The Met Mile and other Stakes races Memorial Day Weekend

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Lots of good horse racing this weekend catch some of these big races if you can.

Brass Hat is back in the Louisville Handicap at Churchill today.

Jiggs Coz makes his season debut in the Connaught Cup at Woodbine on Sunday.

Also on Sunday Dream Rush takes on Baroness Thatcher at Belmont in The Vagrancy.

Diamond Diva takes on 4 others in the Gamely at Hollywood on Monday.

Other Stakes on Monday include:
Perfect Drift, Notional and Daytona in the shoemaker Mile at Hollywood.

McCann's Mojave at GGF in the Berkeley.

Z Humor shows back up taking on Commentator in the Met Mile at Belmont.

[Justpat]

1. The Sheepshead Bay was a good race just now.

Odds on favorite, Mauralakana, won with a huge burst of speed in the last sixteenth and won
by a few lengths.

1 3/8 miles on Turf in 2:14.3

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2. I just came back to the computer...

and missed it. I did see Ipi Tombe's son, Monastic Springs(GB), win a couple of races earlier.

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3. Lattice wins the Louisville. Brass Hat finishes 4th.

Brass Hat is not the same horse on the grass that he is on the main track. They went 1 1/2 miles in 2:31 flat.

[jakefrep]

4. Henrythenavigator completes Guineas double

http://www.drf.com/news/article/94858.html

Henrythenavigator repeated his English 2000 Guineas defeat of last year's top European 2yo New Approach. Nownownow, last year's winner of the BC Juvenile Turf was fifth and last.

[aaronbees]

7. Very nice win

Love this horse's name. And I enjoy seeing races at the Curragh. Was hoping for better from Nownownow. Do you know who's headed to the Epsom Derby?

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5. Nuts and Bolts of the Game: The Art of Switching Leads

From The Rail blog:
Today I wanted to get into a little more technical detail and discuss lead changing.

When you watch a horse race in North America, you should notice that a horse is on its right lead when on the straightaways, and on its left lead when going around the turns. You should also notice this when a horse works. If a horse is not on its appropriate lead, this can be a signal to a problem.

When “babies” come in to begin galloping, they do not naturally know this “rule.” It is something that exercise riders need to teach their charges and is probably the most important thing we do teach our horses.

When we first start galloping our babies we do not worry about the lead changing process. We just let the babies get comfortable with their new environment. Once they are starting to go nicely and comfortably, then we can start teaching. The timing of when a rider starts doing this can vary depending on how the horse is adapting.

http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/the-art-of-switching-leads/

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6. Rahy's Attorney wins Connaught Cup at Woodbine...

Jigg's Coz an also ran after taking them to the 1/2 in :46 and a piece.

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8. Looky Yonder wins the Vagrancy. Dream Rush 2nd...

Looky Yonder came from last to first to nip Dream Rush at the wire. Baroness Thatcher 3rd.

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9. Stanley B wins the 3rd at Raceway...

a NW1PM in 2:01. Yay us.

[Justpat]

10. Congratulations, Sid!

Thats great.

Way to go Stanley.

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11. Thanks OB...

It was a cheap little race but we'll take it.

[Justpat]

12. There is nothing like a win with a homebred.

You should be proud of Stanley.

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13. I bought Stanley B's mama...

with him standing by her side for $600 at a breeding stock sale. I wanted an Armbro Cadet mare for a broodmare and a colt to raise with our homebred colt. Stanley's breeder had passed away and his family didn't want to be in the horse business so they auctioned everything off. The breeder's name was Stanley Bukowski hence, Stanley B.

I hope Mr. Bukowski, where ever he is, is proud of his horse.

[two gun sid]

14. But, yes, I'm proud of him too....

we raised him and gave him all of his early lessons like he was a homebred. He was always a very spooky horse. He's a lot better now and will come to the front of his stall to get his nose rubbed. Hell, he's family now.

[Justpat]

16. All of mine are like family.

Thats why I'll never make it in this business.

