Male Turf Horse
It strikes me that coinciding with the stallion success of Medaglia d’Oro and Kitten’s Joy, both sons of the outstanding turf and stamina influence, El Prado, that considerably more interest is now being taken in turf racing. Successful turf horses in the past were given little serious consideration as stallion prospects and, as such, there was less focus and interest in turf races, serving as outlets for horses who were deemed unsuited for dirt success or, perhaps as last options, for horses richly endowed with stamina but woefully lacking in inherent speed and turn of foot, horses less than affectionately referred to as “plodders.” In fact, one of my favorite old friends still delights in saying, “Ah, he’s running on the turf. They must have given up on him!” Not the case anymore, if ever. With synthetic surfaces now a fixture at major racing venues around the country (synthetics…now that’s a topic for another time) and the demonstrated frequent successful transition from that surface to turf, along with the aforementioned stallion success of the El Prado line, interest in American turf racing has become widespread. Without doubt we lag behind the rest of the world in our breeding and development of American Thoroughbreds who can compete at the highest level on the lawn, and similarly it is increasingly accepted that there exists a great need to introduce classic stamina back into our pedigrees. Recognition and concern about these issues will, I hope, see increased popularity of, and stallion opportunity for, those colts who have indeed proved themselves more than capable of competing at the international level on the turf, particularly at the classic distances from 1¼ to 1½ miles. Lest we forget, it was not all that long ago that such influences were imported from Europe, proved very successful here in America, and have made great contributions to our American Thoroughbred. I recall the immensely important stallions, Nasrullah, Blenheim II, Mamhoud, and Ribot, just to name a few. It is impossible to imagine our breed without these influences and they, to a horse, were European turf horses who demonstrated success at the classic distances.
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| El Prado at Aedena Springs, 2007 |
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| El Prado, 2007 |
Turning attention now to this year’s Eclipse for Male Turf Horse, we find several legitimate candidates. One who I fear is not, but who shall be briefly mentioned for his tremendous contributions, is the marvelous Gio Ponti. Without doubt one of the finest runners to grace the North American racing scene, and such a worthy Eclipse recipient in the past, this season found him appearing to have lost a step or two, such loss at the highest level of competition making the difference between victory and defeat. Indeed, with a single victory this year (G1 Shadwell Mile), he sustained narrow losses in the G1 Manhattan, Man o’ War, and Arlington Million Stakes, and just failed to sustain his bid in his career finale, the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, in which he finished a narrowly beaten 4th. Out of respect for what he has given to racing, I like to think that in a previous year those narrow defeats become victories and we would again be speaking of yet another Eclipse for this grand old man. Not to be, I regret to say. Surely, however, if any horse deserves to be supported in the stud this grand looking specimen, who retired sound, is such an individual. For those who remain reluctant to favor a “grass horse,” you are reminded of his thrilling Breeder’s Cup Classic where he fell victim to the amazing Zenyatta. So, it is clearly apparent, this old fellow wasn’t too shabby on the dirt as well! All horses, I suspect, have their favorite surfaces and track conditions. The very best, however, give their all on any surface, and Gio Ponti was one of the very best!
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Gio Ponti, Wednesday 11-2-2011, Churchill Downs
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| Gio Ponti, 2011, November 2011, Castleton Lyons Farm |
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| Gio Ponti, November 2011 |
With a victory in the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, Courageous Cat could have made a case for championship honors. His form, although with limited starts, was of the highest quality. Behind a wall of horses in the Mile as they turned into the stretch, and running just off the outside flank of Goldikova, the needed hole opened and he was gunned to that opening. At the same instant, Olivier Peslier on Goldikova jerked that one off the rail and accelerated into the same hole, in so doing literally annihilating Courageous Cat, it being all he could do not to go down. He was quickly struck again by another from the inside, ricochetting like a billiard ball and, having lost all chance at a placing, was eased by jockey Patrick Valenzuela to finish a very distant last, this outcome in no way giving any indication of his effort nor talent. It is entirely within the realm of possibility had he not been so violently impeded that he would have been at the forefront of the charge to the wire. I am a great fan of Goldikova, but how she was not disqualified is beyond reasoning. Had she been any other horse there is no doubt in my mind that she would have been officially placed behind Courageous Cat. Thus, through no fault of his own, this fine colt lost all chance in the Mile and at the Eclipse award. He deserved better.
