Quick Cappin' the Black-Eyed Susan and The Hilltop

Preakness weekend is upon us, and today the fillies are on center stage. First run at Pimlico in 1919 and called the Pimlico Oaks, it has long been known as the second jewel of the filly Triple Crown.

It is a Grade 2 event, (since 1976), run at the distance of 1&1/8 with a purse of $500,000.

Walkingwithapurpose, is reportedly walking with a stone bruise, and was an early scratch. Manuka Honey is also a scratch.

The Black-Eyed Susan

The morning line favorite and deservedly so, is Emollient, the Mott–trained Empire Maker filly. Put a line through the very poor effort in the Gulfstream Oaks, this filly rebounded nicely in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on the poly. She has proven she can run on any surface, and has overcome troubled trips. She gets Mike Smith as her pilot, once again, and she has been working sharply since her last effort.

She looks very tough in here.

Maracuya, though less seasoned, looks like an up and comer. She is just 2 for 2 and is stepping up to a Graded Stakes. Her breeding suggests that the distance should suit her, and she is working the right way heading into this. If she has the quality that it appears that she might have, there is no better rider than John Velazquez, to make all the right moves with her, and give her a chance to beat the favorite.

The Hilltop

The last race of the day, the get-out race, is the Hilltop on the turf for 3 year old fillies.

Kitten’s Point is a nice filly who has a Grade 3 win under her belt. Her Ashland on the poly was a good effort despite getting beat 10 lengths. Love it that Edgar Prado is aboard, he knows the Maryland tracks better than most.

Summer of Fun could be ready for a big effort. Her 2 year old season was a good one, with a close 3^rd in the BCJuviTurf. She has been freshened since March, with only 1 work showing. A little cause for concern…But if all is well, she would be tough.

Emotional Kitten is versatile, with a good late kick and has Rosario to maneuver her thru the field.

Le Fascinator won from the 10 hole in Tampa. She has the services of Johnny V

Drawn widest of all, is Miss Lucky Sevens with Rosie. She is sharp now and going back to perhaps her preferred surface.

Kentucky Oaks Quick Pick 6

Here’s my initial look at the Pick 6 for Oaks Day. I don’t generally play the bet, but if I did, I would try to settle on several singles, to keep it affordable ( Tokyo Time / Noble Tune  / Close Hatches)

Race 6

#2 Authenticity ~ Verrazano’s workmate

#4 Believe You Can ~ Won the Oaks here last year

Race 7

#6 Private Ensign ~ May take to lawn

#9 Tokyo Time ~ Better with blinks

Race 8

#3 Blueyesintherain ~ Undefeated

#11 Dancinginthecircle ~ Loves the distance

Race 9

#2 Laugh Track ~ scratched for this, bullet on dirt

#9 Cyber Secret ~ very good now

Race 10

#4 Noble Tune ~ Class of field

#5 War Dancer ~ Improving numbers

Race 11

#4 Unlimited Budget ~ Undefeated and improving

#11 Close Hatches ~ Same as above

*All subject to change, if track condition changes.

Derby Day and the Woodford Reserve

Make your Mint Julep, sit back and enjoy America’s most famous horse race this Saturday.

It’s Derby Day and while all eyes are on the feature 139^th running of the Run for the Roses, horse racing aficionados and handicappers will be watching with great interest, the co-feature, the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve on the turf, at a mile and 1/8 for 3 year olds and up.

Now sponsored by the famous distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, some of us remember when it was called the Early Times.

No matter what brand of bourbon you want to call it, let’s just call this race EPIC!

Wise Dan, the 2012 Horse of the Year, and Point of Entry, winner of 4 Grade 1’s last year, will be running against each other for the first time, and may the best horse win. It is certainly, as some have called it, “The Clash of the Titans”.

Both horses are huge fan favorites and it will be hard to see one lose.

Let’s take a look at the field, from the rail out.

1. Middie ~ A Grade 3 winner on poly, he is coming off nice prep at Keeneland. But he is 30/1 for a reason. Does have two wins on this turf course, but still can’t recommend.

