tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63529117968644797392024-03-13T19:53:08.983-07:00Virginia Blog CupUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger477125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-46873938310306532992014-05-19T14:10:00.002-07:002014-05-19T14:13:50.586-07:00California Chrome Wins Derby, Preakness and Heads To Belmont With His Nasal Strips<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SttbBPQwnnc/U3pys6fHJdI/AAAAAAABEzQ/LMD1naZ4hzc/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+wuHsllp9Tpzl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SttbBPQwnnc/U3pys6fHJdI/AAAAAAABEzQ/LMD1naZ4hzc/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+wuHsllp9Tpzl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Chrome and his nasal strips. <br />
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America)</td></tr>
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Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome went on his six week winning streak worth some $3 million dollars when his connections
started using an equine nasal strip not entirely dissimilar to the ones that human athletes wear. </div>
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He was wearing the
strips when he annexed the first two jewels of the Triple Crown and a
mini-controversy arose Sunday when everyone realized that there was only one state
that did not allow the strips – New York, which hosts the final jewel, The
Belmont Stakes.</div>
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A mad scramble ensued and the New York Racing Association
stewards unanimously approved using the strips thus keeping alive his chances
to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years. </div>
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On Monday morning, three steward unanimously approved the nasal strips for all
horses running at racetracks of the New York Racing Association, effective
immediately.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Equine nasal strips do not enhance equine performance
nor do they pose a risk to equine health or safety and as such do not need to
be regulated," New York State Gaming Commission Equine Medical Director
Scott E. Palmer wrote in his analysis of the strips. He added that strips are
applied to the top of the nose and anyone can see their use prior to a race.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"If improperly applied, equine nasal strips cannot
interfere with performance. In my opinion equine nasal strips fall into the
same category as tongue-ties," Palmer wrote.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While there is research that indicates nasal strips decrease
airway resistance in horses and may decrease the amount of bleeding associated
with exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), there is no evidence that
the strips enable a horse to run faster, Palmer wrote.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FO62eBZICXU/U3py9mvPFZI/AAAAAAABEzY/8gef7hPaK_c/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+rvokQgXyiwNl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FO62eBZICXU/U3py9mvPFZI/AAAAAAABEzY/8gef7hPaK_c/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+rvokQgXyiwNl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Chrome winning the Preakness.<br />
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(Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)</div>
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A day earlier, Sherman's father, 77-year-old California
Chrome trainer Art Sherman, said that if the horses wasn't allowed to run with
a nasal strip – designed to enhance air flow in the nasal passages -- his
owners might not want to run him at all in the Belmont, never mind the hugeness
of the race for the horse and the racing industry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"We put in an official request (Sunday to New York
officials) to get the nasal strip, and it looks like we're going to be able to
use it," Sherman said outside California Chrome' barn at Pimlico Race
Course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"It's looking that way, but we'll see when I get up
there."</div>
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I’ll Have Another who won both the KY Derby and Preakness in
2012 also wore nasal strips, but his connections had forgone using them prior
to entry in Belmont Stakes. I’ll Have
Another scratched out of the Belmont due to a then undisclosed injury.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-69365334068759292052014-05-19T14:06:00.004-07:002014-05-19T14:06:25.582-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vepMdpY3LH0/U3pwNeLGu_I/AAAAAAABEyM/Xy9-efjJWNE/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+FhbuApRtOQrl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vepMdpY3LH0/U3pwNeLGu_I/AAAAAAABEyM/Xy9-efjJWNE/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+FhbuApRtOQrl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
A man wears a hat with tickets during the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Molly Riley/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwVsg5PrY3E/U3pwNd9ZDkI/AAAAAAABEyE/au3-wL92Sp8/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+RuvlQqP_whal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwVsg5PrY3E/U3pwNd9ZDkI/AAAAAAABEyE/au3-wL92Sp8/s1600/139th+Preakness+Stakes+RuvlQqP_whal.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
California Chrome #3, ridden by Victor Espinoza, crosses the finishline to win the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCoiTuAK8Vc/U3pwNXLQMOI/AAAAAAABEyI/9lFVHOSF1uY/s1600/Singapore+International+Cup+6IBHkq0DsFTl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCoiTuAK8Vc/U3pwNXLQMOI/AAAAAAABEyI/9lFVHOSF1uY/s1600/Singapore+International+Cup+6IBHkq0DsFTl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Brett Prebble rides Lucky Nine to win the 1200m Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint during the Singapore International Cup at the Singapore Turf Club on May 18, 2014 in Singapore. (Neville Hopwood/Getty Images AsiaPac)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeEzIybhXkw/U3pwN6yMRCI/AAAAAAABEy0/dJpnvQtsL9M/s1600/Singapore+International+Cup+RF00z0lVUpfl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeEzIybhXkw/U3pwN6yMRCI/AAAAAAABEy0/dJpnvQtsL9M/s1600/Singapore+International+Cup+RF00z0lVUpfl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Tommy Berry rides Dan Excel to win the 2000m Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup during the Singapore International Cup at the Singapore Turf Club on May 18, 2014 in Singapore. (Neville Hopwood/Getty Images AsiaPac)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXP2vUN-C-M/U3pwOf-5IAI/AAAAAAABEyg/yQkftQwfJhU/s1600/York+bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXP2vUN-C-M/U3pwOf-5IAI/AAAAAAABEyg/yQkftQwfJhU/s1600/York+bikes.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
Two cyclists stop to watch the racing at York racecourse on May 16, 2014 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydIRg43TwC0/U3pwOsV1_VI/AAAAAAABEyY/_icWpxMAdsU/s1600/York+patience+alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydIRg43TwC0/U3pwOsV1_VI/AAAAAAABEyY/_icWpxMAdsU/s1600/York+patience+alexander.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Jim Crowley riding Patience Alexander (C) win The Langleys Solicitors LLP EBF Marygate Stakes at York racecourse on May 16, 2014 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn3WXXOqrkY/U3pwOGGpgDI/AAAAAAABEyQ/B9N_l6bSzq0/s1600/York+Races+WyBMvqVzc8ll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn3WXXOqrkY/U3pwOGGpgDI/AAAAAAABEyQ/B9N_l6bSzq0/s1600/York+Races+WyBMvqVzc8ll.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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A horse is hosed down after racing at York racecourse on May
16, 2014 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJEP6BzFurY/U3pxyxNP4FI/AAAAAAABEzA/SrvIlAJTbWU/s1600/Newbury+Races+0_5-DWqzMHgl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJEP6BzFurY/U3pxyxNP4FI/AAAAAAABEzA/SrvIlAJTbWU/s1600/Newbury+Races+0_5-DWqzMHgl.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ryan Moore riding Cannock Chase (2R) win The Betfred London
Gold Cup at Newbury racecourse on May 17, 2014 in Newbury, England. (Alan
Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEBvkzH0Bwk/U3px9ghcJMI/AAAAAAABEzI/9LkvO7tXpbM/s1600/nasalstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEBvkzH0Bwk/U3px9ghcJMI/AAAAAAABEzI/9LkvO7tXpbM/s1600/nasalstrips.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Flair equine nasal strip us used by California Chrome during the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes at
Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Associated Press photo)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-74146668584108670052014-05-07T04:38:00.004-07:002014-05-07T04:38:56.042-07:00Photo Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxK-1V9Yh2c/U2obPjsSJrI/AAAAAAABEx0/0qkfjjOq-mw/s1600/Newmarket+Races+D7k4GdXqK6yl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxK-1V9Yh2c/U2obPjsSJrI/AAAAAAABEx0/0qkfjjOq-mw/s1600/Newmarket+Races+D7k4GdXqK6yl.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
A general view as runners pull up after finishing at
Newmarket racecourse on May 04, 2014 in Newmarket, England. (Alan
Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-54997931473585071942014-05-06T17:27:00.003-07:002014-05-06T17:29:11.931-07:00Hot Rize Upsets Virginia Gold Cup<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">(NSA.com) In front of an overflow crowd, <span style="line-height: 21.969999313354492px;">Holston Hall’s Hot Rize took the lead before the final fence of the $75,000 Virginia Gold Cup and fought off a determined challenge by Organisateur to win by three-quarters of a length at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Va., on Saturday, May 3.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tx1x0EMSOBg/U2l9y9zpF6I/AAAAAAABExk/XhlTPgLXyqM/s1600/DSC_4167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tx1x0EMSOBg/U2l9y9zpF6I/AAAAAAABExk/XhlTPgLXyqM/s1600/DSC_4167.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">Hot Rize winning Virginia Gold Cup. (Douglas Lees Photo)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21.969999313354492px;">Kinross Farm’s Old Timer finished third in Virginia’s richest race, and 2013 winner Grinding Speed took the fourth spot in the 89th running of the four-mile timber classic. Hot Rize ran the distance in 9:20.80 on ground rated as good.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">For the second year, the Virginia Gold Cup offered pari-mutuel wagering on its races, and Hot Rize paid $23.40 to win. That payoff approximated his program-line odds of 10-1, largely based on his winless record over the year since his sixth-place finish behind Grinding Speed last year.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Still, Hot Rize had been close to the winner’s circle. He was caught at the finish line in the Radnor Hunt Cup and finished second by a nose. He finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Holston Hall owner Russell Haynes took over the training of the 10-year-old Sultry Song gelding this year and rode him to a sixth-place finish in the Grand National at Butler, Md., on April 19.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">For the Virginia Gold Cup, Haynes placed Hot Rize in the hands of the sport’s current hot jockey, McCarthy, and the payoff was the biggest victory of the veteran campaigner’s career. In fact, he had never hit the board in five starts on the Great Meadow course.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">McCarthy placed Hot Rize in midpack as Irv Naylor’s Chess Board set the early pace under Ross Geraghty. Chess Board began to tire after three miles, however, and fell at the 20th fence. Chess Board was uninjured.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Hot Rize started his move a half-mile from the finish, and he jumped to the lead before the final fence. But Organisateur, owned by Rose Hill and trained by Ivan Dowling, also had made a move on the final turn and engaged Hot Rize in the stretch. The two leaders battled to the finish line, with Hot Rize maintaining the advantage by less than a week.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Irish-bred Organisateur had made the transition from hurdles to timber with an 11 1/4-length score in the first division of the John Rush Streett maiden timber race at My Lady’s Manor in Monkton, Md., on April 12.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">The result denied Organisateur’s jockey, Jody Petty, a rare double in the Maryland Hunt Cup and Virginia Gold Cup. The former champion jockey, now riding as an amateur, had won the Maryland timber classic a week earlier aboard Guts For Garters.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-15516137173052021172014-05-06T17:24:00.001-07:002014-05-07T04:44:56.405-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxX_vI5Bv7M/U2l8aYCBOBI/AAAAAAABEww/G0oqrQ4sXIY/s1600/DSC_3797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxX_vI5Bv7M/U2l8aYCBOBI/AAAAAAABEww/G0oqrQ4sXIY/s1600/DSC_3797.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
Champion Terrier Swagger. (Douglas Lees Photo)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oR75m73Nkag/U2l8cvz54aI/AAAAAAABEw8/uyM7Qbf_jtc/s1600/DSC_3910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oR75m73Nkag/U2l8cvz54aI/AAAAAAABEw8/uyM7Qbf_jtc/s1600/DSC_3910.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
Saluda Sam going through the Splash while winning the Steeplethon at Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup races. (Douglas Lees Photo)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pCsVDScEk3E/U2l8cDSscdI/AAAAAAABEw4/EUszYgrpKXs/s1600/DSC_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pCsVDScEk3E/U2l8cDSscdI/AAAAAAABEw4/EUszYgrpKXs/s1600/DSC_4155.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
The Virginia Gold Cup field approaching and over the water jump l-r: Organisateur-2nd; Worried Man; Spencer Road; Hot Rize-1st; Old Timber-3rd; Grinding Speed-4th. (Douglas Lees Photo)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBwwFmRYYWc/U2l8eMOCwsI/AAAAAAABExI/8dBzOBDivyk/s1600/DSC_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBwwFmRYYWc/U2l8eMOCwsI/AAAAAAABExI/8dBzOBDivyk/s1600/DSC_4158.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></div>
Hot Rize winning Virginia Gold Cup. (Douglas Lees Photo)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prbSf9Nh6DU/U2l8geJA7nI/AAAAAAABExY/SMcNd6cj5V4/s1600/DSC_4194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prbSf9Nh6DU/U2l8geJA7nI/AAAAAAABExY/SMcNd6cj5V4/s1600/DSC_4194.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Willie McCarthy after winning Virginia Gold Cup. (Douglas Lees Photo)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHgkEOZKi_4/U2l8frW8LeI/AAAAAAABExQ/_2RI9SXuuww/s1600/DSC_6323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHgkEOZKi_4/U2l8frW8LeI/AAAAAAABExQ/_2RI9SXuuww/s1600/DSC_6323.jpg" height="640" width="338" /></a></div>
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Willie McCarthy after winning Virginia Gold Cup. (Douglas Lees Photo)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-87994350034152360052014-05-03T06:51:00.001-07:002014-05-03T06:51:44.224-07:00See You At The Gold Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBRWkqSgggA/U2T0NhFrtMI/AAAAAAABEwg/fRhHyOxibZY/s1600/Punchestown+Races+4simI5cJQTPl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBRWkqSgggA/U2T0NhFrtMI/AAAAAAABEwg/fRhHyOxibZY/s1600/Punchestown+Races+4simI5cJQTPl.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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This image was processed using digital filters shows Ger Fox
riding Jacks Island (C, yellow) before winning The Avon
Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Chase For The La Touche Cup at Punchestown
racecourse on May 01, 2014 in Naas, Ireland.
(Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-72561899794485532592014-05-01T11:25:00.001-07:002014-05-01T11:25:18.989-07:00Grinding Speed Looks To Repeat In The Virginia Gold Cup<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgJ-rufE-SY/U2KRXNtWjFI/AAAAAAABEwM/W1C43cgRjpM/s1600/GrindingSpeed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgJ-rufE-SY/U2KRXNtWjFI/AAAAAAABEwM/W1C43cgRjpM/s1600/GrindingSpeed.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRINDING SPEED (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
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(NSA) Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed returns to Great
Meadow Race Course on Saturday, May 3, to defend his 2013 victory in the
prestigious $75,000 Virginia Gold Cup. Standing in the way of a second straight
win for trainer Alicia Murphy and jockey Mark Beecher is a strong field of
opponents, including Gold Cup runner-up Straight to It.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The four-mile Virginia Gold Cup, one of the premier races on
the National Steeplechase Association schedule, highlights the 89th Virginia
Gold Cup Races in The Plains. First post time is 1:30 p.m. for a six-race
program that features pari-mutuel betting under the supervision of the Virginia
Racing Commission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With his Virginia Gold Cup victory, Grinding Speed ended the
2013 spring season atop the NSA’s timber standing by purse earnings. He
triumphed by 6 3/4 lengths over Straight to It.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grinding Speed began his 2014 season with a third-place
finish in the My Lady’s Manor at Monkton, Md., on April 12.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jack Fisher, who shared last year’s timber trainer title,
entered the pairing of Straight to It and Worried Man. Sheila J. Williams’
Straight to It opened the year with a fourth-place finish in the My Lady’s
Manor. Jeff Murphy has the mount.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonny Via’s Worried Man, winner of last year’s Mason
Houghland Memorial timber stakes at Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase, finished
fifth in the My Lady’s Manor. Champion jockey Paddy Young will ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A horse to watch is Spencer Road, who upended defending
timber champion Foyle by a hard-driving nose in the Grand National at Butler,
Md., on April 19. Owned by Gerry Brewster, Eleanor T. Russell, and Joseph
Tydings, Spencer Road is trained by Blythe Miller Davies, and Eric Poretz will
ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Billy Meister, who shared the 2013 timber training title
with Fisher, will saddle Irv Naylor’s Chess Board, winner of the New Jersey
Hunt Cup timber allowance race last fall. He finished third in the Middleburg
Hunt Cup on April 19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holston Hall’s Hot Rize, who was favored in last year’s
Virginia Gold Cup and finished sixth, will take another shot at Virginia’s
richest steeplechase race. Now trained by owner Russell Haynes, Hot Rize
finished sixth in the Grand National.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Virginia-based horseman Neil Morris will send out Kinross
Farm’s Old Timer, who finished second in the My Lady’s Manor in his first 2014 start.
