The Fasig-Tipton Texas December Mixed Sale will take place on Monday, December 12 at Lone Star Park. I will be visiting the track the day before the sale, observing and visiting the horses. Pictures and a description will be posted after the sale.
Though while at the barns I will be looking at many horses and ones of all ages, in this post I will just be featuring one stallion, two broodmares, a four-year-old filly, and five weanlings. Sales in Texas do not feature horses of the same class as sales in states such as Kentucky and New York, but this Texas sale still has class, which has increased due to Moon Lake Farm’s dispersal.
Hip #12 – General Reunion:Out of the grade one-winning mare, Annual Reunion, General Reunion is a full sister to the stakes-placed Daiwa Falcon and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Annual Rainfall. Her half-sister, Gather the Group, is the dam of multiple stakes-winning Gn. Group Meeting and the stakes-placed Gather de Justice. General Reunion, an eight-year-old, has not produced any horses that have made it to the track yet. She is in foal to grade two-winning Too Much Bling and is consigned by Lane’s End Texas, agent.
Hip #53 – Templemartin: A half-sister to multiple grade two-winning Freedom Crest, Templemartin has produced six horses that have made it to the track, four of which are winners. One of those winners is Valid Message, who has won two stakes races. In foal to the leading Texas sire, Valid Expectations, Templemartin is an accredited Texas broodmare consigned by Lane’s End Texas, agent.
Hip #85 – Scrimshaw: Best known for winning the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (GII) and finishing third in the Preakness Stakes (GI), Scrimshaw also finished third in the Santa Catalina Stakes (GII). The son of 1988 Eclipse Champion Sprinter competed in all three legs of the 2003 Triple Crown. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee entered stud in 2005 at Millennium Farms in Lexington, Kentucky and eventually moved to Millennium Farms at Moon Lake in Elm Grove, Louisiana. His foals have earned over $3,000,000 since his first crop hit the track in 2008. He has sired two stakes winners, including his leading earner, Mr. Rod, who won the Generous Stakes (GIII) at Hollywood Park as a two-year-old. He is consigned by 4M Ranch, agent.
Hip #97:By the sire of this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, in Leroidesanimaux, this bay weanling colt is out of Naughtier, who is a half-sister to the multiple restricted stakes-winning Naughty and the stakes-placed horses Siberian Hobby, Singing Sam, Nilwon, and Precocious. The mare’s half-sister Naughty has produced the grade two-placed Wallstreet Scandal and the multiple stakes-placed My Charlie’s Boy. Another one of Naughty’s half-sisters, Approving, produced the stakes-winning Borrower. Hip #97 is an accredited Louisiana-bred consigned by 4M Ranch, agent.
Hip #98: Part of the second crop of Chatain – a two-time winner of the Hal’s Hope Handicap (GIII) – this weanling filly is part of the Moon Lake dispersal. Her dam Proud Rose has produced three winners of four horses that have made it to the track, including the stakes-winning Tidal Volume and the stakes-placed Hollywood Fierce. Her granddam, Our Wildirish Rose, produced the multiple-stakes winning Nani Rose; the group three-winning Illustrius Miss, who also finished third in a group one and is the dam of Gamilati, a group two winner. Hip #98 is an accredited Louisiana-bred consigned by 4M Ranch, agent.
Hip #100:By the multiple grade one-winning sire Student Council, this gray/roan colt was born in January of this year. His seven-year-old dam, Sweet Melissa, has only produced one horse that has gone on to race: a two-year-old named Louisiana Wagon that has not won but has placed in three of five starts. Sweet Melissa is a half-sister to Catalissa – a multiple-stakes winner and track record breaker – and Lissa’s Star – a multiple stakes-winning gelding. Consigned by 4M Ranch, agent, hip #100 is an accredited Louisiana-bred that is Breeders’ Cup nominated.
Hip #105:Also by Student Council, this dark bay/brown colt is a half-brother to Camille’s Appeal, who won two Texas-bred $75,000 stakes races as a two-year-old in 2009, and Spark Plug, who finished second in the 2007 Texas Stallion Stakes two years before Camille’s Appeal won it. This weanling’s dam, Belle Visage, was a black-type winner who is a half-sister to Urban Dancer, a multiple restricted stakes winner and graded stakes-placed mare who produced Alex’s Vision, a restricted stakes winner. Consigned by 4M Ranch, agent, this colt is an accredited Louisiana-bred that is Breeders’ Cup nominated.
