HRN: Wise Dan Prepares for Breeders' Cup Mile Defense

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Wise Dan Prepares for Breeders' Cup Mile Defense

"Wise Dan stood in his stall serenely, one leg cocked as he struggled to keep his eyes open. The window at the back of his stall cast a beam of sunlight over his back, offering him warmth in the brisk air of the morning. Those outside his stall spoke of him in admiration and respect, but he paid no attention to these mere humans. They could look at him in awe all they wanted; he was used to it.

'You can’t bother him,' trainer Charlie LoPresti commented. 'He’s about as laid-back as can be.'

An hour later, a crowd of photographers and reporters stood outside the barn in which he was stabled. Suddenly, the 2012 Horse of the Year emerged, the sunlight glinting off his copper coat. After walking a few ovals around a dirt path outside the barn, LoPresti gave a leg up to Damien Rock, the regular exercise rider of the 6-year-old gelded son of Wiseman’s Ferry. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup: Wednesday Morning Eye-Catchers

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2013 Breeders' Cup: Wednesday Morning Eye-Catchers

"The sun had yet to come up, leaving the track dark and dimly lit as morning works began. Slowly, the sky grew lighter, illuminating the San Gabriel Mountains that greet you from across Santa Anita’s grandstand. Masses of Thoroughbreds – and the occasional Arabian – passed by, their noses snorting, their manes flowing, their feet dancing over the dirt. On their saddle towels, one could read their names, his or her eyes focusing upon the top-class equine athlete before him. The crowd gathered along the rail from the gap to the finish line chatted about the horses on the track and their upcoming races – some of the most important races of the year. Each time one of the “big horses” stepped upon the track, the crowd would seemingly bulge as the clicking sound of cameras increased.

This was the scene at Clocker’s Corner at Santa Anita on the Wednesday before the 2013 Breeders’ Cup. A large portion of the horses competing in this weekend’s championship races stretched their legs on the track this morning, jogging or galloping before their many admirers. Each of these horses has been primed for this moment, but a few made a more remarkable impression among others. Check out the horses that caught my eye this morning. . ."

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HRN: Beholder's Success Reflects Small Farm's Dedication

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Beholder's Success Reflects Small Farm's Dedication

"Central Kentucky is home to some of the most renowned Thoroughbred farms in the industry – farms that encompass thousands of acres of bluegrass pastures upon which the regal animals graze. Their barns are of breathtaking stature and beauty, their horses have expensive price tags attached to them, and their fences form miles and miles of connected wooden boards. As one drives down the back roads that surround Lexington and nearby areas, eye-catching entrances declare the names of these prestigious farms: Adena Springs, Darley at Jonabell Farm, Gainesway Farm, and WinStar Farm among them.

But on Bryan Station Road just outside of Lexington is a family-run farm that encompasses approximately 400 acres – an expanse far smaller than many farms in the area. A basic stone entrance welcomes you to the farm, reading 'Clarkland Farm.'

Clarkland Farm is a family-run farm located on a piece of land that has been in the family since the 1700s. Essentially, the farm is operated by three family members: Nancy and Fred Mitchell, as well as Nancy’s daughter Marty Buckner. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Saturday Analysis

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2013 Breeders' Cup Saturday Analysis

"Less than a week from today, the racing world will be entranced by all things Breeders’ Cup. Fourteen championship races will be contested at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, featuring some of the best Thoroughbred athletes in the world. Five races will be run on Friday, November 1 and the remaining nine will be held on Saturday, November 2.

So who are the top contenders in each of the nine Saturday Breeders’ Cup races? Check out my top five horses for all of these races below and be sure to take a look at my similar post for Friday’s races here. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Friday Analysis

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2013 Breeders' Cup Friday Analysis

"In just a matter of days, I will stand at the Great Race Place with the San Gabriel Mountains before me, my eyes sparkling as they take in the sights of the Breeders’ Cup. As their bits jingle, their hooves travel over the dirt, and their manes flow in the wind, I will rejoice in the presence of world-class Thoroughbreds for the fourth consecutive year.

I go to the Breeders’ Cup to relish these moments – to be able to say “I’ve seen [insert a long list of grade one winners here.]” I go to share these experiences with others who have a passion for racing, doing my best to allow them to know what it is like to be among racing’s best.

While a large portion of the Breeders’ Cup is based on the enjoyment of seeing firsthand the best horses and people in racing, the races pose as an exciting, intriguing challenge. Over the span of two days, fourteen Breeders’ Cup races will be contested. These races give handicappers a wide variety of options, but are certainly not always easy to decipher.

