Jonesing for the Roses

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Maria Michalak — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:23:08 GMT

I'm always late in getting to the blogs, but this made me smile. I sure do hope this is the year of Larry and Cindy Jones! I hope that all of heaven smiles down on both of them on Derby day, and always after.

No one deserves a special victory on May 2nd more than they do!

If the world had more people with hearts, faith, strength, courage, and integrity even a 1/4 the size of Larry and Cindy Jones', the world would be a much better place.

Come on, Friesan Fire! I hope he leaves the rest of the field in the dust on the first Saturday in May.

If Desert Party Romps, Street Cry Is the New Mr. P

The Five-Cross Files — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:18:22 GMT

Kentucky Derby hopeful Desert Party has a re-emerging female family, the world's most prominent racing stable -- and maybe the most important sire at stud today.

Larry Jones Talks Thoroughbred Pedigrees

The Five-Cross Files — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:39:35 GMT

What's better than listening to an interview with training great Larry Jones? Having him answer YOUR questions!

re: Jonesing for the Roses

sgillies — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:31:14 GMT

Like Larry Jones? He's the next guest on Talkin' Horses, where the interview consists of reader-submitted questions.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

SQ — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:37:28 GMT

I am really rooting for Mr. Jones. I was at the Derby last year and it was absolutely Heartbreaking! I think OF will take it, I like a grey horse this year!!

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Sam Anderer — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:51:13 GMT

Only an EKG would tell if the Big Red Machine passed on his tremendous heart size through the females to Friesan Fire.

And of course, the lineage of Old Fashioned has the heart size factor present. Unfortunately, no one talks about it. Then there are those interesting mathematical measurements, involving triangles.

Have to wonder how these colts and fillies stand up to Secretariat's measurements. Then I remind myself that I may not see another like him in what is the remainder of my life time. These comments are not to start a firestorm. I do not disparage Cigar, Seattle Slew, or any of those who came after.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

For Big Red — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:52:18 GMT

TO THE PERSON WHO WRITES THIS BLOG: I wonder if you might consider writing an analysis of the Tiznow-Peppers Pride mating. I'm a fan of both the stallion and the mare, so am highly interested in your perspective.

I've read Tiznow's pedigree overview on the WinStar Farm website. It notes that, although he does not demonstrate "a broad affinity for the Mr. Prospector line," it sugggests breeding mares with Fappiano in their pedigrees to Tiznow. It also suggests mares with Blushing Groom be considered.

Although the pedigree of Peppers Pride is not a fashionable one, her sire is royally bred by Fappiano out of a Blushing Groom mare.

Scot's reply: Thanks for the suggestion! You'll probably be interested in this post if you haven't already seen it: Who Should Peppers Visit? It's one of the most popular articles on the TrueNicks blog. It was written before the decision was announced to send Peppers Pride to Tiznow -- but he was one of the popular picks by the blog's readers! Alan Porter also has a comment within the blog where he discusses the potentials of a Tiznow-Peppers Pride match.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

2 time valley player of the year — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:00:43 GMT

too bad Larry didn't run Hrad spun on grass at least 1 time. His sire Danzig has produced so many outstanding turf horses and ata mile the spun would have been awesome. The mile and a quarter was just too much for him on dirt. turf would have been a different.Can the fire geta mile and a q , his pedigree says no but he has surprised us so far , hope he has a great out on Saturday.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

For Big Red — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:24:32 GMT

I really like Fresian Fire. What I've seen of him has impressed me so far, and I agree that his pedigree stamps him as a horse who should take to the classic distances.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Carolyn in ND — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:42:16 GMT

I can hardly wait for it to come out! A home town fella having a movie made about him! Awesome! Edgar Cayce was a celebrity from Hopkinsville too!

re: Jonesing for the Roses

MDFANOFRACING — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:14:07 GMT

Larry Jones is indeed a class act. I was on Hard Spuns wagon before he turned 3. What a classy colt, he never gave up. Apparently that determination has made him the second most sought after stallion at Darley only behind Street Cry.

I heard Hard Spuns first foal was a 130 pound colt. WOW.

As thrilling as Hard Spun was to watch, so was Eight Belles. She was a beautiful girl who tragically, left us much too soon. My heart broke for the Jones's, Rick Porter, her fans and especially poor Gabe Siaz. It would be devine retribution if Larry could get the win this year with Old Fashioned. I have always loved Unbridleds Song, so yes it would be great to see one of his babies win the Derby. Friesan Fire is a nice colt too, I just have a particular liking for Unbridleds Song.

