HRN: Dana Barnes' Derby Hoppertunity

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .


Dana Barnes' Derby Hoppertunity

"Atop a bay colt Dana Barnes sits with the iconic twin spires of Churchill Downs before her. Media surrounds the track, cameras and notepads in hand as they observe the contenders for the 140^th running of America’s signature race – the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). The colt Barnes is aboard, Hoppertunity, is among those hopefuls.

This certainly is not the first time Barnes has been in this situation. Having been an exercise rider for Bob Baffert since 1997, she has ridden each of the Hall of Fame trainer’s three Derby winners – Silver Charm, Real Quiet, and War Emblem. Since Barnes began working for Baffert, the trainer has had twenty-one Kentucky Derby starters.

“Having a Derby horse is every owner, trainer, groom, and exercise rider’s dream,” Barnes said. “We have been so lucky to have been here so many times. There's nothing like the Derby. This next week will get really crazy. We have fourteen horses here so we keep busy. We don't have time to get nervous. The first time I came, I thought I would never have chance to come back. It's pretty overwhelming.”. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

After the Auction: Cadron

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. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

Each year, Bob Baffert unveils a contingent of gifted two-year-olds “where the turf meets the surf, down at old Del Mar.” With the names of grade one winners like Behaving Badly, Bob and John, Congaree, Indian Charlie, Midnight Lute, Midshipman, Point Given, Power Broker, Rolling Fog, Silver Charm, and Vindication on that list, one better take notice when a Baffert trainee debuts at Del Mar.

Among Baffert’s first-time starters this year at the seaside track is Cadron – a filly that sold at the OBS March Sale earlier this year as one of my selections for $370,000. A half-sister to one of my Keeneland April Sale selections from last year, Brown Eyes Blue, Cadron was sent off as the heavy favorite in a seven-horse field in maiden special weight going five furlongs over Del Mar’s synthetic track.

Setting a brisk pace while being pressured by the second betting choice, Cadron began to draw clear around the far turn and carried that lead into the stretch. Although her final winning margin was cut short to a neck after the closing finish of a longshot, Cadron displayed professionalism in just her first start, suggesting their is plentiful room for improvement.

Pedigree Analysis

Cadron is sired by Broken Vow, a terrific sire of fillies who has yielded the likes of the grade one-winning females Cotton Blossom, Sassy Image, and Unbridled Belle. A son of Unbridled, Broken Vow shares his sire with numerous spectacular stallions, including Empire Maker and the late Unbridled’ Song.

The dam of Cadron is Golden Lips, a Live Oak Plantation homebred. Golden Lips is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Hotstufanthensome, the graded stakes-winning Silver Charades, and the multiple black-type-winning Tacit Agreement. Through her dam, Cadron is a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Golden Trail, who produced several stakes performers, including the graded stakes-winning Java Moon.

Cadron’s broodmare sire is Silver Ghost, the sire of 49 stakes victors. Silver Ghost is also the damsire of the graded stakes-winning half-brothers Chelokee and Salute the Sarge. The Broken Vow/Mr. Prospector sire line on which Cadron is bred has produced a high percentage of winners, including the graded stakes winner Jimanator, as well as six additional stakes winners.

Paynter: A Miraculous Comeback

An updated version of my December 30, 2012 article, "Paynter: A True Superstar"

Paynter
Photo by Casey Phillips

Just four Thoroughbreds galloped down the stretch in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on February 18, 2012. One emerged the clear winner, exuding class as he drew away to score by 4 ¼ lengths. His name was Paynter.

The three-year-old bay colt caught my eye, greatly impressing me. I envisioned a future superstar, a horse that would go on to bigger and better things. Perhaps this horse would not make it to the Kentucky Derby (GI); perhaps he would not even make it to a Triple Crown race. But I knew this horse would become something special. However, I never expected him to become as special as he has.

Paynter did become quite the superstar on the track, with performances that included a game runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes (GI) and a dominant victory in the Haskell Invitational (GI). But it was what he did after those races that made him a true superstar.

Following his victory in the Haskell, Paynter was struck with a fever, which only became a far more serious issue. Much too quickly, his illness became colitis and Paynter was soon also diagnosed with laminitis. Death seemed inevitable.

Paynter spent months fighting the diseases that had attacked him. Under the care of veterinary clinics in the northeastern United States, Paynter struggled to defeat his illnesses. Many days passed on which his connections and growing fan base feared they would lose him forever.

But Paynter fought hard. With the true heart of a champion, Paynter struggled to stay alive, fighting to defeat the hardships that had stricken him. After several months, however, he achieved the impossible. With a team of supporters, including not only his loving owner Ahmed Zayat and the veterinarians that treated him, but also the thousands of fans that prayed for his recovery, Paynter became healthy again.

After spending two and one-half months at Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center, the awe-inspiring son of Awesome Again returned to where he belongs: the racetrack. Shortly after being awarded the Vox Populi Award, an honor his devoted fans ensured he would receive, Paynter resumed training in Bob Baffert’s barn in California. He had overcome the impossible, displaying an incomparable fighting spirit to survive what nearly claimed his life.

