BC/HRF Fantasy Charity 'Capping Contest Week 6 - Summer Stakes

With closing weekend at Canterbury Park last week, I was a little too overwhelmed to get a post up prior to last week’s Hello Race Fane/Breeders’ Cup Fantasy ‘Capping Contest.  Turns out it was too bad because 1) I totally nailed it and 2) totally wussed out on my wager.

To recap briefly before moving ahead to the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, last week’s race was the Louisiana Super Derby for 3-year olds contested at a mile and an eighth.  I thought there was a lot of speed in this race and that it was going to be tough for the favored Blueskiesandrainbows to carry the field the entire way and Bourbon Courage looked to be the most likely closer to be able to win.  Sure enough, Hero of Order hooked up with Blueskiesandrainbows and that was all she wrote…eventually.  Bourbon Courage exploded in the stretch and won by 5.  Should have been a nice score paying $7.20 – if I had the nads to bet him to win.  After being blistered a bit early in the contest, it turns out I should have had a shot of bourbon for some courage before placing the wager.  I made my wager to place and it cost me 32 points and, while I moved into 4^th place, I would have edged Teresa Genaro and sat in 2^nd had I the courage of my convictions.

Ernie Munick still sits atop the leader board on the strength of the 1^st week exacta, Teresa is in second and Bobby Flay is in third.  I’m not shut out AND within shouting distance.  I really can’t ask for more at this stage.

On to the Summer Stakes.

In my opinion, these 2-year old stakes are tough.  There is a lot of improvement and development that goes on through the 2 and 3-year old years and many times these races can be decided on who has improved the most since last out.

Only Archer Hill has gone a mile or more (this race is at a mile on the turf) and he did it splendidly, taking an overland trip in a mile and a sixteenth maiden at Saratoga on August  2 to win under “hand urging.”  Given that performance it’s easy to see why he was installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite. 

Sentimentally I’m rooting for I’m Boundtoscore, an Even the Score progeny who hasn’t seen longer than 5.5 furlongs yet.  That said, other Even the Scores have had no trouble with a piece of ground and he has competed at higher levels than the others – and hasn’t missed the board in 4 career starts.  I also like his proclivity to close.  There are a lot of horses in this field that want to be on or near the front end and, as in last week’s Super Derby, there could be a pace battle up front that could fry several contenders.  Unfortunately, Archer Hill doesn’t look to be one of them.

Some of the speedsters have a lot to commend them: Indiano Jones broke his maiden in impressive fashion after trouble in his opener; Mercenary has had nothing but trouble but still has been able to score; Are You Kidding Me has been able to win from slightly off the pace and been impressive moving longer; and Bear’s Furr won at first asking on the engine while having trouble in Monmouth’sColin Stakes last out, moving up to 3^rd after being bothered.

I would like to be able to split my wager into a $10 exacta key with Archer Hill over Are You Kidding Me and I’m Boundtoscore but I can only use an extacta box so I’m going with the more accomplished runner and hope that he can get the distance.

WAGER: $10 Exacta Box – Archer Hill and I’m Boundtoscore

Welcome Tabby Lane

The first group of 2010 is in action thanks to the claim of Tabby Lane (Even the Score - Keeley Chay - Rodeo), seen above winning the $10,000 claiming race we got her out of on Thursday at Tampa Bay Downs.

(note: I already asked fellow Blogger Teresa Genaro if she'll qualify for a kitty bet. If you don;t know what I'm talking about, check out her Brooklyn Backstretch blog and find out!)

She was an interesting choice. Though at four years old and 12 races under her belt, pedigree probably doesn't matter much, if you look back there are some very interesting names in her past: Rahy, Now Your Teapottin, Unbridled's Song, Unbridled, Mr. Prospector, Raise a Native and even Alydar, Round Table and Secretariat. That's not what instigated the claim, however interesting though the after the fact discovery may be. When trainer Bernell Rhone called me to see if I was interested, I was intrigued by her last few starts and the company she kept earlier in her career.

