A trio of veteran geldings are entered to race over the next two days. They are Dubious Miss, winner of the 2010 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III); Quick Enough, a capable turf sprinter who has won or placed in six stakes races, including a victory in the 2010 Morvich Stakes (gr. III); and Cost of Freedom, a grade I winner in the past that has lost a few steps with old age but still shows good early speed even at the advanced age of nine.
Quick Enough and Cost of Freedom will head to post first, as they are both entered in the same race later this afternoon. The event is a six-furlong, $25,000-$22,500 claiming event on the all-weather track at Golden Gate Fields. Quick Enough has been competing well in similar events here at Golden Gate, the only difference in today's race being the claiming tag. Quick Enough has been competing in $20,000-$18,000 events, and is thus taking a bit of a step up in class today. Regardless, he is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line and should turn in a good effort.
Cost of Freedom won the Ancient Title Stakes (gr. I) back in 2008, and was beaten just a head when third in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). Unfortunately, he is no longer the force that he once was, and his last three starts have come for a claiming price. He hasn't won a race in over a year, but this is the lowest-class race in which he has ever competed, and it's possible that this could lead to a much-improved effort.
On Saturday at Fair Grounds, Dubious Miss will head to post in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. III). The eight-year-old gelding recently won his first race since the 2010 Ben Ali, taking a 7-1/2 furlong, $35,000-$30,000 claiming race by a length. This is a great big step up in class, and he will be facing several in-form stakes winners, but Dubious Miss has been a consistently good horse throughout his career. In addition, he did finish second in this race last year and has always run well here at Fair Grounds, so hopefully that will be enough to see Dubious Miss run another great race.
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Cost of Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cost of Freedom. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2012
Friday, December 9, 2011
Welcome back to Veterans of the Turf!
First off, allow me to express my apologies for the lack of posts during the last several months. It's been a very busy summer and fall! But I feel ready to give this blog another shot and see how it goes.
One of the reasons I am posting this is because of some fabulous news from Gulfstream Park. Presious Passion, one of our oldest veterans of the turf at age eight, and certainly one of my favorites, is expected to breeze this week in preperation for a possible return to the races. A three-time grade I winner, he turned in one of the most remarkable performances I have ever seen when finishing second to Conduit in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I). Although he has not raced since January and will turn nine next year, Presious Passion is gearing up for another season and, hopefully, he will still have some of that old spark left that has carried him through so many races over so many years.
Here's an article about his return from DRF.com:
http://www.drf.com/news/gulfstream-presious-passion-back-track
In addition, let me quickly update the status of all our Veterans of the Turf members:
Awesome Gem: Ran second to Game On Dude in the Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita before a hind end problem ended his season. He is expected to return as a nine-year-old sometime next year.
California Flag: Got back on track with a victory in the Morvich Stakes (gr. III) before running twelfth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II), a race that he won in 2009. He has breezed three times since then and will probably return sometime during the Santa Anita meet.
Chamberlain Bridge: Finished eighth while attempting to defend his title in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II), then ran a deceptively good fourth in an allowance optional claiming race. It appears as though he may be rounding back into form.
Cost of Freedom: Unfortunately, he appears to be approaching the end of his long, successful career, and his last three starts have come for a claiming price. Sadder yet, he has not won a race all year. But he still tries hard every time and will hopefully end his career on a high note.
Dubious Miss: He has not won a race since the April 2010 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland, but he has turned in some good efforts since then and has most recently been competing in allowance optional claiming company.
Garden Dancer: Won a claiming race on the final day of July, but hasn't raced since September. But considering he has made fifteen starts this year, it's not surprising that he is being given a break. I expect him to be back next year as a ten-year-old.
Interpatation: Like Cost of Freedom, he appears to be nearing the end of his career as well. Winless since taking the 2009 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. I), he has been available for claiming in his last seven starts, and has not cracked the exacta in any of them. But at least he is still sound and still keeps on trying!
Quick Enough: Won his last race, a $20,000 claiming event, by a length in sharp fashion. Seven years of age, he was actually second to eventual Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Amazombie in the Tizway Stakes earlier this year, so I think he still has the talent to be a force in lower-level sprint stakes events.
Silver Timber: Following three disappointing losses in stakes races, he has turned to allowance optional claiming races with some success, most recently finishing a strong third while racing for a $50,000 tag. He actually breezed a half-mile in :48.29 at Palm Meadows Training Center just this morning.
Brass Hat, Fabulous Strike, and Rahy's Attorney have all been retired, the latter after suffering a fairly minor leg injury while running second in the grade I Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap.
