Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

melanchthon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:11:41 GMT

I would love to see Dabirism run at CD in the 2yr old grass race. I could never understand why the US let Sunday Silence get away and then never show any interest in his sons. Finally we have two SS stallions in North America and they look really good.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Matthew W — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:15:03 GMT

Ultra Blend is not only a Cal-bred, she's obscurly bred, yet her record and current condition have her looking like a real contender for win honors in Ladies Classic--another diamond in the rough, this time rough sod/roughly run conditions, is a two year old N Y bred filly, her most recent race, her third, had her winning as if in another class-zone, at 23-1---that followed a debut win at 37-1, and both wins were troubled trips/both races she won as if she hadn't even found her level--her stock is rising, she'll fetch double digits again in Breeders Cub and I will be playing her to win! Didn't think I would ever see another filly win The Classic, but I'm beginning to think Harve De Grace is the deserving favorite and horse to beat! Would love to see then try to win HOY with Acclamation, and go in the Classic--I am confident in both of the N Y 2yo fillies winning their Cup heats (cannot think of their names but will be playing both to win on Friday/oh yeah, one is named Weemissfrankie)...as always, lots of diamonds out there, they might not get it perfect but it is America's biggest and best day/s of the year in The Sport Of Kings....

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Stellar Jayne — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:58:43 GMT

Lenny - Wonderful article pointing out that we did have standouts this year. Let us hope that the longshots do not run down our favorites mentioned above again this year. I wonder if Blind Luck just got sour on racing, she has done so much and every where on the map.

TerriZ - I agree with everything you wrote. St. Liam will always be among my most favorites. I saw him race many times. Havre de Grace is truly Daddy's girl in talent and looks. Thank God she is in Larry Jones' hands!

Linda in Texas - Thank you for the sad update regarding D'Accord. I had visited him in July 2009, he was a sweet heart and he looked sooo good even then. Thank you to Karin Mallard for her tender care of him.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Linda in Texas — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:51:00 GMT

Very nicely written Mr. Shulman,though i am not a baseball fan, unless The Rangers are in to win, i certainly am a Horse Racing Fan. Seems like the females have taken the headlines now for 3 years.

But i cannot as skyfire stated ignore Cape Blanco, just as i was beginning to really admire the fella in another gallant run to the wire he is injured. That to me is the total definition of courage.

And i ditto Alex'sBigFan's interest in A.P.Indy, would love a story and photos of him while he is still here.

D'Accord, Secretariat's 32 year old son died Monday, article stated that Ms.Feron the farm manager said his longevity was attributed to the care of his groom

Karin Mallard. So thank you Karin Mallard you are to be commended and praised for your loving attention to detail with D'Accord.

Those are the gifts of life i love to know about and acknowledge and i do that now for KARIN MALLARD.

Thanks Mr. Shulman, may i call you Lenny?

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

TerriZ — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:06:33 GMT

Don't you love how Larry Jones vans Havre de Grace to her races? He knows she is royalty and treats her as such.

I read that after the tragic accidental death of her sire, Saint Liam, the Warrens (his owners) tried to acquire all of his progeny. He was in stud only for a season at Lane's End and supposedly all of his progeny looked like him.

She surely is daddy's girl--much like Terlingua was Secretariat's girl. And the spirits of her sire and his breeder Ned Evans are urging her on.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

KarenToga — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:36:00 GMT

Lenny, well said! This past weekend was a thrill to watch my favorites come through and shine. MO was spectacular as well as Havre De Grace. What a beauty , she makes it look easy. Blind Luck was a hugh disappointment. I love this filly ! She always gives 100 plus percent and to see her not run was shocking. Something is wrong and I am glad that they did not push her . She is a smart filly and perhaps the last race she gave it all she had left. She has traveled all over the globe racing and she has got to be more than a litle tired. One thing about fillies when they are done they let you know. Enough! She has proven herself as one for the ages . I hope she gets the praise she deserves .

