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 Quick Enough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quick Enough. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Presious Passion, Quick Enough Continue to Breeze
The remarkable old gelding Presious Passion, attempting a comeback at the age of nine, breezed for the third time since his return to training at Gulfstream Park yesterday afternoon. A three-time grade I winner and runner-up in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I), Presious Passion has become famous for his front-running style that has found him as many as 20 lengths in front of his rivals early on.
Breezing on the main dirt track, Presious Passion went five furlongs in 1:02.70, not a quick time, but he's never been one to breeze quickly. His previous two recent works were a half-mile in :51.90 on December 24th and five furlongs in 1:03.65 on December 18th.
Winless since taking the Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II) in February 2010, Presious Passion seems to have lost a step or two with age, but nevertheless retains a competitive spirit that is enabling him to try a comeback. His last start came in January 2011, when he finished fifth after setting the pace in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes at Santa Anita. It would be a truly amazing story if Presious Passion were to return and win one more time -- any race at all, a grade I stakes, an allowance event, it doesn't matter. It would be a fitting conclusion to a magnificent career if this gelding were able to go out with a victory.
Another Veteran Gelding busy on the worktab is Quick Enough, winner of the 2010 Morvich Handicap (gr. III). Now an eight-year-old, he has recently been competing well in claiming races and will probably be racing again soon. Earlier this morning at Golden Gate Fields, he breezed a half-mile in :50 4/5.
-Keelerman
Breezing on the main dirt track, Presious Passion went five furlongs in 1:02.70, not a quick time, but he's never been one to breeze quickly. His previous two recent works were a half-mile in :51.90 on December 24th and five furlongs in 1:03.65 on December 18th.
Winless since taking the Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II) in February 2010, Presious Passion seems to have lost a step or two with age, but nevertheless retains a competitive spirit that is enabling him to try a comeback. His last start came in January 2011, when he finished fifth after setting the pace in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes at Santa Anita. It would be a truly amazing story if Presious Passion were to return and win one more time -- any race at all, a grade I stakes, an allowance event, it doesn't matter. It would be a fitting conclusion to a magnificent career if this gelding were able to go out with a victory.
Another Veteran Gelding busy on the worktab is Quick Enough, winner of the 2010 Morvich Handicap (gr. III). Now an eight-year-old, he has recently been competing well in claiming races and will probably be racing again soon. Earlier this morning at Golden Gate Fields, he breezed a half-mile in :50 4/5.
-Keelerman
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
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, March 26, 2011
Of Geldings in Dubai
As just about every horse racing fan knows, today is the day of the Dubai World Cup. As I am typing this, it is currently twenty-one minutes to post time for the first of the World Cup races, the Al Quoz Sprint (Group II). I am quite impressed by the number of geldings that are entered in the seven races! Here is a list of all the geldings that are entered today, sorted by race. (American-based runners are in bold text)
AL QUOZ SPRINT (Group II)
Better Be The One
Prohibit
Monsieur Joe
Mar Adentro
War Artist
Quick Enough
J J The Jet Plane
Sole Power
Inxile
Stradivinsky
Mr Gruff
GODOLPHIN MILE (Group II)
Mufarrh
Premio Loco
Imbongi
Zafeen Speed
Rileyskeepingfaith
UAE DERBY (Group II)
No Geldings Entered
DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (Group I)
Dim Sum
Charlie’s Moment (Owned by Godolphin, but most of his races have come in the United States)
Force Freeze
Dynamic Holiday
Sunny King
Escape Route
Rocket Man
Green Birdie
DUBAI DUTY FREE (Group I)
Beauty Flash
River Jetez
Wigmore Hall
Presvis
Better Than Ever
Tazeez
DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (Group I)
Laaheb
Bourbon Bay
DUBAI WORLD CUP (Group I)
No Geldings Entered
I will be keeping track of the performances turned in by all of the American-based geldings. Of the five, three of them are eligible to become members of our Veterans of the Turf Club. They are Quick Enough, Stradivinsky, and Mr. Gruff.
Here’s what we’re going to do: Whichever of the three geldings perform the best in the race shall become a new member of the Veterans of the Turf Club. For example, if Quick Enough finishes fourth, Stradivinky seventh, and Mr. Gruff tenth, than Quick Enough would join member list.
However, in the event that two or more horses run well enough to finish in the top three, than they shall both become members of our club. So get ready to enjoy some great racing action from Dubai!
Here’s a link to where you can watch the races:
http://www.drf.com/news/dubai-world-cup-day-meydan
-Keelerman
AL QUOZ SPRINT (Group II)
Better Be The One
Prohibit
Monsieur Joe
Mar Adentro
War Artist
Quick Enough
J J The Jet Plane
Sole Power
Inxile
Stradivinsky
Mr Gruff
GODOLPHIN MILE (Group II)
Mufarrh
Premio Loco
Imbongi
Zafeen Speed
Rileyskeepingfaith
UAE DERBY (Group II)
No Geldings Entered
DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (Group I)
Dim Sum
Charlie’s Moment (Owned by Godolphin, but most of his races have come in the United States)
Force Freeze
Dynamic Holiday
Sunny King
Escape Route
Rocket Man
Green Birdie
DUBAI DUTY FREE (Group I)
Beauty Flash
River Jetez
Wigmore Hall
Presvis
Better Than Ever
Tazeez
DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (Group I)
Laaheb
Bourbon Bay
DUBAI WORLD CUP (Group I)
No Geldings Entered
I will be keeping track of the performances turned in by all of the American-based geldings. Of the five, three of them are eligible to become members of our Veterans of the Turf Club. They are Quick Enough, Stradivinsky, and Mr. Gruff.
Here’s what we’re going to do: Whichever of the three geldings perform the best in the race shall become a new member of the Veterans of the Turf Club. For example, if Quick Enough finishes fourth, Stradivinky seventh, and Mr. Gruff tenth, than Quick Enough would join member list.
However, in the event that two or more horses run well enough to finish in the top three, than they shall both become members of our club. So get ready to enjoy some great racing action from Dubai!
Here’s a link to where you can watch the races:
http://www.drf.com/news/dubai-world-cup-day-meydan
-Keelerman
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