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Good to pop over across the pond once in awhile…love hearing the take over here on the US horses as much as I love getting the spin on all the EUro horses, one thing that is sdly missing at my forum (wish I had more discussions about that as we have a few who REALLY follow European pedigress and there are a few Euro horses we really like alot yet don’t have enough people "in the know" to talk with).
SO THRILLING you like Mucho Macho Man! MY FAVE! I think with the torrential rain they have been having in Kentucky, and his LONG stamina building works (he seems to like an off track too), coupled with several recent defections, he is looking stronger and stronger to me all the time. Still can’t quite figure out how much speed we’ll have in the race to set up for the deep closers but MMM’s style is a stalker and I think if he gets a good trip he’ll be one to watch out for, for certain! Not only that, his woman trainer had a heart transplant a couple years ago and has a small stable and seems VERY hands on with him. And not only that he is residing in Zenyatta’s former stall and if just a smidgeon of her champion and racing ways touch his feet he is sure to run like the ind! I SURE HOPE SO! So many people have changed their mind in recent weeks with the defections and injuries or illnesses or poor finishers in preps but I have been devoted to him since very early on…can’t jump off the bandwagon now!
Any insider info as to whether Master of Hounds will ake the trip? Read some reports that he might stay home and run in the Guineas and would LOVE to know if he is coming for sure. If he does NOT come for the Derby that will open a spot for another lesser know horses (true underdog) named Anthony’s Cross who I have also liked all year and I LOVE his trainer, Eoin Harty )traner of Dubai World Cup winner, Well Armed).
GREAT ATO SEE YOU AGAIN!
Been forveer since I pooped over here but thought I would drop in and say hello and see if anyone was following the Kentucky Derby trail happenings over here? It looks as if the scenario has changed after wwatching Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial. He didnt’ look too happy or MOtivated in the stretch. Of course I have long advocated and cheered for one of his opponents so while I LIKE Uncle Mo I will try to beat him in the Derby with an outsider horse named Mucho Macho Man. While MANY horses are falling off the Kentucky Derby trail due to injury or lack of graded earnings/wins, or are regressing at this stage, it seems Mucho Macho Man (who is a June foal) seems to be getting stronger in his workouts. I don’t know why but I ADORE Him! Well that and his trainer, a woman named Kathy Ritvo had open heart surgery and a heart transplant last year. He was foaled in a field on the farm and they thought he was dead at first because he wasn’t moving and just when they were getting ready to moved a dead foal out, he moved, then stood up and has been strong and happy ever since! LOL! Gotta love those feel good types of Cinderella stories. It is my hope that what seemed to be a strong group of contenders earlier on, is now turning into a weaker crop of horses, and Mucho Macho Man will be ready to tackle them all on Derby day! JUST LOVE HIM!!
Hope everyone is doing well here….and looking forward to our annual Breeder’s Cup preparations and plans for anyone planning on making the journey to Churchill Downs in November 2011!
I’ll try to pop in more and as always you are all more than welcome to visit my forum across the pond (similar to this) and chat it up about any Kentucky Derby horses anyone may be interested in.
http://www.horseracingmania.com/viewforum.php?f=1Anyonee have any KY Derby favorites so far???
I’m not sure if anyone had a chance to see 60 Minutes but HOLY COW it was something indeed! Zenyaata IS a horse for the ages….my husband especially loved her discerning taste in beer (John SHirreffs said she refuses to drink anything BUT Guiness!). LOL! SHe is in W magazine and also Sports Illustrated this month, both of which I purchased and which are awesome.
Also got the Breeder’s CUp free application for my Ipod Tough and took it for a spin today at a free WiFi coffee house and it is something else…going to be very helpful to many and will offer Live Video of all the BC races as well as handicapping information, all the past winners of all the BC races, current BC contenders, and MUCH more! WOrth getting for anyone who has an Ipod Touch (free) or an Ipad or Iphone (fee based for those).
I recommend them all and of course will be certain to try my best and check in with PICS of all the races after the BC weekend.
Go Zenyatta Go!!!!!
Also, if anyone is interested….the Breeder’s Cup has launched a VERY complete application for Iphones, Ipads, and the Ipod Touch. I have and Ipod Touch and upload the FREE application this afternoon and boy is it something. VERY detailed information. The application is free for the Ipod Touch and is a small fee for the Ipad and Iphone applications but it seems to be worth it! Has ALL the information you could possibly need to watch and get informed on all BC contenders and all races. It is just as good as the racing form if not better because it is interactive and updated regularly! I can’t wait to go into a Starbucks tomorrow and take it for a test drive!!! Looks amazing!!!
