Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Paula Higgins — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:53:58 GMT

Linda in Texas, could not agree more with not wanting to see Royal Delta lose. It's like world karma is off if she loses. Shouldn't happen. But as you noted, maybe she has other things on her mind. I hope not, not yet.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Cassandra.Says — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:28:17 GMT

Gee, Cat, Dick Francis's heroes are memorable for being battered and/or maimed: hung from the ceiling in handcuffs, one hand slashed to ribbons, dehydrated and dying of thirst in Africa, shoulder broken by a psycho mobster, beaten with chains, and on and on ... and soldiering on.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Old Old Cat — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:05:07 GMT

Wonderful well written article, again. Almost like being there.

You remind me of a typical Dick Francis hero. You're always there with your pen and brownie instamatic, or throw-away. Keep writing.

On the Breeder's Cup subject, Has anyone thought about having the races at two different tracks, on the same day, with start times staggered 15 (or 20)minutes from the end of the previous race? One day of non-stop simulcast wagering, and TV coverage. Odd numbered races at one track, even at the other. pick 3-4-5-6.. up to pick godzillion. what a headache, minds would explode.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Linda in Texas — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 18:26:45 GMT

Steve, brilliant article. Beholder wins, you must be psychic on top of everything else choosing her as the central topic the week of the race.

Hi Slew. Sure miss your postings with every article not responded to. I look for your guidance and put it to good use.

Paula, well written and i could not agree more. Mike and Mike were a real treat to watch. What a gutsy little horse. Real Solution and Big Blue Kitten coming in 2 and 3 was nice for Mr. Ramsey.

It was hard for me to watch Royal Delta lose. Losing just is not a word i equate when thinking about her and i hated to see her let this one slip away. I hope she is not becoming 'Rachelistic' and tiring of racing.

Laughing wire to wire was another great race. But I worry more about the ones who don't win than do. And i purposely say that while thinking of Joyful Victory. Such a regal looking filly/mare and she is fast approaching retirement. She carries herself like she trains with books on her head! Odd observation but i try not to miss a thing.

And i still respect Paynter. Always will. All things considered, it was a nice day of racing just like Paula said.

Thanks Steve. Appreciate you.

Linda

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Paula Higgins — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 05:24:35 GMT

Congrats to MMM and his connections. Good race and I was really happy to see Paynter run well too. Ron the Greek and Little Mike were a nice surprise since neither one was even close to being the favorite. Happy for Mike Smith too. Princess of Sylmar was impressive and no surprise there. Last but not least, I was very happy to see Beholder do well. All in all, a very good day in racing. It is going to be an interesting and exciting Breeders Cup Series.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

smarie — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 18:00:28 GMT

We lived in Alta Loma, CA, which lies in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains in '03 when an arsonist was setting fires in several locations there. Your pictures look sadly familiar, Mr. Haskin.

We visited Santa Anita several times and found it to be a lovely place. I think that if the Breeders Cup were to decide on a permanent location, Santa Anita would be the best choice. Considering the lateness in the year that these races are run, the weather in California can't be beat. I believe it suits the European horses more than cold and rainy/snowy would. I know it would suit me better!

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Slew — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 15:12:11 GMT

Long time to get back to racing.

Howdyyyyyyyy!

Mandella trained Rock Hard Ten, one of my favorites. Got to love him just for that. And I really have enjoyed watching Beholder and always backed her.

As far as the fillies and mares go, I think some folks are just in a rut with certain words.

"Distaff" simply means anything female. (Named after a staff shaped like a "y".) "Lady". on the other hand, denotes a female who is well bred. Which term best describes the likes of Personal Ensign, Royal Delta, Zenyatta, Lady's Secret, and Bayakoa to name but a few? Sorry folks, to me, these are all Grand Ladies who deserve every inch of being called a lady.

As much as I would like to see the Breeders' Cup rotated, when I take the weather variables into account, I couldn't think of a better permanent home than Santa Antita. And we do seem to get more international competitors when it is held there.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

The Deacon — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:06:17 GMT

The fire was just awful but fellow bloggers that could happen anywhere. I don't want to get anyone's dander up but what's wrong with holding the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita.

The weather is usually perfect, the San Gabriel backdrop makes it a stunning showcase for the world to see all the horses have an equal playing field. Eastern horses did well last year and the Euro's have historically done well.

I for one did not like Churchill Downs in November. I wouldn't mind Belmont Park as an alternate but most of all these tracks are famous for a particular race, let Santa Anita have the Breeders Cup. Great place to vacation, lots to do. You can take in the beach, Universal Studios, the Hollywood Blvd. experience and just about anything else.

Just my opinion...........

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Agnes — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 00:02:17 GMT

I often watch the end of Mandella's DVD "On The Muscle" with an account of that wonderful day in 2003 and enjoy it each time. I'm glad the race has regained its rightful name, the "Distaff". It'll be fascinating to see who wins it.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Karen in Texas — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 22:17:15 GMT

It will be a daunting task for Beholder to prevail over Royal Delta in the Distaff, but it's not impossible.

I am in total agreement with those who believe the Breeders' Cup should not be held at Santa Anita permanently, as well as with those who are pleased with the return of the label "Distaff" to the BC race for fillies/mares three years old and older. I find "Distaff" to be much more dignified and much less patronizing.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Arts and Letters — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 20:16:46 GMT

I'm soooooo glad they renamed the race back to the Distaff! Now they just need to get rid of a few of the races they've added through the years and get back to 7 or 8 really good ones, and we'll be set!

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

derbylin — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:17:19 GMT

I agree with you, Pedigree Ann. The Breeder's Cup should not be held permanently at Santa Anita.

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

TXLonghorn — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:47:19 GMT

Thank you for another insightful, entertaining piece!

On another note, am I the only one who is really glad Beholder is a "live contender" in the DISTAFF rather than the Ladies Classic? Breeders' Cup got that decision right!

re: Mandella 'On Fire' Again With Beholder

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:26:39 GMT

Yet another reason not to site the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita permanently.

re: Mandella “On Fire” Again With Beholder

Paula Higgins — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 01:30:21 GMT

Oh yeah, I would have been out of there before you could count to 5 after the first puff of smoke. Nothing scares me more than a fire. Not even snakes. Fires can move so fast it is unbelievable. Me, the horses, cats etc. would have been long gone.

Great article Steve. Would love to see Beholder do well. But I think this is Royal Delta's to win or lose. She is a very, very good horse and I think she should be racing the boys.

re: Mandella “On Fire” Again With Beholder

Pik4Joel — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 23:25:50 GMT

Thanks for the run-down, Steve... Lenny may also recall that Mike Ness penned a poignant ballad regarding the 03 fires... That Saturday morning, before heading to the cup, we surfed HB with snow-like ash - when we got there (around 10:50) I was almost certain the event was in danger of being cancelled... I didn't know you guys then, and often remember by popping in On The Muscle... It was a very surreal day... See you both soon, hoping no ash - we have had an extremely dry year! PS - cashed on Perfect that day, not so much on the others - but looking forward to rooting Indy Point with our Argentine contingency!