Farm Hopping: Hello, Union Rags!

by Jarrod Horak

Earlier this week, I ventured to Lexington, Kentucky with Candice Curtis and Stacy Edwards to visit with some of our favorite equine stars.

First stop was Lane’s End Farm. We spent some quality time with the likes of After Market, Candy Ride, City Zip, Curlin, Discreetly Mine, English Channel, The Factor, Lemon Drop Kid, Pleasantly Perfect, Quality Road, Smart Strike, and Union Rags.

Seeing these equine legends brought back some handicapping memories. I was in the early stages of my stint with Racing On The Net when Lemon Drop Kid captured the Belmont Stakes, and he was one of my first significant online play of the day winners.

I made my first trek to Santa Anita Park for the 2003 Breeders’ Cup and Pleasantly Perfect won the Classic that year.

Fast forward to 2012 and Union Rags was my Derby horse. He had a less than ideal trip that day but redeemed himself in the Belmont Stakes. He retired shortly after the Test of Champions and I relocated to Kentucky just in time to visit the regal looking son of Dixie Union. He was taking a nap when we first arrived but curiosity got the best of him and he came over to see what we were up to. I rubbed his nose a few times and the gentle giant went back to sleep in the blink of an eye.

Some delicious refreshments were offered including chili and quiche. Real men don’t eat quiche but I had some anyway before out next stop — Ashford Stud.

Coolmore America is an impressive operation with an imposing group of young stallions including Cape Blanco, Dunkirk, Hansen, Lookin At Lucky, Stay Thirsty, and Uncle Mo. It was also a pleasure to see veteran sires Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant’s Causeway, Tale of the Cat, and Thunder Gulch.

Candice got her picture taken with her early racing idol Thunder Gulch, and for Stacy it was all about Stay Thirsty.

Hansen stood out with his soft, light coat. He seemed a bit edgy at first but calmed down nicely once he got outside and allowed us to get up close and personal. Our picture perfect day was not over yet, because we were only a hop, skip, and a jump from Three Chimneys.

Stacy told me to wear my Big Brown hat since she knew we would be visiting the 2008 Derby winner, but before that I had to get a glimpse of my 2001 Derby horse, Point Given.

I was all over Point Given before, during, and after the 2001 Triple Crown trail, and I even traveled to Big Sandy to watch him romp in the Belmont Stakes. He seemed unaware that I was there but just as I was about to walk away he pranced over and allowed me to share a moment with him. To his right was young stallion Caleb’s Posse. Brilliant Speed was just down the road and Ice Box was in the middle of his meet and greet with the fans.

We journeyed outside and as we walked down the path, a horse handler looked at my hat and said “I know who you want to see.” Actually, Colonel John was my Derby horse that year, but I played along.

Big Brown is a magnificent looking bay son of Boundary, standing at 16.1 hands, and he seems to know that he is a Derby winner.

We proceeded to walk a bit further down the path and were greeted by Marketing and Communications Director Jen Roytz. She was very gracious and asked us if we would like to see any horses.

She showed us Exchange Rate, Red Giant, and War Chant, and walked us to the next viewing area to visit with I’ll Have Another’s proud papa Flower Alley, who seemed to set a world record for chowing down his food. Jen was very excited about showing off low profile sire Lewis Michael, and we were more than happy to the share our day with the handsome son of Rahy.

Before we left Three Chimneys, we had a lengthy conversation with a veteran bloodstock consultant and helped ourselves to some food offered during the open house. Chili was on the menu again, and although it was tasty, I have to give the cook-off award to Lane’s End.

We hopped in the car and headed to our final destination, Keeneland. It was the first day of the January sale but before hitting the pavilion, we toured the grounds, snapped some more photos, and reminisced about last year’s stakes winners through the eyes of the lawn jockeys.

As for the sale, Trip for A. J. (hip 241) went for $310k, and we left after Big Tiz (hip 299) brought down the gavel at a cool $600k.

This was our first of many planned Kentucky farm visits. 2013 is off to a wonderful start and that spring aroma in the not too distant future can only mean one thing – live racing at Keeneland is just around the corner!

If you would like to view more of our farm adventure pictures, please visit Stacy’s Kentucky Horse Racing Photos page.

Beyond the Crown – Hansen rights his ship

Juvenile champion Hansen rebounded from a 9^th place finish in the Kentucky Derby to trounce four overmatched rivals in the G3 Iowa Derby (97 BSF) on June 30. The Michael Maker trainee has his confidence back and will try to make it two straight in the G2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer on August 3.

Hansen got back on the beam at Prairie Meadows – photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Teeth of the Dog, stablemate of Union Rags, gamely captured the G2 Dwyer at Belmont Park on June 30. The Michael Matz trainee earned a 92 BSF and will take on Hansen in West Virginia next.