-Keelerman
One of the reasons I am posting this is because of some fabulous news from Gulfstream Park. Presious Passion, one of our oldest veterans of the turf at age eight, and certainly one of my favorites, is expected to breeze this week in preperation for a possible return to the races. A three-time grade I winner, he turned in one of the most remarkable performances I have ever seen when finishing second to Conduit in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I). Although he has not raced since January and will turn nine next year, Presious Passion is gearing up for another season and, hopefully, he will still have some of that old spark left that has carried him through so many races over so many years.
Here's an article about his return from DRF.com:
http://www.drf.com/news/gulfstream-presious-passion-back-track
In addition, let me quickly update the status of all our Veterans of the Turf members:
Awesome Gem: Ran second to Game On Dude in the Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita before a hind end problem ended his season. He is expected to return as a nine-year-old sometime next year.
California Flag: Got back on track with a victory in the Morvich Stakes (gr. III) before running twelfth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II), a race that he won in 2009. He has breezed three times since then and will probably return sometime during the Santa Anita meet.
Chamberlain Bridge: Finished eighth while attempting to defend his title in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II), then ran a deceptively good fourth in an allowance optional claiming race. It appears as though he may be rounding back into form.
Cost of Freedom: Unfortunately, he appears to be approaching the end of his long, successful career, and his last three starts have come for a claiming price. Sadder yet, he has not won a race all year. But he still tries hard every time and will hopefully end his career on a high note.
Dubious Miss: He has not won a race since the April 2010 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland, but he has turned in some good efforts since then and has most recently been competing in allowance optional claiming company.
Garden Dancer: Won a claiming race on the final day of July, but hasn't raced since September. But considering he has made fifteen starts this year, it's not surprising that he is being given a break. I expect him to be back next year as a ten-year-old.
Interpatation: Like Cost of Freedom, he appears to be nearing the end of his career as well. Winless since taking the 2009 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. I), he has been available for claiming in his last seven starts, and has not cracked the exacta in any of them. But at least he is still sound and still keeps on trying!
Quick Enough: Won his last race, a $20,000 claiming event, by a length in sharp fashion. Seven years of age, he was actually second to eventual Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Amazombie in the Tizway Stakes earlier this year, so I think he still has the talent to be a force in lower-level sprint stakes events.
Silver Timber: Following three disappointing losses in stakes races, he has turned to allowance optional claiming races with some success, most recently finishing a strong third while racing for a $50,000 tag. He actually breezed a half-mile in :48.29 at Palm Meadows Training Center just this morning.
Brass Hat, Fabulous Strike, and Rahy's Attorney have all been retired, the latter after suffering a fairly minor leg injury while running second in the grade I Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap.
-Keelerman
Friday, May 6, 2011
A Magnificent Two Days of Racing!
A magnificent two days of racing are scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. The two big races that everyone will be paying attention to are, obviously, the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, but several of our veteran geldings are scheduled to race over the next two days as well. They are:
Cost of Freedom – The eight-year-old gelding will be making his first start since finishing third in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes in Saturday’s Cool Frenchy Stakes at Hollywood Park. He is the 4-5 morning line favorite in a field of six. Up against him will be 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Dancing in Silks and 2009 Malibu Stakes winner M One Rifle. You can watch the race at www.calracing.com!
Garden Dancer – Even at nine years of age, Garden Dancer is still capable of winning claiming races at Beulah Park. On Saturday, he will compete in a $2,500 starter allowance race at Beulah. He, along with his stable mate, The Right Face, are the coupled morning line favorites at 5-2. Made the Steal, a winner of three of his six starts this year, could prove to be Garden Dancer’s stiffest competition.
Chamberlain Bridge – Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II) at Churchill Downs last year, Chamberlain Bridge returns to the site of that victory in Saturday’s Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (gr. III). He is in pretty good form this year, having won the Rail Splitter Stakes at Sam Houston in February and finishing fourth in the Shakertown (gr. III) at Keeneland despite racing on the lead – something this deep closer doesn’t usually attempt. Bridgetown, winner of the Turf Dash Stakes and a stakes-caliber allowance race so far this year, will be tough to beat – but Chamberlain Bridge should be up to the challenge.
Awesome Gem – He may be old, but Awesome Gem just keeps on running. Winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and third in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), the eight-year-old gelding is entered in the Alysheba Stakes this afternoon at Churchill Downs. His performances this year have been less than stellar, but don’t count him out. After running third in his 2011 debut – an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields – and sixth in the Charles Town Classic (gr. III), he could be sharp enough to hit the board this afternoon. Go Awesome Gem!
