Derby Hopeful: Hear the Ghost

Derby Hopefuls feature the horses I view as the best contenders leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Each horse spotlighted in a Derby Hopeful will join the 2013 PTG Derby Hopeful roster, found on the right side of the blog. Horses will be listed in an order that corresponds to how highly I think of them, with the horse I think most highly of ranking at the top. A horse featured in a Derby Hopeful may be taken off the roster if its performances after its article are published are not up to par or if that horse is taken off the Triple Crown trail, though those articles will remain on my blog.

The Triple Crown trail is made for upsets and surprises, for dethroning top contenders. It is a place for “buzz horses.” It’s a journey made of ups and downs. It’s a path abounding with chances for underdogs to shine. It’s a rollercoaster ride, but it’s certainly among the most exciting times in Thoroughbred racing.

Hear the Ghost had his chance to shine in the San Felipe Stakes (GII) on March 9 at Santa Anita. The gelding had become a “buzz horse,” garnering much talk prior to the graded stakes event. But it wasn’t as if the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee had never shown promise.

Hear the Ghost broke his maiden at first asking, a six-furlong maiden special weight over Hollywood Park’s synthetic track. Facing ten rivals, only one of which had raced before, Hear the Ghost stalked the rapid pace set by Let Em Shine, who would win his following two starts by wide margins. Rounding the turn, Hear the Ghost cut into the large lead Let Em Shine had formed. With impressive determination, Hear the Ghost ate up ground, running down the winner with ease to coast to a 3 ¼-length victory. Finishing behind him were not only Let Em Shine, but also the eventual stakes-placed Brokered and the future impressive maiden winner Tiz the Truth.

In his three-year-old and stakes debut, Hear the Ghost settled a handful of lengths off the leader amidst a small four-horse field in the six-furlong San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita. The gelding made a steady drive around the curve, but at the top of the stretch, it appeared as if the chestnut would not fire. Once he changed leads, however, Hear the Ghost gradually began to gain ground on the leaders, accelerating even more impressively in the final sixteenth to miss by 1 ½ lengths.

Sent off as the third choice in his subsequent start, the San Felipe Stakes (GII), Hear the Ghost faced a competitive field of seven other rivals in his first try around two turns. Among his adversaries were the graded stakes winners Flashback and Goldencents, as well as several other stakes horses. Breaking in fairly good order, Hear the Ghost immediately found a position off the leaders, rating a few lengths behind the pacesetters as the field rounded the clubhouse turn.

Flashback and Goldencents overtook Salutos Amigos down the backstretch, contesting in a blistering speed duel. Hear the Ghost remained several lengths off the lead as the two top guns set a half-mile time of 45.95 seconds, but kicked into gear around the far turn, impressively making up ground as the three-year-olds rounded the bend. The gelding swung wide under Corey Nakatani, appearing to flatten out. But as the pace crumbled, Hear the Ghost continued to grow closer to the leaders alongside Tiz a Minister. Catching Flashback in the final strides, Hear the Ghost soared under the wire to triumph by a half-length.

Though Hear the Ghost will need to prove that he does not need a fast pace that dissipates in the late stages of a race to prevail, he is certainly a very gifted colt. Though the gelding’s ancestry does not scream distance, Hear the Ghost’s bloodlines are laced with stamina influences, insinuating that classic distances will likely not be a problem for the gelding.

Hear the Ghost's pedigree
From pedigreequery.com

Hear the Ghost’s sire, Ghostzapper, was a successful sprinter but proved to be effective at long distances as well, as evident in his dominant victory in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). The Hall of Famer has also yielded several routers, such as Ghost Cat, Ghost Honour, Hunters Bay, Mystical Star, Promo Guest, and Stately Victor.

Ghostzapper’s sire, Awesome Again, also won the ten-furlong Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown, the Queen’s Plate, at the same distance. Awesome Again has sired an abundance of distance horses, including Awesome Gem, Game On Dude, and Ginger Punch. Hear the Ghost should inherit stamina from Awesome Again’s sire, Deputy Minister, who has appeared within the first three generations of the likes of successful routers like Curlin, Paynter, and Rags to Riches.

Out of the Coronado’s Quest mare Rehear, Hear the Ghost is a half-brother to the grade one-winning Mani Bhavan, as well as the black-type-placed Dattt Echo. Never winning beyond age two, Mani Bhavan never won at a distance longer than seven furlongs, though she was sired by a stallion that was more sprint-oriented than Ghostzapper. Dattt Echo, too, was sired by a sprinter and was primarily successful as a sprinter. However, Rehear is a half-sister to Turkappeal, who won beyond one mile several times.

Though his dam does not suggest that Hear the Ghost is a classic distance horse, especially with the presence of Coronado’s Quest – who, though he won the ten-furlong Travers Stakes (GI) over Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Victory Gallop, was mostly productive with sprinters and milers – as Rehear’s sire, Hear the Ghost may find stamina through his third dam, Silken Doll. This mare produced Juyush, a successful steeplechaser that won beyond nineteen furlongs, and the Canadian champion Silken Cat.

