Flying Pegasus ran a huge race to land the place off a layoff while wide from 12-hole in Risen Star. Albarado abandons for Patena, but Johnny V is an ample sub. Ralph Nicks is 21% 2nd off a layoff, and he can compete here if able to avoid a bounce.

Friesan Fire goes for a sweep of the Fair Grounds graded schedule. After wasting too much early energy in an entry level loss to Uno Mas in December, he relaxed nicely and parlayed stalking trips into Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G3) wins. Son of A.P. Indy sports a local bullet for this, and this could be a big weekend for Larry Jones as he has Rebel fav Old Fashioned going on Saturday as well.

Papa Clem is the wildcard. Synthetic specialist was beaten a 1/2 length by Pioneerof The Nile in the Robert Lewis Stakes (replay below), and he outfinished subsequent Gotham winner I Want Revenge that day. Early/pressing type is working well for this, and top notch jockey Rafael Bejarano strings along. Gary Stute is 0-15 in graded races and 21% with horses moving from synthetic to dirt.

Giant Oak finished a troubled 5th as the overbet fav in a needed Risen Star effort. He should move forward but could be one of those late running trouble prone types. Note that his two wins occurred on turf and synthetic.

Free Country exits disappointing 4th in graded event at Tampa Bay, but some horses do not handle that surface, so he could rebound with blinkers today. Kent D/McPeek are 30% together, and he sports a pair of Gulfstream bullets for this.

Soul Warrior showed no speed in 6th place Risen Star effort, and Steve Asmussen adds the hood in hopes of getting him focused and involved earlier. He reunites with barn $$ rider Shaun Bridgmohan.

Uno Mas finished 3rd in the Risen Star and 4th in the Lecomte after upsetting Friesan Fire in a local allowance race on Dec 18th.

Nowhere To Hide ran better than expected in even 4th (Risen Star), but he had a good inner post that day, and he’s on the outside looking in today. Just like countless others, the Nick Zito (pictured) runner enters off a bullet work.

Terrain has not been seen since flopping as the fav in Delta Jackpot (G3) on Dec 5th. Al Stall Jr. is 40% blinkers off, but note that this one has lost all four of his starts at a mile or longer. Leparoux hops aboard and he sports a pair of local bullets, but I’ll give the returnee a race.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Patena, (2) Flying Pegasus, (3) Friesan Fire

Longshot To Watch: Free Country

Tomorrow, I will take a look at the San Felipe Stakes.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies. The recently retired all-time North American money earner stands at Lane’s End Farm with a $75k stud fee. Undefeated miss Zenyatta took home Older Female honors.

Big Brown was unanimously voted 3yo Champion, and Proud Spell took down 3yo filly honors over her late stablemate Eight Belles.

As expected, Midshipman is the Juvenile Champ, and Stardom Bound nabbed Juvenile Filly honors.

The other equine Eclipse Awards went to Conduit (Turf Male), Forever Together (Turf Female), Benny the Bull (Male Sprinter), Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), and Good Night Shirt (Steeplechaser).

Steve Asmussen was the top Trainer, and Garrett Gomez the leading Jockey. Pascacio Lopez nabbed Apprentice Jockey honors, and Stronach Stables edged out IEAH Stables by one vote. Adena Springs (Frank Stronach) took home the Breeder trophy.

California

Colonel John is recovering from a pulled muscle and will miss the upcoming Strub Stakes.

Promising 3yo Pioneerof The Nile continues to tear up Pro-Ride surface in advance of the Robert B. Lewis (G2) on Feb 7th.

Stardom Bound is expected to make her 3yo bow in the Feb 7th Las Virgenes (G1).

Florida

Despite a gloomy economy, handle is on the rise at Gulfstream, and that news is not surprising given the daily full fields and great betting opportunities.

