Rachel's Diary

Dear Diary,

Well, the Personal Ensign did not go as Daddy Jess and Uncle Stevie had planned. I really did try to win another race for them, and all my fans, but, honestly, that extra furlong, did me in. I would have been ok, if it wasn’t for Shug’s filly, but hey, I guess the Racing Gods had it all planned out. Persistently blew right by me and it was almost like the spirit of Personal Ensign just took over - it was all over in the last few jumps. I mean really, when you think of it, a Phipps horse, in the Personal Ensign? You don’t see the karma in that? That just goes together like hay, oats and water. Some things are just meant to be, I guess. Calvin rode me the way he always rides me, ( he spanked me a bit more than I like), but I know Calvin has to do his job. It’s OK Calvin, we’re a good team you and I - you “ get “ me , and I like the way you don’t fool with my mouth so much. Just watch the spanking, OK, cuz, really dude, I know what to do, and I will do it if I can.


You know, I remember last year, at just about this time. It was the Woodward, right here at Saratoga. What a race that was! I beat OLDER boys! That was so cool! I think that was my most shining moment. Well, I had several great moments from last year. But, I also remember that I gave my all, in the Woodward. I gave everything I had and then some. I didn’t have a drop of try left in me that day. But I got the job done, didn’t I ? And hey, that race got me the biggest prize of them all in 2009, I was Horse of the Year. So looking back, I’m glad I threw it down that day, yes, it was so worth it!


But this year has been a whole ‘nother story. While everyone around me has been taking great care of me, what more do they want me to do? I have been saying all along, this is a different year. I’m a different horse. Yes, I am bigger and stronger, but I just really can’t seem to find that super drive I had last year. So what’s the big deal? I did it ALL last year, didn’t I?


I mean, you can’t be perfect all the time…well... let's not go there… but you know what I’m talking about…but I am doing my very best. What more can I do?


I’m hoping to have an easy week, Dear Diary, ‘cuz I was tired after Sunday’s race. But I’m Rachel and I’m honest, and no matter what the plan is, I will still try my best. I’m not sure I can ever be better than last year, I don’t think I can ever top that, and  honestly, I’m not really sure why I have to. 

Jumping Into the All Stakes Pick 4 Pool

My late Pick 4 play at Saratoga could change by post time tomorrow, depending on  any scratches,  any changes in track conditions, any track bias and at least a look at the horses before the 9th race. But I will plan on a fast track, so here goes. I usually like to make a small 2x2x2x2 $1 Pick 4 for a total of $16. I also like to pick a logical horse and then maybe something a little crazy, just ‘cuz.

In the 9th, I like both Kates. The distance of the Mother Goose was asking alot for Katy Now, so she will get a pass for that. Turning back to a sprint, she has tactical speed, and has drawn nicely, outside. Kid Kate is the other in here. She is two for two at the track. I think she will appreciate the shortening up as well. She will have to work out a trip, as she will probably be back early. She finished nearly 4 lengths in front of Persistently at Belmont, who is in the Personal Ensign on Sunday


In the Ballerina, I like Devil By Design. The Mott trainee has become very consistent since removing her blinkers, plus, she loves this distance. She had an excuse in the Bed’o Roses, and my guess is, Kent wrapped up on her. Do I dare leave out Champion, Informed Decision? She seems to prefer synthetics, she has never won at Saratoga, but I don’t think I can leave her out.


In the King’s Bishop, who is the fastest, D’Funnybone or Discreetly Mine? I don’t know, but I will go with DM as he has a better draw. And should a speed dual develop, I will throw in the ambitiously placed Bank Merger to maybe pick up the pieces.. Stranger things have happened.


And now the Travers… what to do?  I am not jumping ship on First Dude. He is my pick. He is a horse with speed , who can go a route of ground. He is game, and the blinkers might be just the thing to give him the extra focus he needs. The distance might be too far for some of the others, but I don’t think it’s an issue for him. I am confused about Trappe Shot. He has a world of talent, but does he want to run this far? But the Tapit’s are doing everything right, and there is certainly enough stamina in his pedigree.


