The Show Down In California

With the amount of hoof prints you will see in the sand at Santa Anita Park this week, only a few prints will stand out after it’s all done. 

Tepin won the Woodbine Mile comfortably

The best of the best will meet to determine champions and a few will become eventual legends. This weekend the fans of Horse racing will be glued to a screen somewhere nearby. Some will wager and some will cheer on their favorite jockeys or horse. Prestige doesn’t make you a winner for these races, it’s the preparation trainers have done to get their horse to the race that will win. Some chase records while others chase dollars. It’s still a horse race and these magnificent creatures are still the best at what they do. The BREEDERS CUP…

I can tell you one thing on Breeders Cup day, stay with your horse.  It's the one time that if your horse win you will regret if you had left it off a ticket. 

As I peel through the entries I can't help but notice the many horses who have won consecutive races this year and I admire what they have done for their connections.  Let me remind you who some of those champions are who will be running on November 5th at Santa Anita.

November5th 

Santa Anita Park

race 5
Al's Gal is a horse who is in fine form at the moment.  I watched her run last time at Woodbine and she paid a pretty price for those who backed her.  Ken Ramsey is a man I admire in the game.  He wants to win and he wants the trophy.  Of course this race have many more I respect but the gal is fit and Ramsey loves the spot light.

race 6
AP Indian will be trying for seven consecutive wins this year and is piloted by the infamous Joe Bravo.  Sometimes it's the jockeys who can turn water into wine for these connections on Breeders Cup day.

race 9
Da Big Hoss is one of my favorites and at 20-1 ML of course he should be going on a ticket.  He has won four in a row and is in the big race so he has a chance for me.
Found has Ryan Moore on his back and if you know anything about Mr. Moore, you should know that he can produce.  I am not saying this because he has produce on Breeders cup day alone,  the guy is a winner and he has traveled all around the world on winners.

race 11
I am simply not going to look at any other horse in this race but Tepin.  She is the champ and that last race she lost wasn't her best race.  she is still the one to beat in this race.  She is up against the boys again and Mark Casse and Julien Leparoux are having a superb year.

race 12
This race belongs to California Chrome unless someone else takes it away from him.  He is six for six in 2016 and is expected to win this one.  If he doesn't win it will surely be a major upset.

Songbird runs on Friday and California Chrome on Saturday.  So many names to pull from the hat but only one will truly shine.  Songbird has never lost a race... Jean Claude Van damn, now that's one sweet ticket.

No prize for The Pizza Man this time.

Some owners and friends hold their breath.

Fans stay hopeful

It wasn't the Pizza Man's day.

The tote-boards Erupted last Sunday at Woodbine

A very nice break and they were off in the 2016 Patterson International at Woodbine racetrack.

Simply awesome!

The winner, Erupt was truly in form.

Tepin Looks to be perfect today

Race 7 today at Keeneland.  4:35pm!

The Tepin, Mark Casse and Julien Leparoux show goes to Keeneland.

Belmont takes stage while Mathew breezes Through.

Belmont Park October 8th, 2016

It looks like an overcast day at Belmont Park with grey skies and a peek of sunshine.  It's a packed day with seven stakes races and still plenty time to review the races.  I had a look and I saw one of my favorites is running today and that has me excited.

In the 5th race today Tamarkuz seem to be coming on, he came second last time out at Saratoga at a big 20-1 price.  Mike Smith is in the saddles and I am sure he will be pretty close to the lead.

Strike Charmer is the horse who keeps trying and last time she went on to win at a big price.  She is one of my favorites but she has a tough job going up against Sea Calisi today in the 6th race.  I am excited to see Strike Charmer run and will be cheering on from the sides.

Woodbine Thoroughbred October 8th, 2016

Race 3 at Woodbine today.  I had hopes for Commute this season but he didn't show me anything that he was gonna be a player so far.  I will trust Colleen's Sailor to get it done here.

Just Be Kind is going to be my selection for today 8th race.  She looks strong and  seems like the last race was a breeze for her.  James McAleney and Reade Baker has a long standing relationship with these horses and seem like some training is happening.

Woodbine Mile did not disappoint.

Tepin is the Queen

I had the honor to see Tepin close up and live and she was very simple looking at first glance. She looked nothing like how she runs but what a beautiful animal.


Seeing her up close I appreciated every movement.

The Pizza Man was very relaxed

The Pizza man truly looked like a champ.   Very masculine and strong his presence stood out tremendously.

Naughty youngster, Mutakayyef.

Mutakayyef is a naughty colt who looks very cheeky.  He seemed to find himself in trouble at times and I could tell that he was a handful.  He seemed like he likes his own way.

Lets call it Tepin's day

Honestly I have been focused so much of lately on other things that I didn't even get a chance to review the races.  I watched some of the replays got really excited and deflated at the same time.  I liked the fact that quite a few greys been winning and that took me back to one of my posts about the year of the greys. Well sort of!

Did you catch the third leg of the Canadian triple crown?  Oh maan what a beaut of a race!  Camp Creek won that won convincingly at 26-1 and low and behold shows up in tomorrow's Northern Dancer and that's a grade 1.  A very interesting grey gelding who only broke his maiden before winning the Breeder stakes.  I am not trying to handicap these races tomorrow since I am too excited to.  I am just a fan and I am seeing some of my favorite horses in action tomorrow at Woodbine race track.  I am really excited about seeing the Pizza man again, this big 7 year old had always put sparkles in my eyes.  This card is really awesome and I hope the fans come out and watch a very good race.  I definitely will be cheering for the Pizza man of course!

I couldn't wait to talk about this year's Woodbine mile.  Goodness gracious me!  What a horse that Tepin is and I have been speaking highly of her all year long.  I get to see her tomorrow in the 12th race and hopefully watch her win her 8th straight win.  WOW!  As much as I love Tepin I am quietly falling in Love with the European invader Mutakayyef.  He has monster type potential but we will have to see him catch Tepin in order to be true monster.  Only a monster can catch a monster.  Bringing Tepin to Woodbine in my opinion really is an honor from Mark Casse and team to let the fans see her up close and live we have a great fan base here and we all cheer for Mark's barn when they are running abroad.


https://youtu.be/qH7KXoMhsIY

An explosion is about to Happen

Seeing the best horse win felt good this time.

Not too often I say stuff like that but it felt good watching the son of Giant Gizmo take the Prince of wales title.  Well done.





Let's see what this weekend brings to the table for you handicappers out there.


July 30th

Woodbine Thoroughbreds

race 1-Cavalletta
race 2- French Romance
race 3-Wild and Confident
race 4- March to My Tune
race 5- Mysterion
race 6-Lady Baccara
race 7-Reserve Love
race 8-Lexie Lou
race 9-Phil's Cocktail



July 31st

Woodbine Thoroughbreds


race 2-Allied Instigator

race 4- Dixie Whistler
race 5-Sli's Halo

race 7- Another Bid
race 8- She's Explosive
race 9- Remebel

You can try catch her

We spoke about this amazing filly earlier in the season and she is really quite amazing.  If you didn't see her last race you missed a beauty of a race.  Catch A Glimpse, the three year old filly from the Mark Casse barn put on quite a show for all the New York fans watching.  She broke and Florent Geroux took her straight to the front never to see another tail again.

Connections as of last Start:

Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Barber, Gary, Ambler, Michael James and Windways Farm
Breeder: Branch Equine, LLC

BUYER / CONSIGNOR (MOST RECENT):

Sold to Windways Farm
Consigned by Warrendale Sales

Career Honors:

Sovereign Award 2015 Horse of the Year
Sovereign Award 2015 Champion Grass Mare
Sovereign Award 2015 Champion 2 Year Old Filly

Best Racing Class Achieved:

Multiple Graded Stakes Winner

Breeders' Cup Participation:

1st Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - 2015

Top 100 Rankings (Since 2000):

Ranked 49^th by Earnings - 2015



 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYIbwtOFb58


 https://youtu.be/-FHURgwwtL0

Headley's  Picks

 July 23rd


Woodbine Thoroughbreds
race 6 -  Weekend Rose
race 8 - Calgary Cat
race 9 - Danger bay

Saratoga Race Course
race 7 -  Slim Shadey (GB)***
race 10 - Strike charmer

July 24th


Woodbine Thoroughbreds

race 1 -  Cheburashka
race 2 -  Grand Mixture
race 3 -  Rocket Plan
race 4 -  Miss Bao to U
race 5 - Fleetway
race 6 - Teresa's Pride
race 9 -  Kentuckiana