In addition, the sire of Hear the Ghost’s fourth dam, Buckpasser, gives Hear the Ghost hope in the distance department. A legendary racehorse and sire, Buckpasser was effective at a large range of distances and was a successful router, taking races like the Travers, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Brooklyn Handicap. Buckpasser can be found on the broodmare side of many prosperous distance horses, including A.P. Indy, Aptitude, Bluegrass Cat, Super Saver, and Touch Gold.

Hear the Ghost’s fourth dam, Insilca, was a terrific broodmare, producing the likes of Turk Passer, a grade one winner at twelve furlongs. Hear the Ghost is a direct descendant of the great broodmare Hildene, a Reine de Course mare and 1950 Broodmare of the Year. The mare – who went completely blind like her Kentucky Derby-winning sire, Bubbling Over – produced not only the Hall of Fame Preakness winner Hill Prince, but the champion First Landing, who was successful at classic distances and produced Derby and Belmont champion Riva Ridge, and Third Brother, who was a stakes winner at twelve furlongs. 

Derby Hopeful: Flashback

Derby Hopefuls feature the horses I view as the best contenders leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Each horse spotlighted in a Derby Hopeful will join the 2013 PTG Derby Hopeful roster, found on the right side of the blog. Horses will be listed in an order that corresponds to how highly I think of them, with the horse I think most highly of ranking at the top. A horse featured in a Derby Hopeful may be taken off the roster if its performances after its article are published are not up to par or if that horse is taken off the Triple Crown trail, though those articles will remain on my blog.

Flashback
Photo by Casey Phillips

Siblings of famous racehorses often have high hopes pinned upon them and oftentimes, they do not live up to those standards. However, so far is not the case for Flashback, a full brother to the grade one-winning filly, Zazu. Though Flashback is campaigned by different connections than Zazu was, he shares the same gray coloring and class.

Catching my eye with an easy win in his debut at Hollywood Park, Flashback has been among my favorites for the Derby trail since December. In his sophomore debut, Flashback proved himself to be a top contender for the Kentucky Derby (GI) with a dominant victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita, a race eventual Kentucky Derby champion I’ll Have Another won in 2012.

Though facing just three rivals in the Lewis, Flashback’s adversaries included the graded stakes-winning Den’s Legacy and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) runner-up He’s Had Enough. Breaking cleanly from the second gate in the mile and one-sixteenth event over Santa Anita’s dirt oval, Flashback immediately went to the lead beneath Julien Leparoux. Though pressured by his opponents, the gray colt appeared very comfortable down the backstretch, his ears moving back and forth contentedly.

Flashback posted steady fractions as He’s Had Enough continued to press the pace, but the full brother to Zazu remained relaxed as he led the small field into the final curve. Around the bend, Flashback began to prove that he was head and shoulders above the rest, effortlessly easing away from his rivals before even reaching the quarter pole. Once into the homestretch, Flashback continued to kick clear, drawing off to win by an impressive 6 ¼ lengths in an easy manner.

Being inexperienced and having not yet faced the stiffest competition, the extent of Flashback’s talent remains uncertain. However, Flashback possesses undeniable potential and is clearly among the top contenders along the road to Louisville. Please read about this colt in greater detail in my Horse Racing Nation article about him, dated 12/18/12, “Flashback: A Star on the Rise.”

Flashback winning the Robert B. Lewis
Photo by Casey Phillips

Miss Oops: She's No Mistake

As an auction approaches, those interested in purchasing horses create a “short list,” or a list that records the horses one is considering buying. Usually, these horses earn a position on such a list for having a combination of a notable pedigre and correct conformation. Hip 4309 of the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale did not exactly meet those credentials.

Though a granddaughter of the great A.P. Indy through her sire, hip 4309 was sired by a stallion that has had a rather unremarkable stud career in Olmodavor. Despite being sired by a young, unfashionable stallion, the yearling filly had the benefit of being out of a stakes-winning mare. However, this was eclipsed by hip 4309’s terribly crooked legs.

Hip 4309 was sold for just $3,000 to Bill Dory and the story has it that once he noted which hip number he’d purchased, he winced with realization that he’d bought “the crooked-legged filly.” And thus, the daughter of Olmodavor was named Miss Oops.

Miss Oops with Donna Keen's popular bridleless pony, Wyatt
Photo by Terri Cage

For the first twenty-seven starts of her career, Miss Oops did not contest outside of the claiming ranks, but captured eleven victories during the near-three years that spanned her initial twenty-seven races. Before her streak of claiming races culminated, Miss Oops landed in the barn of Dallas Keen, and in her first start for the trainer, the mare annihilated a six-furlong claiming race at Santa Anita. With her victory, Miss Oops had granted new owner Raymond Marchand his first win, blazing the path for more success.

