Pegasus Winner Art Collector benefits from much needed rest.

 Before January 28th 2023, Art Collector won his last race on August 26th, 2022 in the grade 2 Charles town Classic at Charles town.

Sometimes it is so easy to dismiss these horses when they lose a race or two forgetting that they are living creatures that need time to recover from the races.  This is a similar story with the now Pegasus winner Art Collector who won this year's race for fun while being ignored by the public judging by his final odds on the board.  

2023 Pegasus champion - Art Collector

Bruce Lunsford who is the breeder and owner of Art Collector must be more than happy about what this horse has done to this point with earned money.

Art Collector who didn't win any of America's major races including triple crown races is clearly a winner judging by performance.  After skipping the Kentucky derby in 2020 Art Collector was entered into the Preakness and finished fourth.   He ran one more race that year in the breeder's cup dirt mile and finished 8th in the field.

In order to fully understand this picture painted by Art Collector you have to go back to his past performance which tells the tale clearly of decisions made to benefit this horse .  

Making the trip to the grade 1 Saudi Cup at the King Abdulaziz racecourse should have told you something about what the connections to this horse envisioned but the result of the race may have muddle the trajectory slightly, if you are looking in from the outside. Giving the horse six months away from racing allowed Art Collector to pick up the victory in the Alydar stakes at Saratoga Park and then the grade 2 Charles town classic almost three weeks later.

There wasn't any talk about Art Collector even coming close to winning the Pegasus because other stars were making their names heard and in a sport where winning means everything one loss could put you out of the picture making you almost forgotten.  Horses don't always win every race but it seems almost necessary to have a plan for them when they are that good.  

Is Art Collector the new found star at six years old?  

I highly doubt it but like fine wine when left alone he can leave your head spinning in a very good direction and putting you on top of the world.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com 

Jockey Leo Salles is enjoying a break from his breakthrough year at Woodbine Racetrack

It seems as if knowing who the jockey is can play a role with fans of the sport and supporters.

In 2017 at Gulf Stream Park Leo Salles didn't win a race from 18 mounts.  The following year he headed north to Canada at Woodbine racetrack and won three races from sixty-four starts.

Fast forward to 2022, Leo Salles rode 592 horses winning sixty-eight of them with purse earnings of $2,015,709.  I would say that is progress and it certainly shows commitment to perhaps something he envisioned for his future.

One of Leo's best moments in 2022 was winning the grade 3 Vigil Stakes on Lucky Score Trained by W.V. Armata at Woodbine racetrack in Toronto Canada.  Well done!

The jockey is currently spending precious time with his family and friends in his hometown in Brazil while Toronto remains on ice for the winter.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Ten years absent from horse racing allows others to shine.

 The last time Richard Dutrow jr. saddled a horse was on January 16, 2013, at Aqueduct Park in a $32,,000 claiming race which he won.

Since then he faced a ban of ten years and is now seeking a spot in the sport that kicked him out.

His purse earnings over the years tipped the scale well over 87 million dollars with just 7,204 starters to his name.  His absence from horse racing allowed many others to take some of the spotlights and was able to even bring more attention to others seeking recognition for what they do with these horses.

As Dutrow gets ready to make his way back into the sport of kings many fans are disgusted, judging by the online comments shown on the blogs and horse racing forums.

Maybe ten years away from anything is all too revealing.

Dutrow seeks a fresh return to horse racing.

Based on online comments from fans, horse racing deserves a fresh approach and one without cheaters as they put it.  So my question really is what is a cheater to you?

The lines for cheating are so marginal that reputations are either grown or ruined with the slightest of mistakes made by trainers during these woke times.

Accused of committing infractions.

What allows high-profile trainers to re-enter the game and what keeps the lower-end trainers still at the bottom?  It's the connections that are made with owners and breeders and quite possibly even family associated with this sort.

Can you think of any other job where you can be away for ten years and walk right back into the field without some jitters?

Smile it's horse racing!

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Tuff Rags adds muscle to the latest shipment to Barbados.

 In horse racing, it's always the ones they don't talk about who steal the purse. I dare you to oppose the idea that this four-year-old gelding won't be talked about in the coming months.  

