Sea the Stars cements legacy; Summer Bird and the Iceman winneth

5 10 2009

“Can’t keep my eyes from the circling skies. Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I.”  – Pink Floyd “Learning to Fly”

 

For thoroughbred racing fans in the United States, you might be excused if you’ve been a bit late to catch onto the Irish-bred phenomenon that is Sea the Stars.  The sensational colt has taken the European racing world by storm in recent months by winning the Epsom Derby and the 2000 Guineas in dominating style.  It’s been hard to get good glimpses of him though, especially this past weekend when he added the world’s most prestigious turf race, the $5.8 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, to his resume in convincing style. 

Ridden by Mick Kinane, the son of Cape Cross began rather slowly, but wound up putting his talent on display and powering home to a two length victory over the 6-year-old Youmzain.  Cavalryman, who broke from the extreme outside finished 3rd, with 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Conduit in 4th.  Youmzain has now been defeated by Dylan Thomas, Zarkava, and Sea the Stars while running for 2nd in the last 3 runnings of the Arc.  According to trainer Mick Channon, Youmzain will “be here next year” if all goes as planned.

 

 

So why was this victory so important?  It seems as though apart from the diehard fans of the sport (and most of us reading this probably consider ourselves “diehards”), not many folks cared that much here in the U.S.  The race barely received any attention here.  Granted, the post time (10:15 ET) was a bit early for anyone in the U.S. living on the west coast.  Across the pond, however, folks are whispering not just that Sea the Stars is good, but that he might be that good.  You know what I’m talking here – the kind of good where you start to wonder where a horse ranks among the all-time greats?

Consider for a moment how unique that is.  English racing fans don’t seem the type to me that would jump up at the chance to call the next flavor of the month the “best ever” – so for them to even raise the question suggests that we’ve greatly under appreciated this colt’s qualities – at least in terms of how much we should’ve been screaming about him from the rooftops.  Here in the U.S. the yearly Kentucky Derby winner gets some foaming at the mouth followers convinced he’s the “best ever” – and we’re all forced to suffer through the nonsense the follows. 

In the U.K. though?  I’d almost expect some gentlemen named Sebastian in a top hat (and preferably with a monocle – either for functional purposes or purely for decoration) to slap me silly for daring to speak the words “best ever.”  There’s simply too much history to contend with.  Or so one might reasonably assume.

As amazing at it sounds, the British handicapping service Time Form even has odds laid out on where Sea the Stars will rank in terms of all-time greats. He’s currently listed at 10/1 to match the all-time best Time Form rating set by Sea-Bird II (145), while he’s 14/1 to break that mark. 

Before we go any further with this discussion, I have to state that personally I’m not one to put a whole lot of stock into “greatest ever” arguments. The entire nature of the discussion is inherently subjective.  In a perfect world I think it’s important that your past be storied and held to a standard perhaps even greater than it was in it’s immediacy, if only that we not cheapen our present.  To put that in plainer terms, unless we safeguard the history, legacy, and traditions of the sport by revering the past, then any moment – no matter how larger than life it may seem while it’s happening - will remain relevant for only a precious few seconds.

Is Sea the Stars really that good?  I can’t answer that question, but if our friends in Europe think it’s a question worth asking than I’d have to defer to them.  They probably wonder the same thing about our Rachel Alexandra infatuation.

If he is indeed that good – then what a shame we didn’t showcase this runner here in the States a bit more.  Who cares if he didn’t run here – I bet more Americans watched the Dubai World Cup than watched the Arc.  Think about that, and then realize we’re talking about a race where a potential legend makes history and a 2008 Breeders’ Cup champion finishes 4th as opposed to a race between Well Armed and Asiatic Boy? 

On a related note – as big a racing fan as I am, my experience on Saturday was illustrative of everything that is wrong with the sport at the moment.  The world’s richest turf race is on.  A race with potential Breeders’ Cup implications here in the U.S.  A race with as highly heralded a favorite as I can remember in recent memory – and yet I couldn’t find a live broadcast anywhere.  How sad that is. 

Something tells me that racing fans in Europe and Japan don’t have that same problem if, by chance,  they wanted to watch our Kentucky Derby.  I don’t have the answers to this problem, but as a fan it’s destructively frustrating and simply HAS to change.  If you did get the race live – good for you.  Consider yourself lucky and pray that you don’t have to live in the blindness  and informational vacuum that no live coverage creates.

