Barbaro Updates: 622

Posted June 30, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3687: A very pleasant afternoon spent at the races at Woodbine. We had four runners, three of which were in the stakes race. We managed to finish first and second in the stake, which was our first stakes win for the meet (Juliet's Spirit goes wire-to-wire in My Dear). Juliet's Spirit ran a terrific wire-to-wire race under Jimmy McAleney, which was kind of odd since she came from behind to win in her only start. Anyway, if they break good, don't hold them back and she outbroke the field. I watched the race with Caroline, one of our soon to be members of the female jockey colony. After the race I hung out with Victor, a trainer in the next door barn. Just a nice afternoon.

Update 3686: Update from Penny at timwoolleyracing.com, and a win for Gatornation:

What a busy weekend. Our Diva ran a better race but is still running a bit green. Sometimes it can take a few races for everything to kick in. She has come home fine. Rajasthan also ran a good race and just got swallowed up at the end. The race was just a little bit too far for him. This is the problem with a turf horse. Getting the horse in at the optimal distance and keeping it on the turf can be quite a challenge. He would do better at a mile but if Tim can't find a mile race he will have to run a tad further. He went right to his dinner at feed time and seems to be fine. The stars aligned for Gator Nation yesterday. Early in the morning Tim called me to say he was in his stall tossing his head and playing. He ran a great race and seemed to do it quite easily. Unfortunately the owner now thinks he is bad luck and did not come to see him win. Anyway, it is always nice to win a race. I'm so happy for him. Should be quiet on the racing front this week. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens.

Off to the races here at Woodbine. We have three starters in the stake race this afternoon: My Dear attracts quality shippers.

Update 3685: A pleasant morning this morning at Woodbine. I had six sets, four before the break and two after the break. All went nicely. My last horse went to the gate, it has been a while since I did a bit of gate schooling.

As a result of my Bloodhorse Q and A last week I am sure, but more people at the track are learning that I run this web-site. That is cool. When in Texas no one knew (and here is the permanent link to my Texas essay: A Texas Sojourn, By Alex Brown.). Certainly not in Kentucky before that. I think the increased exposure we have been getting, coupled with a pretty strong rescue and rehab culture here for our horses combines to make people interested. It also helps that Jen's Thoroughblog has provided us some additional exposure. Anyway, its cool people are checking in a little bit.

Finally Jeannine sent me this link, she interviews Kent Desormeaux: Big Brown's Jockey Breaks Silence.

Update 3684: Erik McNeil called me last night after riding his first winner over the weekend at Lone Star Park. He was very excited. I had worked with Erik all winter at Houston, and think he has a bright future for sure. He's also just a good guy to be around. He is getting all the right support. Patty in Dallas was there to witness the win:

I was at Lone Star today and saw Erik win his first race. The track announcer made a very big deal about it! When Erik and Swamp Gator came into the winners circle, Steve was pumping both fists in the air and yelling, "We won, We won!" He had the biggest smile on his face when Erik rode in. The crowd around the winners cirlce gave him a big hand as he rode in and after the picture was taken. It was relly great to see.

After the race, I asked him for his autogragh. I said I had to had it since this was his first win. As he handed the program back to me, he said "Tell Alex hi. I wish he was here." This time I didn't mention your name. He must have remembered me when I spoke to him after his second race. I think you have a cool little friend who is starting a good career!! His record at LSP is 6 1-2-0. He also came in 4th in the next race. That is very good for a brand new jockey!!

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:01 AM | Comments (93)

Barbaro Updates: 621

Posted June 28, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3683: Aidan O'Brien won his sixth Irish Derby today, equaling Vincent O'Brien's record: FIRE SCORCHES TO DERBY DELIGHT.

Update 3682: Lovely weather and a pleasant morning's work at Woodbine. Eight sets, four before the break and four after the break. For the most part mine went nicely. One colt was a little "excited" and reared up a couple of times when Larry, one of the outriders, grabbed a hold of him. No harm done, just trying to teach him a little patience, which does not always work! We have a runner this afternoon as well as a few paddock schoolers, so I will be heading back over a little later.

Update 3681: 10-1 shot Mast Track went wire-to-wire in the Hollywood Gold Cup. He was able to set easy early fractions and then hold off the field. Student Council stalked the pace and finished third. Perfect Drift was never threatening: Mast Track Finds Gold for Frankel, Baze.

Today it is the Irish Derby, which has lost the Epsom Derby winner New Approach to a bruised foot: NEW APPROACH OUT OF IRISH DERBY.

Update 3680: Just got a phone call from Texas (Eddie who I used to work with) and "Superstar" Erik McNeil won his first race today aboard Swamp Gator. Very cool! Watching the major races at Belmont, it appeared to me that Gabriel Saez was outridden in a four horse race aboard the short priced favorite Proud Spell. She might not have won anyway, but certainly was not helped: Music Note Wins 'Goose; Proud Spell DQ'd. Dutrow keeps winning Grade 1 races, and this one another one for IEAH Stables: Frost Giant Shocks Suburban at 40-1. And who was second ? Gabriel Saez!

I was at Woodbine watching the races and celebrating Jen's birthday!

Update 3679: Paul Moran writes favorably about my Bloodhorse Q & A: On the weekend reading list.

Update 3678: A very wet morning this morning at Woodbine. In this kind of weather it's always debatable whether you should put on your rain gear. The warm climate makes that not an automatic choice, especially if the rain is just on and off. Anyway, for the first set it looked like the rain had eased off. No rain gear. We left the barn to an absolute down pour combined with some distant thunder and lightening. Once soaked there is no point in worrying about wearing rain gear, just stay soaked all morning. Anyway, we had only five sets so not so bad. All my horses galloped nicely for a relatively easy, although wet, morning's work.

One of the jockey's here, Slade Callaghan, read my Bloodhorse Q & A and then these sites yesterday. He was pretty impressed with things and gave me a good tip on a cheaper phone service! Very cool!

Update 3677: Chelokee continues to improve: On the Mend: Chelokee's Prognosis Good, excerpt:

"Chelokee is doing great," said Bramlage of the colt, who sustained his injuries during the Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) on the Kentucky Oaks day undercard at Churchill Downs. "He's begun his rehab and is walking several times a day now. We started to wean him out of bandages, and he's in no other support. If he had fractures, we probably would have dismissed him already, but with the severe ligimentis injuries, we're taking a little more time than average, but he's doing well."

Dutrow has some harsh words for some of his colleagues and the press coverage he has received: Dutrow fires back over bad press, excerpt:

Dutrow, 48, is particularly upset with the assertion that he has 72 rulings against him, which has been widely reported by high-profile mainstream media outlets. Before the news conference, Dutrow had an exasperated look on his face when he reviewed a list of his infractions by the Association of Racing Commissioners International that included such negligible entries as not having foal papers on record or not having owner's colors in the jockeys' quarters. There are even multiple references in the list to his license being restored to good standing.

Posted by Alex at 9:59 AM | Comments (118)

Barbaro Updates: 620

Posted June 27, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3676: My previous employer, Clear Admit, wrote this nice update on me: Clear Admit Staff Update: Alex Brown Works to Combat Horse Slaughter.

Update 3675: This is a fantastic development: Suffolk Downs begins zero-tolerance slaughter policy, excerpt:

Elliott said the plan has the complete backing of Richard Fields, the real estate and casino developer who purchased a controlling interest in Suffolk Downs last year.

"If a horse goes from here to the slaughterhouse, that's completely unacceptable," Elliott said. "That trainer won't be here. I don't think that's anybody we'd want to have around. Mr. Fields is a strong believer in retirement idea. He's a big backer of it. The two are incompatible."