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

skyfire — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:03:21 GMT

Nothing was more thrilling than Cape Blanco's gutsy win in the Turf Classic! He just wouldn't be beaten. How brave he was to run and not quit, in spite of career ending injury! IMO he is the leader for champion US turf runner. What a beautiful horse!

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:30:05 GMT

Lenny, you didn't even mention Acclamation. He's been an under the radar over-achiever.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:27:02 GMT

Every time Havre De Grace and Blind Luck met up, I rooted for Blind Luck. So when the hype started about HDG running in the Woodward, I wasn't that excited about it. But she has won me over. Not that I like Blind Luck any less - here's hoping the rest brings her back right. But HDG showed her depth of talent in that race and she is every bit as qualified to go in the Classic as any other horse that's been mentioned with that as a goal. I love the way she's built - one of the most balanced forms I've seen since Big Brown.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:05:02 GMT

Wouldn't it be uplifting if ESPN Sports Center would give as much attention all weekend to horseracing as they do baseball and football? I did not hear one mention of any races by them let alone a huge photo of Havre, Mo, or Flat Out flashing on the screen. National media coverage has to lead all the way up to the BC if they want people to be aware of it and watch it. What station is televising and carrying the BC races this year?

Nice article Lenny. You must love Flat Out representing the A.P. Indy line. How is old A.P. doing at Lane's End, have they found another career for him do you know since his pensionning? Hope he is happy and has things to do.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Giddyup — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:44:53 GMT

Baseball and Thoroughbred racing won't be making any spectacular comebacks until they deal with the issue that caused them to lose their lustre in the first place - drug abuse.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

The Rock — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:28:32 GMT

The Best BC Classic in years...? Hmmm..... I'd have to respectfully disagree with that. Flat Out Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo do not really scream Zenyatta, Blame & Quality Road when compared to last year. The stories are nice though....

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

The Deacon — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Nice article Lenny, love your humor. Just wondering, any word on what may be wrong with Blind Luck if anything. In 22 races never once saw her throw in a chunker like that. Not in a good way, it reminded me of Life at Ten in last years Ladies Classic.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

PioneerCountry — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:28:14 GMT

Convene - well put.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Bill Two — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:15:51 GMT

Is there any doubt we live in the Age of The Fabulous Fillies? I thought I've seen it all until I saw DaneDream destroy that Arc field on Sunday. Talk about small and mighty, wow! Her people are thinking of one more start this year for her and it just might be here at CD. Wherever she goes she will attract the attention of the racing world.

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

Convene — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:29:32 GMT

Goldikova is still HORSE OF THE WORLD, the French race notwithstanding. It took a 3 year-old champion everything he had to get just a whisper ahead of her on the wire. No, she's not unbeaten - but that isn't the measure of a champion. She took on the world and won - time after time, males and females alike - and that is the measure of a champion. I hope she takes a 4th Breeders Cup; it'll give everyone something to chase for years to come. But in an era when horses retire to the safety of the breeding shed before they're even fully adults or fully proven, Goldie's accomplishments place her in a class by herself. All I ask is that Freddie Head make the wise choice and I'm sure he will. He loves her too. If she doesn't run - or if they finally beat her - no matter. Her place in history is sure. In my books, she's simply the best.

Likewise, I'm sure Larry and Rick will make the wise choice with Gracie, who they love too. She's a monster, also in a class by herself. I love Blind Luck - Lord help me, I do - but Gracie, whatever she does now, has proven herself consistently all year long and stamped herself with her place at the top of the list. If that's not what it takes to be a champion, I surely don't know what does. Whichever BC race she runs, she loses no luster. We already know what she is. Kinda makes you realize what a treasure we lost when we lost St. Liam ...

For the boys, they're an upsy-downsy lot this year. I still couldn't really name an overall standout, altho I think now that Uncle Mo is back - and it seems he is - he's a bona fide contender. I really am on the edge of my chair for Breeders Cup this year!

re: Diamonds in the Rough - by Lenny Shulman

mz — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:15:21 GMT

...and the Prix de l'Arc? Fillies one-two-three. Danedream looks really, really good and really, really tiny. A fine representative of her great-great-great-grandsire.