In other 3-year-old stakes action, Bob Baffert sent out Blueskiesnrainbows in the G2 Swaps and he controlled the tempo and kept on finding on the fourth of July. G3 Affirmed winner Nonios rallied for the place and Baffert runner Liaison finished 3^rd. The winner earned a 102 BSF.

My Adonis threw his hat into the Haskell following a game ½ length score over Macho Macho in Monmouth’s Long Branch Stakes on July 8.

Jarrod Horak’s Top Ten Active 3-Year-olds

1. Union Rags (Dixie Union) – My longtime top ranked sophomore goes next in the G1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 29. The Belmont Stakes hero breezed 5f in 1:00.60 (1/7) at Fair Hill on July 6.

Bodemeister worked five panels on July 8 – photo by Eclipse Sportswire

2. Bodemeister (Empire Maker) – The Derby-Preakness bridesmaid was tuckered out after his 3^rd race in 5-weeks at Pimlico. His early speed is especially dangerous up to nine panels and he could prove an elusive target in the Haskell. Worked 5f in 1:01 (11/31) at Santa Anita on 7-8.

3. Alpha (Bernardini) – Leg infection after the Wood Memorial probably contributed to his 12^th place Derby effort. He spiked a fever and missed the Belmont Stakes. He is currently stabled at Saratoga and fired a 4f bullet in :47.33 (1/16) on July 7.

4. Gemologist (Tiznow) – His perfect record went down the tubes in the Derby but he came out of that with a foot bruise. He is back in Pletcher’s barn with an eye on the Travers. Breezed 5f in 1:04.88 (8/10) at Saratoga (dirt training) on 7-2.

5. Hansen (Tapit) – Juvenile champion got back on the beam in facile G3 Iowa Derby victory. The G2 West Virginia Derby on 8-4 is up next, followed by the Travers.

6. Paynter (Awesome Again) – Gave Union Rags a run for his money in the Test of Champions. Baffert’s lightly raced colt should continue to develop. He zipped 5f in :58.60 (1/19) on July 4 and could resurface in Saratoga’s Jim Dandy on July 28.

7. Dullahan (Even The Score) – Kentucky Derby show finisher flopped in the Belmont. He loves Keeneland’s Polytrack and is a competent turf performer as well. Look for him to resurface in the Haskell. Breezed 5f in 1:01 (2/11) at Churchill Downs on 7-7.

8. Neck ‘n Neck (Flower Alley) – Late bloomer ran into the likes of Union Rags in Florida earlier this year. He exits back-to-back sharp Churchill wins and made the grade in the Matt Winn on June 16.

9. Went The Day Well (Proud Citizen) – G3 Spiral Stakes hero finished a troubled 4^th in the Derby. My Preakness top flopped in the second jewel and seemingly had nothing left to offer after his aforementioned bad trip two weeks earlier. Breezed 4f in :48.40 (1/14) at Fair Hill on 6-23 and 5f in 1:01.20 (4/16) on 6-30.

10. Holy Candy (Candy Ride) – Expecting big things from Sadler’s late developing colt. He exits a needed show finish in the G3 Affirmed and goes next in the Oceanside at Del Mar on July 18. Worked 6f in 1:13.80 (2/7) at Hollywood Park on 7-5.

Queen’s Plate 2012 Preview – Golden Ridge ready to rumble

Sunday’s 153rd edition of the $1 million Queen’s Plate features a 14-horse field and morning line favorite Strait of Dover shoots for a four-bagger.

#4 Strait of Dover (3-1) stretched out successfully in a facile Marine tally May 12 and should be on or near tepid splits from the outset. Justin Stein rides him well and he clearly enjoys the Woodbine surface. His sire English Channel was a long distance turf specialist so ten furlongs could be within his grasp.

#7 Golden Ridge (6-1) is my value top. The lightly raced, improving colt is bred all over to adore this longer journey and has enough positional speed to keep the leaders in his sights.

#8 Ultimate Destiny (20-1) has Pleasant Tap on the bottom of his pedigree and should continue to improve with added distance and experience. His last two numbers were his best yet and a tactical trip at square odds is anticipated.

#1 River Rush (4-1) is on the upswing and packs a nice late kick. He gets his stamina from dam sire Lemon Drop Kid and will try to get involved late.

#14 Irish Mission (10-1) lost her first six races but the rapidly improving sort exits back-to-back local wins including the Woodbine Oaks. She looms a pace player at the very least and can compete here with another forward move. Her late pace numbers are on the low side so she could prove vulnerable in the lane.

#10 Dixie Strike (8-1) was a hot commodity in the Woodbine Oaks but ended up a disappointing 5th that day. She smartly captured the G3 Selene on May 13 and might be best up to a mile and a sixteenth. She adds blinkers for this.

#5 Classic Bryce (12-1) hit the board in his last three local stakes route attempts and can contend for a minor award in this spot.

