Oaks, Derby, and Why We Love Racing

     Two days to forget about life's trials and tribulations; two days to forget about all that is wrong with racing and live what is so correct; two days to remember why we love this game, why there is no thrill in sport to compare with the wonder of magnificent Thoroughbreds, fine tuned to near perfection, battling stride for stride, noses apart, no quarter given, no quarter asked, locked in combat so heroic that all would applaud the fidelity of a dead heat as justice for all.  Indeed, difficult to imagine what could be grander than Oaks and Derby days, basking in sunshine, surrounded by compadres sharing one's passion for this grandest animal, for this greatest sport.  Within this plenitude however, some moments stand out more than others, special moments that might differ from one patron to another, reasons often personal in nature, nurtured by history known to few, all the more meaningful for the obscurity.  On racing days such as these and the Breeder's Cup, selecting such moments stands akin to choosing a favorite Steinbeck from a collection of his complete works.  In truth, however, such moments select themselves, as we are powerless to resist.

     Readers of my blog might recall the high esteem I hold for wondrous Azeri, certainly one of the all time great race mares.  Arriving at Churchill and walking through the Churchill backside on Friday morning, we arrived at the "Lukas gap" as the horses for the first race were moving down the chute for the start of the one mile contest for maiden 3 year old and up fillies and mares.  My son Chris, like his old man a great lover of the sport, quickly scanned the program and announced that the 6 horse was none other than a 3 year old Ghostzapper filly out of the aforementioned Azeri.  The race immediately took on very special meaning as Chris and I are both huge Azeri fans.  I scrambled for my camera as they were loading in the gate, managing to ready it just as the field was set on their way.  Delightfully, Wine Princess, making just her second start, dominated her field, stalking the pace and closing effectively to win going away in the race horse time of 1:35.38.  Hall of Famers, top and bottom, both tough acts to follow for this young lady, but at least on this day she did her parents proud, and the fashion of her victory gives promise of better things to come.  

Wine Princess

Wine Princess, jockey Shaun Bridgmohan

 

     The unfulfilled promise of Ghostzapper again received a much needed infusion of  hope just several races later, this time in the running of the G3 Eight Belles, with a most impressive victory by his highly talented 3 year old daughter Contested, she out of the Arch mare, Gold Vault.  Covering the 7 furlongs in a very good 1:21.29, she gives promise of developing into a special filly.  In the excellent hands of Bob Baffert, the filly is now 3 of 4 lifetime, her only setback coming in her first outing when she finished a very good closing second at Del Mar in her 2 year old debut.  In the winner's enclosure, a very svelte appearing Baffert gave no clue to his recent brush with mortality, giving every appearance of a man apparently rededicated to personal health and fitness, his smile and demeanor suggesting a new appreciation for the many riches in his life.  Bravo, and very best wishes to him! I have a hunch that if today's performance is any indication, this young filly will give him much cause for joy over the coming months.  Sorry there are no action photos.  My location for this race precluded race photos but I have some great shots of the crowd!  What's that?  You don't give a hoot about the crowd?       

Contested

Contested

Contested

Bob Baffert

Contested, jockey Martin Garcia, Bob and Jilll
Baffert

aforementioned crowd scene...nice hat!!!