2. Slim Shadey ~ West coast shipper, and Grade 2 winner seems better, going further. Has never won at the distance, is turning back, would be a surprise.

3. Optimizer ~ Lucas-trained, with the hot, Joel Rosario up on Grade 3 winner , don’t see it happening, but maybe jock factor can get him into the super?

4. Silver Max ~ Nice colt who strung 6 wins together last year as a three year old, including a grade 2 on the Churchill course. Probably needed the race at Gulfstream and is coming in with a bullet. Possible that this colt has some upside as a newly turned 4 year old, but his game is speed, and doubt that top two will let him get too far out of their sight. Tough spot for him, but interesting…

5. Swift Warrior ~ Consistent sort, who runs well off a freshening. Another Grade 3 winner who is in tough.

6. Jeranimo ~ Another west coaster, the only other Grade 1 winner other than the top 2. Has an explosive kick, but came up empty when in with this kind.

7. Bim Bam ~ Hasn’t won a race since who-knows-when. Over matched in here.

8. Wise Dan ~ Reigning Horse of the Year, multiple graded wins on dirt, synthetic and grass. I think this horse can run over broken beer bottles. He is a winner of 14 races and nearly 4 million dollars. He is training like a monster, and his Keeneland win last month set him up perfect for this. Has never been this distance on turf (only on dirt and poly), but that is not a concern. Will be tough to beat.

9. Point of Entry ~ Both he and Wise Dan are equal weights for a reason. Can’t fault him at all, and don’t think that the fact that he has never run over the course will make a difference to this colt. He always shows up and he is a tough and classy competitor.  As I am writing this, I am watching him school in the paddock (Thursday, HRTV) and he is on the muscle.  He looks ready to explode. He will need to deal with the added excitement of the “derby day “paddock.

The Woodford Reserve is a two horse race. If Louisville gets any rain, the course could be less than firm, but with that being said, I don’t think anyone in here would be at a disadvantage.

My choice for the win is Wise Dan. But it won’t be easy. Point of Entry will be coming after him and we could see a very thrilling finish to the Woodford Reserve. 

Back to The Shed ~ On to Ramsey Farm

Guest blogger, Lindsay Hunter delivers a mare to Talent Search at Ramsey Farm and recounts some of the rich heritage of the area.

For pictures and more, visit Lindsay on her FB page.