Update 3674: The Hollywood Gold Cup loses the favorite: Heatseeker out of Gold Cup.

Prominent owner Maggi Moss will defend Steve Asmussen: Owner Moss to Defend Trainer Asmussen.

Update 3673: Another early start here at Woodbine (5 am track opening) and early finish. I had seven sets, and all went nicely. Easy gallops. Woodbine is very busy racing over the next few days but we are oddly light on runners. I guess its nice to take a little break. A couple of people congratulated me on the Bloodhorse Q and A yesterday, which was nice. Nice to know that it has been read a little bit. Jen, who has supported this work, and also happens to run a great blog on Canadian racing highlighted the Q and A in her entry today: ACROSS THE LAND. Also noted on Jen's blog is the unusual fundraiser Woodbine put on for LongRun last week in association with the Queen's Plate. Very creative.

Update 3672: The marquee race this weekend is the Hollywood Gold Cup. We have Student Council in the race, which also features Perfect Drift and Tiago: Heatseeker, Tiago rematch highlights Hollywood Gold Cup.

The hearing is set: Date Set for Hearing in Asmussen Case.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:19 AM | Comments (100)

Barbaro Updates: 619

Posted June 26, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3671: The complete transcript of my Bloodhorse chat is available (Talkin' Horses). Some great questions. I hope my answers hit the mark. I even tried a little humor, while realizing this was a wonderful platform to express important ideas and thoughts. Thanks to the Bloodhorse for allowing me to be a guest.

Update 3670: Noon today: Me on Talkin' Horses. Submit questions and follow along.

Update 3669: A very pleasant morning's work this morning at Woodbine. We had eight sets and all the horses galloped nicely. It was another early start and early finish which was a good thing, its a little muggy here this morning.

One exercise rider from another barn asked me if it was me on Bloodhorse. Yes, that's today at Noon: Talkin' Horses. He said he would submit a question. Another rider said she could not think of a question. I also stopped by the HBPA office to alert Corinne of what I am doing with the Bloodhorse today. All fun.

Update 3668: Another positive, this time it is Steve: Asmussen Has Drug Positive.

I wrote an essay about my time in Texas, it appears on the left hand column here: Texas Horse Talk.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:16 AM | Comments (128)

Barbaro Updates: 618

Posted June 24, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3667: Jockey Jeremy Rose speaks publically for the first time: Update: Rose Responds to Whip Incident.

Update 3666: A positive update for Appeal to the City: Horse recovering well after whip incident.

Update 3665: A wonderful update on Perfect Drift who is preparing for the Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday: Mandella ambitious with Perfect Drift, excerpt:

"I know he's got the capability of winning a Grade 1 race like this," Mandella said. "I thought the Shoemaker was a pretty good test to see what level he was at. I thought he was very competitive, considering he hadn't run in a long time, he wasn't on his preferred surface, and I thought it was encouraging. I could only think he's going to run as good as he could run."

Mandella said Perfect Drift is feistier than some of the other age-advanced wonders that have resided in his barn, like The Tin Man, who earned a Grade 1 victory in last year's Shoemaker Mile at age nine.

"The Tin Man and Sandpit (Brz) were like pets," Mandella said. "They wanted you to come to the door and pet them. This horse doesn't like you coming to his stall much. He loves being outside and he wants you to pet him and play with him when he's outside, but when he's in there, it's a home is your castle thing. It's his castle, and you better respect it."

Update 3664: Paulick Report on Dutrow's infraction and his likely suspension: FIRST-TIME OFFENDER?

Update 3663: Dutrow facing a suspension: Report: Dutrow Facing Drug Positive.

Update 3662: Wednesday morning and a day off! Here is a new horse racing site that could be very interesting: Paulick Report.

Update 3661: Very sad: Rose Suspended in Delaware Whip Incident.

Update 3660: Superfecta here, with your regular Tuesday update. This week, another installment in Horses Americans Should Know:

We don't breed many horses like Yeats in North America; while his sire, Sadler's Wells, has plenty of familiar Northern Dancer blood, his dam, Lyndonville, is entirely European. Yeats also has a half-brother, Tsukuba Symphony, who won over $2 million in Japan and is now at stud there, and another Group-winning half-brother named Solskjaer who resides in South Africa. (Let me take a moment here to appreciate Solskjaer's footballing namesake -- hey, the naming convention worked for Van Nistelrooy).

Like his siblings, Yeats is well-travelled; he has raced in his native Ireland, in Britain, France, Canada, Australia...but let's start at the beginning. Bred by Barronstown Stud, Yeats was born in April, 2001.

He began his racing career with three wins at three and was considered a strong contender for the Epsom Derby, but had to sit the race out with an injury. He returned to Epsom victorious the following year with a win in the Coronation Cup (1 mile, 4 furlongs), but he had not found his ideal distance yet at age four.

Coming back at five, Yeats collected his first Gold Cup win in his first start of the year; he followed it up by taking the Goodwood Cup. (Incidentally, that race was shortened in the 1990s-- to 2 1/2 miles). He then made the long trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup, but as with his trip to Canada the previous year, he did not find success -- it would seem that the slow pace that year was not to his liking.

At six, he started the year at home, with two wins in Ireland, went on to get a second Gold Cup victory and finally won the Irish St. Leger (on his third attempt). This year, at age seven, he warmed up with another Irish win before his Royal Ascot success last week. Although he has found his greatest success in 2 mile+ races, Yeats began his career as a miler and occasionally drops back to that distance.

All told, at this point Yeats has 12 wins out of 19 starts and it would seem there is more to come -- he may try the Melbourne Cup again this year, and there is a chance he will aim for a fourth Gold Cup next year at age eight.

Susan Magnier & Diane Nagle, his co-owners (Susan Magnier is married to John Magnier, of Coolmore fame, and Diane Nagle co-owns Barronstown Stud with her husband), will be making the decision as to when Yeats retires to stud; it's been a great ride thus far. Trainer Aidan O'Brien summed him up thusly after his Gold Cup hat trick:

"I've got affection for them all, but he's very special as he's been around for such a long time," O'Brien said. "You've got to remember, he's not just a plodder, he was the favourite for the Derby at one stage and he had the class to win a Coronation Cup as well.

"His heart and lungs are massive, and these are physical things, not just things that you believe. We've never had a horse with such a big heart or lungs. Most horses that have gone a mile and a half are starting to get to the end, but this one's heart is only just starting to get up to 180 beats, which is unbelievable."

"It would be great [to attempt a fourth win] if he's around next year, but I don't know when the time is going to come for his genes to be preserved."

Here's hoping for a bit more.

Update 3659: Terrific story (right hand column) of a save last week that sadly illustrates that luck is an important element of what we do: Texas Horse Talk Breaking News, it begins:

He had scratches and bite marks all over him, he was hungry and only had one shoe left but Buster was one lucky horse.

He was alive.

Update 3658: This week's OTTB of the Week is What's Your Wish. Wish was a champion PA-bred 2yo. He was found at New Holland. He is now preparing for an eventing career. We have now selected five OTTBs of the week. We have three more finalist to select over the next three weeks. Each will then be considered for a $500 prize.

Six sets for me this morning at Woodbine. I even breezed one, an eighth of a mile. Just a nice pipe opener. A pretty easy and straight forward morning. Early start, early finish. We had a lot of workers, and a couple of jockey's came in to help out.

