I'm a 30 something year old, married, with 6 four-legged dependents. My life revolves around Greyhounds, great horses, the great outdoors and, more importantly, my great wife.
Ahhh....May. The sun is shining. The flowers are in bloom. Life is flourishing and the Run for the Roses draws near.
I'm going out on a limb here, albeit a pretty solid one at that. I'm making my prediction for the Kentucky Derby and I'm pulling for The Pamplemousse.
I really love his high stepping gallop and his gangly stride. Kind of like the awkward kid in kickball, not really sure what he's doing, but somehow, someway, he's doing it right.
The 'Mousse is breaking from the #8 spot
He's such a monster. If he gets to the lead early watch out. You're not going to real in this runaway freight train. Beyond that, I'm pulling for his jockey, Alex Solis. A Derby win would all but guarantee his appointment to the Hall of Fame where he belongs.
I do have to have a second pick and that is Friesan Fire. He's the #9 horse:
I like the connections behind this horse. Larry Jones, the trainer, is ending is career this year. For those of you that don't know, Larry was the trainer for Eight Belles, the filly that gave Big Brown a strong run in the Derby last year. She beat 19 of the 20 colts that day. In the run out after the race, Eight Belles broke down, breaking both ankles. Sadly, she was euthanized that day. There was a whirlwind of events following this tragic moment, many of them completely and udderly ludicrous. Seriously, why, WHY, does the federal government feel they need to intervene in every single freakin' event. I can think of way too many things they should be doing instead of sticking their noses in the horse racing industry. Sorry, there is no place for that rant in this post. Larry Jones is one of the great trainers and if the 'Mousse doesn't win, I sure hope Friesan Fire finds his way to winner's circle.
Funny Cide was officially welcomed to his new home at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions Dec. 5, becoming the second Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and champion to take up residence there in just over a month.
Like his immediate predecessor at the Hall of Champions, Alysheba, who arrived Oct. 31, Funny Cide was known as a “people’s horse.” This was due to the fact he was a New York-bred and a gelding, but also because his owners, Sackatoga Stable, were the epitome of the “small guys” in the business who reached the top.
At the Horse Park ceremony, Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga, stated what he felt was Funny Cide’s legacy as the horse was paraded in the pavilion in front of him.
“He represents hope for the little guy,” Knowlton told several hundred people who braved the cold to welcome Funny Cide. “People tell us all the time that they’ve gotten into this game because of him. Also, racing needs more horses like him who fans can enjoy after their Triple Crown seasons. He was a huge fan favorite because he ran as long as he did--into his 7-year-old season--and because he was an underdog. We still get emails and letters from his fans everywhere.”
Funny Cide’s popularity grew through the Triple Crown series thanks to his ownership--10 partners who were small-time players in horses, including six who went to high school together in Sackets Harbor, a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York. The Sackatoga Stable partners each threw in $5,000 to buy horses, and they furthered their blue-collar reputation by traveling to the Triple Crown races in a yellow school bus, the only means of transportation they could find for their large group at a reasonable rate in Louisville en route to the Derby. After winning in Kentucky, they figured why break up a good thing, and rented school buses in Baltimore and New York.
A $22,000 yearling purchase, Funny Cide, by Distorted Humor--Belle’s Good Cide, by Slewacide, was running under everyone’s radar until he finished second to the powerful Empire Maker in the 2003 Wood Memorial (gr. I).
Three weeks later at Churchill Downs, Funny Cide turned the tables, laying close throughout the Derby and holding off Empire Makerby 1 3/4 lengths. He went on to crush his field in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) before finishing third behind Empire Maker and Ten Most Wantedin the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
New York in particular embraced Funny Cide as a hometown hero, as 101,864 patrons showed up for the Belmont Stakes, the second-highest crowd in history for the race. His popularity continued to skyrocket in Saratoga after the Triple Crown series, and a Funny Cide shop opened in town. Beer, ice cream, and souvenirs were marketed in his name.
Funny Cide went on to race 38 times over six seasons, winning 11, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) as a 4-year-old. He earned $3,529,412 for his owners and trainer Barclay Tagg. Funny Cide was named champion 3-year-old male of 2003.
After his retirement from racing in 2007, Funny Cide served as Tagg’s stable pony, but recently, infirmities from his racing career made it difficult for the horse to continue in that capacity, prompting his retirement to the Horse Park.
Knowlton thanked Tagg; Tagg’s assistant, Robin Smullen; Funny Cide’s regular jockey Jose Santos; Funny Cide’s fans; and the Horse Park.
“We are thrilled this will be his retirement home,” Knowlton said. “It is an honor to be here today. I know he’ll get the best care in the world.”
The 24 year old settled into John Henry's stall, across from Cigar. Interesting note. Before Cigar came around and set the all-time money earning record, that title belonged to Alysheba.
He spent the last eight years in Saudia Arabia in HRH King Abdullah's royal stables.
John Nicholson, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park stated:
"His Royal Highness King Abdullah realized how much Alysheba means to the American racing fans and we are grateful for this magnanimous gift of one of his favorite horses to our country. We are grateful as well for the great care His Majesty has provided for Alysheba."
While winning the 1987 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, AND Eclipse Award (Horse of the Year), Alysheba was even better as a 4-year-old, winning six Grade 1 stakes, including the 1988 Breeder's Cup Classic. He's listed as #42 out of the top 100 U.S. racehorses of the 20th Century.
This is a tremendous gift to the Horse Park. If you haven't been in a while or have never been, go now. Go see this wonderful horse, along with the others that are still there: Cigar, Da Hoss, Kona Gold, Western Dreamer and the others. Their former owners have been so gracious to send them to the Park so the fans of the sport, new and old, can enjoy them again, or for the very first time.
This past year I've become more interested in horse racing, beyond the Triple Crown races. Jennifer and I took a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington last year with her sister and fiance and had a great time. It was a wonderful experience to see the legends like Cigar and John Henry (RIP).
By no means do I consider myself a student of the game, but I've enjoyed following a number of horses this year and watching them run in the Breeder's Cup last weekend.
CURLIN
I followed Curlin through his sensational season as a four year old. I applaud Jess Jackson for allowing the fans to see one more year of him before he goes to stud.
BIG BROWN
I think Big Brown is a great horse with bad feet. However, I'm thrilled to see him leave the likes of IEAH and Dutrow and head for Three Chimneys where another favorite, Smarty Jones, is standing.
ZENYATTA
Zenyatta, in her undefeated season culminating with a win in the Ladies' Classic, is a strong contender for Horse of The Year. I hope she or Curlin gets it.
I was amazed at how well the European horses ran this year, but given their typical training, I can see their advantage. If the pace is slow enough, they can practically canter around to the top of the stretch, then explode.
Most importantly, this year saw tracks take on anti-slaughter measures to prevent throughbreds from being sent off to auction. Nick Zito publicly applauded Suffolk Downs for leading the way.