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| Courageous Cat |
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| Courageous Cat |
In the aforementioned Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, the unlikely Court Vision emerged victorious by the narrowest of noses, desperately holding on as Turallure swept by him one jump past the wire. This win represented his only placing, never mind victory, in the 2011 season. A wonderful time to run the race of your life, but not nearly enough for serious consideration for the ultimate turf award.
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| Court Vision, unlikely winner of Breeder's Cup Turf Mile |
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| Court Vision after victory in Turf Mile |
The same could not be said for the steel grey Turallure, he coming into the Turf Mile with 3 wins and 2 second place finishes in 6 outings. Victories included the G2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga over Get Stormy and the G1 Woodbine Mile over a grand field including both Courageous Cat and Court Vision. The Breeders’s Cup Mile found him running last early, as is his norm, with Court Vision to his outside. Approaching the far turn, and with the real running now getting under way, he had nowhere to go as the inside failed to open up. Jockey Julien Leparoux was thus forced to patiently wait while Court Vision began his run on the outside and it was only after the latter had cleared him that he was safely able to swing the beautiful grey to the outside and mount his charge, precious distance having been sacrificed by this forced delay. Following Court Vision down the middle of the track, and with all eyes appropriately on Goldikova as she attempted to win her 4th consecutive Mile, Turallure relentlessly closed on Court Vision as both quickly closed the gap on the leaders. Surging to the lead, the two struck the wire in tandem in a highly dramatic finish, with Leparoux immediately celebrating a victory that the camera proved not to be. Thus, in a brilliant effort the colt came up a nose short, a nose that may well have cost him not only the Breeder’s Cup glory but quite possibly also the Turf Eclipse .
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| Turallure, Wednesday morning, 11-2-2011 |
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| Turallure |
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| Turallure |
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| Turallure |
The Breeder’s Cup Turf at 1½ miles has traditionally been dominated by our European friends, successes by our own being notable by their rarity. This year’s running proved no exception, and the excitement surrounding the victory by St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) was made all the more special as that one was brilliantly piloted by Joseph O’Brien, he then becoming the youngest rider to win a Breeder’s Cup race and, to add drama to the moment, also the son of the remarkable Irish conditioner, Aidan O’Brien. His form this season had shown him competitive with the best of the Europeans, as close finishes with Canford Cliffs and Workforce would attest and a win in the G1 Coronation Cup over Midday would confirm. His victory in the Breeder’s Cup Turf was compelling, leaving a field replete with G1 winners in his wake. Time may well see this victory serve as a catalyst for this impressive looking colt to go on to even greater successes in the forth coming year if, indeed, it is determined to keep him in training. This isolated victory, however, is not enough to grant him serious consideration for our ultimate turf award.
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| St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) |
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| St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) after victory in Turf |
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| St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) |
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| St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) |
In an earlier discussion pertaining to Older Male Horse, I documented my admiration for the wonderful season put in by Acclamation, and the reader is asked to review that commentary. In now considering him as a candidate for champion turf horse, clearly my previous comments pertaining to lack of dirt form have no bearing in this current discussion. His excellent turf resume this year is hindered only be his lack of racing outside his home state of California. That granted, his form was nothing short of outstanding. With 3 G1 victories, of which one was on synthetic, complemented by 2 compelling G2 victories, his is a very strong argument for championship honors.
