with you. She deserves to have a wonderful forever home - one in which she is pampered and adored! - LOL.

Have a great Fourth of July holiday, everyone!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

The Peacock — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:34:56 GMT

Loved it 'little brother.' You had all the right quotes ovaled. :)

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

robinm — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:39:38 GMT

Oxbow and Orb were the two most effective colts through the Triple Crown series. Incognito was impressive finishing 4th in the Belmont, but despite being a relatively "fresh" horse by virtue of not having competed in 3 tough races in 5 weeks, both Oxbow and Orb finished ahead of him.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Pedigree Ann — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:53:05 GMT

Just to get some perspective - the class of 1957 (foaled in 1954) is said by many to be the best crop of 3yo colts ever seen in this country. And the Triple Crown races had three different winners that year - Iron Liege in the Derby, Bold Ruler in the Preakness, and Gallant Man in the Belmont. Hall of Famer Round Table could only finish 3rd in the Derby.

Having three different winners in the Triple Crown races only means that the crop is pretty even in quality. Whether that quality is high or low or just average is yet to be determined.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Mary — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:42:24 GMT

robinm, disagree with you. Revolutionary, Incognito, Palace Malice, and Will Take Charge were all bred for stamina over speed. I am cognizant of the fact that it takes more than pedigree to win any graded stakes race. Don't get me wrong, Orb, and Oxbo are nice horses, but they had no chance of winning the Triple Crown, the pedigree was just not there.

I will say that the pedigree was there for PM and Revolutionary, as well as Incognito and Will Take Charge, but unfortunately PM and Revolutionary, both had the wrong trainer to get it done. Pedigree, trainer, luck, and jockey all must come together.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Windolin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:34:08 GMT

Thanks Steve for another great post. There is no one better at tying up the loose ends and weaving them into a great story.

I enjoyed the races even though we did not get TC winner. It just goes to show in my humble opinion how talented our TC winners in the 1970's were. I think that we are going to see Secretariat and Seattle Slew in the bloodlines of winning racehorses for many generations.

I am fascinated by Incognito..there is something about him that just gets my attention. Part of it is the width between his eyes and his eyes. So I hope he does well the rest of the season.

Congrats to Orb, Oxbow and Palace Malice and their teams. They all worked and trained and ran hard for their victories and gave all they had. What more could you ask from the horse or his team.

So thankful all were safe and am praying that there are no breakdowns the rest of the racing season.

Look forward to your next post!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Giddyup — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:35:07 GMT

I questioned Steve's pick of Palace Malace for the Belmont but today I am eating crow while he is walking around with a fatter wallet.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

TerriV — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:05:47 GMT

Wow, what a great story about Palace Rumor! Leave it to you, Steve, to make me feel good about the winner even though he really wasn't my choice. I have been behind Revolutionary every time, even though Orb and Oxbow are wonderful. Oxbow is very like Shackleford with his grit and determination. All heart! Just the kind of horse I always love. Revolutionary has loads of talent and I hope to see him rise to his potential and maybe have a bit of luck.

It was a lovely day at Belmont - we were worried about the weather but it was a perfect day.

Congratulations on your picks so far this year. As for me, I'm betting whoever Steve picks all the way through the Breeder's Cup.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

robinm — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:58:25 GMT

It's never wise to expect big things of a horse based on pedigree alone; there have been thousands of well-bred colts that never ran a step. I partially agree with Mary; Incognito is well bred. However, I don't think his pedigree is truly a standout in the group of colts discussed on this blog. IMO, Revolutionary and Orb have pedigrees equally as impressive, in fact there are similarities in that AP Indy is prominent in all three. Personally, I prefer Orb's pedigree over Incognito's, only because I'm not a fan of Unbridled's Song. I've seen a good many unsound horses from this sire, and I don't think the unsoundness comes through Unbridled (Orb's dam-sire). Oxbow's pedigree is nothing to sneeze at either.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

The Deacon — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:03:48 GMT

Linda in Texas: Palace Malice wasn't my 1st choice Revolutionary was. However I did include him my exacta with Orb but 2 out of 3 doesn't get much. Both horses benefited from the 5 week layoff. Mike Smith did a superb job of rating the horse. Funny, but maybe the Derby was just a real solid workout for his Belmont performance.

