CHICAGO - The Breeders' Cup is still a few months away but the best horses are beginning to set themselves apart from the pretenders.
One of those traditional "bar raising" events every year is the Arlington Million and the race and it's two Grade 1 undercard races typically attract the best turf horses not only in America but in the world.
Since the Europeans race primarily on grass, they are perceived to have a big advantage when coming to the States but this year, the American turf horses may actually be the best.
The American horses "swept the board" by capturing all three of the major races on Saturday's Million card.
In the Arlington Million, Gio Ponti rattled off his fourth straight win with a 1 1/4-length win over fellow American Just as Well. That win stamped him as one of the the best turf horse in the world. There are still plenty of Europeans who have not made the track to the U.S. but Gio Ponti dispatched three Euros on Saturday.
Stotsfold (3rd), Cima de Triomphe (4th) and Gloria de Campaeo (7th) all had chance to win but were not up to the task.
Does this mean Gio Ponti in unbeatable? Hardly. There are still major races yet to run in Europe and the U.S. but the bay colt has certainly will be the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
In the other two big races on Saturday at Arlington, the Beverly D. and the Secretariat, the American also came out on top. Dynaforce posted a 1 1/4-length win in the Beverly D. The Europeans ran 2nd (Alnadana), 6th (Denomination), and 7th (Mad About You).
In a stirring stretch duel American Take the Points prevailed over Euro Black Bear Island in the Secretariat.
When the world does converge on Santa Anita in early November for the Breeders' Cup, there is no question that the Europeans will be a major factor. They were last year with the signature win coming in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
But, early on, Round 1 goes to the U.S.A. Stay tuned. It's going to be fun over the next few weeks.
Showing posts with label Take The Points. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Take The Points. Show all posts
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Preakness Day, 5 p.m.
The steamy weather continues at Pimlico and there are some darker clouds off to the West. There is no question it will rain here at Pimlico but it may well happen after the running of the Preakness.
As for the odds, they're like the weather outside, stagnant.
And there probably won't be any huge moves in the odds between now and post time for the race, which should be around 6:15 p.m.
The contenders:
Rachel Alexandra - 2-1
Mine That Bird - 6-1
Pioneerof the Nile - 6-1
Musket Man - 9-1 (Had the huge surge down from 14 to 9 over an hour ago)
Friesan Fire - 9-1
Big Drama - 10-1 (Daily Racing Form reported he scraped his knee this AM. Trainer said it was "minor as could be.")
Papa Clem - 14-1
Borderliners:
Terrain - 14-1
General Quarters - 15-1
Take The Points - 16-1
No Shot-ers:
Luv Gov - 22-1
Flying Private - 25-1
Tone It Down - 21-1
Next entry will be my picks. So, in other words, the horses you cross of your list because I picked them.
As for the odds, they're like the weather outside, stagnant.
And there probably won't be any huge moves in the odds between now and post time for the race, which should be around 6:15 p.m.
The contenders:
Rachel Alexandra - 2-1
Mine That Bird - 6-1
Pioneerof the Nile - 6-1
Musket Man - 9-1 (Had the huge surge down from 14 to 9 over an hour ago)
Friesan Fire - 9-1
Big Drama - 10-1 (Daily Racing Form reported he scraped his knee this AM. Trainer said it was "minor as could be.")
Papa Clem - 14-1
Borderliners:
Terrain - 14-1
General Quarters - 15-1
Take The Points - 16-1
No Shot-ers:
Luv Gov - 22-1
Flying Private - 25-1
Tone It Down - 21-1
Next entry will be my picks. So, in other words, the horses you cross of your list because I picked them.
Preakness Day, 2 p.m.
With less than five hours until the Preakness, have you figured out who you are going to bet?
The superfilly, Rachel Alexandra, is currently at 9-5. That is a high risk, low return bet. She may well be the best horse in the race but since she is starting from the 13 hole which will likely result in a tough trip, those are short odds.
