Influenced by Invasor

Tomorrow will be judgment day for So You Think, as he will be facing the top horses the world has to offer in the Dubai World Cup.  He has shown his tremendous capabilities on the pinnacle of horseracing, but it seems that he has yet to reveal to us his greatest level of talent. 

Upon hearing the news that So You Think will be ridden by eighteen year old Joseph O’Brien, I recalled the story of a special colt that took then nineteen year old Fernando Jara on the ride of his life, which ended in triumph in the 2007 Dubai World Cup…

Several years ago, the three Vio Brado brothers traveled from Uruguay to Argentina to find a young racing prospect.  They inspected eighty colts and fillies at numerous farms, but nothing stood out to them as special.  While looking at horses at Haras Clausan, the brothers finally came upon a smallish bay colt that caught their attention.  Named Quiet Style, he was not the most attractive horse they had seen, but he stood out apart from all the rest.  They bought the two year old Candy Stripes colt for $20,000, and changed his name to Invasor.

The Vio Brado brothers put Invasor into Anibal San Martin’s training.  Jockey Gustavo Duarte was in the irons for Invasor’s first ever work, and after the gallop, he told the owners, “This colt will become the Uruguayan Horse of the Year.”  At the time, such a statement was rather liberal for a completely untested colt, but Invasor proved that Duarte could be right when he won his maiden with complete ease and became a hot topic around the track. 

Invasor’s two-year-old season was cut short by a sesamoid injury that required surgery and months of recovery.  He consequently missed the most prestigious juvenile events.  Invasor made his comeback in the GIII Clasico Ensayo where he shattered his opponents and went on to win the Uruguayan Triple Crown by a combined 15 ¾ lengths.

Invasor’s immense success caught the attention of Sheikh Hamdan of Shadwell Stables, and he offered to buy the colt.  Despite reluctance from one of the Vio Brado brothers, Invasor was sold for about $1.4 million, and was transferred to the Kiaran McLaughlin’s training.

Since he was nominated to the UAE Derby, Invasor was sent to Dubai for that race before he came to North America and finished fourth after an unfortunate trip.  However, he followed up with a 1 ¼ length triumph in the GI Pimlico Special.  In the colors of Shadwell Stables, Invasor dominated the east coast in 2006 by winning events such as the Suburban and Whitney Handicap.  Invasor ended his year in victory at Churchill Downs in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  In this race, he made his regular rider, Fernando Jara, the youngest to win a Breeders’ Cup contest until Joseph O’Brien won the Breeders’ Cup Turf aboard St. Nicholas Abbey last year.

Fernando Jara was born into a family involved with horse racing, and left public school to attend the jockey school in Panama at the age of fourteen.  While growing up, he involved himself with various activities around the track in order to be close with the horses he admired so greatly.  Jara was quite popular on the racing circuit in Panama, where he rode until he reached the North American age limit for jockeying and earned the nickname, “Ice Boy” for his fearless riding style.  Jara secured his first Graded Stakes victory in the Gotham.  As an eighteen-year-old, he collected his first GI win in the Belmont Stakes when he rode Jazil.  At the end of 2006, he ranked 16^th on a national scale, and consequently became the youngest jockey to be in the top twenty riders.  Over his career, Jara has accumulated just over $22 million in purse earnings.  After winning the 2006 Suburban Handicap with Invasor, McLaughlin said of Jara, “(He) is a very good rider; he just needs the horses.  We’re trying to give him a good jump start.”

In his first start of 2007, Invasor took the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.  His next start would undoubtedly be his most challenging test yet, as he would travel to the U.A.E for the Dubai World Cup.  Choosing to run a horse in the Dubai World Cup always seems to be the largest gamble an owner or trainer could make.  The reward is the greatest in the entire sport, but the risk is colossal, because many horses do not recover well from the strenuous trip abroad, and never return to their best form. 

After the break in the Dubai World Cup, Invasor raced on the outside, and battled for third with Bullish Luck.  Over halfway through the race, Invasor moved up to third, and made a run at the pacemakers.  At the 1,000 meter mark, Invasor trailed the leading Premium Tap by only a neck.  The two pulled away in a duel for the win, but 200 meters out from the wire, Invasor pushed his head in front.  Once he had the advantage on his adversary, Invasor powered home with a dominant victory.  After the triumph, Jara stated, “This is very, very special.  To come to Dubai and win the world’s richest race is just unbelievable…”

Racing’s young fan base has been diminishing in recent years, but I sense hope and optimism for the future when I see the success of fresh faces involved with the sport I love.  In her acceptance speech for the 2010 Eclipse Award of Merit, Mary Lou Whitney said, “…As we look to the future, we must also pass on the passion and the excitement of this wondrous sport to the next generation.  It is our obligation.  A candle loses nothing by lighting another…”  Indubitably, horse racing is working to foster the sport’s future followers and industry workers.