I love the Curlin connection. We obviously need some talented sires since the A.P. Indy and Storm Cat direct sire line is gone.

Curlin was argueably the best colt we've seen race in quite a few years. Frankel didn't run in the U.S. so I don't include him.

Yes, we had some potential good ones but we lose them to injury.

I do however worry about the slow race times. This crop of 3 year olds is average at best in my opinion. That being said it doesn't diminish the accomplishment of the horse or the connections. It is hard for me to accept 1:50 and change race times for 9 furlongs on a continued basis. Then we say these horses are great horses. To me that doesn't add up. Maybe we all got too spoiled by the great runners of the 1960's, 1970's and a few in the 1980's. Will we ever see the likes of a Kelso, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Affirmed, Buckpasser, Ruffian, and a few others again. My heart says yes but my head says otherwise. This is too much of a money game now. The cost of doing business is great for these owners. The old stables are all but gone. That's why it was so gratifying to see these 3 connections do well. Like you I am an old timer. Remember, my 1st experience at the race track was the 1955 Santa Anita Derby in which Swaps won. He to was a Derby winner. Lets face it " Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio", we may never see another Triple Crown winner but each year we all put on our happy face and remain hopeful.

Steve always does his superb job in bringing us all the up to date information on these horses and his story telling is awesome.

I love your posts as well......... :)

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Old Old Cat — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:08:53 GMT

I just watched the Belmont replay again. Of special note is the end of the race. Every horse, each and every horse, has shortened its stride, and none are chruning their legs with any speed. It almost looks like a rocking horse gallop, with shoulders and rumps alternating exagerated up and downs.

The only thing that makes sense is that the track was especially heavy for that race. Is that right???

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Azeri1 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:09:17 GMT

I so concur with Joy Jackson and Mookie's Hero that Palace Rumor deserves a special place with someone who will always provide for her. She was saved from a terrible fate once and deserves to always feel safe.

As always, thank you Steve for providing the best backstories and coverage of all the intricate aspects of racing. Years from now, when those who come after us want to study the history of racing, you will be the Winston Churchill of the Turf!

I so enjoyed your bantering with Steve Byk and Lenny Schulman before the Belmont and as always wait for your recap of all the TC races.

As for the horses, this year's crop of three-year-olds is a great group with different talents and achievements. Oxbow is a great campaigner, Orb the horse with heart and a great disposition, Palace Malice one of the greatest triers with developing speed that will make his daddy proud throughout his whole career. Unlimited Budget and Dreaming of Julia haven't even come into their own and perhaps we haven't seen the best of Verrazano yet either.

I think Saratoga will make a fine proving ground this summer as we head into the culmination of the year's excitement at Santa Anita in November.

Instead of waiting for a super horse. let's continue to celebrate the merits and the competitive spirits of the horses we can enjoy now. Here's to a stellar crop of competitive three-year-olds who are making it interesting. Let's wish them all safe racing and wise decisions by their connections as they move along their path that will eventually lead to the breeding shed and their own respective legacies.

Thank you Steve for all you do for us fans and the horses!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Golden Gate — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:15:18 GMT

Palace Rumor was resold recently for near $38,000 and she had a filly by City Zip sell for $60,000 at OBS not long ago.

I am sure she will have a good home especially now she threw a Belmont winner. But I do wish McBride could get her one day also Mookie and Joy.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Linda in Texas — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:35:17 GMT

Deacon i was wondering what you were thinking and your thoughts on the winner. Always enjoy your words.

Yes, what is old is new again! Does that go for humans also?:) I sure hope so because i need the positive thing working for me at my age.

Steve, when you see Mr. Campbell please send him our regards and congratulations, the look on his face as he walked Palace Malice to the Winner's Circle and afterward was to marvel at with such adulation and deep appreciation not for himself but for the horse. Mr. Campbell is all heart, just look at his expressions. That to me was almost better than watching Palace Malice streeeeetch that looooong body with every stride.

On any Saturday - - - glad the weather cleared up. No complaints about the track and that is amazing knowing what it looked like early Saturday morning.

And thanks for this article Steve. I always learn something new with each story you tell.