I can't stand to part with them. After we have picked out the matings for the mare,
raised them and trained them ourselves - if one gets claimed, it is nothing but
grief for all of us.

[jakefrep]

41. Good on ya!

Maumee Lane was 4th at Hoosier last night. Dad & I didn't get to see it - we had tickets to the Indians game in Cleveland.

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44. Thanks jakefrep....

Stanley did well but Curly really embarassed me last night at Hazel. I can't figure him out. He came back OK. He just quit.

Good for Maumee Lane. I hope you guys had a good time at the game.

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15. Harness horses at Keeneland?

From The Bloodhorse:
Harness racing at Keeneland? Yes, there was, but it’s not what you may think.

Two exhibition races for Standardbred pacers were held at the Lexington racetrack the afternoon of May 21 to give the principals in a racetrack under construction in Alberta, Canada, an idea as to whether a synthetic surface can be used for both breeds. The Calgary track, which will replace Stampede Park when it opens in 2009, will offer Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.

Keeneland provided its Polytrack surface, and a group of Standardbreds based in Kentucky made up the races with local drivers and a few from western Canada. The results? The horses, not unexpectedly, got a pretty good workout; they are used to racing on much harder limestone and clay surfaces.

A few of the drivers said the horses were a bit weary after their one-mile races, which began at the finish line and ended at the sixteenth pole on Keeneland’s 1 1/16-mile main track. The horses’ hooves also didn’t have that little “slip” they have on conventional harness surfaces.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45336.htm



I was looking at one of the TB message boards late last night and one of the posters said they hated Standardbreds, that jugheads were stupid but, that might be something they get from their trainers and owners. I LMAO.

There is talk going around about SB's racing on grass and already here in MI we have a racing under saddle program going on.

[Justpat]

17. It has been my experience

that our little group here has better horsemen and horsewomen than the majority of the
race horse forums. And I like being in mixed company - harness and flat horses.
I have learned to actually like the trotters because a couple of you guys own
them and raise them yourselves.

I found out a long time ago that you can learn something from just about anybody if you
keep your eyes and ears open.


What do you think of trying SB's on grass? Have you ever trained on it?

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18. This group is the coolest group...

but I don't really take posters like the guy that hates SB's very seriously. Hell, he was using Dutrow's picture for his avatar.

I like to watch TB's race a lot more than SB's but, I can't afford TB's. SB's are my only option if I want to play this game. And I do enjoy this game.

I look to our TB cousins for innovations in horse care. I really like the acupuncture treatments and have started using it in the last few years. It really works.

I'd like to see some grass racing but I don't know what the fans would think. I'm sure it would produce much slower times and, let's face it, fans want to see faster horses not slower ones. And yes we have trained on the grass at the farm. Right now we have a 5YO trotting mare that can't conceive so we started gating her on the grass. She seems to enjoy it and it seems to be easy on her and she hasn't gotten sore. Most of the trainers scoff at grass racing but, you know how it is, some of the old guys can be pretty hide-bound about any changes in the sport.

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19. Divine Park wins the Met Mile ....

exciting battle in the stretch between the winner and Commentator. Commentator 2nd. Lord Snowden 3rd in 1:36 and a piece. Blazing first half by Commentator. 22.48 and 44.52.

[aaronbees]

21. I thought Commentator had it...

when he fought back against Frankel's horse. Happy to see Divine Park get it, though - classy field.

Edited to add: Precious Kitten had a powerful win in the Gamely. Back on top for her!

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22. Good for Precious Kitten...

she's a nice horse.

[Justpat]

20. Divine Park wins

Commentator was SO game. I hated to see him lose.

The final time was not so great for this race.

Usually this race goes a hell of a lot faster.

But that Divine Park is a hell of a horse to run a mile in 1:32 and change
a month ago and come back to win this.

What a loss that his sire, Chester House, died after only siring a couple of crops.

[aaronbees]

23. Commentator

is one tough gelding. He always makes the race interesting when he's entered. Surprised to see he's already 7 years old ... hope he keeps going for a while!