The final candidate to be considered in this category must of course be the remarkable Cape Blanco (IRE). This chestnut son of the great Galileo (IRE) began this season with a hard fought one length loss in the G1 Dubai World Cup, and great expectations I’m sure surrounded this colt as the European season began. One month later found him facing the starter at Longchamp in the G1 Prix Ganay, where he took command and led to the furlong marker and begrudgingly gave way in the final yards before the wire. Returning six weeks later in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot, he failed to give his usual performance, leading to the 3 furlong marker whereupon he is reported to have readily given way while finishing well beaten. At this point trainer Aidan O’Brien made the decision to bring this colt to America and it was at this time his season turned around dramatically. In the G1 Man o’ War at Belmont he faced a stellar field. Racing just off the lead, he assumed control in the stretch and prevailed by a comfortable 2½ lengths, with the American hope Gio Ponti a well beaten second. Returning to Ireland between races, he again made the flight across the Atlantic, this time bedding down at Arlington park for the Arlington Million, where he once again bested Gio Ponti by 2½ lengths, with Dean’s Kitten missing place money by a neck. Once more Cape Blanco was returned to Ireland, and once more he used his frequent flyer miles, returning for the third time in three months to North America, again to the now familiar confines of Belmont Park in New York, where he was called upon again to face a very fine field in the G1 Turf Classic. Once again stalking the leader in the early going, he assumed the lead and again appeared on his way to a dominating victory. On this occasion, however, rather than accelerating and disposing of his competition, his lead began to narrow as the ever improving Dean’s Kitten made a strong run down the stretch. While appearing to not be the same as in his two previous outings, he nevertheless fought back with great courage, in so doing managing to prevail by a diminishing nose. It was only in the aftermath of this dramatic finish that it was determined that he had made his stretch run while competing with a fore limb fracture, assuredly sustained at some point during the running of the race. Sadly, it was determined that the injury was career ending. The silver lining to this tragedy, often sought and seldom found, was revealed when it was announced that Cape Blanco (IRE) would be retired to Ashford Stud in Kentucky, thereby for the first time making the gene pool of the fabulous Galileo (IRE) readily available to North American breeders.
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| Cape Blanco at Ashford Stud |
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| Cape Blanco |
So, who to choose? For me, it narrows to Acclamation and Cape Blanco (IRE), both multiple G1 winners, both outstanding in their endeavors. One, however, was never allowed to test his talents against the other major turf horses in the country, his entire season being restricted to racing against local horses in Southern California. No fault of the horse, quite obviously, but not faring well when compared with the globe trotting campaign of Cape Blanco (IRE), with outings in Dubai, France, and England, plus three separate trans-Atlantic excursions to take on all challengers in three of our greatest and most historic turf events and, in so doing, twice defeating our reigning turf champion, the marvelous Gio Ponti. With great respect for Acclamation and all that he did with his opportunities, the Eclipse must clearly go to Ireland’s Cape Blanco!
Female Turf Horse
Well, work has again interfered with pleasure, thereby forcing my computer to be idle while I toiled to earn my daily bread. Meanwhile, the finalists for the Eclipse Awards have been announced, with 3 horses from each category remaining for consideration.
It had been my intent to give a brief discourse on several very fine ladies whom I fully realized were very unlikely Eclipse winners but, by virtue of their 2011 campaigns, deserved brief recognition. Such deserving females included Aruna, Nahrain (GB), Together (IRE), Winter Memories, Midday (GB), and Sarafina (FR). Each of these exceptional fillies or mares proved worthy of at least brief consideration for varying reason.
Aruna came into the Filly and Mare Turf off an impressive win in the G1 Spinster, this following an excellent 2nd to Zagora in the G1 Diana at Saratoga. A troubled trip in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf found her behind a wall of horses in the stretch, having to take up when attempting her run, yet still finishing a fast closing 5th while beaten only 1 length for all the money, in so doing finishing ahead of 2 of the announced finalists.
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| Aruna, Wednesday 11-2-2011, gallop on Churchill turf |
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| Aruna |
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| Aruna |
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| Aruna, post parade for Filly and Mare Turf |
Nahrain (GB) came from overseas sporting an undefeated record of 4 wins in as many efforts, including a G1 victory over Announce (GB), the highly regarded filly who was an unfortunate track (vet) scratch immediately before the race because of a minor accident behind the gate. Nahrain (GB) proved her exceptional quality while finishing an excellent 2nd in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf and, had she held on for the victory, she like Aruna would have been in contention for top honors.
