Post Derby Thoughts

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Slew — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:05:33 GMT

Footlick: thank you for reminding me of the weight angle in respect to cocaine use....I had totally neglected that aspect even though I do realize that jockeys, dancers, models, actors, etc do use it for weight control. And your analogy to dancers was most apt, since (though most do not realize it) dancers are top athletes. Perhaps it's time for those that lead the racing game to realize that the demands on jockeys to keep their weight to a minimum is destroying the jockeys. And it seems to be focused on flat racing. Jump jockeys are not as confined by their weight and size as flat runners. If a ten year old horse can win the Grand National with any weight on his back...then maybe it's ourselves who demand too much from our flat jockeys, and are willing to sacrifice them for speed figures. Maybe the industry, as a whole, needs to take a second look.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

JerseyBoy — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:59:43 GMT

Animal Kingdom is the best horse in the Preakness. However, I never back horses drawn wide in 2-turn races.

I suspect that the horse they will all have to run down is Astrology because he has the rail.

For those who follow the BSF, here is my joke for the day.

Animal Kingdom's last 3 starts show the following Speed Figure plus Track Variant, taken from the DRF:

99+6=105

81+16=97

84+22=106

Average 102.66

His last Beyer Speed Figure? 103

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Lenny — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:15:43 GMT

AK just won the Derby!! He just beat this field..As for the pace........... review his prior races.... one time he was on the pace 47 flat and still pulled away...This horse is for real. One to beat, nothing greater than what was in the derby coming at him...He's the boss...

re: Post Derby Thoughts

jimmy redneck — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:45:08 GMT

My post Derby thoughts include how right I was all along in saying Mo wouldn't win the Derby. I do hope he recovers completly and returns to racing. Sorry for your loss Jason but I can't help and notice no Jason=no draynay

.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Alex'sBigFan — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:27:31 GMT

Jason,

My sympathies to you and yours on the loss in your family.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Alex'sBigFan — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:21:04 GMT

Sherpa & Footlick,

Great comments. Footlick, that was an interesting analogy to the dance community. I assume that pain management and weight management become so taxing on them (jockeys and dancers, etc.) it leads them on a downward spiral of meds, and if they are not mentally strong to guard themselves against overusage then they are more likely to hit rock bottom. I'm sure this has always been the case but we seem to be hearing more of it in the press for some reason. Perhaps with the economy affecting the horseracing industry it is more stressful for everyone at all levels.

I wish Mr. Irwin would expound on his viewpoint and tell us exactly what it is the trainers are "lying" about. Are they lying about money, the horse's ability, medication usage, just what did he mean? There is a good article in DRF on the subject where Irwin clears Pletcher. But other good trainers are upset, like Kiaran, and owners are quoted in the article as agreeing that Irwin should not have presented this at the KD. It was more than enough having to see ArchX3 get pulled up on national tv, I think Irwin should have been more of a visionary and thought about the broad scope of the day and sport and presented his thoughts at another time. But for those of us who have aspirations of ownership one day, we would love to know exactly what he meant.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

mz — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:41:19 GMT

Thank you, Sherpa. Always loved Candy Stripes, even though he was a son of Blushing Groom, who was opposing The Minstrel (who I had to love, as a close relative of Nijinsky!)

And what a good looking, obvious son of Blushing Groom he was!

As I have already bored people on other blogs, I finally saw Invasor in Kentucky two weeks ago. What a beautiful horse. Hopes he makes a great an impression as Candy Ride.

p.s. Northern Dancer is still the greatest Cdn of the 20th Century -- and don't you forget it!

re: Post Derby Thoughts

JerseyBoy — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:32:30 GMT

sherpa:

Thanks for the information. What a gorgeous horse Candy Stripes was.

This is why I blog. To engage in an exchange of information and ideas.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Karen in Texas — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:07:53 GMT

sherpa----Thanks for that nice article. I welcome the Candy Stripes influence in North America!

re: Post Derby Thoughts

slyder — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:25:25 GMT

Hit the superfecta for the Peter Pan. I had a feeling that Prime Cut would fill the 3rd or 4th slot so keyed him there using Alternation and Uncle Bret only on top 2,6/2, 6,8,10/4/2,6,8,10 and 2,6/2,6,8,10/2,6,8,10/4. This horse didn't have what it takes to win the race but ever since they took Borel off of him he's run very well.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Zen's Auntie — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:04:23 GMT

Sherpa,

I Love Toms work and totaly understand the need for him to consider his health first. Still I missed him - I meant he will do the on track call at Belmont, No?

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Fran Loszynski — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:30:57 GMT

Okay get ready Steve:

SWAY AWAY IS IN THE PREAKNESS,

The AFleet Alex fans can rock and roll! or just "Sway" with the music. Good Luck Jeff Bonde and your belief in Alex's kid! Bring it home for Dad Alex -Sway Away-kick it, kick it good! My Preakness picks:

SWAY AWAY

THE FACTOR

DIALED IN

ANIMAL KINGDOM

re: Post Derby Thoughts

sherpa — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:19:45 GMT

Karen in TX & JerseyBoy - I think you will both enjoy this wonderful article about AK's progenitors:

thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com

With that, I bid good-night to all.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

sherpa — Mon, 16 May 2011 02:36:54 GMT

Zen's Auntie -

I forgive Tom for relinquishing the Derby call. It's good he recognized the health issues involved.