When you wind up driving someone like me – a person who lives and breathes horse racing and wants only to be able to watch and wager on exciting, top quality racing action – and force me to change the channel to watch ESPN College GameDay (my alternative was the Hawthorne replay show??? Seriously????) – guess what – you aren’t getting me back.  Like most men, I have the attention span of fruit fly.

Well, okay, that’s not entirely true as I did come back to watch Super Saturday at Belmont, but I kept the football coverage on “previous channel” memory on my remote so that I could switch back defiantly during each commercial break!  Each such occasion being accompanied by a blood curling, defiant, full throated rebel yell.

In other racing news over the weekend, Careless Jewel and Music note each cemented their paths to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.  If, by some chance, Zenyatta decides to run in the open Classic on Saturday, than one of these runners would likely be your morning line favorite for the Ladies’ Classic.  Up next we’ll get to see Icon Project in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland, and Zenyatta will take on the California girls (Life is Sweet, Anaaba’s Creation) in the Grade 1 Lady’s Secret.

In a bit of a stunning upset, Goldikova was actually defeated at Longchamp on Saturday when longshot Veranar pulled the upset in the Prix de la Foret (Group 1).  The defending Breeders’ Cup Mile runner was cutting back to 7 furlongs on Saturday, and may have been burned up a bit by a swift early pace that she got too close to.  Trainer Freddy Head indicated after the race that the Breeders’ Cup was still likely, but that “nothing is written in stone.” 

Elsewhere on “Super Saturday”, I’ve got to give a big shout out to my main man Tim Ice and his fantastic 3-year-old colt Summer Bird who throttled the field of the  Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.  Tim told me during the Haskell that the plan was to send Summer Bird to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, so we’ll have to see if that is still the case.  The chestnut son of Birdstone has turned in a remarkable, and likely 3-year-old champion Eclipse Award winning summer campaign that included victories in the Belmont, Travers, and now the Jockey Club Gold Cup to go along with a game 2nd to Rachel Alexandra (likely Horse of the Year winner) in the Haskell.

 

 

Summer Bird will always be a favorite of ours since we got to hang out with his connections on Haskell morning.  He was also my wife’s pick for the Belmont, so he’s earned some major brownie points there.  Well done, Tim!  And way to go, Summer Bird!  The Iceman winneth!

We’ll be back before the weekend with a look at the upcoming Spinster, Lady’s Secret, and of course the Goodwood.


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Categories : Belmont Park, Breeders' Cup Coverage, Goldikova, horse racing, Horse Racing News, Music Note, sea the stars, Summer Bird

The Stars Attempt to Shine

2 10 2009

This weekend kicks off an action packed, star studded 48 hours of thoroughbred racing action, capped off by the running of the world’s premier turf race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.  If the weather holds up well enough, European phenom SEA THE STARS is set to go to post as the heavy Arc favorite.  Not to be entirely outdone, the U.S. has it’s own prestigious races to offer to the gods of weekend racing as the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup highlights a remarkable Saturday card at Belmont Park.

(NOTE: If interested, you can read my latest thoughts on the weekend races with Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic implications – namely the Beldame, the Fitz Dixon Cotillion, and the Cal Cup Classic in my most recent offering on the NTRA website.)

 

  

10/4 – Longchamp (France) – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

We’ll do things backwards here from a chronological perspective as obviously the Arc is the big story this weekend and rightfully deserves the most attention.  Roughly $5.84 million in purse money is on the line when the horses go to post this Sunday.  Epsom Derby winner SEA THE STARS has drawn comparisons to some of the all time greats while running up an impressive list of 5 consecutive Group One victories.  Trainer John Oxx has referred to him lovingly as “the horse of a lifetime.” 

The Irish colt’s dam, Urban Sea, was crowned Arc champion in 1993, meaning he’s got it in his genes beyond the obvious visual talent we’ve seen on display thus far.  The only concern might be mother nature, as he may be a bit vulnerable if rain enters the forecast.  For the moment at least, that does not appear to be the case. 