A Kentucky bred, she none the less started her career in Florida at Gulfstream after being purchased for $30,000 as a yearling. She was jostled a bit in that first start as she gained experience while finishing a distant 5th in a $50,000 Maiden Claiming race. She bounced back in her next start and just couldn't last at the same level missing just by a neck. Then came a change in venue as she headed north of the border where she ran three times at Woodbine: twice with Maiden Special Weights and then in a Maiden $32,000 finishing in the money twice. The lone disappointment came when she tried to go two turns.

After the Canada experience came a change in barn as well as a change in venue. She left the stable of Gregory DeGannes and moved to the stable of Jason Servis as well as to New Jersey where, in her first effort for the new barn, she finished a game 2nd in a Maiden $50,000. That performance encouraged Servis to enter her next out in a Maiden Special back at Monmouth where she finished 4th over a muddy track. Racing moved to the Meadowlands and after being dropped through a $20,000 Maiden Claiming and then into a $10,000 Maiden Claiming, she broke her maiden in a romp, winning by 7 over a sloppy surface and earning a career best 77 Beyer in the process.

Taking on winners for the first time she was asked to go a mile and try the soft turf course for the first time. She steadily made up ground throughout the race, but finished 4th, though only beaten by 2 lengths in the $20,000 claiming race.

In January she moved south to Tampa and dropped in to take on $16,000 claiming horses that had never won two races other than maiden. She won drawing off back at six furlongs. She added a half furlong for her race on Thursday but was dropping into a $10,000 claiming race for horses that had never won three races other than maiden. This raised a bit of a red flag for me. Why in the world would you take a filly that romped over $16,000 claimers and drop her in with a $10,000 group unless she was hurting?

There were two possible explanations: Servis and the owners were looking to cut bait with a horse they didn't think could make it back up north at the level they wanted to race at or sometimes a NW3 at a lower level is tougher than a NW2 at a higher level. Both explanations were possible, the proof would be in the race and her walk over to the paddock.

As I was driving through Iowa, Bernell called and said she looked good on the walk over and that she appeared to be clean. They had front wraps on her which can sometimes be used to discourage a claim. Sometimes it indicates that there is a problem. Her action was good and her overall appearance was excellent so we forged ahead. She didn't race with the front wraps and won like the 1-5 shot that she was. While we may have lost the NW3 condition, we were very encouraged with the way she won with ease and appeared to come back from the race.

She'll have a few days rest and relaxation and then she'll get the once over to see how she's recovered. We look to have her back in a race in March. It sure is nice to be back!

'Capping for Charity

This is going to be fun… 

The fabulous fan education web site, Hello Race Fans, is sponsoring a Fantasy Handicapping League in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup Fantasy ‘Capping site.  The winner will receive $2,500 toward his or her favorite equine charity.  Some of the renowned names participating in the event are celebrity chef and horse owner Bobby Flay, ESPN reporter Jeanine Edwards, turf writer Ray Paulick, NYRA Raceday cohost Ernie Munick and reigning NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Champion Michael Beychok.  Other prominent racing bloggers and industry executives will also join the 20 team league.

And me.

Yup…me.  Not sure how that happened, but I’m grateful to be invited to participate and will be even more grateful if I can avoid embarrassing myself!  The charity I am playing for is the Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project.  The Project is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to rehoming thoroughbred racehorses that can’t make it on the track.  They have rehomed over 100 off the track thoroughbreds and there always seems to be more supply than the group can handle.  I’m hopeful that if I can bring them the money it will enable them to help even more racehorses coming off the track.

My goal each week, after I place my wager and it gets locked in, will be to share with you my reasoning behind the wager. As you rise and fall with Tabby Lane you will rise and fall with me in this contest!

The format is an interesting one for me.  You make one wager per week out of a possible four: $20 to either win, place or show or a $10 exacta box.  Every type of tournament I have ever played in was a mythical WP or WPS wager and the highest bankroll at the end of the day wins.  It makes for some interesting choices.

Do I try and hit fewer, but potentially more lucrative, exactas?  Or try and score every week with place and show wagers and build up the bankroll that way?  Maybe just straight win wagers?  Perhaps mix it up as the weeks progress based upon need and the standings?