Saratoga Race Course
race 7 -  Trend
race 9 - Now Power
race 10 - Songbird
 

Catch a Glimpse - 2016 Belmont Oaks Invitational

Sir Dudley Digges

So we have a champ so far in the 2016 triple crown run in Canada.  He goes by the name of Sir Dudley Digges and he is own by the admirable and charismatic American sir Kenneth Ramsey.  Going off at 15-1, I am sure that he was a surprise to most spectators who were watching this race.  Owners and trainers will always tell you different that they always knew the horse had talent and it was only a matter of time or distance.  Well hail to the champ and well done, I don't see another win at the Fort but if he crosses that line first I am sure those fantastic folks just north of the border will be very happy they showed up.  What an amazing year Julien Leparoux is having so far, it's funny how he flew under the radar here at Woodbine and brought the winner in at a wonder price.

Dimension took July2nd, 8th race in style

Headley's Picks

 

Woodbine Thoroughbreds

July 9th

race 2- Splashy Gizmo

race 3 - Conquest Streetkid

race 4 - Keep It Simple

race 6 - No Risk No reward

race 7 - French Romance

race 8 -Motown Lady

race 10 -  Lady St Clements

Can't be Coward and Lucky

If you think you have the winner of the 2016 Queensplate, I will advise you to look no further.  No need to keep checking the past performances of the other horses.  Stick with your horse and if you have doubts then play another ticket.  How many times have you doubted yourself and of course you jinx yourself in the process just to see your original horse win.  Sounds familiar to you?  Many times I have spoken to horse players and its the same story over and over, telling me how they picked the winner but changed at the last minute.  Of course, it never sounds true obviously to me but the look on the losers faces can always let me know that they wished they had that one back, to do it all over again.  You can afford to lose but to lose when knowing you had the winner saddled and ready to cash in can really hurt.  I have had my share of misfortunes along the way but no sense complaining, I just jump right back on that saddle and giddy yup!  

Do you fall in love with horses, jockeys, trainers or owners?  What determines a winner for you.  A good jockey can give you a winner but I always look at the horse and its running style before choosing my selection.  Your favorite jockey will probably not be my favorite jockey and an argument can break out at the track trying to determine who is a better jockey.  Some folks stick to numbers and others just go to the wicket and ask for a quick pick.  No sweat, right!

Patrick Husbands (triple crown winner at Woodbine)

Well the great Patrick Husbands is back on "Gamble's Ghost" a filly this year and Josie Carroll who is the only Female trainer in the race trains this one.  She also trains Amis Gizmo who by the way happens to be one of the favorites in this race this year. Luis Contreras who is second in the jockey leaders statistics at Woodbine gets the mount for this one. 

Another interesting horse in this race is Narrow Escape who attracts the mount of Sheena Ryan.  This colt won an allowance race last time in a short field but wired them all the way with a low speed figure.  I like this colt even with the low speed figure and the mount of Sheena Ryan who sometimes gives you a good ride and sometimes could be lost in the shuffle.

Leavem In Malibu is a big beautiful colt by Malibu Moon,ridden by Gary Boulanger and trained by Mark Casse.  I am really excited to watch this one go on Sunday but can Gary get him to wake up early and blow away this field?  Only time will tell but he is a very interesting horse and cannot be left out.

All on Red is a Hard Spun colt who was a very good horse in his time and ridden by the leading rider at Woodbine, Eurica Rosa Da Silva and train by Sid Attard.  This is a nice horse who look like he was just testing the waters last time out only to lose by a head.  Da Silva isn't the leading rider at Woodbine for nothing and shouldn't be overlooked, he loves winning.  Good luck to everybody!

I cant help but to tell you about the jockey Simon Husbands who is a very good story.  One day I have to chat with him to hear directly from the horse's mouth, his story. So Simon gets the mount of Rocket Plan in this race.  Simon Husbands is a jockey who for whatever reason had to leave Woodbine for a few years, he rode across the border in the USA only to return last year and did a helluva of a job with the mounts he got.  This year he is doing a pretty good job again and I will be cheering him along.


