Weather or Not ?

If you live on the East Coast and you are looking at the weather forecast today, it is probably saying "chance of showers/thunderstorms" throughout the day.  You hear this pretty much, every day through the summer months. So now you may be thinking hmm...Is the weather ( or change in track condition) going to affect my wagering today? Well, first let me say,your best bet is to stay tuned into whatever format you will be wagering from ( if you are NOT on track) to get an accurate read on current weather and track conditions. Things can change fast , from one race to another, even from post parade to starting gate. And though you never want  to get shut out, and like to wager early, sometimes if the weather looks "iffy" you may want to wait. Right now it's raining in Delaware, Monmouth is cloudy with chance of heavy thunderstorms, and Belmont has an 80% chance of heavy rain.
My best bet today is Trappe Shot in the Long Branch at Monmouth. I have been so looking forward to this, since his eye-catching performance on the Belmont undercard. And if the track is wet, all the better. Anything out of a Private Account mare should have no problem, no let me change that, should "move up" on an off track.The "two-turns" is the question he will have to answer today.
Two other horses that I will be rooting for today, should not have any trouble should the track be anything but fast or firm. Though Blind Luck has never run on a wet track, according to the Racing Form, she is by Pollard's Vision, who is by Carson City. Another wet track sire. And if my memory serves me well, I think Pollard's Vision won in the mud, ( Don't quote me on that one)
I doubt that whatever kind of weather shows up in Elmont ,New York will have much effect on the turf course there. I'm thinking that it is rock hard from all the heat we have had here in the East, and it could use some rain. I am looking for Gio Ponti to get a good trip to win the Man O War. He was steadied sharply in the Manhatten , and  being down on the inside I don't think he ever saw Winchester coming. 
So the weather ( or not) will not alter my wagering plans today. Good luck and safe trips to all.

Pick Six and Me

Notice I didn’t say “the" Pick Six and me because this is not a post about the elusive wager that I have never hit and seldom play. No this is about Pick Six, the horse. “Wally” is his nickname, and I’ve been following him since the first time he ever ran. The big, handsome bay colt, by Dynaformer, out of Oh What a Windfall , could there be a more perfect name ?, won me over the first time we met, when he nickered to me. Now I know he talked to everybody like the greeter at Wal-Mart, hence the name, but you don’t see that very often at the track unless it’s feeding time. “Wally” liked to greet everybody that walked into the barn. Maybe he was always “hoping” it was feeding time, I don’t know, but he has lots of personality. And so, I would visit him every chance I could, but since he has changed barns this year, I haven’t seen him. Mr. Oare, if you catch wind of this, let me know when the big boy has had enough. Anyway, he has done a lot of travelling this year, been in some big races and most often gives a good account of himself. He is running in the Sussex Stakes on Saturday at Delaware, and it could be his day.

The blinkers have come off for his last two starts.  He has had five graded stakes races in a row,out of his last 6 starts, but his last effort at Colonial was a very good try against softer. I think he will appreciate the drop in class and  though he has never won going a mile and 1/16 , he has been second 5 times.  He worked 5/8ths, just 13 days after his last effort, then came back with a ½ mile over the turf at Delaware on Monday. At age six,  despite all the travelling,  and a race every month, it would appear that that he is staying in good shape. Not crazy about the one hole, ever, but I look for him to settle just behind what little speed there is in the race, which looks like it could be Nicanor. The two Dynaformer boys, might be my exacta. Not sure what Bullsbay will be doing, will he like the lawn? I hope the weather breaks a little in the Delaware Valley, this heat can be tough on man and beast. Good luck and a safe trip to my buddy, Pick Six.

10 Things I Love about PEOPLE who love Horseracing

They always have great stories to tell

They never care about the weather, only the the track condition (Are we ON the turf, or OFF the turf?)

They can show their emotions every 20 minutes or so ( maybe more at a simulcast outlet)


They are eternal optimists (I WILL cash a ticket today)


They can take the good with the bad (Well she only got beat a neck for third)


They respect and appreciate how amazing horses are ( Yes, Zenyatta and Rachel are both extraordinary)


They are intelligent and analytical ( well maybe some are)


They are crazy and take shots (who cares where the smart money is, I’M still playing him)


They are passionate and loyal ( I’ve been playing this horse since he broke his maiden, can’t stop now)


And they don’t mind paying their dues to be a member of the Sport of Kings

All American Cowboy

Horse owner and breeder, and Country Music Superstar, Toby Keith, rocked out with the Boston Pops last night in a spectacular birthday salute to America. Keith sang several of his hit songs including American Soldier with a backdrop of brilliant fireworks. Fancy vs. down home; tuxedos vs. cowboy hat, but patriotism has no boundaries.TK is very active in his support of the USO and the troops, and he has done 160 plus concerts for the military.
Dream Walkin' Farms is a 260 acre breeding farm and training center near Paul's Valley, Oklahoma  where Keith keeps upwards of 60 broodmares. He has several trainers across the country and also frequents the sales. He was also spotted at Saratoga two summers ago, trying to have lunch in the clubhouse. Yes, Toby that was me taking your picture as you were trying to eat your sandwich. Sorry, but I had to do it. His best known runner was Cactus Ridge,  undefeated at two, who was injured just before the 2003 Breeder's Cup. He stands in Kentucky at Walmac.  He has been quoted many times about his love for the game and says he's "in it for the long haul."
Celebrities have always been good for racing. Let's hope Toby hangs around for the long haul.

