Music Note romps in Coaching Club American Oaks
NEW YORK --- Music Note turned in a dazzling performance, beating entrymate Little Belle by 11 lengths Saturday in the US$300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.
Music Note cruised into contention on a three-wide move on the final turn and quickly sprinted clear in the lane. Javier Castellano hand rode the filly to the wire as she improved to 3-for-4.
"She has a long, beautiful stride," Castellano said. "When I asked her, she just took off. She does everything the right way."
It was a dominant performance by the Godolphin Stable duo as Little Belle finished 6 3/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Flaming Stew.
The time was 2:01.66 for the 1 1/4 miles on the fast track. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Music Note earned $180,000 in her second straight Grade 1 win following her victory in Belmont's Mother Goose Stakes last month.
The entry paid $2.70 and $2.10. There was no show wagering.
Acoma finished fourth followed by Never Retreat.
The card continued without delay or disruption despite a transformer fire that forced the temporary evacuation of the track Saturday morning.
The grandstand was closed for the afternoon with all fans consolidated into the clubhouse.
(c) 2008 The Canadian Press
Dagnabit wins stakes race at Belmont Park
He had the competition uttering his name under their breath; Lansdon Robbins III and Thomas Hansen's Dagnabit drew alongside the leader Regardlesofoutcome with 70 yards left and passed the tiring frontrunner to win the 5 1/2 furlong Tremont Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park by half of a length. The 2-year-old is conditioned by Richard Dutrow Jr. and was sent off as the second choice in the wagering in the field of five juveniles and failed to disappoint. Cornelio Velasquez rode the son of Freud to victory.
The bay colt won The Post Trophy in this year's Aiken Trials and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. He faced a competitive field in his first stakes effort.
"I spoke to Lansdon and he was all excited," said Stevens. "Dagnabit is a full brother to Bad Boy Rising, who was named after an article that appeared in The Blood-Horse about Richard Dutrow Jr. He trained great. When we got him in, I told Mr. Robbins that he was a better horse than his brother. I thought he might be in a bit over his head in the Tremont. I was wrong, and I'm glad I was."
The New York-bred colt broke his maiden at first asking winning his debut on June 15 in a five-furlong race at Belmont Park clear of the second place finisher by 1_0 lengths. He's made both of his starts without the anti-bleeding medication Lasix, according to the New York Racing Association.
Dagnabit has won both of his starts and has bankrolled $92,580.
(c) 2008 Aiken Standard
Online Horse Wagering - Padding Your Bankroll
National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.
Thursday's horse race betting play of the day comes from Churchill Downs and we have a pair of 5/1 shots that will key our exacta and trifecta plays.
The Late Pick 3 at Belmont Park has plenty of promise if we can knock down the first leg with our top pick. Earhart is sitting at a generous 12/1 on the morning line in the seventh race and deserves a good look.
Today's Play of the Day from Churchill Downs:
CD Race 7 Clm $20,000N2L (4:24 et)
#3 Black Crow 5/1
#9 Chief Wildcat 5/1
#2 Perfectus 5/2
#7 Tovah 3/1
Analysis: #3 Black Crow dueled for the early lead from off the rail and could not hang with the winner late, settling for the runner up spot against $15K non winners of two. He was claimed out of the race by Pincins barn that is showing a 0 for 7 mark first off the claim. Owns solid early and average pace numbers and does not need to move forward much off his last pair to be in the mix here and we should catch a fair price.
#9 Chief Wildcat tracked the early pace, made a good four wide move but could not get to the gate to wire winner, who was taking advantage of a main track that was playing to horses on or near the lead. The colt was claimed out of the race by Kirby barn that is 13% winners first off the claim. Looks like a good fit here.
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 3,9 / 2,3,7,9
TRI: 3,9 / 2,3,7,9 / 2,3,5,7,9,10
Belmont Park Late Pick 3
Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,7,8 / 1,3,4,8 / 2,5 = $24
BEL Race 7 Clm $16,000 (4:12 et)
#8 Earhart, #1 Wildbutable, #7 Stress Free
#8 Earhart checked in fourth last out after a rough trip against $16K foes. The mare had to steady coming out of the gate and was forced to check behind a tiring foe turning for home. Low profile barn has really been firing at this meeting, hitting with seven winners with a median payoff of over $15. Here is another that figures to get overlooked on the tote. She has handled a wet track.