Headley's Picks

Woodbine Thoroughbreds

July 2nd

race 6 - Sugar Jones
race 7 - Papa Zulu
race 8 - Hammerstein
race 9 - Where's the Widget***


July 3rd

race 4 - Lady Shipman
race 6 - Bear'sway
race 7 - Guitar George
race 8 - Danish Dynaformer
race 9 - Industrial policy
race 10 - Leavem In Malibu 



 

Happy fathers's day

Handicapping with Headley

race1
Hemlock Channel should take this one, he looked good last time down the stretch on the lawn.  Ted W stretched his legs last time now decides to go a furlong longer, he can be the one poking his nose in at the finish line.

race2
Mc Culley may be ready to do some talking today, let's give him a shot.

race4
Niigon Express was looking for the line last time on the grass but the favorite showed up on time.  I will give him another shot and expects Crushin hard to becoming also.

race6
Six furlongs in the six seems like an interesting mix, Woven Lady seem like the speedy one and if she gets her way she will win in.  Emma Jane likes to play spoiler so
Virreina can take the spot light,she is my pick.

race7
The son of Giant Gizmo is a very honest one.  The Gizmo family are leaving their prints in the tapeta and I expect Freitag to do the same at the finish line.

race8
Hot kiss has won four in a row and is looking for more.  She looks fit and has eyes on the grand prize, when a horse is as fit as she is I have to pay attention.

race9
I just wonder if this race could belong to Final offer who by the way is the son of Marchfield.

I like Bigon but I like Final offer even better.
 

A special day for a special Mare

She was making quiet noise but it's safe to say now that noise has grown louder with every gallop around the track.  Her races will become much more difficult from now on and I can only imagine that boys will become the normal challenge moving forward.

Tepin has now won seven in a row and taking the Queen Anne at Ascot gives her some royalty in the Mark Casse barn.  My one wish would be to see Patrick Husbands ride this special horse at Woodbine.  Of course this wont happen since Julien leparoux has stuck with her and I am guessing this is a partnership which will stick to the end.  I watched the replay a couple hours ago and it was magnificent to see.

Good job and congrats to the whole entire team.

Royalty Awaits Tepin at Ascot

Many of you wont be scheduling your Tuesday morning to see the lady champ run but I know a few of you will be.  On Tuesday June 14th at 9:30am eastern standard time Tepin will take on some very talented individuals across the pond in England. She is running against the boys in a foreign country.

To think she has to get use to the different accents and tea times in England and also the no medication rule which means to run without lasix pumped into her body.  Well I will be keeping a close eye on the results later that day because this move have me excited and pumped myself.  I may need lasix  to calm myself down.  She has won 9 out of the last 11 races and at this point this folks must be saying "hold your horses" she is going to win them all.

I really hope she win this one and perhaps I can see her at Woodbine this fall.

Ascot Gr1 - QUEEN ANNE STAKES (Class 1)

Purse $882,000. TB For four yrs old and upwards. Weights: Colts and geldings, 126 lbs; fillies 123 lbs Southern Hemisphere Allowance: 4-y-o 1 lbs. 1M

Everyone has a chance in the Belmont

 Champs make their mark and forever we love them.

 

 He who is not courageous enough in life to take risks will accomplish nothing in life...

R.I.P champ

 

 

 

 

 

My Picks

June 11

Woodbine

Race 1 
Mike gets the nod here, I picked him a races couple back he didn't take his picture at that time.

Race 2
Cheburashka this three year old son of Milwaukee Brew haven't done anything wrong yet.  He should be fine for this one as well.

Race 3
Call her Karma looks to be in some kind of form judging from how she ran last time, I expect another good run. 

Race 6
Peyton came back this year looking fresh but last time in stakes company he was overwhelmed.  he deserves another chance, this time his company may just be right.

Race 7
Reserve Love is the longest shot on the board and that is where my dart lands.  The filly need a bit of love and she gets it from me.

Belmont Park

Race 1 
Cupid had quite a bit of Hype leading up to the derby.  He has had a re-freshening break now and expects softer company here in New York.

Race 2
Doctor Mounty  is a three year old son of Street sense.  He set the track on fire last time and is back here for more.

