Re-Post: Mining My Own: A Great Broodmare in the Making

I originally published this article in March 2012 covering Mining My Own's recent success with her sons, Dullahan, and Mine That Bird.  Coming off Dullahan's Pacific Classic win against some of the top older males, I felt it was a good time to re-post this article.

 

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.

Claiborne's Sign of Things to Come

Saratoga never ceases to bring us visions of the future, even on their day slated for the older mares to show their prowess in yesterday’s Personal Ensign.  Exquisite debutantes came out onto the track for the second race with the guidance of their colorful lead ponies.  These examples of lovely femininity aspired to make their first impression on the racetrack as successful as the famed silks they carried to the post.  Stables such as Claiborne Farm, Dogwood Stable, Stonestreet, and Phipps Stable filled this eight horse contest held over six furlongs on the dirt surface rated as fast.

But most promising in the entire field of juveniles was the developed bay filly representing the over-a-century-old Claiborne Farm and part owner Adele Dilschneider.   Sign, a home-bred daughter of Pulpit, showed bright implications for her future as a racehorse.  The word that came to me when watching her through the post parade to the gallop out was “stability”.  This two-year-old filly appeared to be mature beyond her years, as she seemed to be a specimen of proportionality supported by sturdy legs.  Sign showed resemblances of her sire with her potent build, possessing outstanding muscling to her hindquarters, which aids immensely in propelling herself down the homestretch.

Sign loaded into the first stall, ignored at odds of 10-1, in her career debut without the anti-bleeding diuretic, Lasix.  She was slow to break, but came out in a professional manner under Rosie Napravnik, who guided her into third place on the rail.  Running in fourth after an opening ¼ mile in :22.56, Sign pulled mildly against her rider’s restraint.  However, she got into her best stride halfway through the race when she was given some rein and drifted into the second path off the rail.  Into the stretch, Napravnik angled her mount four paths wide and implored her for a finishing kick.  Sign responded by shying from the whip, jumping to the inside.  Napravnik was quick to correct Sign’s mistake, and from this point forward, she powered past the leaders with the expertise of an older horse to win by 11 ¾ lengths in what track announcer Tom Durkin hailed as “an auspicious debut.”

Sign possesses an auspicious future not only as a racehorse, but also as a broodmare.  Her fourth dam, Alluvial, produced the Belmont Stakes winning Costal, and the two-time champion Slew O’ Gold.  By a stallion standing at Claiborne and from a dam line of Claiborne mares, Sign is also out of the half-sister to the Grade II American Derby winner, Lattice.

Sign is by the Blue Grass Stakes and Fountain of Youth winner, Pulpit, who is a result of the breeding of A.P. Indy to a Mr. Prospector mare.  Consequently, he descends from the Bold Ruler sire line, while his second dam is also from the Bold Ruler sire line.  The third dam of Pulpit is by the 1970 English Triple Crown winner, Nijinsky, who stood at Claiborne as Nijinsky II and had a large sum of success as a broodmare sire.  Interestingly, Pulpit’s fourth dam is by the incredible broodmare sire, Princequillo. 

Being by A.P. Indy brings forth a large presence of the Bold Ruler/Princequillo cross, since A.P. Indy is not only from the Bold Ruler sire line, but also out of the Secretariat mare, Weekend Surprise.  Secretariat was from the breeding of Bold Ruler and the Princequillo mare, Somethingroyal, who was also the dam of Sir Gaylord.  Notably, A.P. Indy’s third dam is a Sir Gaylord mare.

Sign is out of the Mighty mare, Cross, who was a stakes winner at two and stakes placed as a three-year-old.  Mighty factors in a larger influence of the Raise a Native sire line, as he is out of a Mr. Prospector mare, like Pulpit.  The multiple Graded Stakes winning Mighty also infuses more Princequillo, since his third dam is by the Princequillo son, Prince John, and his fourth dam is from the Rose Prince sire line.  Cross is a product of the Brigadier Gerard sire line, as her great-grandsire, General, is sired by the English champion, and out of a mare by Pan, a French-bred stallion who has gained admiration in my eyes for his athletic build and large presence of St. Simon.  The third dam of General was also by Teddy’s son, Brumeux, while his fourth dam was a Rose Prince mare.  Rose Prince was sired Princequillo’s sire, Prince Rose.  Adding to Princequillo’s imprint on Sign’s pedigree is that her fifth dam is by Princequillo’s champion son, Hill Prince.

