DECEMBERWeek 1
Dirt Races
Legacy Link Prospect - 9F - P
win Flitcraft
place Admonish
show Inner Storm
Rocking Robin Maiden - 10F - M
Gate One:Jean Lafitte Stakes - 8F - 2yo - Fillies - G5+
win Devil You Know
place Clearly Present
show All In
Louisiana Legacy - 9F - 2yo - Colts - G5+
win Night Terror
place What So Not
show Vitriol
Santana Street Derby - 11F - G4
WIN Rough Boy
PLACE The Oddity
SHOW Wrecking Ball
fourth Seize The Throne
fifth Momentarily Herself
Fujino Derby - 8F - G3
FIRST Dark Intentions
SECOND Soaring Passion
DAMASCUS STAKES* - 7F - OPEN
WIN: Artemis' Glory (nose)
PLACE: Toss Up
SHOW: Dauntless
4th: Luminous Wave
CARACORTADO STAKES* - 8F - G2+
WIN: Incognito
PLACE: Hellfire
SHOW: Simba
4th: Pele's Wrath
Turf Races
Mammon Prospect - 9F - P
win Helios
place Wired
Sacristy Maiden - 10F - M
Gate One:Lookout Stakes - 8F - 2yo Fillies - G5+
WIN Miss Abilene
PLACE Best More or Less
show Tempered Tempest
Great White Way Stakes - 10F - 2yo Colts - G5+
FIRST Celestial Sword
SECOND Sillencio
THIRD Passionist
Circean Stakes - 11F - G4
FIRST Eulogy Rise
SECOND Dancer's Shadow
THIRD BonFire
Xiphoid Stakes - 8F - G3
WIN: The Raven
PLACE: Wild Daisy
SHOW: Phoenix Inferno
This was a close call race Wild Daisy fought for the lead but was beat by The Raven who was quite comfortable in this race. Phoenix Inferno seems to like the stretch of the race keep him in the distances as I think that is where he will thrive in my opinion.
Magus Stakes - 8F - G1
Gate One:FALL HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP* - 7.5F - OPEN
Win. My Kingdom Come
Place. Dancing On Nails
Show. Great Revenge
Fourth. Liberated Treasure
Fifth. Pied Piper
Pied Piper hawked Great Revenge from the gate almost to the end, pressuring the older male into setting suicidal fractions. Liberated Treasure and Dancing On Nails sat off the pace, but couldn't help but try to keep up. The 7.5F distance was an oddity for all involved, but the pace ensured a right set up for My Kingdom Come. The gray mare exploded off the turn and took the males to task. She won by a neck over Dancing On Nails. It was another half length back to the gutsy Great Revenge.
BEVERLY D. HANDICAP** - 12F - 3yo+ F/M - G2+
Win. Melusine
Place. Scintilla
EDDIE READ STAKES* - 12F - 3YO+ Males Only - G2+
WIN World Dominion
PLACE Firestorm
SHOW Altercation
fourth A True Hero
fifth Eavesdropper
Week 2
Dirt Races
All Decked Out Derby- 8F - G5
WIN Wild Inclinations
PLACE Caterina Sforza
SHOW Tempest Rising
I Believe I Can Fly Derby - 6F - G4
win Night Vigil
place Realeza
show Chaotic Limitations
I Know It Derby - 7F - G2
WIN Celestia
PLACE Risky Business
SHOW Flashing The Declaration
Celebrate Love Derby - 6F - G1
Gate One: Rough DiamondSUNSET CRUSADE'S BATTLE STAKES* - 10F - 2YO - OPEN
win Flashbang
place Bold Trick
show Samaritan Hero
fourth Hamlet
Turf Races
Versifier Stakes - 8F - G5
FIRST Dark Sparrow
SECOND Takeover Bid
THIRD Landslide
Alpenglow Stakes - 6F - G4
Gate One: Glissade Stakes - 7F - G2
win Seattle Lightning
place Hot Looks
show Black Magic
fourth Sugar Rush
fifth Winged Pegasus
The pace of this race was blistering. It favored Hot Looks and Black Magic, who were not up front fighting for the lead and managed to pick off some of the top three at the end of the race despite the class difference between them and some others. I don't ordinarily account for pace when I'm judging a race, but what really stood out to me in this race was the blistering set-up. I am so sad Winged Pegasus missed out on his three year old season - he had such amazing class as a juvenile. I'd almost say he's a candidate to run at six if you wanted, but even if you retire him now he'd be a fantastic stud. Seattle Lightning really capitalized on his back class and superb form to gut out this victory. He'll have a tremendous senior season.