Baffert gradually prepared Paynter for his return to racing, monitoring how his body was handling the rigors of training. Over several months, the Zayat Stables-owned colt became more fit. His large fan base eagerly awaited his return and on June 14, 2013, more than ten months after he initially became ill, Paynter miraculously returned to the races for the first time since he’d captured the Haskell.

Prior to the race, Paynter made quite the impression, his dark coat glimmering beneath the June sun as he pranced about the paddock, eager to make his return to competition. This was what he was bred for, what he loved to do. And finally, after the toughest battle he could face, he had returned to his true passion.

Making his return to the races in an allowance optional claiming event at Hollywood Park, Paynter encountered seven rivals, including four South American group one winners, a graded stakes winner, and a stakes winner. As soon as Paynter broke from the gate, he determinedly pursued the lead, gaining a clear advantage over the graded stakes-winning Majestic City down the backstretch.

Although Majestic City gained ground on Paynter as the favorite led the field into the far turn, Paynter found more, beginning to draw clear. Turning for home, the dogged bay kicked away, lengthening his advantage on his opponents. As the crowd cheered for the miracle horse before him, Paynter simply did what he loved to do, galloping toward a 4 ½-length triumph. Displaying sheer power and resolve, Paynter brought tears of joy to the eyes of many.

Paynter winning his comeback race
Photo by Casey Phillips

This time last year, Paynter was full of promise. He’d just finished a game second in the grueling final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, and was being prepared for a summer campaign. Despite months spent fighting for his life, Paynter has reached yet another promising moment in his life. He has returned to the brilliance he showed on the track last year and ahead of him is the continuation of the career of a gifted Thoroughbred that is one of the most resolute to ever live.

There was Lazarus. There was the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. There was Greg LeMond, Rocky Bleier, Mario Lemieux, Ben Hogan, Tommy John, Da Hoss. And now there’s Paynter, a horse with one of the greatest comeback stories of all-time. 

Oaks Contender: Midnight Lucky

Oaks Contenders feature the fillies I view as the best contenders leading up to the Kentucky Oaks. Each horse spotlighted in an Oaks Contender will join the 2013 PTG Oaks Contender 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 an Oaks Contender 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 Oaks trail, though those articles will remain on my blog.

Midnight Lute's pair of breathtaking Breeders' Cup Sprint (GI) triumphs are among the most impressive Breeders' Cup wins in recent years. But as there is with any new stallion, much doubt surrounded the beginning of Midnight Lute's stud career. Lucky for him, Midnight Lute has gotten off to a brilliant start, producing several horses that have made noise along the Triple Crown and Kentucky Oaks (GI) trails. Among those offspring is Midnight Lucky, a lightly raced but incredibly talented filly.

Unveiled to the racing world in mid-February of 2013, the gray filly was sent off as the heavy favorite for trainer Bob Baffert and owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman – the same connections that had campaigned her sire, Midnight Lute. Breaking from the rail in the six and one-half-furlong maiden special weight over Santa Anita Park’s main track, Midnight Lucky was urged to press the pace by jockey Rafael Bejarano, racing just behind the leader.

The charcoal gray filly inched closer to the pacesetter down the backstretch, cutting into that adversary’s lead around the far turn. With ease, Midnight Lucky soared to the lead midway through the curve, maintaining an ample lead as she charged into the straightaway. Geared down in the final stages of the race, the three-year-old crossed the wire 7 ¼ lengths ahead.

Midnight Lucky traveled to New Mexico for the Sunland Park Oaks, a race her trainer had already captured four times. Each of Baffert trainees that had previously obtained a victory in the race had done so handily: Tough Tiz’s Sis had won it by 3 ¾ lengths in 2007, Gabby’s Golden Gal by 13 in 2009, Plum Pretty (who would go on to win the Kentucky Oaks) by 25 in 2011, and Princess Arabella by 8 last year. The story was no different for Midnight Lucky.

Just as she had been in her maiden, Midnight Lucky was guided to the front-running contingent by Bejarano, pressing the pace set by Majestic River. After allowing Majestic River a narrow lead around the clubhouse turn, Midnight Lucky allowed the pacesetter to gain a slightly wider advantage as a blistering pace was set. But as the field approached the final turn, Midnight Lucky seized the lead, only lengthening her advantage as she coasted to the wire to win by 8 lengths.

Though Midnight Lucky’s final time of 1:41.06 was a new track record, it was one of three set that day. This insinuates that the speedy times recorded at Sunland that day are unreliable, but one cannot doubt Midnight Lucky’s brilliance and visual impressiveness.

Midnight Lucky's pedigree
From pedigreequery.com

Despite the fact that her sire, Midnight Lute, was never victorious beyond seven furlongs, he did miss winning at a mile and one-sixteenth by just a nose and was less than two lengths away from winning at nine furlongs in his only try at that distance. Considering Midnight Lucky is a member of Midnight Lute’s first crop, not many statistics exist regarding the champion sprinter’s ability to sire routers. However, he has produced Govenor Charlie – winner of the nine-furlong Sunland Derby (GIII) – and Mylute – a close runner-up in the nine-furlong Louisiana Derby (GII).