Update 3657: Santa Anita has decided to change its synthetic surface ahead of the Breeders' Cup: Santa Anita to Install Pro-Ride Surface.

Debate now is whether Big Brown's loose shoe impacted his Belmont: Two Looks at Big Brown's Shoe Issue.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:22 AM | Comments (164)

Barbaro Updates: 617

Posted June 23, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3656: Horse of the Year Curlin had his first work this morning since his easy victory in the Stephen Foster. His next work is scheduled to be a turf work: It's Back to Work for Curlin.

Update 3655: Superfecta here, with your Royal Ascot wrap-up.

Kingsgate Native sprinted home to take the Golden Jubilee at a price on Saturday (although he was duly noted as a real threat here) and is pointed toward the July Cup at Newmarket and then a defense of his Nunthorpe victory. He was the only British-trained horse to win a Group 1 race during the meet.

Takeover Target's fourth-place finish left his connections wondering if he's simply feeling his age or if he he's a little off his game for some other minor issue and so vets are being consulted; he may also contest the July Cup. Retirement is also a possibility, but one hopes that the old crowd favorite will be back for a few more starts.

Even the Queen had a winner in the Chesham Stakes with a colt named Free Agent, who is the product of decades of patient breeding -- she purchased his great-great-great-great-grand-dam, Amicable, in 1961. Free Agent's sire, the US-bred Dr. Fong, is also the sire of Shamdinan. Free Agent made his debut three weeks ago before winning on Saturday; he should be one to watch.

The biggest winners at Royal Ascot, by any measure, were the Coolmore boys: they took four out of the meet's seven Group 1 wins, and their stallions appear in the pedigrees of a third of the total winners. Even those without Coolmore stallions in their immediate family are still part of the clan -- Henrythenavigator is by Kingmambo, but his dam is a Coolmore mare by their recently-pensioned Sadler's Wells. Sadler's Wells is also the sire of Yeats, who may venture Down Under on the strength of his Gold Cup three-peat to try again for the Melbourne Cup.

Steve Haskin has a nice wrap-up of Royal Ascot at the Blood-Horse; the Blood-Horse will also be hosting a chat with my fellow blogger/ex-Penn employee Mr. Alex Brown on Thursday - stop by now to submit any questions you may have. Pimm's, anyone?

Update 3654: Everything about the Queen's Plate yesterday: MORE BOURBON, PLEASE .

This is a very interesting development, and no doubt reaction to the recent scrutiny racing is seeing. It is nice to see a major owner step up to the plate: IEAH Stables Adopts No-Drug Policy.

Update 3653: A quick call, and I returned to the track to get my photo taken. I am planning to write an article for Canadian Thoroughbred about the horse slaughter issue, tieing in breeder responsibility and what Adena Springs is doing retiring its own horses and rehabbing them. Anyway, I met the photographer, Dave Landry. Very cool guy, took three minutes to take the pictures and an hour to chat. Dave is also brother to the jockey Robert Landry, who also appears to be a standup guy and is a good jockey. Robert was third yesterday in the Queen's Plate, he is also on the board at LongRun. Anyway, the point of this rambling update is one of the best parts of what I am doing is meeting people, learning about them and talking horses. These guys care.

Update 3652: A short morning's work this morning at Woodbine. The main track closed at 8 am and we were done. I had five to ride, each galloped 2 miles. All went nicely. The track was a little quieter this morning. I imagine plenty of people had the day off after the Queen's Plate yesterday (For Attfield, win worth high price of admission). A glorious day.

Yesterday, one of the exercise riders for another outfit, Warren who gallops for Attfield, asked me if he saw me on TV the other day. He had seen some of the press conference regarding horse slaughter here in Canada. He was surprised to see me involved. We had a good chat about it. Cool thing is the video he saw seemed to do a good job of illustrating the horrors of slaughter as he described the scenes to me and Mark, who was with me. Cool.

Update 3651: I will be a guest on Bloodhorse's Talkin' Horses on Thursday. You can submit questions ahead of time.

The track is now opening at 5 am and closing at 8 am for the next few days, so an early start this morning and an early finish!

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:09 AM | Comments (62)

Barbaro Updates: 616

Posted June 21, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3650: A fun afternoon spent at Woodbine, which was severley delayed by the strikers who were not letting us into the track without blocking the way. It took me an hour to drive a mile. I missed our winner in the third race. Not happy. Anyway, the rest of the day was very pleasant. I saw Ramon Dominguez and we had a quick chat. The Queen's Plate was a great race: Not Bourbon Wins Queen's Plate Thriller.

As I was heading back through the backside on my way home there were plenty of barbeque's underway,

This is sad: Lost in the Fog Owner Harry Aleo Dies.

Update 3649: The behind the scenes story of the HBO special on horse slaughter (long but very good): Weekend guest: The good fight.

Update 3648: The main track was open for two hours this morning at Woodbine. We were finished by 8 am. There was no renovation break and we had a very smooth flow of activity as we got out seven sets. All mine went nicely. A great morning's work.

I will be going back to the races this afternoon for Queen's Plate day (Queen's Plate is the oldest thoroughbred horserace in North America according to wikipedia.) To get back to the track will mean crossing the picket line. We have had strikers here for weeks now and they block all the entrances to Woodbine and you simply have to wait. A real PAIN! Today their activity will no doubt cost Woodbine signifcantly.

To keep up on all the activities, the main source is Jen, here is her entry today: STEP UP. Note Jen's final story in this entry covers one of the horses rescued from Sugar Creek on Friday. He is a Canadian bred.

Update 3647: It's Queen's Plate day today at Woodbine: Maiden tries to turn the tables. It means the track shuts early for training so we should expect a short morning's work.

Ramon Dominguez is coming in town to ride. He just guided Fabulous Strike to an easy win in his return to the races: Grade 1 winner Fabulous Strike wins easily in return.

Update 3646: Kingsgate Native took the Golden Jubilee today at Royal Ascot. This was his second start for the week: JUBILEE CELEBRATION FOR GOLD NATIVE. The Queen had her first Royal Ascot winner since 1999: Queen's Free Agent Wins at Royal Ascot.

Update 3645: Interesting article on the new OTTB retirement program affiliated with Philadelphia Park: Program at Philly Park steers horses from slaughter, it concludes:

"Through this program we hope to place our horses into the best retirement options. Horses found headed to New Holland may result in trainer sanctions and loss of stall privileges and will not be tolerated," Sinatra said.

Update 3644: A very quiet morning this morning at Woodbine. I only had four sets, two went out before the break and two went out after the break. Each of my horses galloped kindly. I spent some of the morning reading my book, Penguin's History of Canada. Just a very relaxing morning.

Update 3643: It is day five at Royal Ascot and the feature race is the Golden Jubilee: MARCHAND FOR GOLDEN GLORY.

Some concerns from groups absent from the hearings in Washington this week: Horsemen's groups, RCI left out of congressional hearing.

Posted by Alex at 10:00 AM | Comments (146)

Barbaro Updates: 615

Posted June 20, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3642: Superfecta here, with another Royal Ascot update.

Apparently a change in distance is no problem for Jim Bolger's Lush Lashes -- although her last race was over a mile and a half (and not a particularly successful effort for her), she easily cut back to the mile distance of the Coronation Stakes. As he was for New Approach in the Derby, Kevin Manning (who is the trainer's son-in-law) was the jockey in this case as well. Lush Lashes will probably stretch out again to the mile and a half distance for the Irish Oaks next time out. The favorite, Spacious, was never a factor, Infallible finished in what can only be described as an ironic second, and third-place finisher Carribean Sunset may aim for the American Oaks next.