I shall update when I have had my fill of a latte and BC stuff…as if that will ever happen! Can never get enough lattes or horses for me!H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N A L L!!
Hey Treet – nice post. With that sort of knowledge, maybe you should have a bet every now and again.!
I think that you have the race summed up pretty well but I am still worried about her getting past a wall of horses and none of the jockeys will be prepared to make it easy for her.
I have backed Zenyatta and taken BLAME each way in the race. He has a great record at CD but will probably be the rabbit that Zenyatta chases through at the top of the straight (3rd place would be fine).
Just need the Euro top guns to take the earlier races and I will be able to just sit back and enjoy the spectacle with bulging pockets.
Will still take a Stella from you though out of the Pick 6 winnings..!
Grab a cigar and don’t forget to pack a PINK shirt! When Zen swings to the outside after tracking the field just off the rail, she will go wide and sail to the wire (remember her final splits are her fastest ones once that LONG stride unwinds)….She adores attention so I for one will be thrilled when she swings wide to "show off" as close to her fans as she can get on her way to the wire! I hope she winks at me on her way by!!! LOL! I bet every now and again but usually have my finger glued to the trigger of my camera there isn’t time to run for a wager. I’ll make sure eo weigh in FULLY when we gather for our P6 ticket for sure! Bring a souvenir from Seattle for you, J, abnd BHT too!
Good post but I’m not so sure about this being a hard race for Zenyatta.
Ok I’m not an America and I watch very little American racing but I’m pretty sure if there was a Cigar about I’d have heard about it.
This is without a doubt Zenyatta’s final race and while her last few races were there for the taking this is no doubt the toughest.
Thing is if I know that so does her trainer who obviously is great at his job, so you can bet she’ll be the fittest she’s been since she won last year.
Last year Henry Cecil sent Twice Over for this who was at the top of his form.
Twice Over was going well and fully 5 lengths in front of Zenyatta turning for home with a short run in.
This horse has won 2 champion Stakes and the Eclipse ye Zenyatta cut down he deficit in a matter of strides then to top it all Mike Smith takes a quick pull goes round him accelerates again and goes past like he’s a tree.
Not even Sea the Stars could have done that as impressively and I think many people fail to realize just how good Zenyatta is.
When I looked at Churchill Downs a few weeks back and highlighted the fact it has a much longer straight than last year’s race it convinced me nothing can beat her.
Just how far she would have won by last year had SA had another furlong of straight track to play with is anyone’s guess but it would have been a lot further than she did win by.
Last race of her career Damn!!! I hope Mike Smith says stuff it and really opens her up early in the straight as I don’t think we’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing her flat out when she’s been 100%.
Has the makings of being the greatest day in American racing since Secretariat blew the racing world away in the Belmont in 1973 and it will be a damn shame if it results in anything other than another great performance and win from Zenyatta.
GO ZEN GO!!!Hello All!
Queen Z WILL have to run the race of her life…BUT while she has raced almost exclusively on synthetics, her best winning margins and two of he rmost impressive victories came over dirt. Her trainer says she prefers dirt and the LONG stretch at Churchill plays perfectly to closing style for sure. If Blame is on top of his game it will play well for him and for a couple other closers like Fly Down. There IS more early speed up front than just Haynesfield and Espoir City…Morning Line, FIrst Dude, Etched, and Quality Raod will also be pressing the pace. Looking At Lucky, Musket Man, and Paddy O Prado figure to be in second string stalking the pace..that leaves the closers…Blame, Zenyatta, and FLy Down. Can’t really speak for th erst BUT 1 1/4 miles is Z’s BEST distance and the LONG stretch plays perfectly to her HUGE strides….she may not win like it is a walk in the park this time and since she just loves the fanfare she tends to loaf a bit when she gets to the front BUT mike Smith is a Hall of Fame jockey who has won some of the U.S. most classic races and one who is VERY familiar with closing down the Churchill strech behind a wall of horses…you can bet he’ll keep Zen just where she needs to be and when he pushes the button all 1234 feet of that stretch will open up for those huge bounding strides. She may not win by daylight and WILL have to work harder than perhaops she ever has but I have a feelign we will see those LONG legs unwind full out and we’ll FINALLY get to see her shift into her 5th (and yet unseen gear) it may be close but if ANY horse tried and wants to win noen will try harder the the mighty mare…I will happily be at the rail in midstretch with my camera furiously clicking off three frames per second!! It is sure to be a nail biting, wild and crazy time.