#1 Wildbutable had to fan out five wide turning for home and finished well for third last out. was claimed out of the race by Brown barn that is showing a 3 for 8 mark (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The mare should see some pace in front of her here and should be rolling late. She is 2 for 3 on off tracks.
BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:45 et)
#3 Perfect Casting, #8 Redefined, #4 Hatta Ford, #1 Vaunt
#3 Perfect Casting is making his first start since January where the gelding was fifth at this condition at Santa Anita on the main track. Both of his wins came on minor circuits in Ireland but he has been competitive since arriving in the U.S. in several of his starts. In good hands with Clement barn that is 24% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff.
#8 Redefined came off a eight month layoff with a game effort, beaten just a nose for the top spot in the NY bred Pebo Guy over "good" ground. The seven year old has racked up a strong record over the turf here (14-6-4-1) and barn is strong second off the bench, hitting at a 27% clip (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff.
BEL Race 9 Md Sp Wt (5:17 et)
#2 Sage Chapel, #5 Outtawesthills
#2 Sage Chapel tried a turf sprint for the first time last out and checked in third, beaten two lengths for the top spot. The filly had to steady while down along the inside at the 1/2 mile pole. The filly has a strong pedigree, a half to eight winners, three turf winners. Top earner is Nationwood ($180K). She figures to move forward off her last start and has potent connections in Pletcher/Johnny V
#5 Outtawesthills was beaten just a neck last out in her first go off a 7 1/2 month layoff. She popped a bullet work since that outing and won't have to move forward much second off the bench to be in the mix here.
Live Longshots:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer
Churchill Downs
R1: #2 La Suena 15/1
R2: #3 Da Da Da Dum 10/1
R9: #4 Yankee Career 8/1
Belmont Park
R2: #5 Blue Monster 15/1
R4: #2 One Classic Flaxen 12/1
R5: #4 Fort Carillon 12/1
R6: #5 Buddha's Ballet 10/1
R7: #8 Earhart 12/1
R8: #1 Vaunt 12/1
R9: #1 Wicked Queen 8/1
Good luck padding your bankroll today!
(c) 1994-2008 BetUS
Why Big Brown can't save horse racing
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Horse racing fans are likely to flock to Belmont Park in record numbers Saturday to see Big Brown take a shot at history.
Forecasts are for both beautiful weather and the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. Then there's the fact that the majority owners are from Long Island while a minority owner owns a trucking company in Brooklyn and named Big Brown after United Parcel Service (UPS, Fortune 500).
Did I mention that the trainer went from being broke and sleeping in a horse barn to the top of the sport of kings?
Add all that up and you've got the best story in sports this year.
Officials are hoping more than 100,000 will show up to watch the Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown. Attendance might even beat the record of 120,000 in 2004, when another blue collar favorite, Smarty Jones, from nearby Philadelphia, lost his chance for the Triple Crown by a nose. And the race, televised on ABC, also should generate big ratings.
But even if Big Brown, an overwhelming favorite, wins the Belmont Stakes, long-term success for the sport of horse racing remains a huge long shot.
Those who follow the industry say there's little that can turn around the sport. When Affirmed won the last Triple Crown, a horse race was still the only place most Americans could place a legal bet. Now, casinos abound, along with state lotteries and online gambling.
What once was among the top three spectator sports in the country, dwarfing football and basketball in popularity, is an afterthought for most sports fans.
"I don't see a Triple Crown revolutionizing the sport all of sudden," said Stephen Altebrando, an analyst who follows the publicly-traded horse track stocks for Sidoti & Company. "It's likely that wagering will be up, and ratings will be up. But it's been in a decline for decades, and that's not changing."
Big Brown will be trying for history at a track that is operating this year under bankruptcy protection.