Lining up against SEA THE STARS is a salty group of accomplished runners, including CONDUIT, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf champion.  YOUMZAIN will also be looking to make some noise and has shown an ability to hit the board in the Arc before.  Two ladies that I’ll be paying extra attention to are STACELITA and DAR RE MI, as at the moment there is still hope for enticing either of them to ship west for the Breeders’ Cup on November 6 & 7. 

I think this one goes to the favorite, as I can’t see SEA THE STARS being denied in the stretch.  He’s had a hard campaign, but if he’s half the horse that our friends from across the pond say he is (and they tend to know a thing or two about horses and their capabilities), than he should deliver the goods on Sunday.  I’ll probably play CONDUIT and YOUMZAIN underneath along with the two fillies (STACELITA and DAR RE MI).  FAME AND GLORY and CAVALRYMAN are two other horses I’d consider working into my plays, although I’m not fond of the latter’s post position draw (19).

 

10/3 – Belmont Park – Race 7 – The Grade 1 Vosburgh (6 Furlongs)

Moving both backwards in time and to the more familiar surroundings of Belmont Park, we’re confronted with the  70th running of the Vosburgh.  Only 5 horses are entered for this race, but it still has a bit of intrigue based on the horses that will (should) compete. 

MUNNINGS enters as the 3-year-old taking on older males for the first time, and you might think he’d have things easy here against a small field.  Not so fast, my friends.  While the son of champion sprinter Speightstown has chased admirably behind the phenom that is Rachel Alexandra, he’s managed to draw quite a dynamic duo with both KODIAK KOWBOY and FABULOUS STRIKE in his first race against older runners.  

I could see FABULOUS STRIKE getting a perfect trip here and making it look academic in the stretch.  KODIAK KOWBOY and MUNNINGS are talented enough to make it competitive, but would be a bit of a surprise if they managed to stage the upset.  GO GO SHOOT should be pace factor and thus has a shot of hanging on in the exacta. 

Selections: 5/ 1, 4/ 1, 3, 4

 

10/3 – Belmont Park – Race 8 – The Grade 1 Flower Bell (1 1/4 Miles – Turf)

We head to the turf for the 32nd running of the Flower Bell.  Seven horses will compete here in what is a deceptively competitive race.  First, there’s DYNAFORCE.  I don’t know what it is about this girl, but whenever I’ve played her in the past she’s burned me.  Last time out in the Beverly D, I jumped ship and went with PURE CLAN.  You don’t even have to look at the past performances to guess what happened. 

DYNAFORCE and PURE CLAN will get another crack at one another on Saturday, and will also run into a pair of runners for trainer Christophe Clement that includes Carribean Sunset.  The daughter of Danheill Dancer could be rounding into form at the right time, but must also answer questions about whether she wants go 10 furlongs. 

A horse that might be overlooked at the windows is MONEYCANTBUYMELOVE.  Leave alone for a second the awesomeness of a horse with a Beatles themed name (especially with the release of The Beatles: Rock Band last month) and instead focus on her running lines.  This seems to be a runner who gives a solid effort each time out, and note that she chased Rainbow View gamely.   We know she likes the distance, so the only question will be whether she’s shipped well enough.  Without the benefit of a recent workout over the track to offer a clue, you’ll have to check her out in the post parade to attempt to make that final assessment.

For now I’ll roll the dice with MONEYCANTBUYMELOVE for the win.  Underneath I’ll add in DYNAFORCE and PURE CLAN, with CARRIBEAN SUNSET added to the bottom of the trifecta. 

Selections: 7/ 3, 4/ 1, 3, 4

 

10/3 – Belmont – Race 9 – The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (1 1/2 Miles – Turf)

The 33rd running of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic presents an opportunity for GIO PONTI, the dark horse longshot for Horse of the Year honors, to continue his fine winning streak that currently stands at 4 consecutive Grade 1 turf races going back to the Frank Kilroe Handicap in March.  He’ll run into a field of 7 other contenders including the upset winner of the Sword Dancer – TELLING. 

The buzz right now is that GIO PONTI is likely pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic rather than the Breeders’ Cup Turf.  If true, I’ve got to wonder why his connections are running here rather than opting for a prep like the Goodwood at Santa Anita next week?  Gio does own a victory over the Santa Anita Pro Ride back in December, but that was at the Grade 3 level against the likes of Medjool and El Gato Malo and not the level of class  he’d run into in the Classic.

Presious Passion will definitely be a part of the pace scenario – that much you can take to the bank with you.  The question, as always, will be whether he can slow it down enough to wire the field, or if he’ll run himself into a brick wall like what happened in his Arlington Million effort?  The distance seems to suit him fine – but he may not be as fond of the Belmont turf as he is, say Monmouth.

TELLING stole more form me than even I myself realized in the Sword Dancer, and I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive him.  That race wound up being the final in the career of Better Talk Now, and but for Telling, my beloved Blackie would’ve gone out a winner as he deserved.  I try not to hold grudges – especially not against a horse, but I can’t shake that last bit from my memory. 

I’ll play GIO PONTI for the win, figuring the model of consistency will continue to plug away and do what he always does – win the race.  I think TELLING could hit the board again here as well and will box him along with PRESIOUS PASSION and GRAND COUTURIER on the bottom of my tickets.  If he looks good on the track, I might also work MUSKETIER into the bottom of the equation, as he did run 2nd to GIO PONTI in the Man O’ War.

Selections: 1/ 4, 7, 8/ 4, 7, 8

 

10/3 – Belmont Park – Race 10 – The Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup – 1 1/4 Miles

 The feature race of Belmont’s sensational Saturday card is the 91st running of the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.  It always brings me great pleasure to cover a race that my boy Curlin won – not once, but twice!  This year another horse that I’ve got some mojo with comes into the race with strong support; SUMMER BIRD.  The beautiful chestnut son of Bidstone has bookend Grade 1 victories in the Belmont and the Travers buttressing a 2nd place finish to Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell.  He absolutely destroyed QUALITY ROAD in the stretch through the slop at Saratoga to take the Travers.  This will be his first start against older horses, but trainer Tim Ice has believed since well before the Belmont that his colt was something special.

MACHO AGAIN will rightly take quite a bit of consideration here coming off a defeat by only a head in Rachel Alexandra’s historic Woodward victory.  We all know how this angle works; horses who have run competitively against Rachel Alexandra are virtual locks the next time they step onto the track.  Given that he holds the age advantage over SUMMER BIRD and QUALITY ROAD, and is as battle tested a Grade 1 older dirt horse as we have in the nation at the moment, MACHO AGAIN would seem to be the one to beat.  I’m just not sure he gets 10 furlongs as well as he usually gets 9.

Instead, I’ve got to stick with my man Tim Ice here and Summer Bird.  Either way, Rachel stands to have yet another feather placed in her cap when a horse she’s defeated adds the Jockey Club Gold Cup to their belt.  QUALITY ROAD is the x-factor here and could either run a huge race or prove to be better suited to shorter distances.  After all the unfulfilled hype surrounding this horse heading into the Travers, I’m going to make him beat me rather than support him.  I think he can hit the board though and would definitely include him underneath in the exotics. 

TIZWAY and ASIATIC BOY shoud also be considered for underneath play in the exotic wagers.  I’m not much of an ASIATIC BOY fan, but he has run respectable at this distance and has a tendency to wind up in the money.  TIZWAY could be interesting at a price considering he appears on paper to be a pace contender – plus you know I never like to discount the possibilities of Tiznow’s offspring. 

Selections: 3/ 2, 4, 7/ 2, 4. 5. 7

 

Best of luck to all!

We’ll be back next weekend for a look at the Lady’s Secret (featuring Zenyatta and Life is Sweet) from Santa Anita as well as the Spinster (featuring Icon Project) from Keeneland as we continue to countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Championships.


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Categories : Belmont Park, Better Talk Now, Handicapping Selections, horse racing, Horse Racing News, Presious Passion, Quality Road, sea the stars, Summer Bird

The Year of the Filly?

13 07 2009

It’s the Year of the Filly!  We’ve heard that expression repeatedly in recent months.  Perhaps equalled in terms of equine significance by only the Year of the Horse in Chinese Astrology.  The great growing story in racing with each passing week is the tendency to categorize this year as being a defining one for fillies and mares.  It’s not a very difficult conclusion to draw.  All one need do is reflect upon what we’ve witnessed thus far:

The absence of a dominant male champion only further enhances the prestige of the sport’s leading ladies.

But the “Year of the Filly?”

