The Princess of Sylmar Story

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 03:11:24 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

What do you do?- Learn to sing O Mio Babbino Caro then teach it to Mr. Ed. That ought to keep you busy and take your mind off of Saratoga, but don't get so caught up in the song that you forget to watch The Travers. It's going to be a doozy, as you said. Nice song, I like it. The movie is going to be called- My Alfalfa Flingin' Floozy, She's a Doozy. Can we use floozy? Or is it politically incorrect?

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 00:23:13 GMT

Lyrics to Mr. Ed's new song:

"Alfalfa Flingin' Filly"

I've got an Alfalfa Flingin' Filly

Just can't keep food in her tub.

Yes, she sometimes is so silly,

My little chestnut.... hubba hub.

I've got an Alfalfa Flingin' Filly

She just sets my tail aspin.

Yes she's my Saratoga Baby,

How about her Alabama win!!!!

I've got an Alfalfa Flingin' Filly...........

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Alex'sBigFan — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 22:47:28 GMT

Dr. D,

Yes! I endorse! Great idea. And now Mr. Ed can sing to his Princess his newly recorded song, "Alfalfa Flingin' Filly." I'm even rolling on that one! Dr. D what do I do for my bad case of Saratoga fever other than get in my car and do the 3 hour drive by myself?????

Congratulations to little miss Princess of Sylmar, I knew she could do it. I am proud of her. Congratulations to Mr. Pletcher too on the micromanagement of all these forty tails. How does he do it?

Travers should be a great race.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Azeri1 — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:31:22 GMT

The "Princess" is having her well-deserved Cinderella moment. As are her unassuming breeder and owner connections. How can you not root for the Princess? Now she will get her respect and maybe even an Eclipse Award to reward her for her easy-going winning ways!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Kris Marshall — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 17:53:34 GMT

Princess of Sylmar would be a truly deserving champion. But, I fail to understand the racing media's rush to give her the Eclipse. A Beldame-Distaff or Zenyatta-Distaff double by a top 3 year-old filly ( OK, I'm talking about Beholder) would certainly be worthy of Eclipse consideration.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

zarvona — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 12:46:52 GMT

For those that know of my honest approach to posting, this is not me boosting at all.

Of all the horses, fillies and /or colts, that I personally looked into last year,--over 350 2 year. olds.?--on my own ‘breeding rating system’ alone,--with “Princess of Sylmar” ‘rated’ as the only horse in my system then--before some this year up-grading tweaking that will add some likely about c. 25 points to colt’s ‘ratings’ and c. 35 points to fillies’s ‘ratings’, all due to adding points for breeding with such like accomplished 10 & 12 fur. runners added and some older Triple Winner’s lines, and, etc. adding upgraded points to ‘breeding lines’,--she rated out as the only 2 year old then, fillie or colt, that scored over “400” for me. Thusly, I not only bet her in the Kty. Oaks--at 38-1?, --‘win and place’, but also had her as the only fillie that I put money $$$ on in the ‘future Pool #2’, at 27-1? --collecting on both bets that were reached at all via her ‘breeding rating’--my system-- alone. And that all so, where going into the Kty. Oaks her wins were really not that impressive and her 2nd in N.Y. in her last race before the Kty. Oaks, was hopeful, but did not over fill me with confidence going into the Kty. Oaks by any stretch, regarding that “lil’ Penn. National fillie’.

But, all much like “Super Saver” in the past, IF YOU believe that horse can ‘peak’ come the first Saturday in MAY that stands out for some reason ‘BREEDING WISE’,--where like “Super Saver” who had c. 11-13 links to the “BHXFG” strains--the “Big Heart ‘X’ Factor Gene” strains,--with my files that far back now deleted, but some 7-8 above average for a colt then though in any rate, and again not a great looking hoss ‘on paper’ via his record going into “the Derby”, but also the eventual winner in Kentucky come the “the first Saturday in May”,--“Princess of Sylmar” not only had 14 links to the “BHXFG” strains, but had the required strong dam side which was also intriguing. Yes, when e-mailing my older brother regarding her, I often referred to her as that “lil’ Penn. National fillie’ or “the fillie out of Penn. National”. In any event, she was intriguing to me as a ‘playa’, and I did collect on all bets on her and all at attractive prices, and that all so, all based on ‘breeding rating’ alone,--not some fast “Beyer” figure, or some ‘I like the trainer’, or some “Bellamy Road run”, or some such angle, or other, or etc., but simply on her ‘breeding rating’--my own system--alone.

For those who are already curious about up and comers for this coming year, I have already found 2 colts this year that rate in the high ‘400’s’ that would have rated only a little lower last year,--my system--and one in the high 300’s with 13 links to the “BHXFG”, but again… in the HIGH 400’s !!! and several fillies as well, and these among those 450 plus that will come out of the wood work before now and April of 2014, and that with a 2 year old foundation under them, OR NOT.

In any event, with the economic depression now mildly over, the breeding up,--and the likes of Sheik not buying and shipping near all well-breds off to Arabia,--things are looking up. Wow, sons from “Dennis the Cork”, “No Biz Like Showbiz”, and, etc.--all high ‘rated’ breeding wise--coming out this year. Thusly, the Grade I $2 mil. BC JUV., and the Gr. I $2 mil. BC JUV fillies, can only make the hunt for the Derby and Oaks this year that much more interesting.

Oh, to “the TRAIL”.

Well, as always fellow ‘bloggers’,--and those fellow addicted gambler horse ‘playas’, like myself,--out there, good luck at those windows, and stay well.