And to Lila Mr. and Mrs.Campbell's

daughter. I know the love a daughter has for her daddy. Steve knows that love also and you know Mr. Campbell got the best Father's Day Gift he could at this stage of his life, Winning The Belmont, just a week and a day early!! No presents needed Lila he got the biggest bestest one besides his family he will ever need! How nice.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Deltalady — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:54:47 GMT

You are simply the best when it comes to these backstories! Love your free-flowing writing style. Your deep knowledge about your subjects really shows in pieces like this. Thank you for a very interesting and entertaining look at this horse and his connections.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Mary — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:54:11 GMT

No outstanding 3 year old this year. I do like Incognito, lovely pedigree. I am still waiting for another Secretariat, maybe next year or 3 years from now, when Union Rags first crop will be at the race track.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

fastestfilly — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:42:27 GMT

I just have to say this Triple Crown series has been fantastic to me. I became a fan of racing in 1990 (the year of my beloved Unbridled) at the tender age of 12. Shug McGaughey, D. Wayne Lukas, Cot Campbell, the Phipps and Janneys, Gary Stevens, Mike Smith...these were the names I knew as I was growing up with the sport. As an adult in a non-racing state, it has been harder to stay in touch with the sport, but seeing all these names again brought back so many memories and made me remember how much I love this sport. Who thought seeing 3 different winners in the Triple Crown could bring such a smile? As if that wasn't enough, Steve, your brilliant, picturesque writing carried me back to those days and brought joyful tears to my eyes. I am thrilled for all connections in this year's Triple Crown and look forward to what shapes up to be an exciting summer and fall!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Mary — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:38:27 GMT

I will not forget Incognito, the best bred horse in the field. I look forward to his next race.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

JoyJackson21 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:37:41 GMT

To Mookie's Hero:

What a great idea! I agree, Palace Rumor should be found and given a forever home, if she needs one. Mr. McBride obviously loves her, he might be the best person to go out and re-purchase her so she will always have a home where she is loved & well-provided for. Palace Rumor opened the door for all of Palace Malice's connections to obtain victory & success today. I hope they would want to provide Palace Rumor the home she deserves as well as a sort of "thank you".

Thank you for the suggestion, Mookie's Hero!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

JoyJackson21 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:21:50 GMT

There has been much mumbling, grumbling and complaining about the slow times of the Derby trial and Triple Crown races, and that no "superhorse" has emerged from this year's crop.

IMHO, Oxbow is the best 3 year old colt in the land at this moment in time, followed closely by Palace Malice, Orb, Mylute, Itsmyluckyday and Revolutionary. On the fillies' side the best are Beholder, Dreaming of Julia, Unlimited Budget & Princess of Sylmar.

What most people have not realized is that not having a "Superhorse" emerge so far this year is actually a good thing for the sport of racing, because this year there will not be a race by the owners to retire horses to the breeding shed as in previous years. The Eclipse Awards for 3 Year Olds are still very much up for grabs, and owners will have to cool their jets and let their horses compete against EACH OTHER head-to-head often until the end of the year - no ducking & dodging & hiding from comparable competition this year in order to have their horses legitimately be able to claim Best 2013 3 Year Old Male and Best 2013 3 Year Old Female Eclipse Awards. That also means, barring injuries that will force retirements, these horses will probably be around to race into Year 4 and Year 5. Just what racing fans have been saying for years is what they WANTED to have happen! So, if you're one of those short-sighted people who complains that this crop of colts & fillies are "mediocre", "slow", "dogs", "average", "not good enough", stop complaining and start thanking the Lord for the gift you have just been handed, because your prayers have finally been answered. Finally, you will have an entire generation of horses who will be around for years to come for you to root for, support & lionize. This equine group will be around to create a devoted following for themselves and legends about themselves that their fans will be telling their children about 15 years from now. That's what everyone has been dreaming of and asking for!! - LOL. We finally have what we've been asking for! I think it's time to start being appreciative of, and thankful for, the Equine Crop (male & female) of 2013!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

JoyJackson21 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:57:55 GMT

I'm very grateful I did well again this year in the Triple Crown races (third year in a row). I had the winners & exotics in all three Triple Crown races by continually playing my Derby picks (Oxbow, Revolutionary, Orb, Palace Malice, Itsmyluckyday & Mylute) back-to-back in each Jewel of the Triple Crown (depending on which horse was running in which leg of the Crown, of course). I love this time of year! - LOL. The Triple Crown races & the Oaks Tiara races are always fun to handicap, play & watch for me, each & every year. Watching a talented horse blossom right before your eyes in the hardest races at the toughest venues in the game is always an awesome thrill.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