The biggest race of Miss Oops’ career to date came on one of the biggest stages in racing. For the first time, the mare would be contesting at the allowance level, but not just at any track on any day: her twenty-eighth start would occur at Santa Anita Park on Breeders’ Cup Friday.

At the barn prior to the race, Miss Oops stood in her stall – denoted as a detention stall by a yellow sign hanging on the door. She had her game face on. She knew it was race day.

“She’s won more races in her career than all of the other horses in this race combined,” Dallas Keen said. “She’ll try harder than any of them.”

With Miss Oops in the paddock
Photo by Terri Cage

Thanks to Dallas and his wife, Donna Keen, I had the great privilege of walking on Miss Oops’ off side as she was led to the saddling paddock. As Breeders’ Cup horses like California Flag, Musical Romance, Nonios, and Obviously schooled among the group, I held onto the lead as I walked alongside Miss Oops into the Santa Anita paddock. The large crowd gathered for the Breeders’ Cup looked on, but my focus was on the Thoroughbred next to me. In just minutes, this grand equine athlete at the end of the lead I grasped would battle on the track on which, later that day, some of the greatest racehorses in the world would contest.

As minutes elapsed, Miss Oops grew more anxious, her eyes alert as she gazed about. The small mare – no taller than 15 hands high – danced around, eager to go to the track. Brice Blanc was soon given a leg up onto the mare and before I knew it, I was standing alongside my mother and Donna and Dallas as we stood, overlooking the track as the horses for the second race on Breeders’ Cup Friday warmed up.

My eyes focused upon the small mare as she traveled down the track, the same mare that minutes earlier, I had placed my hand on her neck soothingly as I held the lead attached to her right side. The board in the infield counted down the minutes to the biggest race of her life.

“There’s not a harder-trying horse in this race,” Donna noted as the Thoroughbreds made their way to the starting gate on the far side of the track for the six and one-half-furlong race. “She wants to win.”

Breaking from the outside post in field of ten, Miss Oops left the gate sharply, settling just off the front-running contingent as she raced widest of all. Brice Blanc urged her to keep up with her competitors and Miss Oops did as asked as the field raced down the backstretch. Less than three lengths separated her from the pacesetters as the Thoroughbreds approached the turn.

Gradually, Miss Oops began to gain ground on the leaders, advancing to third around the curve. She inched closer to the frontrunners, her crooked little legs carrying her closer to the horses ahead of her. Suddenly, I was struck with a sinking feeling when Miss Oops was forced to go wide and appeared to “hang” and make no progress at the top of the stretch.

But displaying her heart and determination, Miss Oops kicked into another gear, bearing down on the heavy favorite, Big Tiz. With each stride, she grew closer, but she simply ran out of time and ground, finishing second by ¾ of a length to Big Tiz. The disappointment of losing only lasted for a split second, only to be replaced by pride for the mare.

“It would have been nice to win, but she tried so hard,” Donna said. “I’m not disappointed. She ran great.”

I was filled with pride for the little mare I had earlier walked next to. She had exceeded the expectations anyone had had for her in her younger days. Despite taking a step up in class, Miss Oops had performed in a superb manner, showing the qualities I most admire in a racehorse: heart and determination.

Three thousand dollars. That’s all this crooked-legged Thoroughbred was once believed to be worth. But you can’t put a price tag on the heart Miss Oops has and if you did, it’d certainly be more than three thousand dollars.

Miss Oops with Donna and Dallas Keen
Photo by Terri Cage

Super Ninety Nine: Something to Look Forward To

He tossed his head, flashing his radiant white blaze as his red mane flowed, his neck arched as his rich chestnut coat gleamed in the morning sun. My eyes focused upon the Bob Baffert trainee's Breeders' Cup saddle towel, reading his name: Super Ninety Nine. Prior to seeing him in person, I had not been incredibly impressed by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint contender. However, as soon as the colt graced my vision, he became my top selection.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Super Ninety Nine displayed great muscularity for his age, possessing the powerful build of a Quarter Horse. It was impossible to deny that the colt reminded me of a former grade one-winning Baffert trainee, Euroears. Sharing the same chestnut coloring and similar markings, Super Ninety Nine was also powerfully built just as Euroears had been and also galloped in the same robust manner.

Unfortunately, after being cast in his stall, Super Ninety Nine was withdrawn from the Juvenile Sprint and thus was unable to reveal what he was capable of on Breeders' Cup weekend. But Super Ninety Nine had impressed me enough in the mornings to land a position on my radar.

The colt's debut was clearly exciting enough for his connections to enter him in the Breeders' Cup. His first start came in a seven-furlong maiden special weight over Santa Anita's main track, in which the chestnut was sent off as the third choice in a field of twelve. Super Ninety Nine did not briskly leave the starting gate, but with slight urging from jockey Martin Garcia, the chestnut colt rocketed to the lead as the field commenced its run down the backstretch.