Dubai World Cup: Royal Delta and Capponi

ROYAL DELTA:

At the end of this month, Royal Delta will attempt to become the only mare to win the $10 million Dubai World Cup, contested over the synthetic dirt at Meydan Racecourse.  In November of 2011, the attractive bay mare was bought by Besilu Stables at Keeneland for $8.5 million, meaning that even if she won the $6 million winner’s share of the Dubai World Cup’s purse, she would not yet bring profit to her new owner, who was a force at last year’s major sales. 

Though she was sold, Royal Delta remains in the training of Bill Mott, who managed the then three-year-old filly brilliantly in the week leading up to her impressive Breeders’ Cup victory in the Ladies’ Classic.   As a three-year-old, she rose into the spotlight with a 2 ½ length win in Pimlico’s GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and a distant third to It’s Tricky and Kentucky Oaks victor, Plum Pretty, in the Coaching Club American Oaks.  Royal Delta turned the tables on It’s Tricky and Plum Pretty by winning the Alabama by 5 ½ lengths next time out.  In her proceeding outing against older females in the Beldame Invitational, she suffered an 8 ¼ length defeat to Havre de Grace.  Royal Delta rebounded to end her year with a solid victory in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, denying It’s Tricky the victory by 2 ½ lengths.  Royal Delta was surely at her peak in the Breeders’ Cup, as she had been working beautifully the week leading up to her final start of 2011.

Royal Delta’s first race of this year was in Gulfstream Park’s Sabin Stakes, against other older mares including Awesome Maria, who was returning from a long break due to injury.  Going into the race, I thought Awesome Maria would prove to be a challenge to Royal Delta, but she showed that she was too much for Royal Delta to handle as she won by an astounding eight lengths and finished less than a second off the track record. 

Obviously Awesome Maria is an outstanding mare, but I feel that Royal Delta should have finished nearer to her in the Sabin.  Though Royal Delta was coming off a break, she needed to finish closer, keeping in mind that she will be sent to the Dubai World Cup to face the best males in the world.  Despite showing the ability to race well against top horses, her performances against Havre de Grace and Awesome Maria concern me that she wouldn’t be able to defeat the leading males due to the fact that Havre de Grace was not able to win against males, and that Awesome Maria was coming off a long break and won by such a massive margin.

This daughter of Empire Maker should be influential on the results of the Dubai World Cup, and must be considered as such.  It would be incredible to see a North American filly become the first to triumph in the world’s richest race, particularly this year against such an eminent field.

CAPPONI:

A five-year-old Irish-bred son of Medicean, Capponi is my second choice behind So You Think for the Dubai World Cup.  Most recently, the Dubai-based horse won the Group I Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three by four lengths.  In this start, he was coming off a three length victory in a handicap, and he crossed the wire first in his prior race, but was disqualified for having a prohibited substance in his sample. 

The Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three was contested at 1 ¼ miles over Meydan’s tapeta surface on Super Saturday.  A prep race for the Dubai World Cup, Capponi faced a quality field of twelve others.  Ahmed Ajtebi was riding the Mahmood Al Zarooni trainee for the first time since his lone start in 2011. Frankie Dettori had piloted Capponi in his three previous starts leading up to the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three. 

At odds of 13-1, Capponi broke from the seventh gate with an awkward start, but settled well into second on the outside as the field went around the first turn.  Capponi strode comfortably at the rump of the pacemaking Tremble Jig on the backstretch and the two drew away from the others by a large margin.  With 500 meters left to run, Tremble Jig and Capponi increased their lead to four lengths.   However, it was Capponi who had the victory in hand as they raced out of the final turn.  The field had crept up on Capponi, but this fine horse already had the win.  He crossed the wire in victory with a final time of 2:03.05 – only 0.05 off the course record.

Capponi showed no signs of fatigue as he won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three.  In the closing stages of the stretch run, the field seemed to have tired, as they took strenuous strides and had additional head movement.  However, Capponi exhibited none of these symptoms of exhaustion and instead characterized proficiency.  While running, he remains remarkably symmetrical and aerodynamic, never expending more energy than necessary.  His head remains quite level with his topline even when he is completely in flight and his legs are coiling for his next stride.  In the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three, Capponi demonstrated his tremendous level of fitness, natural running ability, and an astounding training job by Mahmood Al Zarooni.

Due to his sheer talent and fitness level, he has done far more than enough to earn his position as my second choice behind So You Think for the Dubai World Cup.  An additional asset to Capponi is that he has won over Meydan Racecourse’s tapeta on three occasions this year (including the disqualification).   He will be a sensational force in the world’s richest race, and will make the night of March 31^st a time to remember for many years.

So You Think: A 21st Century Masterpiece

The frigid November air at Churchill Downs was filled with the bustle of final preparations for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, an event that brought together some of the most exceptional horses from across the globe.  My week spent under the monumental twin spires lit in dark purple for the Breeders’ Cup was utterly surreal. There is nothing finer than seeing superb Thoroughbreds, representing all different types of the diverse breed, exert their tremendous capabilities at one time.   As I settled into my position alongside the rail in the early morning darkness, I waited for the noble, nocturnal beasts of the racetrack to step out onto the manicured dirt course. 

Friday morning ranked as my most anticipated morning of the week, as I was about to see the horse that I consider the epitome of the racing Thoroughbred.  I was about to see with my own eyes a grand athlete that had caught the world’s attention with his sheer brilliance – a horse that had been heralded as a ‘monster’, a ‘genetic freak’, and was described by his trainer as ‘a different kind of animal’.  The horse I was about to see in the flesh had been estimated to be worth no less than $60 million at the end of the year.  I was about to see So You Think.

Excitement of seeing this equine masterpiece saturated the air.  So You Think’s first American appearance was the hottest topic of conversation trackside, even ranking above the afternoon’s Breeders’ Cup races.  I listened to the voices surrounding me – all speaking of the New Zealand-born phenomenon and his progress from the quarantine barn.  My stomach tightened as I eavesdropped in on the surrounding people’s walkie-talkies that updated us on the equine star’s morning preparations: “So You Think is being led around outside the quarantine barn with his saddle on,” “So You Think just left the quarantine barn with the other O’Brien horses.”  “So You Think….” “So You Think…” “So You Think…”

Upon hearing that So You Think had departed from his barn, I remained focused exclusively on the chute from which he would enter the track.  The eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic victor, Drosselmeyer, stood several yards away, but, in those moments, the prospect of seeing So You Think was the only thought that garnered my attention and those all around me.

Leading the O’Brien string onto the track was Zoffany, who was followed by the star of the show.  So You Think stepped out onto the dirt surface alert, yet calm.  He observed the spectacle surrounding him in an intrigued fashion, holding his head with dignity in the metropolitan morning sky.  Proceeding So You Think was the rest of the Coolmore/Ballydoyle contingent which included Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner, Wrote, and St.Nicholas Abbey, who won the older horses’ version of that race.  Zoffany led the O’Brien string the wrong way around the first turn as the horses’ connections followed them on the other side of the rail.  The horses became distant figures, venturing down their tranquil trail-ride under the twin spires. 

After an easy one mile gallop about the track, they walked alongside the outer rail, proceeding back to the barn.  My hands trembled with fervor as So You Think passed within reaching distance.  His imperial countenance and his massive dark body was a captivating site to behold.  So You Think exuded elegance, for he was the very definition of the word.  His daunting build embodied class and supremacy.  He possessed a certain balance of potency and nimbleness unlike any other animal I have seen to this day.  So rarely does a horse represent athleticism, muscularity, and agility, but So You Think exemplifies every one of these traits.  He strutted by with his long, yet sturdy legs, his head held proudly by his robust, supple neck.  As Aidan O’Brien so perfectly stated, “…He’s the most incredible specimen.”

So You Think concluded his 2011 racing season with a sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  Finishing 3 ½ lengths behind Drosselmeyer, he gave an astounding effort.  For the first time since late 2009, he was racing with blinkers in the hopes that the equipment would reap sharper focus.  On the Thursday prior to the Breeders’ Cup, O’Brien said, “He is a very relaxed horse in his races and sometimes can become too relaxed, so we put a pair of blinkers on him in a piece of work at home just to try and make him concentrate a little bit more.”

   

So You Think was at a large disadvantage to the other competitors, all of which were North American racehorses.  He had only run on a dirt surface in Australia, and was therefore unacquainted with the track at Churchill Downs.  So You Think arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday night, and consequently could only get over the track once on Friday morning.  When running over a new surface, horses are proven to have an elevated heart rate.  Undoubtedly, the shipping and unusual atmosphere of the North American racetrack raised his stress level. 