Midnight Lute’s ability to sire distance horses is enhanced by his sire, Real Quiet. A horse who missed winning the 1998 Triple Crown by a scant margin, Real Quiet produced the likes of Wonder Lady Anne L – a grade one winner at ten furlongs that finished the fourth in the 2006 Kentucky Oaks (which is contested at nine furlongs); Norman Asbjornson – a stakes winner at nine furlongs; and Bull Ranch – a stakes winner at eleven furlongs.

The dam of Midnight Lucky, Citiview, never found the winner’s circle but in addition to producing Midnight Lucky, the mare has yielded Songofthecity, a multiple stakes-placed runner that never won beyond six furlongs. A daughter of the black-type-winning Prospective Joy, Citiview is a full sister to the grade one-winning Hookedonthefeelin.

Midnight Lucky’s broodmare sire, Citidancer, produced Urbane – a multiple grade one winner that won at ten furlongs twice and was second in the 1995 Kentucky Oaks. Citidancer, a son of Dixieland Band, is also the dam sire of the likes of Suave – a graded stakes winner at ten furlongs and Worldly – a stakes winner at ten furlongs. The Real Quiet/Citidancer cross on which Midnight Lucky is bred is the same one that produced the grade one-winning Pussycat Doll and the stakes-winning Norman Asbjornson.

Although Midnight Lucky’s pedigree does not scream stamina and she is rather unproven against top quality rivals, Midnight Lucky is clearly one of the most naturally talented sophomore fillies being prepared for this year’s Kentucky Oaks. She will have to contest against several brilliant fillies in the renowned race, but should her prowess be as great as it seems, Midnight Lucky could deliver a stellar performance on May 3.

Derby Hopeful: Super Ninety Nine

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.

With many paragraphs drawn from "Super Ninety Nine: Something to Look Forward To", dated 11-16-12

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

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 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.

Kept out of the Breeders’ Cup, Super Ninety Nine instead made his graded stakes debut in the seven-furlong Hollywood Prevue Stakes (GIII), racing mid-pack prior to closing willingly to finish just a ½-length behind the winner. A lackluster fourth-place finish in his next start, a six-furlong allowance at Santa Anita, instilled worry that this colt was not as talented as he appeared.

But he proved this doubt to be wrong in his sophomore debut, which was also his first two-turn race. Despite a slightly rough beginning, Super Ninety Nine initially settled off the leader prior to gaining ground on that rival, finding himself on the lead as the field rounded the far turn. Entering the homestretch, the chestnut colt kicked clear, drawing off to an easy 3 ¼-length victory.

Following Baffert’s trend of succeeding with gifted three-year-olds shipping into Arkansas from California, Super Ninety Nine faced nine rivals over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park in the Southwest Stakes (GIII). Breaking sharply, Super Ninety Nine quickly went to the lead, never looking back from there as he set steady fractions prior to drawing off to an effortless 11 ¼-length triumph. Though his performance may have been enhanced due to the sloppy track, the colt was clearly the best of the group.

Due to the speed he has shown, Super Ninety Nine has been primarily viewed as a sprinter, but he has clearly blossomed around two turns. He certainly has been distance questions to tackle, but he may find support in his pedigree. Bred by Northwest Farms LLC, this rising star brings to life bloodlines that are like a web of speed and stamina. Mated 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.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

 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.

A colt that caught my attention as soon as he stepped into my vision, it will be exciting to see how he progresses. Bringing to the table eye-catching conformation and movement, as well as a beautiful pedigree, Super Ninety Nine continues to show great promise and could be on the path to glory.

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

Paynter Dominates the Haskell

The Haskell Invitational (GI) has consistently proven to be a top race for the best three-year-olds in the nation, seeing such champions as Lookin at Lucky, Rachel Alexandra, and Big Brown capture the victory in Monmouth Park’s most esteemed race in recent years. With a three-year-old division that has fallen apart with the retirement of both of the Triple Crown race winners, the Haskell served as a launching pad for any sophomore colt to jump up and take the lead in the second half of the season.

Paynter certainly made a case for himself when he dominated the Haskell on Saturday. A colt I have followed since his maiden, Paynter did not break sharply from the third gate in the six-horse field that included two grade one winners and was forced to gallop behind Wood Memorial (GI) winner Gemologist into the first turn. He was visibly rank, throwing his head up in the air, but eventually settled beneath Rafael Bejarano. With a position on the outside, Paynter remained just off the steady pace as Gemologist led the six-horse field down the backstretch.

As the field entered the far turn, Paynter inched up beside Gemologist without any urging from Bejarano, garnering a slight lead as the field neared the quarter pole. Before the far turn ended, Paynter had a one-length lead on the others, appearing home-free as the three-year-olds turned for home. Despite a rally from Nonios, Paynter accelerated, continuing to kick clear as the others struggled to keep up. With ease, Paynter flashed under the wire 3 ¾ lengths ahead in a good final time of 1:48.87 for nine furlongs, giving Bob Baffert his sixth Haskell victory and third consecutive win in the $1,000,000 race.