Hip #110:By Chatain, this accredited Louisiana-bred filly is out of the unraced mare Dr. Cheryl P., who is a three-quarters-sister to the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner, Wilko, who placed in multiple group or grade ones, including a second place finish in the 2006 Dubai World Cup. Wilko of course is now a sire and already has a group one-placed horse in his first crop. This weanling is Breeders’ Cup nominated and is by 4M Ranch, agent.
Hip #131 – Dixieland Baby:This filly will be the final horse to enter the sales ring on Monday. By Baby Baba, who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Lady Harcris, Dixieland Baby placed in three Texas-bred stakes races. She is an accredited Texas-bred consigned by Benchmark Training center, agent.
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The Breeders’ Cup was a month ago. Those words pain me to type. How I long to be there again. You’d think I’d be done with the Breeders’ Cup blog posts by now, but that’s impossible. The event means too much for me to stop posting about it just a month after it culminated.
On my blog, many of the photos you see are taken by my mother, Terri Cage of Terri Cage Photography (http://terricagephotography.com/). If the caption does not give credit to the picture, I took it. Otherwise, I will denote that my mom took it. That's not the case in this blog, as all the photos belong to her.
My mom has an incredible eye for what makes a terrific photograph. At the Breeders’ Cup, our seats gave us a great opportunity to see the horses up close, which meant we got to take some amazing photographs. I took a few good photographs, but they were nothing compared to the ones my mom took.
This picture was taken on our first day at the Breeders’ Cup this year. When we pulled up to the track, I immediately spotted Creative Cause in the chute, being ponied. Before I knew it, a flood of Breeders’ Cup horses came along, including Stacelita, Goldikova, the late Irrefutable, Cambina, Trappe Shot, and several others. Finally, I was amidst the best of the best yet again. My second Breeders’ Cup journey had begun.
Big Drama
On the second day of our trip, we went to the morning works again. We stood along the rail of the clubhouse turn, with the Twin Spires looming nearby. As I gazed across the track, my breath was gone. Past me, champions jogged and galloped, preparing for the championship races that would be run on Friday and Saturday. Among the first horse to do so was Big Drama. I had witnessed the son of Montbrook win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) the year before, but the only good glance of him I got then was when he began to pull away from the field at the top of the stretch. This time, though, the dark-colored champion was just a pony horse away from me.
Get Stormy
Get Stormy, also known as Clyde because of his markings that resemble those of a Clydesdale, was another horse I had seen the previous year at the Breeders’ Cup. Yet, from my seats in 2010, it was difficult to catch a glimpse of every single horse. I was lucky to have been able to see Goldikova cross the finish line in that race rather than have to watch on the jumbotron. Yet, now the flashy bay horse was just feet away from me. His radiant blaze was clear against his russet coat and his muscles were distinct as he jogged past prior to taking a leisurely gallop.
Rattlesnake Bridge
A dappled gray in a yellow saddle towel grew nearer and off the saddle towel I read the name Rattlesnake Bridge. My mind immediately flashed to the Timely Writer Stakes, which had been Uncle Mo’s 2011 debut. In the race, Rattlesnake Bridge had run an impressive second. To me, that’s what he's best-known for. For others, he was most well-known for finishing second to another Mike Repole-owned colt, Stay Thirsty, in the Travers Stakes (GI). His beautiful gray frame moved past me, his mane and tail flowing. Beside me, I could hear my mom’s camera going crazy. Grays are her favorite to photograph.
Drosselmeyer
I’ll come right out and say it. Picking Drosselmeyer to win the Classic was my proudest moment of this year’s Breeders’ Cup. I had Flat Out on paper, but the moment that is photographed above had me on Drosselmeyer’s side. I’d been a fan of the colt since the Risen Star Stakes (GII) in 2010. It was my first time to see him in person and as I saw him trotting towards me, my heart thudded in my chest. I knew in that moment that he was sitting on a big race. His eyes gazed right at my mother and me as he jogged by, moving like a show horse. I was riveted by him, my head following him until he was out of sight. My love for Drosselmeyer began to climb higher in that moment.
