Two Stakes and a Handicap

September 30, 2013

Dear Readers,

            The next race on my list is the Grade I Ballerina Stakes, for three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares going seven furlongs on the dirt course at Saratoga.  Dance to Bristol, a four-year-old by Speightstown, a terrific racehorse who went to stud after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2004.

            The race itself was uneventful and Dance to Bristol got the perfect trip. She did lug in sharply when the rider hit her right handed in the stretch, and had to dig in hard to hold off the runner up by a head. I know Dance to Bristol in all her career has only finished out of the money once and has now won seven in a row.  But the way I see it, the majority of those races were against easier company. The last three races have been in the best of company, and she is obviously improving with age.

            By winning this race and the two races she competed in prior to the Ballerina Stakes, she has put herself squarely in the mix for a run in the Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Sprint. But for me, I don’t see Dance to Bristol winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, she’ll run her best, because that is how this mare is wired, but her best doesn’t look like it will win against the kind of company she will meet in the Breeders’ Cup. 

 

        

        

            Next were back to York in the United Kingdom. The Group I Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, five furlongs on the turf for two-year-olds and up. That's right, two-year-olds and up, go figure. Anyway...in a huge upset, Jwala, a four-year-old mare by Oasis Dream beat a huge field filled with top notch talent.

            This race was another one of those run on a straight course, and this filly pinned her ears and stuck with them all the way. When Jwala changed leads, she pulled in front and it became obvious she wasn't going to get nipped at the wire.

            Coming off a last place finish in the August second Betfred King George Stakes, where her connections said Jwala hit her head on the starting gate, and fractured the bony structure of her eye socket. I would say that was more than a legitimate excuse for a dismal race, and an opportunity for improvement.

            However, I find it stunning she could come back this quick and run such a stellar race with a head fracture. I’m impressed with Jwala and I can only imagine how good she’ll be in the future. I would love to see her connections bring her to the Breeders’ Cup.

Gorgeous head, reminds me of Norther Dancer.

             Finally for today, the Del Mar Handicap. A Grade II one mile and three eighths turf race for three-year-olds and up. Vagabond Shoes, along with Lucayan  stalked the field from last and next to last in the seven horse field. At the head of the lane, Vagabond Shoes had the best of the going, while Lucayan was buried behind horses. When Lucayan broke free it was a real horserace to the wire. 

            Vagabond Shoes won on the day and if he goes up against Lucayan again, I would certainly play an exacta box using those two. Great race, very exciting on what looked like a dried up soccer pitch.

Benoit Photo
You can barely see Lucayan behind Vagabond Shoes.

Take care,
Shelley Riley
www.shelleyriley.com

Lord Lloyd Webbers' The Fugue - Is Not One To Be Forgotten

September 27, 2013
 

Dear Readers,

            I’m going to have to get a move on if I want to review the entire list of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series races which have already taken place, if I want to finish before the big day of racing in November. This endeavor has been fun, and its own challenge, as I try to keep moving forward on my new fiction piece.

            First up today will be the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, a Grade I turf event going a whopping one-mile-and-one-half at the historic York Racecourse. York is located in North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and has a history of racing that is so long it has faded over time. Rumor and supposition place equine activities as far back as Neolithic times. I urge you to look up the history on the area, it’s fascinating.

They do attract a crowd at York Racecourse.

            The Fugue. Wow! What else needs to be said? This daughter of Dansili, and out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Twyla Tharp, as a three-year-old went off the favorite in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares turf contest. Boxed in for virtually the whole race, she was running up on heels down the lane trying to find running room. I can’t say for sure she would have won the race if she’d been able to break through, but she would have been right there.

            As to the running of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, William Buick must have ice water in his veins. There he sat on tons of horse, feet in the dashboard, elbows stuck out, waiting…and waiting…! At the point I’m beginning to question his wisdom, and just when I think he’s going to run out of room, he lets The Fugue shift gears, and my-oh-my what a delightful finish for the owners of this mare, Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber. A masterful ride by William, he really knows this mare, and he sat quiet and timed the win to perfection.

            So what about the Breeders’ Cup? Her connections are talking about a double entry, nominating her both in the Fillies and Mares Turf and the longer Turf race in open company. The one-mile-and-a-half Turf distance would be much to The Fugue’s liking and, may for the distance alone, be her connections first preference when choosing between the two. Either way, I’m a big fan.