Race 3
The Kentucky Oaks winner is a proven champ but can she be tested right here by Go Maggie go, Cathryn Sophia gets the go ahead for me, my pick.

Race 4
Catholic Cowboy is a wild one and if he hits the board the board should explode.  I like this one and his running style.

Race 5
I picked Cavorting last time and I am staying with her.  She looks fit and the jockey is also in fine riding form also.

Race 6
Guns loaded is my pick in the sixth.  The combination of Mario and Doug may be all I need for this one.  It's a big field and everyone is happy, these type races can make an unknown be well known.

Race 7
Sharp Azteca Look like the one to beat here.  Very sharp, three in a row and looking for four.

Race 8
I am always curious of why the jockey takes an entire card off at his home base to ride in one race and on that note I am giving Lexie lou my blessings in this race.  She won quite astoundingly last time at Woodbine and looks to get the cherry on top with this race.  Patrick Husbands, Mark Casse and another interesting race.

 Race 9
Ami's Flatter will have to prove that he is ready for business.  The horse is mad talented and Martin Garcia just love winning.  He is my choice in this one.

Race 10
The last race these pros were in there was a spill and the race change dramatically.  If all goes well this time Slumber will be taking another picture.  Second time off the shelf and ready to boogie.

Race 11
Governor Malibu is fresh, talented and comes out the barn of
Christophe Clement.  I don't see the trainer winning many of these gigantic races but I do like this talented individual.  Destin is another one who may have learn from the Derby but the Governor may have lots to say in a long race like this one.

 

When the small guy wins Big

When you see a small trainer celebrating a win it really means a lot to him and everyone else involve.  The early mornings and the days spent trying to get that horse fit has finally paid off.  These guys don't win many races at Woodbine but the purses keep them trying.  Woodbine racing has become very competitive these days with spikes in purses and turf changes.  It's that lure that attracts trainers from south of the border and have them coming here in Toronto to win a race and take their picture.

Recently I witness something special and it made me appreciate the smaller guy even more.  The excitement within the camp of Sylvain Pion stood out to me before and after last Sunday's 10th race at Woodbine.  You can tell they were feeling good about Dixie Whistler and his chances.  Sylvain was very talkative, calling owners to the paddock to take pictures and gathering his team.  All this was before the race and it told me everything.  Dixie Whistler wasn't camera shy at all and I think he likes his picture being taken.




Trainer Sylvain Pion current meet stats for 2016
Starts - 5
Wins - 2
Place - 1
Show - 0
Earnings - $79,619
Win % - 40%

My Picks

May 28




Woodbine Thoroughbreds

Race 1 - Major Production
Race 3 - Bring on the Bull
Race 4 - Flash Patch
Race 7 - Beat goes On
Race 8 -  Melmich
Race 9 - Reserve Love 
Race10 - Toriaezu Nama

May 29

Woodbine Thoroughbreds

Race 3-  Kentuckiana
Race 6 - leavem in Malibu

Race 8 -  Dyna's Recoleta

Eight In A Row Means Defeat Is Near

When he took his picture the last eight times the doubters still thought they would beat him next time so why would Preakness day be any different?  The champ is here the champ is here!  The champ in question is Nyquist who to this day still haven't lost a race and have beaten every single horse who tried to run with him.  So why is there no real hype surrounding this horse compared to American Pharoah?  perhaps the name isn't as catchy as the triple crown winner who gave the fans what they wanted in a hero in 2015.  

I need a legitimate reason to not pick Nyquist but every single factor makes me want to pick him to win this race.  Even if he wins the Preakness I guarantee that the doubters wont pick him to win the Belmont Stakes. Why don't we like this horse?  He is honest and he has given his owners one sweet ride so far straight down the stretch.  

Here is my reason why I dont like him in this race.  I never liked Pimlico track and it is not the best track for an exciting horse race.  Is that fair?  Is that a reason to discredit the champ?  Will one of these other horses really match the speed of the champ?  Sure, they may try but he has beaten the best three year old colts so far in the USA.  

Nyquist is still the one to beat and on that note I pick Fellowship over him.


My Picks

Woodbine May 21st

Race 1 - Get'erdonebud deserves another shot and a trip to the finish line.

Race 3 - Seffeara

Race 5 - Another Bid is my Long shot.

