Whitney and Hirsch

Bullsbay won the Whitney at Saratoga! He was the longest price in the race at 18-1 and he was my pick! My favorite horse Commentator ran a hard fighting third, and was retired after the race.

In the Clement L. Hirsch Zenyatta won again for her 12th win in as many starts. She showed her talent and fight getting up to win by a nose! I don't think Zenyatta loves the Del Mar surface which could set up a matchup with Rachel Alexandra in either the Woodward or the Personal Enisgn!

The Whitney, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra

The grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on Saturday features Commentator an already 2 winner of the race, Commentator is the 8-5 morning line favorite. I love Commentator but Bullsbay is my pick to win based on his recent dirt performances.
In the Vanderbilt on sunday I love Eatons Gift!

Zenyatta I believe is the best horse in the country still Rachel is great but she has been beaten until Zenyatta is beaten i believe she is the best horse in the country!

July 11th

July 11th is filled with great racing across the country. 

At Belmont Park the G1 Man o' War on the turf is the feature on the card my pick is Marsh Side I think on a turf with a little give in the ground Marsh Side is as good as any turf horse in the country and I think he will win this race. 

The Summit Of Speed program at Calder Racecourse is a program of sprint races for different divisions.  In the Smile Sprint I don't think anybody can beat Benny the Bull and in the Carry Back I don't believe anybody will beat Truest Legend.

At Hollywood Park the 750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup is the feature on the card. I really love Big Booster in this spot there is plenty of speed to run at and I have a feeling he is ready for a big race, i also think Informed is set to run another big race of the Californian. 

Vanity and Mother Goose

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta proved they were the best in the respective races on saturday. Rachel Alexandra dominated a small field in the Mother Goose winning like she has all year. Zenyatta stayed perfect and kept the rank as the best horse in the country in my mind with a dominating win the Vanity. I hope two things will happen. 

1. Rachel Alexandra face each other

2. Zenyatta runs agaisnt males 

Both of these things would make the 2009 racing year memorable and be one great ride!

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta

    Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta run on Saturday June 27th. Rachel Alexandra runs in the Mother Goose where she will be the heavy favorite. I like Malibu Prayer to upset Rachel Alexandra. Rachel Alexandra is bound to not run as well as she has and her record around one turn in not nearly as impressive. Malibu Prayer is improving and should like the distance. 

No one is going to beat Zenyatta in the Vanity, she is far and away the best mare and the country and no one in California can run with her, expect her to dominate this field. 

Stephen Foster

Macho Again upset Einstein in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on saturday. Macho Again has proved to be an inconsistent but talented horse. He won the New Orleans Handicap earlier this year but then flopped in the Alysheba on Kentucky Derby Day. He was well back in the Stephen Foster and then made a powerful move to pass the field. to give jockey Robby Albarado his third straight Stephen Foster victory. 

Horse To Watch- Asiatic Boy finished second in the Stephen Foster in his first start in the United States. Asiatic Boy has proven he is a talented racehorse when he won the UAE Derby in 2007 and since has run well in Dubai. I loved his Stephen Foster and he is a horse to watch for the future. 

The Triple Crown

The Triple Crown has not been won in 31 years. In my opinion the main reason for this, is a horse has not been good enough to accomplish the feat, but there are human errors that have effected this. I believe that breeding, and training techniques have effected this as well. The Triple Crown can be won, 11 horses have proved it, but the question is can the modern horse accomplish this feat.  I think it is possible but trainers need to change how they approach the race. Horses do not always need to have the winter off. A horse can win it. Mine That Bird proved he can run in well in all three. I believe the Triple Crown can be won a horse will win it soon enough. 

Belmont Stakes

Summer Bird won the 1 1/2 Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park. Favorite and Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird made a big move and faded to third. Summer Bird was kept in behind horses and made a big move turning for home.  I was most impressed with Dunkirk, who set the pace and then fought hard down the lane to run a well earned second. I am looking for Charitable Man to run a big races in the summer and the fall. Trainer Tim Ice did a fantastic job training Summer Bird, adding shoe clips and blinkers might of made the difference in the Belmont. 

