Entries tagged with “Belmont” from Picture This
The day belonged to Curlin - the best dirt horse in the world, who became North America’s richest Thoroughbred by winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup. “Beyond Cigar and into the record books!” Tom Durkin would exclaim.
Curlin ran leisurely down the backstretch, started moving around the turn - Mambo in Seattle could not keep up and flattened - ran down the middle of the track, and was hand ridden by Robbie Albarado to the finish over a very game, pace-setting Wandering Boy. Nick Zito, the runner-up’s trainer, said, Curlin is in a different league. I take my hat off to him. He had to be that good today.”
During the press conference, when asked about the Breeder’s Cup, Barbara Banke, Jess Jackson’s wife, said, “We’ll see. He just won this. We’ll see how he comes out of this race. … We’ll wait for our wonderful team to discuss everything, and the course at Santa Anita is also a factor.” The Breeder’s Cup was still up in the air, and the Japan Cup was mentioned.
Within 15 minutes of the press conference, Barbara Banke came down into the press box to specifically announce that come Monday morning, Curlin would be on a plane headed for Santa Anita, to “see if he likes the track.”
Well it’s about time. Jess Jackson has been trying since the beginning of the summer to get Big Brown to meet Curlin on a traditional dirt course, but IEAH have not fallen for the bait. They have always said that the Breeder’s Cup Classic was the goal for their Derby winner. Jackson and company had to face the fact that they had to go to California at some point; I guess they figured the sooner the better, see if he likes the Pro Ride surface at Santa Anita. If not, they have said they can go to the Clark Handicap at Churchill or the Japan Dirt Cup in the beginning of December. But they had to at least see if their champion likes the track.
Either way Curlin is on his way to another Horse of the Year, unless of course, Big Brown proves to be a SUPERHORSE and destroys the Classic field. I don’t see this happening.
Because I’m biased, and feel Curlin is the BEST HORSE IN THE WORLD.
THE UNDERCARD
IN THE BELDAME, I would have said was another “gimme” race. Ginger Punch was supposed to be the ‘gimme’, was supposed to beat up on that field.
Ginger Punch was leading the field all the way around, Lemon Drop Mom at her flank. Ginger Punch shook her off, only to be challenged by Cocoa Beach, those two battling down the stretch, with Cocoa Beach finally winning by ½ length.
With Zenyatta winning today, I don't think Ginger Punch will get another eclipse, unless she beats Zenyatta in the Ladies' Classic.
THE FLOWER BOWL INVITATIONAL
Mauralakana was the favorite, not quite a “gimme,” but pretty darn close. But it was Dynaforce, the 2nd choice, who lead most of the way around the soft turf, withstood a challenge from Mauralakana, and pulled away the last furlong.
VOSBURGH
Probably the deepest field of the Grade I races on the card, some very good sprinters were in this race. But an upset at 23 - 1 surprised everyone, with another exciting stretch drive. Black Seventeen fought with Fabulous Strike to win by a head, and paying $49.60.
Black Seventeen upsets at 23 to 1
JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC INVITATIONAL
Another good field, this race had no real pace, but the eventual winner, Grand Couturier, was a surprise to me. He’s won 2 races since 2007, the 2007 & 2008 editions of the Sword Dancer at Saratoga. He hasn’t won at Belmont, and according to past performances, hasn’t won on soft or yielding turf. I liked this horse, but thought no way he wins this race.
And of course, he won laughing, by 10 lengths.
Jess Jackson’s and Steve Assmussen’s experiment with Curlin, who finished 2nd to 2006 Breeder’s Cup winner Red Rocks, proved inconclusive at best. Not that Curlin ran a bad race (as if he ever could do that), he just didn’t run a great race. He didn’t run an effort that would propel Curlin on to France to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It remains to be seen how he comes out of this race.
Red Rocks wins the Gr. I Man O' War at Belmont.
“We didn’t see that late kick from him today,” said owner Jesse Jackson, “I don’t know if that was because he is still getting used to the turf or what… My feeling right now is that he needs another turf test.”
Steve Assmussen seems a little less sure, saying,” We’ll just evaluate how he came out of the race. I don’t want to rush to judgment … We’ll monitor his condition.”
