Racehorse Fitness: What Aren't We Doing?

Pre-Race Blowouts

Pre-race blowouts, which happen three days before a race at the most, have become increasingly uncommon in the modern-day American racing scene. After having the opportunity to watch the works every morning of the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, I was surprised to see the majority of American horses on the track for such a leisurely gallop during this time frame.  

Having been a competitive swimmer, I take note of the different training styles between swimming and horse racing.  I particularly observed the dissimilarities between how swimmers and American racehorses prepare prior to competing.  Swimming and horse racing are obviously two different sports, but they have parallel goals: strength and endurance.

These pre-race blowouts are crucial because thirty percent of a horse’s red blood cell count occupies the spleen, which only contracts when a horse is asked for his best effort.  When the spleen contracts, it shoots all its red blood cells into the blood vessels. The spleen then fills with newly oxygenated blood cells.  These new blood cells that will be used on race day do not only carry more oxygen to give more energy to a horse’s muscles, but also these lighter cells are more easily moved through the vessels.

Post-Parade Gallops 

Shortly before each race at a swim meet, I would jump into the pool for a short, relatively aggressive warm-up to loosen my muscles, and sharpen myself for the upcoming event.  I have never understood why America’s equine athletes do no more than a light canter in the post-parade before they break from the gates, going from zero to forty miles per hour in only a few strides without what I would deem as a sufficient warm-up.

Aside from the benefits of warming the tendons, ligaments and muscles, a proper warm-up has another important effect on the racehorse in particular: EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage).  When the spleen sends the additional red blood cells into the horse’s blood vessels, the capillaries need time to expand so they can withstand the pressures of the newly added blood.  The vessels in the lungs end in air-sacs called alveoli which are enclosed by capillaries, a tiny group of blood vessels about one percent of the thickness of a human hair.  On average, one horse alone has about three hundred billion capillaries.  When these capillaries burst due to pressure, bleeding in the lungs ensues.

The common protocol in other countries is to breeze the horses one furlong to ¼ mile at a twelve to thirteen second clip for each furlong.  This takes place five to seven minutes prior to post time.  The short sprint contracts the spleen and sends the blood cells into the system. When the horse reduces his speed, the capillaries are given time to dilate safely before loading into the gate.  If horses are not given this warm-up, and break out of the gate at full speed, the capillaries are overwhelmed by the excessive red blood cells, resulting in bleeding (EIPH).

The mutual complaint among horse racing enthusiasts of all kinds is that the Thoroughbred has become a weaker breed.  The present-day horses have a sizable presence of the “iron horses” from the bygone years in their pedigrees. Consequently, it is nonsensical to believe that the overall quality of the breed has lowered enough to support such a theory.   

Perhaps we should take a look at the differences that separate the past and present in the how the horses are conditioned.  Our modern day training techniques should be held accountable and adjusted to accommodate the technology and knowledge so readily available.  Pre-race blowouts and post-parade warm-ups seem to be a great place to start.

Giving Thanks: Goldikova

Every Thanksgiving, my family and I awaken to watch the various parades in honor of the holiday as my mom begins to prepare our special dinner.  The scents of our meal and the sights of joy I witness through the television thrust me into a mode of holiday cheer.  On Thanksgiving, there is so much I am appreciative of, but this year, I direct my gratitude towards Goldikova, and her connections.  I am grateful that her owners, Wertheimer & Fere, shared their renowned mare with the racing world for an extended period of time.  As she accumulated her Breeders’ Cup Mile wins, Goldikova could have easily be sent off to the breeding shed with her record intact.  However, they chose to reach for the stars with Goldikova.  In return, she rewrote the history books.

Goldikova on the walk-over for the 2011 Breeders' Cup Mile

Photo courtesy of M.D. West

Over four years ago, Goldikova made her track debut as a two year old.  Little did anyone know that the plain, yet endearing bay filly was making her first steps towards greatness until she crossed the wire victorious by four lengths. 