One other thing to consider is the night time racing…the noise…the crowds (I winder how Quality Road is going to handle over TWICE as many people in the dark with the glare of the bright light shingin in his face?…personally I think it was a certain tall, dark and beauitful that scared the patooties off him and the crowd had nothing to do with it! LOL)…if ANY horse adores the attention and knows when to go it is Zenyatta as soon as they start into the stretch and the crowd roars she KNOWS it is time to show off her stuff. Mike may have to shift gears this time but believe me as much as she wants to win, he WANTS her to win and he is going to give the best ride to help her do that!
If she does win, we will have watched a HUGE piece of HISTORY being made before our eyes the likes of which MANY of us will not see again for a long time to come.
After my elation and exhaustion of the day comes to a close I will happily then go find Luther and buy a round of Stellas!!! HAHA! Can’t wait to see you again my friend!!
HOOF HOOF HOORAY!
I sure hope not!!! She is AMAZING!!! The ONLY obstacle I can see is IF they decide to send Sidney’s Candy to the Mile instead of the Turf (distance may be a factor for him)…in which case he will go out to the front (much like Presious Passion did last year in the Turf) and open a long and clear lead…if it is too easy of a lead he may be able to wire the field. I sure hope not. He is a NICE horse but I am a die hard Goldikova fan (as are most of us here) and I hope she mows them all down in the end!! Can’t wait to see her!
Sorry to hear Elliptical didn’t do better and you won’t be making the journey. I have been pouring over the latest Longchamps races…Hooray for Golidkova…can’t wait to see her again!!! She has really shined the last couple years and I have been privileged enough to make the trip the last couple years so I am really excited to see her return for e three-peat. She is just so amazing!ALso read that Workforce won the Arc! Haven’t heard yet whether they are planning to seend him to the Breeder’s Cup or not. Do you know?? Also do you know where I might find the results for the Diamond Stakes @ Dundalk…that is a "Win & You’re In" race for the Breeder’s Cup Marathon and I am trying to keep tabs on all the "Win & You’re In" winners.
I don’t know much about Elliptical, then again I have heard the name but alas we don’t get nearly as much European coverage over here as I would like…Luckily we have a poster from the UK and he kaaps us up to date as much as he can…looking forward to seeing him again at the BC this year…actually met him here!! Great group of guys! Hoping to get the chance to meet more people who are planning a journey to Kentucky in NOvember. Breeder’s Cup weekend is sure going to be exciting…as well that is just a few days after the Melbourne Cup too! I was (and still am) a hopeless fan of the wonder mare Makybe Diva!!! Hope we see another like her someday! For now I’ll just enjoy the magic that is Zenyatta! She has quite the following and if you have ever seen her dance, you would know why! LOL! Good to be back!
It’s been FORVEER since I was here last! Perhaps around Breeder’s Cup time last year. Came to say hello and see how everyone is doing and IF anyone is planning to make the BC trek to Churchill Downs this year. A bunch of us will be there and would love to meet up with anyone for a pint or two!
THANKS SO MUCH for all your glowing praise of our mightiest mare, Zenyatta who won her 19th straight race today and still remains undefeated heading into her final swan song race, the Breeder’s Cup CLassic at Churchill Downs. SHe is such an AMAZING mare to behold that you have to witness her in person to truly believe it. I had the pleasure of meeting her the day after her CLassic win last year (and also Life Is Sweet) and Zenyatta is an absolute pussy cat in the barn! Such a sweet and affectionate horse! Sherriffs has done an amazing job keeping her solid and racing all these years and as fan, I am sad to see her retire after the Breeder’s CUp when she seems to still enjoy what she does. She does indeed seem to be toying with them when she is on the track.
I have an online forum in the U.S. where many of us talk about her and other favorite horses and races and yet I do so enjoy hearing and talking with you folks here on the "other side of the pond" as well. It is delightfully refreshing to read your comments about Zen. We love her so around here!
In reference to some of your comments, YES the stretch at Churchill should suit her perfectly as it takes her quite awhile to get into her full stride and rarely does Mike Smith have to ask her much at all although he has said she loafs on the lead because if he doesn’t remind her to find th ewire she would much prefer to take a sudden turn and go mingle with all of her fans. He still maintains that we have never seen all her gears so maybe on BC weekend we will.
I look forward to popping in over here and sicussin upcomign BC tidbits with all of you and do hope that I shall manage to meet one or two of you in Kentucky in November! I am so excited to go I can barely stand it! Especially to see Zenyatta on eifnal time before her retirement.
