I was just thinking to myself...it would be so much easier to pick between these horses if I was actually there! I have to rely on choppy internet connection and YouTube videos - not the most ideal tools to use for Derbycapping! The atmosphere at Churchill must be electric. Gives me the chills just thinking about it. Anyway, as promised, here's the second installment of who's who in the Derby field (so far). We'll start with the #11 point earner, Black Onyx.
(By the way, the defections of Govenor Charlie and Code West leave the Derby Baffert-less. Baffert without a Derby starter...I feel weird just typing it!)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
It's Almost Derby Week!
Tonight, at 12 midnight in Kentucky (1 am, my time), it will be Derby week! There's absolutely nothing better than Derby week. The morning workouts, the draw on Wednesday, the pageantry leading up to it all...the excitement is catching! The horses have already started to make preparations on the track. Some look good, some not so good. As a younger racing fan, I am trying to expand my knowledge by watching these horses live and making my own judgements of their fitness with my own eyes.
We've lost a lot of good horses on this trail, including two of my expected heavy hitters, Flashback and Uncaptured. Still, this field is looking pretty good, especially in morning works and gallops. I'm having a hard time deciding which horse to back in a week! (Granted, a lot can happen in a week.)
I want to take the time to give a short analysis of each horse in the field, complete with videos of their latest works and gallops. I'll start with the top ten today and look at the bottom ten point earners tomorrow. That means we will start with Orb right after this break.
(All of these workout videos are courtesy of the kentuckyderby channel on YouTube, a source that is a lifesaver in catching up with all that I've missed.)
We've lost a lot of good horses on this trail, including two of my expected heavy hitters, Flashback and Uncaptured. Still, this field is looking pretty good, especially in morning works and gallops. I'm having a hard time deciding which horse to back in a week! (Granted, a lot can happen in a week.)
I want to take the time to give a short analysis of each horse in the field, complete with videos of their latest works and gallops. I'll start with the top ten today and look at the bottom ten point earners tomorrow. That means we will start with Orb right after this break.
(All of these workout videos are courtesy of the kentuckyderby channel on YouTube, a source that is a lifesaver in catching up with all that I've missed.)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes entries
Happy Thursday, everyone! Tomorrow is Friday (thankfully) and then we're off to what looks to be a great weekend, as far as horse racing goes! There was just one worker on Tuesday and seemingly none on Wednesday; Texas Bling worked three furlongs in 36 flat at Oaklawn in preparation for his start in the Arkansas Derby.
Let's meet the fields, shall we?
Let's meet the fields, shall we?
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Let's Talk About Oxbow
Well, I find myself playing catch-up again. Losing track of things is one of my least favorite traits about me. I apologize for the wait, for those of you who read this daily. Anyway, let's get up to date on workouts:
SUNDAY WORKOUTS:
At Palm Meadows, Abraham went four furlongs in 50.08 and Overanalyze worked five furlongs in 1:01.30.
At Gulfstream Park, Frac Daddy and Java's War each traveled five furlongs in 1:00.56.
My Name is Michael worked a half mile in 49 flat at Keeneland.
Manando worked four furlongs in 50.40 at Santa Anita Park.
At Churchill Downs, Mylute worked a half mile in 50.20 and Falling Sky worked five furlongs in a sharp 59.60.
MONDAY WORKOUTS:
At Santa Anita, Den's Legacy went four furlongs in 47.80.
Giant Finish worked a half mile in 48.20 at Fair Hill Training Center.
West Hills Giant, at Belmont, worked five furlongs in 1:00.47.
The big news of this week so far is the defection of Flashback due to a knee chip. You can imagine my reaction in hearing that news; I won't put it in print.
But there is still hope for me on the Derby Trail. There's a horse running in the Arkansas Derby this weekend that I am very keen on, and I want to talk about him right after the page break.
SUNDAY WORKOUTS:
At Palm Meadows, Abraham went four furlongs in 50.08 and Overanalyze worked five furlongs in 1:01.30.
At Gulfstream Park, Frac Daddy and Java's War each traveled five furlongs in 1:00.56.
My Name is Michael worked a half mile in 49 flat at Keeneland.
Manando worked four furlongs in 50.40 at Santa Anita Park.
At Churchill Downs, Mylute worked a half mile in 50.20 and Falling Sky worked five furlongs in a sharp 59.60.