JoyJackson21 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:53:51 GMT

Hi Steve,

Great article, as usual! Congratulations on picking the winner of each jewel of the Triple Crown! I don't know if most readers realized this but you did pick the winner in each race, and I give you a standing ovation, Steve. Just like last year, when you were one of only two journalists out there to pick I'll Have Another from the get-go, you showed vision again this year and picked Orb for the Kentucky Derby, Oxbow for the Preakness Stakes, and Palace Malice for the Belmont Stakes. I'm going to say the same thing to you this year as I did last year when you nailed all three races: I hope you placed money on the winners and had the exotics (especially last year's Kentucky Derby exotics, and this year's Preakness & Belmont Stakes exotics, which all paid excellently well.) Congratulations once again on having great vision in your race predictions!

I am so thrilled Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes! Just like Oxbow, Palace Malice had so much bad luck on the Derby trail, and I was confident both of them would soon be redeemed because both were definitely due to have Lady Luck smile down on them and give them good fortune. Todd Pletcher should thank his lucky stars, because Palace Malice just dug his trainer straight out of the doghouse with Palace Malice's supporters! Well, at least PM got Mr. Pletcher out of the doghouse with me, because he was there BIG TIME for putting blinkers on Palace Malice in the Derby and killing any chance Palace Malice had of even having a chance at winning the Derby. Seeing Palace Malice get the good luck he deserved after trying so hard every race only to heartbreakingly miss the chance to win the race was very gratifying to see.

What an incredibly wonderful story about Mr. McBride and the twists & turns of his life in the last eight years. It's as if a guardian angel saved the life of the modestly purchased but much loved by her owner Palace Rumor. His love for his mare is almost palpable. His complete pride & love for Palace Rumor and her son, Palace Malice, brought tears to my eyes. I'm so happy for him that all the tragedy he endured eight years ago turned into triumph and happiness in 2013. Another fabulous story of this history-filled Triple Crown. Thank you for bringing it to us, Steve. I love reading about the intricate, inspirational history of this sport.

This Triple Crown was all about historic names being reborn again (Janneys/Phipps, Calumet Farm, Cot Campbell, D. Wayne Lukas back in the Preakness Stakes Winner's Circle with his gutsy, all-heart colt, Oxbow; Shug McGaughey finally getting his Derby victory with the talented Orb). They were also about redemption for hard-luck horses who needed Lady Luck to finally give them a break (Oxbow and Palace Malice); even about redemption for Curlin (with his son winning the same Belmont Stakes he so nobly tried to win when he was defeated by the great Rags to Riches). And amazing redemption for two Hall of Fame jockeys (Gary Stevens & Mike Smith - one coming back in stunning fashion from retirement, the other winning Classic race victories & accolades after being badly battered in all three legs of last year's Triple Crown races), showing the young guns of their profession & the entire world how winning & competing in a Classic race is supposed to be done. Every race had a great historic backstory. Each race had intermingled histories & lives. Each race had endings that were determined by pace. Each race had a huge element of luck attached to it for each the top three finishers in each race. No, there wasn't a Triple Crown this year, but what a thrill each race was in and of itself. I loved the results of each Jewel of the Triple Crown! What entertaining races they all were!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Paula Higgins — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:52:29 GMT

Another great story after a wonderful race Steve. I was very happy for Mike, Palice Malice and his connections. I thought Oxbow and Orb were very impressive as well. A good day.

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

chucky — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:53:07 GMT

No one better than Mr. Haskin...no one!!

re: Haskin's Belmont Recap: Malice in Wonderland

Texohky — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:55:12 GMT

Orb was overwhelming in the Derby, Oxbow steals the show in the Preakness, and Palace Malice runs away from them in the Belmont! So who's best? Time will tell, but if the old Triple Crown Challenge were still in place, Oxbow would have won the $1,000,000 bonus on points... just sayin'. Maybe no Triple Crown winner, but a truly memorable classic season.