Also VERY excited for the ARc and would like to post the field for my friends at my forum so if anyone can recommend a good link to find it I would be very grateful.
I heard Colonel John was being pointed to the Classic. Court Vision will go in the Mile and Goldi will go in the Dirt Mile…Indian Blessing will go in the F & M Sprint…Mine That Bird, despite his loss (many of us over here feel if was jockey error more than horse capability), Summer Bird and Kent Desormeaux will also go in the Classic and have the running style and are doing well right now so he’ll be there. Look for Zensational and Gayego to be battling it out in the Sprint and watch the upcoming races this weekend out of Keeneland and Woodbine for the BC challenge winners will head to CA because this is the last weekend of Win and You’re in races for the Breeder’s Cup. There is also the SPend A Buck stakes at Calder and the Emirates Champion STakes at Newmarket amd the winners gain autmatice entry in the BC starting gate(s).
I too will back Einstein every time…He is a classy older horse who has mastered dirt, turf, and the poly. As for Zenyatta, she is a wonder to behold for sure. After seeing her last year and watching her all year I am even more excited to see her in the paddock. All her fans know to keep the noise quiet so she stays clam but watching her paw, and arch her neck, and prance like a dressage horse is really something to see. She is a MONSTER mare at 17.2 hands and she weighs in at 1,217lbs! That’s HUGE! Most colts don’t even get that big. She is breathtaking and I really think that 1 1/4 miles will suit her. Once she unwinds completely her strides are so long that she covers ground effortlessly and under a HAND RIDE the entire time. Mike SMith never goes to the whip with her. He just tells her to go and she tells him to hang on! LOL! I can’t wait to see the Big Girl again. She is breathtaking.
Actually, it wasn’t a lack of stamina that got Gio POnti, it was the HORRID weather (monsoon rains) and a soggy turf which he does not prefer…he likes a firmer turf so considering the factors he ran a very good race to finsih 2nd. Now they are sayng he will run in the Classic instead of the Turf.
Old Better Talk Now was a great 12F horse…I sure will miss the old guy now that he has retired.
VERY much looking forward to Zenyatta (who runs this weekend in the Lady’s Secret) and see which race they point her to. Some say the Ladies Classic others say that since they apparently haven’t gotten to the bottom of her yet they may send her to the Classic. I think it depends on how well she comes out of Saturday’s race. SHe is a beast for sure though and it would be awesome to see her attempt the CLassic.
I read that Sea the Stars is most likely not coming and while I can’t say that I anm not disappointed since I will be there this year, the horse is absolutely brilliant and certainly deserves a rest. He is a class act and a thrilling horse to watch. I shall feel completely privileged (and in awe) to see him if they do decide to rbing him over to the States for the Breeder’s Cup. I am VERY excited that Goldi is coming over again this year. There are some very good horses from both sides of the pon to spivce up the races and make the weekend a thrilling experience. Just wish Rachel was coming……Is anyone here planning on attending??
(I’ll have 3 cameras with me so if anyone wants any snapshots of particular horses, just PM me let me know)
Dice Man,
No Problem! Happt o help. We just booked our trip a couple days ago and did ALOT of research on the area. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask. After all the mapping we did and exploring beforehand, plus the fact that we went last year, I feel like I know my way around already! LOL!
Irish,
Haha! Are you a fan of Rail Trip?? His trainer, Ron Ellis is a good guy. The horse didn’t do his best in his last race but he is tough for sure and I am hopeful he will make a decent showing on BC day.
Any other favorites yet??
Dice Man,
I went last year and Clubhouse Admission is what we got. It is MORE than adequate and you can go pretty much every where. If you don’t mind walking around and such then Clubhouse is the way to go…It is MUCH cheaper than last year and YES you buy them at the gate. Santa Anita is a nice place and a grand old track. I am sure that if you get Clubhouse tickets (or general admission) you’ll be more than satisfied. You cannot go into the grandstand but if you play your cards right you should be able to catch a seat at the clubhouse (which is just past the finish). We found more than plenty benches and places to sit whenever we wanted to sit.The betting windows can get crowded right before each post parade but if you get in line early enough they have more than enough windows everywhere (and betting voucher machines as well) that you shouldn’t have any problem. We waitied until the last minute a couple times to place our bets and standing in line wasn’t as bad as we would have ever thought considering the crowds.
Be sure to bring some warmer weather clothing. It was in the 80’s last year (check up on the weather when you are packing). It was sunny and beautiful all 4 days we were there.
Hope that helps and if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask.
