SAINT ARTHUR - Stakes Winner
Saint Arthur led at every call and won the 6.5f Ontario County Stakes by 2 lengths on a sloppy (sealed) track.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA7.pdf
The best is yet to come. This was Saint Arthur's second race off a long layoff. He is an ultra consistent sprinter who placed in all but one of his 7 races, including in 3 stakes. His only off the board finish was on a muddy track in his return from a long layoff when he tired. This stakes was his second race of 2013 and he slowed a bit at the end on a sloppy track with an extra half furlong. He's still improving!
Invasor [ARG]
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
It's a dual Victory day
Shamadaan got his second win today at Parx. He went off as the favorite and won the 6.5f race wire-to-wire. He was 2nd in his debut May 28 and now he's won 2 in a row - his career is off to a fast start.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA9.pdf
Shamadaan got his second win today at Parx. He went off as the favorite and won the 6.5f race wire-to-wire. He was 2nd in his debut May 28 and now he's won 2 in a row - his career is off to a fast start.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA9.pdf
The bad news of the day
Rawaafed finished 7th of 10 in a Class 4 race at a mile and 2f. He was held towards the rear, which has produced his best results but this time he was "outpaced 3f out, never dangerous".
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/90606/1
Is his race schedule finally wearing him out? Here are the days between his races this year:
143 - 12-10-12-10-16-12-2-18-2-16-2-9-3
I checked the horses in one of his other races and some winners and the second half of this schedule is an outlier. As a USA observer I find it very disturbing. European horses routinely race more often than USA horses and France Galop sets it up so horses can race approximately every 2 weeks but the horses I've followed don't come close to Rawaafed's schedule.
Rawaafed finished 7th of 10 in a Class 4 race at a mile and 2f. He was held towards the rear, which has produced his best results but this time he was "outpaced 3f out, never dangerous".
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/90606/1
Is his race schedule finally wearing him out? Here are the days between his races this year:
143 - 12-10-12-10-16-12-2-18-2-16-2-9-3
I checked the horses in one of his other races and some winners and the second half of this schedule is an outlier. As a USA observer I find it very disturbing. European horses routinely race more often than USA horses and France Galop sets it up so horses can race approximately every 2 weeks but the horses I've followed don't come close to Rawaafed's schedule.
Saint Arthur article with background information:
http://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2013/06 ... io-county/
Saint Arthur in the DRF with video of the race:
http://www.drf.com/news/finger-lakes-sa ... stakes-win
Saint Arthur returning to Saratoga - something to look forward to!
http://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2013/06 ... io-county/
Saint Arthur in the DRF with video of the race:
http://www.drf.com/news/finger-lakes-sa ... stakes-win
Saint Arthur returning to Saratoga - something to look forward to!
Al Faatik raced in an MSW at Pleasanton at 6f today. Last time he ran well at Golden Gate but today he finished last, beaten 11 1/2 lengths. What??? The most obvious difference was that the fractions and final time were a LOT faster today: 1:09.77 vs 1:12.92. Of course Pleasanton has a dirt track, probably very fast in summer. Dirt - hmm! First time Al Faatik ran on dirt. He "chased the pace to the turn, was caught out 4 wide to the stretch and gave way".
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA7.pdf
Al Faatik's dam was a grass G1 winner. But Al Faatik didn't run well in his grass outing - wait, it was at a mile, not 6f, and he finished 9 3/4 lengths behind the winner. In other words he did better at a mile on turf than at 6f on dirt. In the mile race he lugged out on the first turn and was 5 wide, then settled on the second turn and was 3 deep to the stretch - so he ran wide in that race, too. Even so he was 3 1/2 lengths from the front for 3/4 of the mile race, look at the running line.
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFC ... USA&race=7
The only thing that suggests Al Faatik might not like turf is lugging out on the first turn. He didn't do it on the second turn. On dirt he was outrun. Maybe the surface question should be reconsidered?
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA7.pdf
Al Faatik's dam was a grass G1 winner. But Al Faatik didn't run well in his grass outing - wait, it was at a mile, not 6f, and he finished 9 3/4 lengths behind the winner. In other words he did better at a mile on turf than at 6f on dirt. In the mile race he lugged out on the first turn and was 5 wide, then settled on the second turn and was 3 deep to the stretch - so he ran wide in that race, too. Even so he was 3 1/2 lengths from the front for 3/4 of the mile race, look at the running line.
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFC ... USA&race=7
The only thing that suggests Al Faatik might not like turf is lugging out on the first turn. He didn't do it on the second turn. On dirt he was outrun. Maybe the surface question should be reconsidered?
Phangio returned to the races after almost a year in the Ladies Derby Handicap at a mile&4f at the Curragh. There were 16 runners and all the jockeys were female. Unfortunately, Phangio needed a race and his best result was 2nd at a mile&1f. He wasn't ready for an extra 3f plus more weight and finished last. It would have been a great race for him to break his maiden.