And finally, Rapid Redux is entered to race in a starter allowance race at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort. The even-money favorite on the morning line, he is riding a ten-race winning streak and fully intends to extend that streak to eleven later tonight. Seven other horses are lined up to face him, but I believe that Rapid Redux will win the one-mile event with ease.
Enjoy the races everyone!
-Keelerman
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Results are in!
The results of the voting on our first Veterans of the Season awards are in! I'm sure you are all anxiously awaiting the results (unless you read the comments on my previous post -- then you know who the winners are!) so let's get right to them!
Drumroll please. . .
VETERAN OF THE SEASON
1st - RAHY'S ATTORNEY (2 votes)
2nd - Chamberlain Bridge (1 vote)
The King of Woodbine has been around for what seems like forever. Rahy's Attorney, a seven-year-old bay gelding by Crown Attorney, made his debut at the Canadian track in November 2006. He broke his maiden there in early 2007. He won the Woodbine Mile (gr. I) in 2008. Twenty-eight of his thirty-seven races have come at Woodbine, including his first seventeen.
Rahy's Attorney has always been a miler -- that is, until this year. Just when it appeared as though the old guy might be losing a step or two, he suddenly turned in to a turf marathoner. On February 19th, in the grade II Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II), he finished a very strong second to grade I winner Prince Will I Am. He then turned the tables in the grade III Pan American Stakes at a mile and a half, courageously holding off Musketier and Prince Will I Am to win the race by three-quarters of a length while stopping the clock in 2:25.85.
It appears as though Rahy's Attorney has more stamina than anyone thought. Perhaps he isn't quite as quick as he used to be; no longer able to succeed in top class races at a mile. But it's beginning to look like he may be a better marathoner than he ever was as a miler.
These two performances earned him the honors as Veteran of the Season, an award which he fully deserves. Congratulations to Rahy's Attorney, winner of the inaugural Veteran of the Season award!
You can relive his Pan American Stakes victory by watching the replay at Bloodhorse.com. Here's the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
Champion Sprinter
1st - CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (2 votes)
2nd - Garden Dancer (1 vote)
Congratulations to CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE, a seven-year-old gelding whose thrilling victory in the Rail Splitter Stakes in February earned him the Champion Sprinter award over the remarkable Garden Dancer.
Here's a link to the replay of the Rail Splitter Stakes:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/HOU/2011/2/12/9/rail-splitter-s
Champion Miler
1st - Dubious Miss (3 votes, unanimous choice)
Dubious Miss easily took home honors as Champion Miler, receiving all three votes to win the award unanimously. Although he has yet to win a race this year, his strong second to Gran Estreno in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. III) was enough to secure him the award.
Here's the replay of the Colonel Bradley:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/FG/2011/1/22/9/colonel-e-r-bradley-h-gr-3
Champion Marathoner
1st - Rahy's Attorney (3 votes, unanimous choice)
The Veteran of the Season award was not the only honor bestowed upon Rahy's Attorney by the Veterans of the Season voters. He was also elected Champion Marathoner over Dubious Miss, Interpatation, and Presious Passion in a unanimous vote.
Most Courageous Performance
1st - Cost of Freedom (1 vote)
1st - Rahy's Attorney (1 vote)
1st - Chamberlain Bridge (1 vote)
The Most Courageous Performance catagory yielded a three-way tie between Cost of Freedom, Rahy's Attorney, and Chamberlain Bridge -- all of whom received one vote.
Cost of Freedom was nominated for his game third, beaten a head, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes -- in which he ran the opening half mile in :42 3/5 and still held on well to the finish. Rahy's Attorney earned his vote by merit of his courageous victory over Musketier and Prince Will I Am in the Pan American, while Chamberlain Bridge's Rail Splitter victory impressed another voter. Therefore, they all receive the award.
Relive Cost of Freedom's performance in the Sunshine Millions by watching the replay. Here's the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
In conclusion, congratulations to Rahy's Attorney, Chamberlain Bridge, Cost of Freedom, and Dubious Miss! Hopefully, they will successfully defend their titles in July when we vote on the Veterans of the Season awards once again!
-Keelerman
Drumroll please. . .
VETERAN OF THE SEASON
1st - RAHY'S ATTORNEY (2 votes)
2nd - Chamberlain Bridge (1 vote)
The King of Woodbine has been around for what seems like forever. Rahy's Attorney, a seven-year-old bay gelding by Crown Attorney, made his debut at the Canadian track in November 2006. He broke his maiden there in early 2007. He won the Woodbine Mile (gr. I) in 2008. Twenty-eight of his thirty-seven races have come at Woodbine, including his first seventeen.