However, the Tanma Corporation-owned colt was soon overtaken by the favorite, Quietasacat, off of whom Super Ninety Nine raced just to the outside. Just a half-length separated the two as an initial quarter-mile split of 23.05 was set, but Super Ninety Nine gradually began to decrease Quietasacat's lead as the pair led the field into the turn.

Super Ninety Nine matched strides with his nemesis midway through the curve, gaining a slight advantage as they reached the quarter pole. With asking from Garcia, Super Ninety Nine began to kick clear, lengthening his lead at the top of the stretch, holding off the charges of his rivals. In the final yards, the colt seemed to find his best stride despite changing leads, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Bred by Northwest Farms LLC, this rising star brings to life bloodlines that are like a web of speed and stamina. Bred on a cross of two of the most powerful sire lines of the breed, Super Ninety Nine possesses a pedigree that is not lacking in strength on either side.

Sired by Pulpit, Super Ninety Nine shares the same sire as such grade one winners as Corinthian, Ice Box, Purge, Pyro, Rutherienne, Sky Mesa, Stroll, and Tapit. Pulpit is of course a son of the great A.P. Indy, the sire of nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Super Ninety Nine descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of such productive studs as Bernardini, Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, and Stephen Got Even. 

Super Ninety Nine's dam, Exogenetic, is a three-quarters sister to Exogenous, an ill-fated multiple grade one winner, and is also the dam of the multiple black-type-winning Elusive Horizon. A daughter of Unbridled's Song, Exogenetic provides Super Ninety Nine with the same broodmare sire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds.

War Exchange, Super Ninety Nine's fourth dam, was a stakes-winning mare who produced two graded stakes winners, one of which was Barbarika, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin's granddam, thus making War Exchange the multiple classic winner's third dam. War Exchange is also the third dam of the grade one-winning champion Countess Diana.

Misfortune kept Super Ninety Nine out of the Breeders' Cup, but I will not soon forget this striking colt, who I will be keeping a close eye on. Bringing to the table eye-catching conformation and movement, as well as a beautiful pedigree, Super Ninety appears to have bright future ahead of him. Perhaps many are thinking of what could have been had he been able to compete in the Breeders' Cup. However, I am simply looking forward to what this colt's future holds.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Groupie Doll: All She Does is Win

March 17, 2012 marks the last time Groupie Doll did not visit the winner's circle. Since then, the filly has been unbeatable, forming a winning streak that has prevented her from losing for the rest of 2012.

Groupie Doll
Photo by Terri Cage

Despite being sidlelined for a minor injury, Groupie Doll dominated the female sprint division this year, capturing four graded stakes races - including two grade ones - prior to the Breeders' Cup by a total of 20 1/2 lengths. As the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) approached, Groupie Doll appeared to be as close to a lock as any horse competing in a 2012 Breeders' Cup event.

Breaking from the ninth post in a field of ten, Groupie Doll was asked for speed in the early stages, racing on the far outside alongside the front-running contingent, though she was galloping along in sixth. As Teddy's Promise lengthened her lead, setting brisk fractions, Groupie Doll remained widest of all as the field began to gallop into the turn. 

In spite of her wide trip, Groupie Doll gained ground on the leaders as the Thoroughbreds rounded the curve, looming large on the outside as the field turned for home. In impressive fashion, the chestnut filly kicked clear, passing Dust and Diamonds as soon as the fillies and mares reached the top of the stretch. With absolute ease, the brilliant filly coasted to a 4 1/2-length triumph (the greatest winning margin of this year's Breeders' Cup), posting a final time for seven furlongs that was just one second more than the track record.

Bred, co-owned, and trained by Buff Bradley, Groupie Doll may not have the most breathtaking of bloodlines at first glance, but after a more efficient study, there is a piece of the cause for her success found in her ancestry.

Groupie Doll is sired by Bowman's Band, a grade one-winning son of Dixieland Band responsible for producing such stakes winners as Baltimore Belle, Roadhog, Ruby's Big Band, Seychelles, and Son of a Bear. Though Bowman's Band's stud career has been rather undistinguished, the success he has found is likely due in large part to his sire, Dixieland Band.  A son of the influential Northern Dancer, Dixieland Band sired more than 100 stakes winners.

Groupie Doll's dam, Deputy Doll, didn't have much success outside of Groupie Doll, but her own dam, Slick Turn, produced two black-type horses, including the black-type-winning Russellthemussell. Interestingly, Groupie Doll's fifth dam is the Reine de Course mare Flower Bed, the dam of multiple stakes-winning Flower Bowl who went on to become a powerful Reine de Course mare. 

Groupie Doll's broodmare sire is Silver Deputy, who won a graded stakes race in his brief, undefeated career before siring several millionaires, including the grade one winners Pool Play, Silverbulletday, and Spring At Last. As a broodmare sire, Silver Deputy has produced the dams of the likes of the multiple graded stakes winners Miraculous Miss, Preachinatthebar, Quiet Temper, and Roman Ruler. Silver Deputy is a son of champion Deputy Minister, a highly successful broodmare sire who sired the dams of such champions as Curlin, Halfbridled, and Rags to Riches.