Paynter first caught my attention when he captured his debut in style in February, coming from off the pace to dominate the small field in a maiden special weight sprint at Santa Anita by 4 ¼ lengths. His head toss in late stretch confused many, but it was revealed that his forelock had become unbraided and flew into his ear, bothering him but not keeping him from easily coasting to victory.

The son of Awesome Again has remained on my radar ever since then, and before he even contested in a stakes race, I declared him a future superstar. Paynter made his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby (GI), finishing a respectable fourth behind eventual Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI)-winning I’ll Have Another. He then finished a close second behind another colt I have followed since the early stages of his career, Hierro, in The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes (GIII) over an off track at Churchill Downs.

Paytner returned to the winner’s circle at Pimlico on Preakness day, dominating an allowance. This set him up for a race that caught the attention of many: the Belmont Stakes (GI). Setting the pace in the mile and one-half journey, Paytner battled Union Rags – a colt I followed from his second start until the end of his career – in late stretch, only to fall a neck short.

Though Paynter did not receive a trip to the winner’s circle, he received the recognition of many. Several dubbed him and his stablemate, Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister (a colt I have followed since his second start), the best three-year-olds remaining after the retirement of both I’ll Have Another and Union Rags.

With his impressive Haskell victory, Paynter confirmed himself as one of the top three-year-olds in the nation, if not the best still in training. In order to catch up with I’ll Have Another as far as the Eclipse Award is concerned, the Taylor Made Sales graduate will need to capture more grade ones and defeat elders, but this colt is clearly very talented and has a great chance to do so.

It is certainly a stretch to declare him as this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner, especially with several top older horses and Bodemeister waiting in the wings, but if Paynter is bred for any race, it’s the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His sire is Awesome Again, winner of the 1998 Classic and sire of Awesome Gem (third-place finisher in the 2007 Classic), Game on Dude (runner-up in the 2011 Classic and one of the leading contenders for this year’s Classic), and Ghostzapper (winner of the 2004 Classic). Intriguingly, Paynter’s dam, Tizso, is a full sister to the only horse to ever win the Classic twice, Tiznow.

No one knows what Paynter’s future holds, but you can be sure that I readily await what it does. This is certainly one of the top racehorses in the country and with a career that has only see him race six times, Paynter likely has more in store for racing fans.

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Derby Hopeful: Bodemeister

For several years, racing fans have adored Bode Baffert, son of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. An adorable face amongst racing greats, it came as no surprise that a talented colt came along with Bode as his namesake. Little did anyone know, that colt, who was registered under the name Bodemeister, would become Baffert’s top Derby prospect just weeks after Bob Baffert suffered a humbling heart attack.

In his racing debut, Bodemeister finished second behind the future graded stakes-placed American Act in a five-and-one-half-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita. Settling behind American Act, he could not quite catch the other colt but chased him willingly.

He more than redeemed himself next out, leading from start to finish in a one-mile maiden special weight over the same track to triumph by an outstanding 9 ¼ lengths. The final time for the eight-furlong race was an impressive 1:34.45, with the final furlong being run in 11.35 seconds despite the colt being held in hand by Rafael Bejarano. With that win, he immediately captured my attention.

Following his remarkable maiden victory, Bodemeister made his graded stakes debut in the San Felipe Stakes (GII), contested at the same Arcadia, California track. He found a position with American Act on the lead before taking command at the top of the stretch. The highly-touted grade one winner Creative Cause was gaining ground on the outside, however, and as Bodemeister drifted out, the gray colt defeated Bob Baffert’s talented steed by ¾ of a length.

Bodemeister had the option to remain in Southern California to take on the likes of Creative Cause again, as well as the brilliant I’ll Have Another, in the Santa Anita Derby (GI), but Baffert chose to ship him to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the Arkansas Derby (GI) instead. It proved as the right choice. With Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith – fresh off his five thousandth victory – aboard for the first time, Bodemeister set a solid pace while leading the winners of three graded stakes races and seven ungraded stakes. Each horse that galloped behind him had at least placed in one stakes race or graded stakes.

In Zayat Stables’ vibrant silks, Bodemeister drew clear from the others in the stretch under Mike Smith, extending his easy lead to a breathtaking 9 ½ lengths by the time he crossed the wire. Completing the final furlong of the mile and one-eighth race in an impressive 11.97 seconds considering he was several lengths clear of the others, Bodemeister posted an official time of 1:48.71, a time faster than past Arkansas Derby victors that went on to become Triple Crown superstars, including the Derby winners Smarty Jones and Sunny’s Halo, the Preakness Stakes (GI) winners Curlin, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Pine Bluff, and Elocutionist, and the Belmont Stakes (GI) winners Afleet Alex, Victory Gallop, and Temperence Hill.

Some find it worrisome that Bodemeister has not won from off the pace, but he has run well with that running style. After all, he finished a good second in his debut after settling in second. Jockey Mike Smith has also expressed that he does not believe rating will be a problem for the colt.