Again Curlin didn’t have a bad race, it was just not a typical Curlin race. It was a strangely run race as well. Sudan and Mission Approved decided to get into a speed duel for the 1st mile, running an opening quarter in a ridiculous 22.69 for a 1 3/8 race. They opened up 10 lengths on Red Rocks, running in 3rd, who had 3 to 5 lengths on Curlin, running fourth, down the backside. Red Rocks got the jump on Curlin, and Curlin couldn’t get closer than a length to the winner. 2004 BC Turf winner Better Talk Now finished ½ length back in 3rd - the Breeder’s Cup winners finished 1-2-3.
Curlin chases Red Rocks, Better Talk Now not even in picture yet
The crowd of 8,428 gave Curlin a warm reception in the paddock, and applauded him on his return to be unsaddled. The question remains - did Curlin like the turf, and just needs to adapt? Or did he run second on a surface he hated, and did it on class alone?
It seems Mr. Jackson and Robby Albarado want to give Curlin another shot on the grass. Assmussen seems less inclined - but he will do what the man who pays the bills wants to do. Jackson already said if it doesn’t work out they’ll go back to dirt. What Jackson doesn’t want is to have his star “run on plastic.” He is not a fan of synthetic surfaces, he feels horses have been running in turf and dirt for hundreds of years. The Arc idea is his way of avoiding Santa Anita and it’s “plastic” track.
Mr. Jackson is a throw-back to the olden days of horse racing - recalling the days when he saw Seabiscuit running, and of bidding against the same horse as Bing Crosby at the sales. I was listening to Jess Jackson in the press box, talking about what it is he wants for his horse. He wants to do more than beat up on the same bunch of horses for the remainder of the year. He wants to keep running his horse as long as he’s sound, and when he looks into your eyes and speaks to YOU, you come to understand what he wants, and that it’s more than a just line of bullshit. He really wants to showcase his horse, and to show that horses can be bred to be sound, and have stamina. That it’s not about the stud deals - some claim he couldn’t get a big deal because Curlin’s pedigree isn’t commercial enough - but as Jackson stated “I don’t need the money.”
Jess Jackson, majority owner of Curlin
Maybe if the turf experiment doesn’t work, maybe there is an alternate path for the Curlin crew. If they are so opposed to running on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface of this year’s Breeder’s Cup, perhaps there is another race they can aim for, if they want to make their champion an international star. It’s on the other side of the world - the Japan Dirt Cup. It is at the end of November, and best of all, it’s run on dirt, a surface on which Curlin dominates.
Kip Deville wins the pot in the Poker Handicap
The 4th Breeder’s Cup winner running this weekend at Belmont was the 2007 Mile winner, Kip Deville. But as usual, Kip Deville was a true professional, and basically toyed with the field in the Grade III Poker Handicap on Sunday. The field included Steppenwolfer, 3rd place finisher in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Kip Deville wins the Poker Handicap easy
Steppenwolfer was the looker in the paddock and the post parade - I loved his neck, and he was a very powerful looking individual - too bad he didn’t run a lick, and he finished last.
But Kip Deville is well on his way to make another run in the Mile, and might become one of the few back-to-back winners of a Breeder’s Cup race.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written and posted anything, so there’s a few things I needs to catch up on.
First let me say again - Curlin is THE BEST HORSE IN THE WORLD!
Curlin wins Stephen Foster Equisports Photos 2008
The 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin made his first North American start since winning in
The next scheduled workout for Curlin is due to be on the turf on July 1st. If he handles the turf, his next start will be on the turf in the Arlington Handicap, or the Man O’War at
I would love to see Curlin take on the best in
Two other horses I want to note, won today as well. The first was my original Derby Horse, Pyro, was running in the Northern Dancer, against some other Triple Crown trail horses, such as Visionaire, Recapturetheglory, and Texas Wildcatter. Pyro unleashed his patented kick down the stretch, and won easy. I’m very glad he is back.
Ginger Punch wins Ogden Phipps At Belmont 2008 Sue K Photos
2007 champion older female, Ginger Punch ran that same day at
BIG BROWN - IN SEACH OF AN EXCUSE …..
Seems the media, as well as Big Brown’s connections are still looking for a rhyme or a reason for the colt’s embarrassing last place finish in the
- The horse didn’t get his steroid shot;
- The quarter crack caused discomfort;
- 5 days missed training due to said crack;
- The horse was too rank and tired;
- The weather - it was too hot, and;
- He was not sweating as he should in that heat;
- Didn’t like the
- The starter on the track - I guess the starter’s fashion sense (White pants/dark blue jacket) frightened the horse;
- The trash talk of Dutrow pissed off the racing gods;
- Jim McKay died that morning - bad karma;
- There was another shooter over on the grassy knoll.