There have been various impressive juvenile winners at this year’s Saratoga meet, but undoubtedly one of the most promising is Sign.  Completing the six furlongs in 1:10.37, she exhibited a commanding stride possessing fluid efficiency and an extensive back end reach.  An essential component of a successful juvenile is the willingness to run past the opponents, and respond to the rider’s corrections, of which this victress for trainer Al Stall Jr. was a strong example.  Rosie Napravnik offered a solid ride aboard this first-time starter and I am eager to see what lies ahead in this pair’s future.

2012 Travers Stakes: Nonios to Challenge Alpha

The 2012 “Midsummer Derby” trail is reminiscent of the previous years’ road to the Kentucky Derby, riddled with the unfortunate injuries and illnesses of the hot favorites.  Making it through this year’s Run for the Roses with our stars intact, we looked to the future with eager anticipation.  I’ll Have Another won the Preakness Stakes, bringing hopes of a Triple Crown to life.  However, these hopes were dashed just days before the Belmont Stakes when he bowed a tendon and was retired to stand stud in Japan.  But then we felt an incredible rush of exhilaration upon witnessing the intense stretch run from Union Rags and Paynter in the Belmont Stakes.   Racing fans couldn’t wait to see these titans battle on the Saratoga dirt, but then news broke of Union Rags’ retirement upon suffering a small lesion to his left front suspensory ligament.  Next was Bodemeister, who reminded us of Alydar with his challenges to I’ll Have Another in the Derby and Preakness, ending his career due to a nerve issue in his shoulder. 

After winning the Haskell, Paynter caught a fever, knocking him out of Travers Stakes contention.  The Gotham Stakes winning Hansen then stood as the only headliner from the Triple Crown season to contest in the Travers. But then the horse hailed by his owner as “The Great White Hope” rendered racing hopeless to see a key Derby runner make it to the Travers Stakes, sustaining a tendon issue which will likely force him “off the island” and into retirement.   Without the leaders of the Triple Crown trail, the Travers, a race heralded as the “Midsummer Derby” will be a showcase for the late-developing stars of the three-year-old colt division.

Owner Green Smith Jr., and the Hall of Fame trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, are reaping the rewards of patience with their improving three-year-old Nonios.  They chose to wait to start Nonios until February of this year, allowing him more time to develop, and he won his first two outings at the northern California track, Golden Gate Fields. 

Following his lone third place effort, Nonios entered the “major league” of California racing in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap, contested over 1 ¹/₁₆ miles at Betfair Hollywood Park.  He won this event by ½ length over Bob Baffert’s Liaison, a talented horse also competing in the Travers.  Nonios proceeded to offer a game second place effort only ¾ lengths behind Blueskiesnrainbows in the Grade II Swaps Stakes over that same track, carrying five pounds more than the winner.

A dark bay son of Pleasantly Perfect and a Touch Gold mare, Nonios shipped eastward for a striking runner-up exertion behind Paynter in the Haskell Invitational.  In this step up in class, Nonios was vanquished by 3 ¾ lengths, but separated himself 4 ½ lengths ahead of the third-placed Travers starter, Stealcase. 

Nonios is clearly an improving horse with every start, and I anticipate he will finish at the top of the Travers Stakes field.  He possesses remarkable physicality and a running style to match, as he settles comfortably in mid-pack, but is open to competing more forwardly placed if the fractions are slower.   

Godolphin’s colorbearer, Alpha, seems to be his most concerning adversary in the Travers field, which also includes Street Life, the winner of Saratoga’s Curlin Stakes.  I feel Nonios is the best selection in handicapping the Travers, since he will likely go off at a higher price due to the disregarding of his Haskell effort, since he was beaten by such a large margin.  However, he has defeated some key horses in this field during previous efforts, such as Liaison and Stealcase.  

Frankel Cheesecake

My dear friend, Tinsley, is completely enamored with Thoroughbred horse racing.  She fell in love with the sport watching the tremendous Triple Crown champion, Secretariat.  With warm words, Tinsley regularly reminisces about growing up in the time of her beloved “Big Red”.  She never saw her titan in the flesh, only able to witness his greatness through the television and the words of Time magazine. However, he will forever remain a figure of  adoration for her love of  horse racing. 

Thirty years from today, I will nostalgically declare, “I grew up in the era of Frankel.”

I will recall the great fortune I had to witness Frankel in many of his victories – but most significant to me is his demolition of the challengers in the Queen Anne Stakes.  Like Tinsley, my visions of this beautiful creation come to me through my television.  But this does not tamper my heart from fluttering at the sight of Frankel in the paddock or galloping down to the start.   

