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[doodler]

As usual this time of the year, I am focused on horse racing. I've been having a great time the last two months on blogs and thoroughbred sites, looking into the pedigrees, training and oddball facts about a good many of the colts who will be going at it together for the first time tomorrow (Saturday) in the KY Derby. The problem is the same this year as in the last 5-6 years... nobody is REALLY outstanding. Colt A beat Colt B who then stomped all over Colt C who turned around two weeks later to whip Colt A. They're a competant bunch but not more than that. And only a few of them were bred to go beyond a mile. All 3 of the Triple Crown races are over a mile. I've got MY four favorites plus a couple I would not be surprised to see win depending on the circumstances... the biggest circumstance being 20 (TWENTY) three years olds all making a beeline for the rail as soon as the gates open. It's a recipe for disaster which, unfortunately, will not be dealt with until AFTER the disaster occurs. Today I found a blog that deals with the psychology of horses during a race and it is fascinating! Each of the 20 horses in the Derby is analysed. I can hardly wait for tomorrow evening!

[killersmom]

Thanks for reminding me it is Derby weekend, Sherry!

[fritzkep]

My niece's cousin isn't rooting for anyone particular this year (no one she knows from Louisiana), so I'm neutral this time.

[Passion]

I am going to my first Derby party!!  Have some friends that are from KY that are hosting it.  I know nothing....NOTHING....about the race!  Any quick tidbits that you can share with me to impress the party??  (I don't really need to impress....I just think it would be funny if I came actually knowing a little something!) 

[doodler]

Well, Bodemeister is named for Bob Baffert's son, Bode. Baffert had a heart attack last month in Dubai but hasn't missed a step. Bodemeister did not race as a 2 year old (practically unheard of in Thoroughbreds) and the last time a horse that didn't race as a 2 year old won the Derby was in... 1882. Even Curlin (who ended up Horse of the Year) couldn't break that curse.

Went the Day Well is trained by Graham Motion who is very anti-drug in his approach to racing, something else unusual with Thoroughbreds.

Union Rags, the probable favorite, is trained by Michael Matz who trained Barbaro.

Hansen has a mom who probably shouldn't be a broodmare... she tried to kill her first foal and was only marginally better with Hansen. She eventually let both nurse but was never motherly with them and refused to let either share her food tub. Their food had to be placed far enough away from hers for her not to guard both. (Interestingly, the equine psychologist, Kerry Thomas, says when Hansen is racing he is totally focused on straight ahead and shows no knowledge of herd dynamics....)

Creative Cause has a great backstory. His owner is a small time owner (only has a couple horses) and he is Cause's breeder and his mom's breeder as well. He is 80 years old. This is his first Derby. Cause's trainer is 71 and this is HIS first Derby. (He says he's getting two at once... his first and his last.) Because of injuries, Cause's mom, Dream of Summer, was unraced until she was 4, NEVER done in Thoroughbreds... normally, she would have gone straight into breeding... and then she won over a million dollars. She was bred to Storm Cat but didn't take (HIS fault) so they immediately bred her to his son, Giant's Causeway, and Creative Cause is the result.

This is most likely the last year horses in the Derby will be allowed to run on lasix and/or bute.

Hope this gets the conversation started...! Have fun!

[doodler]

My niece's cousin isn't rooting for anyone particular this year (no one she knows from Louisiana), so I'm neutral this time.

Calvin Borel is up on Take Charge Indy. He's from St. Martinville LA and has won the Derby 3 of the last 5 years (2007, 2009, 2010.)
He also won the KY Oaks in 2009... only the second jockey to win both the Oaks and Derby in the same year... and then chose to ride the filly in the Belmont instead of the colt. She won.

[Passion]

Well, Bodemeister is named for Bob Baffert's son, Bode. Baffert had a heart attack last month in Dubai but hasn't missed a step. Bodemeister did not race as a 2 year old (practically unheard of in Thoroughbreds) and the last time a horse that didn't race as a 2 year old won the Derby was in... 1882. Even Curlin (who ended up Horse of the Year) couldn't break that curse.

Went the Day Well is trained by Graham Motion who is very anti-drug in his approach to racing, something else unusual with Thoroughbreds.

Union Rags, the probable favorite, is trained by Michael Matz who trained Barbaro.

Hansen has a mom who probably shouldn't be a broodmare... she tried to kill her first foal and was only marginally better with Hansen. She eventually let both nurse but was never motherly with them and refused to let either share her food tub. Their food had to be placed far enough away from hers for her not to guard both. (Interestingly, the equine psychologist, Kerry Thomas, says when Hansen is racing he is totally focused on straight ahead and shows no knowledge of herd dynamics....)

Creative Cause has a great backstory. His owner is a small time owner (only has a couple horses) and he is Cause's breeder and his mom's breeder as well. He is 80 years old. This is his first Derby. Cause's trainer is 71 and this is HIS first Derby. (He says he's getting two at once... his first and his last.) Because of injuries, Cause's mom, Dream of Summer, was unraced until she was 4, NEVER done in Thoroughbreds... normally, she would have gone straight into breeding... and then she won over a million dollars. She was bred to Storm Cat but didn't take (HIS fault) so they immediately bred her to his son, Giant's Causeway, and Creative Cause is the result.

This is most likely the last year horses in the Derby will be allowed to run on lasix and/or bute.

Hope this gets the conversation started...! Have fun!

OMG Doodler!  That is great!  Thank you!!  Now I am more excited!  Anything about Father Knows Best? 

[doodler]

To start with, his name is "Daddy NOSE Best."
Kerry Thomas says he's a "buddy" horse and is most comfortable running side by side another horse and has no great desire to pass him (not a great thing for a race horse!) He's won races twice (I think... things are starting to run together in my head) but not against top colts. Still, a couple expert handicappers have picked him.

Surprisingly, several have also fixed on Rousing Sermon because of his continuing improvement over the last couple months.

[doodler]

Would you believe, my cable company has lost visual connection with NBC. Just visual. I hate this company to start with and can't wait until their bankruptcy puts them out of business so some other company can move in here.

[fritzkep]

Grrr. You'd almost think they did it on purpose out of spite.

[fritzkep]

"I'll Have Another"

[doodler]

Kerry Thomas said he was bred for distance and would not be a surprise to end in front. He can probably take the Belmont (which is a quarter mile longer) and MAYBE could take the Preakness (which is a sixteeth mile shorter) since it will have a smaller field and he can probably get clear a bit sooner. The very possibility of a Triple Crown winner this year has me giddy!

Oh and for you Californians (which is where Another AND Bodemeister are from,) Lava Man is Another's parade pony. Yeah, THAT Lava Man.

[fritzkep]

It has been a long dry spell for the Triple Crown.

And the Baltimore race had been in trouble, but it seems a bit more secure now.

[killersmom]

It sure has, Fritz! I would love to see one this year! Every year I keep hoping.

Maybe I did not see much, but this horse is not a very good looking horse. Like I said, maybe it was just me.

[fritzkep]

Looks, schmooks, as long as it runs!