Barbaro Updates: 423
updates are now here.
Update 2679: This is an excellent perspective on George Washington's tragedy and the US media coverage: Commentary: Bye George.
Update 2678: A long morning, driving from Lexington to Louisville, working at Churchill Downs and then returning to Lexington via lunch in Midway with Liz Harris of Thoroghbred Charities of America.
I rode seven at Churchill. What a difference from Keeneland. Its busy, I think the backside holds about 1600 horses, and its full. Keeneland was more tranquil. You can hear the horses pounding the dirt, I had only been on a synthetic track for the last eight weeks. Anyway, it was a cold and dark morning to start the day (I really thought the clocks would have changed by now ...) It was not until the fourth set I could actually see the "Twin Spires", which seem a little overwhelmed by two big structures on either side. The horses I rode were a little fractious this morning. Many of them had come from Keeneland, so this new environment had them a little sharp. We managed not to part company, but at one time that was simply due to luck! Anyway, an interesting first day at Churchill.
Lunch with Liz Harris was very pleasant. As I have mentioned before its great to meet people in Kentucky I have gotten to know a little over voice and e-mail. Anyway, as with Staci Hancock, the lunch ran over a little, all for good reasons.
Update 2677: Superfecta here, with your regular Tuesday update. Naturally, this week is a Breeders' Cup wrap-up:
Juvenile Fillies
Indian Blessing led wire to wire, so there's no question that early speed could hold, despite the wet conditions. It didn't hurt her to have Garrett Gomez aboard, since he was on something of a hot streak all day. Smarty Deb certainly did not embarrass herself in her first outing against tough competition -- she was a very creditable fourth after getting bounced around at the start. So much for my exacta box, but it was fun to watch. I'd peg Indian Blessing as a sprinter more than a distance horse, but we'll see how she develops. I am still interested in watching A to the Croft as well, who did not have a great race. It's fair to say Izarra did not think much of the track.
Juvenile
No one was anywhere near War Pass, but it looks like he still has something of a rivalry starting with Pyro, who struggled with the track. Again, my pick, Tale of Ekati, finished fourth, but it's easy enough to blame the track -- that was my fallback position all day! Cornelio Velasquez was also red hot all day. After galloping out, Velasquez brought War Pass over to our part of the grandstand to parade around a bit -- this is not a horse who is afraid to show off. He showed some definite personality and presence.
Filly & Mare Turf
Another blown exacta for me in this race -- I had Lahudood boxed with Nashoba's Key. I loved Honey Ryder going into the race, but felt she was not quite at her peak; clearly, I should have boxed her too. Oops. This was definitely the oddest race of the day -- just as they hit the turn near our grandstand, Simply Perfect seemed to go crazy/miss the turn and carried Arrivale and Precious Kitten way out into the track, essentially taking them out of the race. Simply Perfect is an absolutely beautiful horse, but apparently had something peculiar going on in her head. Maybe next time. Like Smarty Deb, Nashoba's Key did nothing wrong, but had bad luck and seemed to be struggling with the track a bit. She still proved she belonged with this group. Passage of Time put in her usual professional run.
Sprint
I'd have to give Midnight Lute the award for most impressive performance of the day. Again, he blew my exacta (Idiot Proof/Kelly's Landing), but it was great to see. He was absolutely nowhere and powered past the field to win going away -- and he knew it. I wish I'd been given the 'just bet Garrett Gomez' memo. I'm looking forward to more of Midnight Lute next year.
Mile
I thought despite his poor post position that Excellent Art would hit the board, but I didn't expect to see him behind Kip Deville (although I've always thought of him as a good, honest racehorse). My picks, Purim and Jeremy clearly wanted no part of the track and I only put a little money on My Typhoon for sentimental reasons. Nobiz Like Shobiz ran a very creditable fourth (perhaps everyone who finished fourth this year should be tagged as 'one to watch' next year); it was close for third and he was really coming along. He's going to be an outstanding turf horse next year. Is Kip Deville the first Oklahoma-bred to win a Breeders' Cup race?
Distaff
Had I realized that Ginger Punch was going off at decent odds, I'd have bet her -- but alas, I couldn't really see them from where we were, so I assumed she'd be something like 3-1 - clearly I was wrong. She put in a gutsy run and I was a bit sad to see Teammate bumped early on, and that really took her out of her game. Tough Tiz's Sis looked amazing in the walk over to the paddock, but she finished mid-pack. I'd written off Hystericalady and Octave and there they were. Oh well.
Turf
My prediction that even on an off day, Dylan Thomas would easily beat this field did not really take the track condition into account; despite that, this was the only race I made any money on since I'd bet Shamdinan across the board. I was close on some of my dime superfectas too, but left out Red Rocks. It was nice to see Better Talk Now in another good fourth-place finish, particularly after his reluctance to load. English Channel must have felt he was due to win this race. I suppose the rumor that he doesn't like very soft turf was just that. Still, seeing Dylan Thomas was great; he may not have found the track to his liking on the day, but I still think he's likely the best horse in the world at this point (although he's presumably off to stud now).
Classic
This was really a race of highs and lows. On the walk over, Curlin (left) and George Washington were the most impressive horses to see; Street Sense looked a little sleepy. Awesome Gem was also very alert, clearly taking in all the sights and sounds. Even in the paddock, I didn't see much in the way of George Washington's famous quirks on display; he looked like quite the gentleman. Perhaps the horse whose performance I was most impressed with was Hard Spun; he had to know he was beaten but he still dug in and hung on for a gutsy second -- it's easy to imagine how he might have run away with the Dirt Mile or even been a real threat in the Mile. I'd love to see more of him, but of course it won't happen. Curlin finally looked and acted the part he's been cast in and I was thrilled to have Awesome Gem in my superfecta -- I just left out Curlin. Clearly I should have bet Awesome Gem to show as well. As mentioned before, I had no idea about George Washington's injury until I got home; he was completely hidden by the tote board from our vantage point. I'm glad I missed it; it was no way for a great champion to go out, but at least the decisions were made quickly. Given the type of injury, I doubt that a synthetic surface would have made a difference -- a bad step can happen just as easily in a field, and if you want to argue that he was doomed by all the Dancer in his pedigree, well, he was hardly alone in that. Whatever the case, it's a shame he's gone. I wonder if Street Sense's lackluster finish means that the Darley folks might consider keeping him in training at least through the Dubai World Cup -- but I doubt it. Still, I harbor hope we'll see Curlin next year -- he's got more to prove and I don't think we've seen his best yet. Here's hoping we see him as well as Lawyer Ron, Tiago and Any Given Saturday on a more honest track next year -- fingers crossed.
Update 2676: Off to Churchill Downs this morning.
Safe travels Alex!
Lori M. in CA
Posted by: Lori M at October 30, 2007 8:32 AM