Triple Crown Talk - All Comments

re: July 4th Plays

steve s — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:48:48 GMT

ZENSATIONAL

ANY horse that runs under44.6-4f is never a good bet.the poor horse has lost his mind or is running away from something.

re: July 4th Plays

Karen in Texas — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:21 GMT

It would be fantastic if Better Talk Now won the United Nations!

MtBFan(STILL)---These races are on TVG and HRTV only, unless something changes.

re: July 4th Plays

GunBow — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:23:36 GMT

I will be going out to both the local thoroughbred track, Pinnacle, and harness track, Hazel Park, this weekend.

It starts on Friday night with a couple of $15k races for the top Michigan bred 3 year old colt and filly pacers.

On Saturday afternoon at Pinnacle is the $50k Wolverine, for 3 year old and older Michigan bred colts and geldings, featuring Meadow Vespers, a 4-time Michigan Sire Stakes winner. Michigan Sire Stakes Day is formatted along the lines of the Breeders Cup(but no turf), with 6 different divisions based on age(2,3, older) and sex(male, female). Meadow Vespers won the 2005 Michigan Sire Stakes for 3 year old males, then won the Sire Stakes for older horses(and geldings) the past 3 years in 2006, 2007, and 2008. It might not be at the level of Forego's Woodwards or Kelso's Jockey Club Gold Cups, but Meadow Vespers is consistent and durable, and about as classy as Michigan breds get these days. One of his biggest challengers will be the 3 year old, Juggle, the winner of the Lansing Stakes, restricted to other 3 year olds, a month ago.

Later Saturday night is more harness racing, with 2 eliminations for next week's $100,000 Conners Invitational Trot for 3 year old open trotters(Detroit's biggest harness race), and 2 more $15k Michigan bred races, these for 2 year old trotters.

A month until Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer, less than a 4 hour drive from where I live. A week after that, Arlington Million Day in Chicago.

re: July 4th Plays

GunBow — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:01:22 GMT

By the way Jason, thanks for the Firenze article. Just read it now. I would like to learn more about pre-1900 racing. Firenze, Salvator, Kingston, and Hindoo are the big names I'm familiar with from the pre-1890 years, when the book "Champions" picks up the history of modern racing. Because many thoroughbred races in the pre-1890 era used to be run at 2-4 miles, in heats, when there were fewer established tracks and stakes events, it seems most racing historians consider it "ancient" history, a "distant cousin" of today's game. And to be honest, it is very hard to compare the horses of today with horses of the 1850s, running in 2 or 3 heats in a day, at 4 miles, and in a stakes race long forgotten. Firenze is recent enough that I would like to know more about her, and Salvator, Hindoo, Kingston, etc.

Sysonby,

mz is correct that it was the Personal Ensign Handicap that used to be the Firenze, with a period as the John Morris in between. The Ruffian Handicap/Stakes, was created specifically to commemorate the recently deceased filly, and first run in 1976(won by Ruffian's half-sister, Revidere).

re: July 4th Plays

Always Right — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:46:34 GMT

Fastest horse & Best bet all in one

tell me where I'm listening know it's

Hollywood don't think it's Zensational

maybe the 1?

re: July 4th Plays

MtBFan (STILL) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:40:03 GMT

Are any of these on ESPN?

re: July 4th Plays

Old Warriors — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:55:34 GMT

Would love to box the two old warriors, Better Talk Now and Brass Hat. Anybody know they are training and coming into the race?

re: July 4th Plays

Suburban — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:32:59 GMT

Love Cool Coal Man in the suburban. He is a mineshaft who is just starting to become a star. Watch saturday as he romps home to win over It's a bird. What do think of Cool Coal Man? Who do you have in the salvator at monmouth?

re: July 4th Plays

hoperises — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:24:27 GMT

fab strike ok but munnins eats him up--if this was six furlongs, i would agree but not seven

re: July 4th Plays

Greg J. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:23:59 GMT

There sure are alot of Great Races This Holiday weekend!, Like I said already, I cannot wait for the The United Nations Stakes at Monmouth, I would love for Brass Hat, Better Talk Now, and Presious Passion to go 1,2,3...