So that’s my little jump into the Late All-Stakes Pick 4 pool. Hope everyone has a winning day!

Are You Ready?

Get ready, horseracing fans, because there will be a plethora of Saturday Afternoon horses on display at Saratoga this weekend. This is one of those unique times when a race fan can actually use the word ”plethora”. By definition, we are talking “overabundance, extreme excess”. Yes, Travers Day is here, but in addition, there are 2 more Grade I’s, the Ballerina and the King’s Bishop, and 2 Grade II’s, the Victory Ride and the Ballston Spa. In between, there are some juicy turf and maiden races, all full fields and so many betting opportunities, including a million dollar All Stakes Pick 4. And we have to somehow, somewhere, remember to watch the Pacific Classic! If that’s not enough, the hysteria of the next day and watching the 2009 HOY run in the Personal Ensign, well I may just need a few days off after that. I will be happy to be on-track for the two day extravaganza, but sometimes it’s hard to concentrate in all the insanity. To add to the chaos, I will be trying to compete in 3 ( yes 3!) on-line contests, on Saturday as well - Equibase, NHC/DRF and GradeOneRacing . I say trying, because I will have to REMEMBER to get all my picks in on time! It’s days like this that horse racing fans live for. Some fans just simply enjoy the pageantry, others enjoy witnessing very good horses winning historic races, and of course many more are excited about the prospects of winning big. I love it all. So to all the fans that will participate in any way this weekend, get ready for a very exciting two days of good horses and great racing… good luck and enjoy!

Short Money

It's nice to be reminded every now and then that you can still buy a Gr.I horse for short money. Thanks to Blind Luck and Evening Jewel, we can still dream of owning "the Big Horse" someday. Blind Luck, a daughter of Pollard's Vision, out of Lucky One, by Best of Luck, is a  Kentucky-bred, July yearling purchase costing $11,000. Yesterday's gutsy win in the Gr. I  Alabama, closing into soft fractions, boosted her earnings to roughly 1.8 million, with her 9th win, from 13 starts.This win has confirmed that Blind Luck is at the absolute top of the 3 year old filly division this year.
On the West Coast, and not far behind her, is Evening Jewel, by Northern Afleet, out of Jewel of the Night, by Giant's Causeway. She is a Cal-bred and an $8000 September yearling purchase. Winning the Gr. I Del Mar Oaks, and under a masterful ride by Victor Espinoza, she boosted her earnings to close to $900,000, giving her owners a 6th win from 12 starts. The two fillies have met twice before, with  Evening Jewel losing two nose decisions to Blind Luck. For handicappers, after watching Blind Luck take the Alabama, it was the classic and proverbial "class play", to then take Evening Jewel to win the DelMar Oaks. Yes, short money, but two very honest, game fillies to keep things exciting for the rest of the season. 

Tap In To Some Tapit...

What a nice few days it's been for the sire,Tapit. Three maiden winners at Saratoga, between Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Running Tap, trained by George Weaver, broke his maiden in a nice looking win, for his first time out. The next day, the filly,Tap for Luck, trained by Todd Pletcher, did the very same thing, with a wide move, to score. Both were on dirt. A little later in the card, the filly, Long Gone, broke her maiden on turf.  To add to that, and just 7 days ago, another maiden win by Tell A Kelly, this time at Del Mar on the all-weather. So they are winning everywhere, running on anything.
Tapit is the sire of  Concord Point, the wire to wire victor of the West Virginia Derby on August 7th, who had previously set a track record in the Iowa derby, last month. He is also the sire of the very talented Trappe Shot, second to Lookin at Lucky in the Haskell. He is scheduled to run this Saturday, in either the Traver's or the King's Bishop.
Tomorow's card at  Saratoga could change due to impending rain. However, if you are looking for anything by Tapit, you are in luck. The Gr. II Lake Placid is a mile and 1/8th on the inner. It is a short, but talented field of  3 year old fillies.  Triple Cream, ( by Tapit) is owned by Bobby Flay. She is trained by Jimmy Toner, a master with grass fillies. This filly has shown talent since switching to turf, and is stakes placed at Monmouth in the Gr.II Boiling Springs. And tomorrow she will be adding blinkers. This could be just what this filly needs to take it to the next level, which she needs to do, to win here. In the last race, also carded for the turf, but could  get rained off, there is another Tapit, Tapit Dancer. A first time starter, trained by Steve Asmussen, she was a $150,000 2 year old auction purchase, last February. In training at Monmouth, there are no turf works, but the way the Tapit's have been running, a win here wouldn't be a total surprise.
Tapit by Pulpit, out of the Unbridled mare, Tap Your Heels, stands at Gainesway Farm for $50,000.

