Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Householder — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:42:14 GMT

It's not dirt but it's Santa Anita...How good is Unzip Me right now? She's third in the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint against males and then comes back to torch Evening Jewel down the hill in the Monrovia.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Householder — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:27:56 GMT

I think Frank Stronach having his way with the CHRB had more to do with Santa Anita being granted a "waiver" than anything else. Del Mar has already cried foul with it being in contention, along with Santa Anita, for more racing dates once Hollywood Park closes. Apparently changing the track surface back to dirt would not look good in the eyes of the tax payers as the state owns, but leases, Del Mar. My question is how in the world did MEC get bankrupcy protection, restructuring under MIG, and retain the same CEO? The track is then allowed to kick out Oak Tree, put in the 3rd surface in four years, and raise the "take outs" for day to day operations in order to "quiet" the investors. Interesting...I did see Bo Derek opening day.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Householder — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:24:03 GMT

It's too bad that Smiling Tiger had to carry 5 extra pounds over his rivals because he had won 2 Grade 1 events...You can add 1 more racing surface to his resume as Jeff Bonde is based out of Golden Gate which Smiling Tiger scorched before heading to the beach to take on Lookin at Lucky.

Another "shout out" to our northern CA friends is in order. Jerry Hollendorfer had the 4th highest purse earnings this year just slightly behind Baffert and ahead of Saddler, Mott, Dutrow, and Zito.

Speaking of Golden Gate, I just noticed that John Henry still holds the track record at 1 3/8th on the turf. It was a record he set in 1984 at the age of 9! I think he still holds the Santa Anita record for most graded stakes wins.

Looks like the "synthetic specialists" Switch, Smiling Tiger, Sidney's Candy, and Twirling Candy picked up right where they left off. Should be a good winter meet.

Next Santa Anita Derby prep...January 15th.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Ron S — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:03:54 GMT

First 7 days with new dirt surface at Santa Anita, 4 horses breakdown. That's right 4 horses have broke down in the first 7 days of Santa Anita's new dirt. They should see if they can make the track even faster, that will surely help stop breakdowns.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Footlick — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:15:25 GMT

Happy New Year to all!!!! Be safe. Onward to 2011......

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

-Keelerman — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 03:44:23 GMT

Dr. D;

Thank you for your kind comment! I'm glad you enjoyed my post.

-Keelerman

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

In aint easy being good! — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:56:12 GMT

Dray's 2010

Nobles Promise loss everytime he raced.

Quality Road in the classic loss

Rachael Alexandra every time she raced loss!

Kentucky Derby winners:

Nobles Promise loss

Dunkirk loss

(last years)

Belmont winner: FlyDown loss

What a horrible year for dray. come back strong in 2011 will ya!

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:03:55 GMT

Keelerman

I didn't even see this article, didn't know it existed. Good job. Nice track !!! It opened at least a week earlier than it would have with the previous track. It's fun again. Fast and safe. How can you beat that?

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Footlick — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:34:37 GMT

Shoe said when he warmed up, the Bid felt like an old jalopy, but when the gate opened, he felt like the finest Cadillac.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Matthew W — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:20:51 GMT

I call him "The Maiden", cuz of the race--there were some nice horses in that race--look how he drew off and it is compelling...am reluctant to consider Sidney as a 1 1/4 horse--Twirling Candy ran lights out--he was four off the (very slow) 22.72 first quarter--he just did it on his own--he closed into a soft pace--it made the 7 furlongs more like six--and he ran down a very good horse--it is Twirling Candy whom I will bet my roll on, as far as getting the distance--if he does, he's #1 and they'll have a ways to catch him....by the way, he beat Bid's record--(sad!) Bid, who ran 7 fur twice (once at two) I think he ran 1:20 as a two year old, too--google Bid's Malibu--off a two month break from his 1 1/2 mile J C Gold Cup loss to Affirmed--watch the machine win his Malibu, in 1:20, and think about if he were in with Twirling Candy--Bid wins by many....on the heels of three Triple Crown legends, as well as Ruffian/Forego--comes along this leggy grey Spectacular Bid, and he turned out to be the best horse I ever saw run, and I knew it when I saw it/and have never seen his equal....interesting to note, I was not impressed with Bid in person, just walking by--same with Baffert's maiden (The Factor) he was not my pick on looks, a bit skinny/not too much muscle--you just never know/he reminded me of Bid, with that acceleration...I love this sport and I love Spring....

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Draynay — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:15:22 GMT

Yeah... you're right Slew I am sure that horse is much better than THE BID. Unreal.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Footlick — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:25:58 GMT

Laz- of course that would mean he wouldn't ever post ;)

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Slew — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:35:19 GMT

Fran, I'm practically certain that every horse would prefer running grass since they could stop for lunch at any time... ;D And horses are most likely to slide on a cuppy track. (wet dirt..ie-mud)

But race tracks have become far more specialized than a backyard run...engineered to confront problems of drainage, and horse safety, usually with 75% sand on top and 25% clay as a base. To criticise Santa Anita for sand is also to criticise Belmont and Churchill for exactly the same type track.