Midday
I wasn’t the only one that noticed that the Europeans came out in a string of horses, sauntering along the rail in what was normally a single file line. I’d noticed it the morning before, when Goldikova had gone for a stroll amongst other Europeans. This time, it was a different Breeders’ Cup champion mare that ambled past me. Except, this time, she stopped in front of me. She turned her head to look at something, her ears pointed forward and her eyes bright. There Midday was, close enough to touch.
Euroears
As I gazed at the horses trotting toward us, I spotted a beautiful chestnut with a face marking that I could not mistake. It was Euroears, who had been a favorite of mine for well over a year. I had seen him in person twice before and each time, I was blown away by his beauty. As he came closer, my heart beat with excitement and I couldn’t help but let out his name in a squeal. He pricked his ears, his exercise rider smiling. I watched with my eyes bright as the beautiful chestnut, with a build like a Quarter Horse, jogged past before going for an easy gallop. It was thrilling to see him again, as I hadn’t seen him in about a year and one-half and for a while was unsure if I’d ever see him again.
Jackson Bend
I absolutely love this little horse. I’d seen him at Churchill Downs a year before, when he’d finished fourth in the Ack Ack Handicap (GIII). It had been very exciting to see him then and it was exhilarating to see him on the track just a few days before he finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI). I’ve always loved him and was moved by his impressive performances at Saratoga this summer (The Little Colt That Could). My mom, a big fan of the little colt as well, eagerly snapped pictures of the dainty liver chestnut before he disappeared on the other side of the track.
Afleet Again
Just one day prior to Afleet Again's longshot victory in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GII), the son of one of my favorites of all time, Afleet Alex, jogged past me over the muddy surface at Churchill Downs. His tall frame floated along the rail and my mom snapped pictures of him as I gazed at him, noting how relaxed he looked. He didn’t look like a 41-1 shot.
Goldikova
Yes, she’s Queen Goldikova, the three-time Mile winner. But she’s also Goldikova the Head-Tossing Diva. I saw her win the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) in person last year and can clearly remember standing on the tips of my toes to see her cross the finish line in front. It was the only 2010 Breeders’ Cup race where I was able to see the winner cross the finish line without having to look at the jumbotron. I still have that moment in history engraved in my mind. This year, I saw Goldikova many times. I saw her on the track in the mornings and my breath was whisked away each time I saw her. She was clearly a diva, constantly tossing her head and even requiring being led back to the gap. Seeing her in the mornings was a true gift and I felt that I came to know Goldikova’s personality by her appearances in the mornings. It was almost like walking outside to my barn to face the boss mare of the pasture, Jesse. Yet it wasn’t a State 4-H champion halter horse that might charge you like a buffalo without warning I was watching. It was a three-time Breeders’ Cup champion that will go down as one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
Secret Circle
The 2011 Breeders’ Cup races could not have begun with a much better start. I was eagerly anticipating the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Sprint, as my favorite two-year-old colt, Secret Circle, was the favorite for the race. I had followed the colt since his maiden (Juvenile Spotlight: Secret Circle), which I watched live on TVG. He immediately had my heart and I followed him from then on. As soon as he dominantly won the Jack Goodman Stakes, I knew I would see him at the Breeders’ Cup. So as I stood along the rail near the winner’s circle as the horses for the first Breeders’ Cup race of 2011 made their way toward the paddock, I kept my eyes peeled for number six. Finally, my eyes caught sight of the bay son of Eddington. Bob Baffert’s trademark blue shadow roll sat atop his nose as he strolled toward me. Not long after my favorite two-year-old walked past me with just inches between us, I stood in the same spot to watch him cross the wire victoriously. To add to the excitement, I stood along the winner’s circle wall as he entered the winner’s enclosure with the purple and gold blanket of flowers draped over his withers. I couldn’t help but beam as I watched the triumphant colt stand alongside his happy connections.
Stephanie's Kitten
Stephanie’s Kitten unleashed a striking turn of foot to win the Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) for her owners and breeders, the Ramseys. The filly, named after Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s granddaughter, returned to the jubilant family under Johnny Velazquez. As I watched from just outside the winner’s circle, I felt the family’s infectious joy and began to smile. I’ve always loved how happy the Ramseys get when their horses win. They are clearly a closely-knit family that loves its horses.
