Bunny's Preakness Picks 2012

Mario Gutierrez gave I’ll Have Another the ideal trip and in return, his mount offered a top class performance in the Kentucky Derby.  I’ll Have Another verified he is a solid horse, and should be considered as such.  Not disrespecting his solid effort, the best horses of the day did not reach the wire first, just as in many other recent installments of this legendary classic.  I have held the opinion that the field should not be so large where the race is almost solely decided by luck.  The top horses would benefit greatly from the field being cut down to fifteen starters at the most.  No Triple Crown winner has won the Derby in a twenty-horse field.  I question whether we could possibly have had a Triple Crown champion if a certain horse covered a good trip in some renewals of the Derby. 

Horses such as Dullahan and Union Rags gave exceptional bids for a Derby triumph, but couldn’t get to the wire first due to their poor trip.  Kent Desormeaux offered Dullahan a smart trip as he chose to take him to the outside because he wasn’t responding well to the kickback.  If he had stayed nearer to the rail, Dullahan wouldn’t have given his best effort. 

Others who should be commended for their efforts are Bodemeister, Went the day Well, and Creative Cause.  This year’s Kentucky Derby was rich with class, and it showed as the horses came down the homestretch. 

Some of these aforementioned top runners in the Derby will not start in the Preakness, though Went the day Well and Creative Cause will challenge I’ll Have Another in Baltimore.  The 8-5 morning line favorite, Bodemeister, will also test I’ll Have Another in his bid for the second jewel of the Triple Crown, while Dullahan and Union Rags wisely sit it out.

The Preakness is a difficult race to handicap because of the high quality.  The four contenders alluded to above stand out to me as special horses – all with a great chance of winning.  I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister are the obvious choices while Creative Cause and Went the Day Well will likely go off at more enticing odds. 

I admire Creative Cause immensely and think he is an exceptional athlete.  However, I feel that he runs best with blinkers, and continuing to start without them could hinder his efforts.  His loss in the Santa Anita Derby could easily be due to running without this equipment, and I must wonder if he could have come on with a more dominant kick in the Derby if he wore blinkers.

Though I am very attracted to I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister, I will be stepping out of the box to pick Went the Day Well for the win.  In the Derby, he entranced me with his forceful late blast to the wire. The fact that Pimlico is in close proximity of his home base, Fair Hill, is equally appetizing.

Optimizer offered a strong eleventh place finish in the Derby and I think he may give a game effort.  He showed similar potential during his second place effort behind Secret Circle in the Rebel Stakes.  Optimizer gained my attention with these two solid efforts, and will be my longshot pick for the Preakness.

Giant's Causeway 101

Photo Courtesy of Tom Ferry

Hailing from the hills of Tipperary, an international phenom is impacting North American racing.  As a sire, Giant’s Causeway has become a force on the Triple Crown trail in recent years.  Eskendereya represented Giant’s Causeway in 2010, while Creative Cause heads an impressive contingent of three year olds this year.  The prosperity of his progeny shows he is developing into a superb stallion, triumphant on and off the track.  

Giant’s Causeway captivated international racing, campaigned in the colors of Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor.  The tremendous chestnut athlete won nine of his thirteen career starts, never finished worse than second, and retired with earnings that reached nearly $3.1 million.  He was also the top-rated juvenile in Europe during 1999 and was the following year’s champion three-year-old in Europe. His many followers bestowed him with the nickname “The Iron Horse” for the durability he exhibited during his racings days. In all but one start, Giant’s Causeway was ridden by Michael Kinane, who piloted horses for Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore from 1998 to 2003.

Giant’s Causeway won five successive Group I events as a three year old and is remembered for famously ‘toying’ with his competitors by nosing them out at the wire.  The Iron Horse even altered his stride to run beside his opponents.  “It’s a bit of a macho thing with this horse,” said his trainer, Aidan O’Brien. “He just doesn’t like being passed.  He’s inclined to play with other horses - he lets them come to him then goes on again.”  (rte.ie)

A MAN AMONG BOYS:

The Iron Horse took his first steps towards the history books in a six furlong contest on a course declared as “Good to Firm”.  He won by seven lengths, crossing the wire just over ½ second off the course record and went on to win his next three outings, two of which were the Group I Prix de la Salamaindre, and the Group III Gladness Stakes.

Giant’s Causeway suffered his first defeat at the hands of King’s Best in the 2,000 Guineas.  Following this 3 ½ length loss, he fell short a meager neck to Bachir in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The Ballydoyle star attempted to acquire his next victory in Royal Ascot’s St. James’s Palace Stakes against ten others. Giant’s Causeway settled into second behind Bachir and Jerry Bailey after the break. Turning into the homestretch, the Iron Horse battled for the lead on the rail, and had the victory in hand just over one furlong out from the finish, holding off a late surge from 16-1 shot Valentino.

The St. James’s Palace was only the beginning of a five race reign over racing that consisted of events such as the Eclipse Stakes, the Sussex, the International Stakes, and lastly, the Irish Champion Stakes.

The International Stakes attracted six horses and was contested over 10 ½ furlongs at York.  The field included the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Kalanisi, who Giant’s Causeway held off by a head in the Eclipse Stakes.  The Iron Horse broke cleanly from the fifth gate, and, under what appeared to be mild restraint from Kinane, allowed his stablemate, Shoal Creek, to make the pace.  On the outside, Giant’s Causeway settled into second comfortably, and gradually worked his way to the rail. 