The Stakes - 6F - G1
win SmashDashing
place Southern Peach
GORGEOUS GEORGE STAKES* - 10F - 2YO - OPEN
WIN In My Remains
PLACE Pure Innocence
SHOW Piece Of Me
fourth Chasing The Sun
Week 3
Dirt Races
Classically Clueless Prospect - 6F - P
Gate One:Poppilika Maiden - 7F - M
Gate One: Delilah jockeyed by Minske Mavecci
Paige Alexis Stakes - 7F - G5
Gate One: Caterina SforzaPardon Me Stakes - 8F - G4
WIN Italian Beauty (head)
PLACE Royal Charm
SHOW Chaotic Limitations
fourth Winter Soldier
DQ Apache Sunrise (G3)
Italian Beauty used her HOTY experience to her advantage today. While I think 8f was a bit short for her, she was able to hold off Royal Charm for the win.
Saint Jean Stakes - 9F - G3
WIN Bulletproof
PLACE Vesuvius
SHOW Nutcracker Suite
fourth Call of Duty
fifth Ephemeral
JOE O'FARRELL JUVENILE FILLIES* - 9F - 2YO FILLIES - G5+
WIN Authentic Aura
PLACE Kallisto
SHOW Truly Limitless
fourth Winged Passion
ARIZONA BREEDERS' FUTURITY* - 7.5F - 2YO COLTS - G5+
WIN Sweet Dreams
PLACE Rogue Prince
SHOW Insouciant
fourth Turbocharged
Rogue Prince showed very good form today, as he's been running very well and had the added benefit of being able to set the pace.
THE HONORABLE STAKES* - 11F - G2+
WIN Seems Legit
PLACE Cascabel
SHOW Incognito
fourth Muggathuga
fifth Ground Zero
SO MANY MID-PACK HORSES
Turf Races
Vulnific Prospect - 6F - P
Gate One:Apricity Maiden - 7F - M
Gate One:Sepulcher Stakes - 7F - G5
Gate One: LandslideJessie James Derby - 12F - G4
Gate One:Confarreation Stakes - 9F - G3
WIN Catastrophic
PLACE Dragonheart
SHOW Incineration
Delator Stakes - 11F - G1
Gate One:ISLAND FASHION STAKES* - 11F - 2YO FILLIES - G5+
WIN Earthly Witch
PLACE Bohemian Rhapsody
show Chetory
LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC STAKES* - 9F - 2YO COLTS - G5+
WIN Moonshine
PLACE Constitution
SHOW Truly Something
fourth Terminus
Week 4
BREEDER'S CUP*
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF*WIN Wild Annie (2 lengths)
PLACE Tisiphone
SHOW Wings of Angels
fourth Socialite
Wild Annie showed incredible form in this race, taking it from gate-to-wire while exhibiting tremendous patience. The other runners, all versatile, stayed close to the moderate pace - however, Wild Annie got everything her way, ignoring the pressure from behind, and made an early move that the others gambled would be too early. However, she showed stamina to hold off the later, quick-footed charge of Tisiphone, who could not close the distance once Wild Annie escaped.
Wings of Angels and Socialite are both incredible horses that may have been a little outmatched today (and by a little I mean a little), but they both have very nice resumes going into their classic seasons. Congrats everyone on a great year!
BREEDER'S CUP FILLY AND MARE SPRINT*WIN Artemis' Glory
PLACE Melodious
SHOW Sugar Demon
Artemis was just perfection in this race. Melodious and Sugar Demon were neck and neck in this race, but Artemis had them in the end and claimed her victory. Melodious should definitely run another season, in my opinion. She's poised to be a powerhouse for you. Sugar Demon was only a whisker behind Melodious and gave a stunning performance as well.