Maybe the problem is that Big Brown is a horse, and not a machine, and it was just not his day. Maybe that is the reason, or not. Maybe simply because it’s a horse race, and anything can, and usually does, happen. It’s going to remain one of racing’s mysteries ….
Dominate Preakness Victory Sends Big Brown to New York
Are you excited? I know I am. Big Brown is the 4th horse of the new millennium, joining War Emblem, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones, who have won the first two legs of the elusive Triple Crown. He seems to have the best shot to do it.
Being trackside, one does not have a good perspective of how the race is unfolding, I just know Big Brown won with the greatest of ease. It was not until I returned home, and watched the race that I became a believer in Big Brown. I believe we are looking at the 12th Triple Crown winner. Big Brown actually slipped in the break, but still managed to get out of the gate quickly, and settle in along the rail behind pace setters Gayego and Riley Tucker. Kent Desormeaux was patient, waiting to move Big Brown off the rail, and out of trouble, in third, never more than 2 lengths off the leaders.
Desormeaux began moving Big Brown around the far turn, past the tiring pacesetters. At the top of the stretch, Kent shook his reins, and Big Brown showed a burst of acceleration that took my breath away, and left the other contenders in the dust. He galloped for most of the Preakness. He actually raced for maybe 3 furlongs, and he won by 5 ¼ lengths, and was gearing down at the finish. Desormeaux was leaving plenty in the tank for the Belmont.
On now to New York, and the Belmont Stakes, where racing destiny awaits Big Brown. Also awaiting him will be Casino Drive, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 10th.
Casino Drive is an interesting story - an American-bred son of Mineshaft, out of the broodmare Better Than Honor, was purchased by Japanese businessman Hidetoshi Yamamoto for $950,000. He is ¾ brother to 2007 Belmont winner Rags To Riches, and ½ brother to the 2006 Belmont winner Jazil. His owner and his trainer, Kazuo Fujisawa, decided to bring Casino Drive to New York for the specific purpose of running in the Belmont.
They decided to prep him by running him, in his second start, in the Peter Pan Stakes. Casino Drive was impressive and professional, finishing under a hand ride the 1 1/8 in 1:47.87. What made his win impressive is he did it not only in his second career start, but off a two-month layoff, long trip, and quarantine.
Interestingly enough, Kent Desormeaux piloted the colt, and said afterwards, “Yeah, he can run a lot. It’s going to be fun. He’s a phenomenal talent, and we’ve got our hands full with this one. It’s going to be exciting for all of the fans. He’s got that stride.”
Question is does Kent believe all of that, or is he just being, shall we say, diplomatic? My guess is a little bit of both. The colt obviously has talent, but who did he beat really? And is a 1½ race too much for the colt’s 3rd start? Maybe not, he has the breeding to do it. And it would be unprecedented for a broodmare, Better Than Honour, to have 3 consecutive winners in the same classic race. I believe someone put the odds at 40 trillion to 1.
Now, come Belmont Stakes day, Casino Drive will have better odds than that, but I don’t think it will matter. I think Big Brown will inhale him, just like he did with other 31 rivals in the last two legs of the Triple Crown.
I have become a believer in Big Brown. I have come to believe that Big Brown will be the 12th Triple Crown winner. I know he will probably never set foot on the racetrack again if he wins on June 7th, but I don’t care. This is a special animal - he is a freak. And racing needs this horse to win the Triple Crown. It would be tremendous for racing’s PR, which has been hurting as of late. It would also prove that it can still be done, that the formula doesn’t need to bee changed. That D. Wayne Lukas and others were wrong for calling for the shortening of the distances of the Triple Crown races, and spacing the running dates further apart, all to accommodate commercially bred horses that only gasp to the finish line in 1 1/8 route races.
I want Big Brown to end the drought. I want to see another Triple Crown winner - I saw Affirmed do it 30 years, I want to see Big Brown do it. I want the chance to photograph a Triple Crown winner. But mostly, for the sport, I want a Triple Crown winner.
Feed Subscription
If you use an RSS reader, you can subscribe to a feed of all future entries tagged “Belmont”.
