Friday, January 25, 2013

January 26-27

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
January 26-27

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

NOTE:AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.
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 A look at weekend horse racing around the world - click here
From Gulfstream Park, to Santa Anita, to Fair Grounds, to Sam Houston Race Park, racing news for this weekend.  Biggest in terms of its meaning for the Derby Trail will be the HOLY BULL at Gulfstream Park, where Shanghai Bobby will try to overcome the odds that a Juvenile champion can be successful on the first Saturday in May.

 "Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winners are 15: 1-0-2 in the Kentucky Derby all-time, which means only 54 percent of Juvenile winners have made it to the Derby starting gate and 11 percent have finished in the money on the first Saturday in May. SHANGHAI BOBBY (Todd Pletcher) opens his 2013 candidacy Saturday in the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream, but history shows he’s only a 50/50 proposition at even being discussed come Louisville."  COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - WEEK 4

Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now     Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard

TRIPLE CROWN:  Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI:  Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival
 

FLASH: FREE LIVE  STREAMING HOLY BULL Gulfstream Park! click here



Jon and Joel cover the weekend of racing, including the Holy Bull on Saturday at Gulfstream.

Time ordered list of races with link to entry cards below.  Come back after the race and watch the video replay at the Card link.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Wise Dan

LOVE LETTER TO FANS OF WISE DAN!

Not everyone's choice for triple Eclipse honors, including 2012 Horse of the Year (including this writer's),  I have to confess after researching for this piece that I have gained a new appreciation and a new respect for the gelded son of Wiseman's Ferry!  I am glad he won, and more than that, I am appreciative of the fact that we will get to see more of this Champion in 2013!  GO, WISE DAN!!

Wise Dan's first nine starts of his career did little to predict his rise to stardom and receiving highest Eclipse honors two and a half years later.  Making his debut February 26, 2010, at Turfway Park, he did no better than fifth, graduating a month later at the same track.  Out of 9 starts from his first in February 2010 to June 2011, he won 4 and lost 5.  Among his wins was a Grade 3 at Keeneland, but in his losses he could finish no better than 4th.  In what was his second real test against Grade 1 company -- the first being the 2010 Breeders Cup Sprint in which he could do no better than 6th -- the Grade 3 Alysheba at Churchill Downs May 6, 2011, he finished next to last in a field of nine. 

That was to be the last time Wise Dan finished worse than 4th.  In fact, over the next 18 months, beginning in July 2011, he started 11 times, losing only two.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Let's Go To The Races Jan 18-21

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
January 18-21

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

NOTE:AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.
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FLASH:   FREE LIVE STREAMING FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS! click here

Race of the Day: VIDEO - California Derby - Zeewat
Countdown to the Crown - Week 3 - Jan. 18
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now
Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
A look at weekend horse racing around the world
Past weekend racing wrap up
Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard

FEATURED RACES:
Times may vary - All times adjusted to EST

SATURDAY, JAN. 19

2:37 ET  S'shine Millions Filly/Mare Sprint, GP, (R), $150,000g, 4+, f/m, 6f  R5 CARD
3:05 ET  S'shine Millions Filly/Mare Turf, GP (R), $150,000g, 4+, f/m, 9f T R6 CARD
3:35 ET  Sunshine Millions Distaff, GP, (R), $300,000g, 4+, f/m, 9f  R7  CARD
4:05 ET  Sunshine Millions Sprint, GP, (R), $150,000g, 4+, 6f  R8  CARD
4:35 ET Sunshine Millions Turf, GP (R), $150,000g, 4+, 9f T R9 CARD
4:48 ET Evening Attire S, Aqu, $75,000g, 3+, 8.5f, R8 CARD
4:55 ET Louisiana H, FG, $100,000g, 4&up, 8.5f R8 CARD
5:05 ET Sunshine Millions Classic, GP, (R), $400,000g, 4+, 9f R10 CARD
5:25 ET Silverbulletday S, FG, $125,000g, 3yo f, 8.32f, R9 CARD

More on today's races:

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

5:05 ET Kitten's Joy S, Gulfstream, $100,000g, 3yo, 8.5fT R10 CARD
5:44 ET American Beauty S, Oaklawn, $60,000g, 4&up, f/m, 6f R8 CARD
6:36 ET La Canada S, Santa Anita, G2, $150,000g, 4yo f, 8.5f R7 CARD

MONDAY, JAN 21

3:18 ET Jimmy Winkfield S, Aqu $75,000g, 3yo, 6f R7 CARD

3:55 ET Native Dancer S, Laurel, $75,000g, 4&up, 8.5f R8 CARD

4:00 ET San Pedro S, Santa Anita $75,000a, 3yo, 6f R2 CARD

5:30 ET (est. time) Smarty Jones S, Oaklawn, $150,000g, 3yo, 8f CARD - Possible/Probable
6:36 ET Santa Ynez S , Santa Anita, G2, $150,000g, 3yo f, 6.5f R7 CARD

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Road to the Crown 2013

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Whether you are new to the sport, just a fan, or if you have been around a while, these links should provide resources to keep up with the derby preps, the horses, and the standings. Only 20 horses will go to the gate the first Saturay in May. Will your favorite be among the field?


ROAD TO THE CROWN!