BREEDER'S CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF SPRINT*WIN Summer Romance
PLACE Athena's Desires
SHOW Game Over
fourth Sweet Like Sugar
fifth My Kingdom Come
Well. This was a nightmare lol.
Summer Romance: She has definitely blossomed wonderfully into a very competitive mare. She was right in her element today stalking Athena's Desires the whole race, not letting anyone take her spotlight.
Athena's Desires: I still really like her xD She ran hard from the get-go, but you could tell she would have preferred a much shorter race. I look forward to seeing what she can produce in the breeding shed!
Game Over: Can easily be crowned one of the top female sprinters of her age group and it showed today being the youngest and running against some of the best older mares. It was a tough feat for her, but she stuck with them and just barely fell short of the wire. I think she will have a fantastic older season.
Sweet Like Sugar: I really didn't like placing her out of the money for this one, because all five mares were so close in talent. She did absolutely nothing wrong today except get a little caught up in the middle of the field. If you're campaigning her next season, she will definitely bounce back from this experience in no time.
My Kingdom Come: Another horse I really didn't want to place where she is. I can see she loves this distance, but she was shuffled around the middle with Sweet Like Sugar and wasn't able to get that final sprinting close she hoped for. She ran a formidable race and has done well all season.
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE FILLIES*WIN Icarus Flight
PLACE: Foxy Passion
SHOW: Amnesty
4th: Kallisto
5th: Authentic Aura
This race was tough from the beginning these fillies are amazing. I had to place two out of the money and that was hard. Authentic Aura is an incredible filly however she couldn't catch a break this race.
Kallisto has wonderful potential and do not let this race get you down, she was on a draw with Amnesty and Authentic Aura the whole race and couldn't get passed Amnesty to challenge the top two.
The top three were certainly a hard bundle Foxy almost got the win until Icarus surprised her at the end of the last stretch.
BREEDER'S CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF*FIRST Lissome
SECOND Celebrity
THIRD Scintilla
FOURTH Excalibur's Stone
FIFTH Melusine
Lissome won here from her overall experience and tenacity. It took me a while to really sort out the top three, and although she had a layoff this year with a good chunk of her wins not HOTY in her lifetime, I found her ability to remain consistent over her career in both levels go to her favor. She was able to sit behind Celebrity, with Excalibur's Stone not pushing too much, giving her a unchallenging ride until the end. This is where I saw her able to endure with the quality she's been competing with up till now.
Celebrity got a huge wake up call here today from Lissome and Scintilla, and she only nabbed second by a whisker. She is younger, but has grown into a formidable filly this season. She held the lead for the majority, but Lissome burned her out in the last furlong. She was able to keep ahead of Scintilla by the nick, who would have gotten her if this had been one or two furlongs longer of a run.
Scintilla is a fighter, and it was very hard to decide between her and Celebrity. I feel that Scintilla prefers just longer furlongs, that's not to say she can't and hasn't won at 10F, but I felt Celebrity had the 10F card more in her pocket. She has had a full and prosperous career, you've done wonderfully with her.
Excalibur's Stone I don't feel has found her stride yet. She needs some time to confidence boost and grade up in undercards. When she is consistently in the top three she can return to HOTY. I suggest for a year five she spend most of it in undercards with a bit of HOTY grade specific, then if she is showing some promise push her more into HOTY or give her a HOTY only six year old season to see if she fires up. I think she still has a lot of promise, just keep her out of HOTY until her record has improved.
Melusine found herself completely exhausted. I'm not sure if you realize it Frosty, but she raced 24 times last year and this is her 23rd race this year. Without a break at all in basically two years, I felt she could not handle the fresher competition here. If you decide to bring her around for another season, please give her several months off to recover. She has been pulling back for you wonderfully this season after a drop down to undercards for some confidence, but I feel she crashed out here due to her relentless racing.
BREEDER'S CUP DISTAFF*WIN Fire Goddess (nose)
PLACE Adrasteia (head)
SHOW Headstrong (nose)
fourth Rise Me Gold
fifth Flaming Confidenza
Flaming Confidenza didn't have a season that could prepare her for this race.