Bodemeister’s pedigree certainly implies that Triple Crown distances will not be an issue. His sire is Empire Maker, who spoiled Funny Cide’s bid for the Triple Crown in 2003 by taking the twelve-furlong Belmont Stakes. Empire Maker is proven as a sire of routers, having sired the Personal Ensign Stakes (GI, 10F)-winning Icon Project, the Santa Anita Derby (GI, 9F)-winning and Kentucky Derby (GI, 10F) runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, and the Alabama Stakes (GI, 10F)- and Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI, 9F)-winning Royal Delta. The stallion, who is inbred 4 X 3 to the Man O’ War sire line descendant, In Reality, also exhibits two crosses of Aspidistra, Buckpasser, Native Dancer, and Rough’n Tumble in the first five generations of his pedigree. His own dam, Toussad, is a Reine De Course mare who was voted Broodmare of the Year in 2002 and also produced the group one-winning distance horses Chester House and Chiselling, the graded stakes-winning Decarchy, and the grade one-winning sprinter Honest Lady.

Bodemeister is out of the graded stakes-winning mare Untouched Talent, who earned over $240,000 in her career. Her mating with Empire Maker forms two crosses of the influential sire Northern Dancer in Bodemeister’s pedigree, two crosses of the great Secretariat, and of course the two crosses of In Reality present in Empire Maker’s bloodlines in Bodemeister’s first five generations. Inbreeding to Northern Dancer has been extraordinarily successful, resulting in such horses as the Derby winners Mine That Bird and Big Brown, Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre, the brilliant grade one-winning Eskendereya, and the grade one-winning router Giant Oak. Inbreeding to Secretariat has yielded such horses as the grade one winners Bluegrass Cat, D’Wildcat, Sky Mesa, and Speightstown.

Untouched Talent’s bloodlines bring to the table a large amount of powerhouse sires. She is a daughter of the great sire Storm Cat, who is also an incredibly successful broodmare sire, being the damsire of brilliant horses such as the champions Folklore and Speightstown, as well as several grade one winners, including Dialed In, Sky Mesa, and Sidney’s Candy. She is also a granddaughter of the great sire A.P. Indy, who is the sire of her multiple graded stakes-winning dam Parade Queen. In just her first five generations, Untouched Talent traces back to a plethora of influential sires, including Northern Dancer, Roberto, Bold Ruler, Princequillo, Nijinsky, and Buckpasser. Due to the fact that she is a direct descendant of the foundation mare of family 1-n – the stakes-winning Reine De Course mare Chelandry – so is Bodemeister, which makes him a descendant of female family one. This is the most prolific of all female families and has yielded such great horses as Azeri, Buckpasser, Forty Niner, Genuine Risk, Rachel Alexandra, and Smarty Jones.

Bodemeister is quickly becoming a buzz horse, hailing from a strong stamina-based family and coming off the most dazzling victory on the Kentucky Derby trail. He offers everything you could want in a Derby prospect between his terrific pedigree, racing brilliance, and touching human interest story. Bob Baffert already has three Derby victories to his credit, but one can imagine that a win in the world’s most prestigious race just over a month after his heart attack in Dubai with a colt named after his son would be the most emotional of all. Bodemeister will not only have plenty of bettors backing him, but a surplus of fans will be pulling for him to win as well – and for good reason.

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Oaks Contender: Princess Arabella

The sun was setting on the year of 2011 as a chestnut filly paraded before the grandstand at Santa Anita Park in Peachtree Stable’s silks. In minutes, a maiden special weight for juvenile fillies, who the next day would be declared three-year-olds, would be run. It was their last chance to get a victory as a two-year-old. The chestnut filly carrying the purple colors of Peachtree was one of only two first-time starters in the field, but was certainly the most highly-regarded filly entered, as she went off at even-money.

After breaking slowly, Princess Arabella gained on the leaders with every stride, always growing closer to the lead. Under Martin Garcia, the Bob Baffert trainee swung wide on the far turn, floating effortlessly to a victory that resulted in a final winning margin of 3 ½ lengths. By the end of the six-furlong race, many people were talking about Princess Arabella. Lofty hopes and dreams were already pinned to her.

With the champion two-year-old filly of 2011, My Miss Aurelia, out of the picture with sore shins and arguably the best California juvenile filly, Weemissfrankie, also out with an injury, many Kentucky Oaks (GI) dreams found their way to Princess Arabella. She was just a maiden winner, but when she loaded into the starting gate on February 12, 2012 in an allowance race at Santa Anita, those dreams had a chance to expand.

Princess Arabella did not disappoint. The distance of her second start was just one furlong longer than her debut, so the chestnut filly would still only be racing around one turn. In a field of five, Princess Arabella found herself in third for most of the race before striking to the lead under light urging to gallop to another 3 ½-length victory.

Talk of the Kentucky Oaks regarding Princess Arabella heated up. Baffert pointed the filly to the Sunland Park Oaks, the same race that Plum Pretty won by 25 lengths in 2011 before triumphing in the Kentucky Oaks. Facing stakes company for the first time, Princess Arabella used a new tactic, breaking like a rocket from the starting gate to find the lead in her first try around two turns. She did not look back from there, going on to effortlessly win the mile and one-sixteenth race by 8 lengths.