STANDINGS, QUALIFYING RACES, RACE REPLAYS, ETC.
Entries for the Kentucky Derby are chosen by a new qualifying system, with a similar system for the Kentucky Oaks.   Road to the Derby qualifying races

KENTUCKY DERBY:  The following is a grid at DRF with all of the races listed, dates, and winners to date for the KY Derby.  Click on the race-name of a race that is completed:  DRF Wall for Kentucky Derby - Videos, replays  See also at the bottom of this post a grid of the new prep season races.

Here is link at the Kentucky Derby site, races, horses, standings, etc.  Includes race replay links.  Kentucky Derby site with horses, list of races

KENTUCKY OAKS:  Follows a similar path, with specific races that award points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Kentucky Oaks site with preps, horses   KY Oaks - Baker's Dozen by Brian Zipse 1-28-13

Following is a grid showing all of the Derby qualifying races, race dates, etc.
Jeremy Plonk's grid of Derby preps

HANDICAPPING GUIDE
Each Friday, JEREMY PLONK publishes his handicapping guide for the Road to Crown, with his picks for the weekend's prep races. Each Friday, check in to see a rundown on the prep races, who the runners are and his picks:  Click here  In the Countdown to the Crown section, click on the most recent date.  Sometimes Jeremy's column isn't posted until later in the day on Fridays, so check back for the current week's action.

Steve Haskin has provided us with a very thorough rundown on the top contenders as they appear at this early date. He reviews each horse's juvenile history, his pedigree -- can the horse go the distance, etc. Steve Haskin's "Destination Louisville" with in-depth look at runners   Haskin's Derby Dozen - Feb. 5, 2013   Haskin's Derby Dozen February 12   Haskin's Derby Dozen Feb. 19, 2013
Haskins Derby Trail - Play the Palace

DRF's Watchmaker-Privman Derby Top 20
Brisnet's James Scully Derby report 2-14-13
Ed DeRosa's Commentary:  Derby futures - 2-12-13
BloodHorse "Triple Crown Mania"  A special section set aside by BloodHorse dedicated to all things Kentucky Derby, including articles, race replays, etc.

TV SCHEDULE FOR PREPS - click here

HELLO RACE FANS has a good site with a grid and charts for each race.  This one is for the Derby:  HRF's Derby prep schedule      HRF's Kentucky Oaks prep races

Leaderboard for KY DerbyKentucky Derby leaderboard
At DRF's Road to the Kentucky Derby section, it includes a list of the completed prep races and links to see replays:  DRF's Road to Kentucky Derby - Preps with Video Replays

Louisville Courier-Journal Special Derby section






Sunday, January 13, 2013

 
SOME SAY
BEST STAYER
EVER? 

BRISNET:  For the Record
June 22, 2009

Yeats' golden quatrain

by Kellie Reilly
When YEATS (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) swept to the front in Thursday's Gold Cup (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, the eight-year-old was powering toward an historic milestone that had never previously been achieved -- a fourth victory in the premier contest for stayers. Seizing the 2 1/2-mile prize in his fierce grasp, the Aidan O'Brien star stormed clear not once, but twice. His initial surge propelled him well clear of the field, with only Patkai (Indian Ridge) desperately trying to mount a rally in midstretch. As Yeats heard the hoofbeats of the pursuing Patkai, he produced yet another change of gear to draw away by 3 1/2 lengths, and to establish a Gold Cup record that may never be equaled.

Friday, January 11, 2013

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
January 12-13

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

NOTE: AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.
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Race of the Day:  VIDEO - San Fernando Stakes - Santa Anita
Countdown to the Crown - Week 1
Countdown to the Crown - Week 2 - Jan 11
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now
Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule

FEATURED RACES:
Times may vary - All times adjusted to EST

Jan. 12 - SATURDAY
3:48 ET Aqueduct: Ruthless S, $75,000g, 3yo f, 6f  R8     CARD
3:55 ET Laurel Park: What a Summer S, $75,000g, 4&up, f/m, 6f R8 CARD
3:55 ET Tampa Bay, Gasparilla S, $50,000g, 3yo f, 7f R8 CARD
4:57 ET Tampa Bay, Pasco S, $50,000g, 3yo, 7f R10 CARD
5:05 ET Gulfstream Park: Fort Lauderdale S G2, $150,000g, 4&up, 8.5fT R10 CARD
5:15 ET Golden Gate Fields: California Derby, $100,000g, 3yo, 8.5f, R4 CARD
5:38 ET Oaklawn Park: Dixie Belle S, $60,000g, 3yo f, 6f R8 CARD
5:49 ET  Fair Grounds: Pan Zareta S, $75,000g, 4&up, f/m, 5.5fT R7 CARD
5:53 ET Turf Paradise: Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, $75,000g, 4&up, 8fT   R8 CARD
6:05 ET Sunland Park: La Senora S (R), $85,000g, 3yo f, NM-bred, 6f R10 CARD
6:36 ET Santa Anita: San Fernando S (gr. II), $150,000g, 4yo, 8.5f R7 CARD

Jan. 13 - SUNDAY
3:48 ET  Aqueduct: Swirlaway S (R), $75,000g, 4&up, f/m, NY-bred, 8f R8  CARD
4:31 ET Paseana H, $75,000a, 4&up, f/m, 8.5f R3 CARD
5:05 ET  Gulfstream Park: Hal's Hope S (gr. III), $100,000g, 4&up, 8f kR10  CARD
7:07 ET  Santa Anita: San Gabriel S (gr. IIT), $150,000g, 4&up, 9f (turf)  R8 CARD