Giant’s Causeway and Michael Kinane began to shorten Shoal Creek’s lead around York’s sweeping final turn.  Leading the field into the home straight aboard Shoal Creek, Paul Scallan looked back to see Giant’s Causeway stalking on the rail.  Giant’s Causeway slipped through an opening on the rail and attacked his prey with overpowering strides.  Shoal Creek responded to his stablemate’s bid with friendly fire, refusing to let him pass.  Over a furlong out from the wire, Shoal Creek gave out from the tenacious effort Giant’s Causeway presented. The Iron Horse and Kinane coasted away from the field after surpassing Shoal Creek’s game exertion.

Kinane allowed the Iron Horse to drift wide in the closing strides, not seeing a late challenge from Kalanisi until the final fifty yards.  Kalanisi had bolted up beside Giant’s Causeway with a flying stretch run, but could not get a head in front at the wire.  The pair created a six length lead on the rest of the field. Kinane stated, “It was only when he eyeballed the other horse near the finish and he realized he might be beaten that he pulled out a little extra.” (rte.ie)  O’Brien thought that Giant’s Causeway had blossomed since the spring, saying, “He was 36 kilos heavier today than he was in the Guineas and I’m sure we’re only getting to the tip of the iceberg from this horse.” (rte.ie)

Eighteen days later, Giant’s Causeway entered the starting gates at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes.  In this race, he challenged six others including his stablemate, Apollo Victoria, who had Paul Scallan in the saddle. 

Giant’s Causeway was the quickest from the gates, but Apollo Victoria, acting as a rabbit, sprinted several lengths clear with liberal encouragement from Scallan.  In the early fractions of the race, Giant’s Causeway was trapped on the rail in second.  However, the field broke up as the race progressed, and Giant’s Causeway had suitable running room. 

Striding fluidly, Giant’s Causeway initially felt Kinane’s urging as the field rounded the final turn.  It became apparent this race was to end with an intrepid battle when Godolphin’s Best of the Bests rushed into contention with a brilliant move on the outside. 

Coming up the hill on the base of the home straight, Giant’s Causeway unearthed a hole on the rail, and challenged Best of the Bests with his incredible velocity.  It appeared that the Iron Horse would surpass the Godolphin adversary with the boldest of ease, but Best of the Bests put Giant’s Causeway’s talent to the test by hitting another gear.  It was only a matter of strides before the two drew away by a substantial margin.  Down the stretch, Giant’s Causeway and Best of the Bests bartered for the triumph, but the Iron Horse obtained the advantage mid-stretch and pulled away comfortably as he neared the finish.  In the closing strides, Greek Dance surged up to Giant’s Causeway’s side with a sudden move.  However, his effort came too late and the Iron Horse remained the champion of the day.

Giant’s Causeway travelled to England for Ascot’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.  He secured the victory in the homestretch, but Observatory stole the win with a late rush, similar to the fashion in which Greek Dance nearly stole the Irish Champion Stakes.  A meager ½ length separated Observatory and the Iron Horse over a “Good to Soft” course.  Best of the Bests attained the third place winnings, finishing 3 ½ lengths behind Giant’s Causeway.  Despite the fact that his winning streak had come to a close, the Iron Horse’s connections were still pleased with his performance.  Michael Tabor stated, “He lost nothing in defeat and is still a great horse…” (www.tribune.ie)


THE DYNAMIC DUEL:

Following the Queen Elizabeth II, Giant’s Causeway shipped to Churchill Downs for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic.  He arrived two weeks in advance in order to improve upon his fitness level and undoubtedly get acquainted with the unfamiliar dirt surface.

The Iron Horse’s Breeders’ Cup in its entirety was far more taxing than anything he had experienced in his career.  This start was a true test of how far he could stretch his capabilities despite numerous disadvantages such as the new environment, shipping, and the race itself.  The race Giant’s Causeway ran that November Saturday should forever be recognized as something even greater than an audacious endeavor.  In the Breeders’ Cup Classic, The Iron Horse’s prowess reached its apex.

Of the thirteen starters, that year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Fusaichi Pegasus, received the favoritism, while the Iron Horse was at a relatively high price of nearly 8-1.  Tiznow, shipping from California, was sent off at nearly 10-1.  A three-year-old colt, Tiznow won his two preceding starts, one of which was a Grade I event.  Tiznow had crossed the wire second beaten by two lengths in the Pacific Classic against older horses in his most recent defeat.  The 2000 renewal of the Breeders’ Cup Classic promised to be one for the record books due to the dense field of exceptional athletes.  Other horses in the starting gates were Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and Travers Stakes second placer Albert the Great, and the previous year’s outstanding Belmont Stakes winner, Lemon Drop Kid.

Giant’s Causeway was reluctant to load, and had to be blindfolded in order to enter the gates.  Starting on the outside, Giant’s Causeway drifted outward at the break, and stalked the pacemakers in third.  Tiznow and Albert the Great exchanged the lead, establishing a hasty pace with fractions of 23.52 for the opening quarter mile, and 47.55 for the half.  Travelling five to six paths wide throughout the race, Giant’s Causeway battled with two others for third, but sustained his position for the majority of the Classic. 

Kinane pressured the Iron Horse nearing the ⁵/₁₆ pole, and his mount responded by pursuing the frontrunners.  Out of the final turn, Tiznow appeared as if he would draw away from the twelve others, but Giant’s Causeway did not allow him to seize the victory unchallenged.  The Iron Horse clambered up to confront Tiznow, and contended for the triumph in a neck-and-neck fight to the wire.  With every stride, Giant’s Causeway looked as if he would dethrone the pacemaking Tiznow, but the colossal dark bay clung onto his miniscule lead.  With only ¹/₈ mile left to determine that day’s champion, it is believed that Kinane temporarily lost the reins on Giant’s Causeway, causing the Iron Horse to lose some balance momentarily. 