It’s a catchy phrase, I’ll admit that.  It’s just that after thinking the subject over there are a few small issues with that statement.

Firstly, to suggest that 2009 is the “Year of the Filly” would be to put forth the notion that not until this year did we see female runners achieve a level of accomplishment which separates them from both their male counterparts and the female crops of years gone bye.  While this year has been deliciously special, most of the major goals (i.e., the Breeders’ Cup Classic and potentially even the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – more on that in a moment) remain as yet unconquered.  We haven’t yet written the final chapter for the year and won’t do so for many months.  The elephant in the room that continues to dog the movement obviously being the likely absence of a “Thrilla in Manilla” style showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  In other words, there’s plenty of time left on the clock, and this could go still go either way. 

It’s not like last year was a down year for the ladies, either.  The trend of fillies and mares taking center stage began rather ominously when the filly Eight Belles broke down following her valiant effort in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, finishing 2nd behind the gifted Big Brown.  That moment took the wind out of our sails for many months.  It was the great body blow that shook the sport to it’s core.  And because it happened in our marquee moment, it was the “death seen ’round the world.” Much like the ultimately fatal injuring of Barbaro had two years before in the 2006 Preakness.

However, in the wake of that tragedy something beautiful was about to take hold.

The rebirth of the fillies (as well as, coincidentally, the Philadelphia Phillies).

It was around this time that Zenyatta first began gaining national attention as she rattled off graded stakes victory after graded stakes victory.  “Slow Cheetah” made the pulse of racing fans beat ever faster as her absolutely effortless, yet at times seemingly life-or-death late charging finishes became a familiar scene on the Southern California racing circuit…as well as at Oaklawn for a rare trip east and a stroll over a true dirt surface for the only time of her career. 

Then, with the eyes of the world upon her, the sensational filly Zarkava powered away with the 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.  A filly in the Arc!  Of course, it must be pointed out that with European horsemen being somewhat more “progressive” that a filly winning the Arc isn’t quite as rare as one may think.  In fact, in the time spanning 1976 to 1983, fillies and mares won 6 out of 8 runnings of the Arc de Triomphe, with only the American born Alleged capable of pulling one (or in his case two in ’77 and ’78) away for the boys.  Overall, 16 fillies or mares have gone on to become Arc champions. 

It would also be folly to overlook  the sensational Goldikova, who ran away with the Breeders’ Cup Mile.  After all, she did beat Kip Deville, Thorn Song, Daytona, What’sthescript, and fellow gal Precious Kitten.  Almost instantly, folks began whispering of Miesque, the filly who won back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Miles in 1987 and 1988.  Ironically, Miesque was ridden by Goldikova’s trainer Freddie Head.  Speaking of Goldikova, while it was easy to miss this in the states unless you looked, she  recently got back to her winning ways by triumphing in the Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) at New Market.  The Breeders’ Cup remains her ultimate target where she’ll look to repeat the back to back victories of Miesque.

These points considered, the appropriate thing to would seem to be to reflect fondly on what appears to be a rather sustained period now spanning two calendar years that has the potential to reach lofty heights.  Imagine, if you will, the possibility of fillies (or mares) winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.  Obviously Zenyatta looms a very large threat for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, especially considering it will be run over familiar stomping grounds.  But what of the Arc?

Enter Sariska.

 

 

The incredible performance by Sariska in the Irish Oaks (Group 1) at The Curragh sets the stage for a showdown with the equally impressive Sea the Stars, who is one of the best horses in the world at the moment.  Judging from what we’ve seen with these two horses, that could be a “battle of the sexes” for the ages.  Sea the Stars might try to sweep the Arc and the Classic all for himself for all we know.  That being said, one gets the feeling watching Sariska pull away there in the final moments of the Irish Oaks that we’ve yet to get to the bottom of this runner.  She’s basically toying with the field as she moves into position.  Granted, those were girls she was running against,  but that was quite the impressive performance to behold.  I’d give this filly a decent shot to win the Arc, although Sea the Stars looms a likely (and worthy) favorite if they were to meet.  In the meantime, Sariska will point to the Yorkshire Oaks next and then perhaps both the Arc and the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

And then there’s Rachel.  We still don’t know exactly when her next race will be.  According to trainer Steve Asmussen, the Delaware Handicap this Sunday at Delaware Park remains a possibility, although the Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont and the Haskell at Monmouth Park remain more likely destinations.  Personally, my money is on her turning up in the Haskell as I can’t imagine they’d “rush” her into the Delaware Handicap if they don’t have to, and I can’t imagine who in the world would face her if she entered against 3-year-old fillies again at Belmont.  If she were to defeat Summer Bird in the Haskell, she would be able to lay undisputed claim to the overall 3-year-old crown, having already defeated the Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird in the Preakness.