In his penultimate career start, Frankel enters tomorrow’s International Stakes over York’s manicured turf course.  Frankel charges forth in a test of stamina, stretching out a ¼ mile farther than he has ever traveled.   With his older stablemate Bullet Train entered to guide him through these uncharted waters, Frankel will have to quell the exertions from Farhh, beaten by Frankel in the Sussex Stakes, and audacious Ballydoyle challenger St Nicholas Abbey.  The eight horse contingent rebelling against Frankel would prove to be too trialing of a test for many a top-tier athlete, but for Frankel, they are only his supporting actors to his outrageous display of brilliance.

Imagine:  Eating a slice of delicious, sweet, smooth, creamy cheesecake - savoring every bite - looking forward to the next - glancing down at the plate - realizing there are only two bites left.

My Frankel…My Frankel!   

Eden's Moon: Good Moon Rising

This year follows in the footsteps of 2011 to be a solid year for racing in most categories.  The older males on both coasts prove to be top-notch athletes and even without the presence of Havre de Grace and Awesome Maria, the impressive mare Royal Delta will certainly make headlines in the older female division.  Our three-year-old colts are highly competitive and full of class though many feel this category may acquire a different countenance for the second half of the year. Upon witnessing the lackluster performances offered by the three-year-old fillies on dirt, one could make the statement that there have been no distinguished efforts for us to cherish from this year’s division.   I look to the three-year-old fillies on turf and see a crop of exceptional athletes.  As an infatuated admirer of European turf runners, I am proud to proclaim the Americans may have the upper hand in the Breeders’ Cup turf events for females.  Eden’s Moon, and Stephanie’s Kitten are incredible as individuals.  When put together in a category, they make me elated to exclaim, “I am proud to be an American racing fan!”

Sporting a striking pedigree, Eden’s Moon entered the GII San Clemente Handicap before the colorful crowds in attendance for Del Mar’s opening weekend.  Eden’s Moon attracted the most of the money wagered as the 9-10 favorite at post time.  Though she had triumphed on dirt and synthetic, the San Clemente was her first taste of the turf which was inspired by a four furlong work on the Del Mar grass.  The Bob Baffert trainee aspired to not only add a start on the turf to her list of victories, but was also attempting to earn her first win in three starts.  After winning Santa Anita’s GI Las Virgenes and a third in the Santa Anita Oaks, Eden’s Moon was pulled up in a testing trip during the Kentucky Oaks to finish last.  She showed the Kentucky Oaks was a throw-out effort by offering a game run in late June’s GII Hollywood Oaks, but losing a photo finish against the impressive Macho Uno daughter, Potesta.

Eden’s Moon broke from the fourth gate in the seven horse event with Rafael Bejarano in the saddle and eagerly went out to create a fluid pace.  The Texan invader, Don’tgetmadalexis, closely followed the opening quarter of :23 and a half mile in :47.09 established by Eden’s Moon.  Entering the stretch run, Eden’s Moon proved to be too great of a challenge for Don’tgetmadalexis.  She kicked away with remarkable power and a torrid turn of foot on the Del Mar turf and completed the one mile contest with a notable time of 1:34.38 on a firm course.  Though Eden’s Moon passed the wire 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the rapidly closing Open Waters, she left no doubt as to whether she was the most talented horse in the San Clemente.

Starting in tomorrow’s Del Mar Oaks, Eden’s Moon distinguishes herself with her pacesetting style and ability to maintain her speed throughout the entire duration of a race.  Eden’s Moon has the option to contest in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, or the sprint version of this race over the Santa Anita turf.  The bay filly is probably better suited for the Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at seven furlongs rather than the 1 ³/₈ mile grass event. Eden’s Moon would likely go off with favoritism in the Filly & Mare Sprint considering her success over one mile, a distance that is she is likely most comfortable running.  Also being based in Baffert’s barn on the southern California string could prove to be an added benefit in early November.

MARCO...botti...MARCO...botti...

This is the third in a three part series heading towards the 2012 International Festival of Racing reviewing the international contigents.

“A horse gallops with his lungs, perseveres with his heart, and wins with his character.”

Perhaps as legendary as the great breeder himself, Federico Tesio’s famous words have carved themselves into the minds of anyone who has ever been affiliated with racing – from novice fans to the sport’s worldwide leaders.  The Italian breeder could be likened to a masterful chef, using the rich heritage of two Thoroughbreds to create immaculate dishes such as Nearco and Ribot, whose existence will have an everlasting imprint on the breed.