Horse owners and fans in sunny Barbados turn the heat up a notch on the excitement of horse racing in Barbados.  It's been a long time coming some would say and it's been a while since the days in Barbados when the garrison Savannah was lined with people all the way around it hoping to catch a glimpse of the biggest race on the island.

Tuff Rags breezes under a watchful eye.

Tuff Rags is a four-year-old gelding who is now destined for Barbados with hopes of turning things around under new management.   Owner Steve Samaroo and new trainer of Tuff Rags William Clarke will be counting their lucky stars and hoping that the four-year-old son of  Union Rags kicks into gear really soon.  He hasn't won a race as yet and with six starts at the Woodbine Racetrack and placing once perhaps he could be the diamond hidden in the rough.

It's hard right now to gauge which direction Tuff rags will go into but one thing is for sure, he is heading south to Barbados.

Tuff Rags brings hope to Barbadoss

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Elektronic will seek his first win at Gulfstream park.

 With a record of 27 starts, 6 firsts, 5 seconds, and 1 third.  Elektronic will attempt to do something he has never done before.  Win at Gulfstream park!

Now under the management of Kevin Attard, Elektronic will try to sizzle the field by going five and a half furlongs on the all-weather track in a Starter Optional Claimer race with a $32,000 purse.   He won three times in 2022 at Woodbine race track and broke his maiden at Belmont Park in New York back in 2019.

Elektronic won 3 times during 2022 at Woodbine.

He usually does well at the beginning of each year and jockey Edgar Perez will be hoping this pattern continues on Friday's card in the fourth race.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Detorri starts his winning campaign on Lil Nas at Santa Anita Park.

 After going 0-11 for the year, Frankie Dettori breaks his drought by riding Lil Nas to victory on January 8th in the third race of the day at Santa Anita Park.

On January 8th, with Detorri in the saddle, Lil Nas broke sharply, and soon afterward he was on the lead and never looked back all the way to the finish line. With one race and one win, Lil Nas has now earned $43,200 in purse earnings for the year and is trained by John Sadler.

It was by far the best E-figure speed by Lil Nas, posting a sharp 105-in-the-mile event on turf.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Rocco Bowen wins two races back to back at Oaklawn Park to break long losing streak.

 Going into 2023, jockey Rocco Bowen was coming off an injury that occurred on August 08 of 2022 which was exactly five months ago to date.  His last win before the injury was in a  maiden claiming race on July 28, 2022, aboard Raw Honey at Presque Isle.

Rocco Bowen took a spill at Presque Isle while riding in the third race of the day on August 8th.  While the rumors got around of the spill and the extent of the injury, many fans wished the jockey who is a native of Barbados best wishes and a speedy recovery.  As a result of the fall, Bowen suffered a broken collar bone in two places, punctured lungs, and was bruised very badly.  The injury itself required surgery assisted by 7 screws launched into his collar bone and plenty of rehab time recommended by the doctor.

During the time of recovery, Rocco Bowen had to watch all his mounts reshuffled elsewhere while he sat on the sidelines but from his own testimony, he knew that was the obvious thing to happen since he had been through a similar injury many years ago.
Rocco Bowen got back to the races on November 19th, 2022 where he got his first mount in the Sun Power stakes at Hawthorne for a $75000 purse but finished out of the money.  After riding in the Sun Power Stakes he took off to Oaklawn Park to ride at their winter meet.  

Rocco Bowen wins two races at Oaklawn park.

Bowen finally got back into the winner's circle today January 8th, 2023 with a mount in the first race aboard Holding Pattern which is trained by Thomas h. Swearingen.  Holding Pattern broke well but was taken to the back by Rocco where he saw all horses.  By the top of the stretch, Bowen had Holding Pattern within reach of the front-runner Ojitos and soon after took over and won the race.  The very next race Bowen rode the gray gelding See Spot Run which went off at 20-1.  Bowen positioned the horse well from the start and place him within reach of the pacesetter Skyline and eventually passed him turning for the stretch run.  The number 8 horse Mystifier, came up alongside See Spot Run and took a small lead but Bowen fought right back with See Spot Run and eventually won making it two wins for the day and two for the year!