If Zenyatta comes through with a Classic victory, if Rachel can continue her brilliant 3-year-old campaign and prove herself against older horses, and if Sariska were to stage the upset of Sea the Stas in the Arc, then one would have to concede that the “Year of the Filly” was as true as advertised.  Some combination of those outcomes would go quite a ways to proving so as well.  A strike out of all three, however, and I think 2008 would still be able to stand next to the record of 2009 quite favorably.

But if enough magic exists out there in the night to see all of these possibilities through, then I suppose that would leave us with one other distinct possibility for the fall of 2009.  Get ready, Phillies fans.  If it’s destined to be the “Year of the Filly”, it’s only fitting that the Philadelphia Phillies will repeat as World Champions.


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Categories : Goldikova, horse racing, Horse Racing News, Rachel Alexandra, sariska, sea the stars, Zenyatta

Zarkava wins the Arc

6 10 2008

 

In case you missed it, Zarkava put on an amazing performance this weekend to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp- the turf race with the world’s largest purse (roughly 4 million Euros – whatever that equates to in dollars).

What’s amazing about this?  A number of things really.  For starters, Zarkava is a she – so if that doesn’t put to rest all of the nonsensical talk bashing trainer Larry Jones for running his filly, Eight Belles, in the 2008 Kentucky Derby than I don’t know what will.  We’re talking the richest and most competitive turf race in the world here.  At one point Curlin’sconnections were hoping to send him to this race.  Duke of Marmalade was there, as were many of the world’s top older turf runners. This is the first filly to win the Arc in 15 years.

Secondly, she’s just a 3-year-old! Not only is she taking on boys, but older boys -and good ones at that!  We may have Zenyatta here in the states as a female superstar (andStardom Bound as our top up-and-coming juvenile filly), but we’ve nothing like Zarkava.  The last time a female filly scored in the Arc was 1982 (Aklyda).  Clearly, we’re not dealing with just any run-of-the-mill competitor here.

Zarkava trailed for most of the race running near the rail, then exploded in the final 2 furlongs to outdistance eventual 2nd place finisher Youmzain (who ironically finished 2nd in last year’s Arc to Dylan Thomas).  The win improved her lifetime record to 7 wins in 7 starts – which is likely where it will end with the filly seemingly being pointed by Aga Khan to a breeding career after her victory in the Arc.

So how will we remember this amazing athlete?  Granted, from a technical standpoint this was the slowest running of the Arc in five years, but the image I’ll have forever burned into my memory is of jockey Christophe Soumillion celebrating wildly – throwing his helmet and whip into the crowd and then dismounting in euphoric fashion.

We unfortunately won’t see Zarkavain the Breeder’s Cup at Santa Anita later this month, but several of the Arc runners are likely to make the trip.  Duke of Marmalade, 7th place finisher in the Arc, is rumored to be pointing towards the Breeder’s Cup Classic.  Likewise, Youmzain (2nd place finisher) would appear pointed towards the Breeder’s Cup Turf. 

Hats off to the connections of Zarkava.  That was a run for the ages and will likely be the bar by which the top international fillies are compared for years to come.

 


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Categories : Horse Racing News

Curlin: Raider of the Longchamp Arc?

16 06 2008

As of right now the plan with the defending U.S. Horse of the Year seems to be a run in the world’s richest race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in France on October 5.  Usually the Dubai World Cup, which Curlin has already won, is known as the world’s richest horse race. This year due to a sponsorship from the nation of Qatar, the purse for the Arc has been boosted to a whopping $6,172,800. 