Jacob Roberts will ride.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-12991682738018627582014-05-01T11:23:00.000-07:002014-05-01T11:23:10.206-07:00Who Do You Like In The Virginia Gold Cup?<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, there is wagering at the Gold Cup and that brings a whole new avenue of
fun to what is always a great day of steeplechase racing, partying and picnicking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That said we all know it’s fun to have a little skin in the game by placing a
potentially profitable bet in each race. It’s even more fun when you get to
cash that wager, so spending a few minutes to “handicap” the Gold Cup is some
time well spent. Think of yourself as a day trader of sorts with a limited
number of stocks to choose from and a very limited window for market
movement. Some of those stocks will payoff and some won’t. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Question is, who’s
who?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOAVmq5ERrQ/U2KQRiDrWrI/AAAAAAABEv0/cGxCUbMNRgc/s1600/GrindingSpeed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOAVmq5ERrQ/U2KQRiDrWrI/AAAAAAABEv0/cGxCUbMNRgc/s1600/GrindingSpeed2.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRINDING SPEED (DouglasLees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the rundown on the horses entered in the feature
race – the Virginia Gold Cup. The past
performances for the other horses in the other aces will be available in
Saturday’s program.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Organisateur (Ire)</i></b>. 2005 b. g., Highest Honor–Willamina, by
Sadler’s Wells. Owner: Rose Hill. Trainer: Ivan Dowling. Jockey: Jody Petty.
2013 record: 4-0-1-0, $6,700. 2012 record: No starts. 2011 NSA record: 4-0-1-0,
$47,800. 10-1 odds. Finished sixth in 2013 Valentine Memorial starter handicap
at Fair Hill. Took lead over last fence in Radnor’s James Moran Jr. Memorial
open claimer but could not hold off winner. Pulled up in $150,000 Calvin
Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) on May 11. Tracked early pace and faded to finish
fourth in the Block House optional allowance at Tryon, N.C., on April 20.
Missed 2012 season. Second-place finisher in 2011 Grand National (Gr. 1)
finished fifth in that year’s Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup (Gr. 1)
Accomplished handicap hurdler in England.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Grinding Speed.</i></b> 2006 gr. or ro. g., Grindstone—Cozelia, by
Cozzene. Owner: Michael T. Wharton. Trainer: Alicia Murphy. Jockey: Mark
Beecher. 2014 record: 1-0-0-1, $3,000. 2013 record: 3-1-0-0, $46,200. 2012
record: 6-3-3-0, $55,350. 2011 record: 6-3-3-0, $55,350. 2-1 odds. Finished
third in My Lady’s Manor on April 12. Fell while leading in 2013 My Lady’s
Manor, then won the Virginia Gold Cup. Finished sixth in Radnor Hunt Cup. Had a
strong 2012 season with victory in the International Gold Cup in Virginia after
a good second in the National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup at Virginia Fall.
Won maiden timber race at Winterthur and then scored in novice timber race at
Fair Hill, Md.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XO7nwJXqRA/U2KQiIqkJyI/AAAAAAABEv8/8o_xHjcC0ao/s1600/Old+Timer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XO7nwJXqRA/U2KQiIqkJyI/AAAAAAABEv8/8o_xHjcC0ao/s1600/Old+Timer.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OLD TIMER and trainer NEIL MORRIS (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Old Timer</i></b>. 2006 b. g., Orientate—Chatham Hall, by Green
Dancer. Owner: Kinross Farm. Trainer: Neil Morris. Jockey: Jacob Roberts. 2014
record: 1-0-1-0, $5,400. 2013 record: 6-1-1-0, $18,400. 2012 record: 4-1-0-1,
$13,060. 6-1 odds. Finished second in My Lady’s Manor of April 12. In busy fall
2013 season, finished second in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library
Chronicle Cup and Colonial Cup’s Springdale timber allowance. Lost rider in
Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance. Won the first division of the John Rush
Streett maiden timber race at My Lady’s Manor by 1 1/4 lengths before fourth in
the Mason Houghland Memorial timber stakes at Iroquois.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Spencer Road. </i></b>2006 b. g., Slew City Slew—Snars Good Fortune,
by Snars. Owner: Gerry Brewster, Eleanor T. Russell, and Joseph Tydings.
Trainer: Blythe Miller Davies. Jockey: Eric Poretz. 2014 record: 1-1-0-0,
$18,000. 2013 record: 2-0-0-1, $1,000. 8-1 odds. Pulled big upset when he edged
timber champion Foyle in the Grand National on April 19. Finished third in 2013
John Rush Streett division at My Lady’s Manor before being disqualified from
second to last for going off course in the Benjamin H. Murray Memorial at Grand
National on April 20.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Worried Man.</i></b> 2007 b. g., Dynaformer—Mystic Lady, by Thunder
Gulch. Owner: Harold A. “Sonny” Via. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Paddy Young.
2014 record: 1-0-0-0, $1,200. 2013 record: 6-2-1-0, $43,700. 2012 record: No
starts. 10-1 odds. Finished fifth in My Lady’s Manor on April 12. Closed the
2013 season with a win in a Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance after fourth
in the International Gold Cup. Upset the Mason Houghland Memorial at
Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase before seventh in Shawan Downs’ Legacy Chase.
Began timber career with fifth in My Lady’s Manor timber maiden and then was
second in a timber maiden at the Foxfield Spring Races.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pkvOfzHfhs/U2KQvr5wtAI/AAAAAAABEwE/kyeKFx3QTfw/s1600/straight+to+it+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pkvOfzHfhs/U2KQvr5wtAI/AAAAAAABEwE/kyeKFx3QTfw/s1600/straight+to+it+center.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STRAIGHT TO IT (center) (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Straight to It.</i></b> 2006 ch. g., Giant’s Causeway—Helsinka (Fr),
by Pennekamp. Owners: Sheila J. Williams and Andre Brewster. Trainer: Jack
Fisher. Jockey: Jeff Murphy. 2014 record: 1-0-0-0, $1,500. 2013 record:
6-1-4-1, $47,500. 2012 record: 3-2-0-1, $39,500. 2011 record: 7-1-1-0, $31,500.
4-1 odds. Finished fourth in 2014 debut in My Lady’s Manor. Gave Jack Fisher a
share of trainer’s title with victory in Colonial Cup’s Springdale timber
allowance. Finished second in International Gold Cup and Shawan Downs’ Legacy
Chase. Finished third in Radnor Hunt Cup after second in Virginia Gold Cup.
Rallied for second in My Lady’s Manor. Won the 2012 New Jersey Hunt Cup at Far
Hills, N.J.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Chess Board (GB)</i></b>. 2003 b. g., Vettori–Cruinn a Bhord, by
Inchinor (GB). Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: William Meister. Jockey: Willie
McCarthy. 2014 record: 1-0-0-1, $2,000. 2013 record: 1-1-0-0, $15,000. 2012
record: 3-0-0-0, $1,200. 2011 record: 7-1-1-0, $27,590. 15-1 odds. Finished
third in the Middleburg Hunt Cup on April 19. In first 2013 start over fences,
won the New Jersey Hunt Cup, a timber allowance. In previous start, finished
sixth in 2012 Radnor Hunt Cup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Illustration. 2007 ch. g., Pleasant Tap–Sabratical, by
Wavering Monarch. Owner-Trainer-Jockey: Conrad Somers. 2014 record: 1-0-1-0,
$1,800. 2013 NSA record: No starts. 20-1 odds. Finished second, beaten 3 3/4
lengths, in John D. Schapiro Memorial amateur apprentice timber race at My
Lady’s Manor on April 12.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Hot Rize.</i></b> 2004 dk. b. or br. g., Sultry Song—Donesia, by
Desert Wine. Owner: Holston Hall. Trainer: Russell Haynes. Jockey: Willie
McCarthy. 2014 record: 1-0-0-0, $900. 2013 record: 6-1-1-1, $27,500. 2012
record: 1-0-0-0, $1,050. 2011 record: 7-2-1-2, $23,100. 10-1 odds. Finished
sixth in Grand National on April 19. Ended 2013 season with third in the
Pennsylvania Hunt Cup after fourth in the National Sporting Library Chronicle
Cup. Finished second by a nose in Radnor Hunt Cup after sixth in the Virginia
Gold Cup as the 3.10-1 favorite. Won Middleburg Hunt Cup.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-49336603614736660072014-05-01T11:15:00.002-07:002014-05-01T11:15:19.590-07:00Full Field of 20 Set For Kentucky Derby<div class="MsoNormal">
California Chrome, the morning line favorite for the May 3
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) drew post 5 for the 1 1/4-mile
classic. The California-bred colt will be ridden by Victor Espinoza and face 19
fellow 3-year-olds in the $2 million Run for the Roses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap2rgOOlrhM/U2KNwxoK04I/AAAAAAABEvY/0EcYuHpmD1c/s1600/Kentucky+Derby+pxrOg4FIV9ml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap2rgOOlrhM/U2KNwxoK04I/AAAAAAABEvY/0EcYuHpmD1c/s1600/Kentucky+Derby+pxrOg4FIV9ml.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CALIFORNIA CHROME (Jamie Squires Photos)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Art Sherman trains California Chrome for breeder/owners
Steve Coburn and Perry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Martin. The son of Lucky Pulpit —Love the Chase, by Not For Love, has won all three of his starts at 3 by a
combined 18 lengths. He was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sherman, at 77, would become the oldest trainer to win the
Derby, surpassing the legendary Charlie Whittingham who won his second Derby
with Sunday Silence in 1989 at age 76.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
California Chrome has won six of 10 starts, all in Southern
California, and has earned $1,134,850. He will be attempting to become the
first Cal-bred winner of the Derby since Decidedly in 1962. Sherman was an
exercise rider for the Mesh Tenney-trained Swaps when that colt won the Derby
in 1955. Morvich (1922) is the only other Cal-bred among the 139 winners of the
Derby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I like that he has some speed horses to his
inside," Sherman said. "That way he can just sort of sit in there and
then float into that first turn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I could see us right in behind the leaders and be in
the clear down the backside," he said. "If Victor could get him in
the clear near the three-eighths pole, I think we'll have a big chance."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Espinoza won the 2002 Kentucky Derby aboard War Emblem after
breaking from post 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Vicar's in Trouble drew post 1 with
the very first pill pulled in the draw, eliminating any drama from who would
land in the what is regarded as the most troublesome spot in the huge field.
The Louisiana-bred son of Into Mischief
won the March 29 Louisiana Derby (gr. II).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I was kind of shocked, being the first one
drawn," jockey Rosie Napravnik told Donna Brothers of NBC Sports.
"But he's sharp to get out of the gate, so I think we'll get good
position. He's versatile. Don't worry, Vicar's not in trouble, yet."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vicar's in Trouble is one of three in the race trained by
Mike Maker. His other runners are General a Rod (15-1; post 8) and Harry's
Holiday (50-1; post 2).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We didn't have much choice but at least I don't have
too far to walk to saddle the horses," Maker said with a laugh of two of
horses in posts 1 and 2. "Maybe our riders will be friendly and give each
other some space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNomlfMySMk/U2KODRnTcrI/AAAAAAABEvg/qG83pIiFC_I/s1600/KYD+Entries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNomlfMySMk/U2KODRnTcrI/AAAAAAABEvg/qG83pIiFC_I/s1600/KYD+Entries.jpg" height="400" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on graphic to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Hopefully we get a good break out of Vicar's in
Trouble like we usually do and get a good position," he said. "His
running style should help. He's good out of the gate. All the closers are to
the outside, so hopefully everybody breaks clean and we'll be in good
shape."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
General a Rod comes out of Florida where he topped Wildcat
Red (post 10) by a head in the Jan. 1 Gulfstream Park Derby, then dropped a
head decision to him in the Besilu Stables' Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II).
General a Rod was most recently third behind Constitution and Wildcat Red in
the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The good thing is that we have two of the tough horses
inside of us," trainer Jose Garoffalo said of Wildcat Red's post. "We
have General a Rod inside of us and California Chrome inside of us. That's a
good thing."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) winner Wicked
Strong drew the far outside 20 post. The draw made oddsmaker Mike Battaglia
move him from second choice to the third pick on the morning line at 8-1.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wicked Strong (Hard Spun
—Moyne Abbey, by Charismatic) is owned by Centennial Farms. Trained by
Jimmy Jerkens, the bay colt will be ridden by Ravij Maragh. He won the Wood by
3 1/2 lengths over Samraat, who drew post 6.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It's better than the '1' but not a whole lot,"
Jerkens said. "He's just going to have to work his way down a little bit.
No horse runs good when they get fanned out wide, especially him. He seems to
get competitive when he's close to the fence early on. In Florida, he was wide
on both turns (in the Holy Bull) and he kind of spit out the bit down the
backside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"At least he's got a nice long run down the stretch and
it looks like the speed should be in a nice clump where he can draft in behind
them, so it might work out a better trip than we think. It'll be tricky, that's
for sure. I'll just try to convince myself it's not as bad as time goes
by."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since 1900, posts 1 and 5 have been the most productive with
12 winners, but no one has won from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986. Posts 4,
8, and 10 have produced 10 winners each. Big Brown won from post 20 in 2008; I'll Have
Another won the Roses in 2012 from post
19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second choice on the morning line at 6-1 is
Hoppertunity, was scratched early Thursday morning after drawing post 11. Hoppertunity is trained by Bob
Baffert and his other entry Sunland Derby Gr.3 winner Chitu drew post 13. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hoppertunity drew in the middle of the field in post 11.
Baffert's other runner, Sunland Derby (gr. III) winner Chitu, drew post 13.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fourth choice is 10-1 chance Danza, winner of the
Arkansas Derby (gr. I). The Todd Pletcher-trained colt will break just inside
of California Chrome in post 4 under Joe Bravo. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners, the son of Street Boss
—Champagne Royale, by French Deputy, won at Oaklawn while making just
his fourth career start.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pletcher has three additional runners for the Derby: Intense
Holiday (12-1; post 16); Vinceremos (30-1; post 9); and We Miss Artie (50-1;
post 7).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good spot for him," Pletcher said of Danza.