A pair of Kentucky Derby preps are on tap this week at the Gulf. Break Water Edison and Hello Broadway lead the field in the seven panel Hutcheson (G2) on Friday, and Idol Maker (Empire Maker) should prove hard to handle in the Holy Bull (G3) for Todd Pletcher.

Recent Eclipse Award winner Benny the Bull is coming out of retirement after recovering from an ankle chip. The Dutrow/IEAH runner will likely return this summer.

Japan

Casino Drive got back on the beam in an allowance victory, and it would be great to see him return to the US later this year. He may end up in the Dubai World Cup in March.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Kentucky Derby hero Big Brown has his fans, but his Horse of the Year hopes went up in flames with his Belmont Stakes debacle.

Curlin, a daunting physical specimen, had a fantastic four-year-old campaign with five wins in seven starts, including victories in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Woodward, Stephen Foster, and Dubai World Cup.

His two losses occurred in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over synthetic footing, and a runner-up effort in Man O’ War on turf.

The soon to be retired son of Smart Strike has not lost a conventional dirt race since finishing 3rd in the 2007 Haskell at Monmouth, and it was good to see him in racing silks following an outstanding three-year-old campaign.

Curlin, North America’s all-time leading money earner, was not nearly the same horse from a visual standpoint the second half of 2008. He did not show his customary turn of foot in the aforementioned Man O’ War, but that was a turf marathon so his somewhat flat effort can be forgiven. He was all out to defeat Past the Point in the Woodward, and that rival has failed twice since and has never won a graded event.

Again, Curlin was pushed to the limit in the JC Gold Cup by the late Wanderin Boy, and that one frequently settled for minor awards in big races. A victory in the BC Classic would have made this conversation a non-issue, but Curlin’s 4th place effort opened the door, and Zenyatta is poised to kick it down.

Unlike her male counterpart, Zenyatta was not a one surface wonder. Her undefeated 7-7 season included four grade one tallies, including the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on conventional dirt, defeating 2007 Eclipse Award (Older Female) winner Ginger Punch in the process.

She capped her 2008 season with a smashing victory in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, defeating the talented Cocoa Beach, who came back to win the Grade 1 Matriarch at Hollywood Park.

Zenyatta is my choice to win Horse of the Year honors over Curlin in what should be a hotly contested vote. Note that Zenyatta is expected to resume her racing career in 2009.

Curlin Photo Credit: Newscom

Below is a YouTube replay of the 2008 Ladies’ Classic…

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Curlin, fresh off a sharp five furlong drill over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface in between races on October 13th, has been pre-entered for a Breeders’ Cup Classic title defense on Oct. 25th. His five furlong work on Monday (pictured above) was completed in :59.11 while in company with Hawaii Calls.

Steve Asmussen also sent out Classic contender Student Council on Monday, and he drilled six furlongs in 1:12.40 under Shaun Bridgmohan.

Kentucky Derby hero Big Brown’s Classic hopes were dashed with a career ending injury to his right front heel following a turf work at Aqueduct on Oct. 13th. The fragile feet finally gave out as he worked without front shoes in company with defending BC Mile winner Kip Deville.

Casino Drive was an easy winner of an optional claiming event at Santa Anita on Oct. 13th (video replay below), and he earned a BSF of 92 for his efforts. The 3-3 Japanese sensation is definitely on target for the Classic. Victor Espinoza rode on Monday, and he will be aboard for his next start as well.

Grade 1 winning synthetic specialist Go Between worked with a purpose at Churchill Downs on Oct. 14th, logging seven panels in an impressive 1:23.60. He is scheduled to work once more before departing for SoCal on Oct. 21st.

In other BC Classic developments, last year’s 3rd place finisher Awesome Gem was pre-entered for the 2008 edition following the retirement of Big Brown. He worked five furlongs in :59 and change on Sunday.

Tiago drilled a strong six furlongs in 1:12 and change in preparation for the Classic last Saturday, and he reportedly galloped out strongly under Mike Smith as well. He is coming off a rallying place finish in the nine furlong Goodwood. He finished 5th as a three-year-old in the 2007 edition.