As everyone knew it would be, it was extremely hard to separate the top horses. Any of these four could have taken this race, and they all deserved to take this race with the years they've had. As you can see, it was a thrilling charge to the end - four across, separated by noses. Fire Goddess pulled a bit of an upset, perfectly positioned behind the fast pace created at the front, and she took full advantage to snag it at the end. She's been breathing down Adrasteia's neck all year and clawing for the top determinedly, and she put the hammer down at just the right time. I know this won't make me popular, but I hope you'll still love me anyway (after all, BC races aren't HOTY awards, you know?). I can't tell you guys anything to do differently with them, because there's nothing TO do differently. Rise Me Gold, by the way, is going to KILL next year. She was just slightly overshadowed this time around because she spent half of her year running against 3yos, and is still working to find her footing in open company. I fully expect her to come out winning next year. This was just the toss of the dice this time around, and I wish all of these horses the best in whatever comes next!
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT*Win. Everlasting Gift
Place. Final Velocity
Show. Twilight Reign
Fourth. Miss Abilene
Everlasting Gift has been a fierce runner all season and 6F is right in his wheelhouse. He got the jump on Final Velocity and kept going even when that rival threatened in the last furlong.
Final Velocity is developing very nicely and I expect her to be ultra tough at three when it's time to prepare for the sprinter filly races.
Twilight Reign and Miss Abilene are close together, but Twilight Reign's success at 6F gave her the edge over her stablemate.
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE SPRINT*WIN. Cataclysmic
PLACE. The Good Fight
SHOW. Sunrise Spell
Fourth. Apache Warrior
Fifth. Chocolatier
Sixth. I Bet My Life
Half of this field are closers, making for a relatively slow trip. Apache Warrior took the lead willingly, with Chocolatier pacing himself off of the grey's starting position. I really felt these two boys would have prefered more room if they were to maintain their ranks - with neither of them having enough in their record to suggest to me they had the speed to rocket well away from the field at this distance. The top two closers in the field are well practiced at closing HOTY wins at 5-6F, which told me they had the swift turn of foot to break ahead of the leading pair.
The Good Fight had found himself in a strong position in the midst of the field, he's been on a high lately and seems to be improving with every run as an almost-3yo; his last three runs have been good HOTY Wins and he wasn't prepared to break that streak today, which really had him digging deep on the home stretch and putting in an admirable battle.
Cataclysmic is a tough filly who is also coming in off a quality win. She was one I really felt had the tools to do some serious damage, and she's never run a bad race in her career. The field was just to her liking, she had her targets within reach and come the home stretch she wasn't left with too much to do. Today was her day, and a well earnt one! Woo, girl power!
Sunrise Spell is a pony I'm all too familiar with and all too fond of, he was definitely a favourite coming into this. He chose wisely to Close today and it really paid off, just the setting he needed to step up and do what he's been so successfuly campaigned to do. He's won strongly at this distance, in The Magic Millions particularly and was more than prepared for the top competition today. He perhaps wasn't at his all time high as far as confidence goes, but definitely doesn't seem the sort to be too negatively impacted by that. I think he was in his element in this race, but he just didn't jump at me quite as much as the top two did to take the win.
Chocolatier. I LOVE this horse. He's proven to be very adaptable and capable in tough fields, and certainly has the experience he needs to take on the top-dogs like this. He was a very strong contender for me, but I felt with the way the field unfolded today it didn't quite bring out the personal best he needed. He lacks a little in his consistency when compared to the rest of the field and wasn't quite as 'fresh' coming into the start today. As with Apache Warrior, I didn't feel he was as comfortably in his element today as the other top places. I know he's going to be an amazingly competitive horse (and is already), his big win is coming, and I really hope you can forgive this placing and not take it too harshly.
Apache Warrior is a seriously competitive HOTY horse who had a great shot at a strong place in this race. I think if he was a Front Runner who clearly thrived at 5/6F, he would have been able to make more distance up between himself and the closers. As it was, he didn't jump out at me as a contender who was running right where he wanted to be and was mildly out-done by horses who were thriving within their ideals. The slower pace didn't do him many favours, but he ran valiantly and comfortably in a field of such high calibre.