"He won the Arkansas Derby out of the number 1 hole. He's fine with being
on the inside." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for Intense Holiday's outside draw, Pletcher said:
"We like it. Orb drew the 16 last year, and he got it done. The outside
gate is hot and it will allow Johnny (Velazquez) an opportunity to get clear
and pick a spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxPhisEdldU/U2KOkIPqknI/AAAAAAABEvo/fiypOo4gUYw/s1600/intense+holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxPhisEdldU/U2KOkIPqknI/AAAAAAABEvo/fiypOo4gUYw/s1600/intense+holiday.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">INTENSE HOLIDAY (USA Today)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Starlight Racing's Intense Holiday may only have a 2-1-1
mark from eight starts but has run in six graded races. This year he was third
in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, won the Risen Star, then
was second in the Louisiana Derby. He is by Harlan's Holiday out of the
Unbridled's Song mare Intensity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We Miss Artie is one of two for the Ramseys. He comes to the
Derby off a victory in the March 22 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Racing Spiral
Stakes (gr. III) on Polytrack at Turfway Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It (post 1 with Vicar's in Trouble) could be the
coveted post position if we get a good break and don't get pinched off,"
said Ramsey. "We're optimistic Rose (Napravnik) will give him a good trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To read more about the horses entered in Saturday's 140th Kentucky Derby, <a href="http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/zatt/Early_Kentucky_Derby_2014_Morning_Line_Down_and_Derby_Selections_123">click here</a>. Or <a href="http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses">here</a>. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-3711438084806735472014-05-01T11:03:00.001-07:002014-05-01T11:03:15.946-07:00KY Derby Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kt5GQz73PQ/U2KKxSXCVEI/AAAAAAABEuw/Cq2E2Wjpqv4/s1600/califirnia+chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kt5GQz73PQ/U2KKxSXCVEI/AAAAAAABEuw/Cq2E2Wjpqv4/s1600/califirnia+chrome.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Morning line Kentucky Derby favorite California Chrome gallops on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpvgfVWJHEY/U2KKu1QGwMI/AAAAAAABEuI/52b5B0dlebc/s1600/candy+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpvgfVWJHEY/U2KKu1QGwMI/AAAAAAABEuI/52b5B0dlebc/s1600/candy+boy.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
Candy Boy gallops for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AbEBAGv76U/U2KKvvk09pI/AAAAAAABEuQ/2OjiKfBCnKE/s1600/commanding+curve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AbEBAGv76U/U2KKvvk09pI/AAAAAAABEuQ/2OjiKfBCnKE/s1600/commanding+curve.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
Wicked Strong gallops
on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North
America)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Jxck1gF51M/U2KKwDiobiI/AAAAAAABEuY/75BsyWnR3MM/s1600/dance+with+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Jxck1gF51M/U2KKwDiobiI/AAAAAAABEuY/75BsyWnR3MM/s1600/dance+with+fire.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Kentucky Derby contender Dance With Fate is bathed after working out on the track during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIGJoxQ0K0U/U2KKwRceMuI/AAAAAAABEuc/NdmnTu7k2FI/s1600/danza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIGJoxQ0K0U/U2KKwRceMuI/AAAAAAABEuc/NdmnTu7k2FI/s1600/danza.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
Danza gallops on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-cSuPjK_b0/U2KKuyXgStI/AAAAAAABEuE/q8pBMjbdZoI/s1600/Ride+On+Cirlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-cSuPjK_b0/U2KKuyXgStI/AAAAAAABEuE/q8pBMjbdZoI/s1600/Ride+On+Cirlin.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
Ride On Curlin with walked in the barn by trainer BillyGowan during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr7Wdej2zak/U2KKzGTt0MI/AAAAAAABEu0/54V2C4vmobU/s1600/uncle+sigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr7Wdej2zak/U2KKzGTt0MI/AAAAAAABEu0/54V2C4vmobU/s1600/uncle+sigh.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
Uncle Sigh gallops on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nks2qCq-olw/U2KKx_hAhTI/AAAAAAABEus/xrGJMK5zWgY/s1600/we+miss+artie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nks2qCq-olw/U2KKx_hAhTI/AAAAAAABEus/xrGJMK5zWgY/s1600/we+miss+artie.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
We Miss Artie gallops on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxRM1R7RPm0/U2KKzM2-8lI/AAAAAAABEu4/_VV9ouYd5Cw/s1600/wicked+strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxRM1R7RPm0/U2KKzM2-8lI/AAAAAAABEu4/_VV9ouYd5Cw/s1600/wicked+strong.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
Wicked Strong gallops on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N19TmN0qrXA/U2KKzU_qQFI/AAAAAAABEvM/5XCicwRQioE/s1600/wildcat+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N19TmN0qrXA/U2KKzU_qQFI/AAAAAAABEvM/5XCicwRQioE/s1600/wildcat+red.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wildcat Red gallops on the track during the morning training
for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014 in Louisville,
Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-48688637230021063462014-05-01T10:54:00.005-07:002014-05-01T10:54:50.258-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqvQJs-CuUA/U2KJOg-8nxI/AAAAAAABEtc/gwBglXAnQn4/s1600/Punchestown+Races+ibpARvlWViwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqvQJs-CuUA/U2KJOg-8nxI/AAAAAAABEtc/gwBglXAnQn4/s1600/Punchestown+Races+ibpARvlWViwl.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">As U2 once said “It’s a beautiful day,” but maybe not quite this beautiful! This image was processed using digital filters and shows a spectacular view as runners make their way out into the country at Punchestown racecourse on April 29, 2014 in Naas, Ireland.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">(Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCLiL-8oThM/U2KJNNLS3LI/AAAAAAABEtA/nRGkzKXHz4o/s1600/Ascot+Races+naVH1GvmTvJl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCLiL-8oThM/U2KJNNLS3LI/AAAAAAABEtA/nRGkzKXHz4o/s1600/Ascot+Races+naVH1GvmTvJl.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
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Frankie Dettori celebrates after ridding Tac De Boistron to victory in The Longines Sagari Stakes at Ascot racecourse on April 30, 2014 in Ascot, England. (Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe) <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLEXNqaEYZA/U2KJNfde2tI/AAAAAAABEtE/ACdjs98LGQE/s1600/Punchestown+Races+D4ddTX98xT5l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLEXNqaEYZA/U2KJNfde2tI/AAAAAAABEtE/ACdjs98LGQE/s1600/Punchestown+Races+D4ddTX98xT5l.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></a></div>
This image was processed using digital filters and shows a general view as runners clear a flight of hurdles at Punchestown racecourse on April 29, 2014 in Naas, Ireland. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BO5WIh4QW2g/U2KJQwc0NlI/AAAAAAABEts/XxmITvcf9GY/s1600/Punchestown+Races+TFMi_W_0CITl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BO5WIh4QW2g/U2KJQwc0NlI/AAAAAAABEts/XxmITvcf9GY/s1600/Punchestown+Races+TFMi_W_0CITl.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
This image was processed using digital filters and shows a general view as runners climb a rise and turn into the straight at Punchestown racecourse on April 30, 2014 in Naas, Ireland. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe) <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOHiAySVINE/U2KJO1oXsgI/AAAAAAABEtY/rwmWwPwko_Q/s1600/Warrnambool+May+Racing+Carnival+DUi6TxQ_Fvrl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOHiAySVINE/U2KJO1oXsgI/AAAAAAABEtY/rwmWwPwko_Q/s1600/Warrnambool+May+Racing+Carnival+DUi6TxQ_Fvrl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
John Allen riding Gotta Take Care (far) jumps the last hurdle before winning Race 5, the Sovereign Resort Galleywood Hurdle during the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival on April 30, 2014 in Warrnambool, Australia. Richard Cully riding Valediction (near) finished 3rd. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GIe43f7vuU/U2KJQYDidhI/AAAAAAABEt4/ZbNnzUF8Azo/s1600/Warrnambool+May+Racing+Carnival+kFVY-DOKkbCl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GIe43f7vuU/U2KJQYDidhI/AAAAAAABEt4/ZbNnzUF8Azo/s1600/Warrnambool+May+Racing+Carnival+kFVY-DOKkbCl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Steven Pateman riding Elms (far R) during the second last hurdle
before winning the MRC $300,000 jumps bonus maiden Hurdle during the Warnambool
May Racing Carnival on April 29, 2014 in Warrnambool, Australia. (Vince
Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-62709375489513158072014-04-29T05:12:00.003-07:002014-04-29T05:13:48.990-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTXb2ZX1Ou4/U1-WvUvH0tI/AAAAAAABEsU/Hnz5AOmu4fw/s1600/Longchamp+Races+Pew_58Ubflwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTXb2ZX1Ou4/U1-WvUvH0tI/AAAAAAABEsU/Hnz5AOmu4fw/s1600/Longchamp+Races+Pew_58Ubflwl.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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Christophe Soumillon riding Cirrus Des Aigles (L) win the $415,000 Prix Ganay G1 from Treve and Frankie Dettori at Longchamp racecourse on April 27, 2014 in Paris, France. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9TDimfK1lQ/U1-WvVznwnI/AAAAAAABEsc/NqD86QzMkOs/s1600/Longchamp+Races+c3WNXUAqeGLl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9TDimfK1lQ/U1-WvVznwnI/AAAAAAABEsc/NqD86QzMkOs/s1600/Longchamp+Races+c3WNXUAqeGLl.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
Jockey Ioritz Mendizabal walks into the paddock at Longchamp racecourse on April 27, 2014 in Paris, France. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWNLRaWik9w/U1-WvWCoGDI/AAAAAAABEsY/1FbErwRktsk/s1600/Longchamp+Races+C-Fsn4gW__Sl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWNLRaWik9w/U1-WvWCoGDI/AAAAAAABEsY/1FbErwRktsk/s1600/Longchamp+Races+C-Fsn4gW__Sl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
A general view as runners make their way to the starting gate at Longchamp racecourse on April 27, 2014 in Paris, France. ( Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W586oM8pgtg/U1-WwOhy7yI/AAAAAAABEss/jZc8Qo8cLJc/s1600/Longchamp+Races+ySChbEABfVCl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W586oM8pgtg/U1-WwOhy7yI/AAAAAAABEss/jZc8Qo8cLJc/s1600/Longchamp+Races+ySChbEABfVCl.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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A general view as runners pass the winning post at Longchamp
racecourse on April 27, 2014 in Paris, France. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Europe)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-5726887389309787922014-04-28T17:01:00.003-07:002014-04-28T17:05:08.798-07:00Debut of Kentucky Derby Wagering At Virginia Gold Cup<div class="MsoNormal">
For the first
time in its long history, the first jewel of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, the
Kentucky Derby will be available for wagers at the Virginia Gold Cup this
Saturday. The VGC will be offering
pari-mutuel wagering on their six race card and the most exciting two minutes
in sports which will be run after the final live race on the program.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrY9tXgJ4fc/U17r1IcQusI/AAAAAAABEsE/o6AALqBhvMI/s1600/Fastbet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrY9tXgJ4fc/U17r1IcQusI/AAAAAAABEsE/o6AALqBhvMI/s1600/Fastbet.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pari-mutuel
wagering debuted at last year’s International Gold Cup, but there were long lines and problems associated
with the WiFi that was supposed to connect Gold Cup patrons to the wagering platform
set up specifically for that day’s event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year,
the Gold Cup will have 15 betting
stations around the course with a self-service machine and a teller machine. Race officials have met with United Tote
Company concerning the software glitch that plagued wagering last October. In
addition, there will be QR codes on the race program and in various places that
will take your phone to “Smart Bet Mobile”. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fingers
crossed. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
For more info, <a href="http://vagoldcup.com/betting.pdf">click here</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
So don’t
forget your smart phone or your tablet or stop by the Gold Cup office in
Warrenton to purchase a wagering card.