Musical Romance
I’m not sure why, but I have a soft spot for Calder-based horses. Perhaps it’s because I constantly watch HRTV and see many Calder races. I watch so many Calder races that the word ‘many’ is an understatement. Needless to say, I am very familiar with Musical Romance, through TV at least. I didn’t necessarily expect her to defeat Turbulent Descent, but I did expect a good performance. She exceeded both of those expectations, soaring to victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint. She’s one of many horses (Awesome Feather, Blind Luck, Jackson Bend, etc.) that has gone on to prove that Calder is underrated.
My Miss Aurelia
My Miss Aurelia was one of the horses that I most looked forward to seeing at the Breeders’ Cup. I’d followed her since before her maiden and am a huge fan of her. To have her stroll right past me prior to dominantly winning the Juvenile Fillies was an incredible experience. As if that experience wasn’t amazing enough, I had the opportunity to stand just a few feet away from the special filly as she entered the winner’s circle. My eyes were locked on My Miss Aurelia as she paraded before me with the blanket of flowers hanging over her withers. I knew I was within the presence of greatness. I could feel it.
Taken just before the running of the Filly & Mare Turf, this picture is clearly of one of the iconic Twin Spires as the sun sank lower in the sky. Standing at Churchill Downs at sunset in the midst of the Breeders’ Cup is about as close to magic as you can come.
Perfect Shirl
When Perfect Shirl crossed the wire victoriously in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she made it back-to-back years for a longshot to take the race. She provided jockey John Velazquez with his second win on the Breeders’ Cup card and Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield with his first-ever Breeders’ Cup victory. As the sun sank and the lights shining down on Churchill Downs grew brighter, the beautiful filly entered the winner’s circle, just feet away from me.
Miss Match
The sky was orange as the fillies and mares for the Ladies’ Classic headed toward the saddling paddock. Miss Match, an Argentinian-bred mare who has won two group or grade ones in her career, strutted alongside a groom as the sun left the sky in a stunning mix of warm colors. The scene was just asking for a picture.
Royal Delta
My excitement amplified as the Ladies’ Classic field rounded the clubhouse turn at a walk. My eyes took in the talented fillies and mares, locking on the likes of It’s Tricky, Plum Pretty, and Royal Delta. As I stood along the rail, the fillies and mares walked past so closely that I could reach out to touch them if I tried. Before long, they paraded before thousands of fans, the bright lights overhead brighter than ever as they loaded into the starting gate. As they thundered past the grandstand for the first time, I couldn’t catch my breath. There I was, standing at the edge of the track as some of the most talented female racehorses in the world galloped past in one of the most prestigious races. When the field approached the wire, a dark spot in green emerged on the outside. Royal Delta, I thought. A grin that stretched from ear to ear appeared on my face as I watched the brilliant filly effortlessly sweep past the others to take the Ladies’ Classic. In a surreal moment, the champion was awarded with the blanket of flowers before entering the winner’s circle right before me. If I’d attempted to, I could’ve stretched my arm out to stroke her dark coat as she glided into the winner’s enclosure.
I must say, the US Army Golden Knights performance to kick off Breeders' Cup Saturday was incredible. There is no way I would fly down onto the infield of Churchill Downs with a parachute strapped to me. It was a dazzling way to kick off Saturday’s races.
Afleet Again
Just one day after I saw Afleet Again for the first time, the gray colt drew away impressively to win the Marathon. Yet again, he didn’t look like a 41-1 shot. His longshot win kicked off a day full of longshots filing into the winner’s circle to my left.
Wrote
As the horses charged home in the Juvenile Turf, it was Wrote that rushed up on the outside to win going away, his beautiful stride allowing him to float over the lush turf course. It was the beginning of a big day for Aidan O’Brien. As I stood along the rail next to the entrance to the winner’s circle, the dark colt jogged up to the swarm of people around the winner’s circle. After the blanket of flowers had been draped over his withers and he turned to walk into the winner’s enclosure, my breath caught. The colt was absolutely striking.