#6 Wilcox (20-1) has only raced twice and owns a nice pedigree (Giant’s Causeway-Seeking the Gold). He graduated from post 14 on the turf here last out and moves back to synthetic for trainer Josie Carroll.

Trainer Roger Attfield seeks his 9th Queen’s Plate win with #9 Colleen’s Sailor (15-1). The sophomore son of Northern Afleet exits a local nine furlong entry level tally but needs to earn better numbers to compete here.

#3 Macho Whiskey (15-1) finished 5th and last in his lone local route attempt May 27 but was only beaten a length and a half. He ran well in a pair of sprints before that and figures to push the pace under Emma-Jayne Wilson.

#12 Big Creek (10-1) will take some action due to connections (Dominguez-Pletcher). He chased and weakened to 4th in the Plate Trial, and the son of Indian Charlie might run out of gas at ten furlongs.

#2 Peyton (20-1) finished 5th in the Plate Trial last time. He was 5th in his other stakes try as well and might need easier company and less ground. Julien Leparoux rides.

Late running sprinter #11 Making Amends (20-1) flattened out in the nine panel Plate Trial and does not figure to fare much better in this salty spot.

#13 Washington Dash (50-1) is still a maiden after three tries. He ran better over the Arlington weeds June 10 but figures to fail this class test.

The Plays:

$20 to win #7

$2 to win #8

$2 Exacta 7/1-4-8 ($6)

$2 Exacta 1-4-8/7 ($6)

$1 Trifecta Key 1-4-7/1-4-7/8 ($6)

Belmont Stakes 2012 Bloodlines: Ravelo’s Boy

Which horse has the best pedigree to handle twelve furlongs in the final leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 9 at Belmont Park? My Belmont Stakes alphabetical list continues with Ravelo’s Boy.

Ravelo’s Boy’s sire Lawyer Ron (by Langfuhr) won 12 of 26 races from 2005-07. He was on the Triple Crown trail in ’06, winning such races as the G3 Risen Star, G3 Rebel, and G2 Arkansas Derby before finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby. In ’07, he captured the G2 Oaklawn Handicap, G1 Whitney, and G1 Woodward, and earned more than $2.7 million on the racetrack. Unfortunately, he died from colic surgery complications in 2009 at age six. He sophomore son Drill is a multiple graded winner.

Lawyer Ron’s sire Langfuhr (by Danzig) went 9-for-23 from 1995-97 and won multiple stakes races including the G1 Vosburgh, G1 Carter, and G1 Met Mile. He sired multiple stakes winners including Wando, Mobil, and Euroears.

Read the rest of this post at HorseRacingNation.com.

Withers Stakes 2012 Preview: Alpha Looms Large

The road to Kentucky Derby 2012 continues at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday with the G3 Withers Stakes and even money favorite Alpha drew the outside post against six rivals.

I have always been fond of #7 Alpha (1-1). He was my top ranked Derby contender when I started tracking the current sophomores last September. Kiaran McLaughlin’s exciting son of Bernardini was a sharp winner right out of the box in his extended sprint bow at the Spa last summer and came right back to land the place behind highly regarded colt Union Rags in the G1 Champagne.

Alpha seeks graded glory in Withers - photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Alpha came unglued at the gate in the G1 BC Juvenile and ended up a disappointing 11th after stalking the pace. He resumed training in Florida during the month of December before returning to the Big Apple to impressively snare his 3-year-old debut in the Count Fleet Stakes on Jan 7.

Once again, Alpha had some gate issues in the Count Fleet and has been successfully schooling at the Big A ever since. He fired a best of 14 Belmont training track bullet for this engagement on Jan 30 and looms large at low odds.

#1 Hakama (5-1) is the one to catch from the rail and might be dangerous if the inner dirt track is favoring speed. The Michael Trombetta runner exits back-to-back route wire jobs including a local maiden win Dec 10.

Sagamore Farm runner #6 Tiger Walk (6-1) is firing bullets for his first start of the season. He ended his juvenile campaign with back-to-back wins on turf and dirt at Laurel Park and should offer value at 6-1. He’s the wildcard.

#2 Speightscity (20-1) was dusted by Alpha in the Count Fleet but he was bumped at the start and raced wide from an outer post that day. He lands a better post and can grab a piece of this with better racing luck.

#4 King Kid (4-1) was sharp in his extended sprint bow and finished a solid 3rd in the Gulfstream Park Derby last time. He has upside with only two races under his belt. His pedigree screams turf (Lemon Drop Kid-Royal Academy).

#3 Swag Daddy (10-1) owns running style versatility and captured his last two inner dirt routes against NY-breds. He faces open company for the first time and shows an improving numbers pattern.

Pace factor #5 How Do I Win (10-1) faded to 4th after tracking the leader in the Count Fleet and it might be deja vu all over again with early runner Hakama breaking from the rail.