Although I prefer to additionally consider a horse’s appearance while preparing for a big test such as a Breeders’ Cup race, take a look at my top five horses for all five of the Breeders’ Cup races slated for Friday, November 1 below. My analysis of the Saturday races will be posted tomorrow. Be on the lookout for updates from Santa Anita next week. . ."

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HRN: Breeders' Cup Flashback: Cigar

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Breeders' Cup Flashback: Cigar

"The magnificent bay horse jogged over the muddy surface at Belmont Park, his large frame garnering the attention of a large portion of the 37,000-plus people gathered at Big Sandy. The toteboard in the infield of the expansive track reflected his very low odds, which were far lower than those of the other ten elite Thoroughbreds entered in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic. His name had been uttered around the track all day and now it rested on the lips of the restless crowd as the field approached the starting gate: Cigar.

Exactly a year prior, the Maryland-bred son of Palace Music had begun an exhilarating winning streak, taking an allowance at Aqueduct. He now had won ten consecutive races, eight of which were of the grade one variety. Despite encountering a competitive Classic field that included seven horses that had captured grade/group ones, he was hailed as the most likely winner of America’s richest race. But the pressure was even more intense than that placed on just any odds-on favorite. The weight of the hopes of racing fans was resting on Cigar’s shoulders. The winning streak had become a race of its own and a loss in the championship race would be crushing to racing enthusiasts, as it would spoil Cigar’s perfect 1995 season. . ."

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HRN: Breeders' Cup Flashback: Sunday Silence

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Breeders' Cup Flashback: Sunday Silence

"Rivalries enhance the world of sports, igniting arguments between zealous fans and enhancing the thrill of the competition. Heightened pressure and anticipation, exciting finishes, and controversy define horse racing rivalries, which have the remarkable ability of both dividing and uniting racing fans. An abundance of rivalries have enriched the racing industry, but there are a select few that are heralded as racing’s all-time greatest rivalries. Among those is that between Easy Goer and Sunday Silence. . ."

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HRN: Breeders' Cup Flashback: Midnight Lute

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Breeders' Cup Flashback: Midnight Lute

"As rain fell from the sky, the dirt track at Monmouth Park was transformed into an oval of mud soup for the 2007 Breeders’ Cup. The dismal weather certainly put a damper on the crowd but no matter how gloomy the weather was, it could not hinder the thrill of the world-class racing taking place at the New Jersey racetrack.

At the conclusion of the first championship race to be run on that Breeders’ Cup Saturday, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert could have left with a smile on his face, as he had captured the Juvenile Fillies with Indian Blessing. But he had not finished. A few races later, he saddled the favorite for the Sprint, Midnight Lute. The 17 hands high beast, who had last won the Forego Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, had always been a special horse in the eyes of Baffert, but this race would prove just how exceptional he was. . ."

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After the Auction: Super Sky

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. 

Princess Arabella only raced three times, but she made her brief career count, winning all three of those starts – including the Sunland Park Oaks – by a combined fifteen lengths. An injury forced her early retirement, preventing her continued display of brilliance. The racing world will never know how truly talented she was, but it does have the opportunity to enjoy the blossoming of her younger half-sister, Super Sky.

At this year’s Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Super Sky impressed me with the effortlessness with which she completed her 10 1/5-second breeze. This, combined with her notable pedigree, allowed her to become one of my twenty-five selections for the sale, at which she sold for $235,000.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, Super Sky – a fancy chestnut who boasts unique white markings – debuted in late July at the prestigious Saratoga meet, encountering seven adversaries in a five and one-half turf dash for maidens. After breaking in the air and coming into slight contact with a nearby rival, Super Sky was left at the rear of the field – which left her at a severe disadvantage. Displaying greenness that is to be expected from a two-year-old first-time starter, Super Sky finished well to cross the wire in third.

A month later, Super Sky returned in a maiden special weight of the same conditions and was sent off as the heavy favorite in a field of seven. Exiting the gate in a much cleaner manner on this occasion, the chestnut filly tracked the brisk pace while racing on the outside and after encountering minor trouble around the turn, Super Sky rallied down the stretch, but could not match the winner, finishing ¾ lengths behind the winner to end up second.

Making her third career start in October at Keeneland, Super Sky made her first start on an all-weather surface, stretching out to seven furlongs. In the pouring rain, Super Sky broke well and went to the front before settling along the rail behind the leaders. Racing over the wet Polytrack, Super Sky remained in her position along the inside as the rain came down heavily from the sky. Around the bend, jockey John Velazquez began to ask the Todd Pletcher-trained filly for her run, to which Super Sky responded with a surge as she shot through an opening on the rail as the field turned for home. Super Sky began to draw away down the lane, extending her advantage as she left her opponents behind her to score by an easy 3 ½ lengths.