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/90662/1
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/90662/1
The first Invasor of 2011 to race won his debut at Parx.
Mr Paladin was first of 9 in a 4.5f MSW on a sloppy (sealed) track. He dueled for the lead with the second place finisher then drew away.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA3.pdf
Mr Paladin 2011
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Result ... registry=T
Mr Paladin was first of 9 in a 4.5f MSW on a sloppy (sealed) track. He dueled for the lead with the second place finisher then drew away.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA3.pdf
Mr Paladin 2011
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Result ... registry=T
EXPRESSION is multiple stakes placed! She ran in the 6.5f Magnolia Jackson Stakes at Belmont. She raced 3 wide all the way into the stretch, "ranged up under her own power to challenge near the quarter pole", took command a furlong out and "dug in willlingly to the wire" but was caught in the final strides and finished 2nd by 1/2 length while 2 lengths ahead of the rest. (The winner saved ground inside until the stretch, worth more than 1/2 length, I bet.)
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA3.pdf
Expression surprised the handicappers who sent her off as the last betting choice. Last year she looked like a star until she ran against older horses at Belmont and Saratoga and didn't do well past 6f. Now she's a stakes horse and broke the 6f barrier effortlessly in this race. She's surely headed to Saratoga to take part in New York's best racing - send her stakes winning vibes.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA3.pdf
Expression surprised the handicappers who sent her off as the last betting choice. Last year she looked like a star until she ran against older horses at Belmont and Saratoga and didn't do well past 6f. Now she's a stakes horse and broke the 6f barrier effortlessly in this race. She's surely headed to Saratoga to take part in New York's best racing - send her stakes winning vibes.
Red Flair returned to the track after more than a year in a 6f MCL. He needed the race, no surprise. He "showed speed to the turn then gave way".
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA1.pdf
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA1.pdf
Here's the DRF article about the Magnolia Jackson Stakes with video. The article concentrates on the winner. Interesting that after beating Expression by 1/2 length they are considering two graded stakes as possible races for her. If she does well in a graded stakes it will reflect well on Expression.
http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park-vi ... son-stakes
http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park-vi ... son-stakes
Street Invader went off as the 3d betting choice at Parx in a $25,000 MCL at 6.5f. He was squeezed back early to 10th, moved inside and made it to 5th at the 1/2 then fell back to finish 7th 22 lengths behind the winner.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA9.pdf
Street Invader's dam is by Street Cry and didn't do well at sprints. She won at 3 in a 1 1/16 turf MCL - the fractions were slow. Late developing horses can't run at their top speed for long so slow fractions help. Trainers often try shorter races thinking the horse won't tire but if late development is the problem that won't work. Sprint speed in the USA is very fast and the horse has to run even faster in a short dash and still tires. Street Invader will probably have to win by conserving energy at the start so he can finish until he's older.
Storm Cat shifted US racing by producing brilliantly fast precocious horses that everyone loves. Invasor is an anti-Storm Cat. His progeny at 4 are what we looked for at 3. Young Invasors with sprint speed got it from their dam line, Expression and Saint Arthur and Mr Paladin for example. Those that didn't have early speed in the dam line and ran 2 or more bad races often ended up as bread-and-butter horses running in sprints and miles. My theory is that most aren't really sprinters or milers and that's why they win a few but don't stand out. This theory is unlikely to be tested since those horses rarely get out of their rut.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA9.pdf
Street Invader's dam is by Street Cry and didn't do well at sprints. She won at 3 in a 1 1/16 turf MCL - the fractions were slow. Late developing horses can't run at their top speed for long so slow fractions help. Trainers often try shorter races thinking the horse won't tire but if late development is the problem that won't work. Sprint speed in the USA is very fast and the horse has to run even faster in a short dash and still tires. Street Invader will probably have to win by conserving energy at the start so he can finish until he's older.
Storm Cat shifted US racing by producing brilliantly fast precocious horses that everyone loves. Invasor is an anti-Storm Cat. His progeny at 4 are what we looked for at 3. Young Invasors with sprint speed got it from their dam line, Expression and Saint Arthur and Mr Paladin for example. Those that didn't have early speed in the dam line and ran 2 or more bad races often ended up as bread-and-butter horses running in sprints and miles. My theory is that most aren't really sprinters or milers and that's why they win a few but don't stand out. This theory is unlikely to be tested since those horses rarely get out of their rut.
Persecucion in Japan has run much better on turf than dirt except last time when she was 4th on an off track (the track condition was "failure") and got a check. Her trainer ran her back on good dirt and she finished 8th. She seems to be a turf horse and a mudder but not good on a fast track. Is that common?
http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... cucion(USA)%2522%2BJBIS%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1210%26bih%3D862%26prmd%3Dimvns&sa=X&ei=pvo8UMDFCMK02gX5wIGQDQ&ved=0CCYQ7gEwAA
Peony Perfect in the US won by big margins both times she ran on an off track but never won on a good track - would she like turf? She's never run on it.
http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... cucion(USA)%2522%2BJBIS%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1210%26bih%3D862%26prmd%3Dimvns&sa=X&ei=pvo8UMDFCMK02gX5wIGQDQ&ved=0CCYQ7gEwAA
Peony Perfect in the US won by big margins both times she ran on an off track but never won on a good track - would she like turf? She's never run on it.