What a beauty, nearly black and with huge eyes, I'm smitten with this mare.

             Next the Connolly’s Red Mills Lowther Stakes, Grade II, a six furlong turf race for two-year-old fillies, and run on the same card as the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. This is the first of the “Win and You’re In” Challenge races for two-year-olds. Since this particular race was contested on a straight away course, switching leads can be problematic. A horse will get tired running in the same lead throughout a contest, and must be trained to respond to the rider when it’s time to switch leads.

            Lucky Kristale switched leads several times, and in my opinion seemed to be running a little green. Despite winning by daylight, I felt she flattened a bit towards the end. With her race record and her youth, this filly has a great future ahead of her. Her connections have said they won’t be bringing her to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup, and I think that is probably wise.

  What a pretty head Lucky Kristale has.

Take care and thanks for reading,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Dank, The Apache and a Real Solution.

September  26, 2013

Dear Readers,

            Today I’m going to look back at the August 17^th Arlington Million and the Beverly D. Stakes. Ladies first, and to that end the Beverly D. is a Grade I race for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up and going one mile and three-sixteenth on the turf course at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights Illinois.  As part of the Arlington International Festival of Racing, the Beverly D. Stakes is the fillies and mares equivalent to the Arlington Million and runs on the same card.

  

            This year’s winner was a four year old British invader named Dank. Interesting name choice since dank defined is damp and often chilly. Maybe she was named after the weather on the day she was born. Five years living in Great Britain and I remember damp and chilly succinctly.

            Dank squatted a bit coming out of the gate, but quickly ran up into the pack, staying tucked between horses until she was taken to the outside by her jockey Ryan Moore as they turned for home. Despite winning by four-and-half lengths, this filly was switching leads, stumbling and even climbing a bit. I’ve seen a lot of horses run with their tongue hanging out; Casual Lies for one, but this fillies tongue was practically licking the hand of the jockey, and flapping in the wind like a flattened balloon.  I wonder if they ever tried tying her tongue. She has thrown a couple of less than stellar performances over her career; perhaps she swallowed her tongue on those occasions. I’m just saying.

            It’s hard not to like a horse that wins by that far, and I do like Dank. But it didn’t look like the Beverly D. Stakes was her best race. I would like to see Dank more engaged, I don’t think she can win the Breeders’ Cup, switching leads and stumbling around down the lane.

            Next I’ll look at the Arlington Million, three-year-olds and up going one mile and quarter on the turf.  A field of thirteen filled the gate, and this was one rough race. The eventual winner The Apache was disqualified from first and placed second, giving Real Solution the win. This caused a lot of controversy on the boards. Personally I think The Apache should have been placed last and his jockey given a suspension.

            If you really watch the race carefully, you will see that The Apache went across the field in the stretch, from right to left, wiping out everybody in his path. Hunter’s Light almost went down, and just as he was making his move, taking away any chance he might have had. Mull of Killough had to be checked hard and you can see his head go up as he’s forced to climb over The Apache’s heels, while Little Mike was forced to do the same thing.

            Once The Apache got to the rail, his rider then hit him left handed and out he goes, repeatedly slamming into Real Solution. The Apache deserved to be placed behind all the horses he fouled. That would have placed him eleventh behind Hunter’s Light. The fouls committed by The Apache were so egregious; he needed to be disqualified from any finishing position.

            Horses and jockeys could have been injured and even killed. With each horse who was forced out of his lane and over The Apaches’ heels was another opportunity for a wreck that would have left horses and riders piled up all over the turf course right in front of the grandstand.  

            Horse’s duck and they lug, but they have riders who are supposed to control them. I didn’t see Christophe Soumillon standing up to control his horse. It looked like he kept riding for the win, which left the jockey’s on the horses, The Apache cut across without sufficient clearance, to fend for themselves.

            I can only hope all the horses came out of this race without injury. I’ve seen horses cut down so severely, that they’ve had shoes and quarters torn off, and even tendons severed.

           Now the winner, Real Solution, he didn’t get involved in the bruhaha at the eighth pole, but he was game as they come when The Apache kept putting the pressure on him as he lugged out down the lane and bumping into Real Solution.

            This was Real Solutions third start in the United States, and he looks like he should keep getting better. I hope he goes to the Breeders’ Cup.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure, selected for inclusion in the 32^nd Annual Kentucky Book Fair on November 16^th at the Frankfort Convention Center, in Frankfort Kentucky. I hope I see some of you there.