     I was anticipating the 9th running of the G2 Alysheba almost as much as the Oaks itself.  For a Grade 2 race, this was about as tough a field as one will find.  Nates Mineshaft, who could have been claimed for $25,000 as recently as Dec. 28, 2011, is now a rapidly emerging star, all the while serving as a ray of hope for those of us who seek high and low for a claim who might become the next Lava Man.  Entered in the Alysheba on a four race win streak, his most recent win a commanding 7 length victory in thenG2 New Orleans Handicap, this young fellow shows a world of promise and figured to have a say in the outcome of this race.  Mucho Macho Man is a multiple Grade 2 winner who finished 3rd in last year's renewal of the Kentucky Derby, and looked to be very tough.  Fort Larned was slightly less highly considered by most, but recent marked improvement in form suggested to me he was most capable of running competitively with these.  Finally, and most intriguing to me, was Successful Dan, the older 1/2 brother to Wise Dan, very recently discussed in this forum when he established a NTR at Keeneland in the Ben Ali, performing brilliantly in his first start back after a winter's layoff.  Successful Dan himself had returned with an emphatic victory in a conditioned allowance race on April 6 at Keeneland after 17 months away from the races, his winning time for the Beard course a very good 1:27.90.  Now, only 4 weeks off that exceptional effort, he was being asked to stretch out to 1 1/16th miles against a field of horses many of whom will be participating in Grades 1 races throughout the year, a very considerable task indeed.  I have come to have a great respect for the training capabilities of Charles Lopresti, however, and felt certain Dan would not be here unless his boss felt him up to the challenge...and was he ever!  A stirring stretch duel with Fort Larned, each horse pushed to put forth his supreme effort, and put forth they did, with Successful Dan finally pulling clear of his most courageous adversary, accomplishing the 1 1/16th miles in NTR time of 1:41.04, eclipsing the track standard held by remarkable old Brass Hat back in July of 2007.  What a special performance this was, and what a very special training job by Charles Lopresti.  I suspect we will find Successful Dan has earned a brief reprieve from the racing wars, as he has now been fully extended in both comeback races.  Such tremendous efforts, especially off such a prolonged layoff, will take their toll on any horse.  I anticipate a few weeks of limited activity to allow recuperation will be followed by another round of conditioning aimed towards a strong summer campaign, perhaps with Saratoga in mind if all goes well.  As unlikely as it seems, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that by years end two sons of the Wolf Power (SAF) mare, Lisa Danielle, could feasibly be competing for top honors in the Male Handicap division.  There is a lot of racing to go before then, but the possibility looms.         

Successful Dan, J Leparoux up, post parade

stretch duel with Fort Larned, J Castellano up

the battle continues...

finally, Successful Dan gains the advantage

exhausted, he gave his all

...take me home, boss.  I'm pooped...

leaving the winner's enclosure...

...and going home

     It goes without saying that the Kentucky Oaks was again special, only time telling us if this year's champion will compare favorably to the victors of years and generations past.  Indeed, the listing of the names of winners of the Oaks is almost like running the roll of the Hall of Fame, so auspicious is the line up.  The race has been covered extensively elsewhere and any contribution by me would likely be meaningless in comparison.  Time will tell, but it may show us that it was the victory by jockey Rosie Napravnik, the first by a female rider, that will be most memorable...or perhaps Believe You Can will go on to prove she very much belongs, and will prove herself worthy of inclusion in this very special society of Oaks winners.  One thing is certain, that on this day this daughter of Proud Citizen was clearly superior and most deserving of the victory.  It appeared going in to be a quality field, certainly lacking the star power of Rachel or Blind Luck perhaps, but nevertheless felt to be a very good group of fillies.  The best filly won on this day.  And Rosie?  Well, this young lady proved once again, in case some folks weren't quite getting the message, that she is an excellent race rider, with the right mount again proving herself very capable of competing at the highest echelon of racing.  Finally, is any trainer more deserving of success than Larry Jones?  He is a quality man and a quality trainer, and I couldn't be happier for him.   

post parade

Believe You Can believes she can...

...then goes on and proves it!

No trainer more deserving than Larry Jones

Rock star, Rosie, tough as nails...

...but just as cute as a bugs ear!

      Getting late, and time to go.  Just some of my thoughts with a few photos to hopefully brighten your day!  Will talk Derby soon.  Adios.

Murray West

Rider off...loose horse!!!

     Yesterday's G2 Elkhorn, on the final day of Spring racing at glorious Keeneland, proved to be a mite more than bargained for.  Featuring the venerable, grey Musketier (GER), striving this day to capture his 3rd Elkhorn Stakes at the rather advanced age of 10 years, the running took on unexpected drama from the outset as the emerging 5 year old Giant's Causeway colt, Center Divider, unseated rider Robby Albarado at the start of the 1 1/2 mile turf feature.  While the unseating of a rider at the start of a race by itself is not a terribly uncommon occurrence, the sequence of events that followed in this particular race proved at once highly exciting and frightening, while again demonstrating the lengths to which the outriders will go in their attempts to protect horse and jockey from potential catastrophe. 