 

When So You Think returned to the luminous Churchill Downs grandstand following his loss in the Classic, his connections showed the utmost class and propriety by bestowing him with a champion’s welcome. I felt as if I was transported from the media room balcony down to the finish line with So You Think’s proud connections.  His connections’ response to his effort will forever remain one of the most meaningful moments I have experienced in horse racing, as the Coolmore/Ballydoyle team demonstrated pure sportsmanship and appreciation for an exceptional racehorse - even in “defeat”.   

The good-natured So You Think could possibly make his first start since the Breeders’ Cup in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.  If his connections choose to run him in the world’s richest race, So You Think would dominate the field.  As it has always been, the quality of the Dubai World Cup is elite from the favorite to the longshot.  This race would give So You Think the opportunity to display his remarkable prowess and that he is indubitably a member of Ballydoyle’s prolific history consisting of legends from Alleged to Yeats.

However, if he does face the world’s top horses in the Dubai World Cup, it is likely that he could not race for the rest of this year, and could very well be done with racing entirely. Both Annemarie O’Brien and Coolmore Australia’s Racing and New Business Manager Tom Magnier released a statement that said So You Think will stand stud in Australia for this year’s Southern Hemisphere breeding season, but will return to Aidan O’Brien’s training to race next year if he runs in the Dubai World Cup.  I question any horse’s ability to return to the track after breeding no matter how talented he or she is, for attempts such as these have not proven to be successful in the past.  I am also hesitant to believe that Coolmore would want to bring So You Think back to racing, given that he effectively covers mares in Australia.

If So You Think does not run in the Dubai World Cup, it is possible that we will still witness him face some of the horses running in the world’s richest race.  Japan Derby winner and Dubai World Cup entrant Eishin Flash was given an invitation in the Singapore Airlines International Cup alongside the French Cirrus Des Aigles, who will start in either the Dubai Sheema Classic or Dubai World Cup.  Master of Hounds, who is now a possible starter in the Dubai World Cup after his Jebel Hatta triumph, may also run in the Singapore Airlines International Cup. 

Without any knowledge on how So You Think is currently training at Ballydoyle and how he handles shipping, it is challenging to make an assumption of whether he could race as brilliantly after running in the Dubai World Cup, or that he needs some time off from the track.  It would be great to see So You Think race in the Dubai World Cup, and it would also be fantastic to see him run throughout the year. 

However, it would be best to see So You Think’s connections give this horse masterful management by knowing his limits, and consequently not running him empty.  After 1970 Triple Crown winner Nijinsky was served his first loss in the Arc, his legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien said, “A horse is like a car: he has only a certain mileage.” Many trainers could very well have success with a brilliant horse, but only the best conditioners will help him blossom into the greatest athlete he can become by realizing his limits.   

From a fifteen year old Thoroughbred admirer’s perspective, I would prefer to see him challenge the top horses throughout the entire year, but from the standpoint of an owner, I would choose to run him in the Dubai World Cup and send him to stand stud.  Regardless of what path lies in So You Think’s future, he will be a substantial force, and I hope to see him prosper.

So You Think’s existence proves there is a truth to the goodness of Thoroughbred horse racing.  I now understand what inspired the great masters like Leonardo Da Vinci to delve deeper and discover the pure essence of their subjects.  This gallant stallion enhances my volition for racing and inspires me to understand the mechanics of how a racehorse can be such a beautiful specimen in stillness and motion. These athletes demonstrate that the Thoroughbred racehorse is a wonder of the world – living masterpieces.  So You Think is the Mona Lisa of them all!

Alpha's Trialing Derby Trail

Alpha, Creative Cause, Hansen, and Union Rags are the Fantastic Four of the Kentucky Derby trail, being the best horses of their respective regions.  However, the decision to send Hansen to New York sent Alpha and his connections fleeing for Florida.  The prospect of challenging Union Rags remains as unappealing to Alpha as returning to take back the Big Apple and face Hansen.  His trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who recently attained his 1,000^th win in North America, said, “Union Rags is a nose from being undefeated.  He’s a serious horse.  I don’t like our chances of beating Union Rags.  I don’t like running in races that I don’t think we can win.  I have that much respect for Union Rags, but then again, Hansen is waiting up there (in the Wood Memorial), so it’s not going to be easy no matter where you go.”  With less than $200,000 of Graded Stakes earnings, it is conceivable to see this year’s Kentucky Derby held without Alpha, one of the leading contenders.  Alpha’s connections are left with few options to turn to, having just over a month left to slip into the Kentucky Derby field.