No worries if you can’t make in before the big day, the tellers and self-service
machines take good old fashioned cash!<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-37397590741462191952014-04-28T16:21:00.002-07:002014-04-28T16:51:57.432-07:00Guts For Garters Wins Maryland Hunt Cup By A Nose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXqktcJOic4/U17iShamZkI/AAAAAAABEr0/9OpJjZjC800/s1600/bs-sp-maryland-hunt-cup-steeplechase-0427-20140426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXqktcJOic4/U17iShamZkI/AAAAAAABEr0/9OpJjZjC800/s1600/bs-sp-maryland-hunt-cup-steeplechase-0427-20140426.jpg" /></a></div>
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In a thrilling battle to the finish line, Stewart
Strawbridge’s Guts For Garters (left) bested Imperial Way by a nose in the 118th
renewal of the historic Maryland Hunt Cup on Saturday, April 26.</div>
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Lightly regarded after an eighth-place finish in a Grand
National amateur timber allowance race a week earlier, Guts For Garters
conquered the tall fences on the Maryland Hunt Cup course in Glyndon, and
jockey Jody Petty drove the 11-year-old Irish-bred through the stretch to the
finish line.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Guts For Garters had just enough to win the head bob over
Merriefield Farm’s Imperial Way, ridden by Bethany Baumgardner. Merriefield’s
Bon Caddo, the 2011 timber champion, took the third spot, and two-time Hunt Cup
winner Twill Do was fourth for the second straight year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trained by Sanna Neilson, Guts For Garters ran the Hunt
Cup’s four miles in 9:20. The Hunt Cup win marked a milestone for Petty, a
former champion jockey who began riding as an amateur last year. He had entered
semi-retirement previously and decided to keep active in the sport by riding as
an amateur.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-37296548238714113642014-04-28T15:50:00.004-07:002014-04-28T15:51:40.985-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FXwG2Dt-4A/U17akNDryjI/AAAAAAABEq8/H8ebIshNg8E/s1600/California+Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FXwG2Dt-4A/U17akNDryjI/AAAAAAABEq8/H8ebIshNg8E/s1600/California+Chrome.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Kentucky Derby pre-face favorite California Chrome arrives at track in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. Wagering will be available on the most exciting two minutes in sports to Virginia Gold Cup patrons. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaRdcLEUXws/U17akNMn8NI/AAAAAAABEq4/g21IwDg1b_4/s1600/Chitu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaRdcLEUXws/U17akNMn8NI/AAAAAAABEq4/g21IwDg1b_4/s1600/Chitu.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Chitu is ridden by Dana Barnes during the morning exercise session in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7DsZJBYQc4/U17ak3FsJ3I/AAAAAAABErQ/Qk3lfV__P9U/s1600/danza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7DsZJBYQc4/U17ak3FsJ3I/AAAAAAABErQ/Qk3lfV__P9U/s1600/danza.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Danza is ridden by Ezekiel Perez during the morning exercise session in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94Vv2oYrbco/U17ak1jjZGI/AAAAAAABErM/9H6kQNM6cnI/s1600/imtense+holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94Vv2oYrbco/U17ak1jjZGI/AAAAAAABErM/9H6kQNM6cnI/s1600/imtense+holiday.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Intense Holiday is ridden by Isabelle Bourez during the morning exercise session in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN7IXAkijeA/U17akGA58WI/AAAAAAABEq0/8pARrmpgY4I/s1600/Uncle+Sigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN7IXAkijeA/U17akGA58WI/AAAAAAABEq0/8pARrmpgY4I/s1600/Uncle+Sigh.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Uncle Sigh is riden by Benito Alvarado during the morning exercise session in preparation for the140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP5wqXo0DYc/U17alop86zI/AAAAAAABErY/--G13g3hSg4/s1600/we+miss+artie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP5wqXo0DYc/U17alop86zI/AAAAAAABErY/--G13g3hSg4/s1600/we+miss+artie.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
We Miss Artie is bathed along side other horses trained by Todd Pletcher after the morning exercise session in preparation for the140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 27, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c--Yh2XfuIk/U17akjVRZVI/AAAAAAABErg/haTfBk9IWoM/s1600/WildCatRed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c--Yh2XfuIk/U17akjVRZVI/AAAAAAABErg/haTfBk9IWoM/s1600/WildCatRed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wildcat Red is ridden by Juan Belmonte during the morning
exercise session in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
on April 25, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North
America)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-16851584346465933992014-04-26T04:50:00.002-07:002014-04-26T04:50:41.786-07:00Champions, Two-Time Winner Twill Do Square Off In Maryland Hunt Cup Today<div class="MsoNormal">
(NSA) Merriefield Farm’s two timber champions and two-time
winner Twill Do will line up Saturday, April 26, for the 118th running of the
$75,000 Maryland Hunt Cup in Glyndon. The historic race, the finale of
Maryland’s timber triple crown, attracted a full field for its four miles over
daunting fences. Post time for the afternoon’s only race is 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7qLFZWBFEU/U1udVXrwMuI/AAAAAAABEqk/Iivd7UrJIN4/s1600/twill+do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7qLFZWBFEU/U1udVXrwMuI/AAAAAAABEqk/Iivd7UrJIN4/s1600/twill+do.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TILL DO (LEFT) (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trainer Bruce Fenwick will saddle Merriefield’s reigning
timber champion, Foyle, and the 2011 champion, Bon Caddo. Foyle, who surged to
the 2013 title with back-to-back victories in the International Gold Cup and
Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, tuned for the Hunt Cup with a game second-place finish,
beaten a nose, in the $30,000 Grand National at Butler on April 19. Fenwick
imported British amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen to ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bon Caddo would be making his first 2014 start after being
scratched from the My Lady’s Manor, first contest of the timber triple, on
April 12. He finished fifth in last year’s Hunt Cup after a third in the My
Lady’s Manor. James Slater will ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lucy Goelet’s Twill Do will be attempting to retire the Hunt
Cup trophy with his third victory. He won in 2010 and 2012 before finishing
fourth last year. James Stierhoff, who rode Twill Do to his previous Hunt Cup
victories, will be in the saddle for trainer William Meister.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jack Fisher, who shared last year’s timber trainer title
with Meister, will send out Arcadia Stable’s Delta Park. A solid second to
Foyle in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, Delta Park opened the 2014 season with a
third-place finish in the Grand National, the middle jewel of Maryland’s timber
triple crown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark Beecher, who rode Professor Maxwell to victory in last
year’s Hunt Cup, assumes the mount on Delta Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Virginia-based trainer Neil Morris will saddle Kinross
Farm’s Sand Box Rules, who ruled the John D. Schapiro Memorial amateur
apprentice timber race at My Lady’s Manor. Diana Gillam again will ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-39953186631252000322014-04-26T04:43:00.003-07:002014-04-26T04:43:42.234-07:00Photo Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y65E0sUqHtQ/U1ub3_LVP-I/AAAAAAABEqY/5235xv0eafw/s1600/Epsom+Races+T8o_0YQ-cj0l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y65E0sUqHtQ/U1ub3_LVP-I/AAAAAAABEqY/5235xv0eafw/s1600/Epsom+Races+T8o_0YQ-cj0l.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two racegoers sit in the centre of the course to watch the
racing at Epsom racecourse on April 23, 2014 in Epsom, England. (Alan
Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-74915159867743772032014-04-24T08:09:00.002-07:002014-04-24T08:09:25.919-07:00Spencer Road Edges Foyle in Grand National<div class="MsoNormal">
(NSA)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spencer Road, returning to the races after a year’s absence,
prevailed in an extended battle with reigning timber champion Foyle to win the
$30,000 Grand National, the middle jewel of Maryland’s timber triple crown on
Saturday, April 19. Arcadia Stable’s Delta Park finished third.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkyqPW0NyXk/U1ko5tI_HmI/AAAAAAABEp0/R-R43-j2e6o/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkyqPW0NyXk/U1ko5tI_HmI/AAAAAAABEp0/R-R43-j2e6o/s1600/image002.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> L to R Foyle and Spencer Road (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Owned by Gerry Brewster, Eleanor T. Russell, and Joseph
Tydings, Spencer Road entered the Grand National as a timber maiden longshot.