Ramsey Farm 3.22.13

Friday morning dawned crisp and clear, and by noon the sun was peaking through the tufty clouds. Trailer freshly bedded in blonde pine shavings, I set off towards Danville to collect a mare from a farm close to Herrington Lake..
The big bay mare stepped happily into the gooseneck, and we set off back up the highway. Bailey rode shotgun, sniffing the clean country air, Solo curled into his hamster position, rear end on the arm rest, his head across my shoulders.
Destination: Ramsey Farm. Date for the day : Talent Search.
Talent Search , a strapping chestnut with a white blaze ,earned $603,360, placing second in the Vosburgh Stakes, and third in the Breeders Cup Sprint, behind Midnite Lute. By Catienus, also a Ramsey Farm stallion popular in New York, and out of Mrs. K by Mr. Prospector, he has stood previously in Pennsylvania, but is now home in Kentucky.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s farm is bordered by four well traveled roads in Jessamine County, just slightly south of Lexington, on land formerly known as Almahurst Farm, which in it’s heyday spanned 3335 acres, and was the largest combination Thoroughbred and Standardbred farm in the world. The Knight family had settled on the land, and for his service in the Revolutionary War, James Knight (1750 - 1831 ) was granted the deed to the land in 1778 by Gov Patrick Henry and it remained as a premier horse breeding nursery through five generations of Knights. The farm was established before and is older than the City of Lexington (1779 ) the State of Kentucky (1792 ) and The Constitution (1789 )
Exterminator, foaled on the farm in 1915, won the Kentucky Derby in 1918, earning $252,000 in 100 starts, was voted the greatest ‘cup ‘ horse in American history. Horses racing under the Knight family name were respected all over, and the farm became synonymous with quality bloodstock.
Claude, foaled in 1900, perhaps Mr. Henry Knight’s favorite Thoroughbred, raced coast to coast, starting 108 times, winning 32 of those races. Crowds would turn out to see “Old Bones “ run.
In 1935 Mr. Henry H. Knight , fifth generation, named the farm “Almahurst “ for his wife, Alma Horine (married in 1914 ) and added land, constructed new barns and rebuilt fencing. Everything was painted in light cream, trimmed in red, with green roofs.
The World Champion trotter , Greyhound, out of the grey mare, Elizabeth by Peter the Great, who was taken to Calumet Farm to be bred to Guy Abbey, was foaled in 1932, raised and broken at Almahurst. Purchased as a yearling for $900, he held 15 World Trotting Records, and as a 4 year old trotted a mile in a then unbelievably fast 1.57 ¼. He also made history trotting the fastest mile under saddle at the historic Red Mile in Lexington, with Francis Dodge van Lennep, who had never ridden him before, in the irons. Other great Standardbreds raised by Almahurst were Peter Volo (Greyhounds’ half brother ) who founded a great trotting family, and Nervolo Belle.
In 1950, all of the Standardbred breeding stock was purchased by Castleton Farm, of Francis Dodge van Lennep.
In 1963 Almahurst was purchased by P.J. Baugh, who continued to breed exceptional horses, primarily Standardbreds, and as I recall, stood as many as eight stallions, under the watchful management of Albert Adams, but when the focus on Standardbreds shifted to the Northeast, in the late 80’s, many of the premier Kentucky Standardbred stallions were sent to stand in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In 1994, the farm was sold to the Ramseys who had sold their cell phone network franchises for a reported $39 million. Mr. Baugh moved across the road to the former Copeland Farm of Dreabon Copeland, taking the name with him.
The Ramsey’s homebred stallion, Kitten’s Joy (Sarah ‘s nickname is ‘Kitten ’ ) and the exceptional Roses in May, among others racing under the Ramsey banner, have contributed to the Ramsey’s having earned the distinction of being the most successful owners of the decade, with over two dozen awards. Mark Partridge, an English former show jumper from a long line of horsemen, manages the farm and is personally involved in all aspects of operation, including every breeding.
We are first in line, which is good, because I knew Talent Search would be quick. He bounded into the shed, gleaming in bronze chestnut, muscles rippling. The mare was cooperative, and we were soon following the tree lined lanes, past the Kitten Spa , back out to the highway and south to Danville.

Back to The Shed ~ Historic Gainesway and Hat Trick

The second half of a busy day, finds Lindsay Hunter delivering a mare to Hat Trick. A great read about the history of Gainesway Farm.

 

Gainesway 3/19/13

I’ve been going to Gainesway’s breeding shed since 1980. Back then, before the 4 stall stallion barns (that won an Architectural Design Award ) were built, every morning the mares lined up along the long crushed brick walk waiting to be bred to any one of 38 stallions that stood at stud there.