After seeing Hansen win the Gotham Stakes so effortlessly, running in New York was undoubtedly a concern for Alpha’s connections not only because of the challenge Hansen would offer, but also that Ramon Dominguez would have to choose between riding Alpha and Hansen.  Instead of shipping to Florida, where Union Rags had been planning to race in the Florida Derby, Alpha could have been sent to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, where there are several big races with purses that would secure his spot in the Derby. 

Alpha could have easily been entered in this weekend’s $500,000 Rebel Stakes against a solid field, having made his most recent start on February 4^th.  He could have then followed up his effort in the GII Rebel with the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby on April 14^th, giving him an opportunity to get into the Derby even if he didn’t win one of these races.  Though the quality of the fields in Hansen’s and Union Rags’ races are overall lower, facing another astounding athlete could be tiresome, regardless of who is the better horse.  Putting Alpha against either of these horses could take vital energy out of him, and the other horse he faces – Hansen or Union Rags.

The Louisiana Derby on April 1^st is a race that they are considering, and is also a promising option for Alpha, boasting a $1,000,000 purse.  The Louisiana Derby may work even better for Alpha because he has not started since February, and probably needs another race.  Additionally, the horses competing in the Rebel Stakes will likely run in the Arkansas Derby instead of the Louisiana Derby, making it an easier effort for Alpha. 

This horse has shown to be exceptional as a three-year-old, and it would be great to see him get to the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, as he has done far more than enough to earn his shot at North America’s most prestigious race.

Mining my Own: A Great Broodmare in the Making

Often at the major sales, the dam of a top racehorse will go through the ring and garner a high price.  However, paying her hefty price tag proves to be an unprofitable endeavor when her progeny does not measure up to what is expected.   A true quality broodmare does not produce one astounding racehorse, but foals multiple athletes competitive on the highest level of racing.  Like great racehorses, there is a select group of super-broodmares that produce our top athletes year after year.

Mining my Own is an example of a high-class broodmare showing the potential to join the select group of matriarch greats.  Though this eleven year old mare is unraced, she is having success in the breeding shed by foaling the Kentucky Derby winning Mine that Bird, and Dullahan, the third place finisher in last year’s renewal of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. 

Dullahan is showing to be a viable contender on the Kentucky Derby trail by giving a solid second place effort in his comeback race last Saturday.  Dullahan’s sire, Even the Score, is a brilliant cross for Mining my Own that should unquestionably be repeated.  Even the Score is by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victor, Unbridled’s Song, who is a representative of the Mr. Prospector sire line, and has In Reality and Princequillo in his heritage.  Even the Score’s broodmare sire, Rahy, is by Blushing Groom, and is out of a Halo mare.  Halo’s sire, Hail to Reason, has crosses of Man O’ War and Teddy in his pedigree, while close relatives to Hyperion have a significant presence.  Even the Score’s second dam is by a son of Mr. Prospector’s sire, Raise a Native, and his third dam is by Speak John, whose sire is a son of Princequillo.  Prince Blessed, a son of Princequillo, is the sire of Unbridled’s Song’s third dam. 

Even the Score was consistent throughout his racing career, winning multiple ungraded stakes races, and placing in GII events, but was at his best as a six year old.  During his six-year-old campaign, he won several GII events, and showed in the GI Hollywood Gold Cup.

From the breeding of Smart Strike and Aspenelle, by Vice Regent, Mining my Own’s pedigree has multiple similarities to Even the Score’s ancestry.  Being by Smart Strike, she is also from the Mr. Prospector sire line, and being out of a Vice Regent mare, she has Northern Dancer in her bloodlines.  Smart Strike’s fourth dam is by Princequillo, while her second dam is by a son of Bold Ruler.  Like Even the Score, relatives of Hyperion are influential in her heritage. Man O’ War and his relatives also have an effect on Mining my Own’s pedigree, for she has crosses of War Admiral, Fair Play, and Rock Sand.  Teddy appears twice in her pedigree, while his son, Bull Dog is present on one occasion.  Notably, I discovered three reoccurrences of Domino.

When Dullahan went through the auction ring at Keeneland as a yearling, Mining my Own’s two foals to race were winners, one of which was Mine that Bird and the stakes placed Aspenelle was the dam of a stakes winner.  Mining my Own’s second dam earned just over $100,000 on the racetrack, and is a half-sister to the stakes winning sire, Crafty.

Broodmares play an influential role on how racehorses are built, and how they perform on and off the track.  However, seldom do they get recognized for their greatness in the breeding shed, as the attention is awarded to the sire of a leading horse.  Stallions may garner more wealth and success due the larger volume of horses they can produce, but broodmares are just as vital to racing triumph or failure.

2012 Dubai Sheema Classic

The top contenders in the Dubai Sheema Classic may come from different parts of the world, but they all share many similarities in their pedigrees.  Mahbooba and Treasure Beach both share the same sire, Galileo, while Cirrus Des Aigles is from the same female family as this stallion.  St. Nicholas Abbey has two crosses of Forli, who appears once in Galileo’s fifth generation.  These turf monsters’ likenesses stretch beyond Galileo to make up a racehorse “super-family”.

Cirrus Des Aigles is largely inbred to Northern Dancer, who appears in the three others’ bloodlines on a lesser scale.  He has two crosses of Hail to Reason’s broodmare sire, Round Table, and his dam’s grandsire is Seattle Slew, who is from the Bold Ruler sire line and has Hail to Reason in his heritage.  Man O’ War’s broodmare sire, Rock Sand, also appears on the dam’s side of Cirrus Des Aigles.

Hail to Reason, who has two crosses of Man O’ War, appears twice in Mahbooba’s pedigree, while her second dam’s grandsire is Sharpen Up, and her third dam is by Seattle Slew.  Mahbooba’s broodmare sire is out of a Damascus mare.  Damascus is by Sword Dancer, whose third dam is by Man O’ War and has one other cross of Fair Play (Man O’ War’s sire).  Sword Dancer’s fourth dam is by Friar Rock, a son of Rock Sand and Fairy Gold (Fair Play’s dam).

St. Nicholas Abbey is by Montjeu, whose sire is out of a Bold Reason mare.  Bold Reason’s sire is Hail to Reason.  St. Nicholas Abbey’s second dam’s sire is out of a Never Bend mare, and his second dam’s grandsire is Damascus.  As stated earlier, St. Nicholas Abbey has two crosses of Forli, who has one cross of both Teddy, and Hyperion.

Treasure Beach has plenty of Northern Dancer and Canturbury Pilgrim lineage to support his pedigree.  This Irish Derby winner has two crosses of Never Bend, whose second dam is by Bimelech, a product of La Troienne.  Treasure Beach’s fifth dam is by a stallion whose second dam is La Troienne.  Princequillo is present on his dam’s side.  Notably, horses whose breeding includes both Bold Ruler and Princequillo have massive success on the racetrack and in the breeding shed.

Below are my selections for the Dubai Sheema Classic in order of how I think they will finish.

St. Nicholas Abbey:

One of Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien’s two Breeders’ Cup champions last year, St Nicholas Abbey had a consistent career in 2011.  His first win of the year came against four others in the Group III Ormonde Stakes on a good to firm course.  With Ryan Moore aboard, he drew away inside the final furlong to win by nine lengths in this one mile, five furlong, and eighty-nine yard contest.    In St Nicholas Abbey’s next outing, he denied Midday a victory in Epsom Down’s Coronation Cup by one length over a track rated as “Good”.  Racing with Joseph O’Brien in the saddle for the first time, St Nicholas Abbey crossed the wire third in Ascot’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.  Though he finished four lengths behind the victorious Nathaniel, St Nicholas Abbey gave a solid effort.  He followed up with a third behind Sarafina and Hiruno D’Amour in Longchamp’s Group II Prix Foy with Christophe Soumillon in the irons, and a strong fifth behind Danedream in the Arc with O’Brien aboard.  In his final start of the year, St Nicholas Abbey and Joseph O’Brien won the Breeders’ Cup Turf against some of the top grass horses in the world.  He came from sixth to triumph by a commanding 2 ¼ lengths.

The Dubai Sheema Classic is truly a three-horse race between St Nicholas Abbey, Cirrus Des Aigles, and Treasure Beach.  I anticipate this year’s installment of the Sheema Classic to end with a very tight finish between these outstanding horses, but the advantage would probably go to St Nicholas Abbey if he starts based on his performances in the Arc and at the Breeders’ Cup.  Already having a competitive level of talent, his past two races seem to show that he is on the improve, and hopefully flat racing’s winter break did not negatively affect his progress.  Following St Nicholas Abbey’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Joseph O’Brien said, “…Obviously today it’s an easier track for him (than Longchamp).  I think he was a little better going left-handed here than right-handed in the Arc…”  St Nicholas Abbey would likely enjoy racing over Meydan Racecourse because the track runs its races over a left-handed oval.