MONDAY WORKOUTS:
At Santa Anita, Den's Legacy went four furlongs in 47.80.
Giant Finish worked a half mile in 48.20 at Fair Hill Training Center.
West Hills Giant, at Belmont, worked five furlongs in 1:00.47.
The big news of this week so far is the defection of Flashback due to a knee chip. You can imagine my reaction in hearing that news; I won't put it in print.
But there is still hope for me on the Derby Trail. There's a horse running in the Arkansas Derby this weekend that I am very keen on, and I want to talk about him right after the page break.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby Recaps
Well, it feels like forever since I've written something on here! I've been overwhelmed with other things - in fact, I just got around to watching the replays from yesterday's stakes races just a few minutes ago. I'm back, though, and I'm excited to break down what I just saw. First, we have to play catch-up with workouts and such.
FRIDAY WORKOUTS:
At Pegasus Thoroughbred Training Center (which I've never heard of, but it's evidently in Seattle), Carving worked four furlongs in 52.10.
At Santa Anita Park, Sunland Park Derby winner Govenor Charlie traveled a half mile in 49.00.
Will Take Charge and Oxbow both worked at Oaklawn Park. Oxbow went six furlongs in 1:14.60 in preparation for the Arkansas Derby. Will Take Charge did five furlongs in 1:01 flat. It's still unclear whether he'll train up to the Derby or start in the Blue Grass Stakes; the former option seems more likely.
SATURDAY WORKOUTS:
Oh, and there are a lot of them on Saturday, and all of them are five furlongs. Amerigo Vespucci went in 1:00.60 at Laurel Park.
At Oaklawn, Heaven's Runway worked in 1:02.60.
At Churchill, Fear the Kitten clocked 1:02.20 on the training track, while Dynamic Sky went in 1:01.40 on the main oval.
A trio of workers at Keeneland; Dewey Square, Taken by the Storm and Uncaptured all went five furlongs, clocking 1:03 flat, 1:04.80 and 1:01.40, respectively.
Now, on to the races:
FRIDAY WORKOUTS:
At Pegasus Thoroughbred Training Center (which I've never heard of, but it's evidently in Seattle), Carving worked four furlongs in 52.10.
At Santa Anita Park, Sunland Park Derby winner Govenor Charlie traveled a half mile in 49.00.
Will Take Charge and Oxbow both worked at Oaklawn Park. Oxbow went six furlongs in 1:14.60 in preparation for the Arkansas Derby. Will Take Charge did five furlongs in 1:01 flat. It's still unclear whether he'll train up to the Derby or start in the Blue Grass Stakes; the former option seems more likely.
SATURDAY WORKOUTS:
Oh, and there are a lot of them on Saturday, and all of them are five furlongs. Amerigo Vespucci went in 1:00.60 at Laurel Park.
At Oaklawn, Heaven's Runway worked in 1:02.60.
At Churchill, Fear the Kitten clocked 1:02.20 on the training track, while Dynamic Sky went in 1:01.40 on the main oval.
A trio of workers at Keeneland; Dewey Square, Taken by the Storm and Uncaptured all went five furlongs, clocking 1:03 flat, 1:04.80 and 1:01.40, respectively.
Now, on to the races:
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Some Thursday News; A Look at Will Take Charge
So I was doing the normal Twitter thing, scrolling through my feed. I never make it to the bottom but I sure was trying today. All of the sudden, I get a notification for a new tweet. Lo and behold, the tweet is from Scott Hazelton, proclaiming that...
"Hear the Ghost is out of the Santa Anita Derby?" I exclaimed. So we won't get to see an anticipated rematch with Flashback! Too bad.
Even worse was the news that the Ghostzapper gelding has been sidelined for three or so months, keeping him out of the Triple Crown for good. I know people had high hopes for this horse, and I feel for them. I have to admit that Hear the Ghost was growing on me. Hopefully he can come back with renewed energy this summer. At least he doesn't have the equipment to breed and is not just another colt destined for stud...
Well, and at least this makes me feel more confident about Flashback's chances in the Santa Anita Derby, that's for sure. Hear the Ghost's lethal late charge was one to fear in that race.