Without a doubt, Groupie Doll was one of the true superstars of 2012 and certainly offered one of the best performances of this year's rendition of the Breeders' Cup. Her victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint will likely be looked upon fondly for years to come, as in her win, this filly - from the same family as Flower Bowl - showed her true class, putting on a show for racing fans as the blood of a regal Thoroughbred, descended from a line of quality horses of the breed, ran through her veins.

Groupie Doll winning the Filly & Mare Sprint
Photo by Terri Cage

Breeders' Cup 2012: Morning Workouts Video

I have compiled most of the videos I took while attending morning workouts over the course of the final few days leading up to the Breeders' Cup into one video and would like to share it with all of you. The video is nearly thirty minutes long, so if you choose to only watch videos of certain horses (not all Breeders' Cup horses are featured), the horses are arranged in alphabetical order. Enjoy!

Royal Delta: A Super-Horse

With some paragraphs drawn from "Breeders' Cup 2012: Highlights" (11/10/12) and "The Pedigree of a Champion: Royal Delta" (7/24/12)

Standing along the wall that lines the tunnel through which horses enter the track for the post parade at Santa Anita Park, I held my breath in anticipation for the grand fillies that would soon grace my vision. I’d seen them all before, whether it be at a previous Breeders’ Cup or at the morning works, or perhaps both, but something about the moment left me breathless as I eagerly waited for the field for the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI) to emerge from the tunnel, their necks arched as their fierce jockeys sat aboard them, the call to post sounding as they pranced onto the dirt oval.

And suddenly the classy field stepped out of the darkness of the tunnel and into my vision. My eyes took in some of the best female racehorses on the planet, including the undefeated champions My Miss Aurelia and Awesome Feather – two of my personal favorites.

Royal Delta
Photo by Mary Cage

But just behind Awesome Feather was Royal Delta – the horse that took my breath away. I focused my vision on her, watching her in awe as she and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith sauntered onto the track. I was left in absolute wonder of the reigning champion, feeling a chill as she gazed right at me, inches from me as she strolled through the tunnel.

Royal Delta broke cleanly from the sixth gate, the same slot from which she’d captured the previous year’s Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs. She then proceeded to take the lead, with pressure from multiple grade one winners Include Me Out and Love and Pride to her outside. The reigning champion maintained a minor advantage as she led the field into the clubhouse turn, Mike Smith sitting stationary aboard her.

In awe, I discovered that the initial quarter-mile Royal Delta had recorded was 22.69 – the fastest first quarter in the Ladies’ Classic (Distaff) since the fraction set by Bear Now in the 2007 Distaff, won by Ginger Punch. Despite the brisk pace, Royal Delta appeared comfortable on the front-end, with Love and Pride and Include Me Out hot on her heels.

Royal Delta, who’d never won from the front-end before, shocked me yet again, posting a half-mile time of 45.81. With worry and astonishment, I whispered to my mother, “If she holds on, she’s a super-horse.” I couldn’t help but realize the parallels my statement formed with race caller Trevor Denman’s words as Zenyatta turned for home in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).

In spite of the blistering fractions she was setting, Royal Delta continued to lead the star-studded field as the Thoroughbreds entered the final curve. Love and Pride breathed down Royal Delta’s neck as My Miss Aurelia began to accelerate behind the reigning victress, the track bending as the far turn gave way to the homestretch.

Mike Smith began to ask his mount to commence her run and Royal Delta responded, lowering her head as the others chased after her. Down the stretch, Include Me Out and My Miss Aurelia gained on her, threatening her lead as they raced under the shadow of the grandstand. But Royal Delta called upon all her class and dug deep, leaving me beaming as she crossed the wire to defend her title in a valiant effort.

Royal Delta winning the Ladies' Classic
Photo by Terri Cage

Her trip back to the frontside was an unforgettable moment. Each winner had been applauded and cheered for upon its return to the winner’s circle, but the stands roared in admiration for Royal Delta and as the grand filly trotted up beneath a jubilant Mike Smith, I found myself crying tears of joy as the magnificent Royal Delta traveled before me, receiving the blanket of flowers for her outstanding victory.

So what makes Royal Delta the tremendous champion she is? Of course, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has quite a bit to do with it, as well as the accomplished jockeys who have ridden her. But her success is, in large part, due to her breeding. Foaled in Kentucky on February 2, 2008, Royal Delta’s bloodlines certainly are royal.