Rahy's Attorney has always been a miler -- that is, until this year. Just when it appeared as though the old guy might be losing a step or two, he suddenly turned in to a turf marathoner. On February 19th, in the grade II Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II), he finished a very strong second to grade I winner Prince Will I Am. He then turned the tables in the grade III Pan American Stakes at a mile and a half, courageously holding off Musketier and Prince Will I Am to win the race by three-quarters of a length while stopping the clock in 2:25.85.
It appears as though Rahy's Attorney has more stamina than anyone thought. Perhaps he isn't quite as quick as he used to be; no longer able to succeed in top class races at a mile. But it's beginning to look like he may be a better marathoner than he ever was as a miler.
These two performances earned him the honors as Veteran of the Season, an award which he fully deserves. Congratulations to Rahy's Attorney, winner of the inaugural Veteran of the Season award!
You can relive his Pan American Stakes victory by watching the replay at Bloodhorse.com. Here's the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
Champion Sprinter
1st - CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (2 votes)
2nd - Garden Dancer (1 vote)
Congratulations to CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE, a seven-year-old gelding whose thrilling victory in the Rail Splitter Stakes in February earned him the Champion Sprinter award over the remarkable Garden Dancer.
Here's a link to the replay of the Rail Splitter Stakes:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/HOU/2011/2/12/9/rail-splitter-s
Champion Miler
1st - Dubious Miss (3 votes, unanimous choice)
Dubious Miss easily took home honors as Champion Miler, receiving all three votes to win the award unanimously. Although he has yet to win a race this year, his strong second to Gran Estreno in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. III) was enough to secure him the award.
Here's the replay of the Colonel Bradley:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/FG/2011/1/22/9/colonel-e-r-bradley-h-gr-3
Champion Marathoner
1st - Rahy's Attorney (3 votes, unanimous choice)
The Veteran of the Season award was not the only honor bestowed upon Rahy's Attorney by the Veterans of the Season voters. He was also elected Champion Marathoner over Dubious Miss, Interpatation, and Presious Passion in a unanimous vote.
Most Courageous Performance
1st - Cost of Freedom (1 vote)
1st - Rahy's Attorney (1 vote)
1st - Chamberlain Bridge (1 vote)
The Most Courageous Performance catagory yielded a three-way tie between Cost of Freedom, Rahy's Attorney, and Chamberlain Bridge -- all of whom received one vote.
Cost of Freedom was nominated for his game third, beaten a head, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes -- in which he ran the opening half mile in :42 3/5 and still held on well to the finish. Rahy's Attorney earned his vote by merit of his courageous victory over Musketier and Prince Will I Am in the Pan American, while Chamberlain Bridge's Rail Splitter victory impressed another voter. Therefore, they all receive the award.
Relive Cost of Freedom's performance in the Sunshine Millions by watching the replay. Here's the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
In conclusion, congratulations to Rahy's Attorney, Chamberlain Bridge, Cost of Freedom, and Dubious Miss! Hopefully, they will successfully defend their titles in July when we vote on the Veterans of the Season awards once again!
-Keelerman
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Veterans of the Season Awards; Part I
If you will recall, in my very first post on this blog I stated that every three months we would hold an official vote to determine the winners of the "Veterans of the Season" awards. For those of you who do not remember the details, please refer to the bottom section of my original post. Here is the link:
http://veteransoftheturf.blogspot.com/p/veteran-geldings-fan-club.html
A few notes on the categories -- the sprinters' divisions include any races at seven furlongs or less, the miler division any race at 7.5 - 8.5 furlongs, and the marathoner divisions any race nine furlongs or longer.
To be eligible for an award, the gelding in question must be a member of our Veterans of the Turf Club and have raced between January 1st, 2011 and March 31st, 2011.
Now, due to the fact that the number of members in our VOTTC is still rather small, and that they haven't competed too many times this year, we will be combining some of the categories together for our inaugural awards.
So the list of awards which we shall vote on are thus:
Champion Sprinter
Champion Miler
Champion Marathoner
Veteran of the Season
Most Courageous Performance
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for -- the voting procedure. The eligible geldings in each category are:
Champion Sprinter
Champion Miler
Champion Marathoner
(Note that the number of starts, wins, earnings, etc. reflect only their performances during the months on January through March. Also note that the other two categories -- "Veteran of the Season" and "Most Courageous Performance" -- are open to any member of our Veterans of the Turf club.)