The pair flashed across Churchill Downs’ finish pole and the riders stood in the irons.  The 2:00.75 that it took to run the 1 ¼ mile Breeders’ Cup Classic determined more than the winner of a horse race.  This short instant in time altered not just the record books, but also the lives of the two best finishers.  Crossing the wire in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was the crowning moment in both these champions’ careers.  Giant’s Causeway had fought his last battle.  Tiznow’s effort helped him to become one of America’s most celebrated horses of the modern-day, and Giant’s Causeway attained his legendary status, even in defeat. This valiant stretch duel to the wire will forever rank among racing’s greatest epic dogfights.

Having been able to see both Tiznow and the Iron Horse at stud firsthand, it is clear the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic was symbolic of the Thoroughbred racehorse.  Tiznow, from America, and Giant’s Causeway of Ireland represent two completely opposite standards of equine flesh.  They are dissimilar in conformation, yet they both represent the best of the Thoroughbred breed.  Tiznow is massive in stature, looming at 17 hands.  He exhibits those qualities similar to a racing greyhound; a sleek, nimble look that suggests he may have run well over the turf.

Seeing Storm Cat and his son Giant’s Causeway, it is quite obvious the Iron Horse inherited many of his sire’s great assets.  While Tiznow’s conformation suggests that he could have run well over a turf course, Giant’s Causeway’s appearance implies that he would enjoy a racing career on a dirt oval. His build demands recognition for his commanding presence. Giant’s Causeway exhibits very powerful hindquarters, a stout, yet strong neck, and an angular shoulder and rump.  Perhaps his finest quality is his potent limbs, which have short, flat cannon bones and perfectly proportioned pasterns.  His build resembles that of a sprinting horse whereas Tiznow’s conformation implies distance.

INDUSTRY GIANT:

Upon his retirement, the Iron Horse enjoyed a fruitful stud career at Coolmore’s Ireland division through the 2005 breeding season.  Coolmore chose to send him to their American facility, Ashford Stud, where he currently stands for $85,000.   Not long after arriving in Lexington, he became the leading sire in North America for two consecutive years.

Giant’s Causeway has proven to be a versatile stallion, producing racehorses winning at longer and shorter distances. His offspring is even victorious over dirt, turf, and synthetic footing.   In 2009, the average winning distance for his progeny was 9.3 furlongs, while it totaled 8.87 furlongs in North America.  Sixty percent of his winners during that year triumphed anywhere from one mile to ten furlongs.                                                                   Photo courtesy of Tom Ferry 



Giant’s Causeway’s progeny includes the four length Eddie Read Stakes winner, Aragorn, and more recently, Await the Dawn.  His three-year-olds are especially brilliant, as this list consists of Eskendereya, who won the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial by a combined 18 ¼ lengths.  The unrivaled Footstepsinthesand triumphed in the 2,000 Guineas, while the filly Ghanaati set a new track record in Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes. His son, Rite of Passage also established a new course record at Royal Ascot in the Ascot Gold Cup.  Shamardal won the Dewhurst Stakes as a two-year-old, and went on to win the French Derby and St. James’s Palace Stakes at three.  Giant’s Causeway is responsible for champion juveniles, and has the 4 ½ length Hopeful Stakes winner, First Samurai to his credit.  The Iron Horse’s offspring includes nineteen Gr. I winners and fourteen Gr. 2 victors.

PAVING THE CAUSEWAY:

After researching the Iron Horse’s pedigree, it is logical that he had success from six to ten and one-half furlongs, as his pedigree is an unbroken blend of sprinters and routers.

Storm Cat’s broodmare sire is Secretariat, who is a representative of the successful Bold Ruler/Princequillo cross. Bold Ruler also appears in Giant’s Causeway’s pedigree as his third dam’s grandsire. On the dam’s side of Giant’s Causeway, there are two crosses of Hail to Reason, whose pedigree exhibits two reoccurrences of Man O’ War. Interestingly, Bold Ruler’s dam, Miss Disco, is a product of the Fair Play sire line, while Princequillo’s dam hails from the Rock Sand sire line. The fourth dam of Giant’s Causeway is a granddaughter of War Relic, by Man O’ War. War Relic’s dam, Friar’s Carse, is by Friar Rock, from the breeding of Rock Sand and Fairy Gold (the dam of Fair Play).

In his first five generations, Friar Rock has four crosses of Stockwell, who is out of Pocohontas. Nasrullah appears twice in Giant’s Causeway’s fifth generation. Nasrullah’s grandsire, Pharos, is out of a Chaucer mare. Chaucer has two crosses of Pocohontas, who was believed to carry the X-factor – a genetically inherited mutation that makes the heart larger. Secretariat, famous for having the largest heart on record, had 249 crosses of Pocohontas in his pedigree, while Northern Dancer had 272, and Mr. Prospector could trace back to this great broodmare on 353 occasions. Eclipse, who had an exceptionally large heart for his era, appears thirteen times in Pocohontas’ pedigree. Chaucer also has two crosses of Voltaire on his sire’s side. Eclipse is present three times in Voltaire’s fifth generation. Harkening back, Friar Rock has two crosses of Galopin in his fourth generation. Voltaire appears twice in Galopin’s pedigree.