The Italian breeding and racing industry may have lost its edge in the wake of racing’s modern developments, but Federico Tesio’s words are not the only remaining traces of Italian racing in the current-day sport.  The Italian-born trainer, Marco Botti, is proving to be a force on the international racing scene with his yard based in Newmarket - even without the presence of his 2011 headliner, Excelebration.  His father a champion trainer on the Italian circuit, Botti himself now aspires to add a couple North American victories from the International Festival of Racing at Arlington Park to his rapidly-growing résumé.  

AMERICAN ST. LEGER:

Marco Botti sends out Jakkalberry in an attempt to win the first ever running of the American St. Leger.  Jakkalberry’s best efforts came in his first two outings of 2012, both of which were over the Meydan Racecourse turf with Ryan Moore aboard.  Each of these starts resulted in third place efforts in the Group III Nad Al Sheba Trophy and the Group I Dubai Sheema Classic behind Cirrus Des Aigles and St Nicholas Abbey.    He made his most recent start in Royal Ascot’s Group II Hardwicke Stakes with Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle rather than Ryan Moore who was on last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up, Sea Moon.  While Sea Moon was a dominant victor of the Hardwicke, Jakkalberry finished fifth, a distant 8 ¾ lengths behind the winner.  I feel his strong showing in the Dubai Sheema Classic could be a result of him being based at that track.  I am unsure about his chances against the American St. Leger field.

ARLINGTON MILLION:

A four-year-old son of Shamardal could prove to be a commanding influence in the 2012 renewal of the Arlington Million.  His lifetime record is an example of consistency in his former home-base of Italy.  Previously managed by Marco Botti’s cousin, Stefano Botti, Crackerjack King was undefeated in Italy, his only poor finish coming when he shipped to Chantilly for the GI Prix Jean Prat over one mile.  His résumé currently lists a record of nine starts, seven wins, and a fifth out of nine in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.  Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse marked his first start in the Marco Botti yard at Newmarket and the first time he was piloted by Ryan Moore.  Always preferring firmer ground, the good to soft course could have been a factor when he weakened to finish eleven lengths behind Sir Henry Cecil’s victorious Nathaniel.

ROUNDING OUT THE INTERNATIONAL ROSTER

SECRETARIAT STAKES:

An auspicious son of Medicean and three-quarter brother to Group III winner, Baliyana, Bayrir carries the timeless colors of His Highness the Aga Khan stateside in an attempt to take the Secretariat Stakes.  Bayrir promises to be an influential contender in the Secretariat Stakes and should not be overlooked due to his short racing career.

This developing three-year-old began his career in mid-May of this year on a winning note in a 1 ¹/₈ mile race on good ground at Maisons-Laffitte.  He then stepped up in class in the Prix Matchem – a 1 ¹/₈ mile listed stakes race also contested on Maisons-Laffitte’s turf course rated as good.  This race represented his lone loss, as he crossed the wire fourth out of eight, defeated by five lengths.   Bayrir followed up this effort in another listed race at Saint-Cloud – the 1 ⁵/₁₆ mile Prix Ridgway on good to soft footing.  The Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee clearly enjoyed the stretch out in distance, taking the winner’s splendors with an advantage of ¾ lengths over Smoking Sun.  In his next outing, Bayrir showed he is an improving colt with his victory in the Group II Prix Eugene Adam against five others.  Returning to Maisons-Laffite for this 1 ¼ mile contest, he defeated his opponents by 1 ¼ lengths with an impressive time of 2:02.40. 

ARLINGTON MILLION:

Bred by Darley Stud, Afsare looks to be a promising runner for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum in the Arlington Million. The Luca Cumani trainee offers a 2012 race record of one win, and two second place efforts from four outings.  Afsare appears to be one of the most interesting contenders in the Arlington Million, since he has already faced two key contenders in the form of Crackerjack King, and Wigmore Hall this year.

Afsare began his year with a fourth 3 ¼ lengths behind Questioning in the Group III Earl of Sefton Stakes.   With his regular rider, Kieren Fallon, in the irons, Afsare faced an Arlington Million competitor in the form of Crackerjack King on his home-turf in Italy.  In the Group I Premio Presidente Della Republica GBI Racing, Crackerjack King reached the wire in victory with a 2 ½ length advantage on the second-placed Afsare.   Proceeding this race was against listed stakes company in Sandown’s Ambant Gala Stakes – a race that Afsare won by 2 ¼ length.  He then took a step up in class to the Group II York Stakes, contested at 1 ⁵/₁₆ miles.  Finishing the race far ahead of the sixth-placed Wigmore Hall, Afsare completed the York Stakes on the losing end of a tight finish with Srui Putra. 

