Chocolate Candy

Aug27 · Postby **Aug27** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:38 am

this horse is getting a lot of hype ...

anybody on-board know if Baze has ever won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 route?

I've found some G3s at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate, but no G1 or G2. routes.

Only G1 / G2 wins in the past ten years were on Lost In The Fog and Tricky Trevor (all sprints).

ireneinwa · Postby **ireneinwa** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:20 am

Forgot the E ....Tickey Trevor

UmmYeah · Postby **UmmYeah** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:06 am

There must have been others. Event of the Year, maybe? Lite Light?

Aug27 · Postby **Aug27** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:42 am

good catch. he won the G2 Jim Beam on event of the year, in mar-98. (nakatani was on that one for the strub). that was over 11 years ago ... "long time between drinks", as they say!

Danzig · Postby **Danzig** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:26 pm

If Baze is named up in a classic, might as well as look elsewhere...it it does ever happen, prepapre for the Apocalypse or snowballs in Hell.

geowarrior · Postby **geowarrior** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:11 pm

No Baze for Chocolate Candy in the Derby. All of today's online racing media report that Mike Smith has been engaged and has already worked Chocolate Candy once.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:38 pm

Mike worked the colt today. He looks good and ready. Bring the TC!

Playwithfire · Postby **Playwithfire** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:01 pm

When Hollendorfer went back to Rosario for Santa Anita Derby you know Baze was done. I'm a little surprised, the races CC won were with Baze.

majxmom · Postby **majxmom** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:41 pm

There's been a number of times lately where King Jerry has patently cut out Baze. I'm not sure if there's a tiff going on there or if Jerry's just preparing for the inevitable day when Russell won't be there anymore. I like Mike Smith and wish him well, but my enthusiam for Chocolate Candy has dipped a little. I really wanted Russell to have a nice horse in the Derby.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:54 pm

BUT Russell isn't the guy you want on a world stage. You want him in N Cal. certainly! But unless he is sitting on a tons the best horse (ie Lost In The Fog) he isn't the guy. Jerry isn't a dummy. Mike might not be a great percentage day in and day out kind of guy, but he sure knows how to capitalize on the right days. Derby day is no exception

majxmom · Postby **majxmom** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:39 pm

I don't disagree with any particular thing you say there, Tuc, but I do feel compelled to point out the the winningest rider in North America has been given only two chances to ride in the KY Derby: Semoran in 1996 and Cause to Believe in 2006. His best chance, Event of the Year, was scratched on Derby Week, as was Globalize -- who probably had little chance -- on Derby morning. So he has been given what I consider to be shockingly few chances considering his riding record and his obvious cool demeanor under pressure. If I developed a top class horse, I'd use him in a minute. But then if I were Shelley Riley with Casual Lies, I wouldn't have jocked off Alan Patterson. It might have been her dream to win the Derby, but it was his dream, too, and you dance with the one that brung you.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:37 pm

Yes. one was kicked by the pony and required stitches, one slab fractured and was retired (I think). Cause to Believe was not enough horse or sound enough for that matter. Decent type, just has legs screwed on backward from what I have seen. Seems like the family might have problems, enter Imaginary Sailor.
You can take Adreamisborn (Russell) to Kentucky Cup against Roses In May (at his peak) and run no where. ADB never ran his race, but was never going to beat RIM even if Pincay had ridden him as opposed to Baze.
And one doesn't drink fantastic wine with Taco Bell. BUT Beer with Taco Bell is fine. That is alot like riders.
Russell, like all riders has a place. Laffit is the best rider at the top of the earner's list. Russell is a big fish in a small pond who floundered in a big pond and is wise to stay in N Cal. Good for him! He sits at the top of the earner's list because of it.
BUT is he a go to guy on a national or international stage? Absolutely no. Russell is the guy in Northern California, period.
The King rides Russell on Somethinaboutlaura in N Cal, but Espinoza in S Cal. Hystericalady very rarely had the same rider two races in a row. You can change partners and venues and leave the one who brung ya behind and return to the venue and ride the original rider. Russell is going to have opportunity to ride the best horse in a race at GGF. It would be foolish to be petty about not riding a horse out of town. His biggest client is exceedingly faithful locally but makes a great decision to ride a "local" rider on a national and international scene. Baze isn't the same type. It is like a Gr 1 winner against a horse in the first condition. Talent is not equal.
If the top trainers in Northern Cal quit riding Russell, he would be as ordinary as the day is long. Look at all of the riders that have migrated south to north with a great deal of success. People like Anton georgi(sp??) saul arias, Chris Landeros, Omar Figeroa(?) etc all guys that could barely get a mount in s cal and have full dance cards in N cal... same for Russell. He comes down to ride something, and he isn't exactly riding the card..
Dean Sarvis at Turfway
Pat Day, Albarado and Bejarano, at Keeneland and Churchill, etc. This is one sport that does not demand you remain faithful!

oliverstoned · Postby **oliverstoned** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:18 am

So anyway getting back to the horse I got a feeling he's going to move up on dirt with that Candy Ride and Slew in him. I say he's got a shot at wearing the roses.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:52 am

Agreed.

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:12 pm

2nd (or, 3rd).