The odd thing about the odds is that no horse is above 24-1. (Flying Private and Terrain) Strange considering that there are a few horses that seem way over their head.
The value horses appear to be Papa Clem (14-1), Big Drama (10-1), Friesan Fire (left, 8-1) and Pioneerof the Nile (6-1).
The "wise guy" looks to be the Todd Pletcher trained Take the Points. The colt was 30-1 in the morning line but is now 14-1.
Oh, and the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is 6-1.
The superfilly, Rachel Alexandra, is currently at 9-5. That is a high risk, low return bet. She may well be the best horse in the race but since she is starting from the 13 hole which will likely result in a tough trip, those are short odds.
The odd thing about the odds is that no horse is above 24-1. (Flying Private and Terrain) Strange considering that there are a few horses that seem way over their head.
The value horses appear to be Papa Clem (14-1), Big Drama (10-1), Friesan Fire (left, 8-1) and Pioneerof the Nile (6-1).
The "wise guy" looks to be the Todd Pletcher trained Take the Points. The colt was 30-1 in the morning line but is now 14-1.
Oh, and the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is 6-1.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday News
Here is the report of the Kentucky Derby contender workouts this morning.
At Churchill Downs:
The Godolphin owned and Saeed bin Suroor trained duo:
Regal Ransom - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile) in :59.80. The fourth fastest of 28.
Desert Party - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile in 1:00.20. The sixth best of 28
"Both of them seemed to grab the track really good," said assistant trainer Rick Mettee.
Word is that Desert Party has looked tremendous since shipping back to the United State from the Middle East last week. Suroor was quoted yesterday in Ireland that he believes Desert Party is best chance ever to win the Derby.
Both horses aren't definite for the Derby but it would be a surprise to see one sit on the sideline.
The other horse to work out at Churchill:
Musket Man - 6 furlongs (3/4 mile) in 1:13. Fastest of three.
This was the first workout since he won the Illinois Derby and moved his overall record to five wins in six starts. Trained Derek Ryan was thrilled afterward
"It went very well - it couldn't have been a better work," he said.
The other big workout occurred in South Florida.
Dunkirk - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile) in 59.90. The fastest of 12.
The $3.7 million auction purchase, trained by Todd Pletcher, will not arrive at Churchill Downs until April 28.
Expected to workout on Sunday is Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem (7 furlongs) as well as Take The Points. Pletcher said Take The Points , currently 24th on the Graded Stakes Earnings List, is still not definite to run in the Derby but any defections could change that.
At Churchill Downs:
The Godolphin owned and Saeed bin Suroor trained duo:
Regal Ransom - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile) in :59.80. The fourth fastest of 28.
Desert Party - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile in 1:00.20. The sixth best of 28
"Both of them seemed to grab the track really good," said assistant trainer Rick Mettee.
Word is that Desert Party has looked tremendous since shipping back to the United State from the Middle East last week. Suroor was quoted yesterday in Ireland that he believes Desert Party is best chance ever to win the Derby.
Both horses aren't definite for the Derby but it would be a surprise to see one sit on the sideline.
The other horse to work out at Churchill:
Musket Man - 6 furlongs (3/4 mile) in 1:13. Fastest of three.
This was the first workout since he won the Illinois Derby and moved his overall record to five wins in six starts. Trained Derek Ryan was thrilled afterward
"It went very well - it couldn't have been a better work," he said.
The other big workout occurred in South Florida.
Dunkirk - 5 furlongs (5/8 mile) in 59.90. The fastest of 12.
The $3.7 million auction purchase, trained by Todd Pletcher, will not arrive at Churchill Downs until April 28.
Expected to workout on Sunday is Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem (7 furlongs) as well as Take The Points. Pletcher said Take The Points , currently 24th on the Graded Stakes Earnings List, is still not definite to run in the Derby but any defections could change that.
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