Cirrus Des Aigles:

This French six-year-old gelding made his last start in 2011 in the Champion Stakes, a race in which he edged out So You Think, and held off Snow Fairy’s finishing kick.  Last year, this fine horse won four of his nine outings, never finished worse than third, and finished with a combined winning margin of 19 ½ lengths.  In the Group I D’Ispahan, Goldikova nosed Cirrus Des Aigles out for the victory over Longchamp Racecourse. 

He made his first start of 2012 in the ungraded Prix Meydan Hotel contested over 1 mile, and 1 ½ furlongs at Chantilly.  The fact that he finished second beaten by two lengths should not be held against him in a significant capacity because it was his first race of the season off a winter break, and horses should not be expected to be back at their fall form in their first race of the year.

Treasure Beach:

This Coolmore representative made a splash in international news last year by winning the Irish Derby, Arlington’s Secretariat Stakes, and placing in the Investec Derby.  Treasure Beach concluded his 2011 racing season with a third place effort in the Canadian International.  In the Irish Derby, he was positioned off the pace on the outside, but moved up to fourth despite restraint from Colm O’Donoghue.  Around the final turn, Treasure Beach raced in third, and travelled three paths wide into the stretch run.  He passed the leader well as he neared the wire, and gave Aidan O’Brien his sixth consecutive victory in the Irish Derby.

One of Treasure Beach’s greatest assets is his impressive, smooth stride that defines efficiency.  He covers a large amount of ground with every stride, and does not consume energy unnecessarily.  Treasure Beach and Cirrus Des Aigles are almost interchangeable for second and third place, and who finishes better depends on whoever is more prepared at the time.  Cirrus Des Aigles may have the advantage because he already has one race under his belt this year, while Treasure Beach will probably make his first start of the year in the Dubai Sheema Classic, if he runs.

Mahbooba:

Last time out, Mahbooba gave her trainer, Mike De Kock, his fifth win in Meydan Racecourse’s Balanchine Stakes, a contest that was only introduced in 2004.  In this race, she turned the tables on First City to win by 2 ½ lengths.  First City defeated Mahbooba by a nose in her preceding race.  Mahbooba is likely the most seasoned horse competing in the Sheema Classic, as she has started three times this year.  All her outings in 2012 came over Meydan Racecourse with Christophe Soumillon piloting.  Mahbooba started off her year by winning the Al Rashidiya against males by 4 ¼ lengths, and has been succeeding against her division.  Mahbooba, who appears to run somewhat heavily on her front end, will undoubtedly be a force in the Dubai Sheema Classic, and should perform well tomorrow in the upcoming Dubai City of Gold.

Bunny's Derby Darlings: Creative Cause

Last year, Creative Cause was indubitably the top juvenile on the West coast, winning two Graded Stakes events, one of which was a GI, and finishing third beaten only one length in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile against Hansen and Union Rags.  In the Breeders’ Cup, he crossed the wire 3 ½ lengths ahead of the fourth place finisher, Dullahan. 

The Norfolk, held on October 1^st, was undoubtedly the best performance of Creative Cause’s career.  Contested over 1 ¹/₁₆ miles on Santa Anita’s dirt course, Creative Cause broke well, and was second fastest from the starting gates.  He maintained his second place position throughout the early stages of the race, while Basmati stalked on the outside. 

Around the final turn, Creative Cause made his bid to dethrone pacemaker Ruler of Dubai.  Other jockeys went to the whip and asked their mounts for their best efforts, but Joel Rosario aboard Creative Cause hardly made a move with the grey son of Giant’s Causeway.  Into the homestretch, Rosario put Creative Cause under more aggressive urging, and he pulled away effortlessly into the homestretch.  Creative Cause finished the Norfolk with his ears up, and a time of 1:42.66.

In the Norfolk, Creative Cause displayed his magnificent stride and running style.  The fashion in which he handled himself during the race ranks as the best of last year’s two-year-old crop.  Throughout the entire running of the Norfolk, his colossal stride remained effortless and composed.  Perhaps the most appealing feature of his running style is that he relaxes so exceptionally, but runs near an average pace.

In his first outing as a three-year-old, Creative Cause finished third out of four, beaten by just over one length in the San Vicente Stakes against Drill and American Act.  A fast pace for the seven furlong event did not allow Creative Cause to settle into his relaxed stride.  Being rushed in order to run in his normal position, his large stride appeared to be choppy and very hurried. 

To prevent him from becoming accustomed to sprinting in the early fractions of a race, Creative Cause should probably be galloped slowly over a long duration in the mornings, with the occasional sprint to keep his fast twitch muscles in shape.  An added bonus to the longer gallops is that they build and improve capillaries, which will assist any E.I.P.H issues that a horse may have.  Creative Cause has been working farther than most Derby hopefuls, as his five of his six previous official works were over six furlongs. 

