HRN: Photo Blog: A Visit to the Bluegrass

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. . .

Photo Blog: A Visit to the Bluegrass

"More than 20,000 foals are born each year – more than 7,000 of which breathe their first breaths of life in the Kentucky bluegrass. Spring in the Lexington, Kentucky, area is a magical time – a time when the pastures of green rolling hills are full of mares whose foals nap or romp alongside them.

But just how many of those youngsters go on to be champions? A numbered few. Those who do achieve such greatness on the track or in the breeding shed have their names etched in the books, garnering awe and respect.

While on a brief visit to Kentucky last week, I was able to see Thoroughbreds in each stage of their life – from young foals to retired warriors. The Bluegrass is unlike any other place, and is home to some of the world’s most elite Thoroughbreds – whether they be on a farm or at the track. . ."

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

Older Males Roundup

Miles and hours apart, two premier older horses scored victories in high-class races on both coasts this previous Saturday. These two horses furthered proved how deep of a division the handicap division is this year – much more competitive than last year. Combined with talented three-year-olds such as Bodemeister and Paynter, brilliant international horses such as perhaps Camelot and Nathaniel, and spectacular females such as possibly Royal Delta, the United States’ deep older male string could put on quite a show in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita this fall.

Here is a look at thirteen older horses that could possibly make a start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita this fall:

Acclamation: Capturing three grade ones last year, Acclamation earned the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Male. Acclamation has only raced once so far this year, taking the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (GI) for the third year in a row.

Though Acclamation is a turf horse, he often trains on dirt and is certainly acclimated to Santa Anita. He is an absolutely brilliant individual, but I would rather see him compete on the turf at the Breeders' Cup.

Alternation: This Donnie K. Von Hemel trainee made headlines last year when he won the Peter Pan Stakes (GII) at Belmont Park. He was then winless for the next ten months, returning to the winner’s circle when he easily took the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park this February to kick off his 2012 campaign. He then reeled off victories in the Razorback Handicap (GIII), Oaklawn Handicap (GII), and Pimlico Special Stakes (GIII). Alternation suffered his first defeat of the year in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI), lacking the needed rally and thus finishing fifth amongst a very competitive field.

Alternation is certainly a classy horse and it would not surprise me in the least if he rebounds and continues to be one of the top handicap horses in the nation.

Fort Larned: This four-year-old began 2012 with a fourth-place finish in a handicap at Tampa Bay Downs, which he followed up with a win in the Challenger Stakes at the same track, a race that produced last year’s winner of the BC Classic, Drosselmeyer. Following an easy win in the mile and one-sixteenth Skip Away Stakes (GIII) at Gulfstream Park, Fort Larned ran a game second in the Alysheba Stakes (GII) behind Successful Dan. Fort Larned was bothered in the Stephen Foster Handicap and did not run well, finishing last. However, he rebounded in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (GIII), effortlessly defeating Successful Dan. In his three-length victory in that nine-furlong event, Fort Larned appeared as if he could continue for another furlong.

His sire, E Dubai, was a graded stakes winner at ten furlongs, but primarily sires successful sprinters and middle-distance runners. However, Fort Larned’s damsire, Broad Brush was successful at the classic distance. Not only will Fort Larned need to prove that he can be victorious at longer distances, but he will need to show that he can be more competitive against top rivals than he was in the Foster.

Game on Dude
Photo by Mary Cage

Game on Dude: A gelding who came within 1 ½ lengths of winning the Classic last year, Game on Dude capped off 2011 with two grade one victories and ten Horse of the Year votes. He commenced this year with an easy win in the San Antonio Stakes (GII) at his home track, Santa Anita – the track at which the Breeders’ Cup will be held this year. After a disappointing run in the Dubai World Cup (GI) in the United Arab Emirates, Game on Dude returned to the United States and returned to the races approximately two months later, trouncing the field in the Californian Stakes (GII). Game on Dude scored his first grade one victory of the year this past weekend in the Hollywood Gold Cup (GI), easily crossing the wire ahead of stablemate Richard’s Kid.

Game on Dude has proven he is among the top two premier handicap horses in the nation, if not the very best. As if his obvious talent wasn’t enough, Game on Dude has home field advantage. A big year for Game on Dude appears to be in the makings.

Hymn Book: This Shug McGaughey trainee had a fairly successful year last year, winning two stakes and placing in a pair of graded stakes, including the Cigar Mile Handicap (GI). He began 2012 with a win in the Donn Handicap (GI), after which he finished fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap and fifth in the Pimlico Special. He rebounded in the Suburban Handicap (GII), finishing a good second behind the impressive Mucho Macho Man.