Corey Nakatani aboard Regally Ready
Regally Ready ended up being the only favorite on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday card to wear the garland of flowers. The classy turf sprinter provided Corey Nakatani and Steve Asmussen with their second 2011 Breeders’ Cup victory. Just like when Corey Nakatani had won aboard My Miss Aurelia the previous afternoon, he celebrated joyfully, pulling some lilies from the blanket of flowers and kissing them before raising them in the air. His celebration just goes to show how emotional and incredible it is to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Jersey Town
The 2010 Cigar Mile (GI) winner was a show-off as he was led toward the saddling paddock. The beautiful chestnut took my breath away with his magnificence. He may not have won the race that day, but he definitely captured my attention.
Shackleford
Of course, the Dirt Mile belonged to Caleb’s Posse. However, my heart belonged to Shackleford in that race. The Preakness winner put on a show the entire time, unleashing his antics in the post parade as his copper mane flowed, his muscles rippled, and his legs pranced. His dance moves are different than the ones we saw with Zenyatta; his might actually launch the jockey into the air.
Caleb's Posse
In one of the most dominant 2011 Breeders’ Cup victories, Caleb’s Posse powered home to take the Dirt Mile. The bay colt provided Rajiv Maragh with his first Breeeders’ Cup triumph. This was good enough for a thumbs-up by the jockey, but I’m sure it brought him much more joy than just a thumbs-up.
Sarafina
Shackleford wasn’t the only feisty horse in the post parade on Breeders’ Cup Saturday. The multiple group one-winning filly Sarafina gave her handlers plenty of trouble in the post parade for the Turf.
St. Nicholas Abbey
His win brought along a story that will not soon be forgotten. St. Nicholas Abbey was ridden to victory by Joseph O’Brien, the five-foot, eleven inches tall eighteen-year-old jockey. In the winner’s circle, Joseph sat aboard the radiant bay with his father, trainer Aidan O’Brien, standing nearby. With his height, Joseph likely does not have much time left of riding in flat races, but he can always say he won a Breeders’ Cup race for his father.
Hansen
After a thrilling stretch run between Hansen and Union Rags, my ears were ringing as Hansen entered the winner’s circle. The joy of his connections was infectious, especially since they had been standing next to me during the race. If the Juvenile is any hint as to what we have in store for the 2012 Triple Crown trail and the Triple Crown, 2012 is going to be a great year for three-year-olds.
Courageous Cat
There were two blaze-faced bay beauties in the 2011 Mile: Get Stormy and Courageous Cat. The latter, trained by Bill Mott, had absolute gorgeous eyes that gleamed in the best lighting of the day. As the sun inched closer to the horizon, a golden glow was cast over Churchill Downs as the penultimate 2011 Breeders’ Cup race approached.
Goldikova
Goldikova picked the wrong person to have a staring contest with. As she walked along the rail, within touching distance of me, her eyes gazed into mine and she would not look away. It was like she was trying to have a staring contest with me. But since she’s one of the greatest racehorses of all time, there’s no doubt I’m going to stare. I’m not even going to breathe. Being in her presence was so special and to have her look right at me for a long moment was indescribable.
Robby Albarado aboard Court Vision
As Court Vision returned to the winner’s circle after his 64-1 win in the Mile, Robby Albarado must have felt the sting of losing his mount on eventual winner Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby slip away. He celebrated joyfully aboard the veteran grade one winner, smiling nearly nonstop. It was sad that Goldikova had lost, but Court Vision is one of my favorite horses and it was clear how blissful his connections were. I couldn’t help but be happy for Court Vision and his connections.
Havre de Grace
Havre de Grace decided to stare at me almost like Goldikova did. Her expression reminded me of the expression a curious foal often makes. Yet she walked with extreme class alongside Larry Jones prior to her run against the males in the Classic.
Uncle Mo
Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo were definitely the fan favorites of this year’s Classic. The charming bay colt strolled past the grandstand, seeming focused. Fans didn’t see the Uncle Mo they wanted to see that day, but his appearance always seems to bring a smile to many fans and it definitely did that evening.