With her remarkably easy win, Princess Arabella likely stamped herself as the current favorite for the Kentucky Oaks. There are still just less forty days until the prestigious race for sophomore fillies, but this filly, who I have followed since nearly the beginning of her career, has clearly declared herself to be one of the most talented three-year-old fillies in the nation. Princess Arabella has not yet faced very tough horses, but in winning the Sunland Park Oaks, she defeated the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Glinda the Good, the stakes-winning horses Take Me Away Today and Regal Betty, and the stakes-placed Ize in Trouble. By easily defeating Glinda the Good, she effortlessly conquered a filly who faced one of the top-rated sophomore fillies in the nation, On Fire Baby.

Her pedigree suggests that she will also have no trouble getting the nine-furlong distance of the Oaks. She is by Any Given Saturday, the winner of the 2007 Haskell Invitational (GI, 9F), the Brooklyn Handicap (GII, 9F), and the Dwyer Stakes (GII, 8.5F). Princess Arabella is a member of his first crop, which includes horses that have already been proven at races at one mile or longer. For instance, his daughter, Sunday’s Child, is a black-type winner at one mile on the grass, and his son, Saturday Launch, is an allowance optional claiming winner over one mile on the turf at Gulfstream. Any Given Saturday is by Distorted Humor, who can obviously produce distances horses. He is, of course, the sire of the Belmont Stakes (GI, 12F)- and Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI, 10F)-winning Drosselmeyer, the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (GI, 10F)- and San Luis Rey (GII, 12F)-winning Fourty Niners Son, and the Kentucky Derby (GI, 10F)- and Preakness Stakes (GI, 9.5F)-winning Funny Cide.

Princess Arabella’s dam, Tortuga Lady, is by the 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes-winning Thunder Gulch and out of a Conquistador Cielo (also a Belmont winner) mare. In addition to producing Princess Arabella, Tortuga Lady has produced the filly’s half-sister, Dyna’s Lassie, a stakes winner and multiple stakes-placed mare. Tortuga Lady is full sister to the late Invisible Ink, third-place finisher in the 2001 Florida Derby (GI) and runner-up in that year’s Kentucky Derby.

Princess Arabella descends from female family two, the same family that has produced the great champions Busted, Cigar, Go for Wand, Northern Dancer, Phar Lap, Secretariat, and With Approval. Recent family two stars include Dreaming of Anna, Giacomo, Gio Ponti, Kitten’s Joy, Point Given, and Shackleford.

This filly could certainly be on an ascent to stardom. With her sheer talent and promising pedigree, Princess Arabella packs undeniable potential to not only become a graded stakes winner or even the Kentucky Oaks winner, but a fan favorite. She has not yet been tested and is already beginning to capture the hearts of racing fans. This excitement is only aided by her flawless race record. Princess Arabella could very well go on to do great things and produce a huge fan base along the way.


Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Euroears Says Goodbye to the Track

On April 24, 2010, I stood along the rail at Lone Star Park as the field for the Texas Mile Stakes (GIII) made their way to the saddling paddock. I was familiar with several horses in the field and had seen many of them race before. I’d seen the eventual winner – Mythical Power – win the Lone Star Derby (GIII) the year before. I’d also watched Jonesboro – one of my personal favorites – race several times before, including his win in the 2009 Texas Mile. Also in the field was another personal favorite of mine, King Dan, who was trained by Dallas Keen, who I knew through the rescue he runs with his wife, Donna: Remember Me Rescue.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Little did I know, walking towards me along the rail was a horse that would capture my heart forever.  When I set sight on the stocky chestnut, my eyes widened as I realized how beautiful the horse was. The features of his face were very refined, including a bright eye. The white stripe on his face was made unique by two tiny brown spots in the middle of it. He carried himself with extreme class and as he moved past me, I was able to realize how well-built he was. He was a very well-balanced individual, possessing a long, sloping shoulder that allowed him to be evenly divided into thirds and have a shorter topline in relation to a longer underline. He was very muscular, having bulging forearms and gaskins and was wide through the chest and from stifle to stifle. With all of those characteristics plus being structurally correct, the Bret Calhoun trainee was an impeccable individual. I declared Euroears the most beautiful horse I’d ever seen.

Euroears ended up finishing second, crossing the wire just a neck behind the Bob Baffert-trained Mythical Power. With his dazzling beauty and gutsy performance, Euroears had captured my heart.

I saw him about a month later when he finished third in the mile and one-sixteenth Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII). I relished seeing him again, as I knew it was very likely the last time I would see him.

Flash back to three years earlier. Following a nine and one-half length victory in his debut at Lone Star, Euroears wheeled off five more consecutive victories, including wins in the F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes, Colonel Power Stakes, and Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Between those wins and his graded stakes efforts at Lone Star Park in 2010, Euroears won the Thanksgiving Handicap at Fair Grounds. All these races came for trainer Bret Calhoun. His last start for Calhoun came in a disappointing effort in the Firecracker Handicap (GII) on the turf at Churchill Downs.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Euroears did not return to the races until January of 2011. He was now in the hands of Bob Baffert in Southern California, where he had fired six bullets in the morning. He made his seven-year-old debut in the Palos Verdes Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita, drawing off to defeat five other talented horses, including the multiple grade one-winning Smiling Tiger, by two and one-quarter lengths. The final time for six furlongs was a dazzling 1:07.23.