Across the parking lot was the small private stallion barn of Nelson Bunker Hunt , that housed , among others, Vaguely Noble, Exceller and Youth.
John Gaines first raised his Trotters and Racehorses on land on Tates Creek Road south of Lexington.. Back in Taylor Made days, I took care of Kerry Way, that won the Hambletonian for him, and was the dam of Classical Way, another great trotter.
This was land that had produced the winner of the first Kentucky Derby, Aristides in 1875.
Joe L. Taylor (father of Duncan, Ben , Frank and Mark ) had come to work for John Gaines in 1950. During his 40 year tenure as Gainesways’ Farm Manager, Joe saw six Gainesway stallions lead the World’s Sire List, the American Sire List, and the European Sire List , namely Bold Bidder, Vaguely Noble, Lyphard, Blushing Groom , Riverman and Sharpen Up.
In 1963, the land was sold for development (Gainesway Subdivision ) and John Gaines purchased 500 acres on Paris Pike, from Greentree Farm, across the road from the renowned Spendthrift Farm of Leslie Combs II, including the cemetery of Greentree, where, amongst others is buried Regret , winner of the1915 Kentucky Derby, who died in 1934.
Home to as many as 38 stallions in the early 80’s,Gainesway produced both Standardbred and Thoroughbred Champions.
John Gaines was a pioneer before his time, having the enlightenment to found the Breeders Cup program, and helped develop the Kentucky Horse Park, just up the road on famous Iron Works Pike.
In 1989, Gainesway was sold to South African horseman and vintner, Graham R. Beck and his family, who have continued the Gainesway traditions. Under the watchful and excellent guidance of Michael Hernon and Neil Howard, Antony Beck’s Gainesway continues to uphold it’s world renowned reputation.
Today I am bringing the mare, Moolakaya to the court of Hat Trick, the almost black son of Japanese stallion, Sunday Silence, who was foaled at Claiborne Farm in Paris, right along the pike in Bourbon County. Hat Trick, foaled in Japan out of the Lost Code mare, Tricky Code, ran one of the fastest miles in history, in a blistering 1.32.1( 8 furlongs in 92.1 seconds . That‘s 11.51 seconds a furlong ! ) and is the only champion and Grade 1 stallion in the US by Sunday Silence.
His son, Bright Thought, just this past Saturday, set a new track record in the $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes, clipping off the one and half miles in a scorching 2.22.72. Like father, like son !

 The mare, Moolakaya, by Alzao, a son of Lyphard who stood at Gainesway, unloads quietly and makes herself comfortable in the deep straw of the teasing stall. In the corner overhead, a speaker issues forth the nickering and squealing of a stallion, designed to get the mare ‘in the mood ‘. Meanwhile, the real teaser hangs his head through the teasing hatch, nibbling on her flank and sniffing her tail. Soon she ‘breaks down’ showing her readiness, and we move into the padded wash stocks.
The breeding shed crew hasn’t changed much in 35 years, Carl Buckner has taken over the head position, since long time Stallion Manager, Marion Gross, passed away. Chico and James are still there, Tommy took over Chico’s position washing the mares a few years back. Andre, also from South Africa (like me ) joined the crew after interning at Taylor Made, maybe 8 or 9 years ago. In the staff room still hangs a framed photo from back in the early 80’s and it shows the shed crew that was working when I first started going to Gainesway. James ,Chico,Carl and of course, Marion Gross , were much younger then !
Kim has accompanied me on this trip, and she is busy snapping photos. We are asked not to take any in the shed, but Carl gives permission to snap some of Hat Trick walking over from the Stallion Barn.
James takes the mare and twitches her up. Carl guides Hat Trick, Chico holds the tail, and it’s all over.
Soon we have Moolakaya back in the trailer and headed home to her waiting foal. Maybe she’ll have another speedster !

 

Back to The Shed ~ Doing a Double / Spendthrift First

Double Header Part 1 ~ A Visit to Arch Arch Arch

Spendthrift March 19

Up before the chickens this morning, rolled onto Overbrook in the pitch dark, and loaded I’m A Goodlooker by the lights of the trailer, taking her away from her pretty chestnut foal. We snaked through the farm along the tree lined lanes, being careful to stay between the large landscaping rocks strategically placed to discoyurage drivers from getting on the grass. Traffic was sparse at this early morning hour, and we made it around Lexington and up Paris Pike in no time at all.
Destination : Spendthrift Farm. Date for the day : ArchArchArch
Bred similarly to Horse of the Year Blame, ArchArchArch is by, you guessed it , Claiborne stallion Arch, and out of a Woodman mare.(Woodman being by Mr. Prospector, so same cross as Blame ). Fast and courageous, ArchArchArch could lay off the pace and with a steady burst of speed, come from behind , which he did to win the G1 Arkansas Derby, with career earnings of $832,744.
Purchased in 1937, Spendthrift Farm was named by Leslie Combs 11 for the great grandfather of Man O War, who was owned by Comb’s great grandfather,, Daniel Swigert, of Elmendorf Farm, just next door. Combs developed a vast stallion operation, at one time standing 26 stallions at Spendthrift. It was the first Thoroughbred farm to be publicly traded on the stock market, until the crash of the Thoroughbred industry in the early 80’s, which led to it’s demise, and it was sold and parceled out. Leslie Combs died in 1990, but left a legacy and history with Spendthrift that would be hard to emulate today.
B. Wayne Hughes purchased the Spendthrift property in 2004, and with his team of Ken Wilkins, Ned Toffey and Des Dempsey, has turned Spendthrift around with a carefully managed Stallion Roster.