Drosselmeyer
As Drosselmeyer crossed the wire at the end of the race in a sudden rush to the lead, I punched my fist into the air joyfully. Mike Smith and Drosselmeyer had done it! The horse that had captured my attention in the mornings had run a race of redemption for himself and for his jockey, as well as provided Mott with a Ladies’ Classic and Classic double. As I stood along the rail, the stunning chestnut was bestowed the blanket of flowers as Mike Smith celebrated delightfully. I watched in awe as the Classic winner sauntered in circles with the Hall of Fame jockey aboard before they headed to the winner’s circle, so close to me that I could see the veins that were defined in Drosselmeyer’s neck, see the splotches of dirt on WinStar’s white silks, and see the detail of the flowers on the garland. It was such a special moment to be so close to the winner of America’s richest race and I can always look back and know that I was standing right there, so close to some of the greatest people in racing and the horse that gave me one of the biggest racing thrills I’ve ever experienced.
Thank you, Breeders’ Cup for the incredible experience and of course, Mom, for taking such great pictures. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup, when I got to witness some of the greatest Breeders’ Cup races of all-time and the great Zenyatta, was wonderful. Being so up close and personal with all the winners of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup was a completely different kind of experience. It was one I will forever hold dear to my heart.
One of my favorite things to do is find young horses that have the potential to be superstars. Two-year-olds I have discovered this year before they went on to bigger and better things include Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) winner, My Miss Aurelia, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner, Secret Circle, two-time grade one winner, Weemissfrankie, and grade three winner, Pure Gossip. It is very entertaining and rewarding to discover two-year-olds before they go on to record prestigious victories. Juvenile Spotlights highlight some of the two-year-olds I have discovered.
Everyone’s talking about him after his dominant, track record-breaking win in the third race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Yet I knew about him before he ever loaded into the starting gate for the race. The previous day, I had researched the pedigrees of the two-year-old colts in the race and was most impressed by that of Discreet Dancer.
Obviously, his sire, Discreet Cat, was very remarkable on the racetrack. As a three-year-old, the son of Forestry won the one-mile Jerome Breeders’ Cup Handicap (GII) by ten and one-quarter lengths before winning the Cigar Mile Handicap (GI) by three and one-quarter lengths. Out of a blue hen, Discreet Cat is a half-brother to grade one-winning Discreetly Mine, graded stakes-placed Discreet Treasure, stakes-winning and multiple graded stakes-placed Pretty Wild, and the dam of grade one-winning Awesome Maria.
Discreet Dancer’s notable pedigree does not stop there. His dam, West Side Dancer, is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-placed Lieutenant Danz. Even more impressive, West Side Dancer has already produced Travelin Man, who won the Swale Stakes (GII) earlier this year after finishing second in the Hutcheson Stakes (GII).
Though many may not believe this is enough to suggest that Discreet Dancer would like a stretch out in distance, his grandsires on both sides of his pedigree support his case. Forestry, the sire of his sire, Discreet Cat, was mostly successful at distances under a mile, but he did win the Dwyer Stakes (GII) at a mile and one-sixteenth and finished a close third in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (GI), though the chart says he “weakened late.” However, Forestry is known for siring Shackleford, who won this year’s Preakness Stakes (GI) at a mile and three-sixteenths.
Gone West, the sire of his dam, also won the Dwyer. The son of Mr. Prospector won three graded stakes races at one mile or longer. He also sired many talented distance horses, such as Pacific Classic (GI, 10 furlongs)-winning Came Home, Belmont Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Commendable, Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Johar, and Pattison Canadian International Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)- and Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Marsh Side. In addition, he is the grandsire of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Smarty Jones.
As if his pedigree was not enough to excite me, his build left me even more impressed. My eyes took in his copper-colored coat, his impressive muscularity, and his imposing balance. Despite the fact that it was his first race, the Todd Pletcher trainee walked with extreme class, strutting before the grandstand. He was a shoe-in to win.
I had a gut feeling he would win impressively. Yet he fascinated me even more than I thought he would. In the five and one-half furlong maiden special weight for Florida-bred juveniles, Discreet Dancer broke from the third gate and was roused to the outside of the leader, Someday Came, by Javier Castellano. As the flashy chestnut colt sat just off the front-runner, the pair ran the first quarter in 22:12 seconds. When the field reached the beginning of the far turn, the E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC-owned colt stuck his nose in front. By the quarter pole, Discreet Dancer led by over a length.
Under strong urging that was clearly just to remind the son of Discreet Cat to keep running, the Todd Pletcher trainee effortlessly opened up on the field. He was gliding over the track, his hind legs driving up underneath him to propel him forward. His front legs reached in front of him, his lead leg forming a straight line as it stretched out before him. He is a beautiful mover, which is no surprise considering how great his conformation is.
