A CALIFORNIA CROWN? OR AN UPSET?
Are you ready for one of the most exciting races in recent years? If you have been to Belmont Park for the Belmont Stakes, it is a unique horse racing experience. The track’s 1 1/2 mile circumference makes for a different race spectacle. The grandstand is huge. The crowd is raucous. And that is just for a normal Belmont Stakes.
When a Triple Crown is up for grabs, it is pure mayhem. In the year of Sunday Silence and Easy Goer (1989), yours truly sat close to the top of the stretch and cheered as Easy Goer got his revenge.
When Smarty Jones took the lead and looked to be on his way to a Triple Crown score, I watched in horro on the TV at a big party when he was nipped by Birdstone at the wire. There have been others that have just not been able to win it. And that is probably good.
We want the Triple Crown winner to be the super freak’ (borrowing a term from fellow blogger Santino DiPaola). The horse must be of the ilk of Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Assault..Secretariat (well, who can be anywhere close to that horse). So we didn’t want Real Quiet to win the Triple Crown, or Silver Charm. Nice nice horses yes. Historical , legendary? No.
So, if California Chrome brings us to our feet, brings out the emotions and wins the Belmont on Saturday it will be great for racing, it will put the sport in the headlines. It will be a great story. But let’s hope that if he does, he continues on to greatness as the season continues and proves to be what a Triple Crown winner should be – a superstar.
Here are some picks:
ANDY SERLING – NYRA HANDICAPPER, TV ANALYST
I picked Wicked Strong over California Chrome, Ride on Curlin, and Commanding Curve in that order. The more I look, the more I realize Wicked Strong is the only horse I think has a realistic chance against the favorite in a fairly run race, and while California Chrome is the horse to beat, he will be overbet at 3:5, as I think his fair odds are closer to 7:5, which means you have to find someone, or someones, else to play. The distance may well be the great equalizer, but how can you have any significant confidence that any of these horses will greatly prefer it to the others?
RAY PAULICK – PAULICK REPORT:
Though my head is telling me differently, by heart is saying I have to stay with California Chrome. My longshot pick (and probable key in wagers) will be General A Rod. He’s had nothing but rough trips in the Derby and Preakness.
TOM LAMARRA – News Editor, Blood-Horse:
California Chrome. Can’t find a reason not to pick him.
SUE LESLIE – president Ontario div. HBPA and OHRIA
“I would love to see Chrome do it but I’m going to go with Wicked Strong, first choice-Tonalist -2nd choice.”
MARK CASSE – Woodbine’s leading trainer –
I think if anyone can beat CC it would be Tonalist, but I will be routing for CC.
STEVE KOCH, vice-president TB racing Woodbine
I’m pulling for California Chrome.
BRUCE WALKER, former publicist Woodbine, Hall of Famer
California here I come!!! Rather, here he comes. Tonalist will be his toughest adversary.
ONTARIO HBPA RECOMMENDS BAN OF RACE-DAY MEDICATION
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) of Ontario is taking an industry lead by recommending and supporting a ban on the use of race day medication in Ontario.
The HBPA Board of Directors made the final decision after it being raised at an ORC (Ontario Racing Commission) industry consultation meeting and further after reading and observing the waves of negative publicity in the USA on this issue.
“The horse racing industry, particularly horse people, continues to receive blame for not addressing the issue of administration of medications to our horses.” said Sue Leslie HBPA President, “Our customers rightly deserve to be confident that horses are racing clean on race day.”
We as horse people know that legal therapeutic medication is used for the comfort and benefit of our equine athletes, no different than therapeutic medications used by human beings to improve their quality of life.
The public needs to have confidence that all race horses are treated ethically.
The HBPA of Ontario wants to send a clear, strong message to the public, legislators and our customers that the industry does not tolerate the use of illegal drugs and that the health and welfare our horses continues to be the top priority throughout the industry.
“HBPA’s in general have been facing harsh criticism by its members, legislators, members of the betting and general public for not taking action or for hindering the implementation of programs that could restore public confidence concerning the use of medication in our sport,” stated Leslie, “The HBPA of Ontario Board has decided to step up and take the lead on this issue in the hope that other associations and jurisdictions will follow suit and support.”
The HBPA plans to submit their support of a race day ban to the Ontario Racing Commission, the Province’s regulatory body, and if implemented the plan would prevent veterinarians from entering a horse’s stall on the day it is entered to race. The administration of the approved bleeding medication Lasix, which is administered on the day of a race by a Commission veterinarian, would still be permitted.
There are many questions and details procedurally that need to be discussed before it can be implemented and the process is expected to take a few months.
“We expect that the majority of the industry will be comfortable with the implementation of this new initiative. The health and welfare of the equine athlete and the concerns of the betting customer are our top priorities,” commented Leslie, “We would hope that other associations in Ontario would offer their public support of the plan. The customer and the public demand it and our horses deserve it.”
The Jockey Club of Canada stewards also indicated its support of the HBPA’s recommendation.