This should be a lot of fun and I really appreciate the invite from HRF and the Breeders’ Cup.  I’d also appreciate any suggestions as the contest rolls on!  Make sure you follow the contest over at Hello Race Fans!

Here is the official press release:

Bobby Flay Leads Field Competing for Charity

New York, August 2, 2012 – Hello Race Fans, Incorporated today announced the formation of a charity-focused fantasy handicapping league. Twenty participants are playing for a chance to have $2,500 donated to the charity of their choice.

Powered by the new Breeders’ Cup Fantasy ‘Capping online game (www.fantasycapping.com), the public can follow the weekly action via the league’s public leaderboard

(www.fantasycapping.com/helloracefans).

Participants include:

·        Michael Beychok – Reigning NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Champion

·        Dana Byerly – Co-founder of Hello Race Fans!

·        Jessica Chapel – Co-founder of KentuckyConfidential.com and Railbird author

·        Pete Denk – Handicapper for the Blood-Horse

·        Ed DeRosa – Marketing Director at BRIS (a Hello Race Fans! sponsor)

·        Jeanine Edwards – ESPN reporter for College Football, College Basketball, Horse Racing, and general sports news coverage.

·        Bobby Flay – Chef and Thoroughbred enthusiast

·        Teresa Genaro – Thoroughbred Times, New York Daily News, Daily Racing Form, the Saratogian and BelmontStakes.com contributor, Brooklyn Backstretch author and Hello Race Fans! Contributing Editor

·        Ted Grevelis – Grevelis Racing owner, Daily Racing Form’s Canterbury Park correspondent and Owning Racehorses author

·        Valerie Grash – Author of Foolish Pleasure and Fillies First

·        J.J. Hysell – Louisville.com contributor and In the Money author

·        Kevin Martin – Author of Colin’s Ghost

·        Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi – Professional Poker Player who won the 2010 and 2012 World Series of Poker $50,000 Players Championship

·        Ernie Munick – NYRA Raceday co-host and Breeders’ Cup vlogger

·        Melissa Nolan – KTA/KTOB Marketing Director

·        Ray Paulick – Paulick Report founder and publisher

·        Mike Penna – Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) President and host

·        Chris Rossi – Hello Race Fans! Contributing Editor

·        Peter Rotondo Jr. and Sr. (Team Rotondo) – Junior is a Breeders' Cup executive, while Senior is a lifelong handicapper

·        Adam Wiener – Co-founder of Hello Race Fans!

Participants will make a fantasy wager each week on a Breeders’ Cup prep race, beginning with the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga this Saturday. After the final two races – the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic and the Breeders’ Cup Classic – the person with the largest bankroll for the season wins. The Breeders’ Cup will fund the donation in the name of the winner.

“We’ve got a great group of participants including horse racing broadcasters, professional handicappers, journalists, bloggers and a celebrity owner,” said Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder. “What could be better than fierce competition for a good cause?”

Breeders’ Cup on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BreedersCup

Breeders’ Cup on Twitter: http://twitter.com/breederscup

Hello Race Fans on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HelloRaceFans

Hello Race Fans on Twitter: http://twitter.com/helloracefans

Raceday360 on Twitter: http://twitter.com/raceday360; http://twitter.com/r360wire

About Hello Race Fans, Inc.

Hello Race Fans, Inc. was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing horse racing fans and players at all levels, from potential fans to regular players, a way to engage with, learn about and follow horse racing. Hello Race Fans is the preferred fan education partner of the Breeders’ Cup. The company, co-founded by Dana Byerly and Adam Wiener, operates a fan education website (HelloRaceFans.com), an independent news, video, social media and blog aggregation site (Raceday360.com) and an advertising network (HelloRaceFans.com/network).