The Plays:

$4 Exacta 7-2

$1 Trifecta 7/1-6/ALL ($10)

$1 Trifecta 7/ALL/1-6 ($10)

$1 Trifecta 1-6/7/ALL ($10)

$1 Trifecta 1-6-7/1-6-7/2 ($6)

Grading the Kentucky Derby 2012 Preps: Smarty Jones Stakes

The ungraded, $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes on Jan 16 kicked off the Oaklawn Park prep series for Kentucky Derby 2012 contenders and Junebugred sat the right trip under Joe Bravo.

Smarty Jones Stakes (1-16-12): 89 BSF (Junebugred)

Junebugred, a lightly raced 3yo son of Corinthian, saved ground from post 2 and was always full of run. He scooted through along the rail in the stretch and prevailed by a neck, stopping the clock in 1:38.45 for the flat mile journey and paying $14.80.

{Keep up with all of the Kentucky Derby 2012 trail workouts}

Reckless Jerry raced wide from post 12 and probably would have won with a better draw. He was slowly gaining late and can turn the tables on Junebugred next time.

Fabulous filly On Fire Baby was hardly disgraced in a solid show finish. She also raced wide from post 10 in her first start since November and can go better next out.

Smarty Jones Stakes Grade: C

Oaklawn Park Kentucky Derby 2012 Prep Schedule:

G3 Southwest Stakes – Feb 20

G2 Rebel Stakes – March 17

G1 Arkansas Derby – April 14

Uncle Mo Returns in Timely Writer

Kentucky Derby hopeful Uncle Mo makes his much anticipated 3-year-old bow in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12.

The undefeated son of Indian Charlie, out of Arch mare Playa Maya, began his career with a romping sprint score at Saratoga last summer. He followed that up with easy wins in the Champagne and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He was named 2-year-old champion and is the early favorite for the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

Todd Pletcher trains Uncle Mo for Repole Stables. His rivals on Saturday include Gallant Dreams, Madman Diaries, Rocking Out, Schoolyard Dreams, and Rattlesnake Bridge.

Uncle Mo is probably not 100% cranked up for his return but should be fit enough to run a flat mile around one turn. His training partner and stablemate Stay Thirsty came off the bench and easily captured last Saturday’s Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

 

To Honor And Serve Returns in Fountain of Youth

2011 Kentucky Derby hopeful To Honor And Serve, winner of the 2010 Nashua and Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, tops a field of eight in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb 26. The nine furlong event is the 10th race on Saturday’s card.

The exciting 3-year-old son of Bernardini, out of Deputy Minister dam Pilfer, finished second in his sprint debut at Saratoga last summer before reeling off three straight wins to end his juvenile campaign. He defeated recent Risen Star Stakes winner Mucho Macho Man in the Nashua and Remsen.

Bill Mott trains To Honor And Serve for Live Oak Plantation. John Velazquez, who was aboard for the Remsen, will be back in the saddle on Saturday.

To Honor And Serve has worked six times at Payson Park in preparation for his 2011 bow, including a bullet four furlong move on Feb 20.

His competition includes graded stakes winners Soldat and Gourmet Dinner.

 

 

 

Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty Work Five Furlongs

Todd Pletcher’s 2011 Kentucky Derby hopefuls Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty, both owned by Repole Stable, worked five furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center on Feb 20.

Uncle Mo, the 2010 undefeated 2-year-old champion, covered the distance in 1:01.40 (breezing). He is scheduled to make his 3-year-old bow in either the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) or the recently written Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park on March 12. His final Derby prep is expected to come in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April.

Stay Thirsty, expected to make his first start of the year in the March 5 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, covered his five furlong journey in 1:00.65.

Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty have been working every Sunday since Jan 30. They previously went four furlongs together in :47.45 on Feb 13.

Uncle Mo Works Four Furlongs

Uncle Mo had his second work of the year on Super Bowl Sunday. His four furlong drill in :49.60 ranked 18th out of 41 at Palm Meadows Training Center on Feb 6th.

Uncle Mo photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire

His previous move was an easy three furlong breeze in :39.95 on Jan 30th. If everything goes according to plan, Todd Pletcher’s 2011 Kentucky Derby hopeful will run in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 12th, followed by the April 9 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Race Course.

Also working for Pletcher on Sunday was Uncle Mo’s stablemate Stay Thirsty, who posted a :49.60 four furlong breeze as well.

Travelin Man, a sharp maiden winner at Gulfstream Park on Jan 6th, breezed four furlongs in :49 flat, and the fleet Pletcher trainee might go next in the Hutcheson Stakes on Feb 26th.

Brethren went five furlongs in 1:01 and is expected to make his next start in the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb 12th. His half-brother Super Saver won the 2010 Kentucky Derby.