Moonlight Cloud - Win and You're In.

September 24, 2013

Dear Readers’

            On August 11, in Deauville France at the Deauville-La Touques Racecourse a remarkable mare took on the boys for the second time in eight days.

            Moonlight Cloud was given time off from racing after finishing 8^th in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile, and since her return to racing on July 6^th has contested three graded races in five weeks, and folks—she won all three. That isn’t just remarkable, it’s amazing.

            The last two races were both Gr. I events and were contested in the company of what most consider to be the stronger colts and geldings. With only six days off between the Prix de la Porte Maillot Gr. I, where she won for fun and the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois Gr. I where she barely held on after making the lead, this mare must be made of iron.

           Moonlight Cloud, is slender and feminine, her stride a thing of beauty. She likes to be rated early and when asked to run she’ll pin her ears so tight to her head, it looks like she doesn’t have any and she keeps them pinned even after the race is over. This is one tough cookie, and I like this mare a lot, but not against the kind of colts and geldings she would be taking on in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

 

            In closing I wanted to share an interesting fact about Deauville-La Touques Racecourse. Built in 1862 and called the Hippodrome de la Touques, after the Touques River, the man behind the construction was the half brother of the Emperor Napoleon III. Charles de Morny, Duke of Morny was an important contributor to the development of the thoroughbred industry in France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

 

Cross Traffic Wins The Whitney Handicap

September 22, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I’m back to the races and continuing my reviews on the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series of races. Today the extremely prestigious Whitney Handicap, a Grade I event contested at one mile and one eighth over the dirt surface at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs New York.

Saratoga Race Course Entrance Gate.

          Located near the site of the popular mineral springs, The Spa, became the most notable of nicknames for the Saratoga Race Course. As early as 1847 standardbred harness racing was taking place at the venue and in 1863, barely one month after the infamous Battle of Gettysburg, the first thoroughbred race card was organized.



Saratoga Race Course Grandstand as it looked in 1907.

The history of the Saratoga Springs area is so rich and so varied; it makes for endless hours of entertaining research. I literally got so sidetracked from my goal, of writing this blog that I had to pull myself away. I urge you to use whichever search engine you prefer and put in Saratoga Springs. Be forewarned each click of the mouse opens myriad avenues to explore, and as each page opens with captivating bits of history, you get drug ever deeper into the endless adventure.

            As to the original subject of this posting, The Whitney was run for the first time in 1928. This year’s race boasted a talented field of eight. Second choice in the wagering was the lightly raced son of Unbridled’s Song, Cross Traffic. In only five lifetime start, this talented colt has raced in three Graded races in a row. Unraced until this year, Cross Traffic broke his maiden in his first outing in Florida. He followed that win up with a decisive first place finish in an Allowance-Optional Claiming race, price: $25,000.

            For those of you not familiar with this term, it is fairly simple, while at the same time somewhat complicated. Basically you can run in an Allowance-Optional Claiming race as long as you’ve run at or below the claiming level listed in the conditions. So in this case they would have had to risk their horse being claimed for $25,000 or less at some time, while at the same time not won for a higher claiming price, or in an Alowance or Stake race. Though not the same as Starter Allowance their are similarities. 

            Claiming races mean any horse running in a race with this designation could be claimed out of the race by any licensed owner, who puts his money up, and drops the claim in the claim box thirty minutes before the gate opens. In the not to distant past, it used to be once the gate opened, win, lose or even if the horse broke down, he then belonged to the person who'd dropped the claim. Well…unless they spelled the name wrong on the claim slip. But there have been some rule changes. In a few states, to cover those horses that needed to be vanned off the track or came up lame soon after, claims can be voided.

            So in the Allowance-Optional Claiming race, the horse can be entered to run for the designated claiming price and carry less weight than those who don’t run for the claiming price. Simple, right?

            Since Cross Traffic ran in one of those races, though not for the claiming price, it seems quite impressive that he wins the Whitney three races later, and in his first year of racing to boot. I thought he still looked green, particularly when he ducked sharply after getting hit with the whip. But this was his first time going a mile and an eighth; he could and did look like he was getting tired, which might explain it. I would say Cross Traffic’s connections have a lot of fun ahead of them. Stay sound my friend.