I spoke with Rocco Bowen after the race while he was on his way back to Chicago for a home visit.  

Bowen gave thanks to everyone involved in making his recovery pleasant and successful.   Bowen also thanks his two agents who have helped him to get back on top of these horses and regain some momentum for his career.  It's been a long time between wins but he is very grateful.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

So Suave gets ready for his debut in Barbados

 As rumors fly around the horse racing world in Barbados, the excitement continues to grow around the 2023 Barbados Gold cup.  

There hasn't been this much excitement surrounding the Barbados Gold cup in quite some time but most of it is the result of having a pandemic for over two years.  One of the horses rumored for the Gold cup is Irish Bred So Suave whose last start was at the Woodbine racetrack in Toronto Canada and carries a winning streak of two wins in a row.

So Suave has a career record of 16 starts 6 wins 2 seconds and one 1-third.  

So Suave worked 4 furlongs in 48 flat

worked 5 furlongs in 101.1/5

So Suave is a well-traveled horse with a winning tendency and a career-high E speed figure of 97.  The new owner of So Suave Nalicia Cozier will be hoping for this winning tendency to continue as rumors fly of other horses being shipped to Barbados to take on Joqular who will be hoping to continue her winning streak.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Cairo Consort will compete in the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulf Stream Park.

 Cairo Consort who now graciously turned three years old will compete in the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulf stream park on January 7th.  

Now in the barn of Todd Pletcher and owned by Repole Stable and Town Country Racing, LLC, she will attempt to get back into winning form after finishing a brave 3rd at the Breeder's cup Juveniles Fillies turf stakes.

Cairo Consort produced a career-high 100 E speed figure on November 4th and that gives the new connections high hopes with her.

Cairo Consort now moves to the barn of Todd Pletcher

The speedy filly started at Woodbine racetrack under the management of Barbadian-born trainer Nathan Squires and during their time together won two races for him, including the Catch A Glimpse stakes for two-year-old fillies.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Kevin Attard a 2022 sovereign award finalist

 Most consistent race track goers see Kevin Attard as the kid who grew up in front of their eyes at the Woodbine racetrack.

Over the years Kevin Attard is determined to show his range as a horse trainer and a man amongst the people while training horses at Woodbine racetrack.  During 2022 I got familiar with Kevin Attard and I got used to seeing him walk out into the winner's circle to take his picture.

I caught up with him a couple times during the year 2022 season at Woodbine and quite often he had a tight schedule to balance but he always made the time.  I think his most famous words are usually "hey I know you" and then he flashes a smile.

I remember watching him give the apprentice Micah Husbands his first mount on July 03, 2022, and the kid nailed it and rode Rosebud's hope to victory which immediately elevated Husbands into the star category.  Was the race well calculated or was the jock just ready for the moment?  It is hard to judge but in the end, the entire opportunity and timing worked majestically with a body of people blanketing Kevin after the race.

During 2022, Kevin had his best year while training with purse earnings of over five million dollars.  He finished second on top of the trainer's standings with ninety-five wins and a 21% win average. Will he get that Sovereign award prize for the outstanding trainer in 2022 is still yet to come but as a horseracing fan, you have to somewhat feel excited for him.

His only graded stakes victory in 2022 came with the now three-year-old filly Last call who won the grade one Natalma stakes and was ridden to victory by the famous jockey Frankie Dettori back on September 17, 2022.

Kevin Attard guided Moira to a Queen's Plate victory

The horse which took woodbine by storm was Moira in 2022.  Even though she had some disappointments including the E.P. Taylor stakes in which she was DQ'ed and wasn't placed she stood out by far as a horse that captivated people at the track.  

Moira probably should have won the E.P. Taylor stakes some would say.  

Moira at one point had won three stakes in a row including the Woodbine Oaks and the Queen's plate stakes which gave Kevin Attard his first and probably the very last Queen's Plate stake during this era.

Could he win the first King's Plate in our time or could he become the next sovereign award winner for the outstanding trainer in 2022?

I guess, like most things time will let us know.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com