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:
Thursday, April 4, 2013
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...
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Small Sunday note
Good morning! How's everyone feeling on this lovely Easter morning? Well, in between cooking and getting ready to see the family, I thought I'd drop by really quick.
SATURDAY WORKS:
At Palm Meadows, Clearly Now and Dynamic Sky both went five furlongs, the latter going a bit faster.
At Gulfstream Park, Java's War worked four furlongs in 48.30.
Vyjack at Aqueduct worked six furlongs in 1:12.63, and on Long Island at Belmont, Elnaawi went five furlongs in a brisk 59.80.
In California, Know More stepped out onto Santa Anita's track to work three furlongs in 39.20, and Hear the Ghost worked five furlongs in 1:02 flat at Hollywood Park.
SUNDAY WORKS:
At Palm Meadows, Verrazano, Normandy Invasion, Overanalyze and Falling Sky all worked out. Verrazano went in company with Discreet Dancer and worked five furlongs in 1:01.17. Normandy Invasion breezed four furlongs in 47.95. Overanalyze worked five furlongs in 1:01.53. Falling Sky stretched his legs and went six furlongs in 1:13.43.
At Gulfstream Park, Dewey Square went five furlongs in 1:01.60.
Power Broker breezed four furlongs in a sharp 47.50 at Santa Anita Park, probably in preparation for the Santa Anita Derby next week.
MONDAY EDIT: I apologize for the inconvenience. I received the Triple Crown watch e-mail from Equibase and didn't even bother to look at the date. SO, in true Emily fashion, I thought that Saturday's works were Sunday's works, but when the e-mail showed up this morning, I realized I was mistaken. Sorry for that! ANYWAY, on to your Sunday reading.
Everything seems to be in order for the horses who raced yesterday; I haven't heard anything otherwise. It's a pretty slow day as far as news goes. I guess this is where I leave you! Starting tomorrow, I'll start analyzing the contenders day by day. But for now, relax, eat and spend time with your families. It's a beautiful day!
SATURDAY WORKS:
At Palm Meadows, Clearly Now and Dynamic Sky both went five furlongs, the latter going a bit faster.
At Gulfstream Park, Java's War worked four furlongs in 48.30.
Vyjack at Aqueduct worked six furlongs in 1:12.63, and on Long Island at Belmont, Elnaawi went five furlongs in a brisk 59.80.
In California, Know More stepped out onto Santa Anita's track to work three furlongs in 39.20, and Hear the Ghost worked five furlongs in 1:02 flat at Hollywood Park.
SUNDAY WORKS:
At Palm Meadows, Verrazano, Normandy Invasion, Overanalyze and Falling Sky all worked out. Verrazano went in company with Discreet Dancer and worked five furlongs in 1:01.17. Normandy Invasion breezed four furlongs in 47.95. Overanalyze worked five furlongs in 1:01.53. Falling Sky stretched his legs and went six furlongs in 1:13.43.
At Gulfstream Park, Dewey Square went five furlongs in 1:01.60.
Power Broker breezed four furlongs in a sharp 47.50 at Santa Anita Park, probably in preparation for the Santa Anita Derby next week.
MONDAY EDIT: I apologize for the inconvenience. I received the Triple Crown watch e-mail from Equibase and didn't even bother to look at the date. SO, in true Emily fashion, I thought that Saturday's works were Sunday's works, but when the e-mail showed up this morning, I realized I was mistaken. Sorry for that! ANYWAY, on to your Sunday reading.
Everything seems to be in order for the horses who raced yesterday; I haven't heard anything otherwise. It's a pretty slow day as far as news goes. I guess this is where I leave you! Starting tomorrow, I'll start analyzing the contenders day by day. But for now, relax, eat and spend time with your families. It's a beautiful day!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
UAE, Louisiana, Florida Derbies Recap
I told you I'd be back later!
Anyway, the day of racing is now over. I have time to look over what all happened today, as there was a lot going on.
First of all, as all racing fans know, Dubai had its hands full with its World Cup Day, which turned out to be a very good day indeed. Let me take a moment to gush about St. Nicholas Abbey and Animal Kingdom, two of my favorite horses. I'm so glad they came through with wins today! (Really eased my soreness of seeing Trinniberg fade in the stretch of the Golden Shaheen.)
I'll tell you all about this prep-filled day after the jump!
Anyway, the day of racing is now over. I have time to look over what all happened today, as there was a lot going on.
First of all, as all racing fans know, Dubai had its hands full with its World Cup Day, which turned out to be a very good day indeed. Let me take a moment to gush about St. Nicholas Abbey and Animal Kingdom, two of my favorite horses. I'm so glad they came through with wins today! (Really eased my soreness of seeing Trinniberg fade in the stretch of the Golden Shaheen.)
I'll tell you all about this prep-filled day after the jump!
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to my blog! As you might have guessed, this is a blog following the daily routine of contenders for American horse racing's most prestigious prize, the Kentucky Derby. I am not an expert, analyst or employee in the industry, merely a young fan who has been enamored with this game for nearly 9 years now.
We are 5 weeks away! Why 5 weeks, you ask? 5 weeks is symbolism for me. 5 weeks was the amount of time between Smarty Jones' triumphant Derby win and his heartbreaking defeat by Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes. (The little Pennsylvania-bred remains my favorite racehorse to this day.) Five weeks after Barbaro won the Florida Derby, a gritty performance over Sharp Humor, he came back to win the Kentucky Derby by a whopping six lengths. And after the Kentucky Derby is over, our work is not done, for we will have a champion to follow! Will he - or she - become the 12th Triple Crown champion? Or will another horse fade into history as "what might have been?"
This blog will give you a daily rundown, including news and workouts. Sure, you can get that from DRF, Bloodhorse or even Twitter, but I'll try to put a fun spin on it for you. We will also explore the different pedigrees of the contenders and the backgrounds of their human connections. After all, the storylines are what make this game the greatest sport in the world.
Like I said, I am by no means an expert. I will make many mistakes on here and try to remedy them as needed. I hope you enjoy reading! Today's races include the Florida, Louisiana and UAE Derbies, so look for a post recapping those and looking ahead at next weekend's prep races.
We are 5 weeks away! Why 5 weeks, you ask? 5 weeks is symbolism for me. 5 weeks was the amount of time between Smarty Jones' triumphant Derby win and his heartbreaking defeat by Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes. (The little Pennsylvania-bred remains my favorite racehorse to this day.) Five weeks after Barbaro won the Florida Derby, a gritty performance over Sharp Humor, he came back to win the Kentucky Derby by a whopping six lengths. And after the Kentucky Derby is over, our work is not done, for we will have a champion to follow! Will he - or she - become the 12th Triple Crown champion? Or will another horse fade into history as "what might have been?"
This blog will give you a daily rundown, including news and workouts. Sure, you can get that from DRF, Bloodhorse or even Twitter, but I'll try to put a fun spin on it for you. We will also explore the different pedigrees of the contenders and the backgrounds of their human connections. After all, the storylines are what make this game the greatest sport in the world.
Like I said, I am by no means an expert. I will make many mistakes on here and try to remedy them as needed. I hope you enjoy reading! Today's races include the Florida, Louisiana and UAE Derbies, so look for a post recapping those and looking ahead at next weekend's prep races.
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