I Bet My Life felt more like a horse who was only just finding his feet in HOTY, racing against company who are well established at this level. His consistency is admirable and I truly think you're sitting on a rising talent Sammy. Definitely not a horse you'd say was never in the money, and I think the experience has done him good, but I didn't see him having the class he needed to hold his own here.
BREEDER'S CUP MARATHON*win Luna De Soltera
place Everyday Smile
show Arctic Fox
fourth Ultimate Revenge
fifth Tuff E'Nuff
Luna was the class of this race. She faced some fierce competition from Everyday Smile, who really seems to roll at this distance, but she managed to put away that competitor at the wire by a handy neck. Are you going to toss her into the Turf Marathon next year Ripleykins? That'd be cool.
Everyday Smile rolled at a distance she loves today and probably turned a few heads when she denied Arctic Fox that second place finish. She's a mare loaded with stamina in terms of both pedigree and performance and you're going to have a wonderful broodmare on your hands with this one.
Arctic Fox has the kind of record that BLOOMS into dominance as a four year old. He's rock solid and I think you should build him as your Classic contender next season. He shut down a strong foe in Ultimate Revenge.
Ultimate Revenge is gorgeous. He has so much class and it actually made me really happy that Charisma is his dam - I remember her xD He is a strong horse, but to me the top three really stood out for this race. I'm happy you ran him in the BC though, as he's got the class that kind of demands it. He'll be a fantastic stud, one I might have to send a mare to down the line.
Tuff E'Nuff went into this race as the lowest grade, but a fierce competitor. I actually really like him. He didn't have the backing to quite win over these foes, but he can definitely compete with them. I think he's your next big horse Sammy, mainly because it shouldn't take much to grade him up to one and then go straight for the HoTYs with a record like that.
BREEDER'S CUP TURF MARATHON*Win. World Dominion
Place. Eternally Smoldering
Show. Laddie Luck
Fourth. Prometheus
Fifth. Genuine Risk
World Dominion: We had a Kentucky Open winner and two Belmont Turf Classic winners in this field, making it perhaps one of the strongest fields ever of the Breeders' Cup Turf Marathon. He sat a brilliant trip just behind Genuine Risk and Laddie Luck and got the jump on Eternally Smoldering down the lane. He powered through the wire two lengths in front. If you bring him back at 5, World Dominion might just experience an Abastor-esque handicap year.
Eternally Smoldering: This one definitely had the pedigree to get 12F. He previously beat World Dominion in the Dusk To Dawn Stakes at 12F and then came back to win the World Colt Cup. You've campaigned him amazingly well Isa. I think his success will teach you a lot going forward. He'll be an excellent older horse come Y18. Definitely nom him for some three year old awards.
Laddie Luck: I really love this horse and think you have a top turf runner come Y18. He could be a prime candidate for the Breeders Cup Turf next year. I didn't see him necessarily getting the 12F against the top two today, but you've done extremely well with him all season. I'd definitely put him up for some three year old awards.
Prometheus: He has had a very lovely season, but I see him as still developing. With the majority of his season spent in three year old only races, Prometheus was surprised by the faster trip. He could be quite the force as a four year old and I'm curious which way you plan on going with him.
Genuine Risk: Although he is a quality colt, he was underprepared for this level of competition. Genuine Risk simply did not have the stamina to keep up with the other horses. He needs to be kept within his grade until he advances to the grade one level.
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE TURF*WIN Rising Wonder (nose)
PLACE Hyperion
SHOW In My Remains
fourth French Quarter
fifth Peacebreaker
BREEDER'S CUP DIRT MILE*WIN Hysteria
PLACE Hellfire
SHOW Coincidence
fourth Roussong
Roussong is on the rise, but he found the top three a bit too much to handle this time around. However, you've given him some incredible class this year, and I expect if you put him in G2 races early he'll be at G1 very quickly and he'll have a full arsenal to hit the top races with!
As far as the top three, how do you even begin to differentiate between such strong milers? First of all, I found that Hellfire was cleverly rested for this race. But that alone isn't enough to give her the edge over the others. Coincidence and Hysteria have both excelled at the mile distance this year, with Coincidence rolling off of a win Nov Wk 2. Hysteria, on the other hand, is coming in off of a loss. But that was unarguably a distance she wasn't fond of. So you can see, this wasn't an easy race to place. I can't point out one specific thing that separated them, but a decision had to be made, and I'm happy with the conclusion I came to. Congrats guys!