Today, he established the bullet for four furlongs on the All-Weather track at Hollywood Park in 46.40.  His trainer, Mike Harrington stated, “He worked alone.  I was looking for something closer to :48 or :49.  It didn’t seem to take a whole lot out of him – he did it completely on his own.  He just doesn’t usually work that fast by himself.  I guess he felt like working fast today.”  This isn’t a positive indication for Creative Cause and his running style, as he should have been significantly more relaxed because the difference between the time he ran and the time that was desired had a two to three second difference.  If he has difficulties relaxing in the San Felipe this weekend, perhaps his connections may consider removing his blinkers to help him relax.  This move had tremendous success last weekend with Hansen in Aqueduct’s Gotham Stakes.

The San Vicente was probably not the most fitting race for Creative Cause’s return, as the distance was too short for his preference.  I would not hold the San Vicente against Creative Cause because his loss was probably due to placement error.  Hopefully, this race did not permanently alter his running style to sprint in the opening fractions.  In the upcoming San Felipe, Creative Cause needs to demonstrate that he can still relax on a normal pace.  If so, he should prove to be an outstanding force in the Kentucky Derby.

Dubai World Cup: Smart Falcon and Game on Dude

For the sport of horse racing, The Dubai World Cup is the first significant race of the year. It precedes prestigious events such as the North American and English Triple Crowns, the week-long Royal Ascot meeting, the Irish Classics, France’s Prix de ‘l Arc de Triomphe, and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.  Horses from every corner of the globe are drawn together to compete for the luring purse of $10 million on the night of March 31^st, making the recently incepted Dubai World Cup one of the most coveted contests.

SMART FALCON TAKES FLIGHT

In last year’s renewal of the Dubai World Cup, longshot Victoire Pisa made history by becoming the first Japanese horse to win the world’s richest race shortly after his home country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.  The scene in the winner’s circle at Meydan Racecourse ranks among the sport’s most heartwarming moments.  Jockey Mirco Demuro’s tears of sheer bliss and the joy that owner Yoshimi Ichikawa and trainer Sumi Katsuhiko expressed are one of the multiple instances that prove horseracing can bring optimism and pride to a country in its time of need.

Japan has a strong chance of taking the Dubai World Cup for a second consecutive year with Smart Falcon, who currently ranks as the second choice behind So You Think in British gambling.  The seven year old Smart Falcon has been the sovereign of Japanese racing, going undefeated in his nine previous outings, all of which were Grades Stakes events.  His total earnings reach nearly $11.5 million, and he has been the victor of 23 of his 33 starts. 

Smart Falcon, who was originally conditioned by Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, began his racing career as a three-year-old, and almost instantly started winning.  In July of 2008, Smart Falcon’s owner, Toru Okawa, transferred the son of Gold Allure to the management of Ken Kozaki.  Near the end of his three-year-old campaign, Smart Falcon began a six race winning streak that poured over into his four-year-old season.

As a five-year-old, Smart Falcon began his third year racing with two successive wins that were followed up by a sixth, and third place finish.  In his third-place effort, Yutaka Take, who has ridden him ever since, was in the irons for the first time.  Smart Falcon kicked off his nine race winning streak in his next start, the Grade I JBC Classic, a race that he won by seven lengths.  Most recently, he won the Grade I Kawaski Kinen by four lengths over a sloppy track.

GAME ON DUDE ON HIS GAME

Game on Dude became a force in the 2011 racing season by winning two Grade I events, and placing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to Drosselmeyer.  This gelding by Awesome Again has accumulated $2,254,658 in total earnings.

Trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden by Chantal Sutherland, Game on Dude kicked off his 2012 racing career with a victory in the Grade II San Antonio Stakes against four others.  Game on Dude battled for the lead until he hit the ⁵/₈ pole, where he gained an advantage on his opponent.  Nearing the second turn, Game on Dude drew away from the field, and won by 5 ¼ lengths with a quick time of 1:46.88.

Though Game on Dude is talented and should be considered an influential horse in the Dubai World Cup, his lack of victories raises doubt as to whether he will have the ability to win this race.  Having only six wins out of his fifteen career starts, he has proven to run well against top horses, but has rarely crossed the wire in victory when facing the best athletes.

Smart Falcon and Game on Dude are only two of the brilliant horses running in the Dubai World Cup that I will be featuring as the race draws nearer.  This year’s installment of the Dubai World Cup is dense with class and excellence, and will be a race suitable for the record books.