Hold me back wins Lane's end

Well I see no real possible contenders to emerge from these two races but, it's so good to watch it live on television for a change.

Lane's End Stakes

1.Hold me back

2.Flying Private

3.Proceed Bee

4.Parade Clown

5.Jack Spratt

6.West Side Bernie

7.Bruce N Autumn

8.A.P. Cardinal

9.Loch Dubh

10.Bittel Road

11.Orthodox

12.Dynamite Bob

Well at least I was right about Parade Clown finishing better than Bittel Road. A very poor performance from Bittel Road and West Side Bernie. No Derby for them in my books.

Rushaway Stakes

1.Cliffy's Future

2.Ziegfeld

3.Toccet Rocket

4.Sundays Baby Grand

5.No Inflation

6.Fitzaslew

7.Summer's Empire

8.Ninth Client

Well I was close again. If only the race had been a couple furlongs longer. I bet Cliffy's Future is glad he won. Now maybe he won't get gelded. Someone must have told him before the race.

Have a great weekend!

Kirsten

Lane's end stakes preview

Don't forget to watch it on ESPN2 tomorrow! Here is the entries for the Lane's end stakes and the Rushaway Stakes tomorrow. I don't think any real Derby contenders will emerge from these races but hey, it could happen.

Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park
$100,000 1 1/16 miles

1.Ninth Client 115 lbs 10/1
2.Ziegfeld 115 lbs 3/1
3.Fitzaslew 115 lbs 5/2
4.Cliffy's Future 115 lbs 9/2
5.No Inflation 117 lbs 3/1
6.Summer's Empire 121 lbs 6/1
7.Sundays Baby Grand 115 lbs 30/1
8.Toccet Rocket 115 lbs 20/1

I'll pick Toccet Rocket to win, Fitzaslew to place and No Inflation to show.

Lane's End Stakes Grade 2
$500,000 1 1/8 miles
121 lbs all

1.Hold me back 6/1
2.Bittel Road 5/2
3.A.P. Cardinal 10/1
4.West Side Bernie 3/1
5.Jack Spratt 8/1
6.Parade Clown 10/1
7.Bruce N Autumn 20/1
8.Orthodox 10/1
9.Loch Dubh 20/1
10.Flying Private 12/1
11.Dynamite Bob 50/1
12.Proceed Bee 12/1

I'll pick Parade Clown to win, Bittel Road to place and Hold me back to show. I liked Parade clown's last win so I think he can take this field.

Workouts

The Pamplemousse March 18
Santa Anita Park
Five furlongs
59:80 Handily
Fast
Sythetics
10/41

Have a great afternoon!
Kirsten

Upsets and major wins

Old Fashioned was upsetted today by Win Willy in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Wow....I'm just speechless right now. I gotta say that I'm pretty disappointed about the outcome of this race. He effortlessly took command at the top of the stretch. Then Win Willy just blew by Old fashioned and it just made me spellbound. I'm going to have to think some more on this race. I have no clue what Larry Jones is going to do now.

Results

1.Win willy

2.Old fashioned

3.Poltergeist

4.Captain Cherokee

5.Silver City

6.Pointing Home

7.His Greatness

8.Hamazing Destiny

9.Wise Kid

Now onto the Tampa Bay Derby. Musket Man was able to win by a neck today. He did rebound tremendously from his poor finish in the Sam F. Davis stakes. He's not going to make my top 10 by any means but he is showing some class. Hello Broadway definitely isn't turning out like his brother Nobiz like Shobiz with this finish. I don't think he is turning out to be Derby material.

Results

1.Musket Man

2.Join in the Dance

3.Justdontcallmejeri

4.Nowhere to Hide

5.General Quarters

6.Bear's Rocket

7.Hello Broadway

8.Warrior's Reward

9.Sumo

10.Perfect Bull

Meanwhile, Friesan Fire demolished the field in the Louisana Derby. This was just as impressive as Old fashioned loss was disappointing. I mean wow...he is really improving with winning on such a sloppy track. Larry Jones seemed very pleased with his performance. "He's definitely going to Keeneland (to train)," Larry Jones said when asked about upcoming plans. "He's headed there next week. We'll analyze his numbers to think if he can run a Derby winning number off this race or if we need to get another race into him.
"He probably has more races under his belt than anyone who's in contention for the Derby," Jones added. "He already has seven races." I'm very happy with this outcome and with me picking the top two finishers. Friesan Fire is HOT!