And as a personal note to Steve,--who all know I do love with a passion although we have our differences on thoughts of rating the “eventual Derby runners”, TY, and a great article as always. With that ‘winning’ smile on my face thinking of that “lil’ Penn. Nationals fillie’ now fresh, that yesterday was mostly but a past memory, the article touched me as many of your intriguing stories,--such as that on--the now ol’ Va.-bred “Secretariat”,--always do. Again, Thank You.

“Good Day.” and “Go BABY Go BABY Go ”. -- “Zarvona”, the Virginian spy.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Stephie Clare — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 00:17:57 GMT

I love this filly! And she won today big time. She's the champ.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Steve Haskin — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 23:52:57 GMT

What a great victory by the Princess. You gotta love her. And her connections are all wonderful people. And what a great victory for Pennsylvania.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Susan from VA — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 21:54:39 GMT

Princess of Sylmar's win in the Alabama just brought a smile to my face. It's been a few years since I've whooped when a horse made its move. I am still smiling. How big is she? I like the little ones.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Davids — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 20:21:16 GMT

Steve, watching Princess of Sylmar from her first race has been enthralling to watch. The connections exude the wonderful excitement of having a champion horse.

Hopefully, Princess of Sylmar completes the happy story this afternoon.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 12:35:36 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

I think that Mr. Ed should sing New York New York at the Belmont Stakes this year. I don't know why they always have a human singing it. A horse should be singing it at a horse race. Of course. Do you endorse?

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 22:45:59 GMT

And when Princess of Sylmar flings her alfalfa out of her feed tub, Mr. Ed can sing his famous, "I've Got The Empty Feedbag Blues" to her.

Ok, Ok, I'm losing it. Got a bad case of Saratoga fever I guess!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 01:58:25 GMT

If Mr. Ed was up there strolling through Pletcher Paradise in Saratoga and he caught a glimpse of Princess of Sylmar he would be singing his "Pretty Little Filly With The Ponytail!!!!" It's so cute, I think the episode of him singing it is on YouTube somewhere.

Steve I hope you are having morning coffees and beautiful strolls in the morning through Pletcher Paradise up there in Saratoga and enjoying every minute of it.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Racingfan — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:25:25 GMT

Nice to read more about this terrific little filly. I really knew nothing about her at all before the Kentucky Oaks. Would love to root for her in the Alabama and I think she has a great chance...but I have to stick with Tell A Great Story since she is a Sagamore Farm homebred! Good luck and a safe trip to all!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Shelby's Best Pal — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 16:05:07 GMT

Good luck to Princess of Sylmar and her people.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Danette — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 20:43:27 GMT

Thanks for writing about Princess and her connections. I love stories about people and horses like this. I want her to win the Alabama so much.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Love 'em all — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:02:02 GMT

I know who I'll be rooting for Saturday afternoon ... from my TV chair. Princess Sylmar, the very talented pretty horse with cotton in her ears! Reminds me of another young lady who ran with cotton in her ears ... and liked to come from behind ... and had a good kick! This is exciting! Cheers to Princess Sylmar and all her good folks.

Wonderful story, Mr. Haskin.

She made the cover of the B-H July 27th issue, but I'm just now noticing those cotton balls!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Blum Gone — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:36:14 GMT

Great story, as always, Steve. So wonderful to see folks who really and truly CARE about this horse(s). She is loved.

Funds are needed to rescue TB racehorses from tracks and offer them a safe retirement. Most of these racehorses are geldings, who, in the eyes of those racing them, have “no other purpose.”

Remember Me Rescue has set up a special fund which will enable them to contact owners and trainers of horses that have earned more than $500,000 and are running for a claiming price of $5000 or less and then offer them retirement, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming. Please consider a donation in Monzante’s memory, or in the memory or honor of any other horse you love.

teamkeen.com/monzantememorialfund.html

A couple of TBs’ retirement are currently being negotiated, but funds are needed towards that purpose. Please feel free to post this request wherever you feel its appropriate.

For the horses!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Signal — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:06:00 GMT

Thanks, steve to bring up this story of a very good filly,

but don't tell to those who touted

their hype filly DOJ, they still

believe DOJ will beat every filly

on earth by 10 lenghts.

What a joker!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

carolchristine — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 15:23:32 GMT

Thanks so much for this great story, Steve. Obviously, they are real horse people who care about and enjoy their horses -the best part of Thoroughbred racing. Hope she wins the Alabama and goes on to more glory!

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

TizAllie — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 12:40:36 GMT

In the 2013 "Leading Sires" list of 150, 9% were sired by A.P. Indy. Having A.P. Indy as a grand sire certainly WAS a no brainer at 10K.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Maryp — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:59:31 GMT

Really liked reading about this filly and how she brought her people to this point. Thanks, Steve.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

steve from st louis — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 03:39:22 GMT

How can you not root for these people? And does Todd Pletcher get all the best horses or does he develop them? I hope someday the Phipps, Janneys and Houghtons get together and breed the Oaks winner to the Derby winner.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Owlbet — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 03:37:16 GMT

Ahhh....Princess of Sylmar

I see her as a sleeper candidate for Horse of the Year. First she has to win the Alabama and then follow it up with a win in November at the Breeder's Cup. I'd love to see her in the Classic, but the Distaff would work just as well.

Thank you for the write-up on Princess of Sylmar.

re: The Princess of Sylmar Story

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 03:27:23 GMT

Great story Steve. I love her name, Princess of Sylmar, so exotic. I like this regal little chestnut filly a lot. I echo Stanco, may she stay sound and healthy and have a nice trip. She may be little but she looks like she has all heart.

Thank you Steve for this insight into one of Mr. Pletcher's "forty tails." Good luck to you pretty little Princess of Sylmar, may you add the state of "Alabama" to the states you already represent. Go get 'em girl!!!!!!!!! I'll be rooting for her.