No Tears and Lots of Candy

Wasted Tears is a "refuse to lose", gutsy mare. who proved her gameness once again, in the Gr.II ( formerly Gr.I) John C. Mabee at Del Mar yesterday.It was her first time at the distance of 1 mile & 1/8, and the first time over the Del Mar turf course. Her owner-breeder-trainer, Bart Evans, trucked her in himself, from their home base in Texas, more on him, here.
It was 76 days since her last start, and she proceeded to go wire-to-wire , as is her custom, holding off  the fast closing Lilly Fa Pootz, and the good mare Gotta Have Her. The latter, was full of run, but according to pilot Mike Smith, she refused to go down inside between the rail and the winner.Would it have mattered? According to a very happy Rajiv Maragh, " She got tested, truly tested. She'll do whatever it takes to win"
Wasted Tears is now 11 for 16, with 10 of those on turf, and earnings of $ 706,598. She had already defeated the 2008 Filly and Mare Turf queen, Forever Together in  the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland this spring. In winning the Mabee, she has an automatic entry to the Breeder's Cup F & M Turf, but according to her owner, that's not in the plan. Wasted Tears is by Najran, out of theGreinton (GB) mare, Wishes and Roses.

In Saturday's La Jolla, Sidney's Candy broke the  Jimmy Durante turf course record in his turf debut. His winning margin was 5 &1/2 lengths, and  while I'm not sure why the jock was so aggressive down the lane,  Sidney's Candy ran like a horse with his tail on fire. This is the second track record for Sidney's Candy. And if I counted right, between Saturday and Sunday there were 4 winners by the sire Candy Ride at Del Mar, - Clubhouse Ride and Sugarinthemorning, both 2 year old winners and Spaniard, an allowance winner.The stallion, who stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky, for $25,000, is an extremely versatile stallion, throwing horses that win going short and long and on any kind of surface.

Congratulations, a Grade II and the BEST ICE CREAM !

Congratulations to Don Pierce, Randy Romero, M.E. "Buster" Millerick, Azeri, Point Given, Best Pal & Harry Bassett!  The Hall of Fame Ceremony at the newly renovated Sales Pavilon on Friday was filled with memories, appreciation and emotion. If you've never attended one of these events, it's well worth the trip. In addition to acknowledging the New Members, it's a treat to see a good number of  existing  members, both trainers and jockeys, all in the same room. There's a lot of picture taking, hand shaking, and reminiscing going on. The Pavilion is the perfect  place to hold the event, you can see it all, from any seat, but I did hear there were some "technical difficulties", with the outside feed. But for those in attendance, as usual, it was another memorable event. For more information on the new inductees, see the National Museum of Racing website, here. Later in the day, in the Grade II National Museum of Racing  Hall of Fame Stakes, it came down to a 3 way photo finish. Interactif collared a game Krypton and survived  an on-rushing Grand Rapport who got up to be second. So two noses and a head separated the top three.
And if this wasn't enough , I found the BEST Ice cream at Johnny's Gourmet Italian Ices, at 382 Broadway.  formerly home of Saratoga News. Johnny's offers Handcrafted ice creams, vegan  ice creams and Italian  water ices and cream ices. If you are in the mood, you HAVE to try the "Bourbon Vanilla" cream ice, of course you have to like bourbon, but it is to die for!
 Hall of Famers, a good Grade 2 on the turf, bourbon and ice cream - it doesn't get much better than that.