     A loose horse under any circumstance represents a potentially lethal situation.  Have this occur during the running of a race, however, and the potential for disaster is dramatically increased, not only for the horse itself but for all other participants, including the other horses, their jockeys and, most certainly, the track outriders and their mounts.  Few things are more upsetting during these dangerous situations than ignorant fans who delight in cheering the frightened loose horse, potentially adding fuel to fire as the animal instinctively attempts to evade capture, the roar of these fans often suggesting to me what it must be like to witness a bullfight where blood-thirsty onlookers scream their collective "ole!" as the matador maneuvers for the final telling strike.  Perhaps these uninformed race fans for some reason fail to recognize the potential for catastrophe that exists with any loose horse.  I, for one, over the years have unfortunately borne witness to too many tragic outcomes...horses reversing direction during pursuit, then running down the track directly at the oncoming field; fearful attempts to jump both inner and outer rails, sometimes successfully thus resulting in continued off-track pursuit, other times unsuccessfully and resulting in serious injury, sometimes catastrophic;  attempts to abruptly turn into the "gaps" on the track, those points of entrance and exit which have become deeply ingrained in the psyche of the horse through repetition in morning exercise, instinctive behavior by a frightened animal seeking the refuge and security of his barn and stall.

     So often it seems the chase of the loose horse occurs on the turns or down the backstretch of the track, in view of but distanced from the masses in the stands.  Yesterday, however, the drama unfolded immediately in front of the patrons, a heated speed duel taking place down the stretch of the turf course as the running of the Elkhorn unfolded less than a 1/8 mile before them. Center Divider, frightened and bewildered, ran next to the outside rail with his reins dangling precariously in front of him while the outrider on his fleet mount challenged immediately to his inside.  Here, time and again, he encouraged his mount to find that extra ounce of speed necessary to close the precious one foot that would enable him to reach down and grasp the elusive reins, the outrider hanging precariously from the side of his horse as he reached over at break-neck speed in his futile yet very courageous effort to secure his dangling target. Center Divider, seemingly playing cat and mouse, countered every move with a burst of speed, just the slightest acceleration that allowed him to keep slightly out of reach, repeatedly denying his would be captor the evasive prize.  The chase continued at full speed for a full 1/4 mile of the stretch, finally briefly ending when Center Divider separated himself from his pursuer.  He continued running immediately adjacent to the outside rail, however, and, as he now rounded the first turn and headed towards the backstretch, this allowed another opportunity for this indefatigable outrider to take a good angle on his fleeing target and in an instant he was once again upon this runaway, giving one final effort to harness his adversary.  Again, however, Center Divider denied his best efforts and moved quickly away but at this time the chase was joined by another waiting rider, the baton here passed from a surely exhausted rider and horse to fresh energy and fresh legs.  The chase was now taken up by this new member of the Keeneland team and, with energy and perhaps desire that our frightened horse could no longer match, a quick burst of speed and a stalwart lunge for the reins resulted in curtailing the flight of Center Divider, the drama brought to a close, seemingly without serious injury to any participant.

     Unsung, courageous heroes these, man and horse, here risking their well being, their lives in fact, for the welfare and safety of horse and jockey.  For them there is no winner's enclosure photograph to remind them of their great work this day, no trophy presentation in view of all, no public recognition of how the courage of man and horse, working in tandem, allowed a potentially disastrous situation to play out without injurious outcome.  Simply exceptional men mounted upon equally exceptional horses, quietly and very efficiently doing their vital work, returning without ceremony at day's end to hopefully a fine meal and a solid night's sleep, comforted by the quiet knowledge of a job exceptionally well done, and, for this is the nature of such as these, charged with the willingness to do it all again for the good and love of racing.

     Bravo, my fellows, man and beast.  Bravo!  The Golden Julep Cup this day to you!

     Murray West



G2 Elkhorn, first time past stands, minus Center Divider

      



The chase begins

Eight flying feet

Getting close



Speed duel for advantage



Another foot needed to reach the dangling reins



A final try

       


Outrider eases back as Center Divider conntinues along outside rail, the field only about 1/16 mile ahead

Angling over, another attempt to capture the colt is unsuccessful

Tag team, second outrider takes up the chase

Success, Center Divider safely under control without apparent injury

One drama concluded, the stretch run unfolds safely

Wise Dan...Shades of Secretariat ?

    

     Horses...even the best horses...just aren't supposed to do this.  They are not supposed to be capable of coming back from a five month layoff and literally demolishing a good field of older horses, never mind posting mind-boggling internal fractions under the staunchest restraint of a Hall of Fame jockey in the form of John Velazquez, only then to finish in hand while establishing a new track record for the race horse distance of 1 1/8th miles.  But this is what Wise Dan accomplished, and accomplished with consummate ease.