That being said, I also like Desert Party, The Pamplemousse and General Quarters. Im betting on an all gray trifacta in the Derby.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

needler in Virginia — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:31:22 GMT

We can only hope that eventually the good guys DO get to finish first. Larry Jones is one of the best, and if the crap he had to take in 2008 made him think about, and announce, his quitting, it must have been horrendous. To make THIS guy leave training? My God, can you imagine what sort of trash he got? If it were me, I would make sure my horses were trained up to run 1/2 all the way through the Triple Crown, and then give the finger to all those who said and wrote nasty things last year!

I'm pulling for The 'Mousse ( I just gotta love that horse!) but I'm damned if I can find one good (or bad) reason to cheer against Mr Jones and his stable. Actually, I'm hoping for a dead heat with The 'Mousse, FF and OF inseparable. Now THAT would go a long way towards giving racing a good face!!

Let's hear it for the good guys....they are so few and so special that we need to keep them around to remind us why we love this sport.......

AND BEST OF LUCK TO MR JONES AND HIS HORSES; MAY THEY ALL BE SAFE.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

belles forever — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:57:00 GMT

everyone here has so elequently described my feelings on this subject.it would be great to see an unbridleds song win the roses.eight belles was my fav last year..she still runs in my heart.i also like fresian fire but i sure would like to see a grey wearing red

re: Jonesing for the Roses

sheila — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:34:55 GMT

Yep, I would love to see Larry take the Derby as his swan song. Last year, after Eight Belles went down, he reminded me of Frank Whiteley (RIP) after Ruffian's breakdown. Two wonderful horsemen.

I like both of the boys, too. Good pedigrees and everyone has a shot until someone hits the wire!

re: Jonesing for the Roses

MRO — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:20:03 GMT

I'm a huge Friesan Fire fan, and Larry Jones is pretty OK too.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

SusanW — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:31:51 GMT

Well said, Marci and Geno. No matter what horse is your favorite, I think we will all be cheering and crying if we see Larry Jones where he belongs, in the winner's circle with the roses on the first Saturday in May.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

marci — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:16:45 GMT

Our young people today do not have many role models for professionalism, bravery and strength. Watching Mr. Jones brave the storm of last year with such grace is something all of us can use as an example of conduct. His grandchildren are truly blessed to see him come home. I hope you are not gone for long, Mr. Jones. Horesracing needs you!

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Geno — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:40:54 GMT

Honesty, Integrity, Class, and Horsemanship only begin to define the nature and substance of Larry Jones. He's the sort of person we all strive to become in life.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Tracy W. — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:55:19 GMT

Eight Belles was my pick last year and it broke my heart when she fell. Still, what hurt even more was knowing that it barely compared to what Jones went through after how close he became with that filly. Only the best trainers can deal with the onslaught he endured in 2008, and he was completely deserving of the standing ovation he received at the Eclipse Awards.

In my Derby picks this year, I lean slightly towards OF (probably because he reminds me a little of Belle, unfortunately), but this may be the first year I pick a trainer instead of a horse. I don't care who wins, so long as Jones is the trainer. He deserves it the most of anyone.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Justine — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:52:23 GMT

Larry Jones is one of the best and most gracious people in this sport and while I will continue to root for the California horses I will be cheering for him if/when one of the aforementioned heavy hitters coasts home first.

I find Friesan Fire more fascinating because of the Australian bloodlines in his pedigree.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

ctgreyhound — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:37:25 GMT

If Larry Jones makes good on his promise, this Kentucky Derby will be his swan song. There could be no better ending than to have a horse in his charge win this race of races. In this emotional moment it is hard to determine who is most deserving of the honor - the horse or the trainer.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

LouisQ — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:56:58 GMT

Larry Jones would be a well deserved winner of the Derby ( am I required to say presented by Yum! brands). Hard Spun was my fav, never backing off from competing with the best. Larry faced the media firing squad after the Eight Belles tragedy with class. OF or FF, either one is capable and we'll know they'll both be ready to rumble - Larry's horses always are.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

TerriV — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:22:12 GMT

Larry Jones is a trainer who cares deeply for his horses and if anyone deserves a huge dose of good luck it is definitely Larry. Hard Spun was my favorite in 2007 and I could only admire the grit and determination of both horse and trainer to fight so hard in all three triple crown races. Watching the video of him with Eight Belles still brings me to tears. Both of these are wonderful horses and I hope this is his year, even though there are some other horses that have caught my attention too.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

BlueHen — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:02:27 GMT

It'd be a real nice reversal of fortune for Jones to celebrate a Derby victory this year.

re: Jonesing for the Roses

Blue Blue Sea — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:54:55 GMT

Larry Jones is simply an awesome trainer. I totally agree with you there, and I hated what happened to him last year. I rooted for his Hard Spun two years ago. A Derby win surely couldn't happen to a more deserving trainer. It makes me a tad guilty to root against him since neither of his horses are my top picks, but I like them both (Like FF a bit better) and would not be disappointed to see him in the winner's circle.