Results

1.Friesan Fire

2.Papa Clem

3.Terrain

4.Giant Oak

5.Soul warrior

6.Flying Pegasus

7.Uno Mas

8.Patena

9.Free Country

Finally the San Felipe at Santa Anita. I'm not surprised that Pioneerofthenile won but I was surprised at how hard he had to work to win. It reminde me of Stardom Bound's race but not as close. I think he'll be dropping in my top ten now. I've just never been that impressed with him and this win was no different. Bob Baffert had this to say. "He's becoming very professional," Baffert noted. "He was a May foal, so he's not even three yet. I like what I saw today. This will tighten the screws up for the (April 4) Santa Anita Derby (G1). It won't be like this in the Santa Anita Derby, because he'll have (The) Pamplemousse (Kafwain). I just wanted to get through here. He sat there and did the right thing. I was a little bit nervous today because it looked too easy on paper, and usually, that's when things go wrong."

Results

1.Pioneerofthenile

2.Fiesty Suances

3.Jeranimo

4.He's Really Big

5.Shafted

6.New Bay

I do have to say something about the Fair Grounds Oaks. Rachel Alexandra was amazing. I do have to say I like Calvin Borel but I'm very surprised that he began to gear her down in the final sixteenth and was celebrating. I can understand doing that close to the wire but that far in advance? Oh Calvin......

Now the workouts for today.

Workouts

Beethoven

Gulfstream Park

Five furlongs

59:80 Handily

Fast

Dirt

3/30

Dunkirk

Palm Meadows Training Center

Five furlongs

1.01:40 Handily

Fast

Dirt

8/24

My updated Top Ten list

1.The Pamplemousse

2.Old fashioned

3.Friesan Fire

4.I Want Revenge

5.Dunkirk

6.Pioneerofthenile

7.Desert Party

8.Beethoven

9.Win Willy
10.Patena

I will be giving Old fashioned one more chance before I drop him any lower. As for Win Willy I was impressed with his win but he'll have a bit more proving to do before he climbs any higher.

Have a great night!

Kirsten

Derby preps this weekend

Now that it's the second weekend in March with March madness abound, and some major Derby preps this weekend it's time to review them.

The Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn
Grade 2
1 1/16 miles
$300,000

1.Old Fashioned 122 .lbs 7/5
2.Hamazing Destiny 115 .lbs 5/1
3.Poltergeist 117 .lbs 15/1
4.Pointing Home 115 .lbs 15/1
5.Wise Kid 117 .lbs 9/2
6.His Greatness 117 .lbs 12/1
7.Captain Cherokee 117 .lbs 8/1
8.Silver City 117.lbs 4/1
9.Win Willy 117 .lbs 20/1

Well as you know I'm going to pick Old fashioned to win, and easily. I'll pick Silver City to place and I'll throw in Wise Kid to show. Short and sweet.

The San Felipe at Santa Anita
Grade 2
1 1/16 miles
$200,000

1.He's Really Big 115 .lbs 30/1
2.Pioneerofthenile 122 .lbs 2/5
3.Feisty Suances 115 .lbs 10/1
4.Shafted 115 .lbs 8/1
5.Jeranimo 115 .lbs 20/1
6.Kelly Leak 115 .lbs 6/1
7.New Bay 115 .lbs 8/1

Most people are expecting Pioneer to scorch this field. I think he will win but, I wish people would stop thinking he was some sort of super horse. Mostly it's because of people saying that I want revenge's win in the Gotham flattered him. Only HIS wins flatter him. Not a horse he beat on SYTHETICS on a TOTALLY DIFFERENT TRACK, winning impressively when switched to dirt. Okay? Anyways, New bay, Kelly Leak, Feisty Suances and He's really big might be scratching in favor of another start. I'm going to go with Pioneerofthenile to win, Shafted to place and New bay(if he doesn't scratch) to show.

The Louisana Derby at Fair Grounds
Grade 2
1 1/16 miles
$600,000 122 .lbs ALL

1.Free Country 12/1
2.Soul Warrior 20/1
3.Patena 7/2
4.Terrain 10/1
5.Flying Pegasus 8/1
6.Giant Oak 4/1
7.Uno Mas 12/1
8.Papa Clem 8/1
9.Friesan Fire 5/2
10.Nowhere to hide 15/1

I'll pick Friesan Fire to win, Papa Clem to place, and Giant Oak to show.

Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay
Grade 3
$300,000
1 1/16 miles

1.Perfect Bull 116 .lbs 30/1
2.Musket Man 116 .lbs 8/1
3.Nowhere to hide 116 .lbs 5/1
4.Hello Broadway 116 .lbs 3/1
5.Warrior's Reward 116 .lbs 12/1
6.Sumo 116 .lbs 6/1
7.Join in the Dance 116 .lbs 12/1
8.General Quarters 122 .lbs 4/1
9.Bear's Rocket 116 .lbs 8/1
10.Justdontcallmejeri 116 .lbs 12/1
11.Top Seed 116 .lbs 20/1

I'll pick Hello Broadway to win, General Quarters to place and Warrior's reward to show.

Have a great horse racing filled weekend!
Kirsten

Pamplemousse workout

Just a short little bit tonight.

