Casino Drive appears poised for glory in this spot. I fancied the Japanese colt when he came to the US last year, and he has come into his own in ‘09 after an ambitious 3yo campaign. He owns fine positional speed and should enjoy this distance.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Albertus Maximus was my top in BC Dirt Mile and Donn, and he is thriving for Kiaran McLaughlin. He gets a distance test today.

Asiatic Boy was a distant 2nd behind Curlin in this event last year, and he exits a sharp win in the local prep for this.

Well Armed owns dangerous speed and was 3rd, a neck behind Asiatic Boy in the ‘08 running.

My Indy is Godolphin’s hope. He has won his last two here but has never raced this far and could get hung out to dry tracking the pace.

Arson Squad is a late runner with the ability to land a share.

Anak Nakal does not have the speed to threaten these, but he can plug along for a minor award.

Happy Boy landed the place behind Asiatic Boy and My Indy in last pair here. He has the tactical speed  to make an impact.

Muhannak won the BC Marathon last year, but he has disappointed in two starts since.

Snaafy is 3-3 here but seems best up to a mile.

Gloria de Campeao was 8th in this event last year.

Joe Louis and Muller seem best at twelve furlongs, and Paris Perfect is seemingly better on turf.

Top 3 selections: (1) Casino Drive , (2) Albertus Maximus, (3) Asiatic Boy

Longshot to watch: Happy Boy

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

Below are post positions, morning line odds, and notes for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic, to be run at ten furlongs over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on October 25, 2008.

Santa Anita Race 9: Grade 1 BC Classic, 3up, 10f

(1) Go Between (8-1) – Fresh synthetic specialist is training well for this. Garrett Gomez chose this one over Colonel John.

(2) Casino Drive (10-1) – Japanese runner is 3-3, and the $950k purchase is well-bred and has a world of potential.

(3) Tiago (15-1) – Mike Smith/John Shirreffs teamed up to win yesterday’s Ladies’ Classic with Zenyatta. He finished 2nd in the local prep for this.

(4) Duke of Marmalade (10-1) – Ten furlong overseas turf specialist has won 5 grade one races.

(5) Henrythenavigator (10-1) – Flat mile overseas turf specialist is Duke of Marmalade’s stablemate, and note that stable rider Murtagh chose to ride Duke in this event.

(6) Smooth Air (50-1) – Florida based 3yo has tactical speed but seems a cut below this group.

(7) Student Council (20-1) – Curlin’s stablemate is a grade one performer in his own right, and he is proven over synthetic footing.

(8) Raven’s Pass (6-1) – The 3rd and final overseas invader is similar to Henrythenavigator. He has had a long campaign.

(9) Curlin (7-5) – The defending Classic champ has not been as dominating in his recent races. He is training well for his first synthetic try.

(10) Fairbanks (10-1) – Was re-routed to this race when all of the pace defected. The one to catch.

(11) Colonel John (20-1) – My Derby top enjoys synthetic racing and won the Grade 1 Travers at this distance.

(12) Champs Elysees (20-1) – Marathon turf specialist was 3rd in the Big Cap in March. He adds blinkers for this.

To view my 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic selections and wagering strategies, click here.

To view my 2008 Breeders’ Cup Sprint selections and wagering strategies, click here.

Duke of Marmalade Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Curlin breezed four furlongs in :49.60 on October 20th, and his stablemate Student Council continues to impress in morning drills, this time getting a half-mile in :48.18 while full of run. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the latter.

Pyro, the 3rd member of the Steve Asmussen express, worked a pedestrian 4f in :51.17. Julien Leparoux has picked up the mount.

In other Classic news, Mast Track developed a quarter crack on Monday and has been eliminated from Cup consideration. The Frankel trainee was expected to set the pace in the Classic.

Robert Frankel will be represented in the Classic by Champs Elysees, who worked 5f in :59.60 while equipped with blinkers. Alan Garcia has picked up the riding assignment.

Eoin Harty has elected to start Well Armed in the Dirt Mile, and he worked an effortless 4f in :46.91 with a strong gallop out in preparation for that event. He is yet another early/pressing type out of the Classic.

Harty’s Colonel John breezed 4f in :49.20 with a 1:01.84 gallop-out. He clearly enjoys synthetic footing and is an improving three-year-old. Edgar Prado will ride as Garrett Gomez chose Go Between as his mount for the Classic.

Todd Pletcher’s Fairbanks, pre-entered in the Marathon and Classic, may now opt for the latter race after the aforementioned speed defections.

Awesome Gem is expected to chose the Turf Mile over the Classic. I was perusing his pp’s earlier today and thought he was a better fit at a flat mile on the turf.

Go Between worked 4f in :48.20 at Churchill on Monday, and he is expected to arrive at Santa Anita on Tuesday.

Casino Drive cantered around the Hollywood oval on Monday, and note that the versatile sort will be all over an expected tepid early pace in the Classic.

Tiago jogged and galloped at Hollywood as well. Regular pilot Mike Smith strings along.

Calder shipper Smooth Air arrived at Santa Anita on Sunday, and he also jogged and galloped nine furlongs. Manoel Cruz will ride.

Duke of Marmalade (Johnny Murtagh), Henry the Navigator (Johnny V), and Raven’s Pass (Frankie Dettori) will arrive from Europe later in the day on Oct. 20th.