About Breeders’ Cup Limited

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 15 races and purses totaling more than $25 million, will be held Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and be televised live on the NBC Sports Network. The Breeders’ Cup Classic will be shown live and in primetime on NBC. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Breeders’ Cup Web site. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Eclipse Awards a Chalky Affair

It was a chalky Eclipse awards last night in Miami. There were no real surprises during the evening – including Kenny Rice’s horrible jokes – leading up to the Horse of the Year coronation of Zenyatta. That moment was a surprise for me. Racing has always had an “old school” mentality and art of that mentality is that awards and champions are decided on the track. Be it a nose or nine lengths, Blame won the battle on the track and I suspected that would carry over to the vote. As close as I thought the vote would be, it really wasn’t. Blame finished with 102 votes, Goldikova with 5 but the queen smoked them all with 128.


Some takeaways for me on the evening:

- Acceptance speeches for the most part were God awful with the connections of Dubai Majesty taking the cake;

- Omar Moreno was sincere and heartfelt when he said that winning the Best Apprentice award was the best moment of his life;

- Kenny Rice needs to go. His jokes were not only flat, but in several instances sexist. I’m not easily offended (I’ve been in racing and gaming for 12 years!) but he managed to do it. Second bad year in a row, time to move on;

- The Moss’ were as gracious in victory as they were in defeat;

- Al Stall, Jr., while clearly disappointed, gave an equally gracious interview at the end of the night.

- Marylou Whitney pinning the responsibility for OTTBs on the owners was only about 40% correct. As Teresa Genaro pointed out during the Thoroughbred Times live chat during the ceremony, Breeder’s play a large role in the proliferation of horses as well (percentages were mine).

I can’t let Mrs. Whitney’s comments go untouched here. I am sure that from her perspective owners should care for their horses from birth until death, but that is easier said than done. She deals in the blue bloods. It’s not often that you’ll find a Whitney horse running in a $5,000 claiming race at Beulah Park. When you are talking about claiming horses that may change hands a dozen times over a career, they are much tougher to keep track of. While you can stipulate on a horse’s papers that you want to be contacted if the horse is going to be retired/sent to slaughter, you are also relying on the integrity of that last trainer/owner to honor your request. As hard as it is to believe, there are some unscrupulous characters running around the racetrack and the draw of money now versus maybe a few bucks later is too much for many.

Breeder’s need to step up and more minor fees need to be assessed that go to the retirement of racehorses. Hopefully the recession has stopped the practice of overbreeding racehorses. The decreasing foal crops should at least allow the supply to start running more in line with demand in a few years.

In addition, support your local retirement charity whether you are a fan, owner or just plain horse lover. So many wonderful groups exist around the country from CANTER to ReRun to Neigh Savers, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue and even right here in Minnesota where we have the Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project. Pick your favorite and lend a hand.

Finally, there are some Blame fans that were clearly not happy with the outcome. As I mentioned yesterday, I would have voted for Zenyatta but I can certainly understand the sentiment: when you win on the track, that’s supposed to be enough. As many of Zenyatta’s other opponents have found out, against her your best is rarely enough. She is a deserving champion.

Congratulations to all the winner’s tonight. Enjoy the after party!

Welcome to the World, TURF!

Today marks the launch of a new venture: TURF.  TURF is an international collection of horse racing bloggers.  We represent a diverse group of writers, passionate about the sport of horse racing.  The group is made up of noted turf writers, horse owners, health specialists, trainers, fans, handicappers and pedigree analysts from three continents.  While we are small we hope to make a big impact on the world of thoroughbred racing. 

Given the diversity of the group we hope that through our home page we can provide a landing place that racing fans as well as insiders will want to check with every day in order to get varied opinions on issues and events in racing.  Additionally, the group has a Facebook page that will provide additional interaction with readers.  Through the use of various social media the level of interactivity between writers and readers should be high enabling both parties to benefit from the relationship. 

For the launch of the group this week, many members’ posts will feature the Breeders’ Cup as subject matter.  For example, later this week this blog will feature a post on Furthest Land, a $35,000 claim that went on to fame as winner of the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile – a dream that all of us hold when we get into this business. Bloggers will continue to move forward writing about their own interests in racing and there will always be something new to read though the occasional “theme week” with enable us to tackle an issue or even collectively and from varying viewpoints.