The New York Racing Association, which operates Belmont and two other major tracks in the state, even threatened to halt racing this season as it sought to negotiate a new long-term contract with the state. The NYRA wants taxpayer subsidies and the right to put video poker machines at its tracks.
This comes even though Belmont has seen its three largest crowds in its history this decade as well as its six largest wagering pools. All three record attendance days were Belmont Stakes days when the favorite was trying for the Triple Crown, and four of the biggest betting pools took place on days when the Belmont Stakes was run.
But the fact is that on other days of the year, you'll find far more empty seats than excitement at Belmont. The same is true for most of the other top tracks in the country.
Finding a profitable race track in this country right now is tougher than trying to find someone that can name the winners of the past few Belmont Stakes.
Many regional tracks are now hanging by a thread and could be out of business in the next decade. Even if they survive, it's likely to be due to revenue from video poker or other forms of gambling, rather than on the racing itself.
If you think that Belmont, Pimlico or Churchill Downs (CHDN) would be better off from the reduced competition from the smaller tracks, you'd be wrong. They've come to depend upon wager revenue from simulcasts of their races at the smaller tracks.
"Those tracks are our partners in simulcasting," said John Lee, spokesman for the NYRA. "Whatever cuts into people losing their interest in horse racing is not a good thing for us."
Amid the feel good story of Big Brown, it's tough to forget that the sport has its dark side. The jockeys are the most exploited and at risk athletes in any U.S. sport, barely surviving on subsistence wages and pathetic benefits.
Most race horses are treated far better by owners than are their riders. But in-breeding of thoroughbreds in an attempt to create champions has created a population of beautiful but fragile competitors. In this year's Derby field, all 20 horses were the descendants of a single horse, Native Dancer, which finished second in the 1953 Derby.
And in this year's Kentucky Derby, filly Eight Belles stumbled after a surprisingly strong second-place finish, broke her leg and received a lethal injection on the track from veterinarians who could do nothing to save her.
The 2006 Derby winner Barbaro broke his leg in the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, and while he survived for eight months of intensive care, he eventually also had to be put down.
Even if Big Brown wins this Saturday, his racing career is likely to be over almost before it starts, as he moves onto the truly profitable part of his career -- fathering horses. His breeding rights have already been sold for $50 million. It's tough to think of any other sport where the pinnacle of success virtually guarantees a quick retirement.
So tune in Saturday if you a have a moment to witness Big Brown's run at history. Unfortunately, it's possible it's the last time you'll even bother to watch a horse race.
(c) 2008 Cable News Network
Belmont Stakes Wagering - Icabad Crane Terrific Overlay at 50 to 1
The 50 to 1 Belmont Stakes betting odds on Icabad Crane that the BetUS online racebook is currently offering are absolutely stupendous. 50 to 1 horse race betting odds on almost any horse are great, but this one boggles my mind.
If this were an allowance race instead of the 2008 Belmont Stakes - - yes, I know that it is not - - then getting 50 to 1 on the third place finisher in the Preakness Stakes is terrific value. That's true even if Big Brown is the next coming of Secretariat.
I, of course, have my doubts about Big Brown which is another reason why the BetUS online future book odds of 50 to 1 on Icabad Crane are so enticing.
Why does Icabad Crane appear to be a terrific wager at 50 to 1? There are lots of reasons. Some of those reasons have nothing to do with him and everything to do with his competition. But most of the reasons fall squarely onto the horse's shoulders.
Icabad Crane is a son of Jump Start. That makes him a grandson of former Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy. Icabad Crane has 3 wins and 2 thirds out of five lifetime starts. In the first Grade I race of his life, the Preakness Stakes, he made a move up the rail, and then was steadied at the 5/16th pole. He kept trying and finished only 5 3/4 lengths behind a geared down Big Brown.
It was still a terrific effort. In his race before that, Icabad Crane beat Mint Lane by a head. That too was a very good race.
What are the chances that Icabad Crane could improve in the Belmont Stakes? Probably 15 to 20 to 1.
What are the chances that Icabad Crane could improve to the point that he could challenge Big Brown for the victory in the 2008 Belmont Stakes? Probably close to 30 to 45 to 1.
That makes the 50 to 1 odds on Icabad Crane an overlay This horse is trained by Graham Motion who upset Kitten's Joy with Better Talk Now in the 2004 Breeder's Cup Turf. Yes, it's true that Kitten's Joy wasn't nearly the favorite that Big Brown will be in this year's Belmont Stakes, but Kitten's Joy also didn't have to fight off a hoof problem the way Big Brown is doing right now.
Icabad Crane is scary in the sense that he could be on the cusp of developing into a serious racehorse. That means that his 3-year old "jump", where a 3-year old colt goes from being a minor stakes runner to an actual horse that could challenge the four and five year olds in the handicap division, hasn't happened yet.
Could it possibly happen in the 2008 Belmont Stakes? Why not? A lot of horses start to develop rapidly at the beginning of June. Timing is everything in horse racing.
At 50 to 1 BetUS online racebook odds, I'm willing to take a stab that the timing on Icabad Crane will be perfect.
(c) 1994-2008 BetUS
Online Horse Race Wagering - The Wild Card
Richard Dutrow Jr., Big Brown's mentor who could be sitting on the 12th Triple Crown winner, is no one-hit wonder and there are some key sports betting tales that horse bettors should look for in his runners that indicate they are sitting on huge efforts for this year's Belmont Stakes.
I was lucky enough to know his father when I was a young man. My boss at the time, Fred Montani, had a box at Monmouth Park and Richard Dutrow Sr. had a box directly adjacent.
In those days he was the leading trainer in New Jersey and I used to go to the paddock with his youngest son Skip and even though that kid was not even a teenager, he knew every horse on the track and could point out bad legs and bow tendons on sight.
Sr. is a Hall of Fame trainer and the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Another son, Anthony, is one of the sharpest guys in the East so the human pedigree is there.
If you go back a few years, before the bright lights shone on Jr., you could glean a couple of his tricks and his keys to success and with that knowledge cagey horse bettors can project winners from their current form.
A couple of years ago, Jr. was asked in a NTRA piece about his strategy in claiming horses and he had some interesting thoughts that horse bettors can learn from. Dutrow: "I have the best sheets guy in the business, but I don't go strictly on the sheets in any kind of way. I like watching the horse races on video and studying the past performances. And I like to have a plan for a horse before I claim them. For example, I would not want to claim a horse in November that did not like the inner track at Aqueduct. I use everything the game has to offer in making decisions on claiming, the more information you have, the better decision you will be able to make."
That sure doesn't sound like a guy who a decade ago was down and out.
Asked about the methods he uses to improve new claims, the trainer had some unique thoughts.
Dutrow: "One thing I concentrate on is how they push off and the next thing is how they hit the ground up front. I have a very good hind-end specialist in my vet, Dr. Steve Allday, and have a blacksmith who makes sure they hit the ground right. If they do that and hit the ground, that is half the battle. I also have very good people getting on my horses."
So what should bettors look for in Dutrow trainees? Well, most of his runners get bet big and he is very good with all types.
When he gets a new runner via a private sale or just a trainer switch, he pops at almost 30% with a slight flat-bet profit.
The numbers say he is not averse to giving a horse a race off a layoff as he is awesome with second off the layoff runners after a vacation between 6 weeks and 6 months.
He is a bit better with stretch out runners rather than with runners that go from a route to a sprint.
Dutrow rates a long look with first-time starters too as he has shown a decent return on investment and if he has a runner that moves from a maiden special weight to a maiden claimer, cagey betters should pay strict attention.
(c) 1994-2008 BetUS
Remington GM hoping for super day, super horseby Jerry Shottenkirk
May 2, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY - Today, Scott Wells is general manager of Remington Park.
Thirty years ago this weekend, Wells was a trainer at Churchill Downs and had himself quite a day.
Wells twice went to the winner's circle on Kentucky Derby Day, right beneath the Twin Spires. He ran four of his horses, and in addition to the victories, he had a third and a fourth.
Saturday also marks the 30th anniversary of racing's last Triple Crown winner.