Photo Credit: Newscom

I have added a replay (youtube) of the 2008 Juddmonte International, featuring Duke of Marmalade (pictured above).

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

Three-year-old Colonel John, last seen winning the Travers Stakes by a scant nose, breezed four furlongs in :46.80 over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on Oct. 8th. The entire sophomore division could be in trouble versus older company, but the Colonel, an improving son of Tiznow, clearly enjoys synthetic footing and should give a good account of himself.

Casino Drive has returned from Japan, and his unorthodox walking/galloping routine continues at Hollywood Park. He shipped to the states and nabbed the Peter Pan in May, but a stone bruise kept him from competing in the Belmont Stakes. He was expected to train up to the Classic, but in a late development, he will race in an optional claiming event at Santa Anita on Sunday.

In other Classic news, Garrett Gomez has decided to ride Pacific Classic winner Go Between for trainer Bill Mott. He abandons aforementioned Travers hero Colonel John (pictured above).

Curlin, fresh off a slow half mile drill at Santa Anita, will work in company between races on Monday (10-13-08), and that drill should determine his Classic status.

Duke of Marmalade, a five-time overseas Group 1 winner this year, and most recently 7th behind undefeated three-year-old filly sensation Zarkava in the Arc, is a possible Classic entrant. He seems best at ten furlongs, and his trainer Aidan O’Brien has Arc show finisher Soldier of Fortune for the Turf.

Photo courtesy of Newscom.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Peter Pan, courtesy of YouTube.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The injured heel was immediately soaked in Epsom salts, and after a trip to the track on Saturday morning, he started favoring his left hind leg during his bath.

Casino Drive loomed a serious pace rival at the very least, and with the blueblood now out of the way, Big Brown’s Triple Crown task became that much easier.

The complexion of the race has changed, and Big Brown’s competition may have to alter their running styles to avoid another romping score by the undefeated Triple Crown hopeful. On paper, it appears as though Nick Zito trainee Da’ Tara will be part of the pace with Big Brown.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Casino Drive did not go to the track the day before the Belmont Stakes due to a stone bruise in his left hind leg.

The stone bruise is currently being treated with Epsom salts, and his status for the Belmont Stakes will be determined tomorrow.

It would be a shame if he had to scratch, because the son of Mineshaft has traveled so far while overcoming a flu outbreak in Japan, isolation and quarantine to be here.

After all of that, and with just one race under his belt, he worked a strong five furlongs three days before his visually impressive Peter Pan romp.

In the weeks since the Peter Pan, he has been walking briskly, jogging, and galloping slowly in company with a pair of stablemates.

His mother Better Than Honour has thrown the last two Belmont Stakes winners, and this lightly raced colt has a ton of raw talent. He has top notch Japanese connections in his corner, and I have to believe they will do what is best for the horse.

In other Belmont Stakes news, Big Brown had his quarter crack patched by Ian McKinlay. The undefeated colt galloped 1-1/2 miles around Big Sandy without changing leads.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Casino Drive has had an interesting road to the Belmont Stakes, and his unusual preparations continued with another easy four furlongs…somewhere in the neighborhood of :55-4/5 to :57 seconds. He sat several lengths behind his stablemate Spark Candle before passing his mate in the lane.

Note that Casino Dive has not been changing leads on cue, probably due to his lack of race seasoning, but he reportedly looks strong physically.

Again, time is irrelevant to his connections. The key is to build stamina for his twelve furlong test on June 7th.

He has the top Japanese trainer in his corner, and the series of brisk walks, jogs, and gallops with his two stablemates appear to have him fit, happy and ready to give a good account of himself on raceday.

Big Brown was out for an easy jog, and Denis of Cork has arrived and was galloping strongly around the Belmont oval.

Icabad Crane galloped as well, along with Macho Again.

The Nick Zito pair of Da’ Tara and Anak Nakal were galloping over the training track.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Big Brown drew the rail post and has been listed at 2-5 on the morning line in his quest to become the 12th Triple Crown winner. He was out for a leisurely walk on Wednesday, one day after working a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.03. A patch will be applied to his quarter crack (left front hoof) on Friday afternoon, and he should be good to go on June 7th.

Second choice Casino Drive did not have his final Belmont work on June 4th, as his Japanese connections were not pleased with the sloppy conditions. He merely walked, galloped, and jogged with his two stablemates. Watch for some sort of work on Thursday.

Denis of Cork is on the upswing, and the Derby show finisher continues to train forwardly for quality conditioner David Carroll, the regular exercise rider for 1989 Belmont winner Easy Goer.

Surprise late entrant Guadalcanal, an 0-5 maiden exiting a nose defeat in a Churchill turf marathon, landed right next to the Derby-Preakness winner. The late runner figures to break slow and not cause any problems at all.

Here are the 2008 Belmont Stakes participants with riders and odds. From the rail out…Big Brown (Kent Desormeaux, 2-5), Guadalcanal (Javier Castellano, 50-1), Macho Again (Garrett Gomez, 20-1), Denis of Cork (Robby Albarado,12-1), Casino Drive (Edgar Prado, 7-2), Da’ Tara (Alan Garcia, 30-1), Tale of Ekati (Eibar Coa, 20-1), Anak Nakal (Julien Leparoux, 30-1), Ready’s Echo (John Velasquez, 30-1), and Icabad Crane (Jeremy Rose, 20-1).

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever