How Heroes Are Born

Or perhaps heroes were made!  It's the joy one gets when someone does a good deed for them or perhaps when an entire country or state falls in love with someone.  I guess you can say secretariat was a hero and his triple crown victory came just around the time I was popping out of my oven.  1973 you can say was a good year for horse racing in the United States of America.

In 2015, I had the chance to witness another special triple crown winner who goes by the name of American Pharoah.  I have to honestly tell you that I knew he was going to win the Kentucky derby from first time I saw him run.  I don't think anyone really wanted him  to lose except perhaps for a few chance takers who were hoping for a miracle to have a great pay day.

Can they be a back to back triple crown winner?  Absolutely, at least it's the thought that count really.  Certainly they wont be any hype as yet about entertaining a specific horse but I am sure once we fast forward a week from now those familiar voices will be echoing what each other is saying.  Everyone will probably be pointed toward the two year old champ Nyquist who is yet to lose a race and have made $3,322,600 so far in his short career.  It is yet to be seen if this amazing athlete can overcome all the odds of a derby and remain the champ, at least one race at a time.

So far the chatter haven't started entirely, I get the feeling that they are a few owners who aren't scared of Nyquist.  Even if Nyquist win the Derby I don't believe that he will be a triple crown winner.  If I am wrong I am sure I will hear about it from you over and over.  So what are the keys for a winner on derby day?  Even though one horse may have more talent that the rest of them it will come down to a good solid dinner and a good nights sleep even for the horses.  Perhaps even a bit of luck on a sloppy track helps or a nervous horse who hate crowds could be one of the deciding factors, I was told by a jockey.


April 30th, Woodbine 
race 10
Ezzthetic is my pick for this race,

race 9
I always had reserve Love, I'm liking this one.

May 1st, Woodbine

race 8
 Bella Fabiana is my pick, ridden by jockey Patrick Husbands,

It's Anyone's Guess.

Have you ever wondered to yourself what the heck goes on at the back?  Why are those guys who just pops out of no where most of the time to walk the horse and give it water so important in this industry? They are some of the most important people in this game but will continue to take a back seat without collecting any glory.  What they sometimes collect is a good cheque just for knowing the hoofs very well.  

As I watched from my car the horses doing their routine exercises and I guess stretches.  Everything that I am seeing seem like a well rehearsed play without the spotlight and the cheers.  I watch one rider sit on a horse going around the barn as many times as a minute hand on an hour clock.  These guys have their instructions and just like a tick or tock this is some of the unseen things that the curious on-watcher takes for granted.  Everyone has their role to play in order to make these amazing athletes shine like stars.  Some of the riders wave as they go by, its their time to be seen on the stars before the game-day jockeys take over and take praises for guiding the winners in.  Riders engage in conversations while they trot their horses, nothing at all to do with horse racing as it seems.  I often get the curious eye from a suspicious worker and the well known nod just to make sure that I am good.  

It really is quite a thing to watch and not know what the heck is going on back here.  One thing is for sure, the show must go on.  This is a big money industry with small guys relying on their stock to rise very high in a short space of time during the racing season.

The bottom line is when you cheer on your horse next time you are at the track, keep in mind the work done by the hands at the back and all the preparation they put in to make it to the races.

Happy watching and your guess is as good as mine!

April 23rd

Charles Town

Race 12
$1,250,000 Charles Town Classic S., this race looks like a lot of pace and most people think that the speed at this track usually will win.  Stanford is the one that seem like it will take the most money but it's Charles Town, so why not just look else where.  La Macchina is my pick here, this four year old gelding has some finishing speed and I look forward to watching him close.

Woodbine 

Race 6

Splashy gizmo have raced two races at Gulfstream park and seeks the picture time.  These Gizmo horses are really trying to make a name for themselves.

 Race 7
I like Regal Mark here. It's a new year and fresh feet awaits the tepeta surface.  So, on your mark!

Race 8 
Goodoldhockeygame should be very interesting here, he is one speedy character who draws Patrick Husbands.  I like RU watchingbud

Race 9
Lumber man is hoping to upset this field, is he ready is always a question.

Winning Mark's the spot

As the weekend approaches and I tear back through the week's work I cant help but admire a man who is becoming a well known figure with the sport of Kings.  Mark Casse is doing many big things and is doing it at a very nice pace.

Catch a Glimpse the daughter of City Zip and Halo River has now reeled off five straight wins in a row. What an impressive win last time out at Keeneland ridden by Florent Geroux to win the Appalachian stakes.

On Saturday the big mare Tepin will be trying to reel off Five wins a in a row herself.  These days Mark Casse has the french guys doing the dirty work on the sweet horses as Julien Leparoux will be on board Tepin to try make another french five in a row.

After winning the Santa Anita Derby with Exaggerator, Keith Desormeaux is hoping to swipe away the Lexington field with Swipe!  Last year this horse looked like he was challenging Nyquist at the Breeders cup Juveniles race and he sure looked good.

April 16

Keeneland

race 6
Street Song last time in stakes competition at Tampa Bay looked like she was threatening then faltered in traffic.  Will give this one a nod and a wink.

race 7
DOYOUKNOWSOMETHING  this horse is fit. Does he fit in with this group is yet to tell.  Flavien Prat comes to ride swipe but I just wonder if there is a trick in the bag!

race 8
Eden Prairie is my pick here, big strong strides at the end last time out in mediocre competition but I am curious about the move here and welcome her to the pack.

race 9
There is a Bob Baffert Javier Castellano combination, very rear but Collected will be trying to do his thing for this team.  Big Squeeze is a quirky kinda horse that looks to be in training, I am hoping he has grown with some drills. He is my pick for an upset but Swipe is the one to beat.

race10
Tepin is the horse to beat, she is my pick and will be trying to make it five wins in a row for Casse.

Oaklawn Park

race 8
Tisdale should fit right into contention here and take the win.

race 11
I looked at this race and tried different angles, I came up with the same conclusion every time.  Cupid not only looks good but it sounds good saying his name.  He has natural speed and I really like this one here.

Woodbine

race 8
Treasuring is my pick here, its a very small field and she seem like she is ready to go.

April17

Woodbine Thoroughbred

race8

Beliveau is my pick.  The combination of Mark Casse and Patrick Husbands catches my eyes and here I will stay.

 

Songbird is One Classy Horse that Keeps Winning.

Just Perfect