As he crossed under the wire nine and three-quarters lengths ahead, a striking time flashed up on the tote board: 1:02.34. It was enough to break the five and one-half furlong mark for Gulfstream’s main track. Discreet Dancer had come home in an imposing final time of 5:88 seconds for the final sixteenth of a mile.
Everything about this colt screams impressive: his pedigree, his conformation, his action, his speed, and his class. The three-year-old races for 2012 already look very interesting, but now that Discreet Dancer has been added to the mix, they have become even more intriguing. 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.
This year’s edition of the Breeders’ Cup Turf is considered by many to have the best story of the entire 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Many will look back and remember Joseph O’Brien’s incredible victory aboard St. Nicholas Abbey. Though I am riveted by that story, there is so much more than just that story to the 2011 Turf to me.
As the horses thundered down the lush green grass of the Churchill Downs turf course in the final yards of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a brilliant mahogany bay with a long-legged jockey drew away from the field to cross the wire victoriously.
“St. Nicholas Abbey, history in the making! St. Nicholas Abbey! Joey O’Brien for his father, Aidan O’Brien! History is made!” Trevor Denman cried as the magnificent bay galloped towards the wire with the five-foot-eleven, eighteen-year-old jockey that rode him to the wire to become the tallest and youngest jockey to ever win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Photo: Terri Cage
When Joseph O’Brien rode up to the winner’s circle after the Turf, it was clear how joyous he and his family were. The young jockey’s face was lit up by a gigantic grin and the faces of his loved ones were no different.
It was also obvious how beautiful St. Nicholas Abbey was. I was riveted by the gleaming bay colt. As he stood in the winner’s circle, his head turned in the opposite direction of the cameras inside the winner’s enclosure. The veins on his sweaty neck were defined, the whites of his eyes showing slightly as he strained to look behind him. For a moment, it was almost as if the magnificent horse was gazing right at me.
Photo: Terri Cage
It was as if St. Nicholas Abbey was saying, “Hey, don’t forget about me. I know my humans have a great story, but I’m the one that galloped across that finish line.”
I won’t forget about his humans’ story or him. Nor will I forget about a small token I received after the victory. As a blissful man skipped away with the garland of flowers draped over his shoulders, I watched as a white lily dropped from the blanket, landing in the moist dirt of the track. It was so close, yet so far away.
That’s when my mom kindly asked someone to grab it for me. Before I knew it, I was holding a white lily from St. Nicholas Abbey’s blanket of flowers in my cold hands. Just moments before, this flower had been on a garland aboard a magnificent horse, with Aidan O’Brien’s son – the youngest and tallest jockey to ever win a Breeders’ Cup race – sitting just behind the blanket. The flower was now mine. I was forever tied to St. Nicholas Abbey’s and the O’Briens’ victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Photo by Mary Cage
Not only did that one lily connect me to the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf, but it brought me even closer to the Breeders’ Cup, which I already held dear to my heart. As I stood there gazing at the flower, smiling ecstatically, I could almost picture myself on the other side of the winner’s circle wall, standing with my own Breeders’ Cup champion. It was a big dream – one I may only ever hope to achieve – but I could almost taste it. How could I not when I was holding a lily from a Breeders’ Cup winner’s garland of flowers with the winner’s circle just a few feet away?
The lily is long since dead. It is now crusty and brown, but I refuse to throw it away. It connects me to St. Nicholas Abbey’s triumph, to the Breeders’ Cup, and to my dream of someday standing inside the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle. And if that dream ever does come true, I won’t keep every single flower on the garland. I will instead hand a few flowers to a few young fans to send their Breeders’ Cup dreams skyrocketing. 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.
Normally, this piece would be a “Juvenile Spotlight” since I discovered this filly before her maiden race and have followed her throughout her career. However, she is already plenty in the spotlight. Instead, this is a piece on how I came across this special filly, how talented she is, and what she has the potential to be.
In anticipation of an upcoming maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course, I researched the pedigrees of each filly in the race. I chose two fillies off of pedigree and was impressed by them in the post parade as well. One would finish fifth while the other would cross the wire victoriously. Though I knew the winner was a talented filly, I didn’t realize at the time just how special she would become. The winner’s name was My Miss Aurelia.