Goldikova blossomed into a formidable three year old.  Multiple times, she saw the heels of Zarkava early in the year before she went on to triumph in a Group III, followed by a Group I against fillies and mares. In the Prix Du Moulin De Lomchamp, her next start, she denied a field of colts such as Paco Boy and Henrythenavigator a win. 

Goldikova then invaded the United States for a 1 ¼ length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile under the San Gabriel Mountains at Santa Anita.  This made her trainer, Freddie Head, the first to win as a jockey, and again as a trainer.  He won two consecutive editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile aboard Miesque, a filly of legendary status. 

Her first time back to racing in 2009 came in the form of a seventh place effort in the Group I Prix D’Ispahan against horses of both genders.  Goldikova bounced back with a ½ length win against fillies and mares in Newmarket’s Falmouth Stakes, another Group I event.  Goldikova made her two next track appearances wins, one of which was by six lengths against males.  That start was followed by a third place in the Prix De La Foret that positioned her just ½ length off Varenar, who was that day’s champion. 

Goldikova returned to Santa Anita Park in California for that year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile as a four year old filly.  Breaking from the eleventh gate with Olivier Peslier aboard, she settled into tenth place, and slowly crept up on the lead.  At the top of the home straight, about two lengths off the lead, Goldikova was in fifth after traveling four paths wide around the second turn.  Goldikova responded from Peslier’s urges, and stole the lead nearing the wire.  With this outstanding triumph in a blistering 1:32.26, Goldikova tied Miesque’s record for most wins by a horse in the Breeders’ Cup.

This mare flourished at five, having but one loss out of six starts, that being a second place in the Group I Prix Du Haras De Fresney-Le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois, 2 ½ lengths behind Makfi, a three year old colt.  She showed horses such as Paco Boy, and the popular Rip Van Winkle her heels in the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes.  In the Prix Rothschild, she conquered a field of six other fillies and mares by three lengths.

Goldikova visited the twin spires of Churchill Downs in 2010 to hold her title as the defending champion of the Breeders’ Cup Mile.  She was challenged by a field of ten adversaries including seven-time Grade I winner, Gio Ponti. Peslier, the only jockey to ride Goldikova, kept her in sixth for most of the race.  He repeated the move he made around the final turn in 2009 by taking her several paths wide.  At the top of the stretch, she was positioned in second place with only 1 ½ lengths to gain.  With ¹/₁₆ to cover, Goldikova overtook the pacemaker, Sidney’s Candy, before going on to win by 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Gio Ponti, who finished second.  As Goldikova crossed the wire with her third consecutive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, she shattered Miesque’s record of consecutive wins in the weekend-long championships.

She returned to racing in 2011 as a six year old glorious by a neck in the Prix D’Ispahan against colts four and older.  Next time out in the Queen Anne Stakes on opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting, Canford Cliffs dethroned Goldikova with a winning margin of one length.  She revisited the shores of Deauville to defeat seven opposing fillies and mares in the Prix Rothschild, and then for a second place one length behind the impressive filly, Immortal Verse, in the Prix Du Haras De Fresney-Le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois. 

The Prix De Le Foret was her final start in France, the final time her greatest fans would see her barrel down the homestretch in the flesh.  On this undercard race to the Arc, she had the victory in hand down the stretch.  However, the improving Dream Ahead rushed up for a challenge, and stole it away by a head at the finish.  Goldikova left the French racing scene as a champion in defeat, giving her fans a spectacular culmination to her four year racing campaign in France.

Goldikova looked to extend her historic margin in this year’s rendition of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, again at Churchill Downs.  She was to make her last start in the race that she had owned for the past three years.  Having reigned in the Mile for such a period of time, some people could not recall who the Mile’s champion was prior to Goldikova.

                       Goldikova on the walk-over for the 2011 Breeders' Cup Mile

                                        Photo courtesy of M.D. West

As the sun bade farewell to the final day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Goldikova stepped onto the track for the last time; only once more would she hear the call to the post.  Peslier would never again sit atop the little bay.  It is likely that he will never again feel the surge of such a tremendous animal underneath him as he turns for home.