Part One:  Arlington's Royal Roster

Part Two:  Ballydoyle Battles on Arlington Turf

Ballydoyle Battles on Arlington Turf

Photos courtesy of Tom Ferry

This is the second in a three part series heading towards the 2012 International Festival of Racing reviewing the international contigents.

Treasure Beach, Daddy Long Legs, and Up approach the shores of the United States from the hills of Ballydoyle.  The Ballydoyle bloodstock has always stood at the apogee of European horseflesh, consistently competitive in the world’s most significant events.  The Ballydoyle team deploys a contingent of horses to face a trial of tenacity over the battlefield that is Arlington Park’s turf course.

BEVERLY D.

Ballydoyle’s three musketeers have an incredible chance to sweep each of their own respective races.  Their Beverly D. contestant, Up, could possibly ascend to the summit of her field.  This three-year-old daughter of Galileo finished a formidable fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on American soil, and has put forth consistent performances since that Grade I effort. 

Up began her year with a second place finish out of four in a one mile event over Dundalk Stadium’s synthetic footing.  She followed this ¾ length loss with a third under regular jockey Joseph O’Brien in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial.  Over the turf course rated as ‘good’, she completed the seven furlong race a meager one length behind her stablemate, Homecoming Queen, who went on to take the 1,000 Guineas in a Classic sweep for the Ballydoyle team.

Next time out, Up earned a GI placing over the lavish Longchamp turf in the Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches.  Again, she demonstrated her consistent quality, finishing one length behind the French-based Beauty Parlour in the thirteen horse contest.  Up advanced to Chantilly to stretch out to the 1 ⁵/₁₆ mile distance of the Prix de Diane – a race more commonly referred to as the French Oaks in American circles.  Notably, this Classic event marked the first time Ryan Moore got a leg up onto the filly since the Breeders’ Cup.  Up offered a fair seventh place performance despite lacking running room, having to be checked, and swung wide within the final furlong.

After the French Oaks, she finished fourth and last in the Curragh’s Pretty Polly Stakes with Colm O’Donoghue in the irons.  However, Up still stayed true to her form of reliability, being a total of 2 ¼ lengths behind the victorious Izzi Top in the 1 ¼ mile GI over soft to heavy turf.  Twenty-two days after the Pretty Polly, she returned to the Curragh for the GIII Kilboy Estate Stakes, where she finished third out of seven.  The triumphant Tannery had only a ¾ length advantage on Up, who had been reunited with Joseph O’Brien in this 1 ¹/₈ mile contest over soft turf.

Up remains winless in all her starts this year, but has shown the excellence of a world class runner throughout the season.   It is only a matter of time before this filly earns a well-deserved victory.  It would be most fitting for Up to get her first win of the year on American turf, considering the Galileo progeny’s success in North America with Cape Blanco, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Together, and the achievements of Treasure Beach in 2011.

SECRETARIAT STAKES

This three-year-old son of Scat Daddy and the Meadowlake mare, Dreamy Maiden, should be considered the favorite to take the Secretariat Stakes for three-year-old colts.  Daddy Long Legs showed promise as a juvenile, leading two other Aidan O’Brien trainees to the wire in the Group II Royal Lodge Stakes by 3 ¼ lengths. 

As a three-year-old, Daddy Long Legs followed the path of his Ballydoyle predecessor, Master of Hounds. Daddy Long Legs claimed the U.A.E Derby in his 2012 debut.  It was in this very race that Master of Hounds placed before finishing fifth to Animal Kingdom in the 2011 Kentucky Derby – the race where Daddy Long Legs was serendipitously destined in 2012.  

Daddy Long Legs’ performance in the U.A.E Derby exemplifies the stunning style with which he runs. After stalking the pace throughout the early stages of the race, regular rider Colm O’Donoghue angled him to the outside to make a bid for the lead.  The colt easily attained the advantage, and raced down the tapeta homestretch with imposing strides.  His favored stablemate, Wrote, pursued him to the wire, but Daddy Long Legs’ capabilities were more than enough to quell his efforts.  The French representative Yang Tse Kiang rushed up late to pass Wrote but fell short of victory by 1 ¼ lengths.  The gleaming chestnut Daddy Long Legs practically floated over the synthetic footing, exhibiting the incredible reach of his front and back legs.  He showed this running style again when he played the role as vanguard in the Irish 2,000 Guineas which implies he has not lost a great deal of fitness from his strenuous season.