In other Royal Ascot races today, Frankie Dettori finally got a win (the first for Godolphin for the meet) aboard Campanologist in the King Edward VII stakes and Patkai picked up the Queen's Vase.

Saturday's Golden Jubilee Stakes should be quite an event; Sakhee's Secret is currently the favorite, but the Antipodean contingent is strong, with Takeover Target definitely in the picture as is Kiwi-trained mare Seachange. War Artist is Australian-bred, South-African-owned and British-trained, so a victory by the improving gelding would be quite an international event.

But let us focus on Seachange for a moment; she will be sent off at very attractive odds, despite having seven Group 1 victories. And there's a reason why she is the first New Zealand-trained horse to start at Royal Ascot:

"Our stake money is amazing back home and we have half a dozen races worth over a million dollars [about £385,000] each year.

"British racing is marvellous but it's a prestige sport - there's no money in it. That would be a big concern for me."

The Golden Jubilee purse is £375,000 (not quite US$750,000, given the current crappy exchange rate), and so while it is nothing to avoid, it's a long way from New Zealand to England when better prize money is available there. She performed well in Dubai, though, and I am looking forward to seeing the well-travelled mare.

If I had to pick a random longshot, I would go with Snaefell (and not only because I love his name -- I'm not sure whether they intended it to be Snaefell, after the mountain on the Isle of Man or Snæfell after the Icelandic volcano), but because he seems to enjoy a wet course and will only be carrying 110 pounds).

In any case, the 20-horse field should make things interesting...

Update 3641: One thing I like about Woodbine is its explicit support for thoroughbred retirement, via the program at LongRun. One example of their support, they are planning a fundraiser for LongRun on the back of their marquee 3yo race this weekend, the Queen's Plate: WEG and LongRun team up for Plate fundraiser. Simple, gets fans involved. Just good marketing all around.

A couple of days ago I was alerted, by an assistant trainer here at Woodbine, to another racetrack "sponsored" retirement program in Canada. New Stride at Hastings in British Columbia. Of course I had to add them to our OTTB resource.

Update 3640: A quiet morning this morning at Woodbine with only six to ride. I had four sets before the break and two sets after the break. The two after the break went to the gate for some gate schooling. They went nicely. All in all a relaxing morning. We had a few horses ship out to other tracks (Kentucky, Presque Isle and Belmont) and will get a few shipping in in their place. One of those shipping out was one of my regulars, Sir. Winston. I'll have to keep an eye on the entries at Belmont to see when he reappears. A cool dude.

Update 3639: Reports from yesterday's hearing:

House Panel Takes Aim at Horse Racing Practices
Hearing Shows Racing at Critical Point
House panel hears testimony on Thoroughbred industry woes

It's day four at Royal Ascot: CORONATION DAY FOR CHEVELEY PAIR.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:58 AM | Comments (198)

Barbaro Updates: 614

Posted June 18, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3638: The plan for Big Brown is to return in the Haskell at Monmouth on August 3: Big Brown to return in Haskell.

Update 3637: Superfecta here, with another Royal Ascot update.

The biggest story of the day from Royal Ascot is that Yeats did, indeed, win the Gold Cup for the third year running. He is only the second horse to achieve this milestone -- the other, Sagaro, ran in the 1970s. Yeats is also the first 7-year-old to win the race since 1993, when Drum Taps was the victor.

There was even some discussion of him coming back next year to attempt to go one better than Sagaro:

Asked about the possibility of a record-breaking four triumph next year, O'Brien said: 'I don't know when the time will come to preserve his genes and that is the reality as we've never had a horse with as big a pair of lungs and as big a heart as he has - they are physical things.

Certainly from an American perspective, that highlights something a little unusual about Yeats (beyond his proven ability at 2 miles) -- he's a stallion, and he's still in training at his 'advanced' age. To put that in a little perspective, he was winning his first few stakes races while Curlin was taking his first steps (and speaking of Curlin, see below).

Yeats won the Gold Cup in some style, finishing 5 lengths ahead of Geordieland (again completing the exacta), with the previously-unbeaten Coastal Path some further distance behind; Allegretto finished well for fourth.

Tomorrow's featured race is the Coronation Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over a mile; Spacious is the likely favorite, and although the Times has yet to forgive trainer Jim Bolger for his handing of New Approach's entry for the Derby, they suggest that should his filly Lush Lashes win the race, the crowd will be too distracted to notice.

But let us turn our attention back to the US for a moment; you have no doubt already heard that Rick Dutrow pulled a sickie and skipped his date with Congress, but that doesn't mean there's no discussion. You can follow the proceedings live on the Paulick Report, where they have been good enough to liveblog the entire thing.

And if you were planning on heading to Belmont to see Curlin in July, you may not want to confirm your plans just yet...

Update 3636: Details on the Committee of Energy and Commerce today scheduled for 10 AM.

Update 3635: A day off today!

The House Subcommittee on Commerce and Consumer Protection has its hearing today on the horseracing industry: Groups Have Say Before D.C. Hearing.

Its day 3 of the Royal Ascot meet. Can Yeats win his third Gold Cup: YEATS SEEKS GOLDEN HAT-TRICK .

Update 3634: Superfecta here, with another Royal Ascot special.

Today's racing from Royal Ascot opened with the Jersey Stakes; Aqlaam picked up his third win for the year in his fourth lifetime start in the 7 furlong race for 3-year-olds. Although he is by the sprinter Oasis Dream, his dam is a half-sister to Persian Punch, two-time winner of the Melbourne Cup, so we may perhaps see him at longer distances down the line.

The Windsor Forest Stakes (mares 4 and up over a mile) was won by Sabana Perdida, an Irish-bred, French-trained mare under the care of Alain De Royer-Dupré. Heaven Sent was a game second and Grecian Dancer was third in what will be her final race as she is currently in foal. The winner was third in this race last year and her victory puts another one in the 'foreign' column.

The big story of the day is Coolmore/Ballydoyle's continued dominance at Royal Ascot; 4 year-old Duke of Marmalade won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (4-year-olds and up, 1 mile, 2 furlongs) impressively, and once again, Johnny Murtagh was in the saddle for an Aidan O'Brien trainee -- this makes their fourth Group 1 victory for the meet. His series of wins this year is all the more impressive given that last year he failed to win any of his six starts as he endured lameness problems that may have been related to fractures suffered at age 2; he will now be one of the strongest contenders for the Arc.

The Royal Hunt Cup (3 and up, 1 mile) was won by Mr. Aviator and Langs Lash marked herself out as a 2-year-old to watch in the Queen Mary Stakes (5 furlongs).

Tomorrow's featured race is the Gold Cup, with all eyes on Yeats as he goes for a hat trick in the race. A possible upset could come from Allegretto, although there are doubts about her stamina over the 2 mile distance. Geordieland, second to Yeats last year in the race, is trying to turn the tables as well.

Yesterday's winner of the Windsor Castle, Flashmans Papers (a 100-1 upset) will go for a double in the Norfolk Stakes on Thursday. If nothing else, his quest should inspire you to read the Flashman books if you have not already done so -- and perhaps he will demonstrate that his win was no fluke.

Takeover Target is also still on track to run again on Saturday in the Golden Jubilee and will likely remain in Britain for the Darley July Cup.

Check back tomorrow for more!

Update 3633: Off to downtown Toronto for this press conference: CHDC Report - June 18 Release - Advisory.

