Breaking News! Eclipse Awards Announced yesterday!

Yesterday in Beverly Hills, they celebrated the Eclipse Awards. Curlin was the big winner, being voted the 3-year-old male of the year AND the Horse of the Year! I am happy to report that Street Sense and Rags to Riches were also finalists for the Horse of the Year!

Here are the winners by categories:

1. 2 year-old-male, War Pass
2. 2-year-old filly, Indian Blessing
3. 3-year-old male, Curlin
4. 3-year-old filly, Rags to Riches (yay!)
5. Older male, Lawyer Ron
6. Older female, Ginger Punch
7. Female Sprinter, Maryfield
8. Male sprinter, Midnight Lute
9. Male turf, English Channel
10. Female turf, Lahudood
11. Steeplechase, Good Night Shirt
12. Breeder, Adena Springs
13. Jockey, Garret Gomez
14. Trainer, Todd Pletcher (Rags' trainer)

Pletcher won his 4th Trainer Eclipse award in a row this year! I want to remind you that Curlin's custody is contested. Jess Jackson (Curlin's 77 year-old dad) recently purchased 80% of Curlin from buying out George Bolton and Satish Sanan, but the other 20% is owned by Midnight Cry Stable with the lawyers Shirley Cunningham, Jr. and William Gallion who cheated the 418 people who sued them for their winnings from the phen-phen case. A judge says that all of those 418 people get to share in the winnings and breeding profits from Curlin. Poor guy. Tough world.

Anyway, Jess Jackson wants to race Curlin in his fourth year rather than send him to the breeding shed right away. In a New York Times article yesterday, Jackson explained his decision to race Curlin this year and aim him toward the Dubai World Cup, "Racing needs heroes. It's a sad thing to see so many great horses going to stud for financial reasons when the sport needs that competition to elevate it and market it." But he admitted to not just being selfless, by saying, "It's the joy I get from racing him. I'm a sportsman and have been one all my life. At this age 77, I can't throw a football anymore. I get a vicarious thrill from enjoying one of the most beautiful animals in the world." What a good guy! Sure hope it works out for Curlin.

Get this! Curlin was in New Orleans on Friday, having a 5 furlong workout at the Fairgrounds! The race track that I visited and betted at, and the race track where they hold Jazzfest! And the race track where sweet Black Gold is buried!

Breaking News! 2007 Eclipse Awards Announced!

On January 4th, the nominations for this year's Eclipse Awards were announced by the presenting organizations. The Eclipse Awards are named after the 18th century racehorse and foundation sire who was undefeated in 18 starts and left a breeding legacy of 344 race winners, including 3 Epsom Derby winners. This year, the Eclipse Awards, which honor the horses, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys of the thoroughbred racing industry and also gives special awards honoring great contributions will be held on Monday, January 21st at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, California.

Here are a taste of a few of the nominees for special categories:
1) 2 year-old male: Kodiak Kowboy, Pyro, War Pass
2) 2 year-old filly: Country Star, Indian Blessing, Proud Spellb
3) 3 year-old male: Curlin, Hard Spun, Street Sense
4) 3 year-old filly: Octave, Panty Raid, Rags to Riches

They do not release the nominations for Horse of the Year until the event itself!

This year, the Kentucky Horse Park is receiving a special Eclipse Award for their outstanding contributions to the racing industry. John Nicholson, executive director of the KHP, said, "We are exhilarated to be honored with the special Eclipse Award. This is the culmination of enormous efforts by many people over the past three decades who played a central role in the celebration of that special bond between man and the horse."

The Kentucky Horse Park opened in 1978 and served as the home of John Henry, that many award-winning, 2X Horse of the Year winning racehorse who lived their for 23 years before just passing away in late 2007 at the grand old age of 32. The leading officer for the Eclipse Awards cited the relationship between JH and the KHP when he announced why they deserved this special prestigious recognition: "John Henry's indomitable will and spirit symbolized the love and dedication that the Kentucky Horse Park has given to the thoroughbored industry over the years. On behalf of the presenting organizations of the Eclipse Awards, we are proud to bestow this most deserving honor to the men and women of the Kentucky Horse Park."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Award_for_Horse_of_the_Year
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Award

Breaking News! A Waterlogged Breeder's Cup!

These photos are from Getty Photos who took some tremendous photos of this year's Breeder's Cup! They had a great two-day lineup of races, and a $5 million purse for the Breeder's Classic, which had Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun, George Washington, and Lawyer Ron, among others. Curlin won by 4 1/2 lengths in a completely wet, sloppy track. He raced strong, sound, true, and fast. He raced with ease.

This is the horse who makes me sort of sad because he has fighting parents. One set of his parents are from the famous Kendall-Jackson winery, another set of parents are literally in jail, awaiting sentencing for not paying their clients after the Phen-fen fiasco, and another set of parents are fighting with the first about his future. They are at odds about whether he should continue racing or whether he should head to the breeding shed! Whatever his next days unfold, I hope he has health and happiness and glory and joy and lots and lots of petting and praise and comfort.

Breaking News! Breeders' Classic Lineup Set!

This year's Breeders' Cup races will run over the course of two days and will involve 11 races, over 141 of the very best horses, $23 million in prize money, and chances to compete for the coveted Eclipse Horse of the Year Award!

They say that this year's Classic Cup is the deepest, best, most competitive ever. The eight horses registered include the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners, the best older horse in the country, a European champion, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, and two improved 3-year-olds who might be the current best in the country!