While enjoying his victories that day, Wells also enjoyed the stirring stretch drive that ensured a blanket of roses for Affirmed.
Wells will get a different kind of enjoyment this Derby Day - he hopes.
"I think we'll have 13,000 to 16,000 people; that's what I'm hoping for, anyway," Wells said.
Derby Day comes two weeks after 12,901 fans attended as the paint horse Got Country Grip attempted to set the North American record for consecutive wins. His streak ended that night at 17 wins, but it didn't take anything away from a successful night of business for the track.
"That really wasn't a shock," Wells said. "I projected between 10,000 and 12,000 thousand. I thought the historical aspect of it would draw that many people, and really the only thing what shocked me was that the horse didn't win. It was sure great to see so many people so enthusiastic and having a good time."
Derby Day still stands alone in excitement, Wells said.
"It's THE day to me," he said "It's a social occasion and it's what (founder) Matt Winn did originally to set it apart. I look forward to seeing all the women in their beautiful dresses and hats and having fun with their husbands and boyfriends, enjoying a day that's steeped in tradition and is at the heart of Americana."
Back in 1978, Wells, or anyone else for that matter, never had an idea Affirmed's accomplishment would be the last of its kind for decades.
"That brings back fond memories," he said. "I had seen Alydar (who finished second) win the Blue Grass Stakes by 13 lengths and thought he'd be the horse to beat. But then the day before the Derby, I watched him gallop, and I switched. I thought Affirmed would beat him; I thought Alydar was a little sour acting."
Wells believes this may be the year racing will end its streak of not having a Triple Crown winner.
"Big Brown might be one of these phenomenal athletes that has ability to be near the lead and just go on with it," Wells said. "I really think he's a super horse. If he wins after having only three previous starts, he'll be the first since Regret (in 1915) to do that."
Three weeks after the Derby is the Preakness Stakes, which is the second leg of the Triple Crown, and three weeks after the Preakness is the Belmont, the final leg.
Racing has had several horses win two of the three races, but it’s been in a serious drought as far as one horse winning all three.
"We're like we were in that long break between Citation (1948) and Secretariat (1973)," Wells said. "We need a new super horse, and we just might have it. The way Big Brown performed in the Florida Derby, I was just shocked. I hope he goes wire to wire and wins by five lengths. But I think Colonel John and Pyro, if they don't have traffic problems, will be closing at the end and make it a really exciting race."
Remington Park will have wagering on the Kentucky Derby beginning today. Gates open Saturday at 9 a.m.
The selections
Big Brown (No. 20): There is little doubt Big Brown is the most talented of the 20 horses. His only problem - he leaves from post No. 20.
However, it's not always bad to be away from traffic, particularly for a horse with early speed.
If he overcomes his post, he's probably going to be the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
Big Brown is perfect in three starts and has won those races by a total of 29 lengths. He won from the No. 12 post in the Florida Derby.
Pyro (9): One of the top angles of Derby selections is to disregard the Blue Grass Stakes, a prep race contested at Keeneland in Kentucky.
There have been many horses fizzle in the Blue Grass, then extend themselves in the Derby.
Pyro, led by former Remington Park leading trainer and current top national trainer Steve Asmussen, was cruising along quite nicely until he ran 10th in the Blue Grass. Expect a much better effort Saturday. He won three of his six previous starts and was second to War Pass in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Bob Black Jack (13): One of two colts with a chance at a huge upset.
Bob Black Jack is swift in the early going, and if you want to beat him, you need to haul him in late in the game. Bob Black Jack ran a straong second in the Santa Anita Derby and likely will be well-placed throughout the Derby.
Tale of Ekati (2): The Derby has many speed horses, and this one isn’t one of them.
And that bodes well for him. Often when there are many horses going for the lead, a horse comes from far back, and this just might be the one. He showed a decent late kick in the Wood Memorial in his last start, and that was probably the best effort of his life. Another with a chance is Denis of Cork, owned by Tulsa's William K. Warren Jr.. He disappointed as the favorite in the Illinois Derby but is looking to rebound this weekend.
www.journalrecord.com
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