Shamadaan, who was 2nd in his debut then won his next two races, ran again in a claimer at the same level and distance after 10 days rest. But 4 races in 41 days may have been too much. He finished 7th of 9, beaten 12 3/4 lengths after running "very wide" and "dropping back".
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA4.pdf
Shamadaan didn't debut in an MSW, but I imagined his success would make his trainer think he could run at a higher level and for higher purses. But Shamadaan ran in the same type races for small purses. Now the ran poorly so he won't move up in distance or class. I hope the window of opportunity hasn't closed.
Rawaafed ran more often and harder and longer than Shamadaan but he's a year older and doesn't run on dirt or get chemically dehydrated for every race & work. Horses in the USA were much tougher before the era of permissive medication.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA4.pdf
Shamadaan didn't debut in an MSW, but I imagined his success would make his trainer think he could run at a higher level and for higher purses. But Shamadaan ran in the same type races for small purses. Now the ran poorly so he won't move up in distance or class. I hope the window of opportunity hasn't closed.
Rawaafed ran more often and harder and longer than Shamadaan but he's a year older and doesn't run on dirt or get chemically dehydrated for every race & work. Horses in the USA were much tougher before the era of permissive medication.
Graded Stakes Entries:
Ausus runs in the Modesty Handicap G3 at Arlington on July 13. The race, at a mile 3/16 on turf, is the local prep for the $750,000 G1 Beverly D on Arlington Million Day. Here's a Brisnet interview with the trainer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editoria ... i?id=37581
Here are the past performances for the race:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editoria ... i?id=37581
The only speed horse in the race is La Tia. If she gets out in front and slows tha pace that would be bad for the closers.
Other news for Ausus
She was promoted to 4th in the Jenny Wiley G1 because Daisy Devine, who finished second, was disqualified due to a Clenbuterol positive and lost the placing and her part of the purse.
Ausus runs in the Modesty Handicap G3 at Arlington on July 13. The race, at a mile 3/16 on turf, is the local prep for the $750,000 G1 Beverly D on Arlington Million Day. Here's a Brisnet interview with the trainer:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editoria ... i?id=37581
Here are the past performances for the race:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editoria ... i?id=37581
The only speed horse in the race is La Tia. If she gets out in front and slows tha pace that would be bad for the closers.
Other news for Ausus
She was promoted to 4th in the Jenny Wiley G1 because Daisy Devine, who finished second, was disqualified due to a Clenbuterol positive and lost the placing and her part of the purse.
Phangio finished 7th of 14 in a Handicap at 1 mile 2f & 150 yd, 6 lengths and a head behind the winner. It was his first race on polytrack. He was 10th halfway, switched to the outside and "kept on" from over 1f to get 7th - he got going too late. He was last at a mile & 4f last time and is still playing catch-up in his 2nd race of 2013. Phangio was the high-weight and also one of the last betting choices. He should improve again next time.
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/91283/1
Montford Park finished 5th at a mile on turf in a $30,000 mcl at Ellis Park. At a mile on turf at Ellis last year he finished 5th, just 3 1/2 behind the winner but this year it was 12 1/2. Disappointing. His previous race was at a mile on dirt and two other horses followed him to the turf race. They finished in the same order in both races, with Montford Park between the other two, except that Montford Park was only a neck behind the front one on turf compared to 8 1/2 lengths on dirt. Is that it? He finished 4th on dirt, 17 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but 4th is better than 5th.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA4.pdf
Wait. In both races this year Montford Park lagged in the back and gained a couple of places by closing or by running evenly as others faded. The other 2 horses were forwardly placed and faded. In the turf mile last year Montford Park was forwardly placed then gained then faded a bit. That style would use him up in a sprint but perhaps he could be mid pack in a mile race.
http://www.racinguk.com/results/race/91283/1
Montford Park finished 5th at a mile on turf in a $30,000 mcl at Ellis Park. At a mile on turf at Ellis last year he finished 5th, just 3 1/2 behind the winner but this year it was 12 1/2. Disappointing. His previous race was at a mile on dirt and two other horses followed him to the turf race. They finished in the same order in both races, with Montford Park between the other two, except that Montford Park was only a neck behind the front one on turf compared to 8 1/2 lengths on dirt. Is that it? He finished 4th on dirt, 17 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but 4th is better than 5th.
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 13USA4.pdf
Wait. In both races this year Montford Park lagged in the back and gained a couple of places by closing or by running evenly as others faded. The other 2 horses were forwardly placed and faded. In the turf mile last year Montford Park was forwardly placed then gained then faded a bit. That style would use him up in a sprint but perhaps he could be mid pack in a mile race.