Update 3632: Eight sets this morning as Mark, one of our exercise riders, had a day off. We had four before the break and four after the break. Each of the last four went to the gate for some gate schooling. All went nicely. The siren was busy on the track this morning. I was not on the track, but can hear it from the barn. It went off for about five minutes, which is not a good sign (usually the result of a horse or rider hurt). In this case it was due to two loose horses who apparently were doing a good job of avoiding the outriders! As I was coming on the track for one of my sets someone was getting run off with coming around the turn, the outrider was preparing to take chase. A little bit of a chaotic morning this morning for others.

Update 3631: It is day 2 of Royal Ascot: TIME FOR A BANK JOB IN HUNT CUP?

The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee's Stuart Janney provided some follow up after releasing yesterday's recommendations: Janney Addresses Safety Recommendations.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:58 AM | Comments (185)

Barbaro Updates: 613

Posted June 17, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3630: Superfecta here, with your regular Tuesday update.

Royal Ascot opened today with a gritty win for Haradasun in the Queen Anne Stakes; although passed by two horses, he battled back at the end to claim victory. Darjina and Finsceal Beo were second and third (although both encountered traffic trouble) -- and both Johnny Murtagh and Kevin Manning picked up bans for excessive whipping (aboard Haradasun) and careless riding (on Finsceal Beo), so the race was not entirely without controversy. While both fillies will likely point toward the Falmouth Stakes in July, it would seem that Coolmore has decided that Haradasun will begin his new career as soon as possible (one presumes the $40 million they paid for a 50% share, making him the most expensive racehorse in Australian history, may have a little something to do with that).

Henrythenavigator also performed as expected, even setting a new track record in the process, in the St James's Palace Stakes -- so it cannot be said that Aiden O'Brien is having a bad day, even if he only got to send Haradasun out twice before his retirement. Raven's Pass (who is being campaigned toward the Breeders' Cup Mile) finished second and Twice Over managed third. O'Brien further suggested that Henrythenavigator is the 'best miler he's ever had' -- so much for George Washington!

Takeover Target ran a game race in the King's Stand Stakes but could not catch the winner -- Spanish entry Equiano, who was sent off as a 22-1 long shot (although I would hasten to point out that he was mentioned here yesterday). Filly Fleeting Spirit, the favorite, managed to get up for third. Takeover Target will get one more shot at Royal Ascot glory on Saturday -- he'll try to add the Golden Jubilee Stakes to his impressive resume. It will be no easy task, however -- Kiwi mare Seachange, who will be the first NZ-bred and trained horse to run at Royal Ascot, may be a longshot, but she was tough in Dubai and could be a factor. Fleeting Spirit is entered as well, and Sakhee's Secret looks tough. Former US sprinter Diabolical is also entered. Even if he opts to skip the Golden Jubilee, it seems that we may get to see more of Takeover Target later in the year back in Australia - and possibly next year at age 10.

Art Connoisseur remained unbeaten in the Coventry Stakes, and Missoula won the Ascot Cup.

Tomorrow's highlights include the Prince of Wales's Stakes; Duke of Marmalade, Literato, Sixties Icon and Ask seem like the ones to watch.

Yeats could make history on Thursday if he wins his third Ascot Gold Cup in a row...check back tomorrow for more on his effort and the rest of the day's action from Royal Ascot.

A small postscript: if you're looking to get Curlin at a price, you can get 16-1 on him in the Arc -- the LA Times writes that the Breeders' Cup is not even on the table...

Update 3629: A review from Day 1 at Royal Ascot: HENRY THE KING AS BALLYDOYLE DO DOUBLE.

Update 3628: Ahead of Congress' meeting on Thursday, The Thoroughbred Safety Committee which was formed and announced on May 8, has submitted its first set of recommendations. It will publish additional recomendations in August: Ban on Steroids, Toe Grabs Recommended.

Update 3627: Seven sets this morning at Woodbine, under cloudy and cooler weather. A pretty straight forward morning once things got going. We were a little short of ground help early but more people arrived which sorted things out. Each of my horses galloped nicely for a straightforward morning's work.

There were plenty of cameras on the track this morning, I assume taking pictures of Queen's Plate horses. Jen covers Queen's Plate preparations.

Update 3626: The St. James Palace Stakes is one of three Group 1 races that will highlight the first day of the Royal Ascot meet that gets underway today. Falco takes on Henrythenavigator: Royal Ascot meet opens with three Group 1 races.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:04 AM | Comments (61)

Barbaro Updates: 612

Posted June 16, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3625: Some positive news on the horse slaughter front: Supreme Court decision ends US horse slaughter, excerpt:

Cavel's appeal had received backing from Belgium, which told the court, "American horse meat is considered by consumers in Belgium and elsewhere in the EU to be of the highest quality and distinguishable from horse meat produced from other nations."

Is this because many of our slaughter-bound horses are young and healthy ? I am sure it is not because many of them are full of drugs that render them unfit for human consumption!

Update 3624: Jaguar Key is OTTB of the Week for Week 4.

A Stakes winner of over $200,000, Jaguar Key was rescued from slaughter, and has now completed his first dressage class.

Update 3623: A lovely morning this morning at Woodbine. A quiet day for me, with only five sets to go. Each of my horses galloped kindly, so an easy day. I did go up to watch a couple of our workers after the break when I was done. Just a very relaxed morning's work.

Update 3622: Next weekend at Woodbine we have the Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The Canadian Triple Crown is restricted to Canada breds, and includes a synthetic race, dirt race (at Fort Erie) and a turf race. Very interesting. A month ago it appeared that Harlem Rocker was going to be a serious challenger after his Withers win. Sadly he flopped in the Plate Trial and after working on Saturday his connections are sending him back to New York: Harlem Rocker Skipping Queen's Plate.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:00 AM | Comments (112)

Barbaro Updates: 611

Posted June 14, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3621: More on Curlin's plans, which include a work on the Churchill Downs turf course to see how he handles the turf. A turf prep race in North America, and if that goes well a trip to Europe: Curlin's Circle Considering Arc Attack.

A good week for us at Woodbine which included three victories. A horse I had been galloping from the beginning had his first race here today. Mr Rowdy (well named) is the horse that had shown some athletic moves coming off the racetrack from time-to-time. He ran a very close second in the ninth today. He was very unlucky. His groom was very upset!

Update 3620: The buzz on the backside this morning was Curlin's return to the races and easy win. Very cool. Jen reports his plans for the turf. I had known about these plans for a while and am psyched. Racing needs stars and Curlin has proven that he is the real deal.

Seven sets this morning. Four before the break and three after the break. Lovely weather. No better job. We were done early and had to wait around for a while for our jock's agent to show up with breakfast. We had another nice winner yesterday. In fact yesterday was just one of those days where the stars must have been aligned or something!

Update 3619: More on Curlin's emphatic win:

Curlin puts on a show
Horse of the Year Curlin continues dominance in Stephen Foster

Update 3618: A nice win for both Curlin: Curlin Waltzes to Stephen Foster Victory and Pyro: Pyro's Heat Re-Found in Northern Dancer

Update 3617: The latest Thoroughbred Times ad: Thoroughbredtimes Ad Campaign cont'. Thanks to Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue for continuing this public awareness campaign.

Update 3613: Another relatively simple morning this morning at Woodbine. Seven sets, four before the break and three after the break. All galloped nicely. One filly went to the gate to school. She has been good in the gate but a little impatient waiting behind the gate. Today I had her wait for a little longer than usual and she was quite relaxed about it. Learning. A good morning's work. Looking forward to this afternoon's races with both Curlin and Pyro on show at Churchill Downs!