Here's a quick rundown of what they've accomplished this year:
SPRINTERS
Chamberlain Bridge - won the Rail Splitter Stakes at Sam Houston with a quick late run.
Cost of Freedom - Finished third, beaten a head, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes after setting an unbelievably fast pace.
Garden Dancer - Won two $2,500 claiming races at Beulah Park, along with a second and two off-the-board finishes.
Quick Enough - Won the Spectacular Star Handicap, finished second in the Daytona Stakes, sixth in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, and eighth in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-II).
Silver Timber - Finished a close fourth in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
MILERS
Dubious Miss - Finished second in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. III) and fifth in an allowance optional claiming race.
Furthest Land - Won an allowance optional claiming race and was third in another allowance race.
MARATHONERS
Dubious Miss - Finished third, beaten a head, in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. III).
Interpatation - Finished second in an allowance optional claiming race and off-the-board in two similar events and the grade II San Luis Obispo Stakes (gr. II).
Presious Passion - Finished fifth in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes.
Rahy's Attorney - Won the Pan American Stakes (gr. III) and finished second in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II).
Who you vote for depends on what you value most. Do you prefer to vote for horses that have won races, or horses that performed admirable in stakes races? That is what will make these awards so interesting.
So without further ado, here are my votes for each category:
Champion Sprinter - Garden Dancer
Champion Miler - Dubious Miss
Champion Marathoner - Rahy's Attorney
Veteran of the Season - Rahy's Attorney
Most Courageous Performance - Cost of Freedom
I feel that Garden Dancer's two victories and a second, even though they were in cheap claiming races, top the performances of Cost of Freedom and Chamberlain Bridge, my other two selections.
On the other hand, I feel that Dubious Miss' second in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap was more impressive than Furthest Land's two allowance races, and shall therefore vote for him.
In the Marathoner category, Rahy's Attorney was the obvious selection, as not only was he the only eligible gelding to have won a race, it was a grade III stakes and he was also second in a grade II. These two strong performances also earned him my vote as the Veteran of the Season.
Finally, Most Courageous Performance goes to Cost of Freedom, who ran an unbelievable race in the Sunshine Millions Sprint to finish third, beaten a head. I mean, he ran a :42.72 half-mile! And he tried so hard to hang on in the stretch, leading with just a few yards left to run before missing in a three-way photo finish. He earned the award, in my opinion.
But your votes are just as important as my votes. To cast your selections, please leave a comment stating your picks below. The polls close at 12:00 AM EST on April 23rd. I shall announce the results on the 24th.
-Keelerman
http://veteransoftheturf.blogspot.com/p/veteran-geldings-fan-club.html
A few notes on the categories -- the sprinters' divisions include any races at seven furlongs or less, the miler division any race at 7.5 - 8.5 furlongs, and the marathoner divisions any race nine furlongs or longer.
To be eligible for an award, the gelding in question must be a member of our Veterans of the Turf Club and have raced between January 1st, 2011 and March 31st, 2011.
Now, due to the fact that the number of members in our VOTTC is still rather small, and that they haven't competed too many times this year, we will be combining some of the categories together for our inaugural awards.
So the list of awards which we shall vote on are thus:
Champion Sprinter
Champion Miler
Champion Marathoner
Veteran of the Season
Most Courageous Performance
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for -- the voting procedure. The eligible geldings in each category are:
Champion Sprinter
| Horse | Starts | First | Second | Third | Earnings |
| Chamberlain Bridge | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | $45,000 |
| Cost of Freedom | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | $22,000 |
| Garden Dancer | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | $5,110 |
| Quick Enough | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | $82,000 |
| Silver Timber | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $3,750 |
Champion Miler
| Horse | Starts | First | Second | Third | Earnings |
| Dubious Miss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | $33,910 |
| Furthest Land | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | $53,840 |
Champion Marathoner
| Horse | Starts | First | Second | Third | Earnings |
| Dubious Miss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | $33,910 |
| Interpatation | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | $15,860 |
| Presious Passion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $12,000 |
| Rahy's Attorney | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | $120,000 |
(Note that the number of starts, wins, earnings, etc. reflect only their performances during the months on January through March. Also note that the other two categories -- "Veteran of the Season" and "Most Courageous Performance" -- are open to any member of our Veterans of the Turf club.)
Here's a quick rundown of what they've accomplished this year:
SPRINTERS
Chamberlain Bridge - won the Rail Splitter Stakes at Sam Houston with a quick late run.
