Warren Eves’ Kentucky Derby Watch List 2012
Posted By Warren Eves on January 5, 2012
Bode Could Have Won If Kept Away From Inner Lane; Writer Doubts If Today’s Sophs Can Get Classic 1-1/4
Posted By Warren Eves on May 11, 2012
By Warren Eves After the Kentucky Derby was run I was left in puzzling state. Despite the fact I love horses who prep for the Derby at Oaklawn Park I did not think Bodemeister would hit the board. After watching the tape of the Kentucky Derby around 100 times(it’s true) I still was trying to come up with sound reasoning. The final half-mile was covered in 52 seconds. So why, I asked myself, didn’t Dullahan or any of the other colts I had rated well get the job done? It wasn’t until I had spent six hours reviewing the entire Derby Day racing card I began to form an opinion worthy of passing on. (more…)
Is Macho Macho A 3yo Comer In Asmussen Barn?; Skyring Is Example Of Poly To Dirt Turn Around
Posted By Warren Eves on May 7, 2012
By Warren Eves Story lines galore. That was the end result after doing several days of reviewing the May 5th Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs. Will Macho Macho become the budding sophomore in Steve Asmussen’s barn? Where will D. Wayne Lukas’ Skyring surface next on three-year-old tour? Did the sandy surface compromise the third place run of Dullahan? How big was the late run of Went the Day Well in the Derby after trouble? How good is Shug’s newly turned 4-year-old filly Hungry Island? Can Shrill deliver next time out after his bumper car 2nd on Derby undercard. Trainer Asmussen was in a foul food after Daddy Nose Best finished 10th in Derby 2012. Earlier on the card Macho Macho made his first start for the famed trainer a winning one. He overcame a bumping session early on and had only two foes beaten early. Corey Nakatani made a big run four-wide with the Macho Uno colt and he drew out late under some taps of the whip. Macho Macho is ready to try two turns coming off the Derby Day score at seven eighths. In the third race of the day at Churchill Downs a colt named Skyring showed he liked moving from Keeneland’s poly track to the dirt at Churchill Downs. We loved his stride and he (more…)
Saturday in the Park
Posted By Mark Geiger on April 21, 2012
Down and dirty stuff today in pony land of the barn switching variety: AQU Race 10 – #10 Monastir – When Jason Servis claims one, I’m not going to argue. Opens at 6/1, I hope to get 4. Danny thinks his turf number is pretty nice, too. CRC Race 10: #2 Chinglish – This one’s a reach, but after a cold winter, the Cartagena barn appreciates the move across town. So, at 20/1 on the ML with a new money rider up, I’ll throw some into this race which is a definite stab in (more…)
Bodemesister’s 11.97 FF Hard To Ignore In Ark Dby; Dullahan Roars Past Hansen To Win Blue Grass
Posted By Warren Eves on April 14, 2012
By Warren Eves Dullahan ran like I thought he might to win the Blue Grass. Bodememeister ran much better than we thought he might when romping in the Arkansas Derby. After the wire in Kentucky there were questions. Why did Kent Desormeaux pull Dullahan up so suddenly after the wire at Keeneland? He roared from 11th in a field of 13 and won by an increasing 1-1/2 lengths. It was the kind of performance one looks for when thinking a mile and a quarter and the May 5th Kentucky Derby. So far we have heard nobody explain the (more…)
‘Anita Racing Dept Needs Radical Policy Changes Now!; New Exec Must Address Perception Of Once Great Place
Posted By Warren Eves on April 12, 2012
By Warren Eves We like the enthusiasm of Santa Anita Park’s newest exec Mark Verge. Problem is……..nothing will change until they start from scratch in the racing office. Watched Verge on a racing channel this week. His ideas are: 1.) Aggressive promotion of Asian communities. 2.) New exotic drinks at bars. 3.) Responding to every whim of on track patrons. All of the above and more is not going to fix the problem. The Thoroughbred Owners of California have (more…)
Cali Dreamin
Posted By Mark Geiger on April 7, 2012
Today almost looks like the good old days of the late 90’s which, if I recall, many complained about wishing it was still 15 years earlier. In 2030, if there still is racing, they’ll say these were the good old days, too. What did Carly Simon say? No, it wasn’t “Daddy will you buy me a recording studio so I can make records?” Such is the nature of the beast. Speaking of Cars. It’s the Carla and A.C. redux show at SA. Race 6 #8 Midnight Transfer (Once having received a ride at that (more…)
Caspian Crown Ran Too Good To Lose At Will Rogers; Maiden Special Race Comes Up Unusually Tough
Posted By Warren Eves on April 1, 2012
By Warren Eves Horseplayers will go to any lengths when seeking a score. I’m living proof of same. We bring this subject up because Will Rogers Downs has caught my fancy. The first two horses I played wound up winning. I took the ball from there and ran with it. Which brings to mind the review of the eighth race–a maiden special weight race on March 24 at Will Rogers. It was carded at six furlongs and wound up being anything but ordinary. The more I reviewed the tape, the more I realized this was not your ordinary maiden special weight race at a small track. It turned out to be much tougher than normal. Alan Williams sent out a New York-bred named Caspian Crown and he had to be wondering what one has to do to win a race? The three-year-old son of Bernardini was adding blinkers and was a first time lasix user. The colt was last seen finishing sixth at Churchill Downs last June. Caspian Crown ran huge when you consider he broke slowly and brushed through traffic (more…)
Go Johnny, Go
Posted By Mark Geiger on April 1, 2012
As I was saying…. Ok, I went back in time, the book was consumed by Herbie, a 4-legged monster of the canine kind and, in a rage of hypermania, I took to wagering on women’s tennis. The latter pursuit was an utter disaster. I did not win one wager on Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova so a couple of months ago, on my 60th birthday, my good friend, right about now my only friend, Danny Serra, reminded me to pay attention, take a shower, and recall his old friend Johnny who could be very good. Since I (more…)
You Dancing Demon’s Graduation Was Exceptional: Valid Trip Notes Should Always Be Part of Process
Posted By Warren Eves on March 25, 2012
By Warren Eves You Dancing Demon’s maiden graduation stirred my trip note enthusiasm March 24. It took place in Hawthorne’s sixth race while most pundits were watching Turfway Park’s Spiral. The four-year-old gelding trained by Christine Janks overcame adversity to win large. In the process the gelded son of Pleasant Tap left the maiden ranks in notable fashion. We made mention of this special run via Twitter that evening on March 24. Yes, I’ve gone wacko with Twits. I can’t believe it myself. The first time Twitter came along I tried it and said no thanks. Only after being encouraged by longtime handicapper and line-maker Terry Turrell did I give it another try. Enter phase one of insanity. Twittering gives one relief. When I feel like I’m going to implode I go to Google search and type in the letter T. Bingo! I’m off and (more…)