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| Nahrain (GB), brilliant 3 yr old filly with exceptional ability, F Dettori up...excellent 2nd in Filly and Mare Turf |
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| Announce (GB), very highly regarded 4 yr old filly, late scratch at gate because of accident resulting in minor laceration |
Together (IRE) put together an exceptional pair of races at Keeneland this fall, finishing a closing 2nd against older fillies and mares in the G1 First Lady, then swinging back one week later to post a most impressive victory against her own age group while winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. These two closely timed races proved a testament not only to this filly’s very obvious talent but also to the training skills and acumen of her brilliant trainer, Aidan O’Brien.
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| Together (IRE) in Keeneland paddock prior to victory in G1 QE II Stakes |
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| Together (IRE) |
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| Together (IRE), Colm O'Donaghue up, coming on to track immediately prior to winning G1 QE II Stakes |
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| Look closely...Colm O'Donaghue receiving LAST MINUTE instructions prior to QEII...any doubt that it isn't Aidan O'Brien? Talk about cutting it close! |
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| Instructions paid off.! Together (IRE) with very comfortable civtory in G1 QE II...Winter Memories is the grey |
Winter Memories was the distaff toast of the American Turf earlier this year, her brilliant turn of foot nothing short of spectacular on numerous occasions. Her rather lack luster performance in the aforementioned QE II Stakes, however, signaled perhaps a fatigued filly and she was put away for the year, but she was most definitely the sophomore queen for quite some spell.
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| Winter Memories in Keeneland paddock prior to a rather flat effort in QE II |
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| Winter Memories |
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| Winter Memories coming on to track, Keeneland |
Midday (GB) is worthy of mention simply because she is Midday (GB)! Coming off 3 consecutive G1 victories overseas last year, she was a fast closing, very narrowly defeated second to Shared Account in the Filly and Mare Turf while heavily favored at 90 cents on the dollar.
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| The great, Midday |
This year, instead of contesting the Turf against her own sex, she, along with the brilliant Sarafina (FR), chose to step outside the protection offered their gender, choosing instead to challenge the boys in the Breeder’s Cup Turf. Finishing 4th and 6th respectively in this race, how can one not tip our hats to these ladies and their connections for this grand effort? Thus we have a brief review of 6 exceptional fillies, each very capable on any given day of besting the best!
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| Sarafina (FR) feeling especially good this morning, Wednesday 11-2-2011 |
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| Sarafina (FR) |
So to the finalists. Perfect Shirl, winless this year coming into the Filly and Mare Turf, chose the most opportune time to run the race of her career. With only one 2nd and 3 thirds and $101,000 in earnings to show for 6 outings, it was no surprise that she was let go at odds of 27/1. What was surprising was the outstanding effort put forth this day, and while others were indeed rapidly closing on her at the wire, to her great credit she finished full of run, showed much courage, and was good value for her victory. That said, an isolated success in 7 outings, with all other efforts against other than Grade 1 company, does not I think mount to a championship campaign, and I choose to await similar efforts over the coming year before anointing this fine filly a truly top of the line race mare. Being in the exceptional hands of trainer Roger Attfield, however, I have full confidence that if she truly is a diamond, he shall shine her to pristine brilliance.
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| Perfect Shirl, winner Filly and Mare Turf, Wed 11-2-2011 morning |
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| Perfect Shirl |
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| Perfect Shirl, post parade |
The near black Stacelita (FR), winner of the 2009 French Oaks, came into this year’s Filly and Mare Turf heavily favored, a situation justified by her fine record of 2 wins and 2 thirds in 4 outings. Her first start this year came in June and resulted in a 3rd place finish against the colts at Longchamp, following which she was moved to America and transferred to the care of trainer Chad Brown. She again took on the colts in the G1 United Nations at Monmouth, again finishing 3rd on this occasion while gaining a brief advantage before being out finished. Her next two efforts came against her own sex and it was here she found her best form, proving victorious in the G1 Beverly D at Arlington and the G1 Flower Bowl at Belmont. The Eclipse title was thus hers for the taking with an excellent, if not winning, effort in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
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| STacelita (FR), Wed 11-2-2011 |
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| Stacelita (FR) aggressive in her gallop, Wed 11-2-2011 |
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| Stacelita (FR)...note inside cup on blinkers |
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| Stacelita (FR) |
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| Stacelita (FR) |
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| Stacelita (FR), post parade |
Another coming into this race with championship aspirations was the outstanding Dubawi Heights (GB). This filly entered the final race of the year off an excellent campaign, sporting 4 wins in 5 outings, counting victories in the G3 Wilshire, G1 Gamely, and G1 Yellow Ribbon in her impressive resume. Her lone loss of the season came at the hands of Starlecita(FR) when she was out finished by that one in the G1 Beverly D at Arlington.
