Racing News and Upcoming Events - Edition #1
Pegasus World Cup
On January 29th at Gulfstream, Todd Pletcher faces Brad Cox in the Pegasus World Cup. While Knicks Go will be dropping down in distance, Life is Good will be adding an extra 1/8 to his last Breeders Cup Dirt win. Both will be vying for that lead spot which makes this edition of the Pegasus extremely intriguing. As the history of the Pegasus/Don Handicap reveals, Knicks Go has every advantage under the sun for this race and the tote board seems to be already set in stone. A missed opportunity for two shining stars that should be taking a gate in this race are Flightline and Americanrevolution. They both would have had exactly what it takes to give Knicks Go a run for his money.
Shadai Stallion Station, Tokyo
Champion Le Vent Se Leve becomes the #1 most sought-after sire at Shadai covering 223 mares in his first season. His sire, Symboli Kris S. was euthanized after a bout with Laminitis at the same breeding farm a little over a year ago and Le Vent will carry on the torch of those powerful qualities. Japan’s 2018 Champion Dirt Horse is a bargain with a nominal breeding fee of only $13,527.00, while his neighboring mate, Nadal, commands over double at $36,072.00 in the same shed. As much as Nadal proved himself on the track in his short career, he was no match for the incomparable Champ, Le Vent Se Leve, both in performances and chart. Surely those fees will double after Le Vent’s offspring hit the tracks.
Winner of two awards, Best Two Year Old in 2017 and Japan's Best Dirt Runner in 2018, posting wins in the Unicorn Stakes, Japan Dirt Derby, The Mile Championship and the prestigious Champions Cup. The visually stunning Le Vent Se Leve was a master in speed and determination with an impeccable chart. His ability and talent were unmatched as this colt had an incredible turn of foot as the stretch neared and his display of speed in the last call of each of his races were a rare sight on either side of the ocean. His new career at stud should offer the same success as we eagerly await the unveiling of each and every one of those 223 offspring over the coming years.
The Baffert Saga
Bob Baffert and his defense team will appear in court on January 24th to argue against charges of “conduct detrimental to horse racing, the health and safety of horses and the business operations of the NYRA.” With the untimely death of the colt at the center of the controversy, Medina Spirit, Baffert and his team will walk into that courtroom with an aura of evil personified.
The victim card and the tube of ointment will appear to be a circus act and hopefully the judge and the panel will see it in the same manner as well. Meanwhile, Baffert continues to reveal a stream of slow-paced lead runners with absolutely no other jockey on the field with a desire to overtake that slow lead. The beginning of the new year starts just the same as every other year with each colt in Baffert's barn a carbon copy of the previous.
Luxembourg
Aiden O’Brien’s newly minted 3-year-old superstar, Luxembourg, winner of two Kentucky Derby preps on turf, is already cast as the favorite for the Epsom Derby which will be held in June. Luxembourg’s Derby trials in the Spring will undoubtedly reveal a true champion in the making. Aiden O’Brien has won this race 7 times.
Charlatan
Multiple Grade 1 Winner Charlatan will be standing at Hill ’n’ Dale Xalapa Farm in Paris, Kentucky beginning the 2022 season with a stud fee of $50,000.
Charlatan ran in only 5 races in his entire career, winning only two Graded Stakes races, the Arkansas Derby and the Malibu Stakes. Besides posting wins in his Maiden race and an Allowance race, Charlatan came in second in the Saudi Cup behind Mishriff. The colt was the center of attention with his barn-mate Gamine, testing positive after his Arkansas Derby win. Early retirement after only two stakes wins in 5 starts with no explanation as to why only adds to the bizarre saga of the trainer. This is true confirmation of the absolute bargain price of $13,500 for Le Vent Se Leve in Japan.
Futures Pool Two
Kentucky Derby Futures Betting for the second pool will be held from Friday noon, January 21 through Sunday January 23rd, closing at 6pm. A full analysis of the 23 listed contenders through Twinspires will be posted prior, along with an analysis of the Pegasus which will be held the following weekend.
The Lecomte Stakes
Leading freshman sire of 2021, Gun Runner, will see his son Pappacap headline the Lecomte Stakes held on January 22. Casse has a good record here, with winners War of Will and Enforceable in recent years. A nice performance in this prep should see him following in War of Will’s footsteps with a gate in the Risen Star the following month.
Held at the Fairgrounds, The Lecomte has hosted notable winners Midnight Bourbon, Instilled Regard, Oxbow, Ron the Greek, Friesen Fire and Hard Spun, just to mention a few, and many had gone on to shine in the Triple Crown Series.
Unfortunately for Pappacap, trainer Steve Asmussen will secure a gate with his budding star, Epicenter, who will grab hold of that lead and take that 1-1/16th all the way through. This is a true test of speed and willpower at this short distance and the winner will be highly favored in his next outing. It will take alot to beat the speed of Epicenter on that lead and so begins the direct road straight to the Kentucky Derby. The Lecomte Stakes is a major prep race.
Trip to The Kentucky Derby
If either of Not This Time’s colts, Epicenter or Simplification, secure enough points to make it to a gate in the Kentucky Derby, I will be heading to Louisville this year on the first Saturday in May for the very first time in my life. These two are the epitome of the old-time stamina-dominant Classic racehorses that used to grace our tracks decades ago. They are few and far between on dirt in the USA. These two are the type that should be viewed running their races in person. They only come around every so often on this side of the world and the opportunity to witness it may be a once in a lifetime shot. Not wanting to regret not seeing these types in person, as it happened with the Champion Shared Belief, it's time to take the plunge and just go. As soon as it is established that either one or both are carrying enough points for their Derby gate, I will secure tickets and accommodations. If anyone is interested, please send an email through the website. A breeding farm or two in the Lexington area on the way back would also be on the itinerary.
Eclipse Awards
The 51st Annual Eclipse Awards will be held on February 10th at Santa Anita prior to Super Bowl LVI.
2022 Kentucky Derby Nominations
The deadline for the 2022 Kentucky Derby - Triple Crown is January 29th, 2022. Please keep your eyes open for the coveted nominations list on the internet and please post a link the minute you find it in the thread below. This year, the numbers will be posted for each nomination along with their ability or inability to travel the 10f distance. The numbers should be a guide for upcoming races and preps along with compatibility for the Triple Crown. Along with the list, any noteworthy news concerning these newly minted three year olds or Pedigree Inquiries should also be posted in the thread.
In Memory
Medina Spirit
2018 - 2021
The most publicized of the year, the 3 year old champion who died suddenly after a 5f work-out at Santa Anita. Controversial 2021 Kentucky Derby Champion and winner of the Shared Belief Stakes and Awesome Again Stakes.
No matter what bad publicity surrounded the caretakers of this colt, Medina Spirit will remain in the hearts of many as a reminder of the fragility of these stunning thoroughbreds and how the signs of mistreatment should always be taken seriously in favor of the horse.
Galileo
1998 - 2021
2001 Cartier Champion 3yo Colt
Champion sire in Britain and Ireland 2008, 2010-2020
Champion broodmare sire - Britain and Ireland 2020-2021. Listed Classic/Solid Chef-de-Race.
Winner of Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ballysax Stakes, and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial
Bernardini
2003-2021
Son of Champion A.P. Indy who lost his life the year prior, Bernardini was awarded the 2006 Champion Three Year Old. He posted wins in the Preakness, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Travers Stakes, Jim Dandy, and the Withers and came in 2nd in the Breeders Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
He also became a major influential sire from 2007 and on both here and abroad and was sought after due to his ability in keeping that A.P. Indy breed alive. He was one of A.P. Indy's most beautiful offspring and unfortunately was a victim of the complications due to Laminitis while at Darley Farms.
Goldikova
2005-2021
Cartier Champion Older Horse in Europe, 2009 & 2010.
Eclipse Champion Turf Mare, 2009 & 2010.
Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe, 2010.
Won three consecutive runnings of the Breeders' Cup Mile 2008, 2009 & 2010
At 2: Won P. deLorie, P. deToutevoie
At 3: Won Breeders Cup Mile-G1, P. Rothschild-G1, P. duMoulin-G1, P. Chloé-G3; 2nd French 1000g-G1, P. du Louvre; 3rd P. Diane-G1
At 4: Won Breeders Cup Mile, Falmouth S-G1, P. Rothschild-G1, P. Jacques LeMarois-G1; 3rd P. De La Foret-G1
At 5: Won Breeders Cup Mile, P. d'Ispahan-G1, Queen Anne S, P. Rothschild, P. DeLa Floret; 2nd P. LeMarois
At 6: Won P. d'Ispahan, P. Rothschild; 2nd Queen Anne S, P. DeLa Floret, P. LeMarois; 3rd Breeders Cup Mile
With a race record of 27-17-6-3, Goldikova will be part of the elite history of champions for a century to come.
AZERI
1998-2021
2004 US Champion Older Female
2003 US Champion Older Female
2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female
1st place Breeders' Cup Distaff, Santa Margarita, Apple Blossom, Milady Breeders Cup at age 4, Vanity, Clement Hirsch H, Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup, Apple Blossom at age 5, Milady Breeders Cup at age 5, Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Apple Blossom at age 6, Go for Wand and the Spinster Stakes.
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