Anyway, besides this news about another defection from the Derby trail, one horse worked out today, and I have no idea who it is:
Channel Isle worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Churchill Downs. This English Channel colt boasts just over $100k in earnings and 1 Derby Trail point. According to Equibase, his one point comes from a fourth place in the Southwest, and he most recently finished seventh in the Spiral Stakes. Hmm, guess I should pay more attention.
I promised in the title that I'd analyze another Derby contender, Will Take Charge, more in depth. That analysis is just a click away:
"Hear the Ghost is out of the Santa Anita Derby?" I exclaimed. So we won't get to see an anticipated rematch with Flashback! Too bad.
Even worse was the news that the Ghostzapper gelding has been sidelined for three or so months, keeping him out of the Triple Crown for good. I know people had high hopes for this horse, and I feel for them. I have to admit that Hear the Ghost was growing on me. Hopefully he can come back with renewed energy this summer. At least he doesn't have the equipment to breed and is not just another colt destined for stud...
Well, and at least this makes me feel more confident about Flashback's chances in the Santa Anita Derby, that's for sure. Hear the Ghost's lethal late charge was one to fear in that race.
Anyway, besides this news about another defection from the Derby trail, one horse worked out today, and I have no idea who it is:
Channel Isle worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Churchill Downs. This English Channel colt boasts just over $100k in earnings and 1 Derby Trail point. According to Equibase, his one point comes from a fourth place in the Southwest, and he most recently finished seventh in the Spiral Stakes. Hmm, guess I should pay more attention.
I promised in the title that I'd analyze another Derby contender, Will Take Charge, more in depth. That analysis is just a click away:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby Entries Out!
Well, it's Wednesday. In the horse racing world, that means only one thing - stakes entry draw day! This Saturday, two key preps - the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby at, er, Santa Anita - will occur. These races have put good colt against good colt, and some interesting rivalries will be played out this weekend. But first...
At Keeneland, Tesseron worked six furlongs in a leisurely 1:16.20.
Texas Bling went five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Oaklawn Park.
West Hills Giant worked a half mile in 49.10 at Belmont Park.
After the jump, we'll dissect the fields for the stakes races on Saturday:
At Keeneland, Tesseron worked six furlongs in a leisurely 1:16.20.
Texas Bling went five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Oaklawn Park.
West Hills Giant worked a half mile in 49.10 at Belmont Park.
After the jump, we'll dissect the fields for the stakes races on Saturday:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Quick Note on Tuesday
Tomorrow, there will be an edit to this post. I've decided for tomorrow to look at Govenor Charlie, the next horse in my line-up for the Derby. I wanted to get this post in before midnight, though, so that will come later. But first:
Three horses worked today at Santa Anita Park, all going a half mile. Den's Legacy and Super Ninety Nine both clocked 47.20, and Manando was a bit slower, going 48.40.
Thank you for your patience! It's a busy time of year for many people, including me. :)
Wednesday edit after the jump...
Three horses worked today at Santa Anita Park, all going a half mile. Den's Legacy and Super Ninety Nine both clocked 47.20, and Manando was a bit slower, going 48.40.
Thank you for your patience! It's a busy time of year for many people, including me. :)
Wednesday edit after the jump...
Monday, April 1, 2013
Flashback
I looked in my e-mail to check on workouts and such and saw that only one Derby contender had worked out on this fine Monday. That just happened to be Flashback. How convenient! Not only did this lovely gray colt go four furlongs in preparation for his Santa Anita Derby run this Saturday (clocking a nice 48 flat), he is also part of my fantasy stable on the official Derby website.
Side-note...for years and years, I have been thoroughly disgruntled that the age limit on that fantasy stable was 18. Most contests in the horse racing world, unfortunately for young me, are restricted. However, I can rejoice in the fact that I am a legal adult - in 48 states, anyway - and can participate in this contest for the first time. Sometimes I feel as if I threw darts in a dark room with my selections, but only time will tell...
More on Flashback after the break...
Side-note...for years and years, I have been thoroughly disgruntled that the age limit on that fantasy stable was 18. Most contests in the horse racing world, unfortunately for young me, are restricted. However, I can rejoice in the fact that I am a legal adult - in 48 states, anyway - and can participate in this contest for the first time. Sometimes I feel as if I threw darts in a dark room with my selections, but only time will tell...
More on Flashback after the break...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)