Fit for a Queen

The oldest race run in North America, will be run today. The 151st running of the Queen's Plate , a race for 3 year olds bred in Canada, will be run at the distance of a mile and a quarter on polytrack with Queen Elizabeth II in attendance.The million dollar race is the first race in Canada's Triple Crown. There are 11 colts or geldings and 2 fillies in this year's edition.  Sam-Son Farm has three in the Plate, including Dark Cloud Dancer, a colt by Storm Cat out of Dancethruthedawn, she herself a Queen's Plate winner in 2001.The second dam was the brilliant Dance Smartly, an undefeated Canadian Triple Crown winner,  the first Canadian bred to win a Breeder's Cup race and a Hall of Famer. She also had a second Plate winner in Scatter The Gold.
Roger Attfield will be trying for an  amazing 9th win in this race. He trains Mobilizer, who may well be the favorite. Mobilizer is owned by the Stronach Stable, and is by the English sire Motivator, who stands at the Queen's  breeding farm. The Queen has always been very verbal about her love for racing. And the British have always embraced her involvement in the sport. Would our elected officials be accepted like this if they had a passion for the Sport of Kings?

Flags, Families and the Fourth

Flags will be flying this weekend, in all their splendid glory.I am reminded of our great country and all our freedoms, and I am grateful for the people who fought for our liberties and continue to protect us.

On another level, I'm reminiscing about the name of of a very special mare. I remember looking up the word "ensign" and finding out that it also meant "flag". And once again, the Phipps family had nailed a perfect name for their daughter of Private Account out of Grecian Banner.

Without a doubt,Personal Ensign will always be honored as one of the greatest racemares of all time. She was great in her accomplishments on the track AND in the breeding shed. To anyone who witnessed that cold, dark night at Churchill, and the amount of courage and guts it took to wear down the Derby winner in the slop....well that's a memory that will live forever. All that, with a back leg held together with screws. An undefeated career, culminating in a dramatic win in the Distaff...THAT is HEART in a racehorse.

But so many times, great racemares come up empty in the breeding shed. Not so,with Personal Ensign. Among her many Grade I winners, was her best filly, My Flag. A flashy chestnut, not the color we are used to seeing under the Phipps shedrow, but a reflection of her sire Easy Goer, My Flag followed in her mother's footsteps, winning her divisional race, the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies.

The third generation of this extraordinary family produced Storm Flag Flying, and on that raw day at Arlington, she did something that had never been done before. A mother , daughter and granddaughter, all Phipps flag bearers, carrying the family genes, the talent, the courage and the will to win Breeder's Cup races. I was privileged to witness all three. This was quite possibly a feat that will never be equalled again.

Great breeding always shows up. Good families are the heartbeat of the breeding industry. To produce a Saturday afternoon horse is what all breeders aspire to.

We have always had flags flying at our house, especially around the fourth. I am by a sire and out of a dam that both served their country, and we are patriotic, even today. Like all good racing families, Independence Day was always a good day to go to the races. You can still have a cookout later in the day, or "picnic" at the track. It's a good day to celebrate families, flags and the Fourth.

Jockeys / Sad, Bad and Just Plain Silly

I was very saddened to read of the passing of Hall of Famer John Sellers. My earliest recollection as a little girl was watching Carry Back ( by Saggy out of Joppy) win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness on TV with John as his pilot. I remember my dad thinking that we might see a Triple Crown winner that year. But it was not to be. John also won the Belmont Stakes on Hail to All in 1965. He was awarded the George Wolfe Award in 1969, and elected into the Hall of Fame in 2007. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

The second story of the day involves jockey Noberto Arroyo. According to the Blood Horse, he will serve 2 1/2 years in a NY State Prison for possession of cocaine. This is not the first time that Arroyo has been in trouble, and it is a sad situation to see such a talent go to waste. He galloped horses for a trainer of mine the fall before he started riding in New York. Early 90's I think. Seemed like a courteous, hard working kid and he certainly could ride. Such a shame to see this happen. I hope somehow he comes through this and can turn his life around.

The third story is about another Hall of Famer, Kent Desormeaux. This is NOT what we want to read about you, Kent! Seems he didn't pass a breathalyzer test up at Woodbine and was given a one day suspension and a fine. This prevented him from riding in the stakes that day, which his mount won. Riding is a tough and serious job. Jocks need every bit of skill and good sense to stay safe. Come on Kent, we want to read about you winning races, not stupid stuff like this.