Needless to say, a victory in the Arc would rocket Curlin to a stratospheric level of lifetime earnings, far beyond the $603,015 that he currently trails Cigar by on the all-time standings. In a larger sense though, much more is at stake if indeed Curlin goes in the Arc.  The horse that I’ve loved beyond all others from the moment I first laid eyes on him would be looking to cement his status as one of the greatest race horses to have ever lived.  A win in the Arc would make such a claim very difficult to refute as it would mean the colt had defeated the best the world could muster on both dirt and turf. 

Originally run in 1920 to commemorate the Allied victory in World War 1, The Arc would be a daunting challenge for Curlin.  Not only would he be trying the grass against some of the best turf horses in the world, but he’d have to run clockwise around the racecourse – mirror opposite to what he’s used to here in the U.S.  He’ll also have to contend with a 1 1/2 mile distance – a distance he hasn’t tried since being nosed by the filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes.  Luckily for Curlin, his bloodlines would appear to be right for a run in the Arc.  Since 1994 no horse without a direct bloodline connection to Nearco and his grandson Northern Dancer has prevailed in the Arc.  Northern Dancer just happens to be Curlin’s great-great-grandfather on his dam’s side (Sherrif’s Deputy). Also noteworthy is the fact that Curlin and turf specialist English Channel share the same father (Smart Strike).

Before we get carried away with visions of grandeur this Autumn in France, let’s look at what the road ahead for the talented 4 year-old son of Smart Strike might look like.  For starters, trainer Steve Asmussen has indicated that Curlin will next race on the weekend of July 12th/July 13th. Exactly where still remains a bit of a question.  The most likely scenario in my mind would be an entry into the G3 Arlington Handicap for his first try on the grass.  Another option remains the G2 Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park that same weekend.   If they decide to go in the Man O’ War, Curlin will be following in the footsteps of perhaps racing’s biggest legend: the great Secretariat.

Most people remember Secretariat for his scintillating Triple Crown run, capped off by his amazing 31 length victory in the Belmont.  What some fans forget is that “Big Red” also proved he was world-class on the turf.  In fact, Secretariat’s first turf victory came when he set the track record during the Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.  What better shoes for a chestnut colt like Curlin to follow in his quest for greatness than those of Secretariat? 

It goes without saying that the challenges will be plenty, but honestly if there’s one colt I’ve seen in my life who can overcome everything thrown at him, it’s Curlin.  Consider for a moment everything this colt has had to face in order to arrive where he is today, able to ponder the prospects of taking on the best of the world on turf after proving himself the world’s best on dirt:

  • He was unraced as a 2-year-old due to sore shins, and then brought back very slowly by original trainer Helen Pitts.
  • After getting beat by 7 lengths in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, he returned to catch Derby winner Street Sense at the wire by a nose in the 2007 Preakness
  • After losing by a neck to the filly Rags to Riches in the Belmont, and then returning from his Triple Crown campaign with a flat (by Curlin’s standards) effort in the Haskell – Curlin returned to defeat the top older-male in the nation at the time, Lawyer Ron, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.  This was no small task. Lawyer Ron was red-hot at the time coming off two career best performances.
  • In a stacked field on Breeder’s Cup day in the slop at Monmouth, Curlin powered away to win convincingly over all of his rvials, including Street Sense, Hard Spun, Lawyer Ron, and Any Given Saturday.
  • Curlin then took significant time off before shipping to Dubai and winning for fun in the Jaguar Trophy and the $6 million Dubai World Cup. 
  • Finally, Curlin returned home from the Middle-East and overcame an assignment of 128 pounds to win easily in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill on Saturday. 

It’s hard to believe when looking at that body of work that this colt was unraced just 16 months ago.  Clearly he’s a one-of-a-kind colt that has answered the bell thus far. Without question he is the best dirt horse in the universe at the moment. Can you imagine what might happen if he were to beat the best of the world on grass as well?

It’s been a long, long time since the sport of thoroughbred horse racing had a star like this.  The world will be watching with eager anticipation to see how Curlin takes to the grass in several weeks, either in Chicago or in New York.  Wherever it may be, the hopes of racing fans worldwide will rest upon Curlin’s massive shoulders.  If all goes well, I plan on making the journey to see his first attempt on the grass, as he’ll no doubt need the encouragement from his fans.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of horse racing, or a casual observer with a passing interest, realize that you are looking at a horse who when all is said and done, may well find himself atop the list of all-time greats.

 


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