Cost of Freedom - Finished third, beaten a head, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes after setting an unbelievably fast pace.
Garden Dancer - Won two $2,500 claiming races at Beulah Park, along with a second and two off-the-board finishes.
Quick Enough - Won the Spectacular Star Handicap, finished second in the Daytona Stakes, sixth in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, and eighth in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-II).
Silver Timber - Finished a close fourth in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
MILERS
Dubious Miss - Finished second in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. III) and fifth in an allowance optional claiming race.
Furthest Land - Won an allowance optional claiming race and was third in another allowance race.
MARATHONERS
Dubious Miss - Finished third, beaten a head, in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. III).
Interpatation - Finished second in an allowance optional claiming race and off-the-board in two similar events and the grade II San Luis Obispo Stakes (gr. II).
Presious Passion - Finished fifth in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes.
Rahy's Attorney - Won the Pan American Stakes (gr. III) and finished second in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II).
Who you vote for depends on what you value most. Do you prefer to vote for horses that have won races, or horses that performed admirable in stakes races? That is what will make these awards so interesting.
So without further ado, here are my votes for each category:
Champion Sprinter - Garden Dancer
Champion Miler - Dubious Miss
Champion Marathoner - Rahy's Attorney
Veteran of the Season - Rahy's Attorney
Most Courageous Performance - Cost of Freedom
I feel that Garden Dancer's two victories and a second, even though they were in cheap claiming races, top the performances of Cost of Freedom and Chamberlain Bridge, my other two selections.
On the other hand, I feel that Dubious Miss' second in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap was more impressive than Furthest Land's two allowance races, and shall therefore vote for him.
In the Marathoner category, Rahy's Attorney was the obvious selection, as not only was he the only eligible gelding to have won a race, it was a grade III stakes and he was also second in a grade II. These two strong performances also earned him my vote as the Veteran of the Season.
Finally, Most Courageous Performance goes to Cost of Freedom, who ran an unbelievable race in the Sunshine Millions Sprint to finish third, beaten a head. I mean, he ran a :42.72 half-mile! And he tried so hard to hang on in the stretch, leading with just a few yards left to run before missing in a three-way photo finish. He earned the award, in my opinion.
But your votes are just as important as my votes. To cast your selections, please leave a comment stating your picks below. The polls close at 12:00 AM EST on April 23rd. I shall announce the results on the 24th.
-Keelerman
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Of Dubai, Results, New Members, an Entry, and Workouts
There’s a great deal to write about this weekend! The results of three races including the Al Quoz Sprint, the inauguration of three new members, an entry, and some very notable workouts!
Results in Dubai
The Al Quoz Sprint race had special meaning to the followers of this blog. Three American-based geldings who qualify for our Veterans of the Turf Club were in the race, and as you’ll recall, the horse that performed best would become a member of the VOTTC. The three horses were Quick Enough, Stradivinsky, and Mr. Gruff. Unfortunately, none of them performed very well, with Stradivinsky and Mr. Gruff coming home next-to-last and last. However, seven-year-old Quick Enough ran respectably to finish eighth, and shall therefore become the newest addition to our club!
Here is his career record to date:
You can watch a replay of the Al Quoz Sprint at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62123/j-j-the-jet-plane-flies-to-victory-in-al-quoz
New Members
Quick Enough isn’t the only horse that we are adding to our club. I have also decided to add Rahy’s Attorney and Chamberlain Bridge. Rahy’s Attorney, a seven-year-old bay gelding won the 2008 Woodbine Mile (gr. I) over the fabulous mare Ventura. Last time out, he pulled off a mild upset in the Pan American Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park over Musketier, Prince Will I Am, and Eldaafer. He definitely deserves to be a member of the VOTTC, and I am glad to welcome him into the club!
Here is his career record to date:
You can watch his Pan American victory at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
Chamberlain Bridge, also seven-years-old, was going to be one of the inaugural members of the VOTTC. However, I forgot to include him . . . oops!
But it’s better late than never, so I shall now add him to our members list. As I’m sure many of you know, he is a magnificent turf sprinter. Last year, he won several stakes races, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II). This year, he won the Rail Splitter Stakes in mid-February and should make his next start within a month or so.
Here is his career record to date:
Here’s a link to the replay of his Breeders’ Cup victory:
http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=2010&divisionname=turfsprint
An Entry
Awesome Gem, winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), makes his 2011 debut on April 2nd at Golden Gate Fields! In a one-mile turf allowance race, the eighth on the card, he has drawn gate six and will be ridden by top Northern California rider Russell Baze.