He finished third in last year’s John Rush Streett Memorial, a timber maiden
race, and then finished second in the Grand National’s Benjamin Murray
Memorial. But he and the first finisher were disqualified for going off course,
giving the victory to Foyle. Merriefield Farm’s Foyle secured his timber title
with back-to-back victories in the International Gold Cup and Pennsylvania Hunt
Cup.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spencer Road, ridden by Eric Poretz, and Foyle, under James
Slater, hooked up over the last fence and battled to the finish line, with
Spencer Road getting the advantage of the head bob. Trained in Maryland by
Blythe Miller Davies, Spencer Road ran the Grand National’s 3 1/4 miles in 6:13
on firm ground at the Butler course.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-20172158343116187412014-04-24T08:07:00.000-07:002014-04-24T08:07:26.052-07:00Decoy Daddy Repeats in Temple Gwathmey<div class="MsoNormal">
(NSA)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Decoy Daddy, Irv Naylor’s ageless multiple stakes winner,
bested three Grade 1 stakes winners to secure his second straight victory in
the $50,000 Temple Gwathmey (Gr. 3), the featured race of the 93rd annual
Middleburg Spring Races on Saturday, April 19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpkBNoPw6z8/U1kol-PjB_I/AAAAAAABEps/AWD2XHApkoI/s1600/DSC_2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpkBNoPw6z8/U1kol-PjB_I/AAAAAAABEps/AWD2XHApkoI/s1600/DSC_2975.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With regular rider Carol-Ann Sloan in the saddle for trainer
Cyril Murphy, Decoy Daddy prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over Magalen O. Bryant’s
Gustavian, winner of last year’s $150,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1) at
Belmont Park. Pleasant Woodman, winner of Aiken Spring’s Budweiser Imperial Cup
in his most recent start, finished third and was followed to the finish line by
Inti and Molotof. Spy in the Sky and Italian Wedding, the respective New York
Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) winners in 2009 and 2013, were pulled up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Decoy Daddy, a 12-year-old Irish-bred, ran the Temple
Gwathmey’s 2 1/2 miles in 5:35.40 on turf rated as good at Middleburg’s
Glenwood Park Course.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-43476774547525736512014-04-18T10:41:00.001-07:002014-04-18T10:41:10.124-07:002013 International Gold Cup Winner Foyle Heads Maryland Grand National Field<div class="MsoNormal">
(NationalSteeplechase.com) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Merriefield Farm’s Foyle, the reigning timber champion, will
make his 2014 debut against a crowded field of competitors in Maryland’s
historic Grand National, the second jewel of the Free State’s timber triple
crown, on Saturday, April 19. The $30,000 Grand National kicks off a three-race
program at 3:15 p.m. at the Butler course.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLweP-Jz7Ts/U1FjlS2nrQI/AAAAAAABEpU/VTwbkIu62ms/s1600/Foyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLweP-Jz7Ts/U1FjlS2nrQI/AAAAAAABEpU/VTwbkIu62ms/s1600/Foyle.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOYLE (L) (Douglas Lees Photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trained by Bruce Fenwick, Foyle took the 2013 timber title
with a late-season surge that included victories in the International Gold Cup
and Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. In the spring, he was placed first in the Grand
National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial timber allowance after the first two
finishers went off-course. James Slater again will ride the nine-year-old
gelding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Grand National also attracted several of the timber
competitors who finished behind Foyle in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Arcadia
Stable’s Delta Park battled Foyle through the stretch and finished second by a
half-length. Trainer Jack Fisher named Conner Hankin to ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finishing third, another 1 1/4 length back, was Holston
Hall’s Hot Rize, who will be ridden by trainer Russell Haynes in the 3 1/4-mile
Grand National. Also in the Grand National field is Rosbrian Farm’s More
Fascination, who finished a distant fourth in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on Nov.
3. Mark Beecher has a return call on More Fascination for trainer Tara Elmore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lucy Goelet’s Twill Do, a two-time Maryland Hunt Cup winner,
will be looking for his first success in the Grand National. He finished fourth
in the 2012 Grand National before winning his second Hunt Cup. Last year, Twill
Do finished seventh in the Grand National before a fourth in the Hunt Cup.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is trained by Billy Meister, who also trains And the
Eagle Flys, the 2012 Grand National winner who was entered for a shot at a second
victory. And the Eagle Flys was pulled up in last year’s Grand National.
Meister will ride And the Eagle Flys, and James Stierhoff will be aboard Twill
Do. Meister also entered Irv Naylor’s Gorgeous Charger, who will be ridden by
K. Fritz Boniface.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-38739660441259127172014-04-18T10:34:00.002-07:002014-04-22T05:58:30.552-07:00Three Grade 1 Winners Clash In Middleburg’s Temple Gwathmey<div class="MsoNormal">
Three Grade 1 winners, 2013 winner Decoy Daddy, and a
formidable front-runner will line up on Saturday, April 19, for the $50,000
Temple Gwathmey (Gr. 3), featured race of the 93rd annual Middleburg Spring
Races. First post time will be 1 p.m. at Glenwood Park Course.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VP7RVH3lM24/U1FhntHtkyI/AAAAAAABEpA/8gabdMj_6IU/s1600/decoy_daddy_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VP7RVH3lM24/U1FhntHtkyI/AAAAAAABEpA/8gabdMj_6IU/s1600/decoy_daddy_600.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two of the three Grade 1 winners–Magalen O. Bryant’s
Gustavian and owner-trainer Jonathan
Sheppard’s Italian Wedding–collected their initial top-level victories last
season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gustavian completed the 2013 season as the National
Steeplechase Association’s second-leading earner and an Eclipse Award finalist.
In his first starts after being purchased by Virginia resident Bryant,
Gustavian won Belmont Park’s $150,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1) and was
second in the $250,000 Grand National (Gr. 1) at Far Hills, N.J. He stumbled
and lost his rider at the last fence of the $100,000 Marion duPont Scott
Colonial Cup (Gr. 1) in November. Trainer Leslie Young named her husband,
four-time champion jockey Paddy Young, to ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Italian Wedding returned from a long period on the sidelines
to win the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) at Saratoga Race Course
after a good second in Saratoga’s $100,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1).