Obviously, her sire, Smart Strike, is very successful and has already sired a remarkable horse for her connections in Curlin. Smart Strike was the leading sire in 2007 and 2008 and is currently the second leading sire of 2011.
My Miss Aurelia Photo: Terri Cage
To add to her impressive pedigree is My Miss Aurelia’s dam, My Miss Storm Cat. The daughter of the incredible pensioned sire Storm Cat was a stakes winner that also finished third in the Landaluce Stakes (GIII) as a two-year-old. My Miss Aurelia is the mare’s second foal. Her first foal was Albergatti, who was briefly on the Kentucky Derby trail earlier this year and finished second in the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
In addition to her notable pedigree, My Miss Aurelia possesses imposing conformation. Her long, thin neck ties in correctly at the point of shoulder. Furthermore, her shoulder is strong and sloping, allowing her to be proportional and have a long, smooth stride. Her deep heart girth indicates that she has a large set of lungs, which clearly allows her to breathe well. Her quality muscling is also evident, as are her clean legs.
In her maiden race, the Steve Asmussen trainee sat in second under Julien Leparoux before taking the lead with about a furlong left. The bay filly drew clear in Stonestreet’s silks in the final yards, going on to win by a length over Delightful Magic, who recently finished fifth of ten in the Delta Downs Princess Stakes (GIII). The final time for My Miss Aurelia’s maiden victory was 1:03.59 for five and one-half furlongs.
My Miss Aurelia was made the favorite for the Adirondack Stakes (GII) next out. Millionreasonswhy, coming off a victory in the Matron Stakes (GII), appeared on My Miss Aurelia’s outside as the horses came around the far turn. The daughter of Grand Slam looked as if she would blow right past My Miss Aurelia, but the Stonestreet homebred owned by Stonestreet and George Bolton dug in and would not let Millionreasonswhy pass her. The half-sister to Albergatti, ridden by Leparoux again, prevailed by a neck and galloped out ahead of Millionreasonswhy. With her win, many ranked her as the top juvenile filly in the nation.
Along the way, I learned that My Miss Aurelia was named by Jess Jackson not long before he passed away. He had named the filly after George Bolton’s mother, who is a lucky charm at the races. The story led me to love the filly even more.
The Frizette Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park was My Miss Aurelia’s last stop along the road to the Breeders’ Cup. Despite the fact that My Miss Aurelia was highly-touted, the favorite was Stopshoppingmaria, the filly that had finished third to My Miss Aurelia when the Steve Asmussen trainee broke her maiden. Many were persuaded by Stopshoppingmaria’s recent romp in a maiden special weight. However, I was still on My Miss Aurelia’s side and was staying that way.
I was glad I stayed on her side. Just over one minute and thirty-five seconds after the two-year-old fillies broke from the starting gate and ran a mile, My Miss Aurelia flashed across the wire with Corey Nakatani aboard, five and one-half lengths ahead of Stopshoppingmaria. With her dominant win, she became the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
As the championship race approached, I was torn between two fillies I had followed since their maidens: My Miss Aurelia and Weemissfrankie. Since the latter resembled my horse, I was partial and felt my heart leaning slightly in her direction. However, as the fillies paraded in front of me before the race, I had a gut feeling that My Miss Aurelia would stand in the winner’s circle to my left with the blanket of flowers draped over her withers.
Corey Nakatani celebrating with Aurelia standing next to the special filly named after her Photo: Terri Cage
My gut didn’t lie. In one of the most impressive Breeders’ Cup victories of 2011, My Miss Aurelia won the Juvenile Fillies stylishly, crossing the wire three lengths in front. As I stood along the rail just a few feet away from the stunning bay filly when she was awarded with the winner’s garland of flowers, I watched as jockey Corey Nakatani celebrated aboard her, throwing flowers from the blanket into the air.
As I watched in awe, my cheeks were not just flushed by the cold. Before me was the beautiful filly that I’d followed since before she even stood in a winner’s circle and to my left were her blissful connections, including her namesake, Aurelia. As my mother snapped pictures beside me, I watched with my eyes glued to the champion, struck with a feeling that My Miss Aurelia was even more special than I originally thought. And considering I’ve known she’s special all along, it is unbelievable how special I believe she will be.
Photo: Terri Cage
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