BREEDER'S CUP TURF SPRINT*WIN Optical Illusion
PLACE Amaris
SHOW Seattle Lightning
fourth Simba
A hot pace was set by the youngster Seattle Lightning today which forced Optical Illusion to sit in a position he wasn't too fond of. Using his previous track experience, he was able to sit back and save his energy for the fight against Amaris in the home stretch.
Seattle Lightning & Simba: Despite their age differences, I feel like they're really on par with each other and it was really hard to separate the two of them. Seattle Lightning's HOTY back-class from his 2yo season gave him the extra edge to compete with the top two and to be placed over the palomino stallion, but it was a dual right until the finish.
Amaris has blossomed into something really lethal and I definitely think she's gearing up for an insane senior season.
Optical Illusion came back from a lighter 3yo season with vengeance and it really does show in his performance. Everyone deserved a win here but he had enough drive to kick it ahead of the fiery filly in the last few strides.
BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE*Win. Aristaeus (neck)
Place. Charmed Weapon
Show. Flashbang
Fourth. Samaritan Hero
Fifth. Virtuoso
Aristaeus: Although, he has only run 9F once before in his career, it was a winning performance. Charmed Weapon kept closer company than usual and nearly surprised the confident winner. Aristaeus is definitely the class of the division, but all below him will be potent as the distances lengthen and they mature. Congratulations on winning with a champion!
Charmed Weapon: He's a sharp colt and nearly got the job done as this race fell right into his wheel house. I could see him being a male Hellfire for you, Cru. Maybe by concentrating on the 8-10 range, he'd make a nice run in the Derby. I would definitely say his female family leans toward middle distances and Cascabel, on his sire's side, is similar in that regard.
Flashbang: He's a swell horse who will definitely mature as he ages. I could see him coming back and being very potent in next year's series. Congrats on developing a top dirt two year old, Scotia.
Samaritan Hero: His running style and the description you have for it don't match. His running style says front runner, but his description talks about a horse that closes. I like him a lot, but he has always struck me as a distance runner. He's been a bit off form and seems a little overraced with 21 starts. I would definitely rest him and bring him back in February to prepare for whatever series you intend to run him in.
Virtuoso: He's a very nice horse who I see coming around as a three year old and up. He didn't stand out in this field where they have battling continuously against each other all season long.
BREEDER'S CUP SPRINT*WIN. Innerstellar
PLACE. Chatoyant
SHOW. Toss Up
Fourth. Ares
I don't need to say this was tough, because I think we all know it. Innerstellar has been at the top of his game year after year and all that BC experience had to count for something. He's an incredible horse who is definitely HOF quality and one that certainly deserved this win coming towards the end of his career. Chatoyant has absolutely owned it this year, and it could have gone either way between these two kids. Toss Up is going to be a killer Y18, and I'm a little afraid for it xDD Ares was very close in this field. He's been a very competitive HOTY horse for the last two seasons, I just didn't quite see him out-doing the top three.
BREEDER'S CUP MILE*WIN: Breaking Point (nose)
PLACE: Cyclonaria
SHOW: Dancing on Nails
BREEDER'S CUP TURF*WIN Devil's Flair
PLACE Notorius
SHOW Natural Selection
fourth Like A Lady
Well, this was an exhausting field to judge. Literally all of these horses could have won this, and they all deserved to, and it makes me sad that they couldn't. I shuffled them around so many times. I had to set aside all of the conversation, all of the outside thoughts about this field, and just judge this as the individual race it is. Devil's Flair has absolutely dominated this year, and he asserted that dominance here. Inches separated the rest, so... well, I'm sorry, but also congratulations on such incredible horses! They've had incredible careers!
BREEDER'S CUP CLASSIC*WIN Fleet Street
PLACE Uno Momento
SHOW Barely Smokin'
fourth Black Thriller
fifth Tiger Heart
What an amazing field! All of these have had amazing careers and records this season. I love how large this was! All of you should be proud of your ponies.