In the picture, you see the undefeated Indian Blessing who will run in the start race of Day 2, the Juvenile Fillies. The horses you can expect to see that fabulous weekend include Curlin, Street Sense, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Cry and Catch Me, War Pass, Nashoba's Key, Dylan Thomas (winner of this year's Arc de Triomphe), Hard Spun (Derby runner up), Lawyer Ron (best older horse), Any Given Saturday, George Washington, and Awesome Gem. They expect 45,000 people to attend the October 27th card of races! The Belmont winner, Rags, won't be able to attend because of her hairline fracture. Hopefully, she has been healing well over these past weeks.
http://www.breederscup.com/

Leroy Neiman -- Queen at Ascot!

So, the Queen visited our beautiful country this spring and attended the Kentucky Derby to see Street Sense win with Calvin Borel on board! I thought you might enjoy a painting of her by Leroy Neiman -- here she is attending the Ascot! Several of Violet's and Hailee's relatives won at Ascot!

Angel Cordero -- jockey and exercise rider

Angel Cordero was in the press a few weeks ago because he is an exercise rider and jockey's agent. He's been advising Calvin Borel about mounts, and encouraged him to take Street Sense in the Derby. It was interesting to read up on him, as I hadn't heard about him in awhile. He was born in 1942 in Santurce, Puero Rico and immigrated to the States in 1962. He won 2 Eclipse Awards, and led in wins in 1968 and was among the top money-earning jockeys in 1976, 1982, and 1985. He is only one of 4 jockeys who have won the Kentucky Derby 3 times, which he won on Cannonade, Bold Forbes, and Spend A Buck. He has won jewels in the Triple Crown 6 times. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1988, and he was a big time favorite at Saratoga! When he retired, with well over 7,000 rides, he had a 18.3% win rate. In 1992, he was injured in a horse race, and came back briefly in 1995. Of his recovery process, he said that he felt better, more fit, more well, riding than not, so he had to talk his doctor into giving the green light. But now, he exercise rides and that's enough! One of his more famous quotes is, "If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win!" You can read more about him at the following links:

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/jockey.asp?ID=177

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Cordero_Jr.

Violet's cousin, Curlin, wins 2007 Preakness Stakes!

This past Saturday was the Preakness Stakes held at Pimlico. And what an exciting day! Street Sense was strong the entire race, as was Hard Spun, but in the last strides, the very last stride in fact, Curlin won by a whisker of a nose. Curlin has had 5 starts, 4 wins, and a third in his career. His trainer flew him home to Kentucky on Sunday and said of him, "He definitely knows he ran." Curlin was a bit tuckered out after winning. Street Sense's trainer said, "These 3 horses ran their guts out the last 2 races." He doesn't think that Street Sense will go to the Belmont now, but reflected on the loss by saying, "Winning isn't everything in this game. You don't want anybody to get beat, but there's got to be a winner." Violet is related to Curlin multiple ways, including the following: Case Ace, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Nearctic, Blue Larkspur, Princequillo, Turn-To, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Sir Gallahad, and Bull Dog. On Preakness day, Michael Matz' horse won the Barbaro Stakes, a race which was originally the Sir Barton Stakes, but renamed to honor Barbaro. Michael Matz was Barbaro's trainer, and the Jackson's handed him the award, so it was a bittersweet moment. The day was marred though, immediately after that race, by a horse who broke his ankle, punctured his flesh, and had to be euthanized in The Dixie Stakes. Mending Fences perished that day, much like Barbaro from last year.

Big Daddy Rabbit Heads to Preakness!

Street Sense had a mile jog the morning after his Derby win, yesterday on a beautiful Sunday at Churchill Downs. His trainer wants to keep him in assertive training, so that he'll be conditioned and mentally ready at the Preakness. Both Nafzger (trainer) and Borel (jockey) know that Street Sense loves to race and understands what he's doing and how to win. And they love that he knows how to be patient and run from behind and then use an explosive thrust to overtake his competitors. It's his style of fun at the track. His owner, Jim Tafel, didn't start with race horses until he was 60 and he's been with Nafzger for 23 years. Calvin Borel has been with the team for 9 years, so they are a longterm working krewe! Carl Nafzger says, "This horse has never run a bad race. I've got all the faith in the world in this horse, and I can't say enough about him." And Calvin Borel added, "I didn't think there was nothing in the world to beat him. He's an incredible horse, believe you me." He's going to try to be the 12th Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won in 1978. You can see information about the Preakness Stakes and about the sister Black-Eyed Susan Stakes the day before at the following link, as well as see more pictures of this beautiful horse:

http://www.preakness.com/

or

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=B2&Dato=20070410&Kategori=SPORTS0801&Lopenr=704100809&Ref=PH

Street Sense wins 133rd Kentucky Derby!

Street Sense won this year's Kentucky Derby with Hard Spun, and Curlin, placing and showing. He broke 19th out of 20th and ran from behind for most of the race. His jockey, Calvin Borel, rode him tight on the rail until the final turn when four horses drifted off the rail and gave a window. Street Sense, covered in mud from the front runners, exploded through the opening, and swung fast and hard past the second and first horse. He just put tracks between him and the still strong, still fast-moving Hard Spun. He was a sight to behold and the master of the track that day! I am very happy for the Cajun jockey who won his first Derby on Street Sense. He was thrilled that he'd come that far from his Cajun bush track days! My girls are related to Street Sense in multiple ways, including the following: Nearctic, Nearco, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Teddy, Man 'O War, Sweep, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Sir Gallahad, Blue Larkspur, Sun Princess, Hyperion, Princequillo, Wild Risk, Traffic Court, Bull Lea, War Glory, Eight Thirty, Gay Crusader, Case Ace, Rock Sand, and Hasty Road.