Update 3612: With the Triple Crown over the second half of the racing season is underway. Curlin returns today in the Stephen Foster: Curlin ready to begin second season in Stephen Foster.

We had a nice winner yesterday at Churchill Downs: Winning Colors Filly Impressive in Debut.

Posted by Alex at 9:59 AM | Comments (148)

Barbaro Updates: 610

Posted June 13, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3611: Bad news for Graham Motion, who conditioned Film Maker among other horses for Courtland Farms: Lane's End Winner Adriano to Bill Mott, excerpt:

"He took all 12 of his horses away," Motion said of owner Don Adam of Courtlandt Farms, who also bred Adriano. "It's very disappointing, but I'm starting to recover. I'll be sick for a while watching all the horses run in big stakes. We've won 19 stakes for him in the last few years, including the Arlington Matron (gr. III) with Indescribable on May 26. It's a funny old game. It was rough on the stable; some of the crew were in tears. But, it's happened to all of us."

Update 3610: A Canadian champion has been retired. I met Bob Costigan, Arravale's owner the day before her last start in the Nassau here at Woodbine. He was very enthusiastic about his mare and a pleasure to hang out with: Arravale, 2006 Canadian champion, is retired.

Update 3609: A quieter morning this morning at Woodbine, with only six to ride. I had four before the break and the two after the break that both went to the gate. All went nicely. One of my horses is getting ready to run for the first time at the meet, so we got a pony escort to and from the track to get him used to being with the pony again. It worked out well as with the pony escort I didn't have to worry so much about him trying to unship me!

We had a nice winner yesterday so breakfast was supplied at the end of the morning which is a nice end to a short day's work.

Update 3608: The card on Saturday at Churchill Downs is already strong with Curlin in the Stephen Foster. The Grade 3 Northern Dancer includes the return to the races of three Derby contenders, Pyro, Recapturetheglory and Visionaire: Derby trio back under the spires.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:01 AM | Comments (49)

Barbaro Updates: 609

Posted June 12, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3607: My final post on The Rail: It's Over: What Now?

Update 3606: Congress has scheduled its meeting for one week from today: Congress Calls June 19 Hearing on Racing, excerpt:

The following is a "witness list" for the June 19 hearing, more details of which will be available soon.

Panel I: Alan Marzelli, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club; Richard Shapiro, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board; Arthur Hancock, a Thoroughbred owner/breeder; Jess Jackson, a Thoroughbred owner/breeder; Randy Moss, analyst for ESPN; Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg; and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., trainer of 2008 Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown.

Panel II: Sue Stover, veterinarian at the University of California-Davis; Larry Soma, veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Mary Scollay, recently hired as Kentucky's equine medical director; Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, veterinarian at Colorado State University; and Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Update 3605: The Rail is winding down and today is the final day for new posts for this year's Triple Crown. Here is the final post from Gina Rarick, who has provided excellent insight from Europe: What Does the Future Hold?

Update 3604: Chelokee continues his recovery: Chelokee.

Update 3603: A busy yet thoroughly pleasant morning's work this morning at Woodbine. We had ten sets, five before the break and five after the break. Three of mine also went to the gate to school. The weather was a little cooler, so just a nice morning to be riding horses. All mine galloped nicely. The rings (bib), came unsnapped from my neckstrap and started flopping around on my last horse. I ended up clipping them to the throat lash so that they would not annoy the horse. We managed this "move" as we continued to gallop. Thankfully my filly was very relaxed about it all!

Update 3602: Update on Big Brown: What Is Big Brown Doing Now?

Curlin is getting ready to return to the races this weekend: Curlin One to Catch in Cash-Rich 'Foster.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:03 AM | Comments (83)

Barbaro Updates: 608

Posted June 11, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3601: I have just returned from an interview with CBC, who are doing a follow on piece from yesterday's Horse Slaughter piece. This should air on tonight's show at 10 pm (I told them it was a little late for horsemen but I will be staying up ... again!)

Desormeaux met with the Belmont stewards today: Desormeaux Speaks with Stewards; Has No Comment About Dutrow.

Update 3600: A gorgeous morning this morning at Woodbine. If you don't like riding today you have to give it up. Simply wonderful to be outside on horses. I was a little tired after staying up late (for me) to watch the CBC show last night: No Country for Horses. Despite the late night, I was psyched about the coverage of the slaughter issue in Canada.

I rode six horses this morning and they all went nicely. One went to the gate to stand. No problems at all. A glorious morning.

Update 3599: Steve Haskin reviews the Belmont: Belmont Recap: Brown Letdown.

Canada's CBC last night broadcasted a very good, thorough and damning documentary on Horse Slaughter: CBC NATIONAL STORY JUNE 10 (CANADA)

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:48 AM | Comments (110)

Barbaro Updates: 607

Posted June 10, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3598: Some decent conversation with Alex Waldrop (NTRA), Keith Dane (HSUS) and William Rhoden (Sports Writer): The Diane Rhem Show: 11:00 Thoroughbred Horses.

Update 3597: Despite the high weight assignment, Curlin is scheduled to return to the races in the Stephen Foster this weekend: Curlin Expected to Make Stephen Foster.

Update 3596: Not everyone will agree with this one! My entry today on The Rail:

Was It Desormeaux's Ride?.

Update 3595: Our morning at Woodbine this morning was interrupted. We could not get into our tack room until break time as someone had tried to break into it last night. The outcome of the attempted break in was simply to bust the lock so we could not unlock the door this morning. Anyway, thankfully we had a light training day with lots of workers yesterday and therefore lots of walkers today. I walked three. Then after the break I galloped four. All went nicely, but just a bit of a frustrating morning for everyone as the set list (identifies when the horses go out etc.) was turned upside down.

Update 3594: Superfecta here, with your regular weekly update.

Rick Dutrow isn't the only trainer whose mouth gets him into trouble; across the pond, Jim Bolger is facing similar heat from the press, but for rather a different reason -- his horse won. Confused? Here's what happened:

Some months ago, Bolger had declared that New Approach (last year's 2-year-old champion and part of the larger Darley firmament) was not under consideration for the Epsom Derby and that the fact that he was still left in as a nominee on May 23rd was an administrative oversight. Up until five days out, he continued to suggest that the race was not on New Approach's calendar, angering many who would have liked to wager on (or against) the colt in advance of the race.

On race day itself, Bolger made no claims of invincibility for his horse; indeed, New Approach's rank behavior on the way to the post and early in the race was not dissimilar to what we in the US would see from Big Brown some hours later -- albeit with quite a different outcome:

New Approach, a racy chesnut colt who is all quality, earned his rightful place on the Derby roll of honour under a ride that will long be recalled as one of the best executed around this trickiest of tracks. Kevin Manning's superb horsemanship was an essential part of this great triumph.

In the uphill run through the first half-mile, nobody could have envisaged New Approach taking a hand in the finish. He was fighting for his head, proving a nightmare ride for Manning.

As if that wasn't enough, New Approach found himself at the rear of the field, buffeted between horses, giving him little chance to relax and conserve energy. Manning said it was not until reaching the seven-furlong pole that New Approach dropped the bit, but suddenly his major concern became the simple matter of not setting the colt alight down Tattenham Hill.

With Ryan Moore launching Tartan Bearer, the Dante Stakes winner, down the outside, Manning had somehow weaved through to the inside rail, carving up Rio de La Plata, the mount of Frankie Dettori, in the process. In a thrilling battle to the line, New Approach's superior class was the telling factor as he won a shade cleverly, by half a length, with Casual Conquest, the 7-2 favourite, 4½ lengths away in third.