Goldikova in the post parade for the Breeders' Cup Mile

Photo courtesy of M.D. West

Down the homestretch she thundered with her best effort.  In mid-stretch, she grasped the lead with marvelous speed.  In her moment of triumph, golden rays danced in her eyes.  Seeing the oncoming rush of 65-1 shot Court Vision, and Turallure, Peslier called upon his charger of diminutive stature, but behemoth in heart.  She could not hold off the surge from her challengers, and finished a strong third by the margin of one length, and later survived a long inquiry for her actions halfway through the race.

Coming down the homestretch in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Mile

Photo courtesy of M.D. West

I am incredibly thankful to have seen Goldikova firsthand for a week at the Breeders’ Cup.  Though I never met Goldikova, I feel that I got to know her over this time.  Her diva personality was charismatic, and her countenance was charming.  When she came out with her group on a pleasant morning, she could instantly be spotted as the tough little mare tossing her head, and constantly fussing with her rider.

As Goldikova graced the winner’s enclosure with her presence in 2010, a muted scene surrounded her.  A mere round of applause is what she garnered following her historic feat.  I was among those who excitedly anticipated Zenyatta’s run at perfection that day, and feel that Goldikova’s performance went unjustly praised.  She did not garner the esteem from the American audience that she deserved.  Her legendary career has been a gift to racing in every corner of the world, and should be appreciated as such.  I have been so fortunate to see her run over the years, and to be old enough to understand that she is a magnificent creature unlike any other.  Next year will be much different without Goldikova, for I have never witnessed a Breeders’ Cup without this special mare. 

On this special day, I give thanks to Goldikova, and her connections!


Click here to watch Goldikova's track appearance on the Tuesday before the Breeders' Cup

Horse of the Year 2011: Cape Blanco

My mother and I left the Joe Hirsch Media Center at Churchill Downs shortly after Drosselmeyer crossed the wire triumphant in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. We stood waiting for the elevator with a cluster of Turf writers, who were baffled by what to make of Horse of the Year. One stated, “Drosselmeyer? Really? How can Horse of the Year get any more unclear?” What they saw in the Horse of the Year debate was an impressionist painting, but I found myself flummoxed at how they did not take notice of 2011’s obvious champion: Cape Blanco.

This brilliant colt exceeds the requirements for the year-end honor, going above and beyond what any other horse has done in 2011. Cape Blanco has performed well on multiple surfaces, has made history, and has consistently defeated horses of the highest caliber despite his enormous number of frequent flyer miles. Yet he fails to appear on many people’s top ten lists.

Cape Blanco began his year with a fourth place effort in the Dubai World Cup that positioned him just one length off the winner, Victoire Pisa. The world’s richest race offering a ten million dollar purse is contested at 1 ¼ miles over a synthetic surface. Though turf is quite similar to synthetics in some aspects, this displayed Cape Blanco’s versatility. The common protocol for horses contesting in the Dubai World Cup is to start over the Meydan Racecourse oval. However, Cape Blanco did not compete over the track prior to the Dubai World Cup.

Next time out, he contended in the Prix Ganay – Prix Air Mauritius with another solid fourth place finish, just 2 ½ lengths off the winner. The Prix Ganay – Prix Air Maunritius was held only one month after the Dubai World Cup, showing Cape Blanco’s durability and consistency. Many horses are never the same after the Dubai World Cup, but this chestnut Aidan O’Brien trainee came back in strong form.

He was then sent to the United States where he would get his first win of the year in the Man O’ War Stakes, against the incredible seven-time Grade I stakes winner, Gio Ponti. In this one mile, three furlong contest, Cape Blanco tracked the pacemaker, Mission Approved, from second place, and took the lead leaving the ¹/₈ pole to win by 2 ¼ lengths.

Following that victory, Cape Blanco was shipped back to Ballydoyle before his next start in the Arlington Million six weeks later. Arriving a week in advance, he showed his heels to Gio Ponti for the third time this year. Cape Blanco defeated nine others by 2 ½ lengths with a time of 2:05.39 over a yielding course.