Chaucer is out of Canterbury Pilgrim, who is also the dam of Swynford. A successful sire, Swynford is the great-grandsire of Nasrullah’s dam. Blushing Groom, the grandsire of Giant’s Causeway’s dam, has three crosses of Blandford, sired by Swynford.

Mariah’s Storm, the dam of Giant’s Causeway, was a successful racehorse in her own right. A six-time graded stakes winner, she was competitive against top fields, and earned nearly $750,000 on the racetrack despite fracturing her leg as a juvenile.  Mariah’s Storm carried on the success of her reliable female line. Her dam, Immense, won a GIII, and an ungraded stakes, while her mother won a stakes race. Itsabet, the fourth dam of Mariah’s Storm, was a multiple stakes winner with victories including the Prioress Stakes.  The 2005 movie, Dreamer, was loosely based on the story of Mariah’s Storm, who was sent to Ireland in 2006.

This resilient racemare transferred her talent from the track to the breeding shed. Mariah’s Storm is worthy of accolades as a broodmare due to the quality of horses she consistently produces. Aside from Giant’s Causeway, she is the dam of Freud, the late Roar of the Tiger, Yoursothrilling, and Tumblebrutus (all of whom are by Storm Cat).

THE "COOL" IN COOLMORE:

Coolmore has supported the North American Thoroughbred industry as a whole by purchasing American-bred equines at our prestigious sales, entering their top horses from abroad in our most significant races, and supplying our breeding business with their best blood.  It is excellent to see an international racing and breeding powerhouse such as Coolmore help North American horseracing prosper on a global stage.  After the Iron Horse’s tremendous success as a racehorse and a stallion in Ireland, it was noble of Coolmore to aid the flourishing North American racing industry by sending him to stand in Kentucky. 

rte.ie:  Racing:  O’Brien’s joy with Giant’s Causeway

www.tribune.ie:  Causeway is beaten

I'll Have Another Benefits from Sports Science

The glorious blanket of roses draped over I’ll Have Another’s withers complimented his rich, red coat in the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle.  His connections reveled in their moment of exultation.  This year’s first leg of the Triple Crown consisted of firsts for horse and connections.  I’ll Have Another was the first horse in 23 years to win the Derby after crossing the wire first in the Santa Anita Derby.  He became the first Derby horse to win from the 19^th gate and was the first contender for his trainer Dough O’Neil and owner J. Paul Reddam.  Mario Gutierrez, hailing from a small-time Canadian track, not only rode his first Derby aboard I’ll Have Another.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Ferry

Three weeks before the Kentucky Derby, I’ll Have Another breezed six furlongs at Hollywood Park.  The following day, he experienced tightness in the lumbar portion of his back and was treated with shock wave therapy to aid in pain relief.

Shock wave therapy is relatively new to veterinary medicine and has been growing into a popular treatment for multiple ailments in athletic horses.  Medical practitioners began using shock wave therapy to disintegrate kidney stones in their human patients in 1971.  Fourteen later, experts began venturing into research on shock wave therapy’s effect on bones. 

In 1996, German veterinarians initially used shock wave therapy to treat lameness in a horse brought on by the ligament injury, suspensory desmitis (inflammation at the suspensory ligament’s point of attachment to the bone).  A horse with navicular pain and osteoarthritis in the hock became the first horse in the United States to be successfully treated with shock wave therapy in 1998.

Two rather dissimilar types of shock wave therapy can be administered.  The less-intrusive radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) assists in the healing process of some muscoskeletal injuries.  It uses less pressure and has shallow penetration through the muscles and soft tissues.  Extracorpeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) seems to be the more frequently-used treatments of the two.  ESWT is focused on a very precise, small area during treatment and provides deep penetration, producing an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect and significantly increasing the speed of healing. 

Regulations prohibit horses to compete for a certain amount of days following treatment due to ESWT’s analgesic influence.  In North America, horses are not permitted to start anywhere from five to ten days depending on the state in which they compete, as every state has its own racing jurisdiction.  However, British Racing Rules allow horses to run with treatment up until race day.  Horses may be less sore after a treatment of shock wave therapy, but the injury still exists.  Like phenylbutazone (commonly referred to as Bute – a drug horses are allowed to compete with in North America to a certain dosage), shock wave therapy in a sense masks the ailment and leaves the horse prone to injuring itself more severely.  Precaution must be taken to ensure horses are not unknowingly put at risk, and experts advise a minimum of two day’s rest following treatment before a horse returns to work.

ESWT is frequently used as a short-lived solution to back muscle pain, as we see with I’ll Have Another.  Shock wave therapy does not impact tissues between the surface and the site of treatment, and offers the best results when applied to ligaments – particularly where they attach to a bone.  It is most commonly used to help resolve ligament issues including suspensory ligament inflammation. Shock wave therapy assists in the repair of tendon tears, as it improves fiber alignment as the tendon heals.

The anti-inflammatory effect produced by shock wave therapy interestingly lessens the quantity of pain-causing biochemicals.  Treatment can not only enhance the formation of blood vessels, but also boost production of cellular bone morphogenic protein (BMP) influential in the bone’s healing process.  One study even showed that an increased volume of shock waves weakened the protective barriers of bacterial cells, consequently decreasing the amount of bacterial cells in the horse’s system.  According to Iowa State University’s Dr. Scott McClure, DVM, and leading researcher of equine shock wave therapy, treatment increases the cell walls’ absorption capabilities. (Trainer Magazine)

It can additionally be used on the dorsal sacral iliac ligaments.  The sacral iliac joint is essential to a horse when coming out of the starting gates, as the energy accumulated when the horse shifts its weight to the hindlimbs travels down the back to this vital joint.

