Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:42:55 GMT

Jason, you have to get Toby to blog with us like Mike Repole did!!! Tell him to write a song about Reckless Jerry! I hope we see other country music stars become owners as well. What a boost to the industry that would be. C'mon Jerry!!!!!!!

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Jason Shandler — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:52:00 GMT

I just wrote a new blog on the Castellano decision...

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

trackjack — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:35:54 GMT

Regarding Javier Castellano's decision to go with Algorithms; I agree with all who see this as a business decision. This is the kind of situation jockeys hope to get to in their careers. Best of luck to Javier and Julian.

2:24 and Draynay, I agree that Union Rags may be better off with Julian, especially after some were calling for Javier's head after the BC Juvenile saying he couldn't control his mount, letting him drift out.

Looking forward to the FOY, shaping up to be a competitive race with some classy colts and others with a lot of upside. I doubt that Michael Matz will have Union Rags fully cranked this early, just looking to keep him moving forward. If the speedway is dry, I look for Discreet Dancer to cook 'em all.

What to do with this fever!

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

2:24 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:21:32 GMT

Secretariat - I think Draynay is spot on in the Castellano analysis. Castellano went with Algorithms because of Pletcher and the fact that Castellano is getting first call on many of Pletcher's horses. He is a relatively young jockey and it was the smartest business decision. Don't think it speaks at all to Union Rags' future. Also, I think Castellano is great but Union Rags may have just traded up a bit when getting Julian L., in my opinion at least.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Draynay — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:18:33 GMT

Union Rags got lucky. Julien knows Churchill as well as anyone. A top young jockey with a top young horse. Watch out. Fountain winner for sure.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:01:21 GMT

Castellano jumping ship is no big deal. Jockeys and their agents are not the most astute handicappers, a fact that has been proven so often over the years. It reminds me of Willie Shoemaker, who won three races in three rides leading up to the Derby on Northern Dancer, an exhibition, the Flamingo and the Florida Derby, then jumping off and committing to Hill Rise, one of the biggest blunders of his career. Even at that, little did trainer Horatio Luro know that he had a future HOF rider committed to ride the Dancer already. When he was a two year old Ron Turcotte rode him four times and yet wasn’t considered good enough to ride him when he went south of the border to commence his TC campaign, the same Ron Turcotte who would ride back-to-back Derby winners on Riva Ridge and Secretariat, win 5 of the 6 TC races during that two year span and also break the 25 year TC drought.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Paula Higgins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:51:21 GMT

Age of Reason, I think John Shirreffs is pro-Lasix. I am sure I read some comments he made about it.

Draynay, Black Caviar is phenomenal, no doubt about it, but lets see if she can get the longer distances before we pronounce her the best mare ever. Also, lets see how she does in Dubai and in England. Would like to see her on dirt too. But I do get your point. She is something special.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Secretariat — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:03:05 GMT

You don't take off of Union Rags if you think he is the 2012 Derby winner.

Two year olds and three year olds are a whole different ballgame. Very few high profile two year olds turn into monster three year olds.

Castellano is choosing Algorithms for a reason. He could be wrong, but most likely there have been "signs" given to Castellano that tell the tale.

Castellano knows horseflesh and once he was on Ghostzapper, he never wanted to leave him.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Bob from Boston — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:35:34 GMT

Well, that settles it. Union Rags has zero chance of winning the Derby.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Draynay — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:27:05 GMT

Castellano gave up the Derby winner but he went with the trainer who will have the most talent year to year. Union Rags has grown into a monster and will be your Derby winner if he can make in the gate healthy.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Aaron McC — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:14:09 GMT

To those of you who think that Castellano's choice marginally depreciates Union Rags: I suspect the horse's distance ability as well, and Algorithms might well be the better choice. But Castellano did "agonize" over the decision, right? Or was the "agony" just jockey politics ...? In any case, Union Rags does look pretty solid, and Leparoux, I'm guessing, is not in agony over his pick up mount.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Union Buster — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:11:10 GMT

Castellano opts OFF Union on the Rags for the FOY. That tells a big story, Union on the Rags will not win the KY Derby!! Pity the fools who wasted Futures money on him at a measley 7/1.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

trackjack — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:48:54 GMT

Matthew W:

Good call on Slim Shadey in the San Marcos. What did you think of Bodemeister's "scintillating performance" in the 3rd on Saturday? By Empire maker out of a Storm Cat mare, this guy looks to have a bright future. I hope Baffert doesn't rush him but he sure looks good.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Secretariat — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:31:50 GMT

I thought Union Rags was the be all ....end all...