Once again Cape Blanco was returned to Ireland. Over a month later, Cape Blanco returned to New York for the 1 ½ mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational run on an agonizingly slow, yielding track. He showed true girt in this race by overcoming the horrific going to hold off Dean’s Kitten down the stretch. Cape Blanco sustained a slab fracture of his knee in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, consequently ending his racing career far too early.  “Cape Blanco is an extremely talented and courageous horse with a tremendous attitude to his racing, so we will all be very sad to see him leave Ballydoyle.” Aidan O’Brien said. “The fact that he never once changed leads in the home straight in spite of his injury just goes to prove what a brave horse he is.” With his performance in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Cape Blanco left the racecourse in bold fashion.

Cape Blanco has run consistently from his first start to his last. The Queen Anne against Canford Cliffs and Goldikova was his only poor start, and can be chalked up to a race that did not fit his preferences. He is undefeated in the United States, and between each start, he flew back to Ireland. Cape Blanco is the first horse in history to make three flights from abroad to the United States and win three Grade I’s in one year. This horse has traveled a total of approximately 25,000 miles in 2011, and has maintained a high level of quality that few can accomplish under much kinder conditions. Many have proclaimed that 2011 has not bequeathed a standout, but Cape Blanco has proven to be a phenomenal racehorse measured against any year.

Acclamation poses as Cape Blanco’s main rival for the Horse of the Year title, because he has had a somewhat similar 2011 campaign. Acclamation also won three Grade I events, including the Pacific Classic over synthetics.

However, Cape Blanco has the edge due to the massive difference in mileage, and that Acclamation did not win until May. He finished fifth in his first start of the year, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile, beaten by three lengths. Acclamation finished tenth and last in his next start, the GIII Charles Town Classic defeated by nineteen lengths. However, this proves to be a throw-out race because it is plausible that he did not enjoy the sloppy surface.

Despite these two horses’ spectacular years, they do not garner many votes. Acclamation remains an afterthought while Cape Blanco does not grace the list at all. The leading candidates are Havre de Grace, and Game on Dude.

Game on Dude is a formidable horse with reliability, but has only a single Grade I to his credit. Havre de Grace had a very strong 2011 campaign, but has primarily faced small fields consisting of fillies. When she won against the boys in the Woodward, she faced quality colts, but not the leading males of the year. The field included Flat Out, who seemed to improve after the Woodward. She gave a solid fourth place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but did not claim Horse of the Year.

When being considered for Horse of the Year, Cape Blanco should not be discriminated for being from abroad, in addition to being a turf horse, as some horses have in the past. It does not matter what corner of the world Cape Blanco is from, having half his starts this year in the United States. It only matters how talented he is, and he has shown to be the best this year. Hence, he is unquestionably worthy of being honored with Horse of the Year.

An interesting note unrelated to Horse of the Year:  Cape Blanco is standing at Ashford Stud in Lexington, Kentucky, Coolmore’s American branch, when he could have easily stood in Ireland.  I am extremely thankful that Coolmore chose to stand him in America, where he completed his racing career.  North American racing needs outstanding turf blood infused into the modern day pedigrees, and Cape Blanco, a son of Galileo, could be the catalyst for this.

I originally planned to follow up with an article on my choice for the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer, Aidan O’Brien, but after reading Steve Haskin’s article, I feel that my piece would be redundant.  I implore you to read his article, Aidan and a Bettin’.

Breeders' Cup 2011 Impressions

“Did you have a good time at the Breeders’ Cup?” This has been a common question I have heard upon returning to my home. I find myself wondering how to respond. How does one explain upon returning from Heaven as being “a good time”? All my expectations of sights, sounds and smells exceeded my imagination. To see with my own eyes the heroes of the track gallantly obeying the command to push harder, to push farther, the air in their lungs forced into the cool morning sky as their hooves grasp at the surface pulling them down the track.

The twin spires lit in a dark purple in anticipation of the Breeders’ Cup awakened early every morning. The fluorescent lights illuminated the dirt course bringing it from night to day in an instant. Onlookers shuffled for position in one of the few clockers’ towers dotted along the backside of the track. By 6:00 AM the track began to fill reminding me of a subway station filling with travelers. Horses and riders moved with their own agenda, at different paces, in different directions walking, trotting and galloping.