Race 8 - Songs and Laughter 

Pimlico May 21

Race 13 - Nyquist is the one to beat here but I definitely select  Fellowship.


Woodbine May 22nd 

Race 8 - Jennifer Lynette

Race 9 - The Mink Mile

Race 10 - Indiscreet Cat

Race 5 - Cool Cat Jazz 

She's always beautiful when in front

So now the argument begins of who the best horse is in Canada.  Or perhaps who is the best three year old colt.  These three year old colts still can be quite a project if they haven't hit their peak as yet, you can say they are like 2-3 year old boys.  They are playful, energetic, lazy, curious, stubborn.

Riker was very good last year 2015, winning all four races at Woodbine but ever since he packed bags and went across the border he has now lost three straight! So now it's 2016 and Woodbine season is in gear, who will be the new horse or will the 2015 juvenile champ continue to reign?

In tomorrow Marines stakes we are seeing a small field  of three year old boys battling for a stakes purse.   The last time Bear's Away ran he did it very strongly and he draws his partner Eurico Rosa Da Silva who will be guiding this one to the finish line.  

Tepin now has won six races in a row and this mare has me very excited to see her next race.  On Kentucky derby day she demolished her field showing everyone that she is the champ without prejudice.  Oh my! What a beautiful horse she is and Mark Casse must be very excited also.  It's going to be special if the owners of Tepin bring her back to woodbine.  

 

 

 

Woodbine Thoroughbreds

May 14  

race 1 - Mike

race 2 - Tevez

race 6 - Teresa's pride

race 8 - Bear's Away

May15

race 8 -  Treasuring

race 9 -  Flashy Patch

Belmont Park

May 14

race 10 - Kaigun

race 9 -  Governor Malibu

race 8 - sistas stroll (long shot play)

race 7 - Cavorting

Gray Skies May Not Be so Predictable

It's the first Saturday in May, already!  Yes and the excitement is showing on every curious eye for the sport of horse racing.  There are true champs in this sport and sometimes we fall in love with flirters who usually just...flirt.  To be honest there is always the true champ on that specific day and race but what comes after is always the unknown.  Too many times the unbeaten horse will lose on this first Saturday in May mainly because he is the target to beat.  Nyquist is the one to beat according to his performances leading up to this race but seriously they are nineteen other contenders this year and they all seem to think that they have a chance at this.

Nyquist may be all business on derby day

Talent is clearly not the question when it comes to the Kentucky Derby since everyone has won a race except for one talented horse by the name of Trojan Nation who almost won his last race at Aqueduct at odds of 81-1, coming in second in the wood memorial handicap.  Clearly Trojan Nation wont be the morning line favorite but for two dollars it's worth cheering for to end up on the board.  If the weather has anything at all to do with this race it  could be very interesting in the sloppy slop.

 For me, this year I will cheer for a grey horse and I think a grey horse will win this race especially if it's a overcast at Churchill downs..

In this race alone they are four grey horses to choose from but I think there is only one Destin to win.  Unlike others, I wont build a case for this horse I will just pick it and hopefully he runs well.  Jockey Javier Castellano will be onboard and he should be feeling great after winning the Kentucky Oaks on Cathryn Sophia

By the way, I just watched Catch a Glimpse win her sixth race in a row, wow!  That's the 2015 Canadian horse of the year!  Tepin will be trying for six in a row as well tomorrow in race 6 at Churchill Downs, both horses are trained by the very busy Mark Casse who is having a brilliant year so far.  Now let's discuss a little bit more of the Derby and see if anything interesting will show.  One horse to love is My man Sam, he is my second pick for an upset trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz.

It's gonna be a great race on Derby day, try not to over handicap the race.

MY PICKS

  May 7th
Churchill Downs 

race 6  - Tepin
race 7 - Barbados
race 8 - Stonetastic
race 9 -  Shakhimat
race 10 -  Fellowship
race 11 - Bolo
race 12 - Destin

 

Woodbine 

 race 1 -  Philippian
race 6 -  Touch the clouds
race 8 - stacked deck
race10 - Rebellion On Tap

May 8th 

Woodbine

race 10 - Tessier

race 9  - conquest quickdraw.

race 8-   Galina Point