Royal Delta
Photo by Terri Cage

Bred by Palides Investments N.V., Inc., Royal Delta is sired by Empire Maker, who won three grade ones throughout his career, including the Belmont Stakes (GI). In that Belmont, Empire Maker spoiled the Triple Crown bid of Funny Cide, a horse he had finished second to in the Kentucky Derby (GI). Empire Maker has not only produced Royal Delta, but also the grade one-winning Derby runner-ups like himself, Bodemeister and Pioneerof the Nile. The Juddmonte homebred is also the sire of the additional grade one winners Acoma, Country Star, Grace Hall, Icon Project, and Mushka.

Empire Maker is a son of the brilliant racehorse and sire Unbridled, who is a tremendous sire of sires. Other sons of the dual-classic winner that have gone on to be successful stallions include Broken Vow, Grindstone, and, of course, Unbridled’s Song. This is the Mr. Prospector sire line, which has interestingly produced the last five winners of the Ladies’ Classic.

Royal Delta is out of a mare that was quite successful at the track in Delta Princess. The mare, who was actually trained by Bill Mott as well, won three grade three races on the turf. Delta Princess is also the dam of Empire Way, a graded stakes-placed colt. Delta Princess herself is out of a productive broodmare, being a daughter of a mare who also yielded the grade/group one-winning runners Biondetti and Indy Five Hundred, in addition to the sire A.P. Delta. Intriguingly, Royal Delta’s third dam, the multiple grade one-winning Proud Delta, was the Champion Older Mare of 1976.

Why stop there? It must not be ignored that Royal Delta’s broodmare sire is the greatA.P. Indy, who is a renowned sire and sire of sires. Yet, he is also a productive damsire, having sired the dams of such grade one winners as Bluegrass Cat, Mr. Sidney, Plum Pretty, Super Saver, and Wait a While. As if his roll of grade one winners produced as a broodmare sire wasn’t impressive enough, A.P. Indy has been among the top twenty-five damsires on the continent for the past six years, peaking at number four last year.

Notably, the sire of Royal Delta’s second dam is the great Lyphard, a son of Northern Dancer who was the leading sire in not just North America, but France and Great Britain as well. The sire of 115 stakes winners, Lyphard was the broodmare sire of such grade one winners as Hatoof, Passinetti, and Skimming.

Royal Delta has the true makings of a champion. Her pedigree, combined with her charisma, brilliance, and accomplished connections, aid her in being a tremendous racehorse – one that delights fans with her triumphs and appeal. With hopes and dreams attached, I find myself very grateful that her connections plan to bring this outstanding Thoroughbred back for one more year of her career. And once Royal Delta’s spectacular days at the track are over, we can only hope that her remarkable bloodlines hold up in assisting her in producing more Thoroughbreds like herself.

Mike Smith aboard Royal Delta following the 2012 Ladies' Classic
Photo by Terri Cage

Breeders' Cup 2012: Highlights

By Mary Cage

Every renewal of the Breeders’ Cup is always abounding with special moments and 2012’s edition of the prestigious event was no different­. From the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup to the culmination of the fifteenth championship races, the Breeders’ Cup is full of excitement, drama, and emotion. Wrapped up in the action of the spectacular event for several days, I continue to reflect on my extraordinary time at the Breeders’ Cup, which is truly an event like no other.

Mornings at Clocker’s Corner

Santa Anita provides a unique experience by allowing one to venture to the Clocker’s Corner each morning to watch morning works, gazing at the heroes of the racetrack as they waltz past. From my first morning in Southern California to my final day there, I attended morning works at the Great Race Place, my eyes fixed upon the stream of Thoroughbreds pouring onto the track, dotted in large numbers of Breeders’ Cup contenders.

As a Breeders’ Cup horse loomed, the commotion of the fans and media gathered at Clocker’s Corner would grow, the horse’s name slipping from the lips of many, especially if it was a “big horse” such as Royal Delta, Animal Kingdom, or Groupie Doll. As fog hugged the track, morning dew clung to every surface, the crisp morning air leaving me to find warmth in the best hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted. My eyes rarely left the track, watching some of the best racehorses in the world wander past me, sometimes just inches separating me from them.

While these grand athletes milled to and fro, I had the ability to talk to other racing fans gathered at Clocker’s Corner, which left me reeling with happiness and hope. There really are others out there infected with the incurable racing bug. And not only was a mass of spectators gathered around to watch the horses, but some of the most well-known people in racing walked among you as well: Bob Baffert, Doug O’Neill, Corey Nakatani, Todd Pletcher, Graham Motion, among others.

Morning works at Santa Anita
Photo by Terri Cage

The Marathon

Often, the Marathon is among the Breeders’ Cup races that get pushed aside, that few people fondly reminisce upon. But this year’s was different, all thanks to the horse that strode to an easy 4 ¼-length victory. That horse was the underdog Calidoscopio, who was sent off at odds of 17-1.

Not having raced since his victory in the General Belgrano (GII) in Argentina, the nation from which the nine-year-old gelding hails, the bay gelding became the oldest racehorse to ever capture a Breeders’ Cup race. Choose whichever aspect of his win you want; no matter which one you choose, it is undeniable that Calidoscopio’s triumph was an eccentric, yet touching one.