[Justpat]

26. I don't know if you remember a great sprinter we had

years ago named Punch Line.

He won just under a million, won 23 races, could routinely go in 1:08 and change
and had his best year at eight.

At eight he won the Fall Heighweight under 134.

I love those old horses.

[Awsi Dooger]

43. I remember seeing Commentator beat Saint Liam several years ago

That was probably the Whitney.

I became a fan of Commentator immediately.

Weird that one became Horse of the Year but is long deceased while the other continues to race.

Damn, every year I miss the Met Mile while playing golf. Whatever the record for that is, I claim it. :)

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24. They went that first 1/2 like their tails were on fire...

Z Humor was a little bit of a disappointment. I was hoping he'd get a piece of it.

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25. 4th race at Hazel Park up next...

A 3YO colt from our trainers barn tries to break his maiden. He's a nice guy but he's gonna be one of those late developers like every other horse in his family. He should be good today though.

Anybody need a link for the video feed, holler.

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27. Oops. He sucked. Made two breaks...

his hard-head owner is gonna be pissed. He's a big growthy horse, kinda clumsy at this point but he should be hell on wheels as a 4YO.

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28. Curly's up next in the 7th at Hazel...

Got the 7 hole. This ain't gonna be he's day.

[Justpat]

29. It didn't look like he had any shot at any point in the race.

next time.

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30. Wow. We had a bad day all around....

He's given us two bad races this year, both times at Hazel.

[aaronbees]

31. He'll get 'em next time

But I'm glad I finally got to see one of your horses on the track.:)

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32. Well, I would have liked to been competitive....

little sucker looked like he quit on us after the 1/2. I don't know what that's about. Guess he got tired of looking at all those butts.

You just never know with horses. They ain't machines I guess.

[Justpat]

33. Louisville papers says Congress to look into racing

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/805240502&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL


This really, really sucks.

[TZ]

34. meh

They've really cleaned up baseball haven't they!
It'll be all election year politics. And probably won't change a damn thing.

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35. I hope they finally figure out...

what the "Frankel Factor" was. I'd really be curious to know.

[aaronbees]

38. "I did not milkshake that horse!"

... said with a wagging finger a la Rafael Palmeiro. I'd love to see that!

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36. 8YO McCann's Mojave wins the Berkeley...

by open lengths. Nice.

[aaronbees]

37. Shoemaker Mile coming up

I always enjoy this race and this is a nice field. Rooting for Daytona. Drift is in here, speaking of old-timers.

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40. Daytona in a thrilling stretch drive...

and ol' Perfect Drift gets up for 4th. Yay Drifty!!!

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39. Drifty tried to take a bite out of that asst. starter. LOL.

[aaronbees]

42. Ha!

I missed that! Daytona was impressive - hope he makes some more noise this year.

[aaronbees]

45. RIP, Nashoba's Key

Freak barn accident this morning. She was a wicked special horse and I'll miss rooting for her.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/45448.htm

From the story, starting with a statement from trainer Carla Gaines:

"In a freak accident at 5:30 a.m. this morning at Hollywood Park, Nashoba’s Key kicked the wall of her pen and broke her hind leg," she said. "She was euthanized shortly thereafter. She brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives that were lucky enough to be associated with her and we will all miss her very much."

Bred in California by Warren B. Williamson out of the Caerleon mare Nashoba, Nashoba’s Key gave Williamson a string of victories that began with seven consecutive wins in 2007. She won the 2007 Milady’s Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. II) and Vanity Handicap (gr. I) on Hollywood’s Cushion Track after three wins on the turf.

Nashoba’s Key followed those with victories in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (gr. II) on Polytrack at Del Mar and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (gr. IT) on turf at Oak Tree before losing her first race when fourth in the Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Monmouth Park. She finished second in the Eclipse Award balloting for champion female turf horse of 2007 to Lahudood.

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46. One of my favorite racemares...

I always enjoyed seeing her run.