Overall, Collmus' calling of the race was spoiled for me because NBC seems to have neglected to mute the CD caller (whose name, with apologies, escapes me at the moment), and the two weren't in synch. At first, I thought my next-door neighbor (who was having a party) had the race blasting on radio or something; then I realized it was the stereo sound from my own television, bouncing off my dining-room windows! I had to watch the BH replay to hear the call.

So will Durkin be doing the Belmont call? I thought NBC had engaged Collmus for all 3 TC races, but maybe not.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Zen's Auntie — Mon, 16 May 2011 02:16:19 GMT

I am so excited for you ZOO!!

Runflatout did a great job overcoming the trip and is becoming a fine racehorse.

In this situatiuon second by a nose is nothing to be ashamed of (it never is really is it?), he doesnt need any excuse for that awesome effort.

He seemed to take to the surface well and he looked good afterwards too -and thats the main thing. I hope he eats like crazy and pines for a gallop. I cant wait to see him again!

re: Post Derby Thoughts

sherpa — Mon, 16 May 2011 02:14:11 GMT

Footlick - many of us cannot support it, and we can only muster the courage (or grumpiness, as the case may be) to voice our objections and hope to be heard over the din.

As to the similarites between professional dancers and jockeys, I had only to think about it for a bit to see the likeness - while admitting I would not have drawn the obvious comparisons until considering your post. As I have said in the past, I always gain some new perspective from your comments.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Footlick — Mon, 16 May 2011 01:07:28 GMT

sherpa- thank you. I really did think it was applicable, but there are many here who I feel would not think so. Weight and status are so important in both worlds. But I am so torn because I do not learn anything from many blogs other than foreign ones. So much energy is expended playing games here and spouting ones opinions as fact. I cannot support it.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

sherpa — Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:02 GMT

Runflatout ran a superb race today! I was amazed at how quickly he recovered his momentum after Ain't No Other lugged out on him, just as Bench Points moved up. I think ANO/PVal cost him the win. Congratulations, Zoo! Your boy looked fantastic!

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Zen's Auntie — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:21:37 GMT

One more thing on the KD -

No comment on the Network coverage call of the race, no one can hope to replace the VOICE and emotion of Tom Durkin.

I missed Tom's call so very much, I know he needed to step down from the series of the crown. Still - I missed him so much.

I have however been watchin Belmont and its so good to hear his calls - every race takes on a special aire when Tom tells me about it.

I cant wait till his Belmont call.

If somehow AK can win the Preakness Im afraid the stress factor will be right back up!

That would be Awful... (wink wink nugde nudge)

re: Post Derby Thoughts

JerseyBoy — Sun, 15 May 2011 19:01:00 GMT

Karen in Texas:

Ordinarily, I do not focus too much on pedigrees. As a bettor, I judge horses by their record.

However, your response made me look briefly at the influence of the sire Candy Stripes. He could be an emerging force.

Leroidesanimaux is by Candy Stripes.

Candy Ride is out of a mare by Candy Stripes.

Invasor is by Candy Stripes.

Twirling Candy is by Candy Ride.

Sidney's Candy is by Candy Ride.

Fortunately, US breeders can claim that Candy Stripes was bred in America, just like the champion German sire Big Shuffle.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Karen in Texas — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:39:06 GMT

Sorry, should have said foreign-born sires in previous post (not foreign).

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Karen in Texas — Sun, 15 May 2011 17:14:09 GMT

JerseyBoy----Thanks for those DRF statistics on foreign sires. I'm not surprised to see Candy Ride at the top, and I'm eagerly awaiting Invasor's first crop on the track soon.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

sherpa — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:45:07 GMT

Zoo - Run's pp shouldn't matter too much in a field of 5 and you have a jockey (GG) who is one of the best at avoiding 'foolishness.' If he wins, he will have beaten some very good horses.

Footlick - your comment comparing the individual performance demands of jockeys to dancers was very apt.

Jason, please pass on congratulations to Tom for picking Alternation in the Peter Pan. That was an exciting race. Also, I hope he'll do a blog on the Monmouth/Meadowlands deal when it's finalized. The reports I've read have been very confusing, so something in Plain English would be helpful.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Zen's Auntie — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:34:00 GMT

Oh Zoo I saw him on TV and he does look really good. Very filled out and bloomy - so much more mature. Of course its hard to tell these things from a brief glance but he really looks well and his works are right on point

I hope he likes the surface.

Im sure they have been schooling him on rate-ablility Ya'll havent rushed him so he should be ready - My biggest prayer for him is the safe trip.

re: Post Derby Thoughts

Footlick — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:04:15 GMT

Zookeeper- Good luck today!!!!