Hymn Book is a talented racehorse, but will need to return to his winning ways. Nonetheless, he is a horse that should not be ignored and that could easily find the winner’s circle again.

Mission Impazible: Winless since taking last year’s New Orleans Handicap (GII), Mission Impazible has finished in the money in four graded stakes, including three grade ones. In fact, the dark gray horse came within a neck of winning the 2011 Stephen Foster Handicap and within a nose of taking the Donn Handicap. After a second-place result in this year’s renewal of the New Orleans Handicap, Mission Impazible finished a close fourth in the Pimlico Special and a dull seventh in the Foster. 

Mission Impazible will need to return to his winning ways, but the potential has always been there for him.

Mucho Macho Man: One of three horses who competed in each Triple Crown race last year, Kentucky Derby (GI) third-place finisher Mucho Macho Man returned to the races in winning style last November, easily taking an allowance optional claiming at Aqueduct. He commenced 2012 with an easy victory over Ron the Greek in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes before effortlessly taking the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII). Mucho Macho Man suffered his first defeat of the season in the Alysheba Stakes, finishing a distant third. However, he rebounded in the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park with Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard for the first time, capturing the race by an easy 2 ½ lengths in an impressive final time of 1:46.58 for nine furlongs.

Mucho Macho Man is among the very best of the older male division and is considered the best by many. He is certainly a classy horse and is maturing very well. He is a force to be reckoned with.

Richard’s Kid: Following a rather unsuccessful five-race period in Dubai, this two-time Pacific Classic Stakes (GI) winner returned to the care of Bob Baffert in southern California. Richard’s Kid resumed his United States career with a dominant win in the Prove It Stakes at Hollywood Park, which he followed up with a good second behind stablemate Game on Dude in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Richard’s Kid clearly appears to be second best when it comes to being compared to his stablemate. However, he is an excellent racehorse, especially in California. I believe he has more victories in his future.

Ron the Greek: After winning the LeComte Stakes (GIII) as a three-year-old, Ron the Greek went winless for nearly twenty-two months. He returned to the winner’s circle at Aqueduct, winning two ungraded stakes. Following a second-place finish in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes behind Mucho Macho Man, Ron the Greek was shipped to California for the Santa Anita Handicap (GI), which he won by an easy 3 ½ lengths to score his first grade one victory. After a second-place finish behind Alternation in the Oaklawn Handicap, Ron the Greek got revenge in the Foster, posting his second grade one triumph.

Ron the Greek has proven to be amid the absolute best of the older male division and clearly has an affinity for the Santa Anita surface. I believe he could continue to have a very productive rest of the year, as well as a strong effort at the Breeders’ Cup this fall.

Rule: A successful two-year-old and early three-year-old, Rule missed nearly ten months of racing before returning with a runner-up effort in the Hal’s Hope Stakes (GIII). Following four more defeats, Rule captured an ungraded stakes at Saratoga. He then finished third in the Woodward Stakes (GI), but then crossed the wire a disappointing seventh in the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (GII). His five-year-old debut was a winning one: an easy win in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (GII).

Rule is a talented colt, but he will need to step it up to be competitive with the very best.

Successful Dan: Lightly raced, Successful Dan has three graded stakes victories to his credit. He returned from an injury this year, winning an allowance optional claiming event at Keeneland prior to taking the Alysheba. He then was handily defeated by Fort Larned in the Cornhusker.

Successful Dan is overshadowed by his younger half-brother, Wise Dan, though he is quite talented himself. However, many doubt his ability to win at ten furlongs. He appeared as if he could go another furlong when he won the Cornhusker, but ten furlongs appears to be a stretch for him nonetheless.

To Honor and Serve: A multiple graded stakes-winning two-year-old, To Honor and Serve missed the Triple Crown due to injury but returned to win the Pennsylvania Derby (GII). Following a poor finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, To Honor and Serve impressively captured the Cigar Mile. To commence his 2012 season, To Honor and Serve dominantly won the Westchester Stakes (GIII) at Belmont. He then finished a decent third in the Metropolitan Handicap (GI) prior to crossing the wire a disappointing fourth in the Suburban, beaten 7 ½ lengths.

To Honor and Serve is a classy individual but often appears to be overrated. He will need to start bringing his A-game.

Wise Dan: This Morton Fink homebred put an exclamation mark at the end of 2011 by impressively winning both the Fayette Stakes (GII) and the Clark Handicap (GI). Wise Dan began 2012 with a dominant, record-breaking victory in the Ben Ali Stakes (GIII) at Keeneland. He then finished a head behind Ron the Greek in the Foster.

Wise Dan is a brilliant racehorse and definitely should not be forgotten. More victories from him would not be surprising in the least.