Unplaced in the Grand National, he finished third in the Colonial Cup. Willie
McCarthy will ride for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Sheppard.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JWXBYIVTgc/U1FiCyKm5sI/AAAAAAABEpI/e3ngCjDvMkU/s1600/spyinthesky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JWXBYIVTgc/U1FiCyKm5sI/AAAAAAABEpI/e3ngCjDvMkU/s1600/spyinthesky.jpg" height="562" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.880001068115234px; text-align: left;">Randleston Farm's Spy In The Sky (left). (Douglas Less Photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third Grade 1 winner is Randleston Farm’s Spy in the
Sky, who upset the 2012 A. P. Smithwick. He also had upset the 2009 New York
Turf Writers but was winless last year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Irv Naylor’s Decoy Daddy kicked off a notable 2013 season
with his Gwathmey victory. The veteran then won the Radnor Hunt Races’ $50,000
National Hunt Cup (Gr. 3) and in the fall was victorious in the Montpelier Hunt
Races’ Noel Laing for a third time. Cyril Murphy, who took over training of
Decoy Daddy before the Noel Laing, named Carol-Ann Sloan to ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pleasant Woodman, owned by Virginia B. Lazenby and Farm
d’Allie Racing Stables, used his front-end speed to win the $50,000 Budweiser
Imperial Cup (Gr. 3) at 2014′s first race meet in Aiken, S.C. Trained in
Middleburg by Doug Fout, Pleasant Woodman will be ridden by Gerard Galligan.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-69578105346859747792014-04-18T10:16:00.005-07:002014-04-18T10:16:46.394-07:00Champion Kisser N Run Heads $30,000 Georgia Cup<div class="MsoNormal">
(National Steeplechase Association) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clarke Ohrstrom’s Kisser N Run, the reigning Life’s Illusion
Filly and Mare champion, heads a strong field of female competitors for the
$30,000 Georgia Cup, the featured stakes race of the 49th annual Atlanta
Steeplechase on Saturday, April 19. First post time at Kingston Downs is 1:30
p.m.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dHtD1Zr1UA/U1FdnSBrsNI/AAAAAAABEo0/OMCuABBmBrY/s1600/FoxF-007.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dHtD1Zr1UA/U1FdnSBrsNI/AAAAAAABEo0/OMCuABBmBrY/s1600/FoxF-007.jpeg" height="516" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">Teddy Alexander's Kisser N Run (left - Paddy Young) holds off Mede Cahaba Stable LLC's Class Launch (Richard Boucher) (Susan M. Carter Photo) </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kisser N Run won her two major starts in the fall, the
Peapack Stakes at Far Hills, N.J., and the Crown Royal Stakes at the
Steeplechase at Callaway in Pine Mountain, Ga., to secure her title.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trainer Richard Valentine named Robbie Walsh to ride Kisser
N Run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jack Fisher, currently sharing the champion trainer title
with Racing Hall of Fame member Jonathan Sheppard, entered Arcadia Stable’s
pairing of Take Her Tothe Top and Opera Heroine. Take Her Tothe Top won last
summer’s Mrs. Ogden Phipps Stakes, a race that Opera Heroine had won in 2011.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last fall, Opera Heroine finished second to Kisser N Run in
the Peapack, and Take Her Tothe Top took the second spot in the Crown Royal.
Jeff Murphy will ride Opera Heroine, and the mount on Take Her Tothe Top is
open.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sheppard will be represented by Sully’s Approach, owned by
Bill Pape. A runaway maiden winner, she finished fourth in the Crown Royal.
Bernie Dalton has the mount.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Janet Elliot entered her Hiwasee
Gem, who ran a gem of a race in winning a Carolina Cup maiden hurdle for
fillies and mares by more than 20 lengths. Harry Haynes again will be in the
saddle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Irvin S. Naylor, a three-time champion owner, nominated Bittersweetheart
and Cordillera. Trained by Leslie Young, Bittersweetheart was third in the 2013
Crown Royal. Cordillera, now trained by Cyril Murphy, is coming back after
missing the 2013 season.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-17643063902284290452014-04-18T10:07:00.003-07:002014-04-18T10:07:38.664-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlWm7TcpmJE/U1Fbpe0aihI/AAAAAAABEoY/aLDAdecrqaU/s1600/Newmarket+Races+8l0hC1PHIatl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlWm7TcpmJE/U1Fbpe0aihI/AAAAAAABEoY/aLDAdecrqaU/s1600/Newmarket+Races+8l0hC1PHIatl.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
Runners pull up after finishing The Montaz Restaurant EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket racecourse on April 17, 2014 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cY1cSdPBEk/U1Fbpnh5u4I/AAAAAAABEoc/vCnceV7KAac/s1600/Newmarket+Races+wZY1Tk_kQNCl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cY1cSdPBEk/U1Fbpnh5u4I/AAAAAAABEoc/vCnceV7KAac/s1600/Newmarket+Races+wZY1Tk_kQNCl.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mickael Barzalona riding Sudden Wonder (L) win the $355,000
Tattersalls Millions 3YO Trophy at Newmarket racecourse on April 17, 2014 in
Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0OKk-goFvU/U1Fbr11P57I/AAAAAAABEoo/MIrr3pTwcS8/s1600/Newmarket+Races+9fF2UibK4FIl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0OKk-goFvU/U1Fbr11P57I/AAAAAAABEoo/MIrr3pTwcS8/s1600/Newmarket+Races+9fF2UibK4FIl.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamie Spencer riding Hamza (L) wins The Connaught Access
Flooring Abernant Stakes from Es Que Love (R) at Newmarket racecourse on April
17, 2014 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-12729636630834369652014-04-17T14:04:00.002-07:002014-04-17T14:04:24.941-07:00Photos Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jPuKqNEZw0/U1BBs-2-lKI/AAAAAAABEoE/wgEhzE0tBzA/s1600/Sandiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jPuKqNEZw0/U1BBs-2-lKI/AAAAAAABEoE/wgEhzE0tBzA/s1600/Sandiva.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
Frankie Dettori riding Sandiva (L) win the $109,00 Lanwades
Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes G3 at Newmarket racecourse on April 16, 2014 in
Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_bfgWMx4B0/U1BBs6DOqHI/AAAAAAABEoA/33zYkdqxMm0/s1600/Tattersall+Sprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_bfgWMx4B0/U1BBs6DOqHI/AAAAAAABEoA/33zYkdqxMm0/s1600/Tattersall+Sprint.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pat Dobbs riding Magnus Maximus win The $168,000 Tattersalls
Millions 3YO Sprint Stakes at Newmarket racecourse on April 16, 2014 in
Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352911796864479739.post-72453809747398484732014-04-12T07:44:00.002-07:002014-04-12T07:46:06.626-07:00Pineau De Re wins $1.675 million English Grand National<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKP8L6lSJy8/U0lQ2jaAEQI/AAAAAAABEno/phTE4j-0JmA/s1600/Pineau-de-Re--010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKP8L6lSJy8/U0lQ2jaAEQI/AAAAAAABEno/phTE4j-0JmA/s1600/Pineau-de-Re--010.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Pineau de Re ridden by Leighton Aspell jumps the last fence before going
on to win the $1.675 million English Grand National. (Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Pineau De Re was the 25-1 winner of the Grand National, foiling the two
most high-profile jockeys in the race, Richard Johnson and Tony McCoy, who
finished second and third on Balthazar King and Double Seven. The winning
jockey was Leighton Aspell, making two years in a row that the famous Aintree
race has been won by a rider back from retirement, following Ryan Mania last
year.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">The 37-year-old Aspell, runner-up in the National 11 years ago on
Supreme Glory, quit the saddle in the summer of 2007 and went to work in the
Flat-racing yard of John Dunlop in Sussex. He returned to action in 2009 and
has now been rewarded with what was already his best season by a long way. Even
so, first prize of £561,000 doubles his money won since last May.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">This was the second Grand National over the modified fences that have
been criticised by some for being too soft. Last year, every runner cleared the
first seven fences without incident but this race looked much more like older
Nationals, with Twirling Magnet falling at the first and others tumbling at
regular intervals, including Burton Port and Big Shu at the next two fences.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">However, various media outlets reported that all horses returned without
serious injury. A total of 18 completed the course.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">The most notable departure in the early stages was the well-fancied Long
Run, a past winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase, who
fell when leading at Valentine's Brook. Shortly after, as the field tackled The
Chair in front of the stands, there were despairing cries from many a punter as
Teaforthree unseated Nick Scholfield.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orzEFauVm2Q/U0lRJ2HMTeI/AAAAAAABEnw/qs12LatNVmw/s1600/Pineau+de+Re+winnersenclosure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orzEFauVm2Q/U0lRJ2HMTeI/AAAAAAABEnw/qs12LatNVmw/s1600/Pineau+de+Re+winnersenclosure.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Tom Jenkins for the Observer)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Nor was the drama confined to the fences. There was a false start,
following which Battle Group refused to race when the tape went up for real.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">"I was very conscious that I didn't want to be in front too soon
over four and a half miles," Aspell said. "He's a small horse, so he
has to try at his fences, which he kept doing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">"When I got a bit of daylight, I knew I'd be fine because that was
my only worry. Once he was in daylight, from the Canal Turn, he really enjoyed
that part of the race."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">The winning trainer is the 50-year-old Dr Richard Newland, who took
Pineau De Re into his Worcestershire stable last summer and sparked a revival
in his form. The horse is Newland's first Grand National runner. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0