 

Photo by Coglianese Photo's

             Next time I will try to pick one of the books I've read lately, and write a short review on it. If you have a favorite, drop me an email and let me know. If I haven’t read it, I will consider reading it—that is if the subject matter appeals to me. There are some things I just won’t read.

            I have Mark Leibovich’s book This Town sitting on my shelf, but I’m not sure I want to talk politics on this blog. Friendly, soft spoken and rational people, can so quickly do a one eighty and thus for that reason, among others, I prefer to keep away from the subject.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Carl Hiaasen's Lucky You, and Sacred Falls Update.

September 19, 2013

Dear Readers,

         I was enjoying a really strong cup of coffee this morning, while watching the stock market, listening to the pundits make judgment calls in a confident and authoritative manner, and it occurred to me I haven’t done a book review in quite awhile.

        Granted, I’ve been distracted and pulled in many different directions. But I still take time everyday to read someone else’s work. So here is the review I wrote this morning. I’ve also included a comment on an archived blog post. It gives us an update on one of the many terrific horses I have reviewed over the last few months.

          I’d enjoyed Carl Hiaasen’s Bad Monkey so much, I thought why not go to the library and see if they have some of the first books he published on their shelves. While Lucky You is not one of his first, more to the middle, it was available at the Pleasanton Library and I checked it out. That was over two weeks ago. I picked up Ever After by Kim Harrison on the same day and I finished it in two. But Lucky You? I just finished slogging through it last night. It pains me to convey how pedestrian this book was for me.

When I held the book in my hand in front of the rows of stacks at the library, I wanted to like it, and the pitch line hooked me; “Grange, Florida, is famous for its miracles--the weeping fiberglass Madonna, the Road-Stain Jesus, the stigmata man. And now it has JoLayne Lucks, unlikely winner of the state lottery.”

While Hiaasen’s talent is undeniable, and evident even in this ridiculously mediocre, bordering on bad book. I cringed so many times while forcing myself to get through it; I had to wonder why I did? My answer—I think I remained hopeful throughout each tedious page that it would get better, that the same Carl who had written Bad Monkey would pull it out. But I was disappointed right through to the very end.

It reads more like a Monty Python script, stereotypical zombiesque characters, parading around as white supremacists, religious fanatics and charlatans.

The passages meant to make me laugh—didn’t, and almost without exception went one step beyond the pale and into Three Stooges type of pratfalls and stupidity, only this was creepy.

I still love Carl’s style of writing, and I will continue to buy and read his books. I’m just thankful I didn’t make Lucky You my first venture into the Carl Hiaasen house of fun, because I probably wouldn’t have picked up another book written by him if I had.  

Now onto the update on the post Sacred Falls Bests Pierro in the BMW Doncaster Mile published on July 8^th. I received a nice update from Raffles Racing about Sacred Falls and among other things they wrote:

After his six wins in New Zealand, we decided to send him to race in Australia. He had 4 starts in Australia and only won his final goal which was the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile. He also ran second in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas.
Sorry to inform you that he is not going for the Breeders Cup because he will be racing in Australia for the Spring Carnival. 

Photo New Zealand News

While I can understand their reasoning, I’m still disappointed he won't be in California in November. I will enjoy following this horse as he continues to race in Australia, and I will be hopeful that he continues his winning ways, this is a very nice horse.  Who knows, maybe someday I'll get to see him in person.

Next up, Chapter Seven, are you ready? 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

see at www.shelleyriley.com

Clement L. Hirsch Handicap Gr.I

September 16, 2013

Dear Readers,

         Back to the races today, and I took a look at the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, one mile and one-sixteenth on the synthetic dirt surface at Del Mar Racetrack. This is a race restricted to fillies and mares that are three-year-olds and up. As one of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series the winner is automatically qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.

         Originally named the Chula Vista Handicap, it was first run in 1937 at a distance of five-and-half furlongs and was restricted to California Bred two-year-olds. Over the years, the distance has been changed several times, and in 2000 the race was renamed to honor Clement L. Hirsch (1914-2000), who was the co-founder of Oak Tree Racing Association.   

         The quality of the fields contesting this race over the years has earned it a Grade I designation starting in 2009. For example the great mare Zenyatta won the Clement L. Hirsch three years running, from 2008 thru 2010.