My hot chocolate was the only source of heat in this chilly wonderland when I settled into my place along the rail of the stand. As the eventual Ladies’ Classic winner, Royal Delta, trotted the wrong way around the first turn, her trainer, Bill Mott, atop a striking black and white paint, regaled us with the story of how he acquired his lead pony from a Fourth of July parade in South Dakota.

The rapid clicking of photographers’ cameras ensued when a colt bearing the golden Breeders’ Cup contender saddle pad passed us by. Usually quiet, the dwellers of the stand joined together in a chorus, murmuring the horse’s name and description into walkie-talkies. “Big Drama, wearing four white wraps with the rider in a purple jacket and a black helmet, entering from the Lukas Gap with a lead pony going the wrong way towards the first turn.”

After a short time, I ventured down from my perch to the chute in order to get a closer look at the horses as they entered. I found a sufficient position on the dewy rail, allowing me the view of the first turn.

I listened to the voices around me, declaring, “The Euros are coming!” I had eagerly awaited the track appearances of horses such as Goldikova, Midday, and So You Think.  It was incomprehensible to imagine seeing them through my own eyes, separated only by a few yards.

The nose of Zoffany was the first from the chute, leading the O’Brien string to the dirt oval for the first time. The three year old colt was followed by Coolmore’s latest sensation, So You Think. He would become Aidan O’Brien’s first Breeders’ Cup Classic contender since the ill-fated George Washington whose Classic attempt ended in catastrophe. The string of Breeders’ Cup contenders included St. Nicholas Abbey, and Wrote, who would go on to win two of the weekend’s championship races. Just as everyone else on the backstretch that morning, I got a brief glance at these globetrotting stars before they made a sharp turn towards the homestretch. They proceeded on the outer rail, one by one like a casual trail ride under the twin spires.

Each day’s works concluded with thirty minutes for horses to gallop over the turf course for Breeders’ Cup contenders. When the rail separating the dirt and turf course had been opened, people would gather, and follow the horses across the dirt oval, and onto the turf. The horses would proceed to gallop away towards the far turn. Being able to see these horses so up close and personal made this the best part of the morning on most days. I watched Breeders’ Cup Turf second placer, Sea Moon; Sidney’s Candy, Aruna, Elusive Kate, Court Vision, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile; Courageous Cat, among many other impressive horses. I watched Shared Account grace the turf course that she won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on last year. She was one of the horses I looked forward to seeing the most, for I have followed her since her three year old year, and have written articles on her (Connecting Past to Present, Sharing Shared Account)

The works have always been something I deeply enjoy when I visit the racetrack. Watching famed trainers and jockeys work with their hopefuls was very inspirational. A parade of champions began each day of the week preceding the Breeders’ Cup. I watched one division star gallop off into the far turn, and discovered another entering from the chute. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will always have a special place in my heart, not just for being my first attended, but for being an experience unlike any other. Witnessing these spectacular animals from every corner of the globe run together throughout the week cannot be rivaled.

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Final Day

*Jackson Bend is in the Sprint

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! The Daily Double

Ladies’ Classic:

This year’s edition of the Ladies’ Classic brings together a formidable field of fillies and mares three and older.  Tonight’s Ladies’ Classic is headlined by morning line favorite, Plum Pretty, who will be my choice for this race.  It has been argued that the pace will be too hot for her to handle, but she has proven to run well under the pressure of a competitor.  This was proved in the Sunland Park Oaks where she was pressured through a half in :46.83, and in the Kentucky Oaks, where she made the pace with a one length lead or less through the ¾ mile.  Coming off her two second places, and her fourth in the Alabama, she appeared to be a tired horse that would be at her best near the one mile distance.  In the Cotillion Stakes on a fast track, she made a rapid pace under Rafael Bejarano, and pulled away to win by 7 ½ lengths.  Though this race was at 1 ¹/₁₆ mile, it showed that she can run the distance of 1 ¹/₈ miles at which the Ladies’ Classic is contested.