Please bookmark the home page, follow the group on Facebook, circle your favorites on Google+ and interact with individual writers on Twitter.  Visit often and leave comments – I know all of us look forward to interacting with other racing fans!

Members of TURF are:

Valerie Grash (Foolish Pleasure/FilliesFirst)

Dana Byerly (Green But Game)

Jessica Chapel (Railbird)

Teresa Genaro (Brooklyn Backstretch)

Ted Grevelis (Owning Racehorses)

Kevin Martin (Colin’s Ghost)

Steve Zorn (The Business of Racing)

Sid Fernando (Sid Fernando + Observations)

Keith McCalmont (Triple Dead Heat)

Gina Rarick (Gallop France)

Chris Hernandez (Giving My Ten Cents)

Fran Jurga (Hoof Blog/The Jurga Report)

Bill Pressey (ThoroEdge)

Alastair Middleton Horse Racing in Korea

Sue Dalebroux (Post Parade)

Alan Mann (Left at the Gate)

Frank Vespe (That’s Amore Stable)

Gene Kershner (Equispace)

Anthony Falbo (The Turk)

Kate Hunter (Keiblog)

One Guy's Proposal for Race Day Medications

Time to ban all race day medications!  At least that’s the hue and cry from some sectors of the industry and of the Federal government lately.  The recently completed “International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse” conducted at Belmont Park drew a wide variety of comments from all over the spectrum on the blogosphere.  I would strongly recommend Teresa Genaro’s three part summary at her Brooklyn Backstretch blog for background.  Rather than rehash what she and others (Steve Zorn and John Pricci with whom my views closely align and others) have brilliantly covered, I’d like to make my own recommendation since no matter the scientific conclusions that can be drawn from the usage of Bute and Lasix on race day the outcry is going to be too strong to resist and a ban will come.

Starting with next year’s breeding season, the get from all matings from that crop will run without medication when the time comes to race in mid-2015.  All racing written for 2-year olds that season will ban medication.  As this crop gets older, the ban moves with it.  In 2016 all 3-year old racing and under will be conducted without medications.  When they hit their 4-year old racing season in 2017, there should be no races written that include race day medication.

This timed approach will help phase out the bleeding families that are known to exist among breeding stock.  If you choose to continue to breed bleeders then you won’t be in business very long.  Buyers will need to do their homework as well.  A $500,000 purchase that can’t race without Lasix is a losing proposition.  This will give owners that are currently campaigning horses based upon the current rules a chance to move them through their conditions and racing years and prepare those that do not have a future in breeding for another career.  Waking up tomorrow to a brave new world of no medications would be unfair to those in the game now and are campaigning racehorses that may have some bleeding issues that are satiated by Lasix use.  Creating a huge pool of suddenly unraceable horses will put a giant strain on an already undercapitalized and overstressed racehorse retirement “system” and send some owners right out of the game – not for cheating, mind you, but for following the rules as they currently exist.  A phased approach allows them to either adapt to the changing environment or move on with a minimal risk to capital already invested.

I can hear the screaming now, “The industry needs to do something TODAY!  Not in 2015!!”  Those cries either come from folks who have no financial interest in the fallout or with such deep pockets that it doesn’t matter.  In reality, my proposal will do something TODAY, but would affect the industry in a more systematic way that reflects the realities of the business of racing.  However, I do have an idea that may help placate those that want immediate action.

The breeding stock of tomorrow is running in the graded stakes of today.  I would propose that starting on January 1, 2012 all graded stakes races ban the use of race day medication.  I don’t think you can change the rules mid-season but the next season is pretty close to immediate.  There would still be an outlet for these horses in the hundreds of non-graded stakes around the country should they need to run on Lasix.  This way you are already clearing the way for horses closest to the breeding shed to have proven they are drug free before their progeny hits the sales ring.

“Immediate action” is a great rallying cry, but it is poor policy.  By taking into account the realities of the industry along with the urgency of action, something positive can be done but by ignoring the economics and charging ahead without consideration is one of the surest ways to further stagger an already lumbering industry.

