USA

It has been a few days and I wanted to mention Wanderin Boy. Wanderin Boy was an American race horse. No champion, but a consistent and proven top level performer. Although I have never paid much attention to him I always knew he was there, running good solid races without excelling.

He broke down in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, the race won by Tale Of Ekati, after Harlem Rocker was disqualified from first place. Unfortunately he had to be euthanised. There has been a lot of talk about him and I realise how important his type of horses are. The ones that consistently finish just on or off the board in major stakes races. The ones that are around for years and their names are so familiar you almost take them for granted.

I was reading this story on The Blood Horse and I found myself wondering why, if he has had so many injury woes with his legs, was he still racing. Was it because the horse just loved to race? Was it his connections’  strength and determination or their greed? I like to think the former, but fact is, I don’t know, I only know that a horse has lost his life that had so much more to give, that so much more life in him. It makes me sad and it makes me wonder about the sport I love so much. I see the sport of horse racing for all its beauty, but sometimes I wonder whether I choose not to see the bad side…. (story on The Blood Horse)

Court Vision was victorious in the Hollywood Derby (G1) with a fantastic stretch run, beating Cowboy Cal by 3/4 lengths.  Midships was third. Court Vision covered the 1 1/4 miles over turf in 2:01.43 (Story on The Blood Horse)

Cocoa Beach was up in time to take the Matriarch Stakes (G1) in the final few strides, beating pacesetter Precious Kitten by 3/4 lengths. Visit was third. Cocoa Beach covered the one mile over turf at Hollywood Park in 1:35.49. (story on The Blood Horse)

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JAPAN

Screen Hero upset favourite Deep Sky in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Race Course. Derby and Tenno Sho heroine Vodka had to make do with third place. Screen Hero covered the 1 1/2 miles over turf in 2:25.5 (story on The Blood Horse)

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Well, I nailed one, was oh-so-close on one, and totally blew another.   Pretty typical. 

Looking back over my Sunday selections, I nailed Cocoa Beach for a decent score, although I now wish we could’ve had the 3/1 from the morning line.  I didn’t think everyone else was going to be all over her with Precious Kitten and Visit in the Matriarch, but then again the SoCal horseplayers are some of the best.

Cocoa Beach defeats Precious Kitten in the 27th running of the Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park 11/30/08

Just missed on what would’ve been a sweet 6/1 shot on Cowboy Cal in the Hollywood Derby.  Court Vision exploded to nail him late.  Almost….would have been nice to hit one with ‘Cal.  He still ran a big one.  Not sure where Albhari was as he didn’t look comfortable at all.  Big one for IEAH and Bill Mott.  Hats off to Court Vision.   I should mention that at one point around this time last year Court Vision was my 2nd choice (behind Majestic Warrior) in terms of future Derby contenders. 

Speaking of which…Gayego.  I’m sure some of you remember that at one point I actually dreamt he would win the Kentucky Derby.  Obviously that didn’t pan out, and today Gayego served me revenge (a dish best served cold) for my betrayal in selecting El Gato Malo over him.  Clearly “the Bad Cat” was compromised by the shortened distance, and Gayego was able to thrive over the cutback to prove victorious.  It’s good to see both of them back on the track.

Of course the biggest star of the day had to be Zenyatta.  It was her day.  Hopefully I can get my hands on a Zenyatta poster from the day. 

Well, it’s just about time to turn in and get back into work week mode.  I’m sure I’ll be burning with something to say come Wednesday or so.  My beloved Alabama Crimson Tide are of course bound for the SEC Championship Game against a high powered Florida team sure to be the toughest challenge we’ve confronted all season.  I’m already on pins and needles. 

In the world of horse racing we’re starting to get ready for the road to the roses.  You can feel it in the air.  It’s just around the corner. Think of it like this; If there’s another Curlin or Big Brown out there, chances are we either haven’t even seen him or perhaps didn’t realize what were seeing when we saw him.  Here’s making my early holiday wish that we get one for the ages this year.  One of those horses like Curlin or Big Brown that you just KNOW when you see them.  You never forget where you were or what you were doing when you saw them.  A moment frozen in equine space-time. Sheer bliss.

A guy can wish can’t he?