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| Dubawi Heights (GB). Wed 11-2-2011 |
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| Dubawi Heights (GB), post parade |
Thus these two leading contenders for the Eclipse met on the Churchill turf to settle the issue where such things are rightly resolved…on the race track! Unfortunately for these two, and also for the Eclipse voters, neither brought their A game on this occasion. Dubawi Heights (GB) assumed the lead from her one post position and, after briefly wrestling for the lead with Dynaslew, assumed control and was allowed to settle without undue pressure from behind, leading by about one length while setting a moderate pace. Challenged around the final turn, she initially responded and maintained her advantage to mid stretch. Here, unfortunately, she had little to offer when finally asked the question and faded to a well beaten 6th position while backing up throughout the stretch. For Starcelita (FR) things did not go any better. Close up in 3rd position along the inside early on, she appeared to have a perfect stalking trip while nicely covered along the rail behind the leading two. Coming out of the final turn she appeared full of run. Though the rail never opened up for her she was never forced to check while waiting her chance and, when that opportunity finally came, she failed to respond, fading instead to a soundly defeated tenth position, some 6 lengths off the winner. Truth be told, it was Aruna who may have had the most difficult trip, having nowhere to go until the final 1/16th mile at which point she closed quickly, albeit belatedly, to finish narrowly beaten.
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| Filoly and Mare Turf, Perfect Shirl in front, the field closing in (sorry about the lighting) |
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| Perfect Shirl desperately holding on for victory |
So which of these three is worthy to wear the mantle of Champion, to stand alongside the magnificent winners of bygone years? The names of previous Eclipse winners for this category read like a “who’s who” of racing, the winners as outstanding or more so than the winners of perhaps any other category. Two time winners include international super stars such as Goldikova, Ouija Board, and Miesque, as well as Pebbles, Royal Heroine and Horse of the Year, All Along. American raced champions, to highlight a few, include such as Flawlessly, Forever Together, and Intercontinental. Each of these ladies, by the mere mention of her name, conjures images of brilliance, consistency, of quality proven beyond doubt. I fear that this year’s winner, at least at this stage in her racing career, will not be perceived in quite the same fashion as many of the previous victors. We would hope that perhaps time will alter the perception of her worthiness to wear this esteemed garland. This said and accepted, a decision must be made.
Setting aside her out of character Breeder’s Cup performance, and considering her previous excellent form including her defeat of Dubawi Heights (GB) in the Beverly D at equal weights, my choice for the Eclipse is Starcelita (FR). A haunting consideration when considering her disappointing Breeder’s Cup effort (a concern which admittedly may be unfounded) relates to her transfer from a European training program to a traditional North American regime in the midst of her 5 year old campaign. Differences in ideology and methodology between these programs are often very significant and may have negatively impacted her. I cannot help but wonder if her sub par Cup performance might reflect her failure to thrive under her new program. Change is always difficult, and to experience this so late in her career and in the immediate months preceding the Breeder’s Cup may have taken a toll and left her less than ideally prepared for this effort. Mere speculation, of course, but of possible significance.
While without doubt an outstanding race mare with numerous very notable victories, Starlecita's career resume does include resounding defeats by Goldikova, Midday, Snow Fairy, and Announce, such defeats occurring while at the top of her considerable game. With this in mind, I suspect this grand mare will historically be considered one of our less accomplished winners of this prestigious award. In this year, however, I believe her the most worthy.
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