If Daddy Long Legs has maintained his form from earlier this year, he should be a towering force in this Secretariat Stakes field.  The 1 ¼ mile distance of the Secretariat is not a cause for concern for Daddy Long Legs.  At peak fitness level, he has the ability to conquer this race, just as he did in the 1 ³/₁₆ mile U.A.E Derby. 

ARLINGTON MILLION

As Daddy Long Legs looks to give Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien their second consecutive victory in the Secretariat, the prize-winning titleholder Treasure Beach now aspires for an Arlington Million win to follow Cape Blanco’s own victory in 2011. Like Cape Blanco, Treasure Beach not only represents the Galileo offspring, but also has had a similar campaign to his older stablemate.  At the start of this year, Mrs. Fitri Hay purchased a sizeable interest of Treasure Beach just as she had bought Cape Blanco at the beginning of his four-year-old season, consequently giving her first-call rider, Jamie Spencer, the mount.  

This year, pundits point to his three outings of 2012 in touting Treasure Beach as an athlete past his prime - conceivably diminished from his prior glories. However, last year’s Irish Derby winner does have several excuses for these weak performances.  Treasure Beach started the year with a fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic.  Just one month after this effort, Treasure Beach shipped to Hong Kong for Sha Tin’s Group I QE II Cup and finished a lackluster ninth out of thirteen.  His disappointing run was credited to not just the wide post position he received but also the yielding ground, and that the travelling took too great a toll on his form.  Treasure Beach recovered from the QE II Cup well to come stateside to Belmont Park for the Man O’ War – a race that Cape Blanco won en route to the Arlington Million.  However, Treasure Beach crossed the wire a distant fifth after a rough trip on the torn Belmont turf. 

One of Treasure Beach’s greatest assets is his remarkably efficient stride that covers a large amount of ground and does not waste energy unnecessarily.  He never seemed to settle into his comfortable stride over the firm ground at Belmont – perhaps because of the course’s unevenness.    If he cannot get over the track in the Arlington Million with a good stride, his attempt to gain his first win of the year will end fruitlessly.   We should remain optimistic for a solid run from Treasure Beach, as he has won over the Arlington Park turf before. 

Treasure Beach winning 2011 Secretariat Stakes

Treasure Beach returned to Ballydoyle following his fifth in the Man O’ War and entered Leopardstown’s Group III Ballyroan Stakes as a ‘tune-up’ for the Arlington Million.  Held on August 9^th – less than ten days prior to the Million – the Ballyroan attracted a field of eight to negotiate 1 ½ miles on a good to soft course.  Colm O’Donoghue, who regularly rode Treasure Beach last year, was back in the saddle of the Irish Derby winner who broke from the fifth gate.  Positioned near the back of the field, Treasure Beach was slightly uncomfortable under restraint during the early stages.  He got into his stride when O’Donoghue loosened the reins coming around the turn on the outside.  Treasure Beach chipped away at the leaders with a sustained run, coming very wide into the home straight.  However, he offered an incredible kick at the head of the stretch and seemed as if he would obliterate his foes.  Seemingly unstoppable, Treasure Beach became reluctant to lead the field when he came up to the side of the eventual second placer Massiyn. 

Though Treasure Beach dealt himself a fourth place finish 2 ¾ lengths behind the victorious Galileo’s Choice, his effort does suggest he has stayed true to his high-quality form.  Even considering the Ballyroan was run in Treasure Beach’s home-country of Ireland, racing only nine days out from the Arlington Million does create a concern regarding his form.  I wouldn’t have such reservations about him running races so close in dates if he was fit, but the fact that he will have to travel shortly after an outing presents a daunting task for any horse.   Treasure Beach appears to possess the ability to win the Arlington Million – it is only a question of whether he will be at a sufficient level of fitness.

Part One:  Arlington's Royal Roster

Arlington's Royal Roster

This is the first in a three part series heading towards the 2012 International Festival of Racing reviewing the international contigents.

Arlington Park’s International Festival of Racing is one of the key events of the year that brings together the elite of the racing world.  During mid-August, the Arlington backstretch transforms into the Olympic village of horse racing.  The International Festival of Racing has always been held on the turf course to attract contestants from every corner of the globe, such as Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan, who is not only the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, but also the owner of an impressive stable of her own Thoroughbred racehorses. 