There is still controversy swirling as to whether the facts are as Bolger states -- that he simply changed his plans -- or whether the race was the target all along. In any case, despite a great performance by the horse, the British and Irish press are still very much on the side of the punters at this juncture; it will be interesting to see if they come around before New Approach's next start in the Irish Derby on June 29th.

Update 3593: This week's OTTB of the Week is Brego. Brego has come a long way since he was found in a feedlot a year ago.

We are offering $500 to the rescue of choice of the winning OTTB of the Week. We will be selecting 8 OTTBs of the Week from which to choose. If you have an OTTB, please join the fun and help market OTTBs.

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 10:00 AM | Comments (119)

Barbaro Updates: 606

Posted June 9, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3592: Wow, a lovely day spent at Fort Erie races (The Fort), followed by a trip to Niagara Falls for dinner. Great company too. Feels like the first real day off in a long time.

Big Brown has returned to Aqueduct. No reason has been found for his poor performance, although they are thinking the track surface may have been to his disliking: Big Brown Back at the Big A.

Update 3591: An excellent article on Belmont winning trainer Nick Zito: Zito calls 'em the way he sees them, excerpt:

Zito is already trying to practice an aspect of what he preaches, holding veterinarians to certain standards. In a reaction to the stand of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in opposition to proposed federal legislation that would protect horses from slaughter, Zito requires any vet working in his stable to denounce the AAEP position.

"I write it down and they gotta sign it," Zito said. " 'Even though I belong to the AAEP, I don't believe in horse slaughter.' "

A noble experiment, and every little bit of pressure helps. Zito has been pounding away at the horse slaughter business nearly every time he gets some kind of forum. Chances were remote that he would get much of a hearing after the Belmont, with his two longshots tackling Big Brown. But the memory of Birdstone was hard to ignore.

Ginger Brew won the first major stakes race of the meet here at Woodbine yesterday: Ginger Brew Romps in Woodbine Oaks.

Today I have a day off! First since we got going here in Canada. I am planning to go down to Fort Erie.

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 12:03 PM | Comments (119)

Barbaro Updates: 605

Posted June 7, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3590: And ABC did a very similar story: ReRun trains retired race horses a to live new life as a show horses or pets..

Update 3589: NBC news was a "Making a Difference" piece on a ReRun foster facility. Very good piece further exposing the fate of racehorses after they have finished running.

And here it is: Thoroughbreds given a second lease on life.

Update 3588: Horse whisperer. NBC nightly news tonight is doing something on retiring racehorses!

Update 3587: No answers for Big Brown's performance yesterday: Big Brown Is O.K. excerpt:

"We went over him good last night after the race, and again this morning, and there's nothing physically that's shown up," Iavarone told me just a few minutes ago by telephone. "He scoped clean. His feet are ice cold, quarter crack not an issue. He had a very loose hind left shoe, but that's not an issue. We'll just chalk it up to a question mark at this point.

"I'm understanding they had an issue without water and they weren't able to water the track and it got deep, I don't know... We're perplexed, nobody can figure this one out, the horse did not displace (his palate), he scoped fine, there's no mucous, everything is ice cold. The horse that won, he (Big Brown) had beaten him by 23 (lengths) in the Florida Derby and so, I don't know. We just have to watch him carefully and make sure we didn't miss anything."

Update 3586: My latest two posts on The Rail:

Dreaming New Beginnings this morning

Big Brown: What Now? right after the Belmont yesterday

Update 3585: Another hot morning this morning at Woodbine. We had seven sets, four before the break on the main track, one on the training track, and two after the break. A pretty straightforward morning. I had one go to the gate, she stood nicely. We had a winner yesterday (it had been a while), so our Jock's agent brought pizza and cokes for us once we were done. In this weather light sandwiches and gatorade may have been better, but we demolished the fayre all the same! We have three to school in the paddock this afternoon and five runners, so a busy day all around. It is also Woodbine Oaks day!

Update 3584: Lets hope Big Brown is OK and we have some answers for his mystifying performance yesterday. In the meantime here are some reports of the races from the fantastic undercard:

Dancing Forever Wins Thrilling Manhattan
Zaftig Zooms, 'Blessing' Second in Acorn
Ventura Pulls Upset in Just a Game
J Be K Draws Away in Woody Stephens

Update 3583: It was a stunning upset in the Belmont with Big Brown being eased after it was clear he was not going to take any part in the finish: Da' Tara Springs Upset; Big Brown Eased.

Update 3582: My final pre-Belmont entry on The Rail:

Detention Time.

And now its: Welcome to the Belmont.

Update 3581: Last year's Champion European Two Year Old, New Approach, won today's Epsom Derby: BOLGER DERBY APPROACH PAYS OFF, excerpt:

Bolger said: "Kevin gave him the best ride I have seen around Epsom as it was so difficult. There aren't many jockeys who could have organised him like that. Kevin stayed calm and really starred.

"I thought before the race that winning would be right up there with the best, but after winning I can say it is the best and it is the best day I have had in racing.

"He handled the start just the same as he has on all occasions. With the furore from my opposing trainers over here (about New Approach causing a possible delay to the start) the last thing I wanted to do was to upset any of those nice gentleman, so we hacked to the start."

Update 3580: Two pieces of sad news:

Legendary Sportscaster Jim McKay Dead

Hall Fame Trainer Jimmy Croll Dies

Update 3579: An easy morning this morning at Wodbine with only six sets. It was another warm morning but there was also a nice breeze today so that helped. Each of my horses galloped nicely. We have a couple of runners at Woodbine this afternoon so I will be returning. I will also be looking for somewhere to watch the Belmont, which has sadly lost a top candidate in the withdrawal of Casino Drive:

Casino Drive Scratched.

Update 3578: Today is the much anticipated Belmont Stakes, with Big Brown hoping to make history: Big Brown takes aim at history in Belmont Stakes.

In Europe today we have the Epsom Derby, the second leg of the English Triple Crown: ALL SET FOR A CLASSIC DERBY .

Posted by Alex at 9:59 AM | Comments (261)

Barbaro Updates: 604

Posted June 6, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3577: Casino Drive is still being considered for tomorrow's Belmont: Casino Drive In...For Now.

I wrote this about scratch options for tomorrow: Casino Drive's Options.

Update 3576: Second Chance Ranch is the winner of $100, thanks to Renee's answer:

Lets go with "C"

2000 Commendable 3 P. Day D.W. Lukas B. & B. Lewis

If you would to sponsor a quiz question, please e-mail me.

Update 3575: Quiz question: Which letter of the alphabet has been the first letter of the name of the most Belmont winners? And name the last winner whose name started with that letter, as well as the winning jockey, trainer, and owner?

$100 to the rescue of choice of the winner.

Thanks FOB Gloria IL for sponsoring the quiz and posing the question.

Update 3574: Summer has arrived in a hurry this morning at Woodbine. A little muggy to start, and when the sun came up it got hot. I had seven sets, four before the break and three after the break, each of which went to the gate. A pretty straightforward morning's work. The siren went off a couple of times, you can here it from our barn. I was not on the track for either occasion. Graham Motion has a runner here tomorrow. Joy, who ships for Graham, was supervising the horse, Emma Wilson was galloping it. We will get together a little later for a couple of beers.

Bad news on the Belmont front: Casino Drive Misses Training Run.

This is a very good article: Thoroughbreds and the Law.

Update 3573: An interesting offer: Suffolk Offers Big Brown, Curlin $5M.

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 9:57 AM | Comments (146)

Barbaro Updates: 603

Posted June 5, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3572: Casino Drive worked a little this morning: Casino Drive Works.