Classic:

The Breeders’ Cup Classic posed as a huge challenge to handicap because of the quantity of quality displayed through the majority of the field.   Despite the recent triumphs of Havre de Grace, the promise of Uncle Mo, and the power of Flat Out, I believe Coolmore’s So You Think will wear the garland in Churchill Down’s winner’s enclosure.  If he can carry his talent from the turf to the dirt, he will rank high above all the rest.   My main concern was the kickback from the dirt, which is much harder than that from the turf.  With the blinkers, I will see him more forwardly placed out of the kickback.  Some could argue that he would tire from being on the lead for 1 ¼ miles, but it seems that he has the ability to keep up his stamina from the way he ran in the Arc, finishing fourth behind three fillies that carried a considerably smaller amount of weight than the star of Ballydoyle.

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Final Works

Big Drama, Self Preservation

Caleb's Posse

Cease

Coalport

Courageous Cat

Daddy Nose Best

To Honor and Serve, Flat Out

Aidan O'Brien string including Zoffany, So You Think, St. Nicholas Abbey

Also seen are Euroears and Flat Out

O'Brien string continued

Royal Delta, Ultra Blend

Rattlesnake Bridge

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Dirt Works Pictures

Dayatthespa 

Majestic City with trainer Peter Miller in the irons

Shackelford

Shackelford

Shackelford coming around the turn

Shackelford galloping, Self Preservation with lead pony

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Paddock Pictures

Here are the pictures of the horses that came out to school in the paddock on Wednesday 

Cease (Marathon)

Wilburn (Dirt Mile)

Tapizar (Dirt Mile)

Union Rags (Juvenile) (above and below)

Wilburn (Dirt Mile)

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Uncle Mo says, "I'm Gonna Win!"

An exclusive Bits N' Bunny Uncle Mo interview where Mo proclaims that he will win the Breeders' Cup Classic!      

Small-time Breeder Experiences Big-time Success

Small-time Breeder Experiences Big-Time Success

Press release courtesy of Taylor Made Sales Agency

Brylynn Farm, located on 100-acres in Reddick, Florida, just outside of Ocala, is a relatively small breeding operation compared to some of the industry giants. Their broodmare band consists of only 10 mares. But their remarkable success rate is something to behold.

This weekend, Brylynn Farm, will have three (3) representatives in the Breeders' Cup. Dual Grade 1 winner, TEAK'S NORTH will compete in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Multiple Grade 2 winner and Grade One-placed JERANIMO will run in the Turf Mile and multiple Grade 2 winner AIKENITE is entered in the Sprint. All three were bred by BryLynn Farm, which is owned by Phyllis and J.D. Bryant and operated by their daughter, Toni.

"We prep our own horses for the sale and believe the hands-on approach and attention to detail makes a big difference both in the sales ring and also on the race track, " says Toni Jones.

"The success BryLynn has had over the past 25 years is remarkable," says Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency. "They are a family-run, boutique breeding operation, but their results rival that of some of the big-time commercial breeders. They are proof that hard work and passion are the most important ingredients in running a successful breeding operation."

"Having not one but three BryLynn-bred horses in the Breeders' Cup is a dream come true. We couldn't ask for anything more. It feels great when all the hard work pays off in such a big way," added Jones.

Other notable stakes winners bred by BryLynn Farm include Ailalea (G3), Knights Templar (G3), Saint Marden (G3), Kazoo (G3), Sweet Lips (G2 placed) and Anklet (G3 winner, G1 placed).

Bunny at the Breeders' Cup! Turf Works Pictures

Aruna (Filly & Mare Turf) with Graham Motion on the lead pony  (above and below)

Elusive Kate (Juvenile Fillies Turf) (above and below)

Court Vision with Robby Albarado in the irons (Mile) (above and below)

Holiday For Kitten (Turf Sprint)

Majestic City with his trainer, Peter Miller aboard (Juvenile Turf)

Shared Account (Filly & Mare Turf) (above and below)

My girl!

Breeders' Cup Mile contender working on the Turf

Sunrise at the Churchill Downs winner's enclosure