Entries tagged with “Giant Moon” from Picture This
A bit late in getting this posted, but here I am. Knew you all would be thrilled.
Last Saturday, April 4th, was Aqueduct’s big day of the Spring Meet, the premier race and major Kentucky Derby prep being the Wood Memorial, for 3 year olds running a 1 1/8. Also that day was a strong undercard.
Capt. Candyman Can wins the Bay Shore Stakes
The Grade III Bay Shore, at 7 furlongs was the first of the stakes races. The favorite was Capt. Candyman Can, who was on the Derby trail, whose connections realizing they did not have a “classic horse,” decided not to ruin the horse, and keep him short. The decision paid of as Javier Castellano guided the Candy Ride (ARG) colt to an easy 3 ¾ length victory.
Giant Moon (l.) battles with Cool Coal Man
Next up was the Excelsior Handicap, 1 1/8 for 3 year olds and up. The favorite was Barrier Reef, who was tearing it up all winter on the inner dirt track. But Barrier Reef had his share of problems - getting blocked and going five wide on the turn - and could do no better than third. That did not take away from a thrilling stretch drive between Cool Coal Man, who spurted away along the backstretch, and Darley’s Giant Moon, who pressed the pace all the way. In the end, Cool Coal Man grugingly gave way, and Giant Moon with Edgar Prado on board, won by ½ length.
Giant Moon with Edgar Prado up
The $750,000 Wood Memorial was one of four Kentucky Derby prep races across the country that day. It started off dramatic enough when Imperial Council got goofy in the paddock, freaked out a pick, reared up and promptly landed on his horsey ass, and had pretty much run his race right there.
I Want Revenge breaks in the air at the start
The there was the start. The gates opened, the horses broke - all except the favorite, I Want Revenge - who reared in the gate and broke when his front legs in the air. He immediately gave the field several lengths. But young Joe Talamo, all of 17 years old - or did he finally turn 18? - didn’t panic, and moved his horse into contention by the final turn. He encountered a wall of horses at the top of the stretch. Lucky for him, Atomic Rain, ridden by Joe Bravo, moved out from the rail, and bounced into I Want Revenge, and pin-balled him out to a just-opening hole. Joe put him into another gear, where he easily won by 1 ½ lengths over West Side Bernie.
I Want Revenge down the stretch
I Want Revenge and Joe Talamo over West Side Bernie
Too bad a lot of the crowd left. They missed a terrific finish in the Carter Handicap, a Grade I for older horses at 7 furlongs. Front running Fabulous Strike looked to be the winner, but Kodiak Kowboy, after going five wide, closed steadily to catch Fabulous Strike at the wire, and win by a head.
Kodiak Kowboy catches Fabulous Steike at the wire
New York Racing Association’s Triple Crown trail kicked off on January 5, 2008 with the 33rd running of the Count Fleet at Aqueduct. It was a step up to open class for the undefeated Giant Moon, a New York-bred son of Giant’s Causeway, facing some other hopefuls such as Roman Emperor, a son of Empire Maker, Darley Stable’s Barrier Reef, and Spanky Fischbein, the only other New York-bred in the race. 
New York’s Triple Crown trail continues with The Whirlaway on February 2nd, The Gotham on March 8th, and the Wood Memorial on April 5th. At least it will hopefully …
NYRA’s franchise extension ends on the January 23rd, and the politicians of New York have still not reached an agreement (SURPRISE! SURPRISE!). There seems to be a couple of sticking issues though. Seems Senate Leader Joe Bruno wants a new NYRA board, and slots in Belmont, as well as in already approved Aqueduct. Governor Spitzer likes this idea as well. Holding out is Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver, who is dead set against slots at Belmont - said they are already approved at Aqueduct, so apparently sees no need - at least until he gets some yet-to-be-named future political favor.
So yet again the inefficient politicians of New York are playing the game, at the expense of people and businesses that are sustained by racing in New York. But do these stooges really care? They care about their partisan politics, what political favors can be gained now or in the future, and basically how they can add to their already deep pockets. In other words, business as usual. 
It would really be a shame if New York doesn’t have a say in the race to the Kentucky Derby because of politics. There is too much history behind these races to see them fall by the side. And there are no winners in this scenario.
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