Research has proven that shock wave therapy is valuable for treating common yet encumbering injuries such as bone spavin, bowed tendons, exostosis, fractured splint bones, navicular syndrome, sore backs, splints, and suspensory ligament disease.  Seventy-five percent of horses treated with shock wave therapy for the preceding ailments displayed discernible headway in recovery in initial research conducted by Dr. Stephen Adams of Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital. (Trainer Magazine)

Shock wave therapy is costly and is administered via a box producing high-pressure, low frequency acoustic waves.  This device is attached to a wand that is placed on the location requiring treatment. Shockwaves contain energy that is only released when they meet with tissue varying in thickness.  When released from the shockwaves, the energy networks with tissue and generates natural curative systems.  It also promotes osteoclasts – bone cells that help to reconstruct bones.  One of the many benefits of shock wave therapy is the stimulation of blood flow, consequently reducing inflammation.  Shock wave therapy must be administered with care, and should never be placed over cavities that hold gases such as the intestines and lungs.

Shock wave therapy is not the only entity that increases blood flow.  Using light therapies stimulates endothelial light receptor cells to produce a greater volume of the nitric oxide generating enzyme, nitric oxide synthatase (NOS). Blood flow is promoted and surrounding nerves are affected when nitric oxide is released into the tissues.  Nitric oxide is one of the multiple substances that can initiate the interruption of morphine receptors which results in pain relief.  Many breeding farms use artificial lighting to arouse their mares’ pituitary gland producing the hormone that initiates follicle development and brings mares into season.  There is no healthier source of light than the sun, but it has been proven synthetic lighting can not only artificially induce spring, but also aid in the health and soundness of active racehorses. 

Using Infa Red lighting, in conjunction with other technological aids, Aidan O’Brien of the training empire Ballydoyle won both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas last weekend with Homecoming Queen and Camelot respectively.  It is believed some light receptors respond particularly to infa red energy.  They react by increasing blood flow and removing heat from the area in focus.  LED Infa red diode therapy is an effective treatment where a string of infa red diodes are directed at the afflicted area.  Companies selling infa red diodes recommend positioning their product at points of acupuncture.

LED light therapy in particular has shown to be effective in the healing process of humans and animals. Navy members working on submarines are given LED light therapy to help heal injuries due to the lack of sunlight they are exposed to, causing injuries to heal slower.  In one study, they healed over 50% faster than usual after treatment.  LED light therapy promotes of DNA synthesis.  DNA synthesis creates DNA for new cells and is also known as DNA replication because the original DNA strand multiplies into two in order to create another.  Consequently, DNA synthesis stimulated by LED light helps to create new cells and hasten the healing process. 

Cold laser therapy is an interesting treatment garnering positive results.  Its recipients include the recent rags to riches star Blind Luck.  The laser must be of the Class IV variety, as this type offers sufficient penetration through the tissues.  The cold laser is supplied from a hand-held box and light is shined at the specific site of treatment for a short duration of time.  Its particular light frequency stimulates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which provides energy for the cells’ energy-consuming activities, consequently raising the horse’s cellular metabolism. 

Niagara Equissage puts forth an array of products assisting in local blood circulation, reduced swelling, joint mobility, and lymphatic drainage. Likely their most popular item is the back pad sitting where the saddle is placed.  The back pad sends forceful vibrations in three separate directions.  The effects of the vibrations can be felt throughout the entire body and are scientifically proven to enhance the warm-up and cool-down process for racing and works.  Various leading trainers around the globe such as Aidan O’Brien, Bill Mott, Dale Romans, and Freddie Head benefit from Niagara Equissage products.  John Sherriffs’ horses receive this treatment on race day and Michael Matz puts it to the task before and after his horses start.  Top English trainer, Ed Dunlop, stated, “I love the Equissage system.  Its vibrating action promotes relaxation, reducing pain and muscle spasms, and enhances muscle activity and healing.  I use it regularly on all my racehorses.”

The results clearly have a significant impact on a horse’s racing career, as proven by one mare during a three month period.  Her improvement was measured by workout times, race results, Beyer speed figures, and heart rate measurements.  Though track conditions vary from day to day, this mare was nearly half of one second faster in a five furlong work with Niagara Equissage than without treatment.  Her post-work recovery in these breezes after five minutes increased from 71% without treatment to 85.5% with treatment.

She finished a two mile gallop after Niagara Equissage one second faster than a previous gallop while her average pace was a remarkable six seconds quicker.  Considering that one second equals five lengths, the difference is staggering.  Her feet traveled per beat enlarged one foot with treatment while her average heart rate was notably lower, dropping from 207 bpm to 196 bpm.  Her stride size and heart rate show the obvious positive impact Niagara Equissage had on her stride efficiency.

In her two starts without Niagara Equissage, she finished seventh and eighth with Beyer speed figures of 34 and 35 respectively.  However, this changed in her two outings preceded by treatment twenty minutes before coming onto the track.  She finished first in both starts, winning with Beyer speed figures of 50 and 49.  Normally, I don’t consider Beyer speed figures, but the differences in these ratings are tremendous.

As discussed earlier in my article, “MissionImpossible?  Lasix and Conditioning”, technology is paving a path towards a brighter and safer tomorrow for horse racing.  Trainers and owners can get more out of their horses with not just heart rate monitoring and high-speed treadmills, but also the aforementioned therapies that enhance soundness and lead to a more efficient racehorse.  Technology gave I’ll Have Another the opportunity to be pain-free and in turn, be better prepared to give his strongest effort in the Kentucky Derby.