Dawn breaks over the trees, and more vans and trailers roll into the parking area. 10 mares are on the morning sheets, and I’m A Goodlooker is third in line. Drivers stand around the teasing and wash rack area, chatting about yesterdays storm. Coffee is brewing in the observation room, if anyone wants it. Wayne Howard , Breeding Shed Manager, cup of coffee in hand, calls for the first mare.
As soon as my mare enters the shed, I slip around to snap photos of ArchArchArch as he walks from the new Stallion Barn. Behind me is the original horseshoe shaped stallion barn of Leslie Comb’s time, with the bronze of Nashua and groom Clem Brooks and the plaque for Raise A Native in the foreground, by the horse’s graves.
In the tongue and groove paneled breeding shed, mostly covered in protective black foam padding, are still displayed the brass nameplates of Spendthrift racehorses, row upon row, since the 1960’s framed on the walls above the padding.
A new addition to the comfortable observation room, is a computer screen displaying information on all Spendthrift’s current stallions, or if you are outwaiting a slow breeder in the shed, internet access . Yay !
Soon I’m A Goodlooker is bred, and I whisk her back across town to her hungry baby, who waits by the stall door, but jumps back when the mare enters, uncertain if this is really his mother. One quick pull of the milkbar, and he decides she’ll do anyway.

Back to The Shed ~ To First Defence at Juddmonte

Tag along with Lindsay and Kim to deliver a mare to First Defence at Juddmonte Farm.

Juddmonte 3/15/13

At the reasonable hour of 8 am I loaded the mare to drive just a few miles over to Walnut Hill Rd to picturesque Juddmonte Farm. My friend, Kim Ammeter, armed with the camera, met us in the parking area, intent of snapping a few great photos. The sun was topping the trees and the lighting was dramatic, sort of navy blue and gold.
Juddmonte has three farms in Kentucky and is owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Beginning with the purchase of 592 acres of the Bluegrass from the Belair estate in 1977, Juddmonte now spans 2508 acres in Kentucky. Winner of 10 Eclipse Awards, breeder of 65 starters in the Breeders Cup Championships who collectively topped earnings of $7.9 million dollars. Breeder of Frankel, now retired, who was undefeated in 14 races, a product of several generations of carefully selected Juddmonte breeding.
Today the mare has come to the court of young stallion, First Defence, who has already made his mark siring the 2 year old runner, Dundonnell. First Defence is by Taylor Made’s big grey stallion , Unbridled Song, who stands just a few miles down the road, and out of Honest Lady by Seattle Slew, a Juddmonte family mare who is a half sister to Empire Maker, who Juddmonte recently sent to Japan.
Cinnamon Charlie, a daughter of Indian Charlie out of a Cox’s Ridge mare, is a tall, dark mare built like her breeding would predict, a career earner of $65,000 and already the dam of winners. We unload, and she walks up the crushed red brick path to the red brick shed with wide curved mantles like the experienced mare she is.
Longtime buddy, Steve Dotsey, Stallion Manager at Juddmonte, soon arrived with the teaser in hand and the show was set to roll. Another truck and trailer pulled in, from Brookledge , bringing an Airdrie mare to be bred to Mizzen Mast.
The holding stalls are spacious and tall, freshly bedded with a thick mat of pine shavings. Steve’s breeding crew shows up,all donning their safety helmets and padded vests and the mare is quickly teased, washed and prepped. Kim and I stand on the wood deck just inside the breeding area,protected by a paneled wall. Kim has to be on tiptoe to look over the wall to get photos.
First Defence, polished to a rich dark mahogany, saunters in to the shed, disappears into the wash stall and soon reappears, washed and ready to breed. Two jumps, and soon Cinnamon Charlie is happily back in the trailer heading back home.