Smooth Air went a mile in 1:42 and change at Calder, and the ambitiously spotted sophomore is expected to work again on Friday before heading to Santa Anita the next day.

Travers hero Colonel John continues to work strongly, as he turned in a best of 11 six furlong move in 1:11.40 on Oct. 14th.

Photo credit: Newscom

Below is a replay of Casino Drive’s effortless Classic prep, courtesy of YouTube.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Big Brown worked six furlongs over a good Aqueduct turf course in 1:14.64 on Oc. 7th. The move was in company with stablemate Salute the Count, a possible entrant in the newly formed Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The dogs were up, about 12 feet out, and the Richard Dutrow runner completed his final two furlongs in :23.85 while galloping out seven panels in 1:29.26. The 2008 Kentucky Derby hero is expected to have two more works before heading to Santa Anita on Oct. 21st.

Curlin had his first activity over Santa Anita’s new Pro-Ride synthetic surface, getting four furlongs in a pedestrian :52.80 on Oct. 6th.

The Steve Asmussen trainee will work in company on Oct. 13th, and we should get a better gauge of his ability to handle synthetic ground next week.

Curlin’s stablemate Student Council, also gearing up for the Classic, breezed six furlongs in 1:15.60

In other Classic developments, Smooth Air is being pointed to the big race. The Hutcheson and Ohio Derby winner was last seen taking the Needles Stakes over the Calder grass, and note that trainer Bernie Stutts also nominated him to the Oak Tree Derby for grassy three-year-olds on the Breeders’ Cup undercard. He will head to SoCal on Oct. 18th. Below is a replay of the 2008 Ohio Derby, courtesty of YouTube.

Whitney and Mass Cap hero Commentator will not participate in the BC Classic, and the Nick Zito trainee is likely done for the year. He will remain in training to shoot for a third Whitney title in 2009.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

As I stated in my preview blog, I thought that Big Brown would sit the first run stalking trip behind one or two other speedsters, but he was carving out legit fractions and had enough energy to hold off the the aforementioned Grade 2 winners.

Proudinsky loomed a serious threat turning for home and looked as if he would go by Big Brown in midstretch, but the classy winner dug in and refused to be passed.

Ridden as always by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown completed the nine furlongs over a good course in 1:47.41. The Richard Dutrow Jr. and IEAH Stable runner now has his sights set on the synthetic BC Classic at Santa Anita.

Shakis rallied wide to garner the show over Silver Tree.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Monmouth Stakes, courtesy of YouTube.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Big Brown is 6-7 lifetime, with his Belmont Stakes disaster his notable blemish. He began his career with a romping turf route wire job last September, then returned in March and rolled in an originally scheduled for the turf flat mile entry level race at the Gulf.

He proceeded to take the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness before his ill-fated Triple Crown attempt at Big Sandy. He was last seen grinding out a win over Zito speedster Coal Play in the Haskell (G1).

Now, Big Brown returns to the turf in his final BC Classic prep, and he has not looked brilliant since the spring. Richard Dutrow and company maintain that the son of Boundary is better on turf, but that remains to be seen.

The media hype horse faces older for the first time and meets quality foes as well, including recent Grade 2 Baruch repeater Shakis (7-2).

The Kiaran McLaughlin runner got back on the beam in latest Saratoga score, and he is now 3 for 4 in nine furlong grass races since arriving in the US last year. Late striding 8yo horse is Big Brown’s equal on speed ratings. Joe Bravo hops aboard, and he is 3-6 with this barn at Monmouth.

Proudinsky is worth a look at 4-1. Robert Frankel trainee was troubled, close-up 6th in same race Shakis exits, and he was the fav that day. He may have needed the outing, and he is a 2-time graded winner at this distance.