BMW Champion Mile: Cityscape

A man once proclaimed to another, “My horse is faster than yours,” and thus began horse racing. 

Horse racing quickly transformed into not just a sport – but a fine art of breeding and conditioning.  A crucial turning point in racing history is back in the adolescence of the sport.  English breeders imported the regal stallions of the Middle East to breed to their hardier, robust mares.  These significant stallions enhanced the old Thoroughbred, adding to the gene pool their grace and stamina.  Their presence resulted in an incredible specimen of agility, elegance, and might. 

Annually, the most exceptional of the Thoroughbred breed come together to their roots in the hopes to claim some of the finest titles racing has to offer.  Perhaps there is no better place to observe the regality and superiority of the racehorse than the U.A.E’s Meydan Racecourse, as it is exemplary of the Thoroughbred’s glamor and majesty.

Donning a white blaze on his substantial red head, Cityscape prevailed in the Group I Dubai Duty Free on the night of the Dubai World Cup.  The six-year-old homebred for Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms claimed the $3 million winner’s share from this start and defeated fourteen others by an astounding 4 ¼ lengths.  Trained by Roger Charlton, Cityscape has raced for four years and earned just over $4 million from his seventeen starts.  He has only finished out of the top three in three of his career starts, which proves he maintains a high level of consistency over the years.

Cityscape will be making his next start in Sha Tin’s $12 million BMW Champion Mile on Sunday, May 6^th.  He handled his twenty-four hour flight to Hong Kong and had the opportunity to canter over the synthetic surface.    Cityscape’s latest fast work came in England and he has been working lightly at Sha Tin.   He will be facing African Story and Peter Moody’s King’s Rose in the BMW Champion Mile.  Representing Australia, King’s Rose has been in outstanding condition according to Moody, who stated, “King’s Rose is not here for practice.  My belief is that she can win.  My expectation is, at least, she’ll be running very well.  She’s in great shape.”

Cityscape attained just above $800,000 in his seven races during 2011, winning two Group III’s, placing on three occasions, and crossing the wire third once.  The lone third place finish came in a game effort 2 ¾ lengths behind Canford Cliffs and Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting.  This race, which was part of the British Champions’ Series, was contested over one mile.  Canford Cliffs traveled over the course rated as “good” in 1:38.38, which was 0.62 seconds faster than the track record.   

After a Grade III win at The Curragh, Cityscape traveled to Italy for the Group I Premio Vittorio di Capua over a course declared as “good”.  He led the field down the stretch, but was caught late by Dick Turpin and Christophe Soumillon who stopped the clock in a solid 1:33.2.  Next out, he won the Grade III Prix Perth on a very soft course at Saint-Cloud in France.  Cityscape and jockey Steve Drowne defeated the nine others by two lengths over the one mile distance.  His final start of the year was in the Group I Hong Kong Mile against thirteen others.  Cityscape finished a neck behind the winner who he chased in the final 175 yards after getting bottled up in the field on the outside.  Going off at 32-1, he finished closely behind a time of 1:33.98.

The Dubai Duty Free was Cityscape first start of 2012. He broke from the eleventh gate in a field of fifteen.  Two horses including gate-scratch Dubawi Gold were withdrawn from the 1 ¹/₈ mile Dubai Duty Free.  Cityscape broke cleanly with James Doyle aboard and settled into third behind Ballydoyle’s pacemaking Await the Dawn. 

Under mild restraint, Cityscape moved into second after the opening quarter and contended for the victory with 500 meters left to determine the champion of the Dubai Duty Free.  He gained an arresting lead into the homestretch and pulled away with sensational authority as he progressed to the wire.  Under urging from Doyle, Cityscape showed his colossal front and back end reach.  He boasted an ideal balance of an overwhelming turn of foot and composure as he galloped to the finish with exceptional efficiency.  Cityscape gave James Doyle his first ever Group I victory and broke the course record by ¾ of a second in a 4 ¼ lengths romp.  An ecstatic Doyle, riding in the place of the unwell Steve Drowne, said after the race, “It’s his first time over a furlong further but he’s got a turn of foot and he stays well so I’m not surprised.  It’s without a doubt the biggest day of my life.”

"It's his first time over a furlong further but he's got a turn of foot and he stays well so I'm not surprised. It's without doubt the biggest day of my life."From the breeding of Selkirk and the Distant View mare, Tantina, Cityscape is the result of a wise cross by Juddmonte Farms.  In 1991, Selkirk was the heavyweight three-year-old in England at the distances of 7 to 9 ½ furlongs.  He claimed this same title in England and France as the older horse the next year.  Bred and campaigned by George Strawbridge, he produced a race record of six wins, two seconds, and three thirds out of fifteen career starts.  Selkirk triumphed in the Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as three other Group II’s.

Selkirk’s sire, Sharpen Up, was an established racehorse in his own right.  During his racing days, he became a Group I winner and a leading juvenile in England.  He was among the leading broodmare sires in North America during his career as a stallion.  Sharpen Up sired over eighty stakes winners, and ten champions.  Annie Edge, the dam of Selkirk, descends from the Nearco sire line and her second dam traces back to Princequillo on the top.  Notably, the second dam of Annie Edge is out of a Hyperion mare.