Pedigree Analysis

Unlike her half-sister, Princess Arabella (a daughter of Any Given Saturday), Super Sky is a daughter of Sky Mesa. A grade one winner at two and grade one-placed at three, Sky Mesa is the sire of the grade one winners General Quarters and Sky Diva, as well as the additional graded stakes winners Skylighter, Storm Mesa, Terrain, and Thiskyhasnolimit. The Three Chimneys Farm stallion crosses particularly well with mares from the Mr. Prospector sire line, as this cross has produced some of his best progeny, including Sky Diva and four more of Sky Mesa’s graded stakes winners.

This bodes well for Super Sky, as her dam, Tortuga Lady, is from the Mr. Prospector line, being a daughter of the legendary sire’s Kentucky Derby (GI) and Belmont Stakes (GI)-winning grandson, Thunder Gulch. In addition to producing Princess Arabella and Super Sky, Tortuga Lady is also the dam of the graded stakes-placed Dyna’s Lassie and the stakes-placed Cairo Six. As a daughter of Thunder Gulch, she provides her offspring with the same broodmare sire as the grade one winner Star Billing, in addition to the graded stakes winners Crown of Thorns, Daddy Nose Best, and Five Iron. Tortuga Lady is a full sister to Invisible Ink, runner-up in the 2001 Kentucky Derby, and from the same family as Quadrangle, winner of the 1964 Belmont Stakes (GI) and Travers Stakes (GI). 

HRN: Breeders' Cup Flashback: Desert Code

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Breeders' Cup Flashback: Desert Code

"A trio of races was added to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2008. Among them was the Turf Sprint, a dash to be held on the unique downhill turf course at Santa Anita. The race posed as rather unknown territory for many bettors and fans, but with a purse of $1 million and a full field of fourteen, it was certain to be a thrilling event.

Favoritism landed on the Irish-bred filly Fleeting Spirit, but even she loaded into the starting gate at lukewarm odds of 4-1. Of the fourteen Thoroughbreds in the race, nine were sent off at double-digit odds. Among those nine was Desert Code. . ."

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After the Auction: Tachi

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. 

The colt’s athletic build caught my attention as he stood in the sales ring at the 2012 KeenelandSeptember Yearling Sale, at which he was purchased for the bargain price of $34,000. Although he brought a small price, I knew this colt had the potential to become the athlete his conformation indicated he was.

The Indiana-bred colt, bred by Elm Tree Farm, made his debut at Indiana Downs on July 29, 2013, going five furlongs in a state-bred maiden special weight on the dirt. Settling several lengths off the pace, Tachi remained on the rail until he made his move in the latter stages of the race, swinging into the three path. Although he closed well, the colt could do no better than second, missing victory by a half-length.

A month later, Tachi made his second start, which again came in a state-bred maiden special weight – this time going six furlongs. Sent off as the heavy favorite, Tachi again raced quite a distance behind the leaders after being bumped at the start. Going four-wide as he made his rally, Tachi edged clear down the lane to score by 1 ¾ lengths.

In his third start, Tachi advanced to black-type company, competing in the Hillside Stakes at Indiana Downs for Indiana-bred juveniles. Utilizing his normal tactic of sitting far off the pacesetters, Tachi was left with an abundance of ground to make up. He found his best stride late, making an impressive move as he closed down the homestretch. Traveling wide, Tachi ran out of real estate despite his notable late kick, crossing the wire third – beaten just over two lengths.

Pedigree Analysis

Tachi was the first winner for the multiple graded stakes-winning Cowboy Cal. This makes him a grandson of one of the best sires in the world, Giant’s Causeway, who is the sire of numerous grade/group one-winning millionaires, including Aragorn, Creative Cause, Eishin Apollon, Giant Oak, Heatseeker, My Typhoon, Our Giant, Red Giant, Shamardal, and Swift Temper. Although fairly young, Giant’s Causeway has hinted at success as a sire of sires, producing the effective stallions First Samurai and Shamardal.

Tachi’s dam, Gioiello, is a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning La Dolce Vita and the graded stakes-placed Bijou. Gioiello is a daughter of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Alphabet Soup – a son of Cozzene. Cozzene has proven to be a top broodmare sire, producing the dams of the grade/group one winners Distant Way, Zaftig, and Zo Impressive. Tachi’s fourth dam, the stakes-winning Tiffany Tam, was a terrific producer, yielding not only Tachi’s Canadian Oaks-winning third dam, but also the champion millionaire Regal Intention and an additional graded stakes winner.