Silver Tree (6-1) has been part of the exacta in 24 of 39 grass races and exits a local graded turf tally. 8yo horse is cross entered at Philly Park, along with Ballonenostrikes (20-1) and Drum Major (8-1).

Hotstufanthensome (12-1) is the horse for course with 11 exacta finishes in 14 local grass starts.

Kiss The Kid (10-1) owns early/pressing speed and is graded stakes placed on turf and dirt.

Get Serious (15-1) has won two straight allowance/optional claiming races on the turf and looms a pace player, along with Fagetaboutit Sal (30-1).

Nightscape (30-1), eligible for an entry level spot, rounds out the field.

Shakis looks like the one to beat on paper, and Proudinsky might be the value play. Big Brown projects the first run trip, and we will see if he has enough to hold off the aforementioned proven turf warriors.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Bernard Baruch featuring Shakis and Proudinsky, courtesy of YouTube.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Big Brown has been working steadily for his return to grass racing. He kicked off his career with a romping turf victory at the Spa.

Following his failed Triple Crown bid in the infamous Belmont Stakes debacle, he came back to wear down a stubborn Coal Play in a less than stellar renewal of the Haskell (G1).

Saturday’s turf race will be his final prep before heading to Santa Anita for the synthetic BC Classic, and I hope he wins for fun at Monmouth for Kent D/Richard Dutrow so the media darling gets overbet in his final career start in October.

Those expected to face Big Brown at Monmouth include multiple graded turf winner Shakis and Robert Frankel’s Proudinsky. The speedy Shake The Bank is possible, along with veteran campaigner Silver Tree.

The purse of the Monmouth Stakes will climb to $500k if Big Brown makes it to the starting gate.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The second half of the three-year old season unofficially kicked off with the Grade 2 Dwyer at Belmont Park on July 6th, and Jimmy Jerkins trainee Mint Lane controlled proceedings throughout in a sharp 2-3/4 length tally.

The speedy son of Maria’s Mon was coming off a six-length romp in the Postponed Stakes, and he set the pace and held the place behind Casino Drive in the Grade 2 Peter Pan earlier this year. He banked $120k in the Dwyer, his 4th career tally.

In other three-year-old news, Big Brown recorded his second workout since his Belmont Stakes adventure, breezing 5f in 1:02-4/5 at the Big A on July 6th. The drill was hardly scintillating but easily bettered his 1:06-3/5 canter last week. The Derby-Preakness winner is preparing for the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park.

Denis of Cork, 3rd in the Kentucky Derby and runner-up in the Belmont Stakes, will miss the rest of the year due to the onset of a hairline fracture in his left hind leg.

A field of eight is possible for the Grade 2 Swaps at Hollywood Park on July 12th, and my Derby top Colonel John makes his much anticipated return to action. Garrett Gomez will have the mount, and I am expecting big things from the son of Tiznow the rest of the year.

Others gearing up for the nine furlong Swaps are Todd Pletcher’s Grade 2 Lexington hero Behindatthebar, Dixie Chatter, Madeo, Nownownow, Tres Borrachos, Trevor’s Clever, and Two Step Salsa.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Big Brown connections are beginning to map out a plan to get the Derby-Preakness winner to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita (October 25th), and his post Triple Crown season is expected to start in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on August 3rd.

Originally, Big Brown was expected to try for Grade 1 Travers (August 23rd) glory at the Spa this summer, but following his Belmont day meltdown, cooler heads have prevailed.

The thinking is that the heat and humidity will be less of a factor at the Jersey Shore resort track, and the speed conducive nature of the Monmouth oval should also help the son of Boundary.

Also, his connections will get a $100k bonus for running in the Haskell, which is directly tied to Big Brown’s two Triple Crown series wins. Since the Haskell is a $1 million race, a decent payday could be forthcoming.

Nothing has been decided after the Haskell, but Rick Dutrow and company will have twelve weeks before the Classic…and plenty of options. A race over synthetic ground would make sense.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever