Racing News and Upcoming Events - Edition #3
The Pacific Classic
Back in 2003, Candy Ride set the track record for the Pacific Classic in 1:59.11 and it is still held to this day. Even the great Flightline was unable to break it, although he came mighty close.
Next week, Richard Mandella saddles the son of Candy Ride, Geaux Rocket Ride, for the 10f contest. Coming off of a 9f win on the Monmouth bias, could his form rise to the occasion back on the West Coast? He will be pitted against potential contender, Defunded, trained by Bob Baffert, who is the most accomplished entry on the California's tracks. Other entries include Arabian Knight, Stilleto Boy, Slow Down Andy and previous winner Tripoli, trained by John Sherriffs, among others.
Two Year Old with Masterful Derby Potential
Speaking of the brilliant Candy Ride, who has seen great success over the late summer months with sons Geaux Rocket Ride, Disarm, and Il Miracola, comes yet another offspring who, this time, appears to have those "Shared Belief qualities" that we don't have to wait for.
The son of Gun Runner, Risk It, made his debut for Steve Asmussen on August 19th at Saratoga traveling only 6f and winning in gate to wire fashion.
With running times of 22.60 46.00 58.14 1:10.75, the potential of this young boy is absolutely extraordinary. With the way this guy is built, out on the lead with that type of speed, can we foresee yet another beast in Asmussen's barn for the start of the Derby season? A resounding YES by all accounts.
RISK IT Gun Runner → Candy Ride → Giant's Causeway
DP = 2-3-6-1-0 (12) DI = 2.00 CD = 0.50
Mare Profile = 4-5-5-10-5 Speed = 9 Stamina = 15 Index = 0.72
Triads = 14-20-20
On the lead, gate to wire, with those call figures, built the way that he is, you better believe that he is the star of the nominations list at this early stage. Grab ahold and don't let go!
Like father like son, uncanny resemblance with displayed early talent that points directly to a Derby player this early in the game.
Japan is Coming with Guns Blazing
The current Longines Dirt Division leader, Ushba Tesoro, will be heading to the Nippon TV Hai on September 27 to compete for his prep for the Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Victorious in 7 races out of 8, with the last win in the Dubai World Cup, Ushba Tesoro will undoubtedly have the muscle as a strong overseas competitor against the likes of Arcangelo. The two couldn't be any more opposite in the breeding department and sit at the complete opposite sides of the speed/stamina scale.
Arcangelo
DP = 3-16-5-0-0 (24) DI = 8.60 CD = 0.92
Mare Profile = 6-7-4-9-5 Speed = 13 Stamina = 14 Index = 1.00 Triads = 17-20-18
Ushba Tesoro
DP = 3-0-5-2-2 (12) DI = 0.85 CD = 0.00
Mare Profile = 6-2-6-8-5 Speed = 8 Stamina = 13 Index = 0.83 Triads = 14-16-19
A true test of speed vs. stamina on the Santa Anita bias.
Ushba Tesoro is undefeated in six out of six races when travelling from 10f to 10.5f. He was also crowned winner in his sole turf race traveling 13f. The son of Orfevre will be walking into the Breeder's Cup Classic with the most impressive record in the gate.
At the moment, Japan is holding the #1 dirt horse in the world with Ushba, along with the #1 Turf horse in the world with Equinox. Let the games begin!
Track Bias and Speed Breeding is a Deadly Combination
With the agonizing loss of another seven horses at the Saratoga meet this summer, including Nobel and New York Thunder on Travers Day, it appears this deadly phenomenon has reached unbearable heights.
While across the country at DelMar, another five horses have met their demise so far during this meet. The latest catastrophic injury occurred during a workout with Bob Baffert's very promising two year old, Pastor T.
Here at the Dirty Horse Club, we will continue to sound the alarm bells year after year when it comes to the over the top slick speed biases at these tracks and hyper-speed breeding in the sheds. Unattainable insistence for speed in all aspects of the sport gives way for the need to medicate in order to satisfy that demand. This, in turn, is destroying the breed on a daily basis.
In Memory
New York Thunder
Nobel
Wisecraken
Ever Summer
Maple Leaf Mel
Sopran Basilea
Lawful
Blame it on Mary
Winter Son
Frigid Lady
Nevisian Sunrise
Ghostem
Pastor T
Episode Five
Vagabond Prayer
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