How could Castellano pick Algorithms over Union Rags?

I bet we all know the answer to that.

Let's see here...

We have a colt out of Bernardini and a colt out of Dixie Union.

Mmmmmm.... Wonder who the mile and a quarter pedigree is....LOL!

...Now we know why Zenyatta's connections chose Bernardini over Dixie Union.

PS:

We all know Dixie Union colts stop after a mile and eighth.

Just sayin...

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Trebloc — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:19:27 GMT

Very cool read. I also, love my red solo cup!

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Matthew W — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:19:03 GMT

Mathieu--I was visually impressed with Slim Shadey in his last race--I also took note of his recent vet scratch, then they took another week to work him--I played him yesterday, win/show, when Usual QT scratched I pretty much "knew" we would have the lead--Slim is another horse who was very well meant as a two year old, then he went sour as a three year old--all the more reaso0n to get on board when he finally did get it together, as I said, his most recent race was rock solid, and I was pleased with how Flores took what they gave him--namely an easy lead--he needed it yesterday, but it should be noted, Slim Shadey might have been a bit of a short horse, with the recent vet scratch and all...he'll fetch a good price next time, and he won't need the lead!

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Sylvester — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:40:50 GMT

I'd rather go the dentist for a cleaning than a Toby Keith concert but I hope he has success with Reckless Jerry. How about Hymn Book on the off track! Decent time too.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

klarr74 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:19:58 GMT

I'm wishing Toby and his horse Reckless Jerry the best! Being an 'okie' myself, I love it when an Oklahoma horse and owner have a chance to make it to center stage on a national scene. Good luck Reckless Jerry in the SW Stakes ;-)

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Kristen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:12:34 GMT

Good luck to Toby and Reckless Jerry. I hope they make it to the Derby and run well but I wouldn't toast that Red Solo Cup just yet.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Bob from Boston — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:02:15 GMT

This is just what racing needs. A war hero who sings brilliant songs like, "Red Solo Cup." Stick a boot in their a$$, it's the American way, Toby. I hope Kim Kardashian and Snookie get involved in the sport too. Who needs the "celebrities" from the racetrack of yesteryear? Bing Crosby? Frank Sinatra? Who here would take White Christmas and The Way you Look Tonight over Red Solo Cup? George Strait needs to belly up to the rail as a high profile owner too.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Mathieu — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:46:07 GMT

Matthew W-

I had Hout Bay to finish off a $2200 P4 in her maiden when she motored home impressively and looked like a player in the 3YOF division. However, something went awry as she has produced five dull efforts since. Plus, she's a dead closer on a speed highway of a surface. Miss Sea Cup is a value will likely climb to 10/1.

Slim Shadey is interesting. His win was better than looked but this is a VERY salty San Marcos, in fact the only I can remember being tougher would be the year Tin Man and Johar squared off. This isn't Sanagas' target race and, more importantly, I think it's too short for him. He got a dream position and pace last out on a course more to his liking. He beat up Norvsky & Bourbon Bay last out but this is a completely different scenario this time. Not to mention The Usual QT ran like a short horse last out and there are some strong angles for a price here.

Very nice card today. The supposed super horse Welter Weight will be favored vs Stirred Up, who finished like a freight train against the bias in his 1st out 12 days ago. Throw in the other Baffert who will be running with the course profile, the Hess who made an large backstretch move in first out on the turf, and the Talamo stretch out who just worked 44.8 which was 9 ticks faster than the next fastest for the distance and you've got an abnormal maiden heat.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Draynay — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:09:38 GMT

Great job Jason. Best of luck to you Toby. Jason, did you see Black Caviar ? Wow she is by far the best mare to ever race.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Age of Reason — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:13:42 GMT

Jason,

This is somewhat off topic, but John Shirreffs was recently announced to head an advisory board to the CHRB on medications and usage thereof. Any word on how Shirreffs tends to come down on the issue? What all drugs did he use with Zenyatta, Giacomo, Life Is Sweet, Mr. Commons, etc.? Does he have any recent infractions? ('Inquiring minds want to know!' lol)

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

Blind Luck — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:29:06 GMT

Well, I always enjoy Toby as an Artist of country music and now to learn he is so into the horses, well I am totally in love now! Go Keith, and bring all your fans with you.

re: Toby Keith on 'Reckless' Path to Derby

i812many — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:01:41 GMT

Fed biz the derby winner?....really u have to race horses to get to the derby...having a public workout does not win derbies...just saying'