Tabby Lane v. Five at Prairie Meadows Tonight

Tabby Lane goes postward as the 8-5 morning line favorite tonight at Prairies Meadows in a $25,000 Optional Claiming race. She qualifies under the non-winners of two races other than maiden or claiming condition, so she won’t be wearing a tag tonight. There is a lot to like about Tabby tonight. Here is a breakdown of the short six horse field.

1. TABBY LANE

2. Wine Diva – loads of back class, but hasn’t won a race since at least early 2007. The majority of her lifetime starts have been on the turf and there are plenty of gaps in her past performances. Last out she was beaten 11 in a $75,000 Optional Claimer at Oaklawn. Her best Beyers put her over anyone in this group, but her last race wasn’t encouraging.

3. Beyond the Reach – A star at Prairie Meadows in ’09 (she won the Donna Read Stakes), her last two efforts of the year over synthetic were abysmal. First race of ’10 may be a bit too tough for her right now.

4. Judy’s Quest – Second off the claim for owner/trainer Tammy Domenosky. Her first effort was a good third place finish after a slow start over the turf at Hawthorne. She gets a little more distance this trip - she ran out of room closing in her last over 5.5 furlongs - and reverts back to dirt.

5. Princess Bianconi – Her efforts so far in ’10 have been steady middle of the pack finishes, even when dropping to $25,000 Claiming last out at Oaklawn. Though she hasn’t hit the board yet this year, she still could be dangerous.

6. Sweet Topper – the 3-year old, taking on her elders for the first time, may find herself in over her head here. Her career best Beyer is almost 20 points lower than every other horse in the race and her last race in February was a pasting in the Arizona Oaks at Turf Paradise.

So what’s to like about Tabby Lane tonight? She’s clearly a horse on the improve. As she’s moved up the ladder her speed figures have improved and she’s been able to win or finish second. In her last she lost to Pyrite Gem who tied the track record in the process. Pyrite Gem came back on Derby Day and won the $50,000 Angenora Stakes at Thistledown, flattering our girl’s second place finish. In addition, the third place finisher in that Tampa $32,000 Optional Claiming Race, Judy Patootie, came back and won two weeks later in a $12,500 Starter Allowance at Tampa Bay Downs. All of these point to our girl having a strong result.

Yet…there are worries. With the exception of Sweet Topper, every filly and mare in the race has something that you can hang your hat on. Tabby also has some negatives as well: she’s shipping in the morning of the race; new jockey (Dean Butler has a prior commitment and isn't available); new racetrack; unfamiliar routine - all things that give me a bit of heartburn and are causes for concern. Thankfully Bernell is up and will be there to get her saddled. Her jock for the race, Glenn Murphy, appears to be solid and is winning at a 22% clip at PM so far this year. Still, I am concerned.

As I write this I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous of owners that can boast about how there is no way their horse can lose and reek of brash confidence. While I am certain that Tabby can win, I am also mindful of all the ways we can lose. Maybe it's my own superstitious nature at work. I know she's good. I know she's capable. I just don't want to be the one to jinx her!

I went down to Canterbury to see her yesterday morning and she looked great. She had gone over to the starting gate to get a little refresher and was on the walker when I got there. I was telling my wife that I got this all encompassing need to go see her this morning. I'm not sure why, but a voice inside of me was telling me to get off my ass and go down there, so I did. After going I'm STILL not sure why I had to get down there so badly, but it was nice to see Bernell again after the winter as well as Dean and Leanne Butler. Dean has a prior commitment and was hoping that they would bring the race back Saturday, but that wasn't meant to be. I feel badly that he's not on her tonight, but as one of our partners pointed out: the last three times Tabby has had a rider change she's won. Hopefully that means back to back victories are on the horizon since when she comes back to Canterbury she'll be under Dean once again.

I keep visualizing her in the stretch, extending her lead and crossing the wire first – as if willing it can make it so. She has a strong team behind her that has her prepped as well as she can be. If it were up to the collective excitement and support of her owners, she’d be a winner already but now it’s time to run the race.

For an up-close and personal look at our lady, please visit friend and outstanding blogger Teresa Genaro's Brooklyn Backstretch piece on her today!