Cityscape’s first and second dam were also bred by Juddmonte Farms.  His first dam, Tantina, had success on the racetrack, winning two stakes races and showing in a Group III.  She was produced from the astute breeding of Distant View and Didina, a prosperous racemare that showed in a Group I event.  Distant View is a son of Mr. Prospector whose third dam is by Teddy’s son, Bull Dog.  Interestingly, Bull Dog’s second dam is by the significant sire, St. Simon while Distant View’s tenth dam is also by St. Simon.  Distant View’s second dam is by Northern Dancer’s son Lyphard, whose second dam is Flaming Page (by Bull Dog).  His sixth dam is by Almamoud’s sire, Mahmoud.  Princequillo has a presence in Distant View’s pedigree, as his broodmare sire is by Riverman’s grandson, Irish River.  Riverman is by Never Bend, and out of a mare by Princequillo’s son, Prince John.

Didina’s broodmare sire is Northern Dancer’s son Danzig, who was believed to carry the X-factor.  Notably, her second dam’s sire is Sir Ivor, whose sire is out of Somethingroyal, a daughter of Princequillo who famously foaled Secretariat.  Didina descends from a dam line rich with quality, as her third dam is Grade III winner and 1982 Broodmare of the Year Best in Show.  Intriguingly, the dam of Best in Show is by Mr. Busher, a product of the opulent La Troienne dam line.  Also, Mr. Busher is sired by the 1937 Triple Crown hero, War Admiral.  Didina’s fifth dam is a daughter of Hourless, who was foaled by a Rock Sand mare.  Remarkably, Rock Sand’s broodmare sire is St. Simon.

2,000 Guineas 2012: Camelot

The lavish beauty of the Thoroughbred surrounded me at Keeneland Racecourse on a quiet Wednesday.  The weekend warriors departed with Saturday’s final race, leaving the hard-core handicappers and fans to watch the racehorses and their connections in a more relaxed weekday atmosphere.  It was another day at the office for those who tightened the girth on their entrant. 

I stood in the paddock as each horse came in from the barn area to prepare for the fourth race.  I eagerly anticipated this 1 ½ mile turf event not just because these marathon grass horses represented athleticism and the essence of the breed, but that a daughter of the recently deceased Montjeu was running.  

The Brian Lynch-trained Montjeu daughter Turns My Head lived up to her name as she entered the paddock.  She looked about the scene with a substantial, regal head atop her supple, elegant neck.  Her shining, dappled coat showed her health while her muscularity proved her high fitness level.  This mare was well-balanced and proportional to her suitable size.  Turns My Head exemplified the agile, gamey look of the Thoroughbred turf horse.

I sensed an element of infatuation with this mare due to Montjeu’s all too early death from complications of septicaemia.  Montjeu reached the zenith of his stallion career last year, his progeny reigning on a global stage.  His three-year-old son Pour Moi won the Epsom Derby while Masked Marvel took the St. Leger.  St. Nicholas Abbey triumphed stateside with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf.  Montjeu’s legacy has another opportunity to live on in the form of the 2,000 Guineas favorite, the triumphant juvenile, Camelot.

Camelot won both of his two career starts, each of which came as a juvenile. He broke his maiden at first asking on July 14^th at Leopardstown.  Ridden by Joseph O’Brien, Camelot was one of the three Aidan O’Brien trainees in the five horse contest.  Camelot won by two lengths over one mile on a track declared as “good”.

He took a massive step in class when he faced four others in the Group I Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on October 22^nd.  Camelot received favoritism for the one mile event on a good course.  After breaking cleanly, O’Brien confined Camelot to the tail of the field for the early portions of the race.  It did not take long for Camelot to settle well behind horses as his stablemate, Learn, established an assertive lead.  Camelot was bottled up behind a wall of horses as the race progressed, but angled to the inside for running room.  Under slight hand-riding, Camelot bounded to the lead with striking ease and got up to win by 2 ¼ lengths inside the final furlong in convincing fashion.

Camelot looks to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.  The 2,000 Guineas is one of the most prestigious contests in racing, posing as first three-year-old classic of Europe’s flat racing season.  In 1809, Wizard became the first winner of the 2,000 Guineas over Newmarket’s pristine Rowley Mile.  Gallops of grass, sand, and peat-moss extend over twenty-eight miles of English turf.  The glory that is Newmarket consumes a vast 2,000 acres of tremendous history reaching back to the beginnings of the sport.  Though this marvelous racecourse’s story began in 1200, Newmarket held the first recorded race in all of England in 1622. 

Camelot boasts potential for a dominant three-year-old season and could likely be the best horse entered in tomorrow’s 2,000 Guineas.  However, his inexperience may be a concern in this large field and the soft course may not work in his favor.  He has yet to compete on soft turf and will be making his first start as a three-year-old in the 2,000 Guineas.  Camelot should be an influential horse in Europe’s three-year-old division, and I anticipate him to offer an all-around solid performance in his first outing this year. 

Bunny's Derby Darlings: Union Rags

All Photos Courtesy of Tom Ferry

In a muddy triumph, Ruler on Ice galloped across the wire in the Belmont Stakes.  The sun went down on the Triple Crown.  The three race series went unconquered for another year, remaining perhaps the most elusive contest of all sports.  For over three decades, none had galloped down the untrodden path to Triple Crown fame.   The thought of witnessing one horse win not only the Kentucky Derby, but also the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes seemed to be a far-fetched, inconceivable reality. 