Among the most intriguing facets of this horse’s Breeders’ Cup venture was his appearance in the mornings. Not only did he wear an eye-catching bonnet on his head in the mornings while training, but Calidoscopio’s exercise rider galloped him around the Santa Anita oval without a saddle, an Argentinean tradition. It was truly a fascinating experience to watch Calidoscopio prepare for race day, traveling about the track in a unique style that was sure to catch the eye.

But as interesting as his appearance in the mornings was, the moment of Calidoscopio’s win I found most intriguing was his return to the frontside after the race. His connections ran up to the gelding, hugging him as they gave jockey Aaron Gryder high-fives, celebrating the victory with great joy. I was moved to tears in that moment, touched by the unmistakable love for the horse, and, of course, the thrill of a huge victory displayed Calidoscopio’s connections.

Calidoscopio training for the Breeders' Cup
Photo by Terri Cage

The Ladies’ Classic

Standing along the wall that lines the tunnel through which horses enter the track for the post parade at Santa Anita Park, I held my breath in anticipation for the grand fillies that would soon grace my vision. I’d seen them all before, whether it be at a previous Breeders’ Cup or at the morning works, or perhaps both, but something about the moment left me breathless as I eagerly waited for the field for the 2012 Ladies’ Classic to emerge from the tunnel, their necks arched as their fierce jockeys sat aboard them, the call to post sounding as they pranced onto the dirt oval.

And suddenly the classy field stepped out of the darkness of the tunnel and into my vision. Thereby stepped the talented Grace Hall, followed by the undefeated My Miss Aurelia, the latter of which my eyes latched onto. I’d followed My Miss Aurelia’s career since her noteworthy debut as a juvenile, a race in which I’d selected her prior to race day due to her outstanding pedigree. There she pranced before me, her legs dancing over the dirt as she cavorted on to the track, her neck arched as she left me riveted, taking my breath away. The star-studded field only continued from there and as soon as Awesome Feather appeared, my eyes locked upon her, taking her in. A filly with a flawless record, I’d also followed Awesome Feather since early on in her career and have great respect and adoration for the spectacular individual.

But just behind Awesome Feather was Royal Delta – the horse that took my breath away. I focused my vision on her, watching her in awe as she and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith sauntered onto the track. I was left in absolute wonder of the reigning champion, feeling a chill as she gazed right at me, inches from me as she strolled through the tunnel.

The race did not quite play out as expected and I found myself focusing primarily on the spectacular Royal Delta, who set blistering fractions, leading the others into the homestretch with My Miss Aurelia and Include Me Out hot on her heels. But Royal Delta called upon all her class and dug deep, leaving me beaming as she crossed the wire to defend her title.

Her trip back to the frontside was an unforgettable moment. Each winner had been applauded and cheered for upon its return to the winner’s circle, but the stands roared in admiration for Royal Delta and as the grand filly trotted up beneath a jubilant Mike Smith, I found myself crying tears of joy as the magnificent Royal Delta traveled before me, receiving the blanket of flowers for her outstanding victory.

Royal Delta after her Ladies' Classic victory
Photo by Terri Cage

The Filly & Mare Sprint

One of the biggest stars at this year’s Breeders’ Cup was Groupie Doll. Having dominated the division throughout 2012, most fans gathered at Santa Anita or watching the Breeders’ Cup on television pondered how large of a winning margin the stunning chestnut would win the race by. The answer? 4 ½ lengths.

What made Groupie Doll’s victory so special, you may ask? It wasn’t just her brilliance, but who she won it for: breeder, trainer, and co-owner Buff Bradley. One of the most genuine persons in racing, Buff Bradley is known for his adventures with the hard-knocking Brass Hat and the wonderful King of Speed. Seeing the tremendously gifted Groupie Doll win for Buff Bradley was icing on the cake.

Groupie Doll after her Filly & Mare Sprint win
Photo by Terri Cage

The Juvenile

It was in 2003, ten years after she became the initial female rider to capture a Triple Crown race in the Belmont Stakes (GI), that Julie Krone became the first female jockey to pilot a horse to Breeders’ Cup victory when she rode Halfbridled to a win in the Juvenile Fillies. In 2012 alone, Rosie Napravnik became the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Oaks (GI) and the second female jockey to find the winner’s circle in a Breeders’ Cup race and the first to do so in the Juvenile.

Riding the undefeated Shanghai Bobby, Rosie Napravnik appeared to be home-free aboard the short-priced favorite as the field turned for home, but down the stretch, a contingent of horses threatened the lead she and her mount had established. Vigorously, the talented jockey set to work on her mount, asking him for all he had as the other juveniles loomed large, particularly He’s Had Enough. In a thrilling finish, Rosie Napravnik rode her handsome mount to victory, returning to the winner’s circle to the admiration of the crowd.