AUSTRALIA (the horse) short price for EPSOM DERBY
but heavy rain could mess up son of Galileo (GB) – Ouija Board (Cape Cross)
SATURDAY – EPSOM DERBY
1 Arod 3 9-0 Peter Chapple-Hyam80 Jamie Spencer 108 113 126
c. Tefolio – My Personal space by Rahy
2 Australia 3 9-0 A P O´Brien39 119 120 136
c. Galileo -OUjia Board, by Cape Cross
3 Ebanoran27 3 9-0 John M Oxx71 113 76 124
c. Oasis Dream – Ebadiyla by sadler’s Wells
4 Fascinating Rock27 3 9-0 D K Weld47 113 72 124
c. Fastest Rock – Miss Polaris, by Polar Falcon
5 Geoffrey Chaucer27 3 9-0 A P O´Brien39 112 33 126
c. Montjeu – Helsinki, by Machevellian
6 Impulsive Moment43 3 9-0 Andrew Balding58 David Probert 97 71 119
c. Galileo – Luas Line by Danehill
7 Kingfisher29 3 9-0 A P O´Brien39 105 95 115
c. Galielo – Mystical Lady, by Halling
8 Kingston Hill35 3 9-0 Roger Varian86 Andrea Atzeni 118 108 133
c. Mastercrafstsman – Audacieuse, by Rainbbw Quest
9 Orchestra30 3 9-0 A P O´Brien39 110 115 128
c. Galileo – Bywayofthestars, by Danehill
10 Our Channel45 3 9-0 William Haggas88 Silvestre De Sousa 101 99 112
c. English Channel – Raw Gold, by Rahy
11 Pinzolo21 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby47 104 99 121
c. by Monsun – Pongee by Barathea
12 Red Galileo 3 9-0 Ed Dunlop56 Oisin Murphy 95 100 113
c. Dubawi – Ivory Gala by Galileo
13 Romsdal 3 9-0 John Gosden71 107 114 127
c. Halling – Pure Song by Singspiel
14 Snow Sky 3 9-0 Sir Michael Stoute44 James Doyle 108 100 122
c. Nayeff – Winter Silence, by Dansili
15 Sudden Wonder 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby47 105 95 118
c. New Approach – Dubai Surpise, by King’s Best
16 True Story 3 9-0 Saeed bin Suroor67 Kieren Fallon 114 114 129
c. Manduro – Tanzania by Darshaan
17 Western Hymn 3 9-0 John Gosden
c. High Chapparal – Blue Rhapsody by Cape Cross
WOODBINE OAKS – POSSIBLE ENTRANTS
PALADIN BAY
HOT AND SPICY
LEXIE LOU
WILD CATOMINE
LLARARMON
UNSPURNED
GDANSK
CALL HER KARMA
HOLD THE GOLD
STORM NOW
HOT AND SPICY worked on Friday morning at Saratoga on the dirt training in 1:01.30
HALL OF FAME TRAINER ROGER ATTFIELD worked his trio of fillies on Friday morning: UNSPURNED went furlongs in 1:13, STORM NOW, 1:13.0 and LLANARMON 1:14.20.
LEXIE LOU is scheduled to work this weekend. WILD CATOMINE prepped on Thursday, 1:00.40; GDANSK also worked on Thursday, 1:01.20.
PALADIN BAY had a 59 and change workout earlier in the week.
*TSN new TV home of major Ontario races
TSN today announced a new multi-year deal with Woodbine Entertainment Group that will see Canada’s Sports Leader broadcast every race from the Canadian Triple Crown series: the QUEEN’S PLATE, PRINCE OF WALES STAKES, and BREEDERS’ STAKES – marking the first time the network has carried all three of these events.
With this new deal, TSN now becomes the exclusive home of the biggest and most prestigious thoroughbred horse races in North America, as the network also delivers exclusive live coverage of the American Triple Crown: the KENTUCKY DERBY, PREAKNESS STAKES, and the BELMONT STAKES, airing tomorrow (Saturday, June 7) at 6 p.m. ET on TSN (pre-race coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on TSN2).
“We are thrilled to present the Canadian Triple Crown in partnership with TSN and Bell Media,” said Nick Eaves, President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “Woodbine is the home of championship horse racing, and TSN’s hallmark of quality storytelling will amplify our premier events and make Canadian horse racing bigger than ever before.”
“TSN is proud to partner with Woodbine Entertainment Group to become the new home of Canadian horse racing and add the Canadian Triple Crown to our broad portfolio of championship events,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming and Marketing, TSN. “With its rich history and thrilling performances, the QUEEN’S PLATE is the undisputed jewel of Canadian horse racing. We’re very excited to showcase it, along with Woodbine’s full slate of marquee events, to horse racing fans across the country.”
As part of the deal, TSN has acquired rights for seven Canadian horse races, including the PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP – the continent’s richest pacing race – on Saturday, June 14 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN (pre-race coverage begins at 9:30 p.m. ET exclusively on TSN GO). The following day (Sunday, June 15), WOODBINE OAKS presented by Budweiser airs at 4:30 p.m. ET on TSN2.
TSN’s live coverage of the Canadian Triple Crown begins with the QUEEN’S PLATE – considered the premier event in Canadian horse racing – on Sunday, July 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET, as the 155th running of the event unfolds at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
The Canadian Triple Crown shares the same race distances as its U.S. counterpart, however the uniqueness of the Canadian horse races is that each event is contested on a different racing surface: Polytrack, dirt, and turf.
TSN subscribers can also access live streaming and on demand coverage of TSN’s package of horse racing events on their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop via TSN GO.
Schedule
Please visit TSN.ca for confirmed broadcast times for the following events:
· PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP – Saturday, June 14
· WOODBINE OAKS presented by Budweiser – Sunday, June 15
· QUEEN’S PLATE – Sunday, July 6
· PRINCE OF WALES STAKES – Tuesday, July 29
· BREEDERS’ STAKES – Sunday, Aug. 17
· RICOH WOODBINE MILE – Sunday, Sept. 14
· PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL – Sunday, Oct. 19
PATRICK HUSBANDS TO RECEIVE AVELINO GOMEZ AWARD
for Canadian contributions to the sport
In March, before he won the Barbados Gold Cup on Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s MAJOR MARVEL Patrick Husbands, recovering from a serious leg injury discussed his early years of coming to ride at Woodbine and the hardships he encountered.
http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2014/02/26/ace-jockey-husbands-star-quality/