The prospect of watching last summer’s auspicious juveniles brought me optimism that perhaps there could be a Triple Crown winner standing in the serenity of the Saratoga backstretch at sunset, patiently waiting to stitch his name into the fabric of the sport, to change the world of horse racing as we know it.  Perhaps that fledgling star was Union Rags.

Union Rags took his first step towards equine stardom in a maiden for two-year-olds at Delaware Park.  In this five furlong event on dirt, he and jockey Julian Pimentel faced a field of eight others including Mark Valenski.  With a fair time of 58.25, Union Rags won by 1 ¾ lengths for owner Phyllis Wyeth and trainer Michael Matz.  This start was just the beginning of a string of decisive triumphs for Union Rags that made him the leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, and the top candidate for the Eclipse Award for the two-year-old colt division. 

On the week prior to the Saratoga Special, top jockey Javier Castellano received a phone call from his agent, requesting that he would work horses on Tuesday morning.  Since Tuesday was the only dark day of racing, riders normally took the day off entirely. However, going to the track to gallop horses on that morning proved to be a fruitful endeavor for Castellano, as he was given a leg up onto a juvenile with the potential to be the horse of a lifetime.  “When I showed up and worked the horse in the morning, it was unbelievable.”Castellano said of his first ride aboard Union Rags, “I’ve never worked a horse like that and I’ve been very fortunate to ride horses like Ghostzapper and Bernardini.  I’ve been a very lucky, fortunate guy, but this horse is unbelievable and special.”  Union Rags completed the four furlong work in :47.66, which was the bullet out of 44 horses at Saratoga.

A few months later, Union Rags suffered his first defeat to Hansen under the twin spires, chasing the white son of Tapit down to the wire.  Though Union Rags lost by a meager head, he gave a solid effort after an unfortunate trip.  His performance showed that he runs well over Churchill Down’s dirt course, and for the first time, Union Rags proved he had the ability to overcome adversity.

He began his three-year-old campaign in winning fashion.  Union Rags took Gulfstream Park’s Fountain of Youth Stakes by four lengths with Julien Leparoux aboard for the first time.  Castellano opted to ride Algorithms, who scratched from the race due to an injury that knocked him off the Triple Crown trail.  Because Leparoux gave a good ride aboard Union Rags, he retained the mount for his next start in the Florida Derby.

Twenty-one Derby winners passed through the Florida Derby on their trail to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle.  This 1 ¹/₈ mile contest offered a purse of $1 million, making it a key race for horses short on Graded Stakes earnings.  However, this wasn’t a concern for Union Rags who garnered heavy favoritism.  Though the Florida Derby was a prominent race for Derby winners, the history seemed to go against its favorites.  Of the thirteen previous Florida Derby favorites at even odds or less, twelve were beaten and none went on to triumph in the Kentucky Derby.

Union Rags broke cleanly from the sixth gate in a field of eight horses.  Risen Star Stakes winner, El Padrino and Javier Castellano instantly raced to the favorite’s side and squeezed him into tight quarters behind a wall of horses.  Around the first turn, Leparoux steadied Union Rags and held him under mild restraint through fractions of :23.6 for the opening quarter, and :47.71 for the half mile. 

Horses passed Union Rags around the final turn, and Leparoux asked him for an effort as he searched for running room.  The pair squeezed through a tight spot on the rail in the homestretch and chased down the leaders.  Leparoux had to guide him to the outside as he came on with tremendous strides.  His stately white face covered in mud, he crossed the wire a gaining third behind Take Charge Indy and Reveron. 

This game effort showed Union Rags’ exceptional ability, as he made three separate bids for the lead.  He overcame race-riding from his former-jockey Javier Castellano who was aboard the Pletcher trainee, El Padrino.  

Despite the negative press regarding Julien Leparoux’s ride, I felt it was an example of class and intelligence, because he responded calmly and did not attempt to push through a dangerous position.  Instead, he kept his and the surrounding horses safe by riding conservatively.  He didn’t waste Union Rags’ fitness level on this Derby prep, instead saving it for the Kentucky Derby – when it matters most which horse gets to the wire first. 

This race didn’t do anything to prove Union Rags won’t get the Derby distance, contrary to numerous statements.  Actually, it revealed just the opposite.  He showed that he can not only recover from adversity, but will also triumph when he is stretched out.  A horse doesn’t have to cross the wire first to overcome – he has to keep trying, and this is just what Union Rags did in the Florida Derby.  He was coming on late and galloped out past the winner, so it seems quite clear that he will get the distance. 

Union Rags drew the fourth gate from the rail in the Kentucky Derby.  He was fortunate to not get stuck on the rail or on the outside.  However, I hoped he would break from somewhere in the middle of the field such as the eight, nine, ten, or twelve hole.  Union Rags’ post position is not ideal, but he will have the ability to run well from this gate, given that he has a clean start.  Because Dullahan on his outside is a horse that runs off the pace, it is likely that he will not give Union Rags, running near the lead, any trouble at the start.

It has been thought that Union Rags won’t win at the Classic distance because of his sire, Dixie Union, who only has one router to his credit.  Now he is responsible for two.  May I bring to mind the story of Secretariat and Bold Ruler?  In 1973, people believed Secretariat would not run well at the Derby distance because Bold Ruler was a sire of sprinters.  Secretariat went on to take the Derby and Belmont in track record time in his Triple Crown reign.  Interestingly, Bold Ruler was deceased before Secretariat ever stepped on the racetrack while Dixie Union had passed by the time Union Rags made his first step towards racing supremacy.  Things that make you go hmmm…

Trainer Michael Matz speaking with the media

Owner Phyllis Wyeth