         The real story of this year’s Clement L. Hirsch stakes is not who won the race, as much as who didn’t. Include Me Out, last year’s winner of this race, who then went on to run third in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, finished well out of the money. Watching her closely from bell to wire, she looked fine, and seemed well within herself stalking the front runners. When asked she moved strongly and was certainly in position to affect the outcome of the race, but when she switched leads at the head of the lane, she looked rough to me and there was no response to strong urging from that point on.  Only Include Me Out’s second race back after a well earned layoff following last year’s Breeders’ Cup, she may’ve needed the race and just come up a bit short.  

         The race unfolded without drama remaining uneventful until the horses bunched up at the quarter pole. Lady of Fifty took the overland route and stayed well clear of all the turmoil going on to the inside of her and was a clear winner at the wire. More Chocolate had to change lanes several times to avoid horses impeding her progress, and she managed to pull out the second place finish. As for the third place finisher, Byrama, she was in so much trouble she was lucky to come out of the race unscathed, let alone run third.

          I don’t see Lady of Fifty winning the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, but then again she could be getting better with each race. I will reserve final judgment on her chances until I see what she does after this win.

(Benoit Photo)

        Next up the Whitney Handicap, looking back is so much fun, and will give me a good idea how the Breeders' Cup races will look on the day. 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

2013 Bing Crosby Stakes

September 12, 2013

Dear Readers,

                Back to the 2013 Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, and first up the Bing Crosby Stakes run at six furlongs over the synthetic surface at Del Mar Racetrack in California. Six horses lined up in the gate on July 28^th to vie for a share of the $300,000 purse, and at the wire two horses were clearly the best.

                This race reminded me of Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed. Points Offthebench, the four-year-old who had been running in Allowance Optional Claiming races, and had never run in a stakes race before the Bing Crosby, let alone a graded stakes race. Versus Goldencents, the three-year-old who had never run in anything less than a graded stakes race since he broke his maiden as a two-year-old.

                Goldencents really did look golden after winning the Santa Anita Derby, and before going onto compete in the 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby. The Derby conditions were so wet it appeared more like an equine version of a Mud Bowl, and Goldencents finished in seventeenth position out of the nineteen horse field.

                The field in the Bing Crosby broke well and the speed lined up across the track, eating up most of the ground saving positions. Points Offthebench was kept off the speed and to the outside, while Goldencents was caught inside a pretty tight box, and being checked frequently by his rider Kevin Krigger, to keep him off the heels of the horse in front of him.

                When Points Offthebench was unleashed by his rider, Mike Smith, circling four wide, he looked impressive, like a rat in a barrel. However I was surprised at how green this horse appeared coming out of the turn. He didn’t want to change leads, he was lugging in and he required a lot of guidance by Smith.

                Goldencents still stalled behind horses, was waiting for an opening. When Kevin was presented with a little daylight towards the inside, and astride a horse full of run, he had little more than a moment to decide. Lucky for him he chose to go to the outside, because that hole closed up tight when Point Offthebench filled it.

                Once these two horses were clear, the gloves came off, and both jockeys earned their money. It was a great race. I was mesmerized as they pounded to the wire, both riders trying everything to get one more ounce of try from their respective mounts. If you have time, check out the video replay on line, it’s very exciting.

                So—Rocky won. Points Offthebench is now a Gr. I stakes winner, what a high for his connections. Goldencents with his versatility will probably go on to run longer distances again, and I would be surprised if we saw a rematch between these two. But this meeting was fun.

Benoit Photo - Note Points Offthebench's tongue flapping in the wind.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

32nd Annual Kentucky Book Fair

September 8, 2013

Dear Readers,

        I have exciting news to share with you today. This spring I submitted Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure to be considered for inclusion in the 32^nd Annual Kentucky Book Fair. All of the submissions were presented to an Author Selection Committee for preview, and I was hopeful.

       Saturday I pulled an envelope out of the mail box from the Kentucky Book Fair Board of Directors, and the letter advised I’d been invited to participate in the Kentucky Book Fair. It will be held at the Frankfort Convention Center in historic downtown Frankfort Kentucky on November 16th, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This is a big book fair, where a lot of really talented authors would've submitted their work, and I am honored to have been selected.  

      After I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, and called all my friends, I was still so pleased and excited I've already booked my airline tickets and rental car.

      I’ve wanted to get back to Kentucky for several years, and the yearning has only been getting stronger. This is the perfect excuse to invite one of my friends to stay at my house with Nigel (my greyhound), take care of my ninety gallon reef aquarium and let me fly off to Kentucky, footloose and fancy free.