His victory was enough to garner him a position in the starting gate in Dubai, where he took on some of the world’s best sprinters in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) in his next start. After setting the pace at Meydan, the chestnut fought valiantly to finish second to the multiple grade one-winning Singapore-based Rocket Man.

Euroears returned to the United States, but did not start again until the end of July, when he made a start in the Bing Crosby Stakes (GI). As usual, the strapping chestnut took the lead immediately and posted blazing fractions. He never looked back as he flew across the synthetic surface, his impressive muscles carrying him with tremendous speed along the track. He earned his first grade one victory by a length and one-quarter, leaving behind him the multiple grade one-winning Smiling Tiger, the eventual 2011 Champion Sprinter Amazombie, and the 2010 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, Kinsale King. Not only had he impressively defeated several talented sprinters, he had broken the Del Mar track record for six furlongs.

Euroears’ last four starts weren’t exactly up to par. He finished eighth in the Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (GI), in which he was impeded after the start. His effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) was very disappointing, as he was never really himself and faded to finish last. He rebounded slightly in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (GIII) at Hollywood Park after Thanksgiving, finishing fourth. In his final start, which came today in the Palos Verdes at Santa Anita, he broke poorly and didn't show his usual spark yet again, finishing fourth.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Though Euroears’ start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint was disappointing, I was able to catch my final glimpses of him on the track while he was under the Twin Spires for the championship races. A couple days before the Breeders’ Cup races began, as I was standing along the rail of the clubhouse turn at Churchill Downs, I saw a stocky chestnut jogging towards me. I scrutinized the horse and once I noticed the distinguishable face marking, I screeched Euroears’ name with excitement. The chestnut pricked his ears as he neared me and his exercise rider smiled at me as the pair jogged by. I kept my eyes glued to “my boy” as he jogged down the track. It was a relief to see him again.

Joyfully, I watched other Breeders’ Cup horses jog by, but I was on edge, waiting for Euroears to gallop by. Before long, I caught sight of the copper-colored horse galloping around the clubhouse turn. I fixed my camera on him, my eyes lighting up as he galloped in front of me. A couple days later, I would admire him along the rail one final time as he headed to post in the Sprint.

Euroears has taken me on a journey I never would have imagined a horse would take me on. It’s not often that a horse that dominantly breaks its maiden at my home track – Lone Star – goes on to win a grade one in track record-breaking fashion, let alone race in Dubai or at the Breeders’ Cup. I am very grateful to have seen Euroears in person several times.

He will now stand stud at JEH Stallion Station in Oklahoma and will breed to both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred mares. Euroears will now live out his days at JEH, which is where he belongs. Jim and Marilyn Helzer – who have owned Euroears since the beginning of his career – founded JEH in 1994. If there is anywhere Euroears should stay for the rest of his life, it’s with the Helzers.

About 150 miles south of the Oklahoma division of JEH Stallion Station is the track that started it all for Euroears: Lone Star Park. Someday, I hope to see sons and daughters there and at other tracks across the world, displaying the same scintillating speed as their sire.

Thanks for the memories, Euroears!

Photo: Terri Cage

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Derby Hopeful: Secret Circle

In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.

Secret Circle captured my attention more so than any other two-year-old in 2011. On July 23, 2011, I kept my eyes glued to the television for the third race at Del Mar. As a two-year-old race, I was eager to see how the race would play out. A superstar could very well come out of the race.

When Secret Circle overcame his rail position and pounced to the lead in the early stages of the race, my eyes focused on the flashy bay. I had missed the post parade, so I hadn’t gotten a good look at the horses prior to the race. However, this colt just screamed class and I could tell he was a Bob Baffert trainee with his Mike Pegram silks and blue shadow roll. My eyes were riveted by the bay two-year-old and I didn’t look at any other horse as the juveniles raced down the backstretch of the synthetic track.

Secret Circle
Photo: Terri Cage

He moved beautifully, his knees flat and his stride fluid as he galloped along on the lead. With slight asking from Rafael Bejarano, Secret Circle accelerated and drew away from the field. In the final stages of the race, Bejarano geared the colt down and even pumped his fist after they crossed the wire. Secret Circle had impressed me exceedingly and galloped his way into my heart.

Immediately following the race, my words were, “I found my Derby horse!”

Not only had Secret Circle impressed me with the way he ran, but when I looked at his pedigree, I was left even more fascinated. He is by one of my personal favorite stallions, Eddington, who is by the Kentucky Derby (GI)- and Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI)-winning Unbridled. He is the second foal out of his dam, Ragtime Hope, who was a multiple stakes winner.

Secret Circle earned his spot in my Equibase Virtual Stable © and I followed him closely. However, he did not start for over eleven weeks. He made his return in the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita. Not only was it his first start against stakes company, but it was his first start on dirt. It was not a problem, however. The son of the grade one-winning Eddington drew off to win the stakes by 5 ¼ lengths and was geared down late, though he drifted in slightly.

With his two remarkable victories, the last stop for the Bob Baffert trainee’s juvenile career was the inaugural Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs. I was excited to see the colt in person and was impressed by the class he carried himself with as he strolled past me, just inches away. I knew the race was his.