     Making his return to the races in the G3 Ben Ali , Wise Dan faced a very good group of proven graded stakes performers, certainly no easy spot to re-enter the racing wars.  Looking lean and powerful in the paddock, Dan on several occasions displayed his annoyance at the delay in the festivities, throwing his head and acting up, eager to unleash his might.  Breaking with the pack in the 1 1/8th mile contest, he layed about 1 1/2 lengths off the pace after the first quarter, but at this point Dan would have no more of this waiting game and in an instant he swept to the fore, literally dragging Johnny V to the lead, Johnny's legs fully extended at the knees in his attempt to restrain.  On at least two occasions the race replay shows Johnny taking progressively shorter holds of his head-strong mount as Wise Dan threw his mouth open in defiance of the annoying nuisance upon his back.  After his 1st quarter in 24.53, and in spite of this arduous restraint, Wise Dan's 2nd quarter was accomplished in a blistering 22.83 seconds, with his 3rd quarter, equally opposed, in 23.71 seconds.  It was at about this point, near 1/2 mile from home, that Velazquez finally let the chestnut gelding run, and for at least the third time Wise Dan visibly re broke, this time accomplishing his 4th quarter in a smoldering 23.39 seconds as his fluid stride propelled him effortlessly over the Keeneland Polytrack.  Passing the 1/8th pole, with his lead widening with every stride, Velazquez gave no encouragement other than to throw a second cross at his mount as his 6 length lead became 8, 8 then quickly 10, with Wise Dan finally stopping the clock in 1:46.63 while completing his final 1/8th in 12.17 seconds.  Good horses, really good horses, seldom do such things, seldom run such rapid internal fractions, particularly against such restraint, then finish so very strong and willingly.  Bettering the track record by .13 second under these circumstances, it is not beyond reason to consider that Wise Dan could readily have moved up another 4 - 5 lengths with any form of rider encouragement, in so doing shattering the standard to a shade over 1:45.  Hmmm.  Near bolting as he dragged his helpless rider to the front after the first quarter, devastating internal fractions that literally ran his opponents off their feet as they struggled to maintain contact, accelerating again down the stretch while widening effortlessly, a grand chestnut coat with a white blaze...no, hold on here, best not get carried away.  This ain't Pimlico, this wasn't the Preakness, and it's sure not 1973, but as I watched the Ben Ali unfold, my mind truly flashed back to a brilliant performance by one of the greatest of all time.  Shades of the mighty Secretariat!  Thanks for conjuring that wonderful memory, Dan!      

     Only time will tell if Wise Dan has improved this much and is now this good or, as is possible, this was his performance of a lifetime, his ultimate dance on the magnificent stage that is Keeneland.  Regardless, no animal, human nor equine, can give this type of performance unless the innate genetic capability exists within and, of equal importance, this potential has been meticulously and sensitively ripened to fruition by masterful training and conditioning, on this auspicious occasion by Mr. Charles Lopresti.  With brilliant performances off lengthy layoffs by several others in his barn (Turallure, Successful Dan), me thinks this man knows a thing or two about training a racehorse!

                                                                            
                                                                        Murray West 

  

Havre de Grace Graces Keeneland

     A gorgeous afternoon at Keeneland was made even grander with the appearance of reigning Horse Of The Year, Havre de Grace, in the paddock prior to the 7th race on Sunday, April 15, 2012.

     Accompanied by trainer Larry Jones, the grand mare made a wonderful impression, appearing taller, thicker, and even more powerful than last year.  Throughout her visit her head was high, eyes alert and searching, resplendent in every respect as the afternoon sun glistened off her sleek, muscular body, she at one minute the picture of composure, the next bouncing and dancing, near ready to explode.  This very special mare looked every inch the champion, her appearance and body language challenging all pretenders who might seek to dethrone her.  Indeed, formidable opponents appear plentiful and of the highest quality, all standing ready and eager to challenge her supremacy in what again gives promise to be an extraordinary year for the distaff set.  Havre de Grace's appearance this day, however, is a reminder to all that ascendancy to the crown must go through this regal monarch.  Everything about her on this day suggests she is more than ready to defend her throne.  Let the games begin!

     Here's a few photos from that afternoon.  My, oh my.  How she looks the part!

Murray West