Conditioned by UK-based trainer John Gosden, Princess Haya’s colorbearers are continuing to have an influence on the complexion of the world’s top race meetings.  Her horses brought her victories in three events at Royal Ascot, while her prosperous runner, New Approach, proved to be a successful as a sire of juveniles with his progeny at the week-long meeting.  Princess Haya’s success continues to spread stateside, where her horses Donativum and Raven’s Pass have taken the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Classic respectively.  In 2010, Debussy brought her to the winner’s circle in the Arlington Million.  Princess Haya hopes to continue her trend of worldwide success in four races at Arlington Park’s “International Festival of Racing”, with Joviality in the Beverly D., Dark Stranger in the Secretariat Stakes, Zuider Zee in the American St. Leger, and Colombian in the featured contest – the Million.

SECRETARIAT STAKES

Dark Stranger represents Princess Haya in the Secretariat Stakes for three-year-old colts on the Arlington Million undercard.  Faced with the possibility of running against the likes of U.A.E Derby champion Daddy Long Legs, Dark Stranger may be a longshot since he is still in the early stages of his promising career.  He earned his lone victory of four outings in his second career start over Lingfield’s synthetic strip going 1 ¼ miles.  This Stormy Atlantic colt out of a Distorted Humor mare proceeded to Sandown to finish fourth beaten by 2 ¾ lengths in the 1 ¹/₈ mile Betfred Mobile Sports Handicap on soft ground.  Dark Stranger improved off this effort to finish only ½ length behind the fellow Darley-bred Prussian in the 1 ¼ mile Atkinson Bolton Handicap.  A cause for concern regarding Dark Stranger’s chances in the Secretariat Stakes may be that he remains untested over firm turf, despite running successfully on a synthetic course. 

AMERICAN ST. LEGER

American St. Leger contender Zuider Zee comes to Arlington Park in the hopes to contribute his abilities to the recent success of German bloodlines.  This five-year-old son of Breeders’ Cup Classic second placer and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion, Sakhee is winless this year, but has shown some consistency over his nineteen race career, as he has finished in the money eleven times.  Zuider Zee’s record in 2012 includes a fourth place finish in the Group III Henry II Stakes over 2¹/₁₆ miles.  In this outing, he was three lengths behind the highly-regarded Opinion Poll and jockey Frankie Dettori, adorned in the famous Godolphin blue.

BEVERLY D. STAKES

The four-year-old Joviality holds a formidable race record in the 2012 racing season.  An attractive dark daughter of Cape Cross, she has started three times, winning the Group II Windsor Forest Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting, and placing in Epsom’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes, beaten by only ¾ lengths.  Her most recent outing in the Group I Falmouth Stakes was the only race in which she didn’t finish in the top three.  She crossed the wire last of ten, but was astutely pulled up by her only rider, William Buick, in the final furlong because she could offer no bid over the soft ground.  In handicapping the Beverly D., her Falmouth run should be considered a throw-out, since her best efforts have come on firmer footing.  Unless rain is in the forecast, Joviality should take a liking to the harder American turf.

ARLINGTON MILLION:

Princess Haya’s first triumph in the distinguished Arlington Million brought Debussy to the winner’s circle in memorable style, denying the crowd favorite Gio Ponti another Million victory. This year, Colombian will arrive as her representative – Colombian appearing the best suited to bear her a second such victory yet again.  The four-year-old son of Azamour has accomplished one win in his three outings in 2012.  This winning effort came in his seasonal debut in Sandown’s 1 ¼ mile Gordon Richards Stakes on heavy ground.  He finished this event with a three length advantage on the second place finisher, but followed up this race with a fifth out of six in the Group III Brigadier Gerard over a firm Sandown course.  In this start won by Carlton House, Colombian made the running but lacked a finishing kick to seal the deal in the closing stages.  He carried Princess Haya’s colors to the post in Royal Ascot’s Group I Prince of Wales’s Stakes and stalked the pace under regular rider, William Buick.  When asked, Colombian made an assertive bid for the lead, but cracked under the intense pressure of his opponents - headed by the glorious So You Think - to finish eighth out of eleven.  Colombian’s résumé suggests the Arlington Million would be a more successful endeavor if the track comes up heavier. 

Bunny on America's Best Racing

It is a wonderful experience sharing my love of horse racing, and  I will continue to post articles on Bits N' Bunny covering all aspects of  the magnifcent Thoroughbred. 

Please check out my first post on America's Best Racing:

Bunny's Best Dressed:  Saratoga Fashioned in Whitney Style

Stephanie's Kitten: One Courageous Cat

Photos courtesy of Tom Ferry
You can also find this article published on the website of Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine.