Rosie Napravnik and Shanghai Bobby after their Juvenile triumph
Photo by Terri Cage

The Turf

It is often expected that the foreign horses will dominate this race and rightfully so. Prior to this year’s running, the last American horse to capture the Turf had been English Channel in 2007. With foreign invaders such as reigning champion St. Nicholas Abbey, the looming Japanese horse Trailblazer, and the brilliant filly Shareta, the American horses had a tall task ahead of them, but great hope was invested in Point of Entry, who was coming off of three grade one wins.

However, Point of Entry was not the American that dethroned the foreign horses in this year’s renewal of the Turf. It was Little Mike , who, like Calidoscopio, is quite the underdog. Despite having won two previous grade ones this year, including the prestigious Arlington Million Stakes (GI), Little Mike was dismissed at 17-1. But, showing shades of his Million victory in the stretch, the plucky gelding – for which many believed had distance limitations – dug deep in the straightaway, repelling all challengers to capture the victory, leaving his connections exultantly celebrating all the way down to the winner’s circle.

Just part of the celebration after Little Mike's Turf victory
Photo by Terri Cage

The Mile

Featuring one of the toughest fields of the weekend, the Mile did not disappoint as far as displaying the greatness of the Thoroughbred athlete was concerned. Among the horses in the force was a Kentucky Derby winner in Animal Kingdom, a horse who had been lurking in the shadows of Frankel in Excelebration, and a horse who needed no explanation as to the degree of his brilliance in Wise Dan.

As I had done for the Ladies’ Classic the previous evening, I stood along the wall of the tunnel as the horses entered in the Mile made their way from the paddock to the track. Each horse had a bounty of credentials to catch my eye, but my eye locked upon three main horses: Wise Dan, Animal Kingdom, and Excelebration.

As Wise Dan strutted past me, I focused on the regal chestnut, amazed by the sight of him. This was the horse that had put together one of the best, and certainly the most versatile, 2012 campaigns. My expectations were high for the stunning individual; despite the tough field, I anticipated the gelding would conquer the field en route to victory.

But Wise Dan wasn’t the only superstar in the field. One of my favorite racehorses soon followed, gazing right at me as he left me breathless. Animal Kingdom. Never before had I seen a Kentucky Derby victor contest in a race, but there he was, just feet away from me as he headed to the track to make his comeback. And just behind him? Excelebration, the horse who had been living in the shadow of the legendary Frankel.

The Mile certainly played out as one of the most terrific races of the weekend. Wise Dan stalked the pace set by the talented Obviously with Excelebration not far behind. Animal Kingdom, on the other hand, galloped near the end of the field along the rail. With his striking turn of foot, Wise Dan overtook Obviously near the top of the stretch, galloping home-free towards the wire. But Animal Kingdom, having experienced traffic issues, kicked into gear in late stretch to finish second as Wise Dan captured the race, eclipsing the course record with a spectacular final time of 1:31.78.

Among the best part of the Mile was, again, the horses’ arrival at the frontside following the race. Animal Kingdom appeared before Wise Dan, but the crowd cheered for him as loudly as they had for any winner on the day, praising the Kentucky Derby winner for his grand performance. Of course, the magnificent Wise Dan received his own roar of admiration for his incredible victory. One cannot help but anticipate what the superstars will bring next year.

Wise Dan after his triumph in the Mile
Photo by Terri Cage

The Classic

It’s the richest race in North America, the culmination of the Breeders’ Cup, and, of course, one of the most renowned races in the world. The field assembled for this year’s running was full of talented horses, featuring nine grade one winners and three other gifted Thoroughbreds. Yet again, I stood along the wall of the tunnel, my eyes gazing towards the paddock as I awaited the field for the Classic.

And like the sun peaking through the clouds, the first horse stepped out of the darkness, followed by eleven more brilliant equine athletes. My eyes took in the classy individuals, looking over the likes of such horses as Flat Out, Fort Larned, Game On Dude, Richard’s Kid, Ron the Greek, and Mucho Macho Man. In that moment, I was sure it would be a great race.

It was. Despite the fact that the favorite, Game On Dude, did not perform like his normal self, the stretch run was incredible. One of my personal favorites and top selections, Mucho Macho Man, chased at Fort Larned, who had formed a comfortable lead. Showing great perseverance, Mucho Macho Man loomed on Fort Larned’s outside, battling with Fort Larned down the stretch in a thrilling duel. But it was Fort Larned that dug deep, prevailing on jockey Brian Hernandez’s 27^th birthday.

The Classic was everything it should have been. Yes, a 9-1 shot captured the race rather than the heavy favorite, but Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man displayed the characteristics I most admire in a Thoroughbred racehorse: heart and determination. The Classic was a race to remember. It’s not every day that we are able to witness two top-class Thoroughbreds battle it out in one of the richest races in the world, displaying their great will to win.

Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man crossing the wire in the Classic
Photo by Terri Cage

And another special moment? The presentation of the National's Anthem on BC Saturday. Read about it in this post.