Photo: Terri Cage

The win didn’t come as easily as expected, at least in terms of winning margin. Secret Circle and Trinniberg set an absolutely wicked pace: the first quarter in 20.96, the first half in 44.55, and the initial five furlongs in 56.99. Secret Circle didn’t come home very quickly (13.53), but that was to be expected with the slow track labeled “good” and blazing fractions. He drifted out severely, but surely he was weary from the intense fractions and tiring track. Plus, he was running with blinkers for the first time.

Secret Circle returned to the work tab thirteen days after his Breeders’ Cup victory and has recorded six works since that win. The point of these works was to teach the fast colt to relax. He has been worked with and without blinkers, though the bay colt seems to be more relaxed without them. On December 22, he worked in company with Candrea without blinkers, relaxing several lengths behind her before catching up. Six days later, the colt went six furlongs in 1:10.80. He is expected to make his three-year-old debut in the Sham Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita on January 7, which would also be his two-turn debut.

Many people doubt Secret Circle’s ability to go long, but I believe that if Bob Baffert continues to train the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint-winning colt to relax, Secret Circle will have no problem routing. His sire, Eddington, was by Unbridled, a horse that placed in the top four of all three 1990 Triple Crown races – including a victory in the Kentucky Derby –, won the ten-furlong Breeders’ Cup Classic as a three-year-old, finished second in the ten-furlong Secretariat Stakes (GI) on turf, and finished third in the Breeeders’ Cup Classic as a four-year-old. Eddington himself won two mile and three-sixteenth races: the Pimlico Special Handicap (GI) and the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII). He also finished third in the mile and three-sixteenths Preakness Stakes (GI), fourth in the twelve-furlong Belmont Stakes (GI), and third in the ten-furlong Travers Stakes (GI).

The longest distance Secret Circle’s dam, Ragtime Hope, won at was a mile and one-sixteenth. Ragtime Hope is also a half-sister to Really Polish, whose greatest victory came in the mile and one-sixteenth Dogwood Stakes (GIII). Really Polish, whose longest winning distance was nine furlongs, also finished third in the nine-furlong Kentucky Oaks (GI).

As long as Secret Circle has the mental toughness to learn how to relax, he has the ability to go long. He is an extremely fast, talented colt that I will be closely following for the rest of his career. Hopefully this is only the beginning of his journey.


Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Opening Day at the Great Race Place

Around noon in Arcadia, California on the day after Christmas, over 44,000 people focused their eyes on the starting gate at Santa Anita Park. Suddenly, six two-year-old fillies broke from the gate in the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes. The winner, Ismene, was no surprise, as she went off as the heavy favorite. The undefeated filly galloped effortlessly to a near-three-length victory under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. The opening day card at the Great Race Place had gotten off to a spectacular start, which was a hint at what was to come in later races.

Stakes action returned in the seventh race, the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for juvenile males. Got Even, coming off a disappointing finish in the Generous Stakes (GIII) at Hollywood Park, dominated the race by 4 ¼ lengths at 12-1.

Mr. Commons
Photo by Mary Cage

In the next race, all eyes were on Mr. Commons, who was coming off a tough fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI). The John Shirreffs trainee made a dazzling move as the horses neared the finish line, splitting horses in mid-stretch. The classy sun of the Breeder's Cup Mile-winning Artie Schiller accelerated beautifully, drawing off to win by 3 ¼ lengths under Mike Smith in an imposing final time of 1:33.94 for a mile on the turf. This colt is getting better and better and he absolutely blows me away with his class and the ease with which he wins races. He is rapidly improving and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2012.

The Factor
Photo: Terri Cage

After Mr. Commons’ dazzling victory came another scintillating performance. The last race on the card was the Malibu Stakes (GI) for three-year-old colts going seven furlongs. The Factor, a grade one winner, went off as the favorite despite a disappointing finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) last out. However, the speedy Bob Baffert trainee had drawn the rail in his past two starts, but he was able to break on the outside this time around, which allowed him to have a better trip. The talented charcoal gray colt effortlessly won the grade one race by 3 ½ lengths, running the final sixteenth of a mile in an impressive 11.97 seconds and earning Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his first win in the Malibu. The final time, 1:19.89, was just .19 seconds slower than the record set by Twirling Candy in the same race in 2010, which came on the same day The Factor broke his maiden in track record time for six furlongs. Centralinteligence appeared to jump something on the far turn, was eased by Joel Rosario, and seems to have come out of the race well despite the incident.

The Factor may travel to Meydan Racecourse to race in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 31, 2012 and Mr. Commons may return to dirt in the $200,000 Strub Stakes (GII) on February 4, 2012.

Monday’s racing at Santa Anita implied that the Great Race Place will have incredible racing for the rest of its meet, which stretches until April 22, 2012. The Strub Series should attract plenty of talented horses and the Arcadia track’s contentious three-year-old graded stakes series should provide plenty of excitement on the Kentucky Derby trail. With the San Gabriel Mountains directly across from the historic grandstand and brilliant horses competing on the track’s classy dirt and turf courses, Santa Anita should definitely live up to its nickname, the Great Race Place, yet again this meet.

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.