Prior to the 2012 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse

Where have the heroes gone?  Every day, people long for the presence of a true iron horse on horseracing’s stage. In desperation, they watch as horse after horse falls beneath the grand expectations set by brave horses of glorious days past. 

Where is our iron horse?

Is there such a figure in existence today; a fighting spirit clothed in horse flesh? Such a horse would not need to win to prove that this valiant fire burns within. This warrior, faced with walls of challengers and imminent defeat, would show the willingness, capability, and heart to battle on and dare all odds.  The iron horse is never weak – in victory and in defeat they show us every time their courage.

Why would the feeling of inspiration and pride fill my heart as I watched Stephanie’s Kitten cross the wire, fourth at the Spa’s Lake George Stakes over a week ago?

Stephanie’s Kitten appeared to be the clear choice to win in the Lake George Stakes over 1 ¹/₁₆ miles on a firm turf course.  Opposing her were eight horses including Mick Channon’s invader, Samitar, who took the winner’s splendors of the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Saratoga’s signature red and white awnings complimented the crisp red and white silks of Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, worn by Stephanie’s Kitten’s regular rider, John Velazquez.  Upon entering the track, the bay filly is easy to spot, bearing a striking white blaze framed by a fresh white bridle.  The Wayne Catalano trainee carried herself well in the warm-up, walking and jogging alert and steady beside her paint lead pony. 

The 2-1 favorite entered the second stall from the rail.  She came out of the gates unhurriedly, dealing herself a trailing position.  Entering the first turn, Stephanie’s Kitten brushed the rail and moved forward a couple spots due to the jostling of surrounding horses.  Elusive Rumor and Medolina created a seven length advantage on the third-placed Samitar to establish a fluid pace of :23.81 for the opening quarter and :47.36 for a half mile.  These reasonable fractions and the amount of ground Stephanie’s Kitten would have to make up presented a daunting task for her, despite being an incredible runner from off the pace.  Samitar led the field in a hot pursuit of the pacemakers entering the final turn, and got on even terms coming around the bend.

…AND THEN THE STRETCH RUN

Now in a tightly-knit cluster of surging legs, Stephanie’s Kitten searched for daylight to unleash her prowess.   At last, the chaos of a frantic dash to the wire allowed for running room three paths wide.  Velazquez gunned her towards the opening and the filly willingly responded.  As Stephanie’s Kitten progressed down the track into the third path, Julien Leparoux aboard Centre Court angled his mount towards the rail in a mild attempt to block Stephanie’s Kitten from passing.  Simultaneously, Medolina drifted from the second lane into Stephanie’s Kitten’s path under left-handed urging from Javier Castellano.  Consequently, Stephanie’s Kitten was shut off and shoved into Centre Court’s hindquarters.  Velazquez quickly withdrew her from this tight position and attempted to reposition her in the second path that had been left available by Medolina.   Javier Castellano switched his whip to the right hand to correct his filly’s error and caused Medolina to wander back into the second lane just as Velazquez was directing Stephanie’s Kitten into that path.  Javier Castellano’s move aboard Medolina left Velazquez with no other option but to aim Stephanie’s Kitten to the rail.  After being checked numerous times, the tenacious filly responded to Velazquez, shifting into high gear with only a few yards remaining before the wire.

2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf

Despite the filly’s fourth place finish, Stephanie’s Kitten still stacks up as the top three year old filly on turf not only in the United States, but also against her international peers.  I look forward to seeing her battle it out for a second Breeders’ Cup title in the 1 ³/₈ mile Filly & Mare Turf.

Lest we forget, an iron horse always has an iron rider.  John Velazquez’s turbulent ride on Stephanie’s Kitten should be appreciated for his warrior-like effort to move this filly successfully from gate to wire.  What is even more amazing is the fact that this was only his second ride since returning from being laid-up due to a collarbone injury.  Indeed - a noble effort by both horse and rider.

For most people, the 2012 running of the Lake George will soon be filed away under “Distant Memories”.   For me, this race belongs in a file dedicated for the truly triumphant horses that rise to the task put before them.   I see these horses hanging on walls in great works of art.  They are enraptured battle scenes; an expression of that critical moment which is the pinnacle of life and death frozen in time, faces of human and beast twisted in tormented exhilaration.

In my painting, it is a filly emblazoned in her white blaze and white bridle, piloted by her Hall of Fame rider.   Her name is Stephanie’s Kitten.          

Ashland Stakes 2012