If you want to see the Fastest Horse on the Planet, Watch "Zensational" at Hollywood Park on Sunday, In the Triple Bend Handicap, Race #10, This guy is Lighting...

The Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, Race 10, July 3rd, Would love to see Mission Impazible, Brassy Boy, and Grand Slam Andre, But, really only locked onto Mission Impazible.

Umm, The Tom Fool Handicapp?, If Benny the Bull were here, He would take Fabulous Strike in that extra Furlong(lol, Jason!), But, Strike should win, But I will go with Munning's and the 11 pound advantage!

Suburban Handicap, Why not, I will go with Cool Coal Man, Ready's Echo, and Asiatic Boy. In the Prioress, Gabby's Golden Gal, Heart Ashley and Cat Moves...

I am sure if I strike out this Weekend, Dray will let me know on Tuesday!, But I can always counter with good ole "Summer Bird", My ace in the hole, lol...

Have a Safe 4th Everyone...

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta? Dream On

Freetex — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:54:27 GMT

Matt H, now there's a race! Just to make it interesting, why not add Summer Bird who won the third leg of the Triple Crown?

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Shawn P — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:57:57 GMT

So, anyone actually going to go support their local track this weekend?

Should be fun tomorrow nite at CD.

I can't wait for Saratoga myself.

Those old hard knockers were great. No one thought a thing about running them a couple times a week from what I've been told. Some thrived on it.

For those of you missing Draynay? Just mosey over to Steve's blog, he still posts there. Not as abrasive but still not Mr.Charming.

Don't get the infatuation with him, but to each his own.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta? Dream On

Greg J. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:25:59 GMT

Slyder,

lol, I wasn't going to say anything, So, Thanks!, And Good Idea, But, It probably won't happen, Just doesn't make sense for them not to meet...

re: Firenze- The Best Horse I Never Knew About

Greg J. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:51:19 GMT

Jason,

Off subject, First off Good article on Mr. Wiggins and "Brassy Boy", The Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, Race 10, Friday Night is one of two races I am looking forward to this Holiday weekend, But, One of my favorites is in that race with "Brassy Boy", "Mission Impazible" will be my pick, Another would have to be "Grand Slam Andre"(Just because I am a Huge Agassi and Tennis Fan!), So, Would love to see, Mission Impazible, Brassy Boy, Grand Slam Andre finish in the top three :)

The race I cannot wait for though, Has two "Old Warrior's" in it, The United Nations Stakes at Monmouth, July 4, Race 10. You have the eight year old, "Brass Hat" and the ten year old, "Better Talk Now", I also love the six year old, "Presious Passion", Hope all three do well and return safely....

I cannot believe Dray makes his return in only five days!, Ugh, Should be interesting when he returns, It was fun while it lasted...

Finally, I Hope Everyone has a Great Holiday Weekend...

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta? Dream On

slyder — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:01:48 GMT

Someone get out the Guiness Book of World records!! I think Matt H just set one for the longest run on sentance in history!! He may have set another for typo's too.

Seriously though, horseracing needs to find a way to get the best and most popular horses in training in a race together. Not just this year but for the future. The Breeders Cup was to be that venue but sadly and I blame alot of it on the advent of fake tracks is no longer able to do so. Rachael vs Zenyatta and toss in some of the others would draw a crowd if it was the only race on a card. Somewhere there is likely a sponsor who would put up big money to create such a race. Heck they spend billions sponsoring less appealing things. Hockey has gone to outdoor games that draw "world record" crowds why not create an event at a premier dirt track, put up some temporary bleachers, add a big name band or two and have the race of the year for all the marbles? You could even tie it in to a day honoring racing legends man/woman/and beast. I can't think of a better way to spend a day.