In the Manhattan Gio Ponti ran a very impressive coming from last to first.  My pick Marsh Side ran a good race to finish second. 

In the Acorn Gabby'sGoldenGal led from start to finish to win. My pick Dream Play started slowly and never ran after that. 

In my opinion the most impressive race of the day was by Munnings in the Woody Stephens. Munnings stayed close and then EXPLODED through a hole a the top of the stretch. 

In the True North Fabulous Strike was just too much for the field. The 6 furlong distance was too short for Two Step Salsa, my other pick Silver Edition ran a solid race to get third. 

In the Just A Game favorite Forever Together was upset by Diamonderlla. Forever Together was just outpaced in the final eighth of a mile. 

Congrats to Summer Bird!! 

Belmont Under-card- Part 2

Woody Stephens- In the Woody Stephens I like Hull in this race. He has not been touced in three races and I think it will continue here. 

Acorn  Stakes- I like Dream Play in this race. She was very impressive in the Comely. I like her to upset JustWhistleDixie and Four Gifts in this race. 

The Manhattan Stakes- I really like Marsh Side, he likes soft ground and he should like this race. I hate Cowboy Cal, his two tries at 1 1/4 have been awful. His Kentucky Derby was not that bad, but his Santa Anita Handicap was disappointing after his first two races in California. 

Belmont Undercard Entry 1- True North and Just A Game

True North- I do not like Fabulos Strike or Benny the Bull in this race, I like Two Step Salsa but my pick is Silver Edition to pick it up in the True North.

The Just A Game- I do not think anybody in this race can beat Forever Together, she is just as good as any mare in the country on grass right now, and her Jenny Wiley was impressive. The one horse that I think could step up is Raw Silk if she gets an easy lead

The next three races tomorrow!

Belmont Draw

The Belmont Stakes Post Position draw was today. Mine That Bird drew the seven was made the 2-1 favorite. I am sticking with my pick Charitable Man, I think he will have the jump on Mine That Bird turning for home. I also LOVE Brave Victory, I think he is ready to run a career race! 

Tomorrow- The Belmont Under-card 

Weekend Results, Rachel Alexandra and upcoming posts

The Gamely- Magical Fantasy won the G1 Gamely Stakes at Hollywood Park on Saturday. She ran down Visit and Diamond Diva in the streatch. Alex Solis timed the ride perfectly to get up in the right time. My pick Diamond Diva finished third and my upset pick Lemon Chiffon finished 5th.

Golden Gate Fields Turf- Spring House overwhelmed the field in the Golden Gate Fields Turf. Spring House was the class of the race and proved it in GGFT. Spring House was my pick in the race, my other pick Porfido scratched.

Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes on June 6th a decision made by Steve Asmussen and her Owner Jess Jackson. I support there choice not to run her. I do not believe Rachel Alexandra is the best 3 year old in the country. I believe Mine That Bird proved that he is the best, because of his trip in the Preakness, and his dominant victory in the Kentucky Derby.
I personally believe Zenyatta is the overall best horse in the Country.

Next Week- Next week will cover the Belmont Stakes, and the undercard. Following Belmont Week I will write about problems and hot topics involving Horse Racing.

The Gamely and Golden Gate Fields Turf.

The Gamely Handicap- The Grade 1 Gamely Handicap is the Saturday feature at Hollywood Park. The 1 1/8 turf race for filly and mares features Black Mamba, Magical Fantasy, and Visit. I really like Diamond Diva in this race, I loved her last race which was off a long layoff and I think she is ready to run a very big race. Black Mamba and Magical Fantasy will be there, but I do not think either will win. Visit has not been able to put all the pieces together yet, and I dont think it is going to happen here. My upset pick is Lemon Chiffon!

Golden Gate Fields Turf- This 1 3/8 race for older horses on saturday at Golden Gate fields features Spring House and Obrigado. I think Spring House is much the best horse in this race and schould win. I do think Porfido has a chance.

Enjoy the Races!

Weekend Results

Met Mile- Bribon came from mid-pack swooped by the field and won the Metropoltian Mile on Monday at Belmont Park. Bribon went off the slight favorite over my pick Smooth Air. Smooth Air finished second beaten only a 1/2 length. My upset pick Driven by Success ran third after setting the pace. The Roundhouse my third pick dissapointed running 10th. 