Here are the entries:
Awesome Gem is an eight-year-old gelding by Awesome Again out of Piano, by Pentelicus. He has not raced since finishing a distant seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.
Although his biggest success came at a mile and a quarter on a synthetic track, Awesome Gem has proven perfectly capable of competing in turf mile races. He ran second in the 2008 Wickerr Stakes, a one-mile turf event, and was also second in the 2009 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. I) at nine furlongs on turf.
His main competition will likely come from morning line favorite Meteore, who has proven to be a fine lower-level turf stakes competitor. Although he has not won since his victory in the 2009 La Jolla Handicap (gr. II), he’s been close on numerous occasions since then.
You can watch the race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Live Video”. You will have to sign up, but it doesn’t take long, and it’s worth it!
Good luck, Awesome Gem!
Notable Workouts
Cost of Freedom returned to the worktab for the first time since running third in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, working three furlongs in :35 1/5 at Hollywood Park on March 28th. He's obviously several weeks away from his next race, but it's nice to see him breezing again!
Silver Timber breezed a half-mile in :49.30 this morning at Palm Meadows Training Center. It was his fifth breeze since running a close fourth in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February. The Shakertown Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland on April 16th could potentially be his next start.
And finally, some results
The final section of this post regards Interpatation’s quest to win a $32,000-$28,000 claiming event yesterday at Santa Anita Park. He was 9.20-1 in a nine horse field going nine furlongs on turf. Unfortunately, he failed to win. His didn’t get the best of trips, being caught wide throughout, and tired in the stretch to finish sixth. On the other hand, he was only beaten 6 ¼ lengths and did close his final eighth in less than twelve seconds, even though he was losing ground at the finish. He was not claimed, and earned $400 for his efforts. I remain confident that the will find the winner’s circle again someday!
You can watch the replay of his race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Race Replays”. As with the live racing, you will have to sign up.
Another veteran gelding that race recently was Garden Dancer. Unfortunately, with all of the exciting races ib Dubai going on, I forgot to mention that he was running on March 28th. The race was the seventh at Beulah Park, a 5-1/2 furlong $2,500 claiming event. Although he finished fourth, he actually ran fairly well. Close to the pace in the early going, he ran evenly throughout to be beaten only four lengths.
Now go enjoy a fabulous weekend of racing, everyone!
-Keelerman
Results in Dubai
The Al Quoz Sprint race had special meaning to the followers of this blog. Three American-based geldings who qualify for our Veterans of the Turf Club were in the race, and as you’ll recall, the horse that performed best would become a member of the VOTTC. The three horses were Quick Enough, Stradivinsky, and Mr. Gruff. Unfortunately, none of them performed very well, with Stradivinsky and Mr. Gruff coming home next-to-last and last. However, seven-year-old Quick Enough ran respectably to finish eighth, and shall therefore become the newest addition to our club!
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings |
| 20 | 8 | 5 | 3 | $375,360 |
You can watch a replay of the Al Quoz Sprint at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62123/j-j-the-jet-plane-flies-to-victory-in-al-quoz
New Members
Quick Enough isn’t the only horse that we are adding to our club. I have also decided to add Rahy’s Attorney and Chamberlain Bridge. Rahy’s Attorney, a seven-year-old bay gelding won the 2008 Woodbine Mile (gr. I) over the fabulous mare Ventura. Last time out, he pulled off a mild upset in the Pan American Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park over Musketier, Prince Will I Am, and Eldaafer. He definitely deserves to be a member of the VOTTC, and I am glad to welcome him into the club!
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings |
| 37 | 13 | 9 | 4 | $2,059,992 |
You can watch his Pan American victory at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
Chamberlain Bridge, also seven-years-old, was going to be one of the inaugural members of the VOTTC. However, I forgot to include him . . . oops!
But it’s better late than never, so I shall now add him to our members list. As I’m sure many of you know, he is a magnificent turf sprinter. Last year, he won several stakes races, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II). This year, he won the Rail Splitter Stakes in mid-February and should make his next start within a month or so.
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings | |
| 32 | 17 | 4 | 6 | $1,630,459 |
Here’s a link to the replay of his Breeders’ Cup victory:
http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=2010&divisionname=turfsprint
An Entry
Awesome Gem, winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), makes his 2011 debut on April 2nd at Golden Gate Fields! In a one-mile turf allowance race, the eighth on the card, he has drawn gate six and will be ridden by top Northern California rider Russell Baze.