   The November breeding stock sale will be in full swing at the Keeneland Sales venue in Lexington from November 5 through the 14. I’m flying in early enough to tramp around the barns, look at the beautiful horses, greet old friends and smell all the wonderful odors that make up the world of horse sales. I may have to tie my hands to my belt to keep from bidding on the one special horse that catches my eye.

    I may also take one day to look at real estate while I’m there. I would like nothing better than to move to Kentucky. It has always called to me and the idea of having a place big enough to raise a couple of sales yearlings would be…well it would simply be heaven.

     So any of you who live near Frankfort, please come over and see me, I would love to meet some of the people who have closely followed my blog, or  read my memoir.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" Challenge Series Race Recaps

September 3, 2013

Dear Readers,

    I wanted to get back to my reviews of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series today. First up for today is the July 6^th  Smile Sprint Handicap, a Gr. II six furlong race which was run over the dirt surface at Calder Race Course in Florida. The winner was, Bahamian Squall, a four-year-old brown colt by Gone West and out of the Storm Bird mare Midway Squall.

    Bahamian Squall broke well and was then rated by his jockey, settling off the leaders but well within striking distance on the outside. Down the lane it looked like he was holding his stride while others faltered, and so he passed tiring horses. Bahamian Squall won by over a length, but the time was slow for horses of this quality. I did see a lot of dirt flying, so the track could have been cuppy, which will slow any race down. Never the less, I don’t feel like this was an impressive race against his peers. Though his connections may bring him to the Breeders’Cup, I won’t be including Bahamian Squall in my choices on the day, that is unless he comes back and runs a huge race in between.

 

     Next up for today would be the United Nations Stakes, also run on July 6^th  only at Monmouth Race Course in New Jersey. The United Nations is a GR. I turf race, and run at the distance of one mile and three-eighths. The race was won by Big Blue Kitten, a brown five-year-old colt by Kitten’s Gold and out of the Unaccounted mare Spent Gold.

     Big Blue Kitten was rated early by jockey Joe Bravo, as Joel Rosario on Little Mike and Gary Stevens on Skyring duked it out on the front end.

     Bravo boldly jumped Little Mike’s heels twice with Big Blue Kitten, in order to find the opening he would need to get his mount through on the rail. Once they were clear, Big Blue Kitten was hard pressed to gain the lead from Teaks North. Though Big Blue Kitten won the race by over a length, it wasn’t done in such a manner that would get me to choose him over my other choices for Breeders’ Cup day. I did note one other thing, Big Blue Kitten didn’t seem to like a lot of whipping…I’m just saying. Watch the replay nearing the wire and you’ll see the tail pop, one big and several small. 

Note on the picture. Yes that is blood showing on his mouth, and in all likelihood he bit his tongue or he needs his teeth worked on and he cut the inside of his mouth on a ragged tooth. I think I see a tongue tie, so my bet is on his having bit his tongue. No blood coming out of his nose, and that is what you don't want to see.

    And the last race I'll talk about today, is the A Gleam Handicap, Gr. II and seven furlongs exclusively for fillies and mares that ran on the dirt at Hollywood Park July 13^th. The race was won by the four-year-old filly Book Review, a chestnut daughter of Giant’s Causeway and out of the Distorted Humor mare, Clever Babe.

 

   What I can say about the five horse field, is everybody broke well and two horses quickly pulled clear of the other three to cruise along on the front end. Book Review had her head stuck up in the air and looked as though her rider, Rafael Bejarano, had a huge hold on her and was fighting her to keep her from running off.

 

     However as I watched the race, I realized what a rough running filly this is. My late husband Jim Riley, who was a jockey for many years, would have said Book Review was “rough-as-a-cob,” a rather colorful jockey's euphemism for a less than graceful runner. Her head was up in the air, not because her jocky had a tight hold on her, but because that's how she carries it.

 

But who cares if Book Review is stobbing her legs in the ground like four telephone poles with each stride? She won and she won impressively. I’ll reserve my opinion on her chances going into the Breeders’ Cup, at least until I see who will be competing with her for the Breeders’ Cup title.

 

Ok that’s it for today. I will post chapter five in my fiction novel next. I have been asked to put all five in order next time I post; does anybody have an opinion on that?

 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure. Check it out on Amazon, where you can read a pretty extensive preview. You can also check it out, along with a photo gallery on my website www.shelleyriley.com