Update 3571: One of our favorites, Better Talk Now, will be seeking to repeat his 2007 win in the Manhatten, part of the undercard for the Belmont on Saturday: Better Talk Now Seeks Manhattan Repeat.

Update 3570: My latest entry on The Rail:

The Racetrack's Rules of the Road.

Update 3569: Another grey morning this morning at Woodbine. Its not summer here yet! We had seven sets. Three of mine went before the break and four after the break, three of which went to the gate to stand and school. A pretty quiet, low key morning for me. I did see two people fall off, right in front of me! One of my horses scooted away from me as someone came flying by on my outside, but not an untypical morning!

Fun: Getting to Know ... Edgar Prado.

And if you have pre-Belmont questions, ask here: Q & A: Joe Drape From Belmont Park.

Update 3568: Another excellent article on The Rail: Drugs and Racehorses.

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 9:59 AM | Comments (85)

Barbaro Updates: 602

Posted June 4, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3567: NYRA breaks down the Belmont: Big Brown Versus Blueblood in Historic 140th Belmont Stakes.

Update 3566: The Belmont draw is over and a new entrant has emerged: Long Shot Enters; Big Brown Draws No. 1 Post.

Update 3565: A Q&A with Peter Brette regarding Nicanor: You asked, He Answered: Q&A with Peter Brette.

Update 3564: A greyish morning this morning at Woodbine. We had a light day with plenty of horses having the day off after their works yesterday. I had six sets, four went out before the break and two after the break. The two after the break both went to school in the gate, and relaxed nicely. All in all a decent and short morning's work. We have three runners tonight so I will return to the track much later.

Update 3563: Two significant players behind the two of the main contenders for the Belmont:

Kazuo Fujisawa, trainer of Casino Drive: Casino Drive's trainer Japan's best, excerpt:

"For me, he's kind of like a Bill Mott or a Richard Mandella," said Desormeaux, referring to two Hall of Fame trainers. "Everyone there respects him immensely.

"He's just a fun guy always cracking jokes," Desormeaux added. "He really enjoys his job, I do know that. He takes a lot of pride in being able to teach a horse how to be a racehorse. He's just very good at what he does. His specialty is taking horses and turning them into champions."

Michelle Nevin, exercise rider for Big Brown: Nevin keeps Big Brown moving forward, excerpt:

Dutrow said Nevin has done a better job of handling the horse in workouts than jockey Kent Desormeaux, who has guided the Boundary colt to four wins this year.

"The only two times I've ever seen this colt have bad workouts is when Kent is up. That's why I didn't go with Kent. The horse was a mess with him," Dutrow said. "It has just been unbelievable every time in the mornings, except for the times Kent breezed the horse."

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 9:54 AM | Comments (103)

Barbaro Updates: 601

Posted June 3, 2008

udates are now here.

Update 3562: A brief photo essay of racing in England: Newmarket Visit Pics: 4 John & Donna.

Update 3561: Big Brown, as anticipated, worked this morning at Belmont Park: Belmont News: Tuesday.

Update 3560: Superfecta here, with your regular weekly update -- this week is something of a short jog off the Triple Crown trail.

Louise Firouz, the renowned horse breeder who rediscovered the Caspian horse, has died in Iran. Although still very rare, the breed (which DNA analysis has demonstrated to be the likely ancestor of Arabians and other eastern breeds -- and thus, by extension, thoroughbreds) was recognized and revived by the American-born Firouz, at enormous personal cost due to the political situation in Iran.

Although pony-sized (between 9-12 hands), the Caspian is a small horse, rather than a pony; similar horses appear in ancient near eastern art dating back to 3000 BCE; no less an authority than King Darius the Great (reigned 521-486 BCE) featured similar horses on his cylinder seal (now in the British Museum). They also appear in a frieze of Lydians bearing tribute to Darius on the monumental eastern stairway of the Apadana, the great hall at Persepolis (Pārsa, to the Persian kings), begun by Darius and completed by his son Xerxes.

Even today, their diminutive size and early maturity are not the only unusual biological aspects of the Caspian; they also have an extra molar and other distinctive skeletal characteristics that set them apart from modern horse breeds. Although they can breed as early as 18 months, mares often do not come into heat again until their current foal is about a year old; that fact, combined with inconvenient politics, has contributed in no small way to their endangered status.

Ensuring the future of this ancient breed would be a worthy tribute to Louise Firouz; without Caspian horses and thousands of years of careful breeding, we would not have a potential Triple Crown on the line in Big Brown.

We'll have more on his present-day quest tomorrow...

Update 3559: A damp morning this morning at Woodbine. One of those mornings where you are not sure whether to put on rain gear or not. We had a lot of workers, which meant a lighter day for me with only five to go to the track. Of the five, I was close to coming unglued on a couple, so even with a lighter day you can never be assured it will be an easy day. One horse coming on to the track leapt forward while then bucking ... my left hand which is wrapped around the neckstrap, came unstuck. Fortunately I landed pretty much in the right place in the saddle. Another guy wheeled pretty sharply, but again thankfully I was holding on to the neckstrap. Anyway, I survived ...

Update 3558: Monday's Belmont activity: Belmont News: Monday.

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 9:58 AM | Comments (82)

Barbaro Updates: 600

Posted June 2, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3557: Reliving a tragedy. I have just finished reading My Guy Barbaro: A Jockey's Journey Through Love, Triumph, and Heartbreak with America's Favorite Horse. If you can read through this without shedding a tear you are way tougher than me. A very eloquent perspective from a Jockey who appears to really care. I would have been interested in learning more about Edgar's early years in Peru, and I was a little miffed they referred to Barbaro's groom as Jose (his name is Eduardo!), but other than that an excellent read. Edgar also has many nice things to say about FOBs and the ongoing commitment to help the horse.

A must read, with a tissue!

Update 3556: Our second OTTB of the week is French Forum. Congratulations!

We will select eight winners during the first eight weeks of this project. We will then determine the overall winner who will then select a horse rescue that will win $500. Thanks for those who have participated in our OTTB marketing project. Please take a look and recommend your friends enter their OTTBs and buy OTTBs!

Update 3555: Horse of the Year Curlin is getting closer to a return to the races with a 7/8ths work this morning at Churchill Downs: Curlin works strongly for Foster, excerpt:

"He's right on target," trainer Steve Asmussen said after the Monday work. "He gave us every indication that he's the Curlin who's spoiled us all along."

Curlin has worked every Monday at Churchill since April 28. Asmussen said preparations for the Foster will be completed next Monday with "an easy half-mile."

Update 3554: A straightforward morning this morning with wonderful weather too at Woodbine! We had eight sets, five before the break and three after the break. Two of my horses went to the gate to stand. All went nicely. Basically a hassle free morning, which ended with breakfast in the track kitchen with Mark, our other exercise rider.

Update 3553: A change of plan for Big Brown's new patch on his hoof: Big Brown Doesn't Need Patch Until Race, excerpt:

McKinlay changed the colt's steel sutures Saturday and originally intended to put an acrylic and fiberglass patch on the three-quarters-inch crack on Monday. Instead, he told Dutrow on Sunday that the heel was healing perfectly and "the only thing we can do now is screw it up."

"There isn't a hint of blood, a hint of heat, a hint of anything," McKinlay said. "If we covered it up and there was something way down deep and we don't know it's there, then it might pop up two days from now. I told Rick to let Big Brown heal on his own."

Please keep calling and writing.

Posted by Alex at 10:03 AM | Comments (96)