Here are the entries:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Sir Al | 12-1 |
| 2 | Hudson Landing | 3-1 |
| 3 | Meteore | 9-5 |
| 4 | Rendezvous | 6-1 |
| 5 | Cayembe | 8-1 |
| 6 | Awesome Gem | 7-2 |
| 7 | Posse Power | 20-1 |
| 8 | Dream Nettie | 15-1 |
Awesome Gem is an eight-year-old gelding by Awesome Again out of Piano, by Pentelicus. He has not raced since finishing a distant seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.
Although his biggest success came at a mile and a quarter on a synthetic track, Awesome Gem has proven perfectly capable of competing in turf mile races. He ran second in the 2008 Wickerr Stakes, a one-mile turf event, and was also second in the 2009 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. I) at nine furlongs on turf.
His main competition will likely come from morning line favorite Meteore, who has proven to be a fine lower-level turf stakes competitor. Although he has not won since his victory in the 2009 La Jolla Handicap (gr. II), he’s been close on numerous occasions since then.
You can watch the race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Live Video”. You will have to sign up, but it doesn’t take long, and it’s worth it!
Good luck, Awesome Gem!
Notable Workouts
Cost of Freedom returned to the worktab for the first time since running third in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, working three furlongs in :35 1/5 at Hollywood Park on March 28th. He's obviously several weeks away from his next race, but it's nice to see him breezing again!
Silver Timber breezed a half-mile in :49.30 this morning at Palm Meadows Training Center. It was his fifth breeze since running a close fourth in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February. The Shakertown Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland on April 16th could potentially be his next start.
And finally, some results
The final section of this post regards Interpatation’s quest to win a $32,000-$28,000 claiming event yesterday at Santa Anita Park. He was 9.20-1 in a nine horse field going nine furlongs on turf. Unfortunately, he failed to win. His didn’t get the best of trips, being caught wide throughout, and tired in the stretch to finish sixth. On the other hand, he was only beaten 6 ¼ lengths and did close his final eighth in less than twelve seconds, even though he was losing ground at the finish. He was not claimed, and earned $400 for his efforts. I remain confident that the will find the winner’s circle again someday!
You can watch the replay of his race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Race Replays”. As with the live racing, you will have to sign up.
Another veteran gelding that race recently was Garden Dancer. Unfortunately, with all of the exciting races ib Dubai going on, I forgot to mention that he was running on March 28th. The race was the seventh at Beulah Park, a 5-1/2 furlong $2,500 claiming event. Although he finished fourth, he actually ran fairly well. Close to the pace in the early going, he ran evenly throughout to be beaten only four lengths.
Now go enjoy a fabulous weekend of racing, everyone!
-Keelerman
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Happy Birthday Cost of Freedom!
Happy belated birthday to Cost of Freedom! The son of Cee’s Tizzy out of Freedom Dance turned eight years olds on February 24th.
Cost of Freedom has got to be one of the most magnificent veteran geldings in training. He didn’t debut until August of his three-year-old season, when he finished ninth in a seven furlong maiden claiming race at Del Mar. He broke his maiden in a similar event nineteen days later, but then a setback occurred and he was forced to miss the remainder of 2006, all of 2007, and the first two months of 2008. But perhaps the time off did him good, for he then turned into one of the best sprinters in the country. The gelding’s biggest victory came in September 2008, when he rallied from just off the pace to score a half-length victory in the grade I Ancient Title Stakes. But then more trouble occurred, and the unlucky gelding missed another year.
In 2009, he made three starts. He won none. First, he ran fourth in the Pirate’s Bounty Stakes. Then he ran fourth in the Ancient Title Stakes. It looked as though the gelding had passed his peak age – until he ran third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, beaten just a nose and a head.
The gelding finally got through an entire year in 2010. He made eight starts, and won five of them. Two of his losses could be explained by circumstances – one was a turf race and he broke poorly in the other. He won a pair of grade III stakes races and finished a close fourth in the Ancient Title Stakes. In his final start of 2010, he broke Hollywood Park’s five furlong track record in the Mike Tyson Stakes.
But perhaps his gamest performance came this year, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes. He was sent straight to the lead in the six furlong event, and set simply unimaginable fractions. He ran the opening quarter mile in :20 4/5. He ran a half-mile in :42 3/5. Despite this, he still managed to finish third. . . beaten just two heads.
So happy birthday to Cost of Freedom! May you celebrate many additional birthdays (and perhaps additional grade I stakes victories!) in the future!
-Keelerman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)