The Pamplemousse

Santa Anita Park

Three furlongs

36:00 Handily

Fast

Sythetics

1/11

Kirsten

Top ten Derby contenders

I thought I should probably update my Top ten. Many changes have been added since when I started this blog.

1.Old Fashioned
2.The Pamplemousse
3.I Want Revenge
4.Dunkirk
5.Friesan Fire
6.Pioneerofthenile
7.Desert Party
8.Hello Broadway
9.Patena
10.Beethoven

There are the standings so far. I will go into detail about why I placed them later. Also I would have put Stardom Bound on there but, I know she probably isn't going to the Derby. Her connections seem to be leaning toward the Ashland Stakes instead.

Workouts

Patena
Gulfstream Park
Five furlongs
59:40 Handily
Fast
Dirt
1/19

Friesan Fire
Fair Grounds
Five furlongs
58:20 Breezing
Fast
Dirt
1/14

Have a nice afternoon everyone!
Kirsten

Game of Catchup

I had to leave for vacation so I couldn't post here. Well now that I'm back and refreshed it's time to play catch up.

First the review of the Fountain of Youth stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Results of Fountain of Youth Stakes

1st-Quality Road

2nd-Theregoesjojo

3rd-Beethoven

4th-Capt. Candyman Can

5th-This ones for Phil

6th-Bee Cee Cee

7th-Notonthesamepage

8th-Jack Spratt

9th-Taqarub

10th-Break Water Edison

Overall it was a great win for Quality Road though he won't be jumping onto my top ten anytime soon. Beethoven closed nicely but, he will still need to prove himself some more. Notonthesamepage was very disappointing and he, along with Break Water Edison, have been pushed far away from my top ten. I don't really see much potential for them after this effort.

Now for the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. All I can say is WOW! What a race!

Results of Sham Stakes

1st-The Pamplemousse

2nd-Take the Points

3rd-Mr. Hot stuff

4th-Bourbon Bay

5th-Unbridled Roman

6th-Smart Bid

7th-Mark S the Cooler

8th-Hi Flyin Indy

9th-Tiz True

10th-Balfour Park

There isn't much to say about this race but, that The Pamplemousse is a serious contender now. I think he can take on Pioneerofthenile and Old fashioned when the time comes. Very impressive. This weekend's races were just as disappointing and amazing.

Results of Santa Anita Oaks

1st-Stardom Bound

2nd-Third Dawn

3rd-Hooh Why

4th-Nan

5th-Burg Berg

6th-Beltene

7th-Miss Silver Brook

8th-Stormy Slew

9th-Will O Way

I really expected Stardom Bound to blow them away. Even though she lost some ground I don't think anything is an excuse here. As much as I would love to have another filly in the Derby and possibly win it, I doubt her connections will point her toward either derbies now. Still she is an amazing filly with a bright future ahead of her if she goes to the Oaks instead.

Results of the Gotham Stakes

1st-I Want Revenge

2nd-Imperial Council

3rd-Mr. Fantasy

4th-Masala

5th-Russell Road

6th-Axel Foley

7th-Naos

8th-Haynesfield

9th-Giant Ryan

I Want Revenge certaintly got it yesterday. That switch to dirt was risky but he showed them up. 8 1/2 length winner of the Gotham Stakes. This race was just as impressive as the Sham the Saturday before. I Want Revenge looks to love the dirt and, that would suit him for the Derby more than Pioneerofthenile. I wish though people would stop saying that this win for I Want Revenge flatters Pioneerofthenile. It doesn't in any way! It doesn't say if Pioneer was in that race he would have run away with it. It also doesn't say he would have handled the dirt surface. Like Justin Dew on kentuckyderby.com, I wish they would stop or my head will explode.

Here are the many missed workouts from the past week or so.

Workouts

Patena Feb. 28

Gulfstream Park

Six furlongs

1.15:60 Breezing

Fast

Dirt

2/2

Stardom Bound Mar. 1

Santa Anita Park

Five furlongs

1.01:40 Breezing

Fast

Sythetics

2/6

Pioneerofthenile Mar. 1

Santa Anita Park

Six furlongs

1.12:60 Handily

Fast

Sythetics
3/16

Friesan Fire Mar.2

Fair Grounds

Five furlongs

1.01:40 Breezing

Fast

Dirt

3/14

Hello Broadway Mar.4

Gulfstream Park

Six furlongs

1.14:60 Breezing

Fast

Dirt

2/3

Dunkirk Mar.6

Palm Meadows Training Center

Four furlongs

48:60 Handily

Fast

Dirt

5/21

Old Fashioned Mar. 8

Oaklawn Park

Five furlongs

59:00 Handily

Fast

Dirt

1/19

Pioneerofthenile Mar.8

Santa Anita Park

Five furlongs

58:80 Handily

Fast

Sythetics

1/85

That's all for now. Have a great evening!

Kirsten