Of course, there are other horses, such as Stay Thirsty and Shackleford, in this division, but Stay Thirsty has not appeared to be at his best lately and I believe Shackleford is more suited to the Dirt Mile (though there is a slight chance he could go in the Classic). Nonetheless, what a division this is in 2012!

Super Siblings: Successful Dan & Wise Dan

The same age as the Kentucky Derby (GI), the Clark Handicap (GI) has been contested over the same esteemed Louisville, Kentucky track since 1875, boasting a roll of victors that is speckled with the names of all-time greats, including Exterminator, Whirlaway, and Silver Charm. Named for the founder of the Louisville Jockey Club and the man who played a large role in the construction of Churchill Downs, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., the Clark Handicap is often viewed as the final significant race of the year for handicap horses.

In the 2010 edition of the Clark, a Thoroughbred named Successful Dan pulled on Julien Leparoux’s grip for much of the race, searching for a way to the lead. Down the historic Churchill Downs homestretch, the bay gelding veered outward, slamming into the multiple graded stakes-winning Redding Colliery and Rosie Napravnik, knocking the gray horse sideways. Galloping erratically down the stretch, Successful Dan battled with Giant Oak, making contact with him in their duel before crossing the wire ahead. However, as a result of his disruptive running, Successful Dan was disqualified to second.

A year later, Successful Dan’s half-brother, Wise Dan, would enter the same race off an impressive victory in the Fayette Stakes (GII) over Keeneland’s synthetic surface. The gelding had won the race in the same fashion as his half-brother, who had won the Fayette by three lengths a year earlier. Forwardly placed in the Clark, Wise Dan settled behind the stakes-winning Will’s Wildcat and the multiple graded stakes-winning Mission Impazible the first time past the Twin Spires. Wise Dan had the perfect trip over the main track prior to striking to the front around the far turn and edging clear in the final furlong, drawing away to a 3 ¾-length victory.

An injury kept Successful Dan away from the races the year Wise Dan won the Clark, but the bay gelding returned to post on opening day of Keeneland’s 2012 spring meet, loading into the gate for an allowance optional claiming over the all-weather track. Facing several graded stakes winners, Successful Dan battled for the lead in the one-turn race, galloping to a one-length victory.

Just over two weeks later, Wise Dan went to post over the same track, though the rewards for his race were more alluring. The chestnut gelding was making his first start since his Clark victory in the Ben Ali Stakes (GIII), in which he took the lead following the initial quarter of the nine-furlong race and never regressed as he easily coasted to a jaw-dropping 10 ½-length win in which he set a new track record of a breathtaking final time of 1:46.63. With his win, many began to declare him the early favorite for Horse of the Year. It was certainly one of the most impressive races that has been run in 2012.

Merely twelve days later, Successful Dan made his return to graded stakes company, going to post in the Alysheba Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day. Settling near the rear of the eight-horse field, the son of Successful Appeal swept to the outside and down the homestretch, galloped his way to a one-length triumph. With his victory, Successful Dan defeated many of the top handicap horses in the nation, including Mucho Macho Man and Nate’s Mineshaft. Like his half-brother had done less than two weeks earlier, Successful Dan set a track record.

Both geldings are homebreds for Morton Fink, who has been a part of the Thoroughbred racing industry for over forty years. Fink also owns the dam of both talented horses, the eighteen-year-old mare Lisa Danielle. Also the dam of the stakes-winning Royal Dancer, Lisa Danielle is by Wolf Power, who was Horse of the Year in South Africa in 1984. Though the South African champion is a relatively low-key broodmare sire, the damsire of Lisa Danielle is the great Secretariat – one of the most tremendous sires of broodmares of all-time. He has produced the dams of many grade one winners and successful stallions, including A.P. Indy and Storm Cat. Lisa Danielle also hails from a lucrative French dam line that stems from female family five, a prolific female family that has yielded the dams of such great horses as Native Dancer and Seabiscuit.

Whereas Successful Dan is by Successful Appeal – a Man O’ War sire line stallion, Wise Dan is sired by Wiseman’s Ferry – a Northern Dancer sire line stud. However, both geldings form two crosses of Northern Dancer in just the first five generations of their bloodlines. Inbreeding to this champion has been present in the pedigrees of such horses as the champions and classic victors Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, and Summer Bird.

Both Successful Dan and Wise Dan appear to be among the top of their class. It is a rare occurrence to see two siblings posting such remarkable victories within the same time frame and should certainly be appreciated. Though trainer Charles Lopresti plans to avoid running the brothers against each other, we could be in store for a sibling showdown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita in November. Regardless what happens, Fink and Lopresti are very fortunate to have a pair of such gifted brothers.


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.