I find it odd that Draynay has any problem with "poly specialists" since those same "specialists" wiped out Spectacular Bid's record on the dirt at Santa Anita.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Sting — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:50:47 GMT

Don't agree with the poster who said that The Factor has "classic distance breeding". Though the sire won one race at 8.5 furlongs he was predominantly a sprinter and he's siring mostly sprinters. His progeny's average winning distance is 6.67 furlongs.

The Factors damsire was fabled to be a distance influence because of his three most famous progeny. But aside from those three horses, his overall influence as a sire was tilted much more towards speed than stamina. Not to mention he was a sprinter himself.

Though The Factors grandsire was a distance influence, most of his classic distance progeny came from breeding to stamina laden mares.

And there is such a thing as "dilution" in horse/animal breeding. So distance influences The Factor has 3 or more generations back have almost certainly been diluted by the sprinters in his most recent generations.

And he sure looks like a sprinter to me. Kind of quarter horsey, shortish back for a T-bred and a big hind end.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

LAZMANNICK — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:17:08 GMT

BigBadAndMean

Draynay also neds the muzzle on.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Fran Loszynski — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:50:19 GMT

Horseracing began on a circle track of dirt around barns as your next-door neighbor came over with friends and bet a plow or garden vegetables. Safety of course is a priority but dirt and grass tracks make a racehorse. I'll bet if you asked a racehorse he would respond: "Give me that dirt and grass under my hoofs!"

To me that is horseracing, that is Seabiscuit, Man of War, when racehorses were asked to be racers and not pampered. I've always believed give that good ole' dirt they can dig into not synthetic they can slide on. After all this is horseracing not horsedancing.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Rachel — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:18:56 GMT

Matthew, if he (SC) can learn to rate, like Lawyer Ron finally did, then no distance will be too far for him ;-)

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Rachel — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:16:56 GMT

The Factor + Bob Baffert + Classic Distance breeding = my early pick for Derby...what a stride and balance and body.

Had the tri with TC, ST and C...yippee. Incredible Rosario barely touched him down the stretch, great effort by ST, too bad one of them had to lose.

Great by Sidney, I'm still ticked the "sale that was...not" screwed him up for the BC.

Yippee for Switch, what a filly.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

BigBadAndMean — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:20:10 GMT

Draynay needs an equipment change (binkers off)The only reason Zenyatta lost was your proclaimed horse for the ages (Quality Road) droped anchor and made her change coarse.I believe a Great horse should be able to adapt to any surface

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

GunBow — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:23:36 GMT

I didn't make it out to Santa Anita for the San Gabriel, but Jeranimo looked very good from what I saw on video. Jeranimo was good enough to win the Strub on Pro-Ride over Misremembered, and has now won 2 impressive turf races in a row. His next start, whether in the Sunshine Millions Turf or San Antonio(or something else) should go a long way in telling us just how big a year he could have in 2011. So far in his career, Jeranimo has not been able to string together big performances(I have seen him run 4 times in person, but he won only one of those races); if he runs big next out, that would be 3 strong performances in a row. Thus, I really look forward to seeing him next out. His trainer, Mike Pender, is talking about the Big Cap, on dirt, as his #1 goal for the meet.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Matthew W — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 03:49:59 GMT

Sidney's Candy reminds me a whole lot of Candy Ride, by the way the other candy Ride, twirling Candy, ran much the stronger race--Twirling Candy moves to the top for me--and the maiden moves to the top in the West for three year olds--right now--that was some maiden race, vs some pretty nice maidens, he just took off like a champ....

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

In aint easy being good! — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:26:11 GMT

Hey Draynay how is nobles promise you horrrible at handicapping, come back on here when you finally get something right! Sidneys candy is awesome too! Any horse that can win on 3 different surfaces is a beast. I think sidney is best on the dirt and I think the owners need to keep him on one surface.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:09:26 GMT

Another quality quote by a blogger who is, if anything, consistent. DRAYNAY, GUNBOW has more to offer in the first line of any of his posts than you'll ever be able to offer. Your problem is, is that you know that. Quit embarrassing yourself and trying to embarrass others. Make a New Year's resolution that in 2011 you will actually know what you are talking about before you post. That would really be refreshing.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Draynay — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:37:47 GMT

GunBow stop it. The great poly specialist Zenyatta finally raced on dirt against males 1 time and LOST. That tells you all you need to know. She was a poly specialist that took advantage of horses that could not run on the stuff. The minute she ran on dirt against males she got beat.

re: Guest Blog: Dirt Returns to Santa Anita

Slew — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:52:19 GMT

Larry K..why are you complaining about sand saying it's not dirt. Exactly why do you think Belmont is called "Big Sandy" and why do you think the horses tired at Churchill Downs in the BC...sand. Few "dirt" tracks are backyard dirt. They're sand or clay or both...it has a lot to do with correct drainage.

Santa Anita is more amazing than ever. What a fantastic opening day. Speed freaks (California speed freaks) ruled the track.