Congrats to Bribon!! 

So overall my 2 top picks finished 2nd and my upset pick in the Met Mile got the show spot, so not a bad weekend. 

Next Week-  I'll be doing the Gamely Handicap and The Golden Gate Fields Turf 

Milady Handicap- ZENYATTA!

In Saturday's Milady Handicap Zenyatta remained undefeated with a convincing win. Zenyatta stayed far back early but made a big move turning for home. her stable mate Life Is Sweet ran her race, but was over matched by Zenyatta while finishing second. Zenyatta the champion older mare last year remained undeafted in the Milady taking her record to 10-10.
The race can be viewed on Hollywoodpark.com if missed.
Congrats to Zenyatta!

A small thought- Hopefully by the end of the year a matchup between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will take place. This matchup could happen anywhere, but I hope it takes place in the Breeders Cup Classic, proving both girls are better than any male horse in the country.
CB RACING

Met Mile Update

13 horses were entered in the Met Mile at Belmont Park on Monday. The early favorite is Smooth Air, who also is my pick to win the race. My exacta is Smooth Air and The Roundhouse. The Roundhouse is improving after having a year off and should run a big race. Look for Driven By Success to run a big race at price as well.

The race will Air on TVG and HRTV on Monday 5:50 P.M.

ENJOY THE RACE!

Picks for Weekend Stakes Races of May 23-25 (Memorial Day)

The Grade 1 $600,000 Metropolitan Mile is the feature at Belmont Park on Memorial Day. Smooth Air is my pick for the race 1 for 1 on the dirt this year coming off a dominant victory in the Gulfsteam Park Handicap (G2), but a short battle with colic put him on the shelf for a while but coming back he should be ready, and fit for a big race.

The $150,000 Milady Stakes at Hollywood Park is the feature on the card at Hollywood Park on Saturday. The return of undefeated Champion mare Zenyatta brings plenty of buzz to the race, but her main compettion is another mare named Life is Sweet, who is trained by the same trainer as Zenyatta John Shirreffs! Life Is Sweet is undefeated in the California, as well as this year. Both have similar late running styles, but Zenyatta has not run since October while life is Sweet has raced three times this year all convincing wins. I like Life is Sweet to hand the Champion her first loss.

Early Belmont Pick- My early pick for the Belmont Stakes is Charitable Man, I loved his Peter Pan I just think he is getting better. My trifecta is 1. Charitable Man 2. Mine That Bird 3. Summer Bird Long Shot- Miners Escape and Brave Victoty (Nick Zito Trained)
(Picks could change)

Enjoy the races!

The Birth and what better place than Belmont. Go Baby Go!

Upcoming Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is coming up on June 6th at Belmont Park with a lot of drama surrounding the race. Mine That Bird the Kentucky Derby Winner, and Preakness runner up is going to run, but the real drama is whether or not the filly and Preakness Champion Rachel Alexandra will run in the Belmont. The Preakness took a lot out of Rachel Alexandra, and the three week turn back could be a little tight for the star filly. Jess Jackson the owner of Rachel Alexandra has said that Rachel Alexandra has nothing to prove, but I disagree. Mine That Bird had to check in the Preakness, maybe causing him the race. In the Belmont Stakes, there will be far less horses, reducing the chance of traffic trouble. In the Belmont Mine that Bird will get a fair shot at Rachel Alexandra. If Rachel Alexandra turns him back and wins the race, then she will prove that she is the best, but until then she does have something to prove. This is assuming that she does run, but if she does not, the Belmont will still have a strong field.

Charitable Man is now most likely headed to the race, and off his dominating race in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park, he should run well in the race. Chocolate Candy coming off a strong performance in the Kentucky Derby, but at the same time not handling the track should run a strong race, so should Summer Bird. Mr. Hot Stuff was disappointing in the Derby, but could show that it was just the track in the Belmont. Flying Private should like the distance, and never leave out Nick Zito in the Belmont.

If Rachel Alexandra runs, it will be